...And now for a word from our sponsors...

Well, not really...they are words from me :)

I know that I said that I was done blogging until I got to the beach, and I have posted two other blogs today, but I figured I would post something that I wrote rather than an article or whatever.

So over the past few days I have really been looking at what I can do to help get my name out there in the world; how I can reach people that I would not normally reach.  I need to broaden my horizons and step even FURTHER out of my comfort zone.  So get ready world, here comes Kristin!  Between this blog, my videoblog (www.youtube.com/users/kemaher11), and other social media outlets, I am going to spread the word about what I am doing...About how BEACHBODY and The Bombshell Dynasty can change lives...how might you ask???  Lead by example!

My life has changed completely since becoming a coach.  I know, I may not boost the same numbers as other coaches that have been doing it for as long as or even less time than me, but I know that I have the passion and the desire and the DRIVE to succeed!  Since becoming a coach, I have become a lot more outgoing, I am not afraid to speak up and tell people about coaching and Beachbody.  I am no longer afraid that they will judge me or throw negativity at me.  I wear a negativity-proof vest baby, hit with me your best shot because it will just bounce off of me.

Also, I have surround myself with an amazing support system...This is when I mention everyone by name who is being awesome and supportive and helping me succeed in what I do...Kati Heifner (my amazing DIAMOND coach and one of the greatest friends ever)...Lindsay Matway (one of the most inspirational people I have ever known)...Nicole Morse (best Success Partner ever!)...Lacey Twigg...Kyle Wilder-Slaughter...Holly Schaefer...Rich Donovan...Abby Fix...Amanda Genovese...Melissa Means....Julia Hackle...Danielle Morgan....Derek Cobb...Chris Taylor...My Mom, Maggie Maher...My Dad, Roger Maher...Kam Laughlin...Jodi Beggarly...Josie Urban...Rachel Volna...Alayne Barbary...Cara Crowley...Melissa Pifer...Dan Fillmore...Glenn Zary...and if I am forgetting anyone I am sorry but the list continues to grow every single day.  THANK YOU ALL...and I mean that from the very bottom of my heart.  You all give me tons of support; you are why I can wear my negativity-proof vest because I know that for every negative comment that I hear, you all will spit back positive comments to no end.  Some of you are a part of The Bombshell Dynasty already...some of you I will get to sign up one day :) 

Now you think...who are the positive people in your life?  Who helps to support you and encourages you to strive for your goals and dreams?  If you cannot think of anyone, or very few people...Let me be your support!  I have learned from the best...And I have learned that when someone has your back, you need to have their back too.  Everyone that I listed up there has my back, and I know that I can count on them.  they know that they can count on me too...You can be a part of this...and it won't cost you a PENNY.  Just go to www.beachbodycoach.com/kemaher and sign up for the FREE membership.  That will make you a part of this amazing group of people that will love and support you, even at your weakest, most negative moments...

Fad Diets...

Lately, I have been hearing a lot about fad diets.  The truth of the matter is that these popular, new to the market diets can help provide a temporary fix, but RARELY are beneficial in the long run.

When you look up fad diets on the internet, you will see phrases like "lose weight now" and "quick weight loss diets".  When you look further into these diets, you will come to realize that they are designed to help you drop weight fast by cutting out some pretty imporant nutritional items.  They focus on low calorie intake, which is all well and good if you are not active, but if you work out on a regular basis, you need those calories!  Calories give you the fuel that you need to make it through the day and ESPECIALLY through your workout!  Without them you are going to crash and burn.

After talking to a few people that have participated a fad diets, I discovered that they did in fact lose the weight that they wanted to!  However, they returned to their old eating habits after the diet was completed, and they gained even MORE back!  Not cool, right?

The best way to lose weight is plain and simple.  There is no big secret, no special gimick, no fad diet.  Simply lead a healthy lifestyle!  Exercise daily, eat clean foods that are good for you!  Lots of veggies, lean protein...LOOK at labels.  If you can't pronounce the ingredient, you probably should not eat it.  I have started living my life this way, clean eating, exercising and I have seen results!  I have MUCH more energy and I am just an overall happier person.  Plus I am in the best shape that I have ever been in...and guess what?  It is only going to get better!

How do I know that it is going to get better?  I know because I WANT it to!  I have an amazing support system in my friends and The Bombshell Dynasty, and you can have it too by signing up for FREE and joining me on this amazing journey.  I can help you realize that everything is going to get better...and that with just a few simple lifestyle changes you can ignore those fancy fad diets, lose weight, and improve your overall health without giving up all of the foods that you love!  I did it...and I know that YOU can too!

Well?  What are you waiting for??? :)

Random ramblings for the day...

"I promise..."

"You can trust me..."

"I love you..."

These are phrases that should not be just thrown around, they are words that pack a lot of punch and you should never say unless you fully intend on following through.  Unfortuately, most of us have come to learn that not everyone can fully understand the power that these words possess.  Not everyone realizes that there are still some people in the world that hold these words close to them, and do NOT just throw them around trying to make someone feel good.  That is what leads to this rambling of the day.

Most of you did not know me before the beginning of this year, so you do not know exactly where I was in my life when P90X came into play.  I was absolutely head over heels in love.  He was the first guy that I could actually see myself being with forever.  He was amazing, and so was his family.  I felt like I fit right in with them and they made me feel welcome.  More than anything else though, he made me feel so good about myself I could not even belive it.  He helped me through my home buying process, and was even set to move in and be my roommate in December.  Then, out of the blue the second weekend of December things changed.  We had a great weekend, his parents were in town and they finally met my parents.  We all discussed our New Years plans because we were all spending it together here in Pittsburgh.  On Sunday night, all that he said was "I can't do this right now" and just like that my world fell apart.  I couldn't breathe and had no idea what I was going to do.  Not even my closest friends could comfort me.  It was the worst that I have ever felt in my life.

I had most of his stuff until February, I finally packed it up and told him to pick it up because I needed to move on with my life.  Obviously he did not care enough to even give me an explanation as to why things fell apart so suddenly like they did.  He picked up the boxes that I packed and it was the most awkward 45 minutes of my life.

Well, now it is June...and I thought that I had moved on...the feelings were gone and I could finally breathe again and feel like myself.  Then I found out that he is seeing someone and that waive of hurt and disappointment all came back.  Way to ruin my day...

But right now, at this very moment, I am making a promise to myself.  No more dwelling on the past.  I am moving on with my life.  I am in better shape than I ever have been, I have an amazing group of friends, and a fantastic family.  I would have never gotten through today if it were not for Kati, Lacey, Kristin, Mike, and Rachel. 

So from a girl that has been hurt, torn apart, and slowly put herself back together again...PLEASE DO NOT use the words "I promise...", "You can trust me...", and most of all "I love you..." unless you mean it.  Because when all is said and done, it is when we think of those phrases that we hurt the most...

xoxo

The Kidney Walk

This year I will be participating in The Kidney Walk in Pittsburgh.  It is on November 6, 2011 at the Pittsburgh Zoo.  Now, some of you may be wondering why I am walking...

On March 20, 1977, my Aunt Karen received a kidney transplant. On May 2, 2011, 34 years, 1 month, and 12 days later, she left this life to move on to a better place. She led a very difficult life, but she fought and defied all odds until the very end. I am walking to honor her memory, and recognize her life. Without that transplant, I would have never gotten the chance to meet Aunt Karen, let alone spend 26 and a half years getting to know her. She was a very special lady, and a huge part of my life.  I miss her more and more every day, but I know that she is watching over me with my Gram and Pap.

Now, her passing was not due to her kidney.  It was due to an abscess tooth infection that she let go for far too long.  She would still be here if not for the infection, which is what makes it that much harder.

But anywho...I am walking to raise awareness and money for the National Kidney Foundation.  My aunt was one of the longest survivng recipients of a kidney transplant. 

Please, either donate a few dollars to help me reach my personal goal of $200, or sign up and walk with us on November 6, 2011 at the Pittsburgh Zoo.  Every little bit helps raise awareness and funds for the NKF.

Please help me honor the memory and the life of my Aunt Karen...I love you and miss you...

R.I.P.

Karen A. Maher

1/2/1957 - 5/2/2011

God saw you getting tired

and a cure was not to be.

So He put His arms around you

and whispered “come to me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you,

and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly,

we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

AMAZING

Hello :)


SO Kati already posted this in her blog...but I also want to share it here...


I just got this message from someone that I have been friends with since pre-school. She messaged me back when I started coaching and asked me about Beachbody, and said that she had P90X...well, her and I have been messaging back and forth since then, and because of me being so excited about it, she started doing P90X and living a healthier lifestyle. 

Well she just sent me this message...and it put the biggest smile on my face, because if I would have NEVER started coaching, she would have NEVER experienced this...P90X was sitting in her closet...anyway...here it is :)

"Hey!! Just finished yoga x! I didn't want to try it at first but I am so happy I did!! Loved it! I feel stupid tying this but tears were coming out at one point cause I just felt so relaxed and happy. I was proud of myself at some of the moves I thought I wouldn't be able to do! Just had to share that with you. I might look for that cookbook u said u use. Where did u get it??"

She made my day :)


It showed me that I can make a difference and change lives...I LOVE IT :)

Recipe time!

I promise a good, quality blog later on...something more personal (I do not count my "Why" blog from earlier because that was homework)....However, I found a yummy recipe for one of my FAVORITE appetizers!!!  Share time :)

Potato Skins

Who doesn't love potato skins? This is the perfect appetizer for a casual get together or as a healthy snack for the kidlets. Normally, potato skins contain over 500 calories and 33 grams of fat per serving. This recipe has about half the calories and only 4 grams of fat!

Ingredients:

4 (6-8 oz.) baking potatoes

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Pinch cayenne pepper

Pinch paprika

1/8 tsp. sea salt

4 slices nitrate free turkey bacon

1 1/2 oz. low fat shredded cheddar cheese

3 Tbsp. green onion, chopped

1/4 c. low fat sour cream

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Scrub potatoes and pierce several times with a fork. Rub outside of each potato with 1/4 tsp. oil. Place potatoes on oven rack and bake for 1 hour. Let potatoes cool for 1 to 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and scrape out centers, leaving 1/2 in. shell intact. Lightly oil a nonstick baking sheet with oilve oil and arrange potato skins on sheet. Lightly brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, cayenne, paprika and salt. Bake for 10 minutes.

Place small nonstick pan over medium high heat. add bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly crisped, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle cheese, bacon and onion evenly over baked shells. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes more until lightly browned. Top with a dollop of sour cream. Serve immediately. Makes 4 (2 shell) servings.

Nutritional information (per 2 shell serving): Calories: 234, Fat: 4 g., Carbs: 39 g., Protein: 13 g.

Try it kids!  I know I plan on making it sometime this week...

Speaking of clean eating...and clean eating recipes...Don't forget!  This Sunday, April 17th me and a few of my fellow BB coaches and teammates are hosting a clean eating party!  It is at my house (message me for my address!) and it is an OPEN HOUSE that will be from 1pm-4pm.  We will have snacks for you to sample...along with SHAKEOLOGY samples!!!  We will also be there to discuss joining the team, and maybe even becoming a Beachbody Coach!  It is free to come to our event, and FREE to sign up for the team!  Hopefully you can make it...I know that I am super excited to share my experience so far with all of you!

Happy Sunday!

So, yesterday was our Super Saturday Event...and it was a blast!  It was great to meet other coaches in the area and to hear their stories.  It was very inspirational for a new coach like me :)  Plus it was fun to work out with everyone!  Here is a picture of everyone (courtesy of Kati Heifner)..

But I am finally not sick anymore!  Yayyyy!  Feels SO good to get back into my routine.  I decided to start ALL over again, so today was day 2!  Cardio X may be one of my favorites...besides Shoulders and Arms/Ab Ripper X.  :)  

So I am SUPER excited about our AWESOME open house event next Sunday!  It is at my house (2275 Bernard Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15234) from 1pm to 4pm.  Me and a few other coaches will be here to tell you all about our new Fit Club that we are starting, and we will be here to answer your questions about Beachbody products!  We will also have SAMPLES of Shakeology, along with other clean foods (and yes, we will share our secret recipes).  Come and learn about how you can eat clean foods that DON'T taste like cardboard...and how we can help you transform your life!  Plus there will be prizes, and who doesn't like to win stuff??  :)

On another note...it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside today!  Maybe spring is finally here :)

It is official....

Last night, I signed up to be a Beachbody coach...and I am SO excited!  And even MORE good news...I am finally feeling better, so I am ready to start bringing it again! 

So I decided last night that I am going to share more of my story...why I am so anxious to transform myself into a healthier, more fit person.  I should probably start at the beginning...

When I was in high school, I was a cheerleader and in TOP shape.  I never weighed more than 105 lbs and I was solid muscle.  Then everything went downhill.  Over Christmas break during my senior year, I came down with mono.  NOT FUN.  Now, I know that people get this everyday, but every person reacts to it differently, just like anything else.  I was out of school for 2 months...I lost a lot of weight (down to 90 lbs at one point), and I was unable to eat or drink anything because my throat was swollen shut.  It was a terrible, terrible experience. 

I have never fully recovered from my "episode".  Having mono destroyed my immune system and also my metabolism.  In other words, I am really susceptible to getting sick (hence my head cold right now), and I gain weight the second that I look at a cookie.  It has been really hard to adjust to because I was always able to eat anything that I wanted and I would NEVER gain a pound.  That is not the case anymore...

So I have made the decision that I am going to make a huge change in my life.  I am taking control of my metabolism whether it likes it or not, and I am not going to let those tempting, sugary foods to attach themselves to my hips!  That is where P90X and Beachbody, along with my AMAZING support team come into play!

I have adopted a healthier lifestyle...eating only clean foods (yeah, I sneak in a little bit of the other stuff, but it is the minimal amount and I work it off in my workout anyway!) and giving up some of the thing that I have relied on to get by...for example...

                                              

Yep!  I gave up coffee aka my fuel to get through the day...cold turkey!  I had the typical headaches, but I just worked through it and learned to LOVE water and all of the delicious, calorie free, good for me additives that I can put into it (love my Xtend!).

       

My daily bagel and cream cheese from Brueggers!  I used to get this with my coffee...now my breakfast is a protein shake and a banana, along with a multi vitamin.  And let me tell you, I am definitely not reaching for a snack at 9 am like I used to after my bagels!

                               

Lastly, I STOPPED MAKING EXCUSES!!!!  "I am too busy"..."I am tired"..."I have to do the dishes"..."My house needs cleaned"...All of these things can wait!  My health is my #1 priority now, even if that means putting off the chores until AFTER I "Bring it" with my new best friend Tony.  Granted I have had to step back because of being sick, but I am so anxious and excited to get back into things! 

I am so glad that I have such an AMAZING and SUPPORTIVE team around me to keep me going...Because motivation is key, no matter what it is!  Even though I don't know most of them, I love them all and am SO thankful that they are in my life :)

If you are interested in your own transformation journey...let me help you!  Together we can move mountains ;)