Greek Strawberry Shakeology

Thirsty Thursday is BACK!! 

Today I have another tasty

Shakeology Recipe to share with you!!

Greek Strawberry Shakeology

1 scoop Strawberry Shakeology

1 cup water

1/2 cup Greek Yogurt

1/2 banana

Ice, if desired 

Blend & Enjoy!!

Yes, I love my shakeology and the reason why is because of how it has helped me lose weight and keep the weight off BUT also how it makes me feel. My stomach issues I use to have are a thing of the past since drinking shakeology, I have increased energy, my cravings are significantly less, and best of all my hair, skin, and nails never looked better!! 

If you want even more feedback on shakeology check this out...

Shakeology is called the Healthiest meal of the day for a reason!! 

Whether you are ready to give Shakeology a try or are interested in learning more, I invite you to CONTACT ME!! I have been drinking Shakeology for almost 3 years now and have never felt better!!

If you are interested in more recipes or maybe you want to clean up your eating habits I invite you to also join me for one of my next Healthy Eating and Shakeology groups. I have a 10 day and 30 day group I host and it all depends on your goals!! This type of group is great for someone who is not yet ready to start incorporating exercise but wants to learn how to eat better....healthier and/or are interested in SHAKEOLOGY!! I will teach you everything I have learned and more!! We will talk about what foods to eat and what not to eat, meal plan, incorporate shakeology into your daily regime, daily doses of motivation, recipes, tips, etc. If you would like more information regarding this group please CONTACT ME and we will discuss what would best fit your needs!!

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

~Alyson

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonh

myshakeology.com/alysonh

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

21 Day Fix Meal Planning and More

If you have been following my blog you know I like to plan out my week on Sundays!! So today is none other than Sunday and so that means time to get  myself on track for the week ahead. 

What's on the Agenda this week? 

My BIRTHDAY!! I will be 37 years old tomorrow the 17th.  My goodness where has time gone! I normally do not look forward to my birthday because it means I am another year older but this year I am looking at my birthday in a whole new light.  It is another day to thank God for giving me this wonderful life. So much has happened in this past year I seriously cannot believe it. A lot didn't happen either and so this year is another year I am thankful to be given another chance to to get it done the right way this time. 

So another Sunday, another year older but I am definitely feeling the wiser part this time!! I have learned so much this past year about myself and am truly grateful that I have given my health a spot on my priority list! Some might think that sounds crazy but for so long I didn't treat my health as a priority. I wasn't taking care of myself and that then lead to me not taking the best care of my loved ones who count on me. 

I know I know I am suppose to be sharing my 21 Day Fix meal plan but I think it is important to understand where I am coming from and why I choose to do the 21 day Fix program.  I am at my goal weight, I am happy with the shape of my body, I feel great, I have a ton of energy, I am at home with my kids yet working a business that provides adequate income, but I am always looking for ways to challenge myself and ways to expand my knowledge.  This is where the 21 Day Fix comes in...
Yes I workout, Yes I eat healthy but there are always way to improve. What attracted me to the FIX is the color coded portion control containers. Did you know you could eat too  much healthy food too? Well this past week I have learned that I was over eating in many of the food groups. Lesson learned thanks to the handy dandy Fix containers - 

Yep those are the containers I use to portion out each of my meals.  
What I also do is create a meal plan that incorporate a set number of these containers throughout the day 3 Green, 2 Purple, 4 Red, 2 Yellow, 1 Blue, 1 Orange, and 2 teaspoons. 

Here's my plan for the week - (click on it to enlarge it)

I then create my grocery list around what I don't have on my plan, go shopping and start prepping what I can to make life easier throughout the week!! 

Simple enough and it makes the world of difference between staying on track or not!! So there you have it, my meal plan completed and I am all set for another fabulous week!! Have a great Sunday!!

Are you interested in healthier eating options or want to do an overhaul on your diet.  Let me know!  Together we can determine what is the best action plan for you.  See I am a Beachbody Coach and I help people reach their health and fitness goals - WHY? because I needed help at one point too and now it is my turn to return the favor!! Whether you want to learn how to eat healthy and/or want to incorporate exercise into your day - 

I have a solution for you! Join me!!

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

~Alyson

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonh

myshakeology.com/alysonh

facebook.com/alyson.horcher

@alysonhorcher - Instagram

Tips to Improve Body Image

Well all want to look and feel a certain way! RIGHT?!?! Sometimes we think we know what we want but in all actuality we have no clue.  WE look to others to try and FIND what we want and then copy it for ourselves. Or we do the dirty deed of comparing ourselves to others.  We strive for so long to become the perfect image of ourselves yet Perfection does not exist!!

A positive body image is so very important for women and men.  Often you will read articles talking only about women on this subject but it is important to include men in on this topic as well.  The truth is so many people are in abusive relationships with their bodies.  We are always wishing for something, often what we think is better - bigger boobs, smaller waist, tighter abs, bigger muscles, etc. You get the picture!! Now I am not saying wanting these things is bad if you want them for the right reasons but that is the question you have to ask yourself - WHY do these things matter? Well for one our society instills images in our heads to alter our thoughts about what we think is Beautiful!  For so long I thought Skinny was beautiful and until recently I realized for some yes skinny does look beautiful but for me I prefer to look healthy (which can include skinny). I have gone through my stages of being stick thin and now stick thin does not appeal to me because it didn't look healthy on me. It took me YEARS to finally understand this. I still have a lot of work to do because for so long I thought and felt one way.  I am thankful to say my eyes have been opened to a new light!! I have found that to feel beautiful on the outside I have to feel beautiful on the inside.

How can we feel beauty inside and out? Well for one we can stop the negative self talk we speak to ourselves. How many of you will look in a mirror on any given day and say "ugh, I look awful!" or maybe "my thighs look super fat today" - I've said both and I have been making attempts with myself to stop the negative self talk and let me tell you it works!! Stop yourself before you say those harsh words to yourself!! I always ask myself this question, "would I say those words to someone I loved?" If the answer is NO, then I shouldn't be saying those words to myself.

Another way you can help improve your Body image is to Surround yourself with positive people.  If you are around positive people,  more positive thoughts will flow through your mind and that in turn helps you build that positive body image so many of us strive for. If you are around negative people well you will become that negative person too!!  You get to choose who you surround yourself with! Keeping a positive outlook is essential to your emotional well being!

You also get to choose what you read and so if you read any of the magazines on the newsstand Try your very best to not compare yourself to those you see in the magazines. Not all images are the ideal and not all images are 100% REAL.  Don't forget there is airbrushing done on many. So what you think may look like perfection is actually a program to make the image look a certain way.

Looking a certain way, also leads me to Weight! Whether you are at your ideal weight or looking to lose a few pounds,  weight can make a difference in how we feel about ourselves.  A tip I have learned along the way is to NOT weigh yourself daily. If you are working on losing weight for whatever reason, stepping on the scale daily is actually not the best. The scale can be a huge deterrent in your weight loss success. There are so many different factors that determine your weight each day. These factors include hormones, water weight, sodium, that time of the month and more. The scale is actually the least accurate measure of progress. So stop tying yourself to a number. Plus, there are so many others ways to measure your progress - how you feel, how your clothes feel on you, your energy, the compliments from others.  If you are a slave to the scale then try and limit it to once a week at the most.

Regardless of how you feel right now at this moment, I want you to know you have the option to either Be the Best version of YOU or continue on with how you have been living life.  I am not saying either way is better than the other. We all get to write our stories and my hope is that these words I write today can help at least one person feel better about themselves.

Your body is a magnificent piece of art!! Take good care of it because it will be with you for life! 

Focus on your body's abilities and you will be amazed at all it has to offer you.  Our bodies are a gift and although we don't take care of them as best we should at least we are given chances to try again.  Why do you think I talk about health and fitness all the time? I want to treat my body well and in turn I will feel better about myself and when I look in that mirror I am proud of ME!! 

If you or someone you know struggles with a negative body image then finding support can be helpful. I mentor men and women just like you each and every day! We work to identify the problem, set goals, and introduce exercise and healthy eating into your lifestyle. My goal is to help you become a better you. It's not always easy changing our minds and bodies (if you so choose) and yes there will be days when you want to quit.  But when you have someone there by your side telling you it is going to be okay, it makes it getting through the tough times a bit easier.  Having support has made a huge difference for me and now it is my turn to share that with you!!

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

~Alyson

alysonhorcher@gmail.com

teambeachbody.com/alysonh

myshakeology.com/alysonh

facebook.com/alysonhorcher

@alysonhorcher - Instagram

Keep the Pounds off this Holiday Season

It is official, we are now in the last quarter of the year... less than 100 days to the New Year!! We have exactly 91 days to 
January 1, 2014. 

My question to you is 

HOW WILL YOU KEEP THE POUNDS OFF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?  

Statistics show that the average American gains weight during the holiday season whether you are fit or not.  Those that are already starting the holiday season overweight tend to gain even more.  So the problem  continues then because most do not lose those extra pounds gained.  Is this typically you?  


Then the New Year arrives and RESOLUTIONS are flying all over the place.  Sales for gym memberships are up come January 2nd, gyms are packed, sporting goods stores can't keep their shelves full because everyone is on the GET FIT and HEALTHY bandwagon because well IT IS THEIR NEW YEARS

RESOLUTION TO GET FIT AND HEALTHY.  

I've been there, I have set those resolutions and like most I would follow through for a few weeks, a month if I was really feeling determined and then slowly but surely I would fizzle out. My new years resolution would be a thing of the past!! 

WHY?

I lacked the support and accountability that I personally need. 

I need a cheerleader in my corner saying good job. I need someone to push me on my off days and say get it done.  I need a resource to tap into when I have questions.  I need someone I can trust when life happens and I feel like I can't take care of myself because everyone else and their mother need me to do this, that, and something else. 

Welcome Operation No Pounds Gained

Here is your opportunity to NOT wait until the new year to start thinking of yourself.  Now is your time to start a fitness program and learn to eat healthier.  Now its your turn to take better care of yourself and in turn take better care of those around you. 

Don't wait until the end of the Year to make these changes.  Have a NEW New Years Resolution for 2014 and that is to CONTINUE with a healthy lifestyle!! 

Maybe you have always wanted to run a marathon, participate in the Tough Mudder competition, complete Insanity or P90x.  Maybe you want to wake up in the morning and not worry about looking in the mirror, or what you will wear because all your clothes don't fit you anymore.  Maybe you want to be that positive example for your children, an overweight loved one, or best of all YOURSELF!! 

Instead of being the one who looks up to 

other people, 

be the one people look up to!! 

Well you are probably asking yourself well sure that all sounds good and dandy but HOW will I do this? 

I am inviting only those  people who are serious and will commit to me and yourself that now is the time to start your health and fitness journey.  

See I am a beachbody coach and what I do as a coach is help others learn how to lead a healthy and fit lifestyle.  Yes, I said LIFESTYLE.  What I talk about is not a fad diet, lose weight quick plan, magic pill or any of that other nonsense that our heads have been filled with. I am talking about teaching you changes that you can make slowly to your already busy life to make health and fitness a part of it.  We will take it as slow as you need to go, but the most important part is that YOU KEEP MOVING FORWARD.    

Operation NO POUNDS GAINED

will be starting October 14th and I am inviting 

YOU!! 

YES YOU...

you are the one who is reading this so more than likely you have the desire to live a healthier, happier, and more fit life!! 

You don't have to do it alone.  

I am here to support you, guide you and motivate you. 

The best way to do this is by joining my 

Operation NO POUNDS GAINED challenged.  

During this challenge we will focus on finding an at home fitness program that best suites YOU.  We will discuss how to clean up your current eating and drinking routine. We will discuss goal setting.  We will discuss how to set yourself up for success each and every week and how to implement ways to make all of this part of a new routine for you and your family. 

It can be done and if you let me I will help you do it!! 

I am telling you from my own personal experience being a part of these challenge groups CHANGED MY LIFE!! 

I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for my very first challenge group. 

I was in a not so great place in my own personal life and I had no idea how to snap out of it. Through making small but simple changes I was able to gain back my LIFE and make it even better!! I needed the group to help me learn how to make these small changes.  

This is me...

the picture on the left was taken at my daughters baptism and the picture on the right was taken after completing a challenge group.  I had gained 39 pounds when I was pregnant with my daughter.  I lost all the baby weight plus more.  I reached my goal weight and more.  I lost inches all over the place.  Today I stand before you maintaining my weight but I continue to be a part of challenge groups because they help hold me accountable.  

I want to be the best that I can not only for myself but for my family!! 

I can control that and YOU CAN TOO!!

The decision is yours either you will continue on the path you are on now or you can choose to reap the rewards of a healthy and fit lifestyle.  

Wanting a better life and setting goals to get you there is your first step.  

The next step is to contact me to learn more about my 

Operation NO POUNDS GAINED challenge.

Remember I was once in  your shoes too, I know it is hard but trust me...

IT IS WORTH IT!! YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

Now is the time to learn how to live a 

FIT, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Life 

and we will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

~Alyson

xoxo,

Alyson

  

Family Fun Weekend at our Happy Place

This weekend my family and I were lucky enough to be offered to stay at a family member's Jersey Shore house. The Jersey Shore is so very special to my husband and I - it is where we met, where we got engaged, where we went right after our wedding, where we would spend weekend after weekend during the summer months (and sometimes winter months too)  and now we are creating new memories with our children. Our kids call the shore the BeachShore - my husband calls is the shore and I call it the beach so our son combined the two a few years ago and termed it the BeachShore.  Now we all use the term, love it, and it always brings a smile to our faces.  We love going to the BeachShore and even if it is cold outside we always make our way to the beach (try to avoid the water with the kids, however one always seems to get wet) and enjoy our time together. 

The BeachShore is the one place that I am able to truly relax, I have always called it my Happy Place.  This weekend I wasn't disappointed - I relaxed, took naps, took walks on the beach, playe

d in the sand, went for ice cream, and played board games.  Our son has gotten pretty good at playing checkers!!

So while away from home we still stay on track with our healthy eating. We bring food with us or the necessary items to make what we had initially planned.  Here were some of our healthy meals...

Breakfast at the Beachshore!!

Homemade healthy Pancakes with fresh fruit and yogurt!! Even while away from home you can still eat healthy - its your choice!!

Clean Grilled Cheese 

Dinner - clean eating for the whole family!

Home made turkey burgers, sweet potato fries, and carrots

Turkey Meatloaf, cauliflower, broccoli, and green beans

and then of course getting our exercise in is just as important 

as eating healthy - 

Beautiful day at the beachshore!! 

A little chilly but plenty of sand to play!!

Then it was time to say goodbye and head back to reality, a.k.a HOME!! 

I look forward to sleeping in my own bed but I know my dreams will be filled with time spent at the BeachShore.  My Ultimate Goal is to one day buy our very own BeachShore home so we can go whenever we want!!

So in addition to my fun filled weekend with my family, I still did my normal Sunday night duty and that was make my meal plan for the week.  If I don't have a plan in place I am more likely to stray - just being honest!! 

Here it is...

This meal plan is unlike most of my others - it has a lot of question marks for the upcoming weekend.  I will be spending the weekend with friends from College at a Spa and I will be taking some food with me but I do plan on having a full on pampering weekend so that means I want people to wait on  me and cook for me.  I plan on staying on track and choosing healthy options.

Would you too like to choose to be healthy?  

If you are interested in learning how to incorporate healthy eating and exercise into your daily regime contact me.  I am a BeachBody Coach and I help others achieve their health and fitness goals.  

It is my job to motivate and inspire people to CHOOSE HEALTHY.  

It is your CHOICE - what will you CHOOSE? 

Now is the time to learn how to

Live a Fit, Happy, and Healthy life

and WE will do it 

TOGETHER!!!!

~Alyson

Message me - alysonhorcher@gmail.com

Shop - beachbodycoach.com/alysonh

Learn More - myshakeology.com/alysonh

Friend Me - facebook.com/alysonhorcher

Follow Me - @alysonhorcher - Instagram

Follow Me - @alysonhorch - Twitter