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FREE 7-Day Slim Down!

 

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! slim_down-pic

If you’ve missed out on previous FREE 7-Day groups, now is your chance! Or…maybe you saw such GREAT results the first time, you want to do it again!? FANTASTIC!

The last time we did this, participants lost an average of 5-7 pounds!

FREE Clean Eating 7 Day Slim down!

What’s Included?
✔Daily Meal Plan w/recipes!
✔Shopping List
✔Daily Support
✔Accountability (in a private Facebook group)
✔Daily workout suggestions (or just commit to 30 minutes/day!)

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP – Saturday July 12th!

Fill out the information below and you will receive an email with additional information and sign up details!

 

*Only non-coaches, and those not already working with a coach.

Challenge Application

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Week 1= DONE!

So I said that I was going to attempt weekly marathon training updates, so update I shall!

Week 1 is in the books! This is my fifth time training for a marathon, but I’m still just as nervous about it as I was the first time! It’s been four years, but I never swore it off forever – like so many do after their first one. I actually knew I’d do it again, I just wasn’t sure when. When is now! I don’t have any nagging injuries (knock on wood) and except for the asthma, I don’t have anything that will prevent me from at least making it to the starting line (knock on wood)!

I’m following my tried and true Hal Higdon Novice Marathon Plan. Why, you ask, am I using the Novice plan for my FIFTH marathon? Well…all I’m really concerned with is getting up to the mileage I’ll need to run the marathon. That means a slow and steady progression, with a few taper weeks, up to the LONG run, which is 20 miles. That happens a couple of weeks before the big day, and then I’ll taper again until the race.

I don’t actually do scheduled “tempo runs” and “intervals”, etc. My method is very unscientific. If I feel good, I run fast. If not, I don’t. If I get an itch, I’ll pick up and sprint for a spell, if not, I don’t. That’s it. I’m not trying to win…just survive.

 

The other reason is that I don’t want to give up some of my other workouts. I love lifting weights and I love doing other cross-training workouts, especially my favorite DVD workouts. I have been doing The 21 Day FIX workouts, since finishing P90X3. And right now I’m looking forward to PiYo, which is set to be released this week! I excited to pair this program with my running schedule because I ALWAYS need help with flexibility and strengthening. 🙂

Ultimately, I don’t care so much about my finish time, I just want to arrive in Chicago healthy, strong and capable of finishing. If I have a good day…GREAT!

I’m also trying to run this time a little more au natural. I will, however, be wearing clothes. I just mean I’m trying to avoid the fuel of the past. I used to rely on Gatorade and GU shots for hydration and food for long runs, but these days I’m just not that into food coloring and massive amounts of corn syrup. I’m trying out some cleaner, more natural alternatives…so we’ll see how that pans out. So far I’ve discovered that I’m not a BIG fan of the way plain coconut water tastes. I could choke it down, but I might need to doctor it up a bit! I’m looking for ideas on the interwebs!

So this week’s schedule consisted of 3, 3 mile runs (I did 2 of them, and walked on another day). And my long run today was a 6 miler. It’s easy now, the weather is nice and the miles are short…but boy when it gets hotter and the miles get longer…it’s going to be rough!

week 1Today’s LONG Run Report

Weather Conditions: sunny, warm, almost perfect ☀

Injury Report: NONE (knock on wood!) ✔

Nature Sightings: loads of wildflowers ❀ ✿ and 1 chalk drawing of male genitalia (does that count as “nature”?)

Songs that Inspired: “Let it GO” by Elsa ❄

Passers-by: friendly, smiles, though not a lot of “hello’s” 🙂

Chaffing: mild

On a Scale of 10: 8 – Legs felt good, it was a success.

 

 

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SO SUPER EXCITED!

Jennifer_fcThis is REALLY exciting for me! When I started coaching and then blogging almost 2 years ago, I started following a blog called Fat Chick to Fit Chick. I loved the way that Jennifer wrote, she’s HILARIOUS and insightful and full of wonderful pop-culture references! I LOVE funny people and all things funny! Besides that, she is so dang inspiring! Her transformation and her journey had me hooked! I have also used many of her recipes and workout ideas!

In short…LOVE HER!

So…I’ve been following her blog for quite some time. And I also follow her on Instagram and Facebook. I truly admire her. She has a sweet little girl she calls “Tink” and her husband Tim is hilarious, too! It’s funny how you feel like you sort of get to know these people you follow on Social Media, and to me, she had become a bit of a celebrity!

Therefore…when I contacted her about doing a Challenge Group with me, and she said YES! My heart was all a flutter! 🙂 She has been intrigued by The 21 Day FIX, so that is the program that she and her husband Tim will be doing in my next, very special edition, Challenge Group! You know I’ve talked a lot about this program in other posts, but I truly can’t say enough about it! I’ve seen SUCH amazing results with it! It is SO effective because it combines Fitness AND Nutrition! And let’s be honest…NUTRITION is the key! You can work out until you’re blue in the face (though I wouldn’t recommend it), but if you fall apart in the kitchen, you’re just not going to see results! You’ll get handy, color-coded portion control containers. So no need to count calories or points! If it fits in the container, you can eat it! And don’t worry…you won’t be hungry. Most participants are shocked at the amount of food they CAN eat! *There’s even a container for chocolate and wine! BAM! The workouts are quick (30 minutes!) and perfect for ANY level! They are basic; no fancy equipment needed, and no difficult choreography.

*If you’d like to join Jennifer, and ME, we’ll start on Monday, June 30. The deadline to join and order will be next Friday, June 20th.

Just fill in the info below, and I’ll give you the details you’ll need to join, and I’ll save you a spot!

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Keep calm and….WHAT?! 50% OFF!!???

☀ TOO GOOD NOT TO SHARE! ☀

Starting TODAY (Wed 6/4) at 3:00 PM EST/12PM PST!!!

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These are some SERIOUSLY deep discounts!! You bet I’ll be grabbing a few of these! 

The offer is valid for a LIMITED TIME ONLY starting TODAY – Wednesday June 4th at 3PM EST/12PM PST until Monday June 9th at 12PM PST – OR while quantities last! Which won’t be long for some of these! Some items will be gone today! Guarantee! If you see something you’ve had your eye on…GRAB it! This link will be live as soon as the sale is opened! So keep your finger on your mouse and get ready to click! 🙂
https://www.TeamBeachbody.com/Shop/summer-sale?referringRepId=186682

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Clean Eating Taco Salad

I’ve stumbled onto something…and it’s my new favorite thing in the whole wide world!

I was making nachos for the kids the other night and decided that I would make myself some sorta health-ed up taco salad! So I had browned and seasoned the lean ground turkey for everyone, and now I just needed to figure out what I was going to do to make my salad deelish! I chopped up the veggies I wanted. I crunched up some baked blue corn tortilla chips – in place of the Doritos that we used to use. All that was left was the dressing! I think I only ever bought thousand island dressing for making taco salads in the past! (Doritos, too for that matter!) So I needed to find a substitute. My invention – as I am SURE that I am the ONLY person who ever thought of this 😉 – well go ahead and read the recipe!!!taco_salad_dressing

Clean Eating Taco Salad (for 2)

  • 1/2 pound lean ground turkey (browned and seasoned to your liking – I don’t use packaged seasonings, *I just make my own)
  • 2 handfuls of baked blue corn tortilla chips – crunched (that’s what I used, feel free to add crunchy bits of your choosing)
  • 2 romaine lettuce hearts – washed, rinsed and chopped
  • 2 Roma tomatoes – diced
  • 1/4 sweet onion – chopped
  • 1/2 sweet bell pepper – chopped

Directions – Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the dressing…oh BOY…you’re going to LOVE this!

And for the DRESSING!

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt (I like Fage)
  • 1/2 cup medium salsa (or whatever heat suits your fancy!)
  • 1 lime – squeezed!
  • little fresh cilantro! (optional but delish!)

Directions for the dressing: BLEND! As in – use a blender, or a food processor would probably work, too!

Top with shredded cheese and black olives. And ENJOY the heck out of it! I have several times since my discovery! I’ve also been using the dressing as a dip, condiment, topping for random objects, etc.

*My taco seasoning consists of lots of chili powder, some cumin, paprika, garlic salt, pepper, oregano and a pinch of chipotle chili powder. I’m sorry…I don’t measure. So that’s probably not very helpful at all!

NOTE for 21 Day FIX-ers: If you’re following the 21 Day Fix OR the 21 Day Fix EXTREME, I use 1 red, 2 greens, 1 yellow and 1 blue and 1 orange for this deliciousness!

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This recipe is from my FREE 7 – Day SlimDown plan!

  • Meal plan
  • Recipes
  • Shopping list
  • Workout suggestions

Just provide your email below! 🙂 

Lose 5-7 pounds in ONE week with my FREE 7-Day Slim Down Plan!

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For more Clean Eating, 21 Day Fix approved salad and homemade dressing recipes, download my free ebook!

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Download my FREE ebook!


 

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How to SCORE Turbo Fire for FREE!

 BECAUSE SAVING $95 JUST ISN’T ENOUGH!? NOPE!

Ok…I have a personal goal this month to help as many people as I can get started with one of my two FAVORITE programs! These are the lowest prices ever offered for these 2 programs, but I want to do MORE!

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So here’s the deal, I am extending a personal offer – ON TOP of the sale that’s already ON – until MIDNIGHT tonight (5/28).

DETAILS!

P90X3 Challenge Pack (complete program PLUS Shakeology) is on sale for $180 (already a $95 savings vs. buying separately) + $25 BACK (from me!) = $155 (now a $120 savings!!!)

OR think of it this way…it’s like buying Shakeology and getting P90X3 for $25!!!

 

Click HERE to order P90X3!

Turbo Fire Challenge Pack (complete program PLUS Shakeology) is on sale right now for $140 (a $90 savings vs. buying separately) + $25 BACK (from me!) = $115 ($115 savings!!!)

Or think of it this way…(this one is crazy). It’s like saving $15 on Shakeology AND getting Turbo Fire for FREE!

 

Click HERE to order Turbo Fire

Offer ends TONIGHT (WED. 5/28) at midnight! TOO crazy to pass up! Help me reach my goal, and help yourself reach YOUR goals! Anyone who orders will be invited to join my Challenge Group for daily support and accountability!

Pick a program and click the order links above, or email me to get more information. 

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T Minus 23 Days!

I’m getting pretty excited about this one! 🙂

“PiYo gives you hardcore definition, intense calorie burn, and allover strength—without weights, without jumps, and without destroying your body.” -Chalene Johnson (creator of PiYo)

Are you on my list yet to be notified as soon as it’s available? You should be on the list cause guess what…you can get it 2 weeks earlier than everyone else when you order through a COACH (like me)!

CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE LIST!

What is included in PiYo?

PiYo comes with 8 different workouts that you can do right at home. They are 25 to 45 minutes long, and vary in the target areas they hit. PiYo will be available to Beachbody Coaches exclusively at Coach Summit in Las Vegas which is just 23 days away! The base program will sell for $59.85! And IF you purchase from a Beachbody Coach (like ME) you will receive a BONUS workout!

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Here is a description of the EIGHT/9 workouts:

  1. First up, Align: The Fundamentals (46 mins)
  2. Define: Upper Body is a focused workout (35 mins) that will strengthen and stretch your entire body, while building on the movement patterns you have learned in Align.
  3. Define: Lower Body (25 mins) will shape and tone everything from your glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves gently, yet effectively to help you get sleek and lean legs.
  4. Sweat (35 mins) is a traditional PiYo Workout that is fast paced with body weight strength training and ab work!
  5. An amazing 30 minute Core workout that will hit every muscle in your POWERHOUSE!
  6. PiYo Sculpt (30 mins) uses body weight to generate muscular endurance to stimulate metabolic changes to totally and utterly transform your figure!
  7. Strength Intervals (25 mins): 25 minutes is all you need of this body carving workout!
  8. Drench (45 mins): This workout not only leaves you drenched, but your metabolism will have been kick-started to ensure you scorch away fat!
  9. BONUS Workout when you order through a coach (Like ME!)

 

Check out this video preview!

What about results?

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Want to be part of my first TEST GROUP!?

The earlier you save your spot, the better! I believe this group will fill up fast! Fill out the application below!

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The Stuff NIGHTMARES are Made Of

So, I had my first (of MANY, I’m sure) marathon nightmares. This one was relatively tame compared to some that I’ve had in the past.

First of all, I’m training for the 2014 Chicago Marathon! Ah! What was Irun_girl_Collage thinking? Yes, I’ve completed 4 marathons, but it’s been 4 years, so I’m feeling pretty nervous about it. My OFFICIAL training hasn’t quite begun yet. I’m in the PRE-training stage of my training. Does that make sense? I’m just trying to get my legs, heart and lungs used to pounding the pavement again. I’m doing about 3-4 runs per week, with a maximum distance SO FAR of 6 miles. That mileage will begin to jump up very soon! It’s going to be a looonng summer!

So anyway…back to my nightmare.

Previous nightmares have been things like, suddenly I get lost in the middle of the race! Or that they’ve decided to throw in some obstacles, like running through buildings, along tight spaces, climbing things, etc… One of my nightmares actually came true! In 2010 (my last marathon), I showed up late and had to sprint across downtown Chicago BEFORE starting my marathon. I was also attempting to pin my bib on myself at the same time. This is not the way you really want to start your marathon. I had to run 26.2 miles after that nonsense!

So last night I had a similar dream. I showed up on time, but realized I hadn’t gone to the Expo the day before to pick up my bib and microchip. The race organizers directed me to a building where I had to stand in line to get my bag, quickly try to attach my microchip and bib, find a place to put my belongings and make my way back to the start. At that point I of course experienced the dreaded ‘running through quick sand’ feeling, where no matter how hard I tried… I couldn’t seem to run! UGH! Thankfully at that point, I woke up and all was well. Crisis averted…for now!

Now…only 138 more sleeps until the race.

I’ve decided to attempt a weekly blog entry to chronicle my training. I’m hoping for lots of nice weather, no injuries and a mild year of asthma symptoms! Is that too much to wish for?

running_momAlso, I started a super cool running group just for moms – or people who have moms – who like to run, or walk, or move briskly from one spot to another! We talk about things like chaffing and running bras and just encourage each other to be awesome! Sounds fun doesn’t it?!


If you’re interested, send a request to join to HERE!

 

PS – I don’t run that fast. It wouldn’t be that hard to “keep up”! 😉

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Don’t Hide Your Bikini Just YET!

You don’t have to be afraid to come out of the locker this summer! There’s still time to get in shape and feel comfortable at the beach or at the pool!

Join me starting June 2 for 30 days! We’ll be working out, eating clean and keeping each other accountable all while having FUN in our daily support group right on Facebook! If you’ve thought about doing a group like this in the past…what are you waiting for? You’ll never know what you’re capable of achieving until you try! 

But hurry! Deadline to join is TOMORROW: Friday (May 23) at midnight!

All you need is a workout plan or program that you will be following for the 30 days. Everyone will commit to 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days/week! *If you don’t have a plan, I can help you pick one (p.s. Check out the SALES below!). We’ll be focusing on nutrition for the 30 days; working on incorporating more clean foods and healthier choices!  We’ll have a private Facebook group for daily check-ins and support. I’ll provide tips, recipes, ideas, suggestions and your daily dose of motivation to help you reach your goals! Interested? Just fill out this brief application:

And to make it even sweeter, this month 2 of my all-time favorite programs are on SUPER sale! I lost my first 16 pounds with Turbo Fire back in 2012 and I still LOVE doing the workouts because they are FUN! Originally $119, this month you can get the program AND Shakeology for $140!!! That is CRAZY! You will essentially get the entire program for $10!

Click HERE to check out Turbo Fire!

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P90X3 is the last 90 day program that I started this past December and just finished a couple of months ago. If I had to pick a favorite program…well…let’s just say that this one is RIGHT up at the top! Check out my results with BOTH below!

Click HERE to check out P90X3!

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With both challenge packs you will get the complete program PLUS Shakeology at a HUGE savings versus buying them separately AND you’ll get me as your coach to help you through! Win Win WIN! Please let me know if you have any questions! I get excited to talk about programs I LOVE!

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It’s ALL Greek Salad for ME!

Mediterranean Vegetarian Quinoa Salad

Let me introduce you to my lunch! Man did this hit the spot today! And I’ve got a TON leftover which will be GREAT for lunches for the rest of this week. And it will travel well, so I’ll be taking it on the go, too! 🙂 PS – You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this salad! As a matter of fact, feel free to add some cut up grilled chicken or whatever meat-type products you’d like!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups veggie brothmed_salad
  • 1 cup quinoa (I used red today)
  • 1/2 red onion – chopped
  • 1 sweet bell pepper – chopped
  • 2 roma tomatoes – diced
  • 1 can chickpeas – rinsed
  • 1/2 sliced black olives (kalamata would be great!)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled reduced fat feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2-3 T. dry)
  • 2 lemons – squeezed
  • 2 t. red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • ground sea salt & pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions (using broth instead of water). Wait until cooled to add to the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Meanwhile chop veggies and add to a large bowl with chickpeas, olives, feta and parsley.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil, salt and pepper.
  4. Add the cooled quinoa to the bowl and toss gently with the dressing.

 

Serving suggestion: I put mine over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce. *It comes with its own salad dressing already, no need to add more!

Makes 8 servings 

1 serving = 179 calories, 6 grams protein, 16 grams carbs.