Week 4 : P90X3 Women's Progress & Update

Welp let's see week 4 has come to an end....the transition phase. One would think that this phase is sort of like a break. A stretch, easy, resting week from the normal kick butt kinda workouts Tony Horton is normally giving you. This week is all about core strength & stability. But I was so just not ready for this. I was going into this week thinking I would get a slightly light break so I did not mentally prepare myself . Everyday each workout challenged me, more than I ever thought possible.

 

 

So what does my "relaxed" week look like....

 

Monday: Isometrix- is all about targeting your core. Your strength & balance all comes from your core muscles. You are building static strength, adding instability.

Tuesday: Dynamix- focus using your muscles, joint function, & connective tissue, this all helps you increase your range of motion, flexibility, & stabilization.

Wednesday: Accelerator- increased cardio, muscle efficiency. Two different speeds are your target to reach the fat burning point.

Thursday: Pilates X-this is NO joke. I never really understood exactly what pilates was, but this has opened a whole new world to me. It is all about core while focusing on your breath & balance.

Friday: CVX-  It felt so good to lift weights during a workout. I really felt lost for a couple days without lifting. It made me realize that I like the intense workouts.

Saturday: X3 Yoga- I may not be very flexible but I am making progress. It is all about the core strength. It allows me to really focus on each move and aim for flexibility.

Sunday: Rest Day

 

 

What's next?? Tomorrow morning I start Block #2. The first month of P90X3 is officially over and that means thirty day pictures & progress measurements will be posted soon. So if you have been following my journey make sure you check back!

 

I'm ready to tackle week 5 like no other. I am ready to see what it is going to bring to the table. Tony Horton I'm coming for you!!!!

 

 

 

 

Have a fabulous week!!!!!

 

 

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Boyfriends dinner choice and it's a winner!! He picked and even cooked. But it was a perfect family dinner.

Ingredients: (5 ingredients)

1. 1 large red bell pepper

2. 1/4 cup (1 oz) crumbled feta cheese

3. 2 tablespoons finely chopped pitted kalamata olives (which we did not use)

4. 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil

5. 8 (6 oz) skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Preparation: 

1. Preheat broiler. 2. Cut bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. 3. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. 4. Peel and finely chop. Prepare to grill medium-high heat. 5. Combine bell pepper, cheese, olives, and basil. 6. Cut a horizontal slit through the thickest portion of each chicken breast half to form a pocket. 7. Stuff 2 tablespoons bell pepper mixture into each pocket; close opening with a wooden pick. 8. Sprinkle cheese with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. 9. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray. 10. Grill 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from grill; cover loosely with foil, and let stand 10 minutes. 

A Few of my Favorite Things

If you have been following or are a newer reader if you can get anything about my posts I'm all about health and fitness. And that I run monthly challenge groups to hold challengers accountable, give them extra support, & help them reach their health and fitness goals. But I never really talk about "me" outside of Beachbody.

Everyone has a "list" of their favorite things, right?? (don't try to play it like you don't). But we do, let's be honest. So, what are a few of my favorite things.....

1. Michael Kors linked watch:  I found this watch about two years ago and kept putting off buying it. Then, last April I asked for it for my birthday. It in fact was not my birthday gift, BUT my wonderful boyfriend remembered & bought it as my Christmas present this year (totally threw me off , it was in a Marc Jacobs box). 

Michael Kors

2. Blanket from Pottery Barn: There really is nothing fancy about this particular blanket. But we got it as a house warming gift and I just fell in LOVE. It's super comfy & cozy. Plus it is my go-to when it is chilly out.

3. Aveda (smooth infusion) shampoo/conditioner: I'm not sure if anyone saw my FB post a while back about looking for a new product because my hair felt stringy & like I never washed it (and I'm Italian so it HAS to be washed or I look like a grease ball) well a friend suggested going to Aveda & I finally got my butt to the mall. And I am so glad I did, my hair feels like a million bucks.
 

4. Garnier ultimate 3 way cleanser: I also needed a new face wash because my skin was breaking out. Another beauty friend of mine suggested this & I've been using it ever since. You can use it as a cleanser, exfoliating scrub, or a purifying mask (take your pick)

5. Victoria Secret Thermal Jammie's: another Christmas present!! My sister had a gray pair & I've always wanted them, because I end up wearing a t-shirt & sweatpants to bed. I even went as far as asking for footsie pjams (yes, I may be 25 but I'm still a little kid at heart).
 

6. Vanilla Chi Tea: I may just have a slight obsession with this tea. The first time I tried it was with my mom and I was hooked. I'm a tea drinker (now), I always have a cup before bed. It instantly warms me up and relaxes me. It may same silly, but it is one of my must do's on my to-do list. It calms me down and clears my mind.

These are just little things in which make me...well ME! These are my favorites. My go-to's. Thanks for taking time to read a few things I enjoy. I would love to hear some of your favorite things!!!

Thanks for following me!!!

And I hope you always live your life with passion!!! 

 

Morning Egg Bake

Since moving out and buying a home, I have to say I have been trying to become quite a little Suzie Homemaker. But breakfast in my house is always my GO-TO vegan chocolate Shakeology. And I can't really say I have perfected my cooking skills, but I am trying. This weekend I wanted to make something different. This recipe is simple & easy and you add anything you would like to.

Ingredients:

1. 12 eggs (I used about 3 whole eggs and the rest egg whites)
2. 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
3. cooking spray
4. unlimited amount of veggies (I had spinach, onions, zucchini, & green peppers)

Prepping:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
2. Coat the baking dish with the cooking spray
3. Add the veggies; evenly throughout the pan
4. Whisk the eggs, almond milk, (salt & pepper if desired) in a separate bowl.
5. Pour the mixture of the veggies
6. Bake the dish for thirty minutes or until the eggs are set.

Enjoy your breakfast!!!

What is the 21 Day Fix??

21 Day Fix

It's the newest program about to hit the Beachbody Family....the 21 Day Fix. This program will be released February 3rd, 2014!!!!!! A weight loss program which is designed to give you nutrition guide with portion controlled containers, workout program, and the support & motivation from me as your coach!!

What is the 21 Day Fix??

No more guessing when it comes to weight loss. This is all about portion control with easy to follow workouts which anyone can tackle with their hectic schedules. Autumn Calabrese is the trainer, she is going to share her passion for health and fitness, while showing you the simple life choices which make all the difference and add up to life changing results.

Are you serious? This is AWESOME!!! And I can't wait for it to come out!! How many of you have been giving your all in your workouts & eating clean at least 80% of the time, but you feel like you are just stuck with the number on the scale. It could all be because of one simple thing and that is portion control. Even if you are eating healthy, you can still over eat on healthy foods. So, this is all designed to teach you just that!

This program is designed for everyone and don't worry you don't have to be a health & fitness nut to get through this. There are modifications for the workouts, which makes it simple and easy for everyone. She designed the workouts to fit everyone's need...whether you have never worked out a day in your life or you workout six days a week. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Thinking this program might just be for you? Curious on how you can get your own copy? It will be released on February 3rd, but it will only be available through your Beachbody Coach. If you do not have a coach, click here to sign up for a free membership. Then, send me an e-mail at: alyssayourish@gmail.com to let me know you would like to be on the list for the program. I will message you the week before it is to be released to give you ALL the deets. And on February 10th, I will be hosting an EXCLUSIVE 21 DAY FIX TEST GROUP. This is for anyone who would like the support & guidance through the whole three weeks.

Do you want to be apart of this exclusive group?? If so, then complete the challenge application below to be considered for a spot in this group. I will be selecting a few individuals who are ready to fully commit for the next 21 days and focus on getting those results. I will be walking you through the nutrition plan, how to meal plan, hold you accountable, and how to make this work for your lifestyle. If you are ready to do this, I will not let you FAIL. The only cost is the cost of the challenge pack, in which you get everything you need to succeed. The 21 day nutrition guide, the program manual, the workouts, free shipping, discounted price and me as your coach for the accountability, support and guidance!!!  Be the next transformation story!!!

Fill out my online form.

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Week 3: P90X3 - Woman's Weekly Update & Progress

Success

Back at it for another weekly update on my transformation with P90X3. Is anyone else doing this program and loving it?? It was certainly one of those weeks. You know where you have everything planned & then something just comes up and has to get done no matter what. I did my best to stay on track, stick to the meal plan, and one thing I never compromised was my workouts. This is one way I know I am staying on track. Sticking with a plan is the best way to go to not hinder your results, but sometimes you just have to learn to roll with the punches and go with the flow. Life does not always happen perfectly or how you would like it to, but if you are able to adjust your schedule & keep on track as much as you can  that is progress.  Results won't happen over night, so one slip up isn't going to make or break you.

The Classic Version of Week 3:

Monday- Total Synergistics
Tuesday- Agility X
Wednesday- X3 Yoga
Thursday- The Challenge
Friday- CVX
Saturday- The Warrior
Sunday- Rest Day

P90X3 Progress & Updates

I feel like a million bucks after busting out Week 3. It has been the same workout schedule for the first few weeks and I thought I would get bored. But I actually didn't because I found this as a way to challenge myself and each week really push myself in an area I struggled with the week before. There are just some workouts where I can't get my brain to think fast enough to move my feet then I start tripping over myself. Or where I have no balance at all and I spend the whole thirty seconds or minute trying to adjust myself to hold my position. And just by practicing each week, you notice yourself getting stronger, pushing harder, and holding your balance just a little bit longer. How do you measure your progress? Do you measure your progress by the weight loss or the non-scale victories??

It is hard to not get fixated on the scale. We all have this dream of having the perfect body, a flat stomach with six pack abs, we want to see the number on the scale that we have been dreaming about for many months. If you are looking for the ideal number on the scale you may end up being disappointed & think this process is not working. You may also be missing how your clothes are fitting (looser), you are feeling much energized, your skin is clearer, or you are sleeping much better.

I am plan and simple when it comes to meal planning. I like it to be simple and quick with not a lot of planning too it. Every morning is my Chocolate Vegan Shakeology (which even that is the same recipe). 1/2 banana, 1/2 tsbp of natural pb, 1/2 cup of almond milk, water, & ice. Snacks include a complex carb & lean protein: apple & 14 almonds. Lunch is usually grilled chicken salad w/loads of veggies or tuna. Dinner crock-pot meals, soup, etc. I don't count calories, I live by the rule eating clean 80% of the time, with a cheat meal once a week.

Week 3 has come to an end and it is really flying by. Next week starts the transition phase and at the end of the week it will be officially 30 days, which means.....PROGRESS PICTURES!!! WHOOP WHOOP

Looking for support and motivation? Don't have a Beachbody Coach? Contact me for extra accountability, tips, recipes, motivation, & daily support.

Have an awesome week!!!

Week 2 P90X3 Update & Progress

Week 2: Schedule

 

Monday- Total Synergistics

Tuesday- Agility X

Wednesday- X3 Yoga

Thursday- The Challenge

Friday- CVX

Saturday- The Warrior

Sunday- Rest or Dynamix

 

P90X3 Progress Update


So, what's the deal with Week 2?  Anything new, anything different? The schedule is for sure the same and week 3 will be the same exact thing. But how do I feel compared to when I first started just a little over a week ago....

 

A little over a week ago I did not know what to expect. So going into week 2 I was prepared, and ready to kick my workouts in the face. I was a little uncoordinated last week too and that was because it was a new workout program so I wasn't so hard on myself. This week went better than expected. I woke up exactly when my alarm went off (if not earlier), came downstairs and gave my workouts everything I had. HEY, for a thirty minute workout how could you not??

Agility X - I could not get my coordination down with my feet. This week I have to say I can see improvement, just from a week. My feet are slowly starting to pick up quicker than day 1. The challenge- is all about push-ups & pull-ups. Your challenge is to pick two numbers and get to those numbers with every push up & pull up you do. I won't lie, I was officially scared of this one when I read it in the fitness guide as soon as I got the program. Upper body work was never really my strong suit. But like they say, "if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."  But I put my big girl panties on and got to work and they were not the prettiest but they sure were a challenge. And this week I decided to up my numbers just by one, (I know it may not seem like a lot), but if I could just do one extra push-up & one extra pull-up then I am making improvements. Most people would run away or try to find another workout but I look forward to this one every week because I feel like I can tackle anything. It pushes me to want to give my all and be stronger than yesterday. X3 Yoga- I have to say I do love this one even though it is no where near going to an actual class. But I do, it calms your mind, allows you to slow from your busy every day life, and just relax. I am slightly jealous of everyone who can do those crazy handstands and poses balancing on your triceps. I am not there yet, but I will be soon enough...MARK MY WORD.

 

 

 

Am I seeing results??

And your probably thinking to yourself "you can't see results in one week." "I've been on this workout program for a month and still don't see results." WELP, ladies & gents. I hate to break it to you but I AM starting to see results!!! 

NO, I do not have my flat stomach and six pack abs, but my abs are starting to peep out. (THEY WANNA MAKE AN APPEARANCE) my upper body muscles are starting to grow. 

How is that possible??

When they say, abs are made in the kitchen . They really are, nutrition is KEY! You really have to focus on what you are putting into your body. If you are feeding yourself (excuse my language) CRAP, you aren't really helping yourself out. If you are fueling your body with nutritional foods & sticking to a meal plan you will feel so much better. And drinking Shakeology HD  you can be sure you are getting at least ONE healthy meal a day.

 

So why Shakeology?

Listen to none other than the CEO himself on why you should choose Shakeology HD

 

 

 

Are you thinking maybe....juuuuust MAYBEEEE P90X3 might be exactly what you need? Have questions?? I can help answer anything you may have. Create a Free Account and get in contact with me so we can chat!!!! I can't wait to hear from YOU!!!!

 

Coming back 'atcha next week with another update!!!

 

 

 

 

Pita Pizzas

Are you a pizza lover?? But don't love the unwanted calories or maybe the "blah" feeling you get after eating it?? There is an alternative and I may just have fallen in L-O-V-E. It is all about healthy moderation. Find something you love and make it healthy :)

What you need :
* whole wheat pitas
*extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
*natural pizza sauce
*shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
*any veggies that you want. I use green peppers, onions, zucchini, turkey pepperoni.

Place the pitas on a baking sheet. Brush lightly with the olive oil. Top with the pizza sauce, mozzarella, & any veggies you have set aside. I preheat the oven to 425 degrees and bake until cheese it melted or you desire. ENJOY!

BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE...CASH PRIZE

THE NEW YEAR IS HERE!!!!! AND I'M SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE MY NEXT CHALLENGE GROUP OPENING UP!!! 

BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE !

LOSE WEIGHT = WIN MONEY

              

        

**the more people who join/order = the BIGGER cash prize someone can receive!!!!

LOSE WEIGHT & WIN MONEY = A WIN WIN!!!!

THE BIGGEST/BEST TRANSFORMATION WILL WIN!!!!

If you missed the deets don't worry there will be another challenge. I'm not sure if it will be for cash BUT there will be a prize!! 

ANYWAYS....

I hope you all will listen to me ramble for just a second. Because I need to brag about my current challengers in the group!!! Un FLIPPIN' believable. These challengers are taking this by storm and they are one determined group to win this money. It is only day 4 and the energy level of excitement is through the roof. They shared their goals on day one and they are not stopping. They are taking it all in on the information we are providing them and stepping out of their comfort zone. And too be honest, I'm not sure if they remember there is a cash prize.

 Because this group is acting like they have known each other forever. When in fact, they are all over the states. But how cool is that, not only are they creating a healthy lifestyle for themselves, they are creating friendships. And a BONUS...someone posted just this morning she already lost 5 lbs. I'm shocked, impressed, & truly truly inspired by this group!!!  

If you would like more information on my next challenge group and would like to discuss a fitness program you can email me: alyssayourish@gmail.com or connect with me on Facebook up above. 

**why not take a chance?? What do you have to lose??**

                    

Grab Your Spot On The #2 Team In All Of Beachbody

Did you ever wonder what it is we as Beachbody Coaches do? The #2 coach the whole company will be holding a business opportunity TONIGHT, January 15th @ 9pm EST.

We will be covering what it is we exactly do.

Have you ever wanted to .....

Quit your full-time job.

 Earn extra fun money.

The perks, rewards, & trips.

Anything is possible.

Dream Big.

The possibilities are ENDLESS.

If you are interested in learning more or thinking about becoming a coach there is no commitment. All you have to do is listen in and see what it's all about. If you would like to listen in or would even like the recording email me : alyssayourish@gmail.com and I will send you the link.

Weekly Update & Progress : Week One P90X3 Women's Transformation

First I just have to apologize to you guys, my fellow readers. I have been an MIA blogger which is unfair to you. But I'm back and plan on giving you 100%.

With that being said I decided on a new program which came out in the beginning of December. Mr. Tony Horton made P90X3. The program comes with 16 workouts, each thirty minutes a day, for 6 days a week. Thirty minutes a day I think takes the icing on the cake. I mean we all know Tony Horton and we all know P90X; every workout was at least an hour if not more...

And let's be honest...not many people have time to realistically workout for an hour each day.  I know I don't, which is why I stopped P90X a couple weeks in. It was draining, I had to get up extra early before work (because I hate afternoon workouts), and I truly just did not enjoy it. I am a firm believer in you must love the workouts you are doing or you might as well throw in the towel because you won't be your best.

 

 

 

So what's the dealo with this program. To be honest, I loved T25; it was amazing the stamina I got out of ten week program. But let's face it the holidays were fast approaching and you get busy with all hussle & excitement that even though you still workout... your mind is wondering.

 

 I needed something new and exciting. Something different and something that was going to keep me engaged and my mind going at 4:30 AM. And who doesn't like a new workout program. The choice is yours...you have 4 schedules to follow:

 1. Classic- it is a balance of cardio and resistance. There is standard muscle confusion. This will help you gain muscle, lose fat, and move better than ever.

2. Lean- this is designed for someone who prefers a move toned look. Not necessarily targeted for better weight loss. In this phase you will target mobility and cardio fitness. You will do all of the above (gain muscles, lose fat, get strong) but you just stay lean.

3. Mass-  anyone looking to bulk up over getting ripped? It requires more information... you have to eat A LOT... yes I said EAT!!! When you gain muscles, you burn calories, more than you are used to. You want to do the resistance workouts from the beginning and stay in the muscle growth range. Max time under tension. Best results = slow down each rep, focus on form, use all the weight you can safely handle.

4. Doubles- are on a whole new level. Doubles break you down beyond the body's ability to recover.

I choose the classic phase and the reason why is because I wanted a perfect balance of cardio and weight lifting. I wanted to lose a little more weight before heading into the lean phase.

Your week one schedule: (should you decided on the classic phase)

 

Monday: Total Synergistics

Tuesday: Agility X

Wednesday: X3 Yoga

Thursday: The Challenge

Friday: CVX

Saturday: The Warrior

Sunday: Rest or Dynamix

 

Total Synergistics- a full body resistance workout, which feature compound movements that uses multiple groups. This is one of the fastest ways to change your body composition.

 

Agility X- aerobic & anaerobic energy. You focus on power, precision, flexibility, balance, and strength. These are not your typical cardio workouts, you focus on target movements...force explosion, deceleration = result being an increased ability to move effortlessly extended for periods of time.

 

X3 Yoga- improve your flexibility, balance, stamina, body awareness, & core strength. This is a flow-style practice, which fills in the blanks in your fitness that other workouts can't address.

 

The Challenge- push-ups & pull-ups is pretty much all you need to know. This is all an upper body workout in which you will be strengthening every muscle.

 

CVX- this is just not your typical cardio workout. There is resistance with intervals in order to increase impact. A full-body burn.

 

The Warrior- total-body workout with no equipment. Every area of fitness all into one.

 

I can't even begin to start saying which ones I love because I feel as though there are A LOT I am really shocked that I just love. They are all different and unique in their own way. But to be honest my absolute favs are "the challenge" & CVX, ones I would have NEVER in a million years thought would be my favorite. To be honest everyone is going to have their favorites, ones they can not stand. There will be exercises in which you struggle with and really start to doubt yourself & then there are ones where you will up your weights in no time.

Is this what I expected P90X3 to be all about? I would have to say NOPE. I really thought it was going to be a slower paced workout, aiming to gain muscle, but to be honest I really love it. There is not a day where I hit the snooze because I don't want to get up. I am up and at 'em ready to head downstairs and get a good sweat on. You have to find a workout you love, something in which challenges you (but does not challenge you, that you want to quit) I pushed myself hard, but I did not think I would be sore. My muscles are screaming because I wanted to push myself to get max results. And these exercises are certainly proving to live up to that. Trying something for the first time is always hard, and you never know what to expect, but you have to go into it with a mindset you are ready to tackle anything and you will succeed. I certainly did not feel 100% comfortable with all the moves, but it's something new so you have to give yourself time to adjust & don't get frustrated. You are not the only one who struggles with the moves the first week. I am so ready for the next week and the rest of the program.

I will be giving you weekly updates and I will be honest. I will tell you when I slip up or if my workouts didn't go as planned. I will post pictures, progress, meal plans, & tips on making it through this 90 day program. So if you are curious about this program and want to see what it is like from someone who is currently going through it...then follow my journey & look for the weekly updates.

If you would like to join me in P90X3, I will be opening up an online accountability group Monday, January 27th. I will be guiding you through the entire program, give you tips to get the best results, & HEY you even have a chance to win $500 just by entering your before and after photos!!! If you have questions feel free to email me: alyssayourish@gmail.com or if you are ready to go fill out the challenge application below.

 

Take your before photos & measurements. You may not want to, but trust me you will want them to compare to the AMAZING afters. You don't have to share with anyone, but if you don't take them you'll never really see the physical transformation.

 

Fill out my online form.

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A Crock Pot Meal

It's that time of year where it is super chilly and really you only want something to keep you warm. And sometimes you don't even feel like eating. This ladies and gents is where the handy crock-pot comes into play! You don't even have to find a specific recipe..grab your favorite ingredients and just throw it all together in the morning, keep it on low, and it will be good to go in about eight hours.

The reason this meal doesn't have a name is because we literally threw stuff from our fridge in and just let it cook.

So tonights dinner...?

-chicken

-celery;chopped

-carrots

-garlic

-splash of chicken broth

-onions;chopped

-banana peppers

-frank's red hot (for a little spice)


Directions:

*throw it all together and cook on low for about eight hours.

Serve: over top brown rice & a side of veggies your choice


ENJOY!!!

Candy Cane Surprise

When the holidays are around I loveee candy canes. I'm not sure sure if it's been a thing since I was little or what. But I'm always looking for new Shakeology recipes to try. When the holiday recipe calendar came out I was ecstatic!!!! I found one that tastes just like a candy cane, healthier for you. 

WIN-WIN!!

Ingredients:  

* 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

* A scoop of chocolate Shakeology 

* 1 cup water (I use almond milk)

* handful of ice

* blend