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A dose of motivation will change your life almost overnight.

The best part of my job is seeing clients achieve amazing results. Whether they drop a few sizes, lose the baby weight, get off their blood pressure meds, or shrink their waist, the excitement is always contagious.

There really isn’t a clear way to describe the euphoria that settles in once you’ve realized your fitness goal. You have to experience it.

Though each successful client is unique with different goals, one element unites them.

They are all highly motivated.

You see, I am in a unique position. I know how to get you (or anyone else who walks through my door) into great shape. I can coach you through a 30 kilo weight loss. I can guide you to a healthier body. I can even train you into a toned athlete.

But there is one catch.

You’ll need to be motivated.

See, saying that you want to get into great shape isn’t enough. You need motivation—and that’s just half of the equation. The other part (and the most important) is ACTION.

Nothing happens until you take action.

You can want it, think about it, mull it over, ponder it, plan it, and then re-plan it. But nothing happens until you take action.

While I may not know your story—it’s probably safe to assume that you are dissatisfied with your body and know that you can improve your fitness level. You want to look better, to have more energy, to experience fewer aches and pains, and to enjoy sweet satisfaction as you achieve your goals once and for all.

I know that all of my successful clients were once in your shoes. They wanted to change their bodies. They felt urgency. And then they did what most fail to do. They took action and contacted me.

But there is more to it than that. They then committed to a program, put in the exercise, stuck to their diet and met their goals. There’s nothing more gratifying than getting back into those jeans that now sit in the back of your closet.

People who take massive action get massive rewards. And those that simply talk about losing weight will continue to put weight on, pound after pound. I hate to put it that way, but it’s the truth.

So what do you want?

• To drop a few kilos
• To feel younger
• To look better in your birthday suit
• To become healthier

How bad do you want it? How much motivation do you have? Enough to take MASSIVE ACTION?

The rewards are great IF you do.

(Your first step is to call or email me now to get started.)

Catfish is a wonderful source of low fat protein. Lots of recipes call for frying catfish, but baking turns it into a low calorie, high protein meal. The generous seasoning of the catfish lends to a rich flavor that is complimented perfectly by the light minty salad.Servings: 4

Here’s what you need…

For the Catfish:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, washed and stems trimmed
• 4 catfish fillets
• curry powder
• salt
• sweet paprika
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a glass baking pan, drizzle the olive oil and scatter the cilantro over the bottom of the pan.
3. Generously season both sides of each fillet with curry, salt and sweet paprika. Place the fillets evenly across the bottom of the pan, on top of the cilantro.
4. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and finely minced garlic. Pour over the tops of the fillets.
5. Cover the pan with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

For the Salad:

• 1 head green, organic cabbage, shredded
• 1/8 cup crushed, dry mint leaves
• 1/8 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• dash of salt

1. Wash the shredded cabbage and place in a medium sized bowl. Sprinkle with the dried mint, mix well.
2. In a small bowl combine the remaining ingredients. Pour over the cabbage and mix well.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 221 calories, 8g fat, 102mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate, 7g fiber, and 26g protein

I forgot to mention that Fit Life food, while healthy and controlled, is still quite delicious! This Breakfast Wrap is satisfying and nourishing for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s ready in a flash, tastes amazing, and is filled with lean protein, veggies and whole sprouted grains. Try it today, but don’t be surprised if you get hooked!

Servings: 2

Here’s what you need…

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced

¼ cup tomato, finely chopped

• 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup egg whites
• dash of salt and pepper
• 2 sprouted grain tortillas
• 2 Tablespoons pesto (purchase it pre-made, or combine ½ cup walnuts, 2 cups basil leaves, 2 cloves garlic, ¼ cup olive oil, and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice in a food processor and blend until it becomes a paste.)

1. Spread a tablespoon of pesto over each tortilla and set aside.
2. In medium sized skillet warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until golden. Add the tomato and cook for another 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until it is soft and wilted. Remove the veggies from skillet, set aside in a bowl.
3. Pour the egg whites into the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Cook until the egg is no longer runny.
4. Arrange half of the egg whites in a line down the center of each tortilla. Top with half of the veggies and then fold the ends up and wrap like a burrito.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 288 calories, 10g fat, 28g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 21g protein.

There’s a perfectly sane explanation as to why most people say they want to be fit, and yet only a very small percentage actually are fit. Most of us, instead, are firmly cemented in the Flab Life rather than the Fit Life.

Why is this? Because the Fit Life is hard.

Want to know just how hard it is to lose the flab due to full immersion into the Fit Life? Here’s a glimpse into the Habits of Being Fit:

Fit Habit#1: Exercise Daily

The truly fit among us choose to hit the gym instead of getting extra sleep, watching TV or doing whatever else it is that you’d rather be doing. Exercise is a daily habit that simply becomes a way of life, rather than a task that’s begrudgingly undertaken on occasion. Those who adhere to the Fit Life incorporate challenging exercise into their lives so often that – gasp – they begin to enjoy and look forward to it!

Fit Habit #2: Eat Clean – All The Time

In the Fit Life you choose your meals based on the nutrition rather than taste and desire. This means plenty of salads, lettuce wrapped sandwiches and lean protein at most meals. Being fit means making it a habit to limit your intake of simple carbohydrates and get lots of protein and fiber.

Fit Habit #3: No Room For Junk

Truly fit people turn down their favorite junk foods –even when they really, really want it. Treats and indulgences are saved for special occasions, and the fact that it’s Monday or that there’s traffic doesn’t count as a special occasion (nice try though!). The Fit Life means cutting out simple sugars and harmful, processed fats out of your diet completely.

Fit Habit #4: Push Harder

Living the Fit Life is a constant progression. You push your body to be stronger, faster and better during each workout. There’s no such thing as simply going through the motions of your routine – instead your focus is to consistently challenge your muscles to do more each day.

Fit Habit #5: Control Calories

Forget the unlimited buffet line. The Fit Life requires that you limit your total calories to within an appropriate range for your size and goals. Remember, even healthy calories can add up to weight gain when you’re not careful, so calorie control becomes a way of life.

That’s just the basics to living the Fit Life and some of the work that it takes to enjoy a fit and healthy body. Pretty hard, right?

So let’s check out what the Flab Life looks like…

Flab Habit #1: Forget Exercise

Your focus is to spend your spare time being as relaxed as possible. This means plenty of kicking back on the couch. The less that you use your muscles, the more aches, pains and mobility limitations you’ll experience. Oh, and if you’re consuming more calories than your natural metabolism burns then you’ll steadily gain weight.

Flab Habit #2: Eat For Taste

Adhering to the Flab Life means that you get to eat whatever sounds and tastes good. Our human palate is naturally drawn to items that are high in sugar, salt and fat so your eat-whatever-diet will naturally be filled with these fattening foods and will be lacking in protein and fiber. You’ll find your weight increases, and your energy levels plummet, accordingly.

Flab Habit #3: Indulge Often

The Flab Life says YES to junk food. Snacks and meals purchased at convenience stores and fast food restaurants are a staple in your diet. And as I mentioned above, your favorite foods are likely high in sugar, salt and fat. Your indulgent eating is going to raise the number on your scale higher, and higher, in addition to putting you at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other weight related ailments.

Flab Habit #4: Stay Comfortable

The goal of the Flab Life is to be comfy. This means use as little muscular strength as you can on a daily basis. When you don’t use your muscles they begin to atrophy (shrink!), leaving you with less lean tissue. Since lean tissue raises your metabolism, a drop in lean tissue means you’ll be burning fewer calories at rest than ever before causing fat gain to be automatic.

Flab Habit #5: Pile It On

In the Flab Life there’s no limit on how much you eat – in fact, more is better. As a result you often feel sluggish from your overloaded digestive system. And your motivation to exercise and turn your Flab Life into a Fit Life gets dimmer and dimmer.

So which life is harder? The Fit Life? Or the Flab Life?

The truth is that both of these lifestyles are hard. Just depends on which hard you’d rather deal with.

The Fit Life’s hard has to do with discipline, motivation and determination. It’s about doing the right thing rather than the easy thing. Most of all, the Fit Life is about constantly striving forward.

The Flab Life’s hard has to do with excess fat, aches, pains and physical limitations. It’s about avoiding doing the hard thing now and ending up with a body that’s just plain hard to live in. Most of all, the Flab Life is about NOT taking action.

Which hard do you choose?

If you’d like the Fit Life then take action now by calling or emailing me today to get started on a fitness program that’s going to be hard. And rewarding. And life changing.

Most chicken salad recipes contain loads of mayonnaise or dairy products, but not this one. A simple can of coconut milk makes this salad deliciously creamy while roasted chilies, fresh cilantro, sweet fruit and crunchy pecans really bring the flavor. Serve on large butter lettuce leaves.

Servings: 8

Here’s what you need…

For the Creamy Coconut Dressing:

• 1 (14oz) can coconut milk, full fat
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted
• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
• lemon zest (all you can get from one small lemon)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• dash salt
• dash pepper

For the Salad:

• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 cup red grapes, halved
• ½ cup pecans, chopped
• 1 apple, finely chopped
• 4oz can mild chopped green chiles
• 1 lb roasted chicken, chopped

1. For the Creamy Coconut Dressing: Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk well and then set in the fridge to chill while you prepare the salad.
2. For the Salad: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Add the creamy coconut dressing and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with large lettuce leaves and Dijon mustard.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 286 calories, 20g fat, 80mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 19g protein

Physical fitness. It’s a goal, a lifestyle, a surefire way to set yourself apart from the legions of people who are too lazy or scared to make the changes necessary to gain physical fitness. If you happen to be one of the people who have yet to truly commit to physical fitness, understanding the perks of physical fitness may help you dig in and go for physical fitness, starting today.
What can you expect from your life as a fit person? Here are nine things you’ll go through when you turn the corner on physical fitness.

Thing 1: You’ll Want More

Exercise newbies have a hard time believing it, but there will come a time when you crave exercise. It may not be during those first few days or weeks, but once your body becomes fit and begins to perform the way it was built to perform, you’ll hunger to hit the gym every day, and you’ll give it your all once you’re there. Miss a day in the gym? You’ll feel guilty and lazy enough to never miss again!

Thing 2: Bedtime Will Be Better

This one doesn’t involve your sex life (though becoming fit will improve that as well). Rather, it’s about your sudden ability to hit the hay, fall asleep quickly, and stay asleep all night long. Just because you’re fit!

Thing 3: Confidence Becomes You

When you’re not fit, it’s impossible to feel your best. Not being physically fit leaves you feeling…well, frumpy. Get fit and watch your self-image skyrocket. Along with it, your confidence. Your confidence won’t necessarily push you into cockiness, but it will make you more enjoyable to be around, as it’s awkward to be around people who are down on themselves.

Thing 4: You Eat Well

Just as being fit makes you want to get in the gym every day, it also inspires you to want to eat well. After all, you spent all that time eating the right things to get fit. The last thing you want to do is throw it all in the trash just for the passing and momentary pleasures of two slices of pecan pie.

Thing 5: Showers Feel Better

Contrary to popular belief, sitting at a desk all day every day doesn’t get you dirty enough to take a shower. On the contrary, when you’re living the fit lifestyle, you’re in the gym regularly, allowing sweat to cover every pore of your body. After a hard day at the gym, your shower feels magical, because you actually deserve it!

Thing 6: Heavy Isn’t Heavy

Spend enough time not being fit and you may be surprised that fit folks can deal with things in life that require strength. Whether it involves carrying a baby through the grocery store, picking up a few bags of groceries, moving a pile of bricks from your truck bed to your garden, or just getting up the stairs, fitness enables you to do it with ease.

Thing 7: Your Body Functions Improve

Get fit and your heart will work more efficiently. You know that. But getting fit will get your other body systems in line also. Whether you’ve been struggling to think clearly on your feet, you’ve been plagued with constipation, or you’re always out of breath, getting fit can remedy all these issues and more.

Thing 8: You’ll Go Shopping

You probably know people who have to upgrade their closets every few years to accommodate their ever-growing bellies. Not you. When you go fit for life, you’ll have to go shopping, but only because your waist has slimmed up and your muscles have tightened up and are now situated where they belong.

Thing 9: You Won’t Fear Sore

At one point in time, being sore always meant something was wrong. When you get fit, being sore is something that you welcome. After all, you know the soreness means you’re working your body in new ways that will only improve your physical fitness. If it’s a bad sore, you’ll know that also because, well, fit people know their bodies.

Now is the perfect time to get started on an exercise program that will get you into the best shape of your life. What are you waiting for? Being fit feels too good for you to miss out on. Call or email me today!

Here’s a protein-packed dinner recipe that will help you shed bell fat. Serve with a side of dark leafy greens. Salmon is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. In addition to the health benefits, this salmon recipe packs a sweet and tangy flavor that is sure to please.

Servings: 2

Here’s what you need…

• 1 fillet of fresh Salmon
• 1 cup Lite Soy Sauce or coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced Ginger
• ¼ cup honey

1. Combine the Soy Sauce, Ginger and Agave nectar. Place the Salmon in a pan and cover with the Soy marinade for 1 hour in the fridge.
2. Prepare your grill. If desired, soak a cedar plank to barbecue the Salmon on.
3. Grill over medium heat until cooked through and flaky.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 300 calories, 12g fat, 8g carbohydrate, .5g fiber, and 40g protein.

When you set out to live a healthier, better life, part of your goal was to shed that belly fat that has plagued you all these years. However, try as you may, it sticks around like a bad habit. While extra belly fat is a deterrent to your self-confidence, it comes with an array of serious health dangers as well. From increased risk for cancer to heart disease to diabetes, unwanted belly bulge puts your life at risk every day.

If you’ve been struggling to kiss it goodbye, it may be for one of these five reasons.

Reason #1: Your Mediocre Workout

As long as you can remember, medical experts have recommended you get at least 30 minutes of exercise a few days a week. And for good reason. Much of the industrialized world has cut movement out of their lives in many ways, making it necessary to hit the gym in order to stay fit. However, if you think 30 minutes of light jogging on the treadmill three days a week is going to get rid of that belly fat, think again. To burn the flab, you’ll need to add strength training to your routine. Doing this will add muscle to your frame, which will help burn more fat. It will also put your muscles where they belong, which helps your belly look flatter.

Reason #2: Your Fork

Getting rid of belly fat can’t only be done in the gym. It requires a lifestyle change that includes being very cautious of what you put in your mouth. That means cutting out the processed foods, saturated fats, and whatever else is likely to cause fat to cling to your midsection. In case you’re curious, that includes too much healthy food also. Remember: everything has calories, and if your body doesn’t use it, it’s got to go somewhere, and your waistline is a likely candidate. But your fork isn’t the only thing that matters. Not drinking enough water is a sure recipe for belly fat. After all, there’s a reason a pudgy front is called a beer belly.

Reason #3: Your Stress Levels

When you feel stressed, it’s because something in your life is going on and you simply can’t let go of it until it’s resolved. Unfortunately, when you don’t let go of stress, fat doesn’t let go of you. It’s due to the chemical cortisol, which is released by your body when you’re facing stress. Harmless as a hormone may seem, this one kicks your appetite into gear and may even make it harder for your body to shed fat. So relax and help your waistline slim down.

Reason #4: Your Sleep Habits

Going to sleep is not exciting. Doing it feels like you’re doing nothing. But when you’re in the battle against the belly bulge, getting quality sleep every night is key. How important is it? When researchers concluded 16 years of research into the health of nearly 70,000 women, they saw that the women who slept five or fewer hours every night were at a 30-percent increased risk for gaining 30 kilos than those who got seven hours of shuteye on a nightly basis.

Reason #5: You’re Aging

This one is the hardest to accept, because there is nothing you can do to avoid getting older. With age, your metabolism drops, making it harder to burn off calories while at rest, but your appetite may not take a plunge. Making weight gain even more likely is the drop in estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men. But don’t think aging means you have to simply accept weight gain.

By sleeping well, eating healthily, working out right, and cutting out stress, you can beat the odds and lose the belly fat that has taunted you, no matter your age. And I’m here to help. Call or email today to get started on an exercise program that will rid you of your belly fat once and for all. I’m here for you.

You’ve probably heard of quinoa—it is hailed as a super food. It’s high in protein (12%-18%) and contains a balanced set of essential amino acids — this means it’s a surprisingly complete protein. It’s also high in fiber and iron. Quinoa is quite possibly the perfect thing to have for breakfast to start your day off on the right foot.
Servings: 1

Here’s what you need…

• ½ cup quinoa, cooked in water according to instructions on package
• 1 Tablespoon golden raisins
• 1 Tablespoon date pieces, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon pecan pieces, chopped
• Dash of cinnamon
• Dash of nutmeg
• Drizzle of pure maple syrup

1. Top cooked quinoa with raisins, date pieces, pecan pieces, cinnamon, nutmeg and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 344 calories, 5g fat, 59g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 12g protein.

You’ve considered it for weeks, months, years even. And now is the time that you’ve decided to make a change and go on that diet. But don’t just dive in feet first. First, take a long, hard look at the diet you’re considering and answer five questions before proceeding.

Only then can you be sure your diet is not going to land you in the land of diet failure.

Question 1: Does it make you hungry all day every day?

When you’re on a diet, it’s normal to feel the occasional tinge of hunger. Much of those light hunger pangs, however, should be done away with by drinking a glass of water. And if you stay busy enough with life in general, you ought to be able to ignore some other hunger. But if your diet has you feeling hungry at all times, you’re not going to last long.

To avoid falling into the pit of hungry despair, go with a diet that lets you eat protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Also, as stated above, drink plenty of water to avoid confusing hunger with thirst.

Question 2: Does it force you to drop food groups?

A healthy diet is one that incorporates appropriate amounts of food from each food group. When a diet cuts an entire food group from your eating options, you’re going to have a hard time surviving your diet for longer than a week or two.

One of the most popular food groups to cut is carbohydrates. While not eating carbs will indeed help you lose weight, carbs are what make it possible to store energy to make it through the day. No carbs, no energy, no willpower to maintain your diet.

Question 3: Is your mood suddenly unpredictable?

Everyone gets metabolic every once in a while, but if your diet is too restrictive, you may find your mood swings coming with greater regularity and severity. This happens because excessive caloric restrictions messes with the chemicals in your brain. When this occurs, there is no telling what direction your mood will go.

Before letting your diet ruin your relationships and put your job at risk, reconsider your diet and find one that helps you be cool, calm, and collect.

Question 4: Does it insist there is no need to exercise?

There are some diet plans that promise plenty of lost kilos without the addition of exercise.

If this is the type of diet you’re considering or are in the midst of, beware! Exercise comes with countless health benefits that will make your weight loss all the more beneficial. From preventing chronic pain to improving your energy level and sleeping better, exercise is a vital component to any diet.

Question 5: Do you still weigh the same?

It is true that the best way to lose weight is slowly—approximately one or two kilos per week. But take note that slowly doesn’t mean not at all.

In the event you’ve been on a diet for a few weeks without any results to speak of, then your diet is a flop. Drop it immediately and find something that will help you lose kilos. Otherwise, you’ll get discouraged with your diet and swap it for the old habits that got you where you are now.

Remember that a true body transformation comes only from a combination of diet and exercise. Call or email me today to get started on the only fitness program that you’ll ever need!