Week 2

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving... but I hope you didn't eat too much haha! Now, you have a few weeks left until Christmas - where you'll likely over indulge again ;-( ... so let's kick into high gear and really make some great progress these next 3 weeks of the challenge!!

Many of you have already lost weight, inches and bad habits - way to go!! If you didn't do as well as you wished you would have done last week, that's no problem... get on the right track NOW!! This challenge is all about learning new healthy habits to last a lifetime... bad days and bad weeks are going to happen, just learn from it and move forward.

Continue logging your workouts on the workout tracker page and check the recipe page for new additions that you can add to your food plan.

Be sure to email me with your favorite "cheat" food!! We have a new mini challenge soon! 

PREPARE!!

Just got home from a Costco run to stock up for a week or two. I wanted to share with you all some of my must-have staples!!

Share you pics!

When you make a meal that's too good not to share.... Please do!! Send me a picture of the meal so I can post for all the challengers to drool over!

Check out Brittney's yummy apple "pie" wontons!! Doesn't it look AMAZING??!!

Hey, what's that on the side?? Looks like ice cream!! BUT it's not ;-) She chose plain Greek yogurt on the side for a healthy, delicious dessert!!

*Be sure to check your email and get back to me about your favorite "cheat" food. I'm preparing a mini-challenge for you all!

Holiday Party Treat

Have a sweet tooth? Going to a party and need to bring a dessert? Well, I have just the thing for you and it's actually HEALTHY!! Oh... and delicious!! Wonton Apple Pie Cups...

What you need:
2-3 medium apples (any color), diced
1TBSP coconut oil
1tsp vanilla extract
1-2tsp cinnamon
15-20 wonton wrappers

How to:
Melt oil in a pot. Add diced apples and cook 5-7 minutes. Add vanilla and cinnamon and cover. Cook 5 minutes or until slightly soft (depends on the size of apple chunks).

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a muffin tin with pam. Press one wonton wrapper into each muffin cup. Bake 7-10 minutes until slightly golden. Fill with apples. Bake an additional 5-6 minutes. You can top with a small spoon of cool-whip, but they're fantastic plain too!! Or add a side of plain Greek yogurt!

Zoodles

I LOVE zoodles - noodles made with zucchini. You can replace starchy noodles with the super low-cal zoodles for any dish! Tonight, we had lean ground beef with low-sugar marinara on top of zoodles. It was a hit with the family!

Last week, I made Asian stir-fry with zoodles instead of chow mein or udo noodles. YUM!! For the sauce, I mixed 1/4C low sodium soy sauce, 1 chunk ginger (size of a TBSP), 2TBSP oyster sauce, 1TBSP rice wine vinegar, 1/4C water...blend. I marinate the cubed chicken in the sauce and then pour it all in a wok w/ a little coconut oil. Add any veggies you have. When it's all cooked, add the zoodles and cook 1-2 minutes.

CHOOSE healthy

People often (usually!) make excuses to explain their poor food choices and lack of exercise. Let me tell you, I have heard them ALL!! Of course there's the common, "no time" excuses, which I don't even kind of believe... I'm a stay at home mom with my own fitness business plus I do freelance weather anchoring and modeling... I know many of you in this challenge have your hands WAY full too but are still kicking butt. We are all busy but everyone has a little time - it just depends on what you CHOOSE to spend it on.

When going out to eat, people will say "there aren't any healthy options" or "I didn't know what to order" (get grilled meat an veggies - simple! You can even get a grilled chicken salad at Mc Donalds)... or there's the work party treats that you HAD to eat... really?!! You were forced and tortured to eat them? Just say NO... it's your body, health and CHOICE! People admire a strong will.

Anyway, that brings me to dinner last night... My husband has free Olive Garden for the whole month as part of a news story he's doing. He can get 4 meals a day. Yikes! Most people would say "it's free, I have to eat it". Not me! I say - Olive Garden can keep their carb-packed, fat-loaded food. I only fuel my body with food that will benefit me... not make me feel yucky. Now, that doesn't mean I won't eat any of it. I do love their salads, so my hubby brings me one a few times a week (remember, he has this free stuff for a month). I never eat the croutons or dressing... Instead, I add beets, cucumbers, asparagus, spinach, more tomatoes & chicken. Then I use low-sugar balsamic as my dressing.

It's all about making adaptations and CHOOSING healthy!!

So for those work parties coming up....
- Bring healthy snacks with you so you're not starving at work... EVER! Those cookies will jump into your mouth in 2 seconds if your hungry!! Prepare ahead!!
- Say no. You don't have to take a treat just cause it's offered. Show some determination and will power. It WILL be admired!
- Choose greens and lean protein. Skip the carbs, sauces and sweets.

Day 1

Why not start off with a mini challenge?

Today, I challenge you to do a bonus 200 crunches in addition to your normal workout. Do them all at once or throughout the day... Just do them! Then comment below!

DO IT!!! ;-)

Prepare Ahead

Check out the Prep Page for preparation tips and to see what I cooked today for the week ahead... and here's my little cutie telling you all about his favorite bars (which are part of our prep)

Text Reminders

If you'd like random text reminders/encouragment/accountability throughout the challenge. Please text me with your name: 602-481-3756

**Also, see the PREP PAGE for pictures of what I'm preparing for the week ahead...