Workout Quotes and Mantras

Starting a new workout routine is hard. And the beginning of the year a lot of us go diving into a new fitness adventure. It is going to be hard. It is going to be uncomfortable. It is going to push you and you are going to have moments that you are going to want to say, "SCREW THIS! I'm DONE!" But what gets you through a workout?

WILLPOWER! 

Sometimes during the workout your mind will say, "STOP! I don't want to do this!" That is the moment that if you push past that thought, those feelings where true development happens. Pushing past our quitting moment will define you and give you the best post workout feeling knowing that you stuck with it and you did it! So here are a few workout quotes or mantras to say to yourself when the tough gets hard and you are at that moment where you are about to give up.

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Make SMART Goals for 2016

Be SMART when you are making your goals for the new year or really any time. Take the time to really sit down using this SMART formula to help you really focus on what you want to accomplish for this year.

S- Specific- Be super specific when making your goals. Write down what you really want to accomplish, not just the overall goal but if you want to lose 20 pounds then write it down, instead of just "lose weight".

M- Measurable- How are you going to measure your success? Do you have an app that you can put your info in and the app will keep track for you? Make a spread sheet or have some sort of way you can track and measure how you are progressing. (lose 20 pounds by using a scale and using my iHealth app on my phone.)

A- Attainable- Be realistic in your goals. 100 pounds in 2 months is not going to happen. Make real smart goals based on what you know you are capable of, and maybe push yourself just a little bit. Also don't under value yourself either. And how are you going to do it, being specific again. (lose 20 pounds by March 31st by eating clean, exercising 6 days a week and allowing myself 1 meal a week that is an indulgent meal.)

R- Relevant- Is is worthwhile? Does it fit in with your overall long term plans? (Double my daily page views on my blog by June 2016.) Find your why on why you want to accomplish it and make it worthwhile. This will help you stick with it more when you are having a hard time!

T- Timely- Your goal or objective should have a time limit! That is going to drive you everyday to work harder, and smarter on your goal. A goal without a deadline is just a dream!

And lastly, it doesn't go with SMART but WRITE DOWN YOUR GOAL! WRITE IT DOWN! If you don't then it will not happen. Write it down, place it in a place you see everyday. And strive each day to move yourself in the direction that will help to obtain that goal!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Success in 2016: Plan Your Day

Hello New Year, in just a few days! Are you making your new year resolution list yet? I am still working on mine. But here is one that is on my list. To plan out my day and make sure that I have balance between my family, work, and everyday life stuff. Sadly when you say yes to one thing, you have to say no to something else. Like, if I say yes to working out, then I am saying no to sleeping in. Get it? 

Pick one day a week that you sit down and plan out your schedule, every hour of every day of the week. I am serious! 

1) Family always comes first so start with that. Schedule in any doctor appoints, kid drop offs and pickups, or any other family appointments that you have for the week, oh yeah and church activities.

2) Schedule in your workout just like a doctor appointment. It really is that important for me that I schedule it in secondary in my life. 

3) Next I schedule in my work time. Teaching and coaching. My goal in 2016 is to stick to my schedule. Do what I have to do in the time allotted. I have been crossing over way too much and that is not ok for me and my family. I will no longer sacrifice my family time. I have to become more efficient in my actual work time! 

4) Lastly I schedule my me time. I personally need some alone time for me to just unwind from my activities. I can usually get 30-45 minutes of this a day. I use this for reading or just turning off my brain. 

Here is how to stick with your schedule: 

Turn the sound off on my phone

Set alarms or timers for how long to do something

Close my laptop and put it away

Mute the notifications on Facebook

Only open the window you need to work in right now

Keep yourself focused on the goal in mind

Work from a to do list

Starting today you can plan to make 2016 more successful with these tips! Be sure to follow me on FACEBOOK and PINTEREST for more daily motivation and support!

Merry Christmas From The Allen's!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas! I am late on getting our Christmas Cards out for the year to all my friends and family and you are my friends too, so I wanted to share it here so you can see it. I am so thankful for you watching my journey. That you are following me and I hope getting some good health, fitness and life tips. I really appreciate you always coming back! I am so excited for 2016 and the amazing things that are going to happen next year.

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your day and make it healthy!

Start This Week With The Decision To Try

Yeah, Christmas is Friday. And the last thing on your mind is probably getting in your workout or ditching the sweets and goodies. Here is the thing though guys. Spend the next 4 days eating as clean as possible and be sure to get in 30 minutes of some exercise in every day so that you can enjoy your Christmas and not feel guilty about eating yummy food, filling up your plate, and going back for seconds. 

Last year at this time. I didn't care what I ate. I had already gained weight since Thanksgiving. I was feeling sluggish. Gave up on Running. Gave up on myself. I didn't really care. I just wanted to enjoy the holiday and not deny myself what I know I like. But I felt awful. I had more to lose after the holidays and I was heavier than I had ever been not pregnant. Then I found out I was pregnant. Starting my pregnancy so heavy it scared me. 

This year I am taking care of myself. I know I am worth it to take care of myself. To give my body good foods that make me feel healthy. No more excuses. I am taking care of me and it is the best feeling in the world!

Who is going to join me for the next 4 days? Come on over to my Facebook page and if you want to join my 4 days of Fitmas Challenge, click here to join! Reindeer games begin tomorrow along with the crockpot exchange! Who knows you might even enjoy it so much that you are going to make a change in your life that lasts longer than the next 4 days. But all you have to do is TRY! You can do this. You are worth it. 

4 Days of Fitmas

YEA! It is time for the 4 Days Of Fitmas! Join me in my FREE health and fitness support group! Are you ready to have fun and enjoy your Christmas guilt free? Holiday Survival guide and recipes included along with fun Reindeer Games to play! Oh, and for an even bigger party, we are including a Crockpot Recipe Exchange!

If everyone in the group shared just 3 of their favorite healthy crockpot recipes then we would have over 75 new recipes to choose from!

Click to fill out the application and join us!

http://bit.ly/1Rtxkvu

How Do You Know If You Have A Gluten Allergy

Well, I think my battle with gluten is finally over. This past weekend I went out with some gals. I had a great weekend and ate out. I thought I made some smart choices. Didn't get anything too crazy, (like I would have years ago) but I am day 2 into tummy troubles, and bloating. It is not fun.

Here is what I ate:

Saturday lunch- Jerk Chicken quesadillas with mango salsa, I ate 2 of the 4 slices.
Saturday Dinner-Club Pita with side of grilled veggies- had ham in it and that might be where most of my problem is combined with the gluten.
Sunday Breakfast-vegan cinnamon rolls
Sunday Lunch-Chicken Kabobs, salad, rice, and 1.5 slices of Naan. (I ate the whole thing. It was amazing!)

My problem,  I ate some sort of gluten at every meal. And it was just too much for my body to handle and be able to process. I think I got the message body! Ease up on the gluten. And save it, if I really have to have it, for special occasions. But not on a regular basis. :( So sad. But it will be a good thing in the end for my body because I just function better when I reduce the amount of gluten I eat on a daily basis.

How do you know if you have a gluten intolerance? 

First step, you can talk to your doctor about getting tested. But there are some signs to watch out for and if you feel like you have these signs you can talk with your doctor.

• Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation.
• Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten.
• Inflammation or swelling in your joins, fingers, knees and hips
• dizziness or a feeling of being off balance
• Bumps or "Chicken skin" on the back of your arms

Gluten is in so many things these days even down to being in some extracts. It is so hard to completely eliminate it from your every day life, unless you have Celiacs Disease where you HAVE TO CUT IT OUT. One of the best ways to help figure out if you do have a gluten allergy is to eliminate as much gluten from your diet as possible. Don't eat processed foods, boxed foods, pre-packaged meals, freezer meals. And eat whole fruits and grains. Oatmeal, over toast in the morning. Quinoa, rice or zoodles instead of pasta. Eating plenty of veggies and fruits that have fiber in them to help your body be regular. 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here to join my private online community where you get info, tips, support and encouragement + a free gift with tips to help you get started with the right mindset for healthier nutrition choices TODAY!

Celebrate The Little Victories

Celebrate the little victories which are leading you to HUGE RESULTS! This is why it is so important to take a monthly picture and measurements because the scale is a BIG FAT LIAR! The other day I went into Kohl's because I needed jeans. BADLY! I have been wearing my maternity jeans because, well, they weren't worn in the inner thigh. They still fit, but the pair I have left have been falling off my hips and hanging too low and most of my shirts weren't long enough to cover the nude colored belly elastic thingy that covers your whole belly (do you know what I'm talking about?)

Anyhew, I am going out this weekend for a girls weekend and didn't want to sport maternity jeans. I automatically went to plus sized area. And grabbed a curvy bootcut. Totally thought I picked up an 18 because there is no way I can fit in a 16. I put them on and it was tight. I ain't gonna lie. And I had muffin top from my upper belly area, above my belly button. I hate that area by the way! I sat in the dressing room freaking out, because a) I have been working my rear end off to get fit. Even Matt said my butt was literally smaller! b) I didn't want to still be pushing out of an 18. 

After a few minutes of wallowing in my sadness I looked at the tag and it said 16! WHAT! My sadness went to AMAZEMENT! I not only was able to pull up a 16 past my thighs, I was able to zip and button them without much difficulty. Just my upper bell hanging out a bit. I can not believe it! 

At some point in your journey you will have a killer awesome moment just like that, that makes all the sweat, tears and squashing those pesky excuses totally worth it! 

Are you following me on Facebook or Pinterest yet? WHY NOT! Head on over and get daily motivation! 

Why To Eat Your Breakfast

Eat your breakfast every single day. Do not skip a good breakfast! It is too important to skip. So the word breakfast means to break your fast. You have been sleeping all night (hopefully) and haven't had any water or food and your last meal might have been around 6pm the night before. First things first, drink some water right upon waking up. Just have a cup of water right next to you and get it into your system. Then after you take care of your morning business get downstairs and have a good breakfast!

 What happens when you SKIP BREAKFAST:

It keeps your blood sugar low. When you eat breakfast it helps to regulate your insulin levels and keeps you from storing excess fat because your body goes into starvation mode and starts to hold on to all the food you eat!

It slows your metabolism. Your body is waiting for food to wake it up to get working. Skipping breakfast makes your body sluggish in waking up and getting started.

More prone to stress or feeling stressed in the day.

More likely to make up the missed meal with fast foods or binge eating. Your body is craving those calories that you miss. And you are more likely to just splurge later in the day because you are so much more hungry!

Drink your Shakeology for breakfast. It is a great way to start your day! I get a little jolt of energy after I have mine personally. Or if you save your Shakeology for later in the day, have a couple eggs and/or oatmeal or a healthy breakfast. If I am saving my Shakeology for lunch then I personally love having an egg scramble. 2 eggs with onion and bell peppers. With a side of gluten free toast or 1/4 cup of oatmeal with flaxseed and half an apple. Super easy and super delicious! 

Comment below what you had for breakfast TODAY!

Diamond Coach

 Last Thursday I hit a HUGE milestone as a health and fitness coach! I had a goal in May that I wanted to reach this goal by Christmas, and I am a whole month early! I advanced to DIAMOND RANK!

I don't receive a payout bonus, and it is not determined by how much money I have made or am making. What it means is that I am helping people every single day. Motivating them, supporting them, helping them reach their goals. And on top of that I am helping my team help others too. They are duplicating what I do and are now building their own teams. I have helped over 60 people now personally in my coaching career and that number is only going to get bigger.

What does that mean, well, that means that I am still going to be providing daily motivation and support. I am still going to be holding a clean eating challenge every month to anyone and everyone who wants to join. I am still going to be offering one on one support to my friends. Nothing changes, I am just leading a team who want to help people reach their health and fitness goals and are also reaching out to their friends who want to do the same. 

I am working with amazing women who want to be mompreneurs, girl bosses. Who want to contribute to their families income. Empowered women! Women who believe that they have a special mission to help people and who believe in themselves. (and some days we all need a little help believing in our selves. and that's ok! I'm here to help with that because I believe in you!)  And it is AMAZING! I feel so blessed to be able to work with such amazing people every single day. If you want any of these things, let me know, I would love to have you on my team! Send me an email or comment below! Connecting the dots to find balance between your fitness, health and life! 

Keeping The Holidays Healthy

Here they are! The Holidays are HERE!

Every December I have been resigned with the fact that I was just going to enjoy my holiday and deal with the aftermath in January. But this year is going to be so different. This is the first year that I am going into the holidays losing weight and actually knowing what I should and shouldn't eat. And trying to follow that. I am taking the time for me, my health and my body! No more just allowing the holidays to run my life for me.

Why wait for New Years to make the changes your body is wanting?

For December I am running a group to help keep your holidays healthy. A holiday survival group just for women who are ready to make themselves a priority this year.

My 30 day exclusive private group will include:

-A fitness program that fits your lifestyle and needs
-30 day supply of dense nutrition
-Meal plans, recipes and grocery lists
-Meal planning help and support
-Accountability and one on one coaching
-Daily motivation to help you stick with your goals
-Clean eating and holiday survival guide ebooks
-A group of supportive women who can relate to YOU

I am ready to make this December the most healthy and best one I have ever had with ME as a priority. Are you ready?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! Don't forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK!

Happy and Healthy National Redhead Day!

Happy National Redhead day! From this Ginger to you! Where are all my redheaded friends out there? Hey gotta give a shoutout to a holiday just for GINGERS!

Here are a few of fun facts about us redheads! Did you know any of these?

~People with red hair are likely more sensitive to pain. This is because the gene mutation (MC1R) that causes red hair is on the same gene linked to pain receptors. It also means redheads usually need more anesthesia for dental and medical procedures. (um totally true, I am always give more drugs for dental stuff and even for my surgery in March.)

~Having red hair isn't the only thing that makes some redheads unique. They are also more likely to be left handed. Both characteristics come from recessive genes, which like to come in pairs. (I am quite ambidextrous)

~Redheads probably won't go grey. That's because the pigment just fades over time. So they will probably go blonde and even white, but not grey. (yea! Weird thing as I am getting older, my hair is actually getting more red. So...We shall see what happens)

~Bees have been proven to be more attracted to redheads. (I hate bees! And seriously they all flock to me it seems like. I would squeal like a little girl and cower anytime a bee came near me!)

And to end this awesomely GINGERTASTIC post! How about a great Ginger Cookie Recipe! 

Healthy Ginger Cookies

Ingredients:
¾ C coconut oil
1 C agave
¼ C molasses
2 eggs (organic and free-range)
3½ C whole-wheat flour, finely ground (preferably soft white wheat)
1½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3 tsp. ginger (plus, optionally, freshly grated ginger root)
1 tsp. nutmeg

Cream together the coconut oil and sweeteners, then add the egg and mix well. Add all the dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into walnut-sized balls and bake at 375° for 6 min. I rolled mine lightly in evaporated cane juice because my boys love the crunch. 

*Found at The Fitness Freak

Sundays Are The Best

Sundays I slow things down. I try to sleep in, do something special for breakfast for the family, enjoy family time, church, sleep (oh yes! I nap on Sunday!) more family time and dinner and then I end the day with yoga. I try not to push my body too hard because I need this "day of rest". My body needs it. If you get a chance today just slow things down. Take a little break. Enjoy the day! Happy Sunday everyone! 

Need a good de-stressing stretch yoga routine? Check out this 10 minute routine by Women's Health! My favorite stretches. And of course ending the routine with corpse pose!

What is your favorite Sunday activity?

Healthy Halloween Game: 2015

I did this last year with Anna and Elsa costumes that came a knocking and ended up doing 60 squats for the night. I wanted to up the anti this year. Adding more categories of costumes and a variation of exercises to do per costume.

So the rules: Whenever one of these little costumes make an appearance at your door keep a tally and do the exercise associated with it either right then and there or after the little monsters have gone to bed. Think of this as your way to eat a candy bar or 2 for the night. Fun way to help keep you healthy and happy this holiday season!

Also check out my trick to keep the candy in the house at a minimum! Big bucket, lots of stuffing!

Halloween Candy Workouts

Here we go! CANDY-PALOOZA! Saturday is Halloween. How many of you are excited to get dressed up and go trick-or-treating...with your kids I mean! Come on with your kids! I love Halloween. I love dressing up. It is the one day I can be whatever I want to be. And now I get to see Mason's face full of excitement as he goes and knocks on a stranger's door asking/begging for candy from said complete stranger! (How is this legal!)

But still creepy stranger factor allowed, it is still fun! It is still magical for kids, and I want it to be that way for as long as possible. With that being said, how many of us eat our kids Halloween candy??? Cue Jimmy Kimmel!

Well, if you want to avoid the temper tantrums from the kids the next day and not gorge on their sacred candy, check out these charts on what and how many exercises you need to do to negate all those sticky sweets!

So Snickers is my favorite candy and you better believe that in the past I would dig those out of Mason's bag and claim them for myself but not anymore. I WILL NOT BE DOING 50 BURPEES to burn off 1 tiny little fun size bar! 50 BURPEES! What is your favorite candy and how many exercises will you be doing? Comment below. I wanna hear what your favorite Halloween Candy is! 

And, of course, be sure to like our FACEBOOK page and follow us on PINTEREST for motivation, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources.

Dairy...A Love/Hate Relationship

For the past few months I have severely reduced how much diary I am consuming. I just thought, "I will try this Almond milk to see how it is." And I haven't gone back since. It has actually been a pretty cool transition. And really the only dairy I eat regularly is butter and cheese. But it is such a small amount that it isn't enough to really affect me.

A couple weekends ago though, I ate dairy, I had cheesecake. and baked goods, and other snacks in the house I bought to help keep my kids at bay while I was in survival mode since the hubs was out of town for 4 days. And guess what??? It totally backfired on me and I am still suffering from that indulgence today! By Sunday, I was so bloated I looked like I was 6 months pregnant and my stomach was cramping like crazy. Sunday I realized that I did not eat the best decisions over the weekend and cleaned up my eating and it took till Tuesday to help clean out my body, no more bloat and the bloated weight I gained is GONE! 

What have I been doing? I have been drinking 64 oz of water with 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. And every morning I have been having warm lemon water (1 cup of water with half a lemon juiced into it). Along with cutting out sugars (except found in fruits) and also not eating breads/cutting out gluten. (I am going to be getting gluten free bread this week at the store). Plus increasing my veggies to make sure I am getting enough of them because we all could use more veggies! 

I don't think I am lactose intolerant. I could be but I have never been tested for it and don't have it official. I honestly think though that my body just isn't used to processing that kind of protein any more. And it was heavy dairy that killed me more than anything. My body has changed over the past few months and it is pretty awesome! And for me to just over load it with foods that I haven't had in so long my body was like, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO ME!" The coolest thing is how I have been able to clean out my body and how much better I am feeling. I don't feel sluggish any more. I am not as tired as I was. My body isn't bloated anymore. I feel better. And Shakeology is ROCKING at helping me feel satisfied.

Here is the thing. Dairy is amazing and yummy and in so much of what we eat. It is also an inflammatory. A huge way to help your body is to just cut out some of the dairy that you are eating. I went from drinking 2 large glasses of milk to just 1 glass, to 1 small glass of milk, to now no more milk (can't stand it anymore) and just a little bit of butter on my toast and just a pinch of cheese on my eggs in the morning. Small changes lead to huge results. Just give yourself a challenge to reduce or cut for a short time. See how it makes you feel and then you will know!


Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here to join my private online community where you get free advice, support and encouragement + a free gift with tips to help you get started with the right mindset for healthier nutrition choices!

Eating 5 Meals A Day

In the past I have been saying eat 5-6 times a day and this month I got to thinking, "What if they aren't even getting in their 3 meals a day?" It happens to me sometimes still. Some days before I know it, it is 3pm and I haven't had my lunch yet. That is actually a snack time for me. The number one goal is to make sure that yo are in fact eating 3 meals a day! It doesn't happen to just moms either! Have you been so busy at work that lunch didn't happen? Or you forgot your lunch and don't have the funds to buy one? 

It happens to everyone! I want everyone in here to make sure they are getting in their 3 meals a day. Start there! Then your next goal is to be adding in snacks at key points during the day so you don't feel hungry, or to help keep your 3 main meals a day smaller so that you are not over eating! Eating every 2.5 hours or so whatever works for you! But the final goal is to be eating 5 - 6 meals a day!

Benefits of eating 5-6 meals a day: 

Keeps blood sugar stable

Keeps your metabolism up

Keeps you sustained meaning less junk foods

More energy

Happier, no midday cranky pants!

Keeps you regular

So you guys. I want you to write down what time you eat your meals for the next week. Sound easy enough? See how many meals you are actually getting! Also you are going to see patterns that if you were running late, you might skip a snack? Or you might start packing a snack with you because you are becoming more aware of what you are doing! And please don't be concerned if you only got in 2 meals or 6. This is to help keep you aware of what you are doing and tracking your progress and then go from there! Comment below with how many meals you are getting on average in a day over a week! 

And, of course, be sure to like our FACEBOOK page and follow us on PINTEREST for motivation, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources.