Making Lemonade out of Lemons: Broken Foot Workout Schedule

So you may or may not know but a little over 2 weeks ago I broke my big toe. I slipped down the stairs and caught my self at the bottom of the stairs with my big toe curled under my foot and landed about 80% body weight and felt a SNAP. The tendon snapped a piece of bone off on my big toe and it's all kinds of messed up now. For the next 6+ weeks I'm in a boot that goes up to right below my knee and there is a chance of surgery needed because the bone doesn't seem to want to go back into place. 

For the past 2 + weeks I haven't done any workouts and I gotta say I miss them. I've struggled to find something I can do without straining my foot and was really happy when I came across Cassey Ho's Blogilates youtube channel! There is a chunk of her workouts I CAN'T do but there are SO many that I can! Since I can't really follow one set calendar because of the modifications I need to make I decided to make my own and share it with you! 

*Note: If you see her up on her toes in a plank I will be modifying by being on my knees. 

My goal is 20 minutes a day, 5 x a week. I don't want to risk hurting my foot further, so I will be really watching form.

Here are the workouts I will be doing:

Upper Body:

 Upper #1; Blogilates: Toned & Defined Arms Workout! No weights needed! - 8 mins

Upper #2: Blogilates: Toned Arms + Flat Abs | Apartment Friendly Workout - 13 mins

 Upper #3: Blogilates: Ultimate Back Workout | 5 Moves to Your Fittest Upper Body - 9 mins

Upper #4: Blogilates: Sexy Toned Arms Workout | 5 Moves to Your Fittest Arms - 9 mins

Upper #5: Blogilates: Complete Arms Workout (At Home No Equipment Exercise Routine for your Arms) - 12 mins

Upper #6: Blogilates: Arm Fat Blaster | POP Pilates for Beginners - 15 mins

Upper #7: Blogilates: Weightless Arm Workout | POP Pilates - 9 mins

Upper #8: Blogilates: Quick Burn Standing Back Workout! No equipment, at home, back toning exercises! - 6 mins

Abs:

Abs #1: Blogilates: Total Ab Workout | 5 Moves to Your Fittest Core - 8 mins

Abs #2: Blogilates: Goodbye Muffintop Workout (At Home No Equipment Exercise Routine for your Obliques) - 15 mins

Abs #3: Blogilates: Core Crusher | HOT BODY EXPRESS DVD - Best Ab Workout! - 11 mins

Abs #4: Blogilates: 28 DAY AB CHALLENGE #AdoreTheCore - 12 mins

Abs #5: Blogilates: Lower Abs Song Challenge | POP Pilates - 6 mins

 Abs #6: Blogilates: 8 min Abs & Obliques Workout! Swimsuit Slimdown Series - 8 mins

Lower Body: 

Lower #1: Blogilates: Lift Your Booty Workout | 5 Moves to Your Fittest Butt - 8 mins

Lower #2: Blogilates: Butt Workout for a Nice Shaped Booty! (At Home Glute Exercise Routine for Women) - 12 mins

Lower #3: Blogilates: Butt Lifting & Thigh Sculpting Workout | POP Pilates for Beginners - 17 mins

Lower #4: Blogilates: Quick Burn SADDLEBAGS Slimdown! Best Outer Thigh Workout! - 10 mins

Lower #5: Blogilates: BRUTAL BOOTY! At-Home Pilates Butt Workout! - 10 mins

Stretch/Flexibility:

Stretch #1: Blogilates: Total Body Stretch (At Home Exercise Routine to Improve Flexibility) - 12 mins

Here is my Schedule for the next 4 weeks:

Week #1:

Mon: Upper #6 & Abs #5

Tues: Lower #1 & Abs #4

Wed: Upper #2 & Lower #4

Thurs: Upper #8 & Abs #2

Fri: Lower #2 & Stretch #1

Sat: Rest

Sun: Rest

Week #2:

Mon: Upper #4 & Lower #3

Tues: Abs #2 & Lower #2

Wed: Upper #1 & Abs #4

Thurs: Lower #5 & Upper #3

Fri: Abs #6 & Upper #2

Sat: Rest

Sun: Rest

Week #3:

Mon: Upper #8 & Lower #3

Tues: Abs #2 & Upper #2

Wed: Abs #4 & Lower #1

Thurs: Upper #6 & Abs #5

Fri: Lower #5 & Upper #3

Sat: Rest

Sun: Rest

Week #4:

Mon: Lower #3 & Upper #2

Tues: Upper #7 & Abs #4

Wed: Lower #1 & Abs #4

Thurs: Abs #6 & Upper #2

Fri: Lower #2 & Stretch #1

Sat: Rest

Sun: Rest

Want to join me? I will be sharing about it daily over at my Facebook Page and Instagram!

Click the icons above to head on over there.

Fill out my online form.

There are tons of Wufoo features to help make your forms awesome.

Faith and Sweat: The Awakening

I began my coaching journey after losing 40lbs with 21 Day Fix and Shakeology and feeling like a brand new me. I wanted to shout from the roof tops what I had learned and had a passion ignited in me to help as many people as I could. That's where our team was born! Dream Big Tribe grew and grew and together we were building a community of women who had a judgement free zone, a safe place they could check in daily to share their achievements and struggles, and anything else on their heart.

(Before I started making healthy changes/Me as a new Coach)

Then I hit a personal road block that felt like continued hurdles one after the next. Only a few months into my coaching journey I was hit on the freeway in an accident that literally rocked my world. Months of Physical Theraphy/Dr. Apts and a diagnosis of PTSD left me feeling a wave of emotions of  feeling defeated and determined to come out of this stronger than ever. A shorter version? I was in a glass case of emotions (yep I just made an Anchorman reference).

Anxiety, forgetfulness, feeling like Luna Lovegood with my mind jumping all over the place. I really struggled with focusing on one task and getting it done 100%. My workouts, my nutrition struggled as I attempted to put myself back to the person I was, the results I worked so hard for before the accident.

I'd get close, then something else would come up. Another hurdle, another obstacle. I'd find myself thinking "Why? What this now?" And feeling like a failure, a fraud of a coach because I couldn't get my self together.

Fast forward to present day, I want to tell you something that I realized. All this time I've spent trying to get BACK to the person I was pre-accident wasn't what I needed at all. Why do I say that?

Because I'm not that person anymore. And that's 100% ok.

God gives us events, seasons in our life to help mold us and shape us into the person He has planned for us to be. All these's hurdles, obstacles happening that have left me wondering "why?!" are examples of this. I needed to stop going backwards, to stop trying to be a person I wasn't any longer.

Taking a breath here for a second.. this is really hard to put out there.

While I've been going through these struggles being the scenes, on the outside I was trying to act like I was comfortable with who I was. I would share sprinkles of my anxiety, struggles, and did my best at the time to try to show the "whole" journey. But I was still afraid of what others would think, that I was coming across as a walking billboard for products and felt like I wasn't truly worthy enough to be a coach for other people when I couldn't get my own stuff together. In all honesty? The workout programs I've been doing these past almost 2 years, drinking my daily Shakeology has blessed my life in so many ways. I have more energy, my health is better for it and it's been a natural stress reliever for me. It's why I became a coach, because I truly believe Beachbody's products/programs are one of a kind and offer the ability to make this a lifestyle change and not a "quick fix, magic pill" that won't last. I also know that I'm not good to myself or others, if I'm not being authentically my self, the person God has designed me to be.

I've been pretty open with sharing that part of my journey with others. The part I haven't been sharing as much.. Me as a person. The Jesus loving, absent minded, anxiety filled, coffee drinking, arts and crafts addict, pumpkin fanatic, country living, mommy, wife, friend, daughter, sister, person.. that I am. I'm ready to embrace that and be that kinda coach, and stop trying to be the coach I used to be. Now more than ever I have a passion ignited in me to help others find peace, love, and confidence in their own skin. To be authentically you.

(Me now: No make up, post workout, Faith, Sweat and all. Ready embracing this new season)

That's where this new season has begun. 3 words that have been ringing in my ears for weeks now.

Faith and Sweat.

Typically when I come up with a new challenge group... new blog series... new coach training, etc.. I spend weeks and sometimes months behind the scenes building it up before I launch it.

I'm doing things differently this time. I'm going to be sharing with you from the very beginning.

What is Faith and Sweat?

Faith is crucial. Faith in God's timing, in His plan. Also, having faith in the process of making healthy lifestyle habits. Knowing that things take time, that this is a journey and not something that will happen over night. A daily choice to have faith in that journey and knowing that God is good all the time. Even when the season seems foggy or dreary.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will be moved. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:21

Sweat. I believe with all my heart that God gives us opportunities and gifts/life experiences to put to work, as tools to make things happen. You have big dreams? You have goals planted so deep in your heart that you want to make a reality? You gotta put in the sweat, the hard work to make it happen. It can be scary, sometimes it may feel like your feet are glued to the floor because you are afraid of failing. The truth? You will never truly fail with the Lord God on your side.

Have faith in the process, sweat your hearts hopes and dreams... Together, Faith and Sweat. Mountains will be moved.

Whether you have health and fitness goals you have started and stopped more times than you can count, have financial goals you want to reach, or whatever it is that's been planted in your heart to make a reality... I would love for you to join me from the beginning of this new project. This new season.

What will be a part of this project?

Honestly? I'm not 100% sure yet (see I told you this is starting from square one). There will Mon- Fri daily FB lives here: https://www.facebook.com/lifelightup/

There will be daily tips, and sharing my own personal journey as I dig into my own faith and sweat.

There will be blog posts.

There will be me here to encourage you, fellowship with you either in our Dream Big Tribe community and/or privately as your coach.

I'm done trying to be the coach I think I should be, and ready to be the coach/person that God has planned for me to be in this season of time.

Will you join me?

FB Live Access: www.FB.com/LifeLightUp

Fill out my online form.

The easy to use Wufoo form builder helps you make forms easy, fast, and fun.

Listening to the signs: It's Reset Time

Have you ever felt like your body was trying to tell you something? Like it was saying "Hey (insert name here), look you and I need to talk. We're not on the same page here."

That's me and my body right now. Ever since we moved a little over a month ago my body has been all over the place. I'm burning a ton of calories out here with our new outdoor homestead work, being on foot more and all that fun stuff but still my body is holding on to everything. I have been eating clean 80% of the time and doing 80% of my workouts and I'm actually gaining weight. I've had some tell tail signs that my body is asking me to regroup and cleanse my system. I did a 3 day refresh recently and felt great after wards for about a week but I could tell my body wanted more than that.

- Low energy (even if I get my normal 6-7 hours of sleep)
- Bags under my eyes
- skin is breaking out
- PCOS symptoms are worse than "normal"
- My rib/disc pain has flared up again from my injury last year.
- Heavy sugar/carb cravings
- Emotions have been all over the place.
- Water retention: And I'm drinking lots of water too!

Do I like putting this all out there for everyone to read? No, but I'm sharing so that maybe if there is someone too out there going through something similar, this might help them too. For those of you that don't know what PCOS is you can read more about it HERE. I was diagnosed at the end of 2009 and it's been something that I have found in the past I can manage the cyst pain with a clean diet, and avoiding processed soy. I am finding though that as I get older the cyst pain is getting worse and that I need to do something to get my body functioning more efficiently. I don't want to be put on hormone supplements or medication, so I have decided to go with a gentler approach...

In comes the Ultimate Reset.

What is the Ultimate Reset?

Ultimate Reset is a 21-day program that gently helps restore the body to its "factory settings"  while maximizing energy production and nutrient retention. Ultimate Reset is a program  designed to get the body in top shape internally, just as a fitness program gets the body in  top shape externally. Users looking to restore energy, boost moods, and maximize health  can dramatically improve the way they feel and function.

Who should do the Ultimate Reset program?

Anyone looking to restore energy, lose weight, and maximize health! Whether users have  been struggling with their health, food cravings, weight, or even just  experiencing low energy and feeling sluggish, in just 3 weeks anyone  can dramatically improve the way they feel and function. In what situations should a user consult their physicians before starting? Users should consult their physicians if they are using prescribed medication, have food allergies,  or have specific recurring health issues. For 21 Days I'm going to put my coffee away (tears, lol), pause my intense workout (per the programs  instruction), eliminate processed foods and fill my body with delicious nutrient dense food, minerals and vitamins. What do I hope to get out of this program? - Better sleep - More Energy - Minimize my PCOS symptoms and avoid medication  - Lose the weight I've gained since the move - Eliminate sugar cravings  - A healthy, revitalized approach to nutrition.- Reduce flair up pain from my injuries I think the thing I am most excited about is putting new, nutritious, delicious healthy foods on my  family's plates! We eat pretty healthy as a family now but I'm excited to introduce new foods to  them. They won't be doing the program with me. But I plan to encourage the kids to try as many of the new foods as possible and will be leading by example :) I'm also very excited to be doing this with a fellow Dream Big Tribe member and dear friend! These types of programs are really so important to do with an accountability partner. Someone  that will keep you in check, encourage you and inspire you to keep moving forward! Speak of doing this with us we don't begin until June 1st! So if you want to join us there is plenty of  time to make that happen!  The Ultimate Reset kit is on sale for a special price until the end of May right now.  You can email me at CoachJennyM@gmail.com or you can go HERE for more info  on how to get started on the Reset!

I'll be blogging about my 21 Day Journey with my meal prep, food pics, full honest review... the whole thing! So stay tuned for that :) 

Have a blessed day friends,

Rise Up Series: Part 4 - Endorphins make you happy

I'm going to like totally date myself here and reference my favorite movie from high school, Legally Blonde.

"Exercise gives you endorphin. Endorphin make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands. They just don't!"

Today I want to talk about what exercise does for your mood. 

22 Days ago I was injured and have not been able to do any working out. I've been frustrated, irritable had anxiety and have experienced a lot of physical pain. I've been doing lots of praying, focusing on the positives, and just being present in the moment to fight those feelings. I know I've fallen short though and have been very thankful for my family's patience and support. One verse in particular that has been near to my heart these past 2 weeks is Philippians 4:6-7.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So I've praying for patience, healing and to be still. My time in the word reading my Bible each morning is something I cherish and a vital part of my day. When I don't make that time reading God's word, I feel off and I notice my day doesn't go as smoothly.

So the best I can be, I've been patient and letting my body heal and do what it needs to do to get better.

  Yesterday my Dr. gave me permission to start doing lower body/cardio based workouts again with modifications. No weight lifting, no body resistance training. So this morning at my "normal" workout time I pushed play with a dance workout called "Cize" on Beachbody On Demand. I had to do lots of modifications for the upper body moves, but I got through the 30 minutes and afterwards I can't explain the boost of energy I felt! 

Endorphin's make you happy! God designed these amazing bodies of ours to produce natural happiness boosts by taking care of our health! Isn't that amazing? 

So what are endorphin's? 

en·dor·phin

ˌenˈdôrfēn/

noun

plural noun: endorphins : any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides that activate the body's opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.

Thank you Jesus! 

Am I healed from my injury? No, I have a couple months recovery time a head of me. But by getting 30 minutes a day of modified cardio in during the week, I will be able to improve my health and my mood.  And I'm very thankful for that opportunity and the blessing of it.

So what is Cize you ask? 

“CIZE” is the “end of exercise!” Shaun T’s newest dance fitness program is so much fun, you won’t even realize you are exercising! In each routine, Shaun breaks down the moves step-by-step and builds them into a full dance routine. So even if you don’t know how to dance, you can learn all the moves. While you are learning to master the dance moves, you’ll also be burning fat and calories. This workout is for EVERY fitness level. There is no equipment required. If you like fitness classes like Zumba, you will love this workout. It's a 4 week program that comes with 6 dance workouts that range from 30-45 minutes long, simple eating plan and recipes! 

Now that I've found a program I can do to replace of my 21 Day Fix and Piyo tell I'm better, I'm excited to come up with a plan! 

Whether you like to workout at home with DVD's, go to a gym or do your workouts outside on a sidewalk or a trail.. Getting that 30 minutes a day in will not only improve your physical health, but your mental health too!

Who's ready to make a change and boost your mood?

Click HERE and fill out this quick form and I'll get back to you asap. We will do this together!

Have a blessed day!

*Note: I am not a Doctor or a fitness professional. Everyone's injuries are different and I encourage you to consult with your Doctor before starting a new routine while injured or recovering from an injury. 

Rise Up Series: Part 2 - 3 Ways to Stay on Track while injured

So I'm missing my morning workouts big time right now.. My normal routine was to push play at 7am and get my 30 minutes of butt kicking workout done. Now that I am recovering from an injury I am having to find other ways to keep myself on track with my health and fitness goals. 

Are you dealing with an injury? Don't throw in the towel with your goals! You can still do this!

Here are 3 tips on how to stay on track with your health while recovering from an injury:

1. Eat Clean: You thought I was going to say something complicated than that right? ;) Put clean fresh food in your body, eliminate those processed foods. Replace them with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats/protein and whole grains. 

2.  Track What you Eat: Whether you are following the 21 Day Fix program with the portion control containers, or using an app like MyFitness pal. Tracking what you eat all day will help you stick with your goals!

3. H20: Drink your water! Chug it all day long! Keeping your body hydrated with water will help you recover, and your body will thank you.

*BONUS BOOST* - As I heal and recover I'm drinking my daily boost of dense nutrition in the form of a Chocolate Milkshake :) YUM! (Cafe Chocolate Recipe coming soon to the blog!) Drinking this daily has helped my energy stay up, I'm getting my vitamins, super foods, protein and vegetables.. and it's curbed my cravings!

Are you recovering from an injury and struggling to find a way to get back on track with your health and fitness goals? Comment below with your email address or email me at CoachJennyM@gmail.com. I would love to be there to help you and encourage you on your own journey!

Have a blessed day!

Jenny

Rise Up Series: Part 1 - A split second and BAM

I was driving home from work on Monday, going 60 mph on the freeway when another drive who wasn't paying attention to the road and was messing with buttons on their dashboard turned into me. She pushed me across another lane, caused me to spin out, hit a medium at at least 45 mph and then hit me from behind again. 

I'm not going to lie, it scared me. And for a second I thought that might be it. There was nothing I could do to stop it. It was as if she hit the gas and kept pushing into me, across the other lane and into the divider.

Why did this happen? A split second and BAM.

My first reaction was anger, my second reaction was frustration/helplessness. 

What if I had just stayed at work 2 minutes longer?

What if I had taken another freeway?

What if______?

I can come up with what if's until I'm blue in the face, but what good will that do? All it does is keep me on the mindset of frustration and anger. 

On Tuesday morning I woke up feeling thankful.

Thankful that I got to wake up this morning and be with my kids. 

Thankful for my incredible Husband who dropped everything at work and came to my side to help me on the freeway. 

I'm thankful I'm alive.

Most of all I'm thankful for God's unwavering love.

In life, it's inevitable for these bumps/lows to come our way. They happen when you least expect it, or sometimes you can see them coming. But with each low we face, we are given the opportunity to embrace God's grace and truth.

I don't know why this happened, but I do know God has a plan for me and I am loved.

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 ESV

Whatever comes your way. Don't give up. Turn to Jesus and seek Him! For He is with us in our highs and lows. He is our constant, our hope, our redeemer. 

Fast forward to today as I was driving by myself to my Dr apt today, I felt anxious about driving. This song came on the radio and I felt instant peace. What an amazing God we have! I found out at my apt that I have a separated rib, severe whip last and 3 + months of recovery ahead of me. I left the apt feeling frustrated and down about it. As most of you know I'm an active person, I love fitness, I love moving, I love running around with my kids.

There is something good that will come from this. And just because I'm injured doesn't mean I can't keep working towards my health and fitness goals! I will keep eating clean, drinking my shakeology and when I get the green light I will start low impact exercise.

Most importantly I will turn and seek Jesus. For He is with me in the highs and lows. He is a constant, He is my Savior.

"You're a Good, Good Father

It's who you are, It's who you are,

It's who you are

and I'm loved by you

It's who I am, It's who I am,

It's who I am
You are perfect in all of your way."

As over these next few months I will be blogging my journey of how I will stay on track with my health and fitness goals while recovering from injury. I pray that it will inspire others to not give up on their goals no matter way speed bump comes their way.

Have a Blessed Night,

Jenny