T25 | Alpha Results

I’ve been working up the courage to participate in any of Shaun T’s programs. He’s intimidating so you can’t blame me! He’s infamous for his workout programs that get you the best results in a short amount of time. He makes you WORK. Damn. I’ve done Shaun Week and after completing it months ago I knew I had to finish this program! It’s almost the end of the year so working out for only 25 minutes day would fit my schedule the best.  There isn’t a day where I’m not dying of exhaustion and T25 is only 25 minutes! 5 weeks of working out on this program and I’ve seen a difference. My weight isn’t changing drastically, but my body does feel different. I feel stronger and more accomplished because I’m working out so hard in such a short amount of time. I have quads galore!!! Tooting my own horn here!

  BEFORE 

 R. ARM         11

L. ARM         11

CHEST          33 ½     

WAIST           27 ½

HIPS               32

R. THIGH     17 ¾     

L. THIGH     18 ½

R. CALF       14

L. CALF       14

 

 TOTAL INCHES  179.25 IN

WEIGHT            117.8 LBS

  AFTER

WEIGHT            116.6

TOTAL WEIGHT LOST –1.2

I’m ready to go into the next phase of this workout program. The only thing I didn't like about this program was taking my STATS every Saturday. I didn't think it was necessary to do that so I've opted to only measure after every round. I also didn’t stick to the meal plan for a couple days for this program, but I know that the next phase will be better. I haven’t been focused on my eating since the second half of this program I was off of Whole 30 and craved everything bad . :)  Can you blame me? Instead of punishing myself , I’m just making sure that I will do better the next round. Of course the next round happens to be through my favorite month! Can’t wait for my end of the year results! Stay tuned.

Apple Hill Craze

Fall is officially here and our first order of business was to head to Apple Hill. Of course, we picked the busiest weekend to head to the most popular apple spot .  Last year we went to Apple Hill too late in the year and it just wasn't the same. This year was a lot different and a lot more fun than any previous year. As many of you know this is Haidyn's favorite time of year so the fact that her Papa and Uncle Josh came along this year just sent her through the roof.

She's at the age where she understands that the weekend is coming so for weeks prior to this trip she knew we were going to Apple Hill. I'm sure she had no freaking clue what the hell Apple Hill was, but when we got there she was beside herself. It was heaven for her. The day that we picked to go seemed like the busiest day of the year. We got to Apple Hill at 11:00 am and didn't get to park and into a farm until 12:00 noon. Josh waited for us because the traffic was that awful! (Thank you again for waiting for us). We ate lunch at High Hill Ranch. This was our first time as a family visiting this ranch. Our lunch was amazing and we got to spend some time by the pond watching the geese. Haidyn's favorite part of this farm had to be the ponies. She got to ride the ponies along side her Hootsee and you can tell by the look on her face that she was having the time of her life.

 

Our second and final stop was of course my favorite Boa Vista Orchards. I don't know what it is about this farm that brings me to life. I absolutely love this farm. The apples, the goodies and the pumpkins are just so amazing. The boys went off to enjoy their apple beers and my mom and I went to buy the goodies. Haidyn went off with the boys to enjoy all of the gypsies. We didn't stay here long but we did let Haidyn run around the pumpkin field.

 

After Apple Hill we said our goodbyes with Josh and headed to Roseville. No trip to California is ever complete without stopping into Lush. ( All of us Wells' girls I already can't wait to go back next year! Hopefully we choose a day that isn't the busiest damn day of the year again, but nonetheless I would go even if it was the busiest day.

Easy Vegan Brownies

My guiltiest pleasure is anything sweet. I have such a big sweet tooth, but my recent endeavor in dabbling with vegan desserts has me not only embracing my sweet tooth but it’s leaving me guiltless! Guiltless desserts is my heaven on earth. These vegan brownies only require 3 ingredients you probably already have in your home and are simple to recreate. This recipe gives you 8 delectable squares of those guiltless brownies that will have you wanting more. Don’t let “vegan” stop you from trying this recipe. I’m sure next time around I will add nuts or seeds to the mix just for a little more crunch. These brownies satisfied my sweet tooth for sure. P.S. I couldn’t wait for these bad boys to cool completely in the pan they smelt so good! I had to dig in immediately.  I totally had two squares my first night. :) 

 

INGREDIENTS

• 3 overripe bananas
• ½ cup almond butter
• ¼ cup cacao powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a loaf pan with a greased parchment paper.
2. Mash bananas thoroughly in a medium bowl  w/ a fork. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Add in almond butter and cocoa powder into your banana mixture and combine thoroughly.
   
   
   
   
4. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
   
   
   
   
5. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan before slicing. (This is the hardest part!)
   
6. Once cooled, cut into 8 equal pieces and enjoy!
   

Original recipe adapted from Fablunch