90 Day Challenge - Coach Robyn's Goals

You know, I was thinking about this yesterday as I commenced my 90 day fitness and nutrition challenge.  Most people go into the last 2-3 months of the year with the mindset of just "letting go" until January 1st.  Most people do not have the mindset of creating new goals, staying on top of their workout routine (or maybe even increasing it), not falling into the trap of over indulging at holiday parties, etc as we get to the latter part of the year.  Well, it really comes down to the fact that your body NEVER takes a holiday.  It still requires the same love and attention (aka nutrition and exercise) that it did on January 1st, the same attention that it did when you decided you wanted to look good in a bikini for summer and the same attention it needs when you committed to being a healthy example for your kids or others around you.  It dawned on me today how strange it may be to set out to achieve quite possibly the most lofty physical goals I have set out to achieve for myself since the days of being a college athlete.  Which is funny because even then I didn't really create my own goals.  I just worked hard at the goals set out for me by my coaches and training staff. So now I'm on my own to fend for myself.  The owner of a fitness business who has admittedly not been on top of her workout routine (at least on regular basis) since starting Boot Camp U Austin.  This may surprise you for many reasons but most people are surprised because of one main reason......I look no different today than I did two years ago.  Well, the reason for this is that I have stayed on top of, and even improved on, my nutrition.  I have continually cleaned up my diet over the past two years and in the past year's time, have added Advocare supplements to my nutrition routine.

Having said all this, I am still not satisfied.  Not with the way I look but with the way my body functions.  I have nagging knee issues that, I believe, are a direct results of my lack of regular strength training in the past 2 years.  I just don't feel functionally strong for what I do and for what I know my body is capable of.  It's time to change.

This is one of the reasons that Coach Kim Kravanya and I have decided to take on this challenge.  We decided that we need to stop SAYING and TALKING about the things we want to achieve (how many of you out there find yourself saying "I should do this" or "I should do that..." over and over) and just do it!  We are putting ourselves out there to you guys in order to hold ourselves accountable, to show you that we, too, are human and to also teach you that in order to obtain your goals, you need to write them down.  And don't forget to tell others.  Write down WHY you are doing it (because if your WHY is strong enough, you will do whatever it takes) and what you will do to get there (your plan of action).

Ok, so here are my 90 day goals:
- Increase my lean muscle mass by 5-7lbs
- Decrease body fat % by 2%
- Completely clear up digestive issues
- Decrease or completely eliminate knee pain (I would like to run the Austin Half Marathon in Feb 2012)
- I will foam roam and stretch daily

How I plan to achieve this:

Exercise
-2-3 days a week of strength-training focused exercise (For me, this will mean a boot camp style workout.  The same as you do, with increasing weight as time goes on.  I will be doing the same exercises with 10, 15 and 20lb weights.)
- I will attend at least one crossfit class at (like the ones at Crossfit Texas) per week
- Run at least once per week
- I will also add some cross-training activities to my routine like Mountain biking, trail running, SUPing, kayaking, hiking and Yoga

Nutrition - Foods
- I will concentrate on a very protein-focused diet (getting at least 100 grams per day)
- Drink at least 100 oz of water daily
- Eat very clean diet that is focused on eating foods that are as close to their natural form as possible
- Reduce Dairy, Wheats, Soy, Refined Sugars (I eat very similar to Paleo)

Nutrition - Supplement Routine - using Advocare Nutrition Products
-Spark, Catalyst & Thermoplus every morning with my first MNS MAX 3 vitamin pack
- 15 minutes later a Meal Replacement Shake (24 grams of pre-digested protein and 24 grams of time-released carbs that don't spike your blood sugar)
- mid-morning snack (I shoot for about 15 grams of protein in this snack)
- Second packet of MNS MAX 3 vitamins before lunch, third and fourth packet after lunch (lunch I try to get 30-40 grams of protein)
- Another Spark and Catalyst mid-day (3:00ish)
- Muscle Gain Protein shake (25 grams protein per serving) before boot camp or PM training
- Protein focused dinner with limited carbs (mostly from veggies, shooting for 30-50 grams protein)
- After dinner, I take Omegaplex (omega 3s and 6s), Joint Promotion and Probiotic Restore
- Before bed, I take Night-time Recovery

Nutriton - Workout Supplement Routine - Using Advocare Nutrition Products
- Pre workout- Spark, Catalyst, O2 Gold and Rehydrate (I add Mass Impact if strength training, Arginine Extreme if it's a cardio workout)
- During workout - Rehydrate
- After workout - Post-Workout Recovery shake

I will also be going to see Dr. Dave Cohodes at Redline Sports Therapy so that he can make sure that my body is prepared for battle as well as recovering properly. I love going to him because he isn't focused on one body part solely.  He works on my knees when needed, sometimes my shoulders, my IT band, my calves, etc.  He treats my body as a WHOLE and since our body works synergistically, I believe that is the way it should be.

So anyway.....those are my goals and how I plan to achieve them.  Feel free to follow my journey, encourage me and ask me questions along the way to keep me on track.  YOU are the ones that inspire me to do this.  I get to see how hard you guys work day in and day out.  So thank you!

Day 1 :)

Day 1 and we're off and running! I woke up at 5am and was totally excited to get this 90 Day Challenge started. I've always liked a good challenge, and it doesn't get much better than challenging yourself to take it to the next level in w/e it may be. This challenge happens to be mostly a physical challenge, but it will definitely be a mental challenge as well. The great news is I'll have a lot of people out there helping to keep me honest, and provide motivation/encouragement.

So what exactly do I want to get out of this challenge?? My goals are:
-To tone up - especially arms and tummy
-Lose 2% Body Fat to bring my number under 20% (starting # is 21.5%)
-Perform cardio work 4 times/week
-Light strength/cross training 3 times/week
-Kick butt in the San Antonio Half-Marathon on 11/13

My supplement routine will consist of:
Spark - for mental clarity & focus
Catalyst - aid in toning while preserving lean muscle mas (very important)!!!
Thermoplus - help boost that metabolism
Meal Replacement Shakes (MRS)- breakfast, quick/easy way to get morning protein & DELICIOUS
MNS Max 3 - enhance my eating program & help fill in any nutritional gaPS
O2 Gold - enhance oxygen delivery throughout the body. Always a good thing!
Post Workout Recovery shake - post workout goodness to help with repair & recovery of the muscles
Rehydrate - proper hydration & electrolyte balance

Today was a light strength workout day, so I did one of my new favorite workouts. 100 reps of each of the following: Push Ups, Squats, Crunches, Dips, Bicep Curls. Got the heart rate up & definitely felt a good muscle burn!! Tomorrow will be a big cardio day!

I am ready to kick some booty! :)

Coach Robyn and Kim's 90-Day Challenge

Hey Guys!  Coach Robyn and I are pumped to start a 90-Day Challenge to help us reach our own personal health/fitness goals.  While we may have different goals (coming soon!), we will both be using the same format to help us reach those goals.  Format = protein focused diet, exercise and Advocare nutrition supplements!  We will be updating the blog regularly to document this journey and help us stay on track. 

Follow us for the next 90 days for updates on what we are eating, the supplements we are taking, our exercise routine, plus much more! 

Measurements (9/30/11)	Robyn	Kim
Chest	34.75	32
Bust (on / below)	32.5 / 28.5	33.5 / 28.5
Waist & Indent	32 (1 “ below Belly Button)	32.25 & 26 7/8
Hips	38.5	37 7/8
Thigh (upper & mid)	20.75 (mid)	21.5 / 20
Calf	14	13 7/8
Arm (right, left)	10 / 9.75	10 5/8  & 10.5
Weight / BF %	141.8 / 18.8	140. 4  / (coming soon)

If you would like to take a 90-Day Challenge of your own, just let us know! Let’s finish 2011 and head into 2012 looking & feeling better than ever!

~Coach Kim K

DELICIOUS SPARK PIE!

You work hard at boot camp.  You deserve a treat some times.  Try Spark Pie!

Muscle Gain/Spark Pie Ingredients

Muscle Gain SPARK Pie Recipe

2 Pkgs. or 2 scoops Advocare Mango-Strawberry Spark

1/4 C Water OR any fruit juice

1 Sm Pkg. Strawberry Jello (or Jello of Choice) 

2 1/4 C Vanilla Greek Yogurt (0% Fat) (make sure it's the kind with 20+ grams of protein per serving)

1 ~ 8oz Cool Whip

2 Scoops of Advocare Vanilla Muscle Gain 

1 Low-Fat Graham Cracker Crust or the Mini/Individual Graham crust are great! 

Directions:

Microwave 1/4 water or juice to a boil. Stir in Jello, and SPARK until dissolved. Add and stir in Greek Yogurt and Muscle Gain. Fold in Cool Whip then pour into Graham Cracker Crust. Refrigerate 4 hours or you may freeze....Taste Amazing and Kids love it too! 

We added some fruit on top to make it pretty and add great flavor!  We also made another version with a chocolate crust.  Used Cherry Spark with Cherry Jello,   Chocolate muscle gain and chocolate cool whip. Then sprinkled crushed dark chocolate pieces over it  Also very delish! 

This is a great substitute for a traditional dessert.....especially when you're on the 24-Day Challenge! Nutrition can be fun!

POWER PANCAKES! A GREAT START TO THE DAY...

POWER PANCAKES

~1 cup oats (non-instant)

~1 cup egg whites or 3 eggs

~2 scoops of Advocare Muscle Gain or one Meal Replacement Shake (24-25 grams of protein)

~ 1/8-1/4 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk

~ a little vanilla extract for more flavor

yields - 2 big pancakes, approx 20-25 grams of protein per pancake

Poured about half into skillet and sprinkled some cinnamon on top. Then when I ate it, I put peanut butter on top (almond butter would be fabulous as well).  When you aren't on the cleanse, drizzle a little honey or agave nectar on top! 

Hydration Tips

WATER

You already know that water is essential to your health, and you probably drink your eight glasses a day faithfully. If you are exercising, however, you need to increase your water intake. It is important to drink water in regular intervals before, during and after your exercise session.

Importance of Water
More than half of your body weight is comprised of water, and you need water to maintain proper functioning of every organ and cell in your body. Water is necessary for bodily functions such as waste removal and joint lubrication. When you are exercising, water also helps to regulate your body temperature. If you do not drink enough water during your exercise session, you are putting yourself at greater risk for dehydration and further complications.

How Much Water
The American Council on Exercise recommends drinking 17 to 20 oz. of water two to three hours before beginning your workout. About 20 to 30 minutes before your workout, drink another 8 oz. While you are exercising, drink 7 to 10 oz. every 10 to 20 minutes. Within 30 minutes of completing your workout, drink an additional 8 oz.. It is also recommended to drink 16-24 oz of water per pound of body weight lost during the workout. For example, a two pound weight loss would require ~32-48 ounces of water for rehydration.

Tips
For convenience, carry a water bottle with you throughout the day. Refillable bottles with ounce markings make it easy to keep track of your water intake. For a splash of flavor, try squeezing some lemon or lime juice into your water bottle. Finally, be sure to drink before you feel thirsty. Once you experience thirst, you are already dehydrated.

Source - www.livestrong.com

Quick 15 minute Workout

Low on time? Can't make it to Boot Camp? Want to try something different?

Here is a quick 15 minute workout utilizing 3 full body moves. The workout will be quick yet effective.

First, we need to warm up with 5 minutes of dynamic movement.
30 Seconds of Each:
- Jog (in place or back and forth)
- Jumping Jacks
-High Knees
- Squats
-Butt Kicks
- Arm circles (full range of motion forward & backward)
-Jumping Jacks
-Push Ups
-High Knees
-Jog (in place or back and forth)

The Workout

1 minute on each move. Completion of all 3 exercises = 1 set. Goal is to complete 3 sets.

1. Sumo Squat with Lateral Raise

2. Cobra Plank

3. Burpee to Shoulder Press

Ranges of Difficulty
Easy- No weights, > 1 minute of rest in between sets
Moderate- 5-8 lb weights, 1 minute of rest in between sets
Challenging- 10 lb weights, < 1 minute of rest in between sets

Finish with a cooldown consisting of some static stretches for the entire body. Sample cooldown 

Look for more fun facts and workouts to come from Boot Camp U! :)

~Coach Kim