25 Days of Fitmas Challenge

Did you know the average person gains 5-12lbs during the holiday season? Don't be part of that statistic! Join me for 25 Days of Fitmas on Facebook!

Do you prefer Instagram? I've got you covered there, too! Find me @madetomotivate and join me in the photo challenge starting tomorrow, December 1st. 

What is your plan to stay in shape over the next month before we set New Year's Resolutions?

-Bridget

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Tips for surviving Thanksgiving without guilt!

It's that time again-the biggest, most anticipated meal of the year. And you're trying to stay on track and not overdo it. You can do it! It's just one day and before you know it, you're going to be stuffed-just hopefully a bit less than the turkey! 

So here are my tips for surviving the day and feeling okay. 

1. Workout in the morning before the day is too hectic.

You'll feel so much better knowing you burned some calories early in the day when you go to fill your plate.

2. Eat throughout the day so you don't binge at night!

Don't starve yourself throughout the day! If you eat regularly, you won't feel like you have to devour everything in sight once it's time for the feast. 

3. Use a smaller plate. 

This will make you automatically look at your portions so you can fit a little bit of everything on your plate. Then, go back for more if you're really hungry. Wait at least 10 minutes before filling up again. That way you have time to figure out if you really want more or if your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

5. Skip the bread.

Who wants to waste calories on a roll?? Unless they are fresh...then you might want to have one. Just ONE!

6. Save room for dessert. 

You know you are going to want it. ;)

And lastly: What he said!! It's only ONE day!

Post by Insanity Max: 30.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
-Bridget

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Insane for Max 30: Details!!

What is Insanity Max 30?
Insanity Max 30 is a new, high intensity workout program from trainer, Shaun T, creator of Hip Hop Abs, Insanity, and T25 (to name a few.) 

Max 30 is a 60 day program split into two months. The schedule is designed to workout 5 days a week for thirty minutes each day with two rest days. 

No equipment is needed for Insanity Max 30! You use your own body to create weight and resistance for strength exercises. 

When does Insanity Max 30 come out?
Insanity: Max 30 will be released to the public on December 2, 2014. 

Order by December 15, 2014 for guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas. 

How much does Insanity Max 30 cost?
There will be a few different options to choose from when making your purchase. 

Base Kit: 

• 12 workouts on 10 DVDs
• Calendar
• No Time to Cook Guide
• Nutrition to the Max Guide
• No Time to Cook Guide

All for $119.95

Deluxe Kit: 

• Base Kit
• Portion control food containers
• 3 additional workouts
• Body fat caliper
• Shakeology shaker cup
• Yoga Mat

All for $239.70

Bonus DVD for ordering from your coach (me!): Sweat Fest!!! Live workout with Shaun T!

Who can do Insanity Max 30?
Insanity: Max 30 is not gender or age specific: anyone can do it. Max 30 has two modifiers so that you can complete the program and get insane results without the high impact jumps that strain your joints. Insanity is not a prerequisite to Max 30. 

Why should I do Insanity Max 30?

1. Are you ready to push yourself to you max and get some of the best results of your life?
2. Have you hit a plateau and want to take the necessary steps to push past it? 
3. Are you ready for a new challenge?
4. Do you love the motivation you get from Shaun T and the inspiration he gives to get you through your toughest workout? 
5. Are you ready to follow a nutrition plan tailored to your needs?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then Insanity: Max 30 should definitely be your next program. 

Go to this link to get on the email list and be the first to try the newest program from Shaun T: http://bit.ly/1zHynfK

Have more questions about Max 30? Ask below and I'll answer them for you! 

I'm ready to Max Out with you!!

-Bridget

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The countdown has started

I've finally made one of the hardest decisions of my life. I'm going under the knife!! 

I was at my heaviest weight when I got pregnant with my daughter in 2009 and when I had her I was 234lbs. She was a big baby and stretched out my stomach even more than my fat did. I even had the notion that since I was heavy when I got pregnant, maybe I wouldn't get stretch marks. Ha. What a joke! 

In 2012 when I started my journey to get healthy and fit I had no idea how far I would come. With the support of family, friends and my coaching team, I've become addicted (in a good way) to fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle. I'm toned pretty much everywhere and look decent in clothes...but my stomach is not something I want people to see. No low rise jeans, no crop top shirts and no two piece swimsuits. I don't mind the stretch marks really, it's the loose skin! It's soooo loose. I walk one way and it walks the other. 

For my business, I like to make workout videos and share new ways to work certain body parts. I feel like an impostor doing ab work-my loose skin folds up into many rolls and it's just not pretty to look at. If I stand still, no problems, but as soon as I move... The loose skin also hurts when I do cardio and any type of quick movement. Jump Around by House of Pain is it's theme song. Sometimes I feel like it's high-fiving itself and clapping. I make jokes, but it makes me very sad about myself and nobody should feel this way about their body. 

My surgery is scheduled for December 3rd. Because I'm going to be out of the fitness world, I'm going to take this time to make sure my diet is on point! Any tips you have for making meals ahead of time will be great because my husband will want to eat out and my aunt who is coming down to take care of me is not allowed in the kitchen. It's safest for everyone this way! I've gone back and forth about this with my husband for at least a year now. 

One of the biggest obstacles is the fact that I can't workout at all for six weeks!!!!! Do you know how long that is for someone who works out everyday?? I keep telling myself it will fly by, but I just don't know. I am hoping for a quick and speedy recovery, but doesn't everyone want that? 

I'm going to be documenting my journey here and on my YouTube channel, so let me know what questions you have and I'll do my best to answer them. 

Until next time! 
-Bridget

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3 Day Refresh

I feel like this has been such a simple cleanse and it has really made life easy this week. It’s only three days and there isn’t much food prep to do in advance. You can eat a variety of fruits and veggies throughout the three days, so it’s easy to accommodate different people’s taste buds. If you’re not a fan of many fruits or vegetables, it’s a great way to experiment with new recipes. 

Overall, I'm down three pounds and 1.5 inches in my waist, hips and chest. My husband (who complained about the refresh all three days) is down 9.6 pounds and 3.25 inches in the same areas. 

Throughout the three days, I felt fine, was able to exercise and my biggest problem was wanting to cheat and eat cupcakes. I resisted because the cravings weren't bad. I just always want what I can't have. That's why I don't do well with any restrictions. At all! 

The fiber sweep had me worried-because of the name, but it tasted pretty decent-kind of like a lemon herbal tea flavor. DRINK IT FAST, though! It took me a little longer to drink one day because I was distracted and it started to congeal into a cream of wheat consistency. Not a fan of that!! :O 

The best thing about this refresh was that it was all mapped out-when and what I can eat. With it planned, I feel like I can do well because I know exactly what is to come next and it's all done for me. I was never a shake person in the past, but having three shakes a day on the Refresh was so simple. The vanilla fresh was great alone and I made it with frozen cherries two of the days for breakfast. 

I love to cook and there isn't much of that on the refresh, which is great for people who are in a hurry and don't have a lot of time. All three days can be prepared in advance and you can meal prep the day before you begin. 

I chose to have hummus all three days with veggies for snacks. I like red pepper, green beans, broccoli and carrots, but I got the most food out of the pepper and beans. 

I had asparagus for lunch two out of the three days. I seasoned it with lemon juice, a little bit of olive oil and garlic herbal seasoning. So easy and delicious-ready in about 10 minutes. 

For the dinners, I had the veggie stir fry, the cucumber-tomato salad and the Moroccan carrot salad. All three of these items I've had for dinner before-during the Ultimate Reset so I was happy to have them again. I learned a lot of great recipes during the Reset, so it was nice to have them again for the Refresh and reminded me of wanting to use them more often. 

And stay on the lookout-I'll be posting the Moroccan Carrot Salad recipe within the next week! :)