We have had more than a few questions regarding the “Eternal Eating” plan that we included in the S3 contest. Once again let me say that before you start any nutrition plan you should consult a qualified nutrition professional to see if this or any other nutrition plan is right for you.

Eggs, Eggs, Eggs. You could potentially eat a bunch of eggs on this plan, and if that makes you uncomfortable, then my suggestion is don’t! There is nothing in the plan that says you have to eat ANY at all, it is just one of three primary options.

It is my personal opinion eggs have gotten a “bad rap” over many years, and research has shown that they are not the cholesterol raising, heart attack causing evil we were led to believe. I would encourage you to research the issue for yourself.

A few alternative perspectives on the subject:

http://jonnybowdenblog.com/remember-“the-incredible-edible-egg”/#more-739

http://chetday.com/eggyolk.htm

http://www.alsearsmd.com/protein-benefits/

http://healthinmotion.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/eggs-the-myth-of-cholesterol-and-exercise/

Gretchen’s “10 Reasons to ‘Sizzle’”?

Check them out, right here, right now!

Please use the “Comment” section below to communicate S3 related questions during the contest. You may very well have the same questions/comments/feedback as other team members, so let’s keep it all in one place.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Yogurt vs. Kefir

Yogurt and Kefir are dairy products. They are both very healthy for your intestinal tract but the similarity ends there. The beneficial bacteria in each product is different and therefore functions differently in your body.

Yogurt contains transient beneficial bacteria that keep the digestive system clean and provide food for the friendly bacteria that reside there.

Kefir though it is not as well known as yogurt is also wonderful for your insides. Kefir can actually colonize the intestinal tract, a feat that yogurt cannot match. Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt, Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species.

It also contains beneficial yeasts, such as Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, which dominate, control and eliminate destructive pathogenic yeasts in the body. They do so by penetrating the mucosal lining where unhealthy yeast and bacteria reside, forming a virtual SWAT team that housecleans and strengthens the intestines. Hence, the body becomes more efficient in resisting things like E. coli and intestinal parasites.

Kefir’s active yeast and bacteria provide more nutritive value than yogurt by helping digest the foods that you eat and by keeping the colon environment clean and healthy.

Because the curd size of kefir is smaller than yogurt, it is also easier to digest, which makes it a particularly excellent, nutritious food for babies, invalids and the elderly. So enjoy your yogurt but don’t forget to enjoy some kefir too.

Eat Healthy,

Coach Nancy

I’m tired of the excuses. I don’t want to hear why I can’t do something. I’ve never liked hearing the word “Can’t” I think it has something do with being surrounded by brothers. I’m competitive. Yes, I like to win. I like the challenge being thrown out there and then stuffing it in their face as I accomplish the task.

So I hate hearing my doctor say your weight is great for someone over 40, or your muscle tone is fine for someone with six kids. Why the qualifier? Why can’t I have a reasonable weight for my height and body type? Why can’t I have the same muscle tone as someone with one child or no children?

The competition was on. In my own mind the challenge was thrown down. I will have my doctor eat their words. I can be a healthy weight not for my age but for any one my height and build. I can have muscle tone again!

Don’t listen to everyone else tell you that you can’t eat healthy in this fast food world. Don’t believe the lie that you can’t lose the pounds you’ve carried for 15 years. Don’t let anyone else rain on your parade. You can have what you set your mind too. There are challenges along the way. Just don’t let those challenges whether they are people or circumstances stop your progress. Often the biggest foe we face is those dear people we call family and friends. Instead of fighting against them use their energy to fuel you on towards your goals.

Here’s are some things you can do to help turn them from destroyer to determination:

• Talk to them. Be clear and concise on what your goals are and how they can help. If you don’t want to be tempted with chocolate ask them not to bring it in the house.
• Be realistic. Sometimes communication backfires and you get more heat and grief after telling your family about your desires. Use that energy for fuel. When you hear them talking negatively, know they are throwing the challenge down. That is all they are doing. They want to see how badly you want your dreams.
• Don’t react to their comments. Often times they are not sure of what lies ahead. Few of us like changes in our daily routine. They might feel things will be 180 degrees different from last week’s lifestyle. Be patient with them. Continue to talk it out.
• Plan, plan, plan.

I want to hear I am a healthy weight and fitness level without a small sign hanging around my neck informing others “its okay how she looks, she is over the hill and had more than one kid.”

Here’s To No Signs,

Coach Nancy

Ingredients
8 tablespoons peanut oil
3 pounds boneless pork loin, cut into 2-inch cubes
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 onion, cut into 1-inch dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1-inch dice
3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
3 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
2 Tablespoons agave syrup
1/2 cup prepared black coffee
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
1 small chopped jalapeno, for garnish

Directions
Pour 4 tablespoons of the oil into a large, heavy bottomed stockpot and place over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Season the pork with a dash of salt and pepper and brown it in batches, 3 to 5 minutes per batch. Set aside the browned pork.

Pour the remaining oil into the pot and add the onion, garlic, bell pepper and jalapenos. Season the veggies with the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper and cilantro. Sweat the vegetable mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the onion is soft. Add the pork back to the pot along with the tomatoes, agave, and coffee. Add the beans, stir well, bring up to a simmer and then lower the heat to the lowest setting.

Let simmer 2 to 3 hours, until the pork is juicy and buttery soft.

This is the best chili ever! You can adjust the spiciness of the chili with the amount and type of pepper you use. I make two batches, one for the kids, and one for Dean and I to enjoy.

This weeks Make it Happen Award goes to Sherri, Suzanne, Katie, Stacy, Nicole, and Deb.

Way to go ladies!

Stacy walked to class over trees tangled with wires. Deb set her kitchen egg timer as her alarm clock because she didn’t have power so she could make it to Fun Friday. Everyone else had to maneuver their way through back roads in order to make class on time. Not pictured is Nicole. She tried every way to get to class and at 9:15 called to let me know a fireman had just made her turn around and go back.

Next time you have one of those days, look at this picture, you Made It Happen this day!

Coach Nancy

“Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This quote captivates a positive attitude of clients I’ve heard lately. They were not quite as poetic when they breathed a deep sigh while exclaiming, “I had to talk myself into coming to class today”.

At Get Fit NH Bootcamps our goal is to make you work hard and give you a great time while doing it. But we are also realistic.

After last week’s weather and many clients going without power for several days, it can be hard to drag yourself out of bed to get to the early morning class time. It is also difficult to push beyond the workday and hit your 4 or 6 PM class.

But as many did, you just need to suck it up! Do what you know needs to be done.

What will you get with this attitude?

• You’ll be one step closer to the goals you’ve set for yourself
• The natural good feelings that occur from a hormone in your body that rise after exercise.
• A sense of accomplishment and success
• The applause of the group as we close the training session
• An instructor who knows you’ve ‘Made it Happen’.

What will you avoid?

• Being caught in the downward spiral of missing one workout which easily leads to a second and then a third and so on and so on.
• The Emotional beating given by yourself because you missed your regular scheduled training.
• Because you are already emotionally down you start to eat and we are not talking a spinach salad with grilled chicken.
• Risking losing progress on your goals especially if you allow the other three to begin.
• Stress which releases hormones that aggravate weight loss and keep muscles tight.

So the next time you want to head back to bed or drive directly home, think about how far you’ve come, and where you still want to reach.

Remember that you deserve to reach your goals, and don’t let anything or anyone get in your way.

Remember only you can Make It Happen!

Coach Nancy

For choosing to train with us! Lori just received her 1 year anniversary shirt!