Birthday Wishes & New Challenges

Today happens to be my birthday, and what a great day it has been so far!  In fact, it's been a great week, and even more a great year.  I am not bragging, I have my good days and bad days just like anyone else.  I just choose to be happy and positive!  I remember the exact moment I made this choice on September 19, 2009.  It was so profound to me.  Each morning I am lucky enough to wake up a continue to choose to bring happiness and positive energy into my life.  I started to surround myself with people who also share in this same type positive vibe and desire for a healthy existence.  I have actually said goodbye to friends who "sucked" the energy out of me.  You know they kind that are always negative or who always take, take, take.  They never realize that they hurt you or anyone around them... yep, I got rid of them!  It was not easy, but it is so much better in the long run.

The people I love to surround myself with challenge me to be better everyday!  My husband challenges me to break down emotional barriers and love deeper and stronger than I ever thought possible again.  My parents always challenged me to be responsible through family and finances.  My best friend has challenged me to find a deeper meaning in my spiritual relationship with god.  My coaches challenge my physical and mental strength each day with training and nutrition.  My good friends at C Squared have challenged me to two 30 day challenges to test my body and mind!
1: Keep track of my clean eating by posting a photo on their Facebook fan page each day.
2: NO SUGAR for 30 days (March 15-April 15)
Not only do the people in my life challenge me, they are there to help me along the way if I fall.  They are also there to keep me in check on the days that I need a "smack down."
I encourage you to build a system of positive people in your life to encourage your journey.  We are not here to do this alone.  I always tell the GS.fit crew at my boot camps that we are here together to get better each time.  And I think that is the whole point... to know you are not alone in your journey to weight loss or fat loss or muscle gain.  That we are are sweating our asses off together and routing for each other!
xoxo,
gail

It's Arnold week here in Columbus!

I am so excited that this week athletes from all over the world will be traveling to good ole' Columbus, Ohio for the Arnold Sports Festival.  It is great for me because it happens to be my home town.  I look forward to this weekend each year as I get to see all of the inspiring athletes as well as my fitness friends from near and far.  This year I will be working with Lindsay Messina and the PBO Glam squad at photo shoots all over the city.  I always enjoy stopping by the Oxygen and Eat Clean Diet booths at the Expo to get a major does of motivation from the amazing cover models and of course the one and only, Tosca Reno (Pictured with me above, from last year).  This year will also be extra special with all of the Savage sisters I have coming into town.  I hope to see you all!
xoxo,
gail

Healthy Chocolate Mousse!

Here is an idea for a healthy, delicious treat that I came about through my love for chocolate, ice cream and Lori Harder.  Lori Makes these incredible mini-chocolate cheesecakes, and her recipe gave me the idea for this healthy chocolate mousse.  I usually eat this as my 6th meal.  The main ingredient in this recipe is plain Greek yogurt which naturally contains casein protein.  It is great to eat this prior to bed time because casein (found in milk products) digests slowly while you sleep, lessening the muscle-protein breakdown.  In other words, it helps support all of that hard work you put in at the gym while you are sleeping!  It also contains calcium, probiotics and very little carbs.  

GS.fit Healthy Chocolate Mousse:

• 4-6oz Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
• 1TB unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1-2 packets Stevia (natural vanilla flavor if you can find it)
• 6 raw Almonds chopped

Mix all ingredients and enjoy!

Try it and let me know what you think.

xoxo,

gail

It's Sweet and good for you!!!

If you know me at all, you know I have the ultimate sweet tooth.  Since, I can't eat pints of ice cream every day, I am always on the search for foods and beverages that will keep my cravings at bay.  This concept has also helped me lose 10 pounds!  Inspired by my good friend Joanne, who is also on her weight loss journey and listens to my endless ramblings of nutrition and fitness advice, I decided to turn to TEA!  That's right, tea.  Good ole' herbal tea.  Not the bitter green variety or the flowery Earl Gray types, but the naturally sweet fruity flavors.  They are caffeine free, zero calories and did I mention naturally sweet!  At night, just when that sweet craving hits, I have been making 1-3 cups of these teas.  My favorites are Celestial Seasonings Wild Berry Zinger, Country Peach Passion and Black Cherry Berry.  Don't they sound delicious?  I also really like the Tazo Vanilla Rooibos.  Don't get the wrong idea, it's not cherry pie by a long stretch, but it takes my mind off of the sweet cravings and the 8-24 ounces of water fill me up.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!
xoxo,
gail

This week is a new start!

I am so excited for this week to be rocking and rolling along.  It seems like the past three months have been un-routine for me.  First, with the holidays, during the months of November and December I was traveling like a mad woman to Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, and Phoenix.  Then with final wedding plans and going away for our actual wedding to St. John USVI.  In addition to that we had a week full of family and friends from out of town for a reception that my parents threw for us to celebrate our wedding.  Did I mention that Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years were all in there somewhere?!?!  It was such a wonderful few months... but now it's time to get back into the swing of things.  But wait!  Is there ever actually "a swing of things"?  Is there ever smooth sailing?  I don't know about you, but not in my life.

 I want you all to know that even though I was traveling like a mad woman, even though the holidays came and went, and even though I was getting ready for my wedding I was able to lose 10 pounds!!!  Of course, with the help of the wonderful Andi Martin, my coach.  I was able to fit into my wedding dress and feel great!  As for getting back to normal, I just accepted a job on top of my regular schedule that will keep me traveling at least 10-12 weekends this year for Perfect Body Online, as their new Co-Director.  So with the advice of my amazing friend Lori Harder, I have learned to find some sort of balance between all of the go, go, go in my life.  She said to me "Gail, maybe you just had to learn the hard way, but it will make you better for it."  And she is right, I am better.  But it is good to know that life is never normal, nor should we expect it to be or wait for it to be.  We have to be ready and willing to make it work, even if that means doing 10min of extra cardio now and then to make up for some yummy butter cream frosting!  Here is to a wonderful Wednesday and I am off to hammer out Shoulders with my new Hubby.
xoxo,
gail

P.S. GS.fit boot camp Sessions for the week: Thursday @7pm and Saturday @9am @ Harrison Park Gym.  Text or message me if you can make it!

Monday Night Boot Camp @ Harrison Park Gym

Tonight is the first Monday night boot camp at Harrison Park Gym!  It starts at 7pm.  It is a one hour intense full body functional workout.  The cost is $10 ($8 for residents).  Let me know if you can make it!
It's gonna rock!
Have a great day and see you tonight!

GSfit Saturday Session

Come get your body rocked!  9am, Harrison Park gym.  $10 per person ($8 for residents).  This is a one hour intense full body work out.  We have a great group of people that come each week to work hard, have fun and get better!  Text me, email me or send me a message on face book if you can make it.  I would love to see you there!

This week is a Special Edition because I have been gone the last two weeks for my wedding and honeymoon, so it is time to get back to it!  It is also the morning of our wedding reception so we will be sweating extra;)  Plus, there will be some special guests coming from out of town this week that will be attending boot camp with us!  Sure to make for a great morning work out.  Lots of laughs, sweat and good times!

See you 9am Saturday!
xoxo,
Gail