I've successfully made it a third of the way through Body Revolution!!!  Tomorrow, Friday, June 29, begins Phase 2.  I'm excited to see what lies ahead.  Nine weeks to go!

As much as I loved Workouts 3 and 4, again I'm happy to be moving forward to new workouts and new challenges after the previous two weeks. It's great that the workouts (apart from the Cardio DVDs) don't get too stale before it's time to switch things up.  I'm interested to see what Cardio 2 has to offer, but I have a feeling I'll be switching up the cardio (and adding to it) just as I did with Cardio 1 in Phase 1.

Curious to know if I've made any progress so far?  So was I.  DRUMROLL PLEASE . . .

Overall I'm pleased with my results so far and cannot wait to see what kind of results Phase 2 brings!

Skeeter Snacks are a line of cookies created by two dads with nut-allergic children.  The cookies are produced using the highest safety standards in facilities that do not process any products containing tree nuts or peanuts.  Finally! A safe, high quality product for children or adults with nut allergies, or -- because they just taste so darn good -- anyone who enjoys a great cookie! 

The company kindly sent me some of their cookies to try, and let me tell you, though none of us have nut allergies, the cokies didn't last long in our home!  Skeeter Snacks come in three tasty flavors: Chocolate Chunk, Golden Oatmeal, and Skeeterdoodle, and are available to order on the company's website for just $3.99 for six 2-packs.

Being a bit of a chocoholic, my personal favorite is the Chocolate Chunk.  Big chunks of yummy chocolate in every bite!  My husband preferred the Skeeterdoodles, which have a great cinnamon flavor.  And while my eldest son really enjoyed the Golden Oatmeal cookies, I felt they were a little more 'crunchy' than I normally enjoy from an oatmeal cookie.  Overall, Skeeter Snacks deliver not only on their nut-free promise, but also on great taste and affordability.  No cardboard taste or crazy high prices here!

The company is also committed to the ongoing education of parents, educators, and others about the dangers of nut allergies. In fact, a portion of Skeeter Snacks’ profits supports the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. Their website offers a For Kids section, hosted by their nut-allergic squirrel mascot, Skeeter, which includes educational, fun activities and games.

Want to try these cookies for yourself?  The folks at Skeeter Snacks are offering a sample pack to one lucky Spark Your Motivation blog reader.  For your chance to win, enter using the Rafflecopter form below.  Best wishes and happy, nut-free snacking!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. I have been given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

Giveaway will end on July 2 at Midnight. Giveaway open to U.S. entries only. The Winner will be contacted by email. Winner has 48 hours to confirm before a new Winner is chosen. 

Welcome to Spark Your Motivation's first MEMBER SPOTLIGHT, where we will feature a Facebook fan, a Twitter follower or a blog subscriber, filling you in on more about them, their accomplishments, goals, dreams and ambitions.

Do you have an inspiring or motivating story to tell?  A business or product you stand behind?  Contact me for your chance to be featured!

Let me introduce you to today's SPOTLIGHT member, Christie Larrabee!

Christie has been an Arbonne Consultant for 10 months.  When I asked her what first sparked her interest in this business, she replied, "I had said 'no" to the business for 9 months prior to saying yes. I saw the value in the products, and could see and feel the tremendous quality and purity, but the business just was 'not my thing'. So I carried on, searching for teaching jobs, and tending bar until my sponsor, Kristalle, invited me to Atlantis in the Bahamas. She had earned a week for free, all inclusive, through Arbonne and she invited me as her guest. 

Even with my toes in the sand, seeing the amazing recognition Arbonne Consultants received, I STILL said no! (can you believe it? haha). It wasn't until I was smooching this dolphin's nose that I decided to take a look at the business. I call this my ah ha! moment. I realized that I never need to miss another dream vacation again! I started out with the intention to earn every vacation, but the more I learned about the company and the people, I began to see the big picture.  

This company is so much more than jewelry, and vacations, and Mercedes Benz bonuses. This business is about creating a LIFE for myself. This business is about being able to stay home with my kids when the time comes, and preparing for impact! This business is willable and leveragable! I have the ability to plan my life FIRST and insert Arbonne where it fits. I am creating a dream life for myself, and Arbonne is the vehicle that is getting me there."

Christie's favorite Arbonne products include the RE9 eye cream, the Dreamer fragrance, the makeup primer and the Energy Fizz Stix.  I have tried the Energy Fizz Tabs (which are now the new, improved and quicker Energy Fizz Stix). I definitely recommend them for on-the-go, busy men and women, who need to keep their energy up throughout the day.  Give them a try!

Christie has just one question for anyone pondering whether a business like Arbonne could work for them: "WHY NOT?? Why not try? You have absolutely nothing to lose, and EVERYTHING to gain.  My favorite part -- I can show you how to save between 20 and 80% off all your products!"

For more information on ordering excellent Arbonne products or becoming a consultant yourself, please feel free to contact Christie Larrabee on Facebook.  DREAM BIG!

Do you have an inspiring or motivating story to tell?  A business or product you stand behind?  Contact me for your chance to be featured!  

Week Three of Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution sees beginning of Workouts 3 and 4.  They build on the foundation of Workouts 1 and 2.  Similar moves, yet combined and/or made more challenging through the addition of weights, plyometrics or otherwise.  In Workout 3, think yoga's Tree Pose + lateral raises (with weights).  Yep, Jillian raises the bar... yet she still offers up more "beginner" modifications for those who need it.

She encourages giving the more advanced moves at least a fair chance, as her philosophy (and mine!) is that you never know what you can do unless you give it a go.  You might just surprise yourself.  And I did this past week!  I did about 4 "real" (not on the knees) push-ups, something once "impossible" for me!

Again, I mixed up the cardio days, as the same 30 minute cardio DVD for a month (for me anyway) begins to feel a little stale after the first few times.  Gotta fit my running in when I can, plus I gave an elliptical a try for the first time this week.  Loved it!  I'm currently considering adding a little more cardio on the circuit training days.  And, on my rest day (today), I plan to do some yoga.  More specifically, one of my favorites:

More of the same (Workouts 3 and 4) plus MORE cardio.
Ten weeks to go! 

Week Two of Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution - is either exactly the same as, or easier than, Week One.  Jillian offers an alternative 'kickstart' Week One, which entails doing Cardio 1 each day in addition to the normal Week One schedule.  So an hour a day in the first week changes to just thirty minutes a day in week two.

I did the 'kickstart' first week, so in my case, Week Two felt like a breeze in comparison.  Just thirty minutes a day, and I'm feeling stronger already!

Well, some days entail morI do other workouts occasionally outside of Body Revolution (or on some days, in place of or in addition to her Cardio 1 DVD).  There are 3 total different cardio workouts throughout the entire program, one per month, so I like to change my cardio up some (or add to it) throughout, so I don't get too burnt out on the same workout.  I crave variety to keep things fresh and the motivation flowing.

So here is my actual workout schedule versus Jillian's prescribed Week Two workout schedule:

Week Three brings Workouts 3 and 4 -- I'm excited to try out new, more challenging workout routines to build on the momentum of the first two weeks.  Stay tuned for weight/measurement results and reviews of upcoming Body Revolution workouts!

Please help cheer me on by leaving a comment below, sharing this blog post and/or contacting me privately.  I appreciate all the support I can get -- it helps keep me going.  Thank you!

“Show me a person who doesn’t make mistakes and I’ll show you a person who doesn’t do anything.” – Leonard Rubino 


The number one way to stop hesitating or procrastinating is to remember that mistakes are OK.  More than OK, they are experiences from which to learn.  So when you're afraid of making a mistake, when you're waiting until everything is perfect, or feeling embarrassed, DO IT anyhow.  Push the boundaries of what you think is possible for you to achieve.  Sure, you might fall flat on your face (literally or figuratively!), but at least you've learned something.  You've given it a shot, and generally at that point, if you try again, you will do even better than the first time.

Don't stay stuck, frozen in "what ifs".  Seize the opportunity, because with positive change comes so many more opportunities for growth, happiness, and so many wonderful experiences.

Contact me for some encouragement, if you'd like.  Either comment below or message me privately.

I wish you your BEST life!

Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution  is a 90-day program.  Here are my Day One stats, in case you missed them.

I'm currently seven days in.

Workouts 1 and 2 concentrate on lower impact, beginner-intermediate moves, building a foundation of good form for future workouts.  She always gives 'advanced' modifications, too.  Cardio 1 is a great 30-minute calorie burner.

What I like about the program so far:  I like the more "fun" atmosphere Jillian brings to the table, with more people working out with her.  At the same time, she makes sure to keep us at home motivated with her usual style!  I've really enjoyed the workouts so far.

What I'm not using: The meal plan she provides with the program.  For me and my family's lifestyle, it's just not practical.  However, I use MyFitnessPal to track my food intake, so I can keep a close eye on how many calories I consume.  I aim to reduce my sugar intake and eat a healthy ratio of carbs/fat/protein.

I have really put my best effort forth so far, pushing and challenging myself to keep going when I feel like I can go no further.

STAY TUNED: Weigh-in on July 1 -- keeping weight & measurement checks to once a month, but I plan to blog weekly updates such as this one.

I hold myself accountable to you, reader, to keep going.  Help cheer me on, please!  And, if you have any questions about the program that I can answer, please comment below or contact me privately.

Until next time . . . STAY MOTIVATED!

Today, June 1, 2012, I embark on a new journey with Jillian Michaels and her newest workout program, Body Revolution.  It's a ninety-day program, so it'll be perfect for keeping active throughout the summer, along with all our other outdoor summer activities.  It also almost perfectly coincides with a weight loss competition I am a part of this summer.

I'm so ready to feel better about wearing my bikini again, post-pregnancy.   I will be posting progress photos and updates on this blog throughout the duration of the program, so stay tuned and please help cheer me on! 

For those of you who use MyFitnessPal, you can find me there too, and have a peek at my food diary to see how well I'm keeping on track.  Here's my profile over there.  

And now . . .

Here are my "before" stats and photos: