Official - My Hubby's final picture - 12 week body transformation

Please visit his bodyspace. (please feel free to sign up and start your fitness journey too! IT'S FREE!)

But without further ado, here is a picture of my Husband's Body transformation.

So for those of you who don't know, he entered a 12 week (84 day) Body transformation on BodyBuilding.com, it's sponsored by musclepharm. He started on August 28, 2011 and his end date was yesterday November 20,2 011. His overall goal was to lose 20lbs and get "shredded". 

I'm so proud of My Husband for not only surpassing his goal, but showing great determination and strength during this entire challenge. :) I cannot express to you all how proud I am of my Man! 

The winners are chosen based on the most dramatic transformation of before and after pictures. If the above picture isn't proof enough of an amazing body transformation, then what the heck is? 

He looks so amazing, and pictures really do no justice! but we are going to hope and pray that he gets this win! the winner of this body transformation contest wins 10k, a year supply of supplements, a professional photo shoot as well as other goodies! so please cross your fingers, and if you'd, visit his BodySpace and comment! 

He'd like to post his final essay with pics/vids on here, once the contest has officially ended. But for now this awesome picture will do!

Don't forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel, blog and "Like" us on facebook! 

I've also had a few questions about now that I'm pregnant, do I feel pressured to be equally fit as my husband. I do not feel pressured as i'm freakin pregnant LOL.. no way i'd want to lose weight right now. But surely if you knew me before at my old blog (myfitbeauty.com) You'd know I Lose 21lbs after my second baby before getting preggers, and now that My Husband has finished this, I'm so much more motivated to get fit and go beyond what I was before. I am still continuing to work out and lift weights so that I can build a strong foundation for when I give birth and am ready, to give it my all :) 

I have such an amazing husband and family who supports me :) so this will be no problem for me! feel free to check out my bodyspace as well (not really updating it since i'm not wanting to lose weight during my pregnancy).. but it's free! :)

UPDATED (posted his final essay from his bodyspace)

"Why I joined: I have been working out for about 5 years or so. I spent all that time building muscle and gaining weight, but never took any time losing fat. I think now is the best time than any to take things to a whole other level and live shredded.

Date Joined: 08/28/11" - Xtian

I wrote that 84 days ago before joining the Inspirational Live Shredded Body Group and Challenge. Now I'm at the end of this epic journey and I can say with confidence, that I'm living shredded. I have lost more than 20 lbs., and even dropped under 6% body fat. How I accomplished my goal? Consistency played a major role for accomplishing my goal. I have been consistent with my supplementation, training, diet, and most importantly, spent a lot of time on the Live Shredded Body group for motivation.  Seeing others make tremendous progress was very empowering. I knew I wasn't alone in my journey and I was able to look to others for the needed inspiration. 

Watch this video of me while I have my body fat measured!

My workout routine/schedule

The days I go to the gym may vary, as I juggle my schedule based on childcare/family time and work.

Day 1 Leg/Arms/Abdominals (Quadriceps dominant, hamstring accessory)

Day 2 Back/Shoulder or Shoulder/back 

Day 3 Rest

Day 4 Leg/Arms/Abdominals (Hamstring dominant, Quadriceps accessory)

Day 5 Back/Chest or Chest/back

Day 6 Rest

Day 7 Rest

My routine varies as I train based on how I feel on a particular day, some days I spontaneously throw in a max attempt (to gauge my strength levels), some days I throw in a huge amount of volume (to keep my body guessing). No training day is ever the same! I don't like restricting myself; I like the freedom of listening to my body! However, I do like to start off each muscle group by working my way up and increasing the weight for every set until I reach a 3-6 rep max, I try to do this for each muscle group. 

Here's an example.

Back squats, below parallel

135 lbs x 10 (warm up)

205 lbs x 8 (working set)

255 lbs x 5 (working set)

300 lbs x 5 (working set)

315 lbs x 5 (hit my 5 rep max)

I usually try to add an additional 2-4 exercises, 3-4 sets, of 8 or more repetitions for each muscle group that I'm training on that day. What I do is all dependent on how I feel after working up to my 3-6 rep max. I also love throwing in a combination of compound and isolation movements. My favorite exercises are different variations of squats, deadlifts, lunges, dips, presses and pull ups.

See my video for samples of my exercises

My diet/supplement regimen

Muscle Pharm's Assault, Shred Matrix, Armor V + Calorie Deficit + Training + Consistency = Weight Loss!

I used a combination of Muscle Pharms Live Shredded stack (Shred Matrix, Assault, Armor V, MuscleGel Shot), calorie deficit, intense training, and consistency to lose more than 20 lbs in 12 weeks. This was my first attempt at trying to lose some serious weight and I was surprised at how simple it was with the right supplements, training, and diet! I started off by determining my calorie deficit; I came up with around 2500 calories as my range for losing 1-2 lbs a week. I used a combination of intense training, and a daily intake of 180 grams (minimum) of protein to transform my body into a shredded, muscular machine. I adjusted my Fat intake to less than 100 grams, and filled in the rest with carbs to round out my diet. My goal was to eat less than 2500 calories a day, while hitting my nutritional goals. 

Here is a breakdown of my typical day Monday-Sunday. 

6:30am 3 capsules Shred Matrix 30 minutes before breakfast

7:00am (meal 1) Breakfast 

• 1 serving Protein shake high in carbs = calories 385, fat 9g,  carbs 36g, pro 40g
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese + 1/2 cup fruit = calories 119, fat 2g, carbs 12g, pro 14g

8:00am*(Preworkout) 1 full scoop Muscle Pharm Assault = 80 calories 18 carbs

8:30am gym 1-2 hours of intense/heavy/vigorous activity

10:30am (meal 2) AM snack

• Muscle Pharm MuscleGel shot = calories 90, fat 0g, carbs 2g, pro 22g
• oatmeal cookies (1 serving = 3 cookies) = calories 110, fat 2g, carbs 21g, pro 2g

*6 capsules of Muscle Pharm Armor V Multivitamins

12:30pm (meal 3) Lunch

Beef and egg omelet and salad

• 4oz ground beef = calories 295g, fat 23g, carbs 0, pro 19g
• 2 Large eggs = calories 160, fat 9g, carbs 0, pro 15g
• 2 cups bistro salad = calories 20, fat 0g, carbs 4g, pro 1g

3:00pm (meal 4) afternoon snack

Egg salad sandwich

• 3 Large eggs = calories 240, fat 13g, carbs 0, pro 21g
• 2 slice wheat bread = 130, fat 1.5g, carbs 25g, pro 6.0
• 1 tbsp. mayo = calories 90, fat 10g, carbs 0, pro 0
• 3oz Romaine lettuce = calories 15, fat 0, carbs 3g, pro 1g

6:00pm (meal 5) Dinner

• 7oz salmon = calories 340, fat 22g, carbs 0g, pro 37g
• or 8oz chicken = calories 240, fat 3g, carbs 0g, pro 52g
• 2 cups bistro salad = 20, fat 0g, carbs 4g, pro 1g,
• 2 tbsps. Italian dressing = calories 80, fat 7g, carbs 4g, pro 0g

8:00pm (meal 6) night time snack

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese + 8 oz mixed fruit = calories 119, fat 2g, carbs 12g, pro 14g
• oatmeal cookies (1 serving = 3 cookies) = calories 110, fat 2g, carbs 21g, pro 2g

10:30pm sleep

approximate total = calories 2317, fat 94g, carbs 157g, pro 194g

I don't like restricting myself to the same foods every single day, so I like to throw in a variety of foods. I'm always looking for the nutritional values when I take my family out to dinner. If I can track it, I will eat it, just as long as I don't exceed my 2500 calorie limit!

Why I should win?

I say this to everyone, if I could do it, anyone can. My wife recently lost her job, and on top of that, we're expecting our third child. As a result, I had to work more hours to keep my family afloat. I needed to be at peace with myself, away from the heavy work week and the stressors of life, and I found that place while I transformed my body. I want to show everyone that this can be done as long as you’re dedicated and consistent. I have shown great perseverance and dedication throughout the challenge even though my preexisting injuries could’ve set me back. I have a torn shoulder labrum, and have been rehabilitating after ankle surgery a few years ago. I’ve inspired my family, friends, and colleagues to live a healthier lifestyle. My neighbors have started working out with me, I even get random people stopping me while I go about my day, asking me how did I get my physique. This challenge has not only made me stronger in the gym, but also stronger mentally. I have so much more confidence, and I'm most definitely a better person, father, and husband because of it. 

I plan to keep this momentum rolling by joining a bodybuilding/fitness competition. This challenge has catapulted me into greater things. Thank you Bodybuilding.com and Muscle Pharm for this life changing experience! I want to thank my wife, for her patience, support and motivation, my girls for making daddy laugh after a long day, my brother Jay, and my friends and family for pushing me on. 

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My Husband's Body Transformation challenge progress + Hydrostatic Body fat testing

Hi everyone! :) I know my last post about my husband was back in September (Post is here) 


Well i'm proud to say, My Husband has less than 30 days in his challenge (The Live Shredded body transformation challenge on bodybuilding.com) , it's the home stretch! He made his first video (I recorded some footage and his brother also did some footage - his brother edited everything!) I'd love it if you all could please watch his videos, subscribe to him (although we are going to combine our channels later on), and please RT/share his videos on your facebook page, twitter or anywhere! 

This was his original First photo when i posted it back in September:

You can definitely see the difference in his back muscles :)

Here are his before pictures (when he started back in August 28, 2011)

And this is him 2 months afterwards (this pic taken October 22, 2011)

Here is his Official/Detailed video 

Thank you so much for watching it! :) Hope you "Like" it! <3

The prize for this contest is 10k, plus SOO many neat things (like a photoshoot, plus 2 year supply of supplements by the company that is sponsoring the whole contest.. and so much more)! I'm so excited for my Husband! I have so much faith in him that he can transform his body even more! thank you to everyone who RT'd my tweets, watched his video and just have supported us! :) 


He is actually going to have more videos since we're on the home stretch right now! and after the baby comes, i'm definitely going to do the same thing (especially if there is another contest like this on that website, i'm definitely going to join!) 


Thank you to everyone who has asked us questions on how to stay fit, lose weight (he's usually answering the male questions and i'd answer the women's questions!) so we really appreciate it! 


wish us luck! i'll keep you all posted on his next video! 

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Tip Tuesday :: 7 Stretches that will take you from tired to bright-eyed :: Total Beauty

7 STRETCHES THAT WILL TAKE YOU FROM TIRED TO BRIGHT-EYED

Hi Everyone - Happy Tuesday! it's always a good idea to start your day off by stretching - here is a really good article on 7 stretches that will take you from tired to bright-eyed in no time.

Why is it that we torture ourselves by hitting "snooze" multiple times every, single, day?

Does it really make us feel more awake after we get those measly 10 additional minutes of sleep? And are we actually even sleeping quality sleep when we know that darn beep, beep, beep … is going to go off at any second? We think no.


That's why we're here to suggest a new approach. Why not take these 10 precious minutes and do something more productive with them, something like a quick, easy yoga routine -- a perfect stretching workout for women -- that will help you look and feel great every day.

We sat down with Kimberly Fowler, owner of YAS Fitness Centers and author of "The No Om Zone" and asked her to create a mini yoga series that would help wake you up, put pep in your step and sharpen your mind. This combination of moves will get your body going by working out kinks, getting your blood flowing and it'll give you precious time for yourself -- to help you set your intentions for the day.

The best part is, you don't need a mat, snazzy workout clothes or anything. Just you, the floor and these poses that you'll aim to hold for 45 seconds to one minute each.

So are you ready to try this -- tomorrow? We are. It's sure to be much less annoying to our partners who may not have the same affinity for that darn snooze button.

See the yoga stretching moves that'll kick off your day -- now.


TO See the stretches/exercises to start your day, click the original article HERE

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What Motivates me to stay/get Fit

I know that some of you that follow my blog, have seen my posts in the past of my husband's workout videos.. but I really am so proud of him! He truly does inspire me and a lot of others to stay fit.


He recently joined an online body transformation competition and i wanted to share with all of you his progress so far.


the picture on the left was taken on 08/28/2011 and the picture on the right was taken little less than a month later at 09/21/2011. you can see how he has leaned out and is totally getting shredded :)

One of our two squat racks in our garage. :) we recently just moved 

both of them together on the other side. :) picture to come soon.

Yes that is my Mitsubishi Lancer Evolotion X :P

If you guys didn't know - my husband was the main reason why I started working out back in January 2010. I had always complained that I was fat, I hated my clothes because they didn't fit.. but yet I never wanted to do anything about my weight. I was your typical average person that wanted the easy way out (ie: diet pills, starvation diets).. but My husband truly was the one who opened my eyes! 


Just to give you a little background on My AWESOME husband. he had dislocated his ankle in 2008 and it was so bad it did not heal properly as the ortho doc expected it (because of how he dislocated it the Doc said).. He had a really long recovery process after the dislocation.. he was in a cast and was STILL going to the gym everyday.. 


Not only that - but he had to have micro-fracture surgery (meaning they had to break the bone to fix it) because like mentioned his ankle did not heal the way the orthopedic surgeon/MD had expected it. Even after he had surgery he was up a few days after at the gym! Talk about Dedication.. if you want to know - My Husband is the total definition of it :)


He has been doing this for 5 years and i'm so proud of his progress. Although I did lose 21 lbs after my second daughter - I was real proud of myself because My Husband and my kids always supported me. Although I am pregnant now and not so flattering looking, my husband has supported my decision to stay active and still work out. so if you want to know why i'm dedicated - it's because My Husband. My True inspiration! :)


Another inspiration of mine is My Cousin Hazel :) She's had 3 babies and she Looks AMAZING. 

She started her journey July 7, 2010 (her before picture)

And this picture was afterwards:

Pic on left taken: 02/20/2011

Pic on right taken: 03/15/2011

I just hate that she lives all the way in Germany! I know if she lived closer, we'd be tearing it up at the gym! She just recently got into CrossFit and been really enjoying seeing her do the same things I do (squats, deadlifts etc).. she's a true inspiration to me because now that i'll have 3 babies - I KNOW i can get back to pre-pregnancy size in no time. :)

And I know you've probably seen these already, but these are the only videos I have of me working out.. i hope to have many more soon though :) Me doing Squats and Rack pulls below:

This was in April 2011 - I was 122lbs
I am squatting 135lbs. 

Also 135lb rackpulls. 

What inspires you? :)

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Fitness & Pregnancy - Still Very possible!

Hi Everyone! TGIF! So it's official - I start school on Monday - i'm both excited and nervous because it's been like 6-7 years since i was in school (yes I went to nursing school for my LVN in 2003 literally right after high school). 


so anyway, i'm very much excited until my next prenatal appointment when my Doctor clears me to exercise! the reason why I was told i was not to exercise was because there is a high chance of miscarriage in the first trimester. the doctor said unless I had been doing my same exercise for 2 years then i needed to stop for now.


I had only been doing my exercise regimen for about a year with a few breaks here and there. I was really bummed because I did lose 21lbs and was still continuing to do so and building lean muscle (or what some people mistake for being "Toned"). I was really proud of my shoulders/arms - they were getting really lean.. lol and now with the first two months of pregnancy i'm SO bloated.. i've gained about 6 lbs (i think you're only supposed to gain like 4-5lbs the first trimester).. so right now i'm really just trying to maintain this weight and not gain anymore for the rest of my first trimester (only 3 more weeks) and so far i'm doing okay. 


I am not planning on losing weight at this time though as that is not good for the baby. the biggest misconception that a lot of people (myself included in previous pregnancies) is that when you are pregnant you must eat for two. but that is only a myth! you really only need to increase your caloric intake by about 300 or so calories.. 


Last pregnancy, those were my thoughts - i'll eat this and that because i need to eat for the baby.. it really hindered my weight loss after I had my daughter. so this pregnancy i'm going to be more active - it's my goal during this pregnancy to not be lazy, of course i'm going to listen to my body and slow down when i'm tired, etc. but im not going to have that be an excuse to be lazy. because that's just not me - that was probably the old me.. but fitness has really changed the way i look at a lot of things and i'm hoping those that follow my blog and youtube/twitter will be inspired to stay active and fit during pregnancy! (of course always consult with your medical doctor before beginning any exercise regimen) also if you plan on getting pregnant - i really recommend exercising before - so your body gets used to it! 


i know some of you may be thinking - what type of exercising i had in mind... well the same exercise routines i had been doing previously (yes lifting weights).. not going to do overly heavy or try to go for a new personal record or anything, but also going to incorporate a little bit more cardio and some yoga.


so hope you are all excited as much as i am on my fabulous fit pregnancy journey! :) and with that - i'll leave you with my favorite videos of pregnant women exercising! :)

 P.S. i am not affiliated with any of these people, nor am i a crossfitter, i just enjoyed these videos.

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Tip Tuesday :: 4 Moves to Sexier-Looking Legs :: Total Beauty

Hi Everyone! I wanted to get your thoughts! I have mentioned this on my twitter and i think in a blog post or two previously.. that I have a lot of things planned for my blog.


Every day of the week I will be sharing something with you all - kind of like a series :) i'm going to start gradually, and based on feedback and what not - I will become more consistent!


So for Tuesday - it's my Tip Tuesday! I'll be sharing any fitness/beauty/mommy related tips I may have found and wanted to share with all of you fellow fitness/beauty enthusiasts and mommies! :) Hope you enjoy!

4 Moves to Sexier-Looking Legs:

Wish you had the legs of Sarah Jessica Parker or Jessica Biel? Or maybe just legs you'd feel confident showing off in shorts, short dresses or skirts? Yeah, us too. That's why we did some research to figure out which leg workouts for women actually work. 

See four moves to sexier-looking legs now.

So what did we find? Well, after having a candid conversation with nutrition and fitness consultant Ashley Borden, we were sold on these four exercises, which she swears are really all you need. Yes, you can get your legs looking toned, lean and dare we say it -- sexy -- by adding these four simple moves to your usual workout routine.

Don't have a routine? Now's the time to start one. How to do that? Simple: Do 15 repetitions of each of these four moves and when you're done, do two minutes of cardio. Repeat the leg workouts for women set four times -- doing cardio between each set -- in order to get gorgeous-looking legs. 

See the 4 Moves to sexier-looking legs HERE

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Video :: Squats & Rack Pulls

So I actually posted these on my Youtube channel awhile back, and decided to go ahead and post them here on my blog for those that aren't following my youtube channel or my twitter.

These are a few months old, i did lose a few pounds from then, got injured lol.. but here are two videos (only ones I have from the gym doing squats and Rack Pulls).

Rack Pulls (should start right below the knee)

135lbs - 5 reps

Squats (ATG @$$ to grass :D)

135lbs 5 reps

I know a few months ago - a couple people on twitter had asked me to upload some videos. I wanted to show these to you ladies to inspire you that you don't have to be afraid of weights! :) 
Also! wanted to update you all - Hubby and I have put together our second squat rack this past weekend! we had one and just added another to the family (our garage).. let me know in the comments if any of you are interested to see them! or how we have it set up at the moment.. it is still in the beginning process of a home gym - but i'm SO excited that hubby is building one for us! 
Hopefully we can save up for some really awesome dumbbells to go with everything - and then we'll sorta be complete! 
Sorry for the lack of videos though, been having a hard time with my macbook pro and it's what i use to edit my videos - need more RAM.. so until then, hope you enjoy my random blogging! 

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