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Hi, I'm Amanda!

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Thursday, June 12, 2014

ChaLean Extreme Workout Review and My 90 Day Experience

Look no further, here I share the details, and give my personal honest review of my experience with ChaLean Extreme, 90 day home fitness program!

First off, this program was created by Chalene Johnson. It incorporates weight training and cardio in 3 different 30 day phases; Burn, Push and Lean.  Our bodies burn fat when we build muscle, then we push into strength and intense cardio, and last we lean out in the third phase melting off more fat and challenging our muscles in new ways.

Now don’t get scared away ladies, because I did say weight training, have NO WORRIES!!  Chalene has instructional videos and a guide book to ensure that you will master every movement all while offering detailed instructions during the videos.  I was VERY inexperienced with weight lifting before this video, and I had no trouble catching on.  If you feel you aren't ready for weights, there is also the instructional option of using a band for modified movements! 

Check out this quick video to get the down low on the basics of the program!


When I started this program I hadn't worked out in around two years.  I was sleep deprived half of the time from my youngest son, while running a household, so don't be discouraged if you feel you don't have the time or energy- YOU DO!  


I purchased the Challenge Pack which came with Shakeology, to help my muscles and body recover along with curbing my cravings and aid in many health benefits.
So this is what I received:

30 Day Supply of Shakeology
15 Workouts on 6 Dvd’s (Plus I scored a BONUS WORKOUT DVD):
·  01 Burn Basics and Band Basics
·  02 Phase 1: Burn
·  03 Phase 2: Push
·  04 Phase 3: Lean
·  05 Extreme Cardio
·  06 Core Power

Fat-Burning Food Guide. Learn what to eat in each phase to maximize fat burning.
Muscle Burns Fat Guidebook. Workout calendars show you which workout to do each day. You also get help deciding how much resistance to use.
Body Fat Tester. Measure your body fat at each stage to see how much you lose.
Healthy Eats and Kitchen Makeover DVDs. Chalene shares her personal recipes and nutrition tips to help your entire family eat healthfully.
Thigh Toner Band. Add extra resistance to your lower-body training.
Pro-Grade Resistance Band.*** Burn fat and tone muscle faster.
Extreme Motivation Audio CD. Chalene's personal message to help you get pumped for your workouts.
Online Support. Get access to fitness experts, peer support, and extra motivation.


The great thing about this program is you work out five days a week with two rest days!  The workouts range from 30-55 minutes, three days of weight training and two days of cardio, combined with an ab and stretch video you do NOT want to miss!

To be 100% honest, I started Week 1 with the resistance band and Week 2 is when I began with 3 lb, 5 lb, and 8 lb free weights.  At the end of each workout if the weights were too easy to lift when I reached my last rep I would simply up the weight at least 1.5 lbs for the next week. There were days I was sore, tired and felt like I couldn't make it but I pushed through and noticed the stonger I got, the easier my cardio was and better I felt all day long!
    
Nutrition plays a HUGE part in your results combined with the workouts.  The meal guide was not intimidating at all. It comes with the program and has very normal healthy meals to choose to prepare. Back then, I was NOT a clean eating foodie yet. I literally don't even think I knew what that meant!
Once I organized my meal plan they were very easy to prepare, eat and tasted delicious!  I combined those with chocolate Shakeology one time a day to beat my sweets cravings and I was full and satisfied every day.  


I have to warn you, my core had no stability at all, my balance was horrific, and I was weak when I started the Burn Phase. What kept me going was the feeling of empowerment I received from accomplishing the workouts and proving to myself I CAN do this!  An added bonus to losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle is the confidence and self respect you build for yourself seeing YOU excel and meet goals you really weren't sure would happen! Yes there were days I wanted to give up, but I kept motivational quotes in front of me, goal pictures, and the women in my online challenge group helped me stay motivated when self doubt tried to show it's ugly face!

   

I really enjoyed this program! Chalene is very encouraging but not wasting any time during the workouts and you can modify every move!  If you commit and stick to this program I guarantee you will see results! I lost 10 pounds in my FIRST 30 Days! Go to my "Transformations Page" to see my results!

If you have any quesetions Post Below or find me on Facebook! ~Amanda~





Monday, June 9, 2014

Delicious Chicken Fajitas & Guacamole

 I LOVE "mexican food" and flavors and I can NOT live without it, so I had to find ways to make it healthy! NO more crazy cravings and over indulgences here...this is my favorite recipe for fajitas and guacamole. Before I dish out the goods, let's talk toppings first...

Rules I follow: Nix the sour cream, just a sprinkle of cheese, lots of veggies, lettuce, guacamole for creaminess, home made salsa or hot sauce, and an organic corn tortilla or high fiber tortilla. Layer on the rest and you are in heaven.


Ingredients:
1/3 Cup Chopped Cilantro
2 medium garlic cloves, pressed or chopped
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ground cumin
Juice of 1 medium Lime (About 2 Tblspns)
3 Tblspns olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite size pieces)
Kosher salt
Ground Pepper
1 Green Pepper
1 Red Pepper
Onion
Mushrooms (Optional)
Romaine Lettuce, Chopped

Directions:
Place the cilantro, garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, lime juice, and 2 Tblspns of the the oil in a shallow baking dish and whisk to combine. Add the chicken and turn to coat with the marinade. Marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours (refrigerate).
Heat a large skillet on Med-High and add chicken until fully cooked.

Slice peppers, onion and mushrooms and drizzle the remaining olive oil on them and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sautee in a separate skillet over medium heat until you reach desired tenderness.




Guacamole - My weakness! Has a lil' kick to it!
3 Avocados
1 Lime, Juiced (2 Tblspns)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper                            
1/2 medium onion                                                                                                           

2 Tblspns chopped cilantro
1 Clove Garlic
1 Roma Tomato, diced (optional)
Jalapeno, diced (optional)

I put guac in my taco, but if you want to dip,
here's a healthy alternative to fried chips!

Brush your tortilla's lightly with olive oil,sprinkle with kosher salt. Stack on a cutting board and cut into triangles.Bake at 400 degrees for 7-10 min, or until desired crispiness. 


ENJOY!
~Amanda~


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