It is time to RESET!!!!

I have been playing with that last 10 pounds for the past 2 years.  Up 8, down 7, depending on the program, my focus on nutrition, 3 day Shakeology jumpstarts, crazy schedules... I am fit, I am healthy, regardless of that 10 pounds I am in a good place so I haven't had the drive to get it off and keep it off.  BUT, I would love to never have to worry about the love handles when I pull on my jeans.  I would love to not worry about any lumps and bumps when I pull out my summer wardrobe!
I work out 5-6 times per week, I love to work out and I love to work out hard!  Exercise is not my problem and definitely not my nemesis.  What is?  My nutrition!  I eat fairly well.  I love vegetables, I don't enjoy fast food, I avoid deep fried... I DO have portion control issues and I do have a few vices.  I love cereal, ice cream, chocolate and wine!  None of these are really bad but they are all things that are preventing me from finding my abs.
It is not just about finding my abs and losing a few pounds though.  I have days where I don't have the energy I feel I should, allergies slow me down seasonally, I often get a gassy belly in the evenings, and some days I am exceptionally moody (I blame it on bad behavior days with the kids but I suspect I can't blame it all on them)!!!

my plan?  Start the Ultimate Reset this Monday!
Beachbody has recently released a 21 day detox.  It's a no-starvation, multifaceted, life-changing, cutting-edge, "this-is-the-real-deal", inner-body tune-up!
It does more than simply cleanse the body.  It does help your body eliminate waste, gently and naturally, but it also helps to maximize the energy production within your cells, improve your body's ability to process fuel from nutrients and micronutrients, and assist every process in your body in running more smoothly.
So if you've been feeling run down and worn out, or noticed a decline in your performance in any aspect of your life, it may simply be that you're out of tune (and in the hurry-up, high-stress, eat-on-the-run world, most of us are).  If that sounds like you, the Beachbody Ultimate Reset will help deliver the total tune-up your body has been craving.
Take a look at the following video to learn more about the Reset and follow my journey as I share the ups and downs of the process.  I hear there are a few rough days as you deal with cutting foods you enjoy, tiredness as your body works through the process and sore muscles despite reduced workouts!  The benefits though have been dramatic.  From jumping out of bed with renewed energy each morning, reduced cholesterol and lost weight, lack of cravings, new love for healthy foods and feeling dramatically better-physically, mentally and emotionally!
www.GetFitWithNicola.com

What is your biggest challenge with your fitness?

I love to exercise!!! Sometimes I let life get in the way and I miss a few days... which can turn into a few weeks and I wonder why I feel so lazy and lethargic... then I usually kick myself in the butt and get back on track!  I am lucky as I enjoy to work out and I KNOW how much better I will feel after than initial shock to the system of exercising regularly again.  The crazy thing is... you TOO will feel better after that initial shock!  It is just getting through those first few days of sore muscles and keeping at it!  Energy will increase, body will respond... you will feel great, I promise!!!  What do you enjoy doing?  Find a way to turn it into a workout.  Let me help you find a program that will work for YOU!  Take a look at this link and let me know what looks FUN to you. 

My area of weakness though is eating!  I LOVE cupcakes!  A few years ago when I lost 30 pounds I used amazing will power and through healthy eating, portion control and restricting calories - along with exercise- I dropped the weight pretty quickly!  Now I am trying to lose a little body fat, find my six pack and feel comfortable in all of my clothes, but I am not approaching it with the same passion I did when I "needed" to drop the weight!  Now it isn't so much for health but for vanity... and my passion for food is pretty strong too!  So is the calling of the glass of wine at the end of a long day :)

I have been planning, on and off for 6 months, to search for that hidden six pack again.  I have taken on the challenge of a new program, ChaLEAN Extreme, and am feeling my muscles getting stronger, but I need to take a few more steps with my nutrition.  I eat healthy food, I limit my treats, I only have a few glasses of wine a week, but I eat often.  Eating often is good... they recommend 2-3 hours between snacks/ small meals but I tend to grab a piece of fruit, a handful of almonds, a hunk of protein bar... pretty much whenever I walk through the kitchen! So guess what... Tomorrow has arrived!!!

My Challenge to myself: To actually reach that 2 hour mark between eating!  To resist snacking after dinner and instead make myself a cup of tea!  To make a small meal rather than standing at the counter eating out of the bag and consuming an unknown amount of calories!  To only have 2 cups of coffee a day!  To chew on a piece of gum instead of another handful of almonds!  To appreciate the phenomenal nutrition in my daily Shakeology and enjoy every last drop!  To enjoy my workouts and help as many people learn to love theirs too :)

What is your biggest challenge and how can I help you find a way to conquer it?  I would love to help, just sign up for the FREE membership at www.GetFitWithNicola.com OR select the club membership with some great features including nutrition tools and meal planning.  Learn more about it here.

How is your Metabolism?

I was listening to my CD that came with ChaLEAN Extreme today and realized how much me all need to understand why we gain weight as we age. 

Did you know that once you pass 30 years old you start losing muscle mass?  No, this doesn't mean you will LOSE weight, it means you will GAIN weight!  Muscle burns calories.... even when you are sitting on the couch watching TV!  The more muscle you have, the more efficiently your body burns calories and the more food your body can consume without gaining weight!!!  Hmmmm.

Soooooo, this means that endless running on the treadmill is bad?  Not exactly.  Running on the treadmill burns calories and gives you immediate benefit in terms of calorie burn but it doesn't have optimal longterm benefits (plus it is really boring ;)).  It does mean that you need to add some weight lifting into your workout regimen.  You don't have to hang with the big guys and pump iron, but you need to use resistance bands or free weights and do some bicep curls, shoulder presses, squats, lunges and pushups!

No, you will not bulk up!  Women don't have enough testosterone to get BIG muscles.  You do need to keep some cardio in your regimen to continue burning fat though.  Muscle does not turn into fat nor does fat turn into muscle.  Fat gets burned off when your body needs extra energy to get through the day when you are burning more calories than you are consuming.  As you build muscle you might notice the scale isn't moving but your clothes are fitting better.  One pound of muscle is compact and takes up less room that One pound of fat.  Does that make sense to you?  Your muscle is increasing and your fat is decreasing but we all wear muscle better than we wear fat! 

Using the excuse that you don't know the first thing to do with weights is not going to help your metabolism so lets find a few options for you:

• If you have a gym membership, go to a PUMP, sculpt or interval training class.  If you have any questions make sure you ask the instructor.  They are there to help you!
• Alternatively get a personal trainer to show you the basics.  You may need to be very clear that you just want an overview of how to use weights safely or you will get roped into a costly package (but this is fine too just make sure you know how much and for how long).
• Look for a kettlebell or other weight based class that you can sign up for... google it!
• Buy a program like ChaLEAN Extreme, Power 90, RevAbs, Slim in 6, 10 Minute Trainer, Brazil Butt Lift or P90X!!!  Take your time, do what you can and listen to all of the tips the instructors give you in the DVDs.
• Ask for my help!  I can meet with you and help you understand the basics and cover some of the safe ways of lifting.  I won't be setting up a training regimen for you but can help you decide what will work best for you!

A few other great tips for improving your metabolism, in addition to adding muscle to your body, is eating every 2-3 hours, including protein in each meal/snack, controlling your serving size and drinking lots of water! To control my cravings and help myself fill up with fewer calories I also replace one meal or one snack a day with Shakeology.  With a low glycemic index and amazing nutrition, Shakeology gives you sustained energy without causing a spike in your blood sugar.

I would love to help you work on improving your health and fitness ----> and improving your metabolism.  Head to my website at www.GetFitWithNicola.com and sign up for the Free Coaching option.  Find me on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Nicolabx and let me know how I can help (make sure you comment on the friend request how you found me).  Read my fitness updates and posts at www.Facebook.com/GetFitWithNicola.  Email me at GetFitWithNicola@att.net.  I am in this with you as I work to keep fit and healthy myself.

Take a look at the Beachbody Solutions video and see what looks most interesting to you!