It is PLANKING time!!!

Fitness Challenge - get planking!

We all have busy schedules so instead of looking for a 60 minutes of free time to fit in a workout, squeeze small activities in where you can.  Great ideas include 12 pushups, 12 crunches, 12 chair dips and a 30 second plank!  Less than 5 minutes - do it three times a day then go for a 15-30 minute walk on your lunch break three times/ week!

Lets start with a plank - not sure how?  Great news, I made you a 2 minute video to watch :)

How Healthy is YOUR Shake?

If you want to lose weight you need to cut your calories.  Replacing a meal each day with a lower calorie shake can help you achieve that.

Are there options?

Definitely!  There are shakes available everywhere you turn.

Will they all help me?

Maybe.  If you drink the shake and keep the rest of your calories low you can lose weight eating almost anything…
BUT!!!!  It is not about JUST losing weight!  It is also about getting your nutrition and making your body healthy at the same time!!!

Please take 8 minutes to watch this video put together by Tony Horton and Beachbody with some detailed information about the ingredients and qualities of Shakeology that will help you not only lose weight, but improve your health!


www.GetFitWithNicola.com

The Skinny On Obesity!

It all comes down to food! You are what you eat!

Our nutrition is 80% of the equation when it comes to weight loss!

Sure you can lose weight by adding fitness and eating the same foods because you are now burning more calories than you did before so a logical change is that the number on the scale goes down! Now replace a meal with any old protein drink and you will probably see more of a change. There is a point though that you will need to do a more thorough overhaul of your diet! (by diet I don't mean a short term quick fix meal plan, I mean what you eat EVERY day! Diet is defined as "the sort of foods one habitually eats.")

I have said it before and I will say it again (much to the chagrin of most dieticians), a Calorie is NOT a Calorie and it is NOT a basic numbers game!  If you have calculated that you can consume 1500 calories a day based on your height, weight and workout level to lose 1 pound a week you still need to be sensible about what makes up those 1500 calories if you are looking for longterm success... ie. a lifestyle change to match your desired goals!  Sure you can pick up 100 calorie packs of cookies, crackers, cheese sticks, yogurt and processed foods and eat 15 of them but that is not living!  You need to learn how to eat and yes, you can enjoy healthy choices!  Instead of the 100 calorie packs, opt for fruits and vegetables, salads and lean proteins, unrefined carbs and even nuts!  Your foods should be nutrient dense, not have a lot of ingredients and not be packaged to sit on the shelf for years.  What ingredient should you be most leery of?  Added sugar!  Yes, there is sugar in fruit but it is naturally occurring and when eaten as fresh fruit vs juice or dried fruit, you are also getting a lot of important fiber, water and nutrition.

There are so many RULES out there that is it easy to get confused and thrown off course.  There are ways to keep it simple. 

• Cut the added sugar!  
• Cut the refined carbs (white flour, white bread, white rice, white pasta)!  
• Eat LOTS of veggies... try new ones and find the ones you enjoy.  You don't need to just steam them, add 1/2 tbsp oil to a pan + 1 minced clove of garlic, throw in your veggies and stir them around... add some liquid- just enough to create some steam (veggie/chicken stock or water), plus a splash of Braggs aminos or soy sauce or a grind of seasoning... cover and steam for a few minutes, toss then serve!
• Have cut veggies and fruit in your refrigerator ready to go.  If you need an extra nibble after a meal then nibble on these rather than a cookie or a chip!
• Drink lots of water.  Even this is debated!  If you don't like plain water then add lemon juice, but drink it!  It helps you feel more full.  Water makes up almost 60% of our bodies and 83% of our blood... we die of thirst before we die of starvation!  Water is the usable liquid and it is calorie free!  Don't spend money on fancy water, look for sweeteners in flavored water, just get a filter of some sort and drink from your tap... in a recyclable container for maximum benefit to everyone :)
• Make sure you are getting ample nutrition!  Multivitamins are great, just make sure it is of a quality that your body will actually be able to use the vitamins!  Beachbody has a great line of nutrition products including vitamins, a wide variety of supplements and Shakeology.  I know that by drinking Shakeology daily I am more than meeting my nutritional needs.  I also like to add an Omega-3 and calcium.  Yes Shakeology is $4/ serving but check out this video link to learn why it is so more MORE than any old protein shake!

OK, I am finished :)  I don't judge your choices... you have the right to make your own decisions, eat how you want, be who you want... just own your choices!  If you want help and support in becoming healthier for yourself and your family then you know where to find me.  Stay tuned for some upcoming changes to my website.  There will be more recipes, more nutrition tips and lots of support!  Here's to a long healthy and happy life!!!  Connect with me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GetFitWithNicola and to learn more about my FREE boot camp head to https://www.facebook.com/GetFitWithNicolaBootCamp

Take a look at this informative video -

The Skinny on Obesity (Ep. 1): An Epidemic for Every Body

Are you taking the steps you need to improve your health?

There was another article in today's paper about obesity in America. "More than half in 39 states will be obese, group says".  That is INSANE! 

I meet many people who want to lose weight to make their clothes fit better or to look good in a bikini but the real people who need help are usually the ones who aren't asking for it!  So many people don't realize the health risks of being obese!  Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease... you often don't know you have these unless you are exhibiting symptoms or unless you get tested!  There are free screenings in many communities - just do a google search!

There are some simple steps you can take to help reduce your risk factors!  Cutting our processed foods (this can be done slowly), adding more whole fruits and veggies to your meal plan, drink lots of water (and cut the soda and juice), and hold the extra salt and sugar!

I was an overweight teenager... I never learned the importance of eating healthy foods and portion control!  When I was 15 and getting ready to play highschool basketball I couldn't wear the shorts for the girls team, I had to wear the boys XL shorts... and they were tight.  I loved playing basketball, I was 6' tall, I realized I needed to make a change, so I did!  I started going to a fitness class at 6am before school started, I cut my calories and made better food choices.  In my senior year of high school I still wasn't skinny but I was healthy and I was able to enjoy a great year of basketball.  Despite these steps, it wasn't until I was 34 that I learned how important good eating is to maintaining a healthy weight.  Part of that learning was having my own children and not wanting them to go through the same weight issues I did.  I am teaching them how to make healthy food choices, how to enjoy treats in moderation (as treats are inevitable) and how to enjoy exercise as part of your regular lifestyle. 

I am a role model for my family and I strive hard to be a role model for my friends and community.  I teach Group exercise, Turbo Kick, at a local gym, I am a Beachbody coach and help people achieve impressive results with DVD fitness programs (P90X, Insanity, Les Mills PUMP, TurboFire, Power 90, 10 minute trainer, etc) and nutrition (including meals planners and Shakeology).  I have decided to take this one step further and offer a FREE boot camp at a local park 2 mornings a week to help people get rolling with their fitness and push it forward. 

If you are overweight you didn't get there over night!  Therefore you will not lose that weight over night!  There are no magic pills but there are some potions that might seem like a magic fix... trust me when I say that magic fixes are not going to stick.  You need to make changes to your lifestyle and your diet.  Adding fitness and changing what you eat.  It isn't about "dieting", it is about making life long changes that you can stick with!  Let me help you work out a plan to make that happen.  You can say, "I will start tomorrow", but I bet you have said that before!!!  Make it happen today - you will thank yourself next year!  www.GetFitWithNicola.com

Does Sugar rule you?

I am all about eating healthy and encouraging others to do the same but I do love a slice of birthday cake, a small bowl of ice cream or a hunk of chocolate on occasion.  Sometimes I have it as a treat, sometimes I have it because I am really craving it, sometimes I just have it because it is there and I know I will enjoy it.
Trick one to avoiding treats I love... Don't have them readily available to pick up and eat- set yourself up for success!  Trick two ... have a treat every so often, just don't have one every day!  Its about moderation, self control and will power... we all have some, give your self a little credit... now USE IT!

My kids LOVE sugar.  They manage quite well when they don't get sweets but when given a choice between fruit or cupcake they will usually choose a cupcake... but they do both love my homemade, low sugar zucchini bread!

Where isn't there sugar?  Look in most of the foods you eat and check out all of the added sugar, especially in the low fat products!  How many people drink coffee without sugar or a flavored creamer (which is sweetened)?  Sugar is addictive.  Sugar gives you a quick burst of energy, but can often lead to a "sugar hangover" as the energy is short lived!  Sugar is known to feed cancer cells, trigger weight gain and promote premature aging (Mercola).  Artificial sweeteners are no better!

Most mornings I set my children up for a successful day with oatmeal, raisins and yogurt with a small slice of homemade zucchini bread.  Their bellies are full, their brains are fed, their bodies are nourished.  As I dropped them off at school last week I saw boxes of donuts waiting to be carried into a neighboring classroom to celebrate a teacher's birthday.  How sweet, her gift was 25 sugared up little first graders... YIKES!  Our school allows birthdays to be celebrated and it usually involves a lot of sweets.  Do your schools still allow this?  The bigger the treat does not mean the more you love your child or the more money you have... but that seems to be where we are at right now!  I am thinking dipped, frozen bananas or fruit kabobs with a marshmallow or two thrown in might be suitable this year!

My goals?

• To help my kids understand the value of healthy eating... it is not about being skinny, it is about being healthy... not just now but long term! 
• To help my friends and family understand the value of healthy eating for the same reasons.
• To share this forward to help "End the Trend" of obesity.

Tiny changes, baby steps, healthier options... we all can get there, it is just going to take time!
I would love to help you make changes, just give me a shout and we will see what we can do.  I would love some help as I am only one person and there are a lot of people who need help!  Learn a little more about the Beachbody Challenges in the video below! and find me a www.GetFitWithNicola.com

Where is Beachbody going to take you? It helped Hope Solo earn a Gold!

I love how Beachbody covers the whole spectrum.  Not only does it cover fitness but also nutrition and now skin care as well!  It isn't a company focused solely on athletes as some assume when they hear about P90X, but on fighting the war on obesity and helping everyone!

Beachbody has programs for all levels.
Tony and the Kids, and Shaun T and the Kids for children.
Tai Cheng, Slim in 6, Power 90, Brazil Butt Lift, Body Gospel, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs, Rockin' Body, KSPY2, Total Body Solution, Yoga Booty Ballet for beginner/intermediate level workouts.

LES MILLS PUMP, 10 minute trainer, RevAbs, ChaLEAN Extreme for an intermediate/advanced workout.

P90X, P90X2, Insanity, Insanity Asylum, TurboFire, P90X One on On, the Body Beast for an advanced workout.

If you have tried many workouts and can't shed that stubborn belly roll or you can't get past a plateau, maybe you should look into the Ultimate Reset and recalibrate from the inside out. 21 days will have you down an average of 8 pounds with lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels and a whole new outlook on what you should be putting on the table for your family at each meal!

How about Shakeology?  We now have 4 flavors of the Healthiest Meal of the Day.  Beachbody doesn't throw this phrase around lightly.  A lot of research, travel and knowledge goes into the ingredients in Shakeology - take a look here at where the ingredients come from, and what the Doctors are saying.  Choose from Chocolate, Greenberry, Vegan Tropical Strawberry and Vegan Chocolate.  Find out a little more how Shakeology can work for you.

Beachbody has nutrition products ranging from vitamins to pre workout formulations, post workout formulations, muscle building products and slimming products.  What do you need help with?  I can help you find what can help you!

Plus our new skincare line Derm Exclusive.  I have been using this for a few months now and no longer use abrasive scrubs on my face and I cut out my under eye cream.  The set includes all of the tools I need, my skin is smoother, my fine wrinkles have decreased and I am wearing less makeup than I have in years!

Beachbody Club membership offers a full meal planning tools,VIP chats with trainers and more PLUS 10% off all of your products.

The support you receive while you work through your program with Beachbody is offered through online tools on the Beachbody site but most importantly through your coach.  As a coach I am a graduate of some of the Beachbody programs, I use the products and love them so I have signed on to represent Beachbody and help End the Trend of Obesity!  I get paid to get fit and to help others do the same. Learn a little more about who our coaches are.

You hear people talking about programs like P90X all the time.  How sore they are, how they couldn't finish it or about what amazing results they are achieving... which one are you going to be?
Join me in a fitness challenge at www.GetFitWithNicola.com

Here is USA gold medal winning soccer goalie Hope Solo with Insanity Asylum:

What holds you back?

Have you ever used the phrase,

"I can't do that, I am only a ____/ just a _____" (fill in the blank). 

How about,

"I am too busy, I don't have enough time". 

Or,

"I don't think I could do that, I have never tried before".

You are ONLY what you limit yourself to be.  Think back to when you were young and you wanted to be a doctor, a ballerina, an astronaut... Did you become one?  If you did congratulations, if not, what stopped you?  Did someone tell you that it wasn't possible?  Did you realize it was going to take too much work to get there?  Did you not think you could do it?

It might be too late to become a ballerina or an astronaut but it is not too late to change direction in life towards something that you have a passion for.  Set some goals, make a plan and take steps to get there... ANYTHING is POSSIBLE if you SET YOUR MIND to it!!! 

Too busy?  We all have the same number of hours in a day, it is just how you use them.  Sit down with a calendar and work out the things that are necessities like sleeping, eating, working, looking after and spending time with your children, etc.  Then calculate what is left... I'm betting it is more than you expected.  What do you want to do with that time?  Figure it out and schedule it in!  If you don't have a calendar then GET ONE!  Scheduling your days in the calendar may seem like a lot of work but it will actually end up saving you time and making sure you don't forget important events!  (side note: there ARE truly people that don't have enough hours in the day and are scheduled and efficient... if this is you think about prioritizing your "to do's" and cutting out what ISN'T important)

You can never succeed if never give it a chance.  Even more, you can try and fail but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try again.  Failure is part of learning.  It teaches us what NOT to do next time.  The definition of Insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."  Go out and learn something new, take the challenge and see what happens.  If you fall down, brush yourself off and try again!

So, what IS holding you back?  Have you looked in the mirror?  Whether it is fitness, nutrition, career, volunteer work, adventure, family, relationships, whatever, you need to realize that your opportunities are limitless.  Remember your dreams, make new dreams, make a plan of attack and then figure out how to get it accomplished!  You can be your biggest roadblock but you can also light your own fire to push forward... which will it be?

With every step you take, decision you make, or road block you set, you are a mentor.  Remember that when you limit yourself and equally when you push yourself a little bit harder.  Your child, your friend, you sister, your nephew... they are all watching and learning.  Show them what is important!

Want some inspiration?  Watch this video by Live Unbound