The 4 Month Plateau

As all of you know I have been working out and eating healthy since a week after my son was born (and while pregnant, and before I got pregnant with little #2).  I lost a good amount of weight in the beginning, but most of that was water, and other goodness that comes with being pregnant with a big ol' baby.  I have participated in 2 6FIT sessions with DanceFIT Studio and continued my workouts 5-6 days a week for 2 hours a day.  I eat lots of kale and spinach, I cut down on my vino and ice cream consumption drastically.  I track my calorie intake on My Fitness Pal and I recently bought a FitBit.  Even with all of that, I have been in a major plateau for the past 4-5 months with at least 15 pounds left to shed until I am at a healthy weight.  I didn't put a lot of thought into the number on the scale because I was feeling healthy and I was gaining a lot of muscle. Which way to the gun show!  My cardio hasn't been at 100% because of my annoying knee issues...so maybe that was why?  Anyway, I was THRILLED when I finally broke the number on the scale by 1.5lbs about a month ago.  I haven't gained anything since, but haven't lost anything either.  Even to the most positive person, this can be extremely frustrating.  I want my pre-baby body back, please.

About a month ago, my husband and I were in a car accident and while I was at the doctor getting my whiplash-ed neck examined, I got a full check up.  I hadn't been since 2008...that is bad.  Too busy at the baby doctor 800 times a week for 3 years.  Anyway, they did a full range of blood work and when I got the results a week later, everything was normal EXCEPT my thyroid.  

Hypothyroid.  Sweet.  That would explain things right? The major system in my body responsible for making metabolism work properly...failed!  Thanks to my little big man, T, I have postpartum Hypothyroidism.  Supposedly, this will cure itself within a year after giving birth (3 months and counting...), but 50% of women who have postpartum hypothyroid will get permanent hypothyroidism later in life.  Cross your fingers this isn't me.  

There are a number of all natural things I can do to jump-start my thyroid, but there is also a pill I can take that supposedly helps too.  My inner all-natural self struggles.  

A lot of the natural things that can help hypothyroidism are already part of my life...

• Just say not to caffeine and sugar, including refined carbs.  Caffeine will be a tough one and probably the last thing I will try.  I really love coffee.  Sugar, on the other hand will be a bit easier as I have already started decreasing it's existence in my diet.  
• Eat lots of protein.  This is something i can definitely do, but find it more challenging than other dietary changes for some reason.  More quinoa?  Sure! 
• Drop the soy products.  I don't consume a ton of soy, but I do like soy in my coffee from time to time (add Almond Milk to your menu anytime, Starbucks).  I eat tofu once a month and I love edamame.  But that's about it.  I can do without.  Apparently it has an adverse reaction on a body's endocrine system.  Who knew? 
• Eat more healthy fats: avocados, nuts, EVOO, full fat dairy products.  Not getting enough GOOD fat and cholesterol fuels your thyroid to be less effective.  
• Get more nutrients through food.  Vitamin D, iron, omega-3's, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, B vitamins and iodine are all important to a properly functioning Thyroid gland.  When it comes to iodine; eat more sea vegetables/seafood, eggs, lima beans, asparagus, spinach and swiss chard instead of taking a supplement or using iodized salt- that is said to exacerbate your thyroid issue. 
• Cook your veggies!  A lot of the veggies that are said to help hypothyroid, can also work against you. "Goitrogens" are found in a lot of vegetables and aren't good for people with hypothyroid.  Cooking up your veggies will take the goitrogens out of them and you're good to go.  
• Stay stress free.  The thyroid gland is apparently sensitive to stress.  Relax.  Meditate.  Breathe.  
• Eat probiotics...a healthy tummy is essential to thyroid function.  
• Go Gluten Free.  Isn't this the answer to everything now-a-days? ;) 

I guess I have some work to do.  

While I am frustrated with the fact that I have been working my ass off to lose this baby weight once and for all over the past 9 months, I also have to be thankful of the healthy lifestyle I have chosen.  Not only will it make it easier to adjust to my new dietary needs, but working out and eating clean has also curbed a lot of weight gain.  I may be in the longest plateau ever, but at least the scale isn't going up.  

So, I'll keep truckin'...

You Are Not A Number

For the past 15 (+) years I have been a scale watching addict.  15 years of my life have been consumed and ruled by a number...how crazy is that?  Drop pounds, drop pounds, drop pounds.  That was the one and only thing I was ever concerned about when it came to any sort of health and fitness regimen.  I still struggle with this daily, I am sad to say.  However, I am slowly starting to realize that it is not the number on the scale I (or any of you) should be concerned with.  What we should all be focusing on is the way we feel.  Do you feel stronger today than yesterday?  Can you hold a plank like a pro for just a few more seconds?  Get to 30 bicycle crunches without going all sloppy at the end?

Weight has never ever just fallen off me.  Even when I work hard, it still sticks around.  I am tall and bigger boned so I definitely find it harder to maintain a weight I think is healthy.  Feeling a little discouraged the other day about being stuck in scale plateau, my best friend reminded me of how hard I have been working and even if the scale isn't moving, my strength and endurance is.  "I will never be as strong as you", she said.  And while I completely disagree with that (because I think she could be!), it was a wake up call and really nice to hear.  I went shopping for back to work clothes a couple weeks ago and no, I still wasn't the size I wanted to be, but I felt good in the clothes.  That's what matters right?

I feel really grateful that I have found a group of strong and healthy women that motivate me to be a better me every single day...whether I am in a 6FIT session or not.  The women of DanceFIT Studio are not concerned with a number on the scale (for the most part...I am sure everyone has their moments!) but rather the number of squats, burpees, tricep dips they can reach by the end of the day.  How AMAZING is that?
The women I surround myself with both in person and virtually take multiple DanceFIT classes a day, climb mass amounts of stairs with the November Project, do CrossFIT programs, run marathons.  The list goes on and on and on. They are strong and healthy and they motivate me to be the same.  I see most of these women through the computer via Skype.  I have been working out with them all for over a year and I am literally watching them transform before my eyes.  I do not think...woah, she is so skinny, but rather she has gotten incredibly muscular; look at her arms muscles, legs, etc.  It is amazing to see.


In our little 6FIT cult, if one person gets down about not achieving their weight loss goal, or if someone is having a bad day everyone is quick to pull that person up...and by quick, I mean within 5 minutes words of encouragement are flying:

• You are getting stronger
• Don't worry about the number on the scale, you are building muscle
• You are healthy
• You have made a healthy lifestyle change...there is kale coming out of your ears :)
• You're running your ass off
• You are taking a gazillion classes a week
• Focus on how your clothes fit and not on the scale
• YOU ARE NOT A NUMBER (Thank you, Leta)

Personally, those words of encouragement that fly around our 6FIT FB page need to be hammered into my brain on a daily basis, but I am getting there.  These are words that I want my daughter to hear, as I have said before.  I don't want her to grow up the way I did...consumed by a single number on the scale.  She has seen me weigh myself before and of course wanted to do the same.  Instead of telling her the number on the scale I said "It says you are beautiful, you are strong, you are healthy".  Now when she see the scale, she says "I am beautiful Mommy?" and that just make my heart happy.  

My friend and fellow 6FITTER, Nicole wrote it best here.  The babies are watching and hearing everything you say. Not only as parents, but as a society, I feel like we need to set a good example for these littles as they grow. Teach them the words healthy, strong and beautiful not skinny, size 0 and scale.  

One last thing to leave you with.  At the end of every yoga class, Gina has us curl into a little ball and stay still for a couple minutes.  Not being a seasoned yogi, I asked what the purpose of this was.  Her answer?  "Self Love".  What a concept.  

Week One...and Done!

6FIT Week 1 is over!  I will admit, I really loved week one.  Cardio week, leafy greens week and water week...for me, they all went really well together.

I logged 10 miles of cardio: a hike with my daughter, double stroller hill torture runs, single stroller runs and finally a solo run yesterday where I broke a personal record and felt really proud of everything I accomplished in the past week.

Here I am after my final Cardio Week Run, sporting my DanceFIT Studio gear, of course!

I participated in 10 Virtual Skype classes, including a new class where I got to be a Rockette for 45 minutes--it was amazing!  Saturday was my rest day, and boy did I need it.  My muscles were sore and I felt physically exhausted.  It was a welcome day off.  I spent the day with my daughter...we went to see Elmo Live and then to a BBQ at my brother's house.  The weather was beautiful and it was just a great day.  My husband was away all week so it was jut me and the kiddos.  Surprisingly, I did OK...no major anxiety attacks and the babies behaved themselves (for the most part)...I feel like super mom!

As for water, I averaged about 75oz a day...I learned that when I wanted to snack, stop and sip some water first.  The phantom hunger went away.  What a concept! I will admit, there were a few nights that I realllly wanted a glass (or 3) of wine.  I went out with my girlfriends on Thursday and used the 80/20 rule.  I had a salad and some wine.  I resisted the fries and dessert.  It was a special treat.

My meals were FILLED with leafy greens.  Almost every single meal I ate last week contained at least 2 cups of spinach, kale or both.  I felt really healthy all week.

Here are a few pictures of my meals this week:

Salmon over quinoa and spinach with a side of broccoli 

BBQ Tofu/Kale/Quinoa Bowl

Shrimp, asparagus, zucchini over spaghetti squash

Last min meal:sauteed spinach, asparagus, pine nuts, spaghetti squash and chicken

Lettuce wraps with roasted chicken and tomatoes for lunch

Cardio Week might be over, but I have signed up for a training plan via Run Keeper so I am going to stick to my overall 6FIT goals that were set before I even started and get more cardio into my life.  Now I just have to get over my fear of running by myself in the morning!

Quinoa- The Super Food of All Super Foods

I was introduced to Quinoa about 3 years ago when it was "trendy"...everyone was eating it, talking about it, blah blah blah.  I read up on it, bought it and tried it.  First I just cooked it up and threw some frozen veggies into it...not good.  The next time I made it, I replace the typical brown rice we use for out chicken curry dish with it.  I warned my husband in advance and he promised he would try it and also not complain about it.  This is huge in itself.  Anyway, he didn't like it, but I thought it was OK with the curry.  Either way, I decided it was too annoying to prepare (rinsing it, letting it sit, 15 minutes to cook) and I just stopped using it.  When my first 6FIT rolled around in December of 2011, I tried it again.  This time, I looked up some recipes (which I will share with you below) and made it a point to love quinoa!  Even my daughter was eating quinoa in her prepackaged baby food.  Today I LOVE, am obsessed with, replace everything with quinoa.

Did you know that 2013 has officially been declared "The International Year of Quinoa"?  It must be good!

Here is a list of tips and tricks that I have found helpful for eating and preparing quinoa:

• Buy in bulk (if you can).  I buy a 2lb bag of quinoa at BJ's for $4.99.  In the regular grocery store, the same brand costs $5.99 for a 14oz bag.  No brainer.  
• Buy pre-washed.  This takes a lot of time out of prepping quinoa.  
• Make a big batch.  2 cups of quinoa and 4 cups of water will make a batch that will last about 5 days between myself and my daughter.  During 6FIT Quinoa week, I make more.  I literally put quinoa into everything so having it premade makes it really easy to add it to salads, sauteed recipes, etc. Also, most recipes called for cooked Quinoa but always double check.
• Replace pasta and rice with Quinoa.  I will admit, it took a while to get used to this.  My family does not eat a lot of pasta, and when we do we make a chili type sauce and put it over pasta so it is easy to replace.  We also eat a lot of veggie/chicken stir fry with brown rice.  Brown rice is not forbidden during bread/pasta week in 6FIT, but seeing as it coincides with Quinoa Week...go ahead and replace it! 

This is the brand I use (chubby baby legs are not included):

Want some details on the health benefits of Quinoa?  Go here:

Quinoa is great; here's why.

Ok so onto some recipes.  I usually keep it pretty simple, but I have been branching out lately.  

One of my go to recipes for lunch (or dinner) is roasted veggies over satueed kale and spinach with quinoa.  Roast veggies at 400 for 40 minutes (I like sweet potato, parsnips and brussel sprouts- toss in olive oil, salt/pepper and cayenne).  Saute the kale and spinach together in olive oil, salt pepper, cayenne (see a pattern here?) and stir in the cooked quinoa at the end. Serve together and voila! 

Pinterest is a fabulous place for Quinoa recipes and it's where I get most of mine.  I have linked my health recipes pinterest page as I am constantly pinning quinoa stuff! 

Below is a list of recipes I have tried and approved!  They are all links to where I got the original recipes.

Quinoa and Kale Patties  I posted this in the 6FIT page, but I just want to stress a few things.  Make sure that once the batter is mixed, it sits for a while- even 30 minutes.  It is still going to be really runny.  Try to form into a ball anyway.  Cook for 10-12 min medium heat on BOTH sides. These are so good.  I used them as breakfast cakes, in lettuce wraps for lunch and then again for breakfast sauteed in with my spinach.  

BBQ Quinoa/Kale Bowl.  So here is the recipe I base mine off.  I made it a lot easier though and substituted a few things.  First of all the BBQ tofu: I just tossed in BBQ Sauce and tobasco, baked for 30 min at 400 (tofu cut into cubes).  Instead of brown rice I used quinoa and instead of blackeyed peas, I used garbanzo beans.  So So good.  If you don't like tofu, you can use shrimp of chicken! It is very filling.  

Quinoa/Avocado/Corn Salad The recipe calls for soaking the quinoa overnight...here is where the pre-washed quinoa comes in handy.  You can omit that step all together.  

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl  One of my favorites.  My sister shared this recipe during winter 6FIT and it is absolutely delicious.  Note- This recipe calls for walnuts, so if you're allergic  it still tastes good without.  Just add more berries!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers  I will not lie.  I don't follow a recipe for these, but the one linked comes pretty close to what I do.  I usually just stuff peppers with quinoa and steamed spinach, add some spices and bake them.  So good and 2 peppers lasts 2 days. 

I think those recipes should get you started on your journey to loving Quinoa! I wish I had tips of how to make kids like quinoa, but I don't.  It's just one of the things my daughter loves...she will eat it plain without spices too.  

Enjoy!

How DanceFIT Studio Changed My Life...No, I'm Not Being Dramatic

Hello Friends!

Well, here I am blogging about my amazing experience with DanceFIT Studio.  I know, I know I talk about this studio all the time.  How can I not?  It has literally changed my life.  I am so excited to be the new Spokesmodel for this spring's Remote 6FIT program!  We start April 21st-- I hope you will join me!  This means, of course that you will be hearing a lot more from me this spring :)

Let me just give a brief (or knowing me, not so brief) background about myself:  I grew up west of Boston, went to college in Boston and lived/worked in the city for my whole 20's.  As far as fitness goes, I walked everywhere and had a membership to a gym that I paid $50 a month for and never went.  I did a lot of yoyo dieting, and at those times I would pick up running or hit the gym hard for a couple weeks and that was it.  I met my husband when we were both living in South Boston, got married and "settled in"... ie: we ate a lot, we drank a lot, we didn't exercise.  When I got pregnant with my daughter, I was careful about what I ate - organic everything, not too many sweets, etc.  I didn't, however do any sort of exercise.  When Caoimhe was about 10 months old I FINALLY decided enough was enough...it's time to get moving.  I saw a Daily Candy deal for Virtual DanceFIT Studio classes and I was sold.  I started taking classes a few nights a week, huffing and puffing in my dining room while my husband encouraged me from the next room.  I kept going, I kept getting stronger...I was hooked!  A year and a half later, 2 babies and countless classes I am about to embark on my 4th 6FIT.  I thought I knew a lot about healthy eating - less calories, less fat, more veggies.  I was terribly wrong.  6FIT has taught me that I don't even need to count calories.  All I need to do is eat 6 serving of fruits and veggies a day (the more veggies, the better), eat whole grains, stay away from processed foods, eat real food, cook and bake yourself, eat less meat- the less feet, the better :) Drink water, drink water, drink water!  Remember the 80/20 rule.  Do not deprive yourself. Last, but not least- SLEEP.  Having a 2 year old who is a terrible sleeper and a 6 month old who wants to hang with Mommy at 2AM is not conducive to much sleep, but I try really hard!  

Some things that have changed in my food regiment since I first started at DanceFIT and since my first 6FIT...

• I eat breakfast every day.
• I start my day off by filling my water bottle and trying to drink 24oz before 10AM
• I eat/drink very little dairy 
• I eat roasted veggies instead of french fries 
• I eat kale.  A lot of it
• I do not drink soda, juice or flavored water
• I drink green and purple smoothies.  So does my 2 year old.  
• I cook for my family from scratch (on most nights...)
• When we get takeout, which is usually once a week, I get a salad and then load up that salad with more mixed greens.  I aim for 3 cups of mixed greens in every salad. 
• I could go vegetarian if I wanted to, but I choose not to because then I would be making 3 meals a night. 
• I have a slice of cake or a cookie or ice cream if I want to.  I am able to do this without going overboard because of the way I eat the other 80% of the time.   

I have some goals for myself entering into my 4th 6FIT.  Here we go...

• GET OUTSIDE! It's spring and I have no excuse. 
• Disconnect.  I will admit, I am obsessed with being connected to technology at all times.  I literally fall asleep checking Facebook, Twitter, Email, Instagram or texting.  I am going to put my phone (and computer and iPad) away at least 1 hour before I go to bed.  My daughter isn't allowed to play on the iPad or our phones before bed, why should I?
• Get Organized.  I have always been a very organized person.  Until I had kids and everything just unraveled.  With any luck, I will be starting a new full time job at some point during this 6FIT session and I will need to have weekly lunches and dinners planned to a T if I ever want to have any sort of balance between work and life.  This is going to be a huge struggle for me.  I will need some help and encouragement (tips are much appreciated)!
• Stretch.  For some reason certain parts of my body refuse to be flexible.  I am working hard at stretches, and I am going to make it a major focus this spring.  

My fitness regiment has gone from practically nonexistent to working out at least 6 times a week, but often it is more.  I look forward to attending Virtual classes with friends I have made through DanceFIT.  Not only do they offer me encouragement, but they are all genuinely nice, down to earth people.  Speaking of nice people...the DanceFIT instructors are amazing.  They never judge, they always encourage and motivate, they never criticize, but offer suggestions on better posture, better form, etc.  They strive to make you better and stronger. You CAN do that last burpee!

My Virtual "studio" is the spare bedroom.  It is filled with toys, laundry that needs to be folded, poor lighting and an unflattering mirror that I am forced to watch myself workout in front of.  But, it's private and I can workout in peace (as much peace as you can get with 2 kids).  My "barre" is a dresser and I do tricep dips on the edge of the bed.  I have 2 mats, 2lb weights, a resistance band, some snazzy barre shoes, my water bottle and my computer, of course.

Lately, my days have been filled with full time mommy duties, full time job hunting/interviewing, hanging with my hubby and focusing on my health and wellness. In the little spare time that I do have, I love to party plan and I love photography. Although I love to travel... I am a homebody.  I love to be with my family.  Movie and a glass of wine at home?  Perfect!

So, in closing I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people I have met through my DanceFIT experience over the past year and 1/2.  They have taught me not to judge- myself or others, they have taught me that we are not dieting, we are getting stronger and healthier, they have taught me that it's OK to have a bad day, and it's OK to let other people know.  They offer words of encouragement and motivation to help me stay committed to a workout later that night...when 8:30PM seems so far away, I know that there are 8 other people who will be sweating it out with me.  Just 10 more plies? It's OK, my friends legs are shaking just as much as mine!

6FIT Success with DanceFIT Studio

Many of you have heard me talk about DanceFIT Studio on my Facebook updates, Twitter feed, word of mouth, etc.  I know, I know...I don't shut up about it.  For good reason though.  DanceFIT has literally changed my life.

I started taking Virtual DanceFIT classes via Skype over a year ago after I bought a Daily Candy Promotion.  It was completely out of my comfort zone...classes that is.  I have 100% uncoordinated and always have been.  I figured taking a class via Skype wouldn't be so bad...no one but the instructor could see me and hopefully she wouldn't laugh too hard if I fell on my ass trying to channel my inner ballerina.  When I signed on for my first class, the wonderful owner of DanceFIT Studio and Boston's #1 Barre Instructor, Gina Fay welcomed me and was seriously encouraging and motivating the entire class.  I was hooked.  A few months later, I decided enough was enough...I needed to get serious about dropping the baby weight and signed up for my first (of 3) 6FIT through DanceFIT:  6 weeks of clean eating, daily exercise, sleep and water.  Duh.  I lost 5 pounds and multiple inches.  I was so excited!  Bye Bye, baby weight!

Yesterday marked the completion of my 3rd 6FIT!  My baby boy is 5 months old and I made a commitment  to myself early on to get my body moving and healthy after he was born.  I am so excited to share that in the past 6 weeks, I lost 5 additional pounds and 11 total inches from my body!  More importantly, I feel SO MUCH BETTER about myself and my body.  At this stage after having my daughter, I felt like crap and was feeling pretty depressed about myself- in a complete rut.

Even though this was my 3rd go with 6FIT (the second time I was pregnant with the little guy), I learned even more valuable health and fitness information.  I tried and realized i LOVED certain foods and committed to more exercise than I ever thought I could possibly do - a) because I have 2 kids and who has the time? and b) because I didn't think I had the energy or the stamina.

I have to give a shout out to the hubby here...without his support, I wouldn't have been able to take so many night classes, double headers, etc.  He knows I am easily distracted and was more than happy to spend some time bonding with and feeding the baby after our 2 year old went to bed so I could take sometimes 2 hours of classes- almost every night of the week.  He encouraged me when I was having a "fat day" and reminded me of where I was at this point after Caoimhe was born.  Although he refused kale, spaghetti squash and roasted veggies, he didn't put up a fuss when I served fish and veggie filled stirfry (as long as it had some meat in it).

Here are a few major food accomplishments I achieved through 6FIT this session:

• Tofu- Who knew?  My sister gave me the easiest recipe of all.  Slice the drained tofu thin, douse it in tobasco and grill it! 6 minutes on each side.  Delish!  I literally NEVER thought I could enjoy tofu- believe me, I have tried! 
• Brussel Sprouts- Hello lovely- where have you been all my life!  Now, to be fair, I have tried these before and ehhh not a huge fan, but I have discovered roasting them!  My new favorite comfort food. toss them in olive oil, pepper and cayenne pepper (i also cut up sweet potato, parsnips and a potato) and bake for 40 minutes on 400.  Amazing.  
• KALE! I have tried and tried and tried again to stomach kale.  But to no avail.  At the beginning of 6FIT I was asked what my least favorite food is...Kale.  The obvious answer.  for the past 6 weeks I have eaten 3 cups of kale AT LEAST  6 times a week.  I sautee it and serve with eggs for breakfast most days, but I have also used it in smoothies (which my daughter loves too-  shhh don't tell her there's kale in there).  
• Vegetarian Love- really, who needs all that meat when there's roasted veggies, spaghetti squash, delicious salmon and quinoa?  Not me!  However, as I mentioned before...the hubby needs meat content in his dinners, so while we will stick to two legged friends and friends with fins, we will still have meat at dinner...I don't want to be making 3 different meals every night.  
• Dairy Free-  This is the biggest one for me.  During Dairy Free week, I realized that i was less blah, bloated and blah...especially when I incorporated it back into my diet the following week.  The little guy also had a healthier tummy which is good for everyone.  I didn't realize how many dairy substitutes  there were out there.  I was at Whole Paycheck the other day and there is an entire freezer full of dairy free ice cream.  So that basically had me sold right there.  

Probably the best part (for me anyway) about 6FIT is the motivation.  Motivation, not only from my team, but from everyone who is taking part in 6FIT, including our instructors.  I have said this before, but the DanceFIT community is like no other.  I have had the honor of befriending some amazing people who motivate me and inspire me on a daily basis.  The motivation continues after a 6FIT session is over.  We all have a passion for health and fitness and it has totally brought us together as a fun little 6FIT cult! Haha.  I owe so much to all of them.  

This post is getting entirely too long, but wanted to squeeze in a tidbit about my Virtual DanceFIT classes that I talk so much about.  They are AMAZING!  I am able to workout after the babies go to bed, in my own home, in a class filled with other people like me AND I get to work out with my sister who lives in NYC.  What could be better?  If I need to tend to a child, I go, if I sign up for a class mid morning and have a crying baby or a two year old climbing all over me, that is fine...just hit mute on Skype and away we go! I get my daily workout in either way and always leave class with jello legs and burning arms and abs.  ALWAYS. 

This session might be over, but I am already signed up for 9 (I think) classes, including 2 double headers!  I am going to make a conscious effort to keep my momentum going until the next 6FIT starts.  

6FIT is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.  Are you up for the challenge?