I just a mom, trying to live the life I want. That life includes so many things but taking care of myself is never high on my priority list. 

I did a really interesting personal development activity this week. I had to ask 3 people what my strengths and my weaknesses were. So naturally I asked 6 people- then I asked 2 more. I was shocked when their answers were almost exactly the same as my own answers.

My strength: I genuinely care about other people and want to help others I do like to help others. It makes me feel good to see other people succeed, get  a hand up and improve their own wellbeing.  

My weakness: I put myself last and don't take care of myself often enough. I also got one "You never quit, it might take you awhile but you don't give up easy". Both of these statements are also true. Here I am almost 3 years into this coaching thing and I'm still going. I haven't quit because others are depending on me. But those people are also keeping me accountable and driving me to get over each and every obstacle that is in my way to reach my goals.

Self care is so important and, now that I have actually gotten some true sleep for the first time in about 5 years, I'm seeing how I NEED to practice what I preach and I need to take care of myself in order to help others.

So far in January I've crossed 2 things off my 2017 list of goals:

• Committed to and finish a full 4 week program- Week 4 of Piyo is almost done!
• Replenished our emergency account

I feel so much better! I'm down 4lbs (after months of gaining and then a major plateau this is HUGE for me), I am eating better, Piyo has been great for strengthening my foot and leg following that injury and I'm not super stressed and worrying about being able to deal with a financial emergency.  I feel ready to face February!

My BEautiful YOU challenge group has rocked January and I am so proud to have been able to help that group and now to be getting ready for my February group. This year I want to help even more people so I want you to ask yourself:

1. Are you comfortable in your own skin? Yeah well me neither!

2. Do you currently LOVE the body you are in? Working on it- I grew two babies with this body and I refuse to disrespect this body any longer.

3. Are you living the best possible life you could be right now? Nope but I'm on a path to get there!

4. Are you happy with your health and fitness right now? No.

5. Are you ready to MAKE A CHANGE!? YES!

**If you answered NO to questions 1-4 and YES to questions 5----I am ready to help you do this!

This is a journey and it isn't easy but it can be fun and it will change you. Contact me today if you are ready to get serious about creating a happier life.

Live your daydream

I have a dream and a vision to love my life and make an amazing life for my family.

I want to live my daydream! I want to spend more time with my kids, support and encourage others and reach my fitness goals and I am well on my way.

It is not easy! I've hit every roadblock there is. I've had setbacks and success. I've had two babies, weight gain as a side effect of medication for low milk supply, postpartum depression and anxiety. I battle anxiety on a daily basis but I am so much stronger now physically and emotionally that the battle isn't all consuming. My coach has never given up on me and has inspired me to keep going through all over my setbacks and has shown me how to celebrate the good in my life (without turning to food). 

As a personal fitness coach, I am able to help so many people change their lives and get healthy!  It brings me so much joy to encourage others on this journey. My challengers and teammate can relate to me because the struggle to find balance in this crazy, fast, convenience based world is real.I have learned so much over the last 2 years and I want to share it with others!  I love exercising, eating clean and finding ways to recreate our family's not so healthy favorites.

I'd love for you to join me on this path. Let me help you make it happen :) Drop me a line at

boutilierbabblings@gmail.com.

Check back for updates on my fitness journey!

- 

Healthy Holidays Challenge

Will you gobble and wobble or have fun and be fit?

I've been in a bit of a workout slump. I've been getting compliments about how I'm looking thinner and have more confidence for sure! Just pressing play each day has been a bit of a struggle. 

The deadline to join our team 21 Day HEALTHY HOLIDAY survival group is this FRIDAY! This group will kick off on November 30th and end just before Christmas!

This group is specifically designed to help you through the holidays. You can enjoy your treats, your food, your drinks but not start the NEW YEAR 10 pounds heavier then what you are right now. If you are looking to lose 8 -12 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas so you can look and feel awesome while you ring in the New Year then this group is for YOU!

This group will provide you with:
Yummy meal plans
Yummy Holiday Recipes
Holiday Dessert & Drink Recipes
Group support from me and my team
Daily tips
Daily Motivation
Lots of FUN!

Source: Pillsbury (trust me the irony of the source did not go unnoticed!)

As a bonus Hermie our Elf on the Shelf will be making some fitness related appearances! Some fun ideas to use your family elf to promote fun and fitness to your kids!

If you want to more please message me! This program is only on sale through the end of November, and it is only offered on sale 1 - 2 x per year! This is a great chance for you to get the program that is changing lives and save some money. You could also give this to yourself as your gift of health, or maybe you have a family member or friend who would like the program- snap it up now!

NO Excuse NOvember + a recipe!

We are a nice, "normal" family.

At least that is what we like to believe...

We've got bills and are stressed for time. I decided a while back that I wanted to make our life a little more flexible. I wanted to give us options to be debt free and not so stressed. I'm getting organized (Oh how I LOVE my new planner- have you read about it? It's awesomeness is detailed here) and I'm taking care of my health.  My babies are growing and it's harder to keep up with them. I'm over being tired and overweight.

I decided after two years ago to get healthy. I work out, I eat healthy but not all of the time, at least until March. I had ordered the 21Day Fix from Beachbody awhile back and thanks to my awesome coach I got back on board. At my last weigh in I was finally down below Amelia's delivery weight and had gone down 2 sizes. I am also helping other people reach their goals and it feels so good knowing I'm making a positive impact on other people. 5 Rounds of the Fix and my challengers have lost a collective 245lbs!!! That is incredible and I'm very proud of them :)

As a Coach I am also earning an income that is helping my family's bottom line. I earned enough with Beachbody since March to pay off a credit card balance and boost our savings account. But most importantly I've found a renewed purpose and drive in my life. I love helping people achieve their goals and become happier people. 

This week I started my NO excuse NOvember challenge group. We're just getting underway and I'd love to have a few more people join. If you want to hear more about the program let me know!

It's getting colder and we all want comfort food. One of the things I love about the 21 Day Fix is that I get to eat real food and I am not doing math to figure out how much I can eat. I'm also only making one meal for the family so we're all getting healthier!

One of my kids' favorites from the Fixate cookbook is the chicken soup. It's a lot like I used to make anyway and I've tweaked it ever so slightly. Enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Soup
*adapted from Fixate

2 Green
1.5 Yellow
1 Red

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
• 1/2 c chopped onion
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 2 c sliced celery
• 4 cups of low sodium organic chicken broth 
• 3 cups of shredded, cooked chicken breast (I roast two organic chickens on prep day and use the bones to make stock and the breast meat for the soup and chicken salad)
• 2 c sliced carrots 
• 1 c cubed turnip or rutabaga
• 1tsp Red pepper flakes
• 1tsp chopped rosemary (1/2 tsp if using dried)
• 1tsp chopped fresh thyme (1/2 tsp if using dried)
• dash salt, pepper to taste
• 1 1/4 c of cooked whole wheat bowtie pasta (I use Catelli SMART pasta because my kids won't always eat brown pasta willingly)

Cooking:

1. In a large pot add the oil and heat
2. Add the onion and garlic and saute until fragrant 
3. Add celery, carrots and turnip and cook 2-3 minutes
4. Add broth and chicken
5. Heat on high until boil
6. After boil, reduce to low and cover for 30 min (or until carrots are soft)
7. Add pasta during last 8 minutes of cooking.
8. Measure out 1.5 yellow of pasta and put into a bowl.
9. Top with soup (about 1-1.25 cups)

Focus 35: 21 Day Fix- Day 21

I finished the 21 Day Fix!

Finished is the right word because I am still doing it. It's not a diet as in a short term solution- it's a lifestyle evolution. I say evolution because it's true. Over the past year, our family has been changing the way we eat. I have always liked to cook and loved cooking all those awesome Giada DeLaurentis, The Pioneer Woman and Barefoot Contessa recipes featured on Food Network.

Some friends introduced us to the Whole30 and paleo. While our family hasn't gone completely gluten free, I am amazed at the amount of carbs we no longer eat. I make every attempt to make meals with whole foods, cut back the refined sugars and grains, and choose organic and grain fed whenever possible. Thanks to meal planning, eating real food, buying local and in bulk when possible our grocery budget comes in around $5.80/person/day. 

So why, with all those changes, was I not reaching my goals? 

Commitment and making time for myself are the biggest obstacles for me. I remember when I was a stay at home mom for a few months and doing the T25 workouts, I was getting results and loving how I felt. Then I started working full time again and carving out time for me went to the wayside. It's just so easy to get lost in the thick of working and making time for the kids, household maintenance and all the family activities that we have on the go.

I did Weight Watchers for awhile after each of my kids were born. I counted my points and stayed "on plan" everyday but still didn't lose. Part of that was a medication I was taking but the other, bigger, part was that I was eating boxed and processed foods. I don't knock WW. It has worked for so many people- it just wasn't right for me.

With the 21 Day Fix I have been re-learning portion control. It's amazing how much food you can eat when you eat whole, unprocessed foods and uses the macro ratio 40:30:30 for protein/fats/carbs.

Is my diet perfect? Nope. But it takes time to change.

Today is day 21. I have lost 3lbs and 5.5 inches. I am thrilled. Considering I had a stomach flu and didn't work out for a week, I'm pretty happy with those results.  Also the scale and the measuring tape have seemed to have been on a permanent plateau for awhile so it's great to see results!

On April 6 I am joining in a new fitness challenge group. Back to T25 workouts (Bonus Shawn T is adorable!) and still following the 21 Day Fix eating plan. Only 2 months until little Sister's graduation!