Ultimate Reset Week 2 Review & Results

Yay!! We have officially finished week 2 of the Ultimate Reset and I just can't say enough good things about this program!! I'm currently visiting my parents so I'm not able to do my week 2 weigh in (I like to stick to the same scale) but I would like to focus my review this week on how I FEEL vs the weight lost.

        

                 Sweet Potato & Red Pepper Bisque                              Red Beans & Rice

  

                                                                Edamame & Roasted Corn Succotash
 
This week proved to be another hit with the recipes!! My hubby asked if we could have Red Beans and Rice every night lol. Although it was amazing there were also several other recipes that I was excited to try too! Every meal was pretty easy to make....all less than 30 minutes and were packed with flavor!! I've said it before but I think some of these will make a regular rotation for us! I love incorporating new healthy recipes, especially the soups during the winter months!

Look Ma!! No Muffin Top!!!

This week I didn't necessarily feel like I lost a lot of weight, but I can tell that I've definitely lost inches!! I pretty much live in yoga pants so its not always easy to know if my clothes are getting looser as they are very forgiving but I slipped on some jeans this week and not only was I able to button them right up but I was happy to see that I didn't have a muffin top!! I still have a long journey ahead of me but to know that I didn't have to lay down, jump around the room or do some crazy squats to get myself into them was an amazing feeling!!

I have noticed feeling a little tired in the afternoon but I'm not sure if thats a side effect of the Reset or if thats a side effect of being a mom of 2 under 5 lol. Either way its nothing I can barrel through and I am enjoying the early nights to bed. I have been waking up full of energy at 5 am and ready to hit the ground running. 

Today starts week 3 and from looking ahead I feel that this is going to be the most challenging week. The menu options are more rigid (not impossible) and there are no grains. There are optional grain snacks you can add in so I'll have those on hand just in case I need them but I'm going to give it a go without and stick to the plan as is. But if I do need them then they're there. I won't feel guilty about it. I am keeping this week very simple, you'll see I plan to repeat several meals and this is for ease. We are on the road a lot this week and it will be easier to just cook big batches of the same thing for several days. I'm looking forward to finishing this week strong and reporting back with our final review and results next Monday!!

If you have any questions, need help with recipes, tips etc. find me over on Facebook and shoot me a friend request, I'd love to chat!!

Ultimate Reset Week 1 Review & Results

I chose to start the Ultimate Reset because I was just in an over all funk. I had stopped nursing my daughter, my weight was at an all time high, I was craving (and eating) BAD foods, its like I didn't even know myself anymore. I was hurting when I got out of bed from head to toe, literally and I was depressed and just wanted to sleep it all away. So I asked my hubby to take this journey with me for support and accountability. So he did.....

And we did it! We finished the first week of the Ultimate Reset and I feel GREAT!! Honestly I had no idea what to expect. I had heard stories about people having killer headaches, back aches, the food was either delicious or disgusting...depending on who you talked to. So today I want to recap OUR experience and share with you our results and our week 2 meal plan!!

So I LOVE coffee but I knew going into this that coffee was not part of the plan so I started cutting it out a couple weeks ago so I didn't experience headaches but Ruben did for the first couple days. Nothing crazy though. I did have some back aches but I am over due for a chiropractic adjustment and back pain is nothing new to me so I'm not sure that this was because of the program. 

                          

The food was AMAZING!! There was nothing that I REALLY didn't like at all. There were some things that were not my favorites like the Lentil Lime salad but it was doable! I tried some new recipes that I will definitely continue to have in my regular routine long after the Reset if over including the Southwestern Veggie Tacos, Stir Fry and Roasted Root Medley!!

And by following this plan......drum roll please........we are officially down a combined SEVENTEEN POUNDS in one week!!! Ruben has lost 9 and I lost 8!!!

I am so excited to be starting week 2!! It looks like several new recipes again that I'm really looking forward to! Check out the meal plan...

I'm VERY happy with this week. Not only for the 8 pounds lost but for the way I FEEL!! I have a ton of energy, I'm not bloated, I enjoy the flavors of fresh foods and I'm not missing caffeine or dairy at all!

If you'd like to follow my journey or get more recipes and tips please follow me over on Facebook!!

5 Fitness Tips for Busy Moms

We all know how important exercise and a healthy diet are but what do you do when you have to take the kids to school, after school activities, sports, church, PTA, Date Night and a million other things? You typically put yourself on the back burner, skip the workouts and hit the drive thru. And now that school is back in session it just seems like everything just got crazier! I know first hand how eating healthy and getting daily exercise makes your life just seem to run smoother, why? Because I've been there as a full time working mom and I'm still that busy mom now, I just work from home, but I make it a priority. So today I want to share with you a few ways I make time for my healthy lifestyle in this chaotic life we live!

1. Schedule a Meeting with Yourself. Just as if you had scheduled a meeting with your boss and DON'T cancel. You would never imagine canceling on your boss right?!?! But really take a look at your day. Don't schedule this meeting at 2:30 in the afternoon when you have to get your kids at 3pm. You deserve this time for you. So maybe it means getting up a half hour before everyone else or skipping the 10 o'clock news and doing it after everyone has gone to bed. Do what works for you and don't be afraid to ask for some help from a spouse. Maybe they can get the kids up and ready for school or they can do bath and story time.

2. Get an Accountability Partner. I know first hand if no one is watching it is very easy to skip the gym or not push play on your DVD and sleep in instead. But dreaming about results wont DELIVER results! So get a friend who will text you till you're up or come over and do the DVD with you. Its more fun with a buddy and you'll both be happier with the results!

Join an accountability group! I run these online each and every month. We are a great community of women all across the country coming together in an online group to keep each other accountable, motivated and reaching results!! If you'd like more info on these please shoot me a message.

3. Plan and Prep. This may even be my number one tip but we'll just roll with it. I can't express HOW IMPORTANT these two things are. In order to get anywhere in life we need a plan. You cant get in the car to go somewhere if you dont have directions right? So why would your health and fitness be any different? Sure you can wing it...throw together some egg whites for breakfast, grab a salad at the deli for lunch and hope to find some healthy left overs in the fridge for dinner but why would you leave all that to chance?

Taking some time out of your day on Sunday (or whatever day works for you) to sit down with a cup of tea and plan your meals and workouts for the week is absolutely setting yourself up for success! This gives you a no excuse action plan to tackle the week head on and set yourself up for success! Hit the grocery store with a well thought out shopping list, come right home, wash and chop your food. Cook and prepare as much of the weeks meals as you can and you'll not only save yourself a ton of time through the week but think of how you wont have to be washing dishes all week too!!

I literally take out a sheet of paper and start plugging in meals. I know I have my shakeology everyday for breakfast or lunch so that always goes first. Then I move to snacks and dinners. I keep things simple and always family friendly as I am not a restaurant (as my mom used to say). I cook one meal and we all eat together :)

4. Play with your kids! As moms we often find ourselves sending kids off to play so we can tackle the laundry or maybe catch 5 minutes of quiet time but why not get out there and have fun too? Take the kids for a nature hike and collect leaves and cool looking rocks. Play a game of hopscotch or leap frog. Heading to the park? Try some of these playground workouts and make it a friendly competition with the kids to see who can do more!! Everyone will have a blast and you'll be getting in a nice little workout too!

5. Exercise while getting ready. We spend a lot of time standing around waiting. Waiting for our breakfast to heat up, waiting for the shower to get warm, waiting for our kids to get dressed. So why not make the most of that time. Sneak in some counter pushups while your oatmeal heats. Plank until the shower starts steaming and lunge till the kids tie their shoes. It might now seem like much but I promise consistency will pay off and you'll start to notice some nice tone and definition in no time!

For more great tips like these on how to stay healthy and fit for the busy woman shoot me a friend request on Facebook or fill out the application below if you're interested in joining our next accountability group!

T25 Chalean Extreme Hybrid Week 3

I can say that I'm honestly loving this hybrid! This week I was feeling more comfortable with the T25 moves and getting good form and I continued to up my weights a little more as well. I am trying to get back to my early morning workouts and this week I did really well. For me it is just something that I like to get done and off my plate. I feel guilty with it hanging over my head all day worrying and wondering when I'm going to fit it in.

Daily Post-Workout Accountability Picture for our T25 Challenge group

This weeks schedule was a little different...I'm really trying to find a way to work both programs in a way that works best for me and I think I found that. So I'll be trying this for the remainder of the hybrid.

Monday -Total Body Circuit / Push Circuit 1
Tuesday - Speed 1.0 / CLX rest
Wednesday - Lower Focus / Push Circuit 2
Thursday - Cardio / Burn Intervals
Friday - Total Body & Ab Intervals / Push Circuit 3
Saturday - CLX Burn it off
Sunday - REST

 I got away from tracking my food a little bit and my weight seems to be at a plateau this week so I'm going to go back to My Fitness Pal (mrsbez1 if you'd like to friend me) and start really logging it and measuring my portions to see if I can push past this. I also plan to change my breakfast next week to veggies and egg whites and cut out the oatmeal for a little while. But I am happy with the results I'm seeing in my midsection. I kept my food pretty simple and made larger batches for left overs so it was easy to reheat and eat through the week. I tried some REALLY good new recipes this week! The Sweet & Sour Meatballs from the Thin Kitchen (beachbody free gift) cook book were to die for and the Mushroom Chicken is always a family favorite!!

 Are you making sure you drink enough water each day? I know once the day gets going sometimes it's hard to remember so do something that works for YOU!! I suggest to my challengers to set a timerr on your phone, leave 4 water bottles out on the counter or even make yourself a note. Just get it in!! For me I found these tumbler cups work best. It holds 20 ounces and j can keep refilling it. I put 5 little post-it tabs on the counter and each time I finish the cup I throw one away. By the time I go to bed they all have to be gone!! I only need 75 ounces but I shoot for 100...hey it can't hurt right?!?!

I also enjoyed my Birthday Cake Vanilla Shakeology out by the pool on Sunday while I worked on my weekly goals. This recipe was AH-MAZING!!

Birthday Cake Vanilla Shakeology
1 Scoop Vanilla Shakeology 
1 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 tsp imitation butter extract
1 Tbsp non fat cheesecake pudding mix
Ice 
Top with sprinkles!! 






So that's it folks!! Over all I feel like it was a really good week! I was able to stay on track with my food and workouts, drank lots of water, had lots of YUMMY shakes and have results to show for it!!

If you are wanting to start a on a health and fitness journey of your own and would like a little help, support and motivation, I would love to chat! My last challenge group of the month is starting July 29th and we would love to have you!! Please contact me today so we can get you set up on a plan that works for you!!

TurboFire / ChaLEAN Extreme Hybrid week 3 & 4

Well some how last week totally got away from me and I didn't do my week 3 review so I thought I 'd just combine it here with my week 4 review!

Week 3 and 4 were the last two weeks of the Push Phase of ChaLean Extreme for me. I LOVE this phase because it really forces you to push HARD. Week over week I've made it a point to try to increase my weights, even it if it was only by 2.5 pounds (selecttech weigts). But it's important to me to continue to see progress in my fitness routine. Another thing I really tried to focus on was form and speed. Chalene is always telling us to GO SLOW, and as easy as that might sound it's really not so easy to SLOWLY press 40 pounds 6-8 times over your head. But I did find that the more closely I followed her tempo the better and stronger I got and the more sore I was the next day. Which in my book is a good thing ;)

Weeks 3 and 4 of TurboFire were also great! I love, love, love TurboFire and ALWAYS will but I am finding that I am getting very used to and comfortable in the routines and finding that I catch myself slacking off a little bit. Sometimes I could be punching harder, jumping higher or kicking higher so for the last 3 weeks of this hybrid I will be definitely be keeping myself in check and giving it everything I've got. I only have a small window of time to do my workouts and if I'm not giving it my 110% then really what's the point?

Week 3 Schedule:
Monday: Fire 45 EZ / Push Circuit 1
Tuesday: Fire 45 EZ / CLX Rest
Wednesday: TurboFire Rest / Push Circuit 2
Thursday: Core 20/HIIT 15 / Burn Intervals/ Extreme Abs
Friday: Fire 30 / Push Circuit 3
Saturday: Fire 45 EZ / Burn it off & Recharge
Sunday: Core 20 / CLX Rest

Week 4 Schedule:
Monday: HIIT 15/Sculpt 30 and Push Circuit 1
Tuesday: Fire 45 / CLX Rest
Wednesday: TurboFire Rest / Push Circuit 2
Thursday: HIIT 15 / Tone 30/Burn Intervals/Extreme Abs
Friday: Fire 55EZ / Push Circuit 3
Saturday: HIIT 20/Sculpt 30 and Burn it off & Recharge
Sunday: Fire 30 / CLX rest

 

During the last 2 weeks I have decided to go back to not weighing or measuring. I find that I do much better with this method and I focus more on how I workout, what I put in my mouth and how my body looks. Yes I had an awesome year last year and lost 43 pounds but a great friend reminded me that this will not continue at this rate. It was like a ah-ha moment! Of COURSE the weight wont keep dropping like that, nor do I want it to so I need to not focus on the scale but how my body LOOKS! And also remember other successes like my clothes fitting better, more stamina during workouts and the ability to make healthier food choices with ease!

I also kept with the same eating plan all month. I know that some people think that is SO BORING...hopefully not my hubby if he's reading this lol, but I really do good when I get into a routine. I don't have to think about anything, I just grab and go and I already know which foods are going to keep my body satisfied and full between workouts and all afternoon long. This weeks challenge was Memorial Day weekend. Luckily we had a pretty low key weekend and I was able to keep the cheats to a minimum. By doing so and prepping for this week now I was able to wake up this morning feeling good and not freaking out about how I was going to get off the weekend weight!!

This coming week starts the LEAN phase of ChaLean Extreme. I've never done this phase yet so I'm really looking forward to it and watching how my body changes!! Stay tuned to see how it goes! 3 weeks till Vegas!!

Get Red Dress Ready!!

Got big plans for Valentine's Day?!?! 

Then it's time to get Red Dress Ready!!!

Join me for a 14-Day Healthy Lifestyle Challenge starting 

January 31st!

How about giving YOURSELF a gift this Valentine’s Day?

The gift of health!!

 

Your $70 Package includes:

*14 day supply of Shakeology

*Easy meal plans with 14 options for every meal and snack to take the guess work out

*A private Facebook group for complete support

*My complete attention and guidance

The Rules:

*Replace one meal each day with Shakeology

*Workout for a minimum of 30 minutes each day

*Check into the support daily to share your progress

Nutrition can make or break your results!! Let’s do this together!!

 **Want to take it a step further and purchase Shakeology for the entire month? Purchase Shakeology HD  and get $20 cash back from me!

 

Interested in FREE coaching? Want more tips like these along with recipes, motivation and support? Create a FREE Beachbody account and make me your coach! Then add me on Facebook, send me a message and you'll be added to our private Facebook support group! Want EVEN MORE??? Follow me on Pinterest and Instagram @melindabesiniaz

Battle Against the Baby Bulge!!

HEY MOMMY'S!!! I've decided to start the year off with and EXCLUSIVE Challenge Group JUST FOR YOU!! This challenge group will be for moms who are new to working out or who just feel more comfortable in a community of like minded SUPER MOMS!!

 

 

It will be a 12 week program where you can work out in the privacy of your own home while your little angel is taking a nap! Then follow it up with a DELICIOUS and nutritious shake and relax until you hear those tiny little toes running down the hall!!

 

I will create a private Facebook page where each challenger will check in daily, rate their workout, their food and share what kind of Shakeology they had. We will have accountability assignments and I will personally help each of you with your meal planning. You can chose from a wide variety of workouts like Turbo Fire, P90X, Insanity, Slim in 6 etc. We'll find the perfect match for you and your fitness level. There is a great sense of community in my groups already!!

 

 I've lost almost 50 pounds this year and now want to PAY IT FORWARD!!! Let me help YOU reach YOUR GOALS!!! Message me today to get signed up and beat the holiday shipping rush!! Lets make 2013 YOUR YEAR!!!

P.S. Friend me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram (@melindabesinaiz) for additional motivation, support and encouragement!!

Turbo Fire - My SOULMATE workout!!

Well I just finished up my 12 week Turbo Fire challenge group, and let me tell you, I AM IN LOVE!!! I have truly found a workout program that doesn't even feel like I'm working out, yet produced AMAZING results!! Chalene Johnson is so upbeat and motivating and really keeps you moving and giving it your all. When I would start to feel tired or that I couldn't push any more she would yell out "GUESS WHAT...YOU'RE NOT TIRED!!!" and I would get a whole new dose of energy and push through harder than I thought possible. Chalene combines High Intensity Interval Training with fast paced cardio routines to maximize the fat burning and helps you to burn fat 9 times faster!! By doing this you start whats known as the "after burn". So hours after you've stopped working out your body is still burning fat while you go about your day. This is a great program for people of all fitness levels. There is a modifier "Ally" if you need to go at a slower pace but I promise you, you're still getting an amazing workout!

Having a young son I didn't think it would be possible to find "me time" to work out or if I finally had some alone time I would be too tired to work out. SO I chose to MAKE the time for ME!! If I wanted to be the happy mommy and the loving wife I knew I HAD to take care of me FIRST! I set my alarm clock EVERY morning for 5am and "pushed play". I even slept in my workout clothes sometimes so I could literally just put my shoes on and go. Some times it wasn't easy, I would hit the snooze, or lay there and try to convince myself that this warm bed was a much better idea than working out. But I DID IT!! I made myself the priority so I could be the best me for my family. I have also been drinking Shakeology through the 12 week challenge and I know in my heart of hearts that, Shakeology combined with Turbo Fire is what helped me acheive such great results!

In the last 12 weeks I have lost 18 pounds and 12 total inches. I feel better than I have in a LONG TIME. I have lost two pant sizes, I have the energy I need to keep up with a busy toddler and I just have an overall positive outlook on life!! I feel like this was the jump start that I needed, the push to take me to the next left of my health and fitness journey. I am so grateful for how my life has changed in the past 3 months that I have also chosen to become a Beachbody coach and help others to achieve their health adn fitness goals!

If you are interested in learning more about how you can start your journey to getting fit please contact me at mel_svale@hotmail.com or visit my site for additional information.  www.beachbodycoach.com/mrsbez

I would love to coach you to your weight loss goals and help you transform your life today!



Clean Eating 101

What is clean eating? How much do I eat each day? Are corn and potatoes vegetables? What are complex carbs? These are just some of the questions I get when I talk to people about clean eating. Today it is my hope to clear the air and get some of these questions and misconceptions cleared up for you.

How it works:

 It's simple, follow the eat clean principles....that's it....just follow the rules :)

What to do:

Here are the "rules" to clean eating.

• Eat more- eat six small meals each day.
• Eat breakfast every day, within an hour of rising.
• Eat a combination of lean protein and complex carbs at each meal
• Eat sufficient (two to three servings) healthy fats every day.
• Carry a cooler packed with clean foods each day.
• Depend on fresh fruits and vegetables for fiber, vitamins, nutrients and enzymes.
• Adhere to proper portion sizes. 

What are "proper portion sizes"?

JUST SAY NO!!! Try to avoid the following list of foods

• Avoid all over-processed foods, particularly white flour and sugar.
• Avoid all chemically charge foods.
• Avoid foods containing preservatives.
• Avoid artificial sugars.
• Avoid artificial foods such as processed cheese slices.
• Avoid saturated and trans fats.
• Avoid sugar loaded beverages, including colas and juices.
• Avoid or do your best to limit alcohol intake.
• Avoid all calorie dense foods containing little or no nutritional value. I call these anti-foods.
• Avoid super sizing your meals.

What CAN I eat???? Great question!!! Here are some examples :)


Lean Protein:
6 portions each day.  A portion is:

 

• 1 cup or handful of dairy products such as low fat soy, almond, hemp, rice, or skim milk, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt cheese or plain fat free sugar free yogurt.
• 1 scant handful of raw, unsalted nuts (also a healthy fat)
• 2 tablespoons of all natural nut butters such as almond or peanut butter (also a healthy fat).
• 1 palm sized portion of lean meats such as chicken, turkey, fish
• good quality, sugar- and chemical- free protein powder (hemp, soy or whey).

Complex Carbohydrates from Fruit and Vegetables:

6 portions each day.  A portion is:

• 1 cupped handful or a piece of fruit such as berries, grapefruit, melon, apples and mangoes.
• 2 cupped handfuls of vegetables including broth based/vegetable puree soups.

Complex Carbohydrates from whole grains and starchy carbohydrates: 

2-4 portions each day.  A portion is:

• 1 scant handful of high-protein, sugar-free cold cereals, such as clean muesli or granola.
• 1 cup of cooked cereal such as oatmeal
• 1 piece of whole grain bread or wrap (Sante Fe tortilla wraps from Costco are a great option)
• 1 handful sized serving of sweet potato, yam, banana, corn, carrots or squash

Beverages:

• 2-3 liters per day of fresh water with no sodium
• Clear herbal tea (unsweetened)
• Black coffee in moderation
• Green/Black tea

Sweeteners:  Use in moderation.  Avoid Artificial Sweeteners.

• Agave Nectar 
• Maple Sugar Flakes
• Rapadura Suga

If you would like even more support please head over to my site and sign up and I'd be glad to provide you with daily motivation and support to help you accomplish your health and weight loss goals!  I have lost 30 lbs to date with clean eating and regular exercise.  No starvation just healthy whole meals.

Happy Clean Eating!!