Everything you wanted to know about P90X3......

 

I am so excited about this new workout program by Tony Horton and Beachbody I can’t wait to get it and get started on my 90 day transformation!  I finished T25 a few weeks ago and have been putting together random workouts while waiting for X3 to come out.  I am READY for a new program and some guidelines that are laid out right in front of me.  No thinking involved, wake up – look at the calendar – push play – 30 minutes – DONE!  Before my brain even realizes it is awake – I love it!!

Here are the details for you:

The number one excuse I hear people use when it comes to working out is “I don’t have time.”  Well, P90X3 is the ultimate excuse buster!  Every workout is 30 minutes and the clock starts the minute you push play.  30 minutes a day is the length of one TV show – DVR it and use that 30 minutes to get a workout in!

  
P90X3 works in a short time by using “Muscle acceleration”.  P90X fans loved the use of muscle confusion – which introduced variety to the workouts and prevented plateauing. P90X3 takes a hint from that success and from studies showing the most dramatic body transformations happen within the first 30 minutes of exercise. Enter muscle acceleration, a Tony Horton-approved highly-structured schedule with an incredibly high level of intensity and an unprecedented variety of moves. The gurus behind P90X3 combined exercises and added some twists to maximize your time and keep every muscle challenged for a full 30 minutes.



People also think in home workout programs can be boring.  But with X3 you get the entertainment of Tony Horton and the most workouts of any Beachbody program.   With 16 workouts in the base kit, they switch it up before you have a chance to consider boredom. From cardio to strength to pilates to MMX, there is something for everyone.

 

You might think P90X3 is not for you because you haven’t done a P90X program before, but P90X3 is indeed a workout for everyone. You don’t have to have any previous P90X experience in order to get killer results. For a beginner, the variety of workouts in P90X3 is the perfect place to discover your fitness style.  If the move can be modified there is a cast member showing you how.  But don’t expect to be an expert on day one. And those of you that are fitness veterans will still be challenged.  As Tony says, ”You don’t get off easy, you just get to finish faster!”

Of course there are always some bells and whistles too good to ignore. First off, the Coach exclusive: If P90X3 is purchased through me as your coach any time from December 10th – 31st (including Challenge Packs), you will receive an exclusive P90X3 baseball cap. You will also get an exclusive P90X One on One: On One Leg DVD.  Plus if you purchase a challenge pack from anytime until December 31^st you will save $25! 

 

So when can you get it?

You can score your very own P90X3 by the end of the day on December 10th.  If you want yours by Christmas you will need to order by December 15th to ensure Christmas delivery.  P90X3 will be released on my site and you have a couple of options. 

1) The challenge pack: There will be an introductory price of $180 vs $205 for the Challenge Pack which includes the 90 day workout, the nutrition guide, program manual, schedule of workouts, shakeology, free 30 day trial of the club membership, free shipping, access to me as your coach and access to the P90X3 Challenge group I will be running.  I am only accepting a select number of individuals who would like to get my support, motivation and accountability to start and finish this program.  The point is to get in the best shape of your life in 90 days!!!  I will walk you through every single step of the program using the nutrition guide, the workouts and the 24/7 support of me as your coach in a private closed group.  I will teach you how to meal plan, prep, and set yourself up for success! 

 

2) Purchase the program alone.  That is $119.00, and the equipment needed are weights, bands and an optional pull up bar but you can use a band with an over the door attachment if you don't have one!  I used the bands when I did P90X a few years ago and they work!

What does P90X3 include? 

P90X3 Base Kit Includes:

• 16 unique and brand new workouts on 8 DVDs
• Plus, 5 Free Gifts
• Fitness Guide
• Nutrition Guide
• 90 Day Workout Calendar
• How to Accelerate Intro DVD
• 24/7 Online Support
• Network Exclusive P90X One on One: On One Leg DVD
• Network Exclusive Premium P90X3 Hat ($24.95 value) - December Only!

Base Kit Pricing

• Retail $119.85 + S&H
• Club $107.87
• Coach $89.89

P90X3 Deluxe Kit
Includes everything in the Base Kit PLUS:

• 3 Elite Extreme workouts on 1 DVD
• Includes free Elite Block Calendar
• 1-Month E&E Tub
• 3 B-Lines Resistance Bands

Deluxe Kit Pricing

• Retail $239.70 + S&H
• Club $215.73
• Coach $179.78

P90X3 Ultimate Kit
Includes everything in the Base & Deluxe Kits PLUS:

• 1-Month R&R Tub
• Gym-Quality P90X^® Chin-Up Bar
• P90X^® Chin-Up Max
• Premium Beachbody Jump Mat

Ultimate Kit Pricing

• Retail $329.55 + S&H
• Club $296.60
• Coach $247.16

P90X3 Challenge Pack
Retail Price: $205 (December Promotional Price: $180)

• P90X3 Base Kit
• 30-Day Supply of Shakeology HD
• 30-Day VIP Team Beachbody Club Membership

If you would like to be notified when you can officially purchase the workout please go to my site and create a FREE account and you will receive an email from me the minute that it's released!  You won't want to wait, this is going to go fast!

What Type of Holiday Eater are YOU?



How do you handle the holidays as far as eating goes?  Did you know there are "types" of eaters?  I found this very interesting article from Harvard Health.  See if one of these styles sounds like you and try and implement the tips below to help you be successful this holiday season!



Emily Garber, R.D., has identified several “eating styles” and devised holiday eating strategies based on each type. Which type of social eater are you? Look at the statements below and see if you recognize yourself in one:

Eager: All bets are off for you during the holidays. You jump at the excuse to "break your diet" and go all-out, sampling the variety of delicious holiday fare, thinking, "I can indulge...it's a special occasion!"

Not a party person: The idea of holiday get togethers unleashes social anxiety for you. The upside is the food. To help you cope, you might treat yourself and eat a lot to make the event worth your while.

Pleaser: You know how important it is to eat healthfully, and manage to do so when you’re on your own. But when faced with social situations it’s more important to you to keep relationships running smoothly and to feel part of the group. You don’t want to offend anyone by refusing the eggnog, or the offer to take home the leftover pie.

Self-conscious: Parties and holiday gatherings make you feel as if all eyes are watching what and how much you eat. The last thing you want is to look like you’re "on a diet" or worse, hear about it. So you eat whatever is served and try to keep up with those around you.

Balanced: If you eat well most of the time and usually pass on getting seconds or dessert, you probably have an easier time enjoying holiday treats. These are special occasions and indulging yourself can’t be all that bad for you!

Holiday eating tips:

Eager: Yes, you can live a little and enjoy! These tips for the "Eager" type can help you decide how much is enough, and can also be great add-on approaches for the other social-eater types listed below:



• Don’t pass up special holiday foods, but skip seconds, or choose to eat two of your favorite cookies instead of four. Savor every bite and enjoy things in moderation this season!
• If there are certain foods that you really love and don't want to miss — like those creamy mashed potatoes or the dessert that's just calling your name — then limit ordinary foods like corn or a dinner roll to save calories where you won't miss them. Keep in mind that this isn’t your only chance to eat these favorites. You can have pumpkin pie in March if you want to.
• Watch out for the treat that keeps on giving. Avoid leftovers — freeze or give them away to help limit overeating. Try to get back into healthy eating patterns the next day and you won't let special events become major set-backs.

Not a party person: Sure, a holiday social gathering is not your thing, but if you decide to attend and don’t want to overindulge, try these suggestions:



• Food might be the one thing at a party that isn't going to stress you and might even make you glad to be there. But you might not feel so happy afterward. Remember that overindulging is a temporary fix and most likely just covers up how you’re feeling inside.
• Consider other solutions for dealing with your social anxiety. Take along your knitting or offer to help your host to give yourself a little distance from the social interactions. You might be pleasantly surprised if you take a risk and join in the festivities!

Pleaser: You don't like to make a scene or offend anyone by turning down food they put time into making, even when you'd rather not eat it. You just don't feel comfortable making your own needs a priority. The good news is that you can do what's right for you while also helping others feel happy.



• Rather than saying "No thank you," if you don't like to turn down an offer, try saying, "Thanks, that looks delicious, but I'm full." No one will take statements like that the wrong way, and you will still be able to make the healthy choices you want.

Self-conscious: Making healthful eating decisions is tough when you feel like you’re under a microscope.



• Many people will be taking moderate portions, so you probably won’t stand out if you eat carefully.
• It's perfectly acceptable to say "No thank you" or "I'm full" when offered something. Keep in mind that although you might feel as though all eyes are on you, holiday events are pretty hectic, so it’s unlikely anyone will notice or remember what you ate or drank. Try it and do the right thing for yourself!

Balanced: You should feel great that your year-long efforts have left you feeling healthier and more positive. Because you’re on track with your health goals, it’s okay to treat yourself on special occcations. The most important thing is simply to return to your regular routine after the holiday.



No matter what your social eating type, the following ideas can also help you enjoy seasonal treats without regret:

• Use a small plate if you can and don’t stack it high. Leaving space between each item on the plate is a simple and effective way to control portions.
• Either eat or talk—but don’t do both at the same time. It distracts you from really enjoying what you're eating and before you realize it, you’ve eaten more than you intended.
• Most of all, enjoy what you do eat! Eat slowly and savor the flavor of each morsel. Remember, you don't need to eat a large amount to enjoy good food while celebrating with family and friends.

So what type of eater are you?  I used to be the "eager" eater, but since January I have tried really hard to change my old eating habits and now with meal planning, shakeology, and Beachbody challenge groups I can confidently say I am a "balanced" eater.  It has taken me the entire year to feel that way but it has been worth it!

If you would like help reaching your health and fitness goals, meal planning, choosing an exercise program, or having accountability leave me a message or join me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/#!/fitfamilyrobbins

Chicken Cassoulet

This is a great crock pot recipe that I got from my Beachbody coach's blog, and can be used year round.  I usually make this on Sunday (my plan and prep day for the week) and then I have lunch for up to 4 days taken care of.  The great thing about this recipe is that the longer it sits in the fridge, the thicker and more flavorful it becomes. 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1x 15 oz can navy beans, pinto beans or black-eyed peas, rinsed and well drained.
• 4 boneless skinnless chicken breasts or turkey breast.
• Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper.
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 2/3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1 medium onion.
• 4 celery stalks, trimmed and chopped.
• 4 garlic cloves passed through a garlic press
• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, not packed in oil.
• 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks.
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped fine.
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp fresh minced parsley

Preparation:

• Spread half of the beans in the bottom of your crock pot.
• Season poultry with pepper and sea salt. Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a skillet. Brown the poultry on both sides in the skillet for about 5 minutes each side. Place the browned chicken on top of the beans in crock pot. Top with remaining beans and the chicken stock. Use water if you don't have chicken stock.

• Saute the onions, celery, garlic, sundried tomatoes, carrots, and herbs using the same skillet. Spread this mixture over the ingredients in the crock pot. Cover and put on low heat for several hours.  I usually cook this for about 6 hours.  The chicken will break apart easily when done.



Rosemary, Spinach, and Brown Rice Casserole

I was hunting around for something healthy to take to our Thanksgiving Potluck at work and came across this recipe from Clean Cuisine.  This was super easy to make and turned out well.  The feedback from my co-workers was good overall, with some saying the recipe could use more salt.  I rarely add salt to anything and even while making it I thought "wow, that seems like a lot of salt".  Apparently it wasn't!  Also, my son said it tasted like nothing..... not sure how to take that.  I personally thought it was pretty good and am considering adding it to the family Thanksgiving meal as a side dish alternative for those wanting to keep their meal a little bit healthier. 

Serves: 6

■3 eggs (the original recipe called for organic eggs, I just used regular eggs)

■1 box (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly patted dry with paper towels

■3 cups cooked short-grain brown rice (I have no idea what this means as I could not find "short-grain" brown rice in the grocery, so I just used the store brand brown minute rice - it didn't say "long grain" on the box like some of the other rice did so maybe it was short grain??)

■1/3 cup plus 1/3 cup raw pecans, divided

■1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

■1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

■1/2 teaspoon unrefined sea salt

■1/4 teaspoon pepper

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of an 8 x 8-inch casserole with extra virgin olive oil.

2.Place 1/3 cup pecans and ½ cup water in a high-speed blender or food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. Set “pecan milk” aside. Finely chop the remaining 1/3 cup pecans and set aside.

3.Add the eggs to a large mixing bowl; whisk briefly. Add the spinach. Stir in the rice, pecan “milk”, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined.

4.Transfer spinach and rice mixture to the prepared casserole. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle on the chopped pecans. Bake for another 10 minutes. Remove casserole from the oven, cool on a wire-rack 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

 

In the original recipe it doesn't tell you when/where to add the Worcestershire sauce, so I just mixed it in when I put in the pecan "milk".  I baked this the night before our potluck and then reheated it in the microwave before serving.  Most likely it would best be served immediately after baking as it seemed to dry out a little after microwaving.   

October Recap

Wow, October was a whirlwind!  We had 5 birthdays (yes 5!), the end of 2 sports seasons and the beginning of one, games, a party, a play, and a fundraiser!  Busy would be an understatement. 

Let's start with the birthdays.... Jp turned 20 which just seems crazy to me.  We don't get to see him as much as we would like so it was great to have him home (I assume it was the lure of dinner and cake that got him there).  We grilled out and had a good time together as a family. Unfortunately, one of the things that happens when you move out of the house is that you may not get a fresh cake.... Sorry JP, leftover soccer banquet cake was on the menu this time.  In our defense, it was made by our favorite cake lady and was almost an entire cake!

We also celebrated my sister's birthday,

my brother's birthday,






 and my mom's birthday in October. 

Talk about a rough month on the waistline!  The good thing about it all was they were spread out enough that we were able to fit in the extra cakes and eating out to our weekly "cheat meals".  That and a steady stream of T25 Gamma and 5K training allowed me to come out of the month weighing less than when I went in.

 Oh, and I got my FREE t-shirt for completing T25 too! I have moved on to Pure Gamma, a review will be coming soon for that.

We finished up the soccer and football seasons with the last few games and a banquet for each.  Both Josh and Jacob had great seasons.  Josh scored several goals this season and Jacob ended up the year as a kicker and made most of his extra point kicks! 









In the middle of all this, wrestling season started.  The boys had to finish up their current sport season but as soon as that was over they were out on the mat for the start of the wrestling season.  This will last until the middle of February.  Never a dull moment!  As part of any sport, fundraising is a necessity in order for the kids to be able to make it to tournaments, have the gear they need, and pay for entry fees among other things.  In order to make that possible, we participated in a "clean up" fundraiser at Keeneland Race Track. 
We found out after the fact that it was the highest attended day in the course's history. 
Talk about some messy people!!









The final weekend of Aladdin Jr. was also performed in October.  This was a great show and the kids really enjoyed themselves.  Almost every show was sold out!  We will have a little break until the plays start up again with Sweeney Todd in February and Shrek in March.

Last but not least, I finished the 5K training program and completed the PTA 5K.  I actually ran the whole thing which was my goal.  Rick did it too, but he runs like its his job, and he came in 3rd in his age group!  He likes to wear his medal around the house.....






How was your October?

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

The boys and my husband are all big fans of our "homemade" pizza.  We usually make 2 large very thin crust pizzas and for the most part it all disappears.  I was looking for an alternative to pizza night because for some reason the dough we use (not really homemade, it comes from the refrigerated section at the grocery store) hasn't been agreeing with me the last few times we have made the pizza.  I found this recipe on my Beachbody coach's blog and thought I would give it a try.

Serves 2
Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (I used Italian seasoning)

• ½ teaspoon crushed garlic

• ½ teaspoon garlic salt

• olive oil (optional) 

• pizza sauce, shredded cheese and choice of your toppings

1) Rice the cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater - I tried this at first and do not recommend it.  It was really hard and I just made a huge mess). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

2) Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
3) In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. 
4) Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. 
5) Transfer to a cookie sheet (I do not recommend using an "air bake" style of cookie sheet), and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.

6) Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven.
7) Add sauce, toppings (need to be pre-cooked) and cheese. 

8) Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).

This turned out well, with the exception of the fact it didn't really crisp up in the middle.  I think this was due to the type of cookie sheet I used.  Next time I will use a dark non "air bake" style sheet, or maybe I will use our pizza pans and put a cookie sheet on the rack below.  Our pans have holes in them and as the crust bakes some of the liquid from the cauliflower comes out so if you have "holy" pans you will want to put something under it.  I just used mushrooms this time because that was about all I had left by the end of the week.  Next time I will definitely load up the veggies on there - probably peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, maybe some tomato....  Remember to cook your toppings before you top your pizza.  3-4 minutes under the broiler is just to melt the cheese and not meant to cook the toppings.  I will make this again, probably on our next pizza night and add a side salad as well.  Remember, this serves TWO.  I ate almost the whole pizza in 1 sitting!  Next time I will be sure to watch my portions.  

What are your favorite pizza toppings?

Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This recipe is great for a breakfast, a brunch, or a mid-morning snack.  It makes enough to provide you with a week's worth of breakfasts or will cover breakfast for the family for two days.  I have been using this for a mid morning or pre 5K training snack.

2 cups Old Fashioned rolled oats
3 Tbsp maple syrup
3 Tbsp slivered almonds (you could use whatever nuts you like or even omit them if you want)
1/4 cup craisins (you could use another dried fruit such as raisins)
2 cups coarsely chopped diced apples (I used Golden Delicious)
2 cups milk (I used skim but you could use almond milk or any type of milk I would think)
3 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
3/4 tsp salt

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.  Mix your oats, apples, nuts, and dried fruit all in a large bowl. Then in another bowl, whisk your eggs, milk, maple syrup and spices. Pour over your oatmeal mixture and gently stir.

Pour the mixture into a baking dish.  I used a 9x11 size; and bake at 325 for about an hour, or until golden brown.

This is really good served warm out of the oven.  It will also set up when it cools and can be stored covered in the fridge and microwaved for breakfast later in the week.