Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Smoothie

This is my GO-TO and all time favourite protein smoothie!! I've even mixed up a half serving of this for dessert in the evening when I was craving something sweet - it's that good...and good for you!

1 scoop chocolate Shakeology (or protein powder of your choice)
1/2 banana
1/4 cup plain yogurt or milk
1 tsp natural peanut butter
1 cup water
Ice (as much as you like)

Blend all ingredients (I use a magic bullet) until smooth. Tastes sinful for something that is so good for you!!

5 Things Every Mom Should Do Alone

Let's face it - becoming a mom takes over your life. All of a sudden your entire existence become all about another person - and while it is perhaps THE greatest feeling of all - so many of us often lose ourselves in the process of transition from parentless to parent.

I can personally say this because it happened to me. It still happens to me if I'm not careful. After my daughter was born in 2015, I went through a time where I completely lost myself and who I was. I barely had time to think, let alone read in peace, be with friends or do any of my hobbies that make me feel like "me". I was there for my daughter, my family and my work...but I wasn't truly there in the moment. I was just doing, not living. I would get up, get myself and my daughter ready, go to work, come home, dinner, bath, bedtime routine...then go to bed, get up the next day and do it all over again. I knew what I was doing was important, and I love my Mom title and will always be there for my family, but I realized I needed a little "Me" time to recharge and connect with who I am as an individual too. These are ways I have found that allow me to reconnect with my identity beyond just being a mom - I hope you find them useful for you too!

No Equipment 20 Minute Abs Workout

I've got a great no-frills ab workout that you can done in just 20 minutes! This is my go-to...and Myra finds it funny to use me like a jungle gym when I'm on the floor, LOL! Your abs will be on fiyah after this one ;)

If you need to take a break during an exercise, break for 5-10 seconds and then try to get right back at it for the remainder of the minute. Because the workout is just 20 minutes - we want to get "the most bang for our buck"! 

If you decide to give it a try. Modify when and where needed, & let me know what ya thought!

Why I am No Longer a Beachbody Coach - My Beachbody Break Up

I’ve been a little MIA lately on the social media front, specifically Beachbody and my fitness groups, and I’ve had a few people reach out to me regarding Beachbody programs and coaching, so I wanted to share my decision with you all...
I am no longer a coach…(hence the changes with my blog!)
It has been on my mind for a while and I was waiting until I truly felt the disconnect. Also, I have a lot of people who see me as their motivator who I was fearful of disappointing.

...But it was time

10 Simple Ways to Sneak Exercise Into Your Day

(Without having to make extra time for it!!)

The NUMBER 1 excuse I get when someone shows interest in starting a workout routine or joining one of my fitness challenge groups is….any guesses??

"I don’t have time to workout."

Now, the first thought that comes to mind when I hear this: I can understand where they are coming from, because I felt the EXACT same way before I found what worked for me and for making exercise a daily part of my life. We have so many distractions and time consuming demands coming at us every day that is it easy to feel overwhelmed and like it would be impossible to fit one more thing into your day – like working out.

Why you Gain Weight at the Start of a New Exercise Program!! ANSWERED by Chalene Johnson!

One of the most common topics (issue-not-issue) I get asked about. It happens almost like clock work when a new workout program is started - someone messages me concerned and wanting to give up because they have GAINED ___lbs in the first week or 2! Today I want to put this worry to rest. You all know the great Chalene Johnson. If you don't, she a celebrity trainer and creator of Turbo fire, Turbo Jam, Chalene Extreme, PiYo.........She KNOWS her stuff! Here is the answer to one of the most commonly asked fitness questions/puzzles around! 

SHE WRITES:

"Probably the most common question I get when I release a new exercise program is, "Help! I'm gaining weight! Am I doing something wrong?" This is a common phenomenon with any new exercise program, such as Turbo Kick, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Hustle, or others! It's especially common (and temporary) with intense strength training programs like ChaLEAN Extreme or Tony Horton's P90X.