Piyo After Baby Progress Reviews

Day 1- I finished Round 1 of 21 Day Fix and am on to PiYo.  I had my daughter about 10 weeks ago and am feeling pretty strong from the Fix workouts and incorporating some 5K training.  I have to be honest and say that I am a bit nervous about starting PiYo.  I haven't had a lot of love for pilates or yoga (except for hot yoga, which makes me feel like I did some fat melting.)  I tend to get bored and just have a hard time slowing down. Guess what that means?  I NEED it!  The workouts that are the most difficult for us are usually the ones that we need to balance out our bodies and fitness.  So, with an open mind, I ordered this new program, and hope for the best.  Who could go wrong with Chalene? She is one of my two favorite trainers. (Shaun T being the other.)  I started today with Lower Define, which is 25 minutes.  During the warm up, I was thinking about what other workout I was going to do to feel like I accomplished something.  That changed pretty quickly.  It's only 25 minutes long, but I was sufficiently challenged and 1 hour later, my arms and legs feel like I did a lot of weight lifting, which is a good feeling to know I challenge myself without weights.  I think I will still need an open mind, but I'm pretty happy with Day 1.  As a cardio junkie, I will continue my 5K training and/or Turbofire to complement PiYo and burn some extra pregnancy fat.

Day 15- Two weeks of Piyo down and I have to say I disliked it a lot at first, but I am loving it now.  Core and Sweat are pretty challenging, but I feel like I worked out for hours when I am done.  I am already noticing changes in my arms, abs, and upper legs.  I will still admit, I'd rather be doing Turbofire, but I think Piyo has some great things in store for me.  I haven't done a lot of weighing on the scale, as I tend to become overly concerned with it, but I did a quick measurement and lost 1/2 inch on my waist and 1/2 inch on my hips.  It will be interesting to move into week 3, as the beginner workouts are phasing out into more challenging workouts.  Bottom line so far? Worth the time by far.

Day 30-  1 month of Piyo down.  I hated it at first, but now (most days) I really like it!  I have noticed definition in my arms and abs, and my legs feel so much stronger.  The gains I am seeing go far beyond the scale and the measuring tape.  I can now do tricep push-ups on my toes throughout a whole workout.  I am able to hold most of the moves now.  I have posted a progress picture with this post.  I would say that my diet leaves something to be desired, but despite that, I am still losing inches.

There is an option when you use the workout calendar: You can do the traditional workout, or the Strength workout.  I chose the Strength workout to challenge myself, not realizing that there are two workouts in the Strength series that aren't in the basic kit.  So, I ended up ordering the upgrade DVD, which comes with a yoga mat and Piyo slides.  The Strength workouts (Full Body Blast and Strong Legs) incorporate the slides for added resistance, and they are TOUGH workouts.  Quite honestly, Full Body Blast is my favorite so far because I feel like everything has been seriously worked in 30 minutes.  My other favorite workout is Core because it works your core so much differently than doing a million crunches.  I am excited to see what the next month brings.  My commitment now is to clean up my diet a bit more (specifically, doing away with the afternoon munching on junk) and doing more planning to get clean meals and snacks ready to go so I can just grab something without having to think about it long enough to make a poor choice.

Learn More or Order Piyo Today

*Disclaimer- I am a Beachbody Coach and do get commission off of my referrals (does your hairdresser or favorite restaurant offer you that?  Beachbody is a top notch company by allowing customer to earn money off of the products Beachbody pays to market!)  However, I am honest in my reviews (see my Brazil Butt Lift review if you want some honesty!) and will tell you my opinion on the programs.  We aren't all going to like the same eating plans or workouts, but at least you can get a feel for the program beyond the promo videos.  I am always open for questions on the program if you are unsure.

21 Day Fix After Baby Progress Update

Welcome to my 21 Day Fix After Baby- Round 1 journey!  Here you can find progress updates, and at the end of 21 days, I will post my results with pictures.  (You can also follow updates on facebook- facebook.com/kellikornhealthandfitness).

Basics- 21 Days following the meal plan, and daily 30 minute workouts.  The program comes with an eating plan book, colored containers to teach proper portions, and workout DVDs.  There is a checklist in the book, but you can download more blank checklists from the Beachbody site.  This is key to keeping tracks of your meals and making progress. (You do have to be a Beachbody member, you can sign up for a free account at teambeachbody.com.)

Day 4-  I have just come back from vacation where I didn't go completely crazy, but I did have a Coke everyday and we went out for ice cream a few times.  (Keep in mind I am also nursing, so I kind of just let myself eat as I was hungry.)  I expected to have vacation withdraw, craving Coke and sugar.  I have been surprised that I haven't had any cravings!  I've actually really been happy with the meal plan and even look foward to my meals, although they don't include a lot of carbs, which are my fave!  I have stuck to a pretty similar meal plan each day, because nursing a baby and having a toddler takes a lot of time and variation is too difficult for me to keep up with.  I am trying not to get on the scale too much except for weekly weigh ins, but I did get on the scale and have lost 2 pounds- not to shabby in 4 days!

Here's what my day of eating looks like:

Meal 1: Oatmeal with a peach, coconut oil mixed in, 2 egg whites
Meal 2: (before workout); Energy and Endurance (after workout)- Shakeology with skim milk or water, Results and Recovery formula
Meal 3: Cottage cheese, carrots and hummus, turkey (or a double serving of cottage cheese), cherries or strawberries, rice crackers
Meal 4: Shakeology or whey protein shake
Meal 5: Lean steak or chicken, spinach (my version of a salad) with vinegarette and parmesan sprinkled on top, watermelon, cottage cheese
Meal 6: Cashews, greek yogurt, carrots
(I add in an extra protein and a few extra rice crackers to account for the extra burn from nursing.  I want to make sure I don't mess with my milk supply.  I also drink a TON of water!)

I have survived Total Body Cardio, Upper Fix, a
nd Lower Fix (I am sore!  I've been doing T25 and completed Alpha round, but I can tell I took some time off of strength training when I was on bed rest, because these workouts arechallenging for 30 minutes!)  Today is Pilates Fix- not a huge fan of pilates and yoga because I like to be moving more, but I know my body responds well to the lengthening and strengthing benefits of pilates.

Best surprise so far?  I had bought some white chocolate lemon bread at our farmer's market before I started this, and I haven't wanted any at all.  I had a taste and the white bread just wasn't that good.  I actually prefer whole wheat after just a couple of days on this plan!

So far- I'm pretty happy and 21 days is very doable!  I actually can see myself making this more of a permanent habit, but let's check in again in a few days about that ;)

Day 10- I am down 5 pounds so far.   This is pretty amazing because my diet fell apart over the weekend.  Since we went to friends' to watch the World Cup, I just kind of let go and ate whatever I wanted, and it was more than just one treat! After the 5 pound loss, I have lost all of the weight from baby #2 in 8 weeks.  (I pretty much lost it all within 2 weeks, but had about 5 pounds lingering.)  I now am working on the 10 pound I never got off from my first pregnancy.)

I got right back on track on Day 8, and again, I haven't had cravings, so as long as I don't keep junk food immediately handy, it isn't an issue.

The workouts are difficult, but I have a love/ hate relationship going on because I love how I feel when I am done and already notice a difference in my strength. (Plus, I realized I have a lot more energy if I drink E&E beforehand.  Call me crazy, but I will take any edge I can get right now.)  I have been adding in a daily walk/ jog/ 20 minutes on the elliptical just to get a bit more cardio in.

Day 21- Completed 21 days! I didn't do it quite as effortlessly as I'd like, but that's life, right? I lost 5 pounds and 2 inches of my waist, 2 inches off my hips.  I feel a lot better, have started running during my 21 days, and have made much better food choices pretty easily.  The biggest perk is that I gave up my Coke habit, even when going out.  That is pretty big considering when I started the Fix, I just just returned from vacation where I had a Coke daily.  I may still have it as a treat here and there, but I haven't missed it at all, so maybe this is the start of soda free life!

The workouts were always challenging, although I could tell pretty quickly that I was getting stronger.  I also started to add in 1 mile workouts on week 2, to train for a 5K.  I even started to enjoy some of the workouts- my favorite was Dirty 30 and my least favorite was Total Body Cardio.  (I usually enjoy workouts, but these were really challenging.  Great results though!)

Next up?  Piyo.  Reviews to come.  I have a Challenge group starting, and a Piyo test group that I will be joining along with my Challengers.  E-mail me if you are interested!

Starbucks Stand In- Mocha Shakeology

I love Starbucks.  In fact, Starbucks used to get all of my money before Shakeology helped me kick the cravings.  I still enjoy a treat day now and then, but this recipe fills my need for a Mocha Frappuccino 90% of the time.  It's great in the morning, or as a 3 pm boost.

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology
1 part cooled coffee (I use 4 oz)
2 parts skim milk or unsweetened almond milk (I use 8 oz)
optional- 1/2 packet Stevia
ice cubes


Blend until well mixed and enjoy!

In Summer Slimdown

As your Beachbody coach, my job is to help you reach your health and wellness goals.  One of the best ways to do that is through challenge groups which provide 1:1 support, meal plans, recipe ideas, and motivation in a closed facebook group for 60 or 90 days.  Some groups are for specific workout programs, and others are general groups for those completing any of the Beachbody programs.

Research shows that among those who have never been overweight as well as those who have maintained a weight loss, the use of social support is very high (70% and 80% respectively). This contrasts sharply with those who have lost and regained weight, where the use of available social support is low (38%). (http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=20911&sc=804)

I consistently offer challenge groups and my next group will be a 60 day general challenge group, open to all ages and fitness levels.  The "In Summer Slimdown" will help you get on track with seeing progress and reaching the health and fitness goals you have been trying to reach.  With my support, you will be able to lose weight, tone up, and find a healthy balance.  The requirements of this challenge group is to be using a Beachbody workout program, drinking Shakeology daily, and participating!  (As part of the challenge group, I will give you 1:1 guidance on choosing a program best suited to your needs.)  If you register by July 20, you will be entered to win a month supply of Shakeology.  If you invite a friend and they register, you will get two additional entries.  There will also be drawings for smaller prizes throughout the challenge.  To sign up, e-mail me at KelliLKorn@gmail.com and include your top health and wellness goal.

Can't wait to see your transformation this summer!