On the 3rd day of Fit-mas

On the 3rd day of Fit-mas, I am recommending you do something special for yourself in 2016. Think of your health as a gift to yourself. What is that you want to do but maybe wouldn't consider because of the cost or time involved?

DREAM BIG!! My 2015 gift to myself was signing up for 2 1/2 marathon races. I planned out about 9 months in advance. This gave me plenty of time to train and properly plan. What is the big deal you ask? Well it is more than the expense of the race fees (about $100 each). You need to factor in massages, shoes (hmmm, that is a reminder for me to order my favorite pair of running shoes Asics Gel Kayano 20...find what shoe works for you!), a fun race shirt (check out my 1/2 marathon 1/2 crazy 13.1 shirt above), songs for running, massages (yup, I am a every other week girl) and other unexpected expenses that might crop up. 

My 2016 goal is to do a (gulp) marathon. No promises but that is my goal. Give yourself of planning. It is so much fun! 

On the 4th day of Fit-mas

On the 4th day of Fit-mas, if your building your home gym, I highly recommend an expensive but much utilized purchase of adjustable weights and a STAND! You don't want to kill your back bending over. So glad my hubby got us one and I didn't veto that purchase (because I would have and then regretted it later).

What do I use my adjustable weights for? I'm glad you asked! My favorite program is BODY BEAST! It is one of the most affordable program at $40. Seriously you can't beat that. Check it out at www.novakbefit.com

Ask Santa...we got ours on Amazon.

Getting back into fitness s.l.o.w.l.y

It is so tough to get back into fitness after an extended break. After my 1/2 Marathon in November, I was burnt out. I knew I was going to be going on a not one but two vacations within that month (basically traveling the whole month of November...no, I'm not a princess...one was for my husband's work and the second was a very fun family vacation). Add on the fact that our house was being renovated while we were gone (and when we returned) made it very tough to get back into working out. 

I barely worked out during the month of November and December. I am nursing a slightly injured foot which I believe is from wearing heels (which I never wear) on vacation.

So today is December 22nd. Time to take this week of Christmas to dedicate a 10 minute daily ab workout and a 30 minute body workout. I am sampling The Master Hammer & Chisel program which I officially begin on January 4th. 

I loaded up my fridge yesterday with yummy, fresh fruits and vegetables. I had a sugar binge (and Cherry Coke) over the weekend. I am going to try to eat 80% healthy and 20% sweet this week during the holiday. This is all part of my plan to slowly phase my body back into working out and eating extremely healthy when I start Hammer & Chisel.

Today's workout was the "bonus" DVD you receive when you purchase the program from me, a coach!! It is a fast paced 16 minute workout featuring both Sagi and Autumn. There are about 30 reps of each move, a quick break and then the next move. Everything is doable for a beginner or advanced fitness person. Since I am out of shape it was tougher (and especially tougher to see myself jiggling in my workout room mirrors). But I know that every step I take over these next two weeks will make my January 4th start better for me! 

I love picking a different ab workout daily from my Team Beachbody member library. Today's ab workout was Chalean Extreme Ab Burner.

Now, I am off to go make cookies with my kids...remember that 20% sweet:)

On the 5th day of Fit-mas

On the 5th day of Fit-mas, I hope Santa brings you the Club Kickstart and Shakeology Challenge pack.  What I like about this challenge pack is you get some great products: 1) 3 Day Refresh Kit (great to curb some bad habits you may have picked up over the holiday) 2) Shakeology ($130 value)  3) access to Team Beachbody's library of workout videos to stream over $4,000 value! I use my Team Beachbody club membership daily when I am challenging myself with the workout of the day or a new ab workout. Great for those that like to vary it up! Have you heard of the club membership? It has access to tons of your favorite Beachbody workouts (and every single program you buy is loaded on it for you to stream), sneak peeks of new workouts and a daily workout du jour. Best thing is you can get 30 days free if you want to try. Ask me how or sign up at www.novakbefit.com Club Kickstart and Shakeology® Challenge Pack

Item #: ClubKickCPUS

You save $55 with this pack compared to buying each item separately. Limited Time Only! Kick-start your transformation—inside and out! In today's world, results can't come fast enough—unless you Kickstart them! This triple threat gives you everything you need for an accelerated, total-body makeover. Begin with the 3-Day Refresh® to finally break the cycle of bad eating habits and lose a few pounds fast.‡ Then, choose a fitness program by logging on to Beachbody® On Demand. Make sure you keep drinking Shakeology daily after the three days are over. That way, you'll keep losing weight and fuel up with the energy you'll need to take on P90X®, INSANITY®, 10-Minute Trainer®, or any of the Beachbody On Demand programs in the Member Library. Used together, this three-way nutritional and fitness powerhouse will put you on the fast track to the best possible results—and help you complete your transformation! You get everything you need to get your best results: 3-Day Refresh Kit to kick-start your weight loss, break the cycle of unhealthy eating, and lose a few pounds fast. Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology—the superfood protein shake that helps give you energy, reduce cravings, and accelerates your fitness results—delivered on Home Direct.*‡ Unlimited 90-day access to Beachbody On Demand—so you can choose a world-class fitness program and stream hundreds of workouts on-the-go, wherever you go! A 90-day Premium membership to the Team Beachbody Club, where you'll find all the support you'll need to get amazing results. **† Super Discount shipping (SAVE OVER $12) every month. You will have the option to choose your Shakeology flavor once you click the Buy Now button below.

Your Price: $180.00USD

Baking subsitutions

Christmas to me is all about having cookies and cocoa on the morning of. Not great for the waistline (and why I purposely am starting Hammer and Chisel after the holidays). But I still want to enjoy the traditional sweets. This information couldn't have come at a better day as the kids and I have a big baking day ahead of us. I might have to try a few swaps if I have the ingredients.

Baking substitues

On the 6th day of Fit-mas

On the 6th day of Fit-mas, I am recommending Beachbody's B-line resistance bands. I personally own these and I love how they have lasted through the test of time. I have had them for 2 years and they haven't cracked or split. Great buy at www.novakbefit.com

If you don't have weights or not ready to invest in them this is a great alternative to a weight set. They are quick and easy to use. 

B-LINES Band Kits

Item #: BLINEBandKits

Resistance bands have been proven to help you burn fat and tone lean muscle faster. Just as effective as free weights, resistance bands are much more portable and convenient, so you can work out anytime, anywhere. And with increasing levels of resistance, you can keep ramping up your workout as you get into better and better shape.

Choose your B-Lines kit:                                                   B-LINES Bands Standard Kit                                                       B-LINES Bands Super Kit                                                       B-LINES Extreme Kit

Your Price: $39.95USD

On the 7th day of Fit-mas

On the 7th day of Fit-mas, I am adding something that looks naughty!!! I am very curious about these hanging ab straps. Don't get the wrong idea...I want to work my abs peeps (I don't know what you thought they were going to be for!). Since I have been nice I might consider these. Available at www.novakbefit.com Hanging Ab Straps

Item #: HangingAbStraps

Go beyond crunches and get more complete ab toning with the Hanging Ab Straps. Vertical abdominal training allows you to maximize your efforts by using your body's own resistance to isolate and fire your abs like nothing else.

Add Hanging Ab Straps (set of 2) to your cart:                                                   Hanging Ab Straps (set of 2)

Your Price: $29.85USD