Day 8,9,10,11,12

Well its feeling now like a regular routine, everyday the workouts are a bit different but we are actually used to it now that everyday we do something! It is not longer feeling like a chore!
Day 8 was workout at home day with weights and different moves I did mine during the day and Niko did his in the evening, it really is so much more fun doing with a partner or group, if only our schedules matched!
Day 9 was a cardio day so Niko went riding and I went swimming at our local pool!
Day 10 is seen below with our little matey Donnatello Konnsta always interested what are Pia and Niko jumping around like lunatics in the living room for, so he must come and investigate EVERYTHING!

Here are examples of Niko doing a regular plank and myself doing a side plank, if you look closely you can see Konnsta is also showing in the bottom picture how to do a side lunge!
And followed by day 11 and 12 which were rest days, ahhhh the rest days, Happy Labour Day to everyone who celebrated it! <3

Fit1 Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...

Sorry blog readers! Its been a busy (and bit painful) few days and I've also come to realise that blogging about a workout every single day might get a bit tedious...
So to go over it a little bit..
Day 2 was......... painful...... (see, we are human and showing how it happens with others who might start from zero...) it really both gave us the realisation how much we indeed needed this, muscle tone definitely gone down!!! Legs were to the point that I walked up and down our stairs like a granny! And abs (yes apparently I have abs!) were so sore that it hurt to laugh or tense them at all. We really need to build up that core strength! BUT, we still completed day 2s workout! So, not debilitating muscle pain!

First complete breakfast in a while, I had really gotten used to liquid breakfast but this really was a nice change! :)

By day 3 our thighs were still a bit tight but trudged through the workout with no problems, also I have to say again its great having something different to do everyday! It mixes up the schedule a bit an stops it becoming too monotonous!

Day 4 and 5 are the super easy days. When you work hard you have to also play hard so two days of REST! It happened to fall on a Saturday and Sunday so YAY for us! A nice weekend of rest, re-cooperation and seeing friends and family! One thing that absolutely needs to be mentioned here is that on Sunday we went to visit Nikos uncle and godmother for the afternoon. Being a typical finnish family we were offered 'pullakaffet' which literally means coffee and pulla (a sweet coffee bun). We both had a cup of coffee but neither of us touched the pulla, this is unusual for us as we are both sweet tooth by nature! On the drive home I told Niko how nice the spread was but just didn't feel like pulla today, he looks at me and says that neither did he, we both were quite shocked by this, how have our cravings for sugar, butter and white flour disappeared?! Something is definitely happening inside our brains and bodies!!!! Weird right? :)
Day 6 and back to it! We were both going to be busy that evening when Niko got home from work so we decided to swap the workout with Day 7s, this meant a day of cardio for the workout, which can be anything you like for 30minutes, swimming, running, riding etc just something to keep that heart rate up. I chose to go for a jog around our city during the day and Niko went for a good bike ride straight after work.

BREATHE PIA BREATHE! classy right, just finished 3rd round of the workout and absolutely STUFFED but ALIVE and FEELING GOOD!

Day 7 was today which made it work out day 6 from the book. Niko works day today and I work evening this evening so we split it up again. I did the workout in the living room with my music blasting (it helped not to hear the frustration in my voice as I loudly sighed through most of those darn backwards lunges, hahaha) and Niko would do his part when he got home from work and I'm already long gone.

So until next time.... Goodnight all xxx

Fit 1 Day 1

So here it is, Day 1... its 7am and Niko has already left for work, I am sitting, sipping my morning aloe on the sofa thinking, can we really do this starting from where we are at? Pretty much zero... Lets see! If we do it, we gain health and happiness, and if we fail? well you get a good laugh!

So, there is it folks, the Fit1, lets go through what in this box that's considerably larger than C9, but also considerably longer.

-4 bottles of Aloe Gel (as stated previously we take this everyday anyway, normally we have all 3 flavours in the fridge to mix it up a little!)

-2 Ultra Lite (we chose the vanilla protein shake again because,well, yum!)

-1 Fit1 booklet (the IN HOME personal trainer, has all you need to workout and again great recipes and a guideline of HOW TO over the next 30 days

-1 ProX2 (these are little protein bars, to keep away those cravings after a workout or as an afternoon snack, we got Cinnamon because we chose the vanilla shake, but if you choose chocolate smoothie you also get chocolate protein bars)

-1 Therm (magical pills that give you that kick you need, they have guarana, green tea, green coffee bean and other added goodies -these are a great fat burner!)

-1 Fiber (the same as in C9 but like ive said - good to keep regular!)

So the cool thing that I'm loving with this one is you get TWO meals a day, you get to choose yourself which ones they are too which makes shift work life much easier!
TBC...

...Alright! So Niko and I did our first training session today! We did the first set of Day 1 to do list and then looked at each other and went OH NO, we have to do this WHOLE THING TWO MORE TIMES!-sweat pouring from just about everywhere! I noticed more than ever how much we have not been doing lately, I have tight muscles in places I didn't even know I had muscles! It's a little depressing to think how weak I've gotten but also very motivating knowing that we have taken this step to a better well-being. :)
First thoughts is its wonderful that each day is nothing like the last, the sequences are very varied each day which keeps things fun!
I'll finish off day one by quoting the first thing Niko said and did when we finished the workout, completely stuffed. He lifted up his shirt and exposed his cute little CocaCola pot belly and said ''So, can you see my six-pack yet?''
If only it was that quick! :D

C9 Day 9!! We survived!

WE DID IT WE DID IT! 9 days down and energy levels up! Such a lovely feeling of accomplishment and to top it off we dropped a few cms and kgs! 

This is our typical morning routine, definitely something that will stay with us after this journey, imagine feeling this good everyday? :)

Can you imagine, Pia has been without chocolate for 9 days and Niko without Coca-Cola,  we are both even surprised that neither of us are craving excess sugar and/or salt! 

Technically this is still a day of the C9 but since we are going back to back and starting the Fit1 tomorrow we thought to have a celebratory meal tonight, so I made home made pesto to go on some organic whole wheat pasta! Scrumptious! 

Even Niko loved it (after saying, what? no meat? 

....eventually he will turn and realise you dont need meat everyday, buuuut thats a whole different blog right there!)

Now the next step/faze of the journey start tomorrow! Fit 1.... dun dun dun...

The one thing that I personally am really happy to hear is how openly Niko (a somewhat 'typical' stubborn Finnish man) is responding to all of this! He actually said last night how much he is looking forward to Fit1 because the training is so much more regimented. 

During C9 the calorie intake is the regimented part and it says to 'exercise' at least half an hour a day. But as of tomorrow the calorie intake is a little more free (which I control anyway since I cook and send him to work with lunches) but the exercise is clearly laid out what you have to do and how many, I think for someone like Niko he loves the restriction of this is -exactly what you must do and how! Niko and his german efficency.... I dunno...

See you all tomorrow! xx

C9 Day 7 and day 8!

Sunday and Monday have been full of everything away from technology which is great for a change!
Sunday a luncheon (we had our vanilla ultra smoothies with us and had a fabulous time!) and some quiet time with the hubby. Dinner we had 'take out' a nice big salad from the grocery store salad bar, twas lovely AND I didn't have to cook, winning! Eating out doesn't have to be greasy fast food!
Monday went through in a blur, meetings and errands not having time to keep my blog up, naughty me! Smoothies on the go and therms to keep me going, a big salad at work too! Woot woot! Even niko mentioned last night that he's so used to liquid lunches now that he will continue his lunchtime smoothies now for the summer, which all I hear is I don't need to make him lunch for the summer, just send him off with a carton of oat milk and his ultra packet! (they really are addictive I tell ya!)

C9 Day 5 and Day 6

Just a quick post to catch up.
My yesterday went really quickly running errands and being a housewife, to speed up breakfast I even mixed my morning aloe gel in with my smoothie and off I went! Then I had evening shift so took a nice salad and some grilled chicken tenders that Niko grilled up for us with garlic and paprika! Zoom zoom!
Today I had morning shift at work and knew I would forget to take my midday therm so I took two this morning along with my aloe and smoothie (I'm not sensitive to caffeine so knew it would be fine)  woah! Turbo charged! I even ran up the 7 flights of stairs to get to work, so much spring cleaning and washing done and everything before midday! Definitely something I won't do often! But definitely a great kick start! Now a lovely afternoon with hubby, a bike ride around the river and baked sweet potato and salmon steaks with lemon and dill. Mmmm. Looks just about perfect right? It was!

Tonight a catch up with expat friends, life is pretty sweet at the moment, let's see what the numbers say tomorrow, in the inevitable dun dun dun check in!
Until tomorrow, Happy weekend :)

C9 Day 4

Still alive! Energy levels are just climbing! :) had the weigh in and centimetre check last night... *gulp* but nice to see that something is happening, 5cm of 'padding' and toxins gone from my waistline!
Today Niko and I had a bit of a squiz at what's coming for us in Fit1 next week, we watched the How To vids of how to do the movements that we will be doing and practiced the moves and the stretches, even Niko said wow that's much less daunting than I thought! Which is nice to hear!
For dinner tonight I thought to make a healthy version of junk food and made some nice turkey sliders with gluten free hamburger buns! Add some good salad and sriracha and omnomnom!

C9 Day 3

Hi and welcome to another episode of  'If Pia and Niko can do it, so can you!' 

Today has been a wonderful day! Finally back to what feels like some sort of normalcy since we are both used to having a smoothie in the morning anyway, those first 2 days seemed tough since I'm so used to having a fruit, oat milk, spinach and vanilla ultra smoothie and Niko goes old school with just oat milk and ultra(or maybe the fact that his brain doesn't work properly @ 6am to be functional enough to use a hand mixer ;D , simplicity is key!)
It's also been a fab day because I found out that 2 of my friends got married today! I'm so surprised and so ridiculously happy for them <3 <3 <3 <3
Anyway today is the fun day! Where we got a whole meal! 

I made chicken breasts stuffed with zucchini and garlic topped off with a home made tomato sauce. Baked along with some sweet potato and a salad with pumpkin and sunflower seeds :) Niko was a very happy chappy to come home from work and realise that the good smells in the buildings hallway were coming from our apartment!

It apparently gave us so much energy and good feeling that we decided to dust off our bikes and go for a nice ride, since FINALLY the ice has melted on the smaller trails around river! Have to mention.. isn't my Batman cool? He's my dark knight... #cubebikesrock  

On the down side, the river was moving faster than I was, fitness levels have gone down so much, Im so glad we are doing this kick start! We have an exercise bike but it just doesn't compare to fresh air and varying landscapes, I love being outside!

Now sitting at home, sipping on a well earned glass of Argi+ and dreaming what other goodies I can make for tomorrow! Niko says after Fit1 he will do a 30 day meat diet, no vegetables, his stomach isn't really liking the first part of the cleanse (silly billy, it's almost like he forgot how much better he felt last year). But we both know once his energy levels pick up he'll be good as gold! 

C9 Day 2

Today has been much easier than yesterday! No headaches (which I'm so glad for and still wondering how it popped up yesterday, but at least the extra bit of smoothie sent it packing!) which has been nice :) Much busier today since I've had work and needed to pick up some items for my business before that so haven't really thought too much about the fact that I haven't had yet any substantial size meals apart from my smoothie a couple of hours ago...
Niko on the other hand had a full day at work (with packed box of page 11 snacks) and came home to our beloved older tortoises 'surprise'.... He had lovingly pooped on the floor and smeared it around the apartment....Happy cleaning afternoon for him...We love our tortoises....Most of the time.... Hubby was so pleased with Konnstas efforts that many swear words and aggravation came over text, followed by 'THAT'S IT I WANT PIZZA!!!!' Lol honorable comfort food! Well instead he is having a few steamed vegetables and a smoothie followed by some nice death stares at Konnsta. :D
Life sometimes can get in the way, but Niko understands that not everyday has to be perfect and sunshine and rainbows and comfort food :P (Even though he complains that 'WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF, I want steak and chips with my salad!!!' , we both understand that balance is good, and tomorrow we get to have a full meal!!!!! YAY!!!! 20 hours until I start cooking....Not that I'm counting.....!

C9 Day 1

Day 1, D-day and I woke up, opened my Facebook and the first thing I see..... a recipe video for a bbq bacon egg and avocado roll... thanks for that, not helping!!

But like a good little girl I had my aloe gel shot, took my therm and got ready for the 'dun dun dun'.... 'BAD PART'!....

This thing has never been such a good friend of mine, but when you place it together with that smaller thing... well that's what nightmares are made of! Haha, just kidding, it wasnt that bad, Niko and I both weighed ourselves and took measurements (don't worry, its not everyday, just a good outline to see how you are going, the first few days you will see alot of swelling and toxin buildup subside-this is just to observe this process)

On a good note when we compared it to Nov'15 C9 numbers they were about the same. Well I wouldn't say good, but not bad per se! Nikos legs got a bit skinnier and my chest got a bit wider but otherwise everything else matched.

Not much else to report, since its only 4 hours in so let me show you whats in the box!

-2 bottles of Aloe Gel (we take this everyday anyway, some people say it tastes 'healthy' but we just think it tastes like cucumber and lemon, I won't go into detail here but ask me if you want to know more!)

-1 Ultra Lite (we chose the vanilla protein shake, both are absolutely fab and taste really good but the vanilla is so much easier to add mix ins like fruits and berries and the occasional vege!)

-1 Therm (magical pills that help you survive the beginning and give you that kick you need, they have guarana, green tea, green coffee bean and other added goodies -these are a great fat burner!)

-1 Fiber (individual little fiber sachets that in all honesty taste like nothing, but always good to keep regular!)

10am- current feeling- about to go for a walk around the lake, craving a croissant but going to get a few dark grapes instead.... yay me!
TBC...

The day before the journey begins...

Hello world and welcome to my very first blog about my Forever Living C9 and FIT1 journey!
Let me start with a short background on the situation.... 

About 6 months ago my husband Niko (he will be guest starring in this blog via pictures and the occasional comment) and I did a 9 day routine by the name of C9 (Clean9 in some countries and Change9 in others, so easier to call by nickname C9) by Forever Living Products. 

Basically, we wanted to get two things out of it- To get some relief for my husbands stomach problems and to give both of our bodies a bit of a clean out (the same way you wash your washing machine on a 90degree rinse cycle a couple of times a year), to make us change our thought process towards what we actually put into our mouths.....

My husband being the 'typical' stubborn finnish man he is straight away after mentioning it was 
''Why should I? Its not going to do anything anyway!''
''WHAT?!?! I'm a tradesman! I need meat and potatoes! *profanity* You can't deprive me of that!''
''I'm not going to live on rabbit food for a whole NINE days!''

So then I thought, right, if he won't trust me since I knew as much as he did I took him to hear it from someone who is a stranger to him. (as you can imagine it was like squeezing blood from a stone.... I almost had to physically drag the poor man to a one hour 'FIT' program info session..)

One hour later we are driving home, there is a different man sitting in the car next to me! As all I can hear coming from Nikos mouth is
''Well, its only 9 days, I'm sure I can last that long, what have we got to lose?''
''What's the worst thing that could happen? I might even get some more energy out of it''
''When are we going to start?

In utter shock, thinking heck yeah! oh oh! and what if nothing happens?! -all at the same time, we started C9 the following week with the thought of only the C9... we were not 'workout' people...anymore more than 9 days would 'kill us'....hahaha

Well 9 days came and went, Niko complained profusely about the first day and a half (the lower calorie days were you empty all the gunk from your body, kinda like formatting a hard drive, teaching your stomach and brain to actually start communicating again) (I didnt complain as much because I'm a female and *insert some silly feminst joke here*). It's not like we were starving ourselves, we both had snack boxes to work each day, it was more that our bodies craved excess salt and sugar and processed foods that it would normally get. Until all of a sudden our bodies started to release the swelling from the buildup of toxins and energy levels started to increase.

9 Days later our energy levels were up, our clothes fit better, we craved fruit instead of chocolate and all round just felt better about ourselves. It's weird how you can feel so accomplished after such a short time. all I can say is try it for yourself. What have you got to lose?

Now about 5+ something months forward from doing the C9 for the first time we have decided to do it again. It is recommended to do it once or twice a year MAX! For us this feels like the right time as we both have noticed that *cough cough* we may have started to fall a little into our old bad habits of sugars and 'easy' processed foods...

So I came up with this idea to document this time for a few reasons
1. To prove to ourselves that it really isn't that difficult and to show ourselves that
2. Sometimes it's completely OK to push yourself a bit to promote a healthy lifestyle and live longer (hear that Niko, Forever and EVER! Till death do us part, sorry love we are both going to be around for a while longer yet!)
3. I turn 30 end of next month (It's my scary age.... Everyone has one.... But whats that saying 'Thirty and Flirty' or something like that.. and I wanna LOOK and FEEL GOOD about getting older!) 
4, To prove to YOU (yes you! the person reading this blog!) that if someone like Niko and myself can do it then SO CAN YOU!

Get in, put on your seat belt and hold on! As you witness with us our C9 and FIT1 journey. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or if I can clarify anything. 
Tomorrow it begins!
Enjoy! :)