Time for a Change

Want to change your diet behavior? Break through these diet barriers first! Getting out of your usual comfortable routine is hard and the first step is figuring out why you’re resisting change in the first place.

Think about your daily routine – how many things do you do without even thinking about them?  When you’re getting dressed in the morning, which shoe do you put on first?  You’ve probably never thought about it.  But if you always start with the right, try putting on the left shoe first – it might feel a little strange and unfamiliar.  Now imagine that you’re faced with a multitude of things you need to change. Everything you do throughout the day is affected, and you’re constantly reminded that you’re doing things differently. It takes some getting used to.

Change is hard, and it takes time to develop new, healthy habits to replace the old ones.  But in order to get there, you first have to identify the barriers that are getting in your way.  People resist change for many reasons, but here are some of the most common ones.

Good diet barrier #1:

You feel fine, so what’s the problem?

I can’t tell you how many times patients have said to me, “there’s nothing wrong with me, I’m just overweight.”  Maybe it’s because being overweight doesn’t exactly hurt the way a headache does – it could be that since the weight comes on little by little, you sort of slowly adapt and don’t notice how it’s affecting you.  But those who tell me that they feel “fine, just overweight” before they start on a diet and exercise program are the same ones who come back months later – trimmer and fitter – admitting that they had no idea how bad they really felt when they were heavier.  With a loss of weight and a gain in stamina from regular exercise, they’ve got more energy, they sleep better and they feel ‘like a new person’.   There’s nothing more motivating than really feeling the results of getting healthier.

Good diet barrier #2:

There’s so much you’ll have to give up, it’s just not worth it

You’re envisioning that you’ll have to give up your favorite foods, that you won’t be able to go out and enjoy meals with friends, family or coworkers, and that you’ll have to set aside way too much time for exercise and meal preparation.  Sounds like a lot to give up, and you’re not sure you want to.  But you can learn ways to lighten up your favorite recipes at home and make better choices in restaurants, and you can be just as sociable with your friends over a healthy meal as you can over a cheeseburger and fries.  Focus not on what you’re giving up, but what you stand to gain.  Yes, some things will have to change – but if you keep your “eye on the prize” of better health, you’re more likely to make adjustments.

Good diet barrier #3:

You don’t have the self-confidence to think you can succeed

Maybe you’ve tried a variety of things in the past, but you haven’t ever been able to make much headway.  If you’ve tried everything under the sun but nothing’s worked for you, it’s going to be hard for me to convince you that this time will be any different.  So it helps to look at why you might have failed.  Was the diet too strict and hard to follow?  Did you get too aggressive too soon with your exercise and hurt yourself – rather than easing into it slowly?  Do you eat when you’re not hungry and use food as a reward or a comfort?  Gaining confidence takes time, and you might need to take baby steps to get to where you need to go.  But when you take those same steps over and over again, you’re on your way to establishing new, healthier habits – and to building your confidence.

Good diet barrier #4:

You don’t think anything you do will make a difference

Some people just aren’t convinced that there’s anything they can do to impact their health in a significant way.  They’ll say they inherited their hefty build from their parents, or chalk up a high cholesterol level to ‘bad genes’.  When you believe that there’s nothing you can do that will make a difference, that’s exactly what you’re likely to do – nothing. But you’re just providing yourself with an easy way out.  As it’s been said, “genetics loads the gun, but environment pulls the trigger”.  Genetics alone doesn’t determine how healthy you’ll be – your health is greatly influenced by how well you take care of yourself, too.  And small changes, taken together, can definitely add up.

Squash and Fennel Salad

This salad wins the award of the most refreshing side dish ever! The combined essence of fennel and lemon give ordinary zucchini extraordinary flavor in this simple, invigorating salad. Consider it your new go-to side dish to enjoy with grilled steak or chicken. 

Here’s another flavorful reason to ask more from your side dishes. Do you really need traditional, grain-filled noodle salads when it’s possible to create a veggie noodle salad like this instead? This one tastes better and is better for you…one bite and you’ll see what I mean. 

Courtesy of RealHealthyRecipes.com

Servings: 4

Here’s what you need

For the Squash and Fennel Salad

• 2 green zucchini
• 1 yellow squash
• 1 fennel bulb and fronds
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt

For the Lemony Dressing

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons fennel fronds, minced
• sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Use a veggie peeler to turn the zucchini and squash into long, flat noodles. Cut the fennel bulb in half, and then slice into thin half moons. 
2. Throw the squash noodles and fennel slices into a large colander and sprinkle with the coarse salt. Mix the salt into the veggies and let sit for 20 minutes over a plate. Squeeze the veggies gently to release excess water and transfer to a salad bowl.
3. In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients. Toss the dressing with the veggies and chill until serving. Enjoy! 

Nutritional Analysis

One serving equals: 81 calories, 7g fat, 5g carbohydrate, 2g sugar, 489mg sodium, 2g fiber, and 1g protein.

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Your Lifestyle: Your Diet

The best diet is the one that works best with your lifestyle, your budget, your food preferences and how much effort you're willing to give.

One of the more entertaining aspects of my work is that whenever I meet a new weight loss client, I never know where the conversation will lead.  Usually, I'll start by getting some history - I want to know the most and the least they've ever weight, what motivates them to eat better and get into shape, and also what has worked for them in the past and why hasn't - that sort of thing.  From there, I can start to get a sense for how much effort each particular client is willing to put forth, and what their expectations are.  And then we come up with a plan.  But I can't just tell someone WHAT they need to do - I need to figure out HOW they're going to do it too!  And we work TOGETHER to figure out what is going to work best for THEM.

Does one size fit all?
When it comes down to it, there’s no “one size fits all” dietary plan.  Everyone is different, and I need to take into account not just a person’s food likes and dislikes – I also need to know what their day is like, if they like to cook or not, if the cost of food is an issue, what time they exercise, how often they eat out (and where)  – there are a whole host of factors that I have to consider before I can give someone meaningful advice.

Should you take on a lot at once?
And then I have to consider what my clients want – or think they want.  Some people prefer a fairly strict approach – often, in fact, deciding to tackle a lot at once.  I’ve had plenty of clients who’ve decided to simultaneously attempt to lose weight, start exercising and quit smoking.  It’s a lot to take on, but it can work.  Maybe it’s the idea of  ‘wiping the slate clean’ and making a truly fresh start – sort of a “today is the first day of the rest of your life” attitude.  And sometimes when you’re working on one thing, it can reinforce the other changes you’re trying to make – as in, “if I’m going to exercise, it doesn’t make much sense to keep smoking”.

But when taking on too much doesn’t work, it’s usually because the process becomes overwhelming – there are just too many changes involved and too many adjustments to be made.  And then, people tend to simply give up – and nothing gets accomplished.

Or are you one to take things more slowly?
On the other hand, there are those who take a more cautious approach – they like to dip their toes into the water, and see what feels right.  They might make a few changes to set them on the right course, get those pretty well established into their daily life, and then move on to make a few more.  Slowly, over time, they accumulate a pretty impressive list of diet and lifestyle changes – and since they’ve given themselves a chance to let them settle in, they’re usually in pretty good shape to continue.

Figuring out what works for YOU will help you build a healthy diet and lifestyle plan
The point is this – there are plenty of paths that lead to the same destination.  Some are short and direct, others might meander a bit – and neither one is necessarily better than the other.
Just as I do with my clients, you need to think about what you realistically can do.  If you hate cooking or just don’t have the time, does it make sense to adopt a diet that requires you to home-cook every meal?  If you can’t remember the last time you ate a fruit or a vegetable, is it realistic to think that you’ll suddenly start eating seven servings a day?  Maybe not.


But remember this.  The way you choose to eat, the amount of activity you get, the lifestyle choices you make are yours – you own them.  And you also need to accept that the results you get will be a direct reflection of how much effort you put forth.  The harder you work at it, the better the results.  But that doesn’t mean that slow and steady can’t win the race, too.  Because the best diet isn’t the one someone else tells you to follow – the best diet is the one that works for you.



SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK WRAPS

Slow cooker recipes are a fantastic way to save time and energy while still getting a healthy, fitness-approved meal on the table. This recipe for slow cooker pulled pork wraps takes just a few minutes in the morning, then a few more minutes of prep right before you serve it. No need for carb-filled bread, eat your pulled pork wrapped in lettuce. It tastes awesome and will help you reach your goals faster. Servings: 12 Here's what you need:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 (4lb) pork shoulder roast
• 1/2 cup organic chicken broth
• 1 cup organic, sugar-free barbeque sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 large organic yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 organic red bell pepper
• 1 organic yellow bell pepper
• 1 large organic yellow onion
• 1 head organic romaine lettuce

1. Place the olive oil in the bottom of your slow cooker.
2. Add the pork roast and pour the chicken broth over it.
3. In a medium bowl combine the barbeque sauce, vinegar, Dijon, chili powder, onion, garlic and thyme. Pour over the pork.
4. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours and 30 minutes. Once done, remove the pork from the slow cooker, discard the fat and shred the meat with two forks. Return the shredded meat to the juices in the slow cooker, on warm, until ready to serve.
5. Thinly slice the bell peppers and remaining onion. Saute in a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Once very tender, season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
6. Serve the pork on large romaine lettuce leaves and top with the tender peppers and onions. Enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 368 calories, 19g fat, 218mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 28g protein 

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4 Reasons to be Active

There are literally hundreds of reasons why being active is beneficial.  Exercise is good for your body, your mind and for your social life.

Here are four reasons that I believe will inspire you to get up and get healthy. Once you’ve read through, I know you’ll join me and become a happier, healthier you.

1.  Reduced stress
Most of our lives are filled with stress of some sort, whether it’s lack of time, financial struggles, difficult work deadlines or simply trying to herd your children to school.

Stress can lead to weight gain and make losing weight more difficult, so finding time for activity has never been so important.
Stress also often causes over-eating and this can lead to weight gain, in turn this can increase your stress and then the cycle repeats.
Even I have succumbed to stress during times of high pressure.  Knowing that this wasn’t the best reaction, I took time out and realized that I needed to do something that would help me cope with the stresses of my life.  I found that adding an activity to my day allowed me to re-group and focus on myself and this helped me to reduce anxiety and stress.

2. Feel more productive in work and life
I always used to think that in school we had recess to give the teacher five minutes of peace but the real reason is much more interesting. Studies have found that after activity our brains are more active and this makes it easier for us to learn and retain information. You may not be in school any more, but taking a brief recess for activity, especially when you feel drained, may improve your focus and make you more productive. Feeling that you’re more productive is a great way to beat stress!

3. Positive lifestyle attracts positive people
When you make a conscious effort to improve yourself through becoming more active, your confidence gets a boost.  Even better, your new positive approach can convince those around you to also make a positive change.  This is especially true if you decide to take a class or join a gym.
Who knew that by improving yourself you'd have the potential to improve others too?

4. Increase your happiness
Who doesn’t want to be happier? Being active promotes the release of endorphins in your body similar to those that are released when we eat foods such as chocolate.  I’d much rather get my happy endorphins from activity because it's long lasting.  When you eat unbalanced sugary delights, your happy vibe is short lived and is quickly followed by a not-so-happy energy drop.
What goes up must come down and if you constantly spike your blood sugar in this way, you'll find it hard to balance your mood. Instead, try involving yourself in a healthy activity as this may make you happier because you'll have more energy and your mood will be stable.

***

Activity really is good for everyone.  Think of these four life-changing benefits of exercise as routes to happiness. Less stress makes you happier, being alert and more productive makes you happier and happy people attract positive happy people.

Curried Cauliflower

This dish is filled with tender cauliflower, nutrient-dense spinach, sweet pickled pimento peppers, and plump garbanzo beans all swimming in a creamy, dreamy curry sauce. With a flavor this deep and satisfying, you may forget that it's filled with all wholesome ingredients. Enjoy!

Courtesy of RealHealthyRecipes.com

Servings: 16

Here’s what you need

• 2 heads cauliflower, chopped into florets
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
• 3 Tablespoons curry powder
• 1 (15oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 5 oz bag of fresh baby spinach
• 1 (13.66oz) can coconut milk, full fat
• ½ cup pickled sweet pimento peppers, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the cauliflower florets and boil for 8 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and set aside. Wipe out the pot.
2. Return the pot to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, onion and garlic. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the curry powder and cauliflower florets and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add the garbanzo beans, chicken broth, spinach, coconut milk, pimentos, lime juice, salt and red pepper flakes. Mix well and reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis

One serving equals: 185 calories, 8g fat, 17g carbohydrate, 4gg sugar, 169mg sodium, 7g fiber, and 8g protein.

Spring Break is right around the corner. Are you struggling to get into shape, so you can look and feel great on your vacation? We've helped hundreds of Men and Women in Valparaiso get in shape in 30 minutes a day, without going on a diet or having to give up their social life. Let us help make this your best Spring Break ever!

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5 ways to eliminate treadmill boredom

Think about running on a treadmill… Are you filled with warm thoughts about competing against yourself or even catching up on a show as you jog?  Or does your blood run cold as you imagine time slowing down and your run beginning to feel like a self-inflicted punishment?

When it comes to running on a treadmill, it’s very rare that someone thinks it’s just okay – the response is usually that people either love it or hate it!  But with cold weather, for many people there is only one option and that’s to get on the human hamster wheel or risk freezing outside.

In this area of the country, the winter months are famous for making us gain holiday pounds, so let me share with you a few tips to help you spice up your treadmill routine and prevent you from hanging up your running shoes until the spring.

1. Vary your terrain by adjusting the incline

If you are fortunate enough to be using a newer treadmill where you can adjust the incline then have fun creating a challenging outdoor trail run.

Whether you like running up a steep mountain or creating rolling hills, it’s easy to break up the monotony of a flat course by simply pressing the incline button. Hill running can be very challenging, enjoy the challenge of increasing the incline every 60 seconds. An added bonus about being in control of the incline is that if the hill feels too steep just take it down a notch.  Now you can’t do that when you’re running outside!

2. Plan your music in advance

Music is known for being a great motivator, especially when it comes to exercising and sports performance.

The joy of modern technology is that you can create entire playlists of all of your favorites. Spend time going through your music collection and pick out songs that make you smile.  Find that one song that makes you want to sing out loud because it will be perfect motivation for you to turn up the speed and run a little faster. 

3. Interval training is best to avoid boredom

Running or walking at the exact same speed for the entire time is just not an option.

Interval training has so many added benefits because, not only does it stop you from getting bored, it can help you to push yourself to burn more calories in less time. A great way to interval train is to run at a 7/10 difficulty level for 45 seconds then walk or jog at a 3/10 difficulty for 30 seconds. Training in this way for 30- 45 minutes can improve your cardiovascular fitness and endurance.

4. Enjoy the funky functions

If you don't want to do a steady state adjust your incline and speed by playing with the treadmill functions.

Many newer treadmills are equipped with heart rate monitors and calorie burn counters and it’s fun to set yourself mini challenges with these!  Try and keep your heart rate within your target range and guess how many calories you will burn every two minutes. Or you can pick one of the pre-designed running plans and let your mind puzzle over one of the challenges in your life.  It’s better to think through a big problem while running than when you’re trying to sleep.

5. Break up your run

Set a few goals before you start your run and then don’t be afraid of breaking it up into manageable chunks. Don’t just get on the treadmill without a goal because chances are you will step off sooner if you don’t have a plan. If your goal is to run five miles but you get bored after two miles, then make a conscience choice to take a break.  That way you can keep your commitment to do all five miles – you’ll just break up your run and refocus along the way… So, get off and do some light resistance work or abdominal crunches then get back on. The important thing is to get back on.

Many gyms also offer classes led by an instructor that incorporate both running and weight training. The group atmosphere is fun and can help motivate you.

***

Stay on track

The benefit of training on a treadmill is that you can precisely monitor your distance and time without the variables of rough terrain and inclement weather slowing you down.  Remember to only ever go at a pace that feels right for you.  It’s tempting to push yourself too hard if the person next to you is really pounding out the miles, but you won’t be helping anybody if you push yourself too quickly.  It’s always better to err on the side of caution and stay injury free, after all that person on the next treadmill could be an ex professional sprinter. 

Crunchy Baked Plantain Chips

Avoid eating trigger foods by enjoying wholesome homemade versions of your favorites. When you have the urge for salty, crunchy snack foods make some of these whole food plantain chips. Cut processed and packaged snack foods completely out of your diet and you'll find that whole foods snacks like this more than satisfy your snack cravings. Servings: 6 

Here's what you need:

• 2 large unripe plantains
• olive oil
• juice from 1/2 a lemon
• freshly ground sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 large baking sheets with olive oil.
2. Peel the plantains and slice thinly on a diagonal. In a medium bowl toss the plantains with some olive oil, the juice from 1/2 a lemon and a generous sprinkle of salt.
3. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 110 calories, 2g fat, 133mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 1g protein 

Call For Your Free Body Transformation Analysis 

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Monthly Client Spotlight!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  Nicole Blaschke!

February 2018

It’s Not Just About the Weight

My journey to fitness is 6 months in the making. Before this I had countless "failed" attempts to regain control; take my life back, get off medicine, be more active, eat healthier, and make better choices. WOW!!! That seems so overwhelming to read those words back to myself. So many of us know the steps and what it takes but still we continue to read numerous articles, pin way too many Pinterest diets, exercises and ways to plan for our fitness success but in the end we still choose to live the same way. Living the same way I had for the past 20 years. Man how time flies!!!! Looking back I see all the times I swore this time would be different and this would be the time the change would stick only to find weeks later and often times only days later, myself eating to numb the pain of another failure. Hi my name is Nicole. I'm 38, a wife, a mother, and in the process of being a healed emotional eater. 

The sting of failure, the fear of success dictated my life until May of 2017 when a switch was flipped. From May to July my fitness journey had nothing to do with physical fitness and everything to do with mental fitness. We talk ourselves out of so much in life and more quickly than we even realize. These 2 months were a reconditioning of the mind. Speaking words of encouragement and worthiness. All the things we say to our best friends, family and co-workers but never to ourselves. We are our own worst critics. We beat ourselves up. We are relentless and unforgiving. And ultimately ruin our chance of breaking the cycle without even being fully aware of the patterns. I knew if there was any chance of breaking the chains of emotional eating, this had to be addressed head on. The process was difficult, gut wrenching, empowering and very possible all at the same time. This “time” would end up being the best foundation and choice I could've made to prior to coming to Pumps Fitness. 

July 2017 I began working out with Ian. As any mom, I had guilt taking that time for myself, spending that money on myself. Until I realized I too was an investment! Taking that next step in my fitness journey was just as much about my kids, my husband, family, and friends as it was for me. It was the first time I made my health a priority. As I continue my journey I cannot say enough about the Pumps Fitness family and the unconditional support I have received and the healthy environment to process the raw and real emotion that comes with shedding not just the weight but also the baggage of the past that got me to where I was. I have achieved goals within the last 7 months that are beyond anything I could have imagined. 

Through all of this I've learned this journey is a mind set…an intentional choice. A mindset that must be in place from the moment you wake up, until the moment you close your eyes. We are truly remarkable beings. We are more capable of overcoming the challenges of life, our childhood, our past, and make it through the other side better for all of it.  What we see as a weakness in ourselves will become our strength when we accept and realize that those weaknesses do not define us, but actually serve a powerful purpose in fueling each of us to be better. Anything is possible!

Trainer Spotlight!

SPOTLIGHT ON……  LaDonna Trapp!

February 2018!!

WELCOMING OUR NEWEST TRAINER!

I have been involved in education for most of my life, including acquiring a Bachelors degree majoring in Psychology at Valparaiso University while being a wife, mom and full time employee. My employment has most always revolved around education.

I had always wanted to learn what a Personal Trainer could do for me so when I came to Pumps Fitness and experienced a great work out with enthusiasm and a smile, dropping inches and pounds, I was convinced.  Education in wellness/fitness is the wise choice for me.

 As a Certified Trainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine, also holding an AFAA certificate in Metabolic training, and soon to be earned Certificate in Exercise Design For Seniors, my goal is to help individuals realize they can do it! There is an exercise program for everyone. My desire for my clients, is to give them a place where they can zone into a little “healthy me time” with no distractions and a little specialized attention.  

When our daughter was just a little girl she asked me, “Mommy, how old will you get to be?”  I told her not to worry, Mommy would live to be 100, and I meant it, to the best of my ability. Currently, the fastest growing age group in America is the 90+ age group. What if you become part of that age group? If so, are you going to get there to the best of your ability?

Will you invest in getting well or in being well? Imagine- being at the best of your abilities, so you can live well.   I choose being well, at the best of my ability.

                                                                                   

La Donna Trapp

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

AFAA Certificate Metabolic Training