Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Turning Negative Self Thoughts to Positive Ones + Premier Protein Giveaway Winner & Share Good Energy Promo



One thing that will keep you from reaching your goals is the way that you talk to yourself and the conversations that you have in your mind.  I don't think that we pay enough attention to what we are saying to ourselves because there are so many outside distractions.  We log into Facebook and read what is going on, visit Instagram and check out all the pictures.  All of this is playing into how we think about ourselves and how we talk to ourselves.  Especially if you are following a lot of fitness pages, like I do.  I think we start to compare and then decide that we are not as______ as someone else.  You must remember that what you see on social media is what people want to you see.  But we all know that there is more to life than what we show our friends and followers on social media.  So we have conversations with ourselves about how we are not as _____ as "Jane" or "Sally".  Which can lead to negative self talk.  Comparison is the thief of joy!  Maybe it comes with age, but I have let that go.  Or Maybe it is because I am a mother now, and I think about myself differently.  I do know that it has taken work and time to change how I talk to myself and the conversations I have with myself.

Fear and Self doubt are two things that most of us face or have faced in the past.  They are the voices in our head that say "You can't do this", "You're not worth it", "Why even bother?".  How do these thoughts get there?  I am not sure?  Television? Social media?  People in our lives?  I am not really sure, I am guessing a mix of those things.  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you have probably seen by now that I am doing the TTP program that Amber Dodzweit has designed an I am part of the Ateam, a group of amazing women!  When I started back in January, I filled out the questions in the info that was sent to us and there were two questions that stood out to me.  They had to do with feeling like you deserve success and if you are having doubts about being successful.  I have to say that when I answered them honestly, I cried.  Because at that point I thought that I didn't deserve it and had doubts that I could achieve what I really wanted.  It was then that I realized that I had the power to change my mind about these things and that is what I set out to do.  "Limits, just like fear are often just an illusion."

Someone shared this video by Mateuz M on Facebook and I watched it and it was so inspiring.  It made me feel like I could do anything.  So what I started to do was watch it when I was warming up for a workout, then I would watch the next and the next and each title was pulling me in to watch.  Unbroken, Unstoppable, Why Do We Fall, Desire.  These are all amazing videos.  When you have the time go and watch them, the messages are powerful.  These messages started to seep into my thoughts and when a negative thought crept it I replaced it with something empowering.  I was taking control of my thoughts and my mind.  Have you ever read the quote "The body can handle anything, its the mind you have to convince?"  If there is one thing that I have leaned in my past 7 weeks of working hard at changing my mindset it is this.  We have to train our minds just like we train our bodies.  We have to replace the bad with the good.

One of the voices in the videos I watched and listen to on repeat was Eric Thomas.  He is a motivational speaker and he speaks with such passion that it is hard not to want to run out and get your workout in or start writing your business plan!  He came from nothing, was born in Detroit to a teenage mother and didn't have a father, he was homeless.  But he was able to get himself to where he is now with mindset and hard work.  Look him up on YouTube and watch his videos.

So where am I going with all of this?  The thing that I want to share the most is that if you want to change you have to start with your mind.  You have to decide that you want to change.  You have to find your WHY, the reason you are going to work hard to reach your goals, whatever they may be.  You have to work every day to change the negative self talk that creeps into your mind.  It is a practice that you must master.  I still have doubts or fears that creep in, but I quickly replace those thoughts with a positive one, I don't give power to those thoughts.  I remember my bigger why, the reason that I am working on the things that I am working on.  The things that give my life meaning and why I live with passion.  We only get one chance to live the life we want.  It is possible for you to live the life that you are meant to live.  Find what gives your life passion and pursue that!  Don't ever forget that your thoughts are powerful.  Make them positive!

I would love to hear from you in the comments about how you overcome negative self talk and what goals and dreams you are working on pursuing.  Next week I will share some of the things that I am working on in my personal training/fitness career.

I want to say thank you to everyone who entered my Premier Protein Prize Pack Giveaway!  The winner is: Olivia A.  Congrats!  I will send you an e-mail to get your info.




 If you didn't win don't worry Premier Protein is giving away samples for you and your friends!  Click HERE to Share Good Energy, and choose your free protein bar or shake sample and choose 5 friends to pick their samples too!  Limit 2 samples per person per household, available while supplies last.  Chosen friends will be notified via Facebook Messenger to choose their sample.
Don't miss out on your chance for a free sample and Share Good Energy with your friends!








Be sure to link up for Wild Workout Wednesday!  Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Nicole from Fitfulfocus and Michelle from Fruition Fitness.  We love to have you join us!




Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Tips for Post Workout Recovery + Premier Protein Giveaway



You've just killed your workout and you're about to hop in the shower and get ready for your day.  But wait!!  You didn't have your post-workout shake or smoothie!  Did you know that within 45 minutes after your strength training workout that it is important to have the right combo of protein and carbohydrates?  Did you know there are other things that can go into your recovery post workout as well?

Over my 6 years as a personal trainer, and as I am going through my studying for Precision Nutrition I have learned so much about how your nutrition affects your body, and how important it is to get the right nutrition post workout.
Here are some of my top tips for your post workout recovery:
  1. Fuel up within 45-60 minutes after your workout.  This is important if you just did your strength training and are looking to lose fat and gain muscle.  I recommend a protein shake with at least 25g of protein and about 10-15g of carbohydrates.  The carbs will help transport the protein to your muscle to help start the repair process.  Did you know that this is when your muscles grow?  So this post workout timing is important.  The easiest way to do this is with a protein shake and a banana.  This is my go to.  If you are on the go and have to toss something in your gym bag, check out these pre-made Premier Protein shakes.  They are perfect with a half a banana.  If you are able to make a shake at home mix 1 1/2 cups of water, a scoop of protein (or one pre-made premier protein shake), 1/2 a banana, and a dash of cinnamon, blend and enjoy. 
  2. Eat your protein!  Protein is the building block of muscle, and the more muscle you build the more fat your body will burn at rest.  It is important to hit this macro-nutrient daily.  Depending on your goals your daily protein intake should be between 30-40% of your daily calorie intake. 
  3. Don't skimp on stretching!  Be sure you are stretching before and after your workout.  This will help to warm up and cool down your body.  It will also help to stretch the muscles you just worked hard. 
  4. Foam rolling is your best friend.  Foam rolling your tight muscles may hurt, but it is so important to get in at least a few times a week.  It helps to release some of the tightness you are feeling and will aid in recovery.  It will also help to lengthen your muscles as well.  It is not a costly investment and you can do it while you watch television at night before bed!
  5. Boost your recovery with BCAA's.  BCAA stands for Branch Chain Amino Acids.  Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.  BCAA's help to increase protein synthesis (protein breakdown for muscle building), and even help to increase your cell's capacity for protein synthesis.  So what this means is adding an extra scoop of BCAA's to your post-workout protein shake will help to start repairing your muscles quicker.  I use unflavored and add it to my daily shake and I don't taste them.  You can also buy a flavored one and drink it during a workout.  I don't like anything but pure water when I workout which is why I stick to the former.  
  6. Have a spa night with an Epsom salts bath!  This is one of my favorite ways to relax and to help relieve sore muscles.  I try to get one in weekly, sometimes it doesn't happen, but when it does I sleep like a baby that night.  Add a cup of Epsom salts to hot water and let them dissolve.  You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  I set a timer for 20 minutes and put some spa music on my Pandora and relax away my sore muscles.  Since your skin in your largest organ, it absorbs the magnesium, which is necessary for muscle building and repair.  Plus it is a good way to spend some quiet time at night. Try it, you will come back and thank me. 

Are you ready for a Premier Protein Giveaway?  Follow the steps below for your chance to win a variety of Premier Protein Shakes and Bars.  I love having a few bars and shakes with me when I am on the go or for after a workout!  Winner will be announced next week! Good luck!

Premier Protein February Giveaway
Time to link up for Wild Workout Wednesday!  I know I have missed quite a few link ups.  I have just been busy with studying for my nutrition certification, my workouts, and some new clients.  I am going to get back to blogging weekly for the link up!  Sorry I have been missing you guys.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day!  Go kill that workout and be sure to refuel properly :-)