I really appreciate all the feedback and responses to my Tone It Up 7 Day Slim Down posts. I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Tone It Up from those who haven’t heard about it yet. I wanted to share the reasons Why I joined the Tone It Up team and why I love it so much.

So this is for all you Ladies out there (especially you Moms) who have been struggling to get in shape and healthy – just like me. After having Seppe, I was definitely not happy with the effects that pregnancy had on my body. I didn’t even have much time after having Gio to get in shape before getting pregnant with Seppe. They are 16 months apart. I pretty much spent two years, 2004-2006,  being pregnant :-( And it took its toll on me physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Why Tone It Up?

Seppe is now 4.5 years old. I’ve spent those years trying to find quick solutions to losing weight, magic pills that promised to flatten my tummy, roller coasting with working out and not, getting depressed because I didn’t. Nothing I tried worked for me. I considered plastic surgery but I didn’t to spend that much money and it scared me.  When I found Tone It Up online, I was immediately impressed. Tone It Up is NOT a diet.  It is a Lifestyle. There is no quick solution. You have to put in the work and make changes.

I swore that I would never give up white rice and that I could just eat whatever I wanted in smaller portions. I learned that I had to Change the way I thought about Health and Fitness. The Tone It Up Lifestyle requires you to make the decision to put your Health First. If you are closed-minded to trying something new and learning what is healthy and what isn’t, Tone It Up is not for you.

It doesn’t mean that you can Never eat your favorite not so healthy food. The Tone It Up Lifestyle, allows for slip ups and cheats :-) The healthy recipes they have actually taste amazing. Plus through them, I found Jane of Eye It Try It  and Grace of  MomInModeration who have even more great healthy recipes.

The workouts are challenging but not so hard that I can not even think about working out again. They have so many to choose from and come up with new ones that keep workouts interesting. I was not pressured to get their DVD or their Nutrition Plan.

What is Tone It Up Nutrition Plan and the Slim Down?

I wanted to get the Nutrition Plan but couldn’t afford it right away, so I saved up until I could. It is definitely worth the investment, and isn’t all that expensive compared to all those other diet gimmicks out there. A one time payment of $149.99 gets you a Lifetime membership to all the updates, recipes, and tips. Their Nutrition Plan – what some may call a diet –  is a guide that has specifics on When to eat What kinds of foods. It has healthy recipes, and workouts.  There are different plans to match specific diet needs: Vegan, Gluten Free, and a new Pescatarian plan.

The 7 Day Slim Down is included with the Nutrition Plan. It’s a strict version of the plan that helps jump-start your fitness goals or get you toned and lean for a special event, like a wedding :-)

Who is Tone It Up?

It was started by two amazing and beautiful women, Karena and Katrina who wanted to share their love for Fitness and Healthy Living. They are certified in pretty much everything related to Fitness.  These girls never intimidated me with their workouts and I never felt badly about myself even though they are in way better shape than me. They inspire me. To find out more about these two check out this article from their blog: http://toneitup.com/about.php

How to be a part of Tone It Up:

It’s simple!!! Just go to their website: toneitup.com :-) You can sign up for their free weekly newsletter to get the latest tips, recipes, and workouts. Join the community – it’s free! http://toneitup.com/community/ You don’t have to get the plan to be a part of the community. Everyone can be a part of it. There are groups you can join to find others with similar interests and goals.  It’s a great place for support, motivation, and inspiration.

Just because I couldn’t afford the plan when I first discovered Tone It Up it didn’t stop me from following the tips from their site. I started by making sure to eat 5 – 6 meals a day and working out almost every day with the Bikini Challenge Series (which you can still follow). I learned about eating Clean, Lean and Green. I lost 2 lbs in the first week :-)

I hope this helps those of you who are curious about Tone It Up. I used  having kids and my kids in general as excuses to not workout. I would always say “I’ll start tomorrow.” Stop making excuses and Do It! You owe it to yourself.

My Favorite Workouts:

Bikini Strap Workout:

Bikini Body SELF Magazine Workout:

Sand Castle:

New Foods I Love:

Yesterday I completed the 7 day Slim Down from Tone It Up’s Nutrition Plan. And I feel Great :-)  It was not easy, but not impossible either. There were easy days and tough days. I weighed and took measurements the day before I started and told myself that I would not weigh in again until after I was done.  This was hard to do because I didn’t think I was making any progress and I really wanted to step on that scale everyday – But I didn’t :-)

I know you all want to know, So Here Are My Results:

(My Before Measurements are on my Day 1 Post)

Weight – 112lbs :-) OMG!! I have not been this weight since Before Gio was born (almost 6 years!!) I was so nervous to step on the scale this morning, But when I saw the numbers I was beyond ecstatic!! If it wasn’t so early in the morning, I would have jumped up and down like a little kid :-)

Waist: 26 1/2 inches. That is an inch and a half smaller :-) woo hoo!!

Bust: 32 inches – that stayed the same and I don’t mind.

Hips: 34 inches- I think that’s an inch smaller.

I am very very happy with the results :-) I wasn’t expecting to get a flat tummy and be where I wanted to be in just 7 days, but this is a great start! And it is such a Big motivator for me to stay on track.  I am definitely going to continue following the Nutrition Plan so I can reach my goals. I would like to tone up at least 6 more inches in my waist. I know it will not happen over night and I am willing to put in the work to get the results I want.

This is definite proof to me that the Nutrition Plan works. I know a lot of you are curious about it. You can get all the info from on Tone It Up’s Nutrition Plan website: http://www.toneitupdiet.com/ It really isn’t a diet though. Seriously! The only part that can be called a diet is the Slim Down and that really isn’t one either. It’s just a strict version of the Nutrition Plan :-)  Tone It Up! is a Lifestyle.

It is different from the Lifestyle that I was living and considered Healthy. One of my favorite quotes “Change is Uncomfortable.” Such a true statement.  It’s not easy changing and breaking my bad habits, but it’s worth it. I feel so much better after the Slim Down. I’m stronger, less bloated, and have more energy. I am enjoying learning new recipes and new ways to push myself in workouts.

The best part is the community.  We are all so supportive of another. It’s Great :-) You can join the online community for free and get involved in the Tone It Up movement.  Karena and Katrina have free workouts on YouTube and are always posting tips and recipes.  There is a Member Only Group for those of us who get the Nutrition Plan. Don’t let the cost of the plan stop you.  I saved for 3 months and got the plan. You have to make getting healthy a priority in your life. I know that this will help not just me, but my whole family. I am looking forward to my new Lifestyle :-)

Before and After Pics:

I made it to the End!!!! I can hardly believe that I stuck to it. Lord knows that I wanted to just quit and give up so many times. Today was easier, probably because I knew it was the end. Not that I am going to go out tomorrow and pig out, but I do plan on having some of my favorite healthy snacks to enjoy :-)

Today was pretty much the same as yesterday – food and workout wise. I started with my 30 min bootycall walk. I am making it a goal to at least do that every morning from now on.  It just helps wake me up and gives me a boost in the morning to deal with the kids. There wasn’t a workout listed besides a second cardio session so I took Gio out for a run while he rode his bike. 3 miles.

Grapefruit for Meal 1 and a slim down smoothie for Meal 2. I did get some Brown Rice Protein, but like I said in my video, I didn’t like it. Lunch was a Lean Green Salad and Dinner was Chicken and Asparagus.

I plan on continuing with the Nutritional Plan. I will post updates on my progress, and hopefully some recipes and tips for living a Healthy and Fit Lifestyle. Tone It Up is truly the best program for me. I am so grateful to Karena and Katrina for all their hard work. Being part of the Tone It Up team and online community is inspiring. It’s nice to have others who have similar goals and who give you support.

If you haven’t already please check them out: http://toneitup.com/index.php

I am so proud of myself for not quitting. I will post results tomorrow :-)

Day 4 was tough.  In order to get my AM cardio in, I had to get up at 4a so I can get to the gym and back before my hubby went to work. If I hadn’t put the alarm on the other side of the room, I wouldn’t have gotten up. Needless to say, I had very little energy when I got to the gym.  I did the Weight Loss Program on the Elliptical for 30 min. Worked up a good sweat and felt awake by the end of it… but still tired. I got back and the hubby left for work.

Since today was also Gio’s first day of school as a first grader, I decided that I shouldn’t look like a hot,  sweaty mess when I dropped him off. So I showered and got ready, put makeup on and everything. I walked with both the boys to drop Gio off and walked back home with Seppe. I was very hungry when I got home and was very happy to make the Slim Down Scramble.

I wound up getting a head ache after breakfast. I think it’s a combination of lack of sleep and low blood sugar. This is the longest I’ve gone with so few carbs. I was happy when it was time for Meal 2 (Grapefruit of Stevia). I felt a lot better after having that snack. I also took a power nap and when I woke up my head ache was gone. It didn’t come back for the rest of the day. But I made sure that I kept myself hydrated and kept to my meal schedule.

Lunch was the same as yesterday except I used strawberries instead of Mangos. There is just something about summer time that makes me want to add fruit to all my salads.  Snack was a Slim Down Smoothie. Very yummy but I love the Protein Shake for the slim down so much more. Dinner was Salmon and Broccoli.

Today I worked out my abs. I did 3 different TIU Ab workouts from their YouTube Channel:

Flatten Abs with 5 Moves Full Body Workout –  

10 reps of each X 3 sets

Fitness Model Workout (for Abs) –

10-15 reps of each X 3 Sets (I held the plank position for 45 seconds each set and did the Side Plank Crunches)

Itty Bitty Bikini Workout – 

10 reps of each X 3 sets

For cardio I did my 3 mile run. It was at a slower pace because my legs were tired from the workouts above. I didn’t realize how tired they were until I got back from my run when they felt so weak. My abs are pretty sore too.

It felt harder to resist eating other foods today.  I miss my Larabars and Kind bars. And my Zico coconut water. I did take a piece of teriyaki chicken that the boys got to enjoy – I only had one piece though. I know that there are only a few more days left and I hope that I can stick to it.  It is definitely getting hard for me. Going to keep pushing myself though. At least I don’t have to be up at 4a tomorrow :-)

Day 3 was a day for improvising.  My husband’s schedule for work on Sundays leaves me with the boys pretty much all day. I did get in my 30 min bootycall – my usual 3 mile run.  What I was brainstorming on was how to fit in a my second cardio session and a workout with the boys.  I would have loved to go for a run with them while they rode their bikes, but my youngest doesn’t go very fast right now.  He is still getting use to riding his bigger bike.

My first thought was to turn on the OnDemand and do a few of the workouts.  There’s always something for cardio and total body workouts, and there’s so many to choose from. I figured I had my problem solved, but when I went to turn the tv on, it was blank.  My cable box acts up a lot and of course it had to act up when I needed to use it for something besides wasting brain cells.

So I pulled out the Your Shape and EA Active 2 for the Kinect. I use to work out with these two a lot, but for some reason just got bored.  For my cardio, I did the Your Shape for 40 min. There was a cardio routine and a cardio boxing routine that I did. For a total body workout, I put in EA Active 2. This can be really challenging if you use weights and do the moves correctly. I spent an hour doing the Total Body workout.  Gio joined in and did a pretty good job of keeping up. I know I wore him out which worked out because he has school in the morning.

Meals were pretty much the same as Day 2:

M1: Slim Down Pancake

M2: 1/2 Grapefruit with Stevia

M3: Salad: Spinach, Cucumbers, carrots, and Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Chicken Burger Patty. The Chicken Patty was all natural :-) And tasted pretty good.

M4: Veggies with Hummus. Not my favorite meal, but it wasn’t too bad. I ate mostly carrots and celery. I had a few pieces of broccoli too but I just don’t like broccoli raw. I need it at least steamed.

M5: Tofu with broccoli and green beans. Not my favorite way to have tofu but I ate it.

Dinner for Day 3

I realized today that the biggest challenge to the Slim Down is the mental toughness.  I had a lot of temptations around me with the boys eating cookies and Ben having popcorn.  It took a lot of will power and telling myself “not today.” It makes it seem like I’ll get to have some of that stuff one day soon. It also had me thinking of how to make healthy and yummy  versions of desserts. I am really proud of myself for not having any of it. You have to commit to the slim down, physically, mentally, and emotionally. No negativity and lots of motivation :-)

Last night I planned on going to bed at 10p, but somehow I got carried away with doing dishes, cleaning the living room, and checking bills that I didn’t get to bed until midnight :-( I still woke up early to do my bootycall run, and Yes, it was hard to get up and I felt sluggish on my run. I was able to pick up speed and got some energy after a few minutes. By the time I was done with my 3 miles, I was awake and ready for my day to start.

Breakfast was The Slim Down Pancake. I had to modify it because I didn’t have the Brown Rice Protein Powder. I used my Whey Protein Powder instead. I’m not sure if that’s ok or not, but it’s what I had. It wasn’t too bad. I managed to make it without it falling apart :-) I wasn’t sure if I was suppose to use syrup so I just sprinkled some stevia on top. It turned out to be a big pancake and I couldn’t finish it.

I went to the grocery store and picked up some grapefruit for my morning snacks. I’ve never really tried grapefruit before. My mother use to eat a lot when I was a kid and it never really appealed to me.  I sprinkled some stevia on top and really enjoyed it. My 5 yr old tried it out too and I had to fight him for the last piece. lol. Lunch and Dinner was the same as Yesterday.

My workout for today: 30 min HIIT on the Bike. So hard today. I think my legs were worn out from yesterday. I followed it with the Itty Bitty and Lean Abs Pyramid. My abs are definitely feeling it.

Check out my video for Day 2:

Whew!! I made it through the first day! It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s probably because I was already eating and exercising pretty much the same way – granted not as intense. I was hesitant to start today. I kept wanting to putt off like I have been for the last couple weeks.  Thanks to the wonderful TIU community, I was motivated to Do It. and I’m glad.

Here are my Before Measurements and Pic:

Bust: 32in

Waist: 28in:-(

Hipes: 35in

Weight: 118 lbs (I’ve already lost 4 lbs just from following their tips before getting the Nutritional Plan)

I’m not so concerned with my legs. I’ve always liked having athletic legs. I just want them toned.  As you can see from the Before pic, my problem area is my tummy :-( That’s what happens when you spend two years being pregnant and 4 years Not exercising and eating right. I’m not too bad, but my body is Not where I would like it to be. I’m doing the Slim Down to help jump-start my fitness goals.

Day 1 Workouts:

3 mile BootyCall run

30 min HIIT on the Elliptical

Tone and Sculpt Combo Workout (3 Sets)

15 Leg Raises

15 Side Plank crunches

15 Tummy Tucks

15 Bicycle crunches

15 Waistline Toners

Check out my YouTube Video for Day 1:

Many of us want to get fit. Some of us are doing it to lose weight and some of us are just want to get healthy.  I am not really concerned about losing weight, but I am one of those who want to get healthy. Everyone has obstacles they have to overcome in order to achieve their goals. Here are mine:

~ My sweet tooth: This is probably my hardest obstacle. I love candy and chocolate – especially chocolate. Sometimes I’ll just get a craving and pig out :-)

~ Rice: I love rice and I can eat a lot of it. Guess it’s the Filippino in me. Brown rice just doesn’t cut it for me. I’ve been forced to eat only a cup of rice for a meal, and it was just depressing for me. Luckily, I don’t eat rice every single day. I just have to learn how to cut back when I do.

~ Energy & Time: I know this is probably an obstacle for many. There are just some days when I don’t know where I’ll find the energy to include a workout. During the weekdays, I’m ready for a nap by the time Gio comes home from school. I’ve been trying working out at different times during the day, trying to find a time where I have energy. Finding Time is just as difficult. Gotta juggle kid’s school schedule and Ben’s work schedule.

~ Kids: Yes, I am using my kids as an excuse. Right now, Seppe is still at home and it makes it hard to do at home workouts. He wants to be involved . Plus one of us always has to be with the boys.  I’ve started to take Gio on runs with him on his bike, but that is slow going. It’s better than nothing though. On top of that, my boys (including Ben) are super picky about what they eat and have sensitive stomachs.

I try my hardest not to let these obstacles be excuses, but sometimes I just can’t help it. I get discouraged, but I’ve been trying to just get over it. It’s ok to have set backs. The important thing is that I don’t give up.