I failed my way to Success!

Let's be honest. My fitness journey has not been easy. I have made so many mistakes along the way but the one CONSTANT force that pushed me along was the challenge groups I joined.

These private groups put me in touch with some pretty amazing people that I consider close friends now. As a TEAM we pushed ourselves out or our comfort zones, leaned on each other for support, celebrating numerous success, and did not give up. Did we want to? Of course, but there is something about having other people counting on you that makes you think twice about skipping a workout, or eating an extra slice of pizza.

Are you ready to make a change but afraid of failing? I will be running a new challenge group that will start on July 28 and run for 30 days. We will focus on finding the best program for YOU and your goals and will teach you ways to clean up your diet! There will even be prizes awarded when the challenge is over!!

Together we will fail (because no one is perfect),but ultimately succeed!

Want more information?? Leave a comment below with your email address or shoot me a private message at ambercoxfitness at gmail dot com.

XOXO
Amber

Forward from the Heart Guest Post: Pilates Love

What is Pilates and why should you do it?

Pilates is an exercise that balances the development of the body through core strength, flexibility, joint health and awareness to promote efficient movement. As a student of Pilates you will learn how to carry your body correctly in order to get through your day with more strength and less aches and pains. Pilates strengthens and tones muscles without added bulk to give students a longer, leaner look. If you are looking to lose inches while gaining strength and flexibility, Pilates is it!

Why I love Pilates

Doing Pilates regularly has helped me to stand and sit correctly, giving me the best posture of my life. My abs are defined enough that I feel comfortable in form-fitting clothing and even a bikini! I have never liked my thighs and always avoided wearing shorts, but since doing Pilates my legs have become trim enough that I wear even short running shorts! The classical Pilates work follows a specific order and progression that helps me to stay focused and reach my goals.



Why I love teaching Pilates

Teaching the classical Pilates work on the mat and equipment gives me the ability to train every one from physically fit athletes to those rehabbing injuries to people in their 90’s. While it is very fun and rewarding to see my strongest clients do the advanced work, it is just as rewarding to see a student that has never been able to sit with proper alignment finally do so because we have worked to strengthen their core.
It makes my day when a student tells me that they are walking taller, experiencing an absence of chronic pain, or sleeping better thanks to the work we do together. The Pilates work can change your life and I love that I can teach people the proper way to do the exercises.



**Sally blogs about Pilates and other forms of fitness, as well as nutrition, wellness, family and fun at Forward from the Heart. She is a fitness studio manager and, in addition to teaching Pilates, teaches Yoga, Cross Training, and Piloxing. I met Sally through Instagram and now we just need to actually meet up in person. Taking a Pilates class from her is in my near future. I can't wait!**

Thanks Sally for sharing your love for Pilates on the blog today!
XOXO
Amber

At Home Gym Essentials

I am blogging over at Greetings from Nolandia about how easy it is to set up a small workout area in your home. Go check it out!!

**Thanks Alexandra for letting me do a guest post on your blog!!**

Les Mills Pump

Since March I have been going to the gym 4-5 days a week, along with one hot yoga class. Going to the gym for me means hitting the cardio circuit hard for an hour and then maybe doing some ab work. I am terrified of the weight area. Even the machines scare me! I can't really explain why, other than the fact that I am pretty clueless when it comes to lifting.

However, in order for me to tone up my trouble areas, I know that lifting is essential along with my cardio. Enter Les Mills Pump. I have heard many people talk about P90x and Insanity, but didn't think I was mentally or physically ready for those programs. After many discussions with my Beach Body Coach, Laura, we determined that Les Mills Pump would probably be the best thing to start with!



The program comes with several dvds, a 90 day workout program, a meal plan, barbell, and 5/10 lb weights. I am currently on the start of my 3rd week and loving it! There motto is low weights with a lot of reps. That I can handle but man do you feel the burn, and the best part is that the videos are between 20-55 mins. Plus I can do them at home, and take them with on vacations!

Take a peek here to see what it is all about:


I am tracking my progress and will make sure to post my results here after my 90 days! Here's to feeling confident for swimsuit season!!

Do you like to work out at home? Do you have any favorite videos? I have several that I have been working out to and will give my reviews here from time to time on the ones that I really love. I would love some suggestions on other videos/programs to try. Who knows... after I complete this I might just be ready for a little Insanity!!

XOXO
Amber

Fail to plan...Plan to Fail...

I am a planner.

Just ask Poot. I am always making lists of things that in his eyes are way too long (and if I am being honest they are). I have learned over that past year, with the help of Scott, that I don't have to try and do it all in one day. So now my lists are more for the week in general, instead of one day.

When we decided to change our eating habits and to start exercising again, I knew that if I didn't plan ahead I was going to fail. Life gets busy. Life can be messy at times, and the first thing to go is cooking a healthy meal or getting that workout in. This means that every weekend we plan out our meals for the week. Breakfast, lunches, and dinners. We rarely eat out anymore, so to keep us from wanting to run through a drive-thru to pick up dinner... we HAVE to plan. By knowing what we are cooking every night, I am able to get things ready ahead of time if needed. It also ensures I have all ingredients on hand.

We also always pack our lunches for work. It saves us money and keeps us on track! Lunches usually consist of leftovers from meals the night before, salads, or chicken, egg, or tuna salad.

There are days when I feel like I am taking everything but my kitchen sink to work and that we are keeping Ziplock and Rubbermaid in business, but it is worth it.

The same planning is a MUST when scheduling my workouts. I am the worst at coming home and finding something else to do. Isn't it funny how cleaning a toilet sounds better then going to the gym? Getting there is the hardest part, but once I am there I don't usually want to leave. Since I like making list, I utilize the good ol' fashion day planner. I picked up a couple of cute ones in the Target clearance section to help map out my weeks. I keep a separate one for fitness, and kind of use it as a journal too. I keep track of:
*what i did at the gym
*how many calories were burned
*monthly measurements
*weekly weigh ins
*and my WW points (when I was still counting them)


** The stickers indicate when I worked out. It makes me feel like I am back in grade school getting my gold sticker for the day**

With our upcoming road trip, I plan to continue on my workout schedule. I sat down over my lunch break and was able to map out my workout schedule for the entire month of June to hold myself accountable! I don't like canceling my workouts, so if something needs to be shifted or moved around for a unexpected event, I am able to do so.

Fail to plan, plan to fail! It really is true! All it takes is just an hour or so a week to get yourself mapped out and you are on the road to success!

How do you hold yourself accountable? Do you schedule your meals for the week and workouts? I would love to hear some different tips,etc.

XOXO
Amber

Around our Neighborhood...

Some nights I just don't want to work out inside. My body begs me to get out and get some sun after being cooped up in an office with no windows all day! When this happens, Scott and I head out to walk the trails that were put in near our neighborhood last year. Instead of driving to the trail head, we walk from our house because it is an amazing workout. We live in a very hilly neighborhood and those hills have my buns screaming by the time we are almost home!



Even though we live in Kansas City, our neighborhood feels like we are in the country! I love it!


The trail cuts through the woods and opens up behind my dream garden! I seriously could look at it for hours. Dreams are usually discussed the rest of the way home after looking at this beauty...


With us having three acres we know that it can be attained with lots of hard work, research, and dedication. Two Poots Friendship Farm will be established in our future!!!


I love these walks because Scott and I are able to catch up while getting fit! Plus there is nothing like getting outside and seeing all the beauty that surrounds us! So what are you waiting for?? Get out in your neighborhood and start exploring!

XOXO
Amber

Couch to 5K: Week One

I can officially cross of Week One of the Couch to 5K program off my to do list!! I love the app and actually look forward to my next workout.What?? This is unheard of! Lol!

The first day was actually really easy, so I thought the second workout would be just as easy. I learned that day that I can't workout after dinner. Even though I waited an hour and a half before heading to the gym, I still felt sluggish and a little off. I find that I am more in the zone if I go first thing in the morning or right after work. Just a small little snack before hand keeps me energized until dinner. What time of day to you like working out? I wish I could get myself trained to go in the morning, because I love getting it out of the way first thing, but I will be honest and say I am NOT a morning person.

Since I really want to lose some extra poundage, I am also doing 30 mins on the elliptical afterwards. I have noticed that I am not struggling as much on the elliptical after running! I am amped up and ready to watch all the calories I am burning. It is such a great feeling!

So have you joined the Couch to 5K?? I would love to hear where you are at in the program and any tips you might have!! I will be back next week to report how week two went!! I will be out of town while doing week two, but have already confirmed that our hotel has a gym!! Yes!!

XOXO,
Amber

Couch to 5K...

Today these feet will be lacing up some running shoes and hitting the pavement! I have been reading a lot about this program and am hoping that when it is all said and done I will:
**actually enjoy running
**be set in an exercise routine
**sign up for a 5k
**lose a few lbs

I have downloaded the app and have created a playlist to get me motivated!!! I am hoping that by posting this goal here for the public to see, it will hold me accountable! My plan is to check in here weekly to post my ups and downs!

So I have a couple of questions for you guys... Are you a runner?? If so any tips? And have any of you tried this program??? I would love to hear how it was for you!

XOXO
Amber