Living My Dreams as a Beachbody Coach with My Daughter

My life has revolved around my three children and husband for the last 22 years. They have been my world and they still are!

Now I am learning that I have to make time for me too. I have to work on me...physically and emotionally. I have to have time to relax, enjoy living and love me too.

This may sound selfish to some but how am I suppose to take care of my loved ones if I don't take care of me first?

After all, when you are on a plane what do they tell you to do first? Put on your oxygen mask and then help the person beside you.

So I am inviting you to put on your oxygen mask first... To put you first so that you can then take care of the most important people in your life next. They will thank you for it!

Makes sense to me...what about you?

I would like to invite you to a zero obligation 3 Day Sneak Peek into what being a coach is all about and what it looks like when you are living your dreams.  Comment below or find me on facebook at: Darlene Caron Nutrition and Fitness

Make the REST of your life the BEST of your life!

S'mores Shakeology Recipe! Dessert for Breakfast

Dessert for breakfast? Count me in! heart emoticon There’s a coffee version and a caffeine-free version! Thank you Beachbody! smile emoticon

S’mores Shakeology (with coffee)
1/2 yellow and 1 red container

½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
½ cup brewed coffee, chilled
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
2 tsp. ground whole wheat graham cracker crumbs, divided use
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, coffee, extract, Shakeology, 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a serving glass and garnish with remaining 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs; serve immediately.

OR

S’mores Shakeology (without coffee)
1 yellow and 1 red container

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
2 tsp. ground whole wheat graham cracker crumbs, divided use
1 cup ice

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, extract, Shakeology, 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs, and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a serving glass and garnish with remaining 1 tsp. graham cracker crumbs; serve immediately.

Want more recipes?  Would you like to know more about Shakeology or how you can get it delivered to your home?  Comment below or find me on facebook at: Darlene Caron Nutrition and Fitness

Make the REST of your life, the BEST of your life! <3

You Need to Eat Healthier...but How?

Hey everyone. I remember the day that I went to the doctors office and stepped on that hateful scale.  Definitely not bestie material. frown emoticon

Anyhow, I asked the nurse what I weighed and she said 240...I just looked at her in stunned disbelief. I did not step on the scale for a long time after that.

I started exercising and eating Lean Cuisines, it had the name Lean in it so I thought it was healthy. Or Healthy Choice even. When I went back I still had not lost any weight, in fact I had gained again!

My doctor told me that I had to lose weight, and to change up what I was eating.

CHANGE UP WHAT I AM EATING? HOW? If I knew what to eat, don't you think I would do that?

I knew what to do to work out. Or at the time I thought I did. I got on my stationary bike and started bike 5 miles a day, then 10, then 15 and then 20. But, I still wasn't sure what to eat.

One web site said carbs was good one said they were bad. I needed more protein or was I eating not enough. And somebody please tell me what the heck a macro nutrient is!

One month after joining my first challenge group, I started a clean eating group. At first, I was very skeptical, I didn't want to change everything all at once...I knew it was just setting me up for failure. So, I changed a little here and a little there.

Guess what? Clean eating really does work!

I have done quite a few clean eating groups since then. I have done the 3 Day Refresh and the Ultimate Reset, both of those programs just helped me learn even more about eating healthy! :)

If you would like to know more about clean eating or when my next group starts, please comment below or find me at:  DarLean Fitness

Make the REST of your life the BEST of your life!

Binge Eating and the Ultimate Reset

As far back as I can remember I have had a horrible problem with binge eating.  Whenever I get upset, tired, stressed, really any kind of strong emotion, I will sit on my couch or wherever and mindlessly eat.  I know that what I am doing isn't helping me but I do it anyhow. The more I eat the more depressed I get, and the more depressed I get the more I eat.  It's a vicious cycle!  :(

At the end of May, I went hiking with my son and his girlfriend to beautiful Borestone Mountain.  It was a great hike, but half of the time I struggled for air.  Just going a few steps and my asthma started kicking in.  I couldn't believe how out of control it was, but I finished that hike.

I think my breaking point was two days later.  I was doing laundry and walked from one end of my house to the other with a laundry basket.  I couldn't breathe.  I knew then that something had to give!

I  had the Ultimate Reset but I had been afraid to start it.  It is a 21 day program to help with your eating and cleanse the toxins out of your system.  My mind kept screaming at me....it is 21 DAYS!!!  21 DAYS!!I can't do that! But as my breathing continued to get worse I knew that I had to.

I started on June 8th.  Week one was horrible for me.  I had some really painful headaches from lack of caffeine.  I was a big coffee and tea drinker so to go without them was not a pleasant experience.  Then towards the 5th day I started to get flu like symptoms.  UGH! At first, I thought that I was actually getting sick and maybe I shouldn't continue on with the program.  But after I carefully researched, I found that the symptoms were actually caused from the toxins being released from my cells.  I was getting healthier but I felt horrible.  I would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning in extreme pain.  My body ached so bad.  But after a few days it eased up and then it eventually went away.

The one thing that I had feared with the Ultimate Reset is that I would be hungry or that I would have to eat food that I didn't like.  Neither of those statements are true.  I had so much to eat that sometimes I had to set a timer to remind myself that it was time to go eat yet again.  As for food that I disliked, I had so many choices of alternate meals, that I never really ran in to any big problems with this. I learned that I love jicama and avocado, but I am not a big fan of kale or edamame.  Two of my favorite recipes are Oatmeal Tropical and Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque. Yum!  The meal plan and recipes are pretty simple, which is great for this mom.  I really don't have a lot of time to try to figure out anything too complicated.

Week two went pretty smooth.  I kept following the daily meal plans, substituting when necessary.  I did a lot of walking and kept drinking all of the water I was suppose to each day.  By the end of the week, I got adventurous with my son and decided to hike Beehive Mountain in Acadia National Park.  Wow, what a hike!  It was a complete 360 turn around from my last hike.  I had some breathless moments but it wasn't from asthma problems, it was from the beautiful view!  :)  If there were any issues on this hike it was from my fear of heights.  I wish the Ultimate Reset could help me with that too!  lol  I pressed on, reached the summit and had my alkalinize.  It was the most amazing feeling reaching that summit!  I had conquered that mountain and had gained some confidence in the process!  I would not have been able to hike this more strenuous mountain before I had started the Ultimate Reset.  Another milestone for me!

Week three went fantastic.  I kept posting photo collages of my meals onto my facebook page for accountability.  I had some people show interest and ask questions.  It was a great feeling to be inspiring others. :)  I am amazed that during the three weeks I didn't have any cravings.  My son and husband ate whatever they wanted, food that I normally would have chowed down, and I would just sit there and eat my stir fry or whatever. What an amazing feeling to be in control of what I put in my mouth instead of it controlling me.  

Yesterday, I finished the Ultimate Reset! YAY ME!  I gained a lot more from this program than weight loss.  I gained confidence, clarity, freedom from pain, freedom from cravings, freedom from binge eating, no more headaches, no more addiction to coffee or chocolate or any other junk food.  I sleep better, I have more energy, and I am more alert. 

I DID IT!

Oh yeah, I did lose weight too...15 lbs and 13.2 inches! I am not belittling that by any means.  I have gone 21 days of 100% clean eating and I have never been able to do that at any other point in my life.  I have grown so much during the last three weeks.  I have a whole new outlook on my life as a wife, mother AND a coach.  I am ready to take on the world.

If you would like to talk about binge eating, the ultimate reset or how you can start your own journey, look for me on facebook or leave a message here. :)  I can't wait to hear from you!

Darlene <3

Beach Body"s Ultimate Reset Week 2: Release Review

Wow, I can't even begin to explain how I am feeling today.  I have completed two weeks of the Ultimate Reset, TWO!  100% Clean!  I have never done anything like this before and it has been so easy.

I have tried to do a 3 Day cleanse before and I always struggled with it.  I felt hungry or weak.  Not this time.  This time I feel energized all of the time.  I feel so motivated to keep going.  I am not having any headaches, muscle aches, fatigure or bloating.

My mood has been so nice, and I can actually concentrate on whatever I am doing instead of being so scatter brained.

In week 2 I started taking Detox, along with Optimize, Alkalinize, Mineralize and Soothe.  It is very sweet tasting to me.  So I can drink that no problem.  I still have a little bit of a problem drinking alkalinize.  But it isn't as bad as before.

This is the Alkalinize.

This week I ate a lot of fruit, veggies and quinoa.  I have found that I am not a big fan of edamame or kale.  I have tried them two or three times and I think I will pass on them, but there are so many other choices that I won't even miss them.

Day 8 - Breakfast - fresh fruit, Lunch - Quinoa Salad Dinner- Pinto Beans and Rice and Veggies, Snack - Tropical Strawberry Shakeology

Day 9 - Breakfast- fresh fruit, Lunch - Pinto Beans and Rice with Microgreen Salad and Pumpkin Seeds, Dinner Sweet Potato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque with Roasted Asparagus with Slivered Almonds, Snack - apple and almonds

Day 10- Breakfast-fresh fruit, Lunch - Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Bisque with Asparagus and Slivered Almonds, Dinner - Quinoa Salad, Snack - Apple and Slivered Almonds

Day 11:  Breakfast - Chocolate Shakeology, Lunch - Quinoa Lentil Pilaf, Cucumber and Tomato Salad with avocado, Dinner - Garlic Veggies, Snack- Apple and Almonds

Day 12: Breakfast - Tropical Strawberry Shakeology, Lunch - Quinoa Lentil Pilaf, Dinner - Mediterranean Roasted Beets, Coconut Greens and Toasted Millet, Snack - Apple and almonds

Day 13:  Breakfast - Chocolate Shakeology, Lunch - Microgreen Salad with Pumpkin seeds, Dinner Acorn Squash with Garlic Filling and Zucchini, Snack - Apple and almonds

Day 14:  Breakfast - 3 cups fresh fruit, Lunch - Microgreen Salad, Coconut Squash Soup with Pumpkin Seeds, Dinner - Edamame and Roasted Corn Succotash with Lemon Pepper Kale, Snack - Apple and Almonds

As you can plainly see, I had enough food each day. So, it is not like this is a starvation diet/cleanse.  I have so much food that at times I have a hard time eating it all.

Most of the food I have truly enjoyed eating.  I wasn't a big fan of the Edamame and Roasted Corn Succotash or the Lemon Pepper Kale.  But that doesn't mean someone else might think they are absolutely delicious.

I am starting Week 3 now.  It is called restore.  I am excited to see what this week brings.

If you have any questions or you would like to chat about the Ultimate Reset or anything else, post below or send me a message.

I look forward to hearing from you. :)

~Darlene <3