Do you ever think about how much your core muscles actually do for you?
When most of us think about core strength, we think about how our core looks…
But the fact is, our core is responsible for almost every move we make — like walking, picking stuff up, and even breathing!
And something you might not know is that because your core muscles can directly impact your posture….
There’s also a link to your stress levels, digestion, and overall health, too.
(Although let's be real, having a strong, toned midsection also feels pretty darn good, right?)
However, if your core isn’t as powerful as it used to be, I’ve created a FREE guide to help you tighten, tone, and strengthen those major muscles.
GRAB YOUR COPY HERE: Core Strong Guide
Inside, you'll find 5 easy-to-follow workouts and exercises that target not just your abs, but all of the muscles in your midsection, from top to bottom, back to front!
Need some ideas for working these exercises into your daily routine?
- Pick an exercise to do during a commercial break while you’re watching TV
- Work your core while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew in the morning
- Or do them at the end of your next workout
A little goes a long way when you stay consistent!
Whether you're new to exercise, coming back after a long break from working out, or a seasoned athlete, this guide has something for everyone. (If you know anyone who would love a copy of this, feel free to share this email/link with them.)
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Have you ever noticed that foods that aren't exactly “good” for you seem to taste amazing?
It’s kind of like Mother Nature is playing a practical joke… but there are a few reasons this happens.
- Many “crave-worthy” foods are loaded with sugar, salt, fat, and empty calories.
- Our brains are hardwired to crave tasty, high-energy (aka high-calorie) foods because they help us survive when food is scarce. (Except for most of us, food isn’t scarce anymore — so we have to be careful not to overeat these foods.)
- Manufacturers spend a LOT of time and money making these foods as delicious as possible – and also on ads to entice us. It's no surprise that some of these foods are hard to resist!
So if you find yourself craving these foods, that’s by design!
I’m sharing this with you because I believe knowledge is power — and keeping this in mind helps me keep my own food choices in check!
According to the National Academy of Sciences, people eat too many calories, saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugars; too much sodium; and not enough vitamin D, calcium, potassium, or fiber.
Here’s the kicker: the top causes of death (heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancer, etc.) are strongly associated with our food choices!
Now, I am all for moderation (80%-90% healthy foods, 10%-20% “extras”) … but I also know that walking that tightrope can be a real challenge sometimes!
That’s just one reason I created the 28-Day Total Body Transformation program. If you want to know exactly how we do this and what's included, you can read my program breakdown HERE.
It’s time to discover just how GREAT you can feel!
Here's what one 28-Day participant said about the program, "
When I first heard about Colleen's program, I thought I didn't have "time" for another program. I read more about it and realized it was different and easier than most programs that are out there. I changed some major bad habits in just 3 days into the program that I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to do. I love the new habits I've created and still going strong; they are really lifelong changes. Who knew! Colleen did!"-Melissa G.
P.S.
Our challenge this week over in my private Facebook group is "No added sugar challenge!" Join us...especially if you are feeling sluggish after too many chocolate covered bunnies from Easter!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
This month we’re tackling a big topic: getting rid of what’s standing between you and your goals.
This could be what you put in your body (food) … what you focus on with your thoughts and beliefs … and anything else that’s cluttering up your wellness journey.
The first step is probably the hardest …
It’s getting REAL and identifying exactly what’s holding you back.
It’s a challenge because we can get into autopilot with our everyday life … and we don’t even notice what’s in our way!
I have an exercise you can do to help.
Grab your favorite pen and a journal – or open a Google doc – and start writing.
(Pro tip: The words you will write are for YOUR EYES ONLY and you can throw away/delete what you write later if you want!)
(Pro tip: The words you will write are for YOUR EYES ONLY and you can throw away/delete what you write later if you want!)
Make a list of ALL of the reasons you think you haven’t been able to achieve your goals.
Seriously, write down everything!
Maybe you hate getting up early … don’t like “healthy” foods … feel like you don’t have willpower or motivation … feel overwhelmed … feel alone in your journey … or maybe there are factors outside of your control.
Or maybe you think your goals are for other people – not for you.
Let loose and write it ALL down.
THEN, read through your list and look for common themes: time factors, mindset/motivation issues, confidence, support/accountability, etc.
Now it’s time to get into problem-solving mode and TAKE ACTION.
- Don’t have support? Find it! Think of the health/fitness-minded people in your circle and enlist them, search for an online community, and/or work with a coach (a real game changer).
- Not enough time? Get creative. Find ways to sneak fitness/health into the spare moments of your life. A coach can help with this, too.
- Mindset issues? Surround yourself with motivation – read self-development books, watch inspiring YouTube videos, and keep a journal to track your progress.
This is a HUGE area where a coach can help.
Imagine how great will it feel to finally ditch the obstacles between you and your goals.
INCREDIBLY GREAT.
And I'm here for you if you don’t want to do it alone.
If you are frustrated, exhausted, and feel like you are spinning your wheels in the wellness area, I know I can help you. Just respond to this email and we can chat and see if one of my programs is a good fit for you.
Have a wonderful Easter week. I'm headed home to Austin on Friday to celebrate my dad's 85th birthday! Looking forward to some fun family time!
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Tell me if you can relate…
A lot of people tell me one of the reasons they don’t meal prep is because either they or someone in their home won’t eat leftovers. (Spoiler alert...I'M one of these people)!
Understandable!
But guess what? It’s still possible to get all of the time-saving and stress-busting benefits of meal prepping WITHOUT having to eat last night’s dinner!
Here’s how: instead of cooking entire meals in advance, you cook and/or prep your INGREDIENTS ahead of time.
- Proteins
- Carbs like whole grains, rice, quinoa, etc.
- Pre-chop your veggies
Then, just before it’s time to eat, just assemble the meal from your prepped ingredients.
Some ideas:
- You could poach chicken breasts, brown turkey or tofu, or roast a chicken.
- Bake some sweet potatoes, steam some rice, or prep some quinoa.
- Chop onions, dice carrots, or slice peppers.
Having everything prepped and on standby makes throwing together a balanced meal fast and easy.
A chef friend of mine once told me:
“Cooking is easy. All you have to do is make sure all of the ingredients taste good. If they all taste good, then your meal will taste good.”
And it’s true!
You could create a taco or burrito bowl, make a stir fry, assemble a casserole, or even create one of my personal go-to meals when I’m busy: the Anything Bowl!
The Anything Bowl is definitely NOT gourmet but it is delicious.
All you do is combine a portion each of protein, starchy carbs, and vegetables in a bowl, and (this is the key) top it with your favorite healthy sauce or seasoning.
You could add guacamole, sriracha, low-sugar barbecue sauce, or coconut aminos. Heat it up, and voila! It’s time to eat.
Need some easy ideas for meal prep recipes? Grab my free Fast & Easy Meal Prep Recipes eBook <<
If you make a recipe from this guide, take a picture and tag me on social media! I'd love to see it!
Yours in health,
Colleen Riddle, ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Young Living Gold Independent Distributor
Join my Facebook Group for more wellness info! Wellness With Colleen
850-598-7263
p.s. There's a group of people participating in the 28-Day Total Body Transformation program right now! It's not too late to join this supportive group to help you finally create the health changes you've been looking for (some people are on week one and others week 3)! If you are ready to finally ignite your energy, lose the weight, and feel more confident, join us now! 28-Day February Group
Tammy is in her third week and shared, "I'm down 9.5 pounds, but the best part is I'm feeling so much better. I'm loving the delicious meals, and I'm getting in all of my exercise!"
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
I get asked all the time:
“How do you stay so motivated?”
Fact: I don’t! …. So I work at it!
Motivation is like a muscle – the more you flex it, the stronger it becomes.
But what do you do to get your motivation “muscle” in shape in the first place?
You find ways to intentionally keep yourself motivated!
I’ve put together a list of proven ways to build motivation right into your healthy habits.
1. Make it fun! Try a new recipe. Do a new workout (working with a fitness pro is a no-brainer for this one!). Listen to your favorite music. Challenge yourself to try one new fruit or veg a week.
2. Set a goal that gets you psyched. Sign up for a fun run. Go for a weekend mountain biking getaway. Try a new recipe every week for three months. Sign up for a dance or take a pickleball lesson.
3. Make it part of your routine. Park farther away from your destination. Take the stairs. Go for a lunchtime walk outside. Work out as soon as you wake up in the morning. Hit the grocery store first thing on a weekend morning.
4. Create a journal. Document your progress: What did you do today that was great? What are you planning to do tomorrow? Write it down – and also write down how you feel about it.
5. Set up a reward system! Internal rewards: Be sure to tell yourself “good job” every time you follow through on your commitments to yourself. (It really does matter.)
External reward: Set milestones and then reward yourself (new shoes, new gear, massage, etc.) for reaching them.
6. Build a solid support and accountability circle. Find a supportive friend or group that will keep you moving forward. Working with a coach is invaluable here! (This is why most people hire me!)
7. Motivate somebody ELSE! Motivating others is incredibly motivating for YOU. How do I know? Well, let’s just say I am writing this email and it’s getting me psyched about my own [workout/meal prep/etc.]
7. Motivate somebody ELSE! Motivating others is incredibly motivating for YOU. How do I know? Well, let’s just say I am writing this email and it’s getting me psyched about my own [workout/meal prep/etc.]
8. Start the day off right. When you start your morning with a healthy meal or workout, it can set the tone for the entire day!
9. Work with a pro. There is nothing more motivating than seeing – and feeling – a noticeable difference in how you feel, move, and look!
My 28-Day Total Body Transformation program is a great place to start. Especially if you’re a woman over 40 dealing with stubborn belly fat and always putting everyone else's needs before your own and you want to see if my 28-Day program could help you get visible results in just 28 days, book a call to see exactly what the process looks like for you and if it’s the right fit for your goals.
Book today by responding to this message with the best time of day to connect for 15 minutes.
Book today by responding to this message with the best time of day to connect for 15 minutes.
Let’s do this!!
Here's your Monday morning giggle! (It's an instagram reel) Let me know if I made you smile!
Yours in health,
Colleen Riddle, ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Young Living Gold Independent Distributor
Join my Facebook Group for more wellness info! Wellness With Colleen
850-598-7263
Sent on behalf of Colleen Riddle, 219 S. Zander Way, Santa Rosa Beach FL via GetOiling.
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
