FitFadFan

Apple Nut Sandwich Weight Loss Snack

2015-03-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

These Apple Sandwiches may look like a kid's treat, but trust me, adults will love it too! Especially if you are dieting and want to eat items that are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and good fats. Now don't get me wrong, if your kids love this snack then that's great too! Much better alternative to those french fries at McDonald's!

Ingredients:
1 apple-sliced into thin rounds
1-2 tbsp all natural peanut butter or almond butter
Handful of raisins
Drizzle of honey
Chopped walnuts or almonds
Cinnamon

1) Thinly slice the apple into 8 rounds.
2) Top 4 apple rounds with peanut butter, raisins, nuts and drizzle with a little honey.
3) Top each round with the other 4 apple slices and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Easy Snack Recipe: Frozen Nutty Banana Nibblers

2015-03-20T05:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a really easy, really quick, and really cheap snack idea to help you stay on track with your diet. This is one of my personal my favorite #CleanEating snacks. And your kids will love these too!! (well those whole family to be exact!)

If you love ice cream but don't indulge because the calories and fat just aren't worth it, the here's your healthy alternative... Frozen Nutty Banana Nibblers. This delicious-tasting treat is just over 160 calories per serving and offers 4.1 grams of fiber and 3.7 grams of protein, so you can feel good reaching for an extra nibbler or two. For an added bonus, they are a cinch to whip up, and since you can store them in the freezer, you'll have a go-to healthy dessert whenever your sweet cravings kick into high gear.

Ingredients:
5 medium ripe bananas
1 tbsp. all natural creamy peanut butter
2 oz. nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

1) Peel one banana and mash it with the peanut butter and yogurt.
2) Peel the other four bananas. Slice into half-inch thick slices.
3) Smear the banana, peanut butter, and yogurt mixture on half the banana slices and top with the other halves, making banana sandwiches.
4) Place on a wooden cutting board or a plate and freeze for at least two hours.

Suja: Organic, Non-GMO, Cold-Pressured Fruit Juice Drink

2015-03-13T08:40:00.001-07:00

I'm not one to drink much fruit juice or pre-made smoothies. There's always too many artificial ingredients or additives or they just taste way too sweet for my liking. When I received a coupon to try out Suja Essentials from BzzAgent, I decided why not try it out. I looked at the Suja Essentials — a line of organic and Non-GMO cold-pressured beverages. After browsing the flavors, which there's a wide variety to choose from, I settled on the Sunset Protein. This one contained 10g of vegan protein. Being a fitness fan, I'm always looking for new places to get my protein. so I popped the top and took a few sips. This dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free drink was very tasty and refreshing! I loved the vanilla, allspice and cinnamon flavor that really came through on each sip. This would make a great post-workout drink!

I've since had the pleasure of trying Sunrise Probiotic, Berry Nana, and Berry Goodness. While all are great tasting, Berry Goodness is by far my favorite because I am a HUGE blackberry lover :) The amazing thing about these drinks it that I can literally taste about 90% of the ingredients individually. There's been too many times I'll pick up a drink that says it contains raspberry or blackberry, but I just can't taste it and it's disappointing. Not Suja. It's a mouthful of flavor and if you love juice, there's not way you won't love these drinks.

While these drinks do not contain added sugar, you must be careful on how often you consume these. This is the only draw back. While eating/drinking natural sugar from fruits is definitely healthier that processed items, the sugar content of these drinks is 35+ grams per serving. So no binge drinking on these! LOL

The Suja line of products is vast, check it out for yourself and pick one up from the fridge section by the produce in your local grocery store. http://www.sujajuice.com/

Which Suja Juice flavor is your favorite?

Italian Sausage & Collezione Orecchiette Dinner

2015-02-24T08:07:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:
1 Package Jennie-O Lean Hot Italian Turkey Sausage
1 Box Barilla Collezione Orecchiette (means "Little Ears" LOL)
1/2 Cup Red and Green Onion Chopped
1/4 Cup Red Onion Chopped
1/2 Cup Portabella Mushrooms Chopped
1/4 Cup Fresh Basil Chopped

In a fry pan, sautee all veggies over medium heat in 1 tbsp olive oil. Broil all 5 sausages on the top rack for about 25 minutes, flipping half way through. Cook the pasta by following the directions on the box. Once the sausage is complete, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices and add to the veggies. Add the past once it's drained. Mix all together and wah-lah! You have an amazing Italian dinner in about 30 minutes. Top with Grated Parmesan Cheese and dinner is served.

I received the Barilla Collezione for free via a coupon from BzzAgent and the opinions expressed in this post are my own. #GotItFree #GotADiscount #BarillaPasta

Avocado & Basil Pasta

2015-01-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for an amazing recipe that will have your friends and family thinking you're a culinary genius, then you must try this Avocado & Basil Pasta.

AVOCADO & BASIL PASTA
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
The easiest, most unbelievably creamy avocado & basil pasta you'll ever eat in only 20 min!

INGREDIENTS
12 ounces Barilla Collezione Casarecce Noodles
2 ripe avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup olive oil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can corn kernels, drained and rinsed
20 large shrimp
1/2 tablespoon butter

INSTRUCTIONS
1) In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
2) Cook shrimp in 1 tablespoon lemon and 1/2 tablespoon butter on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes.
2) To make the avocado sauce, combine avocados, basil, garlic and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
3) In a large bowl, combine pasta, avocado sauce, cherry tomatoes and corn.
4) Serve and enjoy :)

#GotItFree #InspiredbyItaly

Secret Outlast: Must-Have for Any Chick

2014-11-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

I sweat... a lot! And sometimes my deodorant just doesn't do it's job. Well that used to be the case until I tried Secret Outlast® Completely Clean Clear Gel. Finding the right deodorant can be time consuming and I had given up until I received a free sample of this gel. It goes on smooth, dries quickly, smells great, lasts all day, and doesn't stain my clothing! Could I ask for anything else?

Being a fitness chick, I needed something that could hold up during my workouts. Now, I never leave home without my gym bag and my new favorite must-have: Secret Outlast. It fights through even my toughest sweat sessions, leaving me smelling fresh and no embarrassing white stuff on my shirts. Now I only have to concentrate on knocking out the weights and not whether the girl next to me can smell me...

Have you tried Secret Outlast Clear Gel?

Turn Housework into a Workout

2014-06-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of trying to pack and move in hopes of selling my house in the coming weeks and I find that my arms and legs have been slightly sore. This got me thinking about ordinary life chores can really be a good workout if performed correctly (of course!). It's recommended to get about 150 minutes of cardio each week, and to some this number may seem high. But just think about the housework you do each week. Some of it consists of moderate intensity work. And one study showed women perform 143 minutes of housework each work. This is where multitasking comes in... Make the most of the household chores to not only clean up but to also tone up!

If you pick 2-4 chores each day to perform, you can ideally burn 300-400 calories if you focus and treat this as your daily workout routine. To start, actually plan out your cleaning schedule. Break each cleaning session into 30-45 minute time frames. Here's a sample of three activities: Cleaning the floors and the bathroom and doing laundry. This plan should take at least 45 minutes...

Turn on some good workout music to pump you up and get into cleaning mode! Start with a low intensity chore to serve as your "warm up", such as vacuuming then grabbing and separating laundry. Then, step it up and mop the floor and clean the bathrooms while the load of laundry runs. Be sure to switch arms so both your left and right get a workout! Don't clean at a slow pace either, pick up your speed and apply pressure to work your arms while mopping and scrubbing the sink and tub. While you're cleaning the sink, do some calf raises. Then, when you clean the toilet, get into a squat position and hold or pulsate while cleaning the bowl. And when the laundry's done, place the clean clothes on the couch or in a laundry basket on the floor. Perform a plié (just a fancy name for a wide-stance squat) to pick up an article of clothing, fold it, then plié to pick up the next piece. Repeat this until all the laundry is folded. Your cool down will then be walking and bending to put the laundry away and any cleaning supplies left out.

Do you turn up the intensity when cleaning the house?

Vanilla Honey Protein Dip

2014-05-27T06:13:00.001-07:00

Drinking a protein shake can be awesome when you find a great tasting powder. But after so many days in a row of downing a drip, it's fun to mix up the ways in which you can consume your protein powder. There are so many simple and delicious recipes to do just that. This recipe incorporates Image Sports Weight Loss Whey in Vanilla Graham Cracker. This isn't your ordinary protein powder... Along with 22g of protein, Weight Loss Whey contains CLA, Carnitine and Green Coffee Bean, all ingredients known for promoting weight loss. This Vanilla Honey Protein Dip is a must-try!

Vanilla Honey Protein Dip

Ingredients:

1 cup FAGE Total 0% Fat Greek Yogurt

1 scoop Image Sports Weight Loss Whey

1 tbsp honey

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and place in a serving bowl. Serve with pita, pretzels, bread or your favorite cracker.

What's your favorite way to "Whey"?

Weight-Loss Bikini Pic That Went Viral

2014-05-19T07:10:00.001-07:00

I'm not gonna lie, I did cringe a little. And yes, I feel bad for doing it. But why do you think magazines are littered with gorgeous models, or why Abercrombie & Fitch bags have lean, ripped hotties? Because we like looking at attractive and sexy beings. So it's only natural to not feel "good" when looking at saggy skin. But the more I thought about it, I realized that if I were in Brooke Birmingham's shoes, I would feel damn good and proud and want to flaunt my new body. This made me think about my own weight loss. I am still not "skinny" in the world of fitness or modeling, but when I lost 35lbs I wanted to flaunt my new look in skimpy clothing and swim suits.

Now from the get-go, I most certainly thought SHAPE magazine was in the wrong for not wanting to post her bikini picture. Because after all, her story wasn't for a diet or nutrition company to promote their products, it's for your everyday woman that reads SHAPE, you want to read and see stories like Brooke's. I am appalled at the fact that SHAPE offered her a story and then when looking for her after photo had the audacity to tell Brooke that they don't feature women in bikinis unless they are a model. WTF?? Now they are backpedaling saying the freelance editors do not represent SHAPE and follow their guidelines and that's apparently how this horrible mistake was made...

This woman's weight loss journey is an awesome success story that should be shared. I mean she lost 172lbs for crying out loud!! That's an entire human being standing about 5'10! More women can relate to Brooke than they can some model that has probably never weighed over 100lb in her life.

I love how Brooke stood her ground and said that if they didnt' want to show her bikini pic then she wasn't giving them approval to run her story. You go girl!! I really feel that SHAPE hurt themselves on this one... Their circulation is about 1.8 million and the readership is about 4x that! Luckily they had a change of heart and decided to go ahead and run the photo. Probably a good idea. Here's the interesting article I read: http://bit.ly/brookeweightloss

How do you think this issue will affect SHAPE in the long run?

My Switch to a FitBit Flex

2014-05-14T06:17:00.003-07:00

So you may have read my post about the Fitbit Force and how much I loved it. Well that was written before the voluntary recall. Now you can't even purchase that model. They pulled them all from the shelves and are revamping it. I guess it was causing a skin rash or burn where the charging port touched the top of you wrist. I never had any issues with it and made the choice to keep mine. A couple weeks ago, I lost mine!! I was so upset and didn't realize just how much I relied on this little device to help me with daily goals.

After searching high and low for someone selling a Force, I had no luck :( However, through my health insurance I earned enough points to get a free Fitbit Flex. I figured a free Flex was better than nothing at all. When my Flex arrived, I felt like a child on Christmas morning. I ripped that sucker open and slapped it on my wrist and had it setup almost immediately. And the rest is history! Just kidding.

So I've had it a couple weeks and I have to say I love it too! The main thing I really miss is having a watch on my wrist. Now I always have to pull my cell out to check the time. But one feature the Force didn't have was being waterproof. I can wear the Flex in the shower and pool and literally never take it off! Another awesome features is the slim band, whereas the Flex was wider and bulkier. Since the Flex is slimmer, it also seems the clasp stay hooked better. The main reason I lost the Force was because the clasp kept coming undone from the slightest brush up against my side. And lastly, the size of the small Flex band fits my wrist better than the small Force band. This perk is totally dependent on each individual's wrist, so this won't be the case for everyone. But the Flex fits snug to my wrist without cutting off circulation or without being too loose and floppy. And if you're a female and love mixing and matching, you can buy more bands in various colors and swap out the tracker. I just ordered Violet!

Fitbit.com Dashboard of Stats

I researched quite a few activity trackers and the Flex seemed like the best option at a good price (yes I know mine was free, but even if I paid $99 retail, it's still cheaper than most of the others). So why should you get one? Because getting a better grasp on how many steps you take on a normal day vs a day with exercise, syncing the Fitbit to your MyFitnessPal account, and tracking your sleep is helpful in any weight loss or fitness plan. And, if your friends have a Fitbit too, you can all compete against each other in a fun and healthy way!

Have you tried a Fitbit yet?

Healthy Salmon & Brussels Sprouts Recipe

2014-05-07T06:32:00.001-07:00

Healthy recipe time! This one contains quite a few health benefits and one of my favorite dinners. One food I hear many people don't like is brussels sprouts. Althought I'm not sure how you can't love these great-tasting greens, brussels sprouts are high in antioxidant and can aid in lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation.

And everyone knows that salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids for heart health and brain/nerve function. Salmon is also the easy way to get your daily protein to strengthen muscle and tissue. And, did you know that avocado fruit is considered by the Guinness World of Record to be the most nutritious fruit??? I knew it was good for you, but that little fact right there surprised even me! It contains valuable fat to lower cholesterol, they are high in fiber to help reduce your appetite, and they contain lots of necessary vitamins. This recipe is a must try:

INGREDIENTS
2 cups quinoa
1 lb of Salmon
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups brussels sprouts
1 avocado
Black pepper to taste

1. Cook quinoa as stated on the packaging.
2. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place Salmon on baking sheet and drizzle with lemon juice and dill seed. Cooking time varies, about 15-20 minutes depending on thickness.
3. Heat burner with 2 tbsp olive oil on medium heat.
4. Place Brussels Sprouts in Tupperware with 1 inch of water and lid loosely on top in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Then place them into the heated pan and cook until golden brown.
6. Slice avocado into chunks.
7. Combine pasta, salmon, brussels sprouts and avocado into a bowl and enjoy! :)

What do you think of this recipe?

Poor Form at the Gym

2014-04-30T07:02:00.001-07:00

People don't seem to get it that just because you've made your presence at the gym doesn't mean you'll lose weight or you're work is done. You need to give your workout your undivided attention and remove any distraction such as the little hottie next to you or your ringing cell phone. It's one hour that you need to dedicate to you and only you and really pay attention to what you are doing.

Too often I see people, mostly women, performing exercises incorrectly. This is SO BAD on so many levels. One, you can injure yourself and two, you are not going to see the gains you want. Your form is so important to your success. For starters, if you injure yourself, you'll be out of the gym and unable to perform exercises which obviously kills your momentum and results. You need total focus on the exercise at hand to ensure you are performing it properly. Why do you think they have mirrors at the gym? It's not for those muscle-bound meatheads to check themselves out, it's for you to watch your form so you are doing your exercises properly.

When I participate in the Total Body Conditioning Class, there are people obviously using weights that are too heavy for them. It's ok to start with light weights instead of trying to impress the person next to you who probably isn't even paying any attention to the size of weights you are using. When you can't perform the exercise properly any longer, that means stop, or go to a lighter weight. At the start of class, I grab two different size set of weights so when my arms get tired with the heavier ones, I switch to the lighter ones. If you can't keep your back flat or straight, you've had enough. Arching your back is only going to hurt you. And NEVER swing your weights or dig your elbows into your sides to help with biceps.

A great piece of advise is to allow six weeks of weight training to form a base before pushing hard. You can even hire a personal trainer to learn proper form and progression or take a weight training group class.

How would you rate your form at the gym?

Fitness Personality Test

2014-04-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

We all like to take little quizzes to see what we are, but when it comes to fitness there aren't too many quizzes you can take. Until now! Bodybuilding.com just released a Fitness Personality Test that is surprisingly interesting and accurate.

For each personality type, it shows your unique strengths and weaknesses. Once you know your personal fitness mix, you can you can transform your weaknesses into strengths and surmount any hurdle.

Check out this five-minute test, answer with your gut response, and see where you fall on the fitness scale. Each personality type has a downloadable worksheet with tips and tools to help you achieve your fitness goals. Take the quiz NOW!

Warm Up & Cool Down

2014-04-08T06:24:00.000-07:00

How often do you walk into the gym and head right for a machine and get going on your workout? If you aren't doing this every time, you are only hurting yourself. And I have to be honest, I am definitely an offender and I know just how important stretching, warming up and cooling down are to your fitness gains so it makes me that much worse! So for those of you that may not be aware of the consequences, I hope after read this, you never skip those 5 minutes before and 5 minutes after your workout to stretch.

The warm up gets your blood pumping and preps your muscles to be used. Doing this maximizes your workout and helps prevent injury. Cooling down allows your body to deplete waste products such as lactic acid generated during exercise, reduce the chances of blood pools occurring in the areas where blood supply has been concentrated on during exercise which may cause you to be light-headed, out of breath, weak and crampy, and reduce the amount of adrenaline in the blood to gradually reduce heart rate. Stretching also helps improve your flexibility.

You should really join a flexibility class, such as yoga, hot yoga, pilates, or do your own flexibility work for 45-60 minutes at least once a week.

The warm up and cool down are just as important as regular exercise. Ten minutes isn't too much to ask especially if you had time to donate 60 minutes to a full workout. Trust me, your body will thank you for those ten minutes and you'll be happy that you can keep moving!

How long do you take to warm up and cool down?

Focus During Workout

2014-04-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

What's one of my many pet peeves? People on their phones at the gym. I'll be running on the treadmill and the person next to me will take an incoming call and talk for a good 20 minutes. For starters, you can't get your heart rate up and secondly, you are in no way, shape or form focusing on your task at hand... to workout! The worst is when I see people doing squats while texting. Multitasking is not always a good thing and it's a very bad thing at the gym.

Proper focus can lead to further progress and results in the gym and during your workouts. Too many people never achieve any results or fitness gains due to their lack of focus and little connection between their mind and their muscles. Don't be that person in the gym throwing weights around just to get your workout in. If your mind isn't in it, then you won't be getting much out of it. So don't waste your time! Make every minute of training count!

The only thing your phone should be used for during a workout is to play music, because music can be a great motivation. So if you receive a call or text the next time you're at the gym, I think you can wait an hour to return it or reply. It's the lovely convenience of having a cell phone! So give your workout 100% focus and dedication and you will really see better results.

Don't be THAT guy!!

Loaded Turkey Sweet Potato Taco

2014-03-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

I love trying new recipe and making them my own. The Loaded Turkey Sweet Potato Taco may sound odd, but it was so delicious! I found similar recipes and mixed ingredients, removed some, and added others to concocted this tasty meal. Let me know what you think!

Loaded Turkey Sweet Potato Taco

Ingredients:

4 medium sized sweet potatoes

1 lb extra-lean ground turkey

1/2 cup fat free sour cream

1 tsp taco seasoning

1 tsp olive or canola oil

1/2 green pepper, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1/2 avocado, diced

1 can reduced sodium black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can no salt added corn, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese blend

1/4 cup chopped scallions

Directions:

Poke holes in the potato with a fork, cook on your microwave’s potato setting until potatoes are soft and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes on high for 4 potatoes). If you don't have a microwave, bake about 45 minutes at 400°F.

Combine sour cream and taco seasoning in a small bowl, mix well.

Scoop out the center of each potato and add cheese.

In a pan, cook the ground turkey with the green pepper and onion over medium heat. Then, add black beans and rice to warm.

Once the turkey is cooked all the way through, spoon the mixture into your potato with cheese.

Add diced avocado, salsa and chopped scallions to the top.

Add the sour cream mix to top it off, serve and ENJOY :)

Is p90x Right for You?

2014-03-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

When I first began working out, I was not comfortable enough getting a gym membership. That was too much commitment for me and I was self-conscious. I had heard of Beach Body's p90x and my friends and boyfriend were trying it so I decided to give it a shot too. The ease of working out at home at any time really appealed to me instead of trying to make a specific class time or getting in the car to drive the gym. I know that sounds lazy but hey, when you're just getting started, convenience is key.

Just think about it, to this day, all these years later, p90x is still popular. Do you know why that is? Because it works! These 12 DVDs packed with jumps, squats, lunges, punches, kicks, abs and so much more really can get you in the best shape of your life. I personally did not follow the 90 day plan exactly as the booklet states you should, but that was because I played softball, enjoyed rollerblading and going to pilates classes that I didn't want to give up at the time. But my boyfriend followed the program to a T including the meal plan and workout calendar and he lost 30lbs and gained muscle mass. That's why this DVD set is so great, it's useful for everyone.

The DVD I loved the most was plyometrics. See why plyo is so great: http://bit.ly/12dfFcF. Followed by the cardio, ab ripper, and arms DVDs. When I first started the plyo or cardio videos, I could only make it half way through. I was excited when a few weeks later I was able to work my way through the entire DVD workout. And this is important to keep in mind. If you push yourself too hard from the start, you'll burn yourself out. Or you'll be so sore that you'll take a day off, which usually turns into taking multiple days or weeks off... The videos also offer variations depending on your fitness level so you don't go too hard or too easy. Whether I'm popping in one of the DVDs or doing my own routine, the moves are addicting. I incorporate them into any of my routines, like the Superman/Banana, Heisman, Lawnmower, and so many more!

If you are looking for an intense workout that targets all areas of your body, then p90x is perfect. But, if you are a non-commitment sort of person, no fitness routine or DVD set will get you in the best shape of your life. The p90x set is worth the money spent. And the only other items you need are free weights, a mat, bands, and pull-up bar. All these are fairly inexpensive items.

What's your favorite p90x disk?

Water on the Run

2014-03-12T06:26:00.001-07:00

When you are on the treadmill, have you ever wondered why they have drink holders? NO! I know that was a stupid question. See there are such thing as dumb questions. Those cup holders are there because you should have a water or sports drink to sip on. If you enjoy running then you understand how important it is to hydrate before, during and after. So what do you do when you're not on a treadmill and you decide to run a 5k outside, or take a jog around the neighborhood? Do you run holding a water bottle? Chances are the answer is no. So what's your secret to getting water during workouts?

I used to place a water bottle in the driveway and run the neighborhood route circling back to my house when I needed water. But sometimes I run a trail or take a different route and find myself 30 minutes into my run and no where near home to get water. Now I learned from doing obstacle course races that there's the camel water backpack and a waistband water bottle belt. But I don't really run long enough to need an entire back pack nor do I want to wear a belt while running. So I took to Google and did my research. I was looking into running water bottles and found EXACTLY what I needed. The Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Bottle. What's cool about this one is that it comes in five different sizes to meet your needs: 4, 10.5, 12, 16, or 20 ounces. I opted for the 12 ounce. This is the perfect amount for my typical 3-4 mile runs.

It fits perfectly to my hand, is easily adjustable, and doesn't slip when you are sweating. I was afraid that filling it with water would weigh my arm down, but to my surprise it didn't seem to weigh much. There's a little pouch on the strap that will fit your key, credit card, iPod, and other small items. Unfortunately, the pouch isn't larger enough to fit my iPhone 4S, so I still need to wear my arm band.

Keeping the environment in mind, Amphipod bottles are recycling symbol #4 LDPE and are BPA-free! Save the planet :) Here are more features of the bottle:

Comfortable, fully-cushioned breathable slotted design
Ergonomically contoured insulated handheld bottle with pocket
Great combination for hot and cold weather use
40% flatter Hydraform™ bottle eliminates hand cramping tension
Insulator is easily removable for maximum use versatility and washing

How do you stay hydrated on the run?

Reduce Cellulite and Get Thin Thighs

2014-03-07T07:19:00.001-08:00

As a woman, most fat-stores go directly to your butt and thighs. It often leaves the dimple effect making it uncomfortable or embarrassing to wear shorts or swimsuits. And with summer only a couple months away, you may already be shopping for cover-ups to hide the unsightly marks. But instead of hiding, start working now so you can flaunt your sexy legs come beach season! YES! It is possible to reduce or eliminate cellulite.

I've noticed how easily cellulite forms on my behind and thighs with each year I get older and older. And while it is difficult to eliminate it, there are exercises, creams, and foods that can make this process simpler. So, want to find out how to get rid of those lumps and bumps?

First, let's understand cellulite better. We all have strands of connective tissue that break up fat cells into compartments and connect fat tissue to skin. For women, these fibers form a vertical, honeycomb-like pattern, so any increase of fat in a given area tends to bulge. Men don't suffer from cellulite because their fibers run in a diagonal pattern that prevents dimpling.

Unfortunately, as we age, cellulite seems to appear overnight and get worse as we get older. This is due to a change in tissue. The strands of connective tissue thicken and our skin gets thinner. Women also lose muscle as years go by and it's replaced with fat. And because fat is soft, it doesn't make your skin appear firm like muscle will.

So what causes cellulite besides age? Your genes play a role. So if you mom has cellulite, chances are you will too. Lifestyle choices also play a role. Smoking, poor diet, eating too much fat, dehydration, not exercising, and poor sleep are also factors. The solution is to trick your body into becoming a fat-burning machine with some easy-to-perform exercises and simple nutrition tips. The more muscle tone you have, the less of a problem cellulite can be.

Cardio alone will not eliminate cellulite, but it is important to perform. The best cardio to perform is HIIT instead of endurance training. Work the muscles in the areas where the dimpling is occurring two to three times a week with strength training exercises. This means lunges in all directions - basic lunge, lateral lunge, reverse lunge, curtsy lunge. Then add some moves to get the most out of your lunges like a knee lift, leg lift, dumbbell twist, hip abduction, etc. Aside from lunges, perform plies and squats. Again, you can add variations to these to work your thighs even more. Just be sure to stretch at the end of each workout.

What's your favorite way to lunge?

Crockpot Southwest Chicken Stew

2014-02-26T06:24:00.000-08:00

Want the easiest dinner recipe known to mankind?? Of course you do! This is my favorite go-to recipe when I want something super easy, no hassle, dinner-for-the-whole kind of meal: Crockpot Southwest Chicken Stew.

The ingredients for this recipe couldn't combine any healthier ingredients and still pack a huge punch in the flavor department. This is no bland-tasting dish that you eat just to fill your tummy. No this a recipe you will crave and want to make time and time again.

So here's the run down of some of the ingredients...

Black beans. They are packed with fiber and protein and helps supports digestive health. They also help you feel fuller for longer.

Salsa. Have you ever thought of salsa as healthy? This low calorie treat is a great source of lycopene for heart health and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

Chicken. Now I'm sure we all know the major benefits of chicken: builds strong bones and muscles.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

2 cans black beans (preferably lower sodium cans) - drain & rinse

2 cans corn (I like the no salt added cans) - drain & rinse

1 jar salsa (I like medium for more flavor)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 package fat free (or 1/3 less fat) cream cheese

Now, are you ready for the really difficult instructions?? LOL Place all ingredients in crockpot, except cream cheese. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add the block of cream cheese and stir. Cook another 30 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!!

What's your favorite crockpot recipe?

Fitbit Comes at You with Force

2014-02-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Being a fitness junkie I love when new gadgets come out. I've been wanting to upgrade my elementary pedometer that reminds me of a pager. With so many technologically advanced step trackers, I wasn't sure which one to go with. Maybe the Jawbone, Nike Fuel Band, FitBit or Polar. After some research and talking to other fitness junkies, I set my mind on the newly released FitBit Force. So I asked for it for Christmas this year and my amazing boyfriend surprised me with it.

As soon as I ripped open the wrapping paper, I set that sucker up, which took all of five minutes - so very easy for any level of technology user. I've been wearing it faithfully ever since December 25th. I've never really been one to wear a watch, so it took a little getting used to having something on my wrist all day, every day.

Now, I thought since I work out regularly or feel like I'm constantly running around that 10,000 steps as a goal was going to be so easy to hit. Boy was I wrong! So obviously, everyday it became my mission to make sure I had at least 10,000 steps. What's awesome for person like me is that if I set a goal, or even better, if some little gadget gives me a goal, I HAVE to hit that goal. So your better believe I wanted prove this little watch/tracker wrong and get my steps in before I went to bed each night. If 10 o'clock came and I wasn't at 10k, I would do extra cleaning just to get those last 500-1,000 steps.

I was also excited to try out the sleep tracker because I do not sleep well and was wondering just how bad it was. Sadly, I'm restless on average for about 2-3 hours each night! Another awesome feature is if you forget to put the FitBit in sleep mode, as long as you have it on your wrist while you sleep, you can manually enter the time you went to bed and woke up and it stores the info.

Another pro to the FitBit, is it syncs to other apps you might use. For example, I use MyFitnessPal and it's much easier to track my meals here than through the FitBit. I was able to sync up the apps so I enter my food into MyFitnessPal and when I open the FitBit app, it shows my calorie consumption.

You can also earn points, rewards, etc if you do a little research. I have Humana insurance and I can sync my FitBit so I earn points. I can then use the points for specific items in the Humana "Mall". I just earned enough points to get the FitBit Aria scale FREE!! I can't wait for this to show up! The FitBit also links to Walgreen Rewards and Earndit.com.

I only have two somewhat negative things to say about this... One, I wish it was completely waterproof. It's only water and sweat resistant so you must take it off to shower, swim, etc. In the beginning I found myself forgetting to put it on after getting out of the shower. But now I'm so used to it that I don't forget. And two, it's little bulky especially for someone who never wears a watch or anything else on their wrist. But overall, I love this gift!

What fitness/activity tracker to you use?

90 Degrees by Reflex Activewear

2014-02-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

I have lots of fitness clothing, I mean LOTS! I have my brands I love, the uncomfortable ones and the newbies. All-in-all, my style comes down to cost. While I do own Nike and other name brands, I never spend much on these. So for the Lululemon lovers out there, I just don't understand you. Especially since they have been taking a beating in the news from defective pants to the founder blaming women's bodies for the problem, not the brand. How can you spend nearly $100 for yoga pants?? For starters, I would never support a company that claims their brand is not for the "fat" women out there - although he didn't directly say fat, he implied it, that was enough for me. With so many brands on the market, you can find all kinds of great workout wear for a quarter of the cost.

I recently stumbled upon 90 Degrees by Reflex a high-performance activewear brand designed for fashion, comfort and technology. While this brand does retail for around $75 for pants, you can walk into your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls and get them for around $16.99. I love these pants so much I now have four pairs in just a matter of a couple weeks. They are my favorite length, they fall to about the middle of my shin. I am not a fan of capris that come to the upper portion or your calf because inevitably when I run they end up bunching around my knee and it's annoying. I also realized when folding clothes that I have a tank by 90 Degrees and it just so happens to be one of my favorite fitted tops.

So, the reasons I now love this brand? Hmmm... for starters:

Affordable
Comfortable
Fitted & Stylish
Slim waistband to suck in your tummy
Variety - short to long bottoms, t-shirts, tanks, bras, etc. in lots of colors and designs
Perfect for any athletic activity from yoga to boot camp to cycling

What's your favorite activewear brand?

Why Do You Exercise?

2014-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

I get asked a lot why I go to the gym as often as I do, or how do I do it? It's quite simple. My health, my appearance, and my sanity. Aren't those the reason most everyone incorporates fitness into their lives? I care enough about my health to eat right and exercise. And actually my sanity falls into the health category too. I have a stressful job and the older I get, the harder it is for me to deal with stress. Going to a kickboxing class or running 4 miles really does make me feel better.

Now don't get me wrong, there are days (many days) I don't feel like doing it. But the outcome of not going scares me. I'm sorry, I don't want to be overweight. I don't want a jelly roll flop over my jeans.

I'm happy when I look in the mirror and like what I see. And if you don't like what you see, you should change it. Only you can change whether you're happy or not. All too often I hear females complain about their weight. I get it, I was that woman too. But I decided the day came when giving in to every want and need had to stop. I said no to the late night snacking, no to dessert, no to eating out with my girlfriends. It was time to focus on me and make a commitment to be healthy and fit. It's not easy, but if you care enough about yourself and your future, you make the change too.

No matter why you workout, please make sure you are doing it for YOU! Don't change for anyone else. Also, make sure it's fun. Life is too short to not enjoy the things we love. So find something you like; maybe it's a recreational sport, or a group class, or some lower key like yoga. Whatever it is, make the time NOW because what you do today will better your tomorrow. No one ever regrets a workout. So...

Why do you incorporate fitness into your life?

Refocus on Your Diet After a Cheat Day

2014-02-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

So were up late watching the post Super Bowl commentators? Before that, were you pigging out at a Super Bowl Party? I sure was... oops! If you're like most Americans then you were watching the big game, or the commercials, and eating for about 4 hours straight. And more than likely, the food you were eating wasn't healthy. Did you have a mixed greens salad last night? Probably more like a burger, a brat, maybe a hot god, with a side of mac n' cheese and potato salad... It's quite possible you even topped it of with the football shaped cookies!

Well it's OK, consider that your "off day" or cheat meal. But now you really need to get back in the groove and refocus this week. Now, I've making this really simple for you. I'm giving you a meal plan and an exercise plan so you don't need to worry about what you'll eat or what workout you'll do. Just read and react!

Finding Time for Fitness as a Mom

2014-01-31T05:52:00.000-08:00

Getting in shape is probably on most mom's to-do lists. It just seems to be the task that never gets checked off. For a busy mom, jump-starting an exercise routine can be overwhelming even if you're motivated. If you aren't busy taking the kids to doctor's appointments, soccer games or birthday parties, chances are you're home making dinner, cleaning, or doing loads of laundry. And if you're a fulltime working mom, there are those days that your job requires earlier or later hours. Add all this up, along with 7-8 hours of sleep, where and how do you fit in time for fitness?

Mom or not, we all have busy lives, obligations, schedules, etc. that can get in our way of exercising. For me, I lack energy most days. And when I'm tired, the last thing I want to do is go to the gym. But we need to find ways to fight through this and get the motivation to push through it. For some, this might be caffeine. I don't know how I would survive without my morning coffee. There are also tons of energy boosting supplements on the market. Just be sure to do research on these as some, like the 5-hour energy drink, contain extremely high amounts of caffeine that are not healthy.
No one can lose the weight for you or go to the gym on your behalf except you! To be successful in anything you do in life, it takes hard work, dedication, and time. So when you are too tired, too hungry, too whatever, you are only hurting yourself. Hold yourself accountable, set goals. Write them down on paper and post them on the refrigerator and pantry doors. These are places you walk by multiple times each day and they constantly remind you of what your end results will be.

Now the next step is putting all this into action. I'm pretty sure most moms have a schedule or calendar, this is like your bible. You need to stay organized. So schedule some time for you. And, NO, that's not selfish. To be the best mom you can be, you need to be healthy and happy. So wake up a half hour earlier and jump on the treadmill or go for a jog outside. Or once the kids go to bed, breakout that new fitness DVD that still has the store wrapping on it and get moving!

I hear many moms say that they can't afford a gym membership, or get the extra time to drive to and from the gym, or find someone to watch the kids while you go. Ok, that's totally understandable. So get creative! If you have a newborn, use your little one as a weight while you play. Hold him or her in your arms and squat while lifting them up and playing airplane. This is great bonding time while you're working your way to a toned bottom half and arms. When they get a little older, it so much easier to get active. Go outside with them and play a sport, throw a baseball, go to the batting cages, play soccer. You can also team up with other families and either get all the kids out together or swap kids a few times a week so you can get a workout class in. The possibilities are endless!

And when the kids are tired out but you still need to go home and make dinner, you can still squeeze in a little more exercise. Use the cans of corn as weights and do some curls. Or while you're standing and stirring at the stove, do standing calf raises. Now to make sure you keep you diet on track to help with your fitness goals, pick one day each week to prep meals for the entire week. Place everything in Tupperware, you can even mark off which day is which container. Voila, no excuse for fast food! Pack your containers in a cooler with a water bottle and take it in the car, and now you can eat healthy on to go!

Making excuses is the easiest thing to do. We all fall victim to it. I can only imagine how tough it is to be a mom. Finding energy can be the biggest challenge of all. Just now that once you complete you're workout for the day, you won't regret it, trust me! Set good examples for your kids and they are likely to follow in your footsteps. I know I'm just like my momma!