Blog Archives

PIIT28 Cyber Monday Sale

Good morning! I hope everyone had a great weekend and didn’t get overwhelmed by all the shopping. If you shopped, I hope you got something(s) you wanted and love. If you didn’t shop, then I hope you had a nice relaxing weekend.

I did a little bit of both. My shopping wasn’t too strenuous and it wasn’t all for Black Friday – groceries…gotta eat!

Last week I announced the beginning of Black Friday deals with a sale on POP Pilates workshops. Today I’m going to end the sale season with a PIIT28 sale! Are you ready for it because it’s crazy!

Click to buy the PIIT28 Transformation Pack. Use code CYBER50 at checkout.

The Transformation Pack includes EVERYTHING to get the best deal possible! In this pack you get both the workouts from all 3 PIIT28 programs but also the meal guide.

  • 28 Day Reset
  • PIIT28 1.0
  • PIIT28 2.0
  • PIIT28 3.0

That’s usually $99, but remember you’re getting 50% off so you get it for $49.50! Just use the code CYBER50 at checkout to get 50% off your purchase. And once you complete PIIT28 1.0 along with the included Instagram challenge, you let the people in charge know (they’ll give an e-mail to contact) along with your shirt size and you’ll get one of the free PIIT28 completion tanks! No one can buy these, you have to earn them. And, yes, IG is a requirement for the shirt.

Can you believe everything single PIIT28 program is half off??? I can’t. This is the best sale I’ve seen for PIIT28 thus far.

Don’t want all of those programs for whatever reason? You can get them individually. Or if you only want the workout programs without the meal plan, you can do that too with the Power Pack. Here are some links to make it easier:

PIIT28 1.0

28 Day Reset

Power Pack (PIIT28 1.0, 2.0, 3.0)

VEGAN 28 Day Reset

VEGAN Transformation Pack (Vegan version of 28 Day Reset, PIIT28 1.0, 2.0, 3.0)

Transformation Pack (28 Day Reset, PIIT28 1.0, 2.0, 3.0)

I didn’t list the individual links to PIIT28 2.0 or 3.0 because you need to finish 1.0 first. After you finish it, there’ll be a link at the bottom of your page giving you access to the other 2 programs. If you don’t have any of the workout programs but know you want them all, I recommend using the Power Pack link. If you’re not sure, try the PIIT28 1.0 link to get just the first program.

I have it all and I use it all both at home and in my classes. I may not use the program on a daily basis anymore, but I find it to be a great help when it comes to making my HIIT classes. My students all get an awesome workout. All levels too because there are modifications for everything. PSST! If you find you can’t make it through a workout without modifying, don’t feel bad. We all use or have used modifications. It’s all good. Just push yourself and you’ll see and feel the results.

Don’t forget to use the code CYBER50 at checkout!

Anyway, happy shopping!!

30% Off All PIIT28 Programs + 28 Day Reset

Use code “THANKYOU30” at checkout for 30% off all programs

The time has arrived for another PIIT28 sale!!! This sale includes the 28-Day Reset and will last until Sept 5th so get it now while the price is still low! Use code “THANKYOU30” at checkout to get 30% off!!

If you’ve been wanting an exercise program that gives results but isn’t so pricey that you have to sell your kidney to be able to afford it, then I highly suggest you try PIIT28. It’s a combination of cardio and Pilates strengthening moves done in quick 45-second intervals. I bought the first program – PIIT28 1.0 – when it was originally released back in 2015 and I LOVED it! At the end of that first month, when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see much change because my diet was still so poor. HOWEVER, I felt different. I felt stronger and my self-esteem was higher because of all that I had accomplished. Physically, I was stronger and my endurance was much higher than at the beginning of the month.

By the end of 28 days of doing PIIT28 1.0, I had changed and improved in so many ways. I just couldn’t see the physical changes because my daily eating habits consisted of junk, junk, and more junk. If your motivation to continue exercising relies on seeing a physical change in your body and your eating habits need some fine tuning or correction like mine did, then you’ll also want to invest in the 28 Day Reset along with a PIIT28 exercise program. The meals are simple and yummy and there’s also a Vegan version for those who choose that type of eating lifestyle.

If you find your grocery bill increasing with all the different weekly meals (as mine did), I would suggest you stick with a few recipes and use them again and again all week. You end up spending less and don’t need to stock up on a whole bunch of different things that perhaps you’re not used to. Stocking up on all the different types of spices and misc cooking supplies can get a bit daunting and can wear a serious hole in your wallet. I recommend starting small and working into it.

You’ll of course want more information on these programs. After all, I haven’t really said much about them. Here’s where I start recycling posts to make the most of my time. Listed below are links to a more detailed description of PIIT28 as well as my own personal reviews of the first program.

Use code is “THANKYOU30” for 30% off

That’s a lot of links, I know, but it’s an in-depth as you’re going to get without actually buying anything. One month, Cassey Ho tried out a PIIT calendar in place of her POP Pilates calendar. I’d liked to say that everyone loved it, but they didn’t. People seemed to be split down the middle – either they loved it or they hated it. Really, it all depends on what style of exercise you’re into.

If, after all you’ve read here, you’re still not sure, you can always do the freebie PIIT versions on the Blogilates channel (6 Week Body Toning Bootcamp or the PIIT Pilates Intense Interval Training) and you can use that calendar I mentioned (with the 6-week bootcamp anyway) and see how you feel by the end of the month. True, the sale won’t be going on anymore, but you’ll know for later. Cassey doesn’t do sales all that often but she does do them for holidays and such so if you can wait till Thanksgiving or New Years, there will probably be more sales during those times. That’s not a guarantee, that’s a guess based off of past sales.

Transformation Pack includes 28-Day Reset, PIIT28 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0

Quick PIIT28 Update – New Deals!

This won’t be long because I’ve already written everything I currently know and have experienced concerning PIIT28 and the 28 Day Reset.

If you’ve heard about the new PIIT28 plans, then you can go to my PIIT28 page that’s dedicated to the program. It talks all about the program and has links galore for all you need to know to answer your questions. I also have new links that will take you over to the PIIT28 website (which also has a new fun look) so you can choose what you want to buy (if you do decide to buy) and so you can read even more about the programs.

While I don’t have a separate page for the meal plans, my first PIIT28 blog post – It’s the PIITs of March! – does talk about the meal plan. There are two meal plans by the way – one is regular and one is vegan.

I’m including all of these links (to my PIIT28 page and to these new packs) below:

If you look at the prices, you’ll notice that you save a lot more the more you buy. You save the most with the Transformation Pack. What it includes equals up to $186 but you only pay $99. You’re saving $87 just by adding in that meal plan. You’re saving more than the meal plan costs!! That makes it free and then some if you’re going by individual program costs.

Believe me when I say that PIIT28 can give amazing results. It’s difficult, yes, but if you push yourself almost every day you will see results. Even if you can’t see your results because maybe your eating habits aren’t the best (*coughmecough*), you’ll still feel the results. You’ll feel stronger, fitter, and more confident. You’ll have better posture, a higher self-esteem, more energy and who knows what else.

I did 1.0 and felt AMAZING by the end! All that I listed above, I felt in myself. I know that if I put in that effort, I will achieve greatness with this. I’ll be starting this up again pretty soon by repeating 1.0. Just so you know, I’ll be doing modifications to keep my knees in good shape, but I’ll be pushing myself alongside everyone else so I’ll be right there with you experiencing everything you’re experiencing.

If you do decide to join in and become a PIITster, don’t forget to listen to your body, recognize your limits, and accept it. Your body will grow stronger the longer you keep this up but if you hurt yourself or burn out in the beginning because you’re pushing yourself too hard, your body won’t have a chance to grow stronger. Likewise, if you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. Just accept it and continue on the next day with what you missed. Don’t skip the workout, just do it the next day.

CPT + PIIT28 3.0 + POPFlex Dark Bloom + Silver Sneakers

~ Couch Potato Triathlon ~

The Couch Potato Triathlon is nearing its end. 2 weeks left and it’ll be all over (Feb 19th). I thought for sure I’d zoom through the cycling and walking/running portion and have difficulty with the swimming portion but that’s not quite how it worked out. I have been zooming through the walking portion (I’m walking, not running) so I’ve backed off from it to focus on the other two.

Cycling takes more time than I thought it would and swimming takes less time. Still, it’s been difficult getting my butt in gear with swimming only because it’s such a bother carrying so much stuff to swim and then getting all cleaned up afterward.

Here’s what I still have left:

  • Swimming – 29.5 laps
  • Cycling – 48.8 miles
  • Walking – 6.8

~ PIIT28 3.0 ~

piit28-3-0

Click the above to go to PIIT28 1.0. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for links for 2.0 and 3.0.

Oh my holy cow!! If you thought PIIT28 1.0 was tough, you’re never going to believe what Cassey has in store for everyone this time! Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do it, but I’ve bought it anyway so I can tell people about it. And there’s nothing preventing me from doing individual moves to see how they feel etc.

*Disclaimer: It is not just recommended that you complete PIIT28 1.0 and 2.0 before starting 3.0, it is a requirement. Likewise, you should not do 2.0 before completing 1.0. These are DIFFICULT programs and if you do them before you’re ready, you may get injured because your body isn’t ready for it. Do not blame me for injuries sustained in the course of these programs.*

Can I just say real fast how much I LOVE Cassey’s outfit in this 3.0 cover picture? Much more my style than her near-nakedness in 1.0 and the leotard in 2.0. I love how badass she looks here.

I’ll be checking out PIIT28 3.0 later and writing up a blog on it after I’ve done some of the moves to see what it’s like. But there’s good news! I looked through it real fast and found no Up-Up Down-Down Plank Jacks. Those look ridiculously hard, not only strength-wise but for coordination! And there are still some “easy” moves like Butt Kicks and Oil Riggers. Yay!

By the way, remember when I said I would complete PIIT28 1.0 with low impact modifications? I did and I didn’t. Way back in the day I pushed too hard and hurt my hip flexors (that crease on the front of your hips where you bend over?). They’ve both been super tight since then, especially since I also spend a lot of time sitting down typing on the computer, so it tends to hurt big time if I do a ton of squats or leg raises etc. In order to modify the high impact cardio moves in PIIT28 1.0, I had to squat a lot. It was a really good option but my hip flexors started screaming at me after awhile so I had to stop.

Other than that, if you have no hip flexor issues like I do, you can totally benefit from PIIT28 1.0. Modifying the high impact moves into low impact will take a lot of the burn out, but it’s still a really good workout. So don’t feel like you can’t do PIIT28 if you can’t do high impact moves. Low impact cardio moves will still make you burn and sweat.

And remember! You may have a 6-pack but no one will ever see it if you don’t eat well. Of course, it’s perfectly fine if no one ever sees it – mine is safely tucked away behind layers of insulating fat. That is totally fine. But if you do want people to see it, you have to eat well.

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Click the above pic to go to the 28-Day Reset Meal Plan. Available in Vegan as well!

~ POPFlex Dark Bloom Collection ~

The 2nd half of the POPFlex Dark Bloom Collection is being released TODAY!!!! Yay!!! You can get a sneak peak at 9:30am PST when Cassey and Lexi go live on FB to reveal their favorite pieces from the new collection. The entire collection will be available to see and buy at 10:00am PST. I, unfortunately, will be in the middle of teaching my POP class when this happens and then swimming for that CPT but I really have no $ to buy anything yet anyway. I have a growing wishlist and a birthday coming up, but I don’t think people will give me enough to get my entire wishlist. I’ll have to choose veeeeeeryyyy carefully and hope things aren’t sold out in my size when the time comes.

Imagine this design on the new Wishing Star Capris…

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Click the above pic to go to POPFlex

Gorgeous!!

~ Silver Sneakers ~

Last but not least, come March I’ll be getting certified in 3 new group x classes – Silver Sneakers: Classic, Silver Sneakers: Cardio Circuit, and Silver Sneakers: Yoga. Seems we might be running low on instructors in the future. I should be taking over the SS: Cardio class later on and subbing for the other two when needed. Yay! My repertoire is growing!

I was looking at other formats to teach like Barre, but the director said they tried a Barre class before and it didn’t work out so well. People didn’t care. Surprising since people like POP and it seems pretty similar…Maybe it was the timing or the instructor? Who knows. It doesn’t matter too much because I’m not getting certified in it right now. I may pursue it later, but not right now.

January Dietary Challenge Ends + Confession

Thank goodness January is done! The beginning of Cassey Ho’s dietary challenge was super easy. I didn’t completely cut anything out (except alcohol which I already cut out years ago) but instead cut back on everything.

My normal daily eating habits included several slices of American cheese, a ton of French bread, summer sausage, cookies, misc pastries, coffee etc. And then there were the special meals where we went out for eat – Burger King, Jimmy Johns, misc diner, Subway. Really, I think Burger King is the worst one there and we don’t do it all that often because I’m in love with Jimmy John’s sandwiches. I only get the sandwich but it’s still too big for one meal so it becomes 2 meals. I’d say that’s healthy enough and if it’s not, I don’t really care.

So I did my best this month to cut out desserts, cut out that cheese, bread, and summer sausage. We still went out to eat every weekend and I didn’t change my coffee because the sugar content on that is as low as I’m prepared to make it. When we did go out, I tried to keep it to Jimmy Johns as that is the tastiest and healthiest. Some might argue and say Subway is but I get pizza when I’m there sooooo…yeah…Could be better, could be worse.

Let’s shrug it off.

IMG_4585

To buy the 28-Day Reset meal plan, click above – Eat Healthy, Be Healthy

On top of the dietary changes, I added in at least 30 minutes of exercise. It was cardio and it wasn’t intense because I don’t like to be intense these days but it was 4-5x a week. I’m doing a Couch Potato Triathlon challenge at my YMCA so I’m working my butt off trying to get everything in.

My cardio:

  • swimming
  • cycling
  • walking

Strength training:

  • POP Pilates (30-min, 45-min classes)

Every day opens my eyes to a new sore spot. It’s good though. I tell my students that that pain is weakness leaving. It’s screaming and holding on for dear life and that’s why it hurts so much – it’s putting up a fight. But we master it with every workout, every class. And we’re getting stronger and stronger so it hurts less and less.

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Before/After measurements from eating cleaner (not clean, just cleaner). On the left is 1/1/17, on the right is 1/31/17, in bold/italics is the difference.

  • Weight – 182.4 lb // 180.6 lb ( – 1.8 lb)
  • Arms – L 12 1/4 in, R 12 5/8 in // L 12 in, R 12 1/2 in ( L – 1/4 in, R – 1/8 in)
  • Bust – 40 1/2 in // 39 3/4 in ( – 3/4 in)
  • Chest – 32 in // 32 in ( 0 )
  • Waist – 36 in // 35 in ( – 1 in)
  • Lower Belly Pooch – 42 in // 41 1/2 in ( – 1/2 in)
  • Hips – 44 in // 43 3/4 in ( – 1/4 in)
  • Thighs – L & R 23 3/4 in // L 23 1/2 in, R 23 1/4 in ( L – 1/4 in, R – 1/2 in)

And to think these numbers would have been even better had I not had junk food over the weekend and on Monday. Bloating is bad if you’re only worried about the numbers.

Here’s my confession…

To be honest, I was seriously stressing this last weekend over what to eat because I wanted to give the best possible numbers here. In fact, I was stressing about it so much that I realized I wasn’t eating.

If you know me, you’ll know that that is sooooo NOT like me. I love food. That’s why I’m overweight – I LOVE food and I LOVE to eat. Now, during the month I wasn’t stressing about it and I was only focusing on eating healthier. When I was hungry, I ate something and I was happy. It was just at the very end for about 3-4 days when I started stressing about it. By Monday I realized I was skipping meals and only lightly snacking. I was constantly hungry and I was depressed because I was hungry and because I wanted my numbers to be as low as I could get them. I wanted to be as small as I could be in my After pictures.

My body was not feeling good after all the salt from the nuts, and the celery and PB was not leaving me feeling good because I had eaten so much of it (and I was worried about running out before I could go grocery shopping again). The Kind bars were only upping my blood sugar levels because I wasn’t eating anything else so I wasn’t feeling good from that. Nothing I ate made me feel better.

I didn’t know what to eat because nothing was making me feel good anymore. I was surrounded by snack foods along with food for sandwiches and I didn’t want to eat a sandwich because then I would be eating processed foods, dairy, and gluten on non-cheat days. For 3-4 days, I was afraid to eat. I wanted actual food and I wasn’t seeing it. All I was seeing was snack food and then I thought if I didn’t eat, my numbers would be smaller so then I was doing things to distract me from eating and it was working all too well.

Monday I realized what I was starting to do and I had forgotten that the challenge had ended on the 29th so I thought I was still in the challenge. By Monday I was dizzy and tired. I’ve been drinking plenty of water so it wasn’t that. I gave in and had 2 hot dogs (no buns…we don’t have any) wrapped in American cheese. Damn did that taste good. And damn me if my dizziness didn’t go away soon after I had finished eating.

I realized then how stupid I was being putting numbers before my health so for lunch I had a sandwich. Raisin bread, mayo, a slice of American cheese, and some honey ham. It…felt…AWESOME! And so did I.

And now for my pictures!

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I see a difference in both shots but only a good difference in the front shot. From the side I can see that I’m bloated from what I ate yesterday. And you know what? I’m okay with that. It beats being dizzy and hungry. I didn’t like seeing it at first but then I thought back to what I ate yesterday and I’m okay with it. I needed actual food in my stomach and that sandwich, while I knew it would bloat me, was exactly what I needed.

Don’t punish your body. Don’t skip out on meals to have better numbers. It’s just not worth it. I was miserable for those few days. I can’t imagine what it’s like for people who actually have eating disorders and have to deal with this sort of thing every day of their lives.

I’m all for being happy. If I’m fat and happy, that’s fine. At least I’m happy. But if I’m starving myself to look better on social media, then I’m not happy and that is not okay. Not only does it affect me but it affects my family. My kid shouldn’t have to feel bad because I do. He’s a kid. He should be happy. But if I’m starving and tired then I get super cranky and emotional and I can’t handle anything as well as I should be able to and then he suffers for that. Not to mention the strain it puts on my husband. That’s not fair to anyone.

Don’t do it to yourself. Don’t do it to others. Just don’t do it.

P.S. I’m not belittling people who do have an ED. I know their struggle is real  – unbelievably real – and I wish them all the luck and strength in the world. This was meant for those people who don’t have an ED.

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.

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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:

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.

Round 1 Measurements + 28 Day Reset Meal Plan

Here are my final measurements and before/after pics so we can all see the physical differences. Keep in mind that this is WITHOUT the 28 Day Reset meal plan. When I try to change both my eating and my exercise habits, I fail with everything so I opted for the exercise. My diet was junk.

Measurements (March 1st / April 3rd)

  • Bicep: L 12″, R 12.5″ / L 12.25″, R 12.75″ (+)
  • Bust: 40″ / 40″
  • Chest: 32.5″ / 33″ (+)
  • Waist: 35.5″ / 35.5″
  • Hips: 45″ / 44.75″ (-.25″)
  • Thigh: L 23.75″, R 23.5″ / LR 24″ (+)

I didn’t weigh myself in the beginning, but I’ve gained several pounds. No, it’s not muscle. My weight had held consistently at 188lbs the last couple months (whenever I remembered to check it that is, which wasn’t all that often) and only rose in the last couple of days when I was eating lots of salty foods along with dairy and gluten. So this is water retention and bloating. I’ll make sure to weigh myself at the start of Round 2.

March 1 - April 3 eating junk

March 1 - April 3 every view eating junk

Disappointing, isn’t it? It is for me. This is proof that you can’t reach your fitness/health goals with exercise alone. You need a good diet as well if you want to see the 6 pack you killed yourself to get (if indeed you were working for that). I worked my butt off in this program and I made excellent physical progress but you can’t see it because I ate junk.

This doesn’t include the awesome progress I made inside as well. I wrote a post before about the ways I’ve changed that don’t include my physical appearance that make me super happy and super proud – Different Kinds of Progress. I’ve already talked about that. This time I’m only talking about the physical changes.

You can call me vain and shallow if you want. You can say I’m a victim of cultural pressure to look “pretty” or “skinny.” It doesn’t matter. I’ve never liked the fat on me. I don’t mind having fat, but I currently have too much of it and that does not make me happy.

I am overweight and my BMI is not in the healthy range. I don’t understand why people don’t get this.

I’m not putting myself down, I’m stating a medical fact.

I’m not being swayed by cultural influence and pressure. I’m not suffering from self-hate. Yes, I’m fat. I accept that. Just because I call myself fat doesn’t mean I hate myself. Just because I want to change doesn’t mean I hate myself. The fat is not part of me. It just happens to be on me.

Wanting to improve myself doesn’t mean I hate myself. It actually means I love myself enough to want to be the best I can be.

Penguins are super cute and I love them. That doesn’t mean I want to waddle like one (although I do walk like this after pretty much every PIIT28 workout, especially if it’s Leg Day).

waddling penguins

With that in mind I’m going to give myself the biggest challenge I can – I’m going to change my diet. I don’t mean that I’m going to go on a diet. Oh goodness no. That’s completely different. I’m going to change my eating habits.

I eat junk now. Chili cheese conies, pizza, nachos, etc. Junk. I need to be eating fruits and veggies. Other people have noticed awesome changes in their body, inside and out, doing Cassey Ho’s 28 Day Reset. I know from experience that eating clean like this (or at least cleaner in my case) has awesome effects on the body.

When I ate healthier, I felt clean and energetic and healthy and happy. After eating junk again for the longest time, I always feel bloated and gross. I can easily win a burping and farting contest with my dad because I’m always so full of gas from my food now. My tongue is happy because it grew up on this stuff, but I know it can be happy again on healthy food.

Seriously, this is going to be harder for me than exercising. I love food and I love to eat. Food has always been my go to for everything. Celebration, boredom, depression. Everything. And I’ve eaten mostly junk since childhood. I’ve always been a porky piggy. Now I want to be a healthy piggy.

Wish me luck with that! I’ll need it.

Desperately.

Time for the 28 Day Reset.

Click the above picture to sign up and get The 28 Day Reset

Click the above picture to sign up and get The 28 Day Reset