Focused and streamlined

I can not believe how much I am loving the Ultimate Reset.  The food is delicious, the timing rules for taking supplements are exactly what I needed to realign my snacking habits (sometimes you just have to wait), the guidelines for food choices along with the supplements are somehow helping me to burn away the stubborn weight that has been sitting on my lower belly, butt and thighs for way too many years.
I have 2 1/2 more days left on the Reset but I know I will not return to some of the eating habits I had before I began.  Meat will now be an option, not a requirement!  I have officially divorced cereal... there, I said it out loud!  Maybe some homemade granola, definitely oatmeal, but no more highly processed cereal (someone should tell the pantry that I just restocked with 6 new boxes)!  No more thinking that too much fruit is too much sugar.  If it grows it is probably good!  No more waiting until 4pm to pull something (meat) out of the freezer for dinner... advance prep is key to success!
I would imagine that the Reset meal plan would be pretty challenging for someone who is not entering it with some healthy food choices already in place.  There are lot of vegetables involved, a lot of meal prep and planning ahead to stay on track, a lot of sacrifices if you are used to pulling through the drive through a few days/ week... plus no coffee and no added sugar!

I am excited to take my final measurements on Monday and share my results. I am excited to see how my healthier body will fare in workouts as I amp them back up next week.  I am excited to work more with my family to make good clean eating habits a practice in ALL of our daily meals!

If you are interested in learning more about the Ultimate Reset, watch the video below and join my challenge group set to start in early June!  I will help you work through the plan, stay on track and reach as much success as I have!

What is your WHY?

Why do you do the things you do?  Do they help you get to a destination or a goal?  or are they just "something to do"?  This goes for everything.  Work, play, fitness, what you eat...everything!  Everything you do has a purpose or a meaning behind it.

Usually you work to make money to support your basic living and other things you enjoy doing.  You play doing the activities you enjoy.  You exercise to stay fit and healthy.  You eat to nourish your body!  But these things can all be enjoyable...ALL of them, not just the play part!  If you don't like things the way they are then maybe it is time to change them!  Find a workout you enjoy, if you have been doing the same thing for years, look for a sport or a new class you could enjoy.  Find a new recipe book to seek recipes that appeal to you...cutting out the crap doesn't have to be so limiting, and lacking in flavor.  Work.  How many people actually enjoy their jobs?  Inevitably there will be something about your job that you prefer not to do, but overall is it like pulling teeth to head to work every day?  Have you put any thought into looking for a new job?

Change is tough!  Breaking bad habits is tough!  They say it takes 21 days to make a habit.  So start working on making a change for the better!

I often debate with myself why I do some of the things I do.  Why am I starting a new fitness program and focusing hard on the nutrition when I have less than 10 pounds to lose...why, because I can!  I am relatively young, I am healthy, I am a role model for my children and for friends and family that read what I write and watch what I do.  I spent most of my teenage years overweight and missed out on great opportunities in sports and school because I didn't want to change, I didn't want to challenge myself.  I will never limit myself again by not stepping up to the challenge, nor will I model to my children that is an option!  So six pack abs, here I come!  I will post on this blog updates of the next 90 days, but join me on the Beachbody message boards to share in my journey, post messages about your own, and let's reach for the challenge!!!  You can click on the link above or head to www.GetFitWithNicola.com sign up for FREE and head to the message boards.  My posts are under "Working out in Bakersfield".

Are you Preparing Your Children for Success?

I had an eye opening experience today that brought me to a slightly altered focus for family health. Weight loss and eating right is not just about you and your body and how you feel, it is also about your family and how you are as a positive role model for them. You are teaching your children with every step you take, every grumble and bad word you say, every second you sit on the couch watching TV instead of going for a walk or preparing a healthy meal instead of fast food, and also every hug you share with them, every meal you enjoy with them sitting at the table, every kind word you praise them with. For better or for worse, they don't have the ability to tune out the bad stuff, they absorb it all. In 20 years you may very well see a replica of yourself raising your grandchildren, so maybe you should stop and think now about how you want your grandchildren raised!!! Chances are you are teaching your kids good manners, loving them and enjoying them, but are you teaching them good eating habits too? Are fruits and vegetables a regular part of their diet, along with whole grains?

I was at the grocery store this morning, and when I got in line to check out there was a 20 something year old boy in front of me...probably 100+ pounds overweight. All of his food selections were processed foods, whole milk, refined white flour products and not one vegetable. How do kids get to this point? How do kids learn what to eat? Oh right, from their parents!!! My heart broke for him because he is probably at a point of thinking he can't fix it so why try, and he probably doesn't know how!
My son just returned home from a camping trip where he enjoyed a sandwich on white bread, which he asked me to buy for his lunches this week and I said no. In addition though, I stopped and explained to him WHY I was saying no. White bread has very little nutritional value, it doesn't give you lasting energy and it won't keep you healthy...whole wheat bread on the other hand has much more nutritional value, it will keep you feeling fuller and give you energy for longer and it will help you stay strong and healthy. My son often gets Smucker's frozen PB&J sandwiches for lunch (which come on white bread), so don't think I never give my children foods they "want" because yes, convenience often wins. On occasion I will also buy a box of Lucky Charms cereal for a treat for breakfast, a bowl of ice cream is often on the menu for dessert, but every day foods, dinners and snacks are kept relatively free of processed foods. My children are learning the value of healthy eating that I know will get ingrained in their brains so when they are ready to make more choices on their own they will choose wisely.
Whole wheat pasta for example. My kids don't notice a difference, it is just my husband who complains a little bit. Turkey meatloaf with shredded zucchini, tomatoes, onion and flax seed...they ate like it was a special treat.

What are you doing to help teach your children healthy eating habits? The best tool is to show them by example. No crash diets, no craziness, just healthy, balanced eating. Proper portion control, serving onto a plate, not eating out of the bag or the box, and make appropriate snacks available for them and put away the junk! Ease off the sugary drinks and soda, water down your juice and add some lemon juice to water if you want extra flavor.
You kids may protest the family changes, but wouldn't you rather deal with that now while you are in control then watch your 100+ pound overweight child make bad choices and ignore the advice they no longer want to hear? You have the power to help your children...please do something!!!
I have just purchased Tony and Kids plus Shaun T's Fit Kids Club! I will let you know what my kids think of them!!! Join me at Team Beachbody and please pass this blog onto friends that you think would like to hear this or if they might be interested in joining me in the battle to fight obesity!!!