Getting Healthy for the New Year

It is a new year and you might sitting down to think about your goals for 2016. If getting healthy is on your list, this year does not have to be like the years past. This year can be YOUR year to kick some bootay and not just succeed at getting healthy but get in the best shape of your LIFE!!! The top resolution every year is fitness and by the end of January more than half have already given up. Why is this???

I personally think people give up so quickly because they do not know where to begin or have the right tools. They don't have the support or daily motivation to help them push through the tough days and pick them up when they had a bad day of eating. So many Americans try to 'diet' and let's be really honest with ourselves, diets don't work. Diets don't work because it is not part of your lifestyle, you will for the rest of your life count calories or points. For me that is no way to live!! 

To truly be successful at achieving your resolutions for a healthier 2016, you need to learn a healthier way of living. This includes the right kinds of foods to fuel body, correct portion amounts of foods, daily workouts, a support system, and learning how to incorporate this into your life so it is a lifestyle and not a quick fix! I am going to share with you how you can do this!!

1) Find a program that works for you. if you say you will get gym membership but know deep down you won't go then this isn't a good option. Figure out what you enjoy during for workouts and find something that fit these needs. There is Beachbody program for every person out there!! If you like weights there is 21 day fix, 21 fix extreme, and the new program which I am super excited about Hammer and Chisel!! If you like pilates and yoga type workouts there is PiYo which is a combination of both and is low impact! If you like cardio and no weights, insanity max 30 high intensity workouts using your bodyweight!! The list goes on and on...but when you find something you like to do, at home, and only 30 minutes you are more likely to stay committed!!

2) Support system. Join a group of individuals who are pushing for the same goals as you and going through the same program. These support groups will help give you the extra push when you have a bad day, daily motivation to stay on track, workout, and when you want to give up. Support is crucial piece to sticking with a fitness program or goal. If you exercise with individuals with share the same goals with you it makes it fun and more enjoyable!! Everyday you are held accountable and want to succeed to share your success!! With every Beachbody program, you can join support groups for FREE!! I run 2 groups monthly to help individuals learn how to get started, stay committed, motivated, learn healthy recipes/proper nutrition, and have FUN while doing it!! The support from other women is so inspiring!!

3) Time/Putting yourself first. YOU ARE WORTH IT!! Set time aside for yourself everyday to get your workout in. With a 30 minute a day program, you can say your too busy, we are all busy!! This is 2% of your day, you deserve this time to feel good about yourself and take care of your body!! Treat working out like your job, schedule it in everyday and no matter what get your workout in!! You have to take care of yourself first to be able to take care of others!! So remember you are important and worth this time!!

4) Routine. Figure out a time that will work best for you to workout. Schedule this in everyday and follow it. For me, waking up before the little one is best so I get it done, my mind can't tell me no, and I feel great for the rest of the day!! Figure when it is best for you and stick with it for 30 days and just see how amazing you feel!!

5) Tools. The right program, nutrition plan, support, and routine are vital to being successful and staying committed to your goals!

6) Tracking your progress. The scale is not the most accurate way to measure and I tell every person I work this!! Taking good accurate measurements and before-after pictures is the tell all!! I love these 2 ways more than scale because they tell progress more than the scale!! Also, how you feel and how your clothes fit is another way to track your progress! Give your measurements/pictures to someone you trust and do a weekly check-in with them to track. I absolutely love this part of being a fitness coach!! In the support groups I help you keep track of progress and keep pushing every single day for those results!! 

Pictures tell all! 

If getting healthy and fit is a goal for your 2016, let's chat!!! Together we can achieve your goals and so much more!! My next health and fitness accountability group opens up January 4th, and I want YOU in it with me!! Drop the excuses and start right NOW!! The only thing holding you back from your before and after picture is you, you can and will be the next AMAZING transformation if you commit!! 

Fill out the application below or email me to get more information, chat, or get started!! I can't wait to ROCK 2016 and I want you with me!! 

Healthy Granola

I am bit of a granola nut. There really is not much NOT to love about homemade granola. It is super easy to make with ingredients you most likely have on hand and it makes your house smell amazing when it bakes!! The major bonus when making homemade granola is much less expensive and in my opinion tastier than the store bought versions. If you have not made your own granola yet I highly suggest you start!!

Finished Product!

I love putting granola in my yogurt one of my absolute favorites! I am really trying to stop buying store bought granola because the good stuff is a little pricey and the high sugar and mystery ingredient boxes are…well…enough said. Therefore, that is why making your own is best option for so many reasons.

Ingredients:
- 8 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup ground flax seed
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pure almond extract
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp organic raw sugar

Directions:
-Mix honey and water together in bowl and place in microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute (or until honey is smooth and pour-able). Add in extracts, cinnamon, sugar, and salt into mixture. 

-Add in the oats and flax seed, mix until all the coats are covered. I had to spread it onto baking sheets because the mixture makes a good amount. 

-Bake at 300 for 30 minutes (stirring occasionally), or until crisp or light brown. It will crisp more as it cools!!

Enjoy this amazing recipe with yogurt or as a breakfast cereal!!

Creamy Chicken Salad

A classic bridal/baby shower, birthday party, or family gathering food is chicken salad. I have not eaten it in a while because of the ingredients that are put into it. When I got the Fixate cookbook and saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it I made this for dinner one night, it was husband and 1 year old approved! I even had some extras for the next days lunch, which is always a win for me!

Ingredients:

Directions:

- Cook chicken on stove top and let it cool in fridge for 15-20 minutes

- I used a ninja chopper for my green onion and almond

-After chicken is cool, mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl

Combined mixture

Lettuce wraps, yum!!

Serve with lettuce wraps, whole grain wraps, or my husbands favorite Hawaiian rolls! Enjoy and share at your upcoming party!

Clean Buffalo Chicken Dip

One of my favorite things is a family/friend get together...and with that comes ALL the food! As the summer approaches and outdoor gatherings happen often, we both know that you can't avoid all of these gatherings. Living a healthier lifestyle does not mean you have to deprive yourself of things you love or really enjoy. You can have these things in moderation. Choose what is most important to you and the rest of the time stick to your meal plan. My rule I try to follow is to have 1 cheat meal not a whole day. This way you are not feeling guilty for the entire day rather you enjoyed the one thing you wanted most!

When attending a gathering I always try to bring an appetizer that is clean as well as a dish. This way I know there are 2 things at that party that I can have without getting off track. Today I am going to share a party favorite and my "go to" appetizer! Before I found the clean recipe the buffalo chicken dip recipe called for sour cream and ranch dressing, two items that are not clean. I wanted to try and find a healthy version to make since this is one of favorite party snacks! Here is the recipe, enjoy!

Clean Buffalo Chicken

Ingredients:
(Large party batch)
- 2 cups plain greek yogurt
- 2 cans shredded chicken 
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
*Mix the ingredients together in large bowl then place in baking dish. Place in the oven for 30 min at 375. Stir ingredients often while baking.

(Individual fix serving)
- 6 tbsp plain greek yogurt (1/2 red container)
- 6 tbsp shredded chicken (1/2 red container)
- 3 tbsp shredded cheese (1/2 blue container)
- hot sauce
*Mix the ingredients together in bowl then place in baking dish. Place in the oven for 15 min at 375.

When enjoying this dish I use veggies for dipping or whole grain cracker/chips. This recipe is also great to make for a dinner and have buffalo chicken wraps. Use whole grain tortillas when serving wraps! Watch out this stuff is addicting!