Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Keeping Focus will help in your Success


It is that time of the year, New Years is past us; Summer cannot get here fast enough and for most if us we let the weather control how we feel and what we do. Keeping focused on your goals is a big part of your success!
 
Here are a few fun and quick tips to help keep you focused:
 
Keep a daily food journey.
 
Schedule in your workouts at the beginning of the week.
 
Always try!
 
If you have a bad meal or bad day, remember tomorrow is a new day!
 
Find a workout buddy or friends that are supportive.
 
Plan your meals.
 
Drink a gallon of water each day.
 
Always have nuts and an Isagenix protein bar in your purse.
(for those "ohh its been 3 hrs. moments")
 
Get 8 hours of sleep.
 
Do not beat yourself up.
 
Do not focus on the Scale, take measurements.
 
Reach out to someone when struggling.
 
Remember you are never alone on this Journey!
 
Keep up your progress on your Journey!
Best Wishes, Nichole Winter

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Back Up Plan

You hear this all the time . . . .
Take Sunday to plan and prep your meals!
 
Lets be real, some of us are not able to prep every Sunday with being out of town for the weekend or maybe at one of our kids activities. There is just not always time for planning and prepping.
 
 When we take the time to plan and prep we are able keep on track with eating clean meals. However you have a few busy Sundays and you may find yourself back to quick and not so healthy meals.  I found a simple back up plan.  Create 4 weeks of easy clean dinner ideas, put them on recipe cards and keep them in a convenient spot.  I keep mine on the counter in a crafty recipe holder my daughter made for me. You can also tape them inside your cupboard door. 
 
 Pictured: My recipe holder with my 4 week back up plan and clean eating cook book. Inside the cookbook is a list of meal ideas.
Pictured: 4 week back up plan. Super Easy meals.
 
 
Next Sunday when you are out of town or whatever it may be, you can come home to knowing that you can select a weekly meal plan from one of your back up plans.
 
Tips for having a successful back up plan:
 
1. You want to select meals for your back up plan with ingredients that you typically have in your house.
2. Do not get stuck always using your back up plan, but do use as a tool or reference when creating a new meal plans.
3. If you make a weekly meal plan and it was a hit, KEEP it and use it again in a few weeks. Why throw it away? It took time to plan and worked!
4. If you find yourself eating the same things over and over make a goal. Example: In March I will make a new recipe for dinner once a week!
5. Make a double batch of your favorite meal and freeze. This will always help during your unplanned moments.
6. Make sure there is a variety in your planning; Such at Meatless Mondays, Fish on Tue., Beef on Wed., Turkey on Thur. and Chicken on Fri.  You do not want to eat the same types of food every meal. 
 
Living a Clean and Healthy lifestyle does not mean you have to be prefect! 
Just continue to try, prep and plan! With that you will have greater success.
 
Happy Meal Planning, Nichole


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Soup Warms A Soul

Winter time in our home brings out the crock pot and afternoons enjoying a bowl of soup.
 
Try the Fiesta Lime Chicken Soup with your family next time, it was a hit at our home!



Rub 2-3 chicken breasts with Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime seasoning. Then grill chicken until cooked through. Once cooked shred into pieces.

Chop veggies to have approx. 3 cups total:
onion
carrots
celery
cabbage
zucchini
red peppers

1 can green chili's
Saute all veggies  5 to 8 minutes then add garlic to taste.

Pour organic low sodium chicken broth (32 oz container) into crock pot, then add chicken, veggies, and 1 t. Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime.  Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.  Salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy~

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A perfect way to start the morning. . . .

 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Begin with starting the day with a glass of water, it opens
your pores. Remember you have been sleeping 8 hours without having any water. Then, it is important to eat within an hour of rising. This fires up your metabolism!


Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and for me it starts with
oatmeal. I am always switching it up between old fashion oats and
steel cut. You can get very creative with oatmeal.

Here are a few fun toppings for you to enjoy;

Top with:
Apples
Pears
Blueberries

Strawberries
Blackberries
Raisins
Mangoes
Bananas

Vanilla Almond Milk


Shake on:
Cinnamon
Pumpkin Spice
Nutmeg
Chia Seeds
Hemp Seeds
Flax Seeds



Add:
Crushed Almonds
Walnuts
Pecans
Spoon of Almond/Seed/Peanut butter

 


There are so many more options than this to top, shake or add to your oatmeal - to change up your flavor each day. Remember, you do want protein in your
breakfast. A way to achieve this is by adding your Chocolate or Vanilla Isagenix Protein Powder or 2 eggs whites right into your oatmeal.

Try this baked oatmeal for a tasty fun Saturday morning breakfast with your family.
 

Baked Cranberry Oatmeal

2 1/5 c. oats
2 c. vanilla almond milk
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/4 c. dried cranberries
3 TB. maple syrup

Use a pie dish and spread coconut oil all over pan. Mix all above ingredients and pour into pie dish. Bake at 350 for approx 25 minutes or until golden brown.  You can top with a few crushed pecan or walnut!
 
Remember there is almost no wrong way to enjoying the best meal of the day!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Consistency is key to making it a life style!

 
What is the first thought that comes to mind when someone says
“New Year's Resolution”? 
 
For some, those three words are dreaded as much as a dentist appointment. For others, it is opportunity of a clean slate. Did you know approximately 50% of people who make a new year’s resolution never stick to them? Why do you think that is?
 
I am sure you can guess what is the number one resolution? Yep, it is to loose weight or to get healthier.
 
Let's think about this most common resolution. When someone wants to loose weight or get healthy, this is a huge life style change. Here are a few tips for you to make 2013 your year to accomplish your healthy resolutions.
 
1. Educate - You want to be healthier? Take the time to research what you want to do to change. Maybe you want to start with eating better and feeding your body better foods. Educating yourself with new recipes and what types of foods are best for you will help you succeed.
 
 
2. Be Specific- You want to go down 2 pant sizes? How are you going to reach that goal? You should start by determining how you will reach your end result such as hire a trainer, find a workout buddy or clean up your diet.
 
3. Make a PlanA Weekly Schedule! Once you have broke down your resolution and have your plan, it's time to schedule it. For example, if you need to hit the gym four times a week then schedule your gym time into the days that work for you. Each week sit down and make a game plan as to what you need to schedule to help accomplish your resolution not just workouts, your meals too!
 
4. Consistency- This is key to making it a life style! None of us are perfect, if you have a bad day do not put yourself down for your bad choices. Tomorrow is a new day and move on from it. Besides it's life! Once in a while, if you'd want to go out for a beer and pizza, that's okay for a treat.
 
          A few other tricks for a healthier life:
*drink water, try for a gallon a day
* get 8 hours of sleep

* eat every 3 hours

* be active

* keep a journal
 
Maybe your resolution is NOT to have to “loose weight” or “get healthy " on your 2014 resolution list. Go right a head! You can have anything you want for your life, just put your mind to it!
 
I wish you the best - I wish you health, happiness, joy, energy, financial freedom but most of all, just to love yourself and the life you live for 2013!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Could not be anymore proud!

 
My client and friend Amy Jo amazes me in every way.
September 1st she set out on a mission.
Goal: 90 days to loose 37 pounds for her 37th Birthday
 
She joined our 30 day weight loss challenge for 3 months, worked out with me at the gym almost daily and started eating clean.
 
My favorite part of her journey was not just the inches or the pounds lost it was the confidence gained and the motivation to push herself not only in the gym but in every aspect of her life. She is a true light to many people.
 
Day number 90 she got on the scale and HIT IT!!  37 pounds lost!
You may ask yourself what does Amy have that I do not, why can't I do this?
It is because she started to value herself, put herself first and believe that she could do it!
  Amy Jo, Before Picture Sept. 1s 2012
 
Hear from Amy Jo herself;
 
September 1st was not just another day for me it was the first time I turned in  my challenge photo! I have taken some before but never gave it to anyone. At 200lbs I was a mom, wife, and friend but I was not myself. I was doing things for everyone else, while hiding in my clothes and food.
Each day I got up knowing what I had to do and did it with no more excuses. I started in the kitchen because food is a factor in a lifestyle change. Learning about what food fuels my body was key. 
What about the Gym you ask? I spent a lot of time in the gym, however that was my choice.  When you have a great friend and trainer like Nichole Winter and other hard body ladies Jessica and Nikki, I was accountable to being at the gym each morning. Nichole's technique of useing the gym is not boring, repetitious or stagnate. I never knew what I was going to do each day but I knew I felt amazing!!
 
My progress
 
Started at 200 pounds September 1st
NOW 163 on November 30th
Total Inches lost; 12 3/4
 
Tools I used; Clean Eating, Training hard with Nichole Winter and Isagenix
 
 
Now I have a family that loves the energy that I have! Maybe not so much in the kitchen they miss the pizza, fried foods and garlic bread but the brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and chicken are very welcomed to their new taste buds!

I do have to Thank Isagenix for being a great tool that allows my body to be nourished and supports the new me.  I have shown myself what I can do and am excited for my new goals. Bring it on Hard Bodies!


Amy Jo's after Picture Nov. 30th 2012
 
 
As I said before I could not be anymore proud!