Down Size It

Hey Everybody!!!! Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving with family and friends.. So did you over eat ? I'm very proud of myself because I didn't... I measured the foods that I ate and was very satisfied... So today I wasn't feeling sluggish and got my workout in...  Did you get your workout in?  I got on my treadmill again today... Trying to get myself back into my running because I fell off from it and these few days I have felt great doing it.. I had gotten afraid of it because I was losing so much muscle mass from doing so much running and cardio, I didn't wanna lose anymore. I have incorporated weights now, so I feel a little more comfortable adding my running back into my routine...   I think I wanna run a half marathon next year... Hmmmm... We will see... Stay tuned... Deuces!!! ✌️

Just wanting to take the time out to say Happy Thanksgiving with love from my family to all of yours!!!! Be safe and enjoy!!!!

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It's that time of the year when some of us pick up about 5lbs just looking at all the good food and desserts... This is the time when you need to choose your foods wisely.. Not sayin that you can't enjoy and pig out a little, just be more conscious of what you are eating. If needed, measure everything that you are putting on your plate so that you can still have control of what you are eating. Try to reach for more vegetable side dishes over that extra side of Mac-n-cheese that we all love so much... As for myself, I love love love dressing and am I going to eat some?.. YES!!!! But I will be using my measuring cup so that I won't go overboard with it... Just a few tips I wanted to share... I did get my pre thanksgiving workout in and if you can, try to get that workout in too...  HAPPY THANKSGIVING WITH LOVE FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!!!!! 

10 Reasons to Workout in the Morning     It can be challenging to make the time to exercise. But exercising in the morning is a wonderful way to create a positive routine and provides many added benefits beyond just keeping you fit.   1. Burn FAT instead of calories Get up, get a glass of water, and workout. No breakfast, no small bite beforehand. Do not take in a single calorie until you do cardio first. The reasoning behind this is when you exercise without eating, your body needs to tap into something for energy. Your body's first source of energy is glycogen but since this was depleted overnight your body must burn unwanted FAT to get you through your workout.   2. Better long-term results Over 90% of people who exercise *consistently*, exercise in the morning. Our bodies love routine. If you force yourself to get up when your alarm goes off, your body will thank you and pay you back.   Extra perk: People who exercise regularly earn 9% more in...

Frozen Peaches 1tbs ground flax seed 1/2tsp cinnamon 1/2tsp vanilla 1 scoop of protein powder 1c coconut milk DELICIOUSSSSSS!!!! So good, I drank half of it before posting... Lol

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fall season..... I took this picture on my break at work and thought it was beautiful... Some of us work so hard and never get the chance to stop and enjoy the beauty of nature... I love to just sit at this park and get my thoughts together, especially when I'm not having a good day... It seems to always relax me...  But now with it getting much cooler outside the days of sitting in this park has shortened. I'm going to try to take in as much of this beautiful view as I can... Love, Live, Laugh..  Angela

Looking for a healthy snack while on the go... I found these passing through the peanut aisle in a local Walgreens... I was very excited to come across these because I have been looking for something new and different other than nuts to snack on that was healthy. Quinoa is very good for you, it's a healthy whole grain that has all 9 amino acids which makes it a complete protein. It's also high in fiber and is known as a superfood...  Which makes this a perfect snack. So stop by your local Walgreens or health food store to pick up some of these Quinoa ( Keen-Wah) snacks... Always read your nutrition facts for serving size because they are very addictive... "IheartKeenwah".

My trainer had me do this slam ball workout with a 20lb medicine ball. My first time doing this exercise was last week, which was my first training session. I said to myself, "Oh that's nothing, slamming a ball 100 times". Yeah okay... But after doing 20, mannnn did it start to burn. I wasn't so much like " That's nothing" anymore... Baby girl was more like "Shit"... Lbvs... and that's the whole reason of having a trainer, so they can push you to limits that you wouldn't go if you were doing it by yourself.... So today I feel pain, that good pain. I will post myself doing them next week, but watch this youtube video by RAGE Fitness on how its done. These are the same balls that my trainer uses... SHOUT OUT TO EB30X!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HZxZFRGGJpY

  Hawaiian Delight Shake   1 Scoop vanilla whey protein 3 oz frozen pineapples 1 tbs coconut 1 cup water 1/2 cup ice 1 pkt of truvia (Optional)   combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. enjoy!!!    

Have you ever had a day where it just feels like 24 hours isn't enough?. By the time you realize it, it's 1 o'clock in the morning and you have to get back up in 4 hours. Well, that was my day yesterday and it showed in my personal training session today. My trainer actually could tell in my workout that I didn't get any sleep and man did I feel it. I had no energy and I felt sluggish but I did the best that I could, which wasn't good enough. I went out after work to eat with friends and to see the movie "The Best Man Holiday" , which by the way is a must see for those who have not seen it yet. I loved it!!!... By the time I made it home and got myself together for bed, it was about 1:30a and I was back up @5am trying to get to my training session @ 6:30am and still ended up getting there 15 minutes late. An average adult needs between 7-9 hours of sleep every night, even though some of us can function off of 4-6 hours of sleep, eventually it will catch ...

Since it has been cold out, I have been craving a good soup... I found this soup on www.cleaneatingmag.com and I actually made it last night and man when I tell you comforting, mmmmm... I made enough so that I can take it to work for my lunch for the rest of week.. It's one of those when you are at home wrapped up in your snuggie and watching a good movie kind of soup. Serves: 4 Hands-on time: 10 minutes Total time: 35 minutes INGREDIENTS: 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 8 oz collard greens, chopped (about 8 cups) 1 14.5-oz can no-salt-added diced tomatoes 12 oz red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 cups) 1 15.5-oz can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained (I used frozen black eyes peas instead, so the cooking time will be longer). Ground black pepper, to taste INSTRUCTIONS: Bring broth and 2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat. Add collard greens, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and potatoes, and return t...

Looking for a healthy snack to fulfill that sweet tooth craving... Because you are living a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean that you can't enjoy your food. But in moderation, of course. Try these for a healthier alternative. Apple Almond Squares Loaded with tasty fruit and nuts, our reader's gluten-free squares are the perfect mid-morning snack By Brooklynn Drake Gaus Makes: 12 squares Hands-on time: 25 minutes Total time: 45 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup almond flour 1/2 cup brown rice flour 2 tbsp stabilized rice bran, optional 2 tbsp organic evaporated cane juice 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp sea salt Pinch ground nutmeg 1 egg plus 1 egg white 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 McIntosh apple, peeled, cored and chopped 1/2 cup unsweetened raisins 1/4 cup sliced raw unsalted almonds ...

T25!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok.... I just purchased the T25... It took me awhile to decide if I was going to make that investment but I did and It's about to go down!!! I will be posting pics of me working it out in 25min... Trying to get more workouts in at home since it's getting cold outside... Along with my personal training sessions.... There are no excuses!!!!.... Can't wait until it arrives. My new challenge will be beginning soon.... Follow me on journey...

Do you know the benefits of drinking lemon water? Lemons are rich in vitamin C and minerals, it is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and it also helps with weight loss. Something that we all in the weight loss world want to hear. :-) Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings and by drinking warm lemon water and honey everyday it will help to reduce the weight. It also helps to detox the liver, and overcome indigestion. Ladies, drinking lemon water can also help relieve those horrible menstrual pains that some of us wish that we didn't get every month. If you are in good health, squeeze half a lemon in a glass of warm water and drink twice a day.  

I had my first PT session today. and I weighed in @ 176 lbs... YAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! Down 6lbs since starting my 21 day fast 5 more pounds to go ... And I have 15 more days left on my smoothie fast.... Weigh-In 11/9/13  - 182lbs - 176lbs           

Got my cardio day in. Trying not to go so hard with the cardio everyday since I need to focus more on toning. I did too much cardio and not enough strength training in the beginning of my weight loss and I have a few areas that I'm not too happy with and  I know it's going to take some strenuous weight lifting and hard training to get it tight. I start my first Personal Training session on Saturday morning and I will be posting pictures of my body transformations. To show that hard work does pay off no matter your goals and whatever you're trying to accomplish in life.

If you're looking for a healthy snack, Check out these Kale chips. I found them in The Protein bar downtown on Clark Str. Since I've been doing my 21 day fast, I've been looking for different types of things that I could snack on that was still healthy with little calories. These Kale chips only had 66 calories for the whole container and YES.. I ate them all.. Lol...

 

Ok... So, day 1 on my 5 day turned to 21 day smoothie fast (Thanks to my sister friend) was hard as ever.. I shall not tell a lie... I struggled...ALOT!!!!!.... But I will say this, I'm proud of myself because I didn't break.... But it's funny how when you're fasting, every scent that you come across smells sooooo good... Lol... I know, I know... It's all a mind thing.... But Day 2 watch out because I'm ready!!!! Goodnight!!!!!

Thanksgiving is around the corner and you know this is when all of the favorite desserts are seen everywhere, from pecan pie to sweet potato pie and the most famous pumpkin pie. Seeing that they are all full calories, what no other way to have it, is to make it into a protein shake. It has less calories and is much more healthier for you. I found this recipe on ( www.itsuxtobefat.com ) And I am most definitely going to try this out. Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake Ingredients: 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder 1 cup lowfat milk (Use any kind of milk - I would use almond milk) 1 tbs fat free/sugar free cheesecake pudding powder 3 Tbs canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice Handful of Ice Directions: Put almond milk, protein powder, pudding powder, pumpkin pie spice and canned pumpkin in a blender. Blend until combined. Add ice and then blend again until smooth. Enjoy!. ***Optional - Top with a dollop of fat free cool whip and a sprinkle of...

If you are looking for a light, protein-packed snack that will satisfy your salt cravings, but still healthy for you, try out these Indian Roasted Chickpeas. I found this recipe on aspicyperspective.com... I know the holidays are coming, but we can still get our healthy clean eating on. Roasted Chickpeas   Ingredients: 2 cans (3 cups) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 Tb. olive oil 1 tsp. J.R. Watkins Curry Powder 1 tsp. J.R. Watkins Garam Masala 1/4 tsp. J.R. Watkins Garlic Powder 1/8 tsp. J.R. Watkins White Pepper 1/2 tsp. sea salt Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Rinse the chickpeas and dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Then remove any loose skins. Pour the dried chickpeas out onto the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Shake the pan to coat the chickpeas in oil. Sprinkle the curry powder, garam masala, garlic powder, white pepper and salt over the chickpeas and then shake the pan agai...

I love these Ugg Boots.... Great for keeping your feet warm in cold weather.

I am starting a 5 day smoothie fast on Monday, November 4, 2013. I am doing this just to pretty much detox and cleanse my body to prepare myself for my journey to becoming a Pescetarian (A person who doesn't eat any meat except fish) and then a vegetarian. Even though I haven't eaten beef or pork for over 15 years, I loved me some chicken, any way you prepare it I'll eat it (Except fried).. Lol... So this is going to be a challenge for me. But green smoothie here I come... This is one of my favorite green smoothie protein shakes. Green Smoothie Recipe   A simple smoothie recipe with tropical fruit and kale. Ingredients: 1 scoop plain or vanilla protein powder 1 large kale leaf (over 1 cup chopped) 2 cups low fat milk or almond milk ( I use Almond Milk ) 3/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks 3/4 cup frozen mango chunks 1 frozen banana Directions: Prepare ahead: Cut all fruit into 1 inch chunks and place in separate freezer bags. Fr...

I found this recipe on www.thepickyeater.com... YUMMY!!!!! I am going to use Steel-cut oatmeal instead. Chocolate Brownie Oatmeal   The Ingredients 1/2 cup rolled oats cooked with 1.5 cups of water 1 tsp raw, unsweetened cocoa powder (you can find this just about anywhere, I used cocoa powder from Trader Joe’s in this recipe, but I have since found even better raw cocoa powder at Whole Foods that is just delicious) 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup 1% organic milk 1 Tbsp walnuts 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds Honey, Agave, Maple Syrup, or Stevia to taste (I use about 1.5 tsp of honey) The raw cocoa powder is actually one of the healthiest parts of this dish. While normally, adding chocolate would make the dish unhealthy, adding raw unsweetened cocoa powder is completely different. It comes straight from the cacao bean, so it contains tons of antioxidants, polyphenols, a bit of fiber and some protein too! So you really can’t go wrong with this superfood ingredient. And it tas...