Fitness = Healthier, Stronger, Feeling Better

When I got my first group of friends together for an accountability and support group I really did it for selfish reasons - I needed the motivation to stay committed to completing the 21 Day Fix program - both the eating and workout parts. Luckily, the group and commitment didn't just benefit me, we all were helped by it. We were all hoping for our bodies to downsize. And we did, we all shrunk. But one of my friends didn't shrink as much as she hoped. However, what she got from it was something none of us were anticipating when we first committed, and way more important than size. She ended up having to have surgery last week. She had 3 incisions in her abdomen. The doctor said the recovery can take up to 2 months - it was fairly brutal. But from her workouts and healthy eating she got stronger, lots stronger. And that strength has made her recovery easier and quicker. She is feeling great! She knows she is doing so much better than she would have been had she not challenged herself to get more fit. Getting fit isn't about what size pants you fit into - it's about getting healthier, stronger, feeling better in all aspects of your life and about who you are. I love doing support and accountability groups because I love being part of these positive changes people are experiencing (I'm selfish like that wink emotico).

Confession #2

Confession #2. When I first started doing 21 Day Fix I was so weak I couldn't really do push-ups, not real ones. Embarrassing, I know. But I have always had wimpy arms, and I was okay with it. When it came time to do push-ups I just did them on my knees. Abby used to ask me why I was doing them wrong - I told her I wasn't strong enough. But I have gotten stronger and the past two times (including this morning) when it came time to do push-ups I did real ones - on my feet. I take them slow, but I do them. Now, Abby tells me "You can do them on your knees, you're not strong enough." Haha. Well, she isn't ALWAYS right. And soon she will know her mama can do hard things and get stronger and I CAN do push-ups. ‪#‎confessionsofabeachbodycoach ‬‪#‎icandohardthings‬ ‪#‎strongereveryday‬

Italian Chicken Stir-Fry

So this one was kind of different, but good. I'll call it Italian Stir-fry. Spray a frying pan with some EVOO. Add a cup of bite-sized veggies per person (I used asparagus, carrots, onion, bell pepper, and celery) and season with Mediterranean seasoning or Italian herbs, garlic powder, and sea salt (or just use garlic salt). Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 5-10 minutes (to desired tenderness - if they seem like they are cooking too slowly put a lid on.) While they're cooking cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces - 1/4-1/2 breast per person (I just use kitchen scissors for cutting because it's easy and quick). Once veggies are done put them in a bowl, then throw the chicken in the pan and cook it exactly the same way. I suppose you could cook it all together but the chicken cooks faster than the veggies and I figured the veggies might as well be cooking while I do the chicken. Plus, if you happen to have a vegetarian eating with you (which we did not) you won't poison them with your meat. Serve veggies and chicken over quinoa, or not, whatever you prefer. 
‪#‎quickeasyhealthydelicious‬ ‪#‎realfood‬‪#‎beachbodycoach‬

Quick and Easy Pork Chops

Pork chops are another quick easy dinner idea. I just lightly coat a frying pan with EVOO or coconut oil, warm it over medium heat, put in the chops, season them how you like (I use all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder, and salt - or trade the last two for garlic salt) and cook for 2-5 minutes per side (depending on thickness.) Serve it with whatever you want. I like veggies and sweet potatoes. If you like sweet potatoes as sides but don't always have time to bake them you can either bake a bunch at the beginning of the week and then just reheat them as needed, or cook them in the microwave while whatever else you're making is cooking. Throw together a salad while your chop is cooking. Have some mixed berries for dessert if you have a hankering for something sweet. And there you have it - enjoy.

‪#‎quickeasyhealthydelicious‬ ‪#‎beachbodycoach‬ ‪#‎realfood‬

Importance of a Support and Accountability Team

My schedule has been off the past several days. When I'm not on schedule it is so hard for me to get my workout in. I've been doing it, but it's been a struggle. A few months ago I wouldn't have. I would have used the things that came up as an excuse to just not do it. But being part of accountability and support groups is what makes me "replace excuses with effort" (that's what Autumn Calabrese told me today). I feel like I have to do my workout and stick to my diet or I'll let my team down. How do you ensure that you meet your fitness/health goals?

Confession #1

I have a confession. It is hard for me to keep to my fitness plan over the weekend. My schedule is different so it's hard to always find the best time to fit my workout in, sometimes I go out to eat with my family or go to social events with lots of tasty but forbidden treats making it harder to really stick to my eating plan, and being out and about makes it harder to drink all my water. I did get my workout in this morning but I just went out to eat with my family. I did decent with my food choice but it wasn't fix approved. I haven't drank as much water as I usually do by this time of day. But I'm still doing better in every area than I would have if I weren't trying, so...

‪#‎confessionsofabeachbodycoach‬ ‪#‎thetruthistrue‬ ‪#‎keepingitreal‬

Quick and Easy Tilapia (or fish of choice)

I didn't develop an appreciation for any seafood until after I was married. Now, we eat fish fairly frequently. It is so easy to make. We have tilapia most often because it isn't very "fishy" and it isn't too expensive. I've grilled it (on a George Foreman), seared it in a pan, and broiled it. All are very quick and taste great. I just sprinkle on some seasoning (my favorites are a citrus mix and Old Bay) then cook a few minutes. I broiled this 1-2 minutes/side. You can pair it with whatever you like: grilled veggies, salad, pasta, rice, sweet potato, potato, whatever. Easy peasy. This asparagus is also super easy and quick. I cut into bite sized pieces - it's much easier to cut raw and firm, through it all in a produce bag, pour in a tsp or two of EVOO, sprinkle on some seasoning, bounce it around to distribute everything, put it on a cookie sheet and broil 5-10 minutes. ‪#‎quickeasyhealthydelicious‬