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Posts Tagged ‘Family+Fitness’

February 19, 2013

Get that Dough- The Truth about Bread!

Looking to get fit? Looking to live leaner and look better? Looking to get more energy? How many of you believe that you have to cut out bread in order to look better? Guess what.  Your health can still benefit from bread, even in today’s society of junk food, processed food, and fast food. Well, which really works for you when it comes to bread? There are three choices you are left to when trying to live a fitness lifestyle, which DOES require that you watch the types of foods you consume. Which of the following sounds best? These are your bread consumption alternatives:

  1.  Eat a full-fledged no-bread diet for the rest of your life
  2.  Eat “bad” bread and get unhealthy from it
  3.  Or finally, make better choices in bread so you can KEEP BREAD as a part of your food regimen, and still chow down on a sandwich now and then.

I elect choice number 3! I’m not really a big bread eater, to be honest, but the realities are that anyone likes a piece of toast or a sandwich from time to time, if not every day.  Most parents who send their kids to school use sandwiches as the staple part of their children’s lunches.  I make colorful salads with free-range/organic-fed chicken along with fruits and veggies for my children, but sometimes, they like to have a wild-caught tuna sandwich or a good old fashioned PB&J (with organic natural PB & J, of course).

Whether it’s a lean meat, tuna, or vegan sandwich, the type of bread will constitute the “healthy” in that “nutritious sandwich,” so there are a list of important factors to consider when selecting breads for your healthy living choices. There are basically four types of breads. Those four breads will impact all the considerable factors you want to know about if you want to keep bread in your daily diet.  The health factors to consider when you are eating anything really, especially bread, are:

  1.  glycemic index (how the carbohydrates in the food impact your blood sugar levels- especially important for diabetics)
  2.  fat content (especially consider the amount of saturated fats, as this can affect weight, heart condition, cholesterol)
  3.  toxic or artificial ingredients (look out for toxic additives, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and preservatives)
  4.  vitamin and nutrient content
  5. fiber content
  6. caloric content (important consideration for those trying to lose weight- but this is the LEAST of your concerns)

 

Here are the four breads you have to choose from at all times, and these notes will help you consider what is genuinely going to be best for you, considering the factors above:

Enriched Flour (Wheat or otherwise) Wheat Bread- A processed flour which is so processed that it has been horribly stripped of it’s most nourishing nutrients and vitamins, thus requiring an “enriching” process whereby nutrients and vitamins have been added back in.  This bread is generally very unhealthy, because you never know what chemicals were used in the processing of those grains.  Such processes include the use of bleach in an effort to strip, clean, and break down the grains into flour, not different than making white bread. High glycemic, toxic, chemically enhanced, and usually contains corn syrup to enhance taste and may contain hydrogenated oils.

Sprouted Grain Bread- Grains that are soaked in water until they have sprouted and can then maintain their vitamins, nutrient, and nutritional property (protein) value.  The sprouted grains are crushed and used to make bread.  Higher and more natural source of nutrition, fiber, and protein.  Sprouted grain breads are much lower on the glycemic index than all other breads, thus making this a very healthy bread for diabetics, weight-loss candidates, and those looking for a healthy alternative for their delightful sandwiches without the fat storage that results from eating most breads on a daily basis.

Whole Grain Bread- Also a decent alternative to enriched or white breads, whole grain breads are delicious, tend to be more natural, and can be appreciated for their lack of processing.  Although they are higher on the glycemic index, they tend to be more whole and natural, excluding junk ingredients like corn syrup and hydrogenated oils- the worst contents outside of the bleach used to break down processed grains. You can get these breads with high fiber and high protein content, if you are really on the lookout, and it is cheaper than sprouted grain bread, but not as cheap at the lame alternatives like enriched or white.

White Bread- Do I really need to go into why this is the WORST POSSIBLE BREAD TO CONSUME- EVER! It’s white because it’s bleached! Gross! The grains that comprise these breads are so processed and stripped and, again, bleached, that they are not even grains by the time they go into your body. They are loaded with corn syrups, sugars, hydrogenation, and  more garbage.  Just read the ingredients, and look up the processes for yourself.  They are simply a taste-bud stimulating chemical, void of any nutritional value whatsoever.

My favorite of all breads is the famous Ezekiel Bread.  I love this stuff! Low GI (Glycemic Index), high in protein, high in nutrition, dense and grainy texture, with easy to digest and assimilate proteins, vitamins, nutrients, and naturally occurring amino acids. Another new one I’ve found is Dave’s Killer Bread. USDA Organic Dave’s Bread is delicious, my kids absolutely love it, and we can count on integrity and protein and low glycemic index.  These three things are especially important for my household because my son has no pancreas, and is consequently diabetic.  Protein and GI are important for diabetics. I myself, like to stay looking and feeling fit, and staying lean and energetic, so these breads in limited amounts (maybe once or twice a week) work best for me also.  Finally, I also am itching to try this new Paleo Bread.  This stuff is all natural, low glycemic, high protein, and they even have a low-carb version!

So, keep your bread. Eat toast! Eat sandwiches! Enjoy your grains in a healthy way.  Let me know your results here at nitasworld.

Be well, Be You, BE PHENOMENAL!

-Nita Lee Marquez

Nita Lee Marquez, Author, Fitness Empowerment Motivational Speaker, TV Fitness Personality, Actress, Fitness Model, Fitness Athlete
Nita Marquez-               America’s Hottest Fit Mom              Fitness Expert & Author

 

 

 


February 7, 2013

The Foods We Eat- Fit Mom Knows Best!

I have been in the fitness industry since 1998, and in that time, I have taken baby steps at some points, and leaped strides in others.  Knowing that I grew up with weight struggles and many addictive behaviors, many people have asked me what has been most difficult for me to change in living more fit over the years. To that, I always say that the food has been the biggest challenge to overcome, but overcome it, I have! If I can change from a processed and fast food lifestyle to living fit with my three beautiful children, I know anyone is capable of it.

There are steps, not always big steps, that can create big change.  Here are some great tips for a quick change in both your physical appearance as well as your energy levels:

1) Drink at least a gallon of water daily

You don’t have to drink it all at once! Just carry around a liter bottle and drink & refill it 4 times, and that will be an easier way to manage your intake.

Start with 1-2 liters daily, and gradually increase from there. Trust me, you will crave more, the more you drink, if you drink water in these amounts consistently.

The more water you drink, the more you will pee, most definitely, but you will flush out toxic build-up, thereby increasing your energy levels!

Nita Marquez educates on hydration

Water- It does a body good!

 

2) Pull the high-sodium foods

Traditionally known amongst fitness experts and nutritionists, we say that one “cheat” day per week makes sense.  You won’t cause much damage that one day, and eventually, you may not even want as much “junk” on your cheat day as you have starting out.

High sodium foods include:

    • canned foods (unless noted as “no salt added” – even the “low-sodium” soups and canned foods still have a lot of sodium if you’re someone who is trying to manage their weight or blood pressure).
    • processed foods, like frozen tv dinners, burritos, pizzas, even Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig and Nutri-System have TONS of sodium in their meal packets and frozen meals.
    • packaged foods, like anything out of a bag or a box, tends to have a higher than desired sodium content.
    • jarred foods, like pickles, salsas or anything else that is out of the jar, ready-to-eat
    • condiments & sauces, like ketchup, bbq sauces, dressings, even mayonnaise has a lot of sodium most of the time!
    • dairy, like milk, yogurt, some ice creams, butter, fake butter

I’m certainly not saying that you should completely cut these foods out of your diet, but if you are trying to manage weight or blood pressure, most often some of the excess weight can be dropped by pulling sodium and drinking more water.  This is due to the fact that the first 8-20 pounds of weightloss on everyone tends to be water weight, and if you can just cut back on these foods that cause the water-retention, while drinking more water, you can usually lose that water weight quickly.  The less junk you eat with sodium, the less water you’ll hold, and the less water you hold, the less lethargic you will feel.

These foods are simply something that you can, in baby steps, begin to cut back on and eventually eliminate, and the water is simply a rule of thumb that you can work up to, from the suggested 1-2 liters daily.  The health tips can remedy blood pressure issues, weight management challenges, energy levels, skincare issues, and bloated stomachs.  Try it, and feel free to post to this blog or email me at nitasworld.com.

That’s my tip for today! Remember to Be Well, Be You, BE PHENOMENAL! You are Worth the Work!

-Nita Lee Marquez

Nita Lee Marquez Fit Mom Knows Best


February 6, 2013

Fit Moms Know Best! Keeping Your Family Fit with Fish!

I love fish!! I am a Pescatarian, so I eat fish for my primary protein source. This is an important post about fish: According the the EPA, these are the fish with the lowest Mercury content… Women who breastfeed, pregnant women and children under age 6 should not eat these fish more than twice weekly, and should avoid all other fish that are considered moderate-high in mercury content…
Clam
Crab
Crawfish
Flounder
Haddock
Herring
Mackerel
Mullet
Oyster
Perch
Pollock
Salmon
Sardine
Scallop
Shrimp
Sole
Squid
Tilapia
Trout
Whitefish
At the same time, while some of these fish have low mercury content, and thus are not cause for mercury concern for the average woman or man or child over age 6, there are other things people need to consider when eating fish.  If the fish is not wild-caught (and it’s packaging will note “WILD CAUGHT”), it is “farm-raised” in a very toxic environment, enclosed in very tight-quartered pens (in lakes or ponds)- an environment which is so unhealthy, contained, and tainted that the fish tend to have more disease, fat, and dye than wild fish.  What’s even more interesting (actually, it’s disgusting) is that these fish are fed a corn-substance because it’s the cheapest way to get them fat for the purposes of making more money on them.  The corn is often loaded with chemicals and antibiotics, which can disrupt or even damage our internal functions.  Gross!
When thinking about what to eat, make sure that you consider fish, because it is a tremendously beneficial food.  Fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help break down lipids (fats) in our bodies, and it’s protein content is superior to poultry or redmeat (in that it assimilates more readily).  Fish is also known for having amazing anti-aging property in its oils.
Honestly, I, Nita Marquez (www.nitasworld.com), am a huge fish-lover, and at almost 40 years of age, with 3 children, I feel LOTS more energetic than I did at 22!  I believe that my pescatarian eating style has had everything to do with keeping my skin soft, smooth, tight, wrinkle-free, and most of all- GLOWING.  With a lean raw-food, fish-based daily food regimen that includes beans, all the right spices, and lots of salsa, I believe that fish has truly kept me young!  Try it for yourself and feel free to let me know by either posting to the blog, or email me at the website! BE PHENOMENAL! You are Worth the Work!
Nita Lee Marquez, America’s Hottest Fit Mom
Author/Fitness Expert/Motivational Speaker
Nita Marquez

July 9, 2012

Cellulite- The Real Solutions

Believe it or not, cellulite is not a result of just being fat or flabby.  Cellulite is a major stress to most women, because we are the only ones who really get cellulite.  The dimply, loose, cottage cheese appearance of those areas of cellulite are not even caused just by age.

The reality is that cellulite is a result of the bands of connective tissue in a woman’s body running in a different direction than our skin.  By nature that skin can stretch, disconnect and collect fat more readily than a man’s body.  Some people think it’s a matter of the nature of things, and that maybe God himself made us to collect fat more easily for the purposes of carrying life within us.  Whereas, a man’s connective tissue runs more along with the skin, allowing for better binding from the skin to the connective tissue, which in nature would directly affect their bodies support to muscularity, rather than fat storage.  Some would say that it’s because by nature men were intended to be hunter gatherers.  Who knows?? The bottom line is they don’t get cellulite.

In the fact that men are generally more muscular, and traditionally are hunter gatherers, I wonder if there may be some truth to the lifetime(s) of conditioning that you see in people whose bodies don’t typically carry cellulite.  What I’ve noticed over the years for myself, as opposed to the women in my family, is that because I cross train (weight training combined with running, hiking, plyometrics, and dance/gymnastics) and eat a high protein diet, I have conditioned my body for a more muscular toned look.  Whereas the women in my family are all very beautiful and soft-skinned, and they all retained their youth quite well through the aging process, they still struggle tremendously with cellulite.  Since I’m genetically pre-disposed to cellulite (yes, the cellulite is going to happen, but how bad it can get is often contingent to our genetics), I still fight it, but the fact is because I weight train, I am constantly working the muscles for conditioning, so I appear to have very little cellulite in comparison to my genetic precedents.

cellulite is a result of connective tissue direction under the skin, but can be reduced with cross training and eating high protein

a cellulite butt without weight training/ cross training

Cellulite is a result of the direction of connective tissue in a woman’s body. You cannot change the direction of your connective tissue, as it will always run opposite the skin.  Nothing will ever change that we can get cellulite.  Also, you cannot alter the genetic ancestry you possess within your family’s lines. If the women have tons of cellulite, you are inheriting that genetic code.  However, there are things you can do to condition the genetic code you have toward cellulite, and I know because I have done it myself.

If you weight train, you increase connective tissue activity so that it does not worsen, but can get better with age through constant conditioning.  In this case, it’s a lifestyle to workout daily, not an option.  That’s the reality.  In addition to weight training, you have to do other things to exercise so that you are stimulating collagen production (which also aids in skin health and the ability to visibly reduce cellulite).  If you get your body used to doing the exact same things with the muscles all the time, then the lack of versatility causes complacency within our muscles and connective tissue. Thus you must always be changing activities, mixing and matching, along with your weight training (which should be your core focus if you want to reduce cellulite).

Cardio and interval training help your body in the fat burning and high-calorie burning department, and they enhance weight training on whatever level you do any of this.  Thus, what I have learned for myself is that running, sprinting, dancing, plyometrics (jumping and explosive and agility training), hiking, step mill, stairmaster, elliptical, and hanging out walking at events with my kiddos, have all been really effective.  Effectively, all of the aforementioned activities coinciding with weight training have helped me to condition my genetic code in such a way that I don’t struggle as much with cellulite as the women in my family, and I’ve struggled even less with the war on cellulite as I have gotten older (I’m now 39).

On top of the collagen and the connective tissue activity stimulation, some other ways that women can avoid cellulite with cross training is through the ongoing stimulation of better circulation. The better the bloodflow, the better your skin and muscles.  Also, working the explosive fast-twitch fibers of the muscles creates a more conditioned appearance and can also support your efforts to reduce cellulite’s gross appearance.  In addition, with good diet, you can decrease the amount of subcutaneous water retention. When you retain water from poor diet (too many processed foods or too much sodium or dehydration) or you’re too inactive, your body will retain water and fill those open cellulite pockets between the connective tissue and the muscle.

Nita Marquez says to stay hydrated for fat-loss benefits

hydration helps metabolize fat and shed cellulite

lose butt fat cross training

a butt with weight training and interval training

The exercise cross-training is key, but also diet has a very hearty role in the reduction of cellulite.  Higher protein diets rich in leafy greens and raw foods tend to stimulate all the same things mentioned above: circulation, collagen, less water retention, better digestion (so as not to retain excessive toxins), overall glow of the skin and muscular nourishment.  It’s as important to eat healthy as it is to exercise when it comes to reducing cellulite.  As well, it’s as important to drink lots of water as it is to eat healthy and cross-train.  Too little water causes dehydration, and dehydration causes water retention, which causes more dimples in cellulite.

Weight training combined with cardio, interval training (you can find articles on interval training right here at nitasworld.com!), plyometrics, running, sprinting, elliptical, step mill, stair masters, dancing, and whatever other effective high-fat-burning exercises are the foundation for cellulite reduction.  Couple this activity regimen with high protein and leafy greens and lots of water (a gallon a day is rule of thumb) and you will reduce cellulite!

Remember you can’t get rid of cellulite, but you can condition your body to have less of it with this lifestyle.  That’s why you rarely see cellulite on competitive physique athletes.  Those who live the lifestyle look sculpted and toned year round.

I believe that my lifestyle has altered this for me and I continue to smoothen the areas of my skin that seem to be camping areas for cellulite.  Though I will continue to be at war with cellulite because of my body’s inherent predisposition to cellulite by virtue of the natural direction of my connective tissue, I see that my active lifestyle continues to change and improve the appearance of my body, and I love living fit because of it! Additionally, I feel better, happier with my appearance, and more confident and energized.

Now one last thing I tell everyone, BE HAPPY. Joy can help reduce the amount of cortisol (the body’s toxic product of stress) we manufacture. Cortisol manages to make us hold toxins, stifle digestion, retain excess water, and overall, it leads us into an easier cellular breakdown (which causes aging AND cellulite- yuk!).  So the final key to cellulite reduction, and quite possibly more important than cellulite reduction- SMILE!  Be Well, Be You, BE PHENOMENAL! You are Worth the Work!

-Nita Lee Marquez

Nita Marquez talks about fat loss with weight training and hydration

Nita Marquez America's Hottest Fit Mom™ TV Personality/Trainer/Author/Speaker

 

 


April 23, 2012

Meet Empowering Fit Mom & Photographer for hire, Michele Neal Celentano

Michele Neal Celentano is one of my people! By that, I mean that she is an energetic Fit Mom who’s under 5 feet! She is petite, generous, warm, and incredibly passionate in all that she does.  Family is her priority and she absolutely drives to be the best model for her children, both in fitness and spirit.  Her work repertoire includes her photography and seminar businesses, and she is absolutely dynamite with the way she manages her career, while keeping her family and fitness at the forefront of her days.  We all know what a challenge that juggling act can be, yet, Michele does it with grace and smiles pretty much all the time. I have to say that her generous spirit is one in a million, as you don’t often meet people with this disposition who are so genuine.  I am really grateful to have gotten to share her story, her fitness habits, and her wonderful energy with all the Fit Moms who keep up with the Empowering Fit Moms blog.
 
Fit Mom Michelle Neal Celentano www.AmericasHottestFitMoms.comAmericasHottestFitMoms.com is where I originally met Michele, and that’s where all us Fit Moms and aspiring Fit Moms come together to exchange ideas, fitness routines, fitness recipes, and of course, Mom support (because Moms need it!).  As a Fit Mom & a friend, Michele has been an absolute joy to have in the group. She has been an incredible inspiration and brings to us the constant uplifting of her good spirits. Michele exudes radiance, strength and fun in all her interactions with the group, and we are very happy to have her there. I’ve been so impressed with her spirit that I just had to feature her here. So, get to know her yourself, and meet her at the group to learn more (www.AmericasHottestFitMoms.com). Everyone, meet Michele…
What is your former weight?
Depending on the time in my life my weight has fluctuated.  I gained 70 pounds while pregnant with my daughter 12 years ago.  When I married my husband 3 years ago I weighed 150 pounds.  (I’m 4′ 11″ so 150 is not good at all)
Bodyfat?
I’m sure my body fat was >30%
Your current weight?
My current weight is 115
Bodyfat?
At last check before the March show I weighed 109lbs and my body fat was 14%
What inspired your track from fat to fit?  What made you want to be a Fit Mom?
After injuring my calf 2 weeks before I was running a marathon.  My trainer’s wife and client mentioned competing in show.  My first reaction to her was “you are crazy, that is not for me”.  The idea was in my head and after thinking about it some more I finally thought – “why not?”  Could I do it? Would I  have the discipline?  Watching the transformation was quite addicting.  I really began to see what could happen to the body if we gave it the best nutrition and pushed the limits in the gym.   I also realized that I could manage depression with nutrition and exercise. Once I started training I felt amazing physically and mentally.
Please tell us a story that you recall being really down on yourself for when you were fat?
I have suffered from clinical depression since I was a child.  There have been times when the depression has lead to emotional eating and then weight gain.  Having guilt after an emotional eating binge is overwhelming.  At some points I was wondering where my control was.  That is a pretty low point.
Please tell us a story that you recall being really proud of yourself for when you started getting fit?
Seeing the changes in my mind and body is truly a rush.   To some degree feeling good goes beyond looking good.  The great arms and abs became a bonus to how I felt.  I have to say standing on stage is a proud moment knowing all the work I put into being up there. 
What makes you wake up with the intention of being a Fit Mom more each day?
My health, my sanity- Wanting to be an example of what truly healthy is to my daughter and everyone around me. 
What do your children think about your progress as a Fit Mom, and how has your weightloss affected them?
I think I can say that training makes me a better mom and wife.  It starts with how you feel about yourself.  When you feel strong and healthy you are better able to take care of those around you.  When you are fit and healthy you have more energy for your kids.  My 11 year old daughter thinks it’s cool.  She sees it as a competitive sport.  You have to understand that this 11 year old girl plays tackle football and is the only girl on the team.  
What are your favorite Fit Mom exercises to do in the gym? outdoors? with your children/grandchildren (adults or kids)?
I have to say my favorite workouts are… back, shoulders and arms.  I love working shoulders…. With my daughter I will run and she rides her bike.  It is also fun to throw the football around with her. 
What’s your Fit Mom protein/carb/fat ratio per meal on average?
I have to say I don’t really keep track of my ratios as much as I do my calorie intake.  I make sure to get protein in with every meal.  I stay away from any processed breads, rice, protein bars…. I really try to keep my diet as unprocessed as possible.  My new addiction is my juicer.  I love fresh veggie juices blended with a scoop of vanilla protein. 
What’s your favorite Fit Mom snack?
Protein PB balls, fruit.  I also make a protein all natural peanut and almond butter bar. My husband is not a great eater and I’m always finding him eating my clean snacks.
Who has inspired you most in your journey?
My trainers wife Laura Rogers (she is also a trainer and owner of SWEAT gym)  Tosca Rena – I think I have all of her books.  
How do you hope to inspire others through your journey- what’s your Fit Mom Mission?
I have been a professional photographer for nearly 25 years.  Fitness and nutrition have become my new passion.  I am already a certified TRX instructor and I am working on my ACE certification for personal training.  After that I am planning on getting the next certification through ACE for certified weight management and lifestyle coach.  The obesity problem needs attention.  As whole this generation and the next are killing themselves with food and lack of exercise.  I firmly believe we can change the face of health care in this country if we only understood that health care starts in the kitchen and we are all responsible for our own health.  We can’t continue to abuse our bodies and then expect the government and the health care system to fix it.  It the people with the most self inflicted health issues that complain about the cost of health care.  That’s a problem!  (Oops – sorry, I got on my passionate soap box.)
I have been a public speaker in the photography industry for more than 12 years.  I teach photography internationally and I am a spokesperson for Canon USA.  I would love to take the public speaking experience I have and use it in the fitness industry to teach and inspire people on the benefits of health and fitness.
Additionally, please include any testimony facts that you feel will inspire our readers, from start to finish on your path to fitness. 
Your health and your body are in your hands.  Take the time to take care of yourself, make the time, make the effort…. Grow old gracefully, healthy, fit and strong.   

April 19, 2012

Lentil Bean Tacos

Lentils are great because they have no sodium, high protein, no fat, and moderate carbs (low-glycemic) with high fiber content.  I like them because being a pescatarian [someone who eats only fish for protein- although I enjoy my egg whites and whey shakes, too] :) They are definitely a great protein source for vegans, and really, lentils are great for anyone who is trying to be healthier and stronger. I recommend them as part of a high protein diet, as well as part of a diet that requires more fiber.

“Simple, fast and healthy meals are my only alternative.”

The best part about them is that they require little to no work for preparation. “3-minutes or less in prep time” is my rule, because as a single mother to three children who are all busy with their own careers and school and training, I simply don’t have time for anything more than this, whether I’m cooking for them or for myself.  Simple, fast and healthy meals are my only alternative.

As far as the taste of lentils, they can vary based on the spices used, of course.  My personal preference is the Indian combined with Mexican spices.  I am posting that style of lentils in this recipe today.  They taste so good, even my children like them! And the texture is so smooth, that you can even mash them into a paste and spread them like hummus. They are absolutely delicious! See me son here to get his feedback on them! In the meantime, feel free to post comments and join my facebook page or join our group at AmericasHottestFitMoms.com  to interact with the rest of the Fit Moms in the group and maybe talk about lentils and other fitness recipes and the fitness lifestyle. In the mean time, enjoy the lentils and BE PHENOMENAL!

Makes 2 servings:

1 cup lentils

1.5 cups water

2 tbsp olive oil

in desired amounts:

onion powder

garlic powder

curry powder

cumin powder

red pepper (cayenne, or dried red chili peppers- whichever you prefer)

himalayan salt (mild amounts for those who are sodium-sensitive)

and finally,

4 corn tortillas (i prefer yellow due to the rich flavor and also higher nutrient content)

Directions:

1. pour all ingredients, minus the corn tortillas, into a soup pan.

2. boil at medium heat (i usually boil it all for about 30 minutes).

3. turn off heat, stir, and cool until water is nearly dissolved.

4. as you wish, you may also add a little fresh squeezed lemon juice

5. spread onto your corn tortillas and munch away!


April 12, 2012

Meet Fit Mom & Fit Grandmother Jennifer Christenson

Wow, folks! I have heard about extraordinary fit moms, but I am so proud to introduce to you a former Arizona Fit Grandmother who is now in California. Jennifer Christenson is one of the most positive and positively persistent people I have ever met! Please take the time to get to know her, as I was introduced to her by a mutual Arizona friend, and I am happy for you to learn about how positive she is about being negative several dress sizes! Read on to learn about her beautiful body and how her beautiful spirit powers through what is required  to keep that body!
How many children/grandchildren do you have? ages?  
Twins
1. Iliana 26 yrs old     2. David 26 yrs old     3. Daniel 21 yrs old     4. Erika 19 yrs old     5. Jasmine 14 yrs old
and then there are the Grandchildren:
1. Deziraee 5 yrs old     2. Nathan 3yrs old     3. Hailee 2yrs old     4. Joshlyn 2yrs old     5. Sylus 8 months      6. Drew arrives in April
Give us your top 5 pointers for being one of America’s Hottest Fit Moms… 
1. Pray … I always put God 1st!!     2. Eat clean     3. Hydrate     4. workout     5. Sleep
America's Hottest Fit Moms               Prayer is my #1 key to everything in life!!! americashottestfitmoms.comnitasworld.com americashottestfitmoms.com
A healthy mom is a happy mom
 What is your former weight? Bodyfat? November 2010… 186lbs,25%
Your current weight? Current bodyfat? March 2012… 148lbs,18%

What inspired your track from fat to fit?  What made you want to be a Fit Mom?

I inspired myself! Seeing my mom , who was an alcoholic, pass away at a young age from living an unhealthy life style I realized I have so much to see in my life watching my children and grand children grow into adults I didn’t want to cut my experience short due to unhealthy choices…I felt that my children deserve a mother who would live a long time and would be able to educate them on nutrition and the importance of physical activity, are bodies are a gift from God and I believe that to truly give God the appreciation that he deserves for this grand gift we must keep are bodies in the best condition they can be. I now try and live by that and instill it in my children.
Please tell us a story that you recall being really down on yourself for when you were fat?
First of all I knew I was gaining weight , because of my hypothyroidism and my doctor was trying to get my thyroid regulated, I started praying and asking God to help me with my ill power , I knew that i was out of control with my diet and I had no energy, well be careful what you pray for God always used the most important people in your life to help impact your life, I had also been hounding my husband about intimacy for a while, we were not intimate, and we had only been married 2 yrs, I started working out and trying to eat right but I continued to hound my husband to be intimate with me.
     In October of 2010 My husband David, after me hounding him again , decided to write me a letter, he told me how he was so happy to be with me and how God gave him the best person and how I was everything he ever wanted, but that I was getting to heavy and that he wasn’t attracted to me anymore. I was devastated.
     I had run into one of my Pastor’s Jeff Shellenberg, I told him how I was thinking about maybe 1 day doing a bodybuilding competition , He told me he knew of  the perfect trainer and that when I was ready to let him know so he can give me his number … Well I didn’t see Jeff again for a while but I had him on my facebook and i messaged him and he gave me Tim Sparkes phone number. I called Tim and started working out with him March of 2011. I learned alot from Tim He is a phenomenal trainer. It soon became way to expensive to pay Tim any longer.. I again started to Pray cause I didn’t want to give up I had been losing weight and feeling energized and looking good.. I called Tim and told him I couldn’t afford to pay anymore He was so amazing he told me to come in so we can work something out.. Tim NEVER gave up on me and to this day I am truely grateful for all he did for me , he is super special to me . Tim continued to train me for my 1st competition in November 2011 and I won 3rd place in Woman’s open bodybuilding and 4th place in woman’s middleweight bodybuilding… sadly Tim couldn’t be at my competition to see me win my trophy’s cause he was competing in his own competition in another state, but we kept in touch by text message the whole time..
     I lost a total of about 62lbs  When I started working out I weighed in at 186lbs 25% BF and when I walked on stage I weighed 124lbs 8% BF… I have since moved to San Diego , but I keep in touch with Tim .. I’m currently training for a competition June 9Th 2012 in San Diego, Tim is still doing all my nutrition , To this day he still helps me out and whenever I go back to phoenix I will call and train with him .. I owe alot to God for him helping me spiritually through this time, but I also owe alot to my husband for giving me that kick that I needed , I could have made it bad when I received that letter from him but I knew God put Dave in my life and that God can get us through anything.. I thank Tim for his help in making me the person of fitness that I am today . Last but Not least I give thanks to Jeff Shellenberg for telling me about Tim and encouraging me to call him.. I would have never known about Tim without Jeff telling me… This is what made me a Fit mom today I will never go back to what I was, being fit and teaching my kids about healthy nutrition is super important..  
Please tell us a story that you recall being really proud of yourself for when you started getting fit?
When my pants were fitting me loose and when I was actually able to see myself in pictures and I had a glow about me … then when I walked on stage at the bb competition I was actually teary eyed and just thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes…  
What makes you wake up with the intention of being a Fit Mom more each day?
The way my husband cuddles with me now … The look in my daughters eyes when they see me looking good , how when I walk out of the room and they now tell me “mom you are not gonna wear that skirt its to short for you” lol tables turn when you look super fit and sexy…
What do your children think about your progress as a Fit Mom, and how has your weightloss affected them? 
 Erika 19years old says: “Honestly, I could never be more proud of my mom. She’s the most amazing and most dedicated woman I’ve ever known. I’m happy to call her my HOT mama.”
Jasmine 14 years old says: “I think my moms progress was a great thing that happened in her life. her weight loss affected me because it made her a happier person, which made me happier and very proud.”
What are your favorite Fit Mom exercises to do in the gym? outdoors? with your children/grandchildren (adults or kids)? 
Erika: ”Me and my mom always do cardio together, whether its hiking, running on the treadmill, or just walking along the beach.”
Jasmine: “My favorite is hiking the mountain and feeding the squirrels at the end.. another favorite is walking on the beach and playing Frisbee on the beach.. those excercises are very fun!”
My favorite exercise is Leg day. I know that sounds crazy because nobody really likes doing legs but I luv to workout legs.. and cardio!
What’s your Fit Mom protein/carb/fat ratio per meal on average? 1:1 with low fat
What’s your favorite Fit Mom snack?
anything with peanut butter … lol …1/2 cup greek yogurt w/ blueberries and truvia
Who has inspired you most in your journey? 
I’d have to say my husband .. well he was more my support… A person I looked at that I really want to meet who’s body inspired me would have to bee Dana linn Bailey.
How do you hope to inspire others through your journey- what’s your Fit Mom Mission? 
I pray that whoever reads my story is inspired by it! Just because your husband tells you that you are not attractive to him doesn’t mean you let yourself go more… I live by the word of God as much as I can … I’m not perfect by far … [I love what] The word says in 1 Corinthians 6:18: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?”
My mission is to inspire and help other moms meet there goals .. whatever they may be… Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. I also volunteer at The Rock Church San Diego in the personal training ministry helping with moms and individuals meet their goals…
Additionally, please include any testimony facts that you feel will inspire our readers, from start to finish on your path to fitness. 
One phrase I learned to live by that inspired me is to NEVER EVER GIVE UP… no matter what anyone says .. You can do anything you put the effort to set out to do … Another thing remember you’re not eating for satisfaction your eating to fuel your engine… You can do this!!! Pray and be blessed!
To learn more about Jennifer or to contact her go to AmericasHottestFitMoms.com

March 15, 2012

Meet Fit Mom: Irma Hereford

I have many phenomenal women (and a few fathers) in our group AmericasHottestFitMoms.com these days! We feel blessed to have each other, and daily there are posts with questions, supportive responses, and lots of positive feedback and cheering from each of the members.  It’s truly a pleasure to go on there every day and learn something new about my fitness capabilities, as well as feeling the constant surge of beautiful energy to strengthen me daily while I tackle motherhood and fitness and supporting my family.
Once I started the Fit Mom group, America’s Hottest Fit Moms, I thought it would attract some great fellowship and habit-building for me, for my friends, and for the novice fitness enthusiast fit moms who are still wondering about the best steps for their fitness endeavors.  I had no idea that such astonishing women would come join, some famous, and some so humble that their only joy is found in the uplifting of others.  All of these moms are truly inspiring in some unique sense all their own.
I would never say that I have favorites, but I definitely have those who I’ve become most familiar with because they have such radiance and that light of theirs just, well, makes them stand out among the crowds.  These particular Fit Moms don’t try, they don’t  ask for anything in return, and they don’t even really self-promote.  They just stand for something.  They are beautiful… One such Fit Mom is Irma Hereford. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Irma and her family through her posts in the group.  Please take the time to get to know her and cheer her on, as she has mastered the art of unconditionally loving others and empowering others simply in her example through the way she lives and cheers on others.  We adore you, Fit Mom, Irma Hereford. You are PHENOMENAL, Irma Gonzalez Hereford Super Fit Mom! Thank you for sharing your presence with us.  
Give us your top 5 pointers for being one of America’s Hottest Fit Moms…
1.  must have a positive attitude.
2.  smile!
3.  its do or do not…no middle ground.
4.  do what makes YOU happy and gives YOU peace of mind.
5.  BREATHE!  :)
How many children/grandchildren do you have? ages? I have 3 children…8 yr old twins, Mikayla & Nathaniel, and my 3 yr old Kingston.
America's Hottest Fit Moms

Irma and her Babies!

What is your former weight?  240 lbs.
America's Hottest Fit Moms Fitness for you and your Family!

Irma at over 200 pounds

Bodyfat?  over 40% (cant recall exact %).
Your current weight?  170 lbs.
Fit Moms Fitness

Fit Mom Irma "Hottie" Hereford in February 2012

Bodyfat?  18%
What inspired your track from fat to fit?  Being fit and working out has always been part of me…ever since high school when i got involved in dance and cheer.  The hardwork of practicing, challenging your body to perform new, harder moves and the euphoric feeling after competing…it all stuck with me.
What made you want to be a Fit Mom?  After i saw a few young mothers, younger than myself @ the park…they would get out of breath and break out in a sweat after being up on their feet, chasing their kid(s) around.  It wasn’t a pretty sight to see or hear…and i refer to that ‘health-wise’.  These mothers were on their way to being ticking time bombs if they didn’t do something to get healthy.  I was moved to do something about losing my ‘baby weight’ after i had my twins…and i did.  :)
Americas Hottest Fit Moms

Irma and her Twins

Please tell us a story that you recall being really down on yourself for when you were fat?  About 6 months after having Kingston, i remember not being able going upstairs without being out of breath and not having my legs hurt or feeling super heavy.  One day it just hit me hard…it was 6 months since i had my son, i had dropped most of the wt i gained while pregnant but i couldnt lose the last 20 lbs plus the wt i gained from fertility treatments.  I became discouraged…and disgusted with myself.  I had no excuse for this…i had to take accountability.  It took a good 2 weeks after that one hit for me to focus mentally, get it together and execute my plan of action. 
Please tell us a story that you recall being really proud of yourself for when you started getting fit?  When i finally dropped those ‘pesky’ 20 lbs from my pregnancy…it took almost 6 months to get it off of me.  Boy, was i PROUD AND ON CLOUD 9!! 
What makes you wake up with the intention of being a Fit Mom more each day?  The changes i see in myself, physcial ones as well as mental and emotional ones…each day i notice something different and/or new that is just FABULOUS!!  This keeps me going forward and forces me to push harder. 
What do your children think about your progress as a Fit Mom, and how has your weightloss affected them?  My kids know that mommy has to go to the gym and is on a special diet.  They are very aware and involved of my goals because i show them pictures of women in figure…plus they witness what i do.  I love it when they get to see me, especially my little girl…i love showing her that women, especially mommy’s can be strong, fit, healthy and gorgeous! 
They know about hardwork…they see what i put in, time-wise and strength-wise…i use this all the time with them and their everyday struggles, such as with homework or their after school activities/sports.  I remind them that hardwork is not easy, it takes practice and patience and that something AWESOME will come of all this hardwork.  They understand this concept well, they just need to reminded of it sometimes, especially when they get discouraged. 
My weight loss has affected them in a positive manner…because now mommy can run and bike with them…or just jump around or dance and i don’t get tired.  I can keep up with them…no problem!  ;)   I can play and be just as active with them and not be tired or out of breath like i was once upon a time ago. 
What are your favorite Fit Mom exercises to do in the gym? outdoors? with your children/grandchildren (adults or kids)?  I don’t do much of Fit Mom exercises with my kids @ the gym…they go to the kids room.  Outdoors, we go jogging and do sprints/lunges/jumping squats/push-ups and repeat.  My Kingston gets a kick out of springs/lunges/jumping squats…cracks me up because he keeps going and going…my little man pushes me!  :)   Now that im training for my Tri, my kids ride their bikes while i run. 
What’s your favorite Fit Mom snack?  Plain greek yogurt with Jello sugar free cheesecake & lemon pudding mixed in it…and with a pack of 100 calories almonds mixed in it also.  YUM!!
Who has inspired you most in your journey?  My parents…my mom is a fighter.  She gets up stronger after each time she is hit with anything in life.  She amazes me with her strength…nothing and no one is able to stop my mom…she is a ‘storm’ herself!  My dad, he is a strong man for passion…he is a cyclist.  He has been riding for over 60 yrs!  That is my dad’s 1st love…he ALWAYS made time to train, no matter what…he put his love and passion for his cycling above all else.  Its what makes my dad happy and brings him peace.
How do you hope to inspire others through your journey- what’s your Fit Mom Mission?  Just because you are a mom does not mean you can forget or neglect yourself.  Moms are nurturing, caring, loving and protective of their children, their family…and they should be just like that with themselves.  Moms must learn to get their ‘HAPPY’ on and get inner peace…i think that without these 2 driving forces, moms have a difficult time being truely happy.  Lets face it, if moms can’t make themselves happy, who will make them happy??  It all starts within yourself.
Additionally, please include any testimony facts that you feel will inspire our readers, from start to finish on your path to fitness.
This is what ive learned and experienced…pain, you will feel lots of it, but its ok, physical pain is temporary.  Hardwork is trying and results take time to see…but all that time and effort you put in SHALL SHINE THROUGH when you least expect it.  The changes you want to see, well you won’t see them overnight but you will…just need to remember that these changes are probably already there, YOU just can’t see them because we tend to be our worst critics.  Keep breathing and smiling…it helps!  ;)

February 15, 2012

Nita’s Favorite Fit Mom QUICKIE Fitness Recipes

There are a lot of fitness recipes available online, but the problem I have with most of them is that they take too long!  Fit Moms don’t have the time to spend an hour in the kitchen preparing meals.  I certainly have never been one who could cook, who enjoyed cooking, much less was I someone who could make the time to prepare anything extravagant or luxurious in the kitchen.  I personally have always been the type of mom who, fit mom or not, I have been on the go! Like a lot of fit moms, I get out of bed super early every morning because that’s my only real personal time, when I can read, eat alone, work out, or just meditate.

EVEN IF YOU’VE BEEN UP SINCE  4a.m., WHEN THE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL, YOU ARE JUST BEGINNING!

A lot of fit moms do this, and it’s been proven time and again for every mom, these quiet peaceful mornings give us a chance to rev up the engine for the day’s events.  Once any mom finishes the morning mommie routine though, it’s on!  The children get up and start getting ready for school, Fit Mom makes breakfast, packs lunches, preps for the work day, and takes the children to school! After the kids get to school, people think a mom may be able to rest.  Nope.  Every mother knows that when mom time goes down, work time goes up.  It’s all about packing in as much work and daily tasks and responsibilities as possible in the 6-8 hours that the kids are gone.  That means, work, mail, filling out papers and making appointments for family affairs (medical, dental, school, recreational activities, etc), attending appointments, working at the office, keeping meetings, work events, and then being done with everything in time to go pick up the children from school.

After school, there’s homework time, dinner time, chores, (and often times, arguing with the children to get them to do chores), more responsibilities & organization, and then bedtime for the little ones. Then you get started on prepping for the next day. It doesn’t end here either.  A lot of times there are things we’ve forgone to do other things throughout the day, so when the kids are in bed, all moms know that it’s time to finish up daily tasks that didn’t get done, fill out the next day’s check list, and then finally, we can go to bed!

AFTER SCHOOL, THE DAY IS STILL IN HIGH GEAR! YOU CAN’T REST.  A MOTHER’S WORK IS NEVER DONE. SO HOW DO YOU FIT COOKING IN?

It can be tempting to get fast food with this type of schedule.  For even the fit mom is exhausted and doesn’t want to cook.  So what can you do? In this busy life we lead these days, Fit Moms are not the only ones on the go.  Everyone is looking for fast meal solutions that are also healthy.

There are answers to our wishes for convenient, fast and healthy eating!  If you like lean fish, you’ll love these recipes.  Two out of my three children love fish.  My third usually just eats chicken off of the foreman grill when we have fish for dinner.  I started doing these 3-minute or less prep time recipes to ensure that everyone in my home is satisfied and healthy.  And since I don’t like cooking, and like a lot of parents, I don’t have the time, I have a motto for this:  ”If it takes me more than 3 minutes to prepare it, I won’t make it.”

Here are the recipes via my youtube channel.  I’ve done them in video format because, well, typing isn’t fun, and videos are easier to follow.  So here ya go! Enjoy!

Mahi Mahi 

Pan Fried Tilapia (breaded but lean!)

Tilapia Tacos (here’s the “after” video)

Baked Indian Spiced Salmon 

All of these can be made with veggies or yams and taste delightful without adding junk into the mix… Enjoy & Empower all you Phenomenal Fit Moms!

Don’t forget to visit the group on facebook, and you can join us at AmericasHottestFitMoms.com

And of course, always remind yourself to BE PHENOMENAL!  You are Worth the Work!

Nita Lee Marquez, Fit Mom, Author, Fitness Empowerment Motivational Speaker, TV Fitness Personality, Actress, Fitness Model, Fitness Athlete

Nita Marquez- Author, Fit Mom, Fitness Model, Speaker

 

 


February 1, 2012

Single Moms, Working Moms, Fit Moms! Eating Healthy is Easy!

Ever since I started having children, I was increasingly more intrigued by the idea of being a Fit Mom.  I would run in the mornings around the man-made lake near our tiny apartment in Arizona. When my husband and I first had our oldest of three, I was not the most fit person you would see.  You couldn’t actually tell that I worked out ever.  I was on the other side of chubby, but not quite in shape yet.  Being fit, especially after having children, has certainly come at a price.  Many things were sacrificed along my way toward becoming the Nita Marquez that people see today.  I am often asked if I was always athletic, or if I was always thin. No to both.  I was athletic at eating when I was growing up, and I was made fun of for my weight, even by my own parents.   Weight, food and diet were always either very foreign to me, or extremely unfriendly.  I didn’t synergize well with this fitness lifestyle at first, so I learned to take baby steps, and for the amount of sacrifices, there are A LOT of baby steps involved.  Likening this journey to that of a baby growing up, I will say this, you do have to learn to walk before you can start doing sprints, and that almost always starts out with a crawl.

As a mother who was married at one time, I had the luxury of a second adult in the household to ease the stress at moments of overwhelm.  I had someone there at night telling me they love me, just like I do my children.  The affections and praises of another adult make all the difference in the world when it comes to replenishing our energy stores. There is something to be said about being a mother in a two-parent household, even if it’s not picture-perfect, which mine wasn’t, it’s still an ease on the daily tasks of motherhood when someone else can take the kids to the amusement park or do something outside the house with the children so a mother can have peace, quiet and solitude, and of course, have another grown up say, “You’re doing great,” to make you feel appreciated and valued. It also gave me time to start focusing more on myself and my fitness goals for myself and my family.

After I became a single mom, I went through the jolting reality of how much that other adult’s presence in my life meant.  Being a fit mom by then, yes, I certainly had an advantage in being already settled into some of my fitness habits, and it certainly helped my self-esteem to be getting into better shape even though I was a single mother of three.  Most people expect that a woman falls apart physically in such scenarios.  Still, I was by myself with these three, one of whom, is diabetic, my little infant son (now 9).  It was harder than before to keep moving along so energetically on a daily basis, even though I had already built a lot of those fitness habits.

There was a point though, where I was finally able to make the correct adjustments that have come to be my hallmark as a fit mom today, the adjustments of efficiently living fit as a mother.  There are many efficiency points in living the life of a fit mom, but all moms, especially fit moms, understand the value of making choices that help us capitalize on our most precious asset (aside from our kids, of course): TIME.

Integrating my family time with my fitness time was a great option for me, and evaluation of my life choices, helped me see how I could make more time available for both.  Taking inventory of our personal choices is key. If you want to have the life of a fit mom, it’s about choices.  Not that we won’t make mistakes, but taking inventory on ourselves helps us realize the places where perhaps our choices aren’t paying off.  Being a fit mom isn’t as hard as it seems.  Choices can make life efficient, and there are plenty of choices that help in streamlining our efforts for living the fit life and being a mom.  I made the following adjustments in my life, and adapted to not only being a single mom, but also a mom who was more fit than ever!

1) Avoid nights out at the bars and happy hours. Why? Because for one, alcohol makes you fat, whether people want to admit it to themselves or not, and two, that time spent would cost me more time in the gym and it was already taking time away, so it’s a double-whammy.

2) Take the kids to the track or the park instead of to the movies and McFastFood.  Being active at these places helps make life the fit mom more fit, the kids get more fit, and when they see you doing sprints or even racing with them, they are not only with witnessing that their mom totally rocks, but they are gaining a totally different type of bond with us if they grow up with that image instead of the images of sitting around a TV eating junk food. How do we fit moms really want our kids to remember their childhood? Let them go to the gym with you, if you have that ability, or go for walks or bike rides.  Fit mom time made family time creates a completely different bond with us to our children.

3) Cook foods and meals that are fast and easy AND fit!  It’s possible.  I started coming up with these quirky little quickie recipes because I never liked cooking in the first place.  I was more of a salad and sandwich mom when I was married.  However, I did have a Foreman Grill.  With that thing, I can cook meats from the frozen state , and have a meal in less than ten minutes, with only a couple of minutes of prep time.  I have begun posting some of those recipes that my children like and I benefit from the healthiness of because everything I make in my 3-minute-or-less prep time recipes is low-sodium, low-fat, low-carb, and high-protein.  This is great because all of these recipes are already tasty and the taste can be even more enhanced with your favorite spices, sauces, yet still stimulate your metabolism (your body’s ability to burn fat).

You can find some of my 3-minute-or-less prep time recipes on my YouTube channel, fitnita.

One sacrifice you do NOT have to make in living the fitness lifestyle is family.  There are a lot of Fit Moms out there who have learned to maintain their fitness lifestyles while still managing to keep the family first.  Learn more about family-first fitness here at www.NitasWorld.com and we now have a group of moms who have come together to support each other. Find out about joining the group at the America’s Hottest Fit Moms site page.

Here are some links to my yummie (but slightly cheesy) Fit Mom 3-Minutes-or-Less prep time recipes:

Tilapia Tacos Part 1 (you could use chicken in this process as well!)

Tilapia Tacos Part 2

Grilled Tilapia

Anti-oxidant Protein Shake 

Egg White Breakfast

Lentils (My son Quinn is in this video too! Funny!)

 

There you have it America’s Hottest Fit Moms and friends, fitness lifestyle made easy.  Don’t forget to comment on this blog so I know how helpful it is for you! I will always adhere to the readers interests, so keep me updated on what YOU want!

Be well. Be You. Be PHENOMENAL! You are Worth the Work!

-Nita Lee Marquez