Merry Christmas and A Happy AND HEALTHY New Year!

Merry Christmas and A Very Happy And HEALTHY New Year from the Allen Family!

How To Get Out Of The End Of The Year Workout Funk

"I'm so busy with getting everything ready for the holidays". "It would just be easier to wait until January 1". "I don't have time." "I just don't feel like it." These are some of the many things running through my head right now when It's time for me to workout. YES ME! The fitness motivator and personal trainer. Even I have moments in my life where I don't want to workout. But...I don't let these reason/excuses, while valid, stop me. I do my workout any ways. Actually, I force myself to do it because it needs to be done and when it's done, it's done!

This time of year is HARD. No only are we dealing with shorter days, the winter blues, and the stress of the holiday season, it's so easy to just take a rest until the new year when you know you are going to be super excited to start anyways because "lose weight" is probably a goal for the new year.

Girl, get up off of that funk and follow these easy steps to get up and get your workout done, no matter what!

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A post shared by Becky-Connect The Dots Ginger (@sunkissedbecky) on Dec 13, 2019 at 9:11am PST

1) MAKE A PLAN-

Sunday night pre-schedule in your workout time and actual workouts you are going to do for the entire week. Put it in your calendar, set an alarm.

2) PREP AHEAD-

Pick out and set out your workout clothes the night before (or even the week before) Sounds silly but since you probably won't wear the same thing every day you can make a pile in your closet or room, with your workout outfits for the day. Just like with packing you have something ready to grab easily.

3) CREATE A PRE WORKOUT ROUTINE-

I drink a pre workout drink to get my mind and body in the mood to workout. It gives me the energy needed to get started. Then I give myself a 15 minute power moment for the drink to kick in so I start strong from the first minute of my workout. I do the dishes, laundry, clean a bathroom, something that I'm going to have to do anyways later but I set an alarm and give myself 15 min to do it. Then it's go time!

4) JUST DO IT-

STICK WITH YOUR PLAN AND JUST DO IT. I know, easier said than done but really, all you gotta do is get dressed, and do it. This is a big reason why I workout at home all I have to do is just flip on the TV, get in my online fitness app, and get my workout done. And if these don't help, girl, get yourself in a community to help lift you up and inspire you to get MOVING!

Remember you made the commitment to change you life with health and fitness. Think back to how you used to feel and how you felt when you decided this time was going to be the time that you reached your goal because it can still happen. It's not too late. You just have to do it. Before you know it, all these steps become a habit, your daily discipline, and your "funk" days will be few and far between. They will still happen, but that's what the discipline part is. You'll do the workout anyways because it's just part of your day.

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

3 Tips To Staying On Track With Your Health And Fitness Goals Over The Holidays

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It's December and the last month of the decade! I'm sure you want to end this decade with a bang so I'm going to share my top 3 tips to stay committed and rock the end of the year!

1) PICK A PROGRAM (or 2 depending on how long the program is)AND STICK WITH IT FOR THE WHOLE MONTH! Commit to follow the calendar no matter what. Take rest days when it says. Do the workouts in order. Don't skip or jump around. Do the program as is. Even if it's longer than 30 days. Just start today and stick with it! If it's a program that ends before the end of the month like 21 Day Fix does, plan to start another program or do round 2 of the program! JUST STICK WITH THE PROGRAM!

2) MEAL PLAN WEEKLY! This is vital to help you stay on track with your nutrition and your budget. Our household has been able to save at least $50 a month since August by meal planning and sticking with that plan! My community has been meal planning on Thursdays for the following week so that we a plan, time to go to the store over the weekend and are ready to go by Monday!

3) GET SUPPORT! Be an active part of a support community! Having Support is KEY to success. Because you have people to lean on, people to help motivate you, people to cheer you on, and people to learn from. That's why I created my virtual gym! It was something I needed to stay motivated and committed. And I use it DAILY!  It's a private group for those who are ready to truly commit to their journey using our online streaming platform with access to over 1,000 workouts ready for you to crush! Ready to join us?  YOU CAN GET STARTED HERE with your YEAR MEMBERSHIP with unlimited streaming access and get my favorite pre workout drink and post workout recovery drink 50% off!  Oh and the lemon flavor for the pre workout and chocolate plant based is my favorite flavors! Start with those!

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

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.

GET MY WEEKLY MEAL PLANNING PDF FILE HERE TO HELP YOU STAY ORGANIZED!

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

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!

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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 Oct 11, 2019 at 8:15am PDT

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