I feel like a bloated whale!

Okay, as a woman you know we have all had those days.  Cankles, sausage fingers, nothing fits, and you somehow gained ten pounds overnight!  In reality, that is impossible.  It just doesn't feel like that when you are jumping up and down while pulling your pants up because you somehow think gravity is going to be friend all of a sudden.
It is such an awful feeling and all I can think is, "what in the World did I eat?"  OR  "Seriously, it's THAT time of the month AGAIN?"  Ugh...frustration.  I have a really hard time with any high sodium anything...my body will store it like I am a camel!
So, how do we combat the sodium?  How do we beat the bloat?  Well, here are my tips on what I do when I wake up feeling like a bloated whale.  Feel free to comment with yours as well!

My number ONE go to...WATER!  Warm lemon water in particular.  Say what now?  Water get's rid of water?  YES MA'AM!  Extra water is always a plus!  It flushes your system.  Good old H2O helps flush out toxins and extra salt (which can be responsible for that puffy feeling) from your system, so remind yourself to drink more water throughout the day. Keeping a water bottle with you at all times is a great way to ensure you're always filling up.
THE WARM LEMON WATER THING....

1. Boost your immune system : lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. 

They are rich in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve functions. Potassium also helps control blood pressure.

2. Balances pH : drink lemon water every day will reduce the total acidity of your body. 

Lemon is one of the more alkaline foods. Yes, the lemon has citric acid but not create acidity in the body once metabolized.

3. Helps weight loss: lemons are rich in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger and cravings. 

It has also been shown that individuals who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.

4. Aids digestion : lemon juice helps to remove unwanted materials. 

Encourages the liver to produce bile, which is an acid which is required for digestion. 

Efficient digestion reduces heartburn and constipation.

5. Is a diuretic : lemons increase the rate of urination in the body, which helps to purify. 

Toxins are thus released at a faster speed to help maintain urinary tract health.

6. Clean the skin : the vitamin C component helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. 

Lemon water removes toxins from the blood and helps maintain clear skin too. 

Actually, it can be applied directly to scars to help reduce their appearance.

7. Freshens breath : not only this, but it can help relieve pain and gingivitis. 

Citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so it must be controlled very well.

8. Relieves respiratory problems: hot lemon water helps get rid of chest infections and stop annoying cough. 

Is believed to be helpful for people with asthma and allergies as well.

9. Keeps you in zen: vitamin C is one of the first things depleted when you submit your mind and body to stress.  As mentioned above, lemons are filled with vitamin C.

10. Help to quit coffee : after taking a glass of hot lemon water, most people suggest they have less desire for morning coffee.

Why does it have to be warm, not cold? 

Cold water likely provides a shock factor or stress in the body. 

It takes energy for your body to process the cold water.

The recipe is simple : a cup of warm (not hot) and the juice of half a lemon.

Okay NEXT!!!

Morning workout...specifically PiYO!  If you don't have PiYO, order it, lol!  Yoga will do the trick too.

Yoga twists help rid your body of toxins by aiding your digestion. This yoga detox sequence includes plenty of twists and stretches to help you wake up and feel your best.

Eat slowly.  I know, I am a crazy busy mom, I shove cold food in my mouth for most meals while one if not both of my toddlers scream or try to pull my pants down.  It's insanity.  However, Eating too quickly can cause air to be trapped in your system, so chew slowly to minimize bloating caused from getting too much air trapped in your system.

Watch your portion sizes!  Make sure you're not over eating.  If you feel really full after a meal, there is probably a reason for it.

Eat more FIBER!  Many women don't get enough fiber, which is the key to feeling full, energized, and bloat-free. You should aim to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day; reach that goal by snacking on fiber-rich foods.

Skip the alcohol.  Do I really need to say more?  

Lastly...SLEEP!  Get to bed and get some rest!  Sleep helps regulate your metabolism, so lack of sleep can make you feel sluggish in more ways than one. Keep your body working at its best by ensuring you get seven to nine hours of sleep at night.

Again, please feel free to share your tips!  I am always up for new ideas!  I hope this helps a bit....on that note, I need to go drink some water!

Shakeology-learn the facts before you buy!

Why should you use shakeology? The real question is, why NOT shakeology!!!
Its the healthiest meal of the day!
I have been getting a lot of questions about shakeology so I thought I would throw it all out there for you!
First, shakeology is completely natural, NO fillers!  It is made from WHOLE food, REAL food!
It's basic benefits- lose weight – especially if you replace a meal with shakeology every day.  It helps to reduce junk food cravings
increases your energy levels and makes you feel healthier.
I said basic, because it seems like all shakes do that right?
Well, how about clearing up your skin and making it glow?  How about strengthening your hair and keeping it in your head (especially when you're washing it!) My hair and nails have grown like crazy since starting it!
You get your daily vitamins, AND antioxidants and phytonutrients – to help detoxify and protect the body against free radical damage, prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes – to aid digestion and promote regularity.  Plus a FULL daily serving of vegetables!
I drink mine after workouts, it ALSO helps to rebuild muscles that you shred, that is VERY important!
Now, I am not in a weight loss phase, I am maintaining, I still drink it.  Why wouldn't I?  It is amazing and lets face it, with my life, all this extra energy feels like there have been hours added to my day!  I get so much done, I am in a better mood, I just feel better all around!  My boys like it too ;)
It comes in four favors; chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and greenberry. You can also get vegan flavors, and it's all gluten free!
So, can you see why I LOVE these shakes and talk about them so much?  Put them up against any shake out there, they come out on top!
Shakeology comes in a 30 day supply bag (which has a bottom of the bag guarantee!) OR in individual packets.  You have one shake a day, so whatever will work best for YOU!
SO....my question is, why not you?  Why not now?  Replace your starbucks with it, or replace your lunch (quick easy/fast food maybe) with it, it's cheaper AND healthier!  Do something to better yourself, YOU deserve it!!!!

Click here to order yours today!

21 DAY FIX CHALLENGE!

BIG NEWS ON THE FITNESS FRONT!

I ordered my 21 day fix yesterday!  I am so excited!  I will be starting this challenge group right before Halloween!  Don't be tricked by the treats-treat YOURSELF to the challenge pack and join me!!!  Together we got this!  Accountability, support, menu plans, shakeology recipes, 30 min workouts and more!  It takes 21 day to develop a habit, make this yours!  

THE FIRST FOUR PEOPLE TO JOIN ME GET A SPECIAL HALLOWEEN GIFT FROM ME!

Seriously, I have 4 little boys, this is going to be so easy for me!  I NEED THAT!  Why not you?  Why not now?

I want to start now-It's time for me, sign me up!

Healthy Fruits

We always think of fruits and vegetables when we think weight loss or eating healthy.  Did you know, there are actually some fruits much higher in sugar that can be harming your weight loss if you over eating them or eating them too much?  It's true!  Here are some lower sugar fruits to try that have amazing health benefits!

 These less popular relatives of raspberries have only 7 grams of sugar per one cup serving. They have a mid-to-late summer growing season. Also high in vitamin C and antioxidants, add these deep purple berries to yogurt and granola for a satisfying breakfast or blend into a smoothie.

One cup of these bright blue berries contains only 15 grams of sugar. Blueberries are high in antioxidants and are considered a superfood! Buy them seasonally in the summer for maximum flavor or frozen (without sugar). 

Talk about guilt free snacking–there are only 5 grams of sugar in one cup of raspberries! Fresh raspberries are high in vitamin C and fiber. These delicate berries are best eaten fresh in the summer, but may be carefully frozen to eat later in the season. 

Robust red strawberries have only 7 grams of sugar per cup and are known for their high levels of vitamin-C and B-complex. Find them seasonally in the late spring through mid summer. Watch out for frozen varieties, as many contain added sugars. 

Add this tangy citrus to your fruit arsenal because one serving, or half of a medium sized fruit, contains only 8 grams of sugar. Grapefruit has lots of healthy fiber and vitamin A. Find many varieties of this citrus fruit in season during the colder months. Eat a serving with breakfast as a bright, fresh alternative to orange juice.