PiYo home workout review!

Click here to apply to my next PiYo Challenge Group!

Several weeks ago I started a new home workout program called PiYo. I absolutely love it and have been running monthly 30-day online accountability groups with other ladies who are equally obsessed, and we're having an absolute blast! The 21 Day Fix will always be my baby, but it's fun to host groups that are a little more laid back and less strict on the nutrition front. 

What is PiYo?

PiYo is a low-impact, high intensity workout program that uses yoga and Pilates inspired moves to build lean muscle, burn fat, and increase flexibility. It's dynamic and bodyweight-based so you don't need any equipment, but it's definitely harder than it seems and will challenge you in the best possible way! PiYo is perfect if you don't have the patience or attention span for yoga, but still want the benefits of increased flexibility and all-over muscle tone. 

If you want to watch the promo video, you can click here. Be warned, it's cheesy....but you get the idea.

PiYo classes have been taught live in gyms for a while, but the at-home version was just released in June. It was created by one of my biggest motivational and fitness idols Chalene Johnson, who has a no-nonsense yet friendly and supportive approach that I love, so I was really looking forward to this release!

The kit comes with three DVD's plus a bonus workout, and includes 11 total routines that range from 20-45 minutes long and target every part of your body. I love the variety of these workouts. Some are more "yoga flow" style, some are more strength based (think squats, pushups, and lunges!), and some are this ridiculous combo of everything plus crazy breakdance style moves that push your limits and will leave you dripping in sweat! There is literally no other type of workout like this out there.

"Drench" is the longest and most challenging workout, and in 45 minutes I burn over 350 calories, the equivalent of a THREE MILE RUN without having to leave the house or pound the pavement! Oh and the endorphin afterglow of PiYo is unparalleled. You finish each workout feeling insanely blissed out and happy!

Here's a quick description of all the routines:

ALIGN: THE FUNDAMENTALS	This workout breaks down the most important and effective moves in the program to help you perfect your form and get the best results possible.
DEFINE: LOWER BODY	Get your sleekest and leanest legs ever as you lengthen and strengthen your entire lower body from your glutes and hamstrings to your calves.
DEFINE: UPPER BODY	Use this incredibly effective workout to start chiseling away at your upper body to shape your arms, carve out your triceps, and sculpt sexy shoulders.
SWEAT	A traditional PiYo workout that incorporates effective dynamic conditioning, fast-paced cardio yoga-flows, and bodyweight resistance strength training to help sculpt your entire body!
CORE	This ab-centric workout hits your powerhouse from every angle. You'll build a strong core; flat, sculpted abs and obliques; and a strong, sexy back.
STRENGTH INTERVALS	Twenty-five minutes is all you need of this nonstop body-carving, calorie-incinerating workout that uses no weights, no equipment, and gives you no bulk!
DRENCH	This endurance workout maximizes fat burning while it works every muscle in your body. It will not only leave you drenched, it will kick-start your metabolism as you scorch away the fat.
SCULPT	This workout uses varying tempos to keep your muscles under tension for different periods of time. This generates muscular endurance and metabolic changes that will totally transform your figure.
BUNS*	Focused on the glutes, this workout is designed to lift, redefine, and tighten the entire backside of your body for the perfect tight and round butt.

Plus you get two surprise workouts!

The program is designed to run for 60 days and comes with two different calendar guides that tell you which workout to do every day. One calendar is for beginners, and one is for more advanced levels. I haven't been religiously following the guides, but I've been fitting in all the workouts 3-5 times a week alongside my normal workout routine that includes running, weights circuits, HIIT circuits, and spin class. I have to say that PiYo is an AMAZING addition to my routine and really balances everything else out! I'm really injury prone, especially when I run more than a couple times a week, so I love knowing that I'm giving my body a well-deserved stretch while gaining strength at the same time.

It also comes with a nutrition guide with a comprehensive and easy to follow clean eating plan. 

Who is PiYo for?

I would say PiYo is for you if you...

• like Pilates and yoga, but struggle with sticking to a routine
• want to gain flexibility and stretch more, but lack the attention span or focus
• are a complete fitness beginner
• have knee or joint problems and want a low-impact workout that will still burn major calories
• are a runner, swimmer, triathlete, or fitness enthusiast who wants to add some cross-training to avoid injury and improve performance

Aaaaand a fitness review post wouldn't be complete without my signature 5:30 am crazy hair, bleary eyed before-and-after selfie!

I've been doing a PiYo workout at least 3 times a week for the past six weeks, and the consistency has given me some great results! I wasn't sure what to expect because althoug PiYo is tough and will definitely get your heart rate up, it's definitely not as intense as my favorite crazy HIIT or cardio interval workouts. But my core, arms, and lower body are noticeably more defined, my upper body strength is CRAZY (hello pushups and planks), and I feel a lot more flexible and balanced overall! Oh, and my run times are decreasing, spin class feels easier, I can do twenty pushups on my toes, and I can hold a plank or mountain climbers for TWICE as long as I could before. 

I will be running 30-Day PiYo accountability groups online starting the first Monday of every month for the foreseeable future because I love sharing this program and motivating women to establish and maintain healthy habits and see the results and self confidence that I've experienced on my own journey! 

In my Challenge Groups I provide daily inspirational posts, meal plans, healthy recipes, one-on-one support, check-ins to hold you accountable, and we end up building a really encouraging and fun community of like-minded women.  I don't care what your background is or what your goals are--as long as you are willing to take a chance on making a positive change and doing something for YOU, I'd be happy to help you out and be your cheerleader, drill sergeant, life coach, friend, whoever you need me to be. The first step towards making a healthy lifestyle change is the hardest, but after that it just gets fun!

If you are interested in joining my next PiYo Challenge, you can apply here and I'll be in touch with more details!

You can also email me at annamarialocke@gmail.com. Hit me up with any questions you have about PiYo or health and fitness in general! I look forward to hearing from you, and I can't wait to be your new workout buddy!

BBQ chicken chopped salad

How is it Sunday night already? Weekends always go too fast, no matter how much or how little we have on the schedule. This weekend was a much needed low-key break from the summer craziness! Ben and I saw Guardians of the Galaxy, went out for our weekly froyo trip, cleaned and organized the apartment, stopped by our local wine shop for their free Sunday tasting, and finally made it to church for the first time since .....Easter?? I'm so happy I don't have to work on Sundays any more! 

Speaking of work, I'm officially down to my last two weeks at the zoo before launching out on my own. It is exciting, surreal, and starting to kind of freak me out, but I'm doing my best to enjoy this phase of life and trust that everything will work out! I know for certain that I'm headed in the right direction, I have the support of everyone who matters in my life, I truly do believe in myself, and heck--we never really know what the future will bring so why not pursue what makes you happy? 

Nothing is for certain, so don't ever settle for a life that is leaving you aching for something more. Write down what you want to ultimately achieve, do some work, and get out of that comfort zone! I'm looking forward to blogging more and focusing on my poor Etsy shop which has been languishing in neglect all summer! So many exciting projects and goals that I want to transfer from my mind into reality. 

So that's my quick life update! Let's get to the recipe!

Giant "more is more" dinner salads are apparently becoming a thing in our household. They are just so fresh and tasty, and a perfect way to take advantage of all the summer produce!

Like all my recipes these days, this dinner is fast, easy, and not really a recipe at all. Just keep adding all the produce in your fridge or anything else you think might go well with the flavors! (Blue cheese? Hard boiled egg? Leftover pulled pork?) 

Salads are like a blank canvas, and I love creating delicious works of art.

Oh, and this salad is husband approved. It's extremely hearty and you can eat a ginormous portion because it's mostly veggies! The BBQ Vinaigrette is maybe the best part.

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

-2 heads of romaine, chopped into bite size pieces
-3 chicken breasts, diced
-Seasoning for the chicken (I used a BBQ seasoning mix plus Chipotle Mrs. Dash)
-Bacon! (As much as you want. I've been loving the uncured nitrate-free thick cut bacon at Aldi!)
-1 ear of sweet corn (you can slice off the kernels raw, if it's fresh!)
-1 can white beans (or black beans)
-1 avocado
-Tomatoes
-Red onion
-Other random veggies that you love
-Cilantro

BBQ Vinaigrette

-1/4 cup BBQ sauce (I was going to make my own, but then got lazy and used Sweet Baby Ray's)
-1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (Bragg's is the best)
-2T olive oil
-a big squirt of yellow mustard

Cook the bacon until desired level of crispiness, then set aside to drain. Leave half the bacon grease in the pan, season the chicken, and saute the chicken in the hot grease until browned and cooked through. Chop all your veggies, and then shake all the vinaigrette ingredients together in a jar. Assemble all salad ingredients, drizzle with vinaigrette, and enjoy with a bold red wine!

black bean and summer veggie burrito bowl

Happy Friday!

This week has thrown me way off schedule, but in a good way. Wednesday night Ben and I went to a Cubs game, and then yesterday I took the day off for a semi-impromptu girls day with my sister Ella! We had a jam-packed adventure in the city (which is turning into a habit...) including eating at three of my favorite restaurants, shopping, and walking 204398 miles.

This weekend Ben and I have absolutely no plans for the first time in as long as I can remember and I'm really looking forward to having a chance to organize my life/mind/apartment and just BREATHE! I'm coming up on my last two weeks at work, and I want to be able to enjoy and make the most of this once in a lifetime transitional phase instead of stressing out and feeling overwhelmed.

Anyway, that's what's up with me right now! Since life has been so crazy, dinners have been one of two things: going out, or super easy and fast concoctions at home. It's all about balance!

August is the best time of the year in terms of vegetables. Everything is in season, and it's hard not to go overboard at the farmer's market! The central Illinois small town girl inside of me has a pretty high standard for sweet corn, and I'm happy to say I found a great corn hook up here in the city. This black bean and summer veggie burrito bowl has it all, and is a great way to use up random veggies in the fridge!

Black Bean and Summer Veggie Burrito Bowl
Serves 4-6

Ingredients

-1 T olive oil
-one red onion, sliced
-2 ears of corn, cooked or raw
-2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
-red cabbage, shredded
-tomatoes, chopped
-spinach
-(Insert random veggies here. More is more!)
-taco seasonings (I love Mrs. Dash chipotle seasoning)
-cilantro
-1 lime, juiced
-plain Greek yogurt (a large dollop per serving)
-guacamole

Heat the olive oil in the largest pan you have. Saute the onion for 4-5 minutes, then add beans, corn, cabbage, tomatoes, spinach, and random veggies, spices, and cook until it's all warmed up. Top with cilantro, lime juice, yogurt, guacamole, and enjoy!

This bowl would also be great with some rice, or wrapped up in a tortilla as an actual burrito. And voila, you don't even need to go to Chipotle! AND you can use the money you save to grab some ice cream or froyo for dessert. That's what I would do.

Chicago weekend staycation || TAKE TWO

(photo credit: TSNY) 

Oh hey. Remember when I posted about the epic Chicago Staycation Weekend Ben and I had a few weeks ago? I think I might have just topped it. This has officially been the craziest and busiest summer I've experienced since moving to the city in 2012 and I am absolutely loving it, while also trying to slow down and appreciate the present moment as much as possible!

My high school intern program officially ended last week, so I was lucky to get a three day weekend as I transition back into the normal Monday-Friday work week again! My best friend Anna came up Thursday night for some girl time, and in typical A^2 fashion we went all out.

Starting with Friday breakfast.

Backstory: I have been lusting after this frozen banana soft serve maker called the Yonanas for months, but haven't been able to justify the purchase since you can blend frozen bananas in a food processor and get the same delicious end result, it's just messier and less fun. AND THEN Ben and I were getting our weekly grocery haul at Aldi last and I found a generic Yonanas maker for only $29.99 in the magical aisle of random household goods! I WAS SO EXCITED! Aldi has slowly infiltrated my life from the random semi-creepy place my grandma always dragged us through as children, to my all time favorite grocery store. They are seriously stepping up their game lately and if you have an Aldi near you I highly recommend checking it out! It's an experience and worth a blog post in itself.

But back to this generic Yonanas maker! It is awesome. You add frozen bananas or any frozen fruit and it grinds it down into a creamy and indulgent sorbet. Magic, I tell you!

So Anna and I made the most epic bowl of cinnamon walnut oatmeal ever. I am going to start topping everything with banana soft serve!

After breakfast, we showered (oh yeah, plus we ran almost five miles before breakfast because that's how we roll) and went on a SECRET MISSION that I'm not allowed to talk about. It was fun. This is the only clue I'll share: IV

Then we hit up Native Foods Cafe for some delicious vegan comfort food! Once we were all fueled up, we headed downtown and proceeded to shop until we dropped.

Since epic is the name of the game, we decided to land at one of the best rooftop bars in the city for happy hour.

It was fun to enjoy the view of the Farm in the Zoo from above! All summer I was stationed out of the farmhouse that is hidden by the trees to the left of that barn.

We made our way through several of these delicious concoctions (the Bramble On and Summer Harvest are my personal faves)...

And then we took a selfie.

And ordered a delicious cheese plate.

Then Ben crashed the girls day, and we ended up meeting up with some more friends for dinner at our favorite BBQ place, Sheffield's!

Saturday morning, we woke up and sweat out all the cocktails at spin class. Then I joined up with my sister in law Ashley and her crew to celebrate her bachelorette party! We got lunch at an adorable and cozy library themed place called Wilde, which I can't wait to re-visit in the winter. Then we had a relaxing afternoon with some shopping, pedicures, ice cream, and ended up in Belmont Harbor for trapeze class! This was the only requirement Ashley had for her bachelorette, and I must admit we all thought she was a little crazy when we first arrived....

I've always wished I could fly!

It ended up being the most incredible and exhilarating experience! Ashley and I loved it so much we signed up for two more classes on the spot. I blame the adrenaline...but seriously, I highly recommend taking a class with the Trapeze School New York. They have locations all over the country and it is SO fun! Although two days later my back and upper abs are still more sore than they've ever been.

And of course, an epic weekend wouldn't be complete without some sort of frozen treat. I am trying to maintain a balance between active/healthy and fun/indulgent this summer, and I think it's going pretty well so far! Even though Ben has officially gone back to school, we still have 6 weeks of the season left. So re-visit that summer bucket list and make it happen!

(all trapeze action shots c/o TSNY) 

salmon with warm bacon and mustard sweet potato salad

Every once in a while I find or concoct a recipe that is just so delicious I want to save it to remember for later! Since I'm such a recipe hoarder, I rarely make the same thing more than once (excepting basic proteins like chicken, steak, and salmon) therefore I'm going to start posting the recipes that were a hit so I can remember to make them again! And so you can enjoy them too. All my dinner recipes are healthy, simple, and fast, perfect for busy weeknights (and then you'll have room for ice cream if it's one of those nights!)

Tonight we made a basic broiled salmon and I paired it with a warm potato salad inspired by a recipe from a Martha Stewart cookbook. I tweaked the ingredients a little bit and it turned out absolutely delicious! I love sweet potatoes and need to make them more often. They are delicious with salty bacon. Yes I'm on a bacon kick.

Salmon with Warm Bacon and Mustard Sweet Potato Salad

Serves 4

Salmon:

-4 wild caught Pacific salmon filets (we usually broil them straight from frozen)

-1/2 lemon

-spices to taste

Potato salad:

-3 medium sweet potatoes

-2 celery stalks, chopped

-1 or 2 slices of cooked bacon, chopped

-1/4 c. red wine vinegar

-2 tsp. Dijon mustard

-1 to 2T whole grain brown mustard

-1T olive oil

Chop potatoes into 1" chunks, place in a large pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. Cook potatoes for 10-12 minutes, until soft when pierced with a fork.

While potatoes are boiling, squeeze lemon juice over the salmon, liberally sprinkle with spices (we like Mrs. Dash lemon pepper and Old Bay), and broil until cooked through.

Combine vinegar, mustards, and olive oil in a small bowl. When potatoes are done, drain them and dump the dressing into the pot, stir to combine. Add the celery and bacon.

Serve the salmon over greens with a side of potato salad, and enjoy!!

Why I decided to quit my job

I thought I had finally made it through my "quarter life crisis."

I thought the crisis was my two year struggle to find my footing in the world after spending almost two decades in the comfortable security of the education system. It has taken me another year and a half to gain the perspective to realize that I was so wrong. That wasn't the crisis at all--that was simply the struggle to find my place in a crappy economy, to figure out what I was "supposed" to be doing, a struggle that I shared with thousands if not millions of other young adults my age. It was a reality check that in the real world, success isn't automatic like it was for me in school. In the real world, you don't earn your success by getting good grades and following the rules--you have to first DEFINE what "success" means to you, and then build it from scratch. I thought that I would feel successful if I had a full time job, a salary, and an easy-to-understand answer when new acquaintances asked me "so what do you do?" because I thought that was who I was supposed to be.

What I didn't know was that during those two years of uncertainty, unemployment, and temporary part time jobs, I was closer to living my true, authentic life than I ever realized. I was spending all my free time and babysitting money building a creative business through Etsy, blogging, cooking and trying new recipes, obsessively pursuing the things that made me feel complete and fulfilled, even if my feelings of failure and inadequacy overshadowed the truth of the life I was creating. Ultimately, my desire for financial security was what held me back, and when I finally landed a full time job (a rewarding job at a great institution no less), I was so relieved that I cried. I had made it into "the system" and everything was going to be ok! I'd work hard, do my best, establish a career in environmental non-profits, wait for new and exciting opportunities to appear, and play the stepping stone game until I reached some unknown pinnacle of rank that I could ride out until I retired.

What I now understand is that life is not a passive event in which you do your best and then WAIT for opportunities to happen. This past winter, I hit a very personal wall and realized that my full time job was not matching up with who "Anna" truly was, deep down, and it was making me into a stressed and bitter version of myself that I wasn't proud of. Yes, I loved my department and team and institution, but ultimately I wasn't happy. There were ups and downs and months of reflection and discussion in which I vented my internal conflict to my poor husband and closest co-worker (sorry guys!) and ultimately I came to this realization:

I deeply and desperately desire to play an active role in my future and my success. I want to design and create a life I love to live, a life that fulfills me completely and matches perfectly with my wholehearted self.

Does this sound like a delusional pipe dream? Somehow we are discouraged from "being stupid" and abandoning security to pursue what we really really want deep down. Have you ever allowed yourself to THINK about what you truly want out of life? Are you 100% happy and fulfilled to go to your job every day, or do you have a small, quiet, deeply buried voice telling you to do something more? What if you could own your own business that you designed, control your schedule, make your own rules, abandon the commute and the hoarding of vacation days, and know that you are meeting your full potential and sharing your most authentic self with the world? It sounds ideal, right? But we're held back by fear of failure, fear of financial insecurity, and so much doubt. Yes, it is extremely hard to create your own business and make enough money to survive comfortably, but it's possible if you want it badly enough.

My Etsy business alone was profitable from the start, but it would probably take me at least two years  of hard work to build a full income from it, so I never even considered taking it "full time." I thought it would be a nice side income and hobby business, supporting my fabric and yarn buying habits. However, when I discovered Beachbody coaching this past February, something inside of me just clicked. The opportunity to be an independent Beachbody coach came seemingly out of left field, and no one was more surprised or confused that I was, especially since I have absolutely no prior experience in business, marketing, or communications, which are three huge things that coaching is centered around. However, I just knew that this was something potentially huge for my life. I've always loved helping people by sharing my personal experiences, and that's what Beachbody is all about. Plus it has a structure that allows you to grow your own business and become financially secure with potentially unlimited income if you are willing to plug in and do the work. I saw other coaches on my team quit their jobs, run organizations of hundreds (and thousands) of people, and make six figure incomes, and they were normal people just like me, so I knew that I could do it too if I believed in myself.

Over the summer, I have experienced so much joy and success with my coaching team that I KNEW remaining at my full time job was simply no longer an option if I wanted to be able to fully support my team, manage my business, and build my creative brand. (Oh, and spend time with my husband, hand out with friends, and call my mom and grandma. You know, just the essentials).

So in June, I literally forced myself to march into my director's office before I could lose my nerve, and in a shaking voice blurted out that I was thinking of transitioning out of my job and into running my own business. Literally the SCARIEST FIVE MINUTES of my life. Holy shit, am I actually QUITTING MY JOB????!!!! But once I made it real, everything has continued to fall into place and I am so certain that this is the path I'm being called to take.

My official "last day" at my full time job is August 29th, four weeks from today. I am so excited to take this leap and see what I can do as a small business owner/creative entrepreneur!

Now I understand that a "life crisis" isn't a struggle, and it's not necessarily a bad or negative thing at all. It is an extremely personal and unique realization or awakening that you desire something more out of life, and that you need to make some changes to meet your full potential. Share your story, listen to your heart, acknowledge what brings you joy, and believe in yourself hard enough to overcome the fear and doubt. Set goals, take action, and don't look back except to acknowledge how far you've come.

"Abandon anything about your life and habits that might be holding you back. Learn to create your own opportunities. Know that there is no finish line; fortune favors action. Race balls-out toward the extraordinary life that you've always dreamed of, or still haven't had time to dream up. And prepare to have a hell of a lot of fun along the way."

(Sophia Amoruso)

Two books that have empowered and inspired me:
The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown
#GIRLBOSS, by Sophia Amoruso