Read this post for… a free family-friendly recipe and help with fitness, nutrition, and create a mindset for self-care.

 

I was honored to be a guest on Meal Garden’s podcast, Making It Real (Feb. 3, 2021).

On the podcast, I chat with Kiki about mom guilt, mindset, and how to approach fitness, nutrition in a way that will give you lasting success AND will BE A GIFT TO YOUR FAMILY. 

First, I want to talk about mom guilt. The struggle is real. We want to be healthier, we want to focus on exercise, nutrition, de-stressing…all the things. THEN, that inner voice starts yammering. 

I CAN’T take time for myself! 
I SHOULD be spending my non-working hours with my kids, cleaning, organizing the garage…or…
Little Joey wants to color together.
My kids need me. My spouse needs me. They DESERVE my all. 

I get it! They do deserve our best. We love spending time with our loved ones. It fills us, but it can also drain us. So many of us need this reminder…so say this out loud…

“I MATTER TOO! My self-care IS important.”

Seriously, I could write a book. So many women come to me because they feel they need help with nutrition and fitness. And yes, they generally do. Yet so often the thing that is getting in their way is that they are shoulding all over themselves. It’s mindset. It’s self permission and self-denial. 

Are you shoulding all over yourself???

Take a few minutes to journal or reflect…

What are the costs to YOU when you neglect yourself in favor of what you “should” do?
What could be the benefits of taking time for self-care?
How healthy do you want to be 5 years from now, 10 years, 20?
How healthy do you think your family would like you to be? Ask them!


In the podcast, I also talk about how I use Meal Garden to help my clients with nutrition. Meal Garden has thousands of amazing, healthy recipes and meal planning software that helps me to provide you with resources to eat healthy, using ingredients you love and within your personal nutrition goals. Bonus, families love it too! Scroll down for a tried and true favorite, Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken.

Please be sure to listen in to the podcast to hear more about:
• What tools/methods/modalities are most effective to connect with your intrinsic motivation, cut through the overwhelm, and achieve your health and fitness goals.
•. The pros + cons of “goal setting” – and how to do it RIGHT!
•. Using Meal Garden: the specific features/functions that help my clients the most
•. The importance of continuing to grow and develop as a coach so I can best serve my clients.

 

Please HELP ME HELP OTHERS!
If you come across anyone looking to start their fitness and wellness journey or looking for a bit of help along the way, I’d truly appreciate the opportunity to help them by you passing along my name. 
As always, I’m focused on helping you build a healthier life. I offer coaching and personal training on Zoom and, if you’re local to west Cary, I can come to you for a COVID safe workout in your garage or outside. I also have an option for customized workout plans loaded on my app.

  • 1:1 or Small Group Personal Training: via Zoom
    • Get personalized attention, custom workouts, and accountability in a 1-hour workout
    • Option for a custom class for you and your friends.
      See my website for details.
  • 1:1 or Small Group Personal Training Sessions: Outdoors
    • I’ll come to you and take you through your 45 min. workouts, help you with form, accountability, and motivation- I wear a mask and stay 6 feet away.
    • Choose 1:1 or invite some friends for extra motivation and camaraderie.
      See my website for details.
  • Online Personal Training:
    • We schedule short weekly Zoom calls to create and progress your customized workout program. Recommended for those with prior exercise experience.
    • Your own confidential portal login on my fitness app.
    • Workouts complete with video.
    • Full program scheduled on your calendar with reminders.
    • When complete, you mark it as done for added accountability (if you miss a workout, I send you a friendly reminder and we can chat about getting you past your challenges).
    • Options to add on habit coaching and nutrition tracking.

Wellness Coaching Program: via Zoom.
Are you feeling burned out and ready to start taking care of yourself?
Are you stuck in overwhelm? Do you need help creating a mindset shift and lasting habit change?
Would you like to discover how to manage stress? Do you need help finding balance?
As your coach, I will listen without judgment, help you reflect on what it is you really want and need in your life, and help you discover how to get there.
You will also have access to Meal Garden and to my HIPAA compliant portal for all of your coaching documents, secure text messaging, as well as auto-reminders for your coaching on nutrition and habit change.

Thank you for all the love and support! Coaching & training clients and changing lives is something I’ve always been passionate about— thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey. Here’s to continued success on your journey.

Feel free to reach out if I can support you in any way.

 

 

Are you struggling to keep up with a consistent fitness routine during COVID? It’s time to try online fitness! 

 

Across the country, many gyms are closed or operating at reduced capacity. This situation is likely to continue for at least a little while.

 

Still, there are some advantages. You can say goodbye to commuting across town or waiting in line to shower. The extra privacy may be nice, too, if you feel self-conscious working out in a crowded room.

 

Most importantly, you can still get an effective workout at home.

 

Try these tips for taking an online class or Personal Training session.

What to Do Before Your Online Fitness Session:

  1. Explore your options.

    Here at Project Fitness, we offer 1:1 and group classes both live and on-demand. We also help with added accountability and support, so you’re less likely to skip a day. Got questions? Book a FREE Discovery Call to learn more.

  2. You aren’t just a number with us!

    We are a small, family-run business. Barbara runs all of the sessions and creates fun and effective workouts. Because we are a small business, we get to know our clients, their goals, and how best to support them. We truly care about each and every one of you and always go above and beyond in our service. On the other hand, you may also appreciate the value of supporting small local businesses – we certainly appreciate your support.

  3. Create a space.

    Set up a dedicated area for working out. Ensure that you have enough room to move around safely without injuring yourself or breaking anything.

  4. Position your screen.

    Most activities will be easier if you place your screen at your eye level standing up. Larger sizes help too, so use your laptop or tablet instead of your phone if possible.

  5. Check your flooring.

    Protect your joints if you’re doing high impact movements. Use mats or consider doing any jumping on a carpeted area.

  6. Arrange a playlist.

    You can pick your own tunes when you’re at home. Be sure to mute your songs when you’re off mute in a group class and adjust the volume so that you can hear the instructions. Or just use one of your wireless earbuds for music and the external speaker on your laptop/tablet to hear the class instructions

  7. Get your gear. Check ahead to see if you need any special equipment,

    like stability balls or hand weights. Most of our sessions incorporate weights or bands, though we always offer modifications to use bodyweight as well. Be sure to wear clothing that you can easily and comfortably move around in and supportive footwear.

  8. Set goals.

    Knowing your purpose increases your motivation and makes your workouts more effective. Think about what you want to accomplish. Specific objectives also make it easier to evaluate your progress.

Personal Trainer Cary NC, in home training

What to Do During and After Your Online Fitness Session:

  1. Avoid distractions.

    Resist the urge to multitask. Save the laundry for later and pay attention to your trainer.

  2. Pace yourself.

    Monitor yourself. Slow down or take a break if you’re having trouble breathing or the session is too intense. If we are working 1:1, we will be checking in with you for biofeedback. When in a group, we always try to include options for modifications. If you have any questions, feel free to come off mute and ask. Work your way up gradually to reduce the risk of injuries. Talk with your doctor about any individual concerns.

  3. Stop and look.

    Protect your neck and other vulnerable areas if you’re in a position where it’s awkward to see the screen. Stand or sit up for a moment to see what the teacher is demonstrating

  4. Cross-train.

    Plan other activities for the rest of the week to balance things out. You might decide you prefer to take 2 or 3 classes or training sessions in a week. Work in a few days for moderate cardio – bike, walk, or run. Allow yourself time for rest and recovery too. Ask us how to best plan to fit your goals and current fitness level!

  5. Seek interaction.

    What if you still miss the excitement and camaraderie of live sessions? Look for other ways to engage. We provide afree Facebook group that gives everyone time to chat and ask questions between sessions, and we are always just an email or DM away.

 

With little planning and effort, you can make online fitness sessions productive and enjoyable. You may find that you prefer the convenience of working out at home or you can keep yourself in shape until your local gym reopens.

 

Signup for a free Strategy Session today!

Let’s chat about your goals and discuss the best way to get you there.

Sign Up Here!

Weight loss is a challenge we all face. In an ever-evolving modern world, it can be very difficult to find fresh food at a good price.

 

Fast food places on every corner are selling a burger for a dollar, but a head of broccoli can be two or three times that price. It’s an issue with our supply and demand, but it’s a challenge that many people face when they try to eat healthy. 

 

With varying opinions and decades of conflicting science showing that some diets work better than others, finding what’s right for you can be a challenge.

 

With that in mind, hands down the best method you can use to achieve greater weight loss is to create balance whenever possible.

 

Using a balanced diet as our foundation to successful weight loss, let’s break down five of the most important habits you can integrate into your life in order to lose weight and keep it off. 

 

The 5 Habits

There are way more than five habits for successful weight loss, and many people will find that by making one simple change to their life that they begin to lose weight.

 

With that said, these are the five most effective habits: 

  • Stay hydrated. This is perhaps one of the most overlooked components of weight loss. Not only is our body made up of at least 60% water, but hydration is important in muscle growth, circulation, and promoting healthy bowel function. 
    • Do your best to drink at least 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, PLUS 8. Ounces for every 20 minutes of moderate to intense exercise. This daily consumption of water will help your body to remove toxins, flush out waste, and increase your potential for strength. 
    • Additionally, this habit can stave off food cravings too. Sometimes when you think you’re hungry, you’re actually just thirsty! 
  • Wake up earlier. This is one of the habits that would be beneficial for all of us to aspire to. Waking up early will get your system into a natural circadian rhythm. It also promotes feeling tired enough at night to get to bed at an opportune time to allow you to get enough sleep. 
    • Waking up earlier could help you sleep better, feel more energized, and promote a healthier weight. 
  • Eat more fibrous foods. The average North American gets 1/5th of the recommended daily allowance of fiber. Not only is fiber essential in balancing out your carbohydrate levels, but it is also a crucial element in weight loss. 
    • Decades of science have shown that fiber has unique properties that help to promote healthy digestive cycles, which lead to greater weight management. 
    • Additionally, fiber has also been shown to limit inflammation and be a great tool for recycling cholesterol. 
  • Limit trans fats and saturated fats. Although the debate is open to interpretation, lowering the amount of dietary fat you consume to 15-20% of your total calories will help many people to start losing weight. Aim to keep most of that 15-20% healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, salmon, and tuna.
    • Why is this? Adapting your diet to a more balanced macronutrient scheme of around 50/30/20 (50% carbs, 30% protein, 20% fat) will help your body to best handle the increased amount of exercise you will likely be committing to in your quest to lose weight. This of course varies by each individual and specific goals, here at Project Fitness, we use a personalized nutrition profile to find your ideal macros. 
  • Increase your daily energy expenditure. This is a fancy way of saying become more active. You don’t need to engage in really difficult workout sessions every day ‒ simply by being more active throughout the day, you will start to increase your energy expenditure and influence weight loss. 
    • Do the simple things, like parking further away at a grocery store, pacing while on a call, doing squats when you brush your teeth or taking the stairs in the office.  

BOTTOM LINE: Successful Habits Instill Positive Lifestyle Behaviors

 

Your best bet at losing weight is to try out new things. Try eating fresher, unprocessed, foods, and see how your body responds. Try going for more walks and see the difference it makes. Join us for 1:1 or group workouts for added fun, support, and accountability. 

 

At the end of the day, instilling more active habits and eating fresher foods will be a step in the right direction for successful weight loss.

 

NEED MORE SUPPORT?

Book Your Free Discovery Call

Click here to book your FREE Discovery Call for more information on our group and individual services as well as a mini-coaching session!

 

Book Now!

12 Sneaky Ways to be Healthy This Christmas

Christmas is notoriously a time to indulge, but don’t let this be the green light to overindulge! You can still enjoy all the festivities of the season and get through the Christmas period without too much impact on your health and waistline. Try our top 12 tips for a healthier Christmas.

01

A 10- minute workout

Cramming in an exercise class or going for a long run is often out of the question when our calendars are filled with Christmas parties or last-minute shopping. If you’re short on time this December, try squeezing in a ten-minute workout at home. They’ll keep you active without compromising on all the festive fun. Use the exercises from this 12 Days of Fit-mas to keep you moving!

02

Snack Sensibly

With so much temptation at Christmas, it’s easy to snack on unhealthy treats all too often. Whether it’s at work or at home, cookies and cakes are everywhere. Treat yourself every now and then but try to have healthier snacks on hand, such as browsing through Project Fitness’ recipes. You will barely even notice that you’re missing out and you will FEEL GREAT.

03

Shop off the pounds

Don’t do all your Christmas shopping online – a 60-minute walk around the shops can burn quite a few calories. You’ll be able to get active all while ticking off your shopping list. Don your mask and enjoy some socially distanced shopping!

04

Drink Up

And we don’t mean a rum and coke! Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water this festive season. Sipping water regularly throughout the day will help you feel fuller and avoid any mindless snacking.

 

 

 

05

 

Get on the Dance Floor

If you’ve not had time to get to the gym, then make sure you get on the dance floor instead. A two-hour Christmas dance party in your kitchen can burn over 600 calories along. You want to be on the “dance floor” all night long.

06

Make a Swap

Some easy swaps can save you hundreds of calories this Christmas and you’ll barely even be able to notice the difference. Avoid cocktails that are packed full of sugar and switch the tonic in your G&T to an alternative, like a flavored seltzer. You save yourself 40 calories from that swap alone.

07

Don’t Skip Breakfast

We have been told for as long as we can remember that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and for a food reason: the more balanced and satiating the breakfast, the fewer calories you’ll consume throughout the rest of the day. With all the temptation at Christmas, it’s easy to get carried away, and a healthy breakfast is one way to avoid any mindless snacking.

08

A Walk in the Park

Don’t just collapse on the sofa after your Christmas dinner, try and get the family out for a festive walk. Encouraging everyone to join in. A brisk hour-long walk can burn over 300 calories – they’ll thank you for it later.

09

Choose Wisely

If you’re in line at the buffet, try and choose sensible options. Avoid the calorific dishes and load up on the veggies. Also practice portion control and avoid going back for seconds. Don’t overfill your plate just because it’s Christmas.

10

Play a Game

Sitting down to watch a movie won’t burn any calories but playing games will. Get the whole family involved in a game of charades or dancing games on their video game consoles – it could burn over 300 calories per hour.

11

Don’t Overdo It

Christmas is a busy time of year and we can often do too much. Try not to burn the candle at both ends and make sure you give your body enough time to recuperate and relax. A bit of downtime will go a long way. Read a book, chat with a loved one, refuel.

12

Indulge a Little

Christmas is a busy time of year and we can often do too much. Try not to burn the candle at both ends and make sure you give your body enough time to recuperate and relax. A bit of downtime will go a long way. Read a book, chat with a loved one, refuel.

Take Back Control

Don’t forget about the upcoming group coaching sessions, Take Back Control, beginning January 3rd, 2021. Don’t miss out, sign up today!

Learn More!

 

Free Discovery Call

Click here to book your FREE Discovery Call for more information on group and individual coaching as well as a mini coaching session!