I'll start on Monday

So, I’m at a restaurant and I can’t help but notice a lady asking for another bread basket. As she grabbed it she smiled and said “ I’ll start on Monday.”

It got me thinking. What does this mean? Does it mean we can skip workouts and binge on everything we want, and then we’ll snap out of it on Monday?
There’s an implication that it’ll be easier then to eat clean, and all the perfect training opportunities will come together, if only right?
If your life is anything like mine, that never happens.


But, what if Monday never comes? Then 5 pounds turns into 10, and you find yourself wondering, how did I get so far away from my goal?


As busy moms, we already have to fight to get our workouts in and to make the best food choices for our families. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for the occasional guilt-free indulgence. But, wouldn’t you agree putting everything off until Monday, is only putting off results?

Childhood Obesity, a Community Problem?

Have you experienced the pain of being overweight? Well, I have and it made me feel self- conscious, uncomfortable, and unhealthy. When I think of all the children that are obese, my heart breaks.
Did you notice Michelle Obama's initiative to fight childhood obesity in the USA today? She started a campaign called Let's Move. According to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on January 26, 2011, "Over the last 40 years, the share of American kids who are overweight has quadrupled."

What can we do as a community to change this?
Have healthier school food choices?
Make Physical Education a mandatory class?
Does this problem start in the home, community, or both?
Is there a simple answer?

Devastating to think that children will be put on cholesterol lowering drugs and even depression medication to treat the side effects of weight gain.

Can you imagine your child dealing with the emotional ridicule and health problems associated with obesity? Have you ever been overweight? Are you overweight? What can we do as a community to help?

How am I supposed to do all the things I need to do today?

Do you find yourself asking this question?

I'll admit it, I had a "moment" this morning. But, don't we all? Seriously, has this thought ever crossed your mind, what about me? And, not in a vain way. I'm speaking of bare necessities.

These are the days the last thing you want is a lecture on how you just need to get organized, or how to fix it. So, I'm not going to do that.

Let's face it moms, we have a tough job. Very rewarding, but it requires all we've got. Am I alone here, or do you feel like this too?

What pulls you out of these "moments?" How do you do all the things you need to do every day?

Protecting our Kids from the Decline of Healthy Eating

Picture it, I'm standing in the cereal aisle of the grocery store and my daughter is saying, "Mom I saw that one on TV can we buy it?"

How many times has this happened to you? She's only 3, and we don't watch very much TV. So, how does this happen? Everyone keeps telling me, wait until she starts going to birthday parties and school, then all she's going to want to eat is junk!

On top of this, there's so much misguided information and advertising.
Did you happen to catch the Kellogg’s case in the news? The FTC ordered them to pay for their claim that Rice Krispies boosted immunity!

Oxygen readers we know about processed foods and trans fats, but isn't it sad that we can't trust packaging?

Help me with this one, is it really inevitable? What do you do to keep your kids from what most say is the decline of healthy eating?

Why do you want to be in shape?

I’m asked every day, what motivates you? I know this seems like an obvious question, but is it? Why, do you want to be in shape? When I was able to answer this, I finally achieved real results the kind that last.

Ask yourself, what have I always wanted to do? Spend some time identifying your why.
We all have a dream deep within our hearts, like running a marathon, looking better in a bikini, or competing in a fitness show.

Keep your why in front of you daily, by hanging that two-piece in the closet, joining a running club, or signing up for a bikini competition. Empower yourself with a “can do” mentality, get passionate about it and don’t let it be a short-lived phase. Let this be the time, I believe in you!

As you read this, did your dream surface in your thoughts? I’d love to hear what it is?
　
　
Click here to find out my why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEMjg2nftr0

Moms, get Yummy in only 10 minutes!

Let's face it no one feels good running around feeling disheveled, I know I don't. But looking great is surprisingly quicker than you might think . Here’s my routine, it only takes 10 minutes for hair and makeup!

Make up steps
wash your face
use a moisturizer and eye crème
concealer under your eyes
foundation or tinted moisturizer
set with powder
bronzer or blush on the apples of your checks and dust the eyelids- a warm peach looks great on most people
curl lashes add mascara
shape brows with a powder or pencil-your choice.
neutral lip liner with a natural lip gloss or your favorite lipstick

Quick hair ideas
pony tail, side pony,braid or use clips for a half up half down style
Want volume or smoothness
At night pull your hair into a scrunchy at the crown (for volume) or at the nape of your neck (for smoothness). When you wake up in the morning just take it down. brush through, and go.
Create Waves
Put your hair into two low ponytails, twirling them away from your face until they coil into themselves, then secure them with pins. When you take out the pins, you will get a big, soft wave that is sleek and close to the head.
　
Don't you feel better when you look your best? Give these tips a try and let me know how they work for you. Remember practice makes perfect.

Do Moms get the same 24 hours in a day?

There's an old saying that goes, "we all have the same 24 hours in a day."

As a mom trying to do it all, do you agree? Do we make our schedules, or are they made for us? Is it really all our choice, or are we merely doing what we can to make it through the day?

I know this statement evoked strong feelings in me, but how does it make you feel?

Healthy Eating for the Family Made Simple

Feeding our family healthy meals should be simple, right? But, who has time for home cooked meals? I'm not an expert, but I do know my way around the kitchen. Here's my simple approach to making quick meals and keeping my family healthy.

Meals

Bake chicken, turkey, and other lean meats on the weekend and freeze. Throughout the week you can defrost and flavor them in countless ways.

Buy pre-cut veggies and salad greens to save time.

While you're baking your lean meat, cook whole grain pasta and brown rice to have on hand. Buy whole wheat pita pockets, whole grain English muffins, Ezekiel bread and tortillas to have many choices to toss the meat and veggies into.

Find spices and condiments you love, like salsa, lemon pepper with garlic, and chipotle seasoning. With an array of spices, you’re able to satisfy different tastes and make a variety of meals quickly.


Snacks

Apple cinnamon rice cakes with 1 tbsp natural nut butter

Protein pancakes or oatmeal pancakes made with bananas or berries

Fruit and raw nuts

Make your own trail mix with whole grain cereal and raw nuts

Cottage cheese or Greek yogurt with fruit

Roll ups with tortillas and meat

Helpful Advice

Eat 5 or more mini meals or 3 meals and 2 snacks to keep your blood sugar steady. This really controls cravings and prevents overeating.

Eat your calories don’t drink them.

If you have certain trigger foods, avoid bringing them into the house. Find a healthy alternative.

Avoid foods that have multiple ingredients. Think of a pop tart versus an apple.

Allow for planned indulgences.

Make dinner time family time. Have the kids learn about their portion sizes and let them help in the kitchen. My daughter loves making a whole grain pizza muffin with veggies and scooping out the portion sizes of everything.

Avoid eating in front of the TV. Nothing makes food disappear quicker and you don’t even remember eating it.

Moms, sit down and eat! Enjoy your food, you deserve it.

Adopt healthy eating as a lifestyle versus a diet.

This approach make take an initial commitment, but in the long run it saves time, money, and it's very convenient. Try it for a couple weeks and let me know how it works for you.

With all the different information available, I have found these trusted resources helpful.

Clean Eating Magazine
The Eat Clean Diet & Cookbook
Pick it Kick it

2011, time to write your comeback story!

Having a baby changes everything. I know after I had my daughter, I didn't believe I could be in "fitness" shape again. I knew I could lose weight, but I truly thought my fitness days were over.

I had a revelation one day looking at a picture of myself-my thinking was determining my results. Wouldn't you agree that you can only go as far as your thinking will take you?

Fitness isn't just for the girls in the magazines, it's for us moms too. I'm happy to say I pushed the doubt aside and decided I was going to get in the best shape of my life.

Here are my Oxygen covers pre and post-baby.The Fat Loss cover from Winter 2010 and my first Oxygen Cover April 2005. I was told my abs were better post-baby! Can you imagine?

Moms, I encourage you to believe in yourself and make 2011 your year! Share your comeback story and submit your pictures to the Future of Fitness.

Wouldn't you agree being a mom doesn't mean your fitness days are over?