Thank You Katy Perry!

I may have gone to the Katy Perry concert with my daughter.
I may have acted like a 13 year old girl while there.
I may have spent $70 !!!! on this sweatshirt (shhh, don't tell hubby).
It may be the most comfy sweatshirt on the planet!
(it is a pet peeve of mine when the outside of the sweatshirt is softer than the inside...this one isn't like that  )
THANK YOU Katy Perry!!

Need Motivation? Here ya go!

Do you need a Soul Mate workout? I've got some questions to help you find yours! Comment and I will help direct you.

If you have one, share it with us!

Have a friend that needs motivation? Share this post with them!

It's NEVER too late to chase your dream!

Now if this isn't motivation, I don't know what is!

RECORD BREAKING CANCER WARRIOR. 

At 91 years old, Harriette Thompson has become the second oldest marathon runner in U.S. history. Running in Sunday's San Diego Marathon, Thompson broke the U.S. women's record for the fastest marathon run in the 90-94 age group finishing in 7 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds. Thompson didn't begin running until she was 76.

Keep Calm It's Summer Break

I have a special place in my  for teachers and school employees! At the end of every school year I would tell myself, "I am going to get healthy before school starts", and then I wouldn't. If this sounds familiar and YOU REALLY WANT to make this summer the ONE, I can help!
I am coaching a group JUST FOR TEACHERS and SCHOOL EMPLOYEES! Want details? Comment or message me!
DON'T WAIT ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR TO FEEL GOOD and HAVE MORE ENERGY!

Hello May!

So....I am ALL ABOUT HONESTY, because IT IS the best policy  so I am going to give it to ya straight... 

At the end of the month it is a busy time for my coaching (hence all the posts). We are always wrapping up SLAMMIN' deals on workout programs (T25 & Brazilian Butt Lift) and I am planning ahead for my next month's challenge groups.

For me, my coaching is ALL ABOUT sharing health, fitness and happiness with anyone I can! Therefore, yes, I will ALWAYS share deals and invite you to my new group....especially right around the calendar changing.
JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW!

So...that being said...
**Who wants to join my FREE 5 DAY CLEAN EATING group starting May 5th? I will provide the shopping list, the recipes, and support! Shakeology will be required, so if you want to join is SHORT TERM this is for you! Spots are limited!!

**Who wants to join my SHAKE OFF THE JIGGLE 30 Day Shakeolgoy and Clean Eating challenge. You drink Shakeology, do whatever exercise you want and follow the recipes I provide. We all support each other! TONS of fun! Spots are limited!!
{Both groups are for those not already working with me or another coach}

T0 Moms with Little Ones

This morning I saw this picture. This is my baby girl who is TURNING SIXTEEN next month, is having surgery during spring break and is starting to date! 

I must be hormonal because it really brought tears to my eyes...this pic brought me RIGHT BACK to this moment, hearing her voice and being showered with "mommy"'s over and over and over every day. I MISS IT!

At this time of her life I was struggling....I had low self-esteem, major health woes and it spilled over into my marriage AND my parenting of her. I am NOT saying this to look back and REGRET at all! I was doing the best I could.

****BUT if I can just applaud all of those mommies out there, with little ones, who are NOT waiting to show their babies healthy example. KUDOS to you! It will pay off because TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF will help you TAKE CARE OF THEM! Just make sure you hug them ALL THE TIME & RECORD their little voices, because ALL TOO SOON they will be grown.*****

TBT- What a DIFFERENCE!

OH HEAVENS!

2011

 Above wasn't even my highest weight. 

I thought I was looking pretty darn good on that trip. 

2013- we look SO MUCH younger!

Honestly, one of the greatest blessings is that we are healthy as a couple and as a family now! I can rest easy at night knowing that I am doing all I can for my family to live longer, to feel better and BE HAPPIER! 

I have a COUPLES CHALLENGE GROUP staring on Feb 17th, in honor of Valentine's Day! 

I still have room for two more couples. Wanna join us?

 IT IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!

Giveaway Time! I am SO excited!

It is about time I thank you for all of your support!

Enter the MY FAVORITE HEALTHY THINGS Giveaway!

Winner gets EVERYTHING pictured here!

I have chosen several of my favorite healthy things to give away to ONE loyal follower of Behind The Refrigerator Door. 

This giveaway prize is:

• $50 Beachbody giftcard (choose whatever you want!)
• 10 days worth of Shakeology (the healthiest meal of the day!)
• $25 gift card to Lululemon (so you can look GOOD)
• $25 gift card to Whole Foods (for extra yumminess)
• 3 P90X protein bars (great on the go!)
• 3 Fig Bars (all natural) (our new favorite snack!)
• 1 packet of Results & Recovery formula (helps keep soreness away!)
• 1 packet of Energy & Endurance formula (this stuff is a BIG reason I can do all that I do!)
• PB2 (all natural ground peanuts with only 45 cal for 2 TBLS!)
• Exclusive Beachbody Snow Set! (You can't even buy this beanie, scarf and glove set! I won it, but can't seem to find a place to wear it here at the beach...so it's YOURS)

Pretty good stuff! 

Here is what you need to do to enter:

(three entries per person max)

1. One entry for subscribing to this blog. See form to the right under "coaches corner" to enter your email address for subscription delivery once a day.
2. Second entry for adding me as your FREE Beachbody coach. *This does not obligate you to anything. It just ensures that if you do ever decide to try Beachbody out, I will automatically be your coach. Enter here. If trouble with the link please copy and paste http://www.teambeachbody.com/en_US/tbbsignup?referringRepId=282890 to your browser.
3. Third Entry is by sharing the original Giveaway post on your FB timeline. Please tag "jennifer drake bottom" in your share. You may share as many times as you'd like, but only one entry will be made.

The Fine Print:

• Winner MUST be a follower (have liked) facebook.com/behindtherefrigeratordoor
• Contest begins at time of this post FRI 1/31/14 9:00 PM PST
• Contest ends on TUE 2/4/14 9:00 PM PST
• Winner announced on THIS BLOG with video proof on WED 2/5/14
• If case of technical difficulties (interruption in service) contest will be VOID
• Contact me for any questions prior to entering. 

GOOD LUCK!

Get your REAR IN GEAR in 2014!

What is your plan for getting healthy after the holidays? Plan now so you will be SUCCESSFUL!

I have a support group that is all about motivation, accountability and support starting Jan 6th!!! Get your Rear in Gear by Spring Break!

Message me with questions!!!

Priorities~ Where are YOURS?

Let's chat a minute about priorities. When I was unhealthy for my entire THIRTIES it was because EVERYTHING else was my priority over taking care of myself. Of course, our families needs often come before our own...however, do other things creep up and invade OUR priority of being healthy? I have learned that making MY HEALTH A PRIORITY IS NOT SELFISH! Why? Because when I am exercising and eating right I am a better wife, mom, friend and daughter of God. It makes me the opposite of selfish. AND I am showing my family that health is a PRIORITY, and let's face it...don't we want our children and spouse to be healthy too? We have to teach it! So....here are some ways that have helped me make my health a priority...share your tips below too!

• - Scheduling my workouts. Do NOT be intimidated or guilty if 30 min or one hour of exercise takes away from "family time". I hear this a lot! How are we going to teach our children that exercise is important if they don't SEE us doing it?
• - Say NO to unhealthy habits. This is where I struggled with my family. Be strong and show yourself AND others around you that your health is a priority. With Thanksgiving coming up, take this opportunity to stand up for yourself. My own mom is finally catching the drift that this change is forever, but I have to be strong around her!
• - Invest some money in your health. This is the tough one! BUT when you spend some money on a new workout outfit, new running shoes, a new workout program or a piece of equipment...it makes us NOT want to waste that money so we stick to it more! I hear, "I cannot afford it" A LOT! Yes, you can, if it is a priority, it is amazing what we have money for when it is important to US.

NOW YOU! GO!

Helping Others while Getting Healthy!

Want to get healthy BEFORE the new year AND help those in need? Ask me how!

Slim Santa ~ No weight gain this holiday season!

These are REAL texts from my current challengers~ 

"I am starting to get that exercising endorphins addiction. I can feel the changes in my brain. This is what I'm looking for!" 

AND from a challenger's husband, "My wife is getting ripped!"

I am currently participating in a Challenge Group and I feel better than I have in so long! Even when I was running and eating pretty darn healthy I didn't have this energy and wasn't seeing the flab turn to muscle. Why are these challenge groups so effective?

• Your FREE coach (ME) helps you pick out a workout program designed for you and your goals and sticks with you every step of the way! I am doing it right along with you!
• You are getting dense nutrition each and every day. Even if you already eat healthy, you are still missing crucial components to help your body function like a well-oiled machine.
• You get to work out at home so it is convenient and tailored to your busy schedule.
• You are accountable to the rest of the challenge group who are doing the exact same thing you are. Support is usually the missing piece of the puzzle that pushes us right off that wagon. Not here! Everyone helps motivate each other and we become a family!
• It is FUN with prizes to keep us all motivated! You can win CASH!
• There is a 30 day money-back guarantee so if you are not seeing results...you get your money right back!

Will you sweat? 

YES!

Will you have to give up holiday treats? 

Not completely, but you do have eat 80% healthy.

Will you see results?

YES!

Will it be hard?

It will be challenging, but nothing you can't do!

Contact me by comment if this is something you are interested in!

My Health and Fitness Story

I got this great idea to talk to you, rather than type to you. I hope you enjoy this opportunity for us to get to know each other better! Yes, I mean it. This is not for me to just talk, talk, talk. . . it is for me to open up and allow you to open up too! Email, message, comment, call! However you want to connect I am totally here for YOU!

ENJOY!

Kids In The Kitchen

As a mom, there is nothing I dislike more than hearing my kids complain about what I cooked for dinner! It really gripes me because I thought about what to cook, bought the stuff and mustered up the energy to actually cook it. Thank goodness my kids are not too picky and are relatively polite when they are not thrilled about something I've made. We actually even had a rating system at one point. But, of course, they are kids and there are some things they just don't like. 

After living in China and not feeling like I actually cooked for two years (I really only prepared food to "get us by") I came back raring to go! I decided that each child (15 and just about 12) would have a night to plan a meal and prepare it. Honestly I did this, initially, so that they could learn that the taste of something sometimes isn't as good as how it sounds on a recipe card the internet. But we have gained so much more than that. . .

. . . they are at that age where independence is key. This process allows them a lot of independence because the only restrictions I gave them was it has to be healthy.

Our menu of the week.

They give me their shopping list by Sunday night, I usually grocery shop on Monday. They are learning about ingredients, recipes, nutrition and how to prepare an entire meal. This week the 15 year old daughter went on Pinterest and chose Chicken Club Quesidillas with Zucchini Fries and a salad. It was so good, especially the zucchini fries. She was beaming with pride and I loved seeing that.

My cute niece and amazing daughter making dinner.

I can't wait to have these zucchini fries again! Baked, not fried!

The 11 year old's night is coming up and he chose homemade chicken noodle soup. It will have to wait a bit, though, as our soup pot is still on it's way from China. 

What else can I ask for than for my children to learn to cook, build their confidence and learn nutrition? 

HA! Who am I kidding?

 You know it is all about me not cooking for two nights a week, 

the rest is just icing on the cake ;)

Summer Weekly Challenge ~ #6

Tracking Foods

This is, by far, in my top three ways of how to get control immediately. I use LOSE IT on my iphone and it works really, really well. I usually exercise first thing in the morning so inputting my exercise starts my day off right. On days I don't add exercise it is a struggle for me to add my foods. Similarly, I sort of feel my exercise doesn't really count if I don't input it. 

But exercise is usually not my struggle, eating portions usually is. This is where tracking foods is essential! Of course the biggest benefit is that is helps you to eat consciously, paying attention to portions and lower calorie foods. No brainer, right? So why don't we do it? Laziness. . . probably.

But apps like Lose It (no compensation whatsoever) and My Fitness Pal have made tracking SO easy! They not only have huge data bases with hundreds of foods, they are always adding popular restaurants too. If you are like me and often eat the same meals you can add an entire meal with one click rather than always inputting the same foods over and over. But my favorite advancement in these apps is the scanner. Any barcode on a food is read and immediately inputted, no typing at all!

If technology still scares you, I totally believe in the good ole pen and paper method too! A small notebook works just as well. 

Write it down and YOU WILL see results!
Week 6 Challenge

• Continue to break a sweat and pump your heart for one hour, five days a week.

• Continue for AT LEAST five days a week have AT LEAST one serving of fruits and/or vegetables at EVERY meal.

• For THREE days this week implement thirty minutes of strength training.

• Drink at least EIGHT glasses of water EVERY DAY.

• Each day that you exercise, spend an additional ten minutes doing CORE STRENGTHENING exercises. 

• For SEVEN days write down everything you eat and drink. 

Weekly Challenge: You In?

Lace up those shoes. . . 

this challenge is meant to get you/keep you moving! 

Don't worry, I have designed it for every level of fitness. 

Why a challenge? 

Everyone needs a little push. 

Here it is! 

Whether you haven't exercised in years or you are training for a marathon, this challenge will encourage you to kick it up a notch. 

You have Monday through Friday to complete the challenge.

YOU CAN DO IT!

 If you are a beginner, be sure to check with your Doctor first. 

This challenge is not meant, in any way, to supersede any regular training you are doing. 

Beginners: 

• Walk 1 Kilometer each day, totaling 5 km by the end of the week. Then you can say you walked a 5K!
•  Walk all 5 days.
• *If you don't know how to track your distance, ask me for some suggestions.

Walkers: 

• At the beginning of the week walk 5km, could be spread over 1, 2 or 3 days. 
• Track how long it takes you to complete the entire 5km. 
• On Thur and/or Fri walk 5km again and beat your time, maybe consider jogging for a few seconds each minute.
•  Walk all 5 days.
• *If you don't know how to track your distance, ask me for some suggestions.

Beginning Runners: What is your best 5km time? 

• If you are not able to complete 5km yet, work your way up gradually. 
• Be sure to not increase your distance more than 10% from last week. 
• Make it your goal to be able to run 5km in one session. Show me your time so we can celebrate! Doesn't even need to be this week.
• If 5km is where you are at, give me your best time. Did you beat my time below? 

My 5km time last week. Beat it!

Runners: Beat your 5K time!

• Note your 5km time in one of your beginning of the week runs.
• Beat that time in one of your end of the week runs.

Comment, post, message me how you are doing throughout the week. I can't wait to hear all the great success on Friday!

You In?

Staying On Track at Mom & Dad's

A "petite" scoop of toasted almond ice cream with a side of caramel
at Fenton's Creamery in Oakland, CA

I have the best parents! I admit that being the baby of five I have always been, and continue to be, spoiled. But they are not selective about who they spoil, they do it to anyone who comes to visit. They are stellar hosts! But with that comes challenges when you are trying to be healthy.

My mom is an amazing cook and shows her love through cooking. I prepared them ahead of time saying that I am trying to be good so I don't need any extra special meals. I also made a plan about what to fill up on and what to take very, very small portions of. I was very careful about not hurting her, or anyone else's feelings.

Now that my two weeks have ended, bags are packed and heading to the airport early in the morning, I can reflect about what worked and what did not work. Overall, I am very happy about my progress. This was one of the biggest challenges I have had to face and I stayed focused and feel great about it! 

It has been nice to tell myself, "I am not blowing it now! I don't want to undo any of the great choices I've made here at home."

• I ate salads with dressing on the side (rarely touching it) every single time I ate out. I did not get tired of them because good salads are something that are hard to find in Beijing. 
• I exercised every single day except Sundays. When I had an early morning meeting I would go for an evening run.
• I didn't deprive myself of special treats every now and then. (a scoop of Fenton's ice cream, a sliver of my mom's strawberry pie, a piece of See's candy here and there).
• I counted every calorie I ate.
• We went to a Chinese restaurant for my niece's birthday (her choice, not mine) and I chose hot and sour soup, sautéed broccoli and shrimp and no rice.
• My brother took me out to a steakhouse for dinner. I had a 6 oz filet with double veggies, no dessert.
• My parents chose In N' Out for lunch one day. I chose a hamburger with grilled onions, protein style (wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun) and no fries.
• Morning donuts have always been a HUGE part of staying at mom and dad's. I kindly refused each time they were brought home.
• Being without a scale was a great thing for me. I still am anxious to see if the scale validates my hard work. I really wish I could break up with that dysfunctional relationship!

The point is...you do not have to offend or impose your diet on others. By being mindful and conscience I was able to enjoy my time with friends and family and still reach my goals. 

I was not perfect though. I succumbed to one temptation! The Cool Ranch Locos taco at Taco Bell. . . just one. (I counted it)

This trip home was a huge a-ha for me! If I could be focused there, I can be focused anywhere. You can too!

Update

Thanks for sticking with me friends! Our Internet is still not up and running effectively here in China! All Google sites are locked down on my laptop, despite using a VPN ( a personal network that jumps the Great Firewall). I can, sometimes, get on a Google site on my iPad, as I am now. But it is inconsistent and brief. So here is a quick update about where I am and what I am doing.

After a month of having Traditional Chinese Medical treatments I am not feeling any better with my herniated discs in my neck and back. I had a few enjoyable medical massages, but the pain came right back. I also had acupuncture. Someone asked me before if acupuncture hurt...well, at that time I had only gone to a "salon" to have it done and I couldn't feel a thing. Now I understand that I didn't need it in those spots because doing it at a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) doctor hurt like heck!!!! He lined them up in my back and down my leg, all the way to my foot. The needles probed right into my nerve! It felt like metal to metal for twenty minutes. Then he'd come in, give them a flick and a twist, and I'd lay there for another ten minutes. I hated it, but was willing to keep at it if it helped.... I didn't feel it did. They now were talking about a soaking technique and me drinking some nasty Chinese stuff. Huh-uh! I am out! Of course, I am being told that I am not giving it enough time and I need to stick with it. I guess I truly am a "westerner" through and through. 

I have hated not exercising! Luckily I have not gained any weight. Hooray, even over Thanksgiving (a perk of living here on Turkey Day I suppose), although I am definitely feeling more jiggly.Tomorrow is Monday and I hope to introduce, little by little, exercise into my daily routine again. This time I am not exercising to lose weight, it is solely for the desire to get moving again. Pray I do not strain anything further. 

With only four weeks to Hawaii I need to get moving AND feel pain free again!

Check In ~ 10.19.12

I really want to lose 11 pounds in nine weeks now.
I am using every tool I can to motivate myself to stay focused!
We don't drink so this is the perfect use for these glasses.
When I lose a pound I'll move a pebble.

Challenges of the Week: Cramps, bloating, the whole nine yards. Every week I have a morning social on Monday and I struggle so much staying on track. This week I chose apples and cheese over crackers and cheese. I still feel like if my Monday is a struggle I have difficulty getting my footing the rest of the week. Eating out more than once a day at times (lunch with friends, dinner with the fam). 

Successes of the Week: I exercised three times this week (I am grasping for any success). I made healthy choices at some points during the week (like the apples over crackers, sharing dessert, etc.)

Weigh In: up .4 lbs

Looking Ahead: I am a firm believer of low points causing big turn arounds. Thanks to a friend, I have been motivated to add some new work outs to my routine. I was pretty bored and uninspired, which I know has something to do with my downward spiral. If I am working out well, usually my eating follows suit. I purchased some cardio interval work-outs on iTunes and downloaded them to my iPad. My gym has a fully equipped room, that no one uses, that is perfect for me to do these work outs. I added a six day schedule to my calendar using these videos (focusing on strength and cardio), while also continuing to run and use the elliptical. I am super jazzed to see some results with these varied work outs. 

Onward and Upward!

The Big Four Oh!

For a full analysis of how I am feeling to turn 40, click here. 

Can you relate?

Suggestions?