Feel Good Friday

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas surrounded by loved ones & the

warmth of the season.

If we focus on being grateful for our blessings, we recognize and
see more blessings. If we focus on our peace and tranquility, we find
more calm. If we focus on our accomplishments and successes, we will
find ourselves well on our way to achieving more goals. But the
reverse is also true. If you expect to always be let down by people
and find the wost in people, you will always find something negative
around you and in others. If you say to yourself that you're
unhealthy and will always be unhealthy, you probably will be. If you
tell yourself you can't accomplish anything, you probably won't
anytime soon. If you find yourself bound by excuses for not working
towards your goals, you will continue to find more and more excuses
until every day is put off to tomorrow.

Be cognisant of all of the blessings in your lives. You can't
simultaneously be grateful and feel sorry for yourself. Recognize the
incrediblemess of every little success you acheive. You are amazing.
Celebrate the tackling of each barrier in your life. Dr. Randy Pausch,
author of The Last Lecture, said that "Brick walls are there for a
reason. They let us prove how badly we want things." Every obstacle
and excuse that blocks your path can be overcome, but only YOU know how to overcome your own brick walls. Show your passion and vigor. Prove to yourself how badly you want the fit you. I am so
inspired and impressed with how hard you have been working towards
your goals during the time of year when excuses are more plentiful
than snowflakes. Your perseverence helps me push forward!

I am so grateful for each of you! Your friendship and encouragement
have been amongst my biggest blessings I have reflected upon this
holiday season.

Merry Christmas! I love you all!

Feel the Burn Thursday

Happy Christmas Eve, ladies!

So how many of you got in a great icy shoveling workout this morning?  I know Meghan did!  Hope it felt great when you were done.  What workouts are you squeezing in today, tomorrow, & this weekend? 

Check out this article about how to Winterproof Your Workout.  What's something new you could try to mix things up?

Whatcha Eatin' Wednesday?

Good morning, girls!  For those of you who did the side-challenge, THANK YOU, and we know by looking at your list what YOU'RE eating :)  But please share a new recipe or old recipe with us, some tip or trick with regards to food, let us know how you do the amazing things you do :)

My new Fitness magazine came a couple days ago and last night I ripped this yummy Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken w/ Sweet Potatoes recipe out b/c it sounded so good & I wanted to try it in January. 

The Roasted Chicken w/ Zucchinni & Feta sounded yummy, too, but I'm going to make it with chicken breasts instead of thighs.

For those of you hosting Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas dinner for your family, what have you planned that's healthy?  We're having two families over, guys that Doug works with.  I can't wait!  One family's bringing ham.  I am baking up Rhode's multi-grain rolls (my fav kind!).  As opposed to cheesy taters or mashed taters & gravy to go with our ham, I'm making this Sweet Potato & Apples Casserole.  Can't wait to try it! 

I love that it doesn't have brown sugar in it- just lots of all-natural flavors and sweetness.  We'll give it a shot! 

Is there anyone else out there who WANTED to do the side-challenge schedule but just hasn't had the time to?  Let me know, because if so, I'll gladly hold off on the prize-drawing until everyone who wanted to participate has.....

Tuesday's Motivation

Good {albeit late} Morning, Winter Beauties!  I'm a bit slap happy today :)  It is so motivating and inspiring to read real people's success stories!  It helps us to realize that it DOES take a long time but that it's DOABLE and that people like US (or better yet people with even more excuses than us) can make their DREAM bodies happen!  SO, here's the charge for the day: search online and share a link for your favorite success story that you come accross, one that particularly motivated you or sang your song.  There should be zillions out there (but if you get stuck, you can check out Fitness Magazine, Shape Magazine, Runners World Magazine, Women's Health, Weight Watchers, Biggest Loser, etc. )  I can't wait to see them all and to be motivated to kick even MORE butt this week!!!

Here's my favorite :)  Lisa Delaney in Runner's World  I think I had to pick a runner b/c I am passionate about that and running not only helps the pounds come off, it heals and transforms people.  The successes and progress are so much easier to quantify and measure than other workouts, too, so I think you're proud of yourself earlier on in the weight loss than journey other strategies.   I just LOVED her success story.  I loved how she turned around her thought processes from a diet being all about things you "CAN'T" do to being all about finish-lines everywhere in your life.  

"I still experience those rock-star moments, every time I make it through a 5 a. m. six-miler when I'd rather be in bed, or finish a hard set of intervals on the treadmill at the Y. There may be no cheering crowds, no medals, no booming baritone announcement. But the finish-line feeling lives on, in my head and in my heart."

Side-Challenge: Schedules

Email me your schedules for the next two weeks and I'll print them out then scan them in as .jpg files to post here!  Click on each to see it enlarged. 

Sarah's Game Plan:
I just revised my schedule to reflect how I REALLY eat, and to provide for the flexibility of my "moods" in what I feel like eating any particular day.  This will be more realistic for following & provides more flexibility.  Can't wait to see what the rest of you are doing!!!  It will give me good ideas for the two weeks after this challenge instead of the same ol' same ol' :)  I hearby COMMIT to the following schedule:

Abrey's Game Plan:

"Here is my schedule for the next two weeks or at least a pretty good idea of what will come. I know things will not be exactly as ordered but I do have the menu worked out and my workouts haven't been changing much except adding time/distance/weight."

Red Hot's Game Plan:

"I don't have a schedule, but I do have a plan:  I hereby commit to the following schedule:  I will diligently write down everything I eat and not "sneak" any treats (w/o accountability).  I will go running every day that we're on vacation...free babysitting, so no excuses!!"

Jen's Game Plan:
"Here's my 2 week plan. I want to explain a little: I usually only plan dinner; however, when staying with relatives I have no control over that, so I just will do my best. During the day I do lots of repeat snacks, each a combination of a fruit or veggie with a protein and maybe a whole grain. If it looks repetitive, it is, but I like all these foods. I vary the smoothies or yogurt to add variety. I planned to have 1 treat on Christmas and 1 on New Year’s Eve. Make it a great 2 weeks everyone!"

Dec 22

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

oatmeal/walnuts/milk

Traveling: String cheese, granola bar, apple, grapefruit, prunes, handful of mixed seeds/nuts, deli meat slices

Sweet potato, cottage cheese

Sandwich for dinner

Dec 23

Yoga /15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, Egg white sandwich

My mom’s food: I’ll select meat and a veggie.

Dec 24

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, Egg white sandwich

My mom’s food: I’ll select meat and a veggie.

Dec 25

Yoga / 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, deli sandwich

Chili, 1 treat.

Dec 26

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese,

Party: lowest fat/sugar & highest protein choices

Dec 27

15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese,

Party: lowest fat/sugar & highest protein choices

Dec 28

15 minute walk

oatmeal/walnuts/milk

Traveling: String cheese, granola bar, apple, grapefruit, prunes, handful of mixed seeds/nuts, deli meat

Sweet potato, cottage cheese

Sandwich for dinner

Dec 29

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk
Yogurt/oatmeal/flax meal, smoothie, salad with ham, granola/string cheese

Black Bean Soup

Dec 30

Yoga/ 15 minute walk

Smoothie, omelette, PB toast with apple, prunes, granola/string cheese

Eating out: salad at restaurant.

Dec 31

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal, egg white sandwich, smoothie, granola/string cheese

Homemade pizza

1 treat

Jan 1

Yoga/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, salad

Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup

Jan 2

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, smoothie, omelette with veggies

Sesame Chicken with brown rice

Jan 3

15 minute walk

String cheese, granola bar, apple, grapefruit, prunes, handful of mixed seeds/nuts,

Black Bean Chicken Soup with Almond Nut Corn Bread

Jan 4

Joining the gym today to start running on the treadmill 3X weekly.

Tara's Game Plan:

Marianne's Game Plan:

"I have made a simple schedule that I feel like I can honestly stick to. Simplicity is the key for me - I make everything on this schedule easily and quickly and our 3 kids eat everything listed very well (even our littlest Luke with soy and milk allergies). When I have simplicity in the kitchen, I am out enjoying more active parts of life more and have happier children - thus, again, freeing up more time for play and other projects. I'm going to duplicate this schedule for the second week, too. Minus the ham on Christmas, but including the cross-country skii on saturdays! Sat Jan 2nd is the Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe/Hike at Blue Mounds State Park. Here's a link for info: http://www.wisconsinguides.net/candle-light-ski-314.html "

wed

kashi go lean

cut vegis

grilled chicken steamed vegis

4 mile run

grilled vegis, berry smoothie

thurs

kashi go lean

apple

roasted vegis, squash soup

turbo jam, elliptical

vinegar popcorn, salmon

fri

kashi go lean

cut vegis,

at lakehouse with friends, roughly expect:

oatmeal cookies, ham, grean beans

roasted pear, gingerbread

run 4 miles, sledding with lots of kids

sat

at lakehouse with friends, roughly expect:

kashi go lean

apple

cheeseless pizza

cross-country ski

berry smoothie, gingerbread

sun

kashi go lean

cut vegis

whole grain bread and jam

potroast, vinegar popcorn

mon

kashi go lean

cut vegis

grilled chicken, steamed vegis, brn rice

4 mile run

grilled vegis, berry smoothie

tues

kashi go lean

apple

leftover rice dish

turbo jam, eliptical

black bean soup with whole grain bread

Monday Morning Check-in

Hello, ladies!  How was your check-in this morning?  Let us know how much you're up or down, any changes in energy or how you feel. Can't wait to hear!

And the winner of the Crisco sculpture side challenge was Amy! Congrats, Amy!  You win a pack of handwarmers and an iTunes giftcard to help with your winter running!

The new side challenge today to carry us through the next and final two weeks comes from Nicki. Inthe next day or two, come up with a schedule for meals, snacks, & workouts for the time period of 12/21-1/3.  For those 14 days, plan out your effective strategy for beating the holiday hullabaloo. Email me your shedules in whatever format you want, as simple or as detailed as you want, then I'll post them all on here. Let's say by Wednesday morning?  Does that sound ok?  Then from all the girls who participate, we'll draw a name of a winner and that person will win Amy's Arbonne prize :) I know this will help us all!