Cheryl Love of IMAGINE FIT wishes you a Happy Healthy New Year!

Hi ya'll!  Happy New Years!  I hope you had an amazing 

Christmas Season 

and had fun ringing in the New Year!

So what's on your plate for the New Year?

What are your hopes for 2015?

What are your resolutions? If you make them!

What kind of spirit are you in?  

I am so looking forward to this wonderful new year!  A time to begin again...to work out the details of the time!  Another fresh new 365 days to create, live, love and be healthy!

So I begin with a brand new program coming soon.  Working on the name...what's your VOTE...

New Year New You?

 or maybe ... 

Begin Again in 2015?  

This program will start with a short 11 DAY cleanse and then take us back to the Fit and Lean Journey started earlier and make it all new again!  My resolution is to be productive and generous and to create happiness in the lives of those I touch.

Felt it was time to share more of my story...the between the two pictures part...age 50 - 58!  The journey of a lifetime began just a bit after my 50th birthday!  I was good?...I was healthy?...I was medicine dependent for my diabetes, my high blood pressure, my acid reflux, my stress/depression...my high cholesterol...but that's healthy, right?  That's why we have doctors...just give me another pill so I don't have to think about the fact that I am overweight - actually obese for my short stature.  That I have to take a pill to get through the work day and taking care of family and Mom.  That, after all, I am 50, that's old!  Right?  Ever feel that way?

 I hope not, because it was not fun.  

But we do sometimes think of all those excuses why, right?

So what happened!  Mom passed away, work was even more stressful, husband diagnosed with cancer, Dad passed away from cancer, Aunt ended up hospitalized with complications from a surgical error and never recovered, sister in law fell down stairs and broke her back!  WOW!  And all this after taking care of Mom with her Alzheimer's for almost 6 yrs...WHY ME?

And that is what I thought...WHY ME? Then I changed that thought to WHY NOT ME? and what can I do to make sure none of those things happen to me!  A deep look in the mirror and my health journey started!  It took lots of research, experiments, trials, new foods, new exercise, adding supplements...but finally I felt healthy...off meds, about 50 pounds lighter...full of energy! 

 WOW I had to share this great stuff I learned! 

AND I needed an education to do that, so people believed I knew what I was talking about! 

AND NOW - I proudly am a health coach!

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

         Member of AADP (Assoc of  Drugless Practitioners)

Certified Personal Trainer &

Certified Weight Management Specialist

I have a burning passion and desire to support your 

health journey from whatever place you are in to 

that place of you feeling healthy too!

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it!  In 2015 - I promise to lead with integrity, support with strong hands and coach those who are where I was, or don't want to ever get there!  

If you have not yet requested to by added to my Newsletter..

please register here!

IMAGINE FIT NEWSLETTER

You can get all the news there!  Or check out the webpage and watch for new programs! 

AND HAVE AN AMAZING 2015!

Yours in health and happiness,

Cheryl Love

imaginefit4life@gmail.com

I am grateful for.....

Happy Thanksgiving from Imagine Fit!

Hi!  Just wanted to drop a quick note!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!   AND share some fun facts!   Check out some interesting Thanksgiving facts, traditions and other bits of information relating to the history of Thanksgiving. The traditional cornucopia was a curved goat's horn filled to brim with fruits and grains. According to Greek legend, Amalthea (a goat) broke one of her horns and offered it to Greek God Zeus as a sign of reverence. As a sign of gratitude, Zeus later set the goat's image in the sky also known as constellation Capricorn. Cornucopia is the most common symbol of a harvest festival. A Horn shaped container, it is filled with abundance of the Earth's harvest. It is also known as the 'horn of plenty’. It was not until 1941, that congress declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. It was declared to be the fourth Thursday in November. The first known thanksgiving feast or festival in North America was celebrated by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and the people he called "Tejas" (members of the Hasinai group of Caddo-speaking Native Americans). Here's one of those funny Thanksgiving facts: Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead. Turducken, a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken, is becoming more popular in Thanksgiving (originated in Louisiana). A turducken is a de-boned turkey stuffed with a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed with a small de-boned chicken. The cavity of the chicken and the rest of the gaps are filled with, at the very least, a highly seasoned breadcrumb mixture (although some versions have a different stuffing for each bird). 91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. For more check out this site!  AND have an amazingly blessed Thanksgiving!  Start a gratitude journal this Jan 1st...make it a priority to write something everyday day you are grateful for, and then read through it next Thanksgiving.  It will seriously change your life!  This Thanksgiving I am grateful for all of you.  Grateful that you take the time to read what I post and open my emails and support my business.  I am grateful for the health and prosperity of my sons as they have grown this year.  I am grateful for the continued health of my husband as we navigate the medical stuff. I am grateful I am done with school and graduated!  I am grateful that I have the time to spend with family and friends to brighten my days!  Yours in health and wellness, Cheryl Love Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Here's a bonus HEALTHY recipe! http://thealmondeater.com/2014/11/skinny-salted-chocolate-pumpkin-pudding/  PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 4 HOURS TOTAL TIME 4 HOURS 15 MINS  RECIPE IS DAIRY FREE BUT CAN BE NON DAIRY FREE TOO SERVES: 2 INGREDIENTS FOR THE PUMPKIN: ⅔ CUP PUMPKIN ½ CUP UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK 1 TBSP DAIRY-FREE PLAIN YOGURT 1 TBSP MAPLE SYRUP 1 TSP CINNAMON ¼ TSP ALL SPICE PINCH OF NUTMEG FOR THE CHOCOLATE: 1 RIPE BANANA ½ CUP UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK 1 TBSP DAIRY-FREE PLAIN YOGURT 1 TBSP MAPLE SYRUP ⅓ CUP RAW CACAO (COCOA POWDER WILL WORK) ¼ TSP CINNAMON ½ CUP CHOCOLATE CHIPS (CAN USE ENJOY LIFE) ¼ TSP COCONUT OIL TOPPING (OPTIONAL): WHIPPED CREAM SALT  INSTRUCTIONS PLACE ALL OF THE PUMPKIN INGREDIENTS (PUMPKIN, MILK, YOGURT, SYRUP, CINNAMON, ALLSPICE, NUTMEG) TOGETHER IN A BOWL; MIX WITH AN ELECTRIC MIXER UNTIL EVERYTHING IS SMOOTHIE; DISTRIBUTE EVENLY IN TWO CUPS/BOWLS. IN A SEPARATE BOWL, MASH THE RIPE BANANA WITH A FORK, AND THEN ADD MILK, YOGURT, SYRUP, CACAO, CINNAMON; MIX WITH AN ELECTRIC MIXER. IN A MICROWAVE SAFE DISH, PLACE THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND COCONUT OIL AND MICROWAVE UNTIL MELTED; ADD MELTED CHOCOLATE TO THE BOWL WITH THE BANANA AND MIX WITH THE MIXER UNTIL EVERYTHING IS SMOOTH. SLOWLY POUR THE CHOCOLATE LOWER OVER TOP OF THE PUMPKIN LAYER. ADD THE WHIPPED CREAM AND SALT. CHILL IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR AT LEAST FOUR HOURS (OR OVERNIGHT) ENJOY! PS:  If you have not registered for my Christmas Gift to you... Healthy Holiday Challenge  just CLICK HERE!

Do you need that boost!

30 DAY FIT AND HEALTHY CHALLENGE STARTING SOON!

Register now for more info!

CLICK HERE

Are you ready to get back on track?

Join us to Discover

 4 “Must-Have” Strategies to Help You

Reach Your Health & Fitness Goals!

You’ll also learn simple tips you can implement to help you LOOK BETTER, FEEL BETTER and MOVE BETTER!

Wouldn't it be great to get back on track right before the Holidays!

When you register today...it puts you IN THE LOOP for details!  No commitment yet...just info!  

Are you impressed...Check this new tool out!

https://imaginefit.youcanbook.me/

SUGAR - Oh let's Count the ways #2

So you have heard it said...sugar is bad for you!!
While I totally agree and have seen some of the damage it can cause in my own health...let's examine some ways it can ruin your health! 

 

 

#2 - SUGAR can SUPPRESS, the Immune System!  HOW???

 

We have heard that Sugar promotes inflammation.

 Is that a bad thing? Well...

Inflammation, which is part of the immune response, is not always a bad thing.

 But eating sugary foods can promote an overabundant

 inappropriate inflammation response that serves

 NO USEFUL PURPOSE.

AND sugar may actually promote aging

and sometimes disease.

 

Sugar suppresses the release of human growth hormone. 
Although the effects can be dramatic, hormone treatments are expensive and risky.
So I don’t personally want to have to resort to
Hormone Treatments to look younger!
 BUT to slow down the aging process,
you can definitely do what you can
 to protect and naturally enhance your body’s production of human growth hormone.

 Avoiding foods that are high in sugar !
Exercising, healthy eating, and
 avoiding undue stress also help.

.
Sugar raises insulin levels and promotes glycation. 
An influx of sugar into your body will have a fairly predictable result:

Your blood sugar levels will zoom up.

Shortly after, your pancreas will release a bunch of insulin.
 This helps to clear the sugar and try to use it for energy .
But when you eat a lot of sugar, you’re constantly calling for insulin, and that can backfire in a couple of ways. Ever hear of insulin dependent Diabetes?

Read Labels...avoid the HIGH sugar content treats! 
Do you have a difficult time doing that...call me!

FACTS about SUGAR: http://positivemed.com/2013/01/06/day-5-a-few-facts-about-sugar/
source:posetivemed.com

SUGAR....oh lets count the way!

So you have heard it said...sugar is bad for you!! While I totally agree and have seen some of the damage it can cause in my own health...let's examine some ways it can ruin your health! 

#1 -  Sugar can contribute to depression!  WOW you say..."REALLY"  I thought sugar made you feel good!  Get hyper and get excited and have that sugar buzz? We all know you don't give a child too much sugar...right?

I found something about that.... “Food for the Brain” that offers this explanation..simple right?

Eating lots of sugar is going to give you sudden peaks and troughs in the amount of glucose in your blood; symptoms of this going on include fatigue, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, excessive sweating (especially at night), poor concentration and forgetfulness, excessive thirst, depression and crying spells, digestive disturbances and blurred vision.

Since the brain depends on an even supply of glucose it is no surprise to find that sugar has been implicated in aggressive behavior, anxiety, and depression, and fatigue.

Lots of refined sugar and refined carbohydrates (meaning white bread, pasta, rice and most processed foods,) is also linked with depression because these foods not only supply very little in the way of nutrients but they also use up the mood enhancing B vitamins; turning each teaspoon of sugar into energy needs B vitamins. In fact, a study of 3,456 middle-aged civil servants, published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that those who had a diet which contained a lot of processed foods had a 58% increased risk for depression, whereas those whose diet could be described as containing more whole foods had a 26% reduced risk for depression.

Sugar also diverts the supply of another nutrient involved in mood – chromium. 
This mineral is vital for keeping your blood sugar level stable because insulin, which clears glucose from the blood, can’t work properly without it.

SO NOW WHAT?  Can we break this sugar addiction in our lives, in our families lives?  What are some steps you can take to get this monkey off your back?

Here's one step...READ LABELS!  Look at the many forms of sugar in the processed foods you buy. Did you know that the average person consumes about 1/4 lb of "ADDED" sugar daily? BUT, but I don't drink soda, I don't eat candy..I am not doing that!  Really....look at the labels on may of the foods you buy in a box...is the ratio of CARBOHYDRATES to SUGAR more than 20%...where is the "sugar"  - the label doesn't say sugar!  

So does it say Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Fructose, barley malt, sucrose, molasses????? and oh my - what about the ever present High Fructose Corn Syrup!  Just add the sugars up!

OK so all I had was a Protein Bar...here's one of my favorites...NOT!  Check out the sugar...and once you adjust the total carbs by subtracting the fiber...it becomes 19 Total Carbs, 14 of them from sugars...

TUNE in for more SUGAR BUSTER FACTS later!  And if you have any questions or would like to bust that habit...call me or shoot me a message.