Quick ways to burn calories

Time. Time is the BIGGEST excuse for us to not take care of ourselves! I have fought that excuses so much in the past to the point I couldn't anymore.

We are all busy.We live in a busy society and I get that its easy for us to want to just sit and relax. Believe me, I want the same! But I also want to make sure that I am setting an example for my family. 

The key is to MAKE time. All you need is 30 minutes a day to focus on yourself and make you better. Is it easy? Nope! But how many people have you heard say, 'I really regret waking up this morning and working out!" NONE. 

Now, some days we just can't do it. Our schedules are FULL! And days like that you might have to be creative! Plan to succeed. Here is a little cheat sheet made by Chobani! 

Shopping to burn a 100 calories!? I mean seriously! what excuse do you have for that! 

When you truly don't have the time for the gym use these quick fitness ideas to motivate you! Doing something is better than doing nothing! 

Then treat yourself! Here is my favorite Chobani yogurt recipe that fits into the 21 day fix plan:

1 cup plain Chobani yogurt (I like plain because it has less sugar) 

1 tsp cinnamon

1 TBS honey

1 cup of granola (I make my own! recipe to come) 

Stop making excuses and just start doing! 

Body. Mind. Soul

I admit, I am a Kardashian fan. Sorry world, I just LOVE watching them on TV. 

One person I really admire is Khloe! I really think she is very real, relatable, and down to earth. Since it was so sunny and nice this weekend, I decided to lay by the pool and read her new book, Strong Looks Better Naked.

It is VERY inspiring! I really am enjoying it and can relate to the freedom that she has found in exercise! 

She describes the process as not only changing her body but her mind and soul. I agree! Not only have been physically stronger but also mentally! 

I have gained confidence and determination and this crazy ability to work harder and push myself further than I ever thought I could handle!

I have dreams and goals! I battled weight issues, battled eating disorders, battled low self esteem! These 30 minutes a day have made me realize that I am beautiful, strong, smart, and amazing! 

My dream is to push myself to the best physical and mental shape I can be in and to share my story so others can do the same :) 

All you need is love

I realize this is a late recap! Haha this week has been INSANE!! Did I mention I'm a teacher? Graduate student? Basketball coach? And Fitness coach? 

This week just started and is ending with a tight packed schemed! Anyway, I had a GREAT Valentine's Day! C came into town and we had a great weekend together shopping and relaxing! Here is one of my new tops I picked up at the Loft! 

C also brought me my two favorites! Lilies and Starbucks gift card! 

We had a super fun day on Valentine's Day with a great church service, brunch, and walk along the Waterway! Perks to living in Houston is the super warm climate! 

Overall a GREAT weekend full of love and laughs :) 

Now it's time to relax before Friday begins and the weekend starts! 

Love your Body

Valentines Day is right around the corner! I am looking forward to it this year! I have the most thoughtful, best looking valentine around! 

Although Valentines day is about spending time with your loved ones, I want to focus the next few weeks as LOVING your body! I posted on Monday about CONFIDENCE - - - focusing on the positives! 

What does loving your body look like? 

Well lets start with this! Name the your BEST three features! 

1) My Hair

2) My eyes

3) My booty 

What are your 3 best features! Remember, love your body!  

Confidence

I am Strong

I am Smart 

I am Awesome

I am AMAZING

Today I am the best me I can be

This is how I start my class off every morning. Every class period starts off with this saying. It's all about positive thinking! All about starting off the on the right foot! All about believing in yourself.

I want my students to know these things. I want them to believe these things about themselves. I can only believe so much for them. I can tell them daily that they are smart, amazing, strong, awesome, but until they start believing it, it means nothing. 

Confidence. A concept I think many people lack. How many times do we point out the negative things about ourselves? 

I can do it! I can tell you every part of my body I hate. I can tell you my personality quirks I wish I could change. I can tell you how I wish I made more money, lived in a larger apartment, drove a nicer car. 

Why is it so hard to focus on the best parts of us? How about how I have a great sense of humor? Or that I HAVE a job!? Or that I love my hair and my eyes! How I actually like my big booty lol and how I think I am making progress on my stomach! 

What if we looked in the mirror and we saw the good? 

Tell me some ways you are SMART, STRONG, AWESOME, and AMAZING!! Focus on the positives! Be confident! 

Make your why BIGGER than you excuses

It's so easy to make excuses! I've said it all! I'm tired, I don't have time, I don't have money! I've been there, but I also realized I needed to put these excuses aside and better myself! 

>I'm a full time teacher, working 7-5 and on weekends

> I coach girls basketball with 6:30am practice and evening games 

> I am a part time graduate student taking two graduate level classes

> I work beachbody and build my business 

> plus a personal life 

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I get it! I'm busy to, I'm broke as well, and I go to bed by 9:30 every night because I'm exhausted! Literally this is me:

But I also want to feel better about myself, I want to lose weight, I want to prevent health issues that run in my family! 

I can come up with a MILLION excuses not to get healthy! However, I am making my WHY BIGGER than my excuses! 

Will you!?

My Transformation

Here is my transformation story smile emoticon

My name is Erica Ashley and I am an Emerald Beach Body Coach! I am so excited to start this group and share with everyone some great tips and tricks for your fitness goals! 

I started beachbody unofficially 3 years ago doing the Insanity program. I lost 19lbs and felt amazing! All it took was two months of dedication and sticking with my nutrition plan. The only problem was that I was not part of a challenge group to keep me accountable and I did not have shakeology. 

For the past two years I put all the weight back on. I didn't stick to any programs and I found myself quitting at everything I started. I tried Pure Barre, Yoga, Gym Memberships. Nothing worked. I would get bored or make excuses. 

Fast forward to September 2015, my friend Krista messaged me about joining one of her fitness programs. At that point, what did I have to lose!? I decided that I would join, mostly to get her to stop asking me about it, and then after it didn't work I would find the next thing. I bought the challenge pack Body Beast, bought my Shakeology, and started the journey. 

During that 30 days I lost 6lbs, 8 inches around my waist and stomach, lowered my blood pressure. I remembered WHY beachbody worked. I was so excited about my results I just had to share these programs with others!

I have been coaching for 6 months now and I LOVE it! I love helping people reach their fitness goals! Beachbody has changed my life. Its the first program I can stick with. It provides me with different workouts so I dont get bored, the ability to do them in my own home, a group of inspiring and motivating people, and a daily meal that provides me with all my nutrients smile emoticon

If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining our group message me or comment below 

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