FREE Daily Health and Fitness Tips To Survive The Holidays

December is Holiday Survival Time. GOAL: At least maintain my current weight so that I don't have to work even harder in the New Year with my "lose weight resolution". Join my FREE, women's only private community, CONNECT THE DOTS: Healthy And Fit Life Community who want to work at their own pace at their health and fitness goals. Plus you get my FREE Clean Eating guide as a GIFT when you join!

For the entire month of December, I'm sharing my TOP TIPS daily to help you avoid the excess weight gain that accompany the holiday season. Like tip number 1 below! Want more tips to stay on track and avoid excess weight gain this holiday season? REQUEST TO JOIN! It just takes a few seconds! See you in the community!

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!

5 SIMPLE Tips: How To Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

It's here! The most fattening time of the year! With all the parties, gatherings, cookies, treats and other goodies around you, plus going against our body's natural tendency to want to eat carb, and fat laden foods to "stock up for winter", it can feel like a losing battle. But, if you want to make a change this year, and end on a good note you are going to have to work at it! Check out these 5 tips to help you Beat The Holiday Weight Gain!

1) DRINK MORE WATER
It's cold outside, not hot. You sweat less. In some ways the body is more dehydrated in the winter than in the summer, when we know to hydrate our bodies more because of the excess sweating that happens after we exercise. Aim to drink a tall glass of water (8oz at least) before every meal. Have a craving for something sweet, drink water first. Aim to drink half your body weight in water a day, every day.

2) DECIDE NOW WHEN AND AT WHAT PARTY/GATHERING YOU WILL INDULGE
Pull out that calendar and put down every party, gathering, cookie exchange you have been invited to and decide which one you are going to indulge in. Because you "shouldn't" indulge at all of them. Remember, you have goals. And you want to reach them. That means you might have to say no to those sweets and treats.

3) EAT MORE VEGGIES
This is going against our natural order. Where veggies are the go to in the summer time because that is when they are readably available. But now that we have access to greens and veggies galore, stock up on those veggies. Eat a plate of veggies before you go to a party, to fill up the space making it more difficult to eat other things. And always grab some veggies at your party. Fill half your plate at the party and regular dinner table with veggies. Not only will you be getting the vital minerals and nutrients from the veggies, but they help to take up more space than proteins and carbs. Helping you feel fuller faster.

4) EXERCISE
Make it a goal during this month specifically to exercise 5-6 days a week. If you normally do 3-4 try to bump it up by at least one day. By exercising more you are burning more calories, and mentally it helps you feel better about yourself and some of the treats. It is a mental mind game in a way to help you feel less guilt when you do indulge.

5) ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS
Don't feel any guilt when you do indulge. It is the time of year when memories were always made around food, family and gifts. Food is a huge part of this holiday. And when you do indulge don't feel guilty for what you are eating. Follow the first 4 tips here, to help you stay on track but eat a cookie every now and then. Enjoy your Christmas feast that you or your family and friends prepared for you. Because life is too sweet to and wonderful to feel things like guilt to ruin your day. There is always the next day to get back at your goals. Never forget that!

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!

Dairy Free and Refined Sugar Free Healthier Hot Chocolate Mix

Healthier Hot Cocoa Mix (Dairy Free/ Refined Sugar Free)

1 c. raw cacao powder or cocoa

3 c. coconut sugar

2 1/2 c. coconut milk powder (you can get it THROUGH AMAZON!) 

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Mix all ingredients together and store in a sealed container. Makes approximately 6 1/2 cups.

To make 1 serving: Add 1-2 tablespoons of mixture (it all depends on how big your cup is) to a mug of boiling water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla for extra flavor.

Perfect gift to give to friends or family. Package in small mason jars, or close top glass jars with the directions on a handwritten tag. 

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!

Staying Connected With This Fit Ginger

Thank you so much for checking out my site! It means the world to me. Have you started following me on Instagram yet? Great way for more motivation, inspiration, plus a view at what I do and how I fit daily exercise and my healthy lifestyle into my every day life! Head on over and give me a follow!

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!

Get Out Of Your Thanksgiving Rut With These 4 Tips

Now that the Thanksgiving weekend is finally over, are you still feeling sluggish and just blah today? The last thing you might want to do today after too many leftovers, sweets and treats filled your plate all weekend long will be to exercise. After a few days of gorging on food and little exercise the body is going to fight and scream at you. 

So...how do you get out of the rut of Thanksgiving and start feeling like you again?

1) Exercise...Do it anyways
The last thing you might want to do is exercise, but get your body moving. When you move your body, it helps things in your body move. After a carb heavy feast, your body might be a little sluggish and needs that extra little movement to help your body move those things out. And if you aren't in the mood to exercise, DO IT ANYWAYS! It will help you feel better mentally too. You won't regret doing your workout. Stick with a 30 minute workout like 21 Day Fix using Beachbody On Demand.

2) Drink Water
Drink plenty of water over the next few days to help your body hydrate. Pass on having any sodas or alcohol. Let your body.

3) Do A Cleanse
You can either do an all natural cleanse or I'm doing this 3 day plant based cleanse by Beachbody. The 3 Day Refresh. Even though I ate really well this Thanksgiving I still want to help my body along, because I still ate more than I normally do. This 3 day cleanse will help restore the PH balance in my body, flush out toxins and "stuff" and help relieve the bloating and swelling I have. In just 3 days.

4) Think Positive
No matter what happened this past weekend, it's okay. What's done is done. Don't dwell on what you could have done better, but think positive about what you can do today to help you make a lifestyle change that carries over even during the holidays.

Remember these phrases:

• Food is your fuel not your comforter.
• You don't need a lot to curve a craving.
• Food is not in control. You are in control.
• More veggies! 
• I'm creating a lifelong lifestyle not a quick fix

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!