Ever had a craving for ice cream that just won’t go away? I have an easy fix for that!

It’s the start of a near year and everyone is wanting to get healthy and in shape. However, now that we are a few weeks into the new year it isn’t so easy to drag yourself out of the warm bed to prepare a healthy meal. Don’t fall victim to the drive thru window! Here is the easiest and oldest clean recipe in the book!!

With Christmas just a few short days away and 2013 knocking at the door there will be many festivities revolving around food and drinks. It is a time to celebrate with family and friends. It can be hard to find a balance this time of year because of wanting to enjoy yourself and maintain a clean diet.

Warning: This blog is a rambling story of my fall competition season. The past few months for me have been insane!!

It started back in July when my job switched software systems. There are always a few bugs that come along with a conversion, no big deal. Little did I know this conversion would turn my job into a total nightmare.

I was told about GF-AMA a few months ago. Initially I was a little skeptical because GAINER was the first word that stood out to me. I’m a bikini competitor that is working to drop a little muscle rather than gain, so I was a little concerned about trying a “gainer.” I learned to read the fine print. GF-AMA is not only a lean mass gainer, but a hardener as well. It metabolizes fat as it gives you gains, thus creating a “hard” effect. I tried and it I am hooked, but let me tell you why.

Stress is the body’s reaction to something that taxes or exceeds its resources. When our body perceives something as harmful our brain triggers hormones such as cortisol. The most common sources of stress are work, finances, relationships, and time constraints.

Often we put off outside activities due to the heat of the summer or the cold temperatures during winter. Fall is the perfect season to get outside. No more excuses! Cooler weather is finally here which makes outside activities more enjoyable. There are lots of things you can do to get moving without stepping inside a gym.

Vitamin C is something most of us don’t think of on a regular basis. Amazingly it has many advantages we can all benefit from. Vitamin C has been proven to reduce stress, make skin healthier, lower blood pressure, strengthen your immune system, and even slow down the aging process.

I love doing traditional workouts and pushing heavy weights (proud member of the 600lb. leg press club), but to switch it up from time to time I incorporate circuit training. When I am a few weeks out from a contest I modify my workouts to circuit style training.

Every now and again you are cramped on time and need to get a workout in on your lunch break. For us ladies it isn’t quite as simple as getting your sweat on, quick shower, and going on about your business.