Tips to Stay on Track this Labor Day

With Labor Day around the corner, that means summer is almost "officially" over!  I can't believe it's flown by so quickly!  Labor Day usually means that it's the last summer BBQ party, and of course can easily be filled with junk food, alcohol and desserts!  So...here's the question, are you going to give into your last party to end the summer, or will you enjoy your party by making some healthy choices and swaps to the foods you're serving?

Here's the deal...there are so many amazing recipes you can serve (or bring) that the entire crowd will love!  You don't have to sacrifice flavor or your desserts to stay healthy yet still enjoy your holiday weekend!

What are some tips as you go into this weekend and planning to be at a party?

1) Exercise

You may be enjoying a couple parties or BBQs this weekend, but if you KNOW you're going to be "splurging" at all, then why not start your weekend with a great workout?  Get up (even if it's a rest day) and workout anyways!  There's no harm in getting an extra calorie burn in before you go to a party!

2) Stay on track during your other days/meals

So you have 1 or maybe 2 parties planned this weekend...don't throw the baby out with the bath water!  Be on point with your nutrition the rest of the weekend and allow yourself to enjoy a treat or 2 for your party!  Don't make it an "all or nothing" weekend!  

3)  Plan ahead

Planning is the KEY piece to your success!  If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!  If you KNOW you'll be at a party or BBQ, you can probably have a rough guess as to what's being served.  Plan out on paper what your day will look like.  Start at the beginning of the day and plan it out.  Reserve enough calories or containers if you follow the 21 Day Fix so that you can enjoy your party!  Be an awesome guest that brings a dish!  If you bring something that you know you can eat and it is nutritious and satisfying, then you can munch on your item and know that you've got something to eat!

4)  Eat before you go!

If you know you'll be tempted with heavy and high fat foods, then what I like to do is have a nutritious meal (or my favorite is to drink a Shakeology) before I go to the party!  I will eat less and can keep busy by drinking water or tea!  Let's face it...you're at a party and most likely there are enough people there that you won't be singled out if you don't have full portions of everything!  

5) 80/20 Rule - Everything in Moderation!

Eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle is not a death sentence!  It's a lifestyle!  We ALL need good health!!  So what I like to say is live by the 80/20 rule!  80% of the time, eat spot on and healthy!  20% of the time, enjoy a treat, dessert, special meal or a drink!  It's all about moderation!  When you eat like this, you don't feel deprived!  It's all about moderation!  Know when enough is enough!

Lastly...enjoy your last bit of summer!  Here are a couple recipes I like 

Delicious "pre party" meal - Blueberry Muffin Shakeology

Great appetizer or finger food (and packs a great source of protein) - Turkey Meatballs

Perfect side dish  - Quinoa Salad

Healthy yet delicious dessert - Dark Chocolate Flourless Brownie Muffins

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How to Survive a 4th of July Holiday Weekend!

Happy Summer!  WOW, can you believe that it's July already?  There's SO much going on in July for our family, it seems like we live in a constant "holiday mode" all month long!  First it's my birthday on the 3rd, then of course you've got the 4th, then our anniversary toward the end of the month and then my son's birthday!  Not to mention I'll be gone for about 5 days in mid-July for the Beachbody Coach Summit!!  So, literally, there could be a lot of "excuses" to eat very poorly and make it drag on all month long!

So, here's a few tips that I'm going to be practicing not only for the 4th of July, but for all the other activities that I have going on in July!

My goal in July is to be focused 80-90% of the time and then enjoy the special days with a nice dinner and some wine.  For me, those really come more so around my birthday and anniversary.

Here's my plan and some tips for July:

1)  Make a goal/plan
What do you want to accomplish during this month or the holiday/event you're attending.  My goal is to be laser focused in between my "events, special days, etc".  I know that I have events coming up where I want to feel good in what I'm wearing but at the same time enjoy an extra treat.  So, that requires me to know that on the "off" days, I must be making healthy choices, bringing healthy snacks, etc.  Don't forget, you must be realistic in your goals too!

2)  Track your nutrition
This is key for me...If I don't track my nutrition and what I'm eating (containers for the 21 Day Fix or if you like to count calories by using My Fitness Pal or Lose It apps) then I know I'm not going to stay as on course as I want.  So, this is something that really helps me out!!  (If you'd like more info on the 21 Day Fix and color coded containers, see form below!).

3)  Don't forget to exercise
It's summer!  There's tons of things you can do outside.  For me, I wake up (not as early as the school year) and get my workout in first thing so it's out of my way!  Then, anything else I do activity wise is just bonus!  If you don't have any workout DVDs or a place to workout, then get creative, go for a walk/jog, play with your kids at the park, jump rope, swim.  But GET MOVING!!!

4)  Be prepared for parties/events
When you're going to a party or event/dinner, mentally prepare yourself for what you're going to have.  If it's a party, them BRING a health dish to share so that you KNOW you'll have something healthy to eat.  Another tip for parties, have a Shakeology before you go so you're not as likely to overload on unhealthy foods.  If you can go into your event KNOWING what you're going to splurge on and already setting your limits then you can enjoy your treat and not feel "guilty" with splurging.  Tell yourself you're going to have one dessert or one glass of wine.  Set your limits ahead of time and make it reasonable.  Plan your day follow the 80/20 rule, 80% of your day on track and 20% you'll enjoy your event!

5)  Always be drinking
No, no...I don't mean alcohol...this can be your "20%" treat.  But stay hydrated!  Always carry a glass of water around...spice it up with some lemon, lime, cucumber or berries.  Get some sparkling water so you feel like it's a little treat!  Drinking water will keep you feeling full, you'll have something in your hand at parties and not be as tempered to always keep refilling your beer or wine.  And...it's good for you!  Staying hydrated will help you lose weight too!!

6) Last but not least, follow the 80/20 rule
I mentioned it above, but if you can be laser focused 80% of the time and really make good healthy choices, then 20% of the time you can enjoy your treats, wine, desserts or whatever you like.  But...make sure you don't get the numbers mixed around where you find yourself doing 80% treats...that won't work!  It's all about moderation.

 If you are looking for greater support as you're going through your health/fitness journey during the summer and trying to figure out how to balance it all while you've got parties, activities, out of town vacations, etc. then please fill out this application below to be considered for my upcoming support group!

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My Holiday Health Goals!

There are exactly 15 more days until Thanksgiving Day!!  I can't believe that it's that time of year again.  It's my favorite time of the year because in Southern California we are FINALLY getting cooler weather and it's time to pull out my skinny jeans, boots and sweaters!  But...it's also a time in years past that, yes, it's been the most difficult time of year to stay on track with my health goals and not gain weight.

The average person will gain 5-10 lbs during the holiday season!!  Seriously...5-10 lbs!!  I'm sure we can ALL say, "I've been there, I've been that person".  I know I have been that person!!!  Well...not this year!  I've recently gone through the 21 Day Ultimate Reset and shed about 8 lbs, which was great!!!  However...I don't want to gain that back or more!!  Rather, I'd like to drop the last 5 pounds for good!!!  I'll be honest, I definitely have struggled at times with consistency with my nutrition.  I'm spot on with my fitness almost all the time...but I will have my moments of being totally on my nutrition and then fall off again.  I'm tired of having those ups and downs, are you with me??

I also know that a goal that gets shared has power to it!  So...here it is.  I need the accountability just like the rest of us!!!

1. Lose the last 5 lbs between now and the end of the year!!  I've started too many New Year Resolutions saying I would like to lose 5-10 lbs!!  DONE...NO MORE!!  I have 15 days before Thanksgiving and 50 days until January 1st!  My goal is to stabilize myself at that 5 less pounds mark!!

2.  Daily exercise...6 days a week!  I'm really consistent with my workouts, I've gotten into a routine with these but I have not been as consistent with 6 days a week!  So...from here on out...6 days a week!  It makes me feel so good and consistency breeds consistency!!

3.  Water intake- At least one gallon of water a day!   Like I said above, I just recently finished the Ultimate Reset and on this program you have to drink a gallon of water each day!!  I LOVED the way all the water made me feel (minus having to pee all the time!). But I noticed that as soon as I stopped that 21 day program, I was back to the inconsistency of not getting my water in for the day!  This is also a great way to make you feel less hungry!!!  So in order for this to happen I need about 5 of my Shakeology Shaker cups full!!  I have noticed too that if I don't down a bunch of water right after my workout, I'm far less likely to get my water in for the day!!

4.  Make a 21 Day Fix meal plan each week and stick to it!  Now, I've been a little lazy with my meal plans and I've gotten bored with them so I haven't stuck to them!  So, I'll be creating new meal plans and sticking to them.  Some of them in the past have been a little more in depth with recipes and right now, I need easy meals during this busy time!!!

5.  Cut down the YELLOW containers!!  Ok, GUILTY!!!  So, in the 21 Day Fix, my absolute favorite container is my yellow container (this is the carbs!).  You name it...I love it!!!  Oatmeal, english muffins, quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes...need I continue??  So, while I wish my container count had 5 yellow containers, it only has TWO!!! So, I have to choose wisely!!  Not to mention, to make sure I get all my other containers in for the day!!!  (For those of you not sure what I'm talking about...check out my post about the 21 Day Fix and the color coded, pre-measured containers to help with portion sizes and types of food!).

6.  Have ONE serving of Thanksgiving Dinner!!  Come on...I know Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, but seriously...do we NEED seconds and thirds on everything?? NO!!  I'm just as guilty as the next person for doing this!  When you get up and go get seconds, have you EVER come out of that saying, "man I feel so good after having that second serving?"  NO!!!  For me...I always sit back in my chair and say, "WHY did I do that??  I feel so yucky and full now!!"  Never a good idea!  So...I'm only having one plate of Thanksgiving dinner!!  Are you with me???

7.  Enjoy my Thanksgiving and Christmas!  What is the goal of all of this?  It's not to tell myself that "I'm on a diet and can't enjoy my Thanksgiving or Christmas meals..."  Nope!  It's quite the opposite!!  These goals are to position myself in such a way that I know how to have great success with my nutrition goals...I know that the food I have in front of me is not controlling me...and I know how to make healthy choices!!  This is to allow me to have the freedom to enjoy 1 plate of Thanksgiving dinner without feeling guilty for enjoying it!!  These goals are about FREEDOM to enjoy the holiday festivities and not feel guilty after partaking in them!

8.  Complete the 3 Day Refresh -  I have yet to do this program that Beachbody has but I've heard amazing things about it...It's literally a 3 day alternative to popular cleanses that will provide proper nutrition and is safe and effective at helping you with rapid weight loss!  So I plan to complete this starting right after Thanksgiving!!  Jumpstart me back into my 21 Day Fix nutrition plan!  I'll do this again right after Christmas!!!  

Ok...so here you have it, 8 of my Holiday Health and Fitness Goals for this November and December.  I am wanting to make this the healthiest holiday ever!  Hands Down!!!  I don't want to be among the statistics of gaining 5-10 pounds from now until Jan. 1st.  I will be the OPPOSITE!!  How many of you would like to start the new year out DOWN in your weight and rocking your New Years outfit?

Will you join with me in making some holiday goals for the rest of November and December?  Share those goals below!!  Do you need some extra accountability and help in reaching your goals or even setting some goals for yourself?  If you'd like additional accountability or motivation, please fill out the application below for my Holiday Survival Accountability Group!  Let's do this together and make it the healthiest holiday!!

If you'd like for me to be your health/fitness coach, please follow this link for a FREE membership click HERE.  I would love to be your coach and help you with your health/fitness goals!!

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