Challenge to be Challenged

Wow! With a new day comes a new dawn full of possibilities!

I feel refreshed, renewed and totally clear today. I spent some time in prayer, journaling and reconnecting myself with the passion that God has given me. I am a blessed girl. In my time of sadness, confusion and yes, I will admit desperation yesterday, I kept wondering what has happened to your love of what you do. Why do you feel so flat, void, tired, frustrated, exhausted, stressed and overwhelmed all the sudden. Why now? Why this flood of emotion. And why is that voice calling me from the abyss taunting me to come play on the dark side (bulimia has a voice and she is not nice . . . she is a temptress with claws).

In my search and seeking for answers, I realized that my emotions are out of control because I am not listening to my better wisdom. I am trying to strictly stick to a plan and have given myself very little wiggle room. I did not feel this way on the Stripped plan. After the first week of adjusting to the meal plan, I loved the foods and felt satisfied and happy throughout the 28 days . . . well, there was one day every other week that started out with a smoothie that I was not over joyed about! But I even learned to adjust that to work for me.

I don't know why I made such hard and fast rules for myself this time. Maybe because I was writing the plan to include others in the process, trying to think what was easiest to explain and follow for most people. I am not sure. I lost sight of what was best for me and in doing so, neglected to help you see what was best for YOU!

Cooler 1 is so super strict and restrictive. It is still a fabulous base plan and I am not ready to through the baby out with the bath water. This is still my go to plan when I am traveling or in a hurry. Very little prep. I can bulk cook for the week. It is inexpensive and very portable. BUT, it is for a very limited time and here is why . . . it is super low in fats. Fats are very important for hormone regulation. Every function in your body is dependent on hormone production and regulation. So, I am very sorry if you have been trying to stick to the plan and toe the line and have been left feeling drained. Here are some tweaks that will make Cooler 1 a very doable plan. Add nuts and fruit to your morning oatmeal. It could be 2 TBSP natural peanut butter and 1/2 a banana or 1/2 an apple. It could be walnuts and berries. You choose. For one snack of the day add a fat and a little greek yogurt. An example would be, to your tuna add 3 TBSP greek yogurt or I love to have my tuna with 1 TBSP olive oil, chopped tomatoes and italian seasoning. Another example would be chopped grilled chicken, with celery, walnuts and 3 TBSP greek yogurt (make it like a Waldorf salad).

I hope these ideas are helpful to you and that you are not feeling discouraged or overwhelmed. I want you to have the information you need to make the choices you need to make about what is right for you. Listen to your body. No meal plan should leave you feeling drained after the first week. I say that because there is about a week adjustment to any big change in your way of eating.

I have a CHALLENGE within the challenge!!! This weekend I want you to go OFF PLAN!!! Well, almost! LOL!!! I want you to try a recipe from either Clean Eating Magazine, if you get that one, or any of the Eat Clean books you might have OR if you have the Oxygen Bikini ready book a zine . . . there are some yummy family friendly recipes in there. Use the recipe as a guideline to prepare a special meal. Take a picture. Post the picture in a blog or on the Fabulous Fitness Facebook page, along with the source you got it from and a little review. Get adventurous! Try new things! You just might like it!


This is my interpretation of tonights dinner. I was not into the whole soup thing tonight. So It became a black bean and tomato salsa with tilapia. Yummo!

What's for dinner?