Phit-N-Phat...Making Fitness and Weightloss a Lifestyle

Holiday Lifestyle: Quick Grocery Tips for the Family Dinner

We are all so busy in the holiday season! Running around, shopping, dropping off gifts, visiting family all can lead you to hitting the drive-thrus, having one too many chocolate Santas, and forgetting just where the gym is located. Well, ladies, let me teach you how to have a hectic holiday season and still wear your pre-holiday pants by New Years.

The next few weeks I will feature some holiday blogs and my PNP clients from the forums are helping me by giving you the gift of their best tips. I also invite you to spread the cheer by commenting on your own ideas and questions. Let's make this a season of celebrating and love, not calories and chub.

Drive Thru or Grocery Store
Many people will opt to run by a drive-thru and get food versus running into the grocery store to pick up a pre-cooked dinner. It might take a few extra minutes (maybe not with some drive-thru lines) but you get so much more healthier food than for CHEAP!

A client of mine just recently did this. She was soooo tempted to stop and pick up a bunch of burgers for her family. She's tired and had a long day. Knowing that this would be the easiest thing to do she decided it wouldn't be the thing in two hours she would feel good about. We all know how it goes; what's easy is often the same thing you will re-hash in disgust for the next twelve hours.

Now THAT is some wasted time.

So, she ran into the grocery store. If it was you going into the store, what would you grab that you can put on the table in less than ten minutes? I would grab:

• a rotisserie chicken fully cooked and ready to go
• a bag of mixed lettuces for a salad and some baby carrots bagged to put on top
• a can of veggies (Logan loves green beans, black beans, and corn so one of those)
• a bag of frozen brown rice
• lowfat vanilla yogurt and fresh berry or frozen berries

When I get home I would:

• Throw the brown rice in the microwave.
• Put the canned veggie on stove on medium with a touch of EVOO for a healthy fat.
• Pull off the skin of the chicken and toss and then make a bowl of the meat quickly stripped off the bone.
• Throw the lettuce in bowls and top with carrots and dressing.
• Pull out the rice, mix in 1 tbsp of Smart Beat Butter, a touch of salt, put on plate and top with chicken.
• Put veggie on side.
• Call everyone to eat and while they make their way to the table mix the berries into the yogurt and sit out for dessert. (If the berries are frozen I would nuke for a couple of minutes then mix with yogurt.)

Ummm...this meal is about $15 for everything. You probably have leftovers for your lunch tomorrow. A nice big chicken salad with some black beans or corn would be great!

I can have all of that done in less than 10 minutes and feel good about what I am eating, what my family eats, and know my body will appreciate the effort. :)

So, do you have ideas for drive-thru alternatives OR HEALTHY things to ORDER in the drive-thru? Remember, a lot of items can be made healthy with some creativity.

Waiting for the Perfect Day to Start My Diet

Are you a new mom? Is the weight not falling off like all your friends promised it would? Maybe you feel bad because it has been months since the baby was born and you still can't get into your old habits.

Or, are you the kind of person who has a CHAOTIC life? Do you sit around thinking I'll get serious about losing weight when things settle down. The same advice goes for you so read on!

Another fabulous post from one of my clients came through our message boards last night. She has a six month old and life has changed DRAMATICALLY to say the least. In her writing she made a comment to her family who wants to change their lifestyle.

I was just talking to my brother about my mom. We were discussing how she and my stepfather are thinking they'll get healthy after they get through their move, but their life is always hectic. I told my brother that they have to learn to work with the lifestyle they have instead of waiting for it to change again.

Since having the baby (she was 6 months last week!) I am having to make changes and adjust to what life is like now.  I'm not going to lie...it has been tough going back to work full time along with all the new things I have to do as a mom.  I wasn't so hardcore about keeping the habits I had before, so now I'm having to re-create good habits.  It's coming together and this "new normal" is feeling better for me each day.

New Moms! This is why you need to give yourself plenty of time to work off baby weight. MOST people are not going to get a good bit off the first six months. You run ragged. Little to no sleep, all your pre-baby duties stay with you along with doubling your household load, rarely time to eat so you store fat like a crazy person, AND some of you go back to work. Going back to work can give you a little break. BUT it also steals time away from the "duties" of cleaning bottles, etc., so when you get home you feel GUILTY if you workout and eat a clean meal.

Staying home would seem easier BUT you are ON for the baby ALL THE TIME. No adult conversations, no shopping because it's a hassle, and you never realize how much a kid cries until you are with it all the time. LOL. You don't go to the gym because those people look too crazy to keep your child and when you finally get some help at night, you want a minute of peace; not the Firm Girls staring at you.

Don't feel guilty for adjusting to life first. You need to and the day will come, in about six months, when you get a better routine. Until then, make good choices and go for walks when you can. When and if the energy picks up, you add in your strength.

It would be easy for me to say jump back in with both feet but you need the NEW lifestyle. It's like the old...you make better choices everyday. It might mean running your stairs five times every couple of hours at home for a leg workout. Subway to replace the pizza your husband picks up on the way home. Good and better choices are EVERYWHERE so look for them. Don't feel guilty for not being the workout Diva you were as a single girl. :)

As my client put it; you can't wait for things to change and be perfect. YOU have to adjust to your lifestyle. Some people lead a naturally chaotic lifestyle "thinking" one day it will magically settle down so they can focus on themselves. That day never comes and they wake up 15 years later wondering why they haven't lost the baby weight.

Recognizing Your Successes in Weightloss

Recently I had a client journal her thoughts about an evening she had. In her mind it wasn't a success. Here's the discussion and you tell me if you agree with my assessment. I hope you learn about some of the changes you can make that can add up quickly. She's lost five pounds her first month with just dropping a few old habits.

Today is day 21 for me.  Last night was not good.  I just wanted to eat but I ate my planned meal.  I was not physically hungry and just wanted that full feeling.  I did not have any of my old unhealthy snacks in the house like cake, frozen pizza or pizza rolls.  I know I cannot just have a serving of those so I've stopped buying them. 

I resisted the feeling at first. It wasn't a craving because it was not for anything in particular.  I just wanted to feel full knowing I was satisfied with my planned dinner.  I ate a bowl of cheerios with fiber one and crasins and that didn't do it. Later I ate the skinless chicken thighs that I had pre-cooked for my dinner on Friday. 

Afterwards I felt full, physically and emotionally I felt like crap.  I let myself down by giving in when I knew I was not really hungry.  Hopefully, by writing this I'll remember for next time.

On the positive I did write it in my journal and calculate it.  I was 715 over my calories for the day.  I'd have been fine if I'd stuck to my plan. 

Today is another chance. Good thing I don't have to lose it all overnight.

 

From Me!

You know, you have a lot to be proud of here. Let me spell it out for you. :)

1. You stopped buying the high calorie, empty nutrition junk! That means you avoided double the calories I'm sure you would've consumed. Good for you!

2. You thought about what you were doing. This means you are breaking an old habit of just eating to feel full even when you don't care if you do. Another huge step. It was probably a nightly habit to do it and now you notice when you are falling into an old habit.

3. You journaled and admitted it. AMEN! Now you will remember it. If you don't get the loss you want this week you will know why. I can promise you in a week from now you will only remember all the RIGHT things you did and not little things that might slow you down. EXCELLENT GIRL! I wish everyone would do this.

4. You ate good stuff for you. You got in protein, a fruit, some fiber, etc. Maybe you did eat more calories and only wanted a feeling but you AT LEAST put in something other than empty sugar carbs.

5. I am going to bet your body is looking to lose some weight. VERY OFTEN when you feel this way suddenly one night it's because your body is looking to burn off some fat. Especially when you have more to lose your body will start kicking up the metabolism. Be aware of it and just feed it a little more food on those days. Keep it healthy and you will be fine.

Last, I'm a full kind of gal myself. I like volume and I enjoy the feeling of full. It's not a good thing to want to just feel like busting out the seams when you eat, but every now and then it's OK to satisfy the full feeling if you are willing to do it with healthy food.

What I do is slow my eating down (I'm a woofer), drink a lot of water with my meal, and try to remember each meal that I don't need to feel bloated to be satisfied. Most of the time it works. Sometimes it doesn't. But what does happen is that I cut a lot of calories by sometimes be strong enough to stop.

Good work girl.

Mammy's Own Race Report

From my mother's post to the PNP Girls...

I'm back from Columbus.  I'm so shocked that I'm not sore today.  My only real issue is the huge blister I have on my right foot. The blister is on the spot where one pair of shoes lets my foot roll inward too much and eventually causes pain and where the shoes I wore on race day actually holds my foot in a more correct position.  I switched back and forth between these 2 pair of shoes the last 6 to 8 weeks I trained.  The pink shoes were cushier but the blue shoes held my foot up better.  On the long walks I could never decide between the two.  The last few short walks I did prior to the race I wore the pink ones and worked very hard to pick up my pace on the treadmill. I think the pain I had the last week before the race was caused from increased speeds wearing the cushy shoes.  On race day I went with the blues, and that's why I have a blister on that area. Lesson:  pick your best shoe and wear it.  Mammy has got to embrace the fact that there is no perfect, magical shoe.

During the race; early on I had one scare. I walked on the edge of one side of the road so I wouldn't get mowed down by all the runners.  Then about 3 to 5 miles into it (I really can't remember at what point but it was early) we moved over to more of the middle of the road but on the opposite side.  I got a real funny stiff, cramp-like feeling in the front part of my ankle; like suddenly I couldn't bend it without it hurting really badly.  We stopped, stretched it and then walked in the middle of the road where it was the flattest.  Eventually, the pain subsided and we decided it was where I was walking kind of at a slant with the part of my foot that tends to hurt being on the downward slant; then changing to the flatter surface which may have torn some soft tissue.  That's what caused the pain and that eventually went away as I walked through it.  Plus I took a Lortab after Corinne decided I wouldn't mask the pain too much.

Another time when we were making a turn, Corinne jokingly said, "if we go straight right here, we'll shave off 4 miles."  She and Jill went into the gas station to get coffee, and I kept walking.  At that point the blister was just starting to bother me and I thought to myself, maybe I should just go straight.  I thought about turning around and telling Corinne that I think we should do that.  I'm glad I didn't.  I pressed on.  But I did take another pain pill. 

The last few miles were tough because of the blister.  We stopped several times to put Vaseline on it which helped, but eventually the blister busted and I just had to walk through the pain.  We were so close to the finish that I couldn't quit.  Besides, Corinne said I had made it this far, "you're not stopping because of a blister."  I'm glad she felt that way.  I'm so happy I didn't quit. 

Doing shots...that was great.  I was in so much pain, wanted it to be over,  and that for some reason really seemed like a great idea.  You have to know though, I only do shots with my son on game day.  I always have to chase it down with some red bull or something.  That shot tasted so good.  No chaser.   I really think that got me through the last 2 miles.  I know it's not a healthy approach but it worked for Mammy!

The finish line.  It was like a dream.  I could barely stand up.  The last mile I had held on to Corinne to keep from staggering.  When I saw everybody coming to-wards me I looked at my baby girl and said, "I hope I don't fall down!"  That's why she shewed everyone away until we got to the line.  She told me she explained that to y'all while I was recovering last night.  But I want y'all to know.  I will NEVER forget the faces I saw.  I have never felt so much love and support from all of you but especially from my Daughter Corinne.  When I found out my Daddy was going to die, I remember looking at Corinne and saying, "no one will ever love me and make me feel loved like Daddy ever again."  That was true for the last 9 years until yesterday.  Y'all made me feel so loved and supported....I just can't express it so you will understand.  I felt Daddy's presence in each of you yesterday.  I will never forget that experience. 

To all the people that have emailed me and posted words of encouragement all along the way, thank you so much.  Corinne would read me updates from facebook where people commented during the race.  And all the pre-race words of encouragement...you all are incredible women and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

A special thanks to Jill.  Thank you for helping Corinne take care of me yesterday.  I know it was grueling having to walk for 6 hours and 40 minutes; having to get up extra early so I could start early, and having to drive like a fool to try to get back to us to take me to the hotel yesterday.  Plus coordinating all the other stuff you did with the other girls.  You are officially an adopted daughter.  Corinne finally has a sister.    

Finally, my sweet girl.  She has worked so hard to get me to this point. She has sacrificed precious time away from Chris and Logan to walk with me, talk to me on the phone, answer my endless emails, and going over stuff multiple times (Mammy has short term memory issues).  She has been a ROCK throughout these last few months.  Always encouraging, always saying the right things when I would lose my confidence, or feel like I wasn't making progress.  God has blessed me with this child.  I always have said when I got pregnant with her at such an early age, she probably saved my life then.  I was pretty rowdy back then.  I think she has saved my life again.  I know I will live longer because of her and live a happier, healthier life because of her.  Corinne I love you so much!  Thank you for giving me the confidence to achieve this monumental goal.  I can't wait for the next race.  I'm determined to get faster and stronger.

I love you all!

Mammy

Mammy's Race Report, Video, and My Own Account

What a weekend. Let me recap my memory and then I will share Mammy's in another blog. We also got a little video for inspiration in this post. I hope one day, if you are reading this and doubting yourself, you will see that it CAN BE DONE. Only YOU stand in the way of being healthy and fit. So, honk honk, get out your own way!

Corinne's Race Report...

Our race started at 6:30 a.m., dark, very cold, and just three girls wearing pink walking the sidewalks before the official race began. No bands, guns, cheers, or hugs for us.

The streets were still open and we had to ask someone which way to go since we forgot to pack the map. As the race opened we knew it only because cops were screaming by, the sun was coming up, and the wheelchair racers flew by. We got to see the awesome Kenyans and such since we were ahead of the pack.

Next came the RUNNERS. You know, the ones barely clothed because they were humping. We had to yet again leave the road to avoid getting run over. Some woman even had the gall to say, "Oh, you are SLOW walkers," as if we didn't deserve to be there. We did and would prove it later.

As the recreational athletes, mommies, grandmothers, girls like us came by we got more love and pats on the back for being there. Those people are the athletes I brag to Mammy about. The ones who are in a race but also know you are too and shout out words of encouragement. The running community truly is so supportive.

Around mile four the PNP Nation came screaming by us yelling words of encouragement. We all wished each other well and they pressed on. At mile six we got the news they were pulling all support. The race officials said, "You know there will be know help right? We're taking up all the water and breaking down the streets. Do you need anything?" I said "Maybe some water (just in case - I had a FULL backpack of food) and a map would be helpful."

I've always said last place is the girl on the couch because many times I've been in last. I've never been behind the race closure, though. It is lonely and scary. We had six miles to cover in downtown Columbus with a map and high spirits. The guy even said if we ran into trouble to please dial 911!!!! Seriously! It didn't occur to me that if we fell, got robbed or whatever we had to call 911 and hope someone could find us.

After mile 8 there were no more mile markers; they had taken down all of that. No crowds, no love, no police, no volunteers, nothing but the three of us and my mom's determination to finish. Jill and I wanted her to finish so bad but talked a lot about pulling her if needed. We even asked Caroline to stay behind at the finish line so we would have a car to pick us up if she wasn't going to make it. We simply didn't know what was going to happen and I so didn't want to have to dial 911.

Mile 11 we took  a shot of Jaeger. Silly, yes, but seriously needed. I told Jill I would do a girlie 150 for it. Mammy was in so much pain and my nerves were shot trying to hold it together. The queen doesn't like emotions and stress and she was holding a lot in trying to keep Mammy positive and Jill from worrying. I know how Jill is with all that "S" in her and I didn't want her to be a hot mess. :)

We hit a rough two miles. I knew Mammy "could" finish I just really struggled with if she should. My worst nightmare would be to push her so hard that she can't live this lifestyle anymore. Medals are one thing but I want her to love this lifestyle.

At the finish I was so overwhelmed. I mean I loved it for Momma but it meant so much to me that all the girls stayed behind and we could cross together. For real, we really brought home the message of what PNP was about. We had women of every shape, size, athletic ability, you name it there walking together and celebrating being healthy. I don't know if I could have scripted anything better.

We were officially last place and it never felt so good.

Back from Columbus and Hot Messes!

Our girls at PNP are still going strong on the new Muscled Up Cardio Challenge! We're starting week four and here's a few shots from team Journal Through Pictures of the "Hot Mess" that ensues after a PNP workout.

How fabulous does Jill look in her Body Under Construction shirt? And, I just love a girl who looks like THIS when she finishes a fat busting workout!

I am also featuring and easy, clean menu from one of our Moderators. Jessica is working on losing few pounds while eating things she loves. No measuring. Just eating healthy and keeping it filled with the things she enjoys.

Jessica's EASY Menu

B:Oatmeal, blueberries, coffee
S: Raw Carrots
L: chicken black bean, quinoa wrap, and an orange
S: apple and cheese stick
D:2 cups of squash with tomato sauce and meat sauce
S:SF Pudding or Roasted Edamame

We're back from Columbus! Mammy and several PNP girls finished their first half/full marathons. It was such a great weekend. We had good laughs, good times, a great race, and enjoyed ourselves so much. I will have pictures, a video, and a blog detailing the story later this week.

I want to congratulate ALL PNP girls who walked...AND those who ran or walked in other areas of the country at the same time we were in OH. If I leave you out, PLEASE leave a comment with your information. Also, any of the girls who raced who want to reply to this message with your race report or feelings PLEASE share with all our readers.

First Half Marathon:
Lisa S - Des Moines, IA
Mammy
Angela
Julie
Jill B.
Caroline

First Marathon Runners:
Jeannie
Kathy M.

Half Marathon Finishers:
Jennie G.
Jenny B.
Jill M.
Corinne
Kathleen
Tammi

Marathon Relay:
Jane - NM (Because we would never survive any race without your prayers or support in previous races!)

Inspiration is Everywhere

This week I've several things pop up that are so inspiring and remind me EXACTLY why I spend a lot of time with Phit-N-Phat. I'm going to share them with you, but first I want to say we have several PNP'ers making history yet again. A bunch of us are all traveling to Columbus, OH to walk or run the marathon or half-marathon.

We have two first time marathoners and SEVERAL first and seasoned half-marathoners. This is also a chance for us to show the world that at PNP we are women of all walks of life. From young women to grandmothers, those who have 50+ pounds to lose to those with no weight to lose, we have women coming together in friendship to cross the finish line together. I can't tell you how much it means to me that this little corner of the Internet has developed into such meaningful friendships.

And, for those who follow MAMMY, she'll be there with me and will give it all she's got. I'll get pictures and hopefully video. She's NERVOUS but as I keep telling her, last place is the girl on the couch. No matter what happens she will have walked further than she ever has in her life. AND, she couldn't have any dreamed she be attempting to do this walk a year ago.

OK...Inspiration One: A daughter of PNP

Dear Ms. Corinne,
I am sending you a picture of me running. 
Thank you for teaching my mom how to be healthy.
I want to be healthy like her.
I like that she is teaching me how to run.  I also like to lift weights.  She has given me a schedule that I do, when I remember, that I really like.
Thank you!

Isn't she the cutest little PNP girl! As her mother told me, inspiration is a trickle down. Girls, those of you who give it all you got everyday are inspiring others to do the same. It doesn't matter where in the journey you are. You just have to be on the road!

 

Inspiration Two: PNP Tracy Who Just Missed the Money

In our last challenge, Tracy had a great progress but just missed being in the money. She did so great I just wanted to share her story and brag on her!

How long have you been with PNP and what prompted you to join?

Nine weeks. I received the emails for about a year & thought they were so motivating.  But I was also a little intimidated because I thought I couldn't be as "hard core" as the PNP ladies.  I decided to get Corinne's book & then really wanted to join.  

So, I started you with the Beginner 5N45 Program! What success did you have with it?

My shape completely changed in 8 weeks!!  I lost 6.2 pounds but more importantly, 9 inches!!  I had to get used to the slower weight loss, but now I'll take inches over pounds any day! 

What made the program work so well for you? I mean your seven weeks in and you can see SO MANY CHANGES!

Having a plan made all the difference.  I could follow a WW eating plan with my eyes closed but having a fitness plan was amazing.  Before, I would work out for 30 minutes on the elliptical and barely break a sweat while reading my book.  Now, there is no reading going on (well, except during the warm up).  

I saw many girls go nuts over your pics in your journal. Have you had others commenting on your changing attitude and shape?

  That is so sweet to have people notice!  My husband and mom have made positive comments, which is great. 

What is one tip you’ve learned from the girls at PNP that you never really thought was critical to success?

Planning out your week.  It makes it so much easier when I know what I am going to have and to have it ready to use in the house.  Sometimes I can white knuckle through making dinner when I am starving without eating everything in sight, but it is not fun.

Since joining PNP, what is your proudest change to your lifestyle you have made?

Stopping the dessert madness.  I knew that my thin friends didn't go around having dessert after lunch and dessert after dinner...not to mention lattes with pastries in the morning, but for some reason I thought that if I couldn't have them, it wouldn't be fair to me.  Hello!  I needed to train myself to think of treats as just that...something you have sparingly and not every few hours during the day.  Now I truly enjoy my treats.  

I know you are barely two months old with us, but what is your favorite part of the community?

I love that there are new challenges every 2 months or so (and teams to join).  For me, its something to look forward to (i.e., I'm not going to be doing x, y & z forever)

Is there anything you would say to someone sitting on the fence regarding buying a program or joining PNP?

These ladies are great and it doesn't matter where your jumping off point is, they will assist you & make you feel at home.

Is This the LAST TIME I Will Have to Lose Weight?

At PNP we have some of the most interesting discussions and another one happened the other day in one of my clients journals. It was so good I asked her if I could post what we discussed. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave your own comments about the topic.

I have a question for you ladies who have lost the weight and kept it off. 

How do you know the last time you tried to lose the weight truly was the last time? Did you just finally "get it" one day?  Or was it more of a gradual awakening? 

I feel really good about how things are going right now, but I keep getting this nagging suspicion that this time will be like every other time I've tried to lose.  I guess it is Fat Girl Thinking (FGT).  I think journaling every day is helping.  But man, is FGT ever hard to ditch!

Corinne's Response:

I've blogged about this often but I still don't know if this is the LAST time. :) Does that help?

All I can tell you is that I just got better and better every day. I still try to get better and better every day. Guess that's why I like to call it a lifestyle because you really have to make one that leads you to being a healthy person - inside and out.

You also have to remember that when you have been overweight a long time those feelings and such just don't go away. Don't fight it. It's not that they win; they are just there. The more you learn to have a safe environment, find things you like doing and eating, the easier you find it is to SEE those thoughts before you act on them.

I don't know if that makes sense, but for me I feel like this lifestyle will "stick" because for the first time I didn't try to lose weight doing all the things I hated and give up the things I love. Along the way, I found new things to love and realized a lot of what got me fat in the first place just wasn't that important anymore.

 

Angela's Response:

For me it's about choices. Every day-all day-I make a choice that will impact my health, my weight and how I feel about myself. I have days where I love where I am and the lifestyle I'm living. Other days I would love to just say "screw it all" and eat cookies:)

I don't though. I work too hard for my moods or for a party or for what someone thinks make those decisions for me. It DOES get easier to make the positive choices-getting up for an early workout, packing your food, prepping your meals. Like all habits, they take time...and some nasty habits have a way of sliding back in. No one is looking for perfection-just do the best you can each day. Move on from a mistake and make the next choice the best you can!

 

In Summary...

Lifestyle means YOU finding what works for you and your own goals at this moment. Right now you might just need a couple of months of feeling forward progress. That's a good goal. When I started all of this I just wanted to quit being unhealthy and be able to get in the floor and play with my baby. Today my goals are wrapped up in sculpting muscle and walking half marathons with my Mommy.

As you go through weightloss you have to be willing to listen to yourself, accept your faults with love and be willing to push yourself when you know you are stronger than what you are doing.

Women are smart. We know when we do things our body is thankful for and when we do something our body doesn't like. Do more things to make yourself thankful every day and you will see more lifestyle changes come to you.

PNP In Pictures

We are starting week two of our latest exercise schedule - MUSCLED UP CARDIO -  at PNP. Last challenge the girls went head to head for some cashola. This time, they are on support teams with themes to help them reach their goals. Our teams are:

AM Exercisers - my girls who HAVE TO workout first thing in the morning or it won't get done. Think busy mommies!

Lifestylers - these ladies are not fixated on numbers but spending eight weeks FOCUSED on the changes they CAN and WILL make to their life to live healthier.

10 Pounds or Bust - enough talk, now let's walk the walk. My ladies are tracking the numbers and going for 10lbs in eight weeks.

Journey in Photos - WHAT A FUN TEAM! I want to focus on them today.

These girls are doing something so clever. They are snapping photos of their after-workout glow, what they are eating (good and not-so-planned), and anything that displays what they are doing daily to live the lifestyle.

 

This is so cute! They post daily pictures and then at the end of the week Becca puts it together in a collage of success to show off what they did. I LOVE the pictures of stuff they face down each day and don't put in their mouth.

You know, blogging, taking pictures of myself, and shooting video has inspired many of you over the years. Honestly, I never set out to be YOUR inspiration as much as I needed my own way to keep CORINNE motivated and moving along the journey to good health. The things I post do help others but it is done with a slightly selfish spirit. I know if I have people looking to see what I am doing, I AM MORE ON MY GAME.

If you find yourself to be a visual person, creating your journey in pictures could be the trick you need to stay on target a little better each week. In my office I have my own visual stimulus. Note cards with my plans on a wall board, pictures of inspiration, dates that are important to hit, etc., all keep me SEEING my future success.

All of my teams are doing great and the photo girls are showing that.

PNP Gets PHIT With Our HUBBIES!

For the first time ever, we totally allowed the husbands to enter a challenge with their wife. It was an awesome experience. The way we did it was to create a message thread in our forums just for the couples. The wives updated regularly how the team was doing.

I'm super proud of our teams. Most of us made it to the end of the challenge with a husband who...

• Lost some weight.
• Is eating and thinking better about food than before the challenge.
• Understands more about how important our lifestyle is to us.
• Is willing to exercise a bit more and WITH US on occasion.
• Gets how important PNP is to the wife! Seriously, they saw we aren't just a diet site! We are a family and a lot of them get that now.

My King was a part of this, too. Chris, if you read this, I know how hard it is to be married to me. I know PNP gets demanding because the Queen seems to always find a way to work PNP into our life. You've run your first marathon because of it, you've grown as an amateur photographer through our events, and you often spend YOUR evenings giving me therapy when I'm tapped out from doing the same for 100's of people a day.

You lost eight pounds this challenge. You "contemplated" starting some regular exercise. You even think about food and what we can share when we go out so that we are BOTH eating responsibly. I LOVE it and I'm glad you jumped in the challenge and made some positive life changes. I love you with all my heart.

NOW for the winners who took all the money. Our winners were TEAM MABRY!!!! Dawn and Jeremy worked it! Dawn began working out more in the mornings and Jeremy just went nuts with his eating and he lost 20lbs in EIGHT WEEKS! Here's their pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's some of what they had to say about their results and the challenge.

Describe your diet the past eight weeks.

Both of us followed a clean eating type meal plan. Eating lean proteins, veggies, fruits and good for you carbs. We didn't count calories much but just ate healthy.

 

Did you have ups and downs or did you make steady progress?

Jeremy - I had steady progress the entire 8 weeks. I had a few cheat meals along the way but got right back on track which is what got me to the 20 pound loss.

Dawn - Progress for me didn't come on the scale in the beginning at all, in fact it went up but, then it slowly but surely started moving down. I could tell that I was getting smaller inches wise as the weeks were going along.

 

If you did have struggles, how did you overcome them?

Jeremy - Did not have any struggles believe it or not.

Dawn - I struggled the first 4 weeks with the scale not moving but I kept going and it finally showed me the love.

 

Describe how you feel today versus how you felt the week before the challenge.

Jeremy - I feel a lot better with a lot more energy.

Dawn - I feel motivated because I can see that even 4.2lbs can make a big difference. I can feed off that to keep going to reach my next goal.

 

Would you recommend a PNP plan or book to someone who wasn't ready to commit to the community? Why or why not?

Jeremy - ABSOLUTELY! All of the information, workouts and diets are good and beneficial even if you aren't a part of the PNP community. If you do the workouts and follow the meal plans then you WILL lose the fat.

Dawn - Well of course I think everyone should at least purchase a PNP book even if they aren't going to be a part of the community. I am confident it can change their life if they follow through with the plan.

This has been a great eight weeks for both of us. We feed off each other when we are both strong. In return, the times when we are weak we often both cave, but I think that will get better in time. We will stay strong for one another when we see the other one becoming weak. This health/fitness journey is SO MUCH easier when you have your support network (like your spouse) on board. When both people "get it" then the sky is the limit for what you can achieve.

It's been fun, we both plan to continue our journey to reach our next set of goals. Can't wait to have more "afters".