#SummerStrong!

Like it or not the weather has begun to HEAT up! And if its not warm where you are yet, don't worry. It WILL be! In LESS than 57 days Memorial Day will be upon us. How crazy is THAT? And pretty soon we'll be digging out the shorts, the tanks, the flip flops and of course the bathing suits!

 I can recall a time not so long ago that I used to DRED digging out those summer clothes. Some years the ONLY things that fit me comfortably and confidently were my FLIP FLOPS! But I have fortunately changed ALL of that and no longer worry about wearing my favorite summer outfits and I am on a MISSION to help others get ready for summer too!

 I am on a mission to help other busy MOMS of young kids to transform their bodies and their nutrition so that YOU too can begin to feel more confident, have a positive self body image, and of course energy so you can keep up with the demands of a busy life!!!

Throw away the "I'm too busy" excuse. There are TONS of programs that 30 or minutes or less. Including 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix Extreme, Hammer and Chisel and 22 Minute Hard Corps. And each program comes with an amazing nutrition piece that includes portion controlled containers and meal plans and recipes that are fool proof.

When I started my journey I:

• worked out for 30 minutes a day in my garage
•  I had a 2 year old and a 4 year old
• I was (and still am) a full time stay at home mom and the primary care giver
• We lived on a limited budget so we didn't have a TON to spend on groceries and exercise programs

But I wanted to feel amazing and keep up with my kids! I was willing to make a small sacrifice of getting up an hour early everyday to workout at home.

Don't wait until May to start working out and working towards those health and fitness goals! Start now! It takes 4-6 weeks to really begin to see the effects of eating right and exercise.

So what I am going to do for you is this:

1.  I want to help you with meal planning, healthy recipes, motivation and tips.  

2.  I am going to share with you what I did to lose 20 lbs in 63 days, to create a healthier lifestyle not just for myself but for our family too.

3.  Give you tools to make your workouts a lifestyle change vs a crash diet.

4.  Help you with quick easy, on the go meals and snacks for your lifestyle.

5.  Give you sample meal plans to help with the planning.

6.  A place to stay accountable with daily check ins and tips specific to the things that come up in every day life.  How to handle eating out at restaurants, late night cravings, parties, and vacations.

Starting on the 18th of April I am launching the #SUMMERSTRONG support and accountability group.  This group will take place on the newest challenge tracker app which you join through me as your coach.  I will match you up with a fitness program and nutrition plan that meets your needs.  We will set realistic and achievable goals and together we will set out to take it 1 day at a time and change your old habits into newer and healthier ones!!!

So if this sounds like something you would like to do the next step is to complete the application below.  This will help me to make personalized recommendations based on your needs and wants.

**Note if you already work actively with a coach please do not apply. This is for my new and current customers only.

My goal is to give you the tools and the support you need to have an awesome, confident and energized summer!  

Are you in??  Lets do this together!  I want to help you take control of YOU and live life to the fullest.

  Fill out my online form HERE to reserve your spot in my NEXT group!

Use Wufoo integrations and get your data to your favorite apps.

Hello Summer!

I am so excited! The pool is almost ready, my 5 year old is done with Pre-K for the year and

Memorial Day Weekend in right around the corner!  Who doesn't LOVE this unofficial summer season kick off?

However, with this weekend comes the burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw and all things barbecue and picnic related. Which can also pack on the pounds. While one "bad" meal won't make you gain weight it's sure hard to avoid the summer favorites throughout the ENTIRE summer. And I seriously love potato salad. And I didn't even begin to mention the ice cream...

So here are my tips and tricks for keeping clean eating in check and not falling into the mayo laden, loaded burger summer pitfalls.

Enjoy In Season Fruits and Veggies

The BEST thing about summer (besides lazy days by the pool) is all of the fresh summer produce. One of my favorite ways to eat more vegetables is fill up on a delicious vegetable kabob prepared on the grill. You could even add some shrimp or chicken for some protein.

Fresh fruit such as pineapple can add a little flair to your kabob. My favorite is mushrooms, green peppers and pineapples. Have you thought about throwing some watermelon on your grill? (be sure to keep an eye on your watermelon as its high water content can cause it to burn) How about peaches? Strawberries? One way to really add some unique flair to your next barbecue is offer fresh fruit kabobs as a dessert. Set out a bowl of fruit and have guests skewer their own combinations. My kids particularly love this as they can add whatever fruits they like.



Summer Salads

Since we're talking summer season foods lets not forget salads! But they don't have to be those ho hum garden kids! Cucumbers with Roma tomatoes marinated in balsamic vinegar is one of my favorites as is a wonderful cucumber salad with onions and a light marinade. Tabbouleh is a wheat salad that is delicious when prepared chilled and with olive oil, diced tomatoes, lemon juice and mint.






Burgers Aren't Just Beef!

There are TONS of options for your burger choices if you're avoiding beef. Pre-made turkey burgers are a great alternative as are salmon burgers or even grilled chicken! All of these options can be put on a multi-grain bun, topped with lettuce, tomatoes (or even a slice of cheese). And again fruit can really spice up a burger! Is beef the only option? Opt for one that is the correct portion size or simply cut one in half! I do try to avoid chips whenever possible but a small serving will be just fine to keep it to a minimum.

Just One Please...

Serving of starch that is! Keep starches to a minimum. Love corn on the cob or chips? Choose one and then wrap your burger in lettuce. Holding out for those cupcakes or strawberry shortcake? Skip the starches all together, fill up on protein and vegetables and save that starch for dessert.

Water, Water Everywhere

Try to avoid sweet sugary drinks. Not only will these make you even more thirsty, they easily pack on the pounds. My biggest tip, always have a cup of water in your hand. This will not only keep your hands busy and occupied and out of the snack foods, it will help keep you fuller so you wont be tempted to overeat when it comes to meal time.

Stay Active!

The point of living a healthier lifestyle is not about eliminating all of the things you LOVE! Its about moderation and balance. And if I know I'm going to be indulging, I make it a point to get my workout done first thing in the morning (I've even been known to throw in an extra 10 minute ab workout or even an extra walk around the block). Even participating in a little extra backyard fun can help burn those extra calories. Tag with the kids, hide and go seek or even a quick game of Frisbee can burn calories. Ask friends if they'd like to take a quick walk around the block after the barbecue. Its a great way to continue to socialize with friends while getting in some extra steps.

Interested in More?

Do you struggle to keep your eating on task throughout certain times of the year? Looking for a little extra help or motivation? Want some great meal plans, recipes and even MORE tips and tricks? How about recipes for some of those great salads you just read about? Contact me here and send me a quick message about my June 8th challenge group where I provide all of these things plus MORE. I will even work with you to help you find a workout that you'll love and will fit your lifestyle. Remember, its not about elimination, its all about moderation!

Holiday Goals!

Here we go! The countdown is on for the holiday season and I am not AT ALL ready! I'm usually pretty good about being prepared for this time of year, but this year I'm not. Top it all off with the fact that my youngest has a Christmas Day birthday and it's very easy for me to begin to feel overwhelmed.

The time between Halloween and New Years the average American gains anywhere between 7-12 lbs. I was starting out the holiday season with the goal of NOT putting on any weight. But I have finally broken a plateau (that I was stuck at since September!) and I have decided to up the ante! In order for me to stay accountable, I'm sharing my goals WITH you! When I announce my goals I am more likely to stick to them. So here I am sharing my goals WITH you and inviting you on my continued journey.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER/JANUARY GOALS

1. Lose 5 lbs. This is the last of the weight I am looking to lose. I also know that I shouldn't obsess over the scale but my ultimate goal is to lose 5 lbs of FAT and then start gaining lean muscle mass. Which means I need to lose a little more and then can start some serious weight training (Body Beast is on my radar as my next Beachbody program!).

2. Complete P90X3. If I stick to my plan and according to when I started, I should be entering my final week of P90X3 January 6th. This will be HUGE for me as I have found this program more challenging than 21 Day Fix AND I am not digging getting up at 5:00 a.m. since winter has settled in.

3. Workout 6 Days a Week. P90X3 has one rest day a week (or you can do a workout that is mainly stretching). I have been playing with my rest day but really need to stick to the P90X3 schedule and take my rest day when it is scheduled. I know the schedule was made for a reason the way it is and that way os to give tou maximum results over the 90 days. Making whatever day a rest day is NOT going to get me to where I want to be when I am done is January!

4. Increase my dense vegetable intake when I am hungry. Sounds simple, right? But for me when I'm hungry I'd MUCH rather go for seconds for a carb than a veggie!

5. One plate at Thanksgiving. I don't plan on excluding certain items this year. After all it's not about eliminating the things you love. It's about learning to have proper portion sizes and not overdoing it! So there won't be any seconds for me (unless they are nutrient dense vegetable!)

6. Limit my holiday baking. This will by far be the toughest one for me. I love to bake! And I love to bake at Christmas. I would typically make 5-6 different types of cookies and sweets for the holiday. This includes sugar cookies, sweet breads, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, candied pecans. The list goes on. And on. And on! This year I only plan on making sugar cookies with the kids. Cranberry orange bread and of course cupcakes for my sons birthday.

So there you have it. My 6 goals to see me through the holiday season! I plan on spending less time in the kitchen (baking and eating) and more time concentrating on healthier habits and spending the time with my family.

My 3 Day Refresh Results!

I decided to do the 3 Day Refresh because I was seriously struggling with getting my eating back on track since getting back from our Florida vacation in September. I have no problem with getting my workouts in. It's my eating that has always held me back in the past and after all my hard work for our trip, I certainly wasn't going to blow it this time due to bad food choices!

3 Day Refresh Kit includes your booklet and recipes, 3 packets of Shakeology, 3 packets of Fiber Sweep and 6 packets of Vanilla Fresh

I did mine over Saturday, Sunday and Monday. You can choose any three days that work best for you. I decided the weekend would be easier for me because my husband is home and would help me stick to it!

So what is the refresh?  The Refresh is a Team Beachbody Product that is meant to be a healthy alternative to cleanses that are on the market that really don't respect nutritional value.  For example, the juice cleanses out there really are not the best options for you.  The R&D team really was looking to create a product that gave nutrition that was safe and effective at helping you with rapid weight loss.  

What comes with the refresh kit?  With the basic refresh kit you get 3 shakeology packets, 3 packets of the fiber sweep, 6 packets of the vanilla refresh, a nutrition guide and program manual.  

How do you do the refresh?  You drink a Shakeology Shake for breakfast with a serving of fruit from the book.  You get to have the fiber sweep as your mid morning snack and water.  For lunch you have the vanilla refresh shake with a serving of veggies, fruit and a good fat.  Dinner is the vanilla fresh shake with a meal choice from the nutrition booklet.  You can drink green tea and water but avoid all processed foods, canned fruits and veggies, sweeteners and dairy.  You are truly cutting back to the basics to cut the bloating and help you lose weight. 

The biggest question that people ask me is this... Am I going to be on the toilet for 3 days?  Nope not at all.  There was no surprises or out of the ordinary experiences.  The only thing you could possibly experience is a little fullness in your stomach or gas from the extra fiber if your body is not used to that.  This is normal and is totally ok.  That means the cleanse is working and doing its thing.  So just chug water and go with it!  It's very short lived if it happens to you at all.

My Vanilla Fresh that I drank alongside my grilled vegetables at dinner. I added some cinnamon to it which made it taste even better!

So, after 3 days what were my results?  

I lost 4 pounds on the refresh.  I felt 100% better, no bloating or fullness, I had energy and my cravings were gone for sweets. I worked out during the refresh with no issues at all.  But of course, if you experience any dizziness definitely stop and rest.

Left: Before 3 Day Refresh Right: After 3 Day Refresh
I definitely FEEL much better and after the 3 days started to get some definition back in my abs. Before Refresh I felt bloated for sure and my pants felt a little snug right out of the dryer. After Refresh I was definitely more comfortable in my freshly washed pants!

The first day was the hardest.  I had a terrible headache which I attributed to the fact that I had eliminated caffeine plus my 2 year old decided to wake up way too early and I had gone to bed too late the night before. So I had a bad headache and was exhausted but not really ever hungry.

Day 2 was easy for me. I woke feeling terrific after a full night of sleep, headache gone! Got up and did my 21 Day Fix workout (Dirty 30) and had enough energy to get through the workout pretty good! I had no hunger whatsoever.

Day 3 was a breeze.  I was still exercising and feeling good, I was just really ready to eat food again!  I made it through and I was totally ok! This is something I could and will totally do again!


How often can you do the refresh?  You can do it once a month if you would like.  It's save, effective and keeps you on the straight and narrow.

So, if you want guidance with the refresh and even more importantly you want something to keep you on track after you are done then join my 30 day clean eating and shakeology group on November 3rd to detox from halloween and to learn tools to help you make healthier choices, to handle the upcoming holiday temptations and to prioritize what you want to eat and what you want to splurge on!!!

The holidays are totally the easiest time to get sidetracked.  So join me and together we can keep it in check!  

Click on my link below to complete your application to my 30 day group!

https://inspirefitness1.wufoo.com/forms/30-day-clean-eating-application/