I just got home from a 4 day trip to Las Vegas. I didn't do any sightseeing, didn't do any gambling but I did have a LOT of fun! Along with over 5000 Beachbody coaches I participated in workouts with celebrity trainers (Tony Horton, the Les Mills Crew, Tai Cheng and a Group workout with all of the Beachbody trainers), I learned about new product releases (Body Beast, Vegan Chocolate Shakeology, Derm Exclusive skincare, Les Mills Combat and more), I saw some truly amazing success stories, I learned about better tools for helping people improve their health and fitness... I realized (reconfirmed) that my job is more than just showing people what I do and what works for me but to encourage and motivate them to REALLY help themselves so they can accomplish so much more! Staying on track with your workouts is tough.... eating good food can be challenging... there are so many obstacles, easier paths to take, temptations to throw you off course... you need to be strong, dedicated and determined... you really need to COMMIT if you want to succeed!
I am looking for strong committed people to join me in a few upcoming challenges... are you ready?
Monday July 2nd kicks of my 2 week Eat Clean Challenge! Following Michi's Ladder and using 90/10 rules... so a little straying is understood but aim for 90%! Posting will be required, drinking Shakeology is highly encouraged... strive for near perfection for 2 weeks and you will be amazed at what can happen!
I know I post about the right way the eat, the best way to exercise, the products that make it easier, and how much I LOVE to workout, but alas, even I hit roadblocks along the way! I achieved some amazing results with the Ultimate Reset almost a month ago, I maintained my weight loss for 2 weeks, then I went on vacation. I informed my inlaws that I was currently eating Vegetarian but if it was easier I could add a little meat back in... I quickly learned that it is tough for a meat lover to say no to BBQ lamb, ribs, steak, chicken curry, chicken stuffed pasta... night after night. I took some recipes with me and had great intentions of buying beans, quinoa and some other staples to make some great meals but there was so much food already in the fridge and food is expensive in Hawaii! I DID load my plate with veggies, avoid the chocolate covered macadamia nuts and drink my Shakeology, but that wine glass kept getting filled up and I have developed a strong love for Gin & Tonic! The day before we came home we celebrated my son's birthday with the most decadent chocolate cake I have ever tasted (maybe because I hadn't had many sweets in a month) and it has taken me over a week to recover! I know I have a weakness for baked goods but wow, I didn't realize it was quite so bad! I have been over snacking since I got home, and that zucchini loaf I baked... well I ate almost a whole loaf myself in less than 24 hours! I can see exactly where the 5 pounds has gone... right to the roll around my middle... which I had pretty much rid myself of before my vacation. I have some dresses to rock next week and I have created myself a problem!
Last night was Turbo Kick class and I kicked myself back on track. I love how I can burn a bazillion calories in one hour and I love how that feeling makes me not want to overeat! I started today a plate of fresh fruit, then a great weight workout with ChaLEAN Extreme then a 20 min HIIT cardio with TurboFire. 4 thin crisp wasa crackers with almond butter followed by Tropical Shakeology for lunch (instead of hot dog and chips at my son's scout camp wrap up). I am feeling refocused and ready to get back on track immediately (despite the craving for some red wine tonight).
I plan to enjoy myself at my Beachbody Summit meeting in Las Vegas... how could I not. But I will also be exercising (with Tony Horton, Shaun T, Chalene Johnson & more), sharing healthy food with my fitness friends and burning some extra calories with evening dancing!
I look forward to adding my red wine back in upon my return and baking some zucchini bread to enjoy with some control and willpower. Life is a balancing act. We all need to find a way to make our health a priority but going overboard one way or another doesn't usually work. Baby steps, adjustments and compromises will be necessary. It is time to buckle up and get this show on the road.
I will be focusing my nutrition on Michi's Ladder to help me stay on track. My Nutrition Challenge group I had planned for June 20th will be pushing back until July 2nd to allow for some preparation. There are some basic ground rules for the challenge that I would love to share with you and lots of accountability to help you stay on track. If you want to start focusing on you nutrition today then check out the Michi's Ladder guide and send me any questions you have. Start by taking before photos and body measurements too so you have something to look back on and see your accomplishments!
If you want to really put a focus on your nutrition then check out the Ultimate Reset, which is truly an experience in getting your body on track that everyone should experience!
The Zucchini is making an appearance in my garden already! I LOVE Zucchini stir fried, baked, stuffed, mixed into savory or sweet and I really love zucchini bread! Upon returned from our vacation I found 4 BIG zucchinis so it was time for the bread! I have a family recipe that I have "cleaned up" which I will post later but I made this one yesterday and my family loved it!
Ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Himalayan sea salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil (I used coconut oil)
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (or just 3/4 cup oil)
1/4 cup raw agave syrup
1/4 cup honey (recipe called for 3/4 cup honey, no syrup)
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped nuts (pecan, almond or walnut)- I didn't use upon the request of my daughter but I can tell it would have been delicious with some walnuts!
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F for lg loaf pan or muffins.
Blend the dry ingredients.
Make a well in the center and pour in the eggs, oil, honey and vanilla. Stir just until mixed - do not overmix.
Fold in the grated zucchini and chopped nuts if using. Pour batter into greased loaf pans or muffin holders and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
Large loaf pan 50-60 min
Muffins 15-20 min
My advice is to cut a piece and hide the rest ;) It is delicious and healthy but NOT calorie free by any means!
I had a few cups of leftover grated zucchini so I have been cooking it in the frying pan with some frozen veggies then cracking an egg over top and a sprinkling of feta for a delicious lunch!
Enjoy your zucchini!!! Also, check out www.100daysofrealfood.com for some great healthy recipe ideas!
I am enjoying a lovely family vacation in Hawaii right now! We are in a house with 3 families and so far am loving it. What could come up as an issue on day two? Food! There is a ton of healthy food in the fridge, I was able to enjoy a workout this morning, I even saw 3 turtles on a short snorkel trip! Dinner last night was delicious after a 7 hour flight but 4 cans of coconut milk and white rice? I suspect you have very little sympathy for me right about now!!! Tonight is BBQ lamb, did I mention I have been eating Vegan but LOVE BBQ lamb? No vegan tonight! There was a request for broccoli salad so I jumped to the rescue as we have no mayo in house and I refused to make it with mayo. Here is the recipe:
Broccoli Salad
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 tbsp homemade balsamic vinaigrette
5 cups broccoli
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
1/4 cup raisins
Combine yogurt and vinaigrette, toss to mix! I also added some feta cheese to please the masses :)
Balsamic Vinaigrette
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp agave syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
2/3 cup olive oil
Fresh herbs to taste
I usually add a little less oil and some water! Blend in blender or with hand mixer. Toss into salad!
Enjoy your healthy dinner!!!
Let's get healthy together www.GetFitWithNicola.com
