REST DAY:  Lately I've been loving my rest days.  Which only tells me that life is busy and I'm working my tail off in my workouts :)  I found some great inspirational posts today that I wanted to share.  Most rang true to me at one point or another and it was fun to see that most of them don't define me anymore.  I don't say tomorrow, I do it today - I still have off days, but i do my best to fuel my body with good things - I take pride in what I'm doing and want to inspire others - I don't let what others say, think or feel about me get me done, everyone isn't going to like me or approve of my choices, but I don't have to let that ruin my progress...and I DON'T!  Any ways, just remember to be true to who you are always and don't let others take away your sparkle! #questofafitdame

Holy bananas...I only have two Piyo workouts left!  This weekend I had Drench, Buns, and Sweat.  Today was core and tomorrow is rest day, YES!  We were super productive and busy this weekend, but I kind of slacked on my eating.  So, I made sure to get my workouts in and now I'm back on track with my nutrition too.  I LOVE Wildtree products and I finally used their fajita mix to make yummy chicken fajitas tonight. There were SO good and SO easy to make!  I wasn't sure if Todd was going to like them, but I was told I could make those again...so apparently this recipe is a keeper haha  I have some work to do and a shower to take as today's workout left me super sweaty.  Hope you're all having a great and productive Monday too!

This last April I participated in my first challenge group. In the last 5 months I have learned SO much information.  I've tried all the fads, spent hours in the gym, ran mile after mile outside, counted calories, tried weight watchers, the list goes on and on.  While all of these are very effective and are amazing tools out there, I would always stop after I started feeling good about myself and then slowly the weight I had worked so hard to lose would creep back on and then some. 
Now, for the first time in my life I can say this has NOT happened :)  I LOVE these challenge groups and the wonderful ladies I have met in the process.  We provide each other with the tools and support everyone can use to lose weight, get fit, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
***As a Beach Body coach I get to run challenge groups and I'm so very excited to open this invitation to you!***  If you would like to give this a try, want more details, etc please comment below or contact me directly.  I'd love the opportunity to help you reach your goals and have you join in on my upcoming challenge group I'm leading with two other amazing Beach Body coaches!

Happy Friday!  It's my day off and I planned accordingly.  I'm in my last week of Piyo workouts and I got up early to do my workout today.  I wanted to plan for a successful day, so now that my workout is done, I am now enjoying my breakfast of Shakeology.  Evening though I'm not working, I do still have to go to Bismarck today.  I have some scheduled appointments around town and some are no fun but one I'm SUPER excited about.  Even thought I turned 30 about a month ago, I still got spoiled with some great gifts.  One of them being a gift card to Spa D'Athena, so this girl scheduled a massage and I cannot wait!  I also got a gift card to my favorite store, Victoria Secret!  It's been so long since I've shopped there since I don't live in Bismarck anymore, so I'm VERY excited to go shopping. Another added perk, it sounds like my mom will be in town too so I'm planning to meet her and her friends for lunch!  Oh ya and I'm making today my treat day...look out Starbucks, we have a latte date :)  Happy Friday all - I hope you're planning for a successful, healthy, and fit day too!

7 days left...what, what?!  I cannot believe I only have one week left of Piyo.  As I'm sure most of you know this transformation photo trend seems to be on Tuesday's, but I've made an executive decision and I'm making today, Transformation Thursday!  My strength, flexibility, and results I'm seeing are AMAZING!  You can see what I've gotten out of this lower impact workout regimen and it makes me even more excited about starting T25 next!  Nothing is better than putting in hard work and daily effort and seeing actual results.  This wasn't easy, and I still have days that I struggle, but I get back up and make the next day count!  Believe in yourself and know you're worth it --- we all are!  #TransformationThursday

Day 44: Rest day...you are once again very welcomed!  Tomorrow is my Friday and it's been such a long week already.  So I'm welcoming rest day with open arms and ready for it to be my Friday tomorrow!  I have some work stuff to do so this will be a short post. Once that's done this girl is relaxing before bed :) #ILoveRestDays

Day 42 & 43: Yesterday was Piyo Core and I did my workout but had zero time to post, so todays' post is a double!  Today's workout was Piyo Buns....wowza this one doesn't get any easier, but that's a good thing if you ask me.  My legs and bum are burning! I'm not sure how I'm going to peel myself off the floor quite yet to go take a shower...But I'll figure it out :)  I have a LONG work week ahead of me, but only going to be in the office 3 days - may be short, but the days will be busy, busy!  Thursday is new furniture day YAY!  We have a new sectional type couch and recliner coming...first piece of new furniture we've ever bought so that was it's own experience.  And FYI it's zero fun paying for something you don't get to see or touch for about 4 weeks after.  Happy Monday - #thequestcontinues

Day 41: Piyo Sweat.  I had to get up early today, well I didn't have to but I choose and planned to.  I'm headed off back home to Pollock, SD today for my great aunt's estate sale.  Not knowing how long I'll be down there and just thinking ahead that I won't want to workout when I got home, I chose to get up and workout before hand :)  I've learned planning is the key, and if you think there is any thing that may get in the way during the day, do your best to push play BEFORE you leave the house if you can.  Set yourself up to succeed always!  Today's workout goes through some of my favorite moves, Down Dog & Runners Lunge - they are both work, even though it's a stretch as you're consistently pushing yourself and moving.  But they offer the best stretches and this girl needed them both today.  By the way, happy Saturday, it's a nice day in ND and I hope it is where you live to!  Get out and get active friends!

Day 40: Piyo Sculpt --- I am finding I have a love/hate relationship with this workout.  I LOVE what it's doing for my arms and upper body, as well as my legs but.....I HATE push-ups and squats!  Well I don't hate them, that's such a strong word - but they're certainly not my favorite thing to do.  I made today my treat day, so I started my day with a Starbucks...SO good! It's been a long week at work and when I got back to town, instead of going straight home, I went up town for a few beers.  Now I had the option to tag along to the casino while the boys went to their rules meeting for the fishing tourney tomorrow.  However, I CHOSE to come home and workout and I'm SO glad I did!  I had a great workout and I'm ready to tackle my to-do list for the evening.  Happy Friday friends! #TheQuestContinues

Day 39: I don't know if it's due to this stressful, long week or me working on NOT getting sick but this girl is exhausted!  Today was Piyo Sweat and I really, really had to push to get through my workout tonight.  By the time I was done I didn't want to get off the floor!  But there was still things to get done, so I got up.  I made this tuna for supper with avocado instead of mayo....SO good!  Tastes WAY better and it's SO much better for you.  This tired dame is off to the shower and then going to relax before bed. It was a really nice day out here, I hope you found the time to be active outside and/or inside today too! 

Day 38: My day started out great and by the afternoon I had found out all the work in our new system I had done for the last week was GONE. I am conducting training and the next session is on Friday and all the stuff I need for it GONE. S...aying I was upset was an understatement and what made it worse is I had to find it on my own, it should have been brought to my attention...but no. Needless to say, the last thing I wanted to do when I got home was to work out. BUT I did and I'm SO glad I did!! Today was Piyo Drench and in this workout and a few others, there is this move in Piyo that goes from down dog, to one leg in air. Then you go down to plank position, but on only ONE leg while brining your other knee forward above your elbow. Take lots of focus, strength and focus. I used to only be able to do 1 or 2....well today did them all on both legs #nailedit I know what happened at work isn't the end of the world, but it's extra work that needs to be done that I don't have time for. So now I have to make the time and get it done so I'm ready to train 10+ people on Friday. Today is just a bad day, it'll pass and things will be fine. I'm so glad I pushed play, my mood has changed and I'm ready to enjoy my evening now --- happy hump day friends!

Day 37: REST DAY...WOOT!  Some weeks I don't feel like I need a rest day and try to still do something active.  Today, my body and I NEED it!  It's been a stressful week, trying not to get sick (so far so good), so tired, and my body is just sore.  I didn't even have to make supper tonight, it was ready and waiting for me - SO awesome!  I have a pile of laundry to fold and some relaxing to do, so this girl is signing off early.  #TheQuestContinues

Day 35 & 36:  Sorry for not posting yesterday after my workout!  We stayed in Bismarck too long, had to go to Pollock to pick up the dog, we installed two more windows and then I worked out. By the time I got done with Buns, I hit the shower and went to BED!  Today was Piyo Sculpt and I'll tell you I'm super glad tomorrow is rest day.  Been tough workouts this week and I'm ready for a day off!  I'm running behind and need to get supper and dishes done so we can do some more work on the house.  Happy Monday and hope you pushed play today :)

Day 34 should have been Piyo Drench, but that was a bust!  Day 35 was Piyo Core and I got my bum out of bed this morning and did it.  The current challenge group I'm in is all about clean eating, fitness and most importantly accountability.  Today I needed to be accountable for myself, so here it is: Yesterday started off good until I went downtown for the street fair and ate a bad lunch. Then when I got home from work I met my boyfriend and his parents at the bar for a couple drinks and that turned into him and I taying TOO long! It was a great day and lots of fun but it left me with a 3 for the day yesterday - in this challenge group we base our days on points accumulated through exercise, challenges, water intake and nutrition. So, like i mentioned earlier, I made myself get up early.  Even though I wasn't feeling to well this girl got up and finally worked out! Yesterday was bad and today won't be a 10 as we're going to a concert tonight, but I will get better than sorry 3!  Part of this journey well have it's good days and bad days, it's all about how you pick yourself up after those bad days :)

Day 33: Piyo Strength.  Today's workout was just over 20 minutes and it's all about strength.  You don't use anything but your own body weight, so come prepared to WORK!  I had a LONG work day, had to travel to Dickinson, ND for a safety meeting.  Once I got home the last thing I wanted to do was work out, but guess what??? I did it - there is always going to be things that get in your way and excuses:  tired, work, kids, significant others, travel, etc.  Do your best to power through and commit!  If you ever need someone to keep you accountable let me know :) #TheQuestContinues

It's all about the.....BUNS!  Day 32 was Piyo Buns and mine are feeling it!  I have a love / hate relationship with this workout. It's super hard and challenges me every time to keep pushing through, but I love what it's doing to my legs and buns. This is a shorter post tonight but I have some work to do and laundry to finish.  Hope you're all having a productive hump day too!

REST DAY! Day 32 to is finally rest day.  It was a long week and my workouts were tough, but I powered through and I'm fully enjoying rest day. I'm to the point in this journey where on rest day I'm sitting here thinking I'm forgetting to work out.  I'm 100% all about a routine and even just one day off throws me.  Normally I go outside and do something active, but today, not so much.  It's super cold, windy, and rainy out, but even if it was nice I'm staying in and relaxing.  My muscles and I are tired and I'm milking my rest day for all its worth.  All I did after work was start the laundry, do the dishes, made some supper, did an hour of work and now I'm relaxing on the couch.  I will say, when I got home from work, I started changing into my workout clothes and then laughed at myself --- but this goes to show once you do something enough it's a HABIT and I am glad to be to that point!  I have a few more things to do on the computer and then I'm signing off for a little TV time before bed.  Don't forget with every fitness program/routine its SUPER important to take your rest day - your mind and body need it :)

Day 31: Piyo Drench...this workout gets me every time!!  It's pushes me to the limit and just when I don't think I have any more it's finally over ha!  I'm super sweaty after this one, it's hard to tell in the photo but it's running off me...ick!  It's the longest Piyo workout, just over 45 minutes long and I'm TIRED!  And I'm even more glad it's REST day tomorrow, WOOT!  Tonight I made fish tacos for supper (YUM), gave the dog a hair cut and bath, and gave the boyfriend a hair cut.  It's now time to clean up and relax a bit before bed.  If you haven't pushed play on your work out, went to your gym, went for a run or walk, etc I'm challenging Y-O-U to do sometime active this evening!  I hope you'll share with me what you did :) #TheQuestContinues

What, what....yup it's DAY 30!!  Piyo Core was today's workout and core day it sure was. It's amazing the exercises you can do to work your core.  I was always the sit up kind of gal...well my new favorite way to do those are standing up, ya, I said standing.  They're amazing and the results are WAY better in my eyes!  I love core day, as does my core :)  If I didn't mention it before, I'm oncall for work this week and so I have to make this post short. I need to do some work and then we have our last vehicle to wash and wax...I'll be SUPER glad when that's done.  I must say, one thing I wish about the big city is someone else washing my car ha!  Until next time - J

This is a post from my Facebook Blog page (https://www.facebook.com/questofafitdame) and I see i forgot to post on my blog here too! We all start somewhere: it's not easy, it's full of failures and successes, it takes hard work & major determination - but it is a lifestyle change, and when you're ready for it, it works. I haven't hit all my goals yet, but I'm getting SO close #progress

Days 28 & 29:  Well last night, I got home from work and was about to start my workout and I was surprised with date night :)  So out to supper we went!  I was going to have treat day today, so I changed it into yesterday so I could splurge on our night out together.  Today was Piyo Sweat....once again, SUPER sweaty!  It took me awhile to get going today so I made sure to workout as soon as we got back home this morning.  I'm on call for work, so I was busy with that and running errands right away this morning. I've been productive ever since we got back, worked out, lunch is cooking and the dishes are done.  We have a lot of outside work to do today, so I'll make up for my lack of not working out yesterday.  On another exciting note, I got Beach Body items in the mail today, YAY!  My next workout after Piyo arrived and I'm so excited to try T25.  I've seen people's transformations and I hope to have my own...Piyo is doing a great job on my journey and I'm excited to see where I finish with that in a few weeks too!  I also ordered the Shakeology sampler pack as I haven't tried any other flavors except Vanilla.  Super excited to try the others as well and glad Beach Body offers a good deal on their sampler packs so you can see what you like.  Happy Saturday all!

Beachbody is offering an AMAZING September promotional deal.  21 Day Fix has everything you need to make weightloss super easy and it's only $140.  Contact me today if you're interested in all the details or visit my site directly for all the goods at https://www.teambeachbody.com/checkout/-/bbcheckout/challengepack?referringRepId=456638 (note: click on 21 Day Fix for more info).

Happy Day 27! Today was Piyo Sweat - I can feel a cold coming on and my workout was tough! My post is super short today as I'm going to shower up and head to bed. This girl has zero time to be sick, so I have to kick this in the bum!

Day 26: Strength Intervals.  Another great workout, THANKS Piyo!  I do like this one as you're doing some cardio along with strength.  It's about 21 minutes long and you're working!  One of my snacks today at work was Greek Yogurt and some KIND brand Vanilla Blueberry Clusters....YUMMY!  Was so good, and good for me - can't beat that!  Tonight after my workout I went out to my garden and grabbed us some sweet corn for supper.  Nothing is better than that tasty treat after a good workout, especially when you grew it yourself.  I have some office work to do tonight, so I'll stop here.  Happy hump day!

Day 25: Piyo Drench!  Hello entire body workout!! This workout is just over 48 minutes long and you're workin' it the entire time.  There is a little bit of everything: legs, arms, core, buns, etc....IT'S GREAT!  I'm dripping with sweat (hence the name Drench) and my body is feeling it.  I can't believe it's been 25 days already into Piyo --- perfect time to enter the Drench workout.  Just when you think you've got it Chalene switches it up and keeps you on your toes.  I'm really loving this workout program :)  I'm going to finish my water, start some laundry and make supper.  Hope you're all having a great Tuesday!!

Day 24:  Well friends I'm a day off in my Piyo schedule....I had the best intentions to workout yesterday after my post, but did NOT!!!  Bad, bad, bad...a.nd I regretted it all day, so today I got my butt in gear and did Piyo Buns!  Instead of a rest day tomorrow, I'm going to catch up and complete Drench so come Wednesday I'm back on track :)  As I mentioned last time I did buns, it is NO joke!  This girl's tush is hurting, but it is getting in shape for sure!  I hope you're all having a great Labor day and also made sometime for yourself and your health today.  We started our day out hunting for the dove opener.  Of course beings we had our shotguns and were ready to go, magically the doves suddenly disappeared and the two we did find we missed....lame.  Then we heard of a great Labor Day sale going on at the furniture stores in Bismarck on the radio and we've been wanting/needing a new couch for a long time.  So since the doves were in hiding, we went home, got ready, and headed to Bismarck.  We ended up getting a GREAT deal on the sectional AND even found a comfy camouflage recliner for the boyfriend.  BTW he asked me three times if I was sure it was okay if we bought a camouflage chair for our house...I said you let me pick out the couch that I wanted, so I'm 100% okay with a camo chair #bestgirlfriendeveraward for this girl.  Best part will all get delivered out to the farm in a few weeks...so NO heavy furniture lifting for me, YES!  Well I have lots to do yet today and need to get to bed early, back to the grind tomorrow.  Happy Monday & Labor Day friends!