I’ve Been Baking Something But It’s Not What You Think

 

I’ll let my mom do the honors!

 

 

Isn’t that the best reaction?
My mom is a self proclaimed private eye so I knew I had to tell her in a way she wouldn’t think something was up.

Nothing out the norm ya know.

Sharing the news in a crowded restaurant over lunch sounded just right until I saw her reaction then I felt bad.

I had no idea she would react as of I told her I’d killed her dog!

She doesn’t love that I’m sharing this clip but come on it’s the best! When you go into ugly cry you know something big is going down!

This was after she told me I looked like I ‘d lost more weight and I needed to stop! She was totally blindsided which was what we were going for…..YESSSS!

This is the card we gave my mom at lunch. The one that brought on the awesome tears.
The card we gave my mom said: Hi Grandma! Can’t wait to meet you this summer. I’m 8 weeks old. Mom thinks I’m a boy! Inside is our 7 week sonogram picture.

 

After lunch my mom couldn’t wait to tell my aunt and uncle so we headed over to her house to share the news. My mom continued to cry.

 

I’m 8 weeks in the photos above.

We are excepting our little nugget in September! I can’t wait to share our new journey with you! Yep that means you better get ready for pregnancy overload followed but tons of baby pictures once the nugget makes its arrival. This poor little one is going to think my camera is my 3rd arm.  

I’ll be sharing our journey with friends and family through our blog so if you’re up for it YOU get to join us as well! Be sure to follow along on Instagram too! User Name: Kendra_Pryor

I have some catching up to do now that the news is out so coming up as in check your news feed today. I’ll be posting 2 other Bump Watch Post!

-11.5 weeks- The Bump Watch
-Spilling the Beans and Gender Revel –yes we know!

Do you see 2 lines! Yes indeed it’s positive!
We took this shot the second we found out.  I was 6 weeks pregnant! 

So excited to share this with y’all!

What it’s Like to Workout for 6 Hours–Shaun T’s STRIDE Certification

 

                                              I’m kind of in love with my cutup Kelly K. workout shirt.

 

1 fitness certification down why not go for an second one!

This time around I got certified to teach S.T.R.I.D.E which is Shaun T’s (as in Insanity and Hip-Hop Abs guy) new toning/hip-hop format.

Holy mother of Francis

We had to earn that certification……

6 hours of dancing, squats, pushups, planks

Oh my

I work out a lot BUT I even shocked myself. I had no idea I could survive 6 hours of that. We’re talking Biggest Looser last chance type of workout. Okay maybe not that cray-cray but it was challenging for sure!

I HAD A BLAST!

My certification is good for 2 years but I had so much fun that I wouldn’t be upset if I had to do it again.

 

My friend and workout buddy Allison took the course with me.
It’s always more fun when you have a buddy to do things like this with am I right?

 

 

Our course instructor Danielle

 

The S.T.R.I.D.E format ROCKS!

 
You get your groove on then drop to the ground and hold a plank. Get your groove on and throw in some squats. Get your groove on then break it down with s series of pushups.

Yep it pretty much has awesomesauce all over it!

 

Little clip we recorded during the certification

 

 

 

Watch this so you can see what class is like.
I’m wayyyyy in the back last row all black with light shoes.

 

Doesn’t that look like fun?

 

Our closing thoughts on the experience.
We were a little giddy and delirious at this point.

 

If you live in the DFW area work in the fitness industry and are looking
for new formats to add to your location let me know!

 

 

 

I’m linking up with:

Flirty Girl Fitness: My Journey Begins

Last weekend was my Flirty Girl Fitness certification! I didn’t take one stinking photo but I did record pre and post videos. You know kind of like a before and after with my thoughts from the day! 

Before we get to those I want to tell you a little bit about why I started working out…………

Before

During

Many people don’t know this about me and are shocked when I tell them but I suffer from anxiety.

It didn’t hit me until couple years ago but man it sure rocked my world. High blood in stressful moments, dizzy spells, hives, stomach problems, sweaty palms/feet, debilitating fear, worry, insomnia.

I didn’t feel like myself.

I was one to never fear a thing and always up for a fun and new experience. To go from being a social butterfly completely comfortable in my own skin to living with a constant uneasy feeling I knew something was wrong. 

After a doctor visit over a year ago he suggested that I start working out to help lower my anxiety OR get on medication.

Since I didn’t want to get on medication and I could afford to lose a pound or 80 I hit the gym! It was time and I was ready to tackle this anxiety bug and get back to my old self.

I knew she still in there……….somewhere.

As I started working out and seeing changes in my body I began to make changes in my life as well.

I changed my eating habits.

I cut as much negativity out of my life as possible. I say as possible because honestly it’s always around us. You have the power to make the decision to feed into it or turn your back on it and it’s not always easy to do that.

As time went on I started to feel more like my old self….happy (not just on the outside but the inside as well).

I was motivated and ready to reach for my goal of becoming a fitness instructor. Not just any fitness class, for me it was ALWAYS cardio dance ever since I was in high school. It was something I hoped to teach one day!

Annnnnnd here I am a year later 60 pounds lighter and lower anxiety levels! Don’t get me wrong it’s not perfect and it still raises its ugly head from time to time but I have chosen to work through it by keeping up with my medication aka exercise and continuously placing myself in uncomfortable situations.

I’ll chat more about anxiety and how it’s affected me in a different post but for now the reason I’m sharing this with you this is to let you know just how hard this was for me and to show you that if you are letting fear run you, you have the power to overcome it as well!

People see me as this energetic bubbly person and I am but I had to fight to get back to the place I’m at today.

I had to fight to get back to the old me! 

Okay no on to the fun stuff!

Before the Flirty Girl Fitness certification: A ball of nerves

 

 

After: Proud and ready to do a victory lap

 

During Our Course. 
Big thank you to Kari for letting me share this with y’all!
You have to be looking hard to see me. I’m in the back with a white name tag on my hip.

I was serious about what I said at the end of my last clip! I talk about a lot of random nonsense on this ole blog here. If you take away anything from my blog my hope would be that I’ve inspired you in some way to live less fearful life full of positivity! You have the power to do whatever it is that set your mind to. It’s not always going to be easy you will hit bumps along the way. Take ownership in that but keep on tucking because the finish line is sooooo worth it! 

I’m looking for a place to teach soooo if you love in the DFW area and would like Flirty Girl Fitness at your studio or gym shoot me an e-mail!

If you would like to read more about my weight loss journey please visit the links below:
Friends and Fitness
On Choosing to be Happy 
How I like to Burn Calories

 

Getting Down and Dirty–Warrior Dash Style

 

I ran the Warrior Dash with a bunch of my friends on Sunday. It was such a great day.
Want to know why…….

-The weather was perfect
-I got some sun
-Had a fun workout
-Lots of smiles and laughs

 

-Impromptu flash mob

  

It was pretty neat!
One of my friends asked the DJ to play a song we knew a dance to and just a few minuets later we were dancing in front of tons of people. We’ve done a few flash mobs in the past but this one was the best one so far! We had a huge crowd watching and cheering us on!

 

-Climbed walls
-Crawled under barbwire
-Slid down a pole
-Swam through an ice cold pond

- Jumped over fire  (I know I’m so brave)

 

-Annnnnnd got to play in mud

 

 

 

Muddy hugs all around!

 

 

 

Whenever I hang out with these people I always feel so blessed to have them in my life!
We’re just a bunch of big kids that love being silly and having a good time!

 

Anyone need a new-ish pair of shoes? These are up for grabs!

 

 
All clean and ready to call it a day. We were starving and pooped!
My arms are pretty sore today but y’all know I love that! It means I did something good!

I’ll be running this one again next year. It was a BLAST!

 

Ps… I have 3 blog post all ready to to go for this week. I know, I’m out of control! ;o) Sorry things have been a little low key around here. Work has been kicking my hiney!

 

I’m all over the place! Fine me here….
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You Tube and Exercise

In my last post I mentioned using You Tube as a tool in your workout routine. If you don’t have a gym membership, are low on funds, and have a hard time getting out of the house to get your workouts in You Tube has your back!

It’s all about NOT MAKING EXCUSES!

Get up early and get it in before the kiddos wake up.
Let your little ones join you.
Do it after everyone goes to bed.
Schedule time for it and write it on your planner!

If there is a will there is a way…right?

Most of my workouts are done at the gym but I do take a few dance breaks throughout the day! When I’m editing photos I can sit my butt for hours which is hard on me (I hate sitting still). Sooooo I love taking a little dance breaks to wake myself up! It also a great way to burn a few calories! 

If you follow me on Twitter you’ve heard all about my dance breaks. Maybe you’ve even taken one with me! Sometimes I just crank up a song with a good beat and get my groove on. I’ll also pull up a clip from one of my favorite You Tube channels and do the routine with them! Below are a few of my favorites.

 

The Sensazao Crew has tons of great cardio dance clips.
Love their stuff because the energy level is pretty high. 

 

Another great one! She has 13 clips in her channel and they are all fabulous but this one is my all time favorite. Do this 3 times in a row and I promise you’ll feel it in your arms and back the next day.

 

A friend of mine introduced me to LB Kass. Her You Tube channel has over 400 clips sooo you will have tons of routines to do! She mainly post clips to teach choreography so if you have a hard time learning steps or are a cardio dance instructor you might find her channel helpful.

 

Also love her Yollet stuff! It’s a mixture of……you guessed it yoga and ballet technique. Great for toning.

 

 

 

I saved the BEST for last! Someone posted the whole Clubland workout DVD on youtube. This is an awesome workout! The routines are fun the energy level is high and she covers cardio and toning! I even looked into buying this DVD I love it so much but it’s hard to find.  

Part 1

Part 2

 

Part 1

Part 2

 

 

ClublandToning

Part 1

 

Part 2

I didn’t post links to all the clips for Clubland but you can visit You Tube and click through the channel to find the other sections.

 

Now all you need to do is press play, turn up the volume and get your groove on! 

 

 

I’m all over the place! Find me here…..

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*Adventures of Ninja the Bunny
*Pinterest

Friends Fitness and my Story

I watch what I eat and I bust my butt at the gym. I’ve worked really hard to get to the point I’m at today but I owe much of my weight loss success to my gym buddies!

There is no way I would have come this far without them!

Source: EatLotsOfCurry

I’m a people person and thrive on having social interaction. I work long hours and am in my office alone most of the day. Hitting the gym is my release. During my high seasons I don’t have tons of time to visit with my friends and family. Thankfully they know how crazy my schedule can be and are understanding! Most of my time is divided between work, my husband, my home, and the gym. Knowing that I’m a people person I needed to get that social interaction in somewhere! It’s an important key to my happiness!

Having that social component in my workout was a huge perk for me!
It wasn’t something I even gave thought to. You go to the gym to sweat then you go home. Right? At least that’s what I used to think about my gym time but you can get so much more from your workout!  It’s doesn’t have to be boring and routine.

It can be FUN, EXCITING, and ENERGIZING!

 

There was a time when I dreaded going to the gym. I had to literally pep talk myself into every single workout. If there was a way out I would take it! I found myself cycling in and out of workout binges where I would be so driven and focused then totally drop the whole thing and not step foot in the gym for months.

I was struggling with my weight. I noticed that I lived a healthier lifestyle when I was working out regularly but I just couldn't get that part of the puzzle to fit. You know why? Because I had not found a workout that was fun. A workout that clicked for me. Let me tell ya, I’ve tried them all! Sure there were some that I liked but nothing I was committed to.

If I was going to stick to something it would have to be something that I loved, something that would make me excited to go to the gym!

WHAT, be excited to go the gym? 
Yes, I promise it’s possible! 

I started attending a cardio dance class called DANCEATON which is offered at several 24 Hour Fitness locations within my area. As you know I LOVE to dance!  DANCEATON is fast and the endurance level was more challenge then what I experienced in other cardio dance classes. When people ask what DANCEATON is I tell them it’s like Zumba on steroids….we’re talking air jacks, pushups, and ab work all while you dance. 

 

I had found my fun workout!
That was the 1st part in making this whole thing click.

Valentine’s Day!
We’re always looking for a reason to dress up for class. This is my friend Emma and I with Gaby, the creator of DANCEATON. 

 

I was loving DANCEATON, going as often as I could, seeing changes in my body, and starting to build friendship with people I met in class. This was awesome because not only was I looking forward to working out I was excited to socialize and see my friends. My gym friends are different than my other friends. Don’t get me wrong I love and value my other friends but these new friendships I was starting to form were a little different………

*We are working towards the same goal. *

*We support each other on our shared journey.*

  *We motivate and push one another.*

If someone is not in class when they should be they get a call. On Monday’s my friend and I text our weekly weigh in to each other. When we eat out together we help each other make healthy meal decisions. Sometimes we stay after class and do weights or cardio together. It was the support system I so desperately needed to jump start my journey.  

 

 

Something else I noticed about my gym buddies was that everyone is happy and positive! They say working out is a great way to relieve stress and creates endorphins (which make you happy) and well, I believe them whoever “they” are. There is nothing like a good workout to lift your spirit. Happy positive people are my favorite type of people! :) 

 

 

We have fun during DANCEATON. We sweat and work hard but we smile and laugh a lot!

 

Not only did I connect with my new friends during class we started spending time together outside of class as well. We have coffee together. We meet for dinner. We plan fun activities. I ran my 1st 5k with my new friends and have another run coming up in the spring. We’re just a group of happy people enjoying life and working towards a common goal.

When you surround yourself with people that have the same goals and outlook on life as you do it’s extremely empowering!

 

We enjoy taking DACEATON but also pull together to attend other classes as well. This year one of my resolutions was to do more weights and boot camp type classes. It’s great to have friends who are as jazzed about working out as I am to attend new classes with. I’m starting to get back into spin and do boot camp and weights twice a week. We have our own little DANCEATON corner that we all flock to when we attend other classes. Not sure I would have branched out in my workouts if it wasn’t for these guys! 

I would have NEVER imagined that I would build connections like this in a workout class.

 

And so my journey continues……..
I’m hoping to reach my goal weight by my 30th birthday in August!

Before

  

This was me on my 29th birthday. Barely squeezing into a a size 16 and wearing an XL.

 

 

During my Journey

Still working on my hip-hop face. My dance teacher taught me this one!

This is me now. A size 12 and wearing wearing a medium!

******

If you’re struggling with your workout or if you need a little kick to get started it’s time to find your sweet spot! I promise you will not stick to what you’re doing long term unless you find some type of joy or passion in your workout.

-If you’re a people person like myself buddy up with someone. Make sure it’s someone that is as dedicated as you and has the same goals.

-If you workout at a gym try several classes and introduce yourself to someone you stand next to. I know this can be a little uncomfortable but sometimes putting ourselves in a new and uncomfortable situation helps up grow!

- Update your play list with fun upbeat songs that you love rocking out to.

-Try a fun new exercise DVD. I know you can rent them for free from them library. If you’re a member of Netflix they have tons of workout DVDs you can rent. I’ve also found a lot of great stuff on youtube. Maybe I’ll do a post with links to some of my favs.

-Join a local workout group. Have you ever heard of meetup.com? It’s full of free groups that are dedicated to all types of things. I’ve seen hiking groups, mommy mall walking groups just to name a few. Most of these groups are free. Just a bunch of people connecting over something they have in common.

I could go on and on about this! There are so many ways you can get your booty moving or jazz up your workout! You just can’t make excuses and need to get started!

Keep trying new things until you find your sweet spot!

There are days that I don’t want to go to the gym. When that happens I visit my health board on pinterest for a little motivation! It works!!!

 

I was having a bad day last week but thought about this little guy and got my butt to the gym!

Source Unknown

 

To my gym buds THANK YOU!
Thank you for giving me a hard time if I’m slacking in class.
Thank you for introducing me to new classes that kick my butt!
Thank you for pushing me to do doubles and even triples!
Thank you for listening, supporting, and inspiring!
Thank you for saying “You can Do it!”

Would you like to try DANCEATON?
If you live in the DFW area and would like to see if your gym offers DANCEATON visit the DACEATON facebook page to see the class schedule.DANCEATON is currently offered at several 24 Hour Fitness locations within the DFW area. If you plan on making it out to a class let me know. I would love to meet you!

You can also visit the 24 Hour Fitness website and print out a free 3 day trial pass.

No I’m not a DANCEATON instructor and do not work for 24 Hour Fitness. This is just something that I believe in and has been life changing for me. You know I like to share when I really like something!

 

******

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Adventures of Ninja the Bunny