About Me

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I'm Nicole, I am a full time student trying to get back on track with my fitness and I am hoping to help others do the same.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Sweet Potato Fries Recipe!



Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

1 large sweet potato (you can peel it but I didn’t and it tasted great!)
1 tsp olive oil
¼ tsp Himalayan salt

1.    Preheat over to 450 F
2.    Toss the sweet potatoes in oil and sprinkle with salt.
3.    Spread onto a baking sheet.
4.    Bake about twenty minutes until brown and tender (stir once). 
5. Enjoy! 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Healthy Holiday Sides



Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Forget the processed stuff in the can! I discovered this year that homemade cranberry sauce is one of the easiest things to make… EVER! I significantly cut down on the sugar for this recipe, because I like to reduce my sugar intake if possible and I enjoy the natural tartness of cranberries. The result was AMAZING just the right combination of tart and sweet.

1 C water
1/3 C sugar
4 C fresh or frozen cranberries
Optional: blueberries (for natural sweetness!), orange zest, pecans, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice. (I added in the cinnamon and nutmeg)

1.    Bring the sugar and water to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add cranberries. Once the mixture has started to boil again reduce the heat and simmer until the cranberries burst which should take about ten minutes.
2.    Add in any optional ingredients you would like.
3.    Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Chill in refrigerator (the sauce will thicken as it cools).
4.    Enjoy! 

Friday, November 23, 2012

Black Friday Specials!




TEAM BEACHBODY Black Friday / Cyber Monday Home Workout Deals

 

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BEGINS FRIDAY AT 9 AM PST THROUGH MONDAY AT 6 AM PST OR UNTIL SUPPLIES RUN OUT!


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TurboFire is the intense cardio conditioning program from fitness innovator Chalene Johnson. This 90-day weight loss and body slimming program will help you get leaner with exercises that can burn up to 9x more fat and calories than regular cardio does. To help you get started, TurboFire includes two low-impact workouts, plus the Fire Starter Class, which shows you the right form for each TurboFire move. And, with more than 20 smoking-hot remixes, the music will push you past your limits during all 14 workouts. So forget the excuses. Forget the gym. Now the hottest fitness classes come to you.

Shakeology Shake Logo  

DEAL 2: Get P90X plus 3 samples of Shakeology for $99!!

In just 90 days, you can get back in shape, or build the body you’ve always wanted. All you need is a set of dumbbells or resistance bands, a pull-up bar, and about an hour a day. No gym membership required!! Go from regular to ripped in 90 days.
 

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Fat burning and total-body sculpting focused on abs, thighs, and upper body. With trainer Tony Horton. Total Body Transformation in 90 Days! This in-home boot camp for dramatic body transformation uses Tony’s Sectional Progression™ technique, which gives you an effective workout in as little as 30 minutes! With Tony’s Fat Burning Express plan, you can lose up to 10 lbs. and 10 inches in your first 6 days!  

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Body Gospel is a comprehensive fitness program that connects the power of your faith with your desire to lose weight and get fit. It includes fat-burning cardio workouts set to uplifting gospel music, muscle-firming resistance bands, and a complete nutrition plan created by inspirational fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner to help you transform your body, mind, and spirit. Order now and get Donna’s 3-Day Jump-Start Plan to help you lose up to 3 pounds and 3 inches in just 3 days—guaranteed!

 

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Dance your way to hot, sexy abs and burn the fat off your entire body with Shaun T’s fun, exciting dance program! Using Shaun’s revolutionary Absolute Engagement™ technique, you’ll “Tilt, Tuck, & Tighten” your way to 6-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch.

DEAL 6: Get TEN MINUTE TRAINER for $59.90!!

No matter how busy you are, you can always find the time to squeeze in one of my 10-minute workouts . . . With these breakthrough workouts and my easy-to-follow eating plan, you’ll lose weight, get toned, and have plenty of time left over!

 

What is included in your pack:

  • 1 Beachbody fitness program (shown above) you choose
  • First month’s supply of Shakeology meal replacement on autoship
  • Beachbody Club membership
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Friday, November 2, 2012

Tips for eating healthy.

After losing my motivation for several weeks to workout I have finally gotten back on track with it. What I have been struggling with lately is nutrition. Which isn't surprising since this week was Halloween. Yes I have made mistakes this week but I am not beating myself up about it. Instead I am trying to learn and improve. Here is what has worked for me so far:




1. Make a hearty, healthy meal. Think about it, if you are giving the body the nutrients you will feel satisfied so it will help with your cravings.



2. Have something sweet, but healthy.  I knew I would have a bunch of temptation on Halloween so I’ve decided to start that day off right with a little Shakeology (my chocolate milkshake). It really helped reduce my chocolate cravings. 


3. Drink plenty of water! 
4. Find support! I started a clean eating challenge group for the next month. So far it has been very helpful to me because I have been getting support and accountability from the other women in the group. This has made me much more conscious of my food choices. If you would like to join my next Clean Eating Challenge message me on my Facebook page.

Finally,
Remember to take a good quality vitamin. For a very limited time Beachbody is offering their high quality vitamins, Activit, for FREE for the first month. All you have to pay is the shipping! For more information click here. You will also get me as your personal fitness coach!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

What's your fitness???

I love this one! This really applies to me. I always kind of beat myself up because I really don't enjoy running but I feel like I should. I have always wanted to love running but that just isn't me and I need to embrace that! I prefer working crazy hard at one task for a minute then switching it up for the next minute (which is why I love my exercise videos!) It is all about finding what works for you!

That being said, I am very proud of myself. I got done with school early and instead of waiting an hour or so until the bus got to my school I ran the three + miles home! I may have to do that again!

What's your fitness? What isn't your fitness?

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Daily Motivation!



I love this one! I don't really enjoy running, but I definitely notice a huge change in my mood when I am not actively working out. Does anyone else notice this?

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Ultimate Reset Update!


If you want more information about the Ultimate Reset click here to access my previous post about it!  Or click here to access my official Beachbody Ultimate Reset page!
What I miss:
  • Chocolate: not like chocolate candies, but ooey gooey warm chocolate treats
  • My daily morning tea (but I can still have herbal tea during the reset!)
  • Wine
  • My homemade caramel ice cream: it is like crack it is so good!

What I thought I would miss:
  • I really thought I would miss chewing gum but I have actually been okay with that.
  • I have always considered myself to be a “meat eater” but I actually haven’t missed meat that much!


My snack: fresh blueberries and raspberries! 

What I have learned:
  • That I am strong enough to resist temptation!
  • That I have become dependent on sweets at night
  • That I love jicama
  • That I love steamed kale!
  • That I love yams! Seriously. Lately I have not been craving chocolate, meat, or processed foods, but a dinner we made on Day 6! I may have to sneak it into this Phase!

My breakfast: a green apple and blueberries! 

My progress: So far so good! I am currently on Day 11 (over halfway there!). I had a headache around Days 7-9 but I am feeling much better now. I just finished a ten minute stretch and realized that if I want to be able to do my workouts after not doing them for 21 days I will need to get used to long workouts again! So, tomorrow I plan to do X Stretch from the p90x program. It is an amazing hour long stretch workout from the p90x program.
 One day I had a little "bonus" dessert: banana, peanut butter, and honey! Yum yum yum!


Cravings: As far as cravings go I find unless I am exposed to images of unhealthy food. I have never realized until now how we are constantly exposed to unhealthy food! When I went to the movie theater I noticed how strong the smell of popcorn was. When I watch TV I notice all of the images of unhealthy food. I have been pretty hungry the past couple of days but I just add in more of the allowed food and I am fine!

When I started Week 2 I had a little trouble with one of the supplements. This supplement is called Detox. I actually liked the taste, it has a pleasant lemon taste to it. However, whenever I tried to mix it in a glass most of it would sink to the bottom of the glass and the texture of that would really bother me. So I decided to try something new: I decided to mix it in a bowl! Now I actually enjoy taking it! I hope this helps some of my fellow “resetters” out there!


I can’t believe I am almost halfway done! After much debate I have finally decided what I want to do next. Before I started the reset I was about three weeks into Insanity. Since you aren’t supposed to do intense exercise during the reset I obviously had to stop Insanity. So, I plan to restart Insanity a week after I finish the reset. Then, after that I plan to do Insanity the Asylum Vol. 1 so I will be ready for The Asylum Vol.2 when it comes out later this year! I can’t wait for Vol. 2! They said Apolo Ohno uses that program to train… sounds legit to me! 

Remember to email me if you have any questions: ulyssesfitness@gmail.com  Please add my Facebook page! I will be adding a give-away soon! http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness



Finally made my p90x transformation video! Enjoy!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

July Goals!




What are your goals for July? Fitness? Nutrition? What is one positive change you plan to make?


My goals are to finish the Ultimate Reset without any cheating on my diet. (So far so good!) and to start Insanity up again! I can't wait!


If you would like help on your fitness journey my help is always free! Email me or add my Facebook page for extra motivation!

My Ultimate Reset Journey!


If you want more information about the Ultimate Reset click here to access my previous post about it!  Or click here to access my official Beachbody Ultimate Reset page!

Why I decided to do the Ultimate Reset:

When I first heard about the Ultimate Reset and that it removes the toxins from your body I thought “oh, okay that’s nice”. A couple of days later I thought about it and realized if anyone has a bunch of toxin in their body its me. In the summer of 2010 I did three months of chemotherapy. Just the thought of still having any amount of chemotherapy stored in my fat cells made my skin crawl. At that point I was committed to doing it. Just thinking about the Reset made me realize that my nutrition was really off track. I ate so many processed foods and sweets that I wanted to know how I would feel without all of that nasty garbage in my body. Plus I really like to challenge myself.

My journey so far:

I have learned about my eating habits. The first day didn’t seem that bad until after dinner. Then, I wanted dessert so bad I wanted to cry. I had never realized until that point how dependent I was on my sweets after dinner! I have also learned that I am strong enough to resist temptation!

I have lost weight. In eight days since I started this program I have lost 5.3 pounds! Granted three pounds of that was what I like to call “temporary weight”. (The week before I started this program I was really stressed out about finals and so I ate terrible, just terrible). But still, two pounds is pretty awesome! Also, I swear I am losing cellulite!
 These are my results after eight days of not working out! The Ultimate Reset has been good to me! 


I don’t want to get too excited but I think my acne is starting to clear up. The day before I started this program I spoke with someone who used to suffer from acne, and they told me all of these changes I could do to my diet to reduce my acne. I was really excited before the reset was going to do all of those things for me. I have been struggling with my acne for years. It has only cleared up during chemotherapy (haha) and when I take anti-biotics which I hate doing. Here’s hoping!

What I love about the Reset is that it is a no-starvation, no laxative detox. I seriously wouldn’t be able to handle either! That has never sounded healthy to me. 

Here is what I have been eating:

 The first day I had this for breakfast. My BF was actually jealous! He said "that looks scrumptious" (It was!) So I made it for him the next day!

I just started Phase Two and this is what I had for dinner! Tasty and nutritious just how I like it! 

This was one of my lunches... yeah I definitely wasn't hungry after! 



Click here to learn more about what the Ultimate Reset can do for you! Questions? Feel free to email me at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com or check out my Facebook page for more motivation! My help is always free!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

No excuses! :)

My life changed the day I stopped making excuses for not exercising. My ab results from p90x Shakeology and some Insanity/ Brazil Butt Lift. Would you like my help achieving your fitness goals? My helps is always free! Email me at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com or check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness



Last Insanity Workout before my Detox!

Working hard at my last workout before my detox! I had a headache so I didn’t feel like working out but I pushed through and I’m so glad I did because I felt great after. I did Insanity Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs. I never realized how much the main Insanity workouts workout your core until I tried to do Cardio Abs right after! Which workout are you doing today?


BTW the detox I am doing is the Beachbody Ultimate Reset which is a 21 day program/ diet to help you lose weight, have more energy, and just plain feel better! For more information click here:  http://myultimatereset.com/ulyssesfitness

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Belated Sweaty Wednesday

I was too busy yesterday studying for finals to post my Sweaty Wednesday picture so here is a belated one! What did you do for your workout today? I did the secret weapon workout from Brazil Butt Lift for the first time…I loved it. My legs were on FIRE!

Would you like some FREE help on your fitness journey? Please email me at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com or check out my Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Sweaty Wednesday!

Sweaty Wednesday photo! Did you get your workout on today?!
Today I did my Cardio Recovery Insanity workout. Phew… only Insanity would have a “recovery” workout be that tough… but I feel great now!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Went to the gym today but forgot my workout shorts so I had to wear my scrub bottoms... you gotta do what you gotta do to get your burn on! (Taken with Instagram)

I'm just really happy with how my mentality has changed. About six months ago I would have looked in my bag, noticed the missing shorts, and went "oh darn, guess I can't workout today..." 


Today I did Insanity Pure Cardio, which is still the toughest workout for me! Not enough breaks! :) Would you like help on your fitness journey? "Like" my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness or email me at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com and we'll get started! My help is always free! 




I promised to treat myself for finishing p90x so here is one of the dresses I got myself for becoming a p90x grad! I need to decide what I am going to get for finishing Insanity! What should I get myself?

Friday, June 8, 2012

Insanity at the Gym!


I wanted to try something new, so I decided to bring my Insanity DVD to the gym. I loved it! It was nice to have so much more space for jumping! Also, it was definitely the toughest workout I have ever had at that gym! It just reinforced why I do workout DVDs...because it pushes me harder than I can push myself on my own! 

Would you like help on your fitness journey? (My help is free!) Email at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com or add my Facebook page please:  http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Insanity workout Day 2


I did the Fit Test yesterday (which was CRAZY BTW) which means today I did my first real Insanity workout! Plyo Circuit! It was really tough but Shaun T is a great motivator so I pushed through. And now I still feel amazing. MMM... runner's high! I'm going to sleep well tonight!
I can't wait to see my results from this program! I love it so far!
Did you enjoy your workout today?


If you would like help on your fitness journey I would LOVE to help. Please email me at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com or join my Facebook group:  http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness




For a post workout snack I had some PB2 toast and a donut peach. Yum! What is your favorite post workout snack?

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Food Ideas Part 2

I feel like I have been struggling with my nutrition lately so I wanted to highlight some of the healthier choices I have made over the past couple of weeks to keep myself motivated and hopefully give others some inspiration for healthy choices. 


Beef Kabobs with peppers, onions and mushrooms


Spinach salad with green apple and tuna. Delicious! 

Chicken Kabobs with peppers, onions and mushrooms



                                     Pepper Stir Fry


                              Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry


Homemade Pizza: Okay, I know pizza isn't the healthiest choice but I used turkey pepperoni and not very much cheese so it was a much healthier choice than delivery! 

Vegan Tropical Shakeology for lunch. Tastes great and gives me an amazing amount of nutrients. No idea what Shakeology is? Ask at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com or see my previous post here


Toast with PB2: Love this stuff! It tastes the same to me, but with a significant calorie reduction and 85% less fat! 




Some nights I just want everything and I want it all on my plate. I'm weird I know. :) Baked potatoes with homemade chili, broccoli, tomatoes, and cheese. 


If you would like to know how to make any of these items please email me at ulyssesfitness@gmail.com and maybe I will get motivated to post the recipe. :)  Please email that address if you would like FREE help on your health/ fitness journey. Or please add my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/UlyssesFitness I'd love to hear from you!