A Halloween Flashback & Some Holiday Survival

I LOVE Halloween. Ok, I love all holidays. To determine which holiday is my favorite at the moment, I usually just say the holiday that is coming up next. SB and I have been planning our Halloween party for the year for the past month and a half. We decided we wanted to do a WWII themed party at SB's cabin, and the only requirement was that you HAD to dress up. It was a lot of work! However, it was SO much fun! I dressed up as a nurse.

I was SO impressed with how much effort everyone put into their costumes. Dressing up makes everything so much more fun.

We had quite a spread of food. There was a good combo of healthy food and Halloween sweets.

The main dish was chili and corn bread, with a side salad.

 

Like I said...so many great costumes...

 A necessary photo shoot...

 And a murder mystery of epic proportions.

I have decided that Halloween parties should always involve men in uniforms. It just feels right. ;)

On a healthier note; let's talk about Halloween.
Tomorrow is the big day...A client of mine and I discussed how Halloween really sets the tone for the whole holiday season as far as eating healthy and getting into a good routine goes. Many people feel as if they struggle with eating well during Halloween they can't get themselves back in line by Thanksgiving and then they just give up altogether before Christmas. Don't let this be your fate!! Think of the progress you could make in the matter of two months, and even if you have a set back here or there giving up altogether is NOT the way to go.

Set some goals for yourself for the holiday season. Instead of thinking that you will just start over come January, don't lose two months when you could be making progress or even just maintaining a healthy lifestyle instead of packing on the holiday pounds.

Read HERE for last year's post on surviving Halloween.
Have a GREAT and SPOOKY Halloween, and don't eat too much candy! ;)

What are your Halloween plans? What is your goal going to be for the Holiday Season?

So much candy...so many calories...

Halloween is in the air. If you haven't already celebrated five times over, this sugary season is sure to hit you sooner or later. I know I have already done my share of celebrating.

Our Gatsby Halloween Party this past weekend was amazing...there are more pics where that came from I promise. :) 

I have a lot of my clients tell me some of the following obstacles that can thwart healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle during the holidays...
- Halloween is centered around candy. Hence; candy is everywhere.
- There are a million parties/functions/get togethers (all of which serve a million desserts.)
- Handing out candy to little trick or treaters means leftover candy, which means bite size pieces of candy for snacking.
- Halloween candy usually comes individually wrapped. One grab here, and one grab there doesn't seem like a big deal. (Unfortunately, all those "grabs" add up.)
- Fall food and treats are delicious. Pumpkin anythings just smells and tastes fantastic.

Now...I get it. I promise. Just because I choose not to eat candy and desserts, doesn't mean I don't understand the temptation and draw to deliciously decadent pumpkin flavored desserts and bite sized Snickers. Yum. BUT...I also know the benefit that you can receive from NOT gorging yourself on Halloween candy. Click HERE for some excellent Halloween help tips from years past.

As for this years tips, I'm going to keep it simple. Focus on your goals. Don't go crazy like a kid in Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory. When all is said and done and it is November 1st, chances are you won't remember what you did and didn't eat on Halloween. So...maybe you don't HAAAAVE to have that doughnut, cookie, candybar, handful of candy corn, and caramel apple...just saying.

Don't forget to enter this October's Mix Giveaway!

Have a scare-free Halloween

Candy, donuts, cider, sweets, yep...the gang's all here. With a holiday centered around candy it's hard NOT to get carried away. The usual thought process goes something like this...

"I'm going to start being good after Halloween. This is just too hard."

FALSE. Why?
A. Because you are SO much stronger than that. Give yourself some credit!
and...
B. Because right after Halloween comes Thanksgiving. And let's be honest, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just one big collaborative holiday conglomeration. At that point you'll be saying to yourself...

"It will be my New Years resolution."

There you have it. Right back in the same spot your same excuses got you last January...and most likely, nothing has changed. SO, this year is going to be different. You're going to kick off the holiday season fighting. Looks like the, "trick" is on Halloween this time around.

What to do?
- Buy your candy last minute. Don't stock up on your goodies for the trick-or-treaters until the last second. That way you won't be tempted to eat your way through 1/2 the bag before All Hallows Eve.
-DON'T buy your favorites. If you'd swim across the Atlantic for some Peanut M&M's, don't buy them. Buy the Bit O' Honey's that you can easily say no to. Help yourself resist those temptations.
-Don't leave the leftovers in a giant bowl on your counter. That has, "Disaster Zone" written ALL over it. Take them to work. Take them to church. Heck...wrap them up in a big old darling bag and leave them on your neighbors doorstep. They'll just think you're being sweet. ;)
-Remember that even the "bite sized" treats add up. It may only be small, but lot's of small caloric choices make for big caloric differences.
-Opt out of the candy giving all together. Be the super cool neighbor who gave out fake vampire teeth, slap bracelets, or carrots sticks...ok, maybe the last one wouldn't go over so well, but you get the idea.
-Make your Halloween meal a healthy one. Click HERE for previous posts on all sorts of healthy DELISH recipes to fill your scared lil' bellies.

*A previous reader, Shell, asked if I'd ever done any fitness challenges with my readers. I haven't yet, but have always wanted to. I've got some in the works! If there is anything specific you'd want included in it let me know!! Thanks Shell :) And thanks to all of you who read and give me input. I love it!

Happy Halloween! And how to survive from the sugar aftermath.

 Boo! Oh how I love this holiday. I love all holidays really, but Halloween is just so fun. I love the dressing up, the orange and black themed everything, the glowing pumpkins, and the decorations. I love it all...all except for the overabundance of sweets and the endless confessions I get at work for who ate too many of what, and why it was necessary. Halloween can be the start to a verrrry scary holiday season for those who are looking to keep up your healthy habits and stay fit. It is extremely possible to do, you just have to be willing to set some ground rules! Here are my tips on how to start this holiday season of right, and keep it that way.

1. Set some guidelines for yourself now - I am going to allow myself "x" amount of sweets per week. I am going to go to the gym this many times. Etc. Set goals that are measurable, not vague. If you set your goal as, "I'm going to try and eat healthy this week." That is great and all, but it's hard to feel like you either did, or didn't. Try something more along the lines of...Monday though Thursday I am going to cool every meal at home, or I am going to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. These are measurable numbers.

2. Get rid of the Halloween Candy - Give it away, bag it up and send it to a neighbor in need of some loving, throw it away, lock it up, do something so it's not just sitting in front of your face in a giant bowl asking you to come and munch. Sure, a few pieces of candy aren't going to do much harm to you, moderation is always the best way to do things. However, if you grab a mini candy bar every time you walk past that bowl you could be adding hundreds of extra calories to your daily intake. This could be trouble!

3. Prep yourself for the holiday parties. You know there is going to be a lot of them. Offer to take a healthy side dish. Eat before you go so you aren't ravenous and wanting to delve in to the high calories foods. Serve yourself one plateful and don't continue to constantly graze. Fill your plate with veggies and fruits first, so there isn't a ton of room for other junk. Avoid the unknown foods; if you can't tell what the salad is composed of, don't venture there. Pick ONE dessert. Although the table may be filled with eight different delightful goodies, don't go overboard.

4. Cook healthy yourself. Holiday Feasts don't have to be unhealthy. Get creative and experiment with healthy cooking substitutions. You'd be surprised at how great some taste.

5. Don't allow yourself to give up. Don't say, "I'll just start over at New Years." Start over right now. You may have a day or two, or three, or four, where you feel like you blew it. Don't let that get you down. Don't let two full months go buy of you allowing yourself to slowly creep back on the pounds you've worked so hard to take off. You are in control. Be in control.

Benita and I decided to dress up as nerds at the last minute, so we scrounged up what we had for costumes. I think I look more like a french girl scout...or Molly the American Doll...who I loved. I hope everyone has a great, safe, and happy Halloween Weekend! Are we ready for November...yikes.

If You Didn't Know, Dancing is Good Cardio

So, I have a secret. I LOVE a good dance party. I don't care if it's in the kitchen, my car, or in the neighbors living room...or in this case...at a cabin in the woods. We had our annual themed Halloween party this past weekend, and we may or may not have danced the night away. It is a GREAT workout. I will tell you that.

 Last year for our party we did the WWII theme, and it was so fun. This year we had a Twenties Gatsby party, and it didn't disappoint.

Food, friends, fun, and like I said...a lot of dancing. Such a good time. :) If you can't make it to the gym and you want to burn a few, just turn up the jams and get low! Oh...and if you are looking for away to avoid snacking at a Halloween party, just wear some finger gloves. I didn't touch any of the appetizers because it was too much work. ;) Happy Halloween Eve!

Happy Halloween!!

From my tee pee to yours. I hope your Halloween is happy, healthy, and full of spooks!

xoxoxo, Megs

Ohh the holidays. Here they come...

Tis' the season of excuses. 

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...I LOVE time of year in my personal life. Full of football games, parties, great food, family, fun traditions, weather changes, and good times all around. I DO NOT love this time of year in my professional life. Don't get me wrong, I always love my clients. BUT...let the excuses begin...

"I bought too much Halloween Candy."

"We had 3 parties last night."

"My family insisted on pizza and chips to watch the game."

"There were 4 kinds of stuffing. I had to try/eat/devour all of them."

"I had to eat the cookies left for Santa."

I sympathize. I know. It's reaaaalllyy hard to eat well and keep up with your exercise routine this time of year. There are so many opportunities to do just the opposite. This is where you have to make a decision. 

You can succumb to the many millions of reasons why you could and "should" eat crappy, and allow yourself to slip into bad habits until New Years when you'll start over...again. 

OR you can make smart decisions and keep progressing, becoming the person you want to be. 

I know it's hard, but I also know you can do it. Set some limits for yourself, set some goals. Leave yourself some wiggle room so you don't feel completely restricted, but remember that if nothing changes, nothing changes. If you want to lose weight, look better, be healthier, you have to decide now what you're going to do about it. 

Decide how your holiday season is going to go this year. It doesn't have to be the same old gain 10 lbs, only to turn around in January to fight to lose it. Stick with a routine, and figure out what it's going to take to keep yourself on track! You can do it!

Saturday Snippets

Here are a few random thoughts for Saturday...
- Last night I got to hang out with some of my sweetest lady friends. Aren't they beautiful? Don't worry...I know we have full on demon eyes. We attempted about 8 pictures to avoid the demon eyes, and it just wasn't happening.

- However, the demon eyes are kinda fitting because SB and I can't seem to get enough of Vampire Diaries these days...

I resisted watching it forEVER because I just assumed it was going to be kinda lame...But, I'll admit it. I love it. 

- This was lunch for today...and has been for many of my lunches these days. I don't know why I can't get enough of these roasted veggies. On the recipe I posted I suggested roasting for 40 mins on 400 degrees. I have since found that you can roast your veggies for 20-25 mins on 450 degrees. 

I love this recipe because you can literally use ANY veggies you have. It is a great way to use up your remaining produce. My standard veggies usually consist of broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, and sweet potatoes. SO YUMMY! I will make a huge tray full and eat it for a few days. Veggies galore.

- I forgot my headphones for my workout this morning. I sincerely hate when that happens. Turns out I am a sucker for my music when I am getting my sweat on. Do you relate?

- What is the deal with this guy? It's like a train wreck. I can't not watch. Since when do 50 year old Koreans become pop stars?

- I have two wedding receptions to attend tonight. Not just one, two. Apparently it's wedding season.
- All I want to do is put up my Halloween decorations. Too soon? Probably. Maybe next week. I already know what my Halloween costume is...
- Less than two weeks until I go to Lake Powell, halleluja!
- I am loving spotify these days.

That's all. I told you my thoughts were random. Happy Saturday!

Happy Birthday Hurricane Elaine!!! (& a bit of a brain dump)

Today is Wednesday which happens to be my super long day of training. It is ALSO my fabulous mother's birthday.

She's so adorable I can hardly stand it! 

We call my mom, "Hurricane Elaine," because she is always going 90 million miles an hour doing amazing things. She is a health nut, a fabulous quilter, a great cook/chef/baker, she entertains like nobody's business, she's crafty, she has a heart of gold, she is a spiritual giant, she is always smiling, and she makes me want to be a better person. She is just amazing. I wish I could hang out with her all the time!!

Mom - I hope you have an INCREDIBLE birthday! You deserve it. Thanks for being such an amazing role model in my life. When I grow up I want to be just like you!! xoxoxo

On other notes:
- My Ipod still isn't working. I ran yesterday listening to Pandora on my phone and tried to not be sad about it. I'm pretending like it's not true :(

- Speaking of running...I ran 5 miles yesterday with no foot pain. HALLELUJAH! I haven't ran in what seems like forever because I've been trying to let my ankle/foot get all back to normal. I'm still going to keep it low key, but I was itching for some running yesterday. I won't be running a ton for not because I am still focusing on lifting weights more.

- My darling and sweetest neigbor brought me over a $20 gift card to The Pizza Factory to say thanks for everything in Powell. Best surprise ever? Yes.

- There is approximately 9 days until my birthday. I will be 27 on the 21st...I hate the thought of turning 27 is that weird? Probably.

- I have been shopping for my Halloween costume. I LOVE Halloween, and dressing up. It is just so dang fun. I think I have my outfit secured. Can't wait to show y'all.

- I have made a MAJOR correlation between my eating and my desire to workout. I have had such a crazy past couple days that I haven't felt like my eating has been as good as it could been, and I've noticed my workouts have been mentally harder for me. For some reason I feel like if I am not on top of my game eating-wise my workouts won't be as beneficial. Weird and untrue thought process, BUT I'm glad I've figured this out about myself. Even more motivation to eat better.

- In regards to yesterday's post about how to lose weight and achieve your goal weight once and for all,  a few of you wondered if I cut sugar out completely. When I cut out sugar I cut out as much as possible. We're not just talking about candy and treats, but also about processed foods that contain sugar too. I also find that it helps me to lower my fruit intake a bit. I know that is natural sugar, but it is still sugar nonetheless. I do, however, make one exception for myself and that is fat free frozen yogurt. Yes, it still contains sugar, but if I can have it once and a while I curb my sweet tooth and it makes not eating other sugar more manageable.


Do you ever see a correlation between your eating patterns and your exercise habits? Or am I the only crazy one? I hope you have successfully made it to Wednesday and that the rest of your week is looking fabulous! Have a great day :) xoxoxo Megs

p.s. Don't forget to enter October's Sickeningly Sweet Music Mix Giveaway if you already haven't! :)

Turn Your Food Fest Into a Fit Fest

I think MOST of our parties tend to be planned around food. So, why not mix it up by doing something active instead. That is what we did. Last night we had a big ole Halloween shindig at Classic Skating. Yep, I felt like I was in the 6th grade again. I even snowballed.

 SB and I were Beiber fans...or13 year olds...whichever you'd like.

 Some people got REAL creative. It's not often that a bobsled team, a homeless man, a tooth fairy, and a sheep get together and skate it out.

 You better believe I got my sweat on dancing up a storm. I ditched the skates 1/2 way through and decided I was better off dancing my heart out in the center of the rink!

Side note: There are very few times that a song comes along that gets my heart rate going every time I hear it...this song is one of those. If you're in need of a new AMAZING jam to pump you up whilst working out. Look no further.

It speaks to my soul. I hope you have some incredible Halloween plans this weekend. I know I do. I can't wait to share em! I challenge you to add something active to your Festivities. The chances of you eating your way through the dessert table are a lot less likely if you are occupied with something active. Throw in a potato sac race, involve some musical chairs, or my personal fave...turn your night into a dance party!

Do you have any active traditions that are a part of your festive events?

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!! I hope your day has been full of good scary times!

 Today on fitsugar I saw this article on what happens in your body after you eat sugar. Very interesting...take a look at it.

Have a great night full of lots and tricks and maybe not...so many treats...

I learned a LOT yesterday.

I started out the day yesterday thinking it was going to be just the average Saturday. I was wrong. I learned a few things...and I thought I would share...

The day started out with my Saturday Morning bootcamp class. Can I just say they freaking ROCK. We did some awesome circuits, treadmill sprints, and all sorts of intervals. We have a great group of super hard working chica's. I am extremely proud of how hard they push themselves. We have a new girlie who joined in this past week, and I am AMAZED at her determination to get up to speed. It's awesome. She never gives up. She is going to accomplish her goals.

- I learned that we shouldn't ever give up on ourselves. We may have hard workouts, days, meals, weeks, whatever...don't give up. When things get hard imagine where you'd be if you didn't attempt? DON'T GIVE UP!

After boot camp, I wanted to go to spin but I ended up spending some time with a new client. This meant that I probably wasn't going get in the extra cardio I wanted to get in for the day. I was a little sad about that. Let's be honest, I'm always sad when I miss spin. It's my fave!

Next, I went with my sister to run some errands. She recently moved back to UT from Texas, and I couldn't be happier. I LOVE getting to hang out with her all the time. She's so awesome. It makes my day when I get to tag along with her. ;)

- I learned that pushing around a FULL shopping cart with three kids in tow can be just a good a workout as any. How cute are her kids? I know...I could eat them right up.

 While we were out and about I picked up some holiday candy for my house. I don't eat the candy, but I LOVE having it out for our house guests.

- I re-learned that I am obsessed with holiday candy. I am a total sucker for it. I think it so incredibly darling. 
Valentines day: I LOVE cherry juju hearts, cinnamon lips & hearts, & Colored M&M's
Easter: Cadberry Mini Eggs...duh, rainblow gum eggs,
Halloween: juju pumpkins, the taffy with the jack-o-lantern faces, reeces chocolate pb pumpkins
Christmas: Red and Green Peanut M&M's, mint M&M's, cinnamon santas, anything in a red and green wrapper etc. etc. etc.
I used to justify my love of holiday candies by saying that I had to eat a lot of them while they were, "available" because they would be gone for a whole year soon. Oh boy...my justifications. Can you see how I'm kind of an all or nothing girl? How cute are these though? Seriously...

 My darlingest best friend and roommate, Benita decided this week that she no longer wants to eat out for every meal at work. She enlisted me for some help, which I am super excited about. I'm stepping in and preparing her lunch foods and snacks for her to take to work. I feel like this is good practice for being a mom some day, right? 

- I learned that an AWESOME way to prep veggies is to buy a veggie tray from Costco. (Cheap and ready to eat.) I portioned them out into six separate bags for her to take with her, and bought some fat free ranch for her to dip them in. Easy peasy. Each bag has about 150 calories worth of fresh, delish veggies. I actually got this idea from an awesome client of mine, Amy, who was trying to incorporate more veggies into her diet. Thanks Amy dear!

- I learned that cleaning IS indeed a workout. Maybe I was ok with out my 2nd round of cardio today after all. Cleaning out the fridge and scrubbing kitchen floors is definitely a calorie burner! 

I had to make another trek to the store a little later in the day. When I was actually ready for the day...don't worry that I made it until about 5 PM without showering. I wasn't feeling super awesome, so I took it kinda easy all day. Also, for whatever reason I feel like the fact that it is Saturday makes it OK for me to wear no makeup and traipse around in my non-matching gym clothes. Don't judge. Anyways...store trek #2 was when I was ready for the day and I thought it would be a good idea to go shopping in 4 inch heels.

- I learned that pushing a shopping cart around in heels is a definite core workout. Some extreme balance is needed especially when you are trying to walk fast and get in and out. 

The evening ended with a big ole dinner party for one of my darling besties, Roxanne. We went to one of our local favorites, The Pizza Factory. I am obsessed with their salad bar. OBSESSED. 

- I learned that I am a master craftsman when it comes to the salad bar. Oh wait, I already knew that. Tell me that doesn't look mouth watering delicious? I would be willing to prove this skill to anyone who wants to come join me for a lunch/dinner date to The Pizza Factory. I think I could eat there every day.

 

So tell me, Did you learn anything this weekend? I was reminded that workouts don't just have to be scheduled at the gym. Every day tasks can be calorie burners too! What is your favorite Holiday Candy? I think the M&M company loves suckers like me who get re-excited every month over a holiday color change in the thin candy coated shell that melts in your mouth, not in your hand. I am fully confident that Peanut M&M's contain some form of cocaine, or other addictive substance. Do you like salad bars? I love them. Well, I love good ones that is. My favorites are the salad bars at The Pizza Factory and Jason's Deli. Yum, yum, yum.

October Mix Giveaway - Trick or Treating Tracks

I have had so many favorite songs this past month, so I am excited to share a new mix! I hope you are ready for it. These tunes can get you in shape to chase your kids from door to door as they go trick or treating...or they can help you to burn off those extra candy eating calories. ;) Here you have it. 

Anything Could Happen - Ellie Goulding 

Die Young - Ke$ha

Skyfall - Adele

I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift

Diamonds - Rihanna

Man on Fire (Little Daylight Remix) - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Madness - Muse

Clique - Kanye West

I Cry - Florida 

Gangnum Style - Psy

Red - Taylor Swift

Feelin' Single - R. Kelly

This is Love feat. Eva Simmons - Will.i.am

Blow Me (One Last Kiss) - P!nk

Hall of Fame - The Script

Runaways - The Killers 

A Drop in the Ocean - Ron Pope 

To enter to win this mix...
1) Become a follower and leave a comment letting me know that you are one!
2) For an additional entry...leave a separate comment telling me what you are dressing up as for Halloween!
3) For more additional entries...tweet about the giveaway, blog about it, pin it, etc. and leave a separate comment for each telling me you did so!

Good Luck! The contest will end Sunday November 4th at midnight! The winner will be announced on Monday the 5th.

Click HERE to view past mixes! 

Freedom, Food, Family, Friends, and Fruit Ka-bobs

I hope everyone had an AWESOME 4th of July weekend. I most certainly did. I really loved every second of it.
I managed to...

eat lots of family dinners/meals/bbq's...

 spend a night on the town with my besties...(Yes, that is a golf cart. My friends bought one over the weekend. Totally normal, right?)

 enjoy a night at Provo's famous, Stadium of Fire; featuring Brad Paisley, David Archuletta, and a whole lotta fireworks.

 congratulate two of my favorite peeps on getting engaged...

 watch the Provo Freedom Festival Parade w/my fam...

 watch the incredible park city fireworks with my friends...

 in the rain...

and enjoyed MANY good and healthy eats along the way. I found a version of these fruit kabobs on Lemonade Making Mama on Pinterest and I just HAD to revamp them and make them festive.

Easy? yes.
Darling? Yes.
Healthy? not to shabby.

 

 4th of July Fruit Kabobs

Ingredients: 

1 angel food cake

blueberries

raspberries

strawberries

blackberries

lite whipped cream or cool whip

fat free sugar free chocolate pudding 

skewers 

Directions: 

Prepare chocolate pudding as directed. Wash and cut your fruit. Cut your angel food cake into cubes. Arrange on your skewers. Serve along side chocolate pudding and whipped cream for dipping. Easy peasy.

We served these with a side of whipped cream and a side of ff/sf chocolate pudding, and a lot of people mixed them like a chocolate mousse. I am a big fan. I served some at our family bbq and some at a bbq with friends. I was thinking of ways you could really adapt them to any holiday. Kiwi and strawberries for Christmas...strawberries and raspberries for Valentines day...blackberries and oranges or cuties for Halloween...the possibilities are endless. Such a light and healthy treat. This is a great reminder that dessert can be light and healthy and absolutely delicious too!

How was your 4th of July? I hope it was great. It's such a fun holiday!  Do you Pinterest? I am officially obessed. Just what I need...another online distraction...