5 Tips to Drink More Water

Water. 

We all know it's good for us and better than juices and soda, but why is it so hard to drink?

I go by the rule of thumb to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Sometimes I drink a little less, sometimes I drink a little bit more. I've reached the point now where I can gauge, based on how I'm feeling, if I should drink more or less water.

But water is BORING. It is no fun. But it sure does beat additives and chemicals and uneccessary added sugar.

Here's how to get more of that H2O goodness in, based on tried and true tips from yours truly, ex-water hater:

Infuse it.

Try some slices of lemon or lime. Try some sliced berries. Try some herbs. There are dozens of magical combinations of ingredients that can infuse water to make it taste more exciting than...well, plain water.

Get a fancy water bottle.

Buy a water bottle you don't mind carrying around with you all day. Sip from it throughout the day. At your desk, at red lights in your car, while doing the laundry. If it's with you at all times, you'll be more likely to take advantage of it. Another added benefit of your water bottle is that you can figure out how many times you need to drink and refill it each day to hit your target about of water intake per day based on how many ounces it holds. My Shakeology shaker cup is a lifesaver for me. I bring it to work in the AM full of Shakeology, clean it out when I'm done, and then I'll toss in a lemon wedge and fill it with water for the rest of the day. I know if I refill my cup with water and finish it four times, I am on the right track.

Set a reminder in your phone. 

So basic. Set reminders in your phone to go off at regular intervals throughout the day. Haven't drank xx ounces by then? Time to step it up.

Drink a glass of water as soon as your wake up, before each meal, and after using the rest room.

These cues will help you rehydrate when you either need it or in order to help digestion (like before meals).

Set a goal and track your progress each day. 

Compete against yourself. I am competitive. I don't like to lose, especially against myself. Write down, in ounces, how much water you've had to drink each day. If it's no where near your target, challenge yourself the next day to beat the previous day's intake until you've reached my target.

Those are my top five tips! Now I'm curious--how do you make sure you drink enough water? Got a favorite way to dress up your water? 

30 Days of Gratitude in April

Something exciting has been happening in my life lately.

A simple little act that literally takes five minutes, and incorporating it into my daily routine has profoundly made an impact.

What is this simple, tiny, act?

Gratitude.

Every morning, I wake up, make my coffee, sit quietly, and meditate on all the reasons I have to be grateful. Less focus on the crappy, more focus on what's better, and an all-around happier self. It takes me only five minutes, but it truly sets a tone for my day.

My family.
My day job.
This job, the one where I get to help people set goals and change their lives.
My friends.
Our home.
My health.

Seriously, there is SO much to be thankful for, I couldn't even list it all here.

And then I had an idea.

What if I could spread this amazing feeling to others? Help others see the best parts of their lives?

So I put some pen to paper, and planned out this 30-day challenge to allow people to practice this amazingly simple act that can change so much. I call it a challenge, and while it might be for some, my goal is to bring realization that life is beautiful and while it might not SEEM like we have a lot to be grateful for, you can find gratitude daily.

It'll take place in a private Facebook group, but you are more than welcome to share publicly on your own social media feeds (maaaaybe there will even be a hashtag?!).

Each day for 30 days we'll focus on one word or concept. You can reflect on it, share it with the group, journal it, write about it, take a photo...however you choose to express your gratitude each day, do that.  Do what makes you happy, but always take a few minutes to reflect.

This is a group challenge, but it can be completely personal as well. If you don't feel comfortable sharing, I respect that, but my ultimate goal is to raise up the amazing things in our lives because those are the things that deserve our attention. I look forward to learning things about others, what makes them tick, what makes them happy--what brings JOY.

My joy might not be your joy, but that's the beauty of focusing on these things.

This 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge will start on April 1 and continue for the duration of the month.

If you are interested, please fill out this form and I will reach out to you via email.

I can't wait to find the joy in our lives together. This is going to be amazing.

14-Day Clean Eating Challenge Group

We are officially in the last week of the Guns, Buns, and Abs Challenge, and I've had a few questions on "What's next?"

I've got some really cool stuff planned through the month of June, which I am SO excited about. For starters, I am going to start running Clean Eating Challenge Groups every other month. On the "other" month, we will be doing some sort of longer fitness or other kind of challenge.

All of this on top of my Premiere Boot Camps! We will be busy, busy, busy...but I LOVE it!

Starting Monday, March 9, my next clean eating Challenge Group will begin.

This is a FREE challenge (except for the cost of food, of course!). I want to be able to reach anyone who is looking to change their eating habits for the better. Getting back to the basics is sometimes the most important step in creating change and good habits.

The group will take place in a private Facebook Group. I will share some of my resources for recipes, food lists, and cooking tips. I strive to make this a positive group setting where you will find support and accountability,

Each group member will eat clean for the 14 day duration of the challenge, drink plenty of water, check in with a summary of what you've been eating for the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any snacks), get at least seven hours of sleep, and contribute to conversation, recipe sharing, and provide support to other challengers in the group. We are all at different stages and levels in our journeys. If you are already practicing a clean eating lifestyle, you might be able to help someone who is just starting out! That's what these groups are all about.

For more information, please fill out the form below, and I will send you the information on how to join us for the next 14 days! Registration for this Challenge Group will end on March 6 to allow everyone to get situated and start preparing.



**I am not a nutritionist or a registered dietitian, but I do like sharing with others what has worked for me. I can provide suggestions on what to eat, replacements for certain things, and some tips on meal planning, but please know that I am not an expert. You should always talk with a nutritionist or registered dietitian to get customized information on what is best for you.**