Resolution or New Tradition?

It's that time of year again! 

Since getting healthy, I have come to some realizations about New Years. Resolutions are just another way to tell ourselves, we suck....we're not enough... and if you're like me, they tend to be the same ones every year...so let's add EPIC FAIL to our unspoken self realizations. 

Instead of resolutions, this is the time of year I like to take a pause for all my accomplishments (it just makes me feel better about myself!).  Like everyone else, I beat myself up enough throughout the year, so why add to it while ringing in the new. 




 My 2015 was all about that change! And Jack Johnson's lyrics have become my new theme song. 

"Move like a jelly fish. Rhythm is nothing. You go with flow and don't stop."
~Jack Johnson
  
My Top Twelve From  2015: 
(I challenge you to make you own!! Even if you favor resolutions this time of year, it's a fun way to give yourself a pat on the back for what you've accomplished! )

1.  Left a position I adored and thought I would retire from. (This was a very necessary change that snowballed the rest of my year into exciting things!!!)

2.  Accepted a new position that would prove to be an amazing journey. 

3. Discovered my love obsession  for podcasts!!

4.  Bought our second home (a beautiful Craftsman! I LOVE our new home!)

5.  Spent the summer working w/ my best friend on our old house to get it ready for rent (and simultaneously increased his patience threshold!) 

6. Became a landlord and found some  really awesome tenants!

7. Yielded a ton of yummy eats from our first official garden in our new home! Mmmmm butternut squash! 

8.  Had our first dinner party! (never entertained because our other house was just tiny)

9. Let go. (I mean this year gave me serious practice!)

10.  Became flexible (and I'm not talking about fitness--- which will go back on my Resolution list :/  ) 

11. Tried my hand at kale  recipes and LOVE  them!! (from our garden) 

12. Accepted that I may never be a yogi, but during PMS, it is paramount that I play the part!   

 

Post Holiday Challenge!!

POST HOLIDAY CHALLENGE!

JOIN ME!!

I don't know about you, but I really over extended myself this holiday season. Between getting my thyroid under control, spraining my ankle, stress at work, and being surrounded by constant baked goods and all things sugar and alcohol.....(How about that for a mouth full excuses!!) I am looking a bit pudgy and feeling quite sluggish. 

  

Cocktails, cookies, and lattes!! OH MY!! 
Did I mention the eggnog...... 

YIKES!! 

Well, fret I will not! I believe in taking action and have no doubt I will meet my goals and get back to how I normally eat......

I have never done any kind of elimination challenge, but a fellow trainer in a conversation this past October had told me it was one of the best challenges she personally had ever done. Well those words are still in the back of my head, so I'm going for it! 

My challenge (which my hubbs is doing with me as well) is from Monday, January  5th to Wednesday February 4th (30 days!!) I will completely cut out all alcohol and sweets. With the exception of coconut sugar in my coffee and a little honey in my smoothy, I will take out all sugar and junk as well as wine (OUCH) alcohol, and beers)

I invite you to join me in this very real challenge. Not gonna lie, this will be a great challenge!! Detoxing from sugar is a great struggle for me, and red wine is near and dear to my heart. I'm all in though and hoping to find a few of you who are willing to commit to doing something amazing for yourself as well.

Who's with me??!

Let's do this together!!

ShredFit Fitness Vlog: Does your perception interfere with your success?

TOUGH QUESTION: 
When you struggle with a goal, do you tell yourself it's because of the choices you are making, or are you struggling because other people or situations are making it too difficult? Are your perceptions standing in the way of your success?

Resolutioners....Ya know, we all started somewhere

The attitude about New Year Resolutioners in the gym, is typically negative. I hear it all the time. 'They' take our parking spaces, benches, and favorite "spot" in class! 'They' move in the wrong direction in kick box,  take all the weights in lifting class, and crowd the gyms.

What if, instead of glaring at them this year, we welcome them? What if, our smile, encouragement and offering of comradery, gave just one more person the desire and strength to cross over as a regular in the month of May instead of dropping out by March? What if?

Food for thought: Nothing is more intimidating then walking into gym for the first time without a clue....except when everyone who has a clue glares at you like you're in the way. 

Let's see how many we can bite with the fitness bug!    

Happy New Beginnings! 

Sugar and spice and everything nice must GO!! Bye bye holiday food, Hello clean!!

Me at about one, beginning my love affair with sugar...

Confession time... I can't have sweets in my house! I will (and have) eat them...ALL!! When we have an event or holiday that includes dessert or baked goods, If they are left in the house I will literally OD on them. Sugar addiction actually runs in my family. True story. Just look at the picture above; my eyes are glazed over!!

Today is purging day in the Norton house! Time to give away the rest of the cookies, dump the egg nog, and  toss the pies. 

I'm not so much worried about weight gain. That is inevitable with all my holiday indulgences. Once the pounds creep up on my waist line it will take about 3 weeks or so of my regular healthy habits to see them disappear. What gets me more than anything is the way I feel! I remember this feeling. Sluggish, no energy, struggling in the gym as I trudge through quick sand wanting to give up. Craving a mid-day nap. That is how I use to feel all the time when I had a poor diet. I hate that feeling! When I get that all to familiar feeling, I know I'm in trouble. 

So today I get rid of all the crap! And I look forward to getting back to normalcy  and clean eating!
I could lie and tell you that I've always eaten healthy. That is just comes natural for me, but if I'm keeping it real, I'd have to say, I NEVER thought I'd love clean eating so much. And I do. Slipping back into old habits during the holidays reminds me of why I eat clean and how good my body can feel and operate with good clean food. I am so grateful I have come this far. 

Merry Christmas Star center Members!

MERRY CHRISTMAS STAR PEEPS! Here is your Christmas Workout! I challenge you to choose 'at least' 2 days to this workout, write down your reps the 1st time you do this, then try to beat your score the 2nd time! **WATCH THE FIRST ROUND BEFORE YOU BEGIN!** This will familiarize yourself with the moves and different levels so you waste no time watching the different levels during the workout...MAXIMIZE your intensity by know your levels ahead of time!

10 exercises for 3 Rounds 5o sec. max effort, 10 sec. transition
1. 3 lateral leaps - 4 switch kicks
2. Right Single leg tap out-drop squat
3. High Knees
4. 2 knee Spiderman push-up
5. Burpee w/ 2 witch lunges
6. Left Single leg tap out- drop squat
7. 8 mnt. clmrs/8 low jacks
8. trench crawl + 4 pendulums
9. CRAZY APES!
10. Squat crescent


*Injury disclaimer:
Not all exercises are suitable for everyone and this or any other exercise program may result in injury, To reduce this risk of injury, please consult your doctor before beginning this, or any other, physical fitness program. Any user of this program assumes the full risk of injury resulting from performing the routines presented within this video.

Holiday Gift Idea #1 (for fitness and healthy living)

 

1. The Eat Clean Diet book by: Tosca Reno

(((( My Hero!!)))

This is number one for a reason!! It all begins and ends here folks....This is the number one reason I am now healthy and have a healthy relationship now with myself and food. Doesn't matter what you do in the gym if you are not feeding your body right... And let's understand, that doesn't mean low fat, low carb, diet food. REAL FOOD and LOTS of it!!  This book taught me how to eat for health....weight loss was a bi-product of that. 

MY HOLIDAY CHALLENGE TO YOU...

November to January, is where I am at most risk of packing on the pounds!! Halloween candy, baked goods, Thanksgiving dinner....and left overs, Christmas parties, egg nog, Santa cookies, Peppermint Mochas, apple pie....ala mode, the list is never ending!! I know I'm not alone. NY Times reports, the average person packs on 7-10 pounds with in this time frame. I've surpassed that a time or two!

One way I choose to hold myself accountable is to keep a food log. I love myfitnesspal.com
( http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ ) I use this site to track my calorie intake, food choices, and exercise deficit. They also have a great phone app that syncs up with your account!

I am at a point in my journey where I don't need to use it all of the time, but during the holiday months, I can get a bit carried away if I'm not diligent about my accountability. I at least, have to own it! It is during the holiday months that I go ultra public as well. You'd be surprised how much more you care, when you know everyone is watching. I go public for a couple of reasons.

• Accountability
• prevention
  
• Motivation
• Inspiration

My hope is, through putting myself out there for all to see, that you will do the same. Whether you are trying to reach goals, maintain good health through out the holidays, or want to be an example of good health for others, I invite and encourage you to join me on myfitnesspal.com and Facebook and go public with your efforts, successes, and failures (which without, we can't succeed). You can link or share your progress on both sites and encourage others to do the same.

You can find me on myfitnesspal.com through the "community" tab, and click on "Find Members" (on the blue bar just below), and type in my user name, "KellyShredFit" next to the Search Bar, and "Search". Feel free to friend me and follow!

Are you brave enough to get serious about your goals, and publicly own your positive and negative behaviors that help or hinder your success?

You must be 100% honest...We are all human, so no worries! Something you may find interesting about me...I could EASILY scarf down a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.... and not feel the least bit sick...but if I was really being honest, I could also grab a spoon and a half gallon tub and go to town!! Ssssshhhh....don't tell anyone...

Take the Challenge! Reach your goals...learn about yourself...stay motivated...and INSPIRE others!

Who's with me??
Check out my page!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/KellyShredFit

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

And so begins the Fall season....

For many, this is the time we "fall" off our healthy living habits and indulge more. Cold weather sets in as our favorite TV shows return, and we become less active and crave all the fun comfort foods this season has to offer. Candy corn, Carmel apples, pumpkin spice lattes...before we know it we're five pounds heavier, and can't fit into our favorite jeans and sweaters without the extra muffin top appearing ("Hey, where did that come from??")

Fall is my favorite season! Over the years I have found healthier ways to enjoy the comforts of Fall without killing all of my hard work. I still indulge once in a while, but not nearly like I use to. Here are some healthier ways I enjoy the season without packing on the pounds:

**I love Fall scented candles! I buy a few each year! The smells are so comforting and create a relaxing environment!

**World market sells lots of fun pumpkin goodies! With lotions, soaps, and decor, it is my favorite place to shop! I love their All Natural Pumpkin Pasta Sauce paired with a wheat penne and a pear salad for a Fall inspired lunch!

**Pumpkin butter is great on whole wheat English muffins! You can find some at World Market, or Trader Joe's.

**I love an occasional pumpkin spice latte, but for a regular Fall treat, try a coffee with creamer and some pumpkin spice from the spice rack! (I am sipping on one right now!) I love the Coffee Mate's "Natural Bliss" creamers! Sometime I use the regular vanilla caramel as well and they still has way less sugar than the pumpkin spice latte (49 g of sugar in a 16 oz latte, compared to 5 g in a drip with creamer and spice)!


** Don't forget to stay active! Fall is a perfect season for nature walks, running, hiking, biking, raking, corn mazes, and exploring the great outdoors!

**Adding pumpkin puree, chopped apples, raisins, pecans, and Cinnamon or pumpkin spice to steel cut oats, or oatmeal is a super yummy and healthy way to celebrate the season!




**Sweet potatoes are deemed the healthiest vegetable!!! Add a little plain Greek yogurt and Cinnamon and you have a healthy Fall snack!


** Wet weather is a great time for indoor skating, rock climbing, GROUP FITNESS CLASSES (What?? You knew I had to fit that in somewhere), dance lessons, boxing , self defense classes, or even pick up weight lifting as a hobby (muscle mass raises metabolism and makes it easier to fight holiday pounds)! Don't let a rainy stop ya from staying active!!

Make it your goal to approach every Fall activity or indulgence with a mindful eye on your healthy lifestyle. The first year can be tough breaking those habits of daily pumpkin spice lattes, and a steady supplies of candy corn and pumpkin bread...but as the years pass, I am still amazed at how easy it has become as a result of consciously making that effort. I have created new traditions and habits that support my healthy living goals and allow me to still enjoy the comforts of Fall foods and activities!!