Flabby Mom to FIT Mom: The Hormone Reset Diet Group!

Hey guys!  I hope you watched the above video, but if not, here's a brief synopsis...

A few weeks ago, I opened up about my struggles since my hysterectomy last year. In an attempt to help alleviate some of my symptoms up until my BHRT (bio-identical hormone replacement therapy) appointment on October 16th, I will be following The Hormone Reset Diet by Dr. Sara Gottfried for 21 days starting on September 28th. 

I will also be continuing to do the 21 Day Fix workouts, the 21 Day Fix containers. and utilizing Shakeology daily as the hormone reset diet says to use a protein powder/shake supplement to help prevent muscle wasting by providing extra protein while you eliminate certain things from your diet to reset your hormones.

I would love to have a group of 3 to 5 women that would like to join me in this group, so for every woman that purchases the 21 Day Fix challenge pack (which includes your first month of Shakeology, your workout program, the container system, etc...) I am gifting them with the Hormone Reset Diet book so that it is not something extra that you need to purchase. 

You can purchase your 21 Day Fix kit by clicking the picture above - I will be notified that you ordered and contact you directly! 

If you have any questions before ordering, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at candace.g.taylor@comcast.net ! I would love to hear from you!

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!** 

21 Day Fix - A Christmas Journey Week 2 Results!

21 Day Fix - A Christmas Journey - Week 2 Results! 

So, here they are - I'm down two weeks with the program and this is what I have accomplished so far - I have lost 4.6 lbs and I don't know how many inches as I will take those on Day 22. I have one week left with the program and will detail my plans to maximize my results below! 

And, just in case you forgot -- this is where I started two weeks ago...

Now, my plan to finish my 21 Day Fix out strong is to do doubles as laid out in the guide and to complete the 3 Day Refresh starting on Monday. The 3 Day Refresh pretty much dictates what your diet will look like for 3 days, so that's nothing crazy - until then I will be continuing to do lower carb, drinking my Shakeology everyday, drinking at least half my body weight in ounces of water, and avoiding junk food and soda. I'm officially 3 weeks clean of any type of soda! Yeah! 

Ready to get the 21 Day Fix and Shakeology?  Click HERE to get yours today! 

Wanna join me in getting healthy and fit?? Look out for my next challenge group OR sign up for a FREE Team Beachbody membership with me as your COACH to receive an email from me for a one on one discussion of your goals and what you would like to accomplish with a specific Beachbody program! <3 You can email me at candace@flabbymomtofitmom.com or sign up for your membership HERE

Transformation Tuesday: Mackenzie S. lost 17.6 lbs in 21 days!

Transformation Tuesday: Mackenzie S.

Mackenzie was a new mom who found she wasn’t losing her baby weight like she thought she would. She joined a 21 Day Fix Challenge Group, and was able to lose 17.6 pounds and 16 inches in just 21 days! Read her story in her own words below:

Before starting the 21 Day Fix I was feeling like I had lost all motivation to lose weight. I had gone through a major weight loss journey and finally gotten down to my goal when I got pregnant with my third baby. Throughout the pregnancy I indulged a little more than I probably needed to and had a much more difficult time taking the excess weight off postpartum than I had anticipated. I thought for sure I would lose all the weight by the time my baby was 6 months old, but as 8 months post partum rolled around I was still feeling tired, worn out, and overall disappointed in my lack of motivation to better myself and become more active and healthy. I was worn out and exhausted from the roller coaster of weight loss and gain. I wasn’t feeling motivated or desirable and wasn’t putting in any effort to achieve results but was continuously feeling let-down that nothing was changing. I was really searching for something that would make me feel motivated to lose the rest of the weight I had gained.

I chose the 21 Day Fix because I had seen some of the amazing results people had with it, and knew that I needed something structured yet easy. After reading about the 21 Day Fix and looking at some reviews on it, I figured it was worth a shot and might be exactly what I needed to get back into the fitness mindset. I had a great experience! It was so easy to follow and made my meal planning a breeze. My favorite part about it was that it really taught me proper portion control! I loved the color-coded containers, even my kids liked that they were colorful! (and who am I kidding, this mama to three little ones loved that they were dish-washer safe and BPA free!) I also loved that there was an option for eating out or having little treats.

I like how much the 21 Day Fix simplified my eating! I could prep the majority of my meals at the beginning of the week and then just pull out my already prepared containers and eat those! It really changed the way I think about food, too, and opened my eyes to how much I was mindlessly snacking or having “treats” all day everyday. Once I did the Fix I realized that those “treats” really weren’t being a treat to my body, they were slowing me down and making me feel sluggish.

I am most proud of how empowered this program made me feel! I feel like I can do anything now that I have proven to myself that I can stick to goals I set for myself. I set out in this program saying that I would fully commit myself for 21 days and see how the results made me feel. Well I can definitely tell you that I will be sticking to this for much longer than 21 days! It truly is a lifestyle and I now feel that it is an achievable lifestyle! This program has refocused my goals and gotten me back on a path I feared I might have strayed from forever. I now feel ready to take on the world!

The 21 Day Fix really made me accountable to myself about my portion control as well as my food choices. I liked the workouts and found them motivating and challenging. I felt like the structure of the workouts made them tough enough to feel like I was pushing myself, but not so hard that it was discouraging. I saw the most change in my core/midsection, I lost a lot of inches and gained a lot of strength. I felt that my Challenge Group pushed me to finish, as well as really helped me to find new meal ideas and try new recipes! I loved the group and felt they were all motivational!

I have shared the 21 Day Fix with everyone I know! I feel this program can be tailored to fit anyone’s needs and is such a great option for anyone trying to eat healthy, even those (like me) who already ate clean foods. It really provides much needed structure for portion control and when to eat the right foods. 
(Original article appeared on teambeachbody.com)

IF YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THE 21 Day Fix Challenge - you can order YOUR program by clicking this link ---> 21 Day Fix Challenge <--- and adding me on Facebook here ---> Candace Taylor <---to be added to my 21 Day Fix Challenge group!  If you have any questions prior to ordering OR you would like to hear my experience with the program, add me or message me on Facebook above! <3  (If you are not looking for the 21 Day Fix, but would like to participate in the Beachbody Challenge, you can do so at the link below!)

You can change your life, too, by clicking this link---> Beachbody Challenge, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.

Waistline Wednesday: My 21 Day Fix Results!

Waistline Wednesday: 21 Day Fix Results and Review

 

So, I haven't posted in a while and for that I apologize. Life has gotten busy, busy and I was (for the most part) focused on getting my faith, family, and fitness in order. I had strayed from the things that keep me sane and had to find my way back. I hope you all understand.

 

I started the 21 Day Fix program late last month in hopes of getting off a few pounds of fluff I had picked up along my wayward path. The program consists of learning proper portion control through a set of seven containers. The look smaller than they are. I was allowed 4 red containers, 3 green containers, 2 yellow containers, 2 purple containers, 1 blue container, and 1 orange container per day. If you follow me at Flabby Mom to Fit Mom on Facebook, you probably saw my food posts and the container count on the photos...but I'll give a sample of what my day consisted of here:

 

Breakfast: Strawberry Banana Shakeology - one purple/one red

 

Snack 1: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal with 2 eggs - one purple/one yellow/one red

 

Lunch: Hamburger Patty with one slice of cheese, salsa, and steamed broccoli - one red/one blue/1 green

 

Supper: Large green salad with Italian vinaigrette and 7 grilled shrimp - one green/one orange/one red

 

Water: 10 - 8 oz. glasses

 

Workout: Total Body Cardio Fix

 

The program comes with two discs with 7 workouts and a bonus cardio disc - Plyo Fix. You do one workout EVERY DAY - not terrible since the workouts are only 30 minutes long. The third week, if you want to really ramp up results, you do two a days. (so total one hour - this was the option I chose) The workouts are a great combination of strength training and cardio. The balance of the two along with the incorporation of the portion control really allow you to see results quickly. The trainer was a motivator for me because she has the body I WANT.

 

Ready for ROUND TWO! Want to join me?? Purchase your 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack HERE and then apply for my next challenge group starting on  April 7th HERE! And, don't forget to friend me on Facebook HERE! 

GUEST BLOG from Kendra Thornton: Fit Family, Happy Life

GUEST BLOG

FIT FAMILY, Happy Life!

Many thanks to Ms. Thornton for offering a guest blog on keeping your family happy and healthy!

Kendra Thornton, travel expert and FIT mom to 3!

Travel advocate, TV spokesperson, PR businesswoman, proud wife andmama of 3. Kendra is a long time travel expert who has been packing her bags and traveling the world since she was 3 months old! She has found her utmost desire in life is right in her own home. She has taken her excitement for travel and brought it to you with some of her favorite travel tips and tricks. Enjoy!
(Bio provided by Kendra Thornton)

Kendra is an expert on travel, having been the Director of Corporate Communications at Orbitz prior to founding Thornton Public Relations in 2005.

 

 

Fit Family - Happy Life

by Kendra Thornton

Keep moving – that’s what I always do. I can’t help but move with my three busy kids. Being active is just a part of my life. But that’s what gave me the idea to stay fit, whether at home or on the road. I like the way it makes me feel and I like the way being in shape lets me keep up with kids. So, since it is Fit Family Lifestyles this month, I’ve decided to share some of my tips and tricks for staying healthy while I’m out on the road. Incorporating these in your lifestyle will keep you looking great and feeling great:

Fresh Air

Get outside. Plain and simple. The benefits of fresh air are well documented. If you are on the road, make an effort to stop at rest stops and parks. When the kids say they need a bathroom break, take it. Then walk around outside, stretching your legs and breathing in that fresh air that is so good for you. Walking around outside will also allow everyone to burn off some of that energy they have pent up from riding for so long, which will make the next leg of the trip easier… at least for a little while. Even will this cold weather - if you’re traveling to a chilly destination, go ice-skating, snowshoeing, or even try skiing...utilize the outside atmosphere!

Munch

Even when you are sedentary, sitting in a car or plane immobile for long stretches of time, your body needs nourishment. Pack snacks, and lots of them. Choose easy to eat snacks that won’t make a mess, like pretzels, bananas, string cheese, maybe even some trail mix – make it yourself with raisins, peanuts, dried banana slices, dried coconut, and some M&Ms… no one said you couldn’t have a little treat here and there!

 

Don’t Forget the Sneaks!

Amidst all of your pool wear, dinner outfits, sandals, flip-flops, and high heels, pack a pair of sneakers. Who knows when you’ll want to go on a run before everyone else gets up or watch the sunset as you jog.

 

Set Yourself Up for Success

Babies need their routines to be as close to what they experience at home as possible when they are away. This is not only good for them, but also for the parents! Be sure to bring their pillow with the pillowcase they always use on it, their favorite books, and anything else they might need like a pacifier, noise machine, sleep sack, a special blanket, etc. Ease baby to sleep and get some much needed rest of your own as well.

Plan Your Trip

It’s always good to know what you want to do on a trip. This is especially true when traveling with children. Be sure to include hiking trails and theme parks, even outdoor museums where the kids can not only enjoy themselves, but stay active as well.

These are the things I do and they work wonders for my family. I extend a lot of these ideas to school time also, continuing to pack healthy snacks in their lunch bags and getting them outdoors and active as often as possible. You can get outside any time of year. During this season, my family really enjoys making snowmen and going skiing! What kinds of things does your family like to do?

You can find Kendra on Twitter & Facebook - go follow her and show her some love!



Tasty Thursday: Turkey Lasagna with Homemade

Tasty Thursday

 

 

I happened upon this recipe while thumbing through the latest Clean Eating magazine and bought the darn thing JUST for this recipe. It. Is. DELICIOUS.

 

I urge you to make it right now. Tonight. Just do it...soon. You will love it as much as my family and I did. I promise.

 

 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 white onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 large celery stalk, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp dried oregano

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 28-oz. BPA-free cans unsalted whole tomatoes with basil (TRY: Eden Organic Whole Tomatoes with Basil)

1 Tbsp raw honey

1/2 tsp sea salt, divided

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper, divided, plus additional to taste

1 9 oz. package frozen chopped spinach

olive oil cooking spray

1 lb ground turkey

15 oz. reduced fat ricotta cheese, drained

1/3 cup loosely packed chopped fresh basil leaves

12 whole wheat lasagna noodles (no boil or boiled at home)

4 oz. reduced fat, grated Italian four cheese blend

 

Instructions:

1. In a Dutch oven or large saucepan on medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook until soft and lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Add garlic and oregano and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add vinegar and let bubble for 10-20 seconds, scraping any browned bits in bottom of pan. Add tomatoes and stir to combine, breaking up with a spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium to medium-low and maintain a steady simmer. Cook for 1 hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes, until thickened. Stir in honey, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.

 

2. Using an immersion blender, blend sauce to slightly chunky puree. Boil noodles as directed on package at this time, if they are no boil noodles, skip this step.

 

3. Place spinach in fine mess strainer and press firmly to drain. Mist a large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium-high. Add turkey and cook, breaking up with spoon until no longer pink, 6-7 minutes. Add spinach, remaining 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.

 

4. In a second bowl, combine ricotta and basil. Season with additional black pepper.

 

5. Spread 1/4 cup sauce inside a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 4 noodles, half of ricotta, one third of cheese blend, half of turkey and one cup sauce. Repeat once more, starting with noodles and ending with sauce. Top with remaining noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining cheese blend. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling, 5 to 10 minutes more. Rest for 15 minutes before serving.

 

Nutrients per serving (1/10 of lasagna):

Calories - 253, Total Fat - 9g, Sat. Fat - 4g, Monounsaturated Fat - 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat - 2g, Carbs - 30g, Fiber - 5g, Sugars - 8g, Protein - 24g, Sodium - 310mg, Cholesterol - 44mg

 

 

For more recipes, tips, motivation, and help with losing weight FROM HOME -- follow me on Facebook at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom ...I look forward to helping YOU reach your goals! If you would like me to be your FREE coach - please sign up here!



 

 

Waistline Wednesday : Update Postponed...

Waistline Wednesday

Update Postponed...

 

My Waistline Wednesday update is postponed until next Wednesday for the following reasons:

1. My official two week progress will be on Monday, January 27th, so I'll take update photos and measurements then.

2. My monthly visit is here and frankly, even though I've been busting my booty, I feel like a busted can of biscuits.

And, on that note, I shall share an extremely helpful and interesting article to help YOU avoid the Physique Misery Syndrome that I am currently suffering from. The article was written by Shannon Clark over at bodybuilding.com.

4 Ways Your Menstrual Cycle Affects Your Workouts

by: Shannon Clark

     PMS might as well stand for Physique Misery Syndrome. From firsthand experience, I can tell you that the appearance changes caused by your menstrual cycle can be significant. One morning I'll wake up and see clear ab definition, causing me to feel excited that my hard work in the gym and kitchen has been paying off. Then the next morning, I'll wake up only to find that my abs are as easy to find as a prim-and-proper tabloid shot of Britney Spears. I know when to expect it, so I can don't panic. And the problem vanishes after about a week, as quickly as it came. Still...
The symptoms of PMS vary by individual. They can range from feeling like a nuisance to turning your life upside down for a week. The classic PMS symptoms include water retention and bloating, irritability, strong cravings, appetite changes, fluctuations in pain tolerance, as well as differences in your energy level. Simply put, for the week or two before your period hits, the last thing on your mind is putting in a hard workout or eating healthfully. You want to eat chocolate, ice cream, and pizza while lying on the couch. If you're dedicated to the gym, PMS can leave you feeling psychologically devastated.

Click To Enlarge.PMS can also limit your performance in the gym,
but you can minimize the negative effects.

And don't think this just affects you mentally and appearance-wise, either. PMS can also limit your performance in the gym, making any effort you do put forth less than productive.
The good news? By learning what impact your menstrual cycle has on key factors influencing your workout performance and your body composition, you can minimize the negative effects.
Let's look at some of the key intersections between your cycle and your workouts:

Measuring Your Metabolic Rate

One of the most important factors that you must take into account if you're currently trying to melt off those last 10 pounds of body fat is your metabolic rate. That's a fancy term for how many calories you burn over 24 hour. It'll vary not only from person to person but also from day to day in the same person.
If you're highly stressed out, your metabolism may rev a bit. On the other hand, if you've been following a very-low-calorie diet for a couple of weeks now, you're likely finding that your metabolism has slowed down.
Your cycle also influences your metabolic rate. During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle—the week or so before your period is set to begin—you'll burn up calories faster than at all other times throughout the month. Researchers measure increases in total energy expenditure of 2.5 to 11% during this time.
This may not seem like all that much, but if you're dieting, it'll make a difference.

However, most women also experience an increase in appetite during this period. They're hungrier and more prone to cravings. The net result is that they end up consuming more calories than they're expending through this increase in their metabolic rate. They're burning more, but there's more to burn.

So one important take-home message from this is that if you're currently dieting, and will continue dieting through your cycle, be extra careful about your adherence during the week before your period. You could easily undo your weight-loss efforts.

Beat The Bloat — Get On Track To A Leaner Stomach

Another of the biggest cycle-related complaints among fit women concerns bloating. It's not abnormal at all for women to take on 5 to 10 extra pounds of water during their cycle. As you can imagine, this can have an unsettling effect on the reflection in the mirror.
One morning, you may wake up impressed with the degree of definition your body is showing. The next morning, you might see what looks like a blanket of fat covering what used to be those defined muscles. That's not fat; it's just excess water retention caused by female hormones, mainly estrogen. If you're on birth control pills that have a high estrogen level, talk to your doctor about changing meds to an alternative with lower estrogen levels. In theory that should mean less bloating every month.

Other strategies you can employ to help lessen water retention:

1. Avoid salty foods
2. Drink more water than usual
3. Sip some herbal tea
4. Season your foods with oregano

Setting The Table For Success

Avoid starting on a fat-loss diet plan during the luteal phase, for the reasons mentioned above. Since you'll be at a higher risk of experiencing hunger during this time of the month—and that hunger will also likely lead to greater incidences of food cravings—beginning your diet during this phase raises the odds of backsliding. Instead, cycle your calories. Bring your calorie intake much lower during the two weeks immediately proceeding your period, when hunger levels are lower and cravings less frequent. Then increase your calorie intake back to a maintenance level during the week before and during your period.
This will help mitigate that natural increase in hunger coming your way. But it will also help reset your metabolism. So if your metabolism is slowing down at all due to the reduced calorie intake, you bring that rate back up again through this increased food intake. Once you move back to dieting after your period is over, you're burning body fat as fast as possible.
Additionally, since you'll already be dealing with increased bloating during the week before your period, staying strict with your diet may be tough anyway. If there's one time of the month you should be taking a break, well, this would be it. Since you're also burning up calories at a slightly elevated rate during this time, the extra calories will stand a lower chance of being deposited as body fat. That's yet another advantage of taking a short diet break during the early luteal period of your menstrual cycle.

Smart Structuring Of Your Workout Plan

As for your workouts, there are some additional considerations to take into account as they relate to your menstrual cycle.

• First, keep in mind that your body temperature will rise during the luteal phase of your cycle. So if you're performing intense workouts—which also raise body temp—you may become uncomfortable, and hence unable to sustain very high intensities.
• A second thing to bear in mind is that your tolerance for pain will be higher during the follicular phase of the cycle, after menstruation takes place. So it makes sense to place your harder workouts, the ones where you really plan to push yourself, during this time. You'll find that you have a higher level of tenacity. Time to push through and hit some new personal bests!
• Carrying excess water weight throughout the luteal phase will also affect workout performance, especially if the workout includes running. That added weight will make you feel like you're working harder than usual.

Keep Making Progress

So keep these factors in the back of your mind as you go about your workout and diet routine during your cycle. By more clearly understanding the changes taking place within your body, you can help reduce the chances of them affecting you negatively. Until you hit menopause, you can't change the fact that your period will arrive each and every month. But you can keep it from disturbing your workouts and body progress!
References:

1. Davidsen, L. et al. (2007). Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Determinants of Energy Balance: A putative role in weight loss attempts. International Journal of Obesity. 31, 887-890.
2. Price, D. et al. (1998). A meta-analytic review of pain perception across the menstrual cycle. Journal of the International Association for the Study Of Pain. Vol. 81, Issue 3. Pp. 225-235.
3. X.A.K.J., De Jonge. (2003). Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Exercise Performance. Sports Medicine. Vol. 33, No. 11.

 

Fit Tip Friday: Fit Family Lifestyle Month!

Fit Tip Friday

 

 

Did you know that the month of January is not only the month of personal resolutions, but it is also the month to really get your family in on the act!  It's officially Fit Family Lifestyles Month! (I had no idea until a kind reader emailed and pointed it out, Thanks Kendra!)

 

So, today, I thought that I would share five tips to keep your healthy habits all in the family! :)

 

1. BE THE EXAMPLE!  Be the example that you want your children to model. If they need to get moving a little more, you need to get moving yourself!  If they are eating a lot of junk -- it's usually because they see one or both parents enjoying the not so healthy stuff. If they need to drink more water, start drinking more water yourself!  You're probably dehydrated anyway. ;)

 

2. KEEP EACH OTHER ON BOARD!  If you're making getting healthy a family affair, it's pretty difficult to hang out inside while the rest of the family is outside playing and having a good time. Cheer one another on as you learn new ways to move your body and as progress is made!

 

3. PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR! Schedule your fitness as you would any other appointment. If your family has made a commitment to walk every evening after dinner -- put it on the calendar and keep that commitment as if it were any other important appointment!

 

4. REWARD YOURSELVES! If your family has stuck to the program and has done their daily movement and healthy eating with little to no complaint for 3 days or so, have a family game night! Or, if they've committed to a sporting league, get them a new piece of gear as a reward for making that healthy commitment!

 

5. KEEP IT FUN!  This is the most important, especially for small children. If they are not deriving some sort of enjoyment from an activity, they are less likely to continue to do it on a regular basis. So, keep it interesting and keep them interested by doing things that they enjoy. If you have children that are total opposites (say, one is wild and one is calm) - alternate between activities that one or the other would enjoy more, that way each child (and parent!) experiences something that they otherwise would have written off. Who knows they may end up loving soccer or football, when they otherwise would have been hanging out on the couch.

 

 

For more recipes, tips, motivation, and support - come join me at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom on Facebook!



Tasty Thursday Recipe: Shakeology Pancakes!

Tasty Thursday Recipe:

 

 

 

While I normally wouldn't cook my Shakeology (because anything over 110 degrees kills the nutrients in it...), I was craving PANCAKES and didn't want it as a shake - I had a shake for breakfast.  Therefore I employed the process of protein pancakes before me and went to work! Here is the resulting recipe and review.

 

Shakeology Protein Pancake

1/2 banana, mashed

1/4 c. egg whites (or 3 egg whites)

1 packet or scoop of Shakeology (Chocolate or Vanilla, although the NEW Strawberry would probably be good, too!)

1/2 TBS coconut milk

Dash of cinnamon

Organic cooking spray

 

Mash banana thoroughly in bowl, add egg whites and coconut milk - combine thoroughly. Next, add scoop or packet of Shakeology and dash of cinnamon. Again, mix well.

 

Heat skillet over medium heat. Spray skillet with cooking spray, spoon mixture into skillet -- cooking approximately 3 minutes per side or until cooked through.

 

Top with your favorite pancake toppings.

 

Review: Texture is much like any protein pancake. Flavor is great - the banana adds just the right amount of sweetness without being TOO sweet!  Overall, a great alternative for someone needing a protein packed snack that doesn't involve any kind of store bought batter or crazy number of ingredients. AWESOME SAUCE! :)  AND, my two boys (ages 2 and 4) loved them, too! WIN!

 

 

Be sure to follow me at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom for more great recipes, tips, and motivation! Or, if you want to have me as your FREE coach, sign up here!



Tasty Thursday: Five Reasons to Love GARLIC!

Tasty Thursday

 

 

 

If I could eat EVERYTHING with garlic in it or on it, I would. BUT, then my husband and children might not come near me. Ha! I love garlic not only for the great flavor that it brings to different dishes, I love it for the health benefits, as well! 

Check them out!  

It keeps you looking and feeling good! Garlic helps your body detox by strengthening your liver. This means clearer skin, brighter eyes and a slimmer midsection!

Great for your heart! The most well known benefit of garlic is its ability to keep your cholesterol levels within healthy zones by contributing to better circulation.

Helps you relax! That’s right :) Garlic contains compounds that reduce stress by helping your muscles relax and your body wind down.

Give your Immune System a big boost! It’s a great source of antioxidants, selenium, manganese, and vitamin B6. This helps your body stay strong and healthy! It’s also known as a natural antibiotic that can help your body fight infections! Feeling under the weather? Add some extra garlic :)

It makes everything taste AWESOME! This versatile herb goes well with almost all savory dishes, especially Italian dishes. Add to dressings, dips, veggies, quinoa, brown rice, wraps, sandwiches… you name it!

 

 

For more fun tips, follow me at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom!

 

My Tips for Dining Out

   

    Being a Mom, I’ve learned to plan ahead. Having a back up plan is also a good thing.

    The same thing goes when eating out. Be prepared to be bombarded with the specials of the day and the temptations that are always offered at the end of the meal. Have a plan. If you can, cook at home. This way you know exactly what you’re putting in your body and are able to cook your food exactly the way you NEED it to be, if you are trying to improve your diet and lose weight/get healthy.

If you MUST go out:

(Tips adapted from Tosca Reno's "Stripped" book.)

1. Develop a “healthy” Mindset. Before dining at a restaurant, make the plan to automatically ask for a to-go box so that when your entrée hits your table, you can put half into the box to go. Out of sight, out of mind and staying in your caloric range for the day.

2. Listen to your body-  By all means, enjoy your food. Enjoy each bite! But, eat for the purpose of satisfying your hunger. Listen to what your body (not your mind) is telling you and remember to keep your goal in mind! If you need to (and I'm one that does this!) put a copy of your "goal" or motivation photo in your handbag or wallet to look at at the beginning of the meal.

3. Hold the bread! Remember this is not helping you achieve your weight loss goal.

4. Start green. Start your meal with a house salad, but have them hold the dressing. Squeeze a lemon wedge or two over your leafy greens or ask for some balsamic vinegar.

5. Soup's the name of the game. No salad options on the menu? To curb your hunger so you’re not ravenous by the time your entrée shows up try a broth-based soup.

6. Check for Clean Cooking. Look for entrée options featuring grilled, baked, or roasted meats or fish and steamed or raw veggies. If they aren’t listed on the menu, ask the server to prepare it that way. (No, it's not rude to ask the kitchen to prepare your meal to your standards.)

7. “Fletcherize.” The practice of chewing each mouthful a minimum of 25 times. It gives your body a chance to recognize when you are becoming full. Yes, this practice takes some time to get used to, but is well worth it to practice. You become completely aware of when you are full.

9. No Drink for me, please. You want to avoid alcohol because sugar can derail you in the most powerful way. Have sparkling water with lemon or lime slices.

10. Stop before the end. Think of your plan to shed those pounds, if you can’t resist something sweet ask if they have fresh fruit and have 1 cup. Leave it at that.

My personal favorite tips are to look up the restaurant menu ahead of time online. That way you can go in with a plan written down - no need to even look at the menu the waiter/waitress will hand you. Or, don't be afraid to ask them to cook exactly what you need to reach your goals. Most restaurants have a lean meat or fish and plenty of greens (most have broccoli, green beans, asparagus, or salad) to satisfy you and your goals.

Remember to follow me on Facebook at Flabby Mom to FIT Mom for more tips and motivation!

Motivation Monday: My newest transformation journey

On the road again...

 

 

   On the health and fitness road, that is. I admit it, I fell off track. Got distracted. Didn't care for two weeks. And, well, let's just say, my waistline has suffered for it. So, here they are, my official getting-back-on-track accountability photos. They are here for the entire world to see and help keep me on track - even...no, especially, through the holidays! 

 

 

   Now, onto what I will be doing to lose 10 lbs before New Years Eve...

 

I will be using my old faithful ChaLEAN Extreme and Shakeology.  I will be following the program as laid out in the guide, as well as, following the nutritional guide provided with the program. After the first 30 days - otherwise known as the Burn phase - I will be adding an extra 20-30 minutes of cardio per day throughout the next 30 days - called the Push phase.  The last 30 days of the program, I will be following as laid out. It's called the Lean Phase for a reason!  Check back every week for progress photos and your dose of motivation to push through YOUR workouts! 

 

 

   If you would like to join me in this journey, please shoot me an email at cgranberrytaylor@gmail.com  OR add me on Facebook and reference Flabby Mom to FIT Mom! 



Wonder Wednesday: Pasta and Depression in Women?

Wonder Wednesday: Pasta and Depression in Women??

 

     Pasta and depression?  WHAT?  In a new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, that is exactly what medical professionals have discovered. Over the course of 12 years, the Harvard school of Public Health followed the diets of 43,000 women and discovered a link to a diet high in refined grains, such as pasta, and fatty, red meats and a 29-41% likelihood that those women would be treated for depression. Blood tests revealed that women who consumed this type of diet tested significantly higher for three biomarkers of inflammation.This new study isn’t the first to link certain diet choices to inflammation and depression, but it is one of the most complete to date. 

 

 

Dr. Michel Lucas, co-author of the study, says that the link between inflammation and depression is not clear, but evidence is accumulating that relates certain foods to an increased risk of inflammation and depression, while others seem to have the opposite effect.

 

Dr. Lucas' research shows that foods such as coffee, olive oil, wine, and vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens - if consumed daiy - can actually reduce inflammation and depression. A Mediterranean style diet is recommended, heavy in olive oil and fish,  has been linked to lower rates of mood disorder.

 

 

What are YOUR thoughts on this new study and do you agree with what has been found throughout the conducted study? 

 





Transformation Tuesday: Noelle K.

Transformation Tuesday: Noelle K.

 

"August 2012 was a turning point for me—I’d just had a baby, so I should have been at an all-time high. But I wasn’t, because my weight was at an all-time high. And when I discovered that I could no longer touch my toes—it hit me like a ton of bricks... I had to change. Fast.

So I made a promise to myself—and my two kids—then backed it up by starting Slim in 6®. I chose it because it was low impact, which I needed because I’d just had a C-Section. In just weeks, I lost over 20 pounds.

After Slim in 6, I wanted to keep going—and have some fun, so I started LES MILLS COMBAT®. All I can say is LOVE, LOVE LOVE. Then I added Les Mills Pump® to get a leaner look... and after finishing, I’m now doing INSANITY®. Wow. The results I’ve achieved are amazing. I’ve lost 40 pounds and 38 inches!!!! I can touch my toes, I’ve got the abs I never thought I’d get after my C-Section. I feel better and healthier than I have my entire life.

And I actually weigh the same as I did when I was a teenager. Can you believe that?

Thanks to Beachbody, I was able to achieve my fitness goals. So I’ve decided to “pay it forward” by becoming a Beachbody Coach. Now I’ve got the best job in the world, working for a company I totally believe in, and helping other people reach their goals.

Before Beachbody, I was at an all-time low. So I went looking for a solution, and never did I think I would find this amazing light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks Beachbody. It just goes to show what you can achieve if you’re willing to “Push Play.”

You can change your life, too. Email me at cgranberrytaylor@gmail.com to discuss your goals, then take The Beachbody Challenge™, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody® program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash and prizes.

Transformation Tuesday: Susan A.

Transformation Tuesday: Susan A.

 

 

Meet Susan and read her story in her own words...

 

"I’ve always struggled with my weight. Not that I didn’t try—I’ve managed to lose some, but never without gaining it (plus some) back again. In the military, I was never within weight guidelines (even after extreme wraps and dehydration). My weight was always a black mark.

I hated that I didn’t have the discipline to get into shape. My self-esteem was nonexistent. I could have gone on like that forever—except I got a wakeup call when my doctor put me on cholesterol meds. I was 29—my family had a fatal history of early onset heart disease—and I knew what my future would be like (short) if I didn’t change.

So I did. I attacked. I started with Slim in 6 because I was afraid I’d quit if I started with something too extreme. Slim in 6 was perfect—short enough to finish, and tough enough to work. I was ready for another challenge, so I picked ChaLean Extreme because I wanted to build muscle.

But the best came when I did Turbo Fire. I knew instantly that I’d found MY SOUL MATE WORKOUT. I love the style, love the music, and I love Chalene. Most of all, I love that I can actually finish things I started. But honestly, I could have done it without Shakeology. It gives me the vitamins and nutrients—and the energy—I need. It also helps keep me “regular,” which has always been a problem.

I can’t tell you how much my life has changed. I am a happier person. I have so much more energy now. I love myself more and value myself more. My relationships have improved because I feel better about myself. And my cardiologist says there’s no need for cholesterol medications anymore.

He even said I’m doing everything right to stop my family cycle of heart disease!"

You can change your life, too. Email me TODAY at cgranberrytaylor@gmail.com to take The Beachbody Challenge™, for the ultimate motivation to get fit! Select any Beachbody® program and once you complete it, share your results for your chance to win cash (up to $100,000!!!) and prizes.




Tasty Thursday: Sesame-Seared Tuna

Tasty Thursday: Sesame-Seared Tuna

 

 

By David Rocco
Serves: 6
INGREDIENTS

• 3 large carrots, peeled and shredded
• 10 leaves fresh mint, finely chopped
• Juice of 1/2 orange
• Sea salt, to taste
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus additional oil as needed (NOTE: CE recommends using coconut oil, safflower, sunflower or grape seed oil for high heat cooking.)
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• 6 tbsp sesame seeds
• 24 oz skinless, sushi-grade tuna fillets (TRY: ahi tuna)
• Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, combine carrots, mint, orange juice, salt, 1/4 cup oil and pepper flakes, if desired. Mix well and marinate at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. On a large plate, spread sesame seeds. Season tuna with salt and black pepper, to taste. Press both sides of each tuna fillet into sesame seeds.
3. In a medium skillet,  heat 1 tbsp oil on high. Add tuna fillet and cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes. Turn and cook for an additional 2 minutes to desired doneness. (NOTE: The USDA recommends cooking tuna to an internal temperature of 145˚F.) Repeat with remaining fillets, adding additional oil if needed. Let tuna cool slightly; then slice.
4. To serve, divide carrot mixture among serving plates and top with tuna slices. Drizzle with additional oil to taste.

Nutrients per serving (1 sesame-seared tuna fillet and 1/2 cup carrot mixture): Calories: 267, Total Fat: 16 g, Sat. Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Carbs: 5 g, Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 23 g, Sodium: 158 mg, Cholesterol: 83 mg

(Recipe from cleaneatingmag.com)