About Me

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I'm Amanda! I'm a Beachbody coach and this blog is to hopefully motivate and encourage anyone who is trying to live a healthier life style. Why do it alone? It's a proven fact that with encouragement and positive motivation from other people, you are more likely to keep going!! I'll try to have motivating tips, recipes, healthy transformations and how to get involved and join the monthly challenge groups that I run!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Last Days of July....

July is slowly rushing to an end and August is almost here!  Really, these days need to slow down.  I was looking at my goal board yesterday, and can you all believe that 2014 will be here in about 5 months?  I wanted to see what goals I still need to tackle, and let's just say, I let a lot slip away.  The good news is, I still have 5 months to go, the bad news is, that 5 months sneaks up on you.



Hubby and I decided that our vow renewal will hold off until 2014 because I really want to concentrate solely on our debt, we are so close to paying it off, plus it's only our 12 year.  I think it would be more fun to do it on our "lucky" 13!  There will also be a lot to celebrate in 2014, so it seems more fitting.



My husbands new job (he's like the Food inspector/IRS all rolled into one) is going well for him, he seems to enjoy it, and the best part, he get's to help make changes in his rate.  He's really into making things better and easier, plus the traveling he's doing isn't bad either, because he gets to take ME whenever I feel like going!! HUGE PLUS!  Sooooo much different than being on the boat, obviously he couldn't take me on that.  This last week was his first trip and it happened to be in San Diego!  What a beautiful city, and I was totally all over that!  I have quite a few friends down there,  one so happens to be my coach (the beautiful Abby, I signed up under her) so perfect timing to play catch up and go over business (just a little)


The trip was so much fun, we spent our first day at the Seaport Shops by the water, at a little cigar shop called Captain Hunts.  If you like to smoke cigars, people watch and have a killer view of the water....this is the place for you!! You should check them out!


I did fit a run in on my second day, right along the water.  Honestly, I'm always nervous to run by myself, especially in a place I'm not familiar with.  BUT the path I took was open, and full of bikers, runners, walkers, rollerbladers....the list goes on, so I felt 100000% safe and off I went.  I snapped the below picture while I was running....it's Devin's future boat......maybe.....



So I have a bit of a touching story.  We went to dinner on our last night in San Diego, an Italian place called Il Fornaio.  We sat outside and had a view of the water, and behind us they had the fire roaring. For some odd reason, everyone thought it was cold out.....anyways, it was beautiful!!  I was snapping the picture on the right, when a gentleman walked up and asked Devin if he served for our country?  Of course Devin said YES, yes I do, in the Coast Guard.  The man replied, I could tell by your hair.....thank you so much for what you do, your bottle of wine is on me, pick ANY bottle.  I was flabbergasted!  I had tears in my eyes, and we kept thanking him and we ordered a bottle of Prosecco (sparkly wine) and did a toast to them.  They were so nice, and we had some small talk back and forth (they where right next to our table)  I've never had anything like that happen to us, I've heard stories from other people, but this is definitely a first!  I know the man will never read this, but JUST in case....thank you again, so much, from the bottom of our hearts.  It was such a beautiful night, the moon was just gorgeous and huge over the water and we also walked home to fireworks going off in the distance.

I really do need a real camera.....my phone just isn't cutting it anymore!! LOL  But the above picture was our walk home, and I'll spare you the picture of the fireworks!  So all in all my mini vacation was more pleasure than business, but it was amazing even with the business (because I totally "worked" pool side)  I can't wait to take my next trip....wherever that may be!!!

Just wanted to end my blog with a quick plug for the upcoming challenge group that I'm doing with a few other coaches!  The Focus T25 Challenge group will start on August 12th, but to lock in the amazing price before it goes up, orders need to go through by July 31st.  If you're interested in joining our group,  post below or message me on my "Like" page "From Skinnyfat to Fit"!  OR BETTER YET, fill out the form in my tabs, called "Challenge Group Sign Ups"  Below is a picture of Abby, who's already lost 6.5 pounds in 3 weeks by doing the program, eating well, and drinking her Shakeology!



*ALSO another reminder* If you just want the Focus T25 program by itself, the FREE SHIPPING ends on July 28th!  I don't want anyone to miss out on the $12-15 savings!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Middle of July!!!! WOW

Seriously....why are these summer months flying by so fast???!!!  I can't believe it's already the middle of JULY!!  August is just around the corner......

I'm not really sure if I announced it or not, but I got into the Nike Women's Half Marathon drawing, and will be running my 2nd half marathon in San Francisco on October 20th!  I'm super excited, and the medal at the end is actually a Tiffany's Necklace!  CRAZYYYY!!!  So yeah, I've been training for that, and actually, this is my second week of training.  I'm still doing Insanity and started month 2 on Monday.  Month two is actually going to take longer than month one, because I'm running on days I need to run, and on strength and endurance days, I'll use Insanity.   Month two is seriously crazy!! LOL  My goal for the Nike 1/2 marathon is to finish with a time of 2:15 or less....so I'm basically reaching for a PR!  My first 1/2 was the Rock n Roll in Portland, and I crossed the finish line at 2:17 and some change.  The hills look pretty similar to the RnR 1/2, but I did notice that there is more of them.  I'm so glad my hubby bought me my amazing treadmill for our 10th anniversary a few years ago!  I LOVE that I can program a route and the treadmill does the work for me!!  This baby has a 40% incline and a -6% decline!! Crazy!!!!



I know a lot of you have been looking at my 10 day Shakeology challenge......and unfortunately the time frame for signing up has passed, and that group is FULLLL!!!  BUT I'm testing out a 5 day challenge and would love for people to be in my test group!!  It'll be the same style as the 10 day Challenge, but obviously less time.  So for those that are interested please email me or get a hold of me via PM on my FB page!   This will go very quickly, so if you've been wanting to clean up your eating, losing a few pounds or try shakeology (or all of the above) this will be perfect for you!!!  You can easily order the 5 Day Challenge on the right side of this page!  The test group will start on July 29th.

ALSO, I am doing a Focus T25 Challenge, and it starts on August 15.....BUT I've got to warn you....there is a 7-10 day back order due to the demand of the product.  So if you want to be in the group, order ASAP, and you'll want to order before August 1st anyways, because that's when the price shoots up!!

If there are any other challenges you'd like to see or be interested in, please let me know!!  I'm excited to help you all in anyway that I can!  Also, if you'd like to be added to my e-mail list, please PM me on my FB page!  I promise, I only send out 1-2 emails a month :-)


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

10 Day Shakeology Challenge Answers!

I had a few questions about my 7 10 day Shakeology Challenge (yes I changed it from 7 to 10 days)  So I figured I'd answer them here!!

What exactly is the Shakeology challenge?

I'm doing the Shakeology challenge for those that have been asking me what Shakeology is.  I want people to see the benefits to having Shakeology in your life and also it's a great chance for you all to focus on your nutrition.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the 10 day Shakeology Challange is $50 for all 10 packets (includes shipping), entry into a private Facebook group, recipes the whole family will love, Shakeology recipes, motivational advice on working out and more!!  Plus I'll be sending a special gift as well :-)

What do I need at home for it?

A blender (or shaker cup) and healthy food!!  I'll have healthy recipes posted in the group that you can use for the whole family.  The group will be set up a week ahead of time, so you can prepare your grocery list.

Is it the cleanse?

No, with the cleanse you drink Shakeology 3x a day with only one solid meal.  The 10 day challenge you'll drink Shakeology just once a day, and have 3 meals plus 1-2 healthy snacks.

What can this challenge do for me?

You may lose weight
Sleep better
Feel more energized throughout the day
Healthier hair and skin
Eliminate stomach bloat

And that's only the beginning!  

If you're interested, watch the video below, and then get a hold of me either at Hunnieshadow@yahoo.com or on my Facebook page "From Skinnyfat to Fit"  to find out how to place your order!  Deadline is on July 12th so I can get the packets out to you all, and we start on July 22nd!!  

Here's an informative video one of my Bombshell teammates Seay Stanford made!


Friday, July 5, 2013

15 Questions People Were Dying to Know......

I thought it would be fun to connect with my readers over on my Facebook "like" page "From Skinnyfat to Fit", so I had them ask me some questions they wanted answered.  I did get 15 good questions in my messages, honestly, I didn't think I would get any!  YOU ALL ARE SO SHY!! LOL  Thank you and I hope these questions help you to get to know me better, and the reasons I do what I do, and love what I do as well!  

Just a few friendly reminders:


  • The 7 Day Shakeology Challenge group is filling up!!  If you want in email me before July 12th at Hunnieshadow@yahoo.com OR message me on my Facebook page for more details.  We start on July 22nd!
  • The 60 day Focus Challenge group starts on August 19th!!  Order your Focus T25 Challenge pack BEFORE August 1st to save $90!  And make sure to message me for entry into our secret, and ultra private group! 
On to the questions!!



Questions:

I noticed that you talk about what Shakeology has done for others, but what has it done for you?

Great question!!!  I've been taking Shakeology for a little over a year.  I noticed some pretty nice changes within 3-4 days of taking it.  First off, I've never really been a "regular" person if you catch my drift.  I've always "went" maybe once every week or two weeks, I kid you not!!  Once I started taking Shakeology I noticed that it revved up my gut and I started to become more regular and bloating that I never knew I had started to disappear!!  I also noticed that my skin clears up pretty nicely as well.  I don't feel like I need sweets all the time (huge sweet tooth thanks to practically my whole family owning bakeries)  and I feel full and satisfied if I chose to use Shakeology as a meal replacement.  Most of the time I use it as a snack though.  I also notice that I have more energy through out the day, honestly, I just feel good when I drink it!!  Knowing that I'm getting all the amazing Super foods, antioxidants, and all the vitamins my body needs for as little as $4 a day is amazing!  My husband drinks it as well, and notices changes in his body, he always asks me WHY don't more people drink this stuff.....I really have no clue!  I stopped drinking it for a couple of months to see if maybe it was all in my head, and my skin went back to being bad, my bowel habits started to suck again, and I started to get bloated, my mood was raunchy....that was proof enough of why I love my Shake-o!  Totally worth the $$$, and I haven't been sick in over a year!  No flu, no colds, and worked with people that were constantly getting sick.  That alone paid for itself with not having to call in sick or go to the doctors!!  My movers packed my Shakeology before I could grab it, during our move to California.....uggg that was a hard few weeks ;-P

Why do post so much on Facebook?

I know, I know.....I post a LOT.  I just want to make sure you all get the amazing sales that Beachbody has, or make sure you're all aware of the challenges I put on.  I want you all to know that I'm here for you, to help make those changes happen!  Also, I love to fill my family in on what I've been up to with my life with my amazing husband.

Do you really like to workout?

Actually, I use to hate it, and I'm pretty lazy.....just to be honest with you guys.  I'd rather sit on the couch and read, or cross stitch or pet my cats than workout.  When my husband and I first got married, he was a HUGE gym freak (still works out, but mostly at home now) and he would push me to go with him, and I would literally CRY, throw fits, pretend I had a headache......it was bad.  I hated the gym more than the workout itself.  I got into running in 2005 and I've been okay with working out ever since.  I've noticed the older I get, the more the foods I eat start to show up on my body.  I've never had that problem before, so I just do some "preventive maintenance" workout and all is well.  When I started doing Beachbody programs, I found my "other world" the world where I didn't have to go to the gym, and that helps me focus more on getting it done and not focus on what other people where doing. 

Where are you from?

I'm from a tiny town of about 2000 people!  It's called Weedsport and it's in Upstate NY.  A lot of people kinda hated growing up in a small town, but I've always liked it there.  

Why no children?

This could get long.....but I'll keep it pretty short.  I have PCOS, and need some magic pills to help me get pregnant.  I'd rather not take those pills due to possible case of multiples (think Jon and Kate plus 8)  If it was meant to be for Devin and I, it would have happened.  Plus the older I get, I'm 36 now, the more I just really enjoy my time with my husband.  I have 2 nephews, and 4 nieces and another little one on the way.....and that's just amazing and I love them to bits and pieces!!!  Devin and I definitely don't hate children, we get asked that, can you believe it????  Children are fun, amazing, curious, beautiful little people and I can't wait until Devin retires and we can have our nieces and nephews visit us closer to home!!

Do you still use Derm Exclusive?

YES!!  I LOVE Derm Exclusive!  I do the 3 month supply and it last me about 5 or 6 months.  It fades any dark marks I get from pimples and it just gives my face a nice feel to it.  Plus the smell is a light orange smell, I think it's super nice!  I'm not really sure why I don't post more about Derm Exclusive.  It really is a great product! 

Do you really make money doing Beachbody, what's your paycheck like?

Yes!  It's basically what you put into your business.  This IS a business, and it's fun and amazing to watch people transform and reach their goals.  The money to me is a nice bonus, but not something that drives me as much as helping people does.  I've made anywhere from $250 a week to 0 a week but really "the sky's the limit" I have friends that make $1000+ a week, some of my teammates make upwards of $4000 a week!!!  The thing is, you've got to want to help people reach their goals.  I have friends and teammates that Beachbody coaching is their only job now.   These people come from being bankrupt to being millionaires, or paying off their homes and living comfortably with their families.  It's all about what you make of it!  Being a military spouse, it was a no brainer to become a coach, because it's free to sign up!!  I love Beachbody products and what they stand for, so it's easy for me to endorse them.  I wanted to help people reach their health goals, and I want to help contribute to getting out of debt.  Plus this business MOVES with you, such a big plus when we move around so much!  

What exactly is SkinnyFat?

Basically, Skinnyfat is when you have too much fat and too little muscle on a small frame.  Think about how you see skinny people, but something isn't right, they look like their skin is melting off of them, or they might look a little bloated in the middle.....that's basically it!  Here's a link that will help describe "Skinnyfat" better than I can LOL


You're skinny now, so why do you workout?

I feel right now, I'm at a perfect weight.  Working out doesn't always have to be about losing weight!  I workout to keep the pesky fat away, make sure my heart is healthy, to have a strong back and core (main reason for back problems!!) and it's an amazing stress reliever!  I would have never thought!  But when I'm super stressed or mad, I pop in a DVD or go for a run, and let it ALL OUT!!  It feels so good when you're done, that's reason in itself to workout!

What other Beachbody supplements do you take?

I occasionally take Energy and Endurance , but it's rare.  I take Results and Recovery after EVERY workout.....it's sooo yummy, I swear I workout just to drink this ;-P  Joint Support Super Formula is a MUST for runners!  I LOVE IT!!!  AND OF COURSE Shakeology!!

What motivates you to workout?

Knowing that I only have one life, and one body!  I want my body to be strong and healthy.  Motivation comes from within.  If you constantly tell yourself you can't or you don't have time....you won't!!  You have to have the mindset, you have to really want it!!  What makes you different from the person who is 5'4 weighs 350....popped in their Insanity and finished 60 days 50 pounds lighter?  They said they could, they never said Insanity is too hard for me.  They believed in themselves and went for it at their own pace.  If they can, why can't you????

Do you diet?  What is your daily eating schedule like?

Na, I don't follow a diet.  I do try to eat on the healthy side, but yes, I'm human and I love my pizza and some Gelato at times!!  My morning is usually a fresh fruit salad with greek yogurt.  Or scrambled eggs with Ezekiel bread topped with peanut butter and honey, or Shakeology with greek yogurt.  Lunch I'll do a Shakeology (if I haven't had it yet) with half a turkey sandwich....yes I put mayo on it.....with swiss cheese.  Dinner, well, yeah......it can be anywhere from grilled chicken with a veggie and quinoa, to pizza, burgers, pasta.  I do drink, but I try to save that for the weekend and I only pick one day to have a few :-)  I know this sounds weird, but when you do workouts like Insanity, or ChaLean Extreme, P90X ect, you really need to up your calorie intake a bit.  Your body needs those calories to get through these workouts, and if you deplete your body of nutrients, it'll stop eating at your fat and eat at you muscle!  So make sure you're eating enough!!!  (another reason for Skinnyfat)

Why so much focus on Focus T25?

This program is AMAZING!!  I got mine in the mail a few days ago, and CAN'T WAIT to start it in August!!  What's NOT to love about doing a workout with Shaun T????  25 minutes a day, heck, everyone has time for that!!!  5 days a week....even better.....and only 50 days?  Why spend your summer working out for longer than 45 minutes, when that could be time away from doing fun stuff with the kiddos???  Or shopping??  Or whatever you love to do!!  The results I'm seeing from friends so far are crazy!  Insanity results in half the time!  What's not to love?

Do you eat fast food?

Yes, unfortunately I do.  Usually once every two months, sometimes once a month.  

You seem to move a lot, where have you lived?

I started out my life in a small town in Upstate NY, went to college in Boston, moved to New Jersey (Jersey City).....then moved back to Upstate NY for a while before I met Devin.  We got engaged and a few months before the wedding I moved to Mystic Connecticut, then we moved to Ocean Springs Mississippi, from there we moved to Newport Rhode Island, and then off to the West coast.  Astoria Oregon became our home for a while, and now we are in Petaluma California!  Hopefully we stay here for 4 years, but I have a feeling we're moving again next year.......

Wellll, that's it!! Hopefully this answered some of your burning questions.....and for those that didn't ask any, I hope you found this somewhat interesting!!  Thanks for the feedback!! 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

7 Day Shakeology Challenge!!

Alright, this blog post is going to be short and sweet until Friday's blog.  Friday, I will be featuring questions that have been asked of me from all the followers on my "Like" page "From Skinnyfat to Fit".  If you'd like to ask me a question, like my page and message me your question! :-)

Also, on Friday I will be announcing July's specials and kinda going over what I've been up to since the last blog post.


SOOOOOO the actual reason I'm posting this blog is because the new Vanilla Shakeology has come out, and it's amazing!!  I will be getting my individual packets very, very soon and would LOVE to do a small 7 day Shakeology challenge group!!  If you've been thinking about trying Shakeology, and wondering what it can do for you, this is a great opportunity.  It's also an amazing opportunity to see how supportive challenge groups can be, and maybe get you started in my August 19th Focus Challenge Group!

The group will be small, so if you want a spot let me know ASAP....I will be closing it off on July 12th so I can set up the group, send out the individual packets and post recipes.

Message me for more details :-)