TAG: Shaun T Archives - Traci Morrow Fitness

Day 22 in my Insanity journey with Shaun T, and his Shaun T Birthday Challenge, in the ShaunTourage
Love this Casting Crowns song along with my Insanity Overview
Women want to know Is Insanity for Women? Is Insanity for Moms? Heck yes it is!!! So fun, and so empowering.
As an Insanity Mom, I get up early before the kids get up and get my work out in!

I Love Insanity, and would LOVE to be your coach! Follow my journey on Instagram and twitter (on both I’m @tracimorrow ) and here on my blog: tracimorrow.com/blog/blog

I’m a busy mom of six with a home based business – busy life, but I still make my health a priority so I can live health.

If you want to live healthy too, I can help. Hit the Contact Me button!

To our health – In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence!
~TRACI

As a busy mom of 6, with some flying from our nest, I wanted to take a few moments to encourage you parents out there that LOVE covers a multitude of sin/error!

LOVE ALWAYS WINS.

We may not be perfect parents, but we are loving parents; let this encourage you today!

In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence….NOT perfection!

TRACI

When I’m doing a program, I like to look ahead to see what I’ll do next. Considering another round with Insanity The Asylum. (check it out here)

Here’s a snippet of my first go-around with it!

Always…In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence,

TRACI

Life is busy! As a mom of 6 kids, I get it. But day after day of wishing I was in better shape, wishing I could muster up the energy to workout never actually happened. I wish I could tell you how it works with that moment when you say to yourself “Enough!” and decide to do whatever it takes to make a change. It’s truthfully different for every person but the reality is YOU GET TO CHOOSE when enough is enough!

So IF YOU’RE READY, here are steps to take:

1. Get Accountability! As your FREE Team Beachbody Coach I can help you stay on track if you’ll let me!
I have a private facebook group that I can add you to when you COMMIT to your personal decision to Live Healthy!

2. Pick your Program! Plans fail for lack of counsel. I have a Challenge Pack that you can choose to fit your personal goals, which include – your workout, your personalized menu plan, our meal replacement shake Shakeology. It tastes like dessert, but every 8 oz serving of this meal replacement shake is like going to the salad bar and filling your plate 6 1/2 times!

3. Press Play. Schedule it, and just do it. Every day. One day stacked on top of another day, and with a plan in place, and with faithful execution of the plan – YOUR BODY WILL CHANGE!

So let’s go! Why not you? Why not now? I CAN HELP! Say yes,  give me a high five – and let’s get started TODAY!

In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence!

TRACI

People ask me about how often they should weigh or measure when doing programs like Insanity, and I say HIDE THE SCALE! Don’t weigh in every day because everyone loses weight at a different rate. People can become obsessed with the scale, and if they don’t see what they think they should see it can do a number on your mental focus!

A couple years ago I did a video that seems appropriate to share here, now. It’s kind of funny, but my advice still stands! (be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and Follow Me on InstaGram: @TraciMorrow

In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence….as an Insanity Mom!

TRACI

A big piece of the equation of LIVING HEALTHY is eating well and supplementing what your body needs as you ask more of it in your workouts. Many people, my former self included, ask and wonder if supplements are unhealthy? And they wonder why, if they’re eating healthy, do they need to add supplements. Well, I’m not a Dr. or nutritionist so I’m going to encourage you to google and research for yourself, but I will tell you that after doing extensive research, talking with nutritionists & doctors, and reading for myself; I’ve changed my original opinion that I would live a healthy lifestyle without supplements. Which is saying a lot for a woman who used to gag at the mention of swallowing a pill.

So what will I be taking as I participate in 63 days of Insanity in the Shaun T Birthday Challenge? I’ve taken a photo (below)  to show you. But let me first say: I eat clean. I probably could use more fruits and veggies and definitely more WATER (part of my commitment) but I eat clean. I do enjoy treats every now and again but I don’t consider that a cheat. My calories are typically between 1700-1900 depending on the day and what I’m doing, and I always try to get at least 20 grams of protein in each of my 5 meals.  But that’s for another blog.

Here’s what I take, and the link to where to get them if you’re so inclined:

E&E: Improve your energy, endurance, strength, and focus with this NEW pre-workout drink. Its proprietary blend of advanced nitric oxide boosters, amino acids, natural energizers, electrolytes, and essential B vitamins can help you power through and maximize your workouts.*

Peak Health Multi-Vitamin: Get ripped with our most complete, high-end, high-potency multivitamin, specially formulated to boost your strength and energy!*

Joint Support Formula: Promote joint mobility with this high-quality formula designed to protect your joints and connective tissue.*

Calcium/Magnesium: Strengthen bones and teeth with the best calcium-magnesium supplement!* Made from pure milk, nature’s best and purest calcium source, but safe for those who don’t consume dairy.

Optimize: Promote an optimal immune system and manage your body’s natural inflammatory response with our proprietary blend of systemic enzymes and added camu camu.*

Shakeology: Simplify your nutrition with Shakeology^®, the Healthiest Meal of the Day^®. Replace one meal a day with Chocolate Vegan, Tropical Strawberry (Vegan), Greenberry, or regular Chocolate to increase your energy, reduce cravings, lose weight, and feel great.* When you choose Home Direct, our monthly autoship program, you get FREE basic shipping every month, plus a FREE gift.**^†

WATER: I am in general not a thirsty person. I bought a water bottle at Target that marks how many ounces I drink, and I’m committed to drink my 24 oz bottle three times a day! …glug…glug….glug…….

So there ya have it. My weapons in this battle against apathy and laziness and boredom!

Its not too late to JOIN the fun!

Why not YOU? Why not NOW?

Always…in relentless pursuit of excellence!

TRACI

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

*Products may contain equipment with natural rubber latex which may cause minor to life-threatening allergic reactions.

Today I began a 63 Day Journey with Shaun T and Insanity. I’m excited & nervous all at the same time.

I’d love for you to join me if you have an interest! I think we’re going to have a blast, as we embark on a journey many begin, but not as many finish. Well, we will. We’re taking this across the goal line! I was telling Shaun T that this reminds me of when I was in the P90Xplorers Test Group with Carl Daikeler and several other Tony Horton fanatics; trying a new program, along with the CEO of Beachbody. (Carl, for those of you who don’t know) Now, to go through Insanity with its Creator Shaun T is such a great experience and its only Day One! He’s a good friend, and I’m so thankful for his nudge to join this Birthday Challenge.

So here are my Fit Test Results for March 4, 2013:

Switch Kicks: 114

Power Jacks: 58

Power Knees: L: 116 R: 115 (rats!! irritates me that they’re not even-lol)

Power Jumps: 60

Globe Jumps: 13

Suicide Jumps: 25

Push-Up Jacks: 34

Low Plank Oblique: 52

Stretch & Cool Down

Join me! It’s not too late!

In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence…..in the ShaunTourage

TRACI

I spent the weekend in Nebraska (man, it was cold!!!) and some time with Shaun T. He’s the creator of the workout in the number one infomercial spot for several weeks running called Insanity, and Insanity Asylum, & Asylum 2 and a dear friend. Well, Shaun T is starting a round of Insanity (his first, start to finish !) this Monday March 4, 2013, and invited me and my friend Doug Fitzgerald

to start with him & a huge group of others who are doing it with Shaun! They’re calling themselves the ShaunTourage and you can follow along on the “how to”‘s at Shaun T’s FB Like page.

But like Shaun T invited me, I’m inviting YOU to join ME! If you hit any of the links above you can purchase your Challenge Pack – I’ll add you to my Private Facebook Group where I coach people through their weight loss journey for free! You’ll be a part of a great group of people wanting to LIVE HEALTHY – and I CAN HELP! I know life is full – I’m a busy mom – a mom of 6 – but life is too short to not join the fun and live a healthy, active lifestyle! No matter your age! There’s no time like the present!!!

I hope you’ll choose to join me, and when you do – shoot me an email so I can add you to my private, exclusive group! We’re going to get you fit, and earn you an INSANITY GRAD t-shirt!!

Always - In Relentless Pursuit of Excellence!

TRACI

Life is full, and in the Morrow family with 6 kids – 5 still at home, we are all seemingly always passing one another as we come and go. Its actually rare these days when all 8 of us in the same spot. Its weird how our family has morphed over the last 21+ years of marriage, and today I’m a little introspective about it. Its Saturday afternoon and KC just rode off on his bike with Joey and Bradley on theirs, Holli is in her room studying, and Bayli and Linnie are vegging out in front of the tv: thrilled to not have plans and content to get to be slugs for the afternoon. KC, our oldest, is in college, but this weekend he and some of his buddies are camping out at the Coachella weekend multi-band concert. I’m sitting here at my computer looking out the window at a little squirrel running along one of the higher branches of our big oak tree out front. Thinking. Pondering. Sometimes I do that; just sit back and zoom out the lens I view my life through and take it in as an observer, looking for things to be thankful for, and areas where I see room for personal improvement. Do you do that? Well today I’m thinking about our family and how blessed I am to be still married to this man I love and how we’ve made it work through thick and thin, richer and poorer, through sicknesses and healthier days, and still connected, still active in one another’s personal growth, still loving and liking each other. There were truthfully times when things were rickety as we figured life out together as two very different people, and just this morning over breakfast we were discussing how cool it is that with 21+ years of marriage behind us, we really have figured out how to come alongside the other and strengthen one another’s weaknesses as we compliment the other’s strengths. Kind of like our own personal dance. And I wonder “How have we done that, Lord? How can I pass on to our kids or anyone who’s interested in finding how to get to this point?” How can I share the secret, if you want to call it that, to a fulfilling long term marriage? Well, surely not in one blog post but hopefully by living out loud and on purpose, in relentless pursuit of excellence, while pointing out what we did in hopes that it helps someone else who desires to have a healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime.

The core relationship in a healthy, successful family is the marriage. The marriage is the nucleus of the family, and unfortunately so many couples get it reversed – and the kids become the central focus of the family. I have observed and spoken with so many wives who want more from their marriage, and yet dont even feel like a woman anymore because they’ve lost themselves in the mother role. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a HUGE fan of Motherhood! HUGE! Its why I have a gackle of kids! But the truth is, when we moms fall in love with our newborn baby; so helplessly needy, dependent on us for every thing in order to live; that can cause a shift in balance that can be so beautiful, yet potentially dangerous to the marriage relationship. We LOVE to feel needed, we are hardwired to nurture, and find purpose and true joy in lavishing our baby with all the things that enable them to become who they were created to be. But that love comes on so fast and overpowering, and that big old man who sleeps beside you can suddenly appear less than “cute and cuddly” than that yummy smelling baby who needs you so desperately. I get it. Its something most women go through, that shift in love and focus and purpose, and without a mentor mom or two, who are a step or more ahead of you in life’s journey, a woman can begin to feel a bit distanced from her husband.  We can even feel somewhat heroic and find our purpose in “doing anything” for our kids. Sadly, to the detriment to our marriage relationship; and fullness of who you are as a balanced woman. Marriage and Family Therapist John Rosemond says, “What happens is that the mother spends so much time with the child that the father’s role ends up being a parenting aid.” Not good. The baby quickly grows into a child who is in a position of power that is too much for them to handle because the family is out of balance, the dad feels undervalued, and the mom feels unfulfilled and under-appreciated as a woman. I am in such opposition to the commercials and tv shows depicting the father as a dufus or worthless tv watcher while the wife rules the family! It breaks my heart when I see shows where its assumed that worthless dad wont have anything to add, and if he does, he’s patted on the head like a child or worse, everyone is shocked that he stumbled into an answer or solution that actually added value! It SO undermines the critical role of a father; speaking as a wife who has seen the incredible value of the father in my kids lives. Maybe most marriages go through this season on some level or another, but the sooner parents can get their relationship back to being the core relationship of the family, will order be restored in the home. And what if you’re reading this and your “baby” is a teen or young adult? There’s absolutely hope! As Chuck Swindoll says: “No marriage is “too dead” for the Lord to restore!”

I want to encourage you if you are reading this right now, feeling like your marriage has come off the tracks. I have seen marriages where the husband and wife are so far apart they are pretty much roommates be radically transformed with time, attention, and intention. Truthfully, our marriage has slipped into that feeling at various times. Going through the motions, busy in life routines, living together but not emotionally connected, not feeling particularly close and not really caring. “Dullsville”. ;o)  Thankfully our communication was open enough that one or both of us would notice, and we made a conscious effort to change it up and intentionally re-build and re-connect. Marriage takes work. HARD WORK. Intentionally connecting and investing into the relationship because you made a promise to one another, and to God, when you stood in front of your spouse and made promises. Your word matters. No matter what place you are in right now, let me encourage you that feelings will come and go, but promises – a covenant – matters. And love and warm fuzzy feelings can come back, even stronger than it first was. Its that thing only God can do with our willing hearts. There is something about a love that has stood the test of time and storms, and the reward that comes from promises kept. It becomes a force all of its own. 

Because the truth is, you WILL grow apart. Everyone does. Who EVER remains the same over decades of living, observing life, and purposely growing? But the beauty and challenge of marriage that lasts a lifetime is allowing one another to grow and change while continuing to intentionally stay connected. KC and I have had “Date Night” since the year or two before our youngest two kids joined the family. Sure, we did things like take walks together in the old days when the older four were younger, but not on the weekly basis that we do now. Back then life was slower so it wasnt a necessity to have that specified time because we connected more regularly. But as life transitioned to a faster pace, we carved out a time for just us and its not an option that we bump our date. I love that. We both do.

How can YOU reconnect and stay connected? Start small. Have a conversation. Go Raw.  Not “in” the raw (though if that helps the conversation, have at it ), but be transparent and take the risk of opening your heart and asking for what you’d like, what your goal is, and how much you desire for your marriage to be the most it can be. Express it from a place of love. Only you know if you need to apologize for any part of the current situation, though in any marriage I know that the good and bad take two. So beginning with your own heart, share what you’d love to see in your marriage. No accusing. This conversation may come out of left field for your spouse, especially if the bad habits are old habits, so allow him the space to hear what you’re really saying and perhaps some time to digest the authenticity. No accusations. Yes, I know I already said that, I just want to drive it home. When have you ever been motivated to change when someone accuses you? Me? Um…probably none. At least not in that conversation. So be kind, remembering that “a gentle word turns away wrath” and “like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word aptly spoken”. If you feel you need a mediator or counselor to help you, GO BROKE to save your marriage! Its worth it. Who cares if you have money in the bank and a broken family? Do all you can, as it pertains to you, to keep the peace and ferociously protect what really matters to you. You cant control another person – just keep working on you. There is no promise for the perfect ending, but love covers a multitude of error, so just keep working to love, and working on you.

I did a year study on leaders and do you know what I found? Most don’t finish well. That was disheartening, but further cemented my resolve to relentlessly pursue excellence, set up personal accountability with other like minded people, so that I finish well. I want my marriage to last the length of my life and as far as it pertains to me, I want to give my all to protect it and grow it so that God is honored, and KC feels loved fearlessly by me. And in the end….my kids will see that it CAN be done, love CAN last a lifetime, and hopefully they’ll relentlessly pursue excellence and finishing well as well! Its my deepest prayer…..and I pray that for you too. Please feel free to comment below and ask for prayer for your marriage and list your names. I commit to pray for you, and ask you to do the same for me.

TOGETHER….we’ll live….

In Relentless Pursuit Of Excellence,

TRACI

I think its fun to take some time every now and again and answer questions asked of me privately, on my public blog. Especially the ones that are asked more than once, because then I know its a question many people might be wondering. Most of them are personal, but the occasional question has to do with actual coaching. So kick back and read along to see if YOUR question gets answered, and in the process learn more about me than you may ever have wanted to know. ;o)

Q. Traci, my wife is pregnant and swears you must have had surgery to remove the excess skin after having all your kids. I told her I read somewhere once that you said you’d had no surgeries. Would you mind answering this email in attention to my wife to give her some hope that you CAN get a ripped stomach after pregnancy?

Happy to answer this one because I get asked a lot. I am thankful to report that I have never had any kind of plastic surgery, whether to remove excess skin, or remove fat, or enhance commonly enhanced body parts. ;o) Funny thing though – no one ever asks if I’ve had a boob job?! lol Okay, all silliness aside, I was genetically blessed with skin that stretched without stretch marks – in fact the nurses used to call to one another when I came in that “the mom with no stretch marks” was here! I use Palmers Cocoa Butter lotion (bought at Target at the advice of my sister, a mom of four) which makes me smell like marshmallows and is great for keeping the skin soft and hydrated from the outside, and drank lots of water. Hydrating your skin helps against stretch marks, but in the end its a lot about genetics. As for shrinking the skin after weight loss, pregnancy or otherwise, hydrating your skin from the outside and inside is your best pro-active step! Time and consistency with clean eating, exercise, and hydrating (drinking lots of water) will slowly help your skin to firm up. I’m not opposed to plastic surgery but do all you can do naturally before you go under the knife! (and remember that you cant have had surgery if you want to be considered for the Team Beachbody Challenge!) The last thing I want to say on this subject is: PLEASE remember that your body was made for giving birth and while we would love to have firm skin forever, the reality is, we arent designed to stay young for life. Learn to appreciate your body for providing a safe, healthy place for your baby to grow and dont curse the marks of passage from woman to mother. Please dont strive for perfection. Be the best YOU you can be, and be thankful for your body, by taking care of it.

Q. You look more fit in P90X2 than you did in P90X+. What programs have you been doing in between filming?

First of all, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU, and CAN WE BE BEST FRIENDS FOR LIFE!?!? It is so nice to hear as a woman nearly 42 years old (my birthday is in a few weeks) that I look more physically fit now than I did when I was 36! I feel like pausing from my computer and doing a cartwheel for that fun compliment!!! <3 This is also a hard won compliment because I have begun early pre-menopause symptoms, which includes a slowing of metabolism, hot flashes, and the common characteristic of body fat gathering on the abs that WAS NOT A PROBLEM BEFORE!!! booohoo! But taking my own advice from the answer above, I understand that this is common for women as we age, so I have spent the last year + trying to find a new norm for my eating and workouts to see if I can beat the odds of nature. Or at least go down kicking and screaming. That means making sure I take my calcium supp to ward off osteoporosis, weight train (easy!), and play with my cardio. Since the filming of P90X+ I’ve done about 5 half marathons, one marathon, P90X, Insanity, Asylum, Turbo Fire, mixed in always with Tony style of training. I helped run a test group for Body Gospel, run a weekly fit club where we are trying all Beachbody programs, and always use running as a supplemental workout to my program. I continue to eat clean, though I’m a terrible water drinker (just not really a thirsty person), try to remember to take my supps, and Shakeology every day. That’s what I’ve done since I found Power90 back in 2003, and hope to continue for the rest of my life. Thanks again for the compliment!

Q. I didn’t know you were in P90X+?! Are you in any other programs?

Actually I have been blessed to be in three of Tony’s series. Power90 Masters Series (my hair is darker, and longer and flippy; think Carol Brady circa 1970 ;o) – I was growing it out – show some mercy! ), P90X+, and P90X2 Plyocide. I laugh and giggle on all sets, be forewarned. Its just what happens when I get around Tony Horton. He’s a dear friend, I think he is one of the funniest people I’ve met on this planet, and I love him like a flesh and blood brother. From the time I met him I’ve told him what I believe to this day: He is made for the worlds stage. He is funny, inspiring, caring, and the real deal. Created to bless many. I’m thankful to say that his life has graced and blessed mine. <3 Its an honor to lift him up and  promote him in any way I can.

Q. Do you ever have a cheat meal? If so, what?

Um……my answer isnt exactly what you might think. I don’t cheat. I don’t attach guilt to food or drink. If I choose to have it, I have earned it with my workouts and clean eating, and I will eat and drink what I want if I feel like it. Guilt free. And I dont and wont consider it cheating. Its freeing to view food like this, and its been a process with me. At first I was all or nothing. No cheating. I was crazy lean and hungry usually most of the time. I learned to live with it because I was learning a new way of viewing food and discipline. But my stomach was a road map of veins I got so lean and my cycle stopped several times. And my husband (thankfully) said “Your muscle looks cool, from an aesthetic standpoint, but it doesn’t look womanly anymore”. Greatest words spoken. It freed me to put on a little weight, not to live hungry, and realize that I was no longer a slave to food and I didnt have to be so anal anymore. Oh, how I need him in my life to speak the truth in love.  And he doesn’t mince words. He gets straight to the point and that works for me. It was a process, and your story might not be the same as mine, but the goal is to view food as fuel, and to enjoy it and take care of your body in the process.

Q. How tall are you and how much do you weigh?

I am just under 5’3″, but not as “short” as 5’2 3/4. ;o) hee I would guess I weigh anywhere between 112-118 but I don’t have a scale. Haven’t owned one since 2004.  I have three daughters and I didn’t want them measuring themselves by a number on a scale. I use a measuring  tape and go by how my pants fit. My sweet maternal grandmother, now passed away, used to say to never let yourself get more than 3 pounds up; cut back and bring it back to where you are comfortable. I love that advice. Its timeless. So I go by my inches – if my thighs get 3/4 inch up, I restrict my calories for a week and it gets back to normal. But I don’t measure often, and NEVER the week before my cycle!!!! That’s plain crazy! Mostly I try to focus on what I can do because I am fit, not what I look like.

This was so fun! Thanks for writing and asking me questions. I’m happy to answer them and hope it in some way encourages you or inspires you in your quest to Live Healthy and Live in Relentless Pursuit of Excellence!

Blessings!

TRACI