T25 - One Year Later

One year ago, Chris and I started T25! We had breaks here and there for sickness, travel, moving, and family visiting {and I was inconsistent a couple of weeks before Christmas!}, but we've pretty much done it for a year.  {Oh and in November I joined a BeachBody on Demand Challenge and did different workouts - a few of them were T25 but all were part of the BeachBody program}.

{Post Speed 2.0 picture - it's still a killer workout!}

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I personally did 2 rounds of T25, following their set schedule. {1 workout Monday-Thursday, 2 workouts on Friday and 1 stretch workout on Sunday.} Then I switched to just picking one workout Monday through Friday. 

That being said, I DID NOT change how I ate.  In fact I may have eaten worse "because I'm working out"... and I still had some great results:

I'm stronger - I can last WAY longer in the workouts without modifying.  I can do more push ups.  I started out with 2.5 lb weights/or no weights at the beginning - now I'm using 5 lb weights the whole time and looking to buy heavier ones.

I'm more toned - My rear doesn't jiggle {as much} when I jog.  {I know, funny, but it's true!}

My cardio is better - I don't feel like I'm going to die with my heart pounding out of my chest.

My resting heart rate is lower - I started at 76 {below average} and it's now 68 {above average}!

Wanna know more numbers?  I lost:

.5" off my waist

1.75" off my hips

1" off my derriere

.5" off each thigh

Everything else stayed the same and I did not lose any weight {But again, I don't have the greatest eating habits... I need to work on my will power!}.

Chris also did 2 rounds of the set schedule and then has consistently done 5/6 workouts a week {he took WAY less breaks than I did}. I am SO VERY PROUD of him because he has completely reversed his diabetes! He's not been on any medication for 14 months and is able to control it with T25 and somewhat watching what he eats. His doctor is stunned and very proud of him and his numbers are now "normal"!!!

He doesn't take measurements or weigh himself so I don't know numbers on him, but he has had a very noticeable change. He's buying smaller clothes and random people are asking where he works out at. He looks great!

I still love/hate the workouts.  I hate it when I'm changing into my workout clothes, and around the 7 minutes left marker.  But I LOVE it when I'm done.  I have favorite workouts {Rip'T Circuit} and specific moves I hate {180° hops}.  I also used to dread Speed 2.0 and now have grown to actually enjoy it. 

So are you wanting to try T25?  I say, do it!

P.S.  If you know someone who is a BeachBody coach, make sure you buy the program through them {they make a little bit of money off of it!}.

Update on Chris' Diabetes

Last year on Easter Sunday, Chris was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  At the emergency room his blood sugar was at 598...  FIVE HUNDRED and NINTEY EIGHT.  Normal is below 120.  The following week when he went to the doctors they ran his A1C {which is a blood test that gives your average blood sugar level for the past 3 months} and it was 12.3.  Normal range is 4.3 - 6.5.  Yeah, not good.  He was put on 2 different medications.

Fast forward 7 months {November-ish}, Chris had diligently watched what he was eating, cut his portions, and reduced his carb intake.  November was also the month that he left Loan Depot and the 60+ hour cube dwelling workweeks that job required. Subsequently he was able to stop one of his medications {yeah!}

Three months ago {in the beginning of April}, he started the T25 workout program and went off his second medicine, but kept a close eye on his blood sugar levels.

  

Well he just had his blood drawn on Monday and we are SO VERY HAPPY to find out that his A1C is 5.9 {in the normal range & he hasn't taken any medication in 3 months!}.  Praise God! We are doing the happy dance over here!

I so love this man and am thankful that he takes his health seriously. Thankful that with prayer, God's healing hand, and Chris' determination, he's doing well!

And on a funny note, I asked him if he wanted to get ice cream to celebrate. {Yes, I'm mean. LOL!}

Cranberry Almond Snack Mix {recipe}

As you know, Chris recently got diagnosed with diabetes. I've been super good about not buying sugar and sweets that he can't have, and moving the things we already had out of view. I don't need to tempt him and make this transition harder on him. He's got great will power but it also helps to have someone on your side supporting you.

That being said, I still have a sweet tooth. I'm working on it (and I didn't realize how bad it really was), but sometimes I just want something sweet!

I have been carrying a small bag of raw almonds around with me to snack on and then added some Craisins and some chocolate chunks. It was awesome. A little healthy and a little sweet - perfect. Then I had a genius idea (yes, I'm patting myself on the back) - Cranberry Almond Snack Mix. 5 ingredients and less then 10 minutes later I had this yummy goodness:

Cranberry Almond Snack Mix

Mini Pretzel Twists

Raw Almonds (whole)

Dried Cranberries

Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Coconut Oil

(1) Spread out a single layer of pretzels on a baking sheet.

(2) Sprinkle almonds and cranberries on top of the pretzels.

(3) Microwave chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small bowl stirring every 30 seconds until melted. *I used 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil approx.

(4) Drizzle melted chocolate all over the top of the pretzel/almond/cranberry layer.

(5) Refrigerate until hardened.

(6) Break into pieces and store in an airtight container - way back in the bottom shelf of the refrigerator so your diabetic husband can't see them. =)

Easter & Diabetes

I guess those 2 can kinda go together, right?

Easter Sunday started out great. The kids woke up happy and excited to open there Easter baskets.

Here they are opening the ones from Papa & Sasha.

Fortunately Papa and Sasha were there,

because Chris and I took off and headed to the ER.

Chris has been not feeling well for a few months.

And we found out exactly what Chris had suspected, he has Type 2 Diabetes.

We were happy he wasn't admitted into the hospital, but we spent 7 hours there.

So, not great news, but that's okay, we just have to change some (actually, a lot of) things and keep moving forward with God's grace. 

When he was released, we headed straight home (Thank you Papa & Sasha for watching the kids!) to do an egg hunt with these cuties.

So this Easter wasn't the best one. It wasn't what I had planned, but you know what? At Easter we celebrate Jesus being alive and risen from the grave. And because of that, I look forward to eternity in heaven with my Savior. I'm going to be there and so is Chris. We will have perfect bodies that don't break down and don't get sick. What a glorious time that will be.  Praise God. My hope is in Him!

Now, off to research and learn all about diabetes!