How to Shop Healthy at Costco!

COSTCO!!!  It's the "everything I never knew I always needed" TRAP!!  Do you feel that way? I feel like you can easily walk out of there with so much stuff you really didn't need, but ended up getting anyways! Not to mention the stuff your kids sneak into the cart when you're not looking!  

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Costco!!  They have everything, sometimes it's a better price, sometimes not, so you have to watch it.  They've got super healthy stuff, but they also have super "convenient" items too!  Which, convenient is good, but most of the time, convenient is not the most healthy choice!

So...how DO you get out of Costco with a HEALTHY cart-full of food?  I'll share with you what a typical shopping trip for me looks like!  I have a family of 5 and my kids are growing and eating a LOT!!

Here are 3 tips on how to fill your cart with healthy items at Costco:

1) Go to Costco with a List!
   - If you don't have a list, you'll end up buying a LOT more items and many of those I'm sure will be unhealthy choices.

2)  Don't go to Costco HUNGRY!
   - This is a BIG NO-NO!!!  You'll always buy the crappy food that's on sample as you go thru the isles!  Just don't do it!!  Eat a healthy snack before you go!

3)  Enlist your children for help!
   - It's just plain hard to shop ANYWHERE with your kiddos!  I know...you want to be the good mom and not have to tell your kiddos NO all the time!  Don't worry...they'll still love you if you do!!  But...ask your kids for help!  Give them jobs to do in Costco... 
 - Jeremy, will you please go and get the milk.
 - Katelyn, will you please help me find the best looking grapes.
 - Anthony, will you help me pick the best looking bread!
Be creative.  Tell them ahead of time that you're going to need their help, and in return they can choose the granola bars or 1 snack item for their lunches!

Here's a list of common items I purchase from Costco (and this will probably be in the order that it shows up in the store...that's how my brain works)!  Note: I would prefer to purchase everything organic, however, I try and stay on budget when shopping, so I will pick and choose my organic items.  There are things I NEVER get non-organic, and some things I will rotate buying organic vs non-organic.  In a perfect world I'd shop organic all the time!  Everyone has to make their own decisions on organic vs non.  Here's a great image below for how to categorize your organic purchases.  

• Ground Turkey
• Fresh Chicken Breasts
• Pork Chops or Pork Roast
• Hummus
• Bananas
• Tomatoes (cherry and on the vine)
• Avocado
• Spinach (always organic)
• Kale Salad
• Brussels Sprouts
• Organic Whole Carrots
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Grapes
• Berries
• Organic Milk
• Organic Eggs
• Greek Yogurt
• Frozen fruit & berries
• No Nitrate Lunch Meat
• Whole Grain Bread
• Coffee
• Cheddar Cheese
• Cottage Cheese
• Stringe Cheese
• Almond Butter
• Nuts
• Spices
• Coconut Oil
• Spices
• Diced Canned Tomatoes
• Canned Black Beans
• Marinara Sauce 
• Tortilla Chips (yes we do get these)
• Kids Cliff Bars
• Fig Bars 

I hope this was helpful for you as you go on your next trip to Costco!  You just have to be choosy with what you purchase anywhere!  It's so easy to go for convenience rather than health!  If you enjoyed this post, please SHARE with your friends and follow me at www.Facebook.com/JulieLittleFitness

My Journey begins with TurboFire, Chalean Extreme and a New Focus!

Well, it's been a little while since I've done an update like this about my current fitness program and journey in my own health and fitness.  A lot has gone on and I haven't been ready to share, but...the time has come!

I have been what feels like a bit of a yo-yo experience since before the first of the year.  I've been struggling with some different things like, hormone imbalance, low thyroid, some weight gain and as you can imagine it's been very frustrating and really confusing for me!  I've stayed very consistent with my exercise but have felt like nothing has changed for me with the way my clothes fit and the way I feel about myself.

I've really struggled whether or not to share with my readers about this, but then realized that I owe it to you!  I know that there are many of you out there struggling with various things like this too!

Honestly, I think my symptoms are very mild.  It's been probably a good 8-9 months that I've noticed my weight just not doing anything but slowly creep up.  It didn't matter how strict I was with my nutrition (sometimes I was more strict than other times)!  To be honest, I'm higher on the scale then I've been in a LONG time! (Now, I do not weigh myself often, maybe 4 times a month, but I notice most in my clothes).  I will say though, that working out has positively contributed to me being able to stay where I'm at (with my weight for the most part) and it's helped the weight I have gained be proportioned evenly throughout my whole body.  So, probably by someone just looking at me they wouldn't be able to notice too much, but I know how I FEEL in my clothes and that they feel tighter!!  So, ya'll who struggle with this too...exercise really does make a difference even if it doesn't show in the scale!

So I have been to a couple doctors, I've done some research on my own, I've looked at the medical route, the natural route, the essential oils route...everything!  I am still testing out the waters some, but I do know my hormones are off, my thyroid is under active (fortunately it's mild right now) and I've found myself feeling emotional, lousy at times and just kind of blah and unmotivated.

At the same time, I've been trying out something different with my fitness and nutrition.  I'm still in the beginning stages of being a guinea pig on my own test...but I'll keep you updated on the progress. I've done some research on intermittent fasting and I'm giving it a shot!

My fitness is changing up too!  I wanted to really challenge myself more than I ever had.  My mother-in-law has been doing Chalean Extreme for a months now and I'm loving her results and feeling the need to add in some weights in a new way!  At the same time, I've been in a coach challenge group with some of my amazing teammates and I've been challenged by a few of them to do both Chalean Extreme and TurboFire!!  I've never done either of these programs and have always wanted to.  Honestly, I never wanted to move past the 30 minute workouts!!!  I must say though...I'm LOVING it!  I never thought I'd love doing 2 programs at once like this.  But the combo of weights and high intensity cardio is amazing!  Now, I won't continue this much for my workouts all the time, but right now it's a great change for me!  I am really liking pushing myself this way!!

If you're wondering what each of these programs are, Chalean Extreme is a great weight lifting fitness program and TurboFire is high intensity with lots of kickboxing!  Super fun!!

So...I'll keep you posted on my progress and my workouts!  For now, I'm on day 4 of the programs and really enjoying the challenge!

Interested in joining an upcoming Health/Fitness Accountability Group?  Click here to fill out an application!

What's Stopping You?

What's stopping you?? Have you ever taking a step back from your life and realized you're not where you want to be and doing what you want to be doing??  Have you ever considered that it might be time for a change in your life?...

🔹 What's stopping you from reaching your fullest potential?  

🔹 Whats stopping you from being healthy like you've always wanted?

🔹 What's stopping you from getting up in the morning and doing a 30 minute workout?

🔹 What's stopping you from living your dreams and creating a life you've always wanted?

🔹 What's stopping you from creating an income from home that could change your life and circumstances?

🔹 What's stopping you from believing that YOU can make a difference in this world and in your community?

🔹 What's stopping you from taking a leap of faith and doing something that can change your life forever, (your health, finances, relationships, current circumstances and your future)?

🔹 What's stopping you?

Now is the time to take ACTION!! Get healthy, earn income, be able to stay home with your kids, plan your own schedule, make new friends, find significance and value in what you do! Whatever is calling you to take action, then don't ignore it!!

I'm currently accepting applications for my New Coach Academy (part time or full time openings). I am accepting 5 new women who want to move past what is stopping them from reaching their full potential.  I want to train you and teach you how it's possible to change your life and move forward to be the best YOU that you know you can be!!  

🔹Fill out this application below to be considered!

Do you know someone who could use this? Please share!!

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Free FIXATE Cookbook - Labor Day Special!

The Fixate cookbook has become my new favorite source of recipes!  Are you in need of some great new family friendly recipes??  Then listen up!!

I know that summer is ending this weekend...you may have had a bit too much fun this summer and are a little disappointed in the weight you've gained or the sluggishness you feel.  Well, now's the perfect time to get back into a routine of working out and eating healthy!  No more excuses...I know you want to feel confident in the clothes you wear, feel strong and healthy and be a great example for your children and family of one who takes care of their health!  Right?  Now's your time!!

So, I typically don't do specials like this, but I decided to ring in the end of summer and get our fall off to a great start (and because fall is my favorite season!)...I am giving away FIVE FREE Fixate Cookbooks!!  Offer Valid only Sept 4th - 7th to the first 5 people!

Here's the details!  This Labor Day Special is two-fold!  

You'll get access into my Private Accountability group AND the 

FREE Fixate Cookbook after you purchase a Challenge Pack of your choice 

(*must be purchased thru me as your coach, fill out the application below and I will contact you back on the details of how to take advantage of this special).

On September 7th, I'll be starting "prep week" of my next Challenge Group!  This is a private accountability group that will give you support, accountability, motivation, meal plans, 1:1 help through your program and a group of women who are eager to reach their goals!  There's nothing greater than having a group of goal oriented women ready to change their health, cheering the entire group along!

When you purchase a challenge pack (it must be purchased thru me as your coach in order to take advantage of this offer), you will be sent the 21 Day Fix, FIXATE Cookbook for free (only 5 available).

What is a Challenge Pack?  
A Challenge Pack is everything that you need to get started in the accountability group!  It's your Beachbody fitness program of your choice (whether that's the 21 Day Fix, Piyo, Insanity Max:30, etc) whatever you choose and all the "goodies" (nutrition guide, fitness DVDs, etc) that come along with that program.  PLUS you'll receive a 30 meal supply of Shakeology!  This is the super food, nutrient dense meal replacement shake (just the healthiest meal you'll have all day!!). Plus you'll receive 30 days FREE access to Beachbody On Demand (access to over $3000 worth of fitness programs!).  

So you'll get all of this, PLUS the Fixate Cookbook and a spot in my accountability group starting on Sept 7th!

If you're interested in taking advantage of this special offer for only FIVE people...please fill out the application below and make sure to check the box that says LABOR DAY SPECIAL!

**Please note, this offer is only valid to the first 5 people.  I must be your Beachbody Coach and you must purchase your challenge pack through me as your coach in order to receive the free Fixate Cookbook.  (*new customers only...fill out application below to find out how to take advantage of this offer).

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