Lose Weight Or Stay Overweight? Choose Your Hard

I have been thinking about this for awhile. losing weight freaking sucks and is hard. There are times where I wish my body would just release the weight. But...it comes down to what do you really want. And honestly, I haven't been as diligent with my eating as I should be. This is why I have a coach. And I have groups to help keep me accountable. 

Losing weight is hard. And being overweight is hard and hurts and sucks. But I can either stick to what I know I should do or just settle for where I am at or the good chance that I gain weight and keep getting bigger. Which is not an option for me.

Recently, I have told a couple people that next month I am getting my personal training certificate. I keep thinking, how can they take me seriously when I look the way I do? Would I want to work with a trainer who was so far from their goals? I start to second guess myself and what the crap I am doing wrong, and get into that nasty downward cycle. Just before I started writing this, I had been mentally putting off my workout. Even as excited as I am to do a new program, I'm tired. It would be so nice to just skip it and rest. But it comes down to what do I really want?

Do I want to continue the way I am or do I need to stop making excuses and stick with my plans.

Guess what? As much as I was mentally putting off my workout I freaking did it. And once I felt myself start to go through the motions @chrisdowningfitness said "there's so much more in you". This was when there was about 5 minutes left and it freaking out a fire in me. I pushed harder. I fell on my butt in the crab crawls again but I didn't stop. I finished strong. And yes, I had 3 little mini cookies today but I am still on my way to reaching my goals because I refuse to give up. #i just have to work harder on being more diligent with my nutrition.

How are you doing and what have you been feel lately about your journey?

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Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

Wanna make you life so much easier? Being a busy mom of 3 kids I want things that are easy and still taste great! Check out this homemade fajita seasoning that can be used on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING! Chicken, Steak, Rice, Veggies, Quinoa, tofu, Anything! Super easy and super tasty.

Fajita Seasoning: 
Ingredients:
¼ cup Chili Powder
2 tablespoons Paprika
1 tablespoon Onion Powder
1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Cayenne Powder (optional) (I use about 1/2 a tsp) 
1 tablespoon Cumin Powder

Combine in a cute little spice container and use when you need it!

Recipe of the week for meal prep: 

SALSA CHICKEN: 
5 chicken breasts
fajita seasoning
1/2 jar of salsa

Spread 5 chicken breasts on a cookie sheet. 
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the fajita seasoning.
Pour salsa on each breast. 
Bake at 400 degree Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. 
Shred chicken and store in fridge. 
Take what you need! 

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!

9 Months: Postpartum Update

Exercise: This has been a month of, do whatever feels best! I did the Shaun Week that was released using Beachbody On Demand with the all access pass. Plus tried out some new to me workouts including Insanity Max:30! My goal was to exercise 4-5 days a week and on average I did 3-4. I am still trying to get my knee to feel better, so I have been modifying the workouts to fit me but I am still working, still sweating and still rocking! 

Weight: Pre-pregnancy weight:237.7. Weight morning of birth: 265. Current weight July 1: 248.1. Weight went up for 1 reason...NUTRITION! I have not been on track with my nutrition habits at all. I have been indulging too much. Plus when Elyse was going through her little growth spurt, I went through a little carb loading eating way more carbs than I usually do, which made my body bloat up like crazy. Combine that with the muggy summer here and I have swollen up as well. If I want to reach my goals, I have got to get my eating back on track!

July Goals: This month is the month of nutrition and getting my eating back on track. I know what to eat for my body, but you guys, the struggle is real. My mind wants other things and just like anyone else it is hard to stick with a meal plan. But Eat right most of the time and indulge just some of the time is key to a healthy lifestyle change! For my exercise I am aiming for 5 days a week of active exercise and using the weekends to do healthy activities with my family. Shift Shop, a brand new 21 day workout is coming out this month and I am excited to get my hands on that. I am probably going to be taking some of my workouts outside to try something new. I want you to know that it is possible to lose weight while breastfeeding. Looking for support and community on your journey, join my accountability groups! The accountability from sharing my journey and in my groups is what is keeping me going everyday. Interested in joining my private online support community? CLICK HERE TO JOIN: CONNECT THE DOTS TO YOUR HEALTH, FITNESS AND LIFE Private Online Community.

Are you ready to make that complete healthy lifestyle change but don't know where to start? I have created a 30 day workbook with daily action steps to help you make a complete healthy lifestyle change. 30 Days To A Healthy Lifestyle Change is available in my EXCLUSIVE private Facebook group as part of my Summer Slim Down To Success 60 Day Program as a TOOL to go along with your Beachbody On Demand All Access Pass workout programs and journey. If you are interested in joining us and are ready to order CLICK HERE and I will send you an email after you order with your materials and get you added to the group!

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!

Salsa Chicken Recipe

One of our new favorite ways to enjoy chicken. Salsa Chicken! Great for meal prep because this chicken can be used for anything. Salad. Burrito Bowls. Chicken and rice. Chicken and broccoli. Anything that you want just a quick kick to. Plus it cooks up in just 25 minutes. Can't beat that! 

SALSA CHICKEN: 
5 chicken breasts
fajita seasoning
1/2 jar of salsa

Spread 5 chicken breasts on a cookie sheet. 
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with fajita seasoning.
Pour salsa on each breast. 
Bake at 400 degree Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. 
Shred chicken and store in fridge. 
Take what you need! 

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!

Decadent Berry Trifle

Dessert? Did that ginger just say, dessert?!? Yep, I sure did! My philosophy is, eat clean most of the time and enjoy holidays and special days, GUILT FREE! But when I make something, I go all out. And the 4th of July is no exception. Plus my husband and kids all love this! Plus to get that beautiful red, white and blue look it gives me the perfect excuse to use fresh berries, and LOTS OF THEM! And since everyone asks me for my recipe, why not make a post about it. Check out my favorite and easy to put together Angel Food Cake Trifle!

Festive Berry Trifle

Ingredients:

1 full size, pre made, angel food cake (or make your own from scratch, but I just buy the already made version at my local grocery store)

3 pounds  of strawberries (3 small clamshell sizes or 2 large ones and keep half of one for later)

2 pints of blueberries

1 pint heavy whipping cream

2 tsp powder sugar

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tsp almond extract

Directions:

Prep: 

Slice the angel food cake into small bite size pieces, roughly 1 inch cubes.

Quarter 2 pounds of the strawberries and thinly slice 1 pound for decoration along the side of the bowl and the top.

Combine the quartered strawberries and blueberries in a separate bowl to evenly distribute the berries.

Make the cream: 

Using a mixer, whip the heavy whipping cream. When at soft peaks add the powder sugar. 

Once the whipping cream is at stiff peaks add the softened cream cheese and whip together. Slowly drizzle in the sweetened condensed milk. Then add the lemon juice and almond extract and whip to thicken up a little bit. About 3 minutes on medium speed.

Assembly: 

Spread 1/3 little bit of the cream on the bottom of your glass trifle bowl. 

Evenly top with 1/3 of the angel food cake. 

Evenly top the angel food cake with 1/3 of the berries, using slices around the edge to make it decorative. 

Repeat pattern of cream, cake, berries 2 more times or however you want to layer it. The picture above I swapped the final layer to be the cake, cream, and berries for decoration.

Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to harden the cream, serve and enjoy! 

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