Friday 5: The Power of Being Thankful

Here I am on a Friday! I've had such a looney past 3 weeks I don't even know where to begin! Honestly, it's been a convicting past 2 weeks! I will go ahead and tell you, this post is definitely more on the spiritual side of things, but it's worth a read because of that reason...

Here lately,  I've noticed that we've become a culture of entitlement...and ME FIRST...we value our own time, energy, and resources, but want to bicker about paying for this or that...or that we didn't get the latest and greatest whatever, well, 5 minutes ago...and recently I started picking up this attitude because I was allowing other people's attitudes to affect mine. And then, it was like God was telling me..."Hey, remove the plank from your own eye!" And it shook me...The power of the attitude thankfulness is powerful! It can change your attitude in an instant! So this weekend...I'm going on a whining detox...I've started counting my blessings and I have so much to be thankful, even what's happened today! Here are 5 things I have to be thankful for:

1. I may have another school added to my music teaching roster in the next month!
2. One of my challengers in my 21 Day Fix lost 3 inches in her waist! And...she's not even finished with her challenge yet! That made my day that I was able to keep her accountable!
3. My hubby are releasing a new music single tomorrow!
4. My piano student aced his pieces after I left his house yesterday! He learned "Are You Sleeping?" and the "C" scale! He's only been getting lessons for a month!
5. I'm so thankful for my friend, LizBeth, who came over and did my dishes when my dishwasher was broken!

Oh, and there will be a BIG announcement on Monday!...it has nothing to do with pink or blue! Seriously!

What are you thankful for? Comment below! :-)

 Have a beautiful weekend!
- Julie

Fitness 5 Friday: My Review of 21 Day Fix

Hi!
So it's been over a week since I've posted, but I have soooo much to tell you! The past 21 days, I've been a bit preoccupied with the 21 Day Fix challenge, and whoa, the results are amazing, both inside and out! I've had so much fun working out with my hubby as we've completed this challenge together! We also cut back on our grocery bill! I've been reminded through this experience, that I need accountability as much as the next person, and love the community I've found through this! I plan to do a round 2 starting next week! The workouts are great, and you get to do a different half-hour workout daily, and the meal guide was amazing! There's no guesswork in this, and I was eating a wide variety of foods and taking my Shakeology daily! I plan to buy the barre leg workout and the flat abs fix workouts to go with this series. There's even a plyo dvd that can be dialed down a notch...or two or three for those who want to try plyo but aren't sure if it's for them. I love the modifications, and the warm up helped me to recruit the right muscles during strength exercises! There's even 2 active rests days and a variety of workout types. I would recommend this program for almost anyone, whether a beginner or a pro. There's something you can do. The only equipment needed is a resistance band.

This week, I've experienced several blessings that I've overlooked...for some crazy reasons, this week has been more stressful than normal...and oh, how I felt it. Here are 5 things that I am thankful for this week.
1. My wonderful husband giving me a foot massage yesterday.
2. My amazing sister-in-law and dear friend, Elizabeth helping me organize and spring clean my house this week!
3. Getting an offer to teach classes at a rec center near our house.
4. Getting mentioned on a National Coach Call by the CEO of Beachbody
5. Being anonymously gifted with money for a nice date night for my hubby and I.

It's so easy to overlook the amazing things around us when we are bombarded daily by all that's going on in the world, but when all is said and done, it's nice to know that I can get away, pray, and relax for a moment. I'm so grateful for the loving husband I have, and thankful for so many simple things, such as having arms and legs that are strong and healthy. So many people take this for granted. Don't make the same mistake. Count your blessings this week!

Workout Wednesday: Seated Row tutorial

Hi There! Happy Workout Wednesday! Today I'd like to highlight an exercise that will help keep your back strong and healthy, as well as review how my workouts are going this week!  I'm really happy about the way this week has gone so far. I've been leading my first challenge group as a coach and am really enjoying my results from the 21 Day Fix! Because of our busy schedules, and eating g-free, we needed something to keep us on track, and so far, the workouts and shakeology have been amazing!!!!! I've lost over 1" in my hips and 1" in my waist. I can see my muscles, not bones, and the nutrition plan leaves me feeling energized... I'm officially no longer addicted to caffeine! I wanted to post "after" pics already, but Micah said, "Wait, the best is yet to come". REALLY?!  Where was this when I was getting ready for my wedding and didn't have time to plan my own workouts? I love this, and if you check out my 21 Day Fix page on the blog you can see the challenge pack for yourself. :) This week has been really fun, and exciting, and for all you Northerners, don't hate, but we had freezing rain, sleet, and ice the other day, so I got a day off! But, I will be working Saturday morning...

Today's post is a part of my "Strength Training 101" series. Today we're going to be talking about bent and seated rows. I'm using bands for the video, but please feel free to use weights. This is a back exercise that is great for all fitness levels, and strengthens your shoulders, and upper to mid back muscles.  Watch the video, and tell me your thoughts! What's your favorite upper body strength training move? Comment below!

See you on Friday!

Julie