Happy New Year Goals!!

Happy New Year everyone!! I seemed to have dropped off the face of the planet there for a bit...my husband and I went to Australia to celebrate our 5 year anniversary!  And just for the heck of it.  But I am back and ready to go for the new year!  Which brings me to the fitness end of new years...did you make a resolution yet?  And did it have something to do with your health?  It seems like that is what most New Year's resolutions are all about.  Getting thinner, losing weight, exercising more, dieting.  But by the end of January, most people have quit.  Something like becoming  a healthy person really needs to be an entire lifestyle change, not just a short term goal.  So make your resolution, but I suggest making it be "I resolve to live a healthier lifestyle, including all aspects of doing so."  Then have someone hold you accountable for your actions.  Someone that will encourage you to NOT quit by February.  This is a perfect time to start seeing what you can achieve. 

 

What is your goal for this year?

How the Pros Stay Lean Article

I got this article in an email from Active.com the other day, and half the reason I'm posting it is because I don't want to lose it.  It actually has really good tips for an ATHLETIC way to slim down, especially when you are trying to get off just a couple pounds for race day.  This is something I might try after I get back from vacation (which by the way is to...AUSTRALIA!!!) in order to be in the best shape for my XTERRA triathalon in March.  These are decent points even for those trying to lose weight for non competition purposes as well.  It shows that fancy diet plans are not needed - just small changes can make a difference.

http://www.active.com/running/Articles/How-the-Pros-Stay-Lean.htm

A Lesson for Us All...

 

This one is especially for the ladies... oh my darlings!!  I have heard so so so so many people overly concerning themselves with their scale lately!  Please look at it and really take a moment to think about it.  I want to encourage you all to focus on being HEALTHY and FIT!  If you are these two things, your weight will be what it is. 

This picture really does speak a thousand words...and is a good lesson for everyone about the number on the scale.  Most people associate a lower weight with a healthier body and a higher weight with being fat.  This girl is an excellent example.  Ahe looks stronger and skinnier after she gained 14 pounds!  Now in the process of doing that, she lost several pounds of body fat and replaced them (and added some more) with lean muscle.  Althouh its hard for many people (including myself) to accept, the scale lies!  If you want to really measure your health, you need to get your body fat tested, take before and after pictures, and chart your measurements (upper arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs). 

 

Caribbean Spiced Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I love this holiday...all the amazing food!  Not to mention the chance to really thing about everything that we are thankful for.  I can't believe how blessed we are.  We have so much excess stuff, great health, an unstressed bank account, amazing friends, the best family, and an amazing God that has blessed us with this all.  We are so thankful.  Anyways, back to food... I thought in honor of Thanksgiving, I would share my very favorite sweet potato recipe!  I just love these.  The best part is, they are eons healthier than the traditional sweet potatoes loaded with marshmallows and brown sugar. For a more traditional taste, you can eliminate all the spices but the sugar, salt, and pepper.  Hope you enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Caribbean Spiced Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

3 Medium Sweet Potatoes

1 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

2 tsp. Sugar

½ tsp Salt

¼ tsp. Pepper

¾ tsp. Ground Allspice

¾ tsp. Dried Thyme

½ tsp Garlic Powder

¼ tsp Cinnamon

1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Directions:


Preheat oven to 325. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into rounds approx. ½ inch thick. Place a cooling rack on a baking sheet. Place potato rounds onto wire rack and bake for 30 minutes. (See Above)Remove from oven and increase temperature to 475. Remove potatoes and cooling rack from baking sheet and place baking sheet in oven. After allowing potatoes to rest for 10 minutes, then toss potatoes in oil.

Mix spices together and sprinkle over potatoes. Remove baking sheet and put potatoes on it. Return to oven and bake for 15 minutes, flipping potatoes once at 8 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

 

 

A Movie Suggestion... Chasing Mavericks



This past week, my husband and I went to see the movie Chasing Mavericks.  It is the story of a young boy convincing a father-figure surfer to train him to surf the Mavericks, one of the largest surf breaks in the world.  The 40 foot plus waves that roll in at this California surf break are technical and extremely dangerous to even the most talented surfers.  The movie is based on the true story of Jay Moriarity. 

 

This movie was one of the most inspiring I have seen, and not just because I love surfing.  It shows the journey one takes when training for an event.  It shows how truly grueling it can be, but also how very rewarding it is in the end.  The lessons learned can apply to many areas of life, but to anyone in training for an athletic event or anyone needing some inspiration to take the risk of training, it is truly inspirational.  Last time I posted, I shared that I am training for the XTERRA, an extreme of road triathalon.  I found many applications throughout the movie to this current adventure that I am in.

 

I highly recommend each of you take the time to watch this movie.  Training for any challenge is risky to the body, but even moreso to the mind.  You give youself the chance to fail.  But if you never take the risk, you never feel the thrill of success and accomplishment.  Watch this movie and you will see how beautiful taking the risk of training can be.

 

The Next Challenge...

With one week of training under my belt, I can officially say that I am training for the XTERRA race here in March.  XTERRA is an extreme triathalon with a 1500m open water swim, 22 mile bike through the mountains (on trails, not so much the road) and a 5 mile jungle run.  I got my very own bike and have upped my training in every aspect.  I can't remember the last time I was so sore and exhausted, but I am LOVING having something to train for again.  Why did I choose this race?  Because it terrifies me.  I have never challenged my body to this extreme before.  And I love beating my own fears.

Exhausted and covered in dirt after a mountain training excursion!
 

So what scares you physically?  And how are you going to challenge and beat it?  And what are you training for next? Let me know!

Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Cookies.

I am so sorry I have been lazy on posting on my blog!  I feel so bad about it because I have so many ideas, Ive just been so busy running around learning about my new job.  Which I am LOVING by the way!  The other trainers have been so helpful showing me the tricks of actually working in a gym, and I oficially start with my first clients next week!  Yay!!  I am so blessed!

 

Anyways, I know I just posted a breakfast cookie, but with fall coming, I redid the recipe to incude pumpkin, which I have been obsessed with lately.  Its a very similar recipe, still gluten-free if you use the right stuff, and still very good for you!  Plus its a nice change up. So here you go!

 

 

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Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Cookies

 

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 Tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tsp. Pumpkn Pie Spice 

1 1/2 - 2 Cups Oatmeal

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Mix bananas and pumpkin together. Add in protein powder, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.  Add oatmeal. Let batter sit for 10 minutes.  Scoop onto greased baking sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon or more pumpkin pie spice. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown on top. (Be sure to keep an eye on them.)

 

Makes about 8 cookies.

 

Optional:  I haven't tried it, but I think a few dark chocolate chips would be amazing in these.  Yum!

 

Note: These are very moist.  Keep them in the refridgerator to extend their shelf life.

 

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