Winter Woes

I'm just not a fan of winter (I get it from my momma!). Is it just me or does coming home as it's getting dark in freezing cold weather make you just want to cuddle on the couch and watch your favorite TV show? I have to motivate myself daily during these cold months to get my butt moving and work out before I hit the couch. During warmer days I love to run outside with Colbie and since I'm too much of a wuss to do that when it's cold I have to come up with different workouts to keep me entertained. Yearly though, I get bored easily with workouts and like to mix it up constantly! I think that also helps to keep your body from getting used to the same thing and preventing you from changing. If you're stuck in a winter rut I have a few tips and ideas that I like to do!

• Target has a good selection of workout DVDs from yoga to kickboxing and they usually around $10! My favorites are definitely anything Jillian Michaels...she has a way of yelling at you, kicking your butt, and all in a short period of time. 30 Day Shred, No More Trouble Zones, and Kickboxing Fast Fix just to name a few! Jillian Michaels DVDs

• If you're looking for a DVD workout that will really kick your butt and get you in the best shape try Insanity by BeachBody. It'll cost you a pretty penny but it's cheaper than the gym and it's ok having a personal trainer, you'll see the results! BeachBody has other products like P90X (which you've probably heard of) and Body Combat which I'm really looking to try! BeachBody DVDs

• Xfinity has a ton of on demand workout outs available for free. If you have this service I highly recommend them to keep you entertained and able to change up your work out daily. They even break them up into categories so it's easy to find what you're looking for. Xfinity OnDemand Fitness

• The Internet is mother great resource to find free workouts. On Pinterest (of course!) you can find all kinds of sites/blogs that have free workouts. Pinterest Health & Fitness

I hope these ideas inspire you to find new fun workouts to get you out of your winter rut!

smartphone trainer

Your smartphone is a great tool to keep you motivated and on track! I use different apps to keep me in check when it comes to eating healthy and working out.

Here is a list of my favorites...

Health

• My Fitness Pal– Allows you to track what you eat throughout the day as well as your exercise. You type in your measurements and it gives you a calorie goal to achieve. They have a ton of food already stored in the system and there is a convenient barcode scanner that can automatically find the nutritional information. Also you can add friends to follow and help each other stay on track!

• Livestrong– Another way to track your eating and exercise. I'm not as familiar with this one but apparently it is what Carrie Underwood uses!

• Fooducate– Allows you to browse foods to find the healthiest options at the store. You can also scan barcodes and it will give you a grade rating (A,B,C, etc.). It will then let you few healthy alternatives to the product you were thinking of buying! This is a great app for shopping at chain grocery stores like Kroger or Publix.

Fitness

• Fit Commit– This app runs like a calendar that you can "check off" day you've worked out. I like being able to look at the calendar and say "I've worked out 5 days this week!" It makes me feel more accomplished. There are numerous amounts of workouts you can check off. It also can calculate your time and calories burned. If you're like me and do random videos or on-demand workouts I recommend also getting a heart rate monitor so you can get the most accurate number of calories you're burning.

 I have this one!

• Nike+ Running– I use this app when I'm out for a run. It will track your distance, average pace, and calories. Every mile you hit, it will announce your time and pace and will keep a record of your 5k runs to encourage you to beat your previous time. 

• Endomondo– This is another mile tracker. I usually use this one if I'm just out walking, but it will also track a run as well as many other activities. It tracks your duration, distance, and calories and has gps & map so you can see your path. You can also set goals for a certain time/distance/calories or make it competitive and try to beat your own record or even a friends. 

clean eating

What is clean eating? I came across this lifestyle concept about a year ago and try my best to eat as clean as possible everyday! If you're wondering "What is clean eating?" or "How do I start the clean eating life change?" I'd would highly recommend reading Just the Rules by Tosca Reno. It is a great book to get you thinking about what you feed your body! Simple put..."clean eating" is not feeding your body all those chemicals found in processed foods, to go back to foods that come from natural ingredients. The best way is to stay away from those middle isles in the grocery store, the purest foods are found around the edge of the store. And don't be fooled by words on the front of a box, take the time to read the ingredients list and if you can't pronounce some of the ingredients put it back on the shelf! The rule I try to stick with if I'm searching for something other than fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. is the 5 ingredients or less rule. Look at the ingredients list and if there are less than 5 (natural) ingredients you're good to buy! This is the best way to get something closest to natural as possible.

A few resources on clean eating:

Seven Principles of Clean Eating

Approved Food List

Great magazine to subscribe to!

Clean Eating Magazine

Clean Eating recipe mecca:

The Gracious Pantry

I try to eat clean 80%–90% of the time because it is more realistic than to say I'm never eating an Oreo again. Don't feel bad to treat yourself on occasion to your favorite indulgence (mine is ice cream!).

My favorite place to shop is the Dekalb Farmer's Market here in Decatur, it makes eating clean so easy because there are so many beautiful fresh foods! If you have a farmer's market near you I highly recommend making it your usual stop.

Since I've started eating clean I feel so much better and my body is much happier! I highly recommend starting the journey to make eating clean your lifestyle! 

a morning boost!

I love finding fast breakfast meals that will keep me full through the morning! As well as an easy snack to eat when I'm starving before my morning or evening workout! Enjoy my yummy finds! What do you eat for a fast but healthy breakfast?

These are great little snacks to pop in your mouth before a workout or even for an after dinner snack! If you like me I have a big sweet tooth especially at night after dinner and these are a perfect little treat. Or they are great to eat before a morning or evening workout when you need something to get you through!

Energy Bites!

Recipe:

1c. oatmeal

1/2 c peanut butter

1/3 c honey

1 c coconut flakes ( I'm not a huge fan of coconut so I use wheat germ in place of it)

1/2 c ground flaxseed

1/2 c mini chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate)

1 tsp vanilla

Optional: I also added 1 tsp of protein powder to give these an extra punch!

Just mix ingredients all together and make into round balls. It's that easy!

&

My favorite on the go breakfast are these protein muffins. They're pretty easy to make and easy to reheat in the morning before you head out the door!

Power Protein Muffins!

Recipe:

(makes 12 muffins)

- 2 cups dry oatmeal

- 2 scoops protein powder vanilla

- 2 bananas

- 4 egg whites

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1 tbsp vanilla extract

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- I also added 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed and 1 tbsp of wheat germ

You can add in other ingredients to mix it up like: dark chocolate chips, raisins, craisins, almonds!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together.

Divide mixture into muffin pan and bake for 12-15 minutes.

I like to eat mine with a little organic peanut butter or Justin's Hazelnut Butter {organic version of Nutella} so yummy!

ENJOY!

My little helpers :)

a new year, a new you!

I'm starting this new blog to help me & others stay accountable to living life healthy! Over the past few years I have grown to LOVE quote on quote "healthy food" and working out. But I, like everyone, go through low periods where working out and eating clean aren't my top priority (the holiday sesason anyone?). I also am marrying a wonderful chef who makes the most wonderful food and wants to go eat wonderful food that isn't always "butter-free". But it's all about making the right decisions all day every day!

I want this blog to be a place to post my fitness loves, goals, accomplishments as well as clean eating recipes and positive thoughts! I would love anyone else's comments and thoughts as well, we can stay accountable together! 

HERE'S TO 2013!