Fit Along Friday

I am really missing taking family portraits this time of year. I am hoping by next year I'll be back in swing of my photography business. Until I find the time for it I have to settle for my camera on a tripod and using the 10 second timer! Even my remote shutter is broken. I need to work on all of that!

With Thanksgiving coming up I've been thinking a lot about what kind of healthy food I can bring to Thanksgiving dinner. I have a lot of intolerance to a lot of foods so I want to make something creative and I came across this recipe for 

GRAIN-FREE HOMESTYLE STUFFING

I think it looks delicious.  The ingredients are onion, celery, apple, dates, almond flour, sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, salt, pepper, coconut oil and eggs. I was so excited when I was reading though the list of ingredients until I got to the eggs. I am intolerant to eggs and they really bother me. I read some of the comments and I found out that I can use ground up flax seed and water (1 T ground flax and 2 T water and let sit for three minutes) as a binder instead of the eggs. I can't wait to try it out.

WHAT WE I AM EATING THIS WEEK-

Monday lunch- Braised Beef Pot Roast and Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Monday dinner- Grass Fed Beef and Grilled Vegetable Lasagna

Tuesday lunch- Baked Sweet Potato Turkey, Chorizo, Bacon and Spinach 

Tuesday dinner- Veggy Loaded Meatloaf, Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Wednesday lunch- Chicken Salad with Avacado-Lime Paleo Mayo over Seasonal Greens

Wednesday dinner-  Stir Fry Chicken and Vegetables with Lemongrass-Ginger Broth

Do you know how much of that I am cooking? NONE. We have a local Paleo restaurant that does a food service. You can sign up for a three day or five day plan. You get lunch and dinner and it is all packaged in lovely containers and is oh so yummy. Although I do plan on making healthy decisions on Thanksgiving I know I might be tempted by some yummy treats. So I decided to get the food service since I know I am getting great healthy meals for three days and I love the portion control! Plus the meals our mouth watering delicious and not having to cook all those meals frees up some of my time. Since the kids have activities everyday after school I am glad to know I can come home to something good to eat and not feel make bad decisions.

FITNESS TIP OF THE WEEK-

Get up and move. I have found I do much better getting my work done if I get up every 45 minutes and move around. I tend to loose focus after 45 minutes of sitting at the computer and working. I have made playlists on Spotify that are 45 minutes long. I know when the playlist ends it is time to get up and move around. I might even stretch or do a yoga pose. There is nothing like doing a head stand to get the blood to run to your head and refresh you. If you aren't into standing on your head and few trips up and down a flight of stairs will get your blood pumping.

I hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving!!! Make healthy decisions and take a walk! Might I suggest a nice round of TurboFire to get your metabolism going so maybe you can sneak in an extra portion. Remember the key to your metabolism is working out your legs. You have the largest muscles in your legs, do some squats get those muscles warmed up and that metabolism burning!

If you want to join me in my Fit Along here are the steps:

1. Log onto Beachbody and sign up for a free account and choose me Andee Fagan "AndeeKF" as your coach.
2. Order a challenge pack which includes Shakeology. 

Have a great weekend! See you next Friday.

If you haven't tried Shakeology yet remember you can buy a sample pack and try the different flavors before you commit to a 30 day supply.

Fit Along Friday

I'm back for Fit Along Friday!!! Sorry for my recent absence, but my life has been very busy lately. But I'm back and it has been so good to hear from so many of you asking me to get these posts going again!  I had a great idea that I would photograph all the meals I make and post them here, but somehow they get eaten and the pictures don't get taken, but I'm going to work on that.

So for fun and exciting things I am going to be bringing my photography equipment to Yoga class! So fun right?! I set up my lights and back drop and did a few fun trial pictures. Mr B (aka my 8 year old son) was home sick from school and thankfully helped me out with taking pictures. My remote shutters is broken and running back and forth doing poses with the 10 second self timer was exhausting. So big thanks to Mr. B.

My birthday is coming up and on my birthday I love to spend the day knitting and taking lots of pictures. My birthday is falling on a Sunday and I was planning on playing hookie from church and go to yoga class instead. I asked my instructor if I could bring in my equipment so we could do a photo session. Since I have lost about 65 pounds since last year I thought it would be fun to do some pictures doing cool posses to celebrate. I still don't know what any of the yoga poses are called, but I know I can do a bunch of cool ones with guidance from my instructor. She loved the idea and I of course offered to take pictures of anyone that wants them. All the people in my class were very excited. But then I found out the kids are signing in church on my birthday and we have to do a boy scout community project on my birthday. So instead of doing the photo shoot on my birthday I'll be doing the pictures Sunday Dec 6th.  It is going to be a donation class and there is going to be live music and a juice bar! If you are in the Monmouth County area and want to come give me a message and I'll let you know how to get there. Everyone is welcome to attend!

WHAT WORKOUTS AM I DOING THIS WEEK- 

Since I am planning on getting pictures I am doing 21 Day Fix Extreme. I like to moan and groan about 21DFX because I don't find it as fun as some of the other Beachbody programs, but the results are amazing. The first week is painful and then half way into the second week it is hard to stop looking in the mirror and by the end of 21 days it is just craziness. Which reminds me I didn't take my before picture! But I did take a week off since I had the flu. I'll have to do a before picture today and start over.

FITNESS TIP- 

Drink Shakeology. Seriously it is great stuff. By replacing one meal a day with Shakeology you will have amazing results. I like to have my shake with water and ice and I mix it in my Ninja Blender. It is so tasty and satisfying. It seriously is the simplest change you can make in your life and have amazing results. 

WHAT WE ARE EATING-

One of my favorite go to meals in a Kielbasa dish I make.  It is super simple and it tastes so good. I even took pictures of it when I made it last night. Since I have modified this so many times I'm going to call it "Andee's Kielbasa".  

Andee's Kielbasa 

Step 1-

Heat up a skillet to Med-High heat. Dice up your Kielbasa and put it in the skillet (you can make this leaner by using a turkey kielbasa). Cook it thoroughly and then push it to one side of the skillet.

Step 2- (not shown) You can added potatoes to the skillet now. Let them cook right on the yummy oils left from the kielbasa in the pan. I usually dice them up small so they cook faster and get nice and golden brown on all sides. Once the potatoes are cooked push them to the side with the kielbasa.

Step 3- Dice up one yellow pepper and one red pepper and add it to the skillet. Then dice up one red onion and add that to the skillet.

Step 4- Mix it all up together and let cook for a few minutes. I usually don't cook the peppers for too long because I like the crunch of fresh peppers. Now it's time to eat!

I don't add salt, pepper or any seasonings to this meal. If I use a turkey kielbasa I find I need to add a little coconut oil to the skillet after I cook it. So I push the turkey kielbasa to the side after it is cooked, then I place the coconut oil in the skillet where I am going to cook the potatoes. There isn't as much greasy goodness left over from the turkey as the beef  or pork kielbasa.  The only reason I didn't add the potatoes last night was due to laziness and I didn't feel like pealing them and dicing them up.

Usually when I make this meal I put it into individual containers and I can have it for lunch for 3 days. It can be eaten hot or cold. But heated up is yummier.  It is also a great meal to take to a party, camping or vacation.

Andee's Kielbasa-
Ingredients
1- Kielbasa diced
1- Red Pepper diced
1- Yellow Pepper diced
1- Red Onion diced
3- Medium Red Potatoes diced

Directions-
Heat skillet to Med-High heat.
Cook kielbasa then push it to the side of the skillet. Cook the potatoes in the skillet until golden brown then push them to the side of the skillet. Add the diced peppers and onion to the skillet. Mix all the ingredients together and cook until heated thoroughly and enjoy!

If you want to join me in my Fit Along here are the steps:

1. Log onto Beachbody and sign up for a free account and choose me Andee Fagan "AndeeKF" as your coach.
2. Order a challenge pack which includes Shakeology. 

Have a great weekend! See you next Friday.

Turbo Fire Challenge Is Live

I am so excited by the overwhelming response I have had to the people that want to join me with the Turbo Fire "Fit Along". So many of you have signed up and made free accounts through my Beachbody site. Yay for all my new fit friends. Also huge shout out to all of you who have ordered the Beachbody programs especially TurboFire!

Like I said I am not being strict on the start and stop dates, but I do strongly suggest starting NOW. Why not? Right?!

But since today is the official start date I wanted to send you a link to some tips on how to take your Before and After Pictures.  I of course didn't read that before I started and wish I had.

I want to wish all of you a wonderful start to the new fitter you. You are going to love your results!

If you aren't signed up for Turbo Fire and still want to join along in the fun I suggest taking the Shakeology Challenge. Replace one meal a day with Shakeology. How simple is that?!  I love Shakeology and it is my favorite meal of the day!

Feel free to let me know how your first day went. I'll be posting more fun Challenges to keep everyone motivated over the next few months, but for now take those pictures. Take your measurements and have an awesome workout. If you didn't get your program in the mail yet then I'll let you off the hook by taking a 20 minute walk everyday until your Turbo Fire comes in the mail.

Thanks again you guys are the best!!!

Also if you don't know if you are cut out for Beachbody programs take a look at some of these peoples' results. I doesn't matter your age or fitness level there is a program for each and everyone of you!

Beachbody My Story & a Fit Along

Last November my gym posted a notice that it would be closing it's doors on December 31st. I really loved my gym and I was very sad to hear it was closing. It was a small gym, but I enjoyed using the treadmills, elliptical trainers and the equipment. I never did any of the classes that they offered. Mostly because I was embarrassed to join a group of fit people.  Once I heard of my gyms closing I started looking at other gyms in the area. Most of them were more expensive and I knew I should really take advantage of the classes they offered to get my full money's worth.

I have always been a very active person and I run and exercise regularly. I always say I have had to run 5-10 miles a week to remain chubby.  I have not been very fit since I was in high school. I have always envied the bodies of people that do Yoga and I really wanted a fit body with long lean muscles. I really didn't think that was an actual thing that could happen. Especially after having two kids.

I did some research and it looked like Piyo was a good fit for me. It is a Beachbody program that you do at home from video.  It is a combination of Pilates and Yoga. I ordered one disc from the program to try it out. I got Hard Core on the Floor. After my first workout I was hooked! I did the workout disk several times in December and then I decided I really enjoyed Chalene Johnson (the instructor) and I ordered the whole program. 

The Piyo program is a series of work out videos. It comes with a calendar and I did different workouts for six days a week. Most of them ranged from 20-30 minutes. After a few weeks I was seeing amazing results. I loved that the only equipment I needed was a yoga mat and I could do all the workouts in my family room in front of the TV. I even brought it camping with us and I can do it in out travel trailer. You really don't need much space to do the workouts.

After a month of doing Piyo I was amazed at my strength. As a knitter I tend to have a SORE shoulder all the time. Yes I do have knitting injuries if you are a knitter you can relate. I also get a sore back from spinning yarn. Also my back was sore all the time from all the heavy lifting I do at the alpaca farm. The more and more I did Piyo the less soreness I was having! 

I now have no back pain and no problems with my shoulder. My shoulder injury was one that started back when I played goalie in soccer. I had crashed down so many times on my left shoulder going after the soccer ball that I thought I would never be able able to have a normal shoulder again. I was told that surgery would fix it or I could stop playing soccer. I choose to stop playing soccer. 

Before doing Piyo I couldn't lift my left arm above shoulder height. Now I can do ANYTHING with it pain free. It is amazing! 

After completing the Piyo program I purchased the TurboFire program.  This program has changed my life! It is so much fun. I used to run on a treadmill, but this is so much more fun. It is a combo of martial arts, kickboxing and hip-hop moves. It is like a little dance party in my house everyday. 

Another program I purchased was 21 Day Fix Extreme. This program is for 21 days and it is like having a personal trainer in your house. The workouts get you amazing results.  I had muscles I didn't know even existed after completing this program.  But I didn't enjoy it as much as Piyo and TurboFire. Those two programs are ones I can do as a lifestyle and do everyday. That isn't to say I don't do the 21 Day Fix anymore. I do enjoy the workouts and I mix them into my weekly workouts several days a week. 

By committing about 30 minutes a day to these workout videos 6 days a week I have lost over 60 pounds. But  more than that I feel amazing. I am in the best shape of my life.  I am so much more active and I look forward to everything!!! 

I also have to add I drink Shakeology everyday. I LOVE it. I mix mine with water and ice and have it as a smoothie once a day. I love the Strawberry and Tropical Strawberry flavors.

I love that in the Piyo program the crew are all in their 40's and Chalene says she is in better shape now in her 40's than she was in her 20's.  Also the people in the videos are ones that have had all their results with the Beachbody programs. Some of them have lost over 100 lbs. It doesn't matter your age, weight, or fitness level anyone can do these programs.  You take them at your own pace and do what you can. If you are already in great shape these programs will only help you to be even better.

But of course most importantly my huge motivation for loosing the weight was so I need less yarn to knit sweaters. Seriously! Knitting is expensive. I have lost over 31" over my body. That is a lot of yarn saved!!! Also to me a 30 minute work out video equals hours of guilt free knitting on the couch :) 

I am running a Challenge Group for the Beachbody program TurboFire. The Challenge starts August 3rd and runs the length of the regular class schedule. That is 12 weeks. Then there is an advanced schedule that runs for an additional 8 weeks: Oct 26th - Dec 20th. Like I have said before I do these workouts as a lifestyle. You might go to the gym everyday. I do my workout videos everyday. TurboFire is a great workout to do everyday. It will get your heart pumping and burn fat! You can sing along with the music and have a fun time. 

I know some people say they want to loose 5 lbs or maybe 15. This program will help you loose all the weight you want, but it will also help you stay healthy.  I don't plan on loosing more weight, but I do plan on using this program to stay healthy. 

I enjoy the Beachbody programs so much I decided to sign up to be a Coach. I made up my mind to be a coach after I realized that just like the online knitting community I have become a part of I was also becoming a part of a fun fitness community. A lot of the people doing these workouts are just like me. Just like all the like minded people I have met through Yarn Alongs, Knit Alongs, Blogs and Podcasts there are so many like minded people in the fitness world. Not crazy gym rats, but people that have fun working out in their homes and sharing their stories with other people. It is fun to be in a Challenge group and seeing everyone's progress and stories. Maybe I'll change the name from Challenge group to Fit Along!  Just like I love seeing pictures of half knitted shawls and sweaters and hearing about what books people are reading I also love hearing about people's favorite workouts, recipes and motivational stories.

So if you want to join me in my Fit Along here are the steps:

1. Log onto Beachbody and sign up for a free account and choose me Andee Fagan "AndeeKF" as your coach.
2. Order a challenge pack which includes Shakeology. 

    I am recommending the TurboFire program for this first "Fit Along".

3. Like my Facebook page. 

I am not good at following rules so if you join late that is okay. We'll still let you in the group!