Cloth Bum

It was about this time last year that I woke James up at 5:00am to look at a barely positive pregnancy test. I was in tears, he was in shock. We both were beyond ecstatic. After a full confirmation that we were officially adding to our family, a flood of questions began to arise. What names did we like? What theme would the nursery be? Would I become a stay-at-home mom or would we do daycare? You know all the basic questions a new discovered parent asks themselves. But one question that was something we needed to decide (and I had to do quite a bit of research on) was cloth diapers or disposables.

It may seem silly to some... "why wouldn't I just use disposables?" "They are so simple and easy!" "Cloth is too much work". But I wanted to explore my options. (We had decided for me to be a stay-at-home and any way to cut our budget deserved a few minutes of my time). So, something I never dreamed of doing had suddenly peaked my interest and the research began.

I read blogs, I looked through pins, I talked with friends (this was probably the most resourceful). Anything and everything I could do to understand this process, I looked into. I ordered some inexpensive diapers from one site and thus my collection began. I had no idea how complex the cloth diapering world had become from the time when my grandma would use cloth. So here are just a couple tips I have learned on how to cloth, keeping it simple and inexpensive:

1) Order different styles. I remember telling a friend that I would be doing the all-in-one diapers only. And, I haven't even purchased one because I like what I have now. I got several free diapers (just paid shipping) from shopdiaper.com to try it out and I was given several from a friend as well. They were pockets with a microfiber insert. Then I discovered covers and in my head, those were the most cost efficient. We have gone primarily with covers, but I do love my pockets that I have. However, even our diaper covers have evolved. We started with flips, but I quickly discovered Alva's from a cute online store (Mott's Tots Boutique) and they were $10 less then flips. I also loved how they had a longer flap to hold the insert (and my husband even prefers those, too). Plus, we discovered that flour sack towels work wonders as an insert and a fraction of the cost!

2) Hand-washing. Ok, I admit that sounds extremely complicated. But I found an awesome website called Fluff Love and Science that has answered a lot of questions and has helped me with pretty much any problem I have. They also have a hand-washing routine and considering we have to pay for laundry and do not have control over the settings this is great for us. It takes a little bit of time, but for some reason I enjoy the systematic way they have it laid out and I actually accomplish a lot of tasks in between cycles. Killing two birds with one stone.

So all in all be flexible with your routine and diapers you choose if you are considering cloth diapering. I am so thankful that I didn't say that I was only going to use cloth at the beginning and that we received some disposables, because we didn't start until after the first couple of months to only use cloth and we even sneak a diaper in at night several times a week or when we travel. This system works for us..and works for us right now. When he starts solids, I may not be able to do it anymore. When I have two, this may not work. But we spent about $100 to start and that will last not only for this year, but with multiple kids. So saving money, with a little bit of work right now- it works for us. 

There's a tid-bit for you. 

The Results Are In

Week three has hit the Corbin household. We have had cheat meals. We have postponed workouts. We have even snuck what one would consider to be "unclean" food into our diet. (Well, I have. Long story short-there were brownies in our house...and now there are not). The thing is, James and I aren't perfect, especially with starting a whole new lifestyle. We are learning and trying our best together and we aren't going to give up.

Like I said, we are three weeks into our P90 program and clean eating and it's working incredibly well...for James. He has dropped a whole pant size, he is on the last loop of his belt (which is loose) and he has lost 15 pounds. Seriously. And he has been on the road traveling! I, on the other hand, have lost...drum-roll please...2 pounds. And it is not because of the brownies I snuck. Am I going to throw the towel in? Am I going to go binge eating everything I am not suppose to eat? Am I going to skip workouts and sulk around watching netflix non-stop? Although those sound appealing, I am not for two reasons.

1) I did not expect to lose weight starting Beachbody. What?!? I paid money for a program, I am promoting this awesome product and wanting others to try it, but I am not expecting to lose weight? So what's the point? I joined because I was tired of having no energy. I was tired of not fitting in my clothes. I was just tired. I wanted a better lifestyle. I wanted to be healthier for my family and for myself. I wanted to be an encouragement to those who would listen. And so far, I feel better, my pre-pregnancy clothes are fitting, and I surprisingly have more energy to be a mom and wife. So even though only losing two pounds might be disappointing to some, it is encouraging for me that I am being consistent and I will remain consistent.

2) I have an accountability partner and I have a support group. My husband has been my own personal coach along this journey. He keeps me balanced and pushes me to reach my goals. When we are exercising and I am half way engaged in an exercise, he is there gently saying, "Come on babe, you got this". (Sometimes he is not so gentle when I am being a bit of stinker with eating right and working out, which I need!) He cares and has partnered with me in changing our life. I also am in a challenge group that has given me so much support and encouragement. With Beachbody, they encourage you to find a challenge group in order to succeed with their products. The group I am in right now and even leading has given me so many great tips and provided encouragement went I felt like throwing in that towel or disappointed in myself.

So 15 pounds verses two. Those are the results as of week three and, honestly...I couldn't be happier.

There's a tid-bit for you.

Bringgers going to bring bring bring

Those of you who are using one of Beachbody's work out programs, may be experiencing a bit of a downer. 

Not being able to keep up. 

P90x, P90, Insanity and others typically have the main trainer giving direction while a team is going for it. At first I had trouble keeping up with Tony and literally he is talking the whole time. But I kept pushing myself. I kept giving the best I had, then pushing past that. 

Now we are doing P90 as a team, Ashleigh and me. Two weeks in, on sweat and sculpt A, I'm keeping up (outside of sprawls... the left hip pops, a congenital anomaly passed down from my dad's side of the family. I forgive you dad).

Ab ripper on the other hand... well, I suck at it. I dread the few minutes of core workout. I don't skip it. But I am just not good. However, giving up is not an option. I press on. Give all that I think I can...then I push a little more. 

That's how you get results. Getting to your breaking point, and giving a little more. 

That's a principal that applies in all of your life. 

Examples:

Your marriage. You think you have poured everything into it, and you're not happy. Give a little more. Things will get better.

Your money. Things are tight in the bank. Give a little more, whether it be a church, school, investments... it will change things. My favorite thing to do is give simply because it reminds me how lucky I am to be gainfully employed and provide for my family. Give after you feel tapped out.

Your fitness. A great body is not made easily. New ways of eating and pushing your body in ways it's not used to, but giving a little more than you think you can will always, I mean always, yield amazing results. 

Just saying. 

Maroon 5 - Give A Little More (VEVO Summer Sets): http://youtu.be/gNBY8YgAsKg

It Matters

James and I are rounding out week two of clean eating and Beachbody's program P90. The exercises have definitely been kicking our butts this week, but I felt that we had the eating nutritiously down pat...until Monday evening when we both felt lethargic and cranky. (I couldn't and really didn't even want to keep up with the modifier on the video). Then I had an epiphany about why we weren't feeling up to par, even with all this supposedly "healthiness" running through our entire household. This realization came about by a friend and one Bible verse that has always stuck out to me.

The other night James and I had an old friend of his over. It was a great night and James and I took advantage of having a guest over by serving up our last frozen pizza. (I have been raised with a waste not, want not mentality and to eat healthy I didn't just want to throw away our unhealthy food). James and I both modestly ate a few small pieces, instead of devouring the entire pizza between the two of us like we normally do. As the night continued, James' friend said something that, at the time didn't stick out to me. He said that he had really been working on not using bad language. He would do great for several days, then slip up within twenty minutes of hanging out with some of the people he worked with. It bugged him that every time he was around those certain people he just let his mouth run like them. I brushed the story aside and James and I continued on our weekend.

He skipped breakfast Saturday. I went without my normal "second breakfast" (had to throw that in there for my fellow LOTR fans). We ate out and had red meat. Delicious, yet heavy on the stomach after a week of eating clean. And to finish up the weekend we had guests over Sunday afternoon, where I made one of my favorite creamy dishes, but not quite the healthiest. Needless to say, the excitement that both of us had throughout the week over our new lifestyle seemed to almost disappear over night. Then Monday evening we were talking with each other after our workout (the workout I pretty much complained how I hated every exercise) and James says to me, "You know what it is? It's because we stopped eating clean this weekend."

Instantly, I went back to Friday night when James' friend said how certain people influenced him to be one way when he wanted to be different...and the Bible verse found in 1 Corinthians 15:33 came to mind, "Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” See James' friend would be persuade to do the very thing he didn't want to do because of the company he kept. And when we kept "bad" food in our house it was only a matter of time before we caved and ate what we had.

It's so simple to surround yourself with good company or bad company. The same goes for what we eat. You have a choice to not only take your friend choices in your hands, but your nutritional choices as well. Choose wisely and don't be corrupted. 

There's a tid-bit for you.

Nutrition vs. Diet (Guest Blogger)

Here is this week's guest blogger. Coming to you by none other then Mr. James Corbin himself.

So I am a stickler for words and what they mean. I'm in the camp of “say what you mean and mean what you say.” 

You will hear my wife talking a ton about proper nutrition. You will never hear the term diet. In society’s vernacular today those two words, nutrition and diet, are used interchangeably. However, they are not the same. 

Going on a diet has a connotation of once your goal is reached, it's done. For example, you may say, “I want to lose 10 pounds, so I am going on xyz diet”. When you lose those 10 pounds, you’re going to slide back into your crappy eating habits and then lose all your results. 

Now getting onto a good nutrition plan denotes a radical lifestyle change on what you allow to pass your lips for food and beverage. There is no end date. The goal is health, not temporary vanity. Who gives a rip if you look good for two weeks then yo-yo back up? You want to get in great shape and stay there.  

Get a nutrition plan, and kill the diet. 

Just saying

The Buts

It's been one week since James encouraged me to pursue Gracefully Fit and accomplish my own health goals through Beachbody. I have received more support then I anticipated. This first week has been challenging. I had one goal at the beginning of the week: to be consistent and for the most part I have been with posting to the group and drinking my Shakeology.  I even have pushed myself to set new goals for the page that will be coming to everyone in the weeks to follow. Part of my first goal, to be consistent, includes a weekly blog update. Which lands on today. So here is our update about our healthy journey.

 I posted earlier today on Gracefully Fit about one individual who had an incredible transformation by sticking to the BeachBody program she chose. She was a mom of two boys and managed to take control of her life and make some drastic changes. On that post, I mentioned a quote that I heard about a week ago, "Buts. Everyone has one...and they all stink." This woman had no more "buts" in her life. I am going to be honest with you and very real right now. James and I received our package Tuesday morning for P90 and even though I started the Shakeology almost instantly, we just did our very first workout. In the hotel we are staying at, nonetheless! Why did we wait? Because of "buts".

We literally had every "but" in the book. 

"...but let's start on a Monday."
"...but it's nighttime."
"...but we just ate then it's going to be bed soon."
"...but it's Sunday."
"...but we had a long day." 
"...but we are going to be out of town."
"...but we don't have weights."

But. But. But.

James knows this program works. I know I want change. We both know we want a better lifestyle, yet we put up walls around our own success. It's so easy to do and it takes the brave to step out of that comfort zone and make a significant change to reach their goals. 

So tonight after Ezra was supposedly down for the count, we busted open the pack and started our workout, watching it on our laptop. James nailed the workout. He should be on the instructional videos. I had to stop five minutes into it to nurse my ever vigilant child. I did jump back in and finished the workout. Was it the perfect setting? No. Did the workout go perfectly? No. Was I able to keep up with the trainer, let alone my husband? No. But I completed it to my best abilities right now. We stopped putting a "but" before our dream goal. 

It just takes one push to get started and the end results are going to be most rewarding. It isn't going to be perfect or super easy; it will be challenging and take intense dedication. But we got this. You got this. Start today. You can keep it simple with just clean eating like we did for the last week or you can be braver then us and start working out instead of taking a week to talk yourself into it.

There's a tid-bit for you... 

The Hubby's 2-Cents: A Guest Blogger

My awesome Hubs wrote a special blog for starting this weight loss journey with Beachbody...hope you enjoy!

Hi I am James, husband to this amazing woman Ashleigh. I am taking this journey of health and fitness with my wife. 

I have completed a few rounds of p90x and one of insanity. I got into the best shape of my life. Then after getting married and having Ezra…I let my fitness goals get pushed way down the list. Not any longer. 

Once a week I am going to provide some tips and insight from my prospective. I am 100% on board with my wife being a coach. I am truly excited for us, and those of you who come on this journey with us. Your fittest and happiest days are ahead of you. If you commit to making it happen.  

Well enough about me. Here is my insight for the week. 

Eating on the road 

I'm Field employee, which means a lot of nights away from home and a lot of opportunity to eat like trash. 

The biggest hurdle is at the start of the day. The staple of business class hotels with the FREE breakfast: powdered eggs, that awful waffle mix, and juice that seems sweeter than drinking a coke with a sidecar of sugar. My suggestion here is, pack a meal replacement, protein shake, Shakeology what have you. Or stick to fresh fruit and yogurt if available. 

Lunch time is the hardest…because fast food is just that fast! Plan your day out to go some place that offers healthier options. Or if fast food is your only way to go, get something that does the least amount of damage to your goals. Stay awake from the milkshake and greasy fries, move to low calorie options. 

Finally dinner.  While going to a sports bar, such as Buffalo Wild Wings, is typically what I would like to do. It's not the best. Sure tons of tv's to watch whatever game is on, new people to talk with, it is an ideal way to end a day. However, the menu is not the best. Wings, sliders, nachos and that is not even getting into beverages. All this will turn what you want to be defined abs, into something reminiscent of a beach ball. Go some place that offers cook to order meals or some place that offers a fit menu. Believe it or not, chains like Applebees, Chili's and the such have okay options. Just be smart, read the nutrition facts on the dish and pick according to your nutrition plan. 

BONUS TIP: An all day tip for the road is to avoid soda and sugary drinks. That daily coke is going to destroy your fitness goals. Drink water and then more water. It may be bland, but nothing is better for you. 

Alan Lakein said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

Lots of truth for all parts of your life there. 

Just saying. 

www.beachbodycoach.com/adcorbin
www.shakeology.com/adcorbin
www.teambeachbody.com/adcorbin

This is just the beginning...

A year ago, James and I bought those water bottles that allow you to put your shake mix in whenever you want. James used them for maybe two weeks and I didn't even try it. We still have two giant containers of shake mix in our cupboard! We were so gung-ho about jumping on the "New You" in 2014 we purchased everything necessary and I had finally convinced James to join the gym with me. I even pre-prepped meals in the freezer so we wouldn't eat out. We had everything set and ready to go. Our New-Year's resolution was to be healthy and get in shape.
Then the best thing ever happened, at the end of the month, we found out we were having a baby. Pretty much from that point on health was thrown out the window, because if I was craving half the menu from Jack-in-the-Box at 9:00pm, well we were in that drive-thru line. I definitely tried to watch "my health" because I was truly petrified of having gestational diabetes during my pregnancy. My doctor was also concerned and didn't want me to gain too much weight either. Every appointment I loved going to, for the simple fact of knowing our little one was growing and really there, but at the same time I dreaded seeing if my weight had gone up too much.
Fast-forward to now, we had a healthy and very happy baby boy in October. I did not have diabetes during the pregnancy and I luckily only gained an appropriate amount of weight. However, several things happened during my pregnancy and after our little man got here that really challenged me to want a change in my life.
1) I ate good and bad during the pregnancy and after. Sounds silly to be a pivotal point in wanting to change, but it is true. Sometimes James and I were on target for healthy eating. Spinach with everything, no fast food. Then other times we were eating out for a week straight. There was absolutely no consistency in our daily diet. Plus, I would skip meals-not on purpose; just I would forget to eat. (And that always lead to unhealthy choices). This pattern then affected me after the pregnancy. I chose to breastfeed Ezra and after two months, he stopped gaining weight. My milk supply was very low. I can't exactly pinpoint the specific reason for this, but I know one of the reasons was my lack of eating correctly and getting the right nutrition for both of us.  This is one reason I wanted a change in my life...no more yo-yoing with our meals.
2) My mom suffered a stroke one month before I was due. This is an event no one wants or hopes for, but it happened. This moment opened my eyes to realizing how important health was. I love my mom very much, but her food choices have not always been the best and those bad choices finally affected her health to this extreme. She is on her way to recovery and slowly learning better choices, but this all could have been prevented early on. This was the most eye-opening reason I wanted to change...I want to be able to see grand-kids and great grand-kids!
3) I stopped working. Yup, a reason for change in my life that literally has nothing to do with being fit. James and I decided it is our child and future children’s best interest to have a parent at home. We knew that this would change a lot in our personal life financially. No more just buying whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. No more being able to just give. We were going to have to be on a budget and stick with it. In June, we cut back on everything and I stopped working. We went from two full-time incomes to just one. We moved and made the necessary adjustments and it worked. Then Ezra came and even though we prepped and prepared for everything, there is still stuff that just happens. It is not easy living off one income. (And I guarantee that any stay-at-home mom or hard-working dad reading this knows exactly what I am talking about). Groceries are expensive, kids are expensive, and life is expensive. So, with always making it, but wishing we had more to give, more to pay off debt, more to save and not wanting to have to go back to work, we had to figure out something that could work for us.
Here comes the answer to all of my "reasons" for change. Beachbody. Yes, I know-the infomercials you see with ultimate results. But it's true. James had completed two of their programs before me and woah...he was hot! Well, let me clarify he is still hot, but he was in shape, fit, and healthy then. Together we are none of those. At the beginning of December, a fellow mom from my area invited me to a sneak-peek group of Beachbody. I thought it couldn’t hurt to see what it was about. After a week of listening to her heart share her experiences and those of other Beachbody coaches, I knew I could not only do this, but this was my answer. It would build consistency in my life, help both of us get fit and be healthy and it had an opportunity financially.
So here I am at the beginning of my journey of being healthy and being a Beachbody Coach. I am going to make mistakes, I am going to miss workouts and I am sure there will be some non-healthy eating days along my route, but I have personally seen results physically, emotionally, and financially with this product and I am excited to be a part of this team. I am going to walk through this and see Real Solutions this year and not end with failed resolutions. I hope you feel welcomed to follow me and keep both James and I accountable through this process. If you want to know more about what exactly I am doing, message me and I will let you know.
Here's to change. Here's to challenges. Here's to Real Solutions.
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/adcorbin
http://www.teambeachbody.com/adcorbin
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gracefully-Fit/1402104276749991?sk=notes