Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!

Can you believe it's 2011? Time flies when you are having fun!

This is going to be a great year!! If you say it, you'll believe it. 2010 didn't end so grand, but so far, 2011 has started off GREAT!! Just today we finalized my first Real Estate deal of the year!! We've been negotiating it since 12/30 but we finally came together!! Cross your fingers that it goes smoothly and closes on Jan 20th!!! Just the other day my client sent me a text saying he wanted to be my first sale of the year - I think we'll both get that wish!!!

Did you guys make a new years resolution? I typically don't, but this year I did!! I have two resolutions - one business and one fitness. My business resolution is to network more. I started that off last month by joining a networking group that offers tons of events throughout the month. I've already gone to 2 events and can't wait to go to more this year!! My fitness resolution is to stretch more. I am NOT flexible AT ALL. But I'm going to work on improving that this year! I bought a yoga mat at the end of November and I plan to action use it!

I hope you all have a happy, healthy & prosperous 2011!! Remember, I'm hear if you need anything, whether it's Real Estate related or not!!

Jodi

FGB Challenge - Eating Right, Body Jam

This weeks FBG (Fit Bottomed Girls) group outing was at Element Fitness! We took a body jam (hip hop) class and it was a BLAST!!! We toured the gym, chatted about different exercises and got our groove on during class!!

We are now in WEEK #3 of the challenge. I am starting to really get a hang of the low carb/sugar "diet". I eat out quite a bit (it's my social thing), but have found ways to adapt. Here are just a few suggestions of places I've gone and items I chose:

Gordon Biersch - Grilled Chicken Cashew Salad - this was awesome!! I didn't have to make any changes or pick out anything! I wanted to get their Hummus Salad (which I've had before and is great) but it comes with pita and I knew I wouldn't be able to resist!

Houlihan's - I've actually gone here twice since the challenge started!! The first time I got their french onion soup (I asked for them to leave out the bread) and their chop salad (I picked out the croutons). The second time I got the Almond Crusted Tilapia which is served with Asparagus. It was great!!

Typically when I'm watching what I eat, I avoid Mexican restaurants, but I've gone TWICE since starting this challenge and can happily report I ate ZERO chips!! (Confession: I was going to eat ONE Sunday night but Wes hit my hand and wouldn't let me cheat!) I did, however, still enjoy the espinaca/queso dips - I just asked for cut veggies. Green peppers go GREAT with the dip!! For my meal, I got fajitas and asked them not to bring out the tortilla shells. At Jose Pepper's, they serve their fajitas with rice (which I honestly could do without anyway) so I asked for steamed veggies - which are awesome!!




Honey Baked Ham - I didn't know until last week that the Honey Baked Ham stores also serve lunch!! I got the chef salad which was great!



There are plenty of low carb/sugar options at restaurants. You might have to make a few alterations, but it's worth it in the end!!!

FBG Challenge - Week 1

Well, I have successfully completed my FIRST week of my Fit Bottomed Girl/Energy Zone Weight Loss Challenge!!



Last week was just an informational meeting. We got to meet all the great girls who are participating in the challenge and get to know each other. I'm really excited to get to know all of the girls and work together to become true FIT BOTTOMED GIRLS!!!

Each week we have a one-on-one with Jessica to talk about what's going on. She tries to customize plans for each girl depending on their specific needs and "issues". Most of us are concentrating on upping are proteins and reducing our sugars & carbs. The goal is to increase our metabolism, then we can slowly add these items back into our diet.

So far, I've actually done pretty good. I did have a "bad day" on Tuesday but most of that was because of poor planning on my part! I was running late and ran out of the house without any snacks! Since Tuesday is Agent Tour day, I had to avoid the cookies at the first tour and ended up eating some pizza at the second. I tried to eat mostly topics, though there weren't many and the pizza was cold and not great. I was very upset because I didn't even enough the calories I put in my body! I went to the gas station afterwards and stocked up on pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds & jerky. Wednesday was much better. I had a seminar where BBQ was provided. I just avoided the bun and stocked up on meat, coleslaw and salad. I did the same at dinner and ordered a meal without and bread. If it's not there, I won't be tempted. I was also good on Thursday night when I got a burger and asked the server NOT to even bring the bun. If there was a bun, I probably would have at least had a few bites!

To subside my chocolate/sugar cravings, I've been eating a sugar-free pudding snack at night. I also try to have cheese, almonds, eggs & lunch meat around to snack on. My body hasn't been the happiest with this change, but it's all part of the detox process and I know I'll be happy with the end result! My measurements have already gone down a little!

Today we had our "cooking class" and learned out to make protein pancakes, quiche & pie. It was all AMAZING! I guess I might have to start cooking a little - but thankfully it can all be made in advanced and frozen!

Healthy Lifestyle

I have some many ideas swimming around in my head that I don't even know where to start this blog post! (surprising, I know!)

Most of my last updates have been Real Estate news and advice, but this is going to be more about me!

I feel like I've said this sentence many many times: "As many of you know, I love social media!" Hey, it's true, so I might as well keep saying it! It's funny b/c I didn't join twitter OR facebook for those reasons. I joined Facebook a few years ago to "spy" on my friends son. (He knew this and was instructed to "Friend" me). I of course quickly switched from myspace to facebook and fell in love. As for twitter, I can't remember the exact situation, but it was a deal I made with Wes. If he helped me with something or other, I would join twitter (he of course had to set me up). I too have grown to love twitter. I manage three twitter accounts (personal, 1154 Lill KC and Re/Max State Line) and have "connected" with a ton of great people!

My "connects" on twitter & facebook is what today's blog is really about! I follow a bunch of fitness experts, professionals and lovers on twitter. Some I follow on twitter and facebook. I started following fitbottomedgirl on twitter a while back, then joined their facebook fan page. A few weeks ago there was a post on the Fit Bottomed Girl facebook page about a weight loss documentary/challenge in the Kansas City area. I had NO idea that one of the founders was located in Kansas City! I decided to email for more information. After a few emails, I decided I'd interview for this challenge.

I met yesterday with Jessica Edwards, owner of The Energy Zone 151 who has teamed up with Jennipher Walters of Fit Bottomed Girls for this challenge. We chatted for a while about health, fitness and my weight loss issues (that's another blog entirely!). Long story short, I was sold on her ideas and willing to try something new! They approach weight loss on a personal level and try to customize an individual approach for each client to lose weight and feel better. SOLD. She's hoping to help my tummy issues, allergies (SCORE) and shakes I sometimes get when I'm hungry. I of course am not doing Jessica or her program justice (check out her website: www.energyzone151.net), but hopefully you get the general idea.

The actual "challenge" doesn't start until September 30th (the day before I leave for MEXICO), but I met with her today and we discussed a few things including upping my protein intake. Her ultimate goal is to increase my metabolism so that I can burn fat more efficiently. I'm hoping to get a few friends on board with this challenge as well. It will also include grocery & restaurant outings and cooking lessons! It sounds like it should be a BLAST!!!

I'll keep you posted on the status. I'm attending a "happy hour" next week at Energy Zone 151 to sample some of their fabulous shakes. I had some of the energy tea today and I can say I didn't hit my normal 2pm wall!