Tag: yoga love

PIYO before and after, PIYO results, PIYO flexibility

PIYO Program in Review

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Ok, ok, so if you’ve been following me since week 1 you may be thinking thank goodness this girl is finished with these recaps!!! But hopefully not, hopefully you’ve enjoyed reading through my experience with the new PIYO program and if you think you’re up for the PIYO challenge, I want you give it a try!

I can’t say enough good things about this program. I enjoyed the switch in my regular exercise routine, my knees appreciated the break from all the jumping around that I typically do, and I noticed a significant improvement in my flexibility and coordination.

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Day 1 vs. Day 60 of PIYO

Some of these moves were tricky for me but I found watching my own videos of my workouts really helped me focus in on what I was doing right and wrong and where I really needed to put forth a little more effort to improve. After all, a lot of these moves were totally new!!! It didn’t happen overnight, but week by week I saw myself improving in different areas and I will happily say although my 8 weeks with PIYO are complete, the workouts will remain tossed into my regular routine!!! They’re different, fun and add a little twist to everyday exercise!!!

PIYO flip progress

PIYO Flip – beginning of the program vs. the end of the 8 weeks

Honestly – when I look back I can’t believe how BAD my coordination was in the beginning!! I remember when I did that first “PIYO FLIP”, if you can even call that top picture a PIYO Flip, and I actually thought I nailed it – WRONG!!!!!

PIYO Kick through, PIYO Progress
Learning how to move in the PIYO Kick through!!

The PIYO Kick through was another one…for weeks I had no idea what Chalene was telling me to do! My hand/feet match ups were off…but I still kept going. I pushed myself. I’d pause the DVD, rewind, watch it again just trying to understand what I was to do. And no joke – it pretty much took me up until the end but I think I finally got it 🙂 However I can’t quite say that I ever really nailed the PiYO cross…guess you can’t win them all right?!

Another important thing I learned from this program is how important your alignment is. Holding each pose  correctly makes such a difference! You have to squeeze that booty, squeeze those abs and hold it until you’re shaking and you can’t shake any more!!!

Side plank, PIYO progress

Learning how to improve my alignment – side plank

I’ve heard some people express concern that they didn’t feel like they were getting a “good workout” in with PIYO and all I can say – is trust the program!!! Like so many things in life – you will get out what you put in. So don’t just go through the motions. Focus. Commit yourself to that DVD for 20 minutes or 30 minutes or all 48 minutes of DRENCH, and be present in the moment and hold each pose as cued, squeeze each muscle and squeeze them hard. When Chalene says to squat, get as low as you can and squeeze every muscle as you stand back up. When you lunge – go back as far as you can and focus as you raise and lower back down. And I promise if you do this you’ll be shaking through that elbow plank and feeling that muscle burn and seeing the results soon after!!! 

Now, I didn’t have a crazy physical transformation – but I didn’t expect one. I was at MY goal weight when I started so I wasn’t trying to lose but rather maintain my weight while gaining strength and flexibility. And I’m happy to say I reached my goals!!! My weight dropped .2 pounds and I lost 4 inches, primarily around my hips and waist, with small decreases in my arms. I was able to increase the number of push ups I can do on my toes from 20 before PIYO to 32 at the end and my goal is to continue working on my push ups and reach 50 by the end of the year!!!

Never Give Up.

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PIYO beginning to end

 If you are interested in this program or any other workout program and would like to get 1:1 coaching and support along with motivation and accountability, please fill out my challenge and accountability application below! I will share tips and recipes and I will help you with the one thing I always found so difficult – MEAL PLANNING!  Remember – your health and fitness success is 80% nutrition. You can get all the results and support you need right in your own home – and you don’t have to do it alone!

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PIYO Progress Week 8

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And….I….DID IT!

I successfully completed 8 weeks of PIYO and absolutely loved the change to my workout routine!!!

Week 8 went a little something like this:

PIYO Week 8 Schedule

NOTE: I pushed my rest day to Sunday because that’s what worked best for ME – the joy of making my own workout schedule at home! 

I didn’t introduce anything new on the menu this week – although I did repeat the stuffed peppers from last week and the buffalo chicken quesadillas – always a hit with the entire fam!!!!

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Buffalo chicken and spinach quesadilla

And per usual, turkey burgers were on the menu! I added some grilled onions and let me tell you – the additional flavor was amazing!!! A little all natural salsa (courtesy of SAMs club) and you have one heck of a flavorful dinner! And better yet – make them in bulk and you just may get some lunches and/or an additional dinner – BONUS!

turkey burgers, piyo meal plan

And the week wouldn’t be complete without my daily dose of dense nutrition!!! I truly CRAVE this stuff. Despite the fact that I’ve had my shakeology EVERY DAY since February 24th, I still cannot get over the fact that something SO GOOD for you tastes like a dessert! Craziness I say, craziness!!! And yes, I blend it nice and thick so I can eat it with a spoon – I’ll take a little ice cream for breakfast 🙂

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Breakfast of champions!

Now to the burn….Although I truly love the DRENCH workout – I find that 48 minute length difficult to commit! But no worries – I nailed it not only once – but twice!

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 Of all things, I’d have to say my balance is my greatest improvement. My balance has never been bad but I find myself able to hold poses longer and balance better now that I have completed this program. And I am certainly getting stronger!!!

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I had a great week and when I look back I am able to see how far I’ve come! Excited to get the final results together and see a complete – start to finish!!!

If you’re interested in PiYO you can create a FREE team beachbody account HERE and fill out the form below for a spot in my next accountability group! Its never too late to get started and you can never have too much support along the way!!!

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PIYO Progress week 4

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Week 4 is officially in the books…so what are my thoughts??? Well, let’s just say this week brought on a whole new level of intensity! Two new workouts were introduced – Hardcore on the floor and Drench – and for some reason I still just get can’t seem to fathom how that 22 minute Strength Interval workout packs such a punch!

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PiYO DRENCH

Every time I think I have a favorite workout I am introduced to something new but for now – we’re going to say the winner is DRENCH – and yes, it lives up to its name.

I can feel my strength improving even as I do regular daily activities around the house. That 50lb double stroller getting tossed into the back of my SUV seems a bit easier to handle!!! And going up and down and down and up the stairs around the house with a 32lb princess and 23lb little man balanced on my hips seems to come with ease. But its no secret. They’re not changing – I’m getting stronger – AND I LIKE IT!!!!

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The workouts have been awesome and I’m really feeling the burn during week 4 – but like any workout regimen, the nutrition is 80% of success!!! I have learned the hard way you can do crunches until you’re blue in the face but without the proper nutrition those abs will remain in hiding!

OH…the meal planning!!!

I have found I have more success when I stick to my favorites! Meal planning is easier, shopping is easier, and I waste less therefore save more $$$ – so what’s to complain about? I like my snacks to be filling and crunchy…and take a little time to eat. I am often grabbing something and heading out to run errands during my morning snack so its usually some raw veggies or an apple – something that can be prepped ahead of time and quickly grabbed!!!

Here’s my week 4 meal plan:

PIYO Meal Plan Week 4

Now for the workouts:

Monday – Sweat

Tuesday – Hardcore on the floor

Wednesday – BUNS

Thursday – Drench

Friday – PiYO rest day (although I did visit my local yoga studio for an awesome hot yoga session with my sister in law who was visiting from out of town)

Saturday – Strength Intervals

Sunday – Sweat

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Week 4, Day 1

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Week 4 Day 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I absolutely love the convenience of working out at home on my own schedule but I also like to take my practice into a yoga studio periodically so I can get some additional guidance and tips from someone else! Friday morning I enjoyed a great class and even got to try out some new moves! I impressed myself being able to hold crow longer than ever before and having the strength to try out some new ones! I see progress in the making!

The week closed out with a Sunday morning SWEAT session and a short cameo by my son, Colt. I love that my children get to see me in action. Children will imitate what they see not what they are told and I am going to do everything in my power to make sure they see me living a healthy happy life!

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If you’re interested in PiYO you can create a FREE team beachbody account HERE and fill out the form below for a spot in my next accountability group! Its never too late to get started and you can never have too much support along the way!!!

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PIYO Week 3 Progress Update

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PIYO Week 3 Day 1

Week 3 is in the books! 

I’ll be the first to admit I thought PiYO started off a little slow. I was enjoying the change in pace but there was a time or two that I thought to myself, is this really going to get me the results I am looking for? I LOVED the 21-day fix workouts and these were just so different but I wanted to put trust in the program. There were a lot of people who worked together to put a program schedule together with awesome workouts and an easy to follow meal plan and I want to see what I get when I follow it! As I wrap up week 3 and the intensity builds I am realizing yes, in fact these people knew what they were doing!!

I’ve found the meal plan pretty easy to adapt to…although some of you may find it a bit boring! I tend to eat the same main items throughout the week and repeat a lot of my meals – but that makes my meal plan easier, meal prep easier and I know how I feel with these foods so to me its a win win! So you’ll see, I keep it pretty simple!!

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PiYO Week 3 Meal Plan

Back to the workouts…

I like the way the program builds…there are a few main workouts during the first two weeks which really allow you to master certain moves like the PiYO cross, the PiYO push up and others that once seemed a bit tricky! But the workouts are building on eachother and as I see myself get stronger the workouts are getting a bit more challenging, always staying one step ahead so you can continue to grow and progress!

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Moral of the story – I LOVE PIYO!

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Week 3’s rest day was perfect timing – it fell on the day I was hosting my daughter’s 3rd birthday party with her friends – thats 25 children between the ages of 0 – 4 and believe it or not it went extremely well! I considered doing a  quick workout in the morning but I continually remind myself that rest day is scheduled for a reason and I have to give my body time to rest and recover! I tend to feel a bit “off” on my rest day, especially after doing the 21-day fix for so long but I got my rest day in and was stress free at the party – score!!! OK…maybe not stress “free” but I had plenty of time to get all my stuff done prior to the start – so less stress to say the least!

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PIYO Week 3 Day 6

I had a bonus of having my family here for the weekend and my mom who recently started PiYO joined me both Saturday and Sunday morning! There’s just something about having a workout partner that helps me push just a tad harder! And this wasn’t just some workout partner – it was my amazing mama – so that made it that much more fun!

My alarm was set for 5:00am but I just couldn’t do it that day! First time I slept in in months and it felt amazing!!! Lucky me my little houseful of help lent a hand so I could stick to my goals!

We totally rocked the PiYo sweat session!! I love how we push each other to be stronger from the inside out!! I take what I’ve learned from her and do my best to put it into practice with my own little munchkin!!!

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Girls compete with each other women empower one another

I absolutely love when my kids imitate my workouts…It just makes me feel like they’re really watching me and learning the importance of a healthy and fit lifestyle!

Sunday morning, my daughter walked in the room just as we were doing the pushups into down dog in the strength interval workout. She quickly popped down and joined us – and my heart did a little happy dance! We fit in a lot of laughs and a lot of sweat in that short but effective 22 minute strength interval workout!! Fitness should be fun right?!?!

PIYO week 3 day 7

My mom and I enjoyed our back to back workouts and I loved adding the strength intervals to the mix! Its interesting to see how different our family get togethers are now that my whole family has joined me on this journey! Its not just me and my husband its my ENTIRE family and we are all focused on our health and wellness and our fitness and I feel so blessed to have this support!

If you’d like some additional support consider joining my next support and accountability group! You can never have too much support and too much motivation to help you reach your health and fitness goals!

You can create a FREE team beachbody account HERE and fill out the form below for a spot in my next accountability group! You don’t have to do this alone – so why should you???