M is for Memories

M is for memories, and milestones and magnificent...M is for a lot of things.  A week ago, my family and I spent five days in Florida with my parents and my sister celebrating several special milestones in our family.

This year, my Mom and Sister will have "big" birthdays (the kind that end in 5 or 0).  Last month, my Sister graduated with her Masters in Library & Information Sciences.  This fall, my parents will enjoy their 45th wedding anniversary and Mark and I will hit a decade of wedded bliss.  Hallmark doesn't make a card for all of that, and no one needs a cake large enough to accommodate that message.  So, we decided to take the celebration south--to the land of Mickey & Minnie, Donald & Daisy.   

As is tradition, we had to make a paper chain to countdown the days until we left.  With joy and giggles, Abby would rip a link off every morning and announce how many remained.  In fact, that routine became so important to her that, on the day we left, when there was only one link remaining, she convinced us that we should make a chain representing the HOURS until we left.  Sure--why not, kiddo!

Counting down the hours!

With the last link taken down, it was time to head to the airport for Abby's first flight!  What a trooper.  We have all flown with "that kid" and we've all prayed that ours won't be "that kid."  And I don't want to be "that Mom" who professes to have the perfect kid who does no wrong and all that stuff.  But I will.  Just this once.  Abby really was a great little flier with her beloved Tallulah tucked securely under her arm and her GaGa Bern blanket wrapped around her.  No issues, no fears, no kicking the passenger in front of her or screaming incessantly.  A few snacks, some highly-recommended iPad games, lots of writing and reading, one trip to the airplane restroom shortly before wheels down (now THAT is quite the feat!) and we passed the two hours, arriving safely in Orlando.

Who's flying this thing?!

Safe and secure with her blanket and the iPad!

Even with a kiddo this good, I had no idealized thoughts of Abby going to sleep easily that night; between the sensory overload of a new location, a new bed ("It's a couch, but now it's a bed, Mama.  Have you ever seen such a thing?  That's ridiculous!") and the fact that we were "at Disney," it all added up to a bargaining session.  And who doesn't like to, when travel-weary and hungry, negotiate with an equally tired and slightly irrational 3.5 year old?  Yeah--me either.  Finally, Team Mom & Dad won and Team Abby was off to Sleepytown--we weren't far behind.  As you likely know, a vacation at Disney is not really a vacation so much as a carefully orchestrated series of events and a virtual marathon of activities.  Rest is a key component to success.



Abby's face upon seeing the Disney sign for the first time!



M is for making the most of it!  During our time at Disney, we visited Hollywood Studios where Abby met Jake and Handy Manny, saw a LIVE Ariel show and a fantastic Disney Junior show featuring some of her favorite friends.  We spent a day and night at The Magic Kingdom complete with an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a visit to Belle's castle, Ariel's grotto and a magical ride on the Merry-Go-Round.  We met more friends; White Rabbit, Pooh and Tigger.  Abby played peek-a-boo with Peter Pan and Wendy. 

We watched an electric parade (with "seats" secured especially for us by a kind Disney Cast Member--so close several characters came and talked to Abby or bopped her playfully on the head) and fantastic fireworks over the castle--never once did Abby's eyes grow heavy, never once did she yawn.  Even on the tram ride back to the car and the car ride back to the condo; the kid was awake and animated.  And there was no cotton candy involved, I assure you!  Abby channeled her inner Ariel, splashing in the pool and bravely going all the way under, bursting to the surface with a gasp, a sputter and look of pride mixed with just a smidgen of surprise!



Meeting Ariel!



M is for memories!  One of the best memories was our lunch with the princesses at EPCOT.  Our party was announced with a pomp and circumstance befitting royalty and we were lead into the castle where Belle greeted us individually, posing for pictures and signing autographs.  Shortly after we were seated, the princesses lead everyone on a procession throughout the castle--priceless.  And, as we ate lunch, Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella and Princess Aurora all stopped by to say greet Abby.  Ariel even asked Abby if she liked the PJs Ariel left for her; a moment that completely amazed Abby, providing one of several wows we got during our trip.

Abby & Belle

  As if that wasn't enough---and, if you ask Abby, it was enough and more!---we headed over to the Animal Kingdom for a wild safari.  Sitting just behind the driver, we had a terrific conversation with him about all the animals we saw--and could almost touch. 

M is for more!  We wrapped up our adventure with one more day at The Magic Kingdom.  Some rides, a Dole Whip (when in Rome, right!?) a souvenir or two and it was time to head back to the condo.  Walking slowly down Main Street, holding Mark and Abby's hands, soaking in the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere, I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  Of deep love for my family and a deep, visceral happiness that I know I will always remember.  

Perfect perch on Daddy's shoulders to check out the show

M is for moments.  Being together to celebrate the milestones in our lives was magical in its own way.  To enjoy dinners together, made special by the people around the table and the words shared as we toasted one another--that is a memory everyone should have.  Crowding into the living room of the condo to watch the Penguins game, and getting text updates during the game we didn't watch--that is a memory everyone should have.  Watching my parents and my sister interact with my daughter, knowing that she is loved beyond any measure--that is a feeling of contentment. 

M is for maybe.  Will she remember, or won't she?  I'm hopeful that Abby will have her own memories of this remarkable vacation.  Maybe her memories will be the ones that we'll tell her over and over again--and that's okay.  Because I've got nothing but good stories to share, good memories to recount and good pictures to show her.

Yes, M is for a lot of things.  Like my munchkin.

xox  Sweet Dreams  xox

A note from me:  The awesome picture of my family will not post properly...as my friend, and fellow blogger, Lucy would say, "Monkey nonsense!"

Beautiful Bean Salad

Beautiful Bean Salad
1 medium cucumber; chopped
1 cup canned corn; drained
1 medium red onion; chopped
2 medium tomatoes; chopped
2 medium green peppers; chopped
15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped (I used canned)
Fresh cilantro chopped

Dressing
1 TBS salt
6 TS fresh lime juice
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup cider vinegar

Mix all the veggies
Mix up the dressing
Pour and toss (it can be pretty liquidy, so I've used the dressing sparingly in the past; it's still great)
Best when made at least a day ahead of time

I've eaten this as a salad and I've even used it as a salsa.  Either way it's delish!  Also, you can mix in colored peppers, and black eyed peas if you'd like.  And, you can grill/roast corn on the cob, cut it off and add that in in place of the canned corn.  

Enjoy!

Red White and YOU Challenge

The Red, White and You Challenge Pack Challenge! This weekend marks the unofficial start to summer…which means being outside more often, wearing shorts and tank tops and sitting poolside. If you wish you were feeling better about all of that, or if you have a friend who’s been dreading the idea of ditching jeans and sweatshirts for shorts and flip flops, listen up!

Anyone who purchases a Challenge Pack—or refers someone to purchase a Challenge Pack—between now and May 31 will be entered to win a $50 Target gift card. That’s the Red & White part. The YOU part is well…YOU!  YOU have the ability to cash in on a great prize and help get yourself or a friend healthy and fit as we roll into summer.

Check out what folks are saying about Challenge Groups and Shakeology:

"I'm loving Shakeology, it's amazing how it makes you feel, the cravings has to be the best part and it surprisingly keeps me very full."

"Had my weekly weigh-in today, officially down 6.2 pounds since 4/24. Really think the encouragement from you, and the entire challenge group has been extremely instrumental. Thank You!"

"For those who know me well, you'll recall that I've joined virtually every local gym (one even for one day). I could never find the right fit. BINGO - I've found it! This morning I'm on my way to the gym - it's right downstairs and it's called TurboFire. Couldn't get much easier that that!

I'm in the midst of my second challenge group doing TurboFire and drinking Shakeology. The scale is moving, the clothes are getting a bit looser and my attitude is changing. I've got a LONG way to go, but I think I've finally met my match."

Need more incentive? I'll also do a drawing for my favorite personal blender. It's AWESOME!

Who's with me!? Summer's coming...let's be ready!

Contact me today at amyjumba@yahoo.com to get the ball rolling!

In health,
Amy Rayman
Independent Beachbody Coach
amyjumba@yahoo.com
www.beachbodycoach.com/aray99

Honey Lime Shrimp

Honey Lime Shrimp serves 2
1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T honey
juice of one small lime, or half a large lime (2-3 T)
zest of one small lime, or half a large lime
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

In a large ziploc bag, combine all the marinade ingredients. When everything is well-combined, add the shrimp, squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag, and close it up. Place it in the fridge.
Let the shrimp marinate for 30-60 minutes, flipping the bag around once or twice during that time, so that all the shrimp stay evenly covered in the marinade.
When you’re ready to cook, take the shrimp out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; there is no need to add any oil or butter to the pan, as the marinade has enough oil in it to keep the shrimp from sticking to the pan. (If you would prefer to use the grill for these, you can thread them onto skewers and toss them on the grill at this point.)
Add your shrimp to the pan in a single layer, making sure they are not too crowded; you can always cook them in more than one batch. Let them cook on one side for about a minute, until they curl up and start to turn pink. Flip them over, and cook for another 30 seconds or so, until the shrimp are opaque. Remove from the pan, and serve immediately!
These take about 10 minutes to make, start to finish… perfect for a quick weeknight meal! You could serve them over brown rice with your vegetable of choice on the side, or pack them into some warmed flour tortillas with a little shredded romaine and some sour cream for shrimp tacos!

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

• 4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 cup KRAFT Sun-Dried Tomato dressing, divided
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil leaves 

Place a large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of grill grate; heat grill to medium heat. 

Meanwhile, place chicken in resealable plastic bag. Add 1/4 cup dressing and seal bag. Turn bag over several times to evenly coat chicken with dressing. Refrigerate 10 minutes (I marinate it all day if I remember in time). Remove chicken from bag; discard bag and dressing.
 
Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill for about 6 minutes. 

Meanwhile, combine remaining 1/4 dressing, tomatoes, cheese and basil.
 
Turn the chicken over and place cooked-side up, on foil on the grill. Top with tomato mixture. Close lid. Grill 8 minutes or until chicken is done.
*Sometimes we add a splash of balsamic vinegar to give it a bit more zip. 

Cheddar Spinach Chicken Burgers

Cheddar Spinach Chicken Burgers
1 1/4 lb ground chicken breast
2 oz fresh baby spinach (or frozen, thawed and drained)
1/2 small onion
1 small clove garlic
2 stalks green onion
1 TB fresh parsley leaves

3 oz shredded aged white cheddar
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp soy sauce
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt to taste
1/4-1/2 cup bread crumbs

Wilt your baby spinach by pouring boiling water over it while in a colander in the sink (or thaw and drain your frozen spinach).  DRAIN WELL, squeeze if you need too.
In a food processor place onion, green onion, garlic, parsley and wilted spinach.
Pulse until it is fairly fine but you don't want puree.
Combine with chicken and remaining ingredients adding enough bread crumbs to make it stick together but not to your hands.
Form into patties and place on a well sprayed sheet of foil on a baking sheet.

Cover loosely with plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour. 
Remove from fridge and broil  for 7-9  minutes on each side, until the meat reaches 165.
We grill ours and they are amazing...super great the next day, too.  Cold, crumbled over a big salad!

Save it in a Jar

Some days, you want to save in a jar, pull it out later and relive it.  Today has been one of those days so far.  Today marked Abby's graduation from preschool.  In the proverbial blink of an eye, the school year has come and gone, culminating in a festive picnic at a local park.  The skies were blue, the shine was bright, the food was yummy and the company was fantastic.  My parents were there, my in-laws came, too and Mark and I were among the many proud parents.

The brief ceremony consisted of each child being introduced to the pavilion filled with cameras---okay, mostly phones!---and presented with a beautiful photo album that chronicled their year.  The teachers shared some fun insights about each kiddo and then it was time for a blessing from Pastor and lunch.

Most parents will tell you that there are moments when they're not quite sure they're doing things the right way.  I'm no different.  I question choices, debate consequences and wonder about the future.  As I watched my daughter confidently walk around the park today, find classmates to play with and seek out her teachers for a heartfelt embrace, I knew--I knew!--that sending her to this school was the right choice.  I am proud of her and proud of myself and Mark for making a good decision.  This is a biggie, too.  It's not a "which shorts to wear today" kind of call; this is her education.  

As she was snuggling in for her nap, Abby let out a contended sigh and said, "Mama, I love my school.  Will I go there in the summer?"  Sort of sums it all up right there, doesn't it!?


Yeah, if I could save today in a jar, I would.  But time doesn't work that way; heaven knows we might wish it would.  Ironically, fourteen years ago today, I graduated from Elon.  I would have saved that day in a jar, too.  Today, it almost felt like I had.

Congratulations to my girl.  Here's to a future filled with possibilities.

  
 
 

Turn MOM Upside Down

 And you get WOW.  Makes sense, doesn't it?  Because, really, what else can I say about my Mom?  About being Abby's Mom?  About all of the Moms I know and admire?  There is so much to each of them; it's overwhelming to try to capture it. Wow seems to sum it up perfectly.

My Mom is a strong, smart, nurturing woman.  She's funny, she's talented, she's wise---which I categorize differently than smart.  My Mom loves unconditionally, listens fully and has incredible empathy.  She's a constant, she's a role model, she's an example and she's one of my best friends.  She's one of the first people I call with news---good or bad---and hers is one of the opinions I respect the most.

My Mom and I can sit and not talk--okay, not really!--just as easily as we can chat for hours about everything and nothing.  We take walks, we watch sports, we catch up on our favorite shows and we love getting together for lunch, dinner, tea or a glass of wine.  One of our favorite traditions is to declare Thursday evenings (from April-September) "Girls' Nights--NO boys!"  They golf, we gab.  And it works out quite nicely.

Without question, one of the traits of my Mom's that I treasure the most is her sense of tradition.  From taking birthday pictures and first day of school pictures in the same spot every year to the ritual of loading up a huge shopping bag with little presents to open each day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Traditions like sitting on the front steps at her house are so simple, but so steeped in memories.  She doesn't forget, on the 28th of each month, to remind me how many months it is until my birthday.  Holidays?  Forget it; there isn't enough time or space to demonstrate the tradition-laden way that we celebrate each and every holiday.

And traditions wouldn't be traditions unless they are shared with the next generation.  What my Mom learned from her Mom and then taught me, we are now delighting in teaching my daughter.  Abby's all about our Thursday Girls' Nights, she celebrates the 21st of each month (which also happens to be the date of my Mom's birthday; a fact that brings a funny little bond!) and she is firmly entrenched in our holiday rituals as well.  At age 3, she made her first pierogie.  THAT is tradition!

My Mom is WOW.  And there are many other Moms I know and love, too.  I admire the single Mom who preserves and encourages her son's relationship with his father despite the ugly side he has shown her throughout and beyond their divorce.  I respect the Mom of three who juggles ailing parents, demanding kids' schedules and more than one job.  There's the Mom who has a good night conversation with her kids each day--even when she's out of town for work--in which the very last questions are, "What was the best thing about your day?" and "Was there something in your day that wasn't so great?"  Abby and I have that conversation now.  There's the Mom of two boys; one who had incredible health issues at birth.  She spent days at his side in the NICU, days away from her other son, trying to balance it all and make sure they both felt the depth of her love.  

Isn't that what it's all about?  Love?  The love a Mother has for her child(ren) and they have for her is palpable and indescribable and beautiful beyond measure.  Often, before I had Abby, I was told that I will never know a love so pure and intense as I will the moment I see and hold my baby for the first time.  It's true.  What I didn't anticipate was how that feeling, the one I couldn't imagine being any better, does, in fact, get better each and every day as I experience Motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day--Wow!

 

 

My Favorite Hockey Fan

It's barely 7am, and I hear a sweet voice calling me.  "Mama?"  I walk into her room and find my daughter sitting up in bed, hair tousled from sleep, thumb in her mouth and her beloved Tallulah tucked under her arm.  

"What is it, Lovey?" I ask.  

SMACK--out comes the thumb, her eyes crinkle up with a smile and she shouts, "It's a Hockey Day!"

And that's how my morning started!  But Abby's love of the Penguins?  Yeah, that started a while ago.  Even before she was born.  This morning as we drove to school, Abby asked me why she liked the Penguins.  And this is what I told her.

When I was pregnant with Abby, she would perform some crazy gymnastics anytime there was hockey on TV.  We're talking the kind of movements not only felt by me, but visible to Mark from across the room.  Real "is there an alien in there" moments!

At first we chalked it up to an after dinner energy spurt.  But then we noticed that she went nuts during afternoon games, too.  We even found some hockey highlights on early in the morning and, yep, she went bonkers then, too.

The Steelers had won the Super Bowl that February and the Penguins were making a run at the Cup.  We joked that if this baby would have been a boy, we'd name him "Stanley Vincent" in honor of the two trophies.  Joked, people.  We joked!!  Not that Stanley Vincent isn't a terrific name...but I digress.

I wore Mark's old Coffey jersey over my bump, raised a celebratory glass of water with each goal scored and series won and cheered loudly when the Penguins did, indeed, win the Stanley Cup a few weeks before Abby was born.

About 2 months after Abby arrived, I was out running some errands when I got a call from Mark.  He had a crying kiddo on his hands and was out of options.  Clean, dry and fed, there was no good reason for Abby's fussiness.  I suggested a few things and said I'd call back shortly.  When I did, all was quiet. 

"How'd you do that, Mark?  Is she asleep?"

"Nope, I put the Penguins highlight DVD in.  She's laying here on my chest completely zoned in on the game!"

Tonight, as we get ready for Game #4 in this series, Abby is wearing her James Neal shirt, she's got the Game Day program at the ready and is already chanting "Let's Go Pens!"  Time to drop the puck!
 

Let's Go Penguins!

 

Traditions

You know what I love about traditions?  Sharing them.  Passing them on, explaining them to my daughter.  Some traditions are really grand---Christmas Eve, for example.  There's a whole lot about Christmas Eve that's exactly the same, no matter what.  What's on the table, who's around the table....years pass, yet that remains constant.

Other traditions are far less grand, yet still meaningful.  Sunday mornings are one of my favorite traditions.  Maybe you'll think it's mundane---and maybe that's exactly what makes it so great!

On Sunday mornings, I wake up before my husband and daughter and enjoy the stillness of the house.  If I'm up early enough, I can even watch the sunrise from the porch.  I might flip open a book or magazine, I might hop online to do some work, or I might make some tea and simply sit quietly and drink it.  Any Mom of a toddler knows that drinking a hot beverage while it's still hot is luxury enough most days!

It's not long before Mark is up.  He comes downstairs and sits with me; typically turning on the TV because there must be something incredible on ESPN right now, right?  Finding out that, no, there really isn't, he'll fire up the DVR and we'll quickly watch a show from earlier in the week.  Again, any parents of a toddler know it's not always feasible to watch Modern Family "live" when you're busy trying to be a modern family!

With about 4 minutes left in the show, Abby's up!  Never fails.  Her timing is good.  The TV is switched off and Mark and I race up to her room for a Snuggle Party.  The kid wakes up so full of happy and awesome, you can't help but feel that way yourself.  There's a whole routine up there, too; count to three, open the blinds, say good morning to the world, check for the cows across the hills, and then fire off questions about the day.  "Is it Sunday?  Do the Penguins play?  Can we go to the playground?  Are there pancakes for breakfast?  Do I have to wear a jacket?"  She's like a barge of fireworks, shooting off questions like powder kegs!

After snuggling for a while and being entertained by no less than 14 stuffed animals, we come downstairs.  Abby is about three steps from the foyer when she confirms, "It's Sunday, right?"  A nod of my head sends her into the office to turn on the radio, tune it to the right station and then turn on the speakers in the family room.  It's time for "The Acoustic Sunrise with Dan O'Brien"--unplugged versions of great songs.  I love that she knows that; I love that that's something she understands is part of our Sunday!  We hang out in the kitchen, making breakfast, listening to the music and we plan our week.

This is where you might think it's lame---because everything to this point was riveting, right!?  One of my favorite things to do on Sunday mornings is soak in our family.  The noises, the quiet, the smells of breakfast, the smiley faces drawn on waffles with syrup, the conversations, the giggles, the messy bedheads and rumpled pajamas.  This is where I feel like I must have done something right at some point to be blessed with these riches.

Last order of business before we turn ourselves loose to the Sunday at hand---we meal plan and grocery shop.  I'm sorry--did I hear you say "lame?"  Yeah, well...this simple task has become a staple in our weeks and saved us big time.  It's saved money, time, bad choices and the aggravation of the 4pm "what's for dinner" conversations that used to occur daily.  When we don't make the time to plan out our weeks, we're creating stress by having to figure out dinner on the fly after a long day at work AND we're usually creating opportunities to make bad choices--as in, "just call out for Chinese, it's fast." 

I love scouring websites to find fun new recipes that are easy and healthy.  We plot out our week--which nights we have activities or plans, plan out each dinner, write the recipe so we know what ingredients we have vs those we need (shop your pantry first; money/time saver!), grab some coupons and head to the grocery store.  Once we're back and the groceries are all put away, the real fun of Sunday begins.  

Traditions.  They aren't always lavish ceremonies steeped with pomp and circumstance.  Sometimes they're better when they're simple, ordinary and shared with the ones you love.  To some, they may be lame.  No worries; they're special to you and that's what matters most!  Here's hoping you enjoy some of your very own traditions and find joy in sharing them, too!

   

Crystalizing Moments

Sometimes life hands you these crystalized moments.  Moments that you’ll remember forever and know exactly what you were doing/eating/wearing/listening to when….

For me, the first time I learned of Beachbody wasn’t one of those moments.  I vaguely remember being on FB reading something about my friend loving her Beachbody workouts or something along those lines.  It was nearing summer, so I just thought she was referring to working out to get ready for a summer trip to the beach.  At some point, I started asking questions about this whole Beachbody thing and the conversations started.

A few FB conversations later, I was beginning to hear a little voice in my head encouraging me to get more involved.  Do a Challenge Group.  Get the Shakeology.  An army of excuses and I politely told that little voice to buzz off.  It was too expensive.  I wasn’t an “at home business” kind of person.  I don’t have a lot of weight to lose.  I was going to be away for two back to back vacations--surely that wouldn’t be compatible with a program like this. 

Then one day, I had it…the crystalizing moment.  Getting ready for work, I put on a pair of black linen pants and looked in the mirror.  I was really disappointed.  I had had it.  I was done saying that I didn’t need to lose that much weight or I’m not too bad.  Enough of that; I was disappointed and knew I could—and SHOULD-- be better.  Weight loss doesn’t have to mean you have 50 pounds to lose; it could be as little as 5-10 pounds that would make a big difference.  That day, I finally acknowledged the little voice in my head, dismissed the army of excuses, and reached out to my friend—and she became my Coach.

It wasn’t quite so instant.  Several more FB conversations later, I was finally on board (God bless my Coach’s patience and persistence).  Together, we addressed my hesitations-- a mix of uncertainty about the expense and being afraid that I wouldn’t stick with the workouts because they were done at home.  At home…you know, where everything else that distracts you is?  Then, another crystalizing moment:  If it was that easy to ignore them, (smack forehead here) then it’d be equally easy not to ignore them.  And so it began!

I committed to a Challenge Group that was starting on August 6 and realized the 90 Day mark would coincide with my Heart Walk.  How’s that for timing!?  I won’t lie; it made me a little nervous, but I hit the ORDER NOW button and knew there was no going back.  I completed my “Getting to Know you” document for the group and ordered my Challenge Pack—I chose TurboFire as my first workout.  At the suggestion of my Coach, I registered as a Coach myself at this time.  “I’m only doing this to get the discount,” I convinced myself.  I chuckled at her insinuation that I’d be Coaching one day.  Really?  Me?  Little did I know…. 

Before long, my materials had arrived and I was eagerly pouring through all of them.  I reluctantly took my before measurements and pictures; a very sobering experience, framed beautifully by my Coach:  “These are your goodbye pictures,” she said!  That was all it took to see them differently.  I set my goals—not entirely sure what was realistic or “acceptable” and gave myself a pep talk. 

The night before the first day of our Challenge my Coach posted a motivational message that delivered;  I was fired up.  Her faith in me, her firsthand success and her support were palpable.  It was, indeed, go time.

I can’t tell you that I remember Days 1-30 with stunning clarity.  But what I can tell you is that I was faithful to my workouts, active in the group and never short on questions for my Coach.  I really liked the workouts from the beginning; Chalene is fun, funny and so uplifting.  The daily posts from the leader of our Challenge Group and check-ins from my Coach, other ladies in the group and myself made all the difference.  I was no longer in this alone; I had a real support group waiting to comment on my post or give me a virtual high five for pushing through a particularly tough workout.  What’s more, I found that by being the one giving the high fives, I was helping myself in the process. 

I struggled a bit with the Clean Eating piece, so I modified.  I drank my Shake daily and really worked to improve my food choices.  Pasta became a once a month option rather than once a week.  Garlic bread was replaced with extra salad and I really made a conscious effort to drink more water---something I always thought I did well until I really paid attention to it.  I wasn’t hell-bent on trying to look like Chalene overnight---or ever, for that matter---so I did what worked for me and helped me achieve my goals.

My Day 30 pictures and measurements weren’t all that substantial in their difference from day 1, but then I had (yep, you guessed it) another crystalizing moment.  I started to realize that I was gaining far more than I was losing; not weight, but confidence.  Pride.  Happiness.  Don’t misunderstand; I was all of those things before, but they were somehow more noteworthy now.  And I knew my body was changing; the number on the scale is just that—a number.  It’s not the defining characteristic of anyone.  We are measured by far more than our weight—or at least we should be.

Just before I hit the 60 day mark, I checked off one of my biggest goals on my list; I ran the Great Race.  Every step.  I ran every step.  This was like fuel to a fire; I couldn’t believe it.  When I crossed the finish line, I was laughing and crying all at the same time.  I didn’t achieve my goal time, but I didn’t even care; I didn’t walk a single step.  I firmly believe it was my workouts that gave me the stamina, endurance and belief to make it happen.  Coupled with great running partners and the incredible support from the Challenge Group, I made it!

I took a few days off to let my legs recover---they gave me no choice!  They were whooped!---then got right back to TurboFire.  I had a few days here and there that I wasn’t at my best, or I missed a workout that was scheduled.  It happens.  One of the biggest differences I experienced with this group was that I learned to let go of the shame and frustration.  Miss a workout, sure, that stinks.  Beat yourself up over it for days, that stinks more---and gets you nowhere.  I learned to be nicer to myself and to be more flexible.  That doesn’t mean that I let myself off the hook or took it easy; there’s a difference.  I got better at understanding that sometimes a sick kid, a hellish commute that takes every last shred of patience and energy or a screaming headache that Advil won’t even touch will be what derails your day’s best laid plans.  Chalk it up to a miss and rededicate yourself the next day.  Make a Shake and curl up with your favorite old afghan; do what you need to do to get your mind right and attack the next day, determined to be your best.

Even as our group began to lose members and the boards grew quiet, I grew more determined to be a voice in the discussion.  I figured that our leader wasn’t giving up on me;  I wasn’t quitting on her.  And then, another crystalizing moment; it wasn’t about keeping up with/for our leader, but it was about being the best Amy I could be.  I was becoming a better Mom and wife in the process, too.

By Day 60, I was seeing real results.  Numbers were changing and so was my body.  I could tell a difference, and so could others.  I began to see my body differently.  I talked about my experience and signed up two ladies to start a Challenge Group.  And while it sounds terribly cliché, it really did happen “just like that.”  Once they signed on, I freaked out a little and went to my Coach…my superhero….for guidance  She helped me get the girls all situated and agreed to host the Challenge Group, inviting me to be as involved as I wanted to be.  I could hardly believe that a few offhand comments here and there were enough to interest and persuade two people to get on this ride with me.  Imagine what I could do if I was armed with more information and a laser-like focus!?

As the countdown to Day 90 grew closer, things at work got even more ridiculous.  There were long days, late nights, demanding clients and looming deadlines and goals.  I felt like a contestant on WipeOut, being pummeled with obstacles as I navigated a challenge course.  And now I had two ladies “depending” on me to boot.  This was serious.  I buckled down, gritted my teeth and refocused my energies on finishing what I started.  And I remembered a quote I had read once; “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”  If I could succeed during this hectic time, I’d be set!!

At the end of my 90 days, I was shocked to see the results.  Those pictures I didn’t want to take on Day 1?  They were a fantastic measure of my progress.  Better than I had imagined.  I’m still a work in progress, and really hope I always will be.  We can always get better in some way, right?  Beyond the physical, it was the emotional and the mental results that I had achieved that inspired me.  I began slowly letting go of the guilty feelings I had about putting me first now and then—I embraced that.  I encouraged my daughter to workout with me; it’s terribly adorable to watch her little arms “reach and pull” and there’s not much cuter than hearing her repeat commands or sing the songs from the workouts.  I stopped waiting for my husband to encourage me to work out; I just went and did it.  I started thinking in new ways and found out that I was capable of more than I thought I was.  I even had people tell me I inspired them.  What?  Me?  Surely that can’t be right.

But it is.  I know at least one person who I inspired; me!  I’m proud of what I’ve done and excited about what’s next.  I now know that I can do this and I want to help others as well.  I’m humbled by the varying ways we can do that; we all have our own ways of reaching and influencing people.  My approach may not be yours and vice versa, but we do what works for us.  And all the while, we have people cheering us on, celebrating our successes and picking us up when we need a lift.

My final crystalizing moment of this phase of the journey came on Day 90.  As I stood on an empty street outside of Heinz Field, where hours before, 10,000 people had been gathered for the Heart Walk, I realized that I am already a coach.  I’m already doing all of the things we need to do—motivate people who aren’t truly accountable to you, inspire them to set big goals with solid plans to achieve them, remind them why they’re doing this in moments when that’s hard to call to mind, and celebrate with them when they succeed.  This is what I do at work every day; if I can combine that with Beachbody training, I can only imagine greater success on both fronts.

I’m Amy Rayman.  I’m a Wife, a Mom, a fulltime employee and I completed a 90 Day TurboFire Challenge during a very busy time in my professional life.  I lost over 10 pounds and 11 inches so far I’ve gained a desire to help others achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves.