Saturday Run

Setting goals does work!!! 

When I set out on my run today my goal was to run 5 miles. That distance would be 1 mile beyond my longest distance and I felt it would be a good way to boost my endurance.

Starting out running I felt great for the first mile and a half then it got harder. The wind was beating on my face, dust flying in my eyes and I was losing energy fast. I thought of giving up so many times. Instead of stopping I slowed my pace and found a place in the distance where I would start running again. I had to do that quite a few times but there was no way I was going to head back home defeated.

As I hit the 5 mile marker a sense of pride and relief washed over me. I DID IT! I hit my goal even though it wasn't exactly as I had planned. I found a way to make it happen. 

A life lesson was learned today. The road to hitting your goals is never going to be easy but that's no reason to give up. Keep pushing, keep your faith and believe strong in yourself and you can accomplish anything you wish. 

My Transformation

Today really got me thinking about my journey with my health. Today I feel healthier than I EVER have in my entire life but why?

Let's go back...

2008- My diet consisted of junk food on top of junk food. Coffees with mainly creamer and sugar, bagels, pizza, ice cream, McDonalds, and alcohol. Lots of alcohol. I ate at 3am after a night of drinking, slept and continued the same routine day in and day out. I gained over 25 pounds in just 6 months because of that. There were random times when I would stop eating and just drink coffee to lose weight. As you can imagine that made me feel awful and made me keep the fat instead of losing it. I wasn't healthy OR treating my body or mind right.

2012- This was after my second child. I wasn't eating awesome and never watched my portions. Dunkin' Donuts was a part of my everyday which included donuts and high sugar ice coffees. I always felt tired and worn out. I felt like I could sleep for days and myself esteem was at an all time low.

TODAY- To say that I feel healthier than I ever have is an understatement. My body, mind and soul feel healthy and strong. Now I eat clean and follow the correct portions for my body. I am never starving nor do I feel like I am deprived of certain things. I live my life by an 80/20 rule. 80 percent of the time I eat clean- the other 20 percent I eat whatever I want. That means if I want a burger with cheese and a sweet tea- I'm going to have it and I don't feel guilty about it. My self confidence is so much higher than it has ever been and I finally feel comfortable in my own skin. I workout everyday for ME, to get stronger- not to lose any weight. I do it to clear my mind and let off some steam. I love it. This is the life I was supposed to live and I couldn't be happier.

In the end isn't that all that matters? To feel comfortable, happy and confident in your own skin? My mind and body are finally healthy and it's my mission to help other women achieve the same thing.

Day 3: Max 30

Sweat Intervals is the workout for day 3 and when the title says "sweat" it means it!! I Maxed out at 8:21 only because there is a 30 second break at the 5 minute marker. I was about at max when Shaun T called for a water break! Saved the day! I can't believe how different this program is from T25. It feels much more intense and the exercises are harder. 

Max 30 has made me gloriously sore and I can feel myself getting stronger with each workout. You may think you can't get a good workout in just 30 minutes but this program will surely prove you wrong!!! 

Spinach and Onion Scramble

Here is a yummy recipe from the Max 30 nutrition plan! Gotta love an easy and simple breakfast! This one is a keeper for sure!

Spinach and Onion Scramble
1 whole egg
4 egg whites
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup chopped onions
Pepper
Salt
1 tsp. Olive oil

-Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat.
-In a bowl scramble the eggs; add a pitch of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
-Add onions and spinach to hot skillet and cook until onions are soft and spinach is wilted.
-Add eggs and cook until done. 

Enjoy!!!

Day Two-- MAX 30!

Up and at it again today!! 

Tabata Power ✔️
Breakfast ✔️

I made a recipe from the Max 30 book and it was yummy! Plus I snuck in a veggie when I normally don't eat them for breakfast! This will be on my weekly meal plan for sure! 

Spinach and Onion Scramble
1 whole egg
4 egg whites
1/2 cup spinach
1/2 cup chopped onions
Pepper
Salt
1 tsp. Olive oil

-Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat.
-In a bowl scramble the eggs; add a pitch of salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
-Add onions and spinach to hot skillet and cook until onions are soft and spinach is wilted.
-Add eggs and cook until done.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Its been incredibly freezing around and there is one thing I want when its this cold. Beef Stew! I love a good hearty beef stew but hate when it comes out too heavy. So I decided to give this new recipe a try. I did change a few things up a bit to my liking but over all it came out excellent. Next I think I will try this with chicken and chicken stock and see how it comes out! I love the kale in it. It really brightens the stew up!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1½ pound stew beef

½ teaspoon salt, plus more to season beef

½ teaspoon pepper, plus more to season beef

4 medium/large red potatoes, peeled if desired, cut into bite sized pieces

2 stalks celery, chopped

4 large carrots, peeled, chopped

1 onion coarsely chopped

2 bay leaves

2 cups beef stock

Water

1 bunch kale, stems removed, leaves chopped into small pieces

Directions:

Pre-heat a large pan over medium heat. Season beef with salt and pepper. When pan is ready, add 1 tablespoon oil and in two or more batches to cook the beef. Brown on at least two sides, about 3-5 minutes per batch. You do not want to overcook the beef since you will be cooking it all day. When the first batch is done, add the cooked beef to the slow cooker. Add additional oil to the pan, if needed, and cook the next batch. When the last batch is done, add ¼ cup water to the pan and scrape up the brown bits. Pour the beef and liquid into the slow cooker.

Add potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, bay leaves, teaspoon ½ salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and beef stock. Stir. Fill slow cooker with water until it just reaches the bottom of the top level of vegetables. Don’t completely cover the veggies!!

Cook on low for 8 hours, or until meat is tender to your liking.

Stir in kale, re-cover, and cook for about 15-25 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and tender.

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(I found the original recipe at http://thechiclife.com/2014/01/healthified-slow-cooker-beef-stew-recipe.html -- Feel free to check it out! She has many different recipes on her blog!)

January 12th!!

To join the gym or not to join the gym?

I will admit that gyms are pretty cool. They have all the equipment you could want and great classes.

But what if you could get the same results you would at the gym in the comfort in your own home? Would you be interested?

-No more traveling to workout.
-No wondering around wondering what to do.
-No following someone else's schedule to make it to a class.
-No wading through tons of people to use the machine you want.
-No paying hundreds of dollars for a personal trainer

If you choose to join my challenge group here's what you would get--

-30 minute workouts from a professional trainer
-a 21/30/60 day calendar explaining exactly what you need to do
-a complete nutrition program, created by dietitians, that is proven to boost results
AND
Support, accountability, motivation, recipes and meal plans from ME!

You don't ever have to feel alone or lost on what to do.

I'm here for you-- just fill out this **application** and I will contact you shortly!