Book Review: FIT2FAT2FIT

Seriously, What an INTERESTING book!

Talk about commitment.

This is such a scary risk. The whole time I read it, I just kept thinking "what if he doesn't lose it, what if he gets sick".

I obviously knew he didn't (hint- fit2fat2FIT)

Drew Manning is essentially what I would be if I became a personal trainer. 

Driven, Health Nut, Exercise Freak, and Super Competitive.

He shares his story about how frustrated he was with his LAZY, overweight clients.

He would watch them sabotage themselves and therefore he associated that with laziness.

But he ended up learning a lot more when he decided to stop exercising and eating healthy.

After gaining 75 lbs in 6 months, it wasn't just weight Manning had to deal with.

He became tired, apathetic, and depressed.

He learned the chronic cycle that comes with weight gain.

"I can't do it, it hurts."

"Food will make me feel better."

"I'm too tired to workout."

"I can't do it, it hurts."

I give this book 4 out of 5 hearts.

I really made me sad to read what his wife wrote about this experiment.

This was definitely eye-opening and convicting.

"Don't judge me until you've walked  a mile in my shoes."

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Book Review: The Mommy Diet

Who hasn't watched the Biggest Loser or at least seen some clips. Talk about inspirational. But I have a hard time identifying with the contestants. I wished they would do Back to you Baby Body and Better show. Because weight gain from pregnancy, where negative habits may develop, is different because you can't stress your body too much, especially if you are still nursing.


Anyway, Alison Sweeney wrote the Mommy Diet, and well I had to check this out to see how it fared with my current thoughts on weight loss.

It was pretty good, definitely encouraging and complete opposite of the Jilliam Michael's boot camp tone (which I actually like). But Sweeney did a great job and showing compassion to readers about getting pregnant, being pregnant, and getting that body back!!

I really enjoyed this quick, easy read. 

Even a few illustrations of different exercises to be doing.

I really wish I would have read this during pregnancy.

I DEFINITELY recommend it for those interested in fitness and are pregnant or just had a baby.

There is NO judgement in this book, a main reason I recommend it.

It gives tips about what clothes to wear during pregnancy and offers a lot of support after you have the baby.

Its hard being pregnant and a new mom and hearing all sorts of different advice.

It really rains on my parade, if you catch my drift.

I gave this 4 out of 5 hearts.

Have you read this book? What books for new moms or pregnant moms do you recommend?

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Week 22: Health and Fitness

This week our eating has been getting a lot better....however, summer is around the corner which means lots of bbqs, weddings, parties, and showers. I only hope that there will be more fruit than cake :)

my yummy powerbowl

This week I tried a new recipe: Quinoa Turkey Meatloaf. It was really really good. here is a link to the recipe: Quinoa Turkey Meatloaf.

I've also been enjoying some frozen mango and apples with peanut butter as a healthy dessert.

Still off of the coffee and enjoying some yummy teas.

Still doing great with yoga every day, and plank a day.

Here is my week in fitness. 

Saturday: 3 mile run in the stinkin' heat (ugh), yoga, plank

Sunday: 5k with my family, yoga, plank

Monday: 9.3 mile run, 20 minutes of yoga, 

Tuesday: 3.2 mile run, 25 minute yoga

Wednesday: 30 minutes yoga, 3.20 minute plank, Wedding Workout by Tone It Up, 3 mile walk

Thursday: 3 rounds of Surfer's Paradise, 20 minutes of yoga, 3.40 minute plank

Friday: (planned): run, yoga, plank

I'm hoping to hit 4 minutes of plank this weekend...keep your instagram pics flowing as thats what I do while planking :)

I'm hoping to give this page a little update. Please check back to see the new look :)

Have a great weekend!!

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Letter H date: Happy Hubby

I was asked by Kaitlyn from Wifessionals to be apart of this alphabet date. 

Since both my initials are 'H' I decided to take on that letter with lots of enthusiasm. 

This date I planned a fun, HAPPY date for my HUBBY.

The day began with Hubby Hearts. These are love notes that I like to leave for Steven. Today I just decided to make them hearts.

I think it's important to set the mood for a date, starting in the morning and throughout the day.

That was the plan...but things don't always go according to plan....especially with a teething baby.

The night before, I wasn't able to get up early and place the hearts around the house. So I send a sweet text message and placed the Hubby Hearts around the house for him to find when he got home.

For dinner we had HIDDEN SURPRISE HAMBURGERS. I couldn't just do plain because that's no fun. I decided to do some spicy, HOT, turkey burgers with mozzarella cheese in the middle.

Its so easy to just throw a slice a cheese on top of a burger, but this way is just as easy and WAAAY more fun.

Assemble your burgers as you like.

I added cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic salt, and some salt and pepper.

I then formed the hamburgers into patties.

The I cut a few slices of mozzarella cheese and placed them inside the patties.

I learned for next time to cut the mozzarella into cubes and then form the patties around the cheese.

Place patties onto a pan at medium heat, cover, and cook about 8 minutes a side. PLEASE, Please, please check for doneness.

My hubby doesn't mind rare, but I like to cook about 8 minutes per side, plus and additional 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy with white, whole wheat, or even lettuce wrapped buns.

We had some HOMEMADE HOT Chocolate for dessert.

I LOVE the Hershey's Hot chocolate. Its pretty easy, but its also not super sweet.

I like to add more sugar and less cocoa!! It's delicious with homemade whipped cream!

And did some HAND HOLDING and planned to watch HUNGER GAMES.

When I say planned I mean I had wanted to watch it, but as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out. :)

Luckily, those burgers were a winner!!

Please stop by Wifessionals (http://www.wifessionals.com/) and Sharlee's blog (http://believinginsomething.com/) 

For more info and some wonderful posts!!

Book Review: Airbrushed Nation by Jennifer Nelson

This was a VERY interesting book. I must admit I totally judged this book by its title. Oops, sorry. But it need up being really good.

It was very reminiscent of How To Lose a Guy in 10 days. The behind the scenes look at what 'chic slicks' are really like.

What I've learned is disappointing. Most mags don't care about your self esteem or your issues, they are just trying to sell theirs. There is a bit of preying that goes on as well as shady marketing to draw you in as a reader.

Instead of cheering us on as women, we frequently find articles titled 'get rid of that cellulite' 'Why you should be worried about your bedtime routine.' But you won't find belittling titles in the men's magazines.

No there you will find confidence and encouragement.

I loved that this book also offered a historical look at how magazines began and how far they've come.

I give this book 4 out of 5 hearts!!

A definite read!!

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OFF THE COFF

Beginning in May, I decided to stop drinking coffee, along with a few other goals (you can read about it here).

There are a few reasons I decided to give up coffee.

Here are a few:

1. I think I was drinking too much. 2 sometimes 3 cups a day. It was a lot for me

2. I knew it would be a challenge

3. Breast Cancer runs in my family and I've read that caffeine can cause lumps to grow.

It sure hasn't been easy.

I love everything about coffee.

I love the smell.

The taste.

The environment and community of it all.

And the people.

I am soooo guilty of wanting to be a part of the crowd and hold that Starbucks cup.

Such good marketing!!

But I haven't actually weaned off of caffeine.

I've been drinking Mate tea, green tea, and occasionally black tea.

STASH has a decaf chai tea that is very flavorful.

I like it with a little sugar though (I wish I could drink it straight, but its strong)

It definitely hasn't been easy. I feel very tired at about noon. I know that its okay to take a little nap. They are so good for you, but sometimes I think that that is too indulgent, when there is stuff to get done.

So have you ever given up coffee?

 

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Mothers Day!!

This was technically my second Mother's Day as Lilly was born three days before last year, but this year felt extra special. 

Motherhood is something you can only dream about before you are a mother. 

And it's true what they say "it's the best thing." 

And...

"Your life will never be the same."

But once you become a mother you also enter into a world of competition. 

A game where you are pushed and prided to conform to 'popular' ideas. 

However, if you hold true to that feeling, the beauty when you hold your child, you understand what motherhood is. 

It's beauty and love. 

Trust and kindness. 

Truth and goodness. 

I reflected on this this past Sunday and how much of a blessing it is to be a mother. It's so easy to compare your parenting to others, to justify your style as superior. 

But when I leave that mentality behind and begin to look at mothers as heroes and Gods creation, I realize how important it is to have a mentality of encouragement. 

So, mothers everywhere "you are doing a fabulous job!!"

Hope you had a blessed Mother's Day!!

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