I feel that many times parents decide to transform their own diets, but they don't' transform the diets of their children. There is a reason why we are wanting to clean up our diet so why wouldn't we want to do the same for our children. eating clean is not about weight loss but more about long term health and well being.
Many times, the biggest road block for parents to stay on track with their clean eating is their children because of the "kid food" we may have in the house. It is so easy to have one bite turn into a whole meal or to have temptations get the best of us because it is readily available in our cupboards on the kid shelf.
Why can't our kids eat fruits and veggies and clean snacks instead of gold fish and cookies, pizza and mac n cheese.
Let's rewind to 5 years ago...I was the mom that made a meal for my husband and I and then made a separate "kid" meal. It was usually pasta, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, pizza, or mac n cheese. That is what I grew up on and that is what the kids like. I was a good mom by making them what they liked and feeding them that right?
The last 5 years have been a very slow transformation to get to where we are now. I am very happy and proud to say that my entire family of 5 including my kids (9, 6, 4) eat clean.

Here are some tips to slowly transition your kids to clean eating...

1. Involve them in baking and cooking. They are proud of what they have made and will be more likely to eat it if they made it.

2. Talk about food. Why we need to eat different things. Where it comes from. Different ways to use it.

3. Share your food. Have them try some of your food. Have your children try a few bites of what you are eating before they eat what they are comfortable with. It may start with a slice of avocado.

4. Give your children a choice. Instead of making "kid" food, let them choose the vegetable they want to eat. They can have their vegetable of choice if they at least try another vegetable option. Our oldest daughter hates vegetables. She will eat cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, and peas but will not touch anything else. We always have what she will eat at hand but she does need to try what the rest of us eat too.

5. Make it fun. Have an eat the color of the rainbow contest. Make designs with food. Be food critics. Each person at the table has to say something they like about the meal and offer a way to change it for next time.  Use cookie cutters on fruit and serve it in different ways.

6. Recreate favorites in a healthy and clean way. Make your own chicken nuggets and mac n cheese. Have pizza night where you make your own clean pizza.

7. Have a time when kids can get treats. Let them be kids and eat what they want when you go to a restaurant or on certain days of the month.

8. Include your children in the shopping process. It may be easier to shop without them but shopping can be so much fun and they can pick things they want to try. I love going through the produce section of Whole Foods with my kids. We find so many amazing things and we get them and try them. A trip to the farmer's Market is another great opportunity to educate them and get them to try new local things.

9. Plant a garden so they can see the whole process.

10. As a parent stop buying the CRAP!

Nina Pears

21 Day Fix Extreme

 

What is the 21 Fix Extreme? How much different is it from the original 21 Day Fix? Is it that extreme? Are the results real? Is it worth doing and what can you expect? Will the results stay?

A few months ago, I did the 21 Day Fix. Going into it, I didn't have any expectations. I was eating really clean, running, and working out. Now looking back, I can't believe what the 21 Day Fix did for me. The workouts were great and went by really fast. But more significantly, the nutrition plan really taught me the proper balance of my diet. I learned how to eat and ate a lot of the right balance of food groups.

That nutrition plan was something that I was able to keep with me even after the program was completed and I was also able to incorporate it into my meal planning for my entire family. The 21 day Fix truly changed my life and the way I think of food and eat.

 

So how is the 21 Day Fix Extreme different? It demands more discipline. The meal plan is a little bit more strict and then there is the competition option. The competition is the most strict nutrition plan I have seen but it is also doable. It is mapped out to a T and it is a lot of food. It follows a 2 day on 1 day off pattern. I am very happy to see how manageable it seems.

The workouts are more extreme. But they are manageable. There is a nice balance from day to day so you are not over doing it. You work your body and you feel it the next day but you also crave it. You get a little bit of rest as you work different areas and then get right back into it.

If you can suck it up and commit 100% to this program for 21 days, you will be amazed at the results. They are real! You keep the results by maintaining a form of the meal plan or repeating another round. The 21 days are the perfect amount of time to break bad habits and develop new ones. It really does turn into a life style.

This is the most popular program Beachbody has to offer! If you are looking for a way to start healthy eating and working out, the 21 Day Fix is the perfect program. I would highly recommend it. If you have already done the 21 Day Fix, the Extreme is the perfect next step. It will push you a little harder and tighten your nutrition just  a  bit more.

Please contact me for more details! I have an amazing accountability team, I would love to add you to!

ninapears@hotmail.com

Nina Pears

Guilt free cookies

I had to make treats to bring in to school for a meeting. I wanted to find something delicious and not horrible for you. I ended up making 2 kinds of cookies.

Chocolate Banana Oat Cookies

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 cups oats
• 1/4 cups almond butter
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

1. Directions:
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mash bananas in a large bowl, then stir in remaining ingredients. Let batter stand for approximately 20 minutes, then drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes.

 


 Chocolate Chip banana Cookies
         2 eggs

• 2 table spoons coconut oil melted
• 1/2 cup mashed banana (about 1 medium sized banana)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine eggs, oil, banana, almond milk, and vanilla in a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until well incorporated.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Scoop heaping spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and flatten each lightly with the back of a spoon.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until they start to brown around the edges (they will have a soft texture, so be careful not to over cook).
8. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then completely cool on wire rack.
9. Snack your little heart out.

Nina Pears

Insanity Max 30 Results

A little over 2 months ago when this program was released, I bought it as soon as I could but doubted myself and my capabilities before even starting. I went into this program know it was going to be difficult and knowing it was high intensity and all cardio. I didn't think there was going to be any way I was going to finish it but as a coach I felt like I at least needed to try it. In the past, when things were difficult for me, I would give up. I would find an excuse and move on.
After my first workout, I had no doubt in my mind that my days were numbered in this program. It was by far the hardest thing I ever did. I felt like I was at max heart rate for 30 minutes straight. I didn't enjoy it because it pushed me!
I kept going and doing it everyday because I was in an accountability group. I made a commitment to do it and I had others cheering me along and holding me accountable. Everyday, I enjoyed it a little bit more. It never became easier because I continued to push myself further and further with each workout. I started to actually look forward to the workout and even crave it. Not only was I getting an amazing workout, but I was also able to take so many of the lessons into my everyday life. I almost instantly saw results and it was like my body was transforming before my eyes. I was gaining so much strength physically and mentally.
This program built strength, defines my muscles, gave me visible abs, took 13 inches away from my body, and gave me confidence that I never had!
Anyone really can do this program. Everything can be modified and you are only competing with yourself!
I would love to coach you through it and give you the accountability I was given! Email me at ninapears@hotmail.com

Nina Pears

Fitness Journey

It sure is crazy to see a journey in pictures! A picture really is worth a 1000 words! In the last 12 years of our relationship, we have lost a combined 115 pounds. Our weight has fluctuated a bit here and there. Recently, we have been able to get in the best shape of our lives because we have had the right tools for nutrition and fitness as well as the accountability and support. The 21 day Fix taught us how to eat correctly and gave us efficient workouts. +Insanity Max: 30  brought our workouts to the next level. We are excited to start the +21 Day Fix Extreme  in 2 weeks! Another great benefit of +Beachbody- there is always another program to keep you excited and motivated!
I would love to help you begin your journey or help you get to the next stage of your journey! Please contact me for details and to join my accountability group!

ninapears@hotmail.com

Nina Pears

What am I training for?

Do you wonder why I do what I do and why I am so passionate about what I do? Why do I train so hard?  I was asked this question today. I thought for a minute and my initial response was, I am not training for anything. Then as I started to explain all the reasons why I do what I do, I realized I am truly am training for something.
I workout and eat clean because at 33 years old, I am in the best shape of my life and I feel better than I ever have. Physically, I feel amazing. I have energy and don't get sick. I am able to constantly go and keep up with the craziness of life without ever missing a beat. Mentally, I am strong and confident. I am not afraid of failure or stepping outside my comfort zone. I like me. I love me!
After three kids, I am able to be strong and physically fit.
My workouts and passion have given me a confidence that I have never had in my entire life.
I am able to be a positive role model to my kids and my family. It really is a family journey. We work out together and we eat healthy together.
I am able to help others. I get to share my story and help others get started or move past their sticking points.
I have found a way to work out every day, be in the best shape of my life and only dedicate 30 minutes a day to it!
I have learned how to properly fuel my body and eat for my health and not just satisfaction. 
So what is it that I am training like crazy for? If you want to define 30 minutes a day of working out, eating clean, and sharing my journey as training crazy?
I am training for the rest of my life. I want to live my life to the fullest and really live every day! Being in the best shape and feeling the best I can possibly feel allows me to do this! It isn't just my 30 minute workout, my runs, and my clean eating that allows me to do this. It is also being able to inspire, motivate, and help others that gets me there mentally. It really allows me to live my life to the fullest!

Nina Pears

A number we are obsessed with

Our weight is really just  a number! It is hard to accept that but it really is just a number. It doesn't define us or what we look like even though we think it does. At the beginning of my fitness journey, the number on the scale was what drove me to push harder and is what measured my progress and defined my results. It has taken a long time but I have come to peace with the fact that it really is just a number. If you look at me, you might have a really hard time guessing how much I weigh. Then someone that has the same weight as me, may look completely different than I do. Heck, my weight even fluctuates by up to 5 pounds on any given day.
Slowly but surely, I have learned to stay away from the scale and not pay attention to the average number or the ups and downs of a few pounds through out the day. I measure my fitness success by the way I feel, the way my clothes fit, the image the mirror presents to me, and the increase in strength I have gained.
It really is a remarkable feeling to let go of that number on the scale.
It took me many years and I came to peace with it while looking at pictures and realizing how different I looked and felt at different stages of my life when I was essentially the same weight as I am today when I am in the best shape I have ever been in and look the best I have ever been and am the strongest I have ever been.
Hide the scale for a while and base your success and progress off of how you feel, how your clothes fit and measurements. It is very liberating.
And go ahead take a guess at how much I weigh in each picture!

In all of these pictures taken from last March until 2 weeks ago I weigh between 126 and 132 pounds. My lowest weight was in the center after the 3 day refresh and I maintained that weight my first month of Insanity Max. You would probably be shocked to know after increasing the intensity and working even harder, I am actually back up to 130 now. Am I freaking out? No, not at all because I am fittign in smaller clothes and I am working out harder than ever and I love the way my body looks and feels. Don't get caught up in the number! It is just a number! I love the fat/muscle comparison! That speaks louder than a number I read on a scale that can shift so much in 1 day alone!

Nina Pears