Turn over a New Leaf Challenge

November is all about being thankful. There are so many things to be thankful for, and at the top of my list is my health and wellness - because face it, without health nothing else really matters! I am going to take 30 days to treat my body the way it deserves while focusing on positive thinking and mindset changes... I am going to be rewarding my body with wholesome food and 30 minutes of working out.. And I am inviting you to join me...

I feel like with the holidays, school and a new job - I am all over the place with my fitness journey.... But I have a big scary goal for late February and I need to commit 110%!  So time to get back at it, no waiting for the New Year for this momma!

I am currently doing T25 with the 21 Day Fix meal plan and as I am tracking my food - I am realizing one too many cheats and one too many missed workouts.. I love new challenge groups because they give me a fresh start to motivate and inspire which helps me stay more accountable too!

So what is this group all about???

• Everyone including myself is committed to a workout program (not sure where to start? no worries, we will figure it out together!)
• You have the option to take part in the Shakeology Cleanse, free of charge the weekend after Thanksgiving!
• You don't have to skip turkey dinner, I will teach you how to modify, portion control and survive the holidays... including tips for Christmas!
• Everyone is committed to checking in the group daily!
• I am going to teach you how to meal plan and prep weekly - as well as include budget tips!
• Daily motivation, accountability, 1:1 coach support
• Recipes for your entire family!
• Positive mindset activities

This is the time to keep your sanity, remain positive and enjoy the holiday season! Are you ready to kick things up a notch?!

Lets do this!

November 16th is our preseason start date - during this week I will give you daily tips and tricks to being successful during the Challenge!

Ready?

To be considered for the challenge, please fill out the application below!

Fill out my online form.

There are tons of Wufoo features to help make your forms awesome.

My Twist on Clean Roast Beef

 Who doesn't love a traditional roast beef?! I know I do, but it is salty and everything tastes the same, the veggies and potatoes get soggy - blah! This is a fun twist which is so simple! I will be making this again and again!!!

What you need:

- Lean London broil
- Onions, sliced
- Mushrooms, sliced
- Potato (one for each person)
- Seasonings for steak (paprika, onion powder, celery seeds, garlic powder, black pepper, parsley, dill seed, thyme, basil, and rosemary) or however you want to season your steak

What you need to do:

- Place steak in crock pot with 1/2-1c water
- Season steak
- Place on low, cover and forget it!
- Cook for 6-8 hours and shred in crock pot
- Bake Potatoes
- Saute onion and mushrooms with small amount of extra virgin olive oil
- Cut potato, place steak into potato and top with onions and mushrooms
- Optional - top with shredded cheddar cheese

 

Jen - T25

 

AHHHH!! I am so excited to announce Jen's transformation! Jen and I went to high school together and recently reconnected on Facebook.... Jen watched my transformation with T25 and said "I want in!" She became one of my first challengers! Jen came to my house, I helped her with her before photos, measurements and we talked about clean eating... She said "I want to lose 30 pounds in 60 days like you did", I said "I am here for you, lets do it"

 

And the challenge started!!! What is soo amazing about Jen is she is a mom, wife and was starting a new job the same week the challenge started!!! Jen has 2 boys that are less than a year apart and keep her sooo busy - they are 18 months and 8 months!!!

 

Jen and I talked on Facebook and via text almost daily about clean eating, challenges we faced, water intake, our kids and marriages... It has been amazing reconnecting with her! And now I am so proud to have her as a coach on my team!!!!

 

Jen's transformation is just beginning, now she has joined me in a 21 Day Fix Challenge Group and I know she is going to nail it! When Jen told me she was going to drop 30 pounds with T25, I was honestly skeptical, I knew how hard I had to work (in and out of the kitchen) to drop the weight... but she did even better and lost a whole pound more than I did!!! Way to go Jen!

 

Join Jen and I in our next challenge group!!! Click here to earn an exclusive spot!

Pumpkin Pie Shakeology

I know it is July, but it is so chilly and rainy in the 'burgh that I just had to try this... YUM!!!!

Week2

Week 2 was awesome! I thought it would be such a challenge with the 4th of July! But I took my own holiday planning advice and brought my 2 21 day fix approved dishes and asked if I could bring chicken to grill (luckily they were grilling chicken anyways).




Grilled Chicken with Homemade Peach Mango Salsa!

At our second picnic, I again brought the same 21 day fix approved dishes. The second party had a build your own kabob bar so it was perfect! Some fruit, peppers, onions, grilled chicken! How yummy and fun! Great idea if you are hosting a party and want a great clean eating meal!                                  

What a great idea Mom!!!

Since my abs are my weakest and the most challenging workout for me is the 10 min ab fix, I committed to doing it every other day and it has been great and I have noticed this is getting easier and easier!

The workouts continue to challenge me, and fitting them with work and picnics was not easy but I remembered my whys and continued to push play... sticking to my nutrition plan and workouts played off in a huge way - 3.6 pounds and 2.5inches just this week!!!

Excited for week 3, and switching it up with doubles!!! 

Red, White and Blue Berry Fruit Salad

Sticking to your goals during holidays and events!

It is always something! Ugh! If it isn't a holiday, it is a wedding, graduation or birthday party... There are always a million things getting in the way of living a clean and healthy lifestyle... And of course everything in moderation, but when you are actively trying to drop some pounds, avoiding temptations at these events are critical! Here are some tips that can help you avoid the temptations!

- Don't focus on the food
All too often when we go to an occasion, we are thinking and asking "what are they going to have to eat there?" Because lets face it, food is apart of every occasion - the meal, the dessert, the candy table, the appetizers and sugary drinks... You could easily undo several workouts in one event... The funny thing is, the food should not be the focus... The people should be, the reason to celebrate should be!

- Offer to bring a dish
Offering to bring a dish to the event is a great way to stick with your new habits, you can bring something that is fun and different and that fits into your meal plan! So you don't have to stress, you know that at least one thing that will be there is something you like and will work for you to help you reach your overall goals

- A little splurge isn't a game changer
Okay, so your Aunt made your favorite dessert! Take a small piece, that's right... A small splurge won't ruin everything (if you read my blog article about zig zag dieting you know that cheat meals are okay here and there).. BUT there is a catch, just because you had that one cheat, doesn't mean you can have 10 pieces and some to go home with and oh hell, since I ruined today I will just have a burger with extra mayo... NO! Just a small taste, just enough to enjoy it... My advice - chew it very slowly! haha

- Don't show up hungry!
Biggest mistake! On my way to a party, I grab a piece of fruit, a Shakeo or even a full meal.. That way when I show up to the party I am not hungry and as tempted to hit the buffet! Then I can have more of a snack as opposed to a meal!

- Remember WHY you are on this journey...
Not going to lie, I look at my before photos all the time.. right before you head out it wouldn't be a bad idea to peak at them! I often chant, "moment on my lips, forever on my hips!"

- Stay hydrated
Drink a lot of water! Especially during warm months, your body often confuses hunger and thirst!

- BYOB
Feel like you want to have a cocktail at the party?! Bring your own drink, that way you can avoid the sugar and calories of a typical beverage!

Eat slowly, stay active, watch out for portion control and enjoy the reason to celebrate and the wonderful people you have to share it with!