"Dolce and..."

padded bike shorts?! That's right. No D&G, here. I'll be trading my Gabana (or lack thereof) for a new look. The style I'll be rockin' proudly (or not-so proudly', rather) is all spandex. Shiny, tight and unforgiving spandex, baby. When this nasty weather decides to clear up, that is. :) 


Since Justin and I are training for a triathlon and biking makes up 1/3 of the -'athlon', we decided bikes were probably a necessity if we wanted to try and look semi-prepared for the race. So...I am now the proud owner of a juicy red "Dolce Sport" and it truly is sweet. 

Granted, I might not be singing sweet love ballads for long (learning to clip in and out is going to be a new and most likely hazardous experience for me! eek!) but I am excited about this ruby red and the adventures she will lead me on. Or rather, I will lead her on :) 


Justin got a similar bike in a cool blue (pics to come), so if you see what resembles an American flag zipping through the city...know it is us, representing the US of A on our patriotic wheels. Goooo USA!


Here's to letting go of my pride, taking some awkward falls and looking goofy in padded spandex!

Don't judge a recipe by it's...name?

I really have no intentions of turning my blog into a cooking/recipe/food blog (I will strive to keep it as random and themeless as it currently is ;p), however, we have had some tasty treats lately and hoarding these delightful delicacies would just be wrong of me. So for now, I will embrace the Julia Childs deep within me (and trust me...it's way on in there) and blog about food if I'm feelin' it. 

While flipping through an Eating Well magazine (great website as well, fyi) in an office yesterday, I found this recipe and decided it was a great choice for dinner last night. After we both licked our plates clean, it was officially decided that the meal was...(all you former middle school cheerleaders, chant it with me now): a-w-e-so-me! I mean it, this dish was dang gooood and it passed my 4 major recipe 'must-haves:'  

1) Healthy

2) EASY/not requiring I purchase a lot of non-frequntly used & expensive ingredients 

3) Scrumptious, duh!

4) Filling. Satisfying a 26 year old, growin' boy's tummy is a challenge! 


Let me tell you that our dinner last night gets a huge CHECK next to #'s 1-4 above and it was delicious.

"What is the recipe you speak of, Courtni??" Well, I am glad you asked, anonymous blogger. The super-foods recipe I am excited to share is (drumroll please)...."Black Bean, Edamame and Wheat Berry Salad!!!" Wait. Your mouth isn't watering? What's wrong?! Ok, I will be real honest with you - the title did not sound appealing to me, either. In fact, this was my immediate, Joey-from- Friends eating Rachel's trifle thought process: "What's not to like? Black beans...good. Edamame...goooood. Wheat berries....what tha!?!" 


I honestly had never heard of wheat berries and even more honestly, they did not sound good to me. If you are feeling the same way, keep reading because there is hope. While I am sure the recipe is wonderful as-is, I lied to you a smidgen. The Gresham house actually ate "Black Bean, Edamame and Pasta Salad" last night, as wheat berries were not to be found on my grocery trip in the arctic cold (this is true! I really did want to try them but after de-frosting in my car, I lost my will to venture to another store to find some). 

So, on the fly, I decided to sub Dreamfields "Rotini" pasta in for the wheat berries. I know, I know... wheat berries are one of the main ingredients...don't hate me for being a rule-breaker. Sometimes you gotta improvise and I think Dreamfields was a great choice - check out the nutritional facts on this amazing pasta :) I was very pleased with this switch-a-roo and Justin and I LOVED the meal. Also, I think the pasta version satisfied requirement #4 listed above more than the called-for wheat berries would have. So in this case, full tummies = happy tummies! =)

Without further adieu, below is the recipe and it can also be found here.

Black Bean, Edamame, and Wheat Berry (or PASTA) Salad


4 cups water
1/2 cup dry wheat berries (or your choice pasta)
1/2 of a 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained (low-sodium kind)
1 cup frozen, shelled, edamame, thawed
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp. pompeian red wine vinegar
3 tbsp pompeian olivextra plus 
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Combine water and wheat berries in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 55 minutes or until wheat berries are just tender.


2. Place in a fine mesh strainer and run under cold water to cool quickly, drain well.


3. Combine the wheat berries with the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 8 hours in advance.

Remarks

Wheat berries are unprocessed wheat kernels and are sold in major supermarkets and health food stores.

Some additional notes: 

-Obviously, if you sub in pasta for wheat berries, cook the pasta according to package and combine with ingredients above.

-I used slightly less water than called for - about 2 1/2 cups. 

-I grilled 2 chicken breasts and sliced up to serve alongside pasta = YUM and ups the protein count!

-We enjoyed fresh broccoli with this meal, as well, and it was delicious! If you need a little flavor, sprinkle some cheese on top of your broccoli.

I.heart.PB&J.

I saw this recipe for PB&J heart cookies on MarthaStewart.com and had to share. If you are following my previous post on healthy snacking, you can make a few substitutions to the ingredients below but let's be real honest with each other...these treats will be tastiest when left in their original state. Butter, sugar and all. It's ok to make exceptions for a sweet valentines PB&J, right!? ;) I think yes. Life is short :)

How cute would these be in your kiddo's (or husbands:)) lunch?!

Recipe: 

Makes about 2 dozen 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1/3 cup raspberry jam, stirred to loosen

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in peanut butter, then egg. Reduce speed to low, and beat in flour mixture until dough forms. If dough is sticky, refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls (about 2 tablespoons each). Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 1/2 inches apart. Press into 1 3/4-inch rounds. Press hearts into centers using your fingertips. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and reshape hearts using your fingertips or the handle of a wooden spoon. Fill indentation of each with a generous 1/2 teaspoon jam to form a heart. Bake until cookies are firm, 6 to 7 minutes more.

Visual Guide to Snacking!

What is your favorite meal of the day? I think I will say dinner is mine. Though, when I really stop and think about it, I usually get more excited about my 'snack' times of the day than I do at the traditional meal times. Twice a day this happens. Once in the morning after breakfast and once after lunch and I get hunger pangs that tell me I should devour an entire pan of Ghiradelli double chocolate brownies by myself (my usual craving and yes, I really think if put to the challenge I could do it. An entire 9x13 pan, no doubt). 

Since that would not be a good idea in regards to my health or contentment of my husband (seeing me grow my own 'fat baby,' would not be attractive to him), I have to choose my snacks wisely. Sometimes this is a difficult task! 

Our 3 main meals are usually planned out and prepared to be balanced (for the most part), so these random non-meal times of the day we find ourselves hungry can be challenging. Typically we want something fast and not too filling before our next meal, so a healthy choice not always the most appealing or efficient option. Our mind and tummy want to tell us that a Snickers (or pan of brownies) is quick and will do the trick! 

To help with our snacking habits (yes....they are habits!), I found this "Visual Guide" to healthy snacking online and thought I would share a few of the healthy, low calorie options with you!

15-20 raw almonds = 139 calories and oh-so-good for you

Raw baby carrots = 60 calories

 Raw celery & hummus = 108 calories

Grapes = 148 calories

Apple = 96 calories. Spice it up by peeling, slicing and sprinkling with a dash of cinnamon. bake in the oven until tender. YUM!

Cherry tomatoes = 27 calories 

Here are a few other suggestions for you to try if you are bored with baby carrots and apples :) 

I LOVE Kim's Magic Pop with a little bit of Nutella or natural peanut butter. 

They are also great with different spreads or cheeses! 

AdvoCare SNACK BAR and MEAL REPLACEMENT SHAKE. Really, both of these are

the bomb.com in taste and nutritional value. Check them out here.

Or you do it my style and try a combination of everything listed above. Justin loved it.

See....snacking healthy can be FUN! ;)

Happy Snacking!!

Guest Blogger: Makenzie!

1 month down, 11 to go on your 2011 goals - yipeeee!!!! The crowds are still lookin pretty thick at the gym (even today, believe it or not), so I think most are still going strong. For most, though, exercising is only have the battle. FOOD choices still remain your biggest enemy! 

My friend, Makenzie, who is an awesome CPT, nutritionist and fellow AdvoCare distributor was generous enough to bestow some of her nutritional expertise upon us, today! She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about healthy food choices and I thought it was great information we can all benefit from. 


Enjoy what she has to say and thanks for sharing, Makenzie!!

EAT MORE OFTEN AND LOSE THE FAT??

What if we all stopped counting our calories and focused more on the actual foods we were eating. You could very well lose 10% of that unwanted fat in 2 short weeks if you ate the RIGHT foods! We would all love to do that right?

Did you know: You can create a very efficient metabolism for yourself by eating the right foods. 

What are the "RIGHT" foods anyways? Think fresh and pure. Fruits, vegetables, lean meats, good fats, and whole grains. Tasteful, colorful, and filling! 

Our Enemy= SUGAR! And guess what, processed foods have a lot of sugar, not to mention all of the harmful chemicals mixed in that may have very harmful lasting effects. 

So, we want to stay away from sugar, processed foods, AND BAD fats!

Bad Fat vs. Good Fat

Bad fats include hydrogenated oils, canola oil, margarine, and butter substitutes! Good fats include raw nuts, avocado, whole eggs, olive oil, and real butter. These "good" fats are going to help with transport of all the nutrients in your body, which will help build a more efficient metabolism. 

GREAT NEWS: We should be eating often in order to keep blood sugar levels stable and maintain a healthy metabolism. It's all about making healthy eating choices!

Email Makenzie Fitzgerald, Nutritionist and CPT, for meal planning, grocery guides, and more healthy eating ideas for you and your family. 

Makfitz.insideout@gmail.com

Insideoutfitnut.com

Spark and a clean house

It is no secret to anyone in my life that I.love.Spark. Deeply and madly. It is one of the first few things on my mind when I wake up, everyday. Within the first hour I tried it for the first time, I knew it was something I was going to be best friends with for the rest of my life. It is truly that amazing.

Even though we have been sick and fairly run down lately, Justin and I mixed up a Spark the other day after laying on the couch for a few hours. Minutes later I found him in the kitchen doing dishes and I was getting ready to iron a huge stack of clothes. He finished the dishes, grabbed our cleaning supply bucket and said, "I swear there is something in Spark that makes you want to clean!" (I started thinking, maybe I should make it for him by the gallon!;)) Now, I cannot attest that cleaning frenzies are the case for everyone...but, I will tell you....it is our "get 'er done" drink of choice, for sure! I know many, many people feel the same. 

Why SPARK, you ask? Simply put: it is a healthy, nutritionally balanced source for energy. For all you coffee, coke and Red Bull peeps out there...take a look at some of the comparisons below. Not only does Spark knock them OUT of the ballpark in nearly every category, but Spark tastes GOOD. And I mean real good:) 

If you can answer yes to any of the questions below...Spark will be your friend, I promise.

Have trouble waking up or feels "energy slumps" throughout the day?
Can't work up enough energy to live life the way you want?
Looking for a more nutritious alternative to coffee, soda or other energy drinks?

Let me know if you have questions or check out this page to find out more info on how Spark could just possibly help you get your hubby to clean the house, too :) 

24 Day Challenge

In keeping with the goal theme, I thought I would mention something for all the weight-loss/health goal setters out there. And I knowwww you're out there ;)


So, I have mentioned it before but I will say again. Justin and I LOVE, love, love working for AdvoCare. Actually calling it work is just not fair...because it's just not work. We consider it a joy to sell the best nutritional supplements in the country and help people achieve their health, fitness and financial goals. It's awesome and sooo rewarding in so many ways! 


AdvoCare offers a product bundle called the "24 Day Challenge" and it is truly an incredible way to jumpstart your health and nutritional goals for 2011. Right now, the 24 Day Challenge is on sale for $22 off the original price, which is a great deal :) 


We have started several people on the challenge over the past few weeks and have seen amazing results: Matt lost 8 lbs and Lexy lost a dress size - both in their first 10 days. I'm not kiddin' around, people, the stuff works :) 


So, if you're wondering what in the world the 24 Day Challenge is, here is a basic overview: 

Days 1-10 Cleanse Phase
The first ten days are about cleansing your body of toxins and preparing for optimal nutrient absorption, and you may enjoy weight loss as well!*

• Herbal Cleanse-Citrus: helps to cleanse and detoxify your body.*
• OmegaPlex^®: essential fatty acids for increased overall wellness.*
• AdvoCare Spark^®: nutritionally-advanced energy*

Days 11-24 Max Phase
Give your body the best tools you need to achieve your next weight management goal during days 11-24!*

• Metabolic Nutrition System (MNS^®): Your choice of Max C+ (appetite control), Max E+ (energy), or Max 3 – for weight management, appetite control and overall wellness.*
• Meal Replacement Shake - Chocolate: Complete nutrition in a great-tasting shake!
• AdvoCare Spark^®: nutritionally advanced energy*

Each 24-Day Challenge includes:

• One box of Meal Replacement Shakes - Chocolate
• One box of Herbal Cleanse - Citrus
• One bottle of OmegaPlex^®
• One box of AdvoCare Spark^® - Mandarin Orange
• One box of AdvoCare Spark^® - Fruit Punch
• Your choice of one box of MNS^® Max 3, C, or E

To learn more information or order the 24 Day Challenge, visit  www.advocates4champions.com. 

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Welcome, 2011 !

[This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but let's just pretend:)] 


Today is your last day. Well, your last day to do or not do all of those things that will be on your list of resolutions that will show up tomorrow. You will vow to keep these goals for the next 365 days of the year...starting tomorrow. Are you ready?? 

I thought I would research the "Top 10" New Year's Resolutions and not to much surprise, here's what I found: 

1. Diet/Exercise

2. Quit smoking

3. Spend more time with family/friends

4. Quit drinking 

5. Stop procrastinating

6. Save $$/get out of debt

7. Go to Church

8. Stop cursing

9. Volunteer/help others 

10. Learn something new

While these are all admirable goals, I personally do not set New Year's resolutions. You might be thinking that I do not set them because I am afraid of failing and abandoning my resolutions...but you might be wrong! You might then be thinking that not setting them is a pessimistic attitude toward the new year and lacking in hope that it will be different or better than the year just completed. Again...wrong! 

I have never set NYE resolutions because I am constantly setting new goals for things that I want to achieve. There is always something new for me to learn, always something to be challenged by and something for me to add or purge from my life. Just because tomorrow we will sign and date with an 11 instead of a 10 does not mean that I am all of a sudden starting from scratch and going to do or not do something for the next year just because of an arbitrary date change. 

If you are making your list right now...good for you! Goal-setting is a wonderful thing and I think it's awesome if you set a goal that you will keep for the next year. Even if you don't keep them for every day of the year, the mere act of setting the goal is a good practice of discipline, which, we all need...right!! 


Best to luck of everyone with your smaller food portions, new gym memberships (or just to actually using it, now), less of some things, more of others and to a happy, healthy, blessed 2011! 

"Because of the Lord's great love 

we are not consumed, 

for his compassions never fail. 

They are NEW every morning; 

great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

Post-Workout Recovery

Since my last post, we experienced another CrossFit workout and this time, no breakfast was revisited...yahoo! Justin and I are not sure that our bodies have ever felt this type of soreness. Seriously. Sore to the touch. Yessssssss.

We want to keep going and push through the soreness, so a little Post-Workout Recovery is our lifeline. If you workout regularly, you should definitely check this out. We have been using for several months now and love it. PWR helps minimize soreness after your workouts, aids in muscle repair and recovery and contains high-quality protein essential for your body after a workout. 


Check it out here! Your muscles will thank you...ours will! :)

CrossFit: Revisiting Breakfast

For some time now, Justin and I have been very regular about our workout regimen - how frequently we go, the types of exercises we do and always challenging each other to reach certain goals. Lately, we have done classes ranging from spin, lift, cardio/step and bootcamp to bikram yoga (me, not justin :)) We would like to think we are heart-healthy, fairly 'fit' individuals.


Well, we were brought to a new, humbling fitness level last night (and it was a low one!). Enter: CrossFit. 

Last night, we did the Workout of the Day ("WOD" for all you new-to-CrossFitters out there, like us!) with some of Justin's friends from college who own CrossFit DFW. Most of the classes and workouts we do on our own consist of about 1 hour, so I was pleasantly surprised when we finished the WOD  in under 12 minutes. However, don't let time fool you into thinking it was a 12 minute stroll through the park. No, no. The sheer intensity of those 12 minutes consisting of shuttle runs, pull-ups (last time I did one was in 5th grade, I think), and overhead squats that got our legs to feeling like they were around 200 lbs each, hearts pumping like crazy and may or may not have caused someone to say hello again to their Frosted Flakes from earlier in the day! I didn't give up because I kept thinking about Jillian and The Biggest Loser the whole time....if they can do it, I can! And the fact that Justin's friends were watching and cheering us on the whole time, I was the only girl and my pride that wouldn't allow me to stop. 

So, I'm feelin it today. That good, tingly feeling in my muscles where I just know that the time spent last night, allbeit shorter than we spend at our gym, was extremely beneficial. Short & sweet....I love it! We are excited to go back!

If you want to learn more about CrossFit, check out CrossFit DFW. They are located in North Richland Hills and their site has their schedule and all sorts of great information about what CrossFit, nutrition, etc. The Saturday class at 9 AM is free, so if you live in the area you should definitely check it out!

60 Calorie Cupcakes!

While watching The Biggest Loser we had on DVR last night, I saw the greatest recipe for healthy cupcakes! I figured since I recently got your tastebuds inflamed with the Pumpkin Poppers , I should mention there ARE healthy ways to prepare even the sweetest of treats for the sweet-tooth out there :)


This recipe is from Chef Curtis Stone, who taught the Biggest Loser contestants how to make low-calorie vanilla cupcakes with a raspberry frosting - and did not use sugar! (you can substitute a different fruit if you prefer). I found the recipe here, but you should also check out Curtis' website as he has some tasty looking recipes!


Vanilla Cupcakes
Makes about 14 cupcakes
Ingredients

• 5 organic egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

For the raspberry frosting

• 1 cup nonfat cream cheese, at room temp
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• Fresh raspberries to garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 325F.
2. Place the egg whites in a large bowl and using a handheld mixer whip the whites on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until the whites begin to lighten up and hold their shape.
3. Increase speed to high and whip in the salt and honey until the whites hold a soft peak, then add the vanilla extract.
4. Fold in the yogurt.
5. In a separate medium mixing bowl combine the flour and baking powder and mix well.
6. Sift the dry ingredients into the egg whites a little at a time, gently folding them in with a rubber spatula.
7. Once fully incorporated, scoop the batter into cupcake tins lined with cupcake papers.
8. Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 20 minutes or until they have colored and gently spring back when pushed with a finger.
9. Remove from the oven and cool the cupcakes at room temp.
10. While the cupcakes are baking, puree the raspberries in a blender until smooth.
11. Pass through a fine mesh strainer into a small saucepot and cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until the puree reduces slightly.
12. Cool completely.
13. Place the cream cheese into a medium mixing bowl and fold the puree into the cream cheese until fully mixed.
14. Once cupcakes are cool, spread a little of the berry frosting over the cupcakes, garnish each with one raspberry and serve.

Nutrition Facts:
Calories 60
Total Fat 0g
Sat Fat g 0g
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 190mg
Total Carb 10g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 4g
Protein 5g

Cardio-Ology.

CardioOlogy: The study of cardio. Yep, I made up a word. And the definition too, for that matter. But for the purpose of this blog, it will work. 


You walk in for a workout, take a quick glance around to see people sweating it out on the treadmill, bikers furiously pedaling away, the hours-upon-end elliptical-ers, and the focused stair"masters: and think...which one of these machines can I spend the least amount of time on to reap the maximum benefit!? (I know we all think it, at times, so let's be honest here:)) Well, I'm gonna try and help ya out!

While this could end up being a super long, really in-depth blog about cardiovascular activity, your individual goals, finding your target heart rate and RPE (rate of perceived exertion)...I will save that for a rainy day :) I just want to give a basic, very high-level overview of the cardio section of your gym and how to choose which exercise is right for you.

Treadmill

The treadmill was probably the first machine that came to your mind when you heard the word "cardio." Treadmills are excellent calorie burners and since walking and running are fairly natural to most people, a longer, more intense workout might be achieved than on some of the other machines. A good treadmill should have the ability to raise the incline to offer more challenge. Working against gravity will increase difficulty and caloric expenditure. Exercising on a treadmill is a great way to burn calories, build bone density, maintain good cardiovascular health, and increase your energy level. 

Stationary Bike

This is the machine of choice if you have knee problems, or your body cannot handle weight-bearing exercise. The key to making the stationary bike work for you is in the seat adjustment. You should feel comfortable, and at its straightest, your leg should still have a slight bend. There are two types of stationary bikes - the upright and the recumbent. The upright is your everyday, run of the mill machine that is similar to an actual bicycle; the recumbent bike has a wider seat and your legs are out in front of you. The recumbent bikes are good for those with back problems, since it puts less stress on your back, and also your neck and shoulders. 

Stair Climbers

I just heard you groan. I know...they are tough! But there is so much benefit to these bad-boys. Stair climbers are a great cardio workout that can add a bit of tone to your legs and rear end. Typically, most gyms have two types: classic Stairmaster and the Stairmill (pictured above). If your gym has both, go for the Stairmill. The Stairmill burns more calories because you're actually lifting your body weight up as if you were on a real staircase. Beware of cheating yourself: the moment you start leaning on the handrails, you are not getting all the workout you should because you are no longer moving with your full body weight and not burning as many calories. Touch the handrails lightly, just to maintain balance and let your lower body do the work. 

Elliptical

The elliptical is a very low-impact, weight-bearing machine that also comes in two different types: ones with stationary handles and ones with moveable handles. If the handles do move (preferred), engaging the upper 30% of your body will cause your heart rate to climb quicker, thus the amount of energy expended is optimized. Because they are so low-impact, however, they are not the best bone-density builders in the gym and it is actually very easy to overtrain using them. While you might think it is a great time to multi-task and read a book while flying away and barely breaking a sweat, rank up the resistance now and again for a more intense, beneficial workout.

Rowing Machine

These tend to be one of the least popular cardio machines in the gym and I really do not know why! Though not every gym has one - if yours does, try it out!! This has become one of my favorites lately and they are great full-body exercisers. Most people think they rely solely on arm work - but rowing machines engage both your legs and your arms tremendously. They are low-impact machines and are actually pretty enjoyable, if you give them a chance. 

A few final thoughts...

1. Remember the main purpose of cardio: raising your heart rate! By doing so, you're increasing your hearts health and burning fat. Something is better than doing nothing at all. 

2. Choose a machine that you will somewhat enjoy. It may not be the machine your best friend is working out on. Just pick something you will stay on for the most beneficial amount of time.

3. Interval programs are great because they work your aerobic and anaerobic systems together which has a significant effect on your metabolism.

4. Change it up. Don't allow yourself to get bored and therefore complacent with your cardio workouts.

5. Invest in some good shoes. Especially if you're going to be doing a lot of running/walking on the treadmill. Your knees will thank you.

6. Keep HYDRATED!!! So many benefits here - transportation of nutrients/elimination of waste, temperature regulation, lubrication of joints, etc. 

After I wrote the majority of this blog, I found this article on WebMD on this very topic of choosing a cardio machine. While I am saddened to find it a bit too late to save myself time and copy & paste (Justin thinks he is losing me to the blogging world ;)), I really like what it has to say and if you want to go more in-depth than what I did here, it is worth the read.

Do you know the Muffin-Top?

And I don't mean the one who lives on Drury Lane. You know the one I'm talking about. That little overhang that lies at the top of your jeans and you try cover with extra long tanks and tees. Urban Dictionary has defined the word muffin-top as the "when a person wears a pair of tight jeans that makes their flab spill out over the waistband, just like the top of a muffin sits over the edge of the paper case." Mmm...appetizing, huh?


In case you are a more visual person, I'll help a brotha/sista out: 

[Ok, so maybe that last one isn't "technically" a muffin-top, but it came up under google image searches and I just really don't know what to make of it. I think his circulation HAS to be cut off from those jorts?!]

Muffin-Top. Love Handles. Granny Arms. Cankles. Potbelly. Cottage Cheese Thighs. Jelly Roll. The list goes on and on. We have come up with all sorts of cute (and not-so-cute) nicknames for those unnecessary pounds that are hanging out on your body. And that is exactly what those LBS are doing….hangin’ out. Just chillin’. They have no agenda, no plan to leave anytime soon and really enjoy keeping you warm. They do not mind if you have to squeeze or force them into your clothes (the tighter, the better), they LOVE meal time (especially chips & queso), enjoy long periods of inactivity and welcome their friends to join them. No matter how much you may hate them, they are resistant to your unpleasant nicknames and will continue to be unwanted guests on your body until you do something to kick them out.

As Justin and I watched the season premier of The Biggest Loser last night, we talked about the sad amount of overweight Americans, especially children. One of the trainers on the show, Bob Harper, passionately yelled to contestants on the show, “Your bodies WANT to be healthy!!” And as simple of a statement as that seems, it is so true. Our bodies crave the healthy nutrition and activity that God intended for us to have. Not McDonalds and Krispy Kreme. (I’m not going to even pretend like I don’t enjoy a Double Cheeseburger every now and then and those donuts…don’t even get me started!)


It comes to no surprise that being overweight can lead to many serious effects such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Poor nutrition is linked to low disease resistance, lack of energy, heart disease and cancer. A sedentary lifestyle promotes heart attacks, diabetes and bone disease just to name a few. The thoughts that race through my mind after writing those sentences are: expensive healthcare bills and short-lived lives. (For more negative effects of being overweight, check out the CDC website here). 


Losing the muffin-top or jelly roll is not just about looking great in a pair of jeans or turning heads when you walk through the mall. It's not about losing ten pounds just so you can finally say that you weigh 120 because that number 'sounds better.' It's not about jumping on the latest "fad-diet" train and seeing where that will temporarily drop you off (and most likely leave you in the dust). The transformation is one that occurs from the inside out. Proper nutrition and exercise will naturally produce a body you are proud of and WANT to maintain! (and you may turn a few heads along the way!;)) Losing the extra pounds (or lots of pounds) is about becoming the absolute healthiest you possible so you can feel the absolute best you can. It is about taking care of yourself NOW, on the front end, so you will not have to invest unnecessary time, money and stress on your health on the back end. We all want to feel great so we can live full lives as the best spouses, parents, grandparents and employees we can be. Right?!


So...do you have a muffin-top that needs to go? Happy with your weight but do not get proper nutrition? Need more energy to exercise? Excuses will always be waiting: tomorrow, a New Years 'resolution,' finances, busy schedule, etc. but why not start today? If not now, when? Take control and your body will be so happy that you did. 


If you are interested in losing weight, having more energy or becoming a healthier you, please send Justin and I a message. We are advisors for a world class nutrition company called AdvoCare that offers fitness and financial solutions. We are passionate about helping people reach their fitness goals and would love to share with you how AdvoCare has changed our life. It can absolutely change yours! You can also visit our website here: www.advocates4champions.com


FYI for all you DFW-ers: We are holding a Nutritional Mixer tomorrow (Thursday, September 23) evening at 7:30 PM at Justin's parents house in Fort Worth. We will be going over the amazing nutritional products and business opportunity that AdvoCare has to offer and we would love to share this information with you. Let us know if you are interested or have any questions! :)