Happy Sunday everyone! Today, I wanted to formally announce my reinstatement as a Team Beachbody Coach. I'm so excited that I decided to reinstate my business. A few months ago, I had started my business as a health and fitness coach with Beachbody products on top of my group fitness instruction and full time job. Unfortunately, it coincided with some time consuming changes at work and my discovery that we were expecting baby #2. I had started my business off strong and was several weeks into my first challenge group when I just completely lost steam. The first trimester exhaustion got the best of me and my type A personality was having an up hill battle with trying to fit it all in. I was trying to take care of myself, take care of a group of women dedicated to improving their health, chase after my thriving toddler, and do my best at work. Something had to give. So, I sadly had to disappoint my challengers and disband the group (they were all working so hard, I felt awful) and take a step back to re-evaluate. I let my business hibernate but it's been on my mind all of these months.

Today, I took another leap of faith and decided to reinvigorate my business. Those of you who know me know that, for the most part, my job as a Speech Pathologist doesn't exactly fill my cup. I've been very vocal that some of the most rewarding hours of my week are spent with my group fitness participants or "coaching" family and friends in improving their health, fitness, and lifestyle. I truly see this as a full time career transition in the future but I'm trying to be patient and let that happen organically. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago I was this close to purchasing a local business franchise, Fit4Mom Stroller Strides, which focuses on fitness for mom's of all ages. The franchise was for sale and in many ways, the program aligned with my goals and current business ownership capabilities. Unfortunately, the opportunity to purchase the business coincided with a few stressful weeks for us in regards to work status, childcare, and finances and left me unable to commit. I had to pass up the opportunity. I moped about it for a few days but since I always believe everything is timed for a reason it was probably all for the best. While that entrepreneurial dream and career move didn't come to fruition, I still have the opportunity to continue working towards my goals in other ways.

At this time, my Beachbody business is perfect for the time and financial investment I can make. It directly achieves my desire to help others and connect us all in the effort for improved health and wellness. Why only reach those who can actively participate in my live group fitness classes when I can help so many more of you who I don't get to see several times a week, who are interested in another method besides trekking to the gym, or who don't even live in my community...or who I don't even know personally, yet?!  Since my teens, a large part of my fitness regimen has been home based through workout DVDs and home based equipment. Beachbody uses these exact methods to make fitness accessible to everyone. Honestly, gym workouts are great but I know I've mentioned many times that some of the better workouts I've ever done are home based. Don't let those DVDs fool you! There are some TOUGH programs out there. I know myself and others have been able to achieve some of their best results with home programs. Once upon a time I paid for an expensive trainer and I swear my results were the same if not worse than sticking with home based workouts. Why not achieve better results at a fraction of the cost with me? Of course, I love the energy of a live group fitness class but our challenge groups, personal coaching from me, and the support of the community we can create will more than fill in for that gap... all while affording you the flexibility to meet your fitness goals on your terms, with the time you have, and the financial commitment you can make.

Some of my favorite programs:

I'd love to help you achieve your goals so feel free to message me or email me at thefirstrepblog@gmail.com or bbcoachcatie@gmail.com (I check both!) I'd love to give you guidance and resources on picking the perfect fitness program for you and offer nutritional coaching and support. Once I pop this baby out, we'll start a challenge group to get in shape! I'd love to invite all new momma's to join me. And if you're not, that's ok too! Stay tuned this spring for challenge group announcements.

Finally, does my passion for all things fitness resonate with you too? Wondering how you can help help friends, family and beyond with the tools to improve their life? Then we should chat. I'm building a team of like-minded men and women who can join me on this journey. A little extra income doesn't hurt either :) Message me!

Check out all of the info and resources over on my BUSINESS PAGE - www.beachbodycoach.com/bbcoachcatie

DVD Review: Fit & Sleek Prenatal Physique

I'm a self professed fitness DVD fanatic. My personal library has well over 100 titles...now I'm curious, I know it's a lot...I should count. At some point in the near future, I'll do a post on my history with fitness DVDs, why I love them so much, and give you a glimpse into my personal library. But for now, I'd like to begin reviewing my recent prenatal fitness DVD acquisitions.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've had to change my routine for my third trimester. I ordered a few programs to get me through the last few weeks of pregnancy. Actually, they are all so good I wish I'd ordered them to have on hand sooner! That's ok though. Upon initial review and completion of each program, I'm realizing that these serve as excellent post-natal programs as well. With Connor, I was able to resume light activity virtually right away. Yay for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries! 4 days post partum I was able to begin short walks and within 6 weeks had progressed to returning to light yoga, resistance training, and walking. By 3 months I was pretty much back to my regular fitness levels with the exception of core strength...that took a little longer to return. My Flow peeps know how long I struggled to hold my planks with them again! Anyhow, while I only have a few more weeks to enjoy these DVDs while pregnant, their exercises and intensity are just what I'm sure I'll need to get back into my fitness routine for the post-natal period.

Up first:

Fit & Sleek Prenatal Physique

Instructor: Leah Sarago (www.leahsaragofitness.com)
Fitness Level: All
Cardio: Yes
Strength Training: Yes
Flexibility: Yes
Equipment Needed: 3 sets of hand weights (light, medium, heavy: example 3, 5, and 8 lbs), chair or bar for balance, mat.
Overview and Impressions: This is an excellent workout. It is broken down into the following segments: 5 minute warm-up, 15 minutes each of Upper Body Cardio Sculpt, Upper Body Mat Work, Lower Body Barre, Lower Body Sculpt, Prenatal Core, and Prenatal Stretch. I love that each of these segments can be done alone or you can mix and match segments based on your fitness level, time availability, personal movement limitations, etc. The DVD also includes a weekly training plan targeting the beginner, or intermediate/advanced exerciser. The schedule recommends segments on different days of the week targeting different workout lengths. For the advanced exerciser, for example, the schedule recommends you perform two of the segments twice through for a 60 minute workout.
Leah is an engaging instructor and presents herself as motivating but down to earth. The DVD visuals are pleasing. The instructor wears modern workout clothing and the studio set is bright and modern. Looks like a neat group fitness studio space! I'd love to work out in it live. The music choices for this DVD are also very good. There are several recognizable covers of popular radio hits such as "Titanium".
She demonstrates proficiency throughout the workout in proper instruction and offers many explanations and demonstrations of modifications for all stages of pregnancy. She consistently reminds the home participant to acknowledge limitations and do what feels comfortable and doesn't hesitate to recommend you change or stop a movement if it doesn't feel right.
Also worth noting, there is a flare of "barre" based movement patterns throughout this entire workout. While many of the chosen exercises feel like traditional resistance training moves, there are twists to how the upper and lower body workouts are performed that very much possess the "barre" element. Upon visiting Leah's website, it is clear that a lot of her training style revolves around this type of movement as many of her other DVD offerings are centered around the barre concept. I feel that this DVD is accessible to all but my only word of caution may be familiarizing yourself with barre style movement as early as possible in, or even before, your pregnancy. I could see how some of the movements might feel a little bit awkward if you weren't familiar.
I'm really enjoying this DVD overall. At this point, I LOVE the 15 minute segments...at 32 weeks, anything much longer than 30-45 minutes is killer. I love that I can commit to 15 minutes, get a good workout, and tack on another segment if I feel like I have the energy to do so. Briefly, here are my impressions of each segment.
Warm-up: Great low impact warm up that targets all areas of the body to prepare you for any segment  or segments you choose to do.
Upper Body Cardio Sculpt: In this segment, you perform a combination of cardio intervals with a focus on upper body strength while holding light (3 lb) hand weights. You can certainly go lighter (1-2 lbs or use no weight at all). The weights are held while you do a series of low impact cardio step touches, punches, and reaches. In between each interval, you perform an upper body sculpting exercise targeting shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, and chest.
Upper Body Mat Work: I think I was expecting to use weights in this segment but was surprised when none were used. This segment is barre-style. If you are unfamiliar with this type of training, then this might be the segment that feels the most unusual. Alignment and maintaining core strength are important. You do a series of isometric movements in various plank and push-up positions targeting the upper body. This segment was one heck of a core workout as well!
Lower Body Barre: Targets just what it says and in the manner described! Using a chair for support, Leah guides you through sets of plies, pulses, and targeted glute, hamstring, and thigh work using small isometric movements and stretches.
Lower Body Sculpt: This segment targets lower body in a more traditional way. Using a heavy dumbbell, you'll perform plie squats, deadlifts, and various lunges. You'll also get a little taste of barre style work with some pulses thrown in here and there.
Prenatal Core: Great core segment focusing on modifications that are appropriate for use during pregnancy so you can still target abs. Being in my third trimester, I found this segment difficult which is surprising since I've been training abs consistently. My favorite exercises were the table top and pointer series at the end of the segment.
Prenatal Stretch: Great 15 minute flexibility segment. Great combo of athletic style stretching with yoga based flexibility poses. The stretches were appropriate and easy to modify as necessary. The sequence flowed nicely and I can see myself performing this segment several times per week. Great poses to help keep the hips open and flexible in preparation for labor.

Overall, fabulous DVD with an engaging instructor and good music. Accessible for all fitness levels through all stages of pregnancy. I'll be incorporating this one into my rotation several times per week. As I stated previously, I definitely feel this makes for an excellent post-natal workout since the program is gentle, low impact, and modifications are appropriate for the post-natal period as well.

Preview the workout here: 



 Ready to try it out? Snap up your copy at my Amazon shop!



(This is my own independent review of this fitness DVD. I purchased this DVD independently and offer an affiliate link from my amazon shop for its purchase. I receive commission on any purchases made through my amazon store front.)