Join me for PIIT28 – December 1st!

If you’ve been following my blog, then you know I can no longer do PIIT28 because of the arthritis in my knees. This doesn’t mean I CAN’T do it per se, it means I shouldn’t. I am physically capable of completing it, but if I keep pushing myself to do everything in it then my knees will get worse and worse until I’m in constant pain and can’t do anything without hurting.

It’s the usual path of arthritis. All it means is that my knees have undergone a lot of wear and tear through the years. And a lot of that was due to being overweight and obese for most of my life. Another part is genetics – bad knees on both sides of my family. We all work with what we’re given in life. Sometimes I fight against it but there’s really no point.

Cassey Ho put out a special Cyber Monday deal for PIIT28 the other day. 1/2 off any of the PIIT28 programs. It was only for that day (sorry if you missed it) but it generated so much fresh interest in the fitness program that it made me miss it and the results it gave, so I’m going to try an experiment.

No, I’m not going to go jumping around killing my knees. I’m going to modify EVERY MOVE THAT CONTAINS JUMPING. I’m going to see what this program would be like if you had to modify all plyometrics. No more jumps, no more hops. Some moves I’m not altogether sure how I’ll change them but I’ll figure something out. I may have to completely switch a move out in some cases but I’ll try not to. I don’t like the idea of replacing a move unless it’s with something similar.

Let’s see what results I can get this way. I’m going to start tomorrow, December 1st. I may end up skipping some days when the holidays come around but I’ll do my best not to of course.

Come join me in my modified PIIT28 journey and see how we do!

Click on the above picture to buy the PIIT28 program

1/2 off PIIT28!!!

Oh! My! Goodness! Guess what Cassey Ho announced this morning! For those of you who don’t know, Cassey Ho created POP Pilates, BodyPOP, POPFlex, and PIIT28…among other things. Last Friday I let everyone know about the Black Friday deals Cassey was hosting (Black Friday POP Sale). Those deals end today by the way so get them while you still can! Now I get to announce Cassey’s Cyber Monday deal.

Click on the above pic to go to PIIT28 1.0

OMG! OMG! 1/2 off PIIT28! That also includes half off PIIT28 2.0, half off the 28 Day Reset Plan, and half off the Power Pack which includes both PIIT28 1.0 AND the 28 Day Reset. Holy FREAKING COW!!!

This is an AWESOME deal! SERIOUSLY awesome!!

If you want more info on what these plans are, you can check out my PIIT28 1.0 page. It doesn’t go into the 28 Day Reset because I never finished the meal plan (that’s my biggest weakness – making my food fit into someone else’s plan), but there is a blog post (It’s the PIITs of March) that goes over some general information for 28 Day Reset. The 28 Day Reset info is located toward the bottom of that post so just scroll down a ways and you’ll find it.

Savings in Numbers:

• PIIT28 1.0 = $39 –> $19.50 http://bit.ly/KatiePIIT28
• 28 Day Reset = $69 –> $34.50 http://bit.ly/Katie28DayReset
• Power Pack = $89 –> $44.50 http://bit.ly/KatiePIITpower
• PIIT28 2.0 = $39 –> $19.50

I don’t have a special link to PIIT28 2.0 but you can get it through one of my other links. Just click on any of those links, scroll down all the way to the bottom of the page where it lists the Links and Social Media and you’ll see PIIT28 2.0 nestled in between Ambassador Program and PIIT28 1.0.

Word to the wise – PIIT28 2.0 is a lot harder than 1.0. You’ll want to start with 1.0 first. In fact, I’m not altogether sure you can buy it without already having 1.0. If you can, that’s great for you, but just so you know it’s gonna be a killer if that’s where you’re starting.

For those of you who aren’t sure if you’re ready for PIIT28 1.0, let me assure you can always modify moves that are too strenuous or not doctor-recommended. I’ve also written a post on who PIIT28 1.0 might not be good for (PIIT28 – Who It’s Not Good For).

Remember, always check with your doctor before starting a new fitness program. We want you to be safe and healthy, not injured.

Black Friday POP sale!!!

I knew there was going to be a Black Friday POPFlex sale, but I didn’t know the details until today…of course. I’ll keep it short and simple.

Black Friday POP sales!

POPFlex Sale:

There are some seriously cute clothes here! And super comfy. Whenever I wear my POPFlex leggings, I always get compliments. People love the design! The colors, the see-through side panel, the pockets. Everything! They’re stretchy too, so if you’re between sizes, you might want to size down.

POP Pilates Certification Training Sale:

The link in that graphic will take you to the USA training classes. If you’re an international POPster, you’ll want the International Workshops. When are you ever going to get a deal like this again? How can anyone get certified to teach a fitness class for so cheap?? There are new training classes scheduled and some are in brand new places. The POP Army is spreading its wings and soaring across the world! Speaking from experience, getting certified in POP Pilates was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love my job! Join us in spreading POP love around the nation and around the world!

Blogilates Designs Sale:

This sale is…I can’t even…There’s not much left in this store because Cassey Ho’s focusing on POPFlex, but what is here is still awesome. The big thing to look for are the water bottles. If I didn’t have tons of water bottles already, I would get at least a few (including the mason jars), but I think my husband’s head might explode so I’m holding back. If you haven’t checked Cassey’s original Blogilates store, you should…especially now when it’s all 50% off!

All of three of these sales last until Cyber Monday so shop while you can and DON’T MISS OUT!! These deals are AMAZING!!

Happy Shopping!

YMCA Events + #UniqueYogis + POPFlex

What’s up what’s up what’s up in my world of fitness these days…

For the last 2 weeks I haven’t been able to go to that BodyPump class I was loving so much. Simple reason – my shoulder was and still is injured. I injured the rotator cuff in both shoulders several years back. Left was worse than the right but I gradually got over it. It took me a long time to regain the muscle that I lost during that period. However, one move in particular from one of the Upper Body tracks in my POP Pilates class aggravated my right shoulder again. I’m sure it didn’t help that I was also going heavy on the shoulder work in BodyPump and doing wide-armed push-ups every day for a challenge.

I’ve been trying to rest it when not teaching without much improvement until yesterday when it began to feel a bit better. For those of you with shoulder weakness or shoulder injuries, watch out for the Goal Post Puncher in POP Pilates. I’m not saying don’t do it, just take care. Keep with the slow version rather than the fast that the instructor will guide you through. All that up/down rotation is pretty rough.

Robot Arms is a very similar move in POP Pilates, but it’s done slower so it should be totally fine. However, if you do find that you feel a sharp pain instead of the “it burns so good” kind of pain, lower your arms to reduce the tension or stop entirely for a break.

My injury hasn’t affected my ability to lead the class though. I find I have more time to really guide people through the move. Because my own movements are slower, my students slow down and then they pay more attention to what their arms are doing.

This Saturday is the YMCA’s Frozen Turkey Trot. It’s a 5k. I’m not running but I have volunteered. I’ll be at a table handing out bags of marshmallows and cans of yams with another woman. We’ll be at North Shore Lake by the boat ramp.

click pic for registration form

I’m excited because this is the first time to volunteer to help in a 5k rather than running it. I’ve been wanting to help out at one of these events for some years now but always ran instead. Yay!

Next week the YMCA is closed for Thanksgiving (Thursday 24th) but there will be a special Black Friday schedule for those who want to work off all that turkey and mashed potatoes and ham. Four classes total though you’ll have to choose during the 2nd and 3rd ones because they’re at the same time. Mine’s last at 10:30am! It’ll be a special 45-minute class so I’ve worked hard to prepare something tough yet fun for everyone. I hope to see a lot of people there! *fingers crossed*

Just remember that there’s no childcare available so leave your kids with your spouse or, if they’re old enough, at home. If they’re really old enough, take them with you to class!

I also have another POP Pilates class on Tuesday at my normal time. It’ll be a normal 30-min Express class but I’ll be previewing some of the Black Friday tracks because…well…because it’s fun and I want to! Good news – the shoulder track should be a lot easier than the current one. Everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Toe Stand

Last but not least, I’m currently in another IG challenge – #UniqueYogis

I was so excited when I held this pose for a second or two…before falling over. This was actually my 2nd picture. My face isn’t as funny excited as the first time but I was still excited to be able to do it a 2nd time. I couldn’t do it on the other side because my little toe hasn’t healed from when it attacked the bathroom door. Standing balance is still easy but this was too much.

The challenge has a few hosts and lots of sponsors. I prefer it that way honestly. The hosts are an awesome group of ladies if you want to check out their IG accounts.

Host:

@doroteasworld @lucewithlove @fitwithlena13 @pielattesandpilates

Sponsors:
@pranamat @libretea @bodybymeeu @prana @inspiredbystephanierose @truelifefitnessapparel @genre.active @la.forma @dharmabumsactive

Lastly, Blogilates has come out with their newest planner for 2017! I just got mine in the mail today and it’s beautiful!!! It also feels really sturdy and the pages and front/back covers feel like good quality. This year the planner will cover the entire year and has spots to write in not only fitness and meals but most everything else you might need a planner for in your regular day-to-day life.

click the pic to go to the POPFlex site

POPFlex has also started a Rewards Program for all members. It’s free to become a member so you can hop on over to start. Each member gets 250 points just for activating an account. After that you get a personal link that you can use to advertise POPFlex. Each time a person makes a first-time purchase through your link, you get points. You also get points for every $1 you spend on POPFlex, the accessories sold there, and on the POP Pilates tops. Get a certain amount of points and you get free clothes! Go check it out for yourself! I’m, of course, using my link in the hopes of getting some points.

Click on the above banner to go to POPFlex

That’s it for me on the fitness front! Enjoy your November!

Fitness Progress

After I got the news that I had mild arthritis in my knees and that further running would make it worse, I looked and looked for another kind of cardio to get into. I couldn’t do PIIT28 because of all the jumping either. I was worried that this would cause me to gain weight again because I wasn’t working hard cardio-wise. That wasn’t quite the case though.

I kept pushing myself as hard as before with my strength training and I tried to walk and use the elliptical 2-3 times a week. I tried to do swimming and cycling but the timing was difficult to get right. Luckily the weather has been really good lately so walking outside was quite enjoyable.

I did gain weight but not as much as I feared and I started losing it again after a bit. My gaining problem wasn’t because my cardio was wonky, it was because I was eating tons of peanut butter, candy corn, and marshmallows. The last two I shrug off with a whatever because I stopped eating the candy corn after about a week or so. It’s the peanut butter that probably did it. I’ve been eating so much of it and even the reduced fat peanut butter can be pretty fatty especially when gobbled like it’s the only food available.

People can say it’s unhealthy all they want. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass. I love me some peanut butter and I always will!

And that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing – squats, deadlifts and more in BodyPUMP class twice a week and then eating peanut butter…along with eating other things of course. It’s really only the peanut butter (and marshmallows) that are unhealthy…in the quantity in which I consume them.

Anyway, I’ve been concentrating on introducing new tracks in my POP Pilates class. The classes are gradually getting harder and harder. Today’s was a killer. Everyone liked it though so we’ll stick with it for a little while and gain some muscle. Between BodyPUMP and POP, I feel like my arms are going to fall off at the shoulders.

Here are my measurements:

10-1-16 // 11-2-16

• Arms: L 12 1/4″ R 12 5/8″ // L 12 1/4″ R 12 3/4″ (R +1/8″)
• Thighs: L 23 3/4″ R 23 1/2″ // LR 23 3/4″ (R +1/4″)
• Waist: 35 1/2″ // 35 1/2″
• Lower Belly: 42″ // 41 1/4″ (-3/4″)
• Hips: 44 1/4″ // 44″ (-1/4″)
• Chest: 32 1/4″ // 32″ (-1/4″)
• Bust: 40 1/4″ // 39″ (-1 1/4″)
• Weight: 186.4 lbs // 185.6 lbs (-.9 lb)

The arm gain I fully believe is muscle gain because I’ve made incredible improvement in that strength area. The leg gain…not sure. There has been definite muscle gain. Just not sure if that’s really what’s accounted for the change in size. My bust loss could very easily be fake. I was wearing a very different bra from the one I normally wear (normal one was dirty) and it causes a bit of a squished uniboob instead of giving the ladies their own space. I’ll do the measurement again now that my bras are clean once more (yay for laundry day!) and see if there’s a difference. I am gaining some serious muscle in my back (upper and lower) though, so…I don’t know…maybe I’ll wittled some fat away in that area. It’d be nice…

I hate measuring tapes. And scales. Unless they tell me something I want to hear. I got half and half this time around. Some was good, some was discouragingly neutral, some was probably not bad but I still haven’t learned to 100% like higher numbers even if I know they’re from muscle gain. I’m doing my best to focus on the lower belly and hips size loss and all of my muscle gain (of which I know there is quite a bit) though. Hopefully I’ll be able to look past the numbers more easily soon but it hasn’t happened yet.

Damn peanut butter.

Honestly, I’d eat more peanut butter right now except it’s kind of late for me and I don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night from heartburn because I ate freaking peanut butter right before bed.

Yes, I go to bed absurdly early.