Operation #ButtonMyPants

Yup this was my face last Sunday..... With a friends wedding coming up I decided to try on my suits to make sure I had something to wear. Surely there would be no problems... Even though I have been out of the gym for several months with injury. I mean, who would even notice the 20+ pounds that I've put on?

You know who noticed? My pants that's who!! 

Seriously I'm talking a full 1" away from buttoning 1 suit. The other one I could button..... Barely..... With A LOT of effort. There was no wearing this for 5 hours and not running the risk of a renegade button popping off and injuring someone.

This is where operation #ButtonMyPants comes in. Sure the wedding has come and gone. I took more than my share of pics that showed exactly where every calorie and morsel of food attached itself to.

 The good part about pictures. they don't lie. We can tell ourselves the camera adds 10 lbs....... or we can be honest and know  that maybe that 10lbs should come off :)

3 Day Refresh Review

This is what my summer looked like: Fun, Food and Drink!

I lived every day with no regrets......Until my pants were getting way to snug for comfort! Thanks to nagging injuries and questionable nutrition, last years abs gave way to a fluffier version of me.

September came it it was time to jump start my nutrition and clean out the "Sins of Summer"!

Enter the 3 Day Refresh! I have heard about this for quite some time, yet I was always to stubborn to give up certain foods to give it a go.

The program is really quite simple:

Shakeology for Breakfast

Fiber Sweep Mid morning

Vanilla Fresh Shake with approved foods for lunch

Healthy Snack

Vanilla Fresh Shake and a choice off the dinner menu 

Here was my experience:

Day 1

The worst part of this program for me is giving up coffee. On an given day I normally drink 3-5 cups. My way to eliminate the dreaded caffeine withdrawal..... I mixed my morning Chocolate Vegan Shakeology with cold coffee and 1/2 a banana.

Snack and lunch went fine, but by 2pm I was exhausted and the dull headache started. This continued through dinner and until I went to bed.

Day 2

I kept my foods exactly the same for all 3 days. It seemed to make it easier knowing that everything was prepped and ready to go. Day 2 I noticed that my energy levels were up, my headache went away and I felt lighter. Here is what my typical days food looked like (add coconut veggies in organic vegetable broth for dinner)

Day 3

By far the easiest day! This way of eating felt great. Whole, non-processed food does the body good. My energy levels were high and amazingly enough I was not starving or craving crap foods.

The end results for me were amazing! I lost 10lbs and 2" in my waist and hips!

I would strongly recommend this program to anyone that either wants to jump start their nutrition to get back on track or someone that wants to feel amazing before attending a function or event.

For more info on the 3 Day Refresh click here

Twix Shakeology

I know, I know, that title really sounds like an oxymoron. Twix is the yummy, crunchy and gooey chocolate/caramel treat. Shakeology, on the other hand is the healthiest meal of the day. Let's face it, some times you just want to be bad!

This recipe is not 100% clean or even 21 Day Fix approved (All the Fixers out there know what I mean!) There are times when you want a yummy treat and you want it now! This is now my go to wake n shake as well as the treat I mix up when I wanna feel like I'm being bad :)

Try it for yourselves and let me know what you think!

Twix Shakeology

1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Caramel Sauce
3 Sugar Free Shortbread Cookies

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 30-45 seconds. Add ice to taste (I prefer mine to be thicker) and blend. Pour and enjoy!

Who said "Fried" rice can't be healthy? *Spoiler Alert* (Not this guy)

My wife and I are currently doing a program called the 21 Day Fix. This program has a great concept of 30 minute workouts and a container system for "perfect" portion measurements. The nutrition guide is super easy to follow and there is some wiggle room for treats.

Not nearly enough wiggle room for when you get that weekend craving for Chinese take out!

Insert Cauliflower fried rice!

I know I know....... That just does not sound like an appealing combo! Trust me when I tell you that it was just as good at take out, without the inevitable food coma and MSG hangover.

Try this recipe out and let me know what you think!

Cauliflower fried rice (serves 2)

2 eggs beaten
1 head of cauliflower
1 cup frozen carrots and peas (fresh is always better, I had frozen on hand)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
4 Tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
2 Tablespoon oyster sauce

Heat a frying pan and lightly scramble the beaten eggs. Remove from heat and set aside

In a small bowl mix the soy sauce and oyster sauce and set aside

Using a food processor chop the cauliflower down to the consistency and size of rice or couscous. Be careful not to chop too much or it will turn to mush!

Heat sesame oil in frying pan over med to med-high heat. Add garlic and frozen veggies.

Once veggies are heated through, add the cauliflower and cook 3-5 minutes or until soft

Add the sauce mixture and stir.

Chop the scrambled eggs and stir into the rice mixture

Top with chopped green onions if desired

Serve along side some teriyaki steak or chicken and I dare you to find a healthier option in any take out joint

Comment below with some of your favorite healthy recipes

Scariest environment imaginable?

This past week something happened to me that immediately made me think of a scene from the movie "Armageddon".

Let me set the tone.....

Oscar: “What's it gonna be like up there?” Truman: “Two hundred degrees in the sunlight, minus two hundred in the shade. Canyons of razor-sharp rock. Unpredictable gravitational conditions. Unexpected eruptions, things like that.” Oscar: “Ok, so the scariest environment imaginable. Thanks, that's all you gotta say. Scariest environment imaginable.”

This week was to be my final week of Body Beast. If you read my last post, you already know that I have been struggling to keep the body fat off. This is completely and 100% my fault for not sticking to the nutrition plan.

However I really began to buckle down and make strides towards the end. That is until I finally decided to see the doctor.

You see, 3 weeks ago while doing overhead triceps extensions, I felt a sharp pain run from my elbow to halfway up my arm. I immediately looked at my gym partner and said "That's not good, feels like it is literally ripping off the bone!" 

I then proceeded to do what every other man in my situation would do. I finished that set, finished the entire work out, and continued to work out for 3 weeks.

Oh don't get me wrong, it hurt when I would do any sort of pushing exercise. Nothing major, just chest, shoulder and triceps. When it didn't seem to go away,  I took the next logical step....... "Let me buy an elbow brace" I thought, surely that will make it go away right? Why would they sell them if they didn't work?

Needless to say, this past Monday I saw the doctor. Diagnosis: Partially torn triceps. This is where the movie quote comes in....... (I give you Exhibit A)

Exhibit A

Not only do I feel like I completely failed on this program, but I am also at a point where I need to shut it down and rest. I am holding onto more weight than I have in almost 2 years and I am now very limited to what I can do to fix it all.

The muscle I worked SO hard to put on, will inevitably disappear within a few weeks. The abs I once had, are now gone and covered with a layer of fat thanks to the "bulking" phase. And last but not least I now need to let it heal......... Up to 3-4 months from now. That is a LIFETIME to a guy that stresses out when he misses one workout a week.

Life will go on, the wounds will heal and I will prevail somehow...... Right now it just seems like it is an eternity away.

What happens if you don't follow the program?

I remember back a very short time ago, December 24th 2014. I checked in with my "25 Days of Fitmas" group to post our ending stats. I proudly posted my 208 lbs weight with the associated measurements (I was nursing a shoulder injury and doing mostly cardio based programs like T25), and I was quite happy going into the holidays being that lean. All of the challengers also did a great job that month keeping the weight off during a statistically difficult time to do so.

Santa must have been listening when I asked for 2 programs for Christmas. I received Les Mills Combat an MMA inspired cardio and fat blasting program. I also received Body Beast. I have wanted this program ever since it was made available in 2012. This program is designed to help you gain muscle, serious muscle, IF you follow the program.

Like every month before I shared my goals with my monthly challengers, my goal being that I was starting Body Beast on January 12th AND I have the lofty goal of submitting such amazing results, that I can get into the infomercial casting call in June.

I have given 110% to each and every workout. Muscles I never knew existed are sore every day. I am so lucky to have a gym partner that pushes me daily to be better than I was the day before. I can't stress enough how well the program works to put on muscle.

And then it was time to follow the diet........

I struggled in the first month to hit the calorie goal with the "right" kind of calories. I also seemed to give myself permission to stray from the plan to hit my calorie goal. Stating that I was "bulking" made it OK to eat crap food. When you put garbage in, you get garbage out......

Instead of having jaw dropping results, I now weigh 232 lbs (a weight I have not seen since Jan. 2nd 2012). I wish I could say it is all muscle gain, but it is not. I didn't follow the program, and I have paid the price.

For me this is so much more than just not following a process. This is my life cycle. I started to gain weight around 9 years old, after my parents divorce. This continued roughly until I hit my 20's.

 My 20's I managed to stay somewhat fit by taking all the wrong "supplements" and trying to look like a WWE wrestler.

I turned 30 and hit 305 lbs and yo-yo dieted from 280-300lbs for the next 7 years.

I took my life back after that, if you have followed this blog ya'll know the story, if not check out my first post about my transformation.

And now at 41, I worry that not following the program has set me on a path of self destruction again. The feelings of embarrassment with how I have let myself go are back. The feeling that I am a fraud to all of you that were inspired by my story. The feeling of disappointment in myself......

I write this not to get pity or to hear that "It will be OK". I write this to cleanse the negative vibe from my mind. I write this to vent my frustrations with myself.

Most importantly, I write this for those of you that struggle every day.

I struggle every single day with controlling my weight and my eating habits. I will struggle every day of my life with this. I will have more good days than bad. I will overcome this......

If this story hit home with you, or you know someone that has the same troubles, please share my story. I am always looking to help people in their journey.

Why struggle alone when you can have support along the way?

Reluctant and unsure, now confident and strong: The Succes Story of Danielle T

Fad diets or workouts never really paid off, yet support and motivation did! Danielle is now just one of the many Challenge Group Rock Stars!

Keep in mind Danielle is a busy Mom of 2 that works full time AND is going back to school to further her education. If she can find 30 minutes a day to take care of her self, anyone can.

Here is the beginning of her journey:

"About 6 months ago a friend approached me to join a Facebook challenge group that she was going to be a part of. When she asked me to join I was a little reluctant and unsure, but gave it a try anyways.

Six months and 27 pounds later, I look back and I am so thankful that I made the decision that I did!

Steve's support throughout this process has been invaluable. He fights this weight battle himself as well and has made such progress over the past few years. Every month I look forward to a new beginning, new Team members, new ideas, new recipes and new goals. Steve, without a doubt brings everything he has to the group each month. He is an amazing coach. He keeps us engaged and motivated each and every day.

He also reminds us regularly that being fit is not something that comes naturally to him. He has to continuously work for it. He certainly has done that, but continues his fight each and every day. I do not know where I would be right now if it was not for this challenge group. It has been such an important component of my journey. Everyday it gives me the motivation to push play and workout or make good food choices.

I am so grateful to have crossed paths with Steve as a coach. He has truly changed my mindset and I am forever grateful that I get to work alongside him daily on my journey!"

Danielle T

3 months after a newborn and 37 lbs later: The success story of Jennifer P

I wanted to share a success story from one of our many challengers. Jennifer is one of the most determined and driven people that I have had the pleasure of coaching. She puts in the time and the results have paid off, which is no easy feat for a busy mom of three girls.

Here is Jennifer's story in her own words.

 "After having my 3rd child in less than 5 years, I was ready to take control back of my body and finally work toward the health and fitness goals that were always in the back of my mind. This time I was driven to do it not only for my family, but also for myself.

A good friend kept talking about this Facebook accountability group she was part of and this great coach Steve, that was helping to drive her towards her fitness goals.

I thought to myself, how can I get involved? I emailed Steve and asked to be part of his group. That was 3 ½ months and 37 lbs. ago. Steve has such an inspiring story and such a passionate drive for wanting to help others achieve their goals. He’s an incredible guy with such a motivating mission.

There are now almost 30 of us that are part of this incredible group. All of us are working under Steve’s guidance against a similar goal, better health. It’s incredibly motivating to be part of a group of people that can inspire each other each and every day. From posting recipes and workouts to just a pat on the back when you’re feeling less than 100%, it has been life changing.

As for me, I have 13 lbs. to go and I know for the first time in my life that I WILL get there. How could I not, I have a coach and 30 new friends that are relying on me to achieve this goal "

Jennifer P.

Beef Barley Soup

Living in New England has its ups and downs. As the seasons change you can't help but admire the beauty of where we live. Enter the Blizzard of 2015......

24" of snow is great to look at until it needs to be moved. 

After 4-5 hours of snow removal, you need something to warm you up. Funny enough I did not do what most people do before a storm, which is stand in line for groceries you will never use, just because there is a storm coming. Luckily for me I made the best out of some staples I had in the house. Here is the recipe for a super simple Beef Barley Soup I made to warm my insides.

Beef Barley Soup

1 lbs of 93% lean ground beef

2 Containers of low sodium beef broth (32 oz each)

2 Cups of cooked barley

1 Medium onion

1 Cup of frozen carrots

1 Tablespoon of olive oil

Heat oil in frying pan over med-high heat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain all the fat and add beef mixture to a large pot. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until carrots are soft. 

Add salt and pepper to taste

Leave a comment below if you try this recipe or let me know your favorites soup recipes!

Fearing Change

     How many times have you been afraid of change? Afraid to go new places, do new things or even start a new job. Sticking to what you know best or how you do things is comfortable and easy. And it is also the easy way out.

    This week I started a new Beachbody program called Body Beast. The program is designed for muscle gain and with that, weight gain. This program is different from what I have previously done. Normally I am trying to trim the fat and lose weight, but I decided it was time for a change. And that scares me to death.....

   I am scared to see the number on the scale rise instead of fall. I am scared that I will fail on this program and struggle again to lose the weight that I have worked so hard to keep off. Or even worse, what happens if I gain fat and can't lose it again?

   Then I started to think, what if I never tried something new? I took a chance on P90X over 4 years ago and lost 105 lbs. If I never tried something new I would still be unhappy and overweight. I have a great support system in place, I'm surrounded by people in fitness groups that I host. I have cheerleaders now and great friends and family that are also trying something new and facing their fears. So why am I still scared?

   I fear not reaching my goal or even worse taking steps backwards. But as they say, if the thought of how you reach a goal is not scary, you are not setting the bar high enough.

   Stay tuned to see how this story ends......