Monday, June 30, 2014

Round II #21dayfix Results: Inches matter




Hi friends, 

As promised I said I would report on my second round results for #21dayfix. Today's blog will talk about the changes I have gone through from the beginning of the year until now.  I started this healthy living journey about 6 years ago when I started working at the Cleveland Clinic. I have learned so much about fitness and clean eating through this experience. )There are other areas I need to improve upon but one day at a time). Regarding fitness I have gone up and down in weight throughout my entire life. My goal is to be comfortable in what I wear and how I feel about myself. If I don't have that, it is time to make changes. I am hoping this new program will stop the constant roller coaster ride I have been on since puberty. So far it is looking good!

So true!!

I did my measurements this morning for the second round of #21dayfix. I lost 3.75 inches overall. I was on point with my workouts, except for the week I was sick. My nutrition was average, at best. If I was following the meal plan more efficiently I would have much better results. You get what you put into it, bottom line. Below are the results from first round to second round and the total inches I have lost since March....when I started Shakeology and #21dayfix.


Exactly!

Inches lost from First Round to Second Round:

Waist: lost 1.5 inches
Hips: lost 1 inch
Thighs: lost 1.5 inches
Arms: gained .25 inches (muscle gain)

Inches lost from March 2014 to June 2014
Waist: lost 2 inches
Hips: lost 4 inches
Thighs: lost 2 inches
Arms: gained .25 inches (muscle gain)
Bust: lost 2 inches 

Overall, since March, I have lost 9.75 inches overall. I am not quite ready to post my before and after pictures. When I have lost a few more inches I may be able to have the guts to do so. If you are interested in the program, I am here to help. Comment below. 


Monday, June 23, 2014

Fennell Summer Bucket List

Hi friends, 

My wonderful friend Mindy gave me the idea to start a summer bucket list, although we already accomplished some of our items, I thought...why not share and do this for other seasons. This idea would be great for the winter. Seeing as how winter was 8 months this year of indoor activities last year, this year's could get interesting to say the least. 

1. Drive In Movie
2. Camp (Done)


3. Go to Put In Pay (Done)














4. Go to Kelly's Island (Done)


5. Boat to new areas near Sandusky
6. Get a tan (Done)
7. See a Meteor Shower (attempted and failed-we fell asleep)
8. Go Fishing
9. Cookout once a week (So far so good)
10. Zipline 
11. Go to a concert (See you in August Luke Bryan)
12. Go to Cedar Point
13. Go Hiking 
14. Go to a Carnival 
15. Lay on Beach
16. Run a 10K
17. Go golfing
18. Have a bonefire (Done)
19. Go to an Indians game (attempted and it was cancelled..try again)
20. Messy Twister - play with paint/colored shaving cream on the dots
21. Remake Old Photos - do your best impersonation of your old self or with friends or family
22. Art Museum
23. Botanical Gardens
24. Go to Oak Barrel
25. Finish up some of my crafts
26. Sell our house
27. Float on a raft allllll day (Done)
28. Girls Night/Weekend (Done)
29. Read two books (almost there)
30. Attempt Hot Yoga
31. Complete all the workouts for 21 day fix in 7 days

32. Make a smore (Done)















33. Complete ab challenge
34. Go to Marblehead Lighthouse


35. Barge Party
What is on your summer bucket list!! 

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Easy Healthy Chicken Recipes: Works with 21 Day Fix


21 day fix is going well. The weekend was a little rough but I was able to get my workouts in and I have lost a few inches throughout. I will post the final results at the end of the 21 days. 

I wanted to share some recipes I have tried out that are pretty good. I am not a fan of chicken but I know it is good for me sooooo I am trying to find inventful ways of cooking it. 

Spicy Hawaiian Chicken Burgers

I got the recipe from a blog called The Girl Who Eats Everything.  I made this a little more healthy and 21 day fix approved by using a wheat bun, adding hot sauce to the burgers (just a couple dashes), and cutting the portion to meet the required amounts for the program. The recipe offered good flavor and the burgers stayed together without breadcrumbs or eggs. The link is below for the full recipe. 



http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/06/spicy-hawaiian-chicken-burgers.html

Miles Framers Market Chicken

Ok, this is the easiest recipe ever! A friend of mine made this one night. My husband and I both loved it. I tried to do the same and it didn't taste right...I said what am I doing wrong? She said the secret is to get the chicken from Miles Framers Market (Solon, OH)! Holy crap  she was right! We have been doing this most of the summer as it is easy and both my husband and I love it. You can get any chicken from Miles. I have done this with chicken breasts, bone in chicken, whatever...just season with sea salt/kosher salt (just a little), pepper (add to taste) and fresh lemon juice (one whole lemon). Grill it or bake it at 350*F for 45 minutes. So juicy and delicious! I don't think it needs any sauce but sometimes if we want a little extra flavor Jason, my husband, uses Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce or our homemade sauce, for 21 day fix I use hot sauce, again just a couple of dashes. 

Enjoy! More to come in the following weeks. 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Happiness Is a Choice



Hi friends,

#100dayshappy is going well! I am on day 71...it has been a positive challenge. This year has been unexpected to say the least. Although I have to say the last 5 years have been full of unexpected events. I have seen myself take on quite a bit but through the grace of God and surrounding myself with amazing people, who I have learned a lot from, it has been with a lot of blessings. This year I started the #100dayshappy challenge to stay in a positive mindset. Also I will have a scrapbook at the end of it! Honestly, we should have this mindset daily but let's face it....life happens. Sometimes you need a reminder. With that being said...I decided to share some of my favorite "happy days" on the blog today. I really couldn't ask for better friends and family.


Day 12 (4/14/14); This pic makes me smile


Day 17 (4/19/2014): Me and my beautiful niece Ellie

Day 22: (4/24/2014): From our Monday surprise visit



@mags3307 @jfennell55us #100daysofhappy #day30


God is truly amazing!! My brother did his first lead tonight, which in the AA program is a big deal!! My brother never ceases to amaze me-in a good way-not only was he completely honest and inspirational he gave the glory to God with where he is today!! An answered pray for me, my mom, and many of our friends and family. HUGE PTL!! You have set the bar my best friend, keep up the great work and know we love you more than words can explain!!!#100dayshappy #day35

Afternoon run after boat prep


Relaxing #100dayshappy #day52





Tuesday, June 10, 2014

21 Day Fix-Round II



Hi friends, 

Long time no talk, hopefully with my schedule calming down over the summer I will have more time to blog!

Well my fitness journey has been good so far since January. I have lost a total of 10lbs and 5 inches, slowly...it started to speed up when I completed the 21 day fix and started Shakeology. I didn't take before and after pics for the first round but I plan to for this round. I want to reach my second fitness goal but it seems to be getting harder and harder, especially with summer here.  So in order to keep myself accountable I will be blogging this experience. 


Day 1 was yesterday, I finished up under my calorie intake but I didn't have time to workout. I have Zumba today for a charity event so that will be using that as my cardio. I am being more strict with the diet this time around and improvising the workouts based on my schedule. The idea is to get 6 workouts in a week. I am hoping to end the night with upper fix (part of 21 day fix). If anyone would like to take this challenge with me that already has 21 day fix or wants to buy it please comment below. Also iPhones have an app to count your portions for $1.99 and droids have 3 different ones for free.


I plan to share some of the meals I prep, and workouts or supplement workouts throughout the 21 days. My 21 days are up on June 29. Today I am sharing weight charts, these are a little better than just BMI. Weight doesn't always matter when you are completely toned, so you don't have to use the weight charts or scales, you can do measurements too. I will be doing both. Honestly I prefer measurements because I don't care what the scale says it matters if I am getting fit and staying healthy. So this is your call on how you want to measure your changes but you should use at least one of them. See weight charts below on where you should be. This will help you set your fitness goals. 

*These images are courtesy of my beach body coach-Lena Hayes

First measure your frame....

Second match your frame with your height...that's your goal