Pre-Marathon Training

The official training has not begun yet but the days leading up to meeting my team are filled with excitement!  I have been continuing to run several times a week, one long run included in that just so my body is not in complete shock once the training begins! I am continuing my weight training with the home workout program Body Beast so that I continue to strengthen my muscles to prepare for what is to come!  Healthy eating is still in full effect and wow has it really been making a difference. Not sure what happened but my mindset has completely changed since entering the race.  I see food as fuel for my workouts, not to satisfy cravings. Am I perfect?  Not by any means.  But it sure is a hell of a lot better than it has been and I can see the benefits from it and feel the benefits!

From the first day I found out I was accepted onto the American Red Cross team till my most recent run in Boston, the weather sure has made the shift into the fall season.  Some research had to be done as well as drilling some friends who have run the marathon in the past about what I need for the winter training months.  New running attire had to be purchased since in the past, I have been only a seasonal runner (spring and summer that is!)

I am trying to slowly teach my body what a new "cold" really is.  50 degrees...no problem!  40 degrees...easy!  Now as the winter season approaches us, 40 and under will have to slowly become the "this is easy and not even cold mindset!"

December 2nd is when I finally get to meet the team, get the official training schedule and get after it!!  With less than 5 months until race day, the butterflies in my stomach will probably continue through race day.

Stay tuned with how team night goes and the start of training!!

Want to donate?  Any amount helps TREMENDOUSLY to reach my goal of $7,000 for Team Red Cross!!  www.crowdrise.com/lynngugliuzza

November BEACHBODY PROMOTIONS!!

Hands up if you love Thanksgiving!! Especially this year with the exciting news that I have been offered a spot on the American Red Cross Boston Marathon 2016 team…I WILL RUN FOR FOOD!! I am honored to be part of this team and would love your support in helping me raise $7,000 for such an amazing organization!!  (Thank you in advance!) www.crowdrise.com/lynngugliuzza

So…back to Thanksgiving…Yes the food is amazing, but what I cherish most is the time spent with family and the memories made. With the craziness of the holiday season, we can sometimes put our health on the back burner.  Little by little we over indulge, skip workouts, have huge portions, and end up feeling like crap leading into the new year which only forces us to make yet another New Year’s Resolution of “get in shape.” So I wanted to share some tips I have learned in recent years to avoid that, but first let's hear the promotions and sales happening this month! 


Once again we have both the 21 Day Fix and the Fix Extreme challenge packs on sale. Love shakeology and know someone who wants the 21 day fix for Christmas? One of these would be perfect for you! 


This month we also have the Cize Challenge Pack with Shakeology and the 21 Day Fix Containers on sale! All of these are $140 for the month of November!



Aside from those the Cize Kickstart Challenge Pack as well as the 21 Day Fix and Fix Extreme Kickstart Challenge Packs will be on sale. With these packages you get a month supply of shakeology, the fitness program, containers, and the 3 Day Refresh Cleanse which might come in handy after Thanksgiving! $180!



Now for the good stuff, here are my top tips to have a happy, healthy, Thanksgiving.

1. Eat Breakfast! Start Thanksgiving day off with a veggie egg white omelette or a bowl of oatmeal! Saving up calories for the big feast does not work. You end up 'spending' a lot more and overindulging because you are so hungry. Or have your shakeology to kick off the day in the best way possible with all the nutrients you need!

2. Pitch In! Offer to bring a healthy version of a dish to the dinner you are attending. Sweet potatoes are always a good one. Many times they are loaded with sugar so here is a healthy version! http://www.recipetobefit.com/2014/03/stuffed-sweet-potatoes.html

3. Divide your plate! Fill your plate half with veggies, one quarter with white turkey meat, and the rest with a healthy starch such as corn or sweet potatoes. 

4. Start the day with physical activity! Just because it is a holiday doesn't mean that you need to skip your workout. If you can't get your workout in take a walk with the family when you are finished eating. 

5. KEEP YOUR GOALS IN MIND! Before heading to your Thanksgiving feast take a few moments to really focus and think about yourself and your goals. Remind yourself of your ultimate vision: a healthier, leaner, happier you! Most importantly have fun with the people you love! 


I will be hosting a challenge group to keep you on tract during the holidays starting on November 16th as well as a 3 Day Refresh Cleanse challenge starting on November 30th. If you are interested in joining either of these let me know! 

I hope you all have an amazing November and holiday! 

Your Coach,

Lynn 

CARROT CAKE BITES

So excited to share this one as carrot cake is one of my favorites!  Coming up with a healthy alternative was my goal!

1 1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup ground flax
1/4 cup ground walnuts
1/4 cup almond meal
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup PB
2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup raisins
handful of crushed walnuts
splash of vanilla extract

Mix it all together, make into bite size using a cookie scoop (about 20-23), freeze, and enjoy!!!

SLOW COOKER BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Put everything into the slow cooker:

2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 Granny smith apple, cored and diced.  Keep the skin on!
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced
1 white onion diced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or more if you like!
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Toss to combine it all then cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.  When it is done, stir in 1/2 cup coconut milk (I used light coconut milk and it still gives a good depth of flavor!)

Place in 2 separate batches into a blender and puree till the soup is smooth.  Serve it up with some more cayenne pepper on top and some extra coconut milk swirled in if you wish.

SO SO good on a fall or winter day!

CHOCOLATE & PB SHAKEOLOGY BITES (no bake)

1/2 cup chocolate shakeology
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (Any kind)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
3 TBSP raw honey

Mix it all together!  You can add raisins and some cinnamon but that is just me.

Roll into balls about the size of a ping pong ball.

Makes 12, serving size 1 ball.


ENJOY!!! keep them in the freezer for cravings!

SPICY CAULIFLOWER BITES

So we made this one a little different from the recipe in the FIXATE cookbook that goes with the 21 say fix meal plan but I like it because it adds crunch!

6 cups cauliflower florets

1/2 tsp sea salt, divided into two separate 1/4

1/2 cup hot pepper sauce

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1 Tbsp corn starch

2 tsp ground chili powder

1/4 tsp ground smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp maple syrup

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

2 tbp organic grass fed butter

3 cups celery sticks (we chopped them)

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

Place cauliflower on sheet and spray.  Season with 1/4 tsp sea salt.

Bake for about 20 minutes.

While that is cooking combine hot sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch over low heat.  Add in spices and whisk to blend.  Heat mixture over med heat, stirring frequently until thickened (about 10 min).

Take cauliflower out of oven and pour sauce over it (while still on the baking sheet) then return to even for 5 min.

We mixed in the chopped celery but you don't have to. ENJOY it!! 

ZUCCHINI BOATS

I had a craving for tacos so I made this bad boy and damn was it delicious!  I did not want the carbs of the tortilla or hard shell so instead I used a zucchini!

Southwestern Spice Mix:

1/2 tsp paprika

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cayenne (if wanted)

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp sea salt

Make ground turkey in a pan and when it is cooked, add as much of the spice mixture that you want. Set aside.

Cut the Zucchini lengthwise and hollow out the middle using a teaspoon. Set the boats aside.

Chop up the zucchini insides, saute in a pan with black beans (rinsed and dried), quinoa (already cooked), and corn (already cooked). Mix in some chopped tomatoes.  I added salt and pepper at this point.

Stuff the zucchini boats with the cooked mix and meat.  Cook in oven for about 15 minutes at 350 and put in the broiler for additional few minutes.   You can top with a dab of greek yogurt and a little shredded cheese if you wish!

For 21 day fixers: measure out a container of meat for 1 red, 1 yellow container which is the beans/quinoa/corn mix.  It is also 1 green for the zucchini!  ENJOY!