New year, new you

We made it through Thanksgiving and Christmas! Hopefully we didn't overindulge too much. I know there was a couple of days that I did. I am determined to get back on track! Who's with me?

I have never been one to make New Year's resolutions but I know many people do. Do you know what the top 10 resolutions this year are?

1. Lose weight
2. Getting organized
3. Spend less, save more
4. Enjoy life to the fullest
5. Staying fit and healthy
6. Learn something exciting
7. Quit smoking
8. Help others in their dreams
9. Fall in love
10. Spend more time with family

Did you know that I can help with 7 out of the top 10? I help people lose weight and stay healthy and fit by finding a program that's just right, one that you will love, and including you in challenge groups. Enjoying life to the fullest will come naturally when you are more healthy and feeling better about yourself. Whether your dream is to have that rockin' body you have always wanted or you want to take family vacations, they can come true. Learning about Beachbody and starting this journey has been one of the most exciting things I have done. Becoming a coach will enable you to save more money as an extra income and will also give you more time with family because you can work from home.

I would be honored to help keep you accountable for your New Year's resolution for 2015! Which one are you making this year?

If you are interested in learning more about how to reach your goals for the new year, please fill out the short form below.

https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

Chocolate Covered Banana Shake

1 cup almond milk
1 banana
1 Tbsp all natural peanut butter
1 scoop/packet chocolate Shakeology
ice to taste

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. For a thicker shake, add more ice.

Flourless Honey Almond Cake

My two youngest boys are allergic to gluten and casein, which is a protein found in all milk. It has been a difficult adjustment and trying to find good dessert recipes has been a challenge. Here is a great cake recipe that they LOVE! I splurged on the icing since it was for his birthday and pair the cake with peanut butter frosting. This is a major hit in our home.

Flourless Honey Almond Cake

Cake:

1 1/2 cups whole almonds, toasted
4 large eggs at room temperature and seperated
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat a 9 inch springform pan with cooking spray. Process the almonds in a food processor or blender until finely ground. You will have approximately 1 3/4 cups ground. Beat egg yolks, honey, vanilla, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add the ground almonds and mix on low until well combined. Using clean beaters, beat egg whites in a separate bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until very foamy, white, and doubled in volume but not stiff enough to hold peaks, usually between 1 - 2 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the nut mixture until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, around 28 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan and gently remove the side ring.  



Peanut Butter Frosting:
 1/2 cup dairy-free butter, softened
1 cup of creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons almond milk, or as needed
2 cups of confectioners sugar

Place butter and peanut butter into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer. Gradually add in the sugar. As it starts to thicken, add a tablespoon of almond milk at a time until all the sugar is mixed and the frosting is thick and spreadable. Beat for at least 3 minutes to get it good and fluffy.

Potion Control

It seems these days that people have a distorted view on how much they should be eating. Everything is bigger. Super-sized meals, all you can eat buffets, challenges to eat huge burgers, etc. We should only really need to eat about half or a third of what we are served in a restaurant. Here is an example of a serving compared to what we are served.

There are many ways to avoid overeating. As soon as your meal comes, you can ask for a box and immediately take half of your meal and put it in a to go box. Then you already have lunch for the next day as well. If you are unsure of how much you are eating, you can always use your hand as measuring spoons and cups. For example, your fist is about a cup.

 

 

When I am eating at home, I use a smaller plate. The plate will look fuller. If you use a normal sized plate, you will have a lot of extra space and you will more then likely feel like you are missing out or not eating enough. 

That's one more reason I love the 21 Day Fix. It takes all the guess work out of portion control for you. With the program, you receive different colored containers. Each container stands for different food groups. Based on you how many calories you should eat a day, you get a certain about of containers to use each day. If it fits in the containers, you can eat it.

This is some suggestions on how to be more conscious about how much we are eating. If you would like more information on this or the 21 Day Fix, just fill out the simple form below and I would be happy to help you. https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

Dreams

Today I had a two and a half hour drive. I always think a lot while I am driving. Listening to Ashlyn and her imagination made me wonder....when do we stop having an imagination? When we are little, we have such big dreams and can imagine such amazing things for our lives. Although I don't think Ashlyn will be able to ride a purple flying unicorn to the moon so she can touch it. But seriously, where do we lose that or what happens in our lives that we stop having such amazing dreams? Do we just give up on them? Do we feel like those dreams can't happen to us? They only happen to other people? I think we all need to sit down once in a while and DREAM!

Think back to when we were younger. What were the things you truly enjoyed? Are you doing what you always wanted? If you aren't, why not? What is stopping you? Whether you want to lose weight, get a promotion, make a career out of something you love, YOU can do it! You just need a plan. Figure out what it is that you aren't happy with in your life and make that a goal. Write down the steps you would need to take to reach that goal. Be specific and give yourself reasonable deadlines to get there. Be accountable for reaching your goals. Tell someone, it doesn't matter who, to help keep you accountable. If you get off track, that's ok. A lot of people do including me. Just regroup and get back on track.

If a career change or just some extra money on the side is going to help you reach your goals, maybe becoming a Beachbody coach would be the perfect fit. If you would like more information on becoming a coach, just fill out the form below and I will send you information. https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/z18uka5t00idk5y/

If you need helping losing weight, staying on track with your health or fitness, or want a body you have always dreamed of, then joining a challenge group is the answer. It is a closed Facebook group where we share tips, motivate each other, and help each other stay accountable. I know I wouldn't have had as much success without being part of my first challenge group. Fill out this form if you would like more information on challenge groups. https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

How to take measurements

The scale should never be the only measurement of your body. There could be two different people that weigh exactly the same but have completely different body shapes and look so different. Check out the pictures of these two women.



They both weigh exactly the same but their bodies look drastically different. That is why I encourage you to take measurements of your body before and after. This will be your greatest motivation. After I completed my first round of the 21 Day Fix, I had only lost 5 lbs. If that was the only thing I looked at, I probably would have been frustrated and gave up. But I took my measurements. I lost 7 1/2 inches! That was amazing to me! That made me keep pushing forward.
Here is a short video that shows you the proper way to take your measurements.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z2QgEPZjiQ




If you have any questions or would like more information on fitness programs, please click the link and fill out the short form.


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Shakeology and Diabetes

Is Shakeology safe for diabetics?


Since needs vary for each person with diabetes, it is recommended to check with your doctor first. However, since Shakeology is a low-caloric meal replacement, with a lower glycemic index than most meals, it should be acceptable for most people with diabetes. Shakeology has been certified by an independent third-party lab (Glycemic Index Laboratories) as having a low glycemic index of 24. Believe it or not, Shakeology's GI rating of 24 is much lower than most fruits, some vegetables, and pretty much every processed food ever made. Shakeology helps to keep your sugar levels in balance while providing steady energy (avoiding that sugar spike and crash), supplying nutrition that satisfies, and helping to promote good health. Shakeology is considered safe for general use as a supplement, however if you have a unique or pre-existing medical condition, you should consult your physician prior to using Shakeology.


This video explains the glycemic index and Shakeology:

http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/LivingFitandFab?bctid=614712694001














Please feel free to contact me for more information on Shakeology.
https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

Shakeology Breakfast Bars

Shakeology Breakfast Bars


We went camping over the weekend and this was a great way to still get my Shakeology and they were delicious! My kids LOVED them. That's what they asked to eat all weekend.


4 scoops Chocolate Shakeology
2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup raw walnuts
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup natural peanut butter


In a large bowl, mix Shakeology, oats, and walnuts until well combined. Stir in milk. Add peanut butter and honey. Mix everything together with clean hands. That's the easiest way to get it evenly distributed. Press into an 8 X 8 baking pan making a smooth, even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate at least 3 - 4 hours. Cut into 9 square bars and enjoy!

For more information, click the link below!

https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

4th of July

Well, we all made it through the holiday weekend. We went camping at Ives run. I haven't been camping in years. It was so much fun! we watched the fireworks over the lake, the kids did a lot of swimming, we had campfires with mountain pies and smores. It was such a relaxing weekend. I am truly blessed. But after finally unpacking, taking a much needed hot shower, and sleeping in a comfy bed, I feel like I could use a restart on my health and fitness. Have you ever felt this way after a vacation or holiday? We all have those days and that's ok. The 3-Day Refresh is a great way to get back on track. Get a leaner. cleaner body in just 3 days.

The 3-Day Refresh Complete Kit includes:

SHAKEOLOGY for breakfast – Packed with potent superfoods, Shakeology starts each day of your Refresh with Your Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition^® to help improve and support all your body's vital functions, while also helping to maximize energy and maintain healthy blood sugar levels (available in your choice of 6 flavors, including vegan options—recommended).*

VANILLA FRESH shakes for lunch and dinner – This patent-pending, delicious, and protein-rich formula helps curb your hunger with more than 20 grams of wholesome plant-based protein, 22 essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics for digestive health, and a patented potato protein extract clinically tested to satisfy your appetite.*

FIBER SWEEP drink – Gently and naturally eliminates waste from your digestive system with its patent-pending blend of whole ground flax, chia, and psyllium seed husks.* As part of a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, Fiber Sweep can help lower cholesterol, support healthy blood sugar levels, and may even reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.*

PROGRAM GUIDE – This comprehensive guide walks you through how this program works, what to expect, and how to prepare your shopping list, as well as your body, for the 3-Day Refresh. It also contains a menu planner with numerous easy-to-make, nutritious, and delicious meals, a list of fruit and veggie options, guilt-free flavorings, and recipes for fresh-pressed juices.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
We're so sure that you'll see the benefits of the 3-Day Refresh for weeks to come that we're backing the program with a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Do the Refresh and if you're not still feeling lighter, leaner, and cleaner 30 days from now, return it for a full refund of the purchase price (less s&h).


Click the link below if you would like more information on the 3-Day Refresh!
https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

3 Day Refresh

Introducing the 3-Day Refresh!

If you're looking for a way to lose weight, feel lighter and more energized, and jump-start a new healthy-eating lifestyle, then the 3-Day Refresh is for you. This 3-day program of specially formulated shakes, easy-to-prepare clean meals, and healthy snacks has been scientifically designed to help you break the cycle of bad eating habits, lose weight, detoxify your body, and dramatically improve the way you feel—without starving.

What will you get:

The 3-Day Refresh Complete Kit includes 3 packets of Shakeology^®—your choice of 6 flavors (we recommend Chocolate Vegan or Tropical Strawberry Vegan because plant-based proteins are often easier for the body to digest), 6 packets of Vanilla Fresh (high-protein shake), 3 packets of Fiber Sweep (digestive health drink), and 1 Program Guide with helpful info, a large selection of easy-to-prepare meals, and a list of fresh fruits and vegetables to snack on throughout the day.

The 3-Day Refresh Without Shakeology

includes everything the Complete Kit offers, except Shakeology for breakfast. Since many of our customers already have Shakeology at home and drink it on a daily basis, we're offering this kit without it.

Check out this video:

http://bcove.me/ujlefhz0

This is a great way to jumpstart your health and fitness today!

Contact me today for more information! https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

PiYo is here!!!

Here is a sneak peak at what PiYo is all about. Be one of the first to own this amazing program!

Get an ultra lean and intensely defined physique without bulking up or straining your joints.

Want to sculpt every single inch of your body? Watch this video about the new PiYo workout.

What Do PiYo Results Look Like?

Katie H.

Amy A.

Introducing PiYo, a high-intensity, low-impact workout for a new kind of STRONG.

Chalene Johnson took the very best Pilates- and yoga-inspired moves and cranked up the speed to give you full-throttle cardio, strength, and flexibility training—all at once. PiYo packs it ALL into each workout so you can build lean muscle mass—as you're burning crazy calories.

Now you can carve every inch of your body.

How? You'll use your body weight to perform a series of continuous, targeted moves, to burn fat as you redefine every single muscle. No weights. No jumps. Just hardcore results.

The result? Problem areas become no problem. You can get sleek, long arms; sexy, flat abs; a tight, lifted butt; and the confidence that comes from knowing you're at your best!

This is your chance to define exactly how you want to look—and how you want to feel. You're in control.

You have the power to define yourself.
Now use it.

"PiYo gives you hardcore definition, intense calorie burn, and allover strength—without weights, without jumps, and without destroying your body."

—Chalene Johnson, creator of PiYo

For more information:

https://rhondamerritt.wufoo.com/forms/m1pqauwx0gprm90/

Interested in becoming a coach?

Here is what I'm looking for:
Sincerity
Motivation
Passion
Confidence
Support
Organization
Love helping others





This could be your office too! Start your journey to freedom today!
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