Congratulations!

This challenge was a huge success! We had a lot of ladies that really pushed themselves, lost inches and accomplished their goals. Everyone learned new fit tools to take with them. Thank you to everyone for your participation.

For the first time in Get Fit Challenge history, we have a 3 way tie!! Although everyone did a great job, three ladies really stood out - they completed the mini-challenges, reached all their goals and participated on the blog. Congratulations to Kari Warner, Brittney Foster & Rachel Swartzentruber. These challengers showed complete commitment and they got results to prove it.

Nice work to EVERYONE! Again, use what you've learned and continue on this fitness journey.

P.S. To the winners, I'll be contacting each of you to discuss your prizes!

Great Job To ALL!!

After 3 weeks for fitness, food & fun... the Get Fit Fall Challenge ends today. Remember, your healthy journey doesn't end here. The challenge was a kick start... Now, continue your fit ways throughout the holidays and into the new year. Use the healthy dishes you've learned and bring smart options to parties and celebrations this holiday season. I'll have the blog up for another week, so feel free to copy down recipes, plans, etc...

Please send me your final weight, measurements (if done at the beginning) and an assessment of your goals. I need this info by Monday evening. I'll announce the winner on Wednesday.

Thank you to everyone for their participation, feedback and commitment! It was a lot of fun!

Challenger Meal

Check out Brittney's creation!

It's a multi-layer froyo treat. The bottom is plain Greek yogurt mixed with sugar-free chocolate pudding mix. Then she blended (hand-blender) rasberries and stevia and topped the chocolate yogurt. Next, she mixed plain Greek yogurt with sugar-free cheesecake pudding mix... sucked it up w/ a syringe, designed the web & added a little plastic halloween spider.

Brittney has a ice cream maker, so the bottom layer is frozen BUT it can also be done as a regular yogurt treat by following the steps above. If you have an ice cream maker, simply prepare the chocolate layer in the machine and the rest is done in a bowl.

Lean & Fit Buffalo Chili

The weather is cool, the leaves are falling... it's the perfect time for a huge pot of chili to eat for days.

Tonight, I made buffalo chili. Buffalo/bison is a great substitute for beef - it's higher in protein, lower in fat and more vitamin-rich.

Here's how to make Lean & Fit Buffalo Chili

What you need:
1LB ground buffalo
3 cans mixed beans - try pinto, black, kidney, chili
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 can tomato sauce

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 hot pepper - try anaheim or jalapeno (cut out seeds & membranes to reduce heat)

Seasonings to taste: salt, pepper, season salt, chili powder, garlic salt

How to:
Saute buffalo, onion, bell pepper & hot pepper in large pan. Pour beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce & seasonings into a crock pot or large stove pot. Add buffalo mixture to pot. Simmer on low heat for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.

Makes 6-8 servings

It's CRUNCH time!

There are only 5 days left in this challenge.. it's time to kick into high gear & reach those goals.
Ladies, it's CRUNCH time.

This is your final mini challenge...

1,000 CRUNCHES in 5 days. I challenge you to do 200 crunches a day for the next 5 days. You can do them all at once, or spread them out over the day. Do whatever variation you want... just do them! When you do, post a comment on this post and tell us about it.

Crunch Ideas:
Standard crunches (whole abdominal wall)
Side crunches (obliques)
Crunches w/ legs straight in the air (lower abs)
Bicycle crunches (obliques)
Butterfly crunchs- legs in "butterfly" position, lay on back & crunch (lower abs)
Ball crunches (works entire abdominals while increasing balance)
Leg lifts (lower abs)

Prepare For Your Workout the Night Before

Before going to bed at night, get your workout gear together and put it somewhere that you won't miss it! Take your gym bag to work instead of going home first. Going home sets you up to get distracted, cozy, and lazy. Go home and there's a good chance you'll skip your workout.

If you work/workout at home, put your clothes in an obvious place so they're STARING at you until you put them on and get sweating. Chances are, if you're prepared, you'll do it! If you still skip it, you'll likely feel extra guilty and won't want to do that again !

Mini Goal: Go to the gym right before or right after work 4 times this week. You can get ready at the gym to save time. Make sure you pack a healthy snack for before/after your workout. You might be tired after work, but give it 10-15 minutes at the gym and you'll be good to go. 

2 Minute Apple "Pie"

This is one of my all time favorite snacks! It's delicious & nutritious.

All you need is an apple (any color), Greek yogurt, cinnamon & nuts.

Slice the apple & microwave for about 1 minute
Top w/ 1/2C plain Greek yogurt, cinnamon & nuts. Feel free to add some stevia & vanilla extract to the yogurt... or sugar-free pudding mix.

Dive in!

Prepare Ahead & Have Fit Meals for Days

I've said it over & over, but preparing ahead really is the key! Making a little extra doesn't take a lot of work. Just throw in some extra meat & veggies when grilling, baking or stir-frying. Make a big batch of buckwheat waffles on Sunday & have them all week OR boil a large pot of steal cut oats & breakfast is one scoop away.

Today I did some prep by making 4 large Buckwheat Waffles - 1 as a meal or 1/2 as a snack.

 It took me about 15 minutes from mixing to clean-up. Now, the extras are in the freezer waiting for the toaster & some berries.

(See recipe on "Fit Recipes" page)

For dinner, we made super fast & easy Beef & Broccoli - 5 ingredients, 10 minutes... it's dinner for 4 people or 4 days for one person. Double the recipe and have dinner and/or lunch tomorrow.

What you need:
(for 2 servings)
8oz NY strip
2C fresh broccoli
1/2TBSP fresh grated ginger or pickled ginger
1/4 sweet onion
2TBSP low-sugar stir-fry sauce (3g or less per TBSP)

How to:
Slice steak & add to skillet on medium heat. Add chopped onion, ginger & broccoli. Spoon in 2-3 TBSP of water. Cover & simmer until broccoli is tender. Add sauce and let flavors mingle. You can also sprinkle in pepper, garlic salt & other seasonings of choice.

Berry Amazing Waffle

This breakfast is proof that eating healthy does not meaning boring! 

Berry Amazing Waffles are easy to make and great for you! Check out the Fit Recipe page for instructions.

I topped this half with 1/4C Greek yogurt and 1/2C frozen berries. I microwaved the berries for 40 seconds to make them warm and syrupy ;-) Try adding some cinnamon and Stevia or a little honey.

Challenger Meal

Sometimes a favorite meal, is so simple! It's a childhood favorite that's fast, easy, healthy and delicious.

As you can see... Tiffany W. is in love with Kashi Go Lean. Pair the high-fiber, protein-packed cereal w/ unsweetened milk & berries for a complete meal.

If you're on the go and don't have much time for cooking... there's good news: this quick fix makes a great breakfast, snack or even lunch.