Tag Archives: weight loss

The Halloween Hangover

So…….how’d ya do???

Did you stay strong and resist the urge to tear into those bite size candies? Or did you buckle and eat your body weight in “fun” size candy??

Did you wake up this morning and while getting dressed start saying (or screaming) WHY…WHY DID I EAT ALL OF THAT CANDY??

If you are suffering a chocolate hangover you need to re-group; dump the candy and say no to your candy pushing co-workers who are trying to unload their candy.

Did you read my last email?  3 fun size pieces of candy will cost you 20 minutes of jogging!  Do the math: You had a couple before trick or treating + a couple during trick or treating + a few more during the sorting process x the number of kids you have equals…A LOT OF BOOT CAMP TO BURN THAT CHOCOLATE OFF

I know the internal conversation you had with yourself….”oooohhh that kind is my favourite” or “I will just have this one!” Bet you said this “Well, I have had so many what’s one more?!”

I see so many of you that work soooo hard at boot camp but then you tell me that you had wings, wine, candy, (or insert whatever bad food here) and you wonder why you are not losing weight.  The reason is simple!  You keep sabotaging yourself!!!! When you come to boot camp and bring your A game, give it your all, you are burning the crap that you ate that day.  You never get to that stored fat.  Think about that!  All your work is to just maintain.

So if you start your day with a latte, then have a muffin add a bagel and some pasta for dinner, you come to boot camp and you might burn through half of those calories.  You don’t burn the stuff you want to get rid of off of your thighs, tummy or backside, BUT you keep doing it.  Why?? You are choosing food, junk food, you are letting the food control you.

IT ALL STOPS TODAY………..

Make the commitment to change your eating habits, dump the junk, drink the water that you need and exercise!!!!

Halloween is over and it likely was a scary night with all of the reckless eating but onwards my friends……

Candy is not your friend.  I am…so start listening to me!!!

Halloween Hangover remedy:

LOTS of water–eat real food, (lean protein, veggies) and get moving (show up to boot camp).

We have 7 weeks until Christmas…..that means a lot of parties, dinners, get-together, cakes, cookies, drinks, it means you need to pull it together!!  No maintaining through that! That is the recipe for waistline disaster.

Starting NOW it’s game on.  No more fooling around.  No more making excuses why you can’t.  No more giving in to food weaknesses.  No more nonsense.

What’s your motivation?

I love that question.  Actually, I love the responses to that question.  Coffee, quiet time, to do list check-offs, a drink, dessert…the list goes on and on.

Motivation can be anything and can come in any form.  Motivation is what drives you.  It’s what makes you excel.  It can be a push or a pull.  No matter what it is that motivates you, it requires commitment, dedication and focus

Motivations can be little things like, “If I get this laundry done, I’ll be able to relax for 20 minutes.” Or motivators can be huge. “I’m going to get healthy to live longer, to see my children graduate, get married, have children.”

Motivators can be inspiration found from others achievements or found deep inside your self.  When Terry Fox started The Marathon of Hope, he was motivated everyday by the desire to raise money to fund research in the attempt to find a cure for cancer.  Now his motivation has been embraced by millions of people every year who carry on his dream.

My motivation for doing what I do is simple…I want to see obesity defeated.  I want to see healthy children.  I want to see parents living a full life.  I want people to have the inner happiness I found after losing lots of weight as a teenager.

I continue to stay motivated everyday because I want to see my children grow and become adults.  I want to know the joy of being a grand parent…but not too soon!!!

But there is a killer of motivation.  It’s called excuses.  Excuses are the crap stories we sell ourselves to justify why we can go without commitment.  “I’m tired, I’m sore, I’ve got no time, It’s hot, It’s cold, It’s hard…blah blah blah….EXCUSES!!

A healthy life style requires commitment.  Anything that is worthwhile in life and doesn’t come easy requires commitment.

This Monday, we will be starting a new Challenge Group.  This is a four-week plan that will include an on-line forum, weekly challenges, recipes and exercise that will kick your butt and get you to reach your goals.  But you will have to commit!!!

I will commit everything I can to you, but only if you commit to yourself first!

The best part of the Challenge Group?  You will get support.  You will get accountability check-ups and you will get motivated!

What’s your motivation?

Food Friday…Chicken and Pancakes

I am excited about the opening of the Smurfs Adventure today!!  Bringing back the childhood memories.  And on that note, here is a Blue recipe to start your day!  Too late for breakie now? No worries, this will make a great Saturday morning starter.

The second recipe is one that my kids ask for at least twice a week. They love it!!  If there are any leftovers, they can be used the next day for lunch in a sandwich or a salad! (See, make a little extra food at night and you have already started your next day plans right.)

Blueberry Pancakes

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten-free oats-would be better)
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp stevia
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  1. Put rolled oats in food processor and blend oatmeal to a fine powder.
  2. Add remaining ingredients, except blueberries, into food processor and blend until batter forms (about 10 seconds).
  3. Heat skillet, pour batter into a hot skillet, making 4 pancakes and add your blueberries.
  4. Cook until lightly brown and then flip over and cook the other side until lightly brown.
  5. To make them Smurf-tastic mix the blueberries into all of the ingredients and blend!

Balsamic Chicken

  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth(low sodium)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (garlic lover over here, I used 3-4 cloves instead)
  1. On hard surface with meat mallet or similar flattening utensil, lightly pound chicken to 1/4-inch thickness.
  2. Press lemon-pepper seasoning evenly on both sides of chicken.
  3. In large fry pan, place oil and heat to medium temperature. Add chicken and cook, turning once, about 7 minutes or until fork can be inserted in chicken with ease. I covered it while cooking and thus only had to cook it for about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken to warm serving platter; keep warm.
  4. In medium bowl, mix together vinegar, broth and garlic; add to fry pan. Cook over medium-high heat, scraping up brown meat bits, about 2-5 minutes or until mixture is reduced and syrupy.
  5. Place chicken back into the mixture or pour mixture over chicken and serve.

Motivation and a YUMMY Contest

  • Proper nutrition provides energy.
  • Energy helps you move.
  • Movement creates change.
  • Change shows results.
  • Results reinforce challenge.
  • Challenge makes you stronger.
  • Strength solidifies self-confidence.
  • Self-confidence is power.
  • Power is being in control.
  • Control leads to peace.

Peace leads to efficiency in everything you do.  Once at peace, you can accomplish everything faster, better and with laser focus.  Your passion can explode.

Have a passion for your life.  Your life being your physical body as well.  Take care and respect yourself.

*** CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT ***

I know so many of you have been making so many incredible protein smoothies recipes.  So time to get creative….we are having a protein shake contest.

Submit your recipes and we will narrow it down to the top three recipes.  We have some incredible prizes up for grabs!!

So head into your test kitchen, pull out the blender and get mixing.

All entries need to be submitted by July 31st.

Be creative!!! Here is an example to get you thinking about what you can do!!

Re-Cap 

  1. Create your favourite smoothie recipe
  2. Share it with me by clicking here: Smoothie Contest
  3. WIN!! 

Fat burning Cinn-a-bun Recipe

That’s right, you read it right…a fat burning Cinn-a-bun recipe.  Now it doesn’t involve all the crap and sugar you are thinking about (hoping for) but what it does have is awesome flavour and extraordinary benefits!

Cinn-a-bun protein shake

  • 1 scoop of Boot Camp Protein Powder (vanilla)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 tsp cinnamon (more if you would like more intense flavour)
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1-cup sugar-free almond milk
  • 1/4-cup water
  • Ice (optional)

Blend and enjoy!

How that inspires you to share, create and enjoy!!

GOOD LUCK!!

(and press the Share + button below…who knows, someone you let know about this could provide your new favourite taste!)

Where do you get your advice?

As you know, there are a few things that tend to get me fired up.  One of those things that gets me seeing red are diet/weight loss centers.

You all know what I am talking about….

What would happen if Jenny Craig had a romance with Dr Bernstein and they made Herbal Magic together? Bwahahahaha, in the group of diet/weight loss centers I’m going to include Weight Watchers and any multi level marketing company that markets weight loss products.

Put it perspective, would you take financial advice from someone who is broke?

Then why in the world would you take diet and health advice from someone who has no clue?   Weight loss centers have people who have no health/fitness training giving advice on how to lose weight. What??????

People that are trying to sell you some “magic potion” and they themselves are not walking the walk are nothing more than frauds.

Then there are the companies that come up with a magic product that will help you shed pounds and your approached by your neighbour who will try to get you on these products and you will lose a ton of weight and it is incredible!  What do they know about health and fitness?  NOTHING, they know what is put into a script for them by sales and marketing professionals, not fitness professionals. WHATEVER!!!

The diet and weight loss industry is a multi billion-dollar business and companies are trying to take your hard-earned money with some fad product.  Think about it this way.  Their business is selling products to make money.  If their products really worked, wouldn’t they be putting themselves out of business?

YOU ARE SMARTER THAN THAT!!  Yes I am yelling in capital letters!!

You need to exercise and eat real food.  That’s it, that simple.  Yes, that simple.  You want quick and easy, you want long-term, lasting results.  Quick and easy  says to me that you don’t want to put the effort in and that is EXACTLY what these companies are preying on.  Your busy schedule, a desire for the magic fix  and your laziness is what drives these companies.

Would you take weight loss advice from a sumo wrestler?  Heck no!!

Look to people who have had success.

I have lost over 200lbs – I have over 17 yrs of training and experience.  I have seen and heard just about everything.  Please listen when I say that there is no magic potion or miraculous gadget that will get you to your goal.  The secret to weight loss and body management is sweat equity and discipline.

Don’t make it harder than it is.

Eat real food.  That’s not so hard is it? Just do it, no excuses.

Exercise.  You need it and it will get you to your goal.  Yes, that simple.

Be the you that you desire.  Do what is required and don’t look for short cuts. Make a change starting today Oh, and don’t listen to any diet nonsense!

What’s your thoughts? Let me know.

Get Sexy For Summer

(This post by me first appeared on the Yummy Mummy Club site)

Finally! I think we can safely say that summer has arrived. The sun is staying out longer, the temperature is getting warmer every day and the calendar says the little ones are going to be home all day long in just a couple of weeks! Sorry about that last part, I’m trying to get myself psyched up for it.

The best parts about summer are sometimes the scariest for people. (Back to the  kids home all day long). I’m talking about less clothing. Shorter skirts, lower necklines, sleeveless tops and gasp…bathing suits!! Awesome…flabby thighs, turkey neck, bat wings and belly bounce for all to see.

I used to be that girl that found every way to hide every part of her body in summer. Winter was always easy; baggy sweaters, jeans, big coats. Summer? While those clothes were great for hiding life’s little imperfections…I found that heat stroke set in pretty quick when it was 100 degrees outside.

Well, it took a little time, but I found it a lot more fun to have a better body that I didn’t have to hide, than to keep passing out from over heating.

Bathing suits, skinny jeans, that sexy little dress that your husband loves on you. Pool parties, evenings on the patio, walks on the beach, all go better with a body you are proud of.

Don’t hide it…flaunt it. Sorry, not feeling up to it? I know how you feel. But, you don’t need to feel that way. Real wholesome and noticeable changes are easier than you think. Stick to the tips below and you will be rockin the skorts, kitten heels and halters before you now it. (Ok, maybe not…BAD visual)

Exercise – Whys

• increases your metabolism
• burns calories
• helps you sleep and manage stress better
• (resistance training) maintains or builds muscle
• increases bone density
• helps prevent diabetes and assists in controlling blood sugar
• improves heart, circulation and lung health
• improves mood, helps relieve depression and increases self-esteem
• increases mobility and quality of life as you get older
• helps you keep the weight off long-term

Exercise – Hows

• set your goal and put a time line for it
• resistance: challenge your muscles with moderate weight and lots of repetitions
• mix it up: don’t do the same exercise over and over again
• make it a group effort: support for others is a great motivator
• don’t make it a social event: you are changing your look, not planning a tea party

Nutrition

• No processed foods
• No boxed / freezer meals
• No sugar
• No alcohol (OUCH – The kids are home)
• Lots of water
• Lots of vegetables (multiple colours and lots of greens)
• Fruit (not too much and never all by itself)
• Lean protein with EVERY meal
• 3 meals per day with 3 snacks

Unless you are blessed with the genes of a mythical goddess time is going to mess with your ability to keep the 18 year old body you used to sport. (Maybe 25 for me – 18 for me SCARY). But, some good sensible attention to yourself with a dedication to improving the way you look will go a long way to you feeling better about yourself.

Another thing you can do…chase the kids all summer! Make them be happy to go back to school to get a rest from the best mom on the block.

(Image Credit: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Patios, pools, bbq’s and Boot Camp – Yay Summer!!

Summer time is here! Officially by the calendar and by the end of this week also by the fact that our children will be home with us full time!

At the end of summer when you are packing school bags and lunches again and you are thinking back at the months that just passed, what will you be thinking of?

BBQ’s, parties, get-togethers, special drinks, lounging by the pool, hectic days followed by relaxing weekend getaways.

Will you be happy with the decisions you made for your health and your families health or will you have a tinge of regret because you know you ignored your health?

Summer is a time when you can let yourself go and easily forget that a treat here, an over-indulgence there, an end of the day cocktail or a feast with friends can all have a major impact on your weight.

Now I’m not going to tell you not to do any of those things.  I am going to tell you that moderation is a good thing and with a couple of simple things to add to your routine, you can face the fall looking and feeling better than you are today.

1.)  Boot Camp – do yourself a big favour and join our boot camp.  Like minded people all in the quest of a great workout to help offset the summer sizzle.  Outside, using time tested and proven methods of great exercise without costly memberships, stale indoor air, or waiting for machines.

2.)  Water – it’s not just for swimming.  Drinking water is great for hydrating you but also for clearing our toxins and making your body feel better.  It helps to fill you up so that you won’t go back to the food trough as often and it will help your body regulate temperature and aid in burning off fat.

3.)  Say no to alcohol. Gasp!! I know that for some people that is like a death blow, but the truth is alcohol is sugar. Sugar is instant energy for your body but, if you don’t need it, sugar becomes instant fat.  It also messes with your blood sugar and causes all sorts of long-term health problems.

4.)  Walk – forget the car. Need to make a quick trip to the store? Take the shoe leather express and enjoy the great outdoors.  It might not seem like much but it will go a long way to burning off calories.

5.)  Look Better Naked…hold the bun:  When ordering any sandwich on the menu, ask your server to “hold the bun”. Eliminating excess starches in your diet forces your body to burn more unwanted body fat for fuel 24-7. The result- leaner legs, a tighter butt, and a flatter tummy!

6.)  Upgrade Your Salad to Burn More Calories: Anytime you eat, your metabolism increases as you burn calories from the digestion, absorption, and storing of nutrients from food. This is called the thermic effect of feeding. Furthermore, research shows that the thermic effect of protein is roughly double that of fat or carbohydrates. So, boost your metabolism by adding lean proteins sources such as chicken, steak, salmon, or shrimp to any of your favorite salads.

7.)  Go Green to Be Lean: To make any entrée a belly fat-burning treat, replace any starch-based sides like fries or bread with sautéed, grilled or steamed vegetables. Orrrrrrrrr, choose green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, green beans, or asparagus as much as possible since they have the highest amount of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for optimal health. Green veggies are loaded with fiber and help fill you up faster and keep you fuller between meals.

8.)  Boot Camp – hmmm, sound familiar? That’s because you can get some incredible results from spending a few hours a week joining other people who are looking for a quick and efficient way to lose unwanted pounds, tone their muscles and have a great time doing it!

 

 

 

You are where you are because of the choices you have made.

Are you the person you want to be? Are you in the body you want or deserve? Are you happy? Or, have you lost yourself?

I get messages, tweets or in person conversations with people and when they say “I’m am trying to get back to the person I once was”.  Even though that breaks my heart, my response isn’t very often sympathetic.

You are where you are because of the choices you have made.  

Yes, there are always situations that come up which may be out of your control and you roll with them.

But, if you let those situations take total control of your life…who is to blame?

Often we women lose ourselves and take on titles/identities and let them define us….mom, wife, employee, home maker. The worst part of those titles is often the expectation or image that you have set to those titles.

I hear this a lot:

“It’s ok that I am carrying an extra 20lbs, I’m a mom and I’m busy and I am not fit/sexy/vibrant anymore, because I’m a mom now”.  Just to set the record straight; that is total crap.  It’s an excuse!

You are where you are because of the choices you make.

I applaud you for wanting your child to be exposed to every extra curricular activity.  To let them experience everything they can, but are you sacrificing yourself and your family’s health by eating pizza on the way to practice or using the drive through window as the place you gather as a family for a meal?

Do you think that your kids will be grateful that you are suffering health issues because you neglected your health so you could be at every practice?

Think your kids will be happy that you can’t go bike riding or rollerblading because your knees cant take the pressure or you get too winded.  That’s a reality.  What are you missing out on?  Think sitting in an arena, or in the bleachers night after night wishing you were 20lbs lighter is going to get you what you want?  Guess what; you can’t wish away the pounds…. and if that infomercial ever surfaces, you’ve been warned.

Your health needs to be a priority. Read that again.

I spoke with a client today and had shown her some exercises that we would do and her response was “I can’t do that, I am an over weight, middle-aged mom” WHAT??????

News flash….over-weight middle aged moms can kick some serious ass (sorry for cussing-trying to drive the point home) If you have a goal and you want change-you can do anything!  In shape middle-aged moms can do even more!!

We have so many moms that come to boot camp and they are killing it.  They give it their all and THE RESULTS SHOW!

What are you missing out on in life because of your weight or self perceived image? I can guarantee that your kids want you to play with them and they want you to be there when they are older.  They won’t look back and say wish you sat at every practice.  But think of the message you send to them when they look over at you and you are exercising, giving it your all and teaching them through actions that hard work pays off and commitment to yourself is so important!

If you start investing some time in yourself you will be investing time into your family and into your longevity.

I want you all to live a long and healthy life.  Don’t you want the same for yourself? You just can’t wish it to happen; you have to make it happen. Stop making excuses. Make changes instead, make progress for life.

Make some changes…eat healthy and get moving.

What ever happened yesterday is over. Today is all yours….own it!

Power quote:

“The future has several names.  For the weak, it is impossible.  For the fainthearted, it is unknown.  For the thoughtful and valiant, it is ideal.” – Victor Hugo

 

 

 

Whos fault is fat? Update

Big debate…..many issues, many sides, and many make that, very many opinions.

The Toronto Star is doing an obesity series and it is a good read.

Here are the links so far to what’s been said.

We are fat so what’s Ontario doing about it?

Canada’s youth face obesity epidemic

Big Bucks, few controls in the wild west of weight loss

NEW June 21 (Part IV)

It’s time to fight obesity, opposition parties say

My take on this one…no, the time to fight obesity was a decade ago.  The time to fight obestiy was when governemnt decided to remove real physical education from school cirrculums.  The time to fight obesity was when heart disease, diabetes and cholesterol rates started to rise across all demographics and entered into age groups never seeing the diseases realted to fat before. 

Now is not the time to fight obesity…now is the time to fight a generation that has been brought up thinking fat is ok and who believe that, “it’s not my fault.”  Fix the thinking and then we can fix obesity.  Put priorities back on real fitness education and responsibility.

What are your opinions on the issue?

Are you fine with our tax dollars being spent on health related issues that can be avoided?

Do you think it is genetics and that exercise and nutrition are not the issue, or do you think the food manufacturers have done wrong by society? 

Could this be a parenting issue, fast and big lifestyles = fast food obese society?

I would love to know your thoughts on the issues that are being discussed.  Tell me your thoughts and you know, in the next few days, I will let you know what I think.

Focus Friday

Why is it the when the weekend comes a lot of people fall jump off the wagon?  Some people throw the rules out the window in terms of their good food and exercise goals.

“I’ve done so great all week, I’m going to treat myself.  Just a little something special.  A few drinks with friends, maybe some dessert. I owe it to myself.”

That mentality is NOT #WINNING (Hey what can I say, Charlie’s in town). That is an attitude destined for failure.

The truth is the damage you decide to do on the weekend often sets you back so far that you end up working all week hard just to get back on track.  At best you battle those extra calories just to break even.  You don’t get ahead.  You waste positive results gained from Monday to Friday just to blow it up on Saturday and Sunday.  Then they wonder why the scale isn’t moving.  Frustration sets in, self-doubt creeps up and then…the towel is thrown in and they give?

Sound familiar? Am I talking about you?  Well, remember; I’ve been there, I’ve done that, I’ve felt the same way.  So, I offer you this advice from experience.

Decide!

  • Decide right now as you are reading this that you are going to take charge of your health.
  • Decide that you will not go on a food bender
  • Decide that you will grocery shop for healthy food
  • Decide that on Sunday you will make a few meals for the week ahead
  • Decide to exercise
  • Decide to treat your body with respect (eating junk is totally disrespectful. You might as well eat dog food-most fast food is dog food grade meat–think about that for a sec)
  • Decide that your health is your foundation. Without your foundation you have nothing to support you.
  • Decide to be a role model for your children / family
  • Decide and commit to your goal
  • Decide that food cannot fill some emotional gap

Focus

  • Focus on yourself
  • Focus on what will make you healthier
  • Focus on what will help you get to your goal
  • Focus on your goal
  • Focus on people who will support and encourage you, not those that want to take you down and tempt you with food so you can be miserable like them.  Yeah, I said it, you know who you are.
  • Focus on getting endless energy

Get fired up about your life!

It is after all what you make it.  You can be sad that your clothes don’t fit or you can be focused on getting to your ideal size and making them fit!

If you know anything about me, you know I am cheering for you right now (wooooooohoooooo).  I want you to be healthy.  I want you to be happy.  I want you to get excited about life. I want you to be the healthiest and BEST you possible!

Decide and focus!

Let me know if you need a few more wooooooohoooooo’s to keep you going!!!