Motivation Monday: Favorite Weightloss Tools....

Happy Monday! Today I'm linking up for Motivation Monday with a bunch of my favorite fitness bloggers. I had a rough weekend and didn't make the best choices because we went out of town..HOWEVER, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. And it certainly wasn't as bad as I ate before May of this year. 

We headed about 3 hours away to visit my In-Laws this weekend. My Mother in Law wanted to take the boys to get their pictures taken so we did and it was fun. H loved it he was such a ham! J kept running towards the photographer he would not sit still! They are SO different. We did get some great pictures though and I am so excited for our Christmas cards. I even jumped in couple of the pictures with them because of course I can't resist getting my picture taken. I can't wait to share them with y'all! We also took the boys to the mall and they did really good for five hours of shopping...thank goodness for the double stroller.....

Anyway onto the Motivational Monday part. There are some things I've gotten recently that have really helped in some way with coming closer to my goals so I thought I would share. 

1.) First off...a food scale. You do not realize how much cheese or how much meat you are eating if you just guess. I realized how inaccurate my guesses were when I got this. This is the one I have from amazon (it's on sale now for $12.99 holla!) If you are counting Macros this is a MUST.

2.) Shakeology. This shake literally changed my life. I've been hooked since May. It's like a million (not really but close) superfoods in one freakin shake! Plus it tastes great and I don't crave sugar once I've had my shakeology for the day. It fills me up and gives me energy. I have gone from 4 cups of coffee a day to TWO. I probably wouldn't need any but I love the taste. Yes, I'm a beachbody coach but I'm not just saying this to say it. This is the reason I signed up, and this is the reason I've stuck with working out and losing weight. If you wan't more info shoot me an email! :)

3.) My Fitness Pal. I LOVE this app. I am able to easily track my macros (by adjusting my goals to the macro percentages I want in your account section). The bar code scanner is crazy good now! I have not had one thing it didn't recognize and I eat some weird shit now and again so its GOOD! haha. My screen name is amkihara if you want to be buddys!

4.) QUEST Protein Bars. I buy these on amazon alot or at GNC. Amazon is a bit cheaper but sometimes I just need them NOW. These things are pretty much the cleanest protein bar you can get. Plus they taste pretty good especially if you pop them in the microwave. They have over 20g of protein and low low digestible carbs! My favorite flavors are cookies n cream, cookie dough and chocolate brownie! So good!!

5.) Polar ft4. I'm sure you see pictures of these heart rate watches all over IG. I just got mine last week and am OBSESSED. The best prices are on amazon. It comes with a strap to wear around your chest while working out (I don't even notice it) and it determines your calories burnt, heart rate range and time in your ideal heart rate range. I know there is more stuff but I can't list it off the top of my head. I just wanted an accurate calorie count on my workouts and this does it. I couldn't stand the estimates.

Anyways, thats it for now on my fave weightloss tools! I am trying some new things out this week that I will be blogging about soon. I am so excited to share but I can't until I see if I like it/them or not. Eeek I hate keeping secrets! 

Plan of Attack:

I guess I better get back into the "Weigh in Wednesday" routine. Today's I am pretty excited about! I have been on a MAJOR plateau guys...we're taking same weight to the oz for the last 30 ish days. I was getting SO fed up. I was pissed, I was mad, I was upset. I didn't know what was wrong. I was still working out (T-25) and didn't give up on that once. I even did atkins for 2 weeks without ANY cheats and didn't lose a thing. (crazy right???). So last week I started reading more on IIFYM (If it fits in your Macros) and learning all I could about it. This past Sunday I finally implemented it...and TODAY I am down 1.5 lbs just in 3 days of this new plan. ALSO I am eating MORE than I was before. How does that work???

I'm sure some of you (all 3 readers ha) are like what the hell is IIFYM? Basically, its counting your MACRO nutrients: Carbs, Protein and Fat. You don't count calories just the macros. BUT since calories and your Macro's are directly correlated your macro amounts will equal a certain calorie amount. For example: I have a 40% Carbs/30% Protein/30%Fat plan right now. So I get 176 grams of carbs per day, 132 grams of protein and 59 grams of fat that should all total right around 1764 calories daily. To calculate your amounts go here: IIFYM CALCULATOR. You will need to know your body fat percent or kind of guesstimate if you've had it done recently. I will tell you mine: 35% CRAZY lots I know! BUT I will be to 25% BEFORE January 1st 2015 mark. my. words. Anyway, I'm getting off topic...so enter in all your info and it will give you your numbers. Then you will want to change your goals in my fitness pal so you can easily keep track. :) Google: changing goals in my fitness pal for IIFYM, and you will find some help.

I have NOT been hungry doing this-in fact I couldn't get all my food in today!

At first when I was reading about it I thought how freaking complicated I can't do this. But actually its not. It its exact but it gives you the exact nutrients you need daily to lose fat. Anybody can eat 1764 calories, but you may be eating way too many carbs and not enough proteins or fats and thats why you're not losing as fast. So I'm excited about this and will be keeping you updated.

So in My fitness Pal, it keeps everything totaled for you (no math YAY!) You just focus on the carbs, fat and protein sections. As you can see I didn't meet every number but I was just too full to eat anything else tonight.

As far as workouts I am on week 1 of the Beta (second part) of T-25. I thought the first 5 weeks in Alpha kicked my ass but he was just getting started. I love it since it's just 25 minutes a day, I get it done in the morning while the kids are sleeping...or during nap time if I "miss" my alarm. After this I am thinking p90x3 or the new p90. Still deciding on that one.

So thats my plan. I will be at my goal of losing 10% body fat by JANUARY 1st. I'm not going to put a weight goal in because I am more focused on the body fat percentage. However, I will still be weighing myself weekly to see progress and taking pictures.

hahaha anyone have this problem or is it just me????

I hope everyone has an amazing Thursday! And look forward to my Friday Faves (fitness edition) tomorrow. Holla!

It's Been a Long Time....

It has been FOREVER since I stepped back into "blog world", and I can say I truly truly miss it! I love writing and getting my thoughts out there. I've been going back and forth about when to start back up but I finally decided it was time to jump back in! I'm not working outside the home anymore so I feel like I can manage my time enough to fit this in for my sanity. Plus this blog was my major motivator with losing the baby weight with my first so I need it now more than ever. I've been back on the weight loss train since May and have been doing great but recently have hit a plateau (kill me) and have changed to counting my macros (IIFYM) and thought blogging about it would be a lot of help! I've lost about 20 lbs the past 5 or so months and its been slow. I notice the most difference in my stomach and face. Here is a picture comparing my face we will get into the full body before and durings on another day..... ;)

I'm going to stop with the weight loss talk for the rest of this post and save it for next time and now dish on my amazing kids! They are SO BIG. H is almost 4 and J is 14 months in a few days. I seriously don't know where baby hood went. I'm super sad about it but it is nice that J is able to play more now with H and is more independent. That doesn't mean my uterus isn't yearning for another baby (because it is) but I'm so happy and proud of my two boys right now and we're just in a good spot. J has been walking since 10 months so he is into ERRREEETHING. literally. We don't play out front unless he is in a stroller or strapped into his little bike because he seriously SPRINTS right into the street. So we prefer the backyard or parks away from busy roads. This little one definitely keeps me on my toes but he is so sweet. H started pre school and he loves it. He is a bit shy but has made a lot of friends, and absolutely loves his teachers. I am shocked at how smart this kid is but obviously he gets it from his mama!

I have SO many ideas to blog about and can't wait to dive in. Get ready for sweaty selfies and pictures of my cute boys oh and sarcasm...lots of sarcasm. I'm so glad to be back!!

just a typical day in the K house hold!