Holiday Survival Challenge

It's that time of year again when everyone has pot lucks at the office, holiday gatherings, Thanksgiving leftovers and Christmas parties galore and the one guest that's invited to it all is FOOD!! It's pretty impossible not to be greeted with the smells of some amazing foods and tasty treats, so how do you stay ahead of the game and not gain the dreaded 5-15 pounds that you normally gain around this time? You get together with like minded people who also have the same goal to lose weight THROUGH the holidays and end the year a size or two down!!

At this time, two years ago, I had lost over 30 pounds and I wanted to keep it going. I KNEW I had the will power and that was stronger than any momentary temptations that I faced at these parties. So I did it! I stuck to my plan and lost the 15 pounds to end the year strong at a grand total of 45 pounds. And this year, not only am I in the same position after baby #2, but I want to pay it forward and teach YOU how to do the same! I want to give you my tools, tips and recipes. I want to give you the motivation, support and accountability and I want to help you look fabulous in your family pictures and feel confident in that little black dress on New Year's Eve!!

So how does this work???

The 30 day accountability group will be ran through your very own private Facebook group with a group of 5-10 other women who are on the same mission as you! Have a friend who wants to get healthy too? Bring them along!! The best part is that these workouts will be done in the privacy of your own home and on your own schedule! 

Why Shakeology???

I require you to invest in Shakeology for a couple of reasons.  The first and the biggest is that Shakeology is a nutrient dense meal that is derived from whole foods, minerals and vitamins and you KNOW you are getting the VERY BEST nutrition that you can possibly find.  Especially when you are learning to eat better and make good choices it can be completely over whelming.  So Shakeology takes the guess work out of planning your meals.  You have 1 less thing to think about!  Then, at the end of the group you can decide to continue or discontinue drinking your Shakeology.  But I'm pretty sure you will love it!  

The next reason is because during the holidays sugar and sweets are everywhere.  It is a known fact that the more sugar you eat the more you body craves it!  Shakeology helps to reduce your cravings to sugar!  So, instead of having a milkshake in the evenings or cookies, I grab my shake mix it with fruit, peanut butter, milk and ice and voila a healthy, low calorie treat!  I never feel like I'm missing out on something!  Oh and I the feeling of guilt that you have when you indulge in something naughty is gone!!!  I feel confident, healthy and I look lean!

And the final reason is because this was one of the main reasons I lost 45 pounds last year. I worked out and I changed my eating habits but it wasn't until I added Shakeology on a daily basis that I really started to see results. It helped reduce cravings, regulated digestion and gave me more natural energy to get up and do my workouts every day!

Maybe you have a significant amount of weight to lose or maybe just the last 10-15 pounds. But either way starting with Shakeology, at home workouts and healthy eating will help you get a jump start on your New Years Resolution with out all the pressure and added weight that you could potentially add on in the next few weeks. 

Yes, the holidays mean there are tons of temptations that are being thrown our way: cookies, pies, decadent dinners, drinks...you name it, but the 30 day program takes place in between Thanksgiving and Christmas and it's not about avoiding temptation!  It's about changing how you think about food!  We'll be talking about stress signs that lead to bad choices, time management for the hustle and bustle of the season, and of course alternative meal ideas to cut calories without cutting the yumminess! 

Maybe you already are at your goal weight or close too but have  very poor diet.  Maybe you lack energy to get through your day.  Maybe you have no idea how to cook or what foods are good vs. bad.  Then, this group will teach you  to make better choices and be mindful of what you are consuming and what it is doing to your body.  I will be giving you meal plans, recipes, teach you what healthy snacks are.  You will NOT be counting calories.  You will be choosing foods based on their nutritional value.  You will be eating 5-6 times a day!  No starvation! So when you eat the cookies or the extra helping of ham, you don't have to feel guilty!  

When does the fun begin???

It will start on Monday the 30th !!  During this month we will set small goals for you to help you focus on what is most important.  Maybe you want to learn how to make better food choices, learn how to resist temptations, handle emotional eating, find healthy alternatives to your favorite foods, cut the soda and caffeine or just have energy to get through your day without crashing?  You may or may not have weight to lose, whatever your individual reason I will work with you to have the success that you want! I promise at the end of the 30 days you will have the tools to make better choices and live a healthier lifestyle!

 What can I expect and what are the Requirements??

You can expect....1.  A health and fitness program to fit your needs in 30 minutes or less each day.
2.  Sample meal plans and recipes to help you stay accountable, to help you with quick easy meals and snacks to fit your lifestyle.
3.  Daily accountability through a closed online support group.
4.  Tips on handling holiday parties, a restaurant guide, traveling tips, healthy alternatives to holiday favorites.
5.  Motivation, Accountability every single day to help you end the year stronger than you started.  

What if you could lose a few pounds this holiday season, rock in the New Year feeling confident and not defeated yet HAVE A REALLY GREAT AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY SEASON?  

The requirements are...1.  You must be a customer of mine on TeamBeachbody, which means that I am assigned as your FREE coach.  If you already have a coach please reach out to the person you work with.  If you do not have an account, complete the application below.
2.  You must commit to a  fitness program and nutrition plan in which we will discuss options that are best for you, your ability level, your time constraints and your needs.  
3.  You must commit to checking into the accountability group daily and reporting progress.

How do I sign up??

1) Please fill out the application below

2) Make sure we are friends on Facebook and send me a message that you've submitted your application 

3) We will discuss your challenge pack options and get you enrolled!!

Finding Balance Through the Holiday Season

Ok so WHERE did October go?? I can't believe that Halloween is in less than a week!! We've been busy working, doing some projects, a little traveling on the weekends, and a few trips to the pumpkin patch!! All I can say is thank goodness we've been on the Ultimate Reset for most of this month too! Typically I would have over indulged in pumpkin spice everything, festival food, Starbucks for our road trips and more. I also would have been sitting in tight jeans, muffin top and feeling sluggish! Instead I'm feeling healthy, leaner and full of energy. So in order to keep that up AND enjoy a little bit of the holiday season I've decided to really sit down and game plan the next two months of Project Get Your Body Back!!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the horizon as well as holiday parties, gatherings and priceless memories like baking, tree trimming and more. I don't want to sit out of the fun for the next 2 months nor do I want my children to remember growing up, doing fun things, but mommy was always eating her veggies lol. YES I absolutely want to set a good and healthy example for my family, and YES I will absolutely get my morning workouts in and follow the 80/20 clean eating lifestyle, but I also want to snuggle and watch Christmas movies while we have popcorn and hot cocoa. Life is about BALANCE and now that I've jump started this journey with the Reset I feel very confident staying on track!

This week I am wrapping up the Ultimate Reset and next week it is advised to ease back into your normal routine so my game plan is to start with the 21 Day Fix and transition into the 21 Day Fix Extreme before starting the brand new Master's Hammer and Chisel in December!! Woowee that's a lot right?!?! WRONG!! I've done the 21 Day Fix before and let me tell you why I've decided on this plan again....

Following the Ultimate Reset with the 21 Day Fix will allow me to control my portions and ease back into foods that I had been eliminating during the UR. Following this program will also let me ease back into my fitness by following the modifier until I can get back up to my normal pace. I'm also doing the 21 Day Fix because it is FAMILY FRIENDLY (tacos, meatloaf, spaghetti, chicken parmesan) and it will allow for cheats and treats when I'm ready or attending a holiday function.

So now you know my game plan I want to teach you how to do the same!! Teach you how to find BALANCE and live a healthy and fulfilling life while enjoying your blessings along the way. Its easy to get wrapped up in the glitter and glam of the holiday season and forget to put our own health and fitness first. We typically put our kids, family and others first but what we really need is just a small window of time each day to work on US!! Moms have a FULL PLATE but if our cup is empty we can't pour into others who need us!

Over the next thirty days I am going to take you on this journey with me!! You can start with an optional 3 Day Cleanse then 30 days with the 21 Day Fix (or Fix Extreme if you'd prefer). I'm going to teach you clean eating, meal planing, give you healthy recipes and tips to stay on track this November holiday season! I'm going to walk you through an entire month of tips and tricks. 

Like I mentioned we travel a lot on the weekends so I'm gong to share with you my tips on how to stay on track while traveling, attending holiday parties, what to do with the dreaded left over Halloween candy, how to successfully tackle dinners out! I've got you covered! It's my goal to show you how you can truly find a life of balance for you and your family through the holiday season!

So how do you get into my Finding Balance Through the Holiday Season  accountability group?

1. Everyone in the group is committed to a fitness program 
2. You have the option to start on the 2nd with the 3 Day Refresh especially if you think the Halloween candy is going to be a struggle!
3. Everyone in the group is replacing 1 meal a day with Shakeology because... it is the HEALTHIEST meal of the day and lets face it.... we need fast food that is healthy right now!!! 
4. You are committed to checking into the group 1x daily and reporting your day and staying accountable.
5. I will teach you tips for traveling, eating at restaurants, healthy swaps, clean eating holiday recipes, appetizers, healthy drinks and more!
6. I am going to help you with meal planning and weekly preparation
7. Daily positive mindset and tips to enjoy the holidays with your family. 

Lets do this! We start November 2nd with our plan and prep week and then November 9th it's GO TIME!!! Please fill out the application below!

3 Worst Thanksgiving Dishes and How to Make them Healthier

 

I think it’s a fair statement to say that when we think of Thanksgiving Dinner we think of yummy, savory and sweet foods that are not so friendly to the waist line. But no matter how dedicated you are to your nutrition and fitness routines, smelling those flavors swirl around your kitchen would be a challenge to anyone!  But just because these foods are heavy with calories, fat, sugar, butter, etc doesn’t mean you have to miss out!!  Here are a few of the worst holiday dishes followed by a healthier version so that you can enjoy without all of the guilt!!

1. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes on their own are a healthy side dish packed with Vitamin A and high in fiber. But one serving can tip the calorie counter at 460 calories when you add in the butter, marshmallows, nuts and brown sugar.

HEALTHY SWAP – Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
What You Need

* 2 large  sweet potatoes (1-1/2 lb.)

* 2 oz.  (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) Philidelphia Neufchatel Cheese, cubed

* 2 Tbsp.  fat-free milk

* 1 Tbsp.  brown sugar

* ¼ tsp.  ground cinnamon

* ¼ cup  chopped pecans

Directions:

HEAT oven to 425ºF.

CUT potatoes lengthwise in half; place, cut sides down, on foil-covered rimmed baking sheet. Bake 30 to 35 min. or until tender.

SCOOP out centers of potatoes into medium bowl, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Add Neufchatel, milk, sugar and cinnamon to potato flesh; mash until blended.

FILL shells with potato mixture; sprinkle with nuts. Bake 8 min. or until potatoes are heated through and nuts are toasted.

Shortcut

Pierce whole sweet potatoes with fork; wrap in damp paper towels. Microwave on HIGH 7 to 8 min. or until tender. Cut potatoes in half; scoop out centers and continue as directed.

Make Ahead

Stuff potato shells as directed; refrigerate up to 1 hour. When ready to serve, bake as directed, increasing baking time as needed until filling is heated through. 

Calories: 210, Fat: 8, Fiber: 4

2. Stuffing
Stuffing is a doozie!! It contains white bread and lots of butter. Some recipes call for sausage or other meats. But have NO fear!! You can lighten it up and still enjoy a clean version packed with flavor!

HEALTHY SWAP – Apple, fig and Sage Stuffing
What You Need

• 1 24-oz loaf whole-wheat bread (680 g), trimmed of crust and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 to 3 carrots, peeled and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 to 4 celery ribs, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp chile powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 10 to 12 unsweetened dried figs, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 apples (such as McIntosh, Cortland, Gala or Golden Delicious), cored and chopped
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, plus additional 1/2 cup as needed
• 1 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh sage

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide bread among 2 rimmed baking sheets and arrange in a single layer; transfer to oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once, until lightly toasted.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil on medium-high. Add carrots, celery and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in thyme, rosemary, chile powder, salt and pepper. Add figs and apples and stir well to combine. Remove from heat, add bread and stir to combine. Stir in broth. Stuffing should be uniformly moist but not wet; if needed, add additional 1/2 cup broth. Stir in sage. Stuff turkey and cook according to recipe.
   
   

Nutrients per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 162, Total Fat: 3 g, Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 33 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 11 g, Protein: 6 g, Sodium: 324 mg, Cholesterol: 0 mg

Source:  http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/under-45-minutes/fig-apple-sage-stuffing/

3.  Pecan Pie

Pecans provide you with healthy fats and aren’t the worst part of the dessert. Once you add it to the buttery crust and top it with whipped cream, brown sugar etc the calories and fat are through the roof!

HEATHY SWAP: Baked Fruit

What You Need

• 1 1/2 pounds ripe apples; peeled, cored and quartered
• 1 1/2 pounds ripe pears; peeled, cored and quartered
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350′. Lightly butter a 9-inch (8-cup capacity) oval gratin baking dish. Add the apples, pears, cranberries, lemon juice, honey, and vanilla; mix well. Bake until the fruit is tender, can be 30 minutes or up to one hour. Sprinkle with walnuts and serve hot or at room temperature.

Serves 6

Source: http://acowboyswife.com/walnut-dusted-oven-baked-apples-and-pears/

You can HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!!

What's your favorite holiday dish that you would like a clean version of? If you post in the comments I will give you some suggestions and possibly a recipe!

For more tips and info on health and fitness send me a message or friend request on Facebook!!