Revolutionizing Fit

When I came up with the idea for the name of this blog, "The Fit Revolution", my thoughts were centered on changing or revolutionizing what it meant to be "fit" for my fellow mommas, but really for anyone and everyone. There are so many ways in which one can be fit...physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually...did I miss any?? And I feel like, at any point in time, improvement in one department helps to improve the others. Improving my physical health has had a domino effect in most other aspects of my life as well. It has shown me what I am capable of in so many ways.

I had tried out a program in hopes of toning up and cleaning up my diet and it set me on this mission to help others understand how simple it can be to get healthy, lose weight and feel amazing. I wanted to help others understand that you should never be "on a diet." There is no need for a diet. Why take extreme measures to lose weight or tone up when you can do it by simply changing how you eat and what you eat and making it a habit. This way you don't feel deprived, starved, or "hangry", you make it into a lifestyle that can be maintained. I felt like I had this awesome sense of control over my health (and still do). I know what to eat, how much of it, how much I need to exercise (30 minutes a day, or so) and supplement all of that with superfood yumminess to make sure I am fueling my body with as much awesome and clean nutrition as possible. So revolutionizing fit is having a clear cut eating plan that is easy to maintain and short daily workouts to keep you out of the gym for an hour and a half. The fact is that it is so simple in comparison to so many other things that I and so many others have tried.

I also wanted to revolutionize what it means to be fit! Skinny does not equal fit. Bench pressing 300 lbs does not equal fit. Fit = doing something on a daily basis to maximize your health, a positive self image, making time for yourself, presence in your daily life, accepting your imperfections, and happiness!

I wanted to inspire moms to do things for themselves! Wouldn't that be a revolution?! Every momma knows that it is difficult to make time for yourself. You instinctively put your children and spouse first because that is your job as mother and wife. Everyone eats before you, you are always running to sports games and dance classes. And by the end of the day, you collapse into bed, just to start it over the next day. Since starting the fitness program and then becoming a coach (so I could share it with all of you), I really have been doing my best to make time for myself and do things that I love.

Becoming physically fit was just the beginning of this whole journey, the coaching part of it has transformed me probably more than anything. I have helped so many people, I have improved myself through personal development, getting back to making time for myself and allowing myself to be inspired by my fellow coaches and my challengers!

My plan is to continue to revolutionize FIT by showing all of you it can be done! You can become fit and healthy without being extreme, still have time for your family and make incredible changes in your own life!

If you are in, add me on Facebook here. PM me, I love to chat!

Status Post Toronto!

So, I was hoping to be writing a blog post about my own running experience yesterday but injury has kept me from doing much running lately! Totally ruined my fall plans and I'm not going to lie, I was extremely disappointed as we rode to Toronto, visited the Expo to pick up Kyle's race bib and made our way to the start line Sunday morning.

After doing 3 half marathons, I know how exciting it is waiting to cross those lines - the start and the finish! There is just so much energy and camaraderie amongst all those runners and definitely nothing else like it. But, I have to say, in a way, I am glad that I didn't run yesterday. Yesterday was Kyle's day. He spent months preparing, training, never missed a run, never even once complained (even the 20 miler)! I was able to wait and watch for him to cross the finish line and to celebrate with him when he made his way out of the finisher chute!

It was awesome to just be able to sit back and take in the scene. The city of Toronto is a great city for people watching to begin with, but there was so much diversity among the runners themselves and really showed me that no matter the race, sex, size, or personality, that running is anyone's sport!  There was even a guy in a cowboy on an ostrich costume that ran the full marathon! Some people do it to win, some people do it to finish, some people do it just to prove to themselves that they can. It is a group of people of tremendous determination. Determination to be great, to be physically and mentally strong and to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People really come together to support each other, to cheer each other on and extend kind words when a fellow runner might be struggling. That is why I have come to love running, I love the races! The training doesn't hurt (although it has over the past few months) and the races (even when I'm not running) are one of the most inspirational and exhilarating experiences I have had!

But, the best part was that I was able to watch my love and best friend become a member of only 0.5% of the U.S. population of marathon finishers. He finished strong, met his goal (under 4 hours) and was able to walk back to the car (with just a couple stops on the way :))!

My plan is to run here and there throughout fall and winter and hopefully be back in full swing for half marathon training in the spring. I will break 2 hours (set those goals) next year! In the mean time, I think P90x3 is in the works for me and hubby (eek, Tony Horton scares me!!) so we will definitely be in kick butt shape by the time spring rolls around!  The 21 Day Fix meal plan and Shakeology continue to be amazing tools to keep our nutrition on track and coaching keeps me accountable!

On that note, I will be holding a "What is Coaching" FB group next week! I'm telling you, when you are responsible for inspiring and motivating others to be healthy, it's that much harder to fall off the wagon. It's an awesome way to keep yourself accountable and a great way to supplement your income with no requirements or pressure! I would love to add you in if you are the least bit interested in what and how I do it! Let me know! Add me on Facebook here.

Four Ingredient Cookies

I have made these "cookies" about 4 times with the last 2 weeks. I even started making double batches! Cookies?? you say? I am supposed to be all about healthy and clean eating?? you say?

Well, these "cookies" are just about the healthiest "un" cookies that still taste like delicious, high calorie, sugar packed cookies! But are anything but! I have been looking for a recipe for clean and easy to make granola bars for the kids. There is something so convenient about just being able to grab a snack like a granola bar, but the store bought bars are full of so many additives and preservatives, even the "organic" ones! And they will break your bank! Most of the bar recipes I found were too complicated and not all that yummy. So I came across a similar recipe and tweaked it just a little and came out with these delicious little bites!

Ingredients:

2 Ripe Bananas

1 1/4 cup of Quick Oats

1/2 cup of Dairy free, Soy free Chocolate Chips (I use Enjoy Life brand)

2 TBSP of Natural Peanut Butter

Directions (it can't get any easier):

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Smash bananas, mix in oats, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Use a teaspoon to drop onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes!

So I made about 16 small "cookies" with this recipe and they were gone in 2 days! Just try to keep them longer! Oh and since they are all fresh ingredients, you will want to store them in an airtight container for no more than about 5 days. Let me know what you think!

Oh and check out my latest fitness challenge group on Facebook here!