What Inspires You?

Here's a list of things that inspire me to be a bigger, better, stronger person tomorrow than I was yesterday.


1. The word  "No"  Whenever someone tells me something can't be done or I have some kind of limitation, I immediately start thinking about how it will be done. 


2. My Mom  She always puts everyone before herself. She inspires me to stick up for myself when the times get tough. She is one of the many people I have to thank for motivating me to make 2010 my year of change.


3. My best friend Not a lot of people can say they've had the same best friend for 14 years. Let alone to have that best friend have your back through thick and thin. She was my rock through 2010 and without her I wouldn't have the motivation to do a half marathon. I guess I can thank her for making me a crazy running girl. Thank you for challenging me, not judging me and being someone I can always depend on.


4.  Dailymile. One of the first things I do after a workout is post it on dailymile.com. It's a community of runners, walkers, bicylists, etc that share their training with friends. Everyone in the community is so positive and provide so much support.  I'm so thankful for my dailymile friends and their ability to relate to what I go through. Sometimes I feel guilty for talking to my non- dailymile friends about running and exercising.  I ALWAYS  think twice before posting something about it on facebook. Exercise is such a big part of my life it's hard not to talk about it and get shunned from the haters. 


5. Biggest Loser. I didn't get into this show until 2 seasons ago. The time I was converting to a healthy life style. The contestant's  trials and tribulations really hit home for me and inspire me to do more. If a 400 pound man can run at 12mph then why can't I?! Everytime I watch an episode it's a constant reminder to myself to not wuss out during my workouts and tell myself I can't do the last set.


Thank you to all of my friends, instructors, trainer (Toni) and everyone else that  motivate me during the times I forget what the human spirit is capable of. 

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10 Minute Meal

Sometimes after a long day of work the last thing I want to do is slave away in the kitchen. When I just want to put something together quick I grab whatever veggies I have in the fridge and throw them together in a pan and satuee them. Usually it's a mix of spinach, onions, mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, green pepper, zuccini and whatever else I decide to pick up at the store.

This takes 5 minutes TOPS and meanwhile I chop up and cook either a chicken breast, shrimp, or a piece of fish. Afterward I throw it all into a low carb tortilla and voila you have yourself a healthy dinner. It also covers all your basics: carb, protein, fat and veggie.

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Don't take the easy way out...it does't work.

It seems to be the time of the year everyone is starting to think about shaping up for bikini season. It always amazes me when I see facebook statuses and overhear people talk about doing cleanses, fasts or those crazy grapefruit, cookie or south beach diets that never work. Just face it people the only thing that has and ever will work is diet and exercise. Here's a quick and healthy 7 step process to living a healthier life style. 

#1) Drink water everyday At least 8 glasses a day.

#2) Eat fresh fruit .  Fruit is a miracle food. It is full of vitamins,minerals and nutrients. It fills you up and keeps you away from processed carbs.

#3) Eat fresh veggies. Eat 5-6 servings of veggies a day. Sneak it in throughout the day. For an example in the morning I make 2 egg whites with mushrooms and onions. As a snack I'll have a sandwhich bag full of carrots to munch on. For lunch I make sure to include spinach, mushrooms and onions with anything I pre-make.

#4) Limit grains, dairy and meat. If you consume them, make sure they are whole grains, grass fed and organic. I used to drink skim milk but it contains too much sugar in it. I recently switched to coconut milk and love it. 

#5) Get sweaty daily.  Run, walk, hike, shovel snow, wash windows, dance, ride a bike, yoga, spinning classes, group exercise classes, life weights. Just do something to get your butt off the couch for at least an hour a day and sweat it OUT!!! Start changing the the way you view going to the gym. Instead think of it as going to your job or office and doing work...just get it done!

#6) No processed food or sugar. If it comes in a package, put it back. If it has the word “corn syrup” or the “high fructose corn syrup” run fast and far. A good rule of thumb is to not eat anything over 8g of sugar.

#7) Personal Cleanse Be swift to love, slow to get angry, quick to help others, flee from temptation, avoid judgement, be happy and always be kind to all.

Stop making excuses today.  Here's to you and your journey of self discovery. Get to know yourself today through hard work and sweat. Stop with all your "tomorrow" talk and get after it already.

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