Taste the Rainbow - a Healthy Way...

When your looking for something sweet to eat, we often go towards sugary treats such as cookies or cakes or candy.  And with another holiday weekend starting again today, the choice of "junk food" vs. " healthier options will appear a lot!  However the sweetness of fruit can also be used to help relieve that need for something sweet and is also often found at many BBQs and gatherings.  I know for me, I've found that frozen grapes are a great way to use nature's "candy" to eliminate the cravings and a giant bowl of fresh cut fruit is also eaten at any event I bring one too!  But the benefits of fruit go much further beyond helping to deal with sweet cravings.

It's also a great option to add into not only your lunch but also the lunches you pack for your children for school.  I know my minions are incredibly excited when they see me cutting up fruit for their lunches.  Nicky is a huge fan of any berries (especially raspberries) and kiwis.  Matty is more of a banana and stone fruits kinda guy - though he loves strawberries too.  And of course, they love to steal my frozen red grapes as well!

• Including fruits into your diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.
• Eating a diet filled with fruits (and vegetables) can help protect against certain types of cancers.
• A diet rich in fruits is typically also a diet rich in fiber and may help reduce the risk of diabetes as well as obesity (well think, fruits instead of treats... that makes sense).
• Choosing fruits instead of higher calorie foods can also obviously lower your caloric intake.
• Fruits are also sources of many essential nutrients - such as potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid.

So the next time your considering what to snack on - instead of grabbing something processed from the cabinets consider grabbing a piece of fruit instead!




Until Next Time...

Face Lift & Shakeology Sample

My blog has gotten a facelift!  Thank you to Tasha at My Cute Lobster Designs for creating an amazing blogger banner as well as an adorable new signature for my posts!  I'm super excited to have such a beautiful and creative banner at the top of my page!  The best part of it, the dragonfly on the side of my blog's name and in my signature is drawn directly from the dragonfly tattoo on my wrist!

ANNOUNCEMENT: I currently have some vanilla and chocolate Shakeology samples!  If your serious about considering to use the supplement and would like to try one of these flavors comment below with your e-mail address so that I can get in touch with you.

Check Out Watch This YouTube Video to Learn More about Shakeology!

Until Next Time...

I Earned It!

I purchased the Beachbody workout program Insanity a long time ago... I think possibly 4 years ago to be exact.  And I started the program multiple times throughout the past few years.  Sometimes I'd get through month one, other times I'd get halfway into month two.  But I was never able to complete it... That is - until this summer!  This year I decided that it was going to be a no excuses kinda situation.  No matter what, I was going to complete this workout series.  And so, when we went down the shore, the videos (and a portable DVD player came) came along with us.  And when we went to Disney, yep, the same thing happened.  You see, I've decided that I'm not going to give up on myself this time!  I want to be that person who achieves their dreams and goals.  And for me, it's about getting the body I've always dreamed up!  My shirt came in from Beachbody this past weekend - and I'm not going to lie... I've already worn it out in public.  I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far.  And I know that if I can do it, then so can you!  So here's to not giving up on ourselves!  And if your interested in purchasing the Insanity workout series you can find it in my Beachbody store! Better yet, while your there make me your coach.  I promise to support you along the entire way and help you achieve your fitness goals too!

Until the next time...

 

10 Minute Trainer

Looking for a workout that you can do in the comfort in your own home and not take up a lot of time in your day? Check out 10 Minute Trainer! I absolutely love this program. You can customize your workout from anywhere between 10-30 minutes. Let me tell you, I can certainly get my sweat on in those 10 minutes!  I think the best part of this workout is that you can break up those 3 - 10 minute sessions (if you decide to do more then one) up throughout the day - so I can get them done between all my running around with my monkeys!

Check it out at www.beachbodycoach.com/kimmie0270

Just Breathe...

So today was one of those mornings where I was truly a "bitch on wheels."  I got a new computer last night which wasn't working for me this morning, I didn't wake up early enough so I only got half my workouts in, and I really just wanted to go back to bed since I was up part of the night with a stomachache.  However, that was not in the cards for this Momma today, who had to drive the minions 45 minutes away to Horse Riding Camp today.  Since camp is so far away and only for 2.5 hours I just drove around (and got my nails done) while I was waiting for it to end.  However, on my journey I found this beautiful picturesque spot that made me just have to pull over.  I stood overlooking the water, took a few deep breaths, and tried to be thankful for everything I do have in my life - rather then focus on the stuff that was really pissing me off at the moment.  Then I continued on my way for a little bit of retail therapy...

See if I wanted to be honest, its the vacation weight gain that is really causing me to be a bit, shall we say, snotty?  I know it's less then 10 pounds I've put on since the beginning of the summer, a summer which included longer work days, Disney, the shore, parties, BBQs, not to mention the boys both being home from school.  But I'm angry with myself and fearful that I won't be able to get it off.  Why?  I wish I knew the answer to that - Lord knows I've been able to do it before!  But for some reason, the fear is really building in me and causing me to be quite a "fun" character to be around. 

At any rate, on my drive I found this very cute little health store.  It was kinda "granola" - all organic and natural stuff and LOTS of homeopathic type things.  But a few of my friends have been swearing by assorted essential oils lately, so I figured what the heck, it's not like my mood can get any worse, right?  And so I bought myself a couple of these goodies.  Both the Yoga Mist and Cool Hottie have Lavender in them - I'm not 100% sure what lavender does but I figure, that's the oil that they all seem to be swearing by, so I might as well join in.  I love the scent - I feel kinda hippie but I'm going to keep giving them a try while I'm all wound up.  It can't hurt right?  I'll keep you all updated!

Until the Next Time...

30 Day Challenge for Organization

Recently I completed Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Challenge to Master Organization and Achieve Your Goals.  The challenge was a real benefit, even to an organization & control freak like me!  See, I spent so much time writing and re-writing my To-Do lists that I was actually wasting time.  By spending about 10 minutes a day for 30 days on this program I was able to become much more efficient in my time management!  I've even become more productive!  I have to say, long term goal setting is an incredibly useful tool in everyday life.  I suggest that everyone take some time out of their daily life for 30 days and completes this incredible program!  You won't regret it!

Til next time...

Back on Track

I'm officially back from vacation with no others in sight.  No matter how hard I try to behave on vacation, I can't seem to come back without a 5 pound gain.  But rather then wallow in the fact I've packed a few pounds on, I'm going to continue with my fitness journey and just not look back!

Today starts T25 - Week 3!  I really love these condensed 25 minute workouts... And I've also begun the 10 Minute Trainer series this week to work on toning and more muscle definition.  I'm debating doing the Beast Body program, but we will see if I can spend the money right now or not.

At any rate, I saw this graphic on Instagram (you can find me there under username: Kimmie0270) and thought it was something great to share.  Especially the BE YOUR OWN CHEERLEADER section.  Often we are so hard on ourselves.  We would never talk to our friends the way we talk to ourselves.  We need to remember that in our daily self-talk.  You need to learn to love yourself - something I struggle with on a daily basis.

At any rate - I thought everyone would like to see the "magic formula" if you will...

Until Next Time...

Welcome to My Life...

There comes a time in everyone's life when they decide it's time to make some major decisions in his or her life.  For me, I've come to a point where I've decided I want to start sharing my knowledge about getting healthy and fit (not necessarily "skinny" but healthy) with those who are interested in learning from me and my life.  

Why should you listen to me?  Well honestly, I can't promise you a quick fix - but I can promise you that you'll learn more and have a better understanding of REAL solutions, not quick fixes like crash diets, diet pills, or worse.  I've dealt with my weight fluctuating in huge swings both up and down.  I was a big kid and later obese through my teenage years (weighing more then 230 pounds at age 18).

I later wound up developing an eating disorder that I suffered with for more then 10 years before getting the help that I needed to get myself healthy and in check.  After getting myself into a good place in my recovery from Bulimia, I was even featured on the Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts Website to talk about how I've gotten myself together.

I'm also a real person.  I am a 31 year old married woman.  I have two wonderful (though incredibly loud and energetic) boys ages 5 & 6.  I am also a co-director at a preschool.  I am lucky that my husband is willing to be with the boys in the evenings so that I can train in MMA most evenings.  However, in order to workout at any other time in the day I've had to learn to be creative.  I wake up at 5 am in order to get my run in before my family is even awake for the day.  Then any workout programs I'm doing during the day (right now I'm using the Beachbody T25 program) is done in the house while the children are engaged in other activities around the house - often a craft I've set up for them, or "reading time" or something of the like.

As a result of my dedication and desire to be happier with what I see in the mirror I've been able to really get myself in better shape.  In less then four months I've been able to perform the following transformation (of course I've been a big fan of the tanning bed obviously as well...).

And so I hope you will follow me on my journey - and share yours as well.  I look forward to all the wonderful adventures that are about to come my way, and yours.

Until Next Time...