Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie

I LOVE pumpkin and especially this time of year!  I'm always trying to find unique, clean-version recipes to utilize pumpkin at any time.  Lately I've been on a smoothie fix and I had to share this recipe as it's been a staple in my house the last few weeks.  Great for post recovery after that fierce workout, or perfect for the later evening snack.  I hope you love it as much as I do!  As always, modify for your tastes as I'm always tweaking things here and there.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup pumpkin (canned or freshly cooked)
1/2 banana
4-6 oz soy or almond milk (can substitute greek yogurt for a thicker consistency & more protein)
1 serving vanilla protein powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
pinch of ground ginger
handful of ice

DIRECTIONS

• Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Best in health-

New Year, New You! Join Us!

Finishing up that shopping for the holidays? It will soon be a new year and that means a new you! Many start the year off with good intentions for health and wellness, but many quickly veer off the path and go back to old habits that tend to betray the body. Dynamic Edge Fitness is about the whole person. Not only do we want you to have fit bodies, but more importantly we want you to understand, healthy bodies lead to healthy minds! That is our philosophy here. New winter session of bootcamps start January!

Recently one of our bootcamp participants shared an email with those she knows sharing what Dynamic Edge Bootcamp has been for her. Thanks for sharing Tristen.  We hope all out there join us too and share the same sentiment. Here is her message:

This is the greatest Christmas gift idea for yourself or someone you love. I've been doing this bootcamp for a month and a half now and I absolutely love it.

Misty is such a great trainer. She pushes me to do things I didn't think I could do. And I leave feeling strong and energized. If you or anyone you know is looking for something new - there really isn't a better gift than health and fitness. It inspires you to be better, strengthens your body and mind, and refreshes your spirit so you can move forward and do all the things that family and life needs you to do with hop in your step and a smile on your face. Or at least I think it does:)

Share the love.

Merry Christmas!

"Enroll your family and friends in your workouts, so you can spend time with those you love and get your dose of endorphins." -Thanks Lululemon! We totally agree.

Here's a glimpse of our fall workouts. FREE registration fee through December 31st; monthly membership receives FREE resistance tubes and our ultimate SWAG goodie bag. Give the gift that changes lives and improves sense of well being. Check out our classes here, purchase a gift, or register yourself.

Best in health-

A Swift Kick in the Butt

Sometimes a good kick in the butt and self reflection is truly motivating.  I think many of you can relate. My friend Angel has some big health and wellness goals for herself and is truly committed to making progress and reaching those goals.  Angel shared her latest blog entry on Spark People with me and allowed me to repost:

"I worked out with my trainer on Sunday and we spent the day on legs with a little core work thrown in. Holyfreakingcrap. Not only was it hard for me to do the exercises, it became extremely frustrating when my body wasn't executing the moves the way I saw them in my head. I did them all, to the best of my ability, and worked hard but by the end of the session I was so disappointed and mad at my body that I almost cried. I kept thinking that my body had betrayed me because it wasn't performing the way I was telling it to.

Later, when I was in the locker room shower, I was still thinking about how "betrayed" I felt when it hit me... My body hadn't betrayed me; I had betrayed my body. My body was only performing to the level that it had become accustomed to. I know that seems like a really simple thought, but it had a huge impact on me. I just stood there for a moment, absorbing the weight of this new thought and then moved past the disappointment and anger to a new level of understanding and motivation.

If anything, I was more inspired than ever to push myself and work past all the physical and mental limitations I had burdened myself with. I was more excited than ever to stick to my plan and work towards progress and a better version of myself.

Sunday was a good day and I will keep that feeling in mind the next time I get down on myself for whatever reason. Positive outcomes only! "

Have you allowed yourself to betray your body?  As time goes on with continued habits, you may ask, "how did I let it go on so long?"  Sometimes it feels like you are so far from where you want to be, that the challenge is too great or daunting.  Sometimes you just need a good kick in the butt!  I love when we have a community of people who have the courage to share their goals, share their challenges, and share their successes.  The more we put them out there for the public to see, the more support that tends to flock our way, and the more accountable we tend to be to ourselves.  Sure, some could probably give a rip, but just knowing that you have made those goals public, tends to keep us focused and on track.  Go get after them!

Maybe you don't feel you have the best support system surrounding you?  If that is the case, there are many tools you can seek out on your own.  Spark People is a great online community that provides diet & fitness plans, recipes, calorie counters, and a community to connect with others for support like Angel's blog.  If you feel this would be a good fit for you, I encourage you to check it out here.  You can also try signing up for a new group fitness class or group training.  Being surrounded by people who have health and wellness as a priority, will help keep you on track and can be a great network of supportive people.

To read more of Angel's blog, check it out here:

Best in health-

The Gift of Fitness

Wow it's here! The real start of the holiday shopping season. Are you looking for some healthy holiday gifts? Do you know a fitness enthusiast, an aspiring-to-get-active someone, or a special person who may have gotten off track but needs some great motivating tools? I've pulled out some great ones for the actively inspired. Here's to many healthy years ahead. Here's a video to show you some fun fitness finds!

1.NFL Training Camp for Wii Active- For the guy or gal that loves football and wants a fun way to stay motivated.

2.ipod Arm Strap- So we all love our tunes right??? A great accessory for the gym or on those runs. I somehow have many Apple products. Can you tell I'm a kind of a tech nerd? Love those gadgets.

3. Heart Rate Monitor- Great motivating piece of equipment to help with those workouts. I love training with one especially for interval workouts. Using my heart rate monitor I can plan and gauge my workouts accordingly. Pick a model that best fits your needs.

4. TRX Suspension Trainer- Now this is one piece of equipment you may have heard me talk about before, but I cannot emphasize how cool this one thing really is. No need for a full rack of free weights and other equipment. Nothing but bodyweight here and it is so versatile. Your gym in a bag! Best part right now is they are having holiday sales. The sooner you purchase, the better the discount.  Click here for your special link and make sure you post TRXMAS at checkout. Great gift!

5. Lululemon Running Sleeves- So cool! All the details to help you along that run. Check out www.lululemon.com or check your local store.

Happy shopping! Let me know if you need specifics on where to find all these great fitness gifts.

Best in health-

 

25 Day Challenge! Healthy Tips to Survive Holiday Season

25 day Challenge starts NOW!

Hey there! Are you up for a challenge to start, stay, or continue on track with healthy habits heading into holiday season? Would you like to lose 6lbs instead of the dreaded  gaining over the holiday season? Come join us for the 25 day challenge to help keep yourself committed and on track during this busy time of year. It shouldn't take a New Year's Resolution to have you focus on healthy habits.

Here's the deal. I'm looking for 50 fans to verbally commit to joining us in this challenge. Each day via Facebook and Twitter I will post a healthy habit for the day that will be your tip to commit to.

1. Please comment on our Facebook Fan page that you are joining the challenge! If you have a friend who could benefit from this, please suggest they LIKE our page or FOLLOW us via twitter. Click links here for Facebook or Twitter.

2. Weigh yourself tonight or tomorrow and/or take measurements (chest/bust, waist @belly button, hips, calf, bicep- use R side to measure on unilateral measurements). You can use a sewing tape to do this.

                                                        

3. Take a before picture from front, back, side. Use the self timer on your camera or utilize a child to help you if you would rather keep this personal :).

4. Have fun! We are trying to make ourselves a priority (no you are not being selfish, so don't feel guilty!) and healthy habits during the busy season.

Here's to healthy progress!
Best in health-