Instagram is my jam

Do you have an instagram account? I do and it's BY FAR my favorite form of social media. I don't really know what it is that I like. Sharing your lives with photo boxes. I'm drawn to a particular type of crowd. Maybe that's my thing -- fitness. I find instagram to be my place for fitness inspiration. I follow a few others like, awesome moms, friends, fashion, but mostly I follow fitness. (if you're into fitness, feel free to follow me: www.instagram.com/afitfox)

Lately, I've realized that instagram is my jam. I'm like a lean, mean, instagram contest winning machine. haha. No really... I don't know why I'm lucky with contests, but it's kind of cool. I participate in quite a few, but let's be honest, I lose A LOT. It's cool, I don't mind. I'm very happy for the people who do win because there are some amazing prizes floating around the instagram world waiting to be won.

In December, there was a contest because this particular person reached 10 THOUSAND followers! What does that even look like?! 10k -- that's what it looks like. haha Anyway, the contest had rules (like most do) and I took a chance. To my surprise, I won and it was a pretty cool prize. A fitness gear prize. Clothes. I won fitness clothes! (I was beyond stoked)

So, after I found out, I was anxiously stalking the mailman, but nothing. Nothing arrived. Wah... were the holidays really that delayed? Even after the holidays nothing arrived. I tried to come up with a gazillion reasons. I contacted the person who was holding the contest. She had no idea what was going on either. I couldn't be upset with her, she was extremely helpful. After two months of nothing, I started to give up hope. I started to assume that maybe the prize was just too big for the company and they didn't want to give away free merchandise and they changed their mind. This thought seemed to put my mind at ease, UNTIL I got a package in the mail the other day. I thought the package that arrived was going to be my new leggings that I ordered from The Online Legging Store (go check them out -- awesome prices!) but it was my December winnings.

I'm pretty sure I did a happy dance right then and there. Not everything that was orginally shown in the post was in the bag, but that's okay, the majority of it was there.

Now I'm happy and parading around in my new clothes. It's the little things and instagram is totally my jam!

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Mixed Martial Arts • Sounds intimidating, doesn't it?

About a week or so ago, I was asked to review a fitness class... an MMA fitness class. What's MMA, you ask? It's Mixed Martial Arts. At first, I felt intimated by the letters MMA. I haven't done a class like this before, but I pushed my fears aside and bit the bullet and agreed to test it out. Getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing from time to time.

So, last Tuesday I went out to Level 10 MMA in Flemington, NJ, still unsure of what I was about to get myself into. Upon arrival, my GPS directed me to Walmart... gah... yes, the GPS got me lost. Thanks trusty GPS for getting me to my destination in a timely manner! haha. A quick phone call to Level 10 and they told me that I was right around the corner. Whew!

Once inside the doors, I was greeted by one of the owners, Lisa who was nicer than nice. Such a sweet woman who was very informative and gave me the whole story of how Level 10 MMA came about. The place is small and minimal with a "caged in" workout area and five standing punching bags. There is a set of lockers and benches to the right where you are able to store your belongings. You are required to remove your shoes (socks, too) prior to stepping on the mats. (Ladies, make sure your tootsies are looking pretty & painted... had I known I totally would have painted mine a pretty color, but I was there to workout not get compliments on my pretty manicured toes. I'm such a girly girl, I know!)

Anyway, the gentleman running the class was Master Michael. He has been in the martial arts business for over 20 years. He has a very likable personality and was very easy to talk to. (I'm telling you, these two who run this place are far from intimidating... so far so good!!!) We started the class with a few warm ups... jumping jacks, laps, ab work, etc. Then the fun began when they gave me boxing gloves! Oh boy!! We got to punch and kick the punching bags -- of course, I needed a little assistance as it was my first time and Master Michael demonstrated how I was to punch and kick effectively. I didn't feel embarrassed at all. He truly is there to help and teach you. There was no judgement at all. Never once did I feel like I was out of place.

Now, let me remind you, I'm a pretty fit girl. I exercise 6 out of 7 days with a mixture of cardio and weights. This class that I took was pretty intense, even for me. (FYI, this fitness class is for any fitness level.) I loved that it was different from my normal workout and it made me SWEAT! The punching, the crunches, the kicks, the rope things (I cannot think of what those are called.. sorry) where you stand on a bosu, holding ropes and move your arms up and down... yeah, those things are awesome! We teamed up with a buddy and did workouts together (punches, crunches (where you interlock your ankles and exchange a medicine ball back and forth), etc) The exercises were challenging and fun.

Level 10 MMA is all about empowerment. At the end of class, they teach you a self defense move. We were taught how to break free from a choke hold and got to practice it with our partner a few times. Learning something like this was a nice 'bonus' to the class. I truly enjoyed learning a new technique.

There are a couple requirements...

• They ask that you wear their shirt (kind of like a uniform where everyone matches and the shirts are kind of cool (I wish I would have gotten one!)
• They also ask that you purchase their boxing gloves. It's a safety thing.

All in all, a great place to get your fitness on! I was definitely feeling sore in my arms, shoulders and abs the next day. I LOVE that feeling!

For more information and their class schedule, please check out their website: www.level10mma.com
You can also find them on Facebook at www.fb.com/Level10MMA

Level 10 is a place for the entire family, as they offer classes for children, teens & adults.

Don't be intimated by something new. You may enjoy it -- I know I did!!

Thank you to Lisa & Michael for allowing me to come to your class! 

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Week 1 of Push

Day 5 of Week 1 | Push Phase is halfway over. I just finished Push Circuit 3, but I still have Core 20 to do. Although, I should do it now, I'm going to listen to my body and give it a rest and possibly push play after I take the kids to school.  (and just as I type this, the office door slowly opens and the cutest, sleepy 4 year old boy rubs his eyes and says, "Mommy, I didn't pee my pull-ups!" (he did pee in them, but he was still cute while he stood there telling me this.))

Anyway, this week started out really well, however, I'm starting to feel so exhausted that sleep sounds so much better than getting up. I know that I can't give up and that I when the alarm sounds, it means that it is time to workout. If I keep it up, it'll get easier. I've heard that it takes 21 days to form a habit. If that is truly the case, I've got 16 more days to go! I CAN DO THIS! (positive talk is always a good thing!)

With that being said, I'm glad that I worked out. I absolutely love the feeling of my arms wanting to just give out as I type. I love that my muscles are fatigued. I'm pushing myself and that's the main reason of the Push Phase.

Unfortunately, it is time for me to turn off the computer and attend to the child who is the early riser!

...to be continued!

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Let's get this started!

<<< Aww yeah!

Yesterday, I started my hybrid workout of Chalean Extreme and Turbo Fire. I found a calendar to follow, printed it and placed it where I would see it every day. Since I had already completed my first month of CLX (that's Chalean Extreme) I decided to start on the 2nd month of hybrid calendar which just happens to be the push phase. (CLX is a 90 day program broken up into 3 phases: Burn Phase, Push Phase and Lean Phase) 

My day one started with Push Circuit 1. Push is certainly a key word in this phase as it certainly pushed me to new limits. I had my husband dig out my heavier weights because I wanted that extra challenge. By the end, my arms were shaking just to type. I love that feeling of a good workout.  If you're sore, it means you were doing something right! 

Today, was Day 2. My alarm went off at 5:25a.m. and I was up and at 'em! Fire 55 EZ was placed in the DVD player and I was ready to get this started!  I cannot tell you how fired up I am. I truly hope that this continues. I like the idea of being on a schedule and getting my workouts done and over with so that there is no ifs, ands or buts about trying to squeeze in a workout throughout the day. 

My day is already starting off the way I envisioned it would! My workout is complete. My work (since I work at home) is done for the morning. (I split my work between morning and evening) Now it's off to the enjoy this beautiful day with my son (since my daughter is in school!)

Have a wonderful, wonderful day! I know I plan to!

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T25

This bad boy, this bad boy right here! HOLY WOW! Shaun T (the creator of Insanity) has a new program launching this summer called T25.

What is it? It's a 25 minute workout that will MAKE YOU SWEAT! I'm not lying. I was dripping after doing Core Speed. And what's a workout without sweat?! Loved it!

So, I'm sure you're wondering how I was able to get ahold of T25 and test it out before the actual launch date. Well, the Elite Coaches at Beachbody were given the Core Speed DVD as a sneak peek and since I attend Fit Club, the coaches who run it decided to give it a go and our very own Elite Coach, Seay was there, as well. Seay is doing very well with Beachbody and was very informative and motivating with her speech before we started the program.

Anyway, more about T25. Shaun T used every trick in his trainer's book to develop super efficient workouts that deliver an hour's worth of results from just 25 minutes of training. It's very similiar to Insanity, but much shorter (in my opinion). I am very much into cardio and I can honestly say that when this workout was done, I looked at the girl standing next to me and said, "I'd definitely buy this!"

After every workout at No Limits Fit Club, we take an "after" picture! This was ours after T25 Core Speed.

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Should I snooze?

Lately, I have been struggling to get up when my alarm goes off at 5:25 a.m. I mean, seriously struggling. Last week, I didn't even bother turning the alarm off. I figured I was saving myself the step from having to turn it off in the morning to get an extra hour or so sleeping. 

See, here's the thing. My intentions are good, but my body is so darn exhausted that it would rather sleep. Sure, that's an excuse but I just couldn't get out of bed and even when I'd wake up for the day (about 2 hours later) I still did not feel well rested. I'm sure staying up until midnight has something to do with it -- I'm working on going to bed earlier. 

Anyway, this lovely Thursday morning, I had actually set my alarm the night before and got up when it sounded! It was quite a big deal to me. (I'm giving myself a thumbs up - just so you know!) 

Unfortunately, I didn't make the decision on what program I was going to do when I got up. So, I sat there looking at Turbo Fire, Insanity, Brazil Butt Lift, ChaLEAN Extreme and opted for Turbo Fire's Sculpt 30 class. To make it even more of a challenge I used a heavy band. Holy wow! A simple switch in bands and I felt so weak! That sucker was tough, but I did it! My shoulders are going to look FABULOUS! 

So, that's that! My workout is done. Time to get the day started. I know the minis will be waking up soon and so starts our morning routine of breakfast, getting ready for school, making the beds and getting out the door without a fight.  It's going to be a great day, I can just feel it!

Oh and this evening at Fit Club, we get to try out Shaun T's newest program, T25 which hasn't even launched it. I've heard it's awesome and I can't wait to get a taste of what it's all about!

Have a great day!

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