Friday, March 30, 2012

Dales Raw Foods HUGE One year anniversary sale!!!

Please check out Dales raw foods on my link to the left of my blog, they are having a One Year Anniversary sale until Tuesday April 3. If you haven't tried his AWESOME protein bars now is the time and if you have, now is the time to stock up and save. There are a few ways to save listed below:

Save 20% on your entire order using coupon code 1YEARSALE when you checkout to get your 20% discount.

Use this coupon for all items:

-RAW Protein Bars - "The Best Protein Bars On The Planet"
-RAW Protein Powder - Vegan blend of hemp, pea, and rice protein.
-RAW Greens and Maca Powder - The best SUPERFOODS all in one powder

Or

Choose from the following Combo Packs:
-One Box of Each Bars Combo - 8 boxes, 96 bars with just 1 click! - save 42%
-Best selling Bars Combo - 4 boxes of our top sellers, can't go wrong with these! - Save 40%
-Very Berry Combo - 3 boxes of our fruity flavors, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry. - save 37%
-Low Carb Bars Combo - 2 boxes that are lower is carbs and sugar from our regular bars. - save 33%

Hold on, There's more, and it's FREE...
For all orders over $100 (before shipping) we will throw in a FREE 300g bag Dale's Raw Protein.

That's a $19.99 value and it's yours FREE with you order of $100 or more (before shipping).

Happy buying!!!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

A day in the Fitness Training Life, how I am preparing my body.

I am writing this post, as request by a few of you.  Now, I have been hesitant to do this because I want you all first to understand that everyone is different which means that no two people are the same.  I tell you this because I am going to explain what I do, eat and train on a typical Tuesday of my life and please, don't feel like you need to compare yourself to me or change your whole routine because of what you read.  My body is different, I train different and I eat different then most of you because I am training for a show, I need to bulk up and gain muscle, but also keep a lean physique so that I don't have to much body fat to lose in a short period of time and I am currently breast feeding a 4 month old baby which also requires a few hundred more calories in my diet.  If you are interested in a fitness program or nutrition program that meets your needs and your lifestyle, I am available to help you do that, I can coach you in person or online, but please don't assume my fitness and nutrition routine is going to work for you like it does for me.
Some things you need to understand before I begin with my day. First, is that I am training for a show, unlike most of you reading this, it requires a lot more nutrition and fitness focus. Second, just like all of you, you need to monitor what you eat and how your body reacts. This means if I am eating a certain amount of healthy fats, carbs and protein and I am gaining or losing muscle or weight, this means I need to change up my diet and either add or take away certain things until my body responds to how I need it to respond.  Third, I am currently 12.9% body fat and weight 123lb and I am a female, so most of you are not at the current state that I am in and need to train and eat according to your body type, body fat, gender and ultimately your goal. Last, please remember that muscle weights more than fat and it burns more calories than fat, so if you weigh less but you have a higher body fat percentage, you will burn less calories per day at rest and need to eat less per day than someone who weighs the same as you but has a smaller body fat percentage with more lean muscle. The same goes for a heavier person and just because you weigh more doesn't mean that you carry a lot of fat, this is why knowing your Lean Body Mass percentage or Body Fat percentage is so important when it comes to really knowing how much you should be eating and training.
Here I go, this is my typical Tuesday:
-Wake up at 7:45 am
-Boil water and make a hot water with lemon to drink before I eat.
-Make 1/2 cup of plain oatmeal and after cooked, Mix with 1 tbsp of Flax Seed Meal and 1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk and 1/3 cup of Blueberries
-9:15 am Get ready for the day, get baby ready, feed baby while I eat about 9:30am and get ready to go to the gym
-Leave to the gym at 10 and drop off baby in child care center....ready to kick my butt
-Workout from 10:30am-12:30pm- warm up on the stair mill at intervals between 6-10 for 10 minutes.  Legs- 3 sets of each pyramid style 12 reps, 6-8 reps, 12 reps. Front Squats with barbell super set with Abs Exercise Ball Pass through, Walking Lunges with dumbbell super set with cable crunches, Step ups with Cables super set with 90 degree crunches, Cable Squats super set with Machine Lying Hamstring Curls, Butt Blaster Machine super set with seated calves.
Shoulders- 3 sets of each pyramid style 12 reps, 6-8 reps, 12 reps. Seated machine shoulder press super set with machine 90 degree lateral raises, Front raises to lateral raises with dumbbells, Dumbbell Front Raise tosses super set with bent over rear delt dumbbell row.
-20 more minutes of Step Mill at a moderate to fast pace intervals.
Finish with Stretching for 5-10 minutes. Using a roller if available.
-12:45 pm, which is no more than 30 minutes after completed workout- eat cooked 5 oz of white baked potato and about 10-20 minutes later after I have made it home blend 1 and 1/2 scoops of chocolate whey isolate protein (isolate is the best) with 1/2 cup almond milk and 1/2 medium frozen banana, 5 medium frozen strawberries (these are picked fresh and then frozen, not purchased out the freezer isle at the store, so there is no additional sugar) and some ice. Eating the protein drink within 45 minutes max post workout.
- Then I shower, take care of baby and do what ever she requires of me until she falls asleep for a nap.
-2 pm I eat my lunch which is left over dinner from the night before. Today it was my Chicken stew on my blog.
-I do some work, clean up the house and do what ever is on my to-do list for the day while baby is sleeping.
-4:30 pm I eat another snack with carbs and protein. Today I had a piece of High Protein Bread, 5 egg whites with 1 egg yolk and 2 oz of ground turkey breast patty.
-6:30pm I eat my dinner and this is the last time of day I will have carbs except for vegetables.  I had 1/4c barley with 1 cup mushroom sliced, 4oz shrimp, 3 cups spinach, 1/3 cup onion with fresh sage and black pepper all made risotto style and 11 spears of baked asparagus.
-After I eat dinner its time to bathe baby and get her ready for bed. Hubby comes home at 8:15 pm so I can get some free hands and make my evening snack.
-8:30pm I eat protein, healthy fats and veggies. Tonight was 1 cup low sodium 1% cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of each yellow squash, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, and red pepper mixed with 1 tsp of coconut oil and 1/2 oz of raw chopped walnuts, seasoned with Mrs. Dash and Pepper.
-After my evening snack its  last feeding of the night usually for baby, so we all sit down and have a little R & R with the TV till baby falls asleep.
-10:30pm is my last meal of the day. Every night I have 1 and 1/2 scoops of chocolate casein with 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk and ice and 1 tbsp of raw Almond butter.
-11pm I hit the sack... gotta get some sleep and grow those muscles.
Keep in mind I am trying to eat about 60g Healthy Fats, 271g Carbs and 271g Protein, but I will sometimes eat a bit more carbs and less protein trying to stick between 20% Fats and 35-40% Protein and 40-45% Carbs.  They are all clean foods, nothing is ever processed and I stick to one cheat meal per week. I do not really eat less or more on training days I work out longer or shorter and try to stick to the same amount every day, spacing it out evening as much as possible and getting protein at every meal. I also find that planning your weekly menu and shopping for all of your groceries on saturday or sunday is very helpful and chopping up and storing everything you need in the fridge for all meals is fastest and convenient and if your buying fresh produce it will usually stay pretty fresh in locked containers or bags until your last meal.

Now, I weight train 5 days a week, do cardio 6 days a week, do an hour spin class once per week and a Pilate's class once per week. If I go out anywhere or travel, I pack a cooler and/or a bag of food so I do not skip a meal, which is very important and I make sure to eat at least every 3 hours but right now I seem to be eating every 2 hours or so in order to consume all the food I need to eat spaced out, instead of eating fewer times with large meals, which allows my body to digest and use the food and nutrients needed instead of storing to much food in the body.

I hope this helps you, but as I said in the beginning, every person is different so no one person should be on the same exact plan as myself and should have a customized fitness and nutrition plan based on there needs and goals. If you need help please contact me via facebook, blog or email and I will work with you in order to meet your Lifetime Goals.


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

4 Months Post Baby- Showtime in 15 1/2 weeks.

These pictures are taken 4 months and 9 days post baby.  I have been working out 6-7 days a week with a few day rest while on vacation.  I am now eating about 2600-2700 calories a day (about 60g fat, 271g lean protein and 271g carbs) but more importantly I am eating clean except for the 1 cheat meal i allow myself per week.  When I travel I take food with me and order like I would at home except for my cheat meal.  I am still breast feeding my baby and taking care of her every second that I am not working out at the gym.  This is an awesome journey and I cant see where it takes me.  My show is set for July 14, 2012 in Ft Lauderdale and I will continue to post updates as the time gets closer to see my progress.  My two month post baby pics can be seen in previous post on my blog below. I can be contacted via facebook, email or my blog if you are interested in in-person or online nutritional coaching, fitness coaching or are in need of an trainer to help you progress and meet your lifetime health goals.





Monday, March 26, 2012

Great clean chicken stew recipe

Chicken Stew (4-6 servings)

-1 and 1/2 lb of skinless chicken breast
-2 bunches of kale- stems removed and chopped
-10oz of sliced white or baby Bella mushrooms
-2 lb of sweet potatoes chopped- skin on or off is your preference (Japanese sweet potatoes are best of you can find them)
-10 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions:
Boil chicken, fat removed, until fully cooked throughout. Remove, cool and then shred.
Boil chicken stock and then add sweet potatoes and cook for 8 min.
Add mushrooms, kale, pepper and shredded chicken and cook 6-10 more min until sweet potatoes are tender but not mushy.
Divide evenly among bowls and top with equally divided Parmesan cheese and more black pepper if desired.

I could eat this everyday, ENJOY!!!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Do you "get ready" for swimsuit season?

Are you one of those people who "gets ready" for swimsuit season? Do you start a new diet? Do you start working out again or ramp up your current work out routine?
Ask yourself why you do this? Why do you try and eat better for only a few months out of the year or start exercising again or exercise harder for only a few months?
I ask this because many people do this and I have never understood why. Wouldn't you think you would want to look great and be healthy all year long, I know I do. So, how about we ALL stop the craziness and start giving our bodies and better than that, emotions and self-confidence, a break and start doing what some of us only do for few months, ALL YEAR LONG. Your body will thank you, your mind will thank you, the roller coaster of emotions will thank you and those around you will thank you too!!
Start exercising at least 4-5 days a weeks, hitting the weights at least 3 of those days. Eat healthy every day, make sure it's clean and schedule yourself a cheat meal or two a week so you don't give yourself the excuse that you never get to enjoy something you love or want. Remember to take snacks with you everywhere you go so that you don't become famished and eat whatever is in sight.
Pretend like it's swimsuit season all the time and when you look in the mirror whether is 0 degrees and snowing or warm and sunny outside you will look and feel great and your body and mind will be healthy all the time. You don't want to continue to shock your body and put it through stress because its just not healthy and on the positive side, you also won't need two different wardrobes and can look good in that Swimsuit any time of the year :)

Friday, March 16, 2012

Do you really want to change?

I find this to be very true for EVERYONE I talk to or work with who wants to change. If you want something bad enough you will make it work.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

How do I travel?

How does someone travel and still be healthy and stay fit? I'll tell you one thing, it takes a little thought and preparation and a strong will-power.
I'm going to Boston, MA for 4 days and for the first time, my husband and I will be traveling on a plane with our 3 and 1/2 month old, which is going to be my biggest challenge next to eating enough and staying healthy.
Now, first of all I want to tell you that I will still enjoy myself, cheat a little on food(much more than I would at home) and not exercise nearly as hard or as long. I will though, pack some healthy snacks, stop at the grocery store at least once while I'm there and workout a few times for 20-40 minutes either in my hotel room or in their gym.
Here are a few tips to traveling, without going overboard.
Pack baggies of your protein powder measured out and bring your shaker bottle. You can also bring your "Magic Bullet" on the plane, I've done it numerous times.
Pack baggies of 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop of protein powder, 1-2 tbsp of flax seed meal, and 1-2 tbsp of your favorite dried fruit. Make sure to bring a ziplock bowl with a lid and spoon and you can add 1 cup of boiling hot water from anywhere and let it sit for 15 minutes and eat. It's a great on the go or an airplane meal.
Pack up measured nuts, bring some whole fresh fruit like apples, oranges and bananas, rice cakes and almond butter in a plastic container.
You can bring protein bars, but make sure you are eating high protein, low to zero added sugar bars, also you can buy protein pudding and pre-made shakes but you MUST check these.
If you are worried about meals, you can pre make rice, chicken, and veggies and put them in baggies and freeze them a few days before and put them in a soft cooler and by the time you want to eat them they will be thawed or ready to refrigerate in your hotel room.
Make sure that you continue to eat every 2-3 hours like you do at home and don't over eat when you hit the restaurants. Ask for your food to be prepared dry with little to no oil or butter, eat your carbs in the morning through mid day and more veggies in place of your carbs in the evening. Eat protein at every meal and if you need to eat a dessert only get a small one and share it with your partner and don't eat it at every meal(that's over board and totally unnecessary)
Also, when you travel plan to walk as many places as possible, plan active activities and bring 1 or 2 bands in two different strengths and do exercises in your hotel room, in the airport or where ever you have room and time. You can always squeeze in a 20-30 minute circuit training program with all upper body, all lower body or total body.
So now that I gave you some good travel tips, I will do the same as I make my first trip as a family away from home. I hope you are able to travel and stay healthy and fit too, whether it's this weekend or in the future. We all need a vacation away from home and stress and we all can stay fit and healthy away from home too....
Happy travels everyone.

Great music to get through your workouts

Thought I would share this article, It has great ideas for songs to get you pumped through your workouts.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/workout-music

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Dropping BodyFat, Getting ready for my show

Just had my body fat tested today. I am please that I am currently at 12.95%, this means that I only need to drop about 4% bodyfat before my first competition in July, which is AWESOME. I have been working really hard for this. Also figured out I need to be eating more in order to gain more muscle, do less high intensity cardio and hit the weights on each body part 2x per week instead of 1x per week.  My goal is to be at the 9-10% bodyfat point about 6 weeks before my show so I dont have to stress my body out by pulling in to many changes at the end and eating like a rabbit (momma Berard).

What is your goal for the next month or two? Let me know if I can help, whether its eating better, exercising better and just living a healthier life. I am hear to help. Remember we are all not the same, do not want the same things, have different goals in life and have very different lifestyles and bodies, but there is one thing that we ALL have and that is a CHOICE.  We all have a choice to make our lives better and reach the goals we want to achieve.  How bad do YOU want it, that is the question?

Sunday, March 4, 2012

What is your lifetime health goal?

Are you looking to be healthier by eating better, do you want to be more active, do you have a short term goal you want to meet that will benefit you for a lifetime?
Let me know what your goal is, how serious are you about reaching this goal and let me help you!!!
Together we will get you there and get you to a happier, healthier or more fit life.