Core De Force – The Before Launch REVIEW !

Core De Force is the brand new MMA style at-home fitness routine from Beachbody and I’ll tell you how this one is different and why you should get excited over it too. Here’s the biggest selling point for me..

It’s for everyone!!

So many of the DVD programs are geared toward women which is perfect for me because that’s who I talk to the most and they appeal to myself and my market. However, many of these women have a difficult time staying motivated to complete these fitness workouts even with an accountability group for support. Now I know my hubby will say this isn’t fair but could the men in these ladies lives be making it difficult for them to achieve their goals? I’ll stop there before I get myself into trouble..😊 Anyway, my point is that even the men are excited about this one. My hubby will be starting the  program with me and at least 5 other women I talked to said their husbands/boyfriends were interested too. This is HUGE!! This is something couples can actually do together without it being binge watching Netflix and eating pizza. Having a partner do it with you gives you the accountability you need to finish this program to the end!!

The trainers (Joel and Jericho) themselves are super down to earth and relatable too. I love the fact that they are a guy and girl duo which just strengthens the idea that this program can be done together. By he way, Jericho just recently had a baby. Seriously, anyone can do this!

Alright so let’s get down to what you can expect from this program..

Length of progam: 30 days, no super long commitment but the perfect length of time to see those results .

Time invested per workout: 30-40 minutes, easy to fit into your schedule!

Equipment: Just your body 😊

Layout : (in the sneak peek workout I have done) .. 6 rounds, 3 minutes each, with 2 high cardio “spikes” in each round.

Workouts: Mix of MMA moves, bodyweight training to help you sculpt and cardio

*Modifier included!

What I liked about the sneak peek workout 

* Fun! This is KEY to sticking with a workout program. When you have fun doing it, you’ll want to keep doing it every day.

* Simple moves- nothing complicated and they break down each move for you.

*Encouraging – they are real people like anyone doing the program at home. They root you on and make you feel like it’s a live workout.

*Time went by really quickly. The 3 minute rounds were tough but the way they were broken down made the workout fly by.

* I was sore (in a good way)!! I’ve been doing a ton of different types of workouts these days so I was surprised that in just one workout of Core De Force I was already feeling it.

*Great core workout. I love the fact that the focus is all in the core. It’s the area I need to tone up and I’m sure many ladies can agree with this!

How to get it

The CHALLENGE PACK launches 10/31/16

With a challenge pack you receive the full DVD set(4 workouts, nutrition guide, and workout calendar), a month of Shakeology (Daily health shake loaded with dense superfood nutriton) and 30 days of Beachbody On Demand which allows you to stream various workouts from any Internet source .

Price: $140 special plus free shipping through November.

Get it here

The BASE PROGRAM launches 11/1/16

Base program includes the full DVD set(4 workouts), nutrition guide, and workout calendar.

Price: $ 59.85

Get it here

6 Activities to help you stay active this fall

Being from Pennsylvania, I have always loved fall. The smell of falling leaves, the beautiful colors, the crisp cool air, bonfires, hoodies, and my list could go on all day.. Now that I’m in Florida we don’t really get much of a fall. However, this past weekend it did cool off and we had gorgeous weather. It was so nice to spend a day outside with my hubby for once (he hates being out in the heat) and it got me thinking of how much time is wasted inside. Let’s make the most of this season! Here are 6 activities to get you outside and active this fall!
1. Visit state parks

You don’t even have to leave your town to be a tourist. My husband and I felt like doing something different this weekend so we decided to explore the Gamble Plantation which is only 10 minutes from us but we’ve never been there. We took a tour of the house and did a lot of walking around. The weather was gorgeous and it was so nice doing something different. Go on an adventure and visit some parks near you!

2. Play sports

This time last year I did something totally out of my comfort zone and joined a kickball team. It was just for fun and I don’t think we won a single game. But it was nice to be active on a Friday night instead of sitting on the couch watching Netflix. 

3. Walk, run, or jog

I just love being outside especially in the cooler weather. I’ll make up any excuse to get out of the house. My pup loves her extra walks on the weekends! And once a week I go for a run. Being outside is a great way to clear your mind. 

4. Roller skate

Roller skating it back and it’s such a great workout!! I’ve been seeing more and more people roller skating these days and even read an article on it in Women’s health recently on all the benefits. Plus it’ll get you feeling like a kid again 😊

5. Canoe or kayak

We love to kayak but the summers in Florida are a little too intense for us to be out in the heat for long. But fall is the perfect time of year to do it!

6. Bike

My mom recently visited and for the past year she had been so excited to take a long bike ride together because it’s “so easy” to do in Florida without all the hills. It never happened due to the hurricane but now I have the urge to rent a bike and spend a day in the park 😊

There are so many ways to get in a little exercise outside so take advantage of this beautiful fall weather! Tell me, how will you be active outside this season? 

Not all dark chocolate is healthy – Here’s the type you need to get!

Dark chocolate is often seen as the healthier chocolate option out there with the power to lower hypertension and improve blood flow. It helps reduce risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke and is also said to have a calming and relaxing effect. The benefits go on and on making dark chocolate a no brainer, however, not all dark chocolate is healthy. Read on for what to look out for and the healthiest options.
Stay away from.. 

Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate or something similar. You can find it at any store and it’s easy to choose this over the milk chocolate bar in the checkout aisle, thinking you’re making a healthy choice but beware! This one is only 60% cacao and has quite a bit of sugar.

What to look for

Look for at least 70% cacao or higher! The higher the cacao content, the more flavanols which also means more healthy benefits. The higher the cacao %, the lower the sugar % which is exactly what we want. 

Aside from the cacao percentage, you’ll also want to read over the ingredients. There could be hidden sources of gluten, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and more. Just stick with ingredients you know and can read and you should be good. 

The BEST chocolate for you

The absolute healthiest chocolate is unsweetened bakers chocolate which is 100% cacao. If you’ve ever tried this chocolate, you know it isn’t very present tasting. It’s way too bitter, even for me! So maybe you don’t want to go that intense. I recommend the Ghirardelli bars which range in cacao percentage but I really like the 85% Midnight Reverie. 

Where to buy

You can find healthy dark chocolate options at pretty much any store. I’ve seen a large selection at Walgreens and that’s where I always go. You just won’t typically find good dark chocolate in a 7-11 or gas station so make sure to pick some up before your road trip.

All it takes is a few extra minutes to read over the ingredients list to find a healthy dark chocolate option for you. They are out there! All it takes is making the decision to get dark chocolate over milk chocolate. Hint: if your dark chocolate is too bitter, eat it with some almond butter. This will take the edge off 😊

7 Things I Learned From My Family On Vacation

Every October my family comes to Florida to visit us. They find a fantastic house on the beach, vacation, and just enjoy time together. It’s always a special time of year for us and we always enjoy the time we have with them. I’ve noticed something this year though. I don’t know if it was being on vacation or just the special group of people my family is but they’ve taught be a lot about life and the way we all should be living. Here are 7 things I learned from my family on vacation.

1. It doesn’t matter what you do but rather who you do it with. I can’t honestly tell you one thing we went out and did as a family other than dinner. Memories are made by sitting around a coconut with a face, not any extreme activity. I feel like we put too much pressure on what we go out and do and forget about the little things, like just talking to one another. 

2. Naps are essential. My family’s vacation was filled with “happy naps”. You always feel your best when you get the rest your body needs and it’s totally ok to nap it out in the middle of the day (if you’re on vacation).

3. The weather will never be perfect but we appreciate the weather we have. While my family was in town we had a tropical storm. We didn’t let that stop our fun though. There will be storms in life but it’s important to look on the bright side and appreciate the good things you do have. We were very lucky that the weather we got was mild!

4. Live a carefree life. Something magical happens when you’re on vacation. Your worries melt away and you’re just in a completely happy state. Shouldn’t we live every day like that?

5. Life is too short to not enjoy good food. Don’t get me wrong, I love living a healthy lifestyle but every once in awhile you have to get a little crazy with a bowl of pasta. It’s not the end of the world. Enjoy it!

6. Do what you want and forget about the judgement of others. If you want to spend the whole day in your PJs just do it. If you want to nap all day on the couch, do it. Do whatever makes you happy and forget about what anyone else has to say about it. 

7. Share the love. I have to say, my family is a super caring bunch of people. They are always giving. Their happiness and joy is contagious and they’re always fun to be around. Share the joy and makes others happy. 

What it really comes down to is just being happy. Love life and enjoy what you do. Spend quality time with the people you love and appreciate all that you have in life. It’s actually quite simple but the stresses of everyday life can easily distract us. If there’s one thing we can all change in our lives right now it’s to take a little bit of time each day doing something that makes us smile. Start TODAY and look forward to doing that thing. Life is too short not to love what you do.

The Best Way To Get Over Self Doubt

We have all been there. We think we’re doing amazing one minute and the next we see someone else doing that same thing a million times better than us. How in the world are they so far ahead when it seems you’re doing the exact same things? 

I’ve struggled with this a lot over the last couple years as a fitness coach. I felt like I was putting so much work into my business and getting nowhere. I looked to the top coaches for inspiration but instead started comparing myself to them. That is the worst thing you could possibly do! 

Instead you need to work on yourself. If you’re feeling down, doubting yourself, and stressed you need to drop everything you’re doing and pick up a personal development book. Choose one that relates to what you are currently going through or an area you need to improve in. Don’t worry about all the other things on your to do list. Just get really focused on working on you!

When you’re working on yourself, do not pay attention to what other people are doing! Focus on what you have done in the past that has worked for YOU. Brainstorm new ideas that you’re passionate about. Get back to your true self and explore the possibilities for you.

We are all different for a reason. The world needs the unique thing that you have to offer. Don’t rob the world of that just because you want to follow exactly what someone else is doing. Make it a goal to work on yourself every day. I do 30 minutes of reading a personal development book in the morning but when I feel like I really need a boost, I clear my calendar and do extra. I read and read until I feel better about my situation.

I love books and have quite a collection started but all you really need are a few good ones. I always read a book twice in a row. I read the first time jotting down notes here and there of things that inspire me. Then I read it again and take notes the whole time and really soak in the information. Then I even go back later and reread them. As time goes on, your needs will change and you’ll get something completely different out of the same book.

You were born to do incredible things! If you don’t feel like your amazing self, you need to start getting in the right mindset. Pick up a personal development book and get lost in it!

Tell me, what is your favorite personal development book? Post it in the COMMENTS below!

6 Healthy Pinterest Tips For The Newbie

I am absolutely obsessed over Pinterest especially when it comes to keeping up with a healthy lifestyle and I’ll tell you why. As much as I love cookbooks, there are three main things I dislike about them. They take up valuable kitchen space, it’s tough for me to pinpoint exactly which book the recipe I’m looking for is in, and I feel like I need a bazillion different books to suit all my needs (Paleo, Whole30, low carb, keto, crock pot meals, healthy sweets..). What can I say, I love food and a wide variety of it ☺ I do have a select few cookbooks I keep around but about 99% of my recipes I get from Pinterest. 
One of the biggest problems people have with Pinterest is wasting way too much time on it. If you’re unfamiliar with the site, it basically has all the coolest stuff out on the Web from recipes to DIY projects all in one place where you can “pin” them to categorized boards and reference them later. There’s so much great content on Pinterest that it can become an addiction and hours fly by before your eyes. It can actually become a dangerous place if you’re not careful. But don’t worry, I’ve come up with a Pinterest system for finding the best healthy recipes that actually works! Read on for 6 Healthy Pinterest tips for the newbie. 

1. Be specific with your boards

You can create as many boards as you like (at least I don’t think there’s a limit?) So be very specific with your board categories. For example instead of a “healthy recipe” board, break it down into “healthy dinner”, “healthy breakfast”, “chicken recipes”, or “crock pot recipes”. This will make it way easier to find the pin you’re looking for. 

Side note: If you’re not sure where you put a certain pin you can search within just your pins to find it!

2. Be specific with how you search

When you first go to Pinterest you’ll find a ton of things in your feed. They can range from DIY projects to art to funny graphics. Basically whatever Pinterest thinks you’ll like is the first thing you’ll see in your feed. This is where you can spend hours on Pinterest so be careful! I like to use the search bar instead to find what I’m looking for. I always go into it with a plan and I search only for what I’m looking for at the moment. For example if chicken is on sale at the store that week and I need a new recipe to try, I’ll search for “Paleo chicken recipes”. This saves me a ton of time because I find exactly what I’m looking for. 

BUT if you do have some down time, I recommend looking through the feed of things that you may like. You can always find some great inspiration there (I love looking up fall crafts this time of year!) And it’s an awesome way to relax. 

3. Double check your recipes

As mentioned above, being specific with how you search will really help you find what you’re looking for but there’s usually an odd ball thrown in there that doesn’t belong. I’ve searched for healthy dessert recipes before and have accidentally pinned some loaded with sugar. Whoops! Just be sure what you’re pinning is in fact what you were looking for!

4. Click the pin for ingredients

Now you don’t have to go through to the site to view the ingredients in a recipe!! This makes life so much easier. All you have to do is click the pin and you can find the ingredients under the photo. I do this for every pin before rep inning to make sure the recipe aligns with my diet.

5. Pin now, review later

When I go on a pinning spree I normally do it pretty quickly. I pin everything that I want to try one right after the other. But when I’m ready to make that recipe, I be sure to go to the site and check it out first. Sometimes the recipe won’t even be there or the link will be broken. I also read over the recipe and see exactly what’s involved before I go out and buy all the ingredients.

6. Maintain your boards

Every once in awhile you’ll want to organize your boards. I got through mine and make sure all pins are in the correct board. It’s so easy to select the wrong board when pinning. I also get rid of any boards that are no longer relevant to me. Maybe I’m no longer doing a certain diet or are interested in something else. You can always remove boards, add boards, move pins around, and modify it to suit your needs. 

If you use Pinterest right, it can open up so many doors for you not only with trying new fantastic recipes but in anything else you’re interested in. The beauty of Pinterest is you’re finding the best content out there all in one place. You can even judge pins based on how many resins they got. This will tell you when a certain recipe is really good! Have fun with it but don’t let it take over your life. Get in, do what you need to and get out. Simple as that!

Interested in what my Pinterest looks like? Check it out HERE!

The Relationship Date Night Challenge

 

With our 5 year anniversary approaching this October, I’ve realized how easy it is to fall into a routine with your significant other. There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable and staying in every Friday night watching Netflix but every once in awhile it’s nice to mix things up. When Justin and I do something different together, we almost always learn something new about each other. We start talking about some goals that we have on our mind. And we also get totally goofy. Doing something different takes you out of your element. It’s exciting!! You may not think going to the zoo is very exciting but when you rarely go, it’s super fun plus you can act like a kid again. ☺

I’m going to challenge you with something Justin and I have done in the past but have fallen off the wagon with and need to come up with some new fresh ideas. Here’s what you need to do for the relationship date night challenge:

1. Grab 12 index cards and sit down with your honey one evening (this could be a date night in itself!). Come up with 12 date night ideas and write each down on an index card.

2. Take turns coming up with ideas. Have fun with it!! What haven’t you done in awhile? What have you never done together before? What parts of your city have you not yet explored? Where or what have you always wanted to go or do? What were some of your first dates together?

3. On the first of every month pick out an index card at random and plan to do that date sometime that month. Be sure to actually set a date and write it on your calendar so you stick to it. Don’t plan anything else during that time, that is special time for the two of you.

4. If for some reason, the date connot be done in the month you selected it (camping in the middle of summer in the Florida heat is never a good idea), simply schedule that one for a month that’s better and select another card for the current month.

5. Sometimes life gets hectic and things simply change. That’s what happened with Justin and I. He started to get real busy with school and the time just started slipping away from us. Sometimes you have to adjust your date nights to work for your schedule and budget. That’s totally fine as long as your doing something different at least once a month. If you are able to, feel free to do more than just one a month. All you have to do is make more index cards!

6. OK so there is one more step to all this and it’s the most important one. When you’re on your special date, you cannot bring outside drama into it. Don’t complain about work, friends, family, or chores you have to get done. Turn your phone off and focus on connecting with each other for once. If you don’t do this, you’re not really on a date with that person. This challenge is all about strengthening your relationship so this part is a must!

So let’s recap.. Every month you and your lover will plan a special date night doing something you rarely or never get to do. You’ll put it in your calendar and be totally focused on each other while on this date. You’ll do this for 12 months straight. Think you can do it?? Just be consistent and have fun with it! Be sure to comment below and let me know one unique date night idea you have written on your index card ☺

The Ultimate Way To Relax On Your Day Off

 

TGIM!! Yes, thank God it’s Monday  (for once) and thank God for this incredible Labor Day off from work! In my opinion, we all need this extra day added onto our weekend. And we need it every single weekend. Here’s why.. Saturdays are typically our day to get done the dreaded errands. We straighten up the house, run out to various stores, and attend birthday parties that we really don’t want to go to. Before we know it, our Saturday is over and we’re already back in bed after totally exhausting ourselves. Then comes Sunday, the day that we use to prepare ourselves for the work week ahead. It’s often filled with meal prepping, laundry, and stressing out over heading back to the office the very next day. Does anyone else feel like they just can’t get a break?? That’s the beauty of three days weekends. You can get all the ugly work done and still have time to truly relax. It’s so rare that we get this extra day though and you might not even know how to use it. If that’s the case, here are 6 ways to get the ultimate relaxation on your day off.

1. Sleep in

If you’re anything like me, you love waking up early and being productive. But you have to realize that your body needs a break! Turn your alarm off and allow yourself to wake up naturally for once. You’ll feel refreshed, relaxed, and at peace. I am also no stranger to a good nap in the middle of the afternoon. But make sure you don’t sleep the day away. Too long of a nap can cause you to feel groggy and have a difficult time sleeping later that night.

2. Spend time outside

There’s no better medicine than spending some quiet time in nature! I love to sit out on my lanai and just listen to the water splash from the fountain in the lake across the street. You can choose to be active and take a nice walk or sit outdoors and soak in the beautiful rays of sunshine.  By the way, this is exactly what I’m doing right now ☺

3. Get lost in a book

Reading has the power to instantly change your mindset. I normally get focused on my personal development books but there’s nothing wrong with getting lost in a good story either. It’s a great way to escape the stresses of everyday life and it’s probably something you rarely have time to enjoy. Make the most of this extra time on your hands!!

4. Get comfy

Remember that this is YOUR DAY!! You do not have to leave the house if you don’t want to. You do not have to get dressed if you don’t want to! Feel free to lounge around in PJs or yoga pants all day. Don’t even worry about your hair and makeup. Feel comfortable in your own natural skin!

5. Pamper yourself

How often to you actually do something for yourself?? My guess is very rarely. Use this extra day to do something that makes you feel beautiful. Go get your nails done, slap on a mud mask, get a massage, soak in the tub, or get your hair cut. Whatever makes you feel like a million bucks, go out and do that!

6. Laugh!

Laughter has the power to instantly put you in a better mood. Call up a friend or spend some quality time with your spouse. Let loose and just have fun! Enjoy this time with them and laugh it up. Feel free to get totally goofy ☺

Life is too short to spend your days off vacuuming behind the couch. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up with what we feel we should be doing that we forget to just enjoy life. The dishes can be cleaned later. The groceries can be bought later. Drop everything and enjoy this moment right now. You will never get this day back again so make the most out of it.

Tell me, how do you relax on your days off? Leave a comment below!

The FIRST STEP to turning your dreams into reality

In the past (let’s say about 4 years ago) I never worked on myself. I didn’t have any big goals and I didn’t know where my life was going. I was unhealthy, eating junk just like any other typical college student, not happy with the way my body was changing (I gained about 30 lbs!), and just bitter about life in general. I honestly didn’t know how to work on myself. I didn’t understand the point of dreaming big when I didn’t actually believe any of that stuff would come true. What’s the point?? Once I started on my fitness journey with the determination to get my high school body back, other things in my life started to change. I soon discovered this thing called personal development. I had no clue what it was in the past because they don’t teach this stuff in school! So now I’m working on my body and my mind. I’m finding out that what I desire most in life is possible. Anything is possible if you have faith and believe in the things you can’t yet see.

Deep down I know you have some big dreams even if , like I once was, you don’t allow yourself to think about them much for the fear of disappointment when they don’t happen. There’s a big vacation you want to take. Or a house you’d love to live in. Maybe your dream job is out there but you don’t think you’ll ever be qualified for it. The more you tell yourself that you can’t or won’t have these incredible things in your life, the further they get from your reality. It doesn’t matter where you’re at right now in life. You can be the biggest negative Nancy in the world or you could have an open mind to this whole thing. You could already be successful and have reached some of your goals already or you could just be starting out. Doing this one thing will help you turn your dreams into reality no matter who you are. It really works. Here’s what you need to do and it’s actually a ton of fun!

Visualize your future!!

You need to go beyond just writing a list of things you want to accomplish down. Often times we write down our goals in the beginning of the new year as our resolutions and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s excellent to write your goals down but I’ll be honest with you. There’s no way you’ll reach those goals if you’re not taking action. They won’t just fall into your lap. The best way to take actions on those goals is to have  strong and powerful why. This is the thing that will push you forward when things get difficult and you feel like giving up. It’s the thing that you’re working so hard for. It’s your determination to keep going. Maybe you want to make more money. That’s an excellent goal but ask yourself WHY you want to make more money. Would you like to buy your dream house with it? Maybe travel?

This is where a vision board comes in. A vision board will keep your focus on your why and remind you of what you’re working towards. You can have that dream house or that dream car on your board. You can have pictures of the vacations you’ll one day take on your board or anything else you really want to do in life. Your dream board should get you excited. It should also get you emotional. Every time I look at mine, I tear up a little because I just can’t believe one day I’ll have all this stuff in my life. But it’s ok if you’re not at that point yet. If this whole mindset is totally new to you, your vision board may just seem like a board with a bunch of pictures on it. But I want you to look at it every day and actually put yourself in those picture. Close your eyes and really feel yourself there. Escape in that dream you have for yourself and allow yourself to believe it will really happen. It takes time but you’ll get there. And if you think this whole vision board thing is just silly, I encourage you to just do it anyway and see what happens. If nothing else, you’ll have fun dreaming 🙂

Top tips for creating a vision board

1. Take your time. Pick out the perfect pictures. Don’t just settle on a picture of a house you think is OK. Find a picture of your DREAM house. The one you actually want to move into. There are no others that will do. It has to be a particular one. Get specific on what you want because it’s exactly what you’ll get.
2. Put it somewhere you’ll see it often. I just made mine the other day and it’s currently at my desk in my home office. But I actually work mostly from my phone so I’ll also take a picture of my vision board and set it as my phone wallpaper so I see it more often.
3. Really take it in. Don’t just look at it as pretty pictures. Feel yourself actually there. How will you feel when you get your dream job? Who will you tell first? Let that excitement build and keep on believing it will happen!
4. Act and talk as if your dreams are already your reality. The more you study your board and believe in it, the easier this will be. You may need to make adjustments in your life in order for these big dreams to happen. For instance, my plan is to quit my full time job in a year in order to take my business full time. I know this will happen in one year so I’m not going to rush out and buy a new wardrobe for my office job even though I really need it. I have the clothes to get me through the next year but I choose to update my wardrobe with workout gear instead (since my business is fitness related). I also talk as if there’s no doubt in my mind that this will happen. I never say “I hope to do this”. It’s always “I WILL do this”. These things will increase your faith and allow your goals to become your reality.
5. Make sure that what you put on your board is what YOU want in your own life. Don’t concern yourself with what others think you should do. This is all about you and what you want.
6. Make a physical board. This is so important because at first I thought I’d be clever and make a Pinterest board but then I never went back on Pinterest to look at it! Seeing it every day is key so it’s important to put together an actual board. You can’t just store this stuff in your mind. It just won’t work. Note: Pinterest is a great tool for finding your pictures. I recommend finding them on there but then print them out for your board.

I just put together my fist vision board last night and had so much fun creating it. Even if you aren’t sold on the whole vision board thing and how it can help you turn your dreams into reality, have fun and do it anyway. Like how starting my fitness journey changed my mindset, focusing on your big dreams can change everything for you. Why be unhappy in the life you’re living when you could enjoy it?

Tell me, do you have a vision board? Or will you be creating one?? I want to know one thing that’s on it. Share yours by dropping a comment below!