Readers Request: Motivation

By readers request:

I received a few emails asking how I get the motivation to work out everyday. I'll admit, some days its tough. In fact, some days I just simply am not feeling up to it.  But its days like that, that are the days I really need it. So what do I do on those days to get going??

There are many key factors that help motivate me to stay healthy.

Friends: Friends can take you above and beyond what you want to accomplish. Find a friend, mom, sister etc.. that wants to get in shape too. It makes the workout funner and go by faster to when you have someone to share it with. Thats why I love group fitness, I love teaching because its all of those in my class that actually motivate me.  If you can't find a friend before hand, make one!! A simple hello, can spark a conversation.
At GPP, part of what gets me there is that everyone there is a friend, we are there to push and motivate each other. To go faster, lift heavier and achieve our goals. You will find support and the motivation if you have someone to share it with.

Schedule it: Make your workout a priority, treat it as if you would a Doctor appointment. Pick the best time for you in the day, whether it be 5 am or 5 pm. Put it in your calendar, make a reminder on your phone, and don't cancel it. Even if its 10 minutes long. A little somethin' is better then a whole lot of nothin'. 

Pictures: Take a before picture. Then take a picture every month. Watching your body change will push you to continue to do so. Check out mine here.

Husband: The Mr. is a huge motivation to me. He compliments me almost everyday.  He likes me to workout.. probably cause it makes me easier to deal with at the end of the day ;) I think he motivates me so much because he knows how much I love it. On those days that I wake up at 5am he is the one that pushes me out of bed when my alarm goes off. He loves fitness as much I do, so we love to do fitness activities together when we can. He is my biggest support. Explain your fitness goal to your husband or significant other. Ask for their help and you may find yourself being shoved out of bed to ;)

Music: Music is important to my runs. When I am out running or stuck inside on the treadmill, I love to jam out on the latest hits. Don't be surprised if we see a little shake, shake, in my step.. ;)

Here is my latest Playlist. 

Pink-Raise your glass
Sugarland- Stuck like Glue
The ready Set- Love like Woe
Taio Cruz- Dynamite
Lady GaGa- Bad Romance
Linkin Park- Bleed it out
Christina Aguilaria- Show me how you Burlesque 
Ray J, Yung Berg- Sexy Can I
Beyonce- Single Ladies
Enrique Iglesias- Tonight
Yellowcard- Ocean Avenue
Katy Perry- Teenage dream Or the " glee" version ;)

Sometimes it helps to turn on some music before you start your workout. Turn it up in your house, dance around a little, then start your workout. You might even burn a few extra calories ;)

New Clothes: What better motivation is there? Ladies, Splurge, and tell your husband I said it was okay.. ;)
Check out what I splurge on here. 

I hope this gave you some new ideas on how to get and stay motivated. You can do it. If its important to you, then you will make it happen.

Good Luck!


Q. What motivates you? 


Q. Whats your favorite song that gets you through your workout?  

{Faux Lasagna}

I'll admit it. I don't like pasta. Correction.. I don't like noodles. 

Mr. LOVES pasta, because he loves noodles. 

Being the good wife that I am. I will make dinner that has noodles sometimes..

But not tonight. 

{Faux Lasagna} 

Ingredients

• 3 zucchinis
• 2 C. vegetable broth
• 1/4 C. minced onion
• 2 C. red quinoa 
• 1/2 C. Tomato Sauce
• Mozzarella Cheese
• 1/4 C. Basil
• 1/4 C. Parsley
• 1/2 C. Fat Free Cream Cheese.
• 1 half avocado
• 1/2 jar of Marinara Sauce

Slice your Zucchinis into thick strips

layer in a bowl with paper towels. sprinkle each layer with a little salt

And set aside while you prepare the quinoa

Pour the vegetable broth, red quinoa, and tomato sauce into a medium size sauce pan. 

Bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and cover with a lid and let simmer for about 20 minutes until quinoa absorbs most of the moisture. 

Then add the cream cheese and basil and parsley

Mix together until it is thick and creamy..

In a 8x8 glass pan, pour some marinara sauce in the bottom and layer with 

• zucchini, 
• quinoa mix, then 
• cheese. 

Repeat 2 times.

Ta-Da!

Bake in oven for 30 minutes

Allow to Cool for 15- 20  minutes before serving

slice avocado on top for good measure ;)

Sorry babe, Were having faux Lasagna tonight.. But I bet you couldn't taste a difference. 

To Snip or to Parsnip??

I have approximately 3 hours until my hair appointment. 
I just can't decide rather I want to cut my hair a little shorter or grow it out longer.. I have this controversy every time my hair appointment rolls around. I love all the short hair styles but something about the fact that I wear my hair in a ponytail almost every day makes me decide against it. Lets face it, as a mom, there is no time for me to deep condition, brush, blow-dry, style, flat-iron, pomade, and hairspray my hair.. let alone be in the shower longer then 2.2 minutes. 
*sigh.. to snip for style? or not to snip?
I think for now.. I'll decide over a plate of parsnip.. fries.
Parsnip fries are similar to Rutabaga fries. 

Rutabaga on the right------ Parsnip left

• Pre-heat oven to 350
• cut the top and end off the parsnip 
• Peel the parsnip 
• Cut into shape of fries
• Spray pan with canola oil and spread the fries out and spray them with canola oil or olive oil.

• Sprinkle with your favorite seasonings (I used Mrs. Dash)
• Place in oven for 15 minutes
• Turn and back for 15 more minutes and continue until desired softness is achieved. It took me about 3 turns. 

These are a perfect side to any sandwich.

To Parsnip... is always a good decision

flat is just fine.

This morning on my run there were no hills or mountain in sight. This is something that I am actually okay with, especially on a long run training day. The thought of running hills makes me cringe just a little. You have to dig deep and push yourself to reach the top. Actually, some of my favorite everyday running trails have hills, but after the leg shredder yesterday.. Flat is just fine. 
When I got home two little ones were flat on their backs. 

morning mom!! 

That is just what breakfast was too. Flat. But not in flavor.. 


A toasted Thomas thin bagels smeared with Goat cheese and a poached egg white sprinkled with Mrs. Dash. 

The goat cheese was PERFECT atop the bagel thin

close-up

Dig In. 

Yes, flat is just fine.

protein blueberry muffins

Thank you to everyone for your sweet comments on yesterdays post. They really meant a lot. It was something that I really hesitated on posting. I'm thankful for your love and support.
Now, who wants a MUFFIN!?

BLUEBERRY PROTEIN MUFFINS

You need:

• 1 C. Old fashioned Oatmeal
• 1/2 C. Oat Flour
• 1/2 container of vanilla greek yogurt
• 4 scoops of vanilla creme Elite protein powder (any vanilla would work)
• 1/4 C flax seed
• 1/2 C Applesauce
• 1 C. Fresh Blueberries
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Baking Soda

Pre-heat oven to 350
Mix all ingredients together and fold in the blueberries last (It will be thick)

Line cupcake pan with your cupcake cups and spray with canola oil (or pam) and place a spoonful or two into the cups.
Bake for 15 minutes

Love the growth..

ENJOY!

6 months & blackberry bars

 Good Tuesday Everyone!! Yesterday, I had a taste of being a full-time working mother. For those of you who don't know, I used to work full time at a pediatric dental office prior to the twinners. I worked their for 7 years and enjoyed every moment. I have to admit, I like work.. I loved that job. But I missed my babies the ENTIRE time. And I just felt so overwhelmed when I got home.. So props to ALL of you FULL-TIME working mothers out there. How exhausting!? Luckily, that was a one time deal.. I was covering for someone who couldn't work that day. But it was good to see everyone and actually work with my boss & sister again.
It just makes me truly thankful for a hard-working Mr. that has to go to work ALL day EVERY day..

Okay- enough rambling.. (sorry, I'm good at that)  Lets Start off with what we woke up to today...

And its still pounding..

only oats would suffice..

1/2 cup of oats

scoop of blueberries

1/2 scoop of vanilla elite protein

1 T slivered almonds

2 t flax seed

cook your oats in the microwave with water for 1 minute, then throw all your mixes in!

fast and easy

DESSERT

{BLACKBERRY PIZZA}

after such a long work day, I think I deserved this.

• 1 1/2 c. oats
• 1 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. slivered almonds (you can use any kind of nut)
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1/3 c. smart balance butter melted
• 1/3 c. almond milk (or cow milk would work also)
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 1 c. organic blackberry jam (look for natural, low sugar)
• 2 c. fresh blackberries (I got mine at costco)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• In a large bowl combine oats, flour, brown sugar, nuts, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

• Mix Melted butter and vanilla in another bowl

• Pour butter mix into oat mix. Stir together.

• Press into bottom of round glass dish

•  Leaving about a 1/2 C. and put aside

• Mix 1 cup of jam and mash your blackberries together

• Bake your oats until slightly brown on top--about ten minutes

• Spread your jam/blackberry mash on top and sprinkle with your remaining oat mix crumble on top and bake for 15-18 minutes longer

Delicious!

You can serve with whip cream or ice cream or both..

SO GOOD.. and ps. doesn't make a shabby breakfast bar either ;)

{6 Months}

The Twinners are now 6 months old!!

Welcome to..

Teething and Constipation..

T&B are chewing on anything they can get their hand on.. but mostly their hands..

Baby food.. is not agreeing with the other end.. This is normal so I have heard.. but I'm starting to add more fiber.. baby oatmeal compared to rice and apples instead of pears.

hopefully that will help the little ones out.

These two are my life, I love them more than anything! I can't believe how fast it went by. They are changing each and everyday and learning new things that surprise me ALL the time!

I realize I haven't posted very many post babies pics.

The reason I started this blog was to motivate me and you to get back into our pre-baby bodies.

Now, I hesitated to post these.. because, in the past 6 months I have trained differently then I ever have in the past. Lifting Heavier, Spending actually LESS time in the gym.. started swimming and just started training for my half and basically teaching a few times a week.

I have been eating very clean and pushing myself harder at the gym and not wasting a minute.

My results are mine alone and I continue to want to improve, These pictures mostly focus on my core, but I have noticed a difference throughout my entire body and mind.

I have only been involved at GPP for only a 2 months. The difference to me is remarkable. I feel stronger and healthier. It is possible for everyone

Only you can make the decision to make a stronger and healthier you.

This was me the day I went into labor

6 weeks post babies..

This was 3 months post babies

(It was shortly after this when I decided to walk into GPP)

5 months Post babies -- 1 month after starting at GPP

6 months post babies-- two months @ GPP

{today}

taken early this morning..

I am still striving to be healthy each and everyday, I really hesitated to post these because

one- I think the body of a mother is an amazing thing, and EVERY body is different.

two- Its just learning about your own body and what works best for you.

three- I still have room for improvement.

four- I think posting pics of yourself is lame... especially via I phone.

I decided to post them in hope to motivate you, To prove that it IS possible for anyone to get your body back after having a baby... or two..

If I can do it, YOU can to!

I want to stress, that I always but my babies first, some days I make it into the gym, some days I don't. I am with them throughout each and every day. If I am not the Mr. is. 

 If I need to get up at 4:30 am to make sure I get my workout in. I do it.

There is a happy balance in everything.

I want to thank the trainers at GPP, Neil, Meg and Lizz for their motivation, knowledge and strength each and everyday. My friends and members of the gyms I teach at for pushing me to be my best, I really look up to each and everyone of you!

Q- Any ideas how to soothe teething twins and or help for red faced (constipated) babies?!!

Apple-Cinnamon Protein Pancakes..

Wow.. that's a mouth full....of deliciousness.. Anyway before I get to that, I want to talk about last night!
Last night The Mr. and I went on a date with just us. Seriously, we tried to remember the last time just the two of us went out and it was our anniversary LAST year, which is in February. A little overdue? I think so.. So thanks to our friends that came to watch the twins for us while we went out on the town.
We decided to go rock climbing! The Mr. took a rock climbing class in college, but its been awhile so we were both rookies at this point. We went to this place called momentum. It was awesome! The walls are HUGE and they have different levels everywhere. I personally like the easy road.. Big rocks that are easy to grab and spaced close together..

Half way up.. Yes I know, my outfit rocks.

ps. I did make it to the top

Mr. chose a more difficult level. 

Piece of cake. 

Here goes handsome

We decided to go rock climbing! The Mr. took a rock climbing class in college, but its been awhile so we were both rookies at this point. We went to this place called momentum. It was awesome! The walls are HUGE and they have different levels everywhere. I personally like the easy road.. Big rocks that are easy to grab and spaced close together..
This was a really fun date, the only thing is that their really aren't a lot of employees around to help you tie your knots and teach you the "ropes". Luckily, this cool chick helped us out, so we didn't fall to our death.
We had such a fun time! After the climb, we were hangry, so the Mr. and I went to RED MANGO, Seriously, this is not your normal yogurt place.. I know there are so many, but most are laden with sugar, cornstarch etc.. (fake healthy) Red mango is an all natural yogurt, gluten free, kosher, filled with probiotics, fresh and delicious! I always usually get  original which is only 90 cal. for the small, and I add raspberries and Graham cracker crumble on top! They have a dark chocolate right now that the Mr.  got and it was SOOO good.. good thing he got a large so I could steal a few bites ;)

perfection

After such a late night, this morning we woke up craving Pancakes!! I didn't have anymore blueberries, so blueberry pancakes were out..  I browsed the Internet and found a recipe from mama pea. So I asked the mister.. How about apple-cinnamon? 

yes, please.

 Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes

makes about 7 pancakes

• 1/3 c. oat flour
• 1 T. ground flax seed + 3 T. water
• 45 g vanilla protein powder (equivalent to 1 1/2 scoops)
• 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1 Tbs of truvia
• 1/4 c. non-dairy milk (+/- 2T.)
• 1/4 t. vanilla extract
• 2 T. chopped apple
• extra cinnamon
• maple syrup of your choice for topping

take the ground flax seed and mix it with 3 T. of water and set aside until it has a egg white consistency

pic doesn't really show.. but leave it for about 7-10 minutes.

 Mix Oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, stevia, milk, vanilla and flax “egg” and process until smooth.

Add more milk if necessary to get batter to the desired thickness.

Spray a skillet with pam/canola spray and heat over medium heat.Pour batter onto skillet and sprinkle with a little more cinnamon and your sliced apples  

Cook for several minutes, until edges are starting to brown and center of pancake is starting to set.  Flip pancakes and cook on opposite side until cooked through.

remove from heat and top with your favorite topping

Pure maple syrup!

now, the babies are napping I'm going to settle down and try to read more than 1 page..

has anyone read this??

I've made it to chapter 2 and I have had it for a week already!?

No time.. but I'm determined to finish it. 

even if it takes all year. 

Don't forget to comment on my last post about free weights vs. machine wieghts? 

no offense but I know a lot of you read this blog.. after all thats what your doing right now..

but you all blow at commenting.. 

prove me wrong. 

loves xoxo