It's almost here!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I know we did....the kiddos had a blast! I for one am glad Christmas is over and am ready for the new year!! I have a new vision board posted up in my home gym and i have my new goals written and posted. I keep my goals posted so that i continually see them and it  helps to keep them in the forefront of my mind.

This week has started off really well...i am getting in all of my workouts, weights and cardio and eating is back on track!

I have been sleeping really well lately which is great because sleep is essential to growing lean muscle and having the energy to make each workout count.

Also, getting in some good quality time with the little people in my life which is always fun!

Right now I am in a strength/muscle building phase until about a month when I begin contest prep. I am feeling so ready and excited to step back on the stage!!

Healthier Pumpkin Bars

I made these the other day to combat a sugar craving and man where they a smash-hit in my home!

Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp pumpkin spice
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups no calorie sweetener
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups pumpkin
4 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla

Icing
4 cups Ideal no calorie confectioners sweetener
8 oz  lite cream cheese softened
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray lightly with no stick cooking spray  a 12×17-inch baking pan .Add the almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, baking soda into a bowl and mix well.
Beat the sweetener and oil in a mixer until blended.
Add the pumpkin and mix well.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add in the vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients gradually and mix well.
Pour the batter into your  pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges pull from the sides of the pan.
Cool in the pan.

To Make the icing:
Combine the confectioners’ "sugar", cream cheese, and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Beat until the frosting reaches spreading consistency and is light and fluffy. Spread the cooled pan of pumpkin bars with the cream cheese frosting and let stand until set. Cut into bars.

Enjoy!!

No Excuses

A couple days ago we had a pretty bad ice storm. I actually made it out to teach my 6am bootcamp class and prayed I wouldn't get stuck in ditch while driving back home as there had been so many unfortunate accidents.

After arriving home safely, i had to call and reschedule my clients since the roads were so unsafe. Also, meant i couldn't travel to my YMCA to workout. Fortunately for me I have a gym in my home. Which means i never have a "real" excuse not to workout.

If you ever are stuck at home or in a place with no access to gym equipment here is a workout you can complete anywhere:

Warm up
10 secs jumping jacks
10 sec jump rope
10 secs high knees
10 secs glute kicks
repeat twice
10 secs opposite toe to hand touches
10 secs push ups
10 secs slow squats

Workout
(1 round = do every exercise for 30 seconds)

Squat Jumps
clapping pushups
jumping lunge
raised split squats (put one foot on bench if you do not have a bench use a chair) 30 secs each leg
sit ups (touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, must touch each knee = sit up)
plank (hold for 30 seconds)
crossbody mountain climbers

repeat 3x's for a total of 4 rounds

cool down and stretch

This workout doesn't take much time and is sure to burn fat!

Let me know if you try it and what you think!

What a day!

So today started at 4:15am for me (after being woken up twice during the night by my youngest). I started my day off with 45 mins of intevals on the good ol' stepmill. Taught a bootcamp class @6am, trained a client and then back home to get the little people off to school. Back to the gym to train more clients, taught another bootcamp class (love all of my clients!!). Had lunch with a friend of mine. Greek salad (yum!).

Then completed the following workout -
50 walking lunges (no weight)
weighted rope crunches
barbell squats
leg extensions
deadlifts
hanging knee raises
bench rebounds

whew...can you say tired ;o)

picked up the kids from school. completed homework, completed workouts and diets for clients (via email) finished this blog post and now it's time to PLAY and get ready to do it all again tomorrow ;o)

Peppermint Cupcakes (sugar free)!!

Did I also tell you I love to eat?!

Here is a recipe for cupcakes (who doesn't love cupcakes) that are waist line friendly (although still a cheat) and the whole family will love! My children were so excited when they came home to these babies since I don't bake goodies as much as they would like.

1 box Pillsbury Sugar Free yellow cake mix
make according to directions
add a tiny bit of peppermint extract (got mine from whole foods)
cook according to box

Cream cheese/peppermint icing

1 small container of lite cream cheese
1 tsp of can't believe it's not butter
1 1/2 cup of Ideal confectionary sugar (sugar free)
tiny bit of peppermint extract (use very little or the peppermint flavor will be too overpowering)

whip all ingredients together

after cupcakes have cooled, add icing and enjoy!!

You seriously have to try these!

My Very First Blog!!

Well how can I start?....this is something i've been wanting to do for a very long time, however for some reason just kept keeping myself from starting. I have decided to go for it! I like to talk, have alot to say and share...;o) So follow me as I share with you my fitness life! This blog will include snipets of my life, workouts, fitness tips and healthy or healthier versions of foods I love! Thanks for checking me out....;o)