Family Friendly Pre-Game Warmup for Football Fans!

In just 5 minutes, you and your family can be all warmed up and ready for....the SuperBowl!

You'll be ready to leap off the couch and cheer for your favorite team, or make a mad dash for the bean dip before your family members!

It's simple and easy!
Doing so at your own pace...slowly or quickly!
We don't want any sideline injuries today or any day!

1 minute jog
1 minute stretch
1 minute of bringing your knees to your chest. (One at a time or together for a tuck jump)
1 minute low stance....quick feet. Don't bring your legs up too high for this one! 
1 minute to cool down and stretch!
You did it!

*Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program no matter how fun it can be!* 

A Healthy Shakeology Recipe that Tastes like Dessert!

If you love chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas as much as I do, you may be surprised that you can add them into your Shakeology to make a delicious and healthy meal replacement!

One of my favorite recipes is:

1/2 to 1 packet (or scoop) of chocolate Shakeology (available in vegan chocolate too!)
1 medium sized banana ( you can peel and freeze before adding and you won't even need ice...nice!)
1 scoop of peanut butter or (PB2)
1 cup of milk (or milk substitute) I love almond milk, especially when using the vegan chocolate!
Blend and drink.....Yum!

* Fun additions- 1 scoop of greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of cooked oatmeal, 1 sprinkle of cinnamon*

Now that is a fast food I can eat and not feel guilty about!

What's your favorite smoothie or shake recipe?

Not sure what Shakeology is, or even if it's right for you? Contact me to find out how you can transform your health in 30 days (or you don't pay!)

Family Focused Fitness Fun!

 So, my goals for 2015 are to get focused on my family, faith, fitness, and finances.....What better way to try to meet my goals than to do a fun, family focused fitness challenge....that is FREE!

And I'm inviting YOU to join ME! 
 

• Participate in fun fitness activities designed to get the whole family involved in a healthy lifestyle! 

• Easy to follow tips adaptable for any age group!

• Closed Facebook group with accountability, motivation, and fun runs February 1-14.

We're keeping it simple and driving the mission to make it adaptable for everyone! So that means those with little ones, those who want to get family members involved but aren't sure how to include them long-distance, or just plain...anyone and everyone....moms, dads, grandparents, singles!

• No matter how small or large your fitness goals are, you are welcome to join us for these two weeks!

• We're pairing up our fitness activities with some recipes even the pickiest pallets can enjoy!

All you have to do is comment your email address below and I'll be in touch! 

P.S.  Here's a preview and printable calendar!  Family Focused Fit Calendar
 

FOCUS 2015

It's the last week in January of 2015 and I know I haven't exactly done my best job at keeping my New Year's resolution, but the great thing is....I don't have to wait until next year to start! I'm not giving up! I have the power to change today.....this hour......this.very.minute!

My resolution this year is to FOCUS!

My FOCUS is focused on 4 "F" words.....and NO, not ALL "F" words are bad!

My FOCUS is on Family, Faith, Fitness, and Finances!


I know how hard it can be to multitask especially when you are trying to FOCUS, so instead of focusing on a HUGE goal, I'm breaking it down into little manageable tasks! I'm going to FOCUS on the small things that will add up to make a BIG difference!

 FAMILY-
 Having at the very minimum one dinner a week with family;
Planning a time when all electronics are put away and we can just LISTEN to each other

FAITH-
Showing more gratitude instead of attitude;
Devoting 15 minutes in the morning to prayer/meditation;
Becoming more involved at church
Not being afraid to share my faith

FITNESS-
Starting with eating a healthy breakfast;
Trying to incorporate vegetables into each meal; 
Working out more "on" days than "off!"

FINANCES-
Deciding between my WANTS and NEEDS
Creating a budget and sticking to it!
Being accountable for ALL spending


I know all of these won't happen overnight, but the amazing thing is, I want to be FOCUSED, but I've been struggling with it. If you have all of your four "F"'s figured out, feel free to share how you get FOCUSED! I'd love to read your comments! 

 P.S. Check back in at inshapeforever.blogspot.com because I've got BIG things planned for this year to get us all FOCUSed in 2015!

Sharing Equals Success!

This has to be one of the top scariest thing I've ever done.

Oh, I've taken "before" photographs in the past.....many......many, times.

And I usually hope that no one sees them. I keep them until I've hit my "goal" or my "after", and then I share....and then if things don't go as planned, then I delete, delete, delete!

But, this time is different!

Honestly, the only thing scarier than taking "before" pictures and hoping that no one sees them is actually knowingly and willingly sharing them!

Yes, that's why it's one of the top scariest things I've ever done.

Why is it SOOOO scary?

It's scary because there in no "after" picture.....yet!

Why would I want to share my "before" pictures before I have my "after" pictures?

My Top Reason- There isn't anything in the world that will make you more accountable than knowing that you're sharing your story and pictures in real time!

I am SO sure that I will have amazing results that I'm not waiting until the "after"; I'm sharing the "before" and the "currently"....

I am ready to complete my programs the way they were designed to be completed. And that means for me:

• Working out when I would rather not

• Making smarter decisions and eating cleaner

• Realizing when I am hungry vs- stressed, bored, tired, thirsty

• Making time instead of trying to find time (If you're looking for extra time, you'll never find it....Believe me, I've looked for it everywhere!) 

• Sharing my successes and failures with others who may have been in the same situation before or are currently struggling.

 I know I've been personally guilty of looking at "before" and "after" pictures and wondering if they have been altered, re-imaged; if they were really done in the time frame they said; or if the pictures were even the same person.

I'm hoping that when I have my "after" pictures, I won't be the same person.
I won't be the same person who is tired of being tired.
I won't be the same person who is asked by strangers if they are pregnant.
I won't be the same person who is told the only way to lose their belly fat is to get a tummy tuck.
I won't be the same person who is destined to be a certain shape.

I am ready to work hard and see REAL results in REAL time!
If you want to follow my journey, and see my daily pictures....starting today 1/1/15, then feel free to follow on instagram at: instagram.com/in.shape.forever/

Don't be afraid to share your journey from start to finish!
Don't wait until you hit your perfect "after" pictures to share your story!

 No matter where you are starting from....or where you want to go.....success will happen when you share!

Even if you're not ready to share pictures, don't be afraid to:

• Share your ideas
• Share your goals with family and friends
• Share inspiration
• Share motivation
• Share recipes! 

Thanks for joining me on this mission to become #inshapeforever!

Happy New Year! 

2015- Dream Big!

The fireworks went off, the champagne was toasted. You may or may not have made New Years resolutions. Maybe you know that your resolutions will only last a few hours, days, or even a month of two before it becomes just a thought, or a wish. But, I want you to dream big this year! I know I am! I have a lot in store this year and I can't wait to make this year....the best ever! Let's make it happen! No matter how big or how small your dream.....Make this year YOUR year! Happy 2015! Glad you are here!

Need help coming up with a resolution that you will be able to keep the whole year through? Comment below and I'll help you!

What a Number Really Means

You may have heard people say, "You're only as old as you feel" or "age is just a number." But, today, for me, my age means so much more than just a number.

You see, when I was half the age I am now, I remember sitting with my best friend on the volleyball court stretching before practice and games talking about what our lives would be like when we were the number on our jerseys. When we were 17, the number 34 seemed soooo far away. It seemed like when we became 34, we would have everything we ever wanted.

I remember saying that when I turned 34, I would be married, have a career teaching, and I would have two children. I described the new car I would be driving (a convertible of course!), and the dream home I would be living in. I planned to live in the same town I grew up in.

A lot has happened in those 17 years and it has happened sooooo fast! I don't live in the fancy house of my dreams; my car isn't new nor a convertible; I never married nor do I have two children, and I don't live in the same town I grew up in; I moved away to follow my teaching dreams.

It's funny how conversations stick with you over the years. You have dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and you can be so focused on achieving them, and then when they don't pan out as planned, especially over the years, it can be really disappointing.

I've accomplished a lot over 34 years, and maybe I don't have everything  I've ever wished for or wanted. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

But what I do have, is family and friends in my hometown that love me for "me", and I have friends who have become like family to me where we live now. I also have my health, a car to drive, and a roof over my head, a job that I love, a church that is like a family to me, and a new positive outlook on life. For all of these things, I'm truly grateful.

I'm excited to see what the next 17 or 34 years will bring......and it will absolutely go by just as fast, and quite possibly even faster than these years have gone by.......

Maybe some day I'll get the dream house, new car, ring, or another child. But, I'm ok right now at the number I couldn't wait to be......34! Happy birthday to me! :)