Are You Willing To Bet On Your Results?

May 8th Diet Bet Challenge 

As you may already know, each month I run an online accountability and support group for my clients to help them get results with the programs and meal plans they are following. When they start with me we talk about the habits they currently have, what they want to change and the results that they want to work towards. From there I help them find a fitness and nutrition program that best suits the needs that they have. 

Many find the journey to be easier when they are a challenger in one of my groups. As you may already know it can be easy to buy a workout program and have good intentions, but the follow thru and doing it is a lot harder than you would think. That's where the groups come into play and are helpful for my clients who really need help sticking with it. Each day in the group I post 3 - 4 times a day to help keep them motivated. Some posts are recipes, some fitness tips tricks or motivation. I like to change it up often. We use the Beachbody app called my challenge tracker to not only track progress, but also to interact with one another. Many new friendships are often formed because of these groups. 

This challenge group atmosphere seems to be what helps women stay on the weight loss path compared to when they try to just do a program on their own. Because of these groups I have been lucky enough to coach women on their journey to 60+ lb weigh loss transformations and lots of other transformations in between that number. 

Beginning on May 8th I am going to be adding an extra layer of fun to this months challenge group. We are going to be doing a diet bet as well. The money pot will get split two ways. Prizes will be given to the challenger who interacts the most as well as the challenger who has the biggest overall weight loss and inches transformation. There will be a $20.00 buy in to this prize pot from each challenger. Obviously participation in the prize pot is not a requirement to be in the group however it would be to be eligible for the prize money. The prize money will be awarded on June 4th to the winners. 

Please fill out the application below to be considered for the challenge group. 

Fill out my online form.

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New Product Launch Coming Soon

Youv2 = You Version 2- A program for EVERYONE!!! 

Maybe you have heard that there is a new fitness program coming out in just a few short weeks and it has you curious. 

Today I am going to answer some common questions that people have right now about YouV2 - the newest addition to the Beachbody family. 

What is Youv2? 

YOUv2 is a fun and easy health and fitness program for the woman just getting started in fitness, and eager to find something she’ll love doing. There’s no confusing choreography or complicated diet—just 6 easy-to-follow 30-minute routines, a simple approach to eating better, plus lots of inspiration and support. No matter her size or fitness level, she’ll find it fun and easy to get moving and develop healthy habits on this 4-week empowering and inspirational journey. 

What makes YOUv2 so effective?
Both the workouts and meal guide recommendations are simple and fun so you can stick with the program and get results. Leandro Carvalho’s 4 beginner-level cardio-dance routines and 2 body-sculpting workouts feature feel-good party songs like “She Works Hard For The Money,” originally recorded by Donna Summer, and “Love Shack,” originally recorded by The B-52’s, that help you really let loose and get moving. The meal guide gives you small, simple changes to build on each week to help you create new healthy habits for weight loss.

What makes YOUv2 unique?
YOUv2 is a simple, gradual approach to help you get moving and create healthy new habits. By focusing on small changes over time, you can lose the weight and keep it off. YOUv2 is not just a way to burn calories. This is a journey of self-discovery where you’re encouraged to think about your fitness and nutrition habits, what sets you back, and what it will take to push you forward to a healthier, happier “new version of you.” 

What type of fitness level is this considered? 
Beginner

Can this workout be modified? 
Yes you can follow different intensity levels based on your needs. 

What comes with your workout program? 

Workouts
4 cardio-dance routines	Join Leandro and the ladies in 4 cardio-based dance routines set to awesome music. Simple moves help you get moving and start sweating. Learn 4 moves one-by-one. Then Leandro picks his favorite 8 moves to create a mini-dance combo where you can dance it out to a classic party song.
2 body-sculpting workouts	Leandro kicks off each routine with a quick warm-up. Then, it’s on to a series of light toning exercises using your body weight, because that’s all you need when you’re just starting out.
Kids’ channel	YOUv2 features a kids’ channel to show kids they can do this workout and are welcome to join in too, exclusively on Beachbody On Demand.

Fitness Tools
Quick Start Guide	Start here to find out what your journey entails and how to make the most of it.
Motivational Wall Art Calendar	Learn which workouts to do on what day. You’ll get weekends off for grocery shopping, meal prep, and, of course, life. Plus, get inspirational wall art with motivational quotes from Leandro and the ladies.
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) & JUST EAT! Meal Guide	Forget strict diets. This flexible plan with 4 simple steps and easy recipes will help you create healthy habits to eat better, feel better, and shed the weight.
Oh Hello YOUv2 Journal	Here’s where you set goals, track your progress, and note your habits and feelings throughout the journey to discover what sets you back and what pushes you forward to a healthier, happier you.

Why consider a challenge pack? 

In addition to getting the fitness program that I discussed above, you will also get a months supply of Shakeology and the portion control containers to help get your nutrition under control. 

Think this program could be for you? Consider joining my upcoming challenge group for this program. Fill out the application below and mention that you want to do the YouV2 program. I will be in touch within 24 hours.

Fill out my online form.

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Strawberry Oatmeal Bowl

Plain oatmeal is not my jam. Jazzed up oatmeal totally is. I have started to get creative with what I was putting in my bowl for breakfast lately. This was one of my favorite combos so I had to share. I don't have an official recipe for you for this one. Use as much or as little as you like. You can't mess this one up.

I used cooked gluten free oats then added about a cup of chopped strawberries, peanut butter granola, shaved coconut, and drizzled peanut butter.

Enjoy! This one will keep you full until lunch.

Turning Your Habits Upside Down

Challenger Success Story - Meet Sara

While I am busy gaining weight during these last few weeks of pregnancy the very opposite thing has been happening to all of my clients. They are killing it with their own transformations and have me so motivated and excited to get back in shape post baby. Today I wanted to feature a challenger who has really stood out in my challenge groups since starting. I admire her commitment to the groups and also how determined she is to see out her progress regardless of what road blocks may be in her way.  

My two favorite things that she has been able to change since starting is that she has COMPLETELY kicked her daily Mountain Dew habit and that she is now eating and enjoying breakfast each day. She has been accountable to the challenge groups since starting and has been a big motivator for many of my other clients as well. She is always one of the first ones to post her workout in the mornings and it pushes the others to show up too.

I am so glad that she picked the all access challenge pack as her program of choice so that she has lots of different program options to try in the months to come.

Sara I am honored to be your coach and grateful to be a part of your journey. You look fantastic. Keep up the great work.

Below you find her story. I asked that she share from her heart. I think you will find her story very real and also very relatable.

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2 months ago I made a decision…a decision to take control of my body, my health and my happiness.

I spent the last 10 years of my life being a mom of 1 and a wife, and kind of losing myself amongst all the daily stuff I do for my family. Don’t get me wrong, my family means everything to me and I would do anything for them, but I let myself go.

I also had a lot of hatred towards my body because I have PCOS. I had suffered from infertility issues and many other PCOS issues for over 6 yrs and then finally lost the ability to ever conceive naturally again. I hated my body for not working the way it should, and I didn’t have the desire to change anything if it wasn’t going to do what it was supposed to anyway.

But a lot has changed in the last year for us, we are now foster parents and the infertility issues are behind us.

Being a mom, and especially a foster mom, doesn’t always give you time to do things for yourself. Things can go from calm to chaotic in no time at all. I knew I had to start taking better care of myself, not just for me but for my kid(s), my family and our future. I was tired of being a mom who watches her kids…I wanted to be the mom who plays with her kids instead. I was tired of being tired all the time and having no ambition to do anything.

I started looking into joining Beachbody back in December and spent a few months really trying to decide if this was for me or not. It seemed like so much work and so many things I would have to change and on top of all that it was a lot of money. But the more I researched and asked questions, the more I really wanted to make those changes!
AND I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!

I joined in February and started my first challenge group on February 20, 2017 doing Country Heat. At that point, I was an excessive Mt Dew drinker (up to 8 cans a day), didn’t eat regular meals, didn’t exercise…EVER and didn’t see anything wrong with any of that. I was 165 lbs and was wearing a size 14….I’m 5’ tall, so it was not a pretty sight!

During my first challenge group, I worked my butt off and lost 13.5 lbs and 22.3 inches!
I stopped drinking Mt Dew and now drink nothing but water and my Shakeology! I exercise daily and I love it! I wake up before my kids, so I can get my workout in before the craziness starts each day. I used to hate breakfast but now enjoy the first meal of my day. I started meal planning and even started to enjoy cooking, something I had always hated before.  The whole family is eating better and my husband has even lost some weight!

During my second challenge group, my results weren’t as good, but that’s okay too! I only lost 2 lbs and I actually gained .3 inches, but I am still a work in progress and for me it's never been about the numbers, it's always been about wanting to feel better and live healthier…and I’m doing that, every single day! I make that choice every day to get up and workout and to eat the right foods and to take care of myself! I am proud of myself for sticking with this and choosing to do what’s best for me!

When I first joined, I watched one of Sarah’s video’s and I can’t even remember what it was about right now, but she said something about how we all spent a lot of money to do this program and that we should take it seriously. If you don’t give it your all, you are only cheating yourself….that really stuck with me and I think about that when I am having a day that is a little rough. You have to take this seriously…You have to want this!
I know I did and I am sooooo glad I decided to do this for ME!
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Stats as of February 19, 2016
Weight- 165 lbs
Chest- 42 in
Left Arm- 13
Right Arm-13.5
Waist- 40.5
Hips-43.0
Right Thigh- 23
Left Thigh 23
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Stats as of April 16, 2017
Weight- 149.5
Chest- 36
Left Arm 12.5
Right Arm 12.5
Waist 32.5 inches
Hips 38.5
Right Thigh- 22
Left Thigh- 22.0

If you feel like you are ready to start your own journey just like Sara did, please fill out the application below and I will be in touch with you within 24 hours.

Fill out my online form.

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Quinoa Salad

Light and Delicious - Quinoa Salad 

This recipe is actually from the Ultimate Reset. It is the 21 day reset program that Beachbody has for those looking to get a handle on their nutrition and eating habits. 

This salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. The Quinoa is a great source of protein.  It is high in protein, calcium, and iron, quinoa is a great alternative to rice.  If you are new to quinoa and are not sure where to get it, you can most often find it in the grocery store near the rice.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Himalayan salt or Bragg Liquid Aminos to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp finely minced fresh parsley
1 tbsp finely minced fresh mint leaves
1/4 large ripe tomato, diced
1/4 large cucumber, peeled and diced
2 tbsp chopped pitted kalamata olives

Directions

Toss quinoa with olive oil, salt or bragg liquid aminos, and lemon juice, mixing well.  Gently fold in parsley and mint, followed by remaining ingredients.  Cover and chill for 1 hour.  Serves 1.

New Shakeology Release

NEW SUPERFOOD OPTIONS- VEGAN VANILLA & VEGAN CAFE LATTE 

This has been a much anticipated release from Beachbody. For ages now we have had lots of non vegan flavors but our selection of vegan options was quite small. We only had vegan chocolate and vegan tropical strawberry in the past. That is no longer the case. Beachbody just launched a vegan vanilla flavor as well as a vegan cafe latte flavor. My clients are oh so excited about this and so am I. 

Shakeology was actually one of the things I was most afraid of trying when I began my own weight loss journey. I had never tried a meal replacement in my life and was worried about a few things: 

1. I was wasting money

2. I was going to hate the flavor

Both of which I was wrong about. I now can say that I have been enjoying Shakeology for THREE YEARS and really enjoy it. Shakeology was what helped to to cut out my cravings for junk food. I also learned that I was lacking so many needed vitamins prior to drinking Shakeology.  I feel like a million bucks when I fuel my body with this. It was Shakeology that helped me cut out my daily trips to Starbucks and also my sweet tooth I couldn't seem to shake. It took me a few weeks to notice the difference, but once I did there was not turning back. To me it is one of the best investments that I make each month in my health and is worth every single penny. I don't buy any other vitamins, supplements or probiotics because of this. Shakeology has all that I need in one serving.  I encourage you to try it if your nervous. The best part is that it is backed by a 30 day money back guarantee so if it's not working for you simply send it back. 

Many often ask why vegan? My answer is that some of my clients struggle with any form of lactose or dairy and this formula is easier on their stomach instead since it does not have any. I have also noticed that my clients with celiacs disease are often able to consume the vegan formula without any issues. While Shakeology does not contain any wheat, it is manufactured in a factory that could cause cross- contamination therefore it is not certified gluten free. 

The new flavors also are going to contain two new ingredients that are not currently already in the other flavors of Shakeology. These new ingredients are chaga and also macha. 

Chaga is a mushroom that’s considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens have been traditionally used to help the body adapt and respond to effects of stress. Chaga grows on birch trees in very cold climates and is also often made into tea. The chaga we use in Shakeology comes from an American supplier that is USDA organic certified.

You might have tried matcha before if you’ve ever had a Green Tea Latte. Matcha is the powdered whole green tea leaf. It’s been enjoyed in Japan for centuries. The matcha we use in Shakeology also comes from a family-owned supplier that is USDA organic certified. 

You will have the option to pick a 30 serving bag of one individual flavor or the option of doing a combo box which would come with 24 packets of two to three different flavors. These are available now in the United States and are coming soon to Canada. 

If you are interested in purchasing Shakeology you can click here to shop. Please feel free to email me if you have specific questions about the product or flavors. 

Colorful Cobb Salad

Ingredients:

Spring Mix Greens - amount will depend on how hungry you are

½ of a fresh avocado- sliced

1 grilled chicken breast cut into cubes

1 hard boiled egg diced (I omitted it because I don't like hard boiled eggs)

½ cup cherry tomatoes diced in half

2 slices of cooked bacon crumbled

¼ cup gorgonzola cheese crumbles

Dressing Ingredients:

¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup of balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup

Dash of salt to taste

1 tablespoon of dijon mustard (This could be omitted if you are not like mustard)

Combine until blended. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  

Directions:

Be sure to have washed the salad greens before eating. Place greens in a bowl or on a  plate

Dice tomatoes and avocado

Add in grilled chicken cubes, eggs and crumbled bacon

Lastly top with gorgonzola cheese crumbles as well as the maple balsamic dressing.

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

Making Breakfast Taste Like Dessert

I was waiting for some hesitation at my house about this one but it passed the family taste test with flying colors. I was really thinking my hubby would not be a fan, but it turns out this really does taste identical to actual carrot cake, which he loves so it was a win and I will for sure be making it again. 

I hope your family loves it as much as mine did. 

Indgredients

• ½ cup pecans, chopped (plus additional for garnish, if desired)
• 1 cup almond milk (OR whole/2% milk), at room temperature
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup (packed) grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
• 1/2 cup raisins, optional
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray with nonstick cooking spray an 8-inch square baking dish.

Spread chopped pecans on an ungreased baking sheet and toast for 4 to 6 minutes or until fragrant and light golden brown. Cool on baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together milk, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in carrots and raisins (if using). Blend in oats, toasted pecans, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, allspice, and salt; stir until mixture is well-combined. 

Spread oatmeal into prepared baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until set and light golden brown on top. Allow to cool in the baking dish for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with optional garnishes: warm milk drizzled over the top, additional toasted pecans, maple syrup, or fresh fruit.

Recipe originally found from here.