"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." ~Winston Churchill

I think I should write this quote on a few post-it's and stick them all over the place.

Real talk: My 22 month old has decided to quit napping (she has been down to only 1 nap since 11 months old).  Sure, it could be a phase. Yes, I am giving her "quiet time".  Thankfully, she is going to bed a little earlier too.  After throwing myself a pity party for the last week or so, and having the opening line be "Hi, how are you? My toddler stopped napping!"  "Hey, how's it goin? My toddler stopped napping!!!" *womp womp womp* I decided that I need to get my mind right and focus on having a better attitude about this new change. #ownit Motherhood at it's finest.

You know what they say, "expectation is the root of all heartache"  (and by "they" I mean Shakespeare).  That's a hard lesson I keep re-learning as a mom.  Heck, as a human being.  Expecting things to go as planned, or as I envisioned.  In other aspects of my life, this is something I continuously struggle with.  Expecting a certain person to be a particular way.  Expecting to be "bikini ready" the summer after I gave birth.  Expecting my daughter to take a nap after play time, swimming, and being awake since 6am.  Expectations can be tricky.  The key is to have realistic expectations.  Hope for the best, but expect the worst.  Amen to that!

I also believe the universe is telling me to slow down, I have been sick with a sinus infection since hubby got back from his trip (welcome home babe!)  So I have been resting and putting my pride aside and asking the grandparents for help.  Truly blessed to live near my parents and in-laws, they jump on any chance they get to see their grandbaby. Hopefully I will nip it in the bud ASAP! **listen to your body**

So that's what I have been up to!  Pity party is over....for now. ;) On a happy note, maybe she will wanna snuggle her dearest mama more often

Watching "Finding Nemo" for the umpteenth time ;)

 I've been working on a post about FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #6: Eating clean in moderation. My goal is to also post another recipe.  

As requested, I am also starting to post some of my favorite exercises.  These can be found on my Instagram: FITspiration_Mom and on my Facebook page.

Here is an example:

If you have questions on how to do a particular exercise, check out www.bodybuilding.com

Hope everyone is having a great day

 TGIF!
Lex

Tilapia with Kale and Tomato

You know I love me some Shaun T. ♥

This recipe is straight from the T25 recipe booklet. It's not only healthy and full of flavor, but super easy and quick to make. Yesssssss!

Tilapia with Kale and Tomato

Ingredients(for 2 servings):

2 (6 oz) raw tilapia filets

Sea salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

4 cups fresh kale, chopped

1 can of diced tomatoes, with juice

Directions:

1.  Season both sides of tilapia with sea salt and pepper.  Set aside

2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Add garlic and kale, stirring frequently for about 1-2 minutes.

4. Add tomatoes with juice. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low.

5. Place tilapia on top of kale mixture and cover to cook for about 1 minute. Gently turn tilapia over and cook for additional 2-3 minutes (or until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork)

6.  Remove from heat and ENJOY!

We always make a side of quinoa to compliment this amazing dish, and usually end up using diced tomatoes with green chiles to add a little kick (and maaaaybe some cholula)

And yes, even my *almost* 2 year old loves it.  This makes me super happy, because I'm always worried about her getting enough healthy fats.

That does it for today's post, until next time!

Lex

FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #5: Accountability & Progress

Well, hello, hello!  Today I want to talk more about FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #5: Accountability & Progress.

If you have decided to set some health and fitness goals for yourself, the first thing you want to do is share them with your support system!  If you keep it to yourself, you are more likely to give up and change your mind.  *confession* When I decided I wanted to make a goal of doing ONE pull-up...I didn't even tell my hubby for at least a week!  I kept thinking to myself "Is this really possible?  What if I can't do a pull-up and then I will feel embarrassed."  Don't let your thoughts get the best of you, it's about trying your best.  Even if you don't achieve it today, you will become stronger and learn new skills along the way.

Last fall, I remember looking in the mirror one day and feeling depressed and exhausted from being unhealthy(no exercise and 20/80 rule!), I turned to my hubby and I pleaded with him, "Please, please help me stay on track! Even if I get mad at you in the moment, remind me this is what I want.  This is what I need to feel better about myself."   When I wanted to skip a workout or eat something unhealthy because I was having a "bad day", I turned to him for that reminder. Support systems are amazing!

The next thing you want to do is get a fitness/food journal!  This can be a small notebook (I like writing things down) or you can download a free app like My Fitness Pal.  Or both!  This is a great way to track progress and to hold you accountable with your goals.  I mainly use it as a food journal, so I can see what I am actually eating.  What a wake up call! I did a lot of "Oh, one extra oreo won't hurt" and "What's another handful of chips gonna do?" or how about "I deserve this bowl of ice cream since I worked out today!"  Boy oh BOY, do all these little things add up in the long run. 

#truth

You can also use this to track your workouts.  It's nice to be able to look at last week and aim to do at least 1 more rep, go up in weight, or add more time to cardio (or plank challenge!)

I also used my journal to write down my goals for the week and put down my "stats"  Which included my weight and measurements (waist, hips, chest, biceps, and thighs).  When I first started out, I only allowed myself 1 weigh-in per week (the same day I took progress pics).  Do not, I repeat, DO NOT obsess about the scale.  It is not what defines your success in this journey.  You will most likely lose inches before pounds.  The scale tends to be a distraction for us ladies, don't let it define the way you feel about yourself.  The weight loss will come in due time.

 Most importantly (in my own opinon): take pictures!  This has been my main tool of measuring my progress, because the scale does not tell you that you have lost inches or built muscle.  You won't even see the difference some days, because you see yourself every day!  Ask your hubby, a close friend, or family member to take these for you.  Make sure you do a variety of poses (front, side, & back.  regular posture and flexing).  You will be happy you took these pictures to compare along the way. It's also a great motivator to help you stick with it, or to work harder.

Make sure you pick a room with good lighting, a blank wall, and try to wear a similar outfit each time. There is no scale in the world that can compare with seeing a side by side of all the smaller changes. I remember when I first took a "before" picture after I gave birth.  I wanted to delete them right away. I had tears welled up and I started to feel defeated before I even began. *cue support system*

After seeing fit moms like Natalie Hodson take these same photos and being real about it, I was inspired to keep the pictures and to use it as motivation to start feeling good about myself.  A year and a half later, I can still look back and reflect on where it all began.  I am "that" girl that loves pizza, cheeseburgers, ice cream, chocolate, twiced baked potatoes with all the fixin's, home cooked enchiladas with rice & beans.  I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and wish for the self confidence to wear a tank top or shorts (or a bathing suit).  It wasn't easy facing the music and making the decision to leave my excuses behind and get the wheels turning forward, but I did it. One day at a time.

Celebrate the small victories, because before you know it, they will add up to a BIG change.  Share with your support system what your aspirations and goals are, and ask them to hold you accountable. 

A lot of these tips tie in together, especially when it comes to accountability.  Use your support system to help you stay on track.  Find a workout buddy and put it on the calendar; you will think twice about skipping a workout, I promise you! Take the time to write in a food journal, so you can be honest with yourself and maybe even notice a bad habit that you can replace with a healthier one.

I hope this post helps you on your journey to a healthier, happier you.  Remember, it doesn't get easier; YOU just get stronger.

Next blog post will be a recipe, pinky promise.  I have been adapting to "Terrible Two's" and sporadic nap times with my little one, so working on my blog has been a crap shoot.  C'est la vie right?

Until next time!

Lex

FITspiration Lifestyle Tip #4: Prep & Plan

Hello my fit friends,  I am excited to dive into one of the most important FITspiration Lifestyle tips on today's post!  I am certain that this will ensure that you're giving it your best shot with starting (and keeping) a healthy, happy lifestyle.

Let's face it, we are a busy society.  Whether you are a busy SAHM or a working mom, there is always a never-ending "To-Do" List on top of your every day challenges.  Is it "easier" to go to a drive thru?  My answer is no!  It's not easy dealing with the sluggish feeling you have from eating overly processed food.  It's not easy struggling to wake up early, because of lack of energy due to eating junk.  It's not easy carrying around unnecessary extra weight.  Planning ahead with meal prep will be the key to making sure you are nourishing your body with an abundance of healthy meals.

I have found that setting aside a few hours on a Sunday to prep meals and snacks for the following week, makes my life feel a lot less hectic. I wake up knowing I have a jar of Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats awaiting me. 

I always have some sort of bar in my purse for an emergency snack, like my current fave Peanut Butter & Jelly Quest Bars (which by the way can also be a healthy dessert option, especially if you nuke it for 20 seconds)

Our last few Sundays, we have prepped grilled chicken to be used for a variety of recipes we already use.  Most of the time, the meat is what takes the longest to cook. Plus, we just love grilled chicken!  We also prepare a pot of black beans, diced tomatoes, and quinoa/brown rice medley.  Sofie loves it!

Here are some other meals/snack ideas that can be prepped ahead of time:

Breakfast: 

1. Spinach Breakfast Casserole

2. Banana Oatmeal Muffins

3. Overnight Oats

Lunch/Dinner:

1. DIY Burrito Bowl

2. Lemon Garlic Shrimp over Cauliflower Mash

3. Quinoa & Ground Turkey Peppers

4. Quinoa Fried "Rice"
5. Individual Salad portions

Sides/Snacks:

1. Mean Green Juice (one of our faves!)

2. Creative Carrot Juice

3. Mixed Nuts

4. Protein Bars

5. Individual servings of Veggies or Fruit

You can do something as simple as making individual "grab-and-go" snacks.  I like to make our own Mixed Nuts and put them in tupperware.  Grab a handful to hold me over before dinner.  Get snack-sized ziploc bags and put carrots in there to be readily available as you run out the door.

...

The second part of this post can also be geared towards exercise.   There are certain "rituals" and habits that I find can prepare me to commit and succeed in my fitness goals.

I am "one of those" that prefer to workout in the morning, especially now that I have an active toddler that wakes up at 6am.  Allow me to re-phrase and state that I need to workout in the morning!  While I pump iron at the gym, Little Miss gets to have some social interaction with other kids/adults and let out some of that energy (she has a lot!)

Here is a list of what I personally do the night before:

1.Lay out workout clothes.
2. Pack my gym bag.
3. Pack Sofie's bag with her necessities.
4. Refill my purse with snacks (protein bar, banana, nuts)
5. Water bottle on my night stand.

This saves me a lot of time and stress!   It takes maybe 5-10 minutes versus 25 minutes the morning of, which includes a hungry toddler, hungry great dane, cup of coffee for my sanity, and squeezing in quality time with the hubby before he leaves for work.

If you plan to work out in the morning, go to bed an hour earlier so you can wake up and still feel rested.  If you want to work out on your lunch break, eat lunch at your desk while you wrap up emails.  If you want to workout after work, bring your gym bag and go straight to the gym.  Maybe even prep your dinner ahead of time so you can put it together more quickly.

When I finally decided to be more consistent with my routine, I started to make events in my calendar for my workouts.  Much like a lunch date or dentist appointment, it was something I committed to and needed to show up for.  Aaaaand maybe I am a little type A ;)

 

Most importantly, get your mind right! Preparing ahead of time will subconsciously get the wheels turning. As I lay my clothes out for the next morning, I am mentally preparing myself to wake up and start my day off on the right foot.  My hubby prefers to workout during lunch, or after work.  He gets his gym bag ready with everything he needs and brings it with him.

Being a busy mom can be overwhelming and stressful at times, and life happens.  Things happen that I may not be able to control, but at least I will feel as prepared as I can going into each day.  Like anything in life, being consistent will turn these "tips" into habits.  Going to the gym in the morning is now a habit and a part of my routine, much like making my daughter breakfast or going to the grocery store.  It's something I make time for in my daily life and I plan accordingly.

I hope this helps give you ideas on how you can plan or prepare yourself for staying committed to a healthier, happier life.

 xoxo

Lex

Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats

Yum, yum, yum! You are going to love this quick and easy meal prep. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you will really love it.  Here is where I found the recipe (18 others!).  We bought our mason jars (1 pint) at Costco: only $6 for a pack of 12! Below is our recipe for 1 mason jar, so be sure to multiply the amount of days you'd like to prep for.

Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/3 cup Almond milk

1/3 cup Greek Yogurt

1/3 cup blueberries

1 banana

1/3 cup KIND Peanut Butter Whole Grain Clusters (found at Target)

OR Something else crunchy (like nuts)

Directions:

1. Mix first 5 ingredients together into mason jar (or other air tight container) and secure lid tightly.

2. Let set overnight (at minimum 3-4 hours)

3. Wake up the next morning, top off with clusters and ENJOY!

How easy is that?  Not only is it delicious, but it starts your morning off right with some protein and complex carbs (which you need for energy to workout!).

I'm really excited to try some of the other ideas, maybe something with peanut butter (my fave!)

Hope everyone has a positive and healthy Tuesday!

 

Spinach Breakfast Casserole

Happy Saturday!  Next week I will be focusing on FITspiration Tip #4: Prep & Plan.  So if you want to jump on this train, Sundays are a great day to food prep for the week.  Do your mornings feel chaotic at times like mine do?  Once prepped, all you need it 20 seconds to warm this puppy. That's it.  Here is where I found my inspiration.

Spinach Breakfast Casserole

 

Ingredients:

12 egg whites (we buy them in bulk at Costco) 

2 cups chopped onions (we like sweet onions)

4 cups finely chopped spinach 

1 teaspoon garlic salt

optional:1/4 cup diced jalapeno slices (from a jar, not fresh)

optional: 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375*.  Whisk eggs in large bowl.  Stir in other ingredients and mix together.  

2.  Pour into 9x13 pan, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

3.  Bake at 375* for 25-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Keep refrigerated. Makes approx. 12 servings

...

With a new school year approaching, getting back into the swing of things can sometimes knock you on your booty.   This is a great option to have in your fridge when you are running out of time. It's easy for older kids to grab a slice and pop it in the micro for 20 seconds while you get your toddler ready for school drop-off.

 No more McDonald's drive through when you have a healthy, prepped meal just waiting for you in the fridge!

Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend so far!
Lex

Creative Carrot Juice Recipe!

For all my juicing friends out there, you'll be proud that I stepped outside of my "bubble" and made a new juice.  I dubbed it the "Creative Carrot Juice"  because I had a bunch of carrots to use up and got creative with adding whatever fruits that I had lying around.  It was a success, yay!

Creative Carrot Juice

Ingredients:

8 Carrots

1-2 cups Strawberries

2 large navel oranges

2 apples 

Optional: Ginger, small amount

Apples not pictured.

Yum! This was refreshing and sweet, and my daughter absolutely loved it.  I haven't been successful with offering steamed carrots to Sofie, so this definitely had me doing the "Happy Dance"! Hehe

...

I will be posting another recipe this week, I promise.  I decided to take the same approach to blogging as I do with my fitness and healthy eating.  Plan ahead and make time for it!  Sometimes life gets busy, and things happen.  My little one decided to push her only nap about 2-3 hours later and it has thrown me for a loop.  Wooosah. #noexcuse

It's all good though, not gonna sweat the small stuff in the grand scheme of things.  Similar to meeting a road block or obstacle in your fitness journey, being flexible and having the ability to adapt to unexpected changes will help you get back on course. 

Well that does it for today.  Happy Hump Day to all my Mon-Fri peeps.

Lex