Kodiak Cakes OATMEAL UNLEASHED Review!

        Oatmeal Unleashed is a breakfast product you may have seen gracing the aisles of your local grocery store recently...it's a new product from Baker Mills Kodiak Cakes brand. I was browsing the breakfast aisle when I came across this oatmeal and decided to give a try. I love oatmeal, especially when the weather starts to cool off and was pleased that this oatmeal boasted clean ingredients AND 10 grams of protein!  

"Oatmeal Unleashed is an all-natural crunchy oatmeal served in a convenient, microwavable cup. In 30 seconds you can make yourself a hot, healthy breakfast that will satisfy and energize the rest of the morning. Staying true to our brand, we have made sure that this oatmeal is add-water-only, and packed full of fiber, protein and whole grains without compromising on taste." - product write up on Kodiak Cakes website (http://www.kodiakcakes.com/oatmeal)

          I decided to try the Peach Vanilla Almond flavor. I shook the container first (as directed on the back of the package), then pulled open the top - I was greeted with a lovely peach aroma even before cooking!  That was a plus! I added enough water to cover the oatmeal (again, as directed on the package) and popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds (again...as directed). It SMELLED delicious!

           I stirred the oatmeal up to combine everything well and dug in! 

           The first bite had a pleasant, nutty flavor with hints of vanilla. Nothing too overpowering, but definitely no peach either. That was disappointing. As I kept eating, I enjoyed getting the little bites of peach here and there, but it definitely did not seem like enough. I also enjoyed the crunch that the almond provided. Even though cane sugar and brown sugar are two of the first three ingredients, kodiak definitely did not load this oatmeal down with it - a GOOD THING - it only has 15 g of sugar for the size of the serving. I finished the oatmeal feeling like I had eaten plenty and was not in a sugar coma like I used to get with the Quaker Oats flavored oatmeals of days past. Overall, I enjoyed this flavor and am looking forward to trying the Green Apple Spice next.  

          Pros of this flavor:  Low sugar, added chia seeds to help keep you full, fennel seed and fenugreek seed are great for breastfeeding mothers (along with oatmeal in general) to help boost breastmilk supply, added protein to help keep you satiated and boost protein intake.

          Cons: Not enough peaches, fenugreek/fennel aftertaste - I believe that it's only noticeable to me because I have used both in tea form in the past while breastfeeding. 

         If you are interested in purchasing a 12 pack of this oatmeal, you can do so here: AMAZON.

**This is not a paid review. I have no affiliation with Kodiak Cakes or Amazon. I just like to provide info to the masses on great or not so great products that can help improve your eating habits!** 

Transformation Thursday! Check out Brenda S.!

Brenda S, age 31 from Fulshear, TX, lost 32 lbs with 21 Day Fix and Shakeology. She entered her results into The Beachbody Challenge® and won $1,000!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Before I started the program I had a 5 year old and a 1 year old and my life revolved around them, which is pretty normal for a mom. We entertain a lot, my husband loves to BBQ, so I was always trying to please our guests with delicious food… which was full of butter usually. I love hanging out with friends and neighbors, which usually meant beverages of some sort. After my second son, I kept packing on the pounds until my “fat” pants were getting tight. That was a crushing moment for me and I felt terrible about how I had let my body go because previously I had been a healthy weight.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
When I put on my “fat pants” and they were snug, I knew I had to change my lifestyle. I wanted to be able to play with my kids and be around for years to come. I knew if I was gaining so much weight at 31, then as I got older it would only be harder to lose. I didn’t want my children to see me like that, so I contacted my friend and now Coach Krista who had dropped a lot of weight and kept talking about how much she loved Beachbody products.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
My biggest challenge before was keeping my kids, husband, and guests happy with the foods I prepared every gathering. I wanted everyone else to be happy, so I didn’t think about what was best for me, just everyone else. Beachbody has helped me understand that you can make tasty healthy food and even without the butter my family and guests are happy and now healthy. I have also learned that it is healthy for me to make time for myself to workout and that in doing so I am being a positive role model to my children. They both enjoy doing mommy’s workouts with me. But most importantly I am so proud of myself and so are my family and friends. It is so beautiful to be able to inspire others to make their health a priority.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I started with the 21 Day Fix and I loved the portion control containers and lists of foods to choose from. This really helped me plan for my week and try foods I didn’t regularly prepare before the program. I also like that the workouts are 30 minutes and there is a schedule to stick to, no thinking… just press play.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?I am now strong and my sons tells his friends that his mommy has big muscles. That’s such a great feeling. I lost 32 pounds, over 34 inches, and 3 pant sizes. I am also proud to be able to motivate others to become healthy.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I now have confidence that I hadn’t seen in years! I still spend time with friends and family, I just replace fatty foods with healthy foods and calorie filled beverages with water.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
I believe the accountability group is a major part of my success. There were many days that I wanted to “cheat,” but knew that I had to report to my group and didn’t want to let them down.

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Krista was encouraging and always checked in to let me know I was doing a great job, which in turn made me work even harder. She thought I was awesome, so I had to show her that I was!

How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program (such as Shakeology® or Beachbody Ultimate Reset®) support your transformation? What are the greatest benefits you gained? Did you see benefits to your energy, sleep, mood/mental clarity, digestion/regularity?
Shakeology is an amazing product! It is tasty, keeps you full, and helps regulate my body.

You can change your life, too. Take the Beachbody Challenge for the tools you need to Decide, Commit, and Succeed! Complete any Beachbody program, and enter your results for a free gift and a chance to win cash and prizes.

**Story originally published on teambeachbody.com/teambeachbodyblog**

Post Hysterectomy Fitness - What my current Diet looks like...

                                          

I mention the meal plan I am following in the video. No doubt, the nutrition is the hardest part, but even following a super clean eating plan before, I found myself gaining weight - instead of losing. The average weight gain of most women in the first year post hysterectomy is 25 lbs. 25 POUNDS!  That's crazy! So, to help you help yourself, please check out my meal planner below - it has the first 7 days filled in to give you an example of what I am eating. You can use the latter 14 days of space to fill in your meals.

Example Meal Plan

And, I can't stress this enough, if you are struggling and would like to learn more about the programs, supplements, or meal plans that I am following in this post-hysterectomy journey, please feel free to contact me at candace@flabbymomtofitmom.com or on facebook here.

5 Reasons You're Not Losing Weight!

 5 Reasons You're NOT Losing Weight!

1. You're not drinking enough water.

Besides keeping you hydrated, drinking water on the regular, according to recent studies, can aid with weight loss. Filling up on water before a meal helps encourage portion control, and eating foods that contain a lot of water (like fruits and veggies) will fill you up faster, causing you to eat less. A small study even found that drinking cool water can speed up metabolism and discourage cravings for sugary drinks like soda and juice.

2. You're OVEReating!

So, you're making MUCH healthier choices and you THINK you're doing awesome, but in reality, while you are eating HEALTHIER, you're still eating TOO MUCH! Nuts, avocados, whole wheat pasta, olive oil, and dark chocolate are all natural and healthy, but they aren't void of calories. You still need to watch how much you eat of the good stuff. For example, avocado offers a ton of health benefits, but an entire fruit is over 200 calories. (21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme BOTH teach you proper portions of not only your favorite foods, but healthy foods, too!)

3. You're a Cardio Queen (or King)!
If you live on the treadmill but never lift a pound, then you're missing out on one of the most important pieces of the fitness puzzle. Not only does weight training prevent injury by strengthening the joints, but it also builds muscle mass and increases metabolic rate. Bonus: thanks to a revved-up metabolism, you'll keep burning calories long after you've slipped off your sneakers. You . didn't know lean muscle mass burns more calories throughout the day?

4. Your significant other isn't on the same healthy road...
A significant other who's on the same or similar path can be a huge help to your weight-loss goals, but if your partner is not on board, then your relationship may be making you fat. You can't expect to lose weight if your partner is constantly ordering takeout, wants to go out for ice cream, or encourages you to sleep in instead of hitting the gym! Communicating that you need their support in losing weight is a great first step in finding compromises — for both of you. To start, next time you go out to dinner, discuss splitting an entree and choosing either an appetizer OR dessert to share. You'll not only save CALORIES, but money, too! Score!

5. You Don't Eat Your Greens! 

Eating five to seven servings of fruits and veggies a day is important for everyone, but dieters who go heavy on the produce are more likely to lose and keep the weight off, since a diet full of plant-based foods offers a greater variety of nutrients with fewer calories — and all that fiber keeps the body feeling fuller longer. Not only that, but you'll start feeling better almost immediately (as long as you're eating a variety) because you will be working on those nutrient deficiencies! 

If you're struggling and need extra support and accountability, feel free to contact me at candace@flabbymomtofitmom.com - I would love to help YOU get back on the road to healthy!

My newest adventure...21 Day Fix Extreme!

My newest adventure...

...is the 21 Day Fix EXTREME workout program. I am beyond excited for it as I am within 10-15 lbs of my goal weight. But, even moreso than hitting that ever elusive number is feeling confident in my body, in myself, and in my ability to complete this program as laid out. I am excited for this new challenge and ready to tackle it head on! 

Below, you will find a sample of my first week's meal plan. As you can see, I'm a creature of habit and routine. Sticking with the same meals for the first three days allow me to meal prep effectively so that I have meals that are easily accessible and ready to go whenever I need them to be. (Every two to three hours).

On to what's different about this program versus the original 21 Day Fix...

-NOT a beginner program (you would need to complete AT LEAST two rounds of the original to attempt this one...)

-there are no cheats this time around - no wine, no chocolate, no extras. Period.

-Autumn gives you her personal Countdown to Competition plan that utilizes carb depletion to prepare for an event or bikini competition

-the workouts are MUCH HARDER - think the original Fix on steroids!  EVERY video utilizes bands or weights - even the cardio videos! 

-narrowed down food lists for each container

What's the same?  The containers. Shakeology is still able to be used. 

This is a totally NEW program and meant for people who are already accustomed to an intense workout program. Again, not a beginner program.

On to the goods - here is my first three days on plan...

DAY	MEALS	MENU	G	P	R	Y	B	O	T
DAY 1	Breakfast	Egg Whites with Spinach and Oatmeal with Banana	1	1	1	1
	Snack	Shakeology w/ medium pear		1	1
	Lunch	Turkey Burger with avocado slices & steamed Broccoli	1		1		1		1
	Snack	Green Tea
	Dinner	Grilled Chicken with quinoa & asparagus	1		1	1		1	1
	Snack (Dessert)	Chamomile Tea
	Total		3	2	4	2	1	1	2
DAY 2	Breakfast	Egg Whites with Spinach and Oatmeal with Banana	1	1	1	1
	Snack	Shakeology w/ medium pear		1	1
	Lunch	Turkey Burger with avocado slices & steamed Broccoli	1		1		1		1
	Snack	Green Tea
	Dinner	Grilled Chicken with quinoa & asparagus	1		1	1		1	1
	Snack (Dessert)	Chamomile Tea
	Total		3	2	4	2	1	1	2
DAY 3	Breakfast	Egg Whites with Spinach and Oatmeal with Banana	1	1	1	1
	Snack	Shakeology w/ medium pear		1	1
	Lunch	Turkey Burger with avocado slices & steamed Broccoli	1		1		1		1
	Snack	Green Tea
	Dinner	Grilled Chicken with quinoa & asparagus	1		1	1		1	1
	Snack (Dessert)	Chamomile Tea
	Total		3	2	4	2	1	1	2

I'll be taking my before photos and measurements tonight and posting those in the morning, so keep a look out! I'm excited to keep you all up to date on this program and share a few new recipes and other fun stuff along the way! 

Want more info on this program or the original 21 Day Fix?  Shoot me an email at candace@flabbymomtofitmom.com and let's talk! Or, follow me at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom <---by clicking right there! ;)