Convince Yourself YOU CAN DO IT!

 Motivation: the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

A year ago, I was sitting around waiting for some magic invention to come out. A pill or a diet that completely revolutionized working out. I hated cardio and was lucky if I could work out with 3 lb. weights. Yes, you read that correctly. I could barely keep up with a workout holding 3 lbs. in each hand. As I think back, I wonder who that girl was. Why was I also feeling so tired, sluggish, and lazy? I had nothing really holding me back from being active and bettering my health... I was living back at home, no children, not engaged or married. I didn't get it. What was I lacking that other people seemed to find so easily?

The answer is motivation.

I had absolutely none. Sure, I wanted to be fit. I wanted to be healthy and feel good about myself. But, what steps was I taking to achieve that goal? I was constantly snacking on "healthy" foods and thought I was doing well. Little did I realize, it is possible to overeat on healthy foods, too! When I didn't see any improvements, I began to do some research...

First Google search: "How to get motivated to work out."

Second search: "Easy workout programs that provide results."

I'm sorry... WHAT?! No one can tell you to be motivated. And, you're not going to get any type of results without putting forth some serious effort. You have to have a WHY in place. A desire to do the necessary work to get where you want to be. If you want to be a Doctor, you have to fully commit and dedicate yourself to school for 8+ years, and work very hard to get there. The same goes for your health and proper nutrition. You have to be willing to sacrifice some things now, for the end result.

Fast forward a year later... I have successfully completed one round of Jillian Michaels' 90-Day Body Revolution, one round of Shaun T's Focus T25, five weeks of Chalene Johnson's ChaLEAN Extreme (the holidays hit and I fell off track), and am now back in the game and 110% committed to Tony Horton's P90X3!

It isn't about being perfect 100% of the time. You are going to have your struggles. There will be days you do not feel like working out, or you want that piece of pizza. One slip won't derail all of your hard work. BUT, try to remember that constant little acts of eating unhealthy and skipping your workouts add up... and that can have a negative effect on your overall results. Some advice...

1. Aim to follow your workouts during your scheduled days. If you happen to miss a day, pick up the next day, where you left off. Do not skip more than two consecutive days. Your muscles will begin to break down after that, and it will make getting back on track a lot harder.

2. Eat a clean diet 90% of the time. Save the other 10% towards one "happy" meal a week. I refuse to use the word "cheat" meal if you are dedicated to eating clean the rest of the week.

3. Try to connect with other people who are working out, too. It helps to have people who you can relate to in this new journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

4. DO NOT... I repeat... DO NOT use the scale as your only source of measuring how far you've come in your healthy eating and fitness routine. Focusing on a number makes people crazy. Instead, pick one day a week (I prefer Saturday) to weigh yourself. Do this in the morning, after you've used the restroom, and without clothes. This is the most accurate time to weigh yourself.

5. Use a tape measure to take your before, during, and after measurements. Here is a quick video of how to capture those measurements correctly.

6. Take before, during, and after photos on your desired STAT day, too. To properly take these, try to wear clothes that do not completely cover you up. Shorts and a sports bra for women, and shorts and a cut off for men. Take a full-body front, back, and side photo each week. Actually seeing your results and comparing it with your measurements from weeks prior is a much better way to measure progress.

7. Do not ever give up. When you start to think this new healthy lifestyle is not for you, remember that it is a great long-term benefit for you. It can help add years to your life, it can reverse the progression of some medical issues, and it can help you become more active and happy.

Working out is a natural anti-depressant, and the body's most underused source of stress relief. Never underestimate the good you are doing by dedicated 30-60 minutes, 5-6 days a week to bettering yourself.

If you have any questions regarding other motivational tips or fitness programs, please email me at GetFitElle@beachbodycoach.com.

<a href="http://www.thehealthymoms.net" target="Fitness Friday Linky"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj622/talbertnutrition/FitnessFriday_zps15d519f6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FitnessFriday_zps15d519f6.jpg"/></a>

Ahhhh-MAZING!!!

Looking for a new way to get in shape, better your nutrition, meet people, and have the opportunity to win cash without having to slave away at the gym or spend hundreds at the grocery store?!

Check out the quick video below, explaining what my Challenge Groups are about. I am looking for motivated and dedicated people like YOU, to join me. I will work with you for 30 days to get your fitness and nutrition back on track. I promise to be there every step of the way to offer support and accountability. No use wishing you were healthier… it's time to DECIDE. COMMIT. SUCCEED. Nothing will change if you don't put forth some honest effort.

**Don't Forget: THIS MONTH ONLY!!! P90X3 AND Focus T25 challenge packs will be available for $180 each. This is a steal considering everything you're getting.

Challenge Packs Include:

*Fitness program of your choice

*FREE bonus workout when you purchase through me

*A spot in my upcoming Challenge Group in February

*First 30 Day supply of Shakeology on Home Direct (I highly recommend the Chocolate!)

*FREE 30 Day trial for Team Beachbody's Club Membership

*FREE Shipping

…and as an added Thank You, I will include a special gift for the first 5 people that purchase a challenge pack by Wednesday, January 8th.

Email me at GetFitElle@beachbodycoach.com for more details.

LIKE my FB page for more recipes, motivation, exercises @ www.facebook.com/eatprayfitness

Life on the Balance Beam

Imagine standing in an empty room. Bare walls, hardwood floor beneath your feet. There are multiple doors. All of them in a row… but how do you know which one to choose? Do you go for the "fast track" and speed past the hard work to reach your dreams? Do you rush towards the door promising marriage and children? Or do you choose the one that takes a little longer? The one that requires sacrifice and effort… promising you everything you've ever wanted, if you are just willing to put forth the energy.

I have been sitting on this blog post since Friday night. Should I write this? Should I not? Will I sound selfish or lazy? The truth is, I don't think I am either selfish nor lazy. I am a 27 year old, working hard towards her dreams, and hitting some bumps along the way.

I am currently finishing up my second term out of five, in nursing school. It is challenging me beyond belief. I am doing all of the things that are asked of me, to succeed. But, I never seem to shine where I need to. Seeing as nursing is my passion in life, I have to obviously make it through school first. Challenge 1: Accepted! Shining through… not so much. However, I am putting my faith in God that it all will work out just the way it is supposed to.

Then there is the idea of marriage and kids, and a house! Every women's dream… or maybe just mine? Anyways… I am on this nursing school journey for another year and a half. Eventually the thought of marriage and children will become a reality. I just have to be patient that God is working out those details to happen at the right time, for me. Selfishly… (yes, I said it!) I have dreamed about becoming a wife and a mother for as long as I can remember. It is probably the number one thing I am desiring to hold claim to, but I know it will take place in due time. For now, I have my puppy to keep me busy.

Throw into the mix my Beachbody Coach business, working out 5-6 days a week, trying to eat a clean, healthy diet, studying, homework, clinicals, papers, my job as a Nursing Assistant, and all of the driving I do to get to/from all these places I have to be.

It's a balancing act. I constantly feel like I am on a balance beam, trying to hold my head high, keep my eyes looking straight ahead, and a smile on my face. Piece of cake, right? Not so much. I struggle with staying optimistic and eluding beams of positivity. I am not perfect. I'll admit that openly. However, I am a firm believer that each and every one of us has a plate piled high of "To-Do Lists", "Grocery Lists", taking the kids to sports practices/games, walking the dog, prepping meals, working out, investing all week at our jobs, spending way too much time in rush hour traffic, and so forth. I could go on and on, adding to this list… but, you get the point.

So, how do you keep a balanced lifestyle, with all the craziness piled high on our plates? For one, we don't dare drop it. No, sir. We'd have a sticky, gooey mess if we did that! Start by taking a look at the items on your plate. Are there certain things you could begin removing, one at a time? Start first by looking at your priorities. For example: family and friends, nursing school, my job, working out, running my Beachbody business, household chores, and what have you. Take all of your priorities and arrange them, beginning with what is most important to you. Could you wake up 30-60 minutes early to squeeze in a quick workout? Could you skip some things you want (fancy coffees, manicures and pedicures, or shopping trips) to save money to put towards something you need? Are you able to rearrange your work schedule to make it to your child's sports game or ballet recital? We take so much for granted on using excuses to opt out of things, when in reality, we only get one life. We need to grasp it in our hands, and dive fully into our top priorities. Making sure to sort through the odds and ends on our way through.

I know it is not always easy, and sometimes you just need to say "No, Thank You!" to a friend's invitation for coffee, or grabbing drinks after a long work week. Sometimes we just need to take a step back from all the craziness, and reevaluate where we belong, and what we are willing to put our energy into. It isn't a matter of if you fail or succeed that really shows your determination. Real, down-to-earth dedication to trying is what's important. If you must fail, fail forward.

The following was taken from a book I own,

"The Confident Women Devotional" by Joyce Meyer.

"I believe that failing is part of every success. As John Maxwell says, "We can fail forward." History is filled with examples of people who are famous for doing great things-yet if we study their lives, we find that they failed miserably before they succeeded. Some of them failed numerous times before they ever succeeded at anything. Their real strength was not their talent as much as it was their tenacity. A person who refuses to give up will always succeed eventually."

Never give up on YOU, and Never give up on your DREAMS!

xo

All Things Pumpkin

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Recipe:

Your favorite pie crust dough, enough for one 9-inch shell.

For the filling:

1 pie pumpkin

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups organic cream

1/2 cup unrefined cane sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

**1/2 tsp ground ginger

**1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

**1/8 tsp ground cloves

(I substituted pumpkin pie spice for the starred spices)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the pumpkin in half, remove the seeds, place the pumpkin halves in a pan, shell side up, and bake for 1 hour or until the pumpkin is tender, exudes liquid and the shell starts to sag.

Pour off accumulated liquid, scrape the pulp from the shell and purée it with a potato masher or in a blender. Measure 2 cups of the purée and set it aside. Reserve any additional pumpkin for another use.

Place your pie dough on a lightly floured surface and, starting from the center out, roll the dough to about 2 inches larger than the size of the pan. Loosen the pastry, fold it in half, lift it and unfold it into the pan. Press it into place, trim off the excess dough and crimp the edges.

Increase the temperature of the oven to 425°F. In a large mixing bowl lightly beat the eggs. Add the purée and the remaining ingredients and stir to blend. Pour the mixture into the dough-lined pan.

Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce the heat to 350°F and bake an additional 45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Recipe adapted from www.fullcircle.com

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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Compliments of http://silk.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 cinnamon sticks or 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground nutmeg

3 Tbsp canned pumpkin

Latte

1 shot of espresso (or coffee)

6-8 oz Silk Original or Vanilla soymilk, steamed

1-2 Tbsp pumpkin spice syrup (or to taste)

Whipped cream, optional (can whip up canned coconutmilk to make whipped cream)

Prepare syrup

1. Cook sugar and water in a small pot over medium heat until the mixture is completely clear.

2. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow mixture to come to a boil. Remove from heat.

3. Allow mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes.

4. Strain syrup through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a large jar or bottle of your choice.

5. Keep syrup in the fridge for future use. Recipe yields ~2 1/4 cups syrup. Use 1-2 Tbsp for latte.

Prepare latte

6. Combine espresso with steamed milk and 1-2 Tbsp of pumpkin spice syrup (add to taste).

7. Top with fat-free whipped cream.

Enjoy! :)

Butternut Squash

Fall is my FAVORITE season!!! I'll take hoodies, scarves, boots, and pumpkin flavored goodies over sweaty, hot days and nights. Along with Fall… I love a good, healthy side dish. Especially one that involves cinnamon topping.

I recently bought a Butternut Squash at Trader Joe's.

Here is the recipe I used:

Cut Squash into serving pieces and remove seeds. Bake upside down in over at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes until tender. Scoop out and add butter and brown sugar. Beat together. Place into serving dish. Combine 1 TBS. butter, 3 TBS. brown sugar, 1/4 cup honey - Drizzle over squash. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Yummy!!!

Have a good night, Everyone.

Feel Good Frittata

Makes 1 Serving

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach, loosely packed

1 whole egg, plus 3 egg whites

2 TBS crumbled feta

Preparation:

Coat an 8-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat on medium-high. Add red bell pepper, and cook about 5 minutes or until just tender. Add spinach to the skillet, and sauté for 2 minutes or until leaves are wilted but still bright green.

In a bowl, blend egg and egg whites with a whisk. Stir in feta, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour over vegetables. Cook on medium heat until eggs set. Remove from heat.

Place a plate on top of the skillet and invert, so the frittata falls onto the plate. Spray skillet with cooking spray again, and return frittata to brown the other side. Cook for 1 minute.

Serve with an orange and 1 piece of whole-wheat toast.

Nutrition Per Serving: 387 calories, 12g Fat, 46g Carbohydrates, 28g Protein, 8g Fiber

Homemade Pizza

Yum! Yum! Yum!

Who doesn't like homemade pizza? I know I do. In fact, I LOVE it! In my opinion, you can't really ask for anything better than real, fresh ingredients to satisfy that "hot out of the oven" amazing flavor of goodness. Does that even make sense?! Haha. All I know, is I prefer making my own pizza, than paying the same amount-if not more-to get greasy, fatty carb loaded carry out.

To start, I like to get my ingredients from Trader Joe's. They are relatively inexpensive... and the fresh whole wheat pizza dough cooks to perfect every time! Here are some of the things I buy to make this tasty creation.

Steps: Roll out the pizza dough, and place on a pizza pan.

Add pizza sauce, cheese, and your desired toppings (we like mushroom pizza)

Follow the baking directions on your pizza dough package for baking times.

Enjoy!