Week 1 of INSANITY MAX:30 review!

Day 1 of Insanity Max:30

So week 1 is officially over!  And.... 

I absolutely LOVE it!  It's crazy, it's intense, it pushes you further than you've ever gone before and I want more! Yep,  I'm a Max:30 Insaniac!!

I think because you go hard from the second you push play and you have to record your Max Out time (the second you lose form or need to take a break) it makes you go that little bit further.  One of the cast members says "When I feel like I can't do 1 more, I do 3 more!"  And that has really stuck with me. When I feel like I want to drop to my knees, I do 3 more pushups or 3 more burpee lunges.. Whaaat.... they're a killer!!

It ain't pretty, but I pushed sooo hard!

I'm also following the nutrition plan and planning out my meals.  It uses the 21 day fix containers, but as I'm in the UK, I couldn't buy those separate, so I use measuring cups and oops I was eating far too many carbs and my pasta portion sizes were just waay too big!  Once you grasp how many food groups you need to eat and the sizes, its actually really easy, just plan, plan, plan those meals. It'll make all the difference in your end results.  Abs are made in the kitchen baby!!!

Puy lentil salad with sweet potato chips.

I'm super focused, I'm loving the workouts, I've got my nutrition on point and I've got accountability from amazing people in our Max:30 groups.  In our UK group we have cast members from the DVD joining in and sharing their experience with us!  

Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people on the same journey as you and you have no choice but to SUCCEED!!

One of my fav motivational quotes!

"When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breath, then you will be successful!"

This is a motivational quote from Eric Thomas.  I watched his video on you tube and it put a fire in my belly that I have no other option than to succeed.  It's defiantly one to check out, if you need some motivation.

Onwards and upwards, bring on week 2,  I'm so ready....

Have an awesome healthy, happy week and pop over to my fitness page Fit For Life where I post everyday.  See you next week...

Caroline xoxo

INSANITY MAX:30 is here!!!!

It arrived!!!

It's here!!!....

I'm so excited to start Shaun T's latest workout Insanity Max:30!  I started my Beachbody journey 2  years ago with the original Insanity workout and quickly fell in love with the craziness that is Insanity and the gorgeous Shaun T!

I then went on to do P90X with Tony Horton (love his jokes!) T25 with Shaun T and then Piyo with Chalene Johnston, who drastically improved my flexibility (I couldn't even touch my toes with straight legs before Piyo!)  I always used to go back to Insanity in between programs, I just love the intensity of it!

So now it's time for the craziness to go to the next level.  Although I don't officially start Max:30 until Mon 5th Jan I've had a few sneaky workouts this week, I just couldn't wait!

Yep, I'm a Max Out Maniac!!

The routines are all 30 mins long and you go all out right from the moment you press play on that dvd! There's no easing yourself in here!  You go hard until the second that you pause or break good form (or just plain ole collapse!) then you write down your MAX OUT time.

Then the next time you do that workout you push yourself that little bit harder and try and beat your previous time.

It definitely keeps you going as you want to last as long as possible! I love what one of the cast members says during Sweat Intervals "When I don't think I can do 1 more, I do 3!" Whaaatt!!...

On the floor in a sweaty heap!

I cannot wait to officially start this program.  It's 60 days long and I'm soo excited to see my body change even more.  I've done 3 of the workouts this week and my body is aching, my arms, my shoulders, my legs, my butt, everywhere!!  And I love when a workout makes me sore, that means I'm working muscles I never even knew I had!!

Stay tuned for regular updates on my MAX:30 journey.  This is one adventure I'm going to thoroughly enjoy!

Oh and Happy New Year to you all!

Stay happy, stay healthy and I'm always over on Fit For Life where I post daily.

Caroline xoxo

Getting Ready for INSANITY MAX:30!

How long until YOU Max Out?!

As many of you know Insanity was my first Beachbody workout dvd.  I had watched the infomercial on TV for roughly 2 years before I took the plunge and finally bought it!  And I fell in love!!  

I had never experienced a workout, that within 5 minutes of starting out, the sweat was dripping of my nose and I LOVED it!

It pushes your body and your mind to places you never thought you could go. Well Shaun T has went one step further and next week Insanity Max:30 is released!

The many faces of Insanity!!

The workouts are 30 minutes long and you go all out, push your hardest until you Max Out (take a break) You make a note of the time you maxed out, then try and go longer next time.  Getting stronger and increasing your endurance with every workout.

There are also 150 new moves too!!  Sounds crazy, right?!

Yep, I'm a little scared, but that's not going to stop me, NO WAY!!

So Santa if you're reading this I would love to see Insanity Max:30 in my stocking this Christmas!  (HoHoHo!)

I believe in at home workouts,  I believe they work especially if you have accountability and support and stay consistent.  I haven't been a gym member for nearly 9 years now and I'm in the best shape of my life (although I'm still a work in progress) and it's all down to at home workout dvds, eating clean and drinking plenty water.

That's it, that's all it takes, IF you stay consistent.  It's a lifestyle, not for the holidays, not to fit into a bikini, not for a special occasion, but for LIFE!  Life IS the special occasion!

Post workout and my baby abs are trying to pop through!

So my next workout program will be the new Insanity Max:30.  It will probably kill me, but I need a new challenge and what better way to go into the New Year than sweating out the mulled wine and the mince pies!!

I'll be really excited to see how this workout will change my body even more (come on little abs!)  

I'll keep you posted and if any of you guys will be doing Max:30 drop me a message or a comment, having others to keep you accountable is so much better than doing it on your own!

Have an amazing week.  I'm always over at Fit For Life for daily motivation!

Caroline xoxo 

Clean Hot Chocolate and Guilt Free Fudge!

Stay trim this Festive Season!

It's started!!  There's gorgeous, delicious food and dreamy, creamy drinks everywhere!  You can smell them in the air.  Ooh they smell so good but are laden with about a trillion calories and we don't want to ruin all the hard work we've put in all year in just a few weeks, right?!

So I searched for a hot chocolate recipe that was clean but also tasted delicious, I never want to skimp on flavour, who does?!  

It's so quick and easy, you can make it in less than 5 mins then curl up on the sofa and enjoy!

Clean Hot Chocolate

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp stevia or honey

Cinnamon stick

Warm up almond milk and cinnamon stick in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer.  Add the cocoa powder slowly stirring until completely dissolved.

Pour into a mug, (optional) sprinkle a little cocoa and cinnamon and garnish with the cinnamon stick!

Clean Hot Chocolate!

And of course you need a little sweet treat to go with your hot chocolate!  How about some slow cooker/crock pot chocolate fudge (guilt free!)

I was so excited when I discovered this recipe because, 1.  I loooovvvveee fudge and 2. I'm all about the slow cooker/crock pot.  It's one of the best things ever!  Throw everything in and just leave it to cook, I'm sold!!

Here it is......

Guilt Free Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge

440 grams or 2 1/2 cups of good quality dark choc drops

125 ml or 1/2 cup canned coconut milk

4 tbsp or 1/4 cup honey

Pinch of sea salt

2 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Add chocolate chips, coconut milk, honey, salt and coconut oil to the slow cooker.  Stir until the ingredients are combined.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours WITHOUT stirring.

After 2 hours, allow to cool to room temp. then stir vigorously for 5 mins until the mixture loses some of it's shine.   (You can use an electric beater)

Lightly oil an 8" x 8" square pan and pour the mixture in.  Cover and refrigerate for around 4 hours. Cut into bite size pieces.  Keep the fudge stored in the fridge until you want to eat. (If you can make it last!)

Even though the fudge is clean, doesn't mean you would want to eat a lot in one go, it is very rich!!

Guilt Free Chocolate Fudge!

Get in the Christmas spirit, put on some Festive tunes, enjoy a hot chocolate and a little fudge without feeling guilty, I know I definitely am!!  

Have an amazing week!  Caroline xoxo

I'm always over on Fit For Life where I post daily, if you can't wait till next week!!

3 Day Detox Cleanse Meal Plan!

3 days to flush out the Nastys and lose a few unwanted lbs!!

UPON WAKING - LEMON AND GINGER WATER

Large mug of warm water.  Squeeze half a lemon and a pop a small piece of ginger into your mug.  Top with boiled water and add a little cold water to get a warm temp.  Feel free to have more than one mug.

BREAKFAST - FRESH JUICE

2 celery stalks

Half a cucumber

2 large kale leaves or a handful of spinach

Handful of fresh parsley

1/2 lemon (remove peel)

1 apple

1 raw beetroot (optional)

Juice all ingredients together.  If you don't have a juicer, you could use a blender and add a little water.  (with blending the consistency will be thicker)

MID MORNING SNACK - VEG STICKS

Makes enough for 3 days. Store in  tupperware.

3 cucumbers

3 celery stalks

3 carrots

Wash and cut into sticks, keep refrigerated until needed.

Veg sticks prepared and stored.

LUNCH - RESTORING BALANCE SOUP

Makes enough for 3 days.

1 1/2 litres of water

3 courgettes

3 celery stalks

1 large bunch green beans

1 large bunch fresh parsley

3 tomatoes

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp sea or rock salt

2 tsp dried herbs

Chop all the veg and put all ingredients into a large pot.  Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for 30 mins.  You can leave the soup chunky or blend if you prefer a smoother soup.

Divide into 3 portions and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

AFTERNOON SNACK - ALMONDS

Handful of almonds. Around 12 - 15.

DINNER - LARGE GREEN SALAD

Serves 1

1 ripe avocado, chopped

1/2 cucumber, chopped

1 carrot, grated

Large handful fresh watercress

Handful fresh coriander, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 tbsp sesame seeds

Few florets of raw broccoli (optional)

Salad Dressing: Mix 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. (optional - add chilli flakes to add extra favour)

DESSERT - CHIA SEED PUDDING

Makes 3 servings

300ml unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp honey

4 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a large jar a shake until combined.  Pour into 3 small bowls or glasses and refrigerate.  After around 30 mins, the mixture will have thickened to a pudding consistency.  Keep covered in the fridge until needed.

Alternatively, you can freeze until needed, then add a little more almond milk and blend for a frozen dessert.

3 chia seed puddings.

* REMEMBER TO DRINK PLENTY WATER. AIM FOR 2 LITRES PER DAY*

* NO COFFEE, BUT YOU CAN HAVE HERBAL TEAS e.g. CHAMOMILE, PEPPERMINT 

TEA
NO STRENUOUS EXERCISE IS RECOMMENDED DURING THE CLEANSE *

Prepare the soup and dessert ahead of time, divide up your snacks and you're good to go!

3 Day Detox Cleanse Results!

Crazy results in just 3 days!!

So last weekend was Halloween, and the chocolate got to me!  Usually I'm sooo good and can resist or only have 1 piece, well not last weekend, the sugar monster came out to play!!

Chocolate is my BIG weakness, once it takes hold, I'm gone.  It's like crack cocaine to me, seriously.  I say this as a joke, but sugar is highly addictive, it's a drug and most people ARE addicted!

See my before picture, this is the morning after my chocolate binge.  Look how bloated and puffy my stomach is, my face slightly too.  Sugar is the devil!!

So I just wanted a quick, healthy way to cleanse my body of all the crap I'd put into it over the weekend,  I did the 3 day cleanse detox.

Making lunch for the next 3 days.

Soup on the cleanse, tasted really nice!

I didn't want to do a juice fast or just a liquid cleanse as I like to eat, and I would find it hard to stick to, if I couldn't actually chew anything.  So I did my research and found a 3 day cleanse that included juices, soup, salad, snacks and dessert (yes dessert!)  I tweaked it a little to suit me, without changing it up too much.

The result was a 3 day detox cleanse that felt doable.  It's all natural with lots of veg, lots of water and I never felt hungry.  I did have a slight headache one evening and felt tired earlier in the nighttime, but that was expected. It's a cleanse and that was my body's natural response while flushing out all the nasty toxins and restoring balance.

3 day detox cleanse

I was really happy with my end results.  As you can see from the after photo, all the bloat has gone.  I feel lighter and leaner and an added bonus I lost 3 lbs! 

Down 3lbs in 3 days, not from starving or doing a liquid fast, but by restoring my body with whole natural healthy food!

I've opened up a private group on Facebook for anyone who would like to do this cleanse next week.  It starts Tuesday through Thursday,  I provide a shopping list and a meal guide and you'll get lots of support from others doing the cleanse with you.

If you or anyone you know would like to join in comment below or send me a message through my Facebook page Fit For Life.  I'd love to have you join our group!

The more the merrier, spreading the healthy love!!

Have an awesome week, stay happy, stay grateful!

Caroline xoxo

Leftover Halloween Pumpkin? Slow Cooker Lentil and Vegetable Soup.

Halloween wine and goodies!

Did you have a Happy Halloween?  I love this time of year, it's the run up to Christmas, my all time favourite holiday!!  I'm getting in the festive spirit already, yes I've been playing Christmas songs at home and in my car!!

But with that comes all the goodies, oh and I love them all!  Mince pies and mulled wine, yes please!  I will be enjoying some treats but I will not be stuffing my face, I WILL have self control!!!

After 12 hours... delicious!!

Divided into individual portions.

My slow cooker/crockpot lentil and vegetable soup is going to keep you on track.  I make this and divide it up into individual portions and refrigerate or freeze until I need them.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups dried red lentils

1 litre vegetable stock

1/2 pumpkin or butternut squash, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

3 potatoes, chopped

1 onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp dried herbs

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

METHOD

Throw everything into the slow cooker/crockpot and cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours.

After cooking I blended half the mixture to make it thicker but still leaving some chunky veg!

This soup is going to be a staple throughout the winter months in our house.  What could be easier than putting all the ingredients into one pot and turning it on?  I love it, foolproof!  Enjoy.

Pop over to Fit For Life where I post everyday.

Have a happy, healthy week.  Stay grateful.

Caroline xoxo