2 Words

2 words

2 very simple words. 

STOP and QUIT

They seem pretty straight forward and not complicated at all.  After all we have heard them since we were little.  Mom and Dad would say "STOP" and we would do it (most of the time).  Siblings and friends would say "Quit".  Most of the time we would.  

Now that we are older, STOP and QUIT have totally different meanings.   We stop what we are doing.  We quit what we were in the middle of.  Why do we do that?  Maybe it has something to do with what our brain is telling us.  

I started this new program.  I made a lot of choices and decisions when I started because I knew that this was going to be hard.  It was going to push me past what I was "comfortable" with.  I've done other programs and I did ok with them but for whatever reason, this one was different.  I made a 2 fold  promise to myself that has to do with these 2 very little words.  

First- I would not STOP.  Meaning- I would not stop 3 reps into an exercise that was hard or complicated or that pushed me.  Stopping and then just waiting for the next exercise was not an option.  I'm preaching to the choir.  I am guilty.  I have done it.  I have done 3 reps out of 15 and said- Nope-Not today.  That was the first promise I made to myself.  

Second- I would not QUIT.  Quitting any program is not for me.  Have I in the past- Yes!  I have gotten 2 exercises in and just said-Not Happening today- Stopped my workout-Turned Off the iPad and walked away.  These programs are NOT meant to be easy.  If they were easy, we would all do them every single day.  This one is HARD.  I have not Quit yet and I only have less than 2 weeks left.  I will not QUIT a workout or the program. 

Have you ever done this?

Have you ever QUIT?

Have you ever STOPPED?

I am the first to say I have but with this program, neither word is in my vocabulary.  They are just not an option.  I'm over starting and stopping and not finishing what I started or even skipping over the hard.  Are you ready to make the choice and the change?  Are you ready to remove these 2 words out of your vocabulary?  If the answer is YES!, let me know.  Let's celebrate!!!!

If the answer is "I am afraid to commit!", let's talk about it and figure it out!!

It's January and It's Your Time!!!!!

Sweet Potato Skins

Sweet Potato Skins with Chicken and Spinach

These healthier baked Sweet Potato Skins are topped with spinach, perfectly spiced chicken, and cilantro, with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

 Course Side Dish

 Prep Time 10 mins

 Cook Time 10 mins

 Total Time 20 mins

 Servings 4 servings

 Calories 157 kcal

 Author Beachbody

Ingredients

• 4 baked medium sweet potatoes cut in half
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
• 4 oz shredded cooked chicken breast
• 1 tsp all-natural taco seasoning no salt added
• 1 cup steamed spinach
• ½ cup reduced-fat (2%) plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Scoop flesh out of the sweet potatoes and reserve for another use.
3. Place skins on baking sheet. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 10 minutes, or until crisp.
4. While skins are baking, combine chicken and taco seasoning in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
5. Replace sweet potato flesh and top each sweet potato half evenly with spinach, chicken mixture, yogurt, and cilantro.

Recipe Notes

The Nutrition Facts box below provides estimated nutritional information for this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Potato Skins with Chicken and Spinach

Amount Per Serving (1 Serving)

Calories 157Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Cholesterol 26mg9%

Sodium 485mg20%

Total Carbohydrates 17g6%

Dietary Fiber 4g16%

Sugars 1g

Protein 13g26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

GF Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze

These gluten-free cake-style pumpkin donuts are baked, making them a big step up health-wise from their fried counterparts.

 Course Dessert, Snack

 Keyword gluten free

 Prep Time 20 mins

 Cook Time 12 mins

 Total Time 32 mins

 Servings 12 servings, 1 donut each

 Calories 185 kcal

 Author Beachbody

Ingredients

• 1½ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup coconut sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
• ¾ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
• 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil, melted, divided use
• ½ cup canned coconut milk
• Nonstick cooking spray
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup coconut butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp. water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg in a large bowl; mix well. Set aside.
3. Combine pumpkin, 2 Tbsp. oil, and coconut milk; mix well.
4. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; mix until just blended.
5. Place batter in large re-sealable plastic bag. Cut off one corner to create a piping bag. Pipe batter into a donut pan lightly coated with spray, filling ¾ full. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.
6. While donuts are baking, place maple syrup, coconut butter, and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
7. Place glaze in a medium bowl. Dip top of each donut into glaze; place on a wire rack until glaze sets.

Recipe Notes

The Nutrition Facts box below provides estimated nutritional information for this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Glaze

Amount Per Serving (1 donut)

Calories 185Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 9g45%

Sodium 183mg8%

Total Carbohydrates 23g8%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 11g

Protein 2g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

5 Day Update!

I am in shock of myself.
I am sure that is not grammatically correct but that is the only way I know to say it.  I admit I walked into this program with ton of excitement and I can’t lie- a bit of fear to.  When you start a new program and the Trainer has added in a “Fit Test” BEFORE you start the program is a bit intimidating.  I passed the Fit Test.  I’m grateful that I had 80 Day Obsession as well as Morning Meltdown 100 under my belt before.

Day 3 was a bit strange because I was on Day 3 and it was a REST DAY!  I was seriously questioning why!  I went back to the Coach Test Group that I was in and rewatched the videos that Amoila Cesar had posted.  I was considering moving my rest day to a different day but after understanding the principles and the research behind it, I left it and took the rest day.

Day 4- This was the workout I had heard about and I had read about and I confess I was excitedly nervous.  It was a workout that pushed me completely OUT OF MY COMFORT!  I had shared with you all before on Instagram and Facebook that one of my goals for this program is to NOT QUIT and NOT STOP! Yes, there is a difference.  I’ll explain in a later post.  Anyway, I was sweating and pushing and sweating some more.  By the time I was finished with the CRAZINESS that was the workout I was so pumped up I could have taken on the world.

Day 5- I won’t lie.  I was excited it was 5 minutes shorter BUT I found out really fast that it was just as intense!!!!  His “Burnout Rounds” are exactly what it says.  BURNED OUT!!!  It was amazing!  I was so proud of myself for pushing and doing exactly what he asked!!  It was a lot of upper body and that is exactly one part of me that I need to work on!!!!

I am DOING THIS!!!!  Oh yes, one last thing.  Pictures on Monday.  I took my pictures and it was different this time.  I looked at them differently.  I saw them as “My Beginning Point”.  This was not the time to look at them and beat myself up about what I coulda-shoulda-woulda.  This is the a fresh start and I am going to ROCK IT!!!!

I am looking forward to another week.  I’ll update as we go.  I’m so excited!  I would love for you to join me!!!  Fill out the form on the right side.  Let’s chat!!!!

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Bites

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Bites 

These berry-licious frozen yogurt bites are a refreshing summery snack!

 Course Dessert

 Prep Time 15 mins

 Cook Time 0 mins

 Total Time 6 hrs

 Servings 6 Servings

 Calories 129 kcal

 Author Beachbody

Ingredients

• ½ cup finely chopped raw almonds
• 1 Tbsp. coconut sugar
• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil melted
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup reduced-fat (2%) plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. raw honey
• 1½ cups finely chopped fresh strawberries

Instructions

1. Prepare 6 muffin cups by lining with silicone or parchment cupcake liners. Set aside.  
2. Combine almonds, sugar, oil, and cinnamon in a small bowl; mix well. 
3. Divide almond mixture evenly between muffin cups. Set aside.
4. Combine yogurt and honey in a small bowl; mix well.
5. Evenly top almond mixture with yogurt mixture and strawberries. 
6. Freeze for 6 hours, or until firm.
7. Remove from cupcake liners to serve. 

Recipe Notes

The Nutrition Facts box below provides estimated nutritional information for this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Bites

Amount Per Serving (1 yogurt bite)

Calories 129Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 1mg0%

Sodium 10mg0%

Total Carbohydrates 14g5%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 11g

Protein 5g10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

2 Days In-

I am writing this post on Tuesday night.  I am going to write and share about this journey just like I said I would when I posted about drawing a line in the sand.

Monday was Day 1.  The excitement and nervousness and waking up super early because I was so afraid I would over sleep.  I hit the basement ready to “DO THIS”.  I had ONE goal in mind.  DO NOT QUIT or GIVE UP!  I went in with a ton of determination to do it!  I made it through Monday and I thought I would literally throw up.  I worked so hard and pushed like I haven’t in a LONG TIME!  Apple Watch was going crazy half way through because I had already met my “Exercise Goal”.  All I could do was laugh. I didn’t know that this 50+ year old body could push that hard but I DID!

Day 2- I had an idea now of what I was heading into.  I knew how he instructed and I was pumped up and ready.  My arms and my shoulders are so sore and today was leg day.  My legs are the strongest part of me so I was ready...... at least that is what I thought.  However, I was super glad that I had an introduction into using the sliders and the loops when I did Autumn Calabrese 80 Day Obsession.  Today was literally NO JOKE!  I’m so sore but so excited about this journey.  I may not be able to walk tomorrow and grateful I don’t have stairs at work.

I’ll journal through the rest of the week.  Hope you follow along on this journey!  Better yet, instead of just FOLLOWING......why don’t you JOIN ME!!!!!!  The application is to the right- fill it out and let’s have a conversation.  Conversation DOES NOT equal a commitment.
JUST INFORMATION!!!!