So I Actually Did P90X!!!!! (Guest post)

If you were checking up on Jennifer’s blog and you were confused by the title, have no fear-this is a guest blog entry!

My name is Karen Bridgman and I am a friend of Jennifer and as luck would have it, neighbors too.  About four months ago I had a little chat with Jennifer at Publix that changed my life and my husband’s life too!  Yes, life-altering conversations at a grocery store.  I will start by saying that I had considered myself to be in pretty decent shape.  I faithfully walked on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes each day, but I had noticed that I seemed to be putting on a few extra pounds that I wasn’t able to shed. My husband had a desire to lose some weight too but no desire to get on the treadmill.  So, we began to have some talks about what we could do.  I am 37 and he is 39 so we figured if were going to get in shape it better be NOW.  We talked about doing something like P90X but we figured we couldn’t really do it.  You’ve seen those infomercials before.  Those people are ripped.

So, one day on Facebook I noticed Jeff Corvin had posted something about Jennifer’s blog and I thought I would check it out.  I had no idea I lived across the street from a fitness guru.  So literally, the next day I saw Jennifer at Publix and we talked about P90X and I made up my mind to do it.  I called my husband and he said sure so I bought it that afternoon and we started the very next day.  I allowed us NO time to change our minds.

Happy and sweaty after my workout

At first, when we started, I’m pretty sure we thought we might die but it got better and a bit easier.  The program consists of three days of cardio or yoga and three days of weights.  Turns out we probably like the weights the best.  The program is great because each person in the video is doing some variation of each move.  If you need to modify, there is someone you can watch.  If you are a fitness machine, there is someone to watch.  If you don’t want to use weights, you can use bands.  I feel like this is a great program to kick off a new fitness routine.  Plus, Tony Horton is hilarious!  But really the best part is the results…I lost 10 pounds and 8 inches overall and my husband lost 20 pounds and 12 inches overall.   WOW!!! Even better, we have made a commitment to working out.  

A few months ago I never thought any of this was possible.  I doubted my own ability to do a challenging workout.  I figured I would never lose those extra pounds.  Now I feel like I can do anything!  In fact, we started Insanity the week after we finished P90X.  Insane right???  My whole mindset has changed about working out.  I want to stay in shape. I want to be more fit.  I want to be healthier- FOREVER!

And yes, all this happened following one conversation at the grocery store.  Funny how life works…

Try Something New Tuesday: Southwest Chicken Soup

You may recall that I recently challenged my May Madness group to share some healthy recipes with me. One that spoke to me as soon as I saw it was Karen's Southwest Chicken Soup. Anything that sounds like it might have a little spicy kick to it is definitely up my alley! And it is so simple to make that I knew it would be perfect for our hectic life!

Here's what you'll need.

There is also supposed to be a 1/2 package of frozen corn in here. I totally forgot about it! I'll do better next time!

First you're going to cook about 3 cups of chicken. This will probably be about 3 - 4 chicken breasts, depending on size. I boiled mine then chopped it up in the food processor.

Next you put 12 oz. of salsa verde in a large saucepan. I'm going to be honest: I used the whole 15 oz. jar instead. I like it spicy! Let the salsa warm over medium heat for about 2 minutes.

Then you add your chicken.

And stir in your cannelini beans, corn (assuming your don't forget like I did), chicken broth and seasonings.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

That's it!!! It's done! So easy! And the verdict?

They all loved it!!!

This one loved it so much she had 2 bowls!!!

We served it with some sour cream and corn chips, just like chili. I had mine plain, and it was delicious! It will definitely be on our regular rotation.

I loved the nutrition on this dish too! I calculated it to be under 300 calories and about 40 grams of protein for a sixth of the recipe. And I would say we definitely got more than 6 servings from it. Hearty, filling AND low-calorie?! Yes, please! It meant I got an extra piece of chocolate after dinner!

Thanks, Karen, for the wonderful recipe!!! I am so thankful to have you for a friend and neighbor!

Karen with one of her sweet boys.

Southwest Chicken Soup

• 12 oz. salsa verde (I used an entire 15 oz. jar)
• 3 c. cooked chicken (about 3 - 4 chicken breasts, depending on size)
• 1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained
• 3 c. chicken broth (I used 4 cups)
• 1/2 package frozen corn
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder

~Empty salsa in large saucepan. Cook 2 minutes on medium-high heat. Add chicken, beans, broth, corn, cumin and chili powder. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

First Playdate and the Loss of My Nutella Virginity

We had so much fun today! I kicked it off with P90X Chest and Back. I have to admit this is my least favorite workout...so many pull-ups and push-ups! But I owned it today and increased my numbers with several of the exercises!

Next, I got the big girls off to school. Daughter #2 is doing some testing this week, and I volunteered to send a snack. I found these on Pinterest and put them together last night. How cute are they?!?

After I got the girls out the door, I grabbed a shower and some breakfast before taking the boy to preschool. Baby girl was super excited because after the preschool drop-off, she got to have her first ever playdate!

I know, I know. She should have had a few playdates by now, but here's the thing: she's the youngest of four. Things are crazy. AND all my friends stopped having babies before I did. Well, except Whitney, but she went and had a boy so that doesn't help me much.

So we were very excited when we recently got to know some of our neighbors who have a 3-year-old girl too! If you follow me on Facebook, you might remember my post last week about my friend, Karen. She and her husband recently started doing P90X, and she let me know that her husband's cholesterol has dropped 50 points since they started!!!

Anyway, Karen and her sweet daughter came over today so the girls could play. Here are the princesses.

Please note: these two girls were born about a month apart. Look how much hair Karen's daughter has compared to baby girl!!! 

Karen also brought a gift.

That's right, folks. I was a Nutella virgin. So I popped open this jar shortly after Karen left. I had been told it was good with graham crackers.

Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! So. Good. Baby girl loved it too.

See the way she's attacking that Nutella-covered graham cracker? As though I haven't fed her in days? That's right...she's definitely my kid.

Thank you, Karen for a fun playdate! And for giving me a new addiction to feed. For those of you that play the stock market, now might be a good time to invest in Nutella.

Question of the Day:

What's your favorite way to eat Nutella?