They are My Reason, Not My Excuse

Is it just me or does life seem to only get busier and busier? The work day no longer ends at 5pm and often begins much earlier than 8am. Traffic is so bad that a commute that should only take you 10-15 minutes, ends up taking 30 minutes to an hour. Factor in all your commitments outside of work and the activities your children are involved in and life can feel like one mad, hectic dash. 
Even as a stay at home mom, it's very easy for my day to try to manage me. I have this plan in my mind and then the kids wake up and decide they want none of that plan. In our efforts to simply survive our day, we must give up something. For me, the compromise always eliminated my time for fitness.
After my daughter was born, I began doing a workout during one of her 2 nap times, but it was almost an hour and she only slept for an hour. That quickly stopped because I got discouraged. We started taking walks through the neighborhood, but that was completely dependent on the weather. Classes at my gym didn't work with her napping or childcare schedule. It seemed too hard, so I stopped. I stopped looking for a reason to invest in my health and instead embraced all my excuses...because I thought they were really good excuses.
One day, all my excuses caught up with me. I was faced with a choice- continue using my children as my excuse or let them be the reason I made a lifestyle change. My journey over the past 9 months began slowly. I started only focusing on nutrition and then after 3 months realized that fitness was the missing key to the puzzle. I'm so thankful to my coach who introduced me to some amazing and effective 30 minute home workouts and simple portion fix nutrition. It took a few months for me to find the best time of day to get in my workout. I tried everything from after everyone was in bed, to first thing in the morning and everything in between. There were times I wanted to give up, times I had so much more to do other than spend 30 minutes exercising. However, as 2015 draws to a close and I realize I will be beginning a new year almost 40 pounds lighter and in the best physical shape of my life, all those inconveniences seem so insignificant.
My wish for everyone this Christmas season is that you realize your true worth and the potential that is inside of each of you to achieve your goals. It doesn't have to be complicated or perfect, you simply have to start.

Don't Stay Down Just Because You Hit a Bump in the Road

Life gets challenging sometimes, doesn't it? My daughter caught a nasty cold virus the week of Thanksgiving and I ended up catching it. Instead of bouncing back in 10-14 days, we both ended up on antibiotics for a sinus infection. I also got 5 days of a steroid because I hadn't been able to smell or taste anything for 7 days. 
Needless to say, not being able to breathe equals not being able to work out. 😩 Even after finishing all the meds, I still didn't feel up to exercise.
I continued to let my body rest while keeping my nutrition in line and drinking Shakeology. After a round of antibiotics, I was glad to know I was replenishing with Superfoods and probiotics! (Do you have that awesomeness in your protein shake?)
Last week, I started back slow with yoga and Pilates workouts from 21 Day Fix and Dynamix from P90X3.
Today, I felt amazing and did my favorite, The Warrior from P90X3!
The old me would have given up and been sitting around eating too many Christmas cookies while telling myself I would start back after the new year. I'm so glad I made a lifestyle change this year and will still finish 2015 strong! You don't have to stay down just because you hit a bump in the road. 

👊

Are You Holiday Party Ready?

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Our social calendars will be slammed and the temptations and holiday treats will be coming at us in all directions.  I don't know about you, but it seems like treats are just flying through the air this time of year and right into my mouth!  It's the craziest thing!  

For me, this was always the time of year that I gained at least 5-7 pounds.  I would finish off the end of the year with a lot of regret, because of my excessive indulgences, and vow that next year would be the time that I REALLY got it together. 

This year has been different.  I have finally gotten my head 100% in the game and haven't looked back.  I have come way too far to undo all my hard work.  So what's a girl to do?  Give up?  Deprive yourself and stay home from all the holiday parties?  Nope!  This will be the year I finally find balance between being healthy but still living in the real world.  Will I have dessert and other out of the ordinary foods?  Probably, and while you are picking your jaw up off the floor, here's why.  I will not be eating those foods every single day.  Seriously people, no one is handing out awards to those who resist that piece of pumpkin pie.  One bad meal isn't going to undo all your progress just like one good meal isn't going to cause you to lose weight.  Eating Christmas cookies every day the entire month of December is an entirely different story.  

Here are some tips to help you stay holiday party ready while maintaining balance and ENJOYING the season.  

1. Drink Plenty of Water.
Staying properly hydrated will not only keep your complexion glowing, but it will also help you feel full.  It also keeps your muscles and other organs working properly. Feel tired or have a headache, you may need to drink some water.   How much should you be drinking daily?  Divide your body weight in half and that's how many ounces per day you should consume.  Example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should drink a minimum of 75 ounces each day.  

2.  Plan Your Weekly Menu
This is a crazy, busy time of year.  Between shopping, family gatherings and Christmas program practices, it's going to be so much more convenient to grab something on the go.  Have your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks prepared and prepped for the week so you can stay on track and stick to the plan.  

3.  Don't Skip Your Workout
Obviously there will be days during the season you simply cannot get to the gym or push play on your DVD.  But, not every day is going to be like that.  Even if you can't get 5-6 days in like you usually do, 3-4 is still good and it's better than sitting on the couch. Partner up with a friend or join an online accountability group who will inspire and motivate you to get it done each day.  

4. Have a Plan Before You Arrive at the Party
So, you know you're going to a party where the only foods will be cocktail wieners, sausage balls, crackers, cheese-balls and lots of desserts.  What do you do?  Eat a small, healthy meal or snack before you arrive.  Don't go into these situations starving.  You will over indulge and probably feel terribly bloated the next day.  This is a great time to make your favorite Shakeology recipe, some no fat Greek yogurt with fruit or an apple with peanut butter.  Protein will help you feel full so you can enjoy a few treats while not going overboard.  

5. Do Not Take Home Leftovers
I know, we all hate to waste food.  I'm from the south where we would rather have 2 extra casseroles that no one touches than dare run the risk of not having enough.  I completely understand that food is love to so many moms and grandmothers.  It makes us feel guilty and terrible to throw things away. What about all those starving people around the world?  
Here's the reality though, eating the mac and cheese one time probably isn't going to undo all your progress, but eating it for the next 2-3 days isn't a wise decision.  If you are worried about throwing out leftovers, look at the recipes and truly plan to only make enough for that one sitting.  If the recipe says it serves 10 and you have 10 people coming over, don't double the recipe just because you don't want to run out.  Coordinate the menu with everyone contributing so that there isn't too much.  

Bonus: Pamper Yourself!  
Schedule a hair appointment, get your nails done, buy a new outfit.  When you feel good on the outside, it may be just the extra push you need to stay true to your goals and finish out the year strong!  

Who's ready to have a New Year's resolution that finally isn't about weight loss!  

DIY Rice Heating

My upper body has been feeling pretty sore since starting P90X3. 

This Rice Sock Heating Pad I made when I went into labor with my daughter has come in handy to pamper those sore upper body muscles.  

Even though mine is in an old sock, I'm kind of attached to it.  We've been through a lot together. 😉💗🍼

Here's how you can make your own:

1 sock (can be old or a new pretty one...or if you are crafty, feel free to sew your own wrap)

1 pound of dry rice

Essential Oil (I love lavender, but this is totally optional depending on personal preference)

Place dried rice in a bowl (non plastic as that will absorb the scent of the oil for all of time) and mix in desired amount of essential oil 

Place rice mixture in the sock and tie the end tightly in a knot

To Heat: Place in the microwave for 1 min then heat at 30 sec intervals until it reaches your desired temperature 

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Tacos are a weekly staple at our house.  They are super easy to make quickly and super easy to double or triple the meat recipe to freeze for later.  Using ground turkey or lean ground beef makes this a healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy!  

Taco Seasoning 

Makes enough seasoning for 1 pound of meat

1 Tbsp. Chili Powder

1/4 Tsp. Garlic Powder

1/4 Tsp. Onion Powder

1/4 Tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (if you don't like spicy, this can be omitted.)

1/4 Tsp. Dried Oregano

1/2 Tsp. Paprika

1 1/2 Tsp. Cumin

1 Tsp. of Sea Salt (I usually cut this down to 1/4-1/2 tsp.)

1 Tsp. Black Pepper

For the Tacos

Serves 4

Combine all ingredients and set aside

Brown 1 lb. ground meat and drain off any excess water or grease. 

Combine the following with the browned, drained meat: 

taco seasoning

2/3 cup of water

1 can tomatoes with green chilies

Simmer until liquid is reduced

Serve on shells of Bib Lettuce with your favorite toppings.  

  

Chicken Salad- 21 Day Fix Approved

Chicken Salad is one of those things you usually avoid when eating clean and healthy because it's loaded with fat and calories. 
Here's a chicken salad recipe that will satisfy your cravings and doesn't taste like you are sacrificing any flavor! 
21 day fix container counts included. Feel free to play around with the ingredients! 

1 serving of chicken + 1 tbsp plain, fat free Greek yogurt (1 red) ❤
2-3 scallions, minced (free)
1/4 tsp curry powder (free)
1/2 cup grapes (1/2 purple)💜
6 almonds, chopped (1/2 blue)💙
Bed of mixed greens (1 green) 💚

Lose the Excuses- The Top 5

We've all said it- Well, I know this isn't an excuse, but here's the "reason."  An excuse by any other name is still an excuse.  I say this as a reformed excuse maker.  Here's a couple of my former excuses and a couple I've heard from others along the way.  At the end of the day, it's up to you to get out of your own way and make things happen.  Here's a couple suggestions to help motivate you along.

1.  I don't have time.  

Preach it.  There are 24 hours in a day but when you factor in things like commute time, school, work, church, extracurricular activities and everything else that makes up your day, the time seems to disappear.  The best advice I can give is that we all make time for the things that matter most to us. You may have to get up 30 minutes earlier and push all the toys out of the way, but you can push play on a workout DVD at home.   Yes, there will be the days that you are operating in survival mode and maybe you can't get in that time, but you don't give up.  I have a friend who is a mom, works 12 hour shifts and yet she still schedules in that gym time.  It's not negotiable.  She's a rock star and looks amazing because she got out of her own way and made it happen. 

2. I don't have the money. 

Times are tough.  We live on a single income and I 100% get that.  Here's the deal- if you don't invest in your health now, you will be later on in the form of doctor visits and prescription medications. Given, exercise isn't a 100% guarantee that your life will be disease and problem free, but it will reduce your chances of developing things like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, joint problems from carrying excessive weight and lack of energy, just to name a few. 

3. I don't want to cook a separate meal for me and my family.  

Children can be the most picky, frustrating creatures on the planet when it comes to mealtimes.  What they ate last week, they will say is disgusting this week.   As a parent, it's up to you to set some healthy habits for your family now.  If you are struggling with your weight, chances are, your children are going to face that same struggle one day.  It's genetic and it's a learned behavior. Teach them healthy habits now. Set them up for a healthy, successful future. 

4. I don't want to give up (fill in the blank.)

Instead of focusing on what you are giving up, think about what you will get in return.  I never thought I could give up coffee creamer.  It was my one big indulgence each day.  When I did 21 day fix, it wasn't allowed and I planned on doing the program exactly.  I switched to unsweetened almond/coconut milk blend and I haven't looked back.  Focusing on what you're giving up leads you to feel deprived.  Focusing on what you are getting in return, such as weight loss, more energy, defined muscles and smaller clothing sizes, makes you realize that those so called "sacrifices" are mere investments into your new, healthy future. 

5. I'm just going to do this diet for a few weeks, or take these new supplements I heard about. I'm not going to name any brand names but we've all seen them.  Here's the deal, you have to be willing to make a lifestyle change. Before you start using one of these products or eating some fad diet, ask yourself a few questions- Is this setting me up for long term success?  Is this program teaching me healthy eating and fitness habits that can be sustained over a lifetime? What are the long term effects of this product on my body? The biggest problem I have with these companies is their motivation and ethics.  I do not feel that it is prudent to sell a product that is marketed at weight loss while telling people they can continue eating unhealthy foods as long as they take a certain "fat-blocking" pill. Your money can be better spent investing in healthy, clean foods and a good fitness program.  There's nothing you can take that replaces healthy, balanced eating and exercise. Nothing. You don't need it.  

There's no magic formula.  All it takes is a made up mind fueled by hardcore determination.  Cut out the processed foods, the sugar substitutes (yes, all the diet soda and diet foods included) and high fat foods and fill your diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, good carbs and healthy fats.

The path of most resistance is harder, less traveled and sometimes lonely, BUT it is always worth it. YOU are worth it.  Your family is worth it. Don't be the only one standing between you and success. Get out of your own way and make it happen.

Have you gotten out of your own way and reached success?  Post your success stories in the comment section!