Wanna Lose Weight? Believe In You!

That is the number one first step to real change! TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! That is all you have to do. Believe that you can make changes and you will.

To be honest. I talk to so many people who don't think that they can do this. That they can commit to a program, commit to themselves because they have failed in the past to reach their goals. But those "fails" are just stumbles that have made them even stronger so that the next time something comes before them, they have more strength and faith to do what they want to do. To achieve their goals. All it takes is a little personal belief. Anyone can do this. You just have to want it bad enough. And you have to believe that you truly can make a change!

You are here. Do you still believe that you can achieve your goals? Or have you struggled with your own personal belief? You know I believe in you, right! You can do this. Start today, plan for the week! Schedule in your exercise for the week. Commit to yourself that you are going to do this! AND DO IT!

Comment below with your exercise schedule for the week. Take a picture of your calendar, or just jot it down below! Commit to yourself!

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! 

Brain vs Body

Did you know that your mind will give up on you long before your body will? We tend to over think things, and when something is a little difficult our mind will tell us that, "Hey, you tried, great job, it's time to stop." But I guarantee you your body has at least 2 more reps in it.

So...next time you are doing your workout (later today) do 5 more reps on every move. You are going to work your body more but think about the feeling at the end knowing how much butt you kicked. Literally your own butt! You have to push yourself to make changes. If you want to be better then you have to do better than you were yesterday! Turn off your brain and just listen to your body! Don't think, "I CAN'T" Because you can do anything!

What do you think? Are you going to give this a try today? Let me know how you did!

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! 

runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Changes Announced

I got a fun and exciting email today from runDisney that they have made some changes to the 2016 Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend. It is truly a weekend as they have added in a challenge aspect, and the half marathon will no longer be a night race, but on Sunday morning!

Check out the details below!

Addition of a 10K: It was only a matter of time before runDisney added a challenge and it is FINALLY HAPPENING! The 10k will be run on Saturday morning.

Addition of a challenge: Following along historically, runDisney has also added a challenge for those that complete the 10k as well as the half marathon. You can now earn a challenge medal for 2016. The name of the challenge will be “Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge.”  LOVE IT!

Time change of the half marathon: If you have been following the construction updates this is really no surprise. There is a ton of construction going on in Disney's Hollywood Studios and can't really run a race through that. The half marathon will NOT be run at night like it was in previous years (no more Osbourne lights show), but instead will be held on Sunday morning. 

Time change for the after party: Because the half marathon is being run on Sunday morning, the after party will not be held until Sunday night (8:00 pm-1:00 am). This might be a good thing so people aren't hobbling around EPCOT all sweaty in the freezing cold, while half asleep. This way, everyone will be able to go back to their hotel, shower, nap, and then come back later to party refreshed and ready for some fun.

Course Change: Again, due to the construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the course has been altered to avoid the park all together.

PRICES: 

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

$190

Lumiere’s Two Course Challenge

$330

Disney Wine & Dine 10K

$120

Mickey’s Holiday 5K

$70

runDisney Kids’ Races presented by GoGo squeeZ® Applesauce on the Go

$20

runDisney 1-Mile Run

$30

Post Race Party Tickets

$79

So are you planning on running this year? Are you excited about the changes? The new challenge medal? Comment below!

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! 

All Shapes and Sizes of Fitness Motivators

A few days ago I saw a video, the content doesn't need to be discussed but there was one thing that was said that really struck a nerve with me. It was said, "Why would you ever want to follow someone who is overweight, or listen to them as a motivator, or find them inspirational as a "fit person."

For someone that is overweight, and is trying and succeeding in losing weight (up until I got pregnant mind you,) I ask myself that same questions ALL THE TIME! Why on earth would you even find inspiration in me? Shouldn't I be "fit" before I try giving my 2 cents? People must think I am not trying hard enough and that if I just tried harder I would be "thinner". I run these questions all the time in my head. It is so hard not to listen to these voices but here is how I have answered these questions.

First of all. We all start somewhere. Right? Even if someone just wants to lose 5 pounds vs 100 pounds we all have a starting point. It is a journey. It takes time. And chronicling that journey is actually really awesome to see the changes. The obstacles that have been overcome. The ups and downs. The amount that someone learns from starting their journey to getting to their "finish line."

Secondly, I know I am never, ever going to be a size two. It is NEVER going to happen. 6th grade, I weighed 125 pounds. and I was not fat. Even in high school, when I thought I was a fat cow I was not fat. I was a healthy 165-170 pounds. It wasn't until I stopped eating and exercised a ton that I lost weight and got down to 145. But it was too thin for my body type and unsustainable once I started eating again. And I am ok with that.

I believe in being fit and healthy over being skinny. And darn it, I will be rocking a healthy weight whatever weight I am because that is what I do. Even at my current 240 pounds I am still eating right, (with a little indulgence every now and then) and exercising when I can (It will be more as my morning sickness wears off!) My blood pressure is amazing for an "overweight person". My doctor knows that I am am taking care of myself and is so proud of me for not giving up despite everything I have been through. And as far as being pregnant, it is possible to lose weight while pregnant, but right now, I am listening to my body. And taking care of it. My goal is to be as healthy as possible and hopefully that means, only gaining the weight my body needs not excess weight.

Third, there is someone out there, many someones out there that are struggling just as much as I am. And me showing them that I got through the sugar addiction, the plateaus, the yo-yo dieting, the overall crap of trying to lose weight. If that gives one person the faith that they can actually do it too, then I have done my job! Seriously, because we all start from somewhere. We all have to become humbled and literally changed by what we are going through to make changes in our body.

There are health and fitness motivators in all shapes and sizes out there. Don't judge them just because some of them aren't at what society considers a typical healthy body type. That is the great thing about the internet. You find something you like, you can come back, find something you don't and you don't. (I hope you like it here though and you keep on coming back for more!)

255 pounds on the left and 237 on the right! I am a plus sized health and fitness motivator, supporter and educator! 

If you have been thinking, "Can I really help motivate someone?" YES, YES YOU CAN! Want more info on how to get started on your journey, or helping others on their journey? SEND ME AN EMAIL! I'm a stay at home Momon mom who wants to talk to you, because I am here to tell you that it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Educating, supporting,motivating, and staying home with my kids. You don't have to be at your goal weight. You don't have to have it all together. You DO have to want to help people and if you have that desire, I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU! EMAIL ME NOW! DON'T WAIT, just do it now!

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! 

Bump Update: 12 Weeks

YAY! I have made it to 12 weeks. I have now officially passed 2 of my other miscarriages. One more to go and I will finally feel like I am in the clear. Honestly, I think I will start to celebrate my pregnancy after the 21st. As that is the date that I miscarried last year. If I make it past that, I will finally take a sigh of relief and feel more comfortable.

But I do feel different this pregnancy. I am trying my darndest not to bond, but I am. I am filled with joy about being pregnant and truly feel like it is a blessing from God. We are getting the ultimate do-over. And that is comforting.

Total Weight Gain: 3 pounds

Symptoms: still getting morning sickness at night, can't eat a big dinner at all. 

Baby’s Size: Plum

Maternity Clothes: No but my jeans are getting tight. I will be ordering some maternity shorts pretty soon! 

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new.

Sleep: I am waking up 3 times a night to pee. And often have a hard time getting back to sleep. But I am going to bed by 9:30 every night it seems and I love getting sleep! 

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably! 

Cravings: CARBS and not the good kind

Aversions: nothing yet

Workouts: The plan was to start this week. Morning sickness is pretty good in the morning so I am planning on trying out the ACTIVE MATERNITY workout tomorrow! 

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! 

At Home Prenatal Yoga

This week, I finally feel more like myself. Not too queasy, not too tired. It has actually been pretty amazing. And earlier than I expected! It was also the start to getting back into exercise. I am taking it nice and slow and relaxed this week and then I will get back into my normal 30 minute routine next week hoping I will be able to of course)

I have found quite a few different resources to help me get started and get back into it since I do at home workouts anyhew! Check out what I have been doing!

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! 

Local Honey For Allergies?

It is starting to warm up out there! Who else suffers from springtime allergies? I do, and about right now I start to add local RAW honey to my diet. Not a lot up to a tablespoon a day to build up my defenses really. In all honesty, I notice a difference in my allergies when I add honey in my diet, but I have to start about 2 weeks before the hugs pollen explosion which is usually around the first week of April. You will have to determine if this works for you or not. (Remember not to feed honey to children under the age of 1 as it can be very harmful for them due to the bacteria that can be contained in it.)

Here's the sticky truth: 

Honey that is raw will still contain all the living enzymes needed to protect your body from a histamine overdose.

Any raw honey that is harvested nearby where the same sort of plants are blooming at roughly the same time can be considered local.

Raw, local honey only works on pollen allergies.

How to add honey to your everyday life? 

Add some honey to your cup of warm lemon in the morning. So it would be warm lemon and honey water. 

Try out the ENERGY BITES recipe because it uses honey! 

Just enjoy a good old PB & Honey sandwich every now and then.

Look for some recipes that call for honey in them. A quick and easy google search or Pinterest search will find them for you!

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! 

HEALTHY Crockpot Turkey Meatballs!

Made this last night and they were so easy and YUMMY! PERFECT!

Crockpot Turkey Meatballs:

Ingredients:

-1.25lbs of ground turkey (93% lean)

-¼ Cup of Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

-2TBSP of Italian Seasoning

-1 Egg

-1 Clove of Garlic (crushed)

-Salt and Pepper to Taste

-Low Sodium, no Sugar Added Pasta Sauce (Ragu has a light, no sugar added sauce) or make your own! (My hubs wanted extra sauce so you might want more sauce if you like it saucy!)

-zucchini noodles, or we used whole wheat noodles

Directions:

1. Combine turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, seasonings, and garlic into a bowl and mix together.

2. Form small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each

3. Add meatballs to crockpot

4. Add sauce on top of meatballs (add enough to just about cover the meatballs.

5. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

6. Serve with Zucchini Noodles or just stick a toothpick in there. Or heat up some whole wheat pasta

7. Enjoy!

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! 

There Are No Quick Fixes To Losing Weight

I went through my cupboards and did another clean up of things that I just don't need anymore. I did this about 6 months ago and finally threw out some of my "quick fix" pills that I thought would work at the time. (Garcinia Cambogia and the green coffee bean extracts pills) And guess what? I found 3 more bottles of these pills that are meant to help get me "high school skinny!" Why do I still have these? Honestly, in case I got desperate. (after pregnancy of course) But not anymore. They are gone. In the trash! No more wasting my money on pills that won't work and sticking with what I finally know works!

I was that girl that was always looking for the easy way to lose weight. The magic pill to help me so I wouldn't have to work as hard. But guess what? There is not magic pill! Nope, never. You have to learn to eat right and fill your body with the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs, and that is why I never lost the weight while taking those "magic pills." I would still eat crap thinking that my pills would take care of it for me. They didn't.

Stop taking the easy pills, eat good whole foods and a healthy diet. That is the first place to start, every single time. If you don't know what foods to eat, or even where to start, please EMAIL ME, let's talk. THIS IS WHAT I DO AND LOVE DOING! Coach, motivate, inspire. Together we can get you on the right path so that you never have to take those pills again, or even want to, and still be able to eat and keep the weight off! You are worth it to finally be in control of your life!

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! 

21 Day Fix Approved Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Check out one of the recipes I will be making this week for us!

Fix Approved Buffalo Chicken Wraps

INGREDIENTS:

1. One pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
2. ¾ Cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
3. 1/4 cup of Franks Red Hot (I'm using Trader Joe's Chili sauce)
4. 1 tsp Garlic Powder
5. 1 tsp minced Garlic
6. 1/2 cup Diced Onion
7. Bib lettuce or Romaine lettuce

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add all ingredients into the crock pot
2. Cook on low for 3 hours
3. Stir after the first hour and a half so that all of the chicken is washed with the seasonings, yogurt and hot sauce
4. Once cooked thoroughly, you will be able to pull the chicken apart into shredded pieces
I put mine over a salad or in a lettuce wrap smile emoticon

This counts as 1 Red and 1 Blue, and in the lettuce 1/2 green- 1 whole green depending on if it is a wrap or on a salad on the ‪#‎21dayfix‬ meal plan!

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! 

Running While Pregnant Is Possible

I just realized last that 2 years ago I ran in my FIRST half marathon at 29 weeks PREGNANT!

First of all, I can't believe that it has been 2 years, almost seems longer, but secondly, I am still amazed that I did it. Did the race. What a blessing that I was able to be healthy, and have a healthy pregnancy, and that my body allowed me to do it. Yes my body, because, it is no joke training for a half marathon!

I learned so much about myself that day:

1) that I am a very determined redhead, that when I set my sights on something, come hell or high water, I am going to do it! I even said the day I registered, pregnant or not, I will be doing the race. And I did.

2) That it is totally ok to exercise while pregnant, as long as you have the okay from your doc. Every appointment I asked, "You sure it is ok for me to do x amount of miles this week? Can I still do the race?" He fully supported me. But also told me what to watch out for.

3) I learned to listen to my body and realized that my body is a heck of a lot stronger than I thought it was. I did up to 11 miles, on the treadmill in the space of 3 hours. I did that during my training. I kicked butt, and I survived, I had to take a nap every weekend to get my energy back but I still did it.

4) To believe in myself even when others around me didn't. People told me I was crazy, even the morning of the race in the corrals. People looked at me funny at the gym because I was running while pregnant. I was told it wasn't safe, and I was going to hurt my baby. But I believed in myself and my body and we did it!

Our bodies are amazing. We can make babies, and bounce back to how we were before we got pregnant. We can feed a human being. We can be kept up all night from worry over those little human beings. Believe in you and your body.

Right now I am hosting my regular health and fitness support group and a fit pregnancy group, It is so amazing watching women and moms just kick butt at the gym, or home workouts. They are taking care of themselves and their babies. I love what I do as a coach, working with so many women who are ready to change their lives. Pregnant or not, if you are ready to join my groups for motivation and support, CONTACT ME! Comment below, or email me. Let's chat.

It's kind of fun to do the impossible!

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! 

Fighting Those Pregnancy Cravings!

We all have them, CRAVINGS, pregnant or not. But when you are pregnant there are 2 things that happen to us.

1) Cravings when pregnant go on overdrive. They become so much more heightened!

2) Giving into cravings happen more because, you're pregnant!

Don't get into the cycle though, speaking from experience here peeps, to just throw in the towel and eat whatever you want. That is the last thing you want to be doing. Yes you need to be eating 300-500 more calories while pregnant, IN THE LAST TRIMESTER! But in the beginning, no. You don't need to increase your caloric intake. I know it is so nice to "finally" eat the foods you want to eat because you are feeding for two. But what happens. You start to gain weight too quickly, and before you know it, you have gained 10 pounds in just a couple months. It is the last thing you want to go through while you are making a baby.

So advice on fighting those oh so hard pregnancy cravings?

1) Make it a treat. Only occasionally. Yes, you will still give in to them, because if you don't you will binge later on.

2) Choose only 1 day a week to allow yourself those cravings if you have to. Schedule it in. Make it planned. Not spontaneous.

3) Work really hard to eat really well the rest of the time. And when you do that, eating a treat won't matter at all!

4) CUT THE GUILT OUT OF IT! This taken from a post on Facebook by

Mama Lion Strong "I haven't done anything wrong and there's nothing to feel guilty for. And no, I will not follow this up with a punishment of skipping breakfast, a salad for lunch, and broccoli and grilled chicken for supper.

I wake up and carry on as normal. Because Snickers happens. Ice cream happens. Chips happen. Normal people eat these things. They can be part of anyone's well balanced diet and will make no difference in how you look or feel overall.

That is.... Unless you make yourself feel rotten for it. And that rotten feeling makes you eat ten bags of Snickers because you're a bad, bad girl.

Do this for the next year, then it might start affecting how you look and feel overall.

If you have a trainer, a nutrition coach, a friend or family member pushing an extreme food mentality on you I'm just going to say it: they probably have an eating disorder. Don't get sucked in. Eat your Snickers and carry on."

Cravings suck! But sometimes you just have to give in to them, allow them to happen, enjoy your life and move on to the next! You are worth it to take care of yourself, but enjoy life too! 

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! 

You ARE Worth It - Stop Doubting Yourself

Last night I was reading from one of my books. It talked about the phrase "I Am Worth It." And sometimes that phrase, on some days that might not be going the way they should be can turn back into, "Am I Worth It?" Some days this is going to happen. Trust me. On days that the kids are arguing with me, not listening, not following the things I am asking I start to question how good of a mom I am, or if I am even worth it. It is an awful feeling to deal with. It can quickly turn into a downward spiral and then all the good work you had been doing can just shatter.

Just know, there are going to be times that you are going to doubt yourself, but have a stronger conviction to not listen to those moments. Or at least don't dwell in them. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You are worth it.

Have you ever felt this way? That pesky, "Am I worth it" phrase come into your thinking???

Here is the thing. YOU ARE WORTH IT! NO matter what your brain or anyone else tells you. You are so worth every hard decision, workout, quiet time, me time, alone time, or anything else you can think about that can just get you down. You are worth it! Never ever forget it. You are worth anything! 

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! 

2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon

Good luck to all the Princesses running in the 2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon today! It is a great course! Stay safe, hydrate and above all, HAVE FUN! Wish I was with you. One day I will be but until then, Have a great time!

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! 

10 Tips to Cut Sugar Cravings

Wanna cut your sugar cravings for good? Follow these 10 tips to help you cut your cravings!

1) Fiber will keep you full and give you more energy without raising your blood sugar so there’s no [hangry] crash afterward. Choose fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

2) High-protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer.

3) Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way sugars do. Pick proteins like nuts, or beans, or lean meats, yogurt or eggs.

4) Drink plenty of water. Sometimes sweets cravings, are actually a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sweet snack, have a glass of water and wait a few minutes.

5) Fruit and sweet vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, turnips) are naturally sweet, have tons of nutrition, and are quite delicious. The more you eat, the less you crave sugar.

6) Spices can naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings. Coriander, cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom will add flavor without calories.

7) Scout Out hidden sugar. Sugar can hide in foods where you least expect it. Although they don't seem sweet, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and pasta sauce have loads of sugar. So do reduced-fat salad dressings, bread, baked beans, and some flavored coffees. Get in the habit of reading labels. Filter out high-sugar foods before they hit your shopping cart.

8) Get physically active. Being active helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts energy, and reduces tension which will eliminate the need to self-medicate with sugar! Exercise can help wipe out those sugar cravings and change the way you eat in general. You will start to feel better and want healthier foods. Do what you like whether it’s walking, riding your bike, swimming or hitting the gym. Start out slow, and work toward at least 30 minutes at a time, 5 days a week.

9) Get more sleep, rest, and relaxation. Simple carbs such as sugar are the most readily usable forms of energy for an exhausted body and mind. If you are in chronic state of stress and/or sleep deprivation, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is - sugar.

10) Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways. Every craving is NOT a signal that your body biologically requires sugar. Cravings often have a psychological component. By identifying the causes of food cravings and substituting lifestyle and relationship adjustments accordingly, you can begin to find balance and take charge of your health.

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! 

5 Reason to Cook At Home

It can be very tempting to order out, head to a restaurant, or get frozen packaged food when you’re short on time. Trust me, even I fall prey to this sometimes. Because I just don't want to cook. Why bother? There are so many reasons! (being pregnant and having no energy is my current complaint!) 

But by making your own meals, you know exactly what you are putting into your body. That includes salt, and sugar. Which are used too much in fast foods, packaged frozen foods and even at restaurants. 

1. COST

For starters, cooking at home is way cheaper. If you find a few recipes that appeal to you, make a list, and buy only what you need, you can make a week's worth of dinners for about the same amount of money you'd spend in a mid-range restaurant for two or three meals. Check out a restaurant menu online and add up the costs: entree, drink, tip. Times two. See what I mean??

2. HEALTH
Another reason, it’s generally healthier. You can control the amounts of fat, sugar, sodium, and other ingredients. You can also control the portion size of your food. Portion control is as easy as deciding how much food to put on your plate, eliminating the temptation to eat all those fries that came with your restaurant burger. Or to chow down on that entire Chipotle burrito bowl!

3. LEFTOVERS
If planned right, you don’t need to cook every day. You can cook in large batches and have some food for the next day, making your life a little simpler. This is one of my favorite ways to “meal prep”. I cook extra on one night and heat it up (possibly add a few more ingredients) to eat the next night. Simple dinner on a busy weeknight! 

I know a lot of people do not like leftovers. But it is a great way to help save money and make your week of cooking a lot easier. I didn't like leftovers in the beginning either. It just isn't as good the second time around, but there are many dishes, like soups or stews that are much better after they sit for awhile. Start small. With one leftover a week and increase from there! 

4. FIT FAMILY
It can be a great way to get the family together to help! Getting your kids involved in the kitchen will teach them valuable life skills. Plus, you can pass on important nutritional information while making it fun. My boys LOVE to be my little helpers and they are more likely to eat healthy foods if they were involved in the preparation. Especially Mason. Now that he really wants to help! 

5. TIME
Finally, cooking at home can be faster than going out. Add up the time spent driving to a restaurant, waiting to be seated, waiting to be served, eating, paying, then driving home again. You could have fixed something simple and tasty much faster and been more comfortable in the process. You can cook and eat in your pajamas or workout clothes if you want to! 

BONUS: 

Cook for your taste buds- When you cook at home, you can control the amount of each flavor is in the food. Creating the perfect taste for you. I don't add salt to my foods and often when we eat out, most foods taste too salty to me. Or if I want to spice up my Mexican Foods, I can do that more easily in my own kitchen. 

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!