Divergent Series Review

First of all I would like to say that I'm excited for the movie Divergent to be coming out in theaters this month. My 16 year old daughter was reading this  book for school and she sat down one day and tried to explain to me what this book was about. Now mind you, she hates to read and I thought that if she could not put this book down, then it definitely is worth reading. Needless to say, I had no clue what she was explaining. People choosing factions....what the heck? It was like someone explaining Star Wars to me.

My youngest, who is 11 decided to buy Divergent from school. Wanting to be like her big sister, she tried to read it but it just didn't interest her enough to keep her involved. So I decided to read it. At first I thought that I would not like this type of book, considering it sounding so Sci-FY but realized I was hooked. Not only did I read Divergent, I just had to read Insurgent immediately. Talk about suspense of what is to happen next. I still have a hard time wrapping an image around my head of how these books look but still has my interest. I am currently working on the last book, but unfortunately I had a time span from the 2nd book to the 3rd and my reading interest is low.

As for Veronica Roth's writing, I would say is outstanding. There is so much detail and emotion in her books that I can't even comprehend how I would start to write a book like this. The faction life is so out of the ordinary and what they endure is such a suspense and never seems to end for these poor people.  No matter what path you choose, I don't believe it makes a difference because in the end they are bonding together for a common cause.

I would recommend this book  not only to the teens but adults also and I am excited to see how the 3rd book ends. I will definitely will do a review on the movie this month once I see it.

 Happy Reading!

Why am I never full for long?

I know it's nerve wracking always asking, what to eat, when to eat and  how much should I eat? It's all so very confusing.

We have become obsessed with weight loss but we still can't seem to lose the weight. Our stores are blasting us with all the latest fad diets, weight loss secrets and miracle foods.

Guess what??? Weight loss is pretty simple.

We see ads for weight loss drinks, low fat foods that are ladened with chemicals and artificial sweeteners  Nature didn't intend for our bodies to be loaded down with chemicals, no fat and no carbohydrates.



One secret to looking better and feeling better is simple....increase your fruits and vegetables.         ( Yeah, I know. You didn't want to hear that :)

If you are eating foods with artificial ingredients and meals loaded with carbs or eating too little, your body is going to keep telling you it's hungry.

We need to feel empowered and be in control of our hunger, where we aren't thinking about food all the time. Now that is a great feeling!

So what is volumetrics? This is simply...you eat more food high in nutrients so your body will feel satisfied. That simple!

Your body speaks one language- NUTRIENTS!!! It can't count calories or base it's satisfaction on calories. It knows what nutrients it's lacking, so you are going to feel hunger until you give your body the nutrients it's lacking.

When you give your body "NATURE" food, it's saying, YES!! They are listening. They are giving me what I want or need.

When your diet consist of high amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, it is finally full. When your body is loaded with nutrients, your body knows how to use this and your brain finally gets the signal, I'm Happy! I'm full.

You can also drink juices that you make in your juicer, which is becoming really popular or drink a smoothie to get these nutrients. They don't add volume but they are adding huge amounts of usable nutrients to the body.

I hop now you will stop and think about what you are feeding your body and why.

Stay fit, stay healthy and stay fantastic!!

Day 3 Fitness Challenge and Health Tip

How is your determination going so far? It's a struggle I know, even for me to keep going everyday. There is always a million and two reasons you can't fit this into your schedule, but you know what we need to so is modify the schedule so you get these workouts in before your day takes over.

Exercises for today:

Walk/Jog challenge:

Walk 6 minutes, jog 1 minute for a total of 4 times. This is your 30 minute aerobic workout.

200 Frog squat Challenge Day 2:

See other post for video on how to do this one.

Rest 60 seconds between each set:

Set 1:    5

Set 2:    5

Set 3:    3

Set 4:    5

Set 5:    Max it out (least 5)

Total of 23 squats today and a 30 minute aerobic workout.

Healthy idea:

Lunch:

Turkey wrap

• whole wheat wrap
• 3 oz sliced turkey breast
• 2 tbs hummus
• 2 slices of tomato
• 10 baby carrots or any veg
• Water

Go out and enjoy your Tuesday! See ya tomorrow.

Day 2 Fitness Challenge and Health Tip

Good Monday Morning. It's time to begin our week of fitness. I gave you day one of last week to get you started and motivated and hope you tried the exercises and now I am bringing you day 2 of those exercises for week 1. I am finding that instead of doing the 3 days a week exercises for the challenges, I find it beneficial do the exercises every other day, then take off one day a week but you may be more comfortable just picking the 3 days a week that you want to do these. For example, the frog squat calls for 3 day workout, Mon-Wed-Fri and abs call for 3 days Tues- Thurs-Sat, I find it better to just keep alternating those but that's me. I feel like I slack just doing those 3 days.

So anyway, here is the workout for day 2 Week 1. Hope you are following and doing these because I want to see those pics of how you are doing plus we have the Fit Working MOMS event next September, so take this year and get those bodies in shape.

Week One Day 2 Challenge:

Continue with your walk/jog challenge this week, aiming for at least 5 days. Walk 6 mins, jog 1 for total of 4 times. That gives you that 30 minute aerobic blast that you need.

100 Push-Up Challenge Week 1 Day1: This is the first day you are doing these!

Rest 60 seconds between each set:

Set 1:        2

Set 2:        3

Set 3:        2

Set 4:        2

Set 5:        Max it out (least 3)

If you can do more than 12, then that's great, max yourself out but not until pain. Each workout day the reps increase and this is a way to slowly build up your strength without exhausting yourself.

200 Bicycle Crunch Challenge Week 1 Day 1:

Rest 60 seconds between each set:

Set 1:       3

Set 2:       4

Set 3:       3

Set 4:       3

Set 5:       Max it out (least 5)

The bicycle crunch is one of the most effective workout for the abs. Not only does it work the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis but the obliques too, so you have all 3 major parts of the abs being targeted in this one exercise. Take a look at this video for on how to do these.

Health Food Tip:

Another healthy breakfast is to take 1 whole egg and 1 egg white for scrambled egg, add a little bit of spinach leaves, sprinkle of Parmesan if you wish and top it off with salsa. And don't forget a glass of Bolthouse Farms juice gives you a variety of your fruits and vegetables that you need daily.

Enjoy, have a happy Monday and will see you back here tomorrow.

Day 1 Fitness challenge and health Tip

So are you guys ready for day 1 of our fitness challenges? Sure you are! If I can do it, you can do it! Trust me!

First of all I want to start out with a healthy breakfast idea:

No salt, no sugar, whole grain

Vanilla flavor only 90 calories

Glass of one of these juices

one of these

3/4 cup of these puffed cereal, an 1/2 cup of Almond milk, half banana sliced on top and a 8 oz glass of one of these juices makes a healthy nutritious breakfast. Regardless, I have a glass of this juice every morning. So here is a healthy tip for a nutritious breakfast....ENJOY!

Now on to CHALLENGES:

Walk/Jog Challenge Day 1:

Walk 6 minutes, jog 1minute  a total of 4 times. This will give you a 30 minute workout.

200 Frog Squat Challenge Day 1: Here is a video on how to do it

Rest 60 secs between each set

Set 1:   3
Set 2:   4
Set 3:   3
Set 4:   3
Set 5:   Max it out minimum of at least 5


Ok guys, that's your workout for today. You have your cardio and your lower body workout.

Stay tuned tomorrow for push-up, abs and walk/jog.

Have a great Wednesday and don't forget to start your before and after pictures. October will start our monthly competition month.

Subscribe!!

Year Long Fit Working MOMS Event!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and with fall fast approaching (temps in Virginia in the 40's overnight) ladies, it's time to think about us. During the summer, so much is going on, vacations, reunions, children's games to attend and we really don't have time to think about ourselves and our health. We usually regret putting off taking care of ourselves when we don our bathing suits at the beginning of summer, and if you are like me, you probably say, next year I won't look like this. Well, I have said it, you probably have said it and year after year we continue down the same path of unhealthy bodies. Well it's not New Year's but it's our New Year. I am putting a challenge out here for not only you guys but for myself. 

This is what you can expect from me:

First of all, I want to challenge you to 4 exercises that starts you off at beginners level and will increase each workout day. The toning exercises only require you to workout 3 days per week. I do 2 one day and 1 another day, spacing out every other day. The other exercise will be your aerobic part of it. Now, this is a walk/run challenge and if you can't jog, then just stick to the walking portion of it.

Everyday I will post the workout for the day and a healthy food tip, either meal idea or snack. I will also post a YouTube video also.

1. Blog everyday with exercise and healthy meal or snack ideal
2. YouTube Video
3. Encouragement when you needed. You can email with questions or comments or respond on videos or blogs and I will answer
4. Monthly newsletter keeping you up-to-date on everything coming up

What I expect of you:

1. Subscribe to my blog to follow the workouts
2. Give these workouts and healthy eating all you have
3. Take a before picture
4. Enter contest and strive to transform your body for next year's event
5. Subscribe to YouTube Channel
6. Follow me on Twitter
7. Follow me on Facebook

Fit Working Mom's Event: September 2013

1. Monthly competition and prizes to mom's success stories
2. Big event September 2013 for first time ever FIT WORKING MOM competition held in Virginia.
3. More info to come on this event.

Mom's you have 1 YEAR, 1 Year to get those bodies in shape and meet us on stage to show your dramatic transformation. I will be there to show mine and I hope to see YOU there!!

Let's get started! No more excuses!!

Here is your challenge exercises:

I will break these down on a workout day basis:

• 200 Frog Squat challenge- do these 3 days a week over 6 week period
• 100 Push-up challenge- do these 3 days a week over 6 week period
• 200 Crunch, oblique, and reverse crunch challenge- do these 3 days a week over 6 weeks
• Walk/Jog challenge- Do these 6 days a week if possible for 9 weeks to complete 30 min jog nonstop

Ok, here is the workouts that we will be attempting and it may look like a lot but it takes no time at all and is actually easy on the body the way we will do them. Stay tuned for Day 1 workout and healthy idea blog.

Thanks and don't forget to subscribe to my channels to be eligible for monthly competitions!!

24 hours in your day!

So you decided to get in shape? Have you stuck with it or have you reverted back to all those old habits that have kept you unhealthy and unfit? Let's kick this in gear together and together we can get back on track.

Let's take a look at what we can do:

1. Let's start from scratch. Let all the failures go and from this moment on, start today and get back on track. Take an exercise, any exercise, push up, crunch, squats and do one right now. Do 20 and you will feel an accomplishment.
2. Make your health a priority for you.Schedule it, plan it, then DO IT. Incorporate it with housework or while talking on the phone. There are so many ways to get in that little dose of exercise.
3. Don't have time for a 30 min or hour long exercise? How about 10 minutes here or 15 minutes broken down to 2 or 3 times instead of all at once.

Main point is, you have 24 hours a day like everyone else and you can fit in time for a few minutes to make yourself healthier.  Just choose to do it and choose to be healthy.

How your body works:

Do you know which part of the body  produces the most important enzymes? Did you guess the Pancreas? This is it. what do enzymes do? The are designed to digest fats, carbs and proteins. Bet you didn't know that, huh? This is what also makes insulin so that your body can use glucose for fuel. Pretty cool. So as you can see this organ is pretty important and you need to make sure you take good care of this guy. So how do you do that? How about a healthy diet, eliminate processed foods and eat natural foods. 

What are some of the foods you can eat to keep a healthy Pancreas?

• Eat some blueberries and cherries:  They provide antioxidants and will help prevent cell damage
• Love me some broccoli:  These guys have power anti cancer properties
• Some more antioxidants: Garlic, onions and red grapes
• Red Relish Mushrooms
• For iron, vitamin B how about Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Yogurt with active cultures: This will help with digestion.

Keep watching for healthy recipes right here on my blog. They are packed with nutrients and flavor and are so healthy. You don't want to miss it.

Thanks for reading and please take the time to subscribe. Happy Thursday!