Same Day Bikini Ready Routine!

Hi!

Set this scene in your head-

It is a Friday night at 8pm.  It is way too hot to go out so you decide to stay in the cool AC, order in food, and watch a movie.  You just finished eating 2 slices of pizza and drinking a beer.  Your phone goes off.  It is your best friend asking you to help her throw an impromtu pool party with her TOMORROW.

Ugh.  Your full, bloated, burping, and the last thing you want to think about is getting into a bathing suit in front of a ton of people.  What do you do?  Miss all the fun?  No way... I suggest doing these things.

1.  Say yes- life is too short!

2.  Immediately drink water.  About 2-3 cups before you go to bed.

3.  Take an organic dandelion root capsule.  It helps break down fats, flushes your bowels out, releases extra water weight and is just a very nice natural detoxifier.  Don't worry- it is not like a laxative.

4.  Get 8 hours of sleep.

5.  Wake up and drink lemon cucumber detox water.  Slice half a lemon and a quarter cucumber into a glass of water.

It has anti-inflammatory agents, de-bloats you, prevents water retention and cleanses your system.

6.  Throw on a sports bra, workout clothes and hit your living room, backyard or gym.  Do this:

Warm up
Then 4 Rounds of:

50 mountain climbers
25 squats- squeeze that booty on the way up!
20 walking lunges
15 push ups
25 slow bicycles
20 slow supermans
15 bridges
50 jumping jacks

Extra (if you ate 3 pieces of pizza!)- 20 burpess

7.  Drink more of your detox water

8.  Shower and throw your bathing suit on

9.  Eat a 2 egg omelet with with a bowl full of berries on the side.

10.  Drink more water

Head out the door feeling goooood.

For the rest of the day try not to eat fibrous, fried or extremely carb heavy foods- they will all make you feel a little bloated.  Stick with fresh foods: berries, watermelon, poultry, fish, avocado, olive oil, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.

*By the end of the party, throw on a cover up and treat yourself  to something yummy*

You should feel like a million bucks in your bathing suit.  Just like my little Willow ;)

The Most Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Fudge and Random Bits

Hey there!

Ohhhh myyyy gosh.  Do I have a recipe for you!  This recipe is low in carbs and sugar, but not low in healthy fats.  However this type of fat actually speeds up your metabolism for two hours after you eat it!  Yep, I'm talking about coconut oil.  I made the most scrumptous fudge everrrrr.   Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Fudge.  Ugh, I die.

To be frank, this fudge does not like the camera.  It gets gun shy when I try to nicely pull it out of the glass container.  If you chose to make this, maybe try to put foil down on the glass, then pour the batter on the foil.  Leave some foil hanging over the edge so you can lift it out of the glass easily once it solidifies.  That way you can get your pieces out in whole chunks rather than botch the whole thing like I did.   See below for proof.... can you spy my little finger prints on the top there?  I started to get anxious and impatient.

Whatever, I just won't serve it to anyone.  I will keep it all to myself.  Literally- because Mike hates coconut and swears he can taste the coconut immensely whenever it is used in cooking.  Little does he know I use it half the time in our sautéed veggies.... never says a word.  In fact, he compliments the dishes!  Shhhh.  ;)

To be honest, I didn't even try to capture a good pic of this because I thought- whats the point!  If you don't care what your visual outcome looks like, I highly recommend you make this as a little "pick me up" during those times of crisis.  You know, when you desperately need a little treat.  It is ridiculously creamy... it seriously melts in your mouth.  Another piece of advice- leave it in the freezer until you are about to eat it or it will slowly start to melt.  I would eat this whole entire dish if each piece wasn't 200 calories.  Don't be afraid of those healthy fats, ladies.  They are good for your brain and body!  Plus, who doesn't love chocolate and peanut butter together?!  Actually, I do know some of those crazy people.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Fudge
Makes 12     Prep time 5 minutes    Freeze time 20 minutes

1 cup natural peanut butter
3/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Stir together peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla extract until completely blended.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Place in a small pyrex dish (try the tin foil trick if you wish).  Stick it in the freezer for 20 minutes.  Then, it is ready to be served!


Random Bits-

Now that the summer is here, it looks like my personal training schedule will be calming down a little.  (Ahem... at least that's what it looks like for now).  Since I had more time on my hands than usual today, I did quite a lot of wedding stuff.

I visited my friend Courtney who is a great hair stylist and is graciously doing my hair (and bridal party) for my wedding present!  We had an awesome trial run!  I am happy with the outcome and I even left her house with nice bouncy curls ;)  I wish I had a date.

Things are finally falling in to place with all the wedding planning.  My goodness there is a lot to do. For the life of us, Mike and I can not agree on our "first dance" song.  We have pretty much all the other music picked out which I am beyond thankful about.  What did you dance to?  I would love Ray Lamontagne, "You are the best thing."  But no dice on his end.  

Friday Random Bits- Survey

This is just a fun little survey I found online.  I'm not in the mood for a serious post as it's friday and my party hat is on!  Have a great weekend, guys!

What did you have to eat this morning?

A green monster and water.

What have you been thinking about recently?

Money and my skin.  Stressors, ya know?!

What is one thing you are looking forward to in the future?  

Getting married to Mike in September!

What was your most recent "success"- large or small?

I helped someone reach their fitness goal!  Also, this may sound corny, but every time someone leaves BAWS I feel like that is a success.

What was your most recent "fail"- large or small?

I tried making a batch of basil, garlic and spinach pesto for the blog.  I was really excited about it and I tried incorporating avocado too.  Ugh... It was disgusting.  I made a ridiculously large mess and I threw out so many fresh ingredients.  That creamy avocado went to waste.  I am bummed and hanging my head.

What have you been eating a lot of recently?

Peanut butter and jelly.  I probably have that about 5 times a week.  And it is usually around 3-4pm.  I need something substantial because I physically teach classes at night and then don't get home from work until about 8pm.  I then shower before I eat dinner.  By the time I sit down, it is 8:30pm and I'm staaarving.

What was the last thing you purchased online?

My bridesmaid presents :)

What are you currently reading?

Well, I was lent a great book called The Storyteller.  I just finished the book and it was awesome, but it took me over a year to read it.  I felt horrible holding it for that long!  I have been so busy that finding time to read is tough.  Needless to say, I probably won't be able to read anything substantial until the wedding is over.

Who is your woman crush?

Jessica Biel

What is your favorite body part to train?

Ummmmm.   Ummmmm...  I hate how my legs feel after a really tough lower body workout.  Not being able to sit on the toilet easily is the pits.  #ouch  I just flip flopped that question.  I don't think I have a fav.

What plans do you have that excites you in the next year?  

There are a couple!  Mike and I have summer birthdays so that is always fun.  We are planning to take little day trips for them.  Also, I am so excited for the wedding and I am hoping we can buy a house in  the next year or two... maybe... hopefully!

What is your favorite food?

Pizza I think.  And chocolate.

What is your favorite day of the week?

Friday puts me in a good mood, but Saturday afternoon kick starts my weekend.  It's a tie.

What is the best piece of advice you were given?

Did I ever tell you I am bad at making decisions?  I can never pick just one.

"This too shall pass."  My grandmom would say that to me anytime I was going through a really hard time.  She says that no feeling about a particular thing lasts forever.  Meaning if you lost a loved one of course you will be horribly heartbroken.  But after time, you learn how to cope and develop a different type of a feeling.  That helped me get through a lot.

"The sun always comes up and the sun always goes down."  I have heard this a lot, but Mike says it often.  Meaning that if you are depressed, you can choose to lay in bed all you want, but everything is going to keep on moving without you.

"The wise is wasted on the young."  This has made me research and research.  I basically listen to podcasts any chance I get.  Wether it be marketing, business, fitness, life or finance related... I am always learning.  I understand wisdom comes more with life situations and how you deal with them, but learning and hearing how other people overcome obstacles is never a bad thing.

"Diamonds are in your own backyard."  My Dad says this a lot.  We are always looking for a different answer or think that we can't do something.  It is within you and around you- just find it.

"Patience is a virtue."  I am trying to become more and more patient.  I have actually gotten a lot better at it.

Random Bits- What I Am Doing To Get Prettified For The Wedding

Hi, Girlfriends!

I am sure from the title of this post, no guys are clicking on this blog today ;)

It's FRIIIIIIIDAY!  I am most likely going to take Fridays as a time to post random bits about my personal life and possibly stir up conversation.  Or ask advice.  I need more advice down below!

Before I start, I want to wish everyone an amazing weekend!  I hope you are Treating Yourself with something fun!  I am beyond excited for this weekend because I am taking 3 days off!  Well, I have to deep clean the gym and coach Spartan practice, but that doesn't really equate to work.  And I shouldn't even say I coach Spartan on Sundays because I do the workout with them and I am worth nothing when I am in pain, sweating and tired.  Sunday Spartan workouts revolve around running hills.  I never run and I hate running.  And I hate hills.  I really should hire someone to coach that segment because if you ask me what is next in the workout while we are running I will answer in this muffled, exhausted half ass answer while gasping for my life.  I am not exaggerating.  And I think the crew cheers me on more than I them.  I give out high fives because I can't talk.  That's what I do.   Anyway.... let's get to it.

Wedding Chatter....

If you know me, than you know I am a simple gal.  I don't do my hair often, I don't wear much makeup (even though I am secretly in love with makeup), I barely ever wear dresses and I NEVER wear pumps unless I have to.  Which is three times per year.  Yes, it is pathetic, I know.  But I do have a great team around me who is willing to help a girl out.  You know- to help me go relatively outside of my comfort zone for the big day.  "Relatively" because if I don't feel like me, I would not have fun celebrating our marriage.  I want to feel like a "polished me" as my client puts it.

So first, let's tackle that skin issue.  Remember when I asked for your advice?  Well, a couple people offered recommendations to their own dermatologists which I am beyond thankful for because I have no idea where to start in that department.  Up until recently, I have been blessed with decent skin.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely had my rough patches growing up, but the past couple years my skin has been sweet to me.  And then stress hit.  Stress is a mother.  It has completely thrown me for a loop and now I feel like I have chicken pox on my jaw line.  I am going to use a toner my awesome client/friend/"older sister" (that's what I like to call her) is giving me to try and balance out my pH levels.  In the past, I use to juice greens all day long and my face would clear.  This time around, everything is being stubborn.  I also made an appointment at one of my other client's dermatologist office, but it won't be until mid-June.  One of my trusty fitness pals reminded me that many bodies do not like dairy so I am trying my hardest to shy away from that to see if it helps with my breakouts.  I am crossing my fingers and toes this works out for me in the mean time.  

Hopefully I will have a clear canvas to go ahead and paint my face with makeup in September!  Kelly (my group fitness instructor and friend) introduced me to this chick, Jaclyn Hill on Youtube.  Can I tell you.... I am obsessed with her.  Not only is she gorgeous and does a phenomenal job with makeup, but she is hyyyyysterical.  Her personality is the complete opposite of mine and I think that is why I love her (I am a sloth in personality land compared to her).  She has been a makeup artists for many years now.  Although she does put many layers of ahem... everything... on her face, she does throw out some great pointers that I am going to use for my rehearsal dinner.  You better believe I am getting professional help on my wedding day though.  I can't stick false lashes on for the life of me.  (I only want the ones on the ends of my eyes though- the ones that wing out)  And to apply liquid eyeliner?  Forget about it...

My hair is going to be thrown up in a romantic, messy, whimsical look.  My great friend offered to do my hair and the bridal partys' hair as a wedding present.  How sweet is that?!  I have complete faith in her work.  I was originally going to have my hair down, but Mike requests an up-do.  Done.  I will also have my hair freshly highlighted in August- a couple weeks before.  There is a salon that I love in Rittenhouse Square called Richard Nicolas.  Joe has been doing my hair for a little while now and he does amazing work.  Another refferal/present from a client.  Did I mention that I love my fit family!?  They are wonderful to me.

As far as my fitness and nutrition go, I am going to amp up my PiYo about a month before the wedding.  I just love what it does for me.  I am also going to do sprints about two times per week.  Have you seen my instagram video on carb cycling?  I am going to carb cycle about 4-6 weeks before the big day as well. At least, that is the plan.  I am going to drink a ton of lemon water and get as many greens, protein and healthy fats in me as I can.

Has anyone gotten a spray tan before their wedding?  I have gotten a spray tan before, but for some reason, I am nervous to do it with my dress.  I am petrified some tanner will rub off on the dress... Thoughts?

So that's that my friends.  I would love to hear any feedback.... Also, I hope that everything I write one here can help you in some way or give you ideas :)

Thank you!

Hey there!

Thank you for stopping by!  It feels very weird to be blogging again.  I used to have a blog for my gym and I would write on a daily basis, but it was a very pigeon holed site.  The posts would mainly revolve around workouts, recipes and my everyday gallivants.  I also wrote an ebook describing my love of fitness, what I went through with my health, and how I found the secrets to living a successful, results-oriented fit life.  However, my mind is shifting and wants to learn, experience and evolve more.  My interests are now being peaked by "worldly" events, photography, fun foods, holistic healing and... makeup.  Random, I know.  I am realizing that just because I am a gym owner and personal trainer does not mean I need to consume myself in only health and fitness.  I have been "treating myself" more and digging into other areas of life and it feels oh-so-good!  I want to share with you all the things that make me smile in hopes that I can spread a contagious and positive expression...

Don't you dare think that I won't talk about fitness though, because I am getting married in a few short months and I would like to feel good walking down that aisle.  I joked with my Dad and said that we need the energy from a power bar to get us from one end of the chapel to the other.  The church holds 1,400 people... talk about a long walk.  And my hands will most definitely be getting dirty in the kitchen while scribbling down recipes to post for you because I will never stop experimenting with food.

Before I go, here is the link to my ebook you might like to check out.  You may learn a thing or two or even find a recipe you love.  Enjoy and thanks for your support!

Treat Yourself Ebook- Click Here