I started doing Beachbody programs after running 4 half marathons in 4 months and trying to come back from a tough injury in both knees. The first program I tried was 21-Day Fix. I loved this program and did three rounds with success. I felt better, lost a pant's size after just one round, and I LOVED the energy and strength I gained without going to the gym.

BUT...

My first love is RUNNING.

There is something about the road. I didn't abandon it during 21-Day Fix, but I did have to continually ice my knees and take extra care of myself through the workouts and I didn't do as much running. I realized that I only had ONE half marathon scheduled for the fall season, and I HAD to make it count.

I set my sights on a sub-2-hour half marathon goal.

I started PiYo seven weeks before my race. The program is a total of 8 weeks, and I thought it was a good way to see how it worked with my training schedule. 

On week days I would faithfully complete the PiYo workouts, Saturdays were reserved for long runs, and Sundays I recovered with straight yoga from 21-Day Fix. I felt stronger, leaner, and just overall BETTER while doing PiYo. At first, I didn't know if I would get a good enough sweat, but as the dvds progressed, I DEFINITELY worked up a great sweat! Not only that, but my legs felt stronger, and I was able to complete training runs at a faster pace without even realizing it!

I ran fewer days and each run progressively held a faster pace. Last October, I ran over 100 miles during that month. You can imagine how draining that can be. This year, only 59 miles. Yup, about HALF the mileage, and never felt better.

This is exactly what I had been looking for.

My goal for PiYo was strictly from a running standpoint. I did not do the program to lose weight (I was already at an appropriate weight). I continued to follow my 21-Day Fix meal plan (that is now, just a habit and I no longer even think about it).

My goals were:
*Run FASTER
*Run INJURY-FREE
*Recover SOONER from long runs
*PR (personal record) my fall race and hit my time goal at Marshall University Half Marathon

The day of the race came, and I knew I had practiced the pace I need to set a personal record at this distance. I was able to keep close to a 9-minute pace for 8 miles, and under that for a 5-mile run. I had to run a 9:08 average to hit my goal.

My personal record for the half marathon race was set at Marshall University Half Marathon the previous year (2014). I ran it in 2:05:57. I was thrilled with that, since that beat my previous half  (in September 2014) by about 9 minutes.

My legs felt strong, and I decided to give it all I had and leave it out on the road no matter what. The first six miles were squarely on pace and it felt great. By mile 8 I had to rethink my game plan if I wanted to keep pace. Mile 10 I spend figuring out if I still had a chance to beat the 2:00:00 time clock. And at Mile 11 I knew I would fall short. The last mile, as the "Rocky" theme song blared across some speakers in the middle of the road, I knew I had to give it everything, regardless of my finish time. I crossed that goal line on the football field of Marshall University at 2:02:51.

While I did not hit my ultimate goal of sub-2, I DID set a personal record by over THREE minutes! In the world of running, that is a big accomplishment. My other goals were also met:

*Ran FASTER
*Ran injury free (and knee-brace-free for the first time all year)
*Recovered sooner
*Set a new PR!

While I can't guarantee that these will be the results for every runner who uses PiYo as cross-training, I can without a doubt testify that it was the key to my success this season. My eating was on-point, my legs felt great, and I didn't feel worn out after the season ended.

So, if you are a runner, and you are looking for a way to cross-train in the comfort of your own home, YOU set the hours, NO gym membership, and you want to stay healthier as you train, I absolutely recommend this program. PiYo is staying in my library and I can't wait to use it again as I look forward to training for the Pittsburgh Full Marathon next spring!

It's November. You know what that means?...nope, not Thanksgiving...Christmas. Oh, I LOVE Christmas. I really love FAMILY and getting to see my loved ones, reminiscing together as well as creating new memories. You know what else I love? FOOD. Yup, that ah-mazing famous peanut butter dessert, moist and delicious stuffing, and green bean casserole made with mushroom soup...yes, in that order!

Do you know what else the holidays mean? Traveling, packing, re-packing, gift-getting, grocery shopping, lists checked, toys assembled, cleaning the house, decorating, cleaning again, the invasion of candy canes and cookies galore, and wondering what to get the grandparents who honestly don't need a thing, they just want to see you.

If you are like me, you may embrace the holidays one minute and wish they were over the next. The stress can be overwhelming. Somehow your pants seem to shrink in a month's time. And everything just leaves you exhausted and NEEDING that do-over that comes with January 1.

But, what if you were given the tools and support to not only SURVIVE the holidays, but THRIVE during them?

What if you were consistently FILLING YOUR cup, so you could have enough to GIVE to others?

I know that when I am on track, eating well, working out consistently, planning healthy meals for my family, I can indulge once in a while and still keep myself in check and at the very least MAINTAIN and not GAIN over the major food-fest that is the holiday season. When I feel good about my OWN journey, I am much better prepared to HELP other people who are in TRUE NEED.

What about YOU?

Are you ready to make this the BEST holiday season YET?

Does the idea of THRIVING sound better than simply SURVIVING?

November 16th begins a brand new challenge group for the holidays!

• Kick-off a new YOU with 10 days of clean eating and support to show you how
  
• Thanksgiving meal planning--clean recipes your family will love!
  
• 30-days of dense superfood nutrition, delivered right to your door
  
• Daily motivation
  
• At least 30 minutes of exercise (special focus on 21-Day Fix/21-Day Fix Extreme workouts)
  
• Group support and new friends
  
• A safe place to be REAL during the holidays
  
• December Scripture to remind us of JOY at Christmas
  
• 1:1 coaching
  
• Tips and tricks to making this season MERRY and BRIGHT without the guilt
  

As an added bonus, when you decide to GIVE the GIFT of HEALTH to yourself this season, I will personally donate $10 from each Challenge Pack during November and December to St.Jude Children's Research Hospital. So, your decision to better yourself will also help give JOY to children who need it this Christmas!

Are you in?

Do you want to THRIVE this season? Do you want to fill your own cup so you can give generously to others? Maybe you just want to maintain, instead of gaining extra holiday weight. Whatever the reason, whatever your motivation, NOW is the time! Fill out the form below and let's get started!