Diet Soda Addiction

I've always had a love for Diet Dr. Pepper for so many years. As I've written about being stuck in a plateau to lose those pesky last ten pounds, my friend (thanks!)  asked me if I was still drinking diet soda. I usually drink about 3 a day! (Diet. Dr Pepper, of course)  I actually thought diet sodas were free passes because they don't  have any calories. Sadly, the artificial sweetners in these sodas can lead to obesity and diabetes. Therefore, that means I have to wean off from my diet soda addiction. This week, I've succeeded at having only 2 a day. Next week, I will cut down to 1 a day. Hopefully, it will be an zero a day! I always had a Diet. Dr Pepper sometime in the morning but that hasn't been really hard because I usually drink my chocolate Shakeology. (if you guys have no idea what Shakeology is, go to www.shakeology.com/mintfreak and find out more!! It's like 5 salads in a drink but tastes like a dessert.  Vegan tropical strawberry Shakeology is coming out on Feb 14th. (Valentine's Day!) 

Reference about diet soda:

http://www.ourhealthcoop.com/blog/hugo/2008/05/diet-soda-also-makes-you-gain-weight.html

Hunger Games Trilogy

When I was reading the Twilight  series several years ago, I looked up on Stephenie Meyer's website just to check on her background. While being on her website, Stephanie raved on Hunger Games so I checked out the summary of Hunger Games and just wasn't impressed with it for some reason. When I kept seeing Hunger Games trilogy popping up everywhere in the news especially that a movie based on it is coming up next month. Intrigued, I decided to buy Hunger Games. I got hooked to it and I could not put it down! I ended up finishing ALL 3 books in a week. It's that good!  These books are actually for young adults but it's entertaining for adults as well.  I was obsessed with the trilogy and literally drove my husband crazy for days afterwards when I pondered on several issues.  It is not a series based on romance. It's based on survival and war. The war (aka Hunger Games) involves kids from 12 to 18 years old to fight until only ONE lives and is a winner.  While the kids are fighting, the entire world is watching as it is in a reality show. That is the one of the issues that made me think. There were a lot of reality shows that we watch people starve, cry, fight, etc.  This book is based on a FUTURE era so what if we get desensitized to emotions shown from reality shows and they can lead to more violent reality shows? Scary! I am not going to go into details so you can enjoy reading the trilogy.  No spoiler alerts here.  Peeta, one of the main characters in the book, is my favorite! Peeta reminds me a lot of my husband. I actually feel bad for Josh Hutcherson who is going to act as Peeta because all the young girls will be all over him after the movie is out.  Everyone would want a Peeta. I think Josh Hutcherson fits the character very well.  I'm looking forward to see the movie! Of course, books are always BETTER than the movies because of a limited time and limited budget. So go and buy/borrow these books if you haven't!

I

The Meaning of HIIT

Few people asked me what HIIT meant.  Here's an explanation below. You'll see why I love them!  TurboFire has several HIIT DVDs varying from only 15 minutes to 25 minutes. You can get a natural "high" from the workouts too.

From Wikipedia
High-intensity interval training (HIIT), also called High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise (HIIE) or sprint interval training, is an enhanced form of interval training, an exercise strategy alternating periods of short intense anaerobic exercise with less-intense recovery periods. HIIT is an effective form of cardiovascular exercise. Usual HIIT sessions may vary from 9–20 minutes. These short, intense workouts provide improved athletic capacity and condition, improved glucose metabolism, and improved fat burning.

www.teambeachbody.com/mintfreak

3 Minute Granola Bars

I LOVE this recipe!  You don't have to consume any kind of chemicals you could find in store=bought granola bars.  Only 3 minutes!

Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars

by Averie @ Love Veggies & Yoga

**I added what I used** Mindy

Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars
2 Tbsp Chocolate Chips
2 to 3 Tbsp Peanut Butter (or other nut butter)
2 Tbsp Milk (or nut milk) (I used Almond Milk)
1/2 C Oats
Optional:
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tbsp Sweetener (Brown/White Sugar, Agave, Maple Syrup or Stevia to Taste)
1 Tbsp Other Dry Ingredients (coconut flakes, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, more chocolate chips, raisins, scoop of protein powder(I used Chocolate Shakeology!!) , etc.)
Directions:
Melt the first three ingredients together in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring and checking
Then add the Oats and any optional ingredients, stir to combine.  (You want this mixture to be fairly dry.  If it’s not dry enough, add more oats one tablespoon at a time)
Press mixture into bars or balls.   Using a piece of plastic wrap on the inside of a square plastic container will save on dishes and cleanup.
Put in refrigerator or freezer for 10 minutes, or until bars have set up.   Slice or break apart.
Yields 3 Larabar-sized bars that are also vegan and gluten-free.

Enjoy!!!

News!

I've finally became a beachbody coach for few reasons.   1. I just love Beachbody products ever since I bought Brazil Butt Lift.  At first, I was very skeptical at their stuff. It did show results after I used the workout program for four weeks before I headed to Jamaica last May.  I would use it again before any beach vacation or summers! 2. I  love helping other people. Money is not my motivation. It's all about being healthy.  As I have a degree in counseling, it's just a nature to me to help others.  3. Fitness has been my longtime hobby; tt has helped me in many ways.  4. I got hooked to Beachbody's Shakeology. (Chocolate!!!!)  I've tried other protein powders but they all didn't taste as great as Shakeology! (Honest!)

I am into week 4 of TurboFire now.  I love it so far! HIITs (High Intensity Interval Training)  are my favorite now because they are short!  You don't have to spend hours working out to burn more calories. I think HIITs are great for any busy schedules.

I will update my results from Turbofire as I go. (it's a 90 day program) 

www.teambeachbody.com/mintfreak
www.shakeology.com/mintfreak

A New Year and New Me

Wow, it's been too long since I wrote a blog! I am STILL obsessed with fitness programs.  This time, it is Turbofire that i just started last Monday.  It's a TOUGH workout program. Really not suited for any beginners, actually.  It wasn't too bad for me
because I've been working out for several years. Currently, I've been stuck in a plateau so I'm modifying my eating habits and jacking up my usual fitness plan. Let's see if THAT will help me shed those stubborn ten to fifteen pounds I've regained. Despite my current goal, I feel the BEST than I did in my 20's or younger because I have been excerising more than ever and eating more healthy.   It is ironic that I'm more active but my vision field is still getting smaller and smaller as I age. Do I let that stop me? No. I should appreciate my health. I appreciate that I can MOVE. I appreciate that I have an excellent memory. There are so much out there to appreciate than letting something control you.  No one should allow "fear" to control you. 

A New Fitness Program

I just ordered a new fitness program named ChaLEAN from Beachbody company. Keep in mind that I am not a Beachbody coach so I'm not here trying to sell anything. I ordered Brazilian Butt Lift program and I liked it which led me to order another program. I should be getting it sometime next week and I can give a review on it after I am done with it! I already love doing cardio workouts on my treadmill and elliptical because I just love to watch TV! Time flies faster with this combo. I'm not crazy about doing cardio workouts on DVD because it can get boring faster this way. I've had the treadmill for MANY years and I STILL use it. That tells you something! I bought the elliptical last year because my muscles were too used with the treadmill! I love alternating between those two. The reason why I bought ChaLEAN is to tone up. I wanted to add resistance training so this program seemed to fit the need.