Connect the Dots Ginger | Becky Allen

Friday, November 8, 2019

3 Tips To Up Level Your Nutrition | Better Nutrition For Your Family, Reduce Processed Food and Save Money

It's no secret that I struggle with nutrition. Like many, many others out there, I honestly want to be able to lose weight and eat my cake...but it's not working that way for me! And if you are reading this, it might not be for you either.

Nutrition is HARD! Because there are so many amazing food creations out there but let's face it, the biggest and hardest thing is avoiding processed foods, sugars and candy. We buy boxed cereal because it's easy and no one wants to have the fighting start with their kids before 8am. Using a box mac n cheese, or fast food or a pre made meal is easier on those nights that we get home late, have a rough day with the kids, or just don't feel like cooking. The obesity rate is still on the rise across America.

In the last 2 months our family has significantly cut out processed foods in our diet and the benefits, we have more homemade meals, we have actually saved more money/spent less at the store. And we are seeing the impact processed foods and sugars have on our kids. Let me tell you,  my kids were completely different kids following Halloween (more like little devils!) then they were over the entire month of October when they were eating less sugars and processed foods.

My oldest has struggled for years with his focus. But since we started cleaning up what we have been eating, he has been able to focus more at school and is thriving in his class. Collin, well he's 5 and just has a ton of energy, but he got so sick following Halloween he was out of school an extra 2 days as his body was detoxing from the sugar overload. GET THIS BOOK to learn more about the effects of nutrition and childhood behaviors and health.


More people than ever are counting points, doing keto, cutting fat/eating a reduced fat diet, calorie depletion and are drinking more green smoothies. But...the obesity rate is still rising. The key thing more people need to do is just STOP buying the processed foods and making more homemade foods.

3 TIPS TO UP LEVEL YOUR NUTRITION: 

MEAL PLAN AHEAD OF TIME- In my exclusive group we have been meal planning by THURSDAY for the next week so that we have a plan in place, and a few days time to go to the store and make sure we have everything we need to start the week strong.



UTILIZE LEFTOVERS- A big thing that's made a huge change is that we always plan to have leftovers for at least 1 dinner after. So in my meal planning I plan to make 3 dinners a week, with enough to eat leftovers for 1 day. So on Monday I cook homemade Taco Soup, Tuesday we have leftover Taco soup. See below. Red days are the days I'm cooking. Grey are the days I use leftovers. Also, if we have more than 2 nights of dinner for our family, then we will use extra leftovers as our lunch too. Soups are great for that. But yes, it is a lot of the same foods. But my life is way easier!


STICK TO THE PLAN NO MATTER WHAT! There are going to be days where you aren't going to want to cook. But do it anyways. Think of your budget. Think of your goals. Create discipline. Also become a food snob. Don't settle for the drive thru. If you do "have" eat out, or especially on a date night, choose restaurants with high end ingredients. (local sourced, organic, minimal processing, and always order the side salad or veggies). Yes it will cost more, therefore it is way more cost effective to eat at home.

If you follow these consistently you will see differences in your progress, family health and even budget!

Ready to take it to the next level, EDUCATE yourself. The same program I'm following teaches these principals and more including kids nutrition! ENROLL HERE to get lifetime access and try your first month of my favorite daily superfood shake 70% off! Whey Chocolate is my fave!

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

Thursday, October 24, 2019

PCOS and Hormone Imbalance Post Babies | Kick PCOS In The Face!


You guys, I'm struggling. I've been struggling for months. I'm exercising 5-6 days a week. I'm eating the best I have ever eaten in my life and I haven't lost a single pound in a year. I finally said, enough is enough. I went to my doctor and asked that I have blood tests done to confirm my suspicions that my PCOS was back. Let me tell you, there is not a ton of info about PCOS after babes. Because it directly affects having babies, but what about when you are done having babies. PCOS DOES NOT MAGICALLY GO AWAY! It's still there.

I had a feeling that the #1 thing my doc was going to recommend to me was to go on the pill to help my symptoms, but again, I'm not having anymore babies, and I don't want to be on a medication that's intended for one thing but for another reason. It didn't sit right and I honestly think the pill is what messed my hormones up worse in the first place...And I was right. My doc, bless him and just trying to help me but, the first thing he offered to help with symptoms was...THE PILL! After doing research I was right. I've been listening to Podcasts --- like the Model Health Show- (and he has a NEW BOOK coming out next April!!!! , and found this amazing book Beyond The Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten to help me along the way.


PRE-ORDER THIS!





What I’m currently listening to and let’s be real, to get books in I listen to them through the day so this is from my audible! #momlife and work life doesn’t let me sit down and curl up with a book these days! Back to the post- I First heard @drjolenebrighten on the @shawnmodel Model Health Show, episode 338, talking about hormonal Birth Control and how to go beyond it. I knew my doc was going to recommend the pill when I went and talked to him about what I suspected was my hormone issues and PCOS flaring up but I don’t want to be on the pill. And I was right. It was the first thing he said, “we could put you on the pill to regulate your cycle and it helps with hormones...” Guys...I’m NOT getting pregnant anytime soon since the husband got that taken care of and honestly It’s the very last option on the table at this point because I want to try to fix or at least learn how to balance my hormones Naturally. After listening to the show and now listening to this book I’m even more resolves to listen to my gut and try to help myself naturally. Because my problem is more than just irregular periods. It’s straight up miscommunication of hormones and a lack of them even working in my body and that is a serious thing. So...now I have more knowledge to take with me when taking the endo my ob is referring me to. Educate yourself. Do your research. Know all the facts because I didn’t. Now I’m learning and will continue to learn what I can do to help my body starting with my gut! Check out this book your guys if you struggle like I do! Get answers and #beyourownhealthadvocate #nextstep #myhealth #womansintuition #personaldevelopment #knowledge #educateyourself #actionispower
A post shared by Becky-Connect The Dots Ginger (@sunkissedbecky) on

There is so much information out there. And I'm not saying go to Google to diagnose yourself but educate yourself on signs, symptoms, and how you can help your body and how to talk to your doctor to help yourself the best. Remember the docs, want to help you and sometimes it's through the fastest and easiest way. It's okay to go the hard way.

Know that you are you own health advocate. You get to call the shots on what tests are done and what medication you go on. Before you go on any medication, LEARN ABOUT IT. Ask the hard questions. The pill, would be like a bandaid. It wouldn't help to fix or regulate my hormones. It would turn them off completely. And that's not what I want. I want to live my healthiest life and optimal health. And the pill, was truly my last resort.

After getting my results back and learning that my hormones were way worse than we thought, I'm peri menopausal because my hormones were in the TANK. And my thyroid came back as "abnormal" so I'm being referred to a specialist to get it checked out further.

In the meantime, I'm working hard to heal my body, by cutting out the processed foods, eating a ton of veggies to help "detox" and heal my gut and I'll also be placed on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (which is a man made hormone similar to the one the body naturally produces) to help assist my hormones during this transition.

I'll be chronicling my journey along this because there isn't much info about how to deal with pcos after having babies. So be sure to bookmark connectthedotsginger.com and check back for updates!

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

Monday, October 7, 2019

Healthy Holiday Habits Challenge


It's the final countdown of the year and the DECADE! To end this year strong I've opened up my HEALTHY HOLIDAY HABITS CHALLENGE again this year! With daily challenge prompts to develop a healthier lifestyle to go along with your daily workouts and healthy nutrition!

What you get: 
Access to a complete fitness library with over 40 programs to choose from to complete! (I'll help you narrow it down to find the program to fit your life and help you get your results!)
Access to one of our COMPLETE Nutrition programs to learn what to eat, how much and the exact foods to eat
Superfood nutrition and top of the line supplements
Access to my exclusive virtual gym with daily accountability posts
1:1 coaching from me when you need it
Daily challenges to prompt healthy habits
LIVE WORKOUTS with others
Support and friends in our virtual gym!

READY TO JOIN US? CLICK HERE to get my TOP PICK COMPLETE BUNDLE KIT with everything you need to get started including our perfect portion nutrition program (Yes it is an investment in your whole health but it is EVERYTHING YOU NEED so you get that energy to get started and and anti-soreness drink so you can push play the next day) Or message me or email me to chat about budget friendly options available!

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

Friday, August 30, 2019

Fix Your Nutrition For Life Bootcamp | Nutrition Focused Group For Real And Sustainable Healthier Eating Habits


Simplicity is the name of the game you guys. Me, personally, I've got way too much going on in my life to have to really devote a ton of time in the kitchen, let alone cooking food every single night. I've got 2 rehearsals a week (at least) going on right now at night, plus a full teaching schedule I don't have the time to be tied up in the kitchen.

That's why I created and started my group, FIX YOUR NUTRITION FOR LIFE BOOTCAMP! Because I want you to realize how simple meal planning can be. How much time you can save by just following the simple steps that we work on weekly together.

What this group is about:

  • Following either of the nutrition programs offered through Beachbody, because they were designed with science and keep it super simple! 
  • Watching all the training videos included in the nutrition program (over 30!) 
  • Join in on weekly meal planning calls to learn how to keep it super simple
  • Complete weekly assignments for a chance to earn some SWAG
  • Be active in our private chat group for accountability and support, posting pictures of your meals, support whatever you need. It's your direct access to me as your mentor and coach and the other members of the group too! 
  • Access to an exclusive google drive with tools and our Bootcamp Ebook to get you started right and stay on track
  • Oh and exercise is totally optional! 

We just had our first LIVE meal planning session yesterday! And it's not too late to join us! This is an open group right now. So if you have been struggling with what foods to eat, how much to eat and just feeling lost with meal planning or want to refine a bit more, this is the group for you! MESSAGE ME HERE to get more details or GET STARTED HERE! You must have either the Ultimate Portion Fix (with the containers) or 2B Mindset nutrition focused programs to join this 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

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Meal Planning? #1 Tip To Learn How To Meal Prep Like A Pro


*This post contains affiliate links.

I've been a coach for a long time, and this year, I've really been focusing on my nutrition journey and what I noticed, as I talked a lot with my customers about nutrition, was many of them found meal planning SO HARD! Just learning how to get started. So...I am making learning how to meal plan an integral part of my coaching now! From hosting meal planning sessions with my test groups for our new program and then opening it up once a month to all my customers so they can learn and improve!

Why is meal planning important? Because without a plan, you are flying by the seat of your pants. How many times have you gone out for dinner, or sent your hubs out to get food, because you didn't have any idea what to make for dinner and it was already to late to try and figure it out? ALL THE TIME unless I meal plan! When I meal plan, I've got that nagging feeling of, I've already bought all the ingredients and we already have a plan in place, might as well use what we have. Does this always work, of course not, but 9 times out of 10 it does. So, you want to learn how to get started right

#1 Tip to learning how to meal prep like a pro: 

START WITH PLANNING OUT all your meals for only 1 category of food (either dinner, lunch or breakfast). I plan all my dinners FIRST because that is the meal with our entire family, and it has to be something that they will all like. And because I'm a busy mom I pick 3 dinner recipes a week to make and make enough to have leftovers the next day. So I'm only cooking 3 nights a week and then just heating up the leftovers the next day.

So my schedule would look like this:
This is a great starting point to just get started with meal planning as a beginner. As a beginner, DO NOT PLAN OUT EVERY MEAL FOR THE WHOLE WEEK. It's totally intimidating and a huge thing to take on. Start small. 



For me, the way I plan my meals is I eat following the Ultimate Portion Fix Program. Meaning, I get a specific serving amount of veggies, protein, carbs, fruits and healthy fats in a day. I actually figure out the serving amounts in my dinners and then I'll plan out the rest of the day so I don't over eat on my containers and keep it super simple following my food lists. Plus with access to the healthy cooking show that goes along with it and it's even included in our online fitness library, it makes it easy to plan out meals. 

Or, aim to eat a veggie and protein at all my other meals, and having some carbs and fruits. Don't forget the healthy fats too! 

The goal is to keep it simple! Want more tips, be sure to follow me on Instagram or you can WORK WITH ME and send me an email to get started 

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
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