Just a Little Motivation

Portion Control

This last week I have started to think that maybe I have a slower metabolism. I have been really tracking my calories and have seen that I don't have a problem with a slow metabolism. I have a problem with portion control.

I found a couple of pins on Pinterest. ( Of course ) That really show portion control. I know that I need to be eating 5 small meals a day instead of 3 big meals. I think that these are great charts to really show portion control. Even if I am eating something healthy I don't need a HUGE scoop of it. I also am eating on a small plate. This really helps me see that I don't need a huge plate of food. Hope this helps!

Healthy Muffins

These are not just a little healthy, they are a lot healthy!!! Nothing bad in them. I found a similar recipe but it called for sugar and other ingredients that I don't even have in my kitchen anymore. I am serving these for dinner along with some homemade soup! (Recipe posted later)

Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins 

You Need:

3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour 

3 Cups Oats 

2 TSP Baking Powder

1 TSP Baking Soda

2 TSP Cinnamon

3/4 TSP Allspice 

1 TSP Nutmeg

3 Cups Mashed Pumpkin 

6 TBLS Coconut Oil 

4 Eggs

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk or Skim Milk 

1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 Cups Raw Honey

Mix all the dry ingredients. In another Bowl mix all the wet ingredients. Slowly mix the two together. When mixed well, add in Chocolate. 

Bake at 375 Degrees for 20 Minutes. In lined muffin pan. This recipe Made 4 Dozen Muffins. You can easily half this recipe, I gave some to my family and I froze some for easy breakfast next week! 

Enjoy!!!! 

A little exercise all day long!

Everyday I clean my house, with 3 kids the cleaning never ends! Everyday I choose an exercise to do throughout the day, sometimes its jumping jacks, planks, arm circles, just a quick exercise I can do to kind of break up all the cleaning! So when I am don't cleaning something I do a quick exercise! Today I found this pin on Pinterest and this is my exercise that I have done. I do a set of 20 on each leg and move onto the next chore! Just another little way of getting in exercise without going to the gym.

Monday Motivation

Found some motivation on Pinterest. I feel like I have stalled in my progress. So a little motivation is just what I need! 

I found the Perfect Swimsuit!

I found the perfect swimsuit, its a great mix of my pink and black :) I can't wait for Summer! 

Summer Fever

I guess I am getting a BAD case of Summer fever. I want Summer to be here so bad! I hate the cold and snow, I am a Summer girl all the way! I have been looking up swimsuits and I found the one I want! What do you think, Pink or Black??? Now I have more motivation . . .

After Workout Breakfast

After a workout that included lifting and running, I really needed some protein, and a Breakfast that would fill me up. I came up with Eggs & Mushrooms. Its nothing fancy and its super easy, but I thought I'd share!

You Need:
1 Cup Raw Mushrooms
3 Eggs
1/4 Cup Chopped Green Pepper
1 TSP Garlic
Salt
1/2 Cup Chopped Tomatoes
1/4 Coconut Milk or Skim Milk
1 Whole Wheat Tortilla

Start by Sautéing the veggies. When veggies are cooking. Beat together Milk and Eggs. Add Milk and eggs to veggies. Sprinkle with salt, when cooked. I added mine to a whole wheat tortilla.

Enjoy!

A little disappointed :( An Update!

Last night I took a picture of myself in the same swim suit, that I did last year. Its been a couple months since I have done this, and I guess its a good thing, that I did take a recent picture. The outcome . . . NO CHANGE! Nothing!!!! I am the same weight that I was, before Thanksgiving. I am doing pretty good at maintaining my body weight. I was really hoping to see change, though.

I thought that maybe I had gained more muscle, but it does not look like it. So my goal is to really focus on my eating. I want to raise my metabolism ( I will blog about this later ). I am going to up my cardio, even more. The people in my class, need to watch out :) I know that I am strong. I know that I am not fat. I am just not where I want to be. I want to be around 20% body fat. I want to like who I see in the mirror, and thats different for everyone. For me I want to see muscle. I want to put my pants on and not worry about a muffin top.

I have 4 months till Summer. I can do a lot in 4 months. I can change things up. I went to school to learn how help people get the body they want, I better be able to get the body I want!!! Hahaha!!!

My tip: If you have not seen changes in 3 months. Its time to re-evaluate and see what needs to be changed.

I found this on Pinterest. I may have posted it before, but its true! I am 100% dedicated to working. A day does not go by that I don't exercise. My exercise plan is down, now its eating, I eat healthy, 80% of the time. I am working on the last 20%!

Healthy Banana Bread

Since it is a nice 20 degrees outside. I thought I would bake. Its been awhile, because nothing is really healthy, and I know that I will not be able to make cookies without eating them. I found a recipe in one of my cookbooks for Banana Bread, and since I have a cupboard full of brown bananas I knew this was the recipe to make. But it called for white flour, butter, and 4 cups of sugar. I changed it up and it turned out great. The texture is a little softer then normal banana bread, but I think it tasted the same! My boys ate an entire loaf before dinner, they loved it! 

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 Cup White Flour or Rice Flour ( I used white ) 

1 1/2 TSP Baking Powder

1/2 TSP Cinnamon 

1/4 TSP Nutmeg

2 Eggs

2 Cups Mashed Bananas ( About 5-6) 

1 Cup Honey

1/2 Cup Applesauce 

Mix all wet ingredients. In another bowl, mix dry ingredients. Slowly add the two mixtures together. Mix. It will be slightly Lumpy. Bake for 50 Minutes at 350 Degrees. 

Thats it! It took me about 10 minutes to make it. Perfect recipe to have a treat but stay healthy! 

Lunch

I have totally found my new favorite lunch, every day I eat this and I always say, I need to post about it and it does not happen. Well finally today I am posting it! 

2 Slices Turkey Breast Meat

1 Avocado

1 Cup Spinach / Lettuce Spring Mix 

2 TBLS Kens Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing 

This lunch keeps me so full. I also have energy and don't feel slugish and tired after lunch. Total my lunch is 390 Calories. Not to bad! 

Enjoy! 

Coconut Oil

I have really been getting into natural oils and more holistic medicine. Its amazing the powers of natural  foods. I have been thinking about what to post about all week, I don't want to post the same thing every day! As I was using coconut oil, on my sons eczema, I knew exactly what to post about today!

I use coconut oil for almost EVERYTHING! I cook with it, we use it as moisturizer, massage oil, stretch mark / scar remover, medicine for a cold, burn ointment, and the list goes on!

I cook with it the same way that I cook with butter. Anything that is cooked in oil or butter I replace it with coconut oil. I have found that most recipes taste the same or even better. Sauté veggies, in coconut oil, or make your favorite cookies, its not a strong flavor of coconut, and is way more heart healthy then using margarine (which I won't even buy anymore, its horrible for you).

My kids have really dry skin and eczema. Within an hour of massaging coconut oil onto the dry skin, its cleared up and looks much better. I use it as a facial moisturizer, and it really has reduced my fine lines on my face. I use it as a lotion and a hair conditioner. My hair is way softer. I massage the coconut oil into my hair about 30 minutes before I shower. Then I wash it like normal. My dry hair is not oily, but soft and its really helping reduce my split ends.

A couple weeks ago I was so sick! My cold was not going away, I mixed 1 tsp. coconut oil, 1 tsp raw honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I took this 2 times, and the next day my sore throat was gone and I started to feel so much better! After days of being sick, I know this is what helped!

I recommend this stuff to everyone! I know that just adding this one thing to our healthy living, has changed us, in all types of ways.  I actually don't know what we would do without it, anymore! Do your own research and I'd love to hear other ways to use coconut oil!

Tuesday Pinterest Workout

I found some exercises on Pinterest.com, and I thought I would share. They were good sets of exercises that not just worked one part of the body! I used 8 pound weights, I did each exercise 20X.

 Enjoy!

Hello Monday!

I wrote last friday about how hard weekends are for me to stay on track with my eating! This weekend was not different, with all the temptations of treats, cookies, pizza. . . But guess what I did pretty good! I had an amazing Saturday morning workout and I really tried to eat healthy!

This morning I only gained 1 pound . . . I was disappointed that I had gained a pound. I ate cookies last night and I know thats what did it, on the other hand I usually gain like 2-3. So one pound is a start! WooHoo!!! I guess thats something to be excited about . . .

I am still in the 140's and can't wait to get back to the 130's. I am so close and I really can't wait till Summer! I am going to have the body I want by Summer . . . One weekend at at time!

Band Exercises

Last week in my class, I used only a resistance band. It was a hard workout and I loved it! It was fun and everyone seemed to get a good workout. Today as I was browsing Pinterest, I found this pin. All these exercises I used in my class, so I thought I would share! We did sets of 3, 20 times each set. I was sore the next day!

Oh NO, the weekend is here!

I have lost 2 pounds this week! Eating really healthy and working my butt off with cardio in the gym! I feel fantastic. Better then I have in weeks. My husband has lost weight too, (a lot, more then me). We have worked together and made healthy meals. I am drinking more water and taking my vitamins. Our hard work and dedication is paying off. I have chose to live a healthy lifestyle and I am keeping it up!

Tonight is our Game Night. We have a bunch of friends over, we eat food and play games. Its not a healthy night. But tonight, I am changing that!

I am going to have sliced fruits and veggies. I am going to make a salad with our pizza. I am having 1 piece of pizza. There is no reason to have more then that! We are eating thin crust pizza, too. This weekend is a time to have fun with friends and family. That does not mean that I need to go crazy with my eating. Right???

The weekend always ruin it for me. I will loose weight, the weekend comes and some how I am up the EXACT amount I was last Monday. Not this weekend, this weekend I have my husband along my side and we are going this together. This weekend I have motivation!!! I will have a body like this by Summer. Its my goal, and I am working harder now then I ever have! I will look awesome in my bikini :) Game night is not going to ruin my awesomeness!!!

Found some motivational Pins on Pinterest.com! Maybe these will help  me remember what I am after! Woohoo!!! Bring on GAME NIGHT!!! 

Another Post . . .

I know I have posted a lot today, but I had to share this other web site that I just found on Pinerest.

It is expenisve to eat healthy, but this web site really puts it in perspective. It really is not that expensive! This site shows that! I love it, and had to share!!!

http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=what_20_will_buy_at_the_drivethru_and_at_the_supermarket

Hair Care???

I thought I would share what I found! Since it has to do with being healthy, and its pretty good advice. 

I have super dry, hair that is breaking and will not grow. I have bleached my hair for 8 years, and it finally took its toll. I thought dying my hair back to brown would help, but it still in not growing and seems to be breaking more. 

I looked up online "how to get healthy hair" I found this on webmd.com

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/top-10-foods-for-healthy-hair 

I know what we are having for dinner. Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, and Blueberries :) Really this is a great article, and just shows that healthy eating is not only for weight loss. 

Enjoy! 

A new family favorite!

As I walked through Sams Club with my son tasting every sample he could get we came across Spinach and Kale Ravioli. My son tried it and said "mom we have to buy this." I tried it and it was so good. So we bought a package, ($10) for 2 packages of Ravioli.

We cooked the Ravioli in half butter and coconut oil. I added some garlic salt. We served it with green beans, mixed berries, and a slice of whole grain bread. My kids ate it all up! They loved it. My husband wanted more. We will definitely buy this again. I highly recommend it!

I love it!!!

I taught my 3rd class, and I loved it! I have found the best "job" in the world, well for me! It does not feel like work. I am not really away from my kids and its exciting. I love coming up with the workouts and making people really see results!

I got the best compliment, before my class started I was talking with a lady that had not come to my class before. She told me that the night before at another class, all the ladies were talking about how awesome my class was and that she had to try it. It was such a complement to know that people like my class, and the same people keep coming back!

I have found what I love to do. It gives me motivation to work harder and be stronger! I am so happy that I made the choice to become a personal trainer. Its a great feeling helping others accomplish their own goals!

Together We can do ANYTHING!

Its been a couple days since I have posted anything. Its not that I have not wanted to, its that I don't know what to say anymore!

Two days ago, I sat down with my husband and we decided that together we are going to eat healthy. Together we are going to loose the weight and we are going to be healthy as a family. I feed my kids pretty healthy, but we set some rules for ourselves and our family. Habits that I want my kids to have as they grow up. They are easy goals . . . not as much for my husband, but I am so happy that he is on board with my healthy eating! Yesterday it was easy for me to eat healthy because I knew he was. I felt like if I ate something bad it was not fair to him. I am excited that finally my husband is on board with me, its a good feeling knowing that you have a support system! To help my family achieve our goals, I am doing our meal planning again, and I am planning new and healthy meals. 

OUR FAMILY GOALS:

- NO FAST FOOD

- NO SODA 

- NO A&W TREATS (MY HUSBAND AND KIDS EAT IT WAY TO MUCH)

- NO LATE NIGHT EATING 

- DRINK MORE WATER 

There is nothing that we can't do. Together we will live longer and be healthier! 

Motivation???

Found this on Pinterest.com. Had to share! One day my body will be rockin' like this :) One day . . . 

The Biggest Loser

I am so excited that the TV show The Biggest Loser, is back on! Since becoming a trainer and going through school, I have a new outlook on people and their health. Then I watch this show and it makes me want to really help people, even more.

I know how hard it is to loose weight. I look at food and gain weight :) If it was not for some great motivation from my sister and my own will, I would not be where I am today! Even with gaining 5 Pounds over Christmas, I am the strongest I have ever been in my whole life! That alone is motivation enough for me to keep going.

I became a trainer to help others, to help people who have the same problems that I have had and to show them the right way to become healthy. I think thats why I love the show the Biggest loser because, it shows that it takes work and its not easy, but in the end its worth it and anyone can do it! You just have to have the motivation!!!

Already broke my rules . . .

Today I did so good at starting my "rules". Until dinner, and I must have been starving or something because I had NO portion control. What is wrong with me??? The last meal of the day should not be the biggest, and it was my biggest. Not only am I shaking my head at myself, I am stuffed and I can't move! It was healthy whole grain pasta and fruit, but thats not going to help me loose weight if I eat way to much of it! Lesson learned . . . PORTION CONTROL!!!

So I found this chart on pinterst.com to help me, and you! 

Setting Some Rules for 2013

I have about 15 pounds that I would really like to loose before Summer. I gained a little during the holidays and I want to get to Bikini Shape by May. I have not done well sticking to my clean eating, and its showing! I can feel it not only in my hips, but in the way that I feel. I don't like this feeling. I may be exercising 6 days a week, but I am not eating as healthy  as I should. I did so well last year, that its disapointing that I have let myself slip a little. I am not saying no treats ever, but not a treat every day, like I have been. I feel strong, but in 3 months my body has not changed, so I know that its time to do something different. So I am setting Rules for the new me in this 2013 year! I will be ready for bikini shape in the Summer and most of all I am going to feel better!

My Rules:

- Eat Natural / Clean
- Add more Fiber and Protein to my Diet
- Eat 5 small Meals a Day
- Keep a Food Journal
- Exercise 5-6 Days a week and try NEW exercises
- Get more Sleep
- More Cardio
- Get my Family involved (I am not doing this alone)
- Keep Calm / Don't Stress
- Remember to take my Vitamins
- Drink MORE Water
- Weigh myself Daily (Its scary, and sometimes I don't want to)
- Portion Control 

So these are the things that I have struggled with. The exercise part I am good on, but I want to keep it that way. These Rules are going on my Fridge. 1/4 of January has already passed! Everyday that I don't eat healthy is another day wasted, and another day that is hard on my body. Like I have said before, I want to live a LONG time. The best way to do so, is keep my body healthy, NOW!

Let me know if you want to follow the rules and tell me what you think about them! Don't think of them as a diet. I will NEVER be on a diet again. These are rules to keep me healthy and strong.

Healthy Side Dish

Last night I made Pork Chops, again. I had leftovers . . . But to spice them up a bit, I added a side that was so good!
Here is the Recipe!

Sautéed Mushrooms 
1 Large Package Mushrooms
1 Onion Chopped
1 TBLS Coconut Butter
1 Garlic Clove Minced
1 TSP Pepper 
Sprinkle of Cheese

Add all ingredients except cheese in a saute pan, cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. When onions and mushrooms are cooked add cheese and let melt. 

The coconut butter was AMAZING in it. It was easy healthy, but tasted delish!!! Enjoy!

My First Class

I stressed and stressed about teaching, and guess what my first class was a success . . . I think! Everyone said they loved it and that they would come back. So, I guess thats a good sign! Its scary being up there and having everyone looking at you! Even though I love attention, it is a little intimidating! 

I can't wait for next week. I am sure I won't sleep again the night before, like I did this week, but it won't be as scary! Its motivation for me to keep up my clean eating and when I do my personal workouts, work really hard. I wan't to push people, have my clients do more then me. Today I went to a kick boxing class, it was so much fun, and I made sure I worked as hard as my body would let me! I can't wait to see the results at the end of this month! I better be down to my pre-holiday weight! I wan't to see my muscles!!! 

Crock Pot Pork Chops

Because I don't have time to make big dinners, and I am NOT eating out anymore, I am using my crock pot more often. This afternoon, and have thrown together a super healthy dinner, in about 15 minutes!

Crock Pot Pork Chops

You Need:
1 Package Assorted Chops
1 Onion - Chopped
1 Package Mushroom
1 TBLS Meat Tenderizer Seasoning
3 Cups Water

Add all ingredients to crock pot, cook on Low for 6 Hours. Add with green beans, side salad, or sweet potato, and some some mixed fruit. Perfectly easy healthy dinner!

ENJOY!

Super Excited!

Today I start my job as a Personal Trainer. I start teaching my first class, and I must say I am super nervous about it. I did not sleep last night, because I kept thinking of all the bad things that can go wrong!!! So I woke up early and started to blog. 

I have been wanting to do this for so long, I don't know why I am nervous, and chances are since its a new class, I won't have a lot of people there, but I still can't get a little nervous about it. Well, a lot nervous. 

I also feel that since I have gained a little weight and I am not in the best shape I have been, that I am not in any shape to be someone personal trainer. In 2013 I have set a goal to be in the best shape I have ever been it. I am not just doing it for myself, I am doing it as a trainer, so that my clients don't look at me like I am crazy! I wan't to be healthy. Its all I think about, Its what I have worked so hard towards. Because I can't stop thinking about it, I guess thats my motivation to keep doing good. I don't want to stress about what I look like and what clothes fit the right way. Today starts my 2013 New Years resolutions. Today starts a new chapter in my life! 

Well, my class is planned, my music is ready, Wish me GOODLUCK!!!