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Getting Down at the Barre: Sweat Pink NJ First Event

 

Launch of Sweat Pink New Jersey

We were laughing-well kind of; our thighs were quivering, and I think I found a new muscle in my butt that now hates me but it was such a fun time! Last night, Sweat Pink NJ was hosted at Revolution 360 for our Sweat Pink Chapter Launch.

Sweat Pink

Sweat Pink is a community of active women (and men!) globally who love to sweat and socialize! It is a fitness group will include outdoor adventures, meetups, and monthly workouts. We just are a bunch of health enthusiast who wants to support other health enthusiasts. It really is that simple. People always ask me what it is? Yep, no catch! There are so people who just want to motivate and inspire other people. I am one of them, and if you are too then you should join us and become a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

Sweat Pink Ambassador?

I’ve been a Swear Pink Ambassador for three years. After my second Blogfest high I wanted to be more involved with the active women that I have over the last three years known through Social Media and blogfest.

(Have you heard about Blogfest? If you are a health enthusiast or fitness influencer, I URGE you to come, and we can meet in real life!)

These group of women are so supportive, inspiring and encouraging and just encouraging to be in a group of amazing women’s from all sorts of backgrounds, states and fitness passions.

We are stronger together, and I have never gotten such a sense of community like Sweat Pink.  When the email blast came out they were looking for Chapter Leaders I jumped up and raised my hand.

New Jersey has so many great opportunities to get active and coordinating events to have women from different backgrounds come together, and Sweat seemed like a great idea for 2018.

I set my goals, resolutions or whatever at the beginning of the year and the Top 3 are to get women together to help each other. I have some fantastic plans, and God is laying out some exciting things in the near and distant future in this area.

When the ladies at Sweat Pink started to help me set up the group, I was a lot anxious, but if all our events are like the Launch, I have no worries.

Revolution 360

First I had to find an equally empowering studio to have our first event! Revolution 360 is a Boutique gym in Moorestown, NJ my hometown.  My little town had grown a lot from when I was a kid. Part of that growth is gyms like Revolution 360 which is just walking distance from my old childhood home.

Nilsa is the owner and teaches lots of challenging sweat dripping classes. What I LOVE about Revolution is we don’t play any baby weights there; it is an all but one guy staff and of certified amazing instructors.  We all have our own weight loss fitness journey, and we do not play.

Resolution 360 offers a variety of classes: Strength and Conditioning, Booty Barre, Zumba, Butts and Guts, Cardio Circuit (yours truly teaches), Bootcamp, Tabata and always adding great and new classes that get members results.

Showing women how to properly train with heavy weight and getting rid of all gym intimidation;  While Nilsa starts to kick your butt once she turns on that mic.  This woman is a truly and genuinely loves to serve people.  She has a servants heart and will go out of her way for anyone that she meets. She is an amazing instructor and loved by everyone.

Booty Barre at Revolution 360

Nilsa did not disappoint in the least.  There were moments in the class I had to close my eyes and pray and then others where we felt super sexy doing some hip shaking and then again tears of pain-in a right way and oh and we were cracking up. (An extra ab workout)

The group of women who came was so fun, outgoing and although some ran, spin, or only took group classes.  We were got together and had a good time.

Now the event was Barre Now Wine Later, but there was no wine. It was Bring Your Own, and nobody drank. So, we sipped on water and ate some snacks and reflected on the last 45 minutes of getting our butts kicked.

These Ladies came out for a good workout, to hang out with other active women and have a good time which is what I hope for our events. I met some new Ladies who rather be moving on a Saturday night then sitting on the couch- my kind of women and will be adding to our Sweat Pink NJ family.

Sweat Pink New Jersey 2018

We have so much planned for this chapter and are working on some fun events, team races, and nutrition workshops.  I am eager to meet more women and celebrate each other this year.  If you are an active women whatever that activity may be and you want to get busy, you should join us at our next event until then you can find us on facebook!

Are you looking for a group to just chill or get sweaty with active women?

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Fitness Fitness and Health

Four Ways to Get Your Family to Eat Clean

How to convert Drive Thru Junkies to Clean Eaters

It was like a movie….The most amazing thing happened the other night at dinner my kids fought over the last brussel sprout did you read that correctly my kids fought over the last brussels sprout. I never thought that the battle over clean eating would be won. Two years ago that would have never been the case. After a long road, my girls try new things every other week willingly. They look forward to baking new goodies to try and have mostly adopted a healthy lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong they’ll still welcome without hesitation a Happy Meal but from a recovering drive thru junkie family. Always driving around. Going places and never enjoying what was in front of them.

How to change your family to a clean diet

About two and a half years ago I decided to try to change our processed food lifestyle into a “clean eats” lifestyle. I probably got it from a blog post or Social Media. At first, I tried to try it on my own, but then I was invited to a meeting. I was introduced to information about GMOs, wheat, corn and soy mayhem. I left the meeting wanting to feed my family better and putting my foot down. We didn’t go cold turkey, but there was a drastic change in our shopping and meals. I stopped using helper sides: mac and cheese, rice sides, pasta sides; Anything that came preseasoned; canned goods, baking mixes. All donated or thrown away. That left me with food that you had to prepare every meal from scratch.

Homemade meals every night without my “just add water” side was an overwhelming task. I tried a few different methods of meal prep too and then I found a system that works for me. The more I became fluent in processed free, clean eats that took less than 30 minutes it became easier.

cleaneats

We are not 100% Clean Eaters and that’s okay

Now I tell people we are about 85% clean that leaves 10% “real ingredient” processed and 5% junk. What I would define as real ingredient junk, are foods that are processed in a kitchen other than my own but has real ingredients. I buy pasta, rice, quinoa, oats, dried fruit, nuts, etc. I also buy chips, crackers and frozen pizza for my kids and husband. We’ve come a long way from our old diet and are still progressing forward.

The 5% junk those are McDonald’s Happy Meals, donuts from D&D ,birthday cake, icecream, and a Philly Pretzel is my middle diva’s weakness. We live by an 80/20 rule trying to honor our temple but living in grace. I know that eventually, we will be fully clean. My girls can’t even eat school lunch anymore because it makes their stomach hurt. Treats and desserts last longer in my house now too. When I do bake, I try to use natural sugar such as date paste and raw honey. I will also use pure cane sugar, but either way treats last longer.

So, as I watch them fight over a Brussels sprout (I’ll have to make more next time). I am so grateful that I learned how to honor my temple better and my family initially rebellious and unwilling came around and preferred a clean lifestyle too.

cleaneats

Four ways to get your family on board with a clean lifestyle

1. Pick 5 have them pick five processed foods they can’t live without (french fries and frozen pizza is ours) Although, once in a while I get away with homemade french fries.
2. Family favorites try to make family favorites healthy and from scratch. Your rendition probably tastes a lot better than Stouffers.
3.Meal Prep & Plan You don’t have to precook all your meals. I don’t! I make a list for the week compare it to our schedules. I like to preseason and label the meats and freeze. That way it’s defrosted, bake, grill, whatever and mostly prepped. Vegetables clean and bag in advance. I don’t cut mine, but they are washed, dried and stored, or you can make everything in advance, freeze and have ready to throw in the oven. Whatever is going to prevent you from stopping at the drive-thru on the way home or grabbing a precooked processed meal.
4.Slow down so you can speed up. Going cold turkey will cause your family to revolt and not adopt. Ease them into it and give them grace. They didn’t decide to change their lifestyle mama ( or daddy) did so they may be slow to adopt. They will fight you, stay strong and just try to make fresh alternatives. The younger they are, the easier it is, but eventually, everyone will feel want to continue to feel better and hopefully they’ll be fighting over Brussels sprouts too.

Are you trying to eliminate processed food from your diet? Did you

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Faith Journey Fitness

I am doubting my limits in 2018

I ended my 2017 pretty eventful. I have never been an athlete until recently, so I never injured myself until the middle of December. I want to say that I was doing some really cool lift or crazy feat of strength, but nope, not me I was warming up took a small hop and tore my ATF Ligament in my ankle. Oh OUCH, right?

It initially sounded worse than it felt but four weeks into recovery and yep, that bad boy hurts.  I have never been seriously injured, and I have also never been active every day, so both have had their mental ups and downs.  Reflecting can be nice because you can have a new appreciation for events, things and moments.

Putting and end to doubt

2017 was the best year that I have had in a long time and truly was for so long the year has ended, and I wished I would have done more, tried things, experienced more and limit myself less.

Last year, I ran the Tough Mudder, and I went to the race alone. Yep, I had intended to go with a team, but the only person that I kind of knew on the team couldn’t go last minute, and that left me all by myself. I wasn’t going to go for that very reason. I actually cried a little on how pathetic it was that I had no one to do the race with, but I still drove out there all alone.

By Godcidence I quickly was on a team of misfits.  We all had been left to go the race alone. Somehow, some way and stumbled upon each other and did the run as a team; we called ourselves “Team-No Team.”  I haven’t spoken to any of those people since that day, but they were part of a pivotal moment in my fitness journey.They helped me change my mindset.

That Mud Run was my beginning goal realized. When I had set out on this fitness journey, it was after I had run the Rugged Maniac at 205 lbs. 5ft 3 inches tall. I vowed to myself to run the race again in better shape, and I set out on that mission.  Then the day of the race came, and I did it alone.  It was the most empowering moment because I realized that I could do anything that I set my mind to there is nothing limiting but myself.  That day awakened a women who now see’s mountains as potential to be conquered.

Stop Limiting My Options

I couldn’t have found the Gixo app at a better time. So, I am starting the year off with one foot, can’t train like  I used to, can’t train others and I need a little motivation.  One day in a bit of pity party I decided to download the Gixo app and give it a try.  Sometimes you just need someone to tell you what to do.  I tried the Total Core class because I figured I didn’t really have to modify the instructors will for me (even better) and fell in love.

It’s just what I need right now while I am home and can’t get to a gym.  I can pick a class schedule, join others so I won’t feel so alone and real-time see and talk to the group instructor who was able to modify the moves for me.  They also made a note so now when I pop into other classes they already have some modifications for me.  It was the motivation I needed to get back to a new routine and new workout program until my ankle heals from home.

My injury is the “mountain” that I am beginning my year with and while everyone rushed to the gym January 1st, and I have to watch from the sidelines, and it stinks! But by Godcidence I was asked to participate in the Fit Approach, and Gixo App Campaign which I am absolutely in love with and I started a little early because I need to tell myself these things. I needed to remind myself that the limits that I have set are only in my head, that we can do anything that we give our heart and desire to and something that I always know to be true is that I am the daughter of a limitless King.

I am so excited to be joining forces with Sweat Pink and Gixo App to try new workouts.I am looking forward to sharing with women and remind them that we are limitless. We can do it alone, do it scared, follow our dreams, be all the things if that is what we choose to do. What we cannot do; is put the limit on our potential.

Would you join us in spreading a message of positivity, inspiration and motivation and share what or who makes you limitless this month? You can use hashtags: #IAmLimitless

But I am curious to know; How are you going to live Limitless this year and will you join us in spreading the message of our untapped ability to be limitless?

 

 

This post was written in partnership with Gixo Fit and Fit Approach “I am Limitless” Campaign. Although, I am being compensated my thoughts and opinions are my own check out my full disclosure policy 

 

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Fitness Fitness and Health Product Review Product Reviews

Sliding My Mommy Tummy away

I recived MomSanity Triangular Core Sliders from MomSanity in exchange for writing a review. I am also a MomSanity Ambassador and receive a commisson off affiliate links in this post My Full Disclosure Policy

Momsanity Core Sliders

Still on a mission

If you have been following my weight loss you know a few things about me. First, this is not my first time at the rodeo this is time number 3 for me battling the bulge. Second, I gained an obscene amount of weight with each of my precious little diva’s. Diva 1: 95 pounds, Diva 2: 85 pounds, and Diva 3: (which was actually 3 & 4) 75 pounds.  So, to say that I still have a long journey ahead is an understatement. What makes matter worse is after I came home with Diva #3 I gained another 20 pounds totaling 95 pounds to lose. Yes, people I have to lose a 12 year old off of my soon to be little 5′ 3″ body. I will lose it! Unfortunately, not overnight or in the same amount of time (9 months) that it took me to gain it.  The last thing you should know if you haven’t been following is that I am doing fitness better. I have better nutrition, better exercise and a game plan. I am also with okay with slow and steady winning the race.

A great tool to get the job done

Like most women I want to my tummy to shrink and my BLT (butt, legs and thighs) to chisel. When I got the opportunity to try the MomSanity Sisterhood’s Core Sliders it was an enthusiastic, YES! The one thing that has been really bothering me during this weight loss is my mommy tummy. It just seems to be the last thing to budge. I never really had issues with a bulging belly with my other two girls but this time around it is so stubborn. Even my arms which is typically hard to lose weight in has slimmed but this tummy did not want to cooperate. Until, I got the MomSanity Core sliders. I am really loving the workout that I have been getting with my core sliders.  I feel a difference when I am working out. I feel that I am able to really contract and push a little further in my workout. It is a concentrated intense short workout. Just what I need with a active toddler and a busy family to manage. I don’t have time for 100’s of crunches and hours of cardio. I need efficient and effective.

Helps with past injuries

Especially things like mountain climbers, plank jacks and they are so easy on my toes.  I fractured my big toe while I was pregnant. One of those clumsy kick the bed rail too hard and it took forever to heal. Sometimes when I do burpees or plank jacks it gets aggravated but not with the sliders because I don’t have to jump on them for plank jacks love that. It’s also easier on my knees when I am doing mountain climbers and lunges. As a former competitive cheerleader and gymnast (in my hay day) sometimes squats and lunges ache my knees. I am extremely cautious of my form  but I still feel the aches. I have found with the sliders I am not as achy after doing workouts that add pressure to my knees.

MomSanityTriangle Core Sliders

See fast results

The first week, I focused on my belly and I used the free workout that comes with them. They’re great! 5 minutes of intense focused workouts for those trouble areas. They’re not “insanity” level intensity they are definitely concentrated to the areas they are working out. MomSanity Sisterhood have created a 5 minute video for your Upper Body, Booty, Core, Legs, and Arms.  Deb, one of the MomSanity trainers walks you through each workout. Another thing that I love is they can be downloaded on my phone so I can pull them up anywhere. I prefer home workouts but if you are at the gym, whip your phone out and you’re good to go.  No subscription needed and no data because it’s saves right there on your phone. You could even do it at the park which I will be doing next week!

MomSanity Core Sliders

Not your typical sliders

The sliders themselves are genius. They have a hard purple side (which is this FaithFueled Mom’s favorite color) and that is to be used on the carpet. Then they have a spongy, foam like side that is great for traction on your hard wood floors.  I also like the shape of them they are triangular versus round so it fits the top of your feet well. The round sliders I have used I always had to adjust my feet so that they fit. The triangular shape allows you to get your reps in without constantly stopping to adjust where your toes go.  I now incorporate my core sliders as a warm up or with my HIIT training that I do. I also do the 5 minute core and arm workout on my off days. I like to mix my workouts up so I will probably venture to other moves but the video’s that you receive for FREE with your sliders are great workouts for beginners all the way to advanced athletes.  It’s also nice to add versatility to your at home workouts. I am so excited to be incorporating these tools in my home workouts. Will highly recommend. Follow me on Instagram where I will show you how I use MomSanity Triangular coresliders in my workouts.

MomSanity Core Slider Progress

So, my two week results! What do you think? I think there is definite progress and after 3 months who knows I may start to see the six pack that I have been day dreaming about in between reps.  What is your favorite ab routine? Have you considered adding sliders to it? Would you like a pair of your own?

 

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Fitness and Health Mealtime Monday Self

Are your working out dehydrated?

I received the Brita Stream Rapids Water Filtration for free from Influenster in exchange for a Review.  The fact that I received this for free does not effect my opinion. My Full Disclosure Policy

Are you working out dehydrated and don’t even know it? If you are a sedentary person according to National Academy of Sports Medicine, you men need 3 Liters a day and women need 2.2 Liters a day. If you are trying to lose weight, you should drink 8 ounces of water for every 25 pounds that you are overweight which is a little over 3 ounces for every 3 lbs of extra weight you carry. Is that a gallon? Nope and lots of people are over consuming water with the gallon mentality. Flooding their systems and causing their organs such as the kidney and liver to become stressed from the additional work that the body doesn’t need. Start off with 2.2 liters of water if you’re women and then add 3 ounces for every 3 lbs. You are overweight. That is what you should be drinking unless you live in scorching climates than I recommend more.

Does water consumption change for active people?

Yes, those who aren’t sedentary require more water than those who are also, those who have a high protein diet causes dehydration. Protein needs “seven times the water for metabolism than carbohydrates or fat,” according to NASM. If you have dehydration of a minimum of 3%, it can cause poor performance when exercising. Three percent is very marginal and is why it is important for people who are active to consume water.

You have heard the importance of water. It is essential to our survival and makes up about 60% of the human body weight. You can be nutrient deficient for many years before the detection or affect the body adversely. You can only survive days without water. When you are drinking the adequate amount of water, you are allowing your body to function at it’s best.

Water is essential because:

  • It helps your endocrine glands operate at a better capacity.
  • It reduces and relieves fluid retention in your body. If your body has enough water, it doesn’t have to hoard the water it does have.
  • Because your body is getting proper water, your liver can function better.
  • When you have the correct amount of water, your body uses MORE fat for energy that it does when dehydrated.
  • You stop feeling thirsty all of the time
  • Your Metabolism functions betters
  • Nutrients are dispersed properly in your body
  • Your body temperature becomes more routine versus extreme hots and cold temperatures

More Water = Better Performance

I say said, “more water” not too much water. You must hydrate the body properly is very adaptable in most circumstances, but when it comes to dehydration, your body has a hard time coping. Just as little as a 20% fluid loss can offset your circulatory functions and reduce your performance. Practicing consistent daily exercise, water, and food consumption will regulate your body and allow you to gauge your hydration.

You can not rely on thirst alone as an indicator if you are dehydrated. Athletes or those who engage in regular exercise usually deplete their body up to 50% in sweat alone. Remember, I said our body is 60% water. The best way to make sure you are hydrating properly can be simple yet foreign until practiced regularly. Then it will become second nature just like your increase in water consumption.

How do I figure out how much water I should drink?

  1. Get your average daily weight
  2. When exercising make sure that you are at your average daily weight especially if you’re exercise requires endurance.
  3. Drink enough liquids, preferably water, but juice or sports drinks can be consumed during workouts to maintain your average daily weight.

Replace fluid loss post workout

How do I replace fluid loss?

  1. Sip before you sweat! NASM recommends that you, “consume 14 to 22 ounces of fluid 2 hours before exercise.
  2. Every 15 to 20 minutes you sweat drink at minimum 6 to 12 ounces of cold water. That is less than a plastic water bottle totally doable.
  3. Make sure you drink cold fluids
  4. If you are going to workout for more than an hour than drinking something that contains up to 8% carbohydrates to help hydrate you and replace glycogen being used up by your long workout. Some people recommend sports drink; I like to use Collagen Peptides and BCAAs in my water bottle while I workout. I usually only drink water, so I use my dynamic duo to replace the glycogen being used in my workouts as well as keep me hydrated.
  5. If you’re doing a quick HIIT, Circuit or less than an hour workout water is best. A sports drink won’t hurt, but it’s not necessary.
    After your workout has ended NASM recommends, “Ingest 16 to 24 ounces” of fluid for every pound of body weight lost after an exercise bout.” That is why it is key to know that daily weight average.

Getting Rapid Hydration

Working out dehydrated an easy way to throw your body out of whack. Making sure you are sipping on water is the easiest way to avoid some adverse health effects and thwart all your hard work with poor performance. I recently received the New Brita Stream from Influenster. It has made drinking purified water faster than ever.

The New Brita Stream design is a vast improvement on the common pitcher water purifier. No longer do you have to wait for the white pitcher to drain so that you can pour more tap water to be purified. It’s so quick and easy now there is no excuse for an empty water pitcher any longer.

The new model is great you open the lid, pour the water, grab a glass and pour. Yep, no longer do you have to wait to fill your glass and rehydrate yourself. There is a filter that is smaller and now attached to the spout of the pitcher. When you pour the tap water filters through and pours directly into your cup. Clean and refreshing. There is also an Electronic Filter Indicator button that alerts you when it’s time to replace your filter. No more calendar tracking or remembering, “when did we change the filter.” It also comes in great colors too.

I think the improvements are great on the New Brita Stream the only thing it needs is an alarm when your kids leave it in the refrigerator nearly empty. Other than that the New Brita Stream is great to make sure that you are getting the proper amount of water for your body to operate at it’s best using filtered, crisp and clean water.

Do you workout dehydrated? Do you take steps to stay hydrated? What are they?

Undefined, U. U. (2014). NASM essentials of personal fitness training (pp. 490-492) (M. Clark, B. G. Sutton, & S. Lucett, Authors). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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