In Need Of A Boot Camp?

I've Got The Answer - 22 Minute Hard Corps 

Boot camp - is it popular where you live? It absolutely is here where I live. Often on my early drive to work I see many women taking over local parks with trainers for a boot camp inspired workout. Something about boot camp -  it just makes you want to get your butt into gear. But here is the thing about these boot camps that we have in our community, in order to go you have to get out of bed and leave your house bright and early. While that is awesome to do if you can pull it off, but I know many people who can't. It can be hard to find a sitter at 5:00 am if your wanting to go bright and early and have little ones at home in bed sleeping. I know for me that's the case. I used to love the gym but it really does not fit into my schedule. I am away from home enough during the day with work, the last thing I want to do is miss out on time with my kiddo when I don't have to. Instead, I chose to do my workouts at home usually while my son is sleeping. It's a win for all of us.

I am excited to share with news that Beachbody is rolling out a new program that will launch on Tuesday March 1st called 22 minute Hard Corps. It is boot camp inspired and is literally a program for all body types and for all ranges of levels on your own fitness journey. Tony Horton is the trainer that will lead this program and it is very much military inspired and will take on a basic training feel. It is a total body conditioning program requiring little space and equipment. What you will need are a set of light and medium sized weights, a sandbag (you can purchase it with your program) and also a pull up bar or resistance bands if you don't have a space for the pull up bar.

Below is a picture of everything that you will get with your program.

• 8 challenging workouts on 2 DVDs
• Quick Start Mission Guide
• 8-week Basic Training Action Plan
• Rations for Results Nutrition Field Guide
• Cold Start pre-workout drill
• Hell Week Challenge Card
• HARD CORPS: Battle Buddy Workout DVD (Network Exclusive)

In addition it is recommended that you include Shakeology as well as the supplements from the Beachbody Performance Line to get the best results. 

On Tuesday March 14th we will start our pre-seaon week for the test group. This is for anyone wishing to dive right in with me and my team! We will take the 8 week challenge together. This challenge will take us right up into the beginning of May. Just in time for bathing suit season and summer clothes! I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to feeling fit this summer. In the group you will find daily support, motivation and accountability. In addition you will get help with meal planning and be given healthy recipes to teach you how to make clean eating fun and easy.

Here is a clip of what the program is going to be like. Check it out! 

Have you heard enough? Think this is going to be just what you need to get motivated? Fill out the application below to be considered for the group! I will be in touch shortly!

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY KRISTI!!!

Surviving Year One With A Network Marketing Company 

Over the last two years I have worked to build a team of coaches who I think would be very successful at the business and who would fit in with our "tribe" that we are creating. When I see someone who I think would make a great coach on our team, I often am persistent with them about considering. Sometimes they tell me no. I do not let that stop me and  I continue to invite them. When I see potential I refuse to pass it up. I saw that in Kristi as soon as we began to interact. She worked at the local YMCA and had a degree in Kinesiology. She had dream coach written all over her. She wanted to be a challenger with me, but more than anything I wanted her to be a coach.

A comparison chart she made her then vs. her now. Lots of changes in a year!!! 

To be honest - I almost lost her to someone else but she is one I "fought for" Not something I usually do, but I knew this women needed to be on Team Fit & Fabulous. After lots of conversations and a few objections I landed a dream coach. It is hard to believe that was a year ago. Time sure does fly when your having fun and building an awesome team.

Some of the things that I am most proud of about what Kristi has accomplished this year is that she became confident enough to chase her big dreams she set for herself. She wanted so badly to be a Beachbody Live instructor and down the road would like to be a master trainer for the company. She put in the work and did the trainings and now teaches PIYO and CIZE live. She also had the opportunity to be picked to dance on stage at our last Super Saturday corporate training event in Pittsburgh. She was up there with one of Beachbody's top master trainers and sure made our team proud. You can catch her at the State College YMCA teaching if you ever want to meet her! She hosts a killer class.

Rocking it up on stage at the event! 

The dancing crew with Master Trainer - Kam!

In addition, she has traveled with me to many corporate events this year and also spent a lot of time with the team for our various events and outings. What I can tell you about her is that she has found her passion and knows how to have fun. She lights up the room when she is in it. We love her free spirit. I was lucky enough to travel with her to Nashville this summer for our Coach summit event too. When I look at a coach who is "showing up" like she is, meaning that she's involved in trainings and actively working her business, I know she is not going anywhere. She has officially done what many never can say they have done when working for a network marketing company. She made it thru year one. It is the hardest year and it's when most throw in the towel and quit. She never did.

Being a part of the top team in the network sure does have it's perks! Dressed up at the Dream Team Live Party! Spending time with Melanie Mitro - The top coach in the network! 

Girlfriend congratulations on year one of pursuing big dreams. Anxious and excited for you and what this opportunity is going to bring for you! Keep working hard and inspiring others! Team Fit & Fabulous loves you to pieces!!!
XOXOXO

A few of the beauties from Team Fit & Fab at our last corporate training event. 

THINK YOU WANT TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN AND BE A PART OF OUR TEAM? FILL OUT THE APPLICATION BELOW AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH!

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Strawberry Coconut Banana Shakeology

Like a cocktail only much better for you.... 

I am a big believer that things taste even better when they look better, SO I make an effort to make my Shakeology look beautiful each day when I drink it. I love adding garnishes and using pretty glasses and straws. This week I have been hooked on this summer- like combo. Very tropical even though it's winter time right now. 

Here is what you are going to need to make it:

Ingredients: 

10 ounces of ice 

10 ounces of water 

4 ounces of coconut almond milk 

1 scoop of vegan tropical strawberry Shakeology 

1 sliced banana 

1 tsp of shaved coconut 

Directions: 

Combine ice, water and almond milk

Add into the blender 

Add in Shakeology 

Then slice the banana and add it in 

Also add in the sliced coconut 

Blend for 1 minute

****ENJOY*****

Going Gluten Free? WHY?

My Quest To Be Gluten Free 

The messages have been flowing in this week to my inbox asking me about why I am going gluten free, how it is going and how I am feeling since I started. I figured since I put everything else out there, I might as well give an update and do some explaining! Lets start at the beginning. 

Last fall I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I spent the year on levothyroxine and things were regulating with my thyroid, but I still was feeling EXHUSTED, lethargic, moody and often times anxiety ridden for no reason. We still were experiencing infertility issues too.  I started to question what else was going on. I decided it was time to see an endocrinologist rather than just my PCP. It was then that we started to get to the bottom of why I was feeling so awful even though my labs said I was fine. 

The thing was, I wasn't fine. We first switched my medicine to synthroid and that helped a TON. The anxiety and exhaustion started to get a lot better, but I still didn't feel GREAT like I wanted to. This past January, I was gearing up for our first round of IUI. I had a doctor appointment at the fertility clinic in the morning and an appointment with the endo in the afternoon. We were all set to go ahead but my endo put the brakes on it because my labs were showing that something else was still not right. She was worried that the treatment would be a waste of time because my body didn't quite seem to be up for the challenge. It also was then that we discovered that my hypothyroidism was also Hashimotos disease, which is an autoimmune disorder. The ultrasound of my thyroid also showed that I had nodules that we would now need to watch. 

Getting ready for the insulin resistance test. So glad to have my hubby by my side. 

What concerned the endo the most was my cortisol levels in my labs. She wanted to do further testing before we went anywhere with the fertility treatments. An insulin resistance and adrenal test was scheduled for mid February. Man what a day that was. Talk about an exhausting process. The goal is to test your blood sugar several times over a period of time. They give you a large dose of insulin. What is supposed to happen is they drop your blood sugar levels basically in half (Mine started out at 86 and they got it down to 42 within 15 minutes of the test beginning) then your body reacts and fights it off. The thing is nobody showed up to the game for me. My blood sugar levels never really moved over the course of the six hours I was there. 

The test confirmed that many of my side effects I was having: night sweats, feeling like I was going to crash soon after eating anything, not being able to go very long without foods... the list goes on... were all pointing to the blood sugar issue. 

She recommended that I begin using metformin to regulate my blood sugar. She has was leaning towards me trying to go gluten free. With many of her Hashimotos patients she has encouraged them to go GF and they often began to feel much better. While it does not help EVERYONE, it has helped enough patients that she suggests I give it a try. She wants me to do a strict 3 month trail of gluten free. It was something that I had been reading about in many of my Hashimoto's books that I have been studying. I was considering the switch even before she made the suggestion. I began it this past week and am keeping a food journal to document what I am eating and how certain foods are making me feel. I really want to hold off on the metformin and give this a try before I move forward with any medicine. I go back to see her in May and am hoping I don't need the medicine. I did make a deal with her that I would reach out and ask for the medicine if I don't feel any better in the coming weeks/ months before I see her. I am hoping to get things regulated and am sticking to low carb/ high protein. I am eating six small meals each day. I also now have to use a gluclometer and track my sugar levels daily. I was not surprised with the diagnosis - I have a strong family history of both thyroid issues and also diabetes but I didn't expect it so early in life. 

The day after all of the tests, I needed to just stay home and take a day to myself to process everything. I truly believe it is okay to not be okay. We are human. Life is hard some days. Acknowledging that is necessary to move forward. 

I can't change the cards that I was dealt but I can change the way I decide to play the hand. I had my few days of having a pity party. I was sad, I was mad, I was bummed and quite honestly I was overwhelmed. Trying to deal with so much at once almost felt like too much all at once but I reminded myself that god only gives you which he thinks you can handle, so he must think I am a pretty strong women because I sure have been thrown a lot of curve balls lately. 

A few of my new gluten free foods I picked up at Trader Joes. They were AWESOME there. So helpful and made me feel less bummed about my new situation. 

I am treating it as a learning opportunity like I do everything else. Stay tuned for lots of gluten free recipes, reviews and updates as I journey thru this! I would love any tips or brand suggestions you might have! 

Taking on the new challenge - meal planning, reading GF books and beginning to use my food journal 

Thai Peanut Pasta

Rice Noodles For The Win... This Dinner Is Awesome!

We have been on a quest to change things up in our dinners since I began my journey with going gluten free. We have a meal plan chalked full with new recipes this week. This one was too great not to share. I loved how sweet it was. My husband was not a huge fan but it was a hit with my little one. He was surprised that pasta could taste like peanut butter ;) This one is very filling. You could include chicken with it but I left it out this time. 

Here is what you will need:

Ingredients

• 1 package of rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onion, or regular onion
• 1 tablespoon of organic butter
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 
• 2 tablespoons of organic chicken broth (or water), plus additional 1-2 tablespoons if needed (if the sauce is too thick).
• 3 tablespoons of crunchy organic peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon liquid aminos 
• 1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar (BRAGGS is a great brand) 
• 2 teaspoons organic pure maple syrup
• 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha if you would like it to have a spicy flavor. I left it out for mine. 
• Use peanuts on top for a garnish 

Directions 
******Cook rice noodles according to package while working on sauce**********

1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat sauté the onions in the butter until soft.  Reduce heat to medium-low and add the remaining ingredients- water, peanut butter,liquid aminos, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and Sriracha.
   
2. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil, then add your noodles and stir to coat, top peanuts.
   
3. Enjoy! 

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Not Your Momma's Oatmeal....

With my new Hashimoto's diagnosis, I have decided to take the plunge into going gluten free. My doctor is encouraging me to give it a solid three months and see how I feel. After reading the book "The Root Cause." I really began to feel more strongly about this decision. It seems like it should help me to feel significantly better. I have made a commitment to "go all in" for these next three months and then decide afterwards if I plan to continue it. I am keeping a food journal and paying careful attention to how I am feeling after I eat different foods. 

While I already eat pretty clean and low carb, I still would have pasta here and there and enjoyed a warm slice of fresh bread every once in awhile. I realize I am further ahead than many would be when it comes to going gluten free, but I still have my work cut out for me. 

When I was doing my meal plan for this coming week, I wanted to try some new recipes and this breakfast bowl was one of the first ones I went after. Here is how I made it: 

Ingredients 

Plain quinoa 

Pure maple syrup 

1/2 ripe banana 

Small handful of organic blackberries 

Natural peanut butter 

1 teaspoon of chia seeds 

Organic cinnamon 

Directions

Cook quinoa according to the package 

Once the water is absorbed add in 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter and 1 teaspoon of pure organic maple syrup. 

Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon into the mixture then stir 

Once you place the quinoa mixture into the bowl top with bananas, blackberries and chia seeds 

Drizzle natural peanut butter over the top and enjoy! 

If you would like to learn more about the health benefits of quinoa you can also check out this awesome article about the 7 benefits from including quinoa into your diet. Check here to check it out! 

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Cafe Latte Shakeology Recipe

Banana Spice Cafe Latte Shakeology 

I waited and waited for months for Cafe Latte Shakeology to be available and was really excited to make up some new recipes. As I imagined, the flavor didn't let me know down. I have been having fun making different combos and today I wanted to share with you all one of my new favorites. Trust me, this one won't disappoint. 

Ingredients 

1 scoop or 1 packet of Cafe Latte Shakeology 

1 ripe banana 

A dash of organic cinnamon 

10 ounces of ice 

10 ounces of water 

4 ounces of coconut almond milk (or vanilla) 

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

A few dark chocolate chips if you want some chocolate in there too. 

Directions 

Combine ice, water and almond milk 

Pour into the blender 

Add in Shakeology, banana, vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate chips if desired. 

Blend for 30 seconds - 1 minute 

Enjoy! 

A Letter To The Mom I Used To Be

What I Wish I Would Have Known...

This weekend my son celebrated his 4th birthday. While it is a huge celebration, it is also an anniversary for me. I should explain... two years ago on the night of his birthday party after all the cleaning up and excitement, I lay in bed thinking about how much I needed to change my lifestyle. I was a new mom on the verge of exhaustion. I saw a Facebook ad about the 21 day fix. I was sort of intrigued. I laid in bed that night for almost two hours researching and trying to see if I could ever do a program like that. After lots of time checking it out, I decided I needed to have it and that is where all of "THIS" began. 

Today in celebration of that anniversary I thought I would write a letter to me - or maybe to you if your anything like the mom that I was at that time. As you read this maybe you too can relate to how I was feeling. 

Goodness does time every fly by fast. This feels like yesterday. 

Hey Beautiful Momma,

Your amazing, you know that? I know you don't think that, but you are. Look at all you do. Your balancing a full time teaching job, your taking grad classes, running a home all while trying to be a good wife and mom to that sweet little boy of yours. I know you feel like you are drowning and every day feels like a marathon before it even starts. You keep it together well. I am certain nobody knows how overwhelmed you are. I get it. I know your exhausted and that to - do list you make every morning has nothing on that involves taking care of YOU. You do a beautiful job of putting everyone else first, but it's really time you stop that. Being supermom does not mean you have to let yourself and your life go. There is a different way. 

Let's talk about the fact that since you had that baby you have not exercised or really bothered to eat all that well. I know your trying but your excuses are getting the best of you. Your tired and you feel like your going to be carrying around those last few pounds of baby weight forever. I hate to break it to you, but you will be if you don't step up to the plate and make a change.  I see you covering it with your arm when you sit down and I know it bothers you when you feel it. After two years it's not baby weight anymore. It's fluff and its from all of those lattes you keep drinking each day from Starbucks. 

Stop doing that by the way. It's like liquid diabetes and you really don't need the early on set of that already. Plus it's costing you a fortune and I know you think it's waking you up and giving you energy but it totally isn't. It's giving you a sugar rush. That's why you feel sleepy again around 10:00 am. 

I know your sitting up late right now scowling the internet to learn more about that Beachbody program that is coming out. 21 days to change your habits, 30 minutes of workouts a day, portions for your foods and a coach to keep you accountable. I know it sounds it's too good to be true. I bet that's why your still up late looking everywhere to find more information. I know your worried about what it's going to cost and I know your terrified to try that Shakeology drink you keep seeing people talk about. I know you want to do this but your afraid it's a waste of your money. 

Guess what girl - it's going to be the best $140.00 you have ever spent. That program your debating is going to work and believe it or not, in less than a month from now, your going to be a new woman. Your going to learn that even though that to-do list of yours has a million and one things on it, your going to find room for one more daily to - do. Your going to have to get your butt out of bed early for those workouts, but your also going to learn to love that peace and quiet that comes along with your 4:30 am wake up call. Your going to have to sweat and your going to have to get uncomfortable. Change is tough, but your tougher. 

Your going to learn not just how to eat better, but your going to turn your families nutrition habits around too. Your hubby isn't going to like it at first but give him time. He's going to come around and buy in. That toddler of yours is going to learn to eat healthy right along with you. In a few short months he is going to be a lot less picky. Feed him what your having each night. Don't cave he will eat it. He will grow up eating clean organic home cooked meals and actually hates mac and cheese and won't even know what a chicken nugget is.  I know you don't believe me yet just have some faith. 

That Shakeology your afraid of - yeah I know that is what's holding you back the most. Your worried about the taste because you have never once in your life had a meal replacement before or ever even thought of trying one. Get over your fear - you don't know this yet but your going to love it. So much so that you actually won't miss a day in over two years. It's going to help prevent you from getting all of those colds you usually catch from your students. Sorry to have to be the one to give you the bad news, but it's not going to taste that great the first few times you try to make it. That's because your actually not making it right. Blend that thing - don't just add water. Use some fresh fruits and extracts. Get some fun recipes and ask your coach for some tips. After you get over that hurdle your golden. I know you told yourself that you would only use it for the challenge but girl your going to surprise yourself. 

I am going to tell you something else that you couldn't have ever seen coming. In a few short months not only are you going to be a new women, your going to feel so great that you are going to want to pay it forward to others. I know your not looking for one more thing to add to your list but this little life change your making is actually a bigger change than you think. Your going to become a coach and it's going to change your entire world. You will be fitter, healthier, happier and even a bit more wealthier. Your going to form some killer friendships and your going to find what your true passion is in life. Trust me, you got this. Keep your eyes wide open and just go for it. 

And by the way - just a few more things. Stop stressing about that muffin top. It will go away eventually. (It's actually going to be the last thing that will go away, but it WILL GO AWAY.) But you should really stop worrying about that muffin top. It means you are part of a club that many women would kill to be in. That belly carried a life and it blessed you with one heck of a miracle. You did a good job and moms don't really need abs anyways. 

And lastly - slow down. Stop rushing, stop running and stop wishing things away. Stop longing for the day when he sleeps thru the night or doesn't need fed by you or stops making messes on the floor. You don't know this yet, but your going to struggle a lot trying to have another. I wish I could use my glass ball to tell you the other one is on the way, but my ball can't see that far ahead yet. What I can tell you it's going to test your faith and be harder than you ever thought it would be. I can tell you that you need to take it all in and treat this one like he is your only one, because he might actually be your only one so soak up every minute. He won't be little for long. Your heart is going to ache for these days and memories.

So stop waiting - order your damn challenge pack your on the fence about. It's not the first time you spent a lot of money on something and it won't be the last. That $140.00 dollars will be the best investment you ever made. Your worth it. 

You got this girl! Good luck!

Love,
The older and wiser version of yourself 

If this letter spoke to you and you feel like it's "YOUR TURN" fill out the application below. I will be in touch. We start our next challenge group soon. It's time for you to stop watching and to be all in. 

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Naked Tacos

No Boring Clean Eating Meals Here 

Okay the name makes it sound way more fun than it really is. Naked Tacos... how much does that make you want to whip these up?  For some reason it just seems more fun than something like low carb tacos or clean tacos. You feel me on that? Anyways I wanted to share this recipe with you. I was amazed how quickly I put it together and man it really turned out awesome. 

Here is what you are going to need: 

Ingredients

1 lb of organic ground meat 

Black pepper 

Himalayan pink salt 

Fresh garlic (3 cloves) minced 

1 bag of frozen organic sweet corn 

1 container of fresh salsa

1 can of organic black beans 

1 tablespoon of ground cumin (this is what gives it the "taco taste") 

Mexican taco cheese 

1 yellow onion (diced) 

1 ripe avocado 

Directions 

Brown ground meat in a skillet 

Drain grease 

Add in diced onions, garlic and the salsa 

Steam corn in microwave then add into the pan after cooked 

Drain beans then add them into the mixture 

Season the mixture with your salt, pepper and cumin 

Allow to simmer for 10 minutes 

Add in the cheese I only used about 2 cups if that 

Allow it to melt - mix it up 

Serve and garnish with freshly diced avocados and maybe more cheese if you want. 

Hope you love it! 

Gearing Up For A Busy Month

Now Taking New Challengers! 

Over the holidays I held off on offering my services to my challengers. I kept my groups that I did offer very small because I wanted to be able to give the best services and give them my full attention. The holidays and New Year had me so busy that I needed to keep things low key, 

Now as we are getting closer and closer to "spring break" and warmer weather is nearing on the horizon people are coming out of the woodwork asking to be in my challenge groups. So many that I have actually decided I will offer two challenge groups for the month of February. I have one that will start on February 8th as well as February 22nd. 

These groups are for new or existing clients of mine who are looking for some accountability, fun and help. In the program I will work with you to get you in the habit of doing daily exercise as well as focus on clean eating and portion control. My speciality is meal planning and meal prep so I am hoping some of that talent will rub off on my challengers too. I always find that to be the most difficult for many of those who I work with. 

Many often reach out and ask - so what does it mean to be in a challenge group and what is required of me? It's pretty simple. 

#1 - You have to want to change more than you want to stay the same. It's time for you to get a little uncomfortable and work on getting out of your old ways. An all in attitude is expected from all challengers.

One of my favorite shirts. TRUTH I didn't wake up like this, I worked my butt off to get healthy like this. It wasn't easy but oh so worth it. It can be for you too! 

#2 - I will add you into my private online support group. There I will have you "check in" with me and the other clients who are in the group along with you. Each day you will share your victories and struggles. The group is my way of holding your feet to the fire. It's easy to buy a workout program and not do it but it's hard to quit when someone is checking on you. 

#3 - You will need to follow the meal plan that comes along with your program. You have to be willing to give meal planning and prep a try. I think you will find it will REALLY help you get on track.

#4 - You must be willing to incorporate Shakeology into one of your daily meals. Remember we are practicing clean eating so you can expect to have to eat a lot and eat often. I tend to eat about six meals a day and Shakeology is one of my six. Don't be nervous about it but it's okay if you are. I was too. I swore I would only drink it for the one month that I was doing my program. Little did I know I would be still drinking it two years later. It helped me to cut out my junk food cravings and gave me more energy. The vitamin boost was something my body really needed!

#5 - You must be willing to stick to the workouts that are going to come with the program you pick. You will do them daily, even on the days where you may be lacking motivation.

I need you to want this for yourself. I can't want it for you. I can't make you do this and I can't make you eat healthy. All I can do is encourage and teach you how I have done it. Remember I started where you were not too long ago. 

I was doing Hammer and Chisel this morning with Autumn Calabrese the trainer who created the 21 day fix and changed my world and was thinking about how she has helped me even though she will never know it. 

She's kind of my girl because without her and her program I would not be where I am today.

I would still be living off of lattes, never working out and feeling stressed because I wasn't making time for myself. I wouldn't be helping others like I am today either.

Funny how one choice to buy a workout program completely changed the direction of my life.

She may never realized this but she showed me that every mom has 30 extra minutes to squeeze in a workout, she taught me clean eating and portion control and she even showed me how to get rid of that post baby body. If you ask me that's pretty awesome!!

Get at me if you want me to teach you what I've learned along the way about being a busy mom but still making time to take care of myself. I would love to have you in one of my February groups I have starting up! Please fill out the application below and I will be in touch right away! 

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