My MAX 30 Journey --- One Program CAN Change Your Life!

I have been sitting on this post on pins and needles, trying to summarize exactly how I'm feeling about this transformation.

First of all, tears. 

Tears of joy and a bit of disbelief that I not only completed the program that scared me to death, but got results that I've never thought possible for myself.

All I used to wish for, starve myself for, workout for hours endlessly for, was a flat stomach. 

Maybe smaller thighs. 

A body I could be happy putting clothes on in the morning. 

For years I bought into the lies that only certain women were meant to have nice bodies. 
That it was all genetics. 
That I had to be curvy, not toned. 

That the only way to lose the weight and get the body I dreamed of was by eating nothing but an apple and a salad for days on end.

So today, those tears are badges of honor. 

That I broke past those lies. 
That I re-defined the "mold" that was sold to me. 
That I have created a lifestyle centered around health and honoring my body, not starving and shaming it. 

Tonight I am beyond proud of my accomplishments, but not just for myself --- for all of the women who are just like I was, stuck in negative thoughts and dangerous behaviors. 

To the girl, reading this, considering a drastic means to lose weight, I KNOW how you feel.

There is a way to honor your body, see your goals realized and never, ever look back to the pit that you are getting ready to crawl out of. 

Here's to you, beautiful girl.

xoxo,

Corina 

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My Top Secret Meal Prep Tip! ;)

Let me let you in on a little tippy tip that I loveeee.

Trader Joe's Grilled. Chicken. Strips. 

Seriously. 

Whenever I'm in a hurry on the weekend and it's looking like my time to meal prep will come to a big fat zip I run my booty to Trader Joe's and scoop up a couple of these bad boys. 

They are the PERFECT solution to add protein to salads, make super easy chicken pesto pasta and even chicken tacos! 

So there you have it --- my secret is out!! 

What is your go-to in a pinch meal prep solution?

xoxo,

Corina

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My Insanity Max 30 Journey --- 30 Day Check In!

Today is a BIG day. 

It officially marks the halfway point of the program I thought I could never do.  

It means I am halfway to completing a huge goal I set for myself this year. 

It means that January has been SMASHED & that 2015 is looking to be my fittest year yet. 

Today, I can officially say that I am 30 days through Insanity: Max 30 and feeling so proud of myself! 

This has been such an amazing journey so far, pushing play on every workout 5 times a week over the last 30 days along with my hubby and the beautiful women in my accountability group.  

What has Insanity Max 30 taught me so far in my journey?  

Perserverance. 

Patience.

Determination.

Persistence. 

That modifying doesn't mean less intense, but does mean more focus. 

That my mind is in control of what my body does. 

That where I'm at today is GOOD ---- and where I will be tomorrow is even BETTER. 

That health and fitness is NOT a race that is focused on me against someone else - the girl on the screen, the girl at work, the model in the magazine - but a race from the old me to the new me, who is improving daily. 

That listening to your body does sometimes mean eating more food, once your body has become accustomed to your nutrition plan, which means greater results, more tone and growing muscles!

All of that from 30 minutes, 5 days a week, for 30 days. 

A healthier body.

A stronger mind. 

A happier heart. 

More determined willpower. 

Yes, I would definitely say that Max 30 is changing my life, one 30 second interval at a time! 

To say that I'm more excited about what's to come in the next 30 days is not at all an exaggeration! 

Come onnnn #bestbodyby25!!! How are your 2015 health & fitness goals coming along? 

I would love to help you achieve the things I've mentioned in this post --- with simple nutrition, workouts to suit your fitness level and create the body of your dreams! 

Let's connect via Facebook or the form below! I can't wait to get you started demolishing your goals for 2015! 

xoxo,

Corina Madariaga

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You CAN do it!

There are some days that I don't workout for me. 

I workout for the girl who didn't ever think she could. 

I workout for the girl who always thought she would be the "cute, chubby one"

Or the "funny" one 

I workout for the girl who hates to try on clothes in stores because she has to look in a well-lit mirror. 

I workout for the girl who just can't say no to chocolate.

Or pizza.

Or donuts. 

But immediately feels riddled with guilt about not bering "as strong as the skinny girl".

I workout for the girl who was called terrible names. 

Who went home crying, hiding her emotions from her loved ones,

Who found comfort in food. Or drugs. Or the attention of boys. 

Some days I don't workout for myself at all. 

Some days the physical results don't matter. 

The discipline isn't important. 

Some days I workout not for me, but for you.  

Because you CAN do it. 

Because you ARE strong enough. 

Because those hurtful things that were sown into you through anger, jealousy, resentment and rage are lies that the enemy wants to keep harbored in your soul. 

Because you DO have worth. 

Because you ARE loved. 

Because God wants to see you stand, in success, in victory, loving your life - not living a perfect life, but a REAL one - with love, integrity and humility. 

Because I know you deserve that life. 

Because your purpose is just waiting for you to DECIDE that now is the time to grab hold and make your life count.

Because I know where you come from and the freedom that comes in breaking away from a comfort zone, from a responsibility zone, from a "should do" zone. 

It is time, beautiful girl, to break free. 

xoxo,

Corina Madariaga

Real Girl Fitness 

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A Real Girl Moment

Happy Motivation Monday!!

Today I want to share with you something that I shared in my private health & fitness accountability groups on Facebook last week. 

It's a REAL moment.  

A raw moment.

A moment that all of us have on occasion, but look at and react to differently. 

This is my Real Girl Moment. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can I just be SO real with you guys for a second?

I am human. 

So, so human. 

I've been dealing with stress and anxiety out the ying this week due to some ridiculous medicine my doctor put me on to ease my asthma flare ups of the past few weeks. 

It makes me anxious and stress like nothing I ever remember experiencing. 

So tonight - after forgetting to eat, feeling ravenous and not desiring any of the prepped foods in our fridge (hello, salmon!?) I made a....

Grilled Cheese sandwich. 

(^^^ SO true!! Yikes, right?? Well, not exactly!)

Now - let me just clear this up. 

---- Was it clean? 

Yes, it actually was - I used Ezekiel's sprouted bread and the amount of cheese from my 21 Day Fix portions. 

---- Was it satisfying?

In the moment, absolutely. Crunchy. Cheesy. Melty. 

Now? I feel SO gross.  I feel STUFFED. 

The girl I was one year ago today would be beating myself up, vowing off all cheese for the rest of the year. 

The girl I am tonight says "Well, that sucks.  Sorry, tummy. Lesson learned. Where the carrots?

Live. Learn. Don't punish. 

This journey isn't a black and white thing.

It gets messy.

Life gets crazy.  

But we have control over how we react - feeding ourselves with things that look satisfying in the moment but will only fill us with regret later is not a good move. 

Plan a treat meal each week. Enjoy it. Guilt-free. 

Live the rest of your week (and your life) following the guidelines that you KNOW make you healthy, happy, whole and energized! 

Goodnight from carrot land!!

xoxo,

Corina, just a real girl ;)

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Flax & Blueberry Vanilla Overnight Oats

One of my favorite quick & easy work day breakfasts are overnight oats! 

Give this tasty version a try this week to give your morning breakfast routine a pick-me-up! 

Super tasty Flax and Blueberry Vanilla Overnight Oat Recipe

INGREDIENTS

½ cup rolled oats OR quick oats

⅔ cup water

½ cup lowfat vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon flaxmeal

1 baby pinch of salt

blueberries, pecans, brown sugar, and other goodies for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

In an individual food storage container, add the ingredients in the order listed (except for toppings). Do not stir. Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, stir up the mixture; it should be thick and the oats should be completely soft. Add the toppings of your choice. Repeat forever.

NOTES

The different varieties of oats affect the texture, so if you like a thicker, chewier texture go for rolled oats and if you prefer something softer and creamier, go for quick cooking oats.

Are you an oatmeal junkie? What's your go-to flavor variation?

xoxo,

Corina 

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Faux-tatoes!

Ok, let's be serious -- if caulfilower mash is not a part of your regular meal planning you're missing out in a major, MAJOR way. 

I whipped these suckers up two nights ago to enjoy with lemon-garlic shrimp and green beans and my husband was over the moon! 

His summary as he cleaned his plate: "This was SO good.  Rich, tasty and satisfying and I'm not stuffed!  I can't believe these aren't actual potatoes!"

Well then - cauliflower mash for the WIN. 

So far this week we've eaten it with the lemon garlic shrimp and teriyaki salmon.  

The best part for me is that I can enjoy the carb-esque taste and texture without sacrificing a yellow container from my 21 Day Fix meal plan! *Talk about brain tricks!*

Here is the oh so tasty recipe:

Garlic Cauliflower Mash Faux-tatoes!

Servings: 4 Prep Time: 8 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 head of cauliflower
3 tablespoons almond milk
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons plain greek yogurt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste!)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Separate the cauliflower into florets and chop the core finely.

2. Stove: Bring about 1 cup of water to a simmer in a pot, then add the cauliflower. Cover and turn the heat to medium. Cook the cauliflower for 12-15 minutes or until very tender.

Microwave: Place florets in microwave-safe bowl with 1 cup water.  Heat for 4 minutes, pausing halfway to stir cauliflower.  Cook until tender. 

3. Drain and discard all of the water (the drier the cauliflower is, the better) and add the milk, garlic powder, butter, greek yogurt, salt and pepper and mash with a masher until it looks like "mashed potatoes." 

21 Day Fix/Portion Fix containers: Serve using 1 green container = 1 green, 1 spoon

Serve alongside your favorite lean protein and veggies! Voila! Dinner is served!

Have you ever tried Cauliflower Mash?  What do you think of it?

Hoping you're having an amazing week!!

xoxo,

Corina

Never Miss a Monday!

There are plenty of Monday mornings (maybe EVERY Monday morning, really!) when I roll over as the alarm goes off and wonder to my sleepy self "Why aren't Mondays included in the weekends??"

This thought used to allow me to snuggle down into my warm blankets as I slapped the snooze button on my alarm! 

That was then.  Back when I used to eat pizza any meal that I could get it, shoveled donuts down without giving them much thought, felt that corn was a legitimate vegetable and thought that brussels sprouts looked like green beans (I'd never actually seen them!).  

Yes, that was way, way back then. 

It's not today.  Now - today and EVERY Monday - I have goals.  

Those goals may not always be the first thought when I hear my alarm go off at 4am, but they are definitely the second - and the one that pulls me out of bed to push play on my workout of the day. 

Never miss a Monday.

It's a little promise that I make to myself every Sunday as I enjoy a day off from workouts. 

It's the vow that I make to the fat jeans that live in the very back of my closet. 

The little whisper of a lifestyle spun on its head and completely changed as I reflect on pictures of my old self. 

Never miss a Monday is SO much more than a hashtag, a trend or a cute phrase. 

It's a way of life. 

The way of life that I've followed for the past year fully. 

The way of life that has helped me to lose 25 pounds and kiss it goodbye forever. 

Mondays aren't meant for misery. 

They're meant for motivation & movement! 

Today, TAKE your Monday & thank it for the great beginning of a new week that it's holding. 

Share your goals with it & commit to keeping the promises that you've made to yourself time and time again, as you indulge in chocolate chip cookies once the kids have gone to bed and your husband's not looking. 

Make Monday your ally. 

You won't regret it! 

xoxo,

Corina

How to Set New Year's Resolutions that You Can Stick With!

It's officially a New Year!!!  Is anyone as excited about the start of a brand new year as I am??

I can't lie - New Year's Eve has always been my favorite holiday - a chance to close out a year and reflect on the great things that happened during one year and an opportunity to set new goals, hopes and plans for a bright, shiny new year! 

As is the typical New Year's tradition I'm also a big fan of New Year's resolutions. 

For years I set resolutions which were truly nothing more than empty words---

Wishes of losing weight, without making changes to my eating habits and workout regimen (er - lack of regimen?).

Pledging to pay off debt, but not altering my spending or savings habits. 

A desire to read more - without tracking my habit. 

Year after year I made resolutions without actions to follow through on those resolutions. 

Until, that is - the resolution I made at the very end of 2013 - "This year I will lose weight and work for the best body I've ever had." 

Ah, yes - a resolution I'd made year after year, but one that I was finally determined to follow through with.  

Meet the first resolution I was able to stick to - all year, day after day, holiday after holiday, season after season ---- down 25 pounds, 15 inches, energy and confidence boosted in an unbelievable way! 

For once, I had found the key to maintaining my goals and seeing a goal brought to reality. 

I know that if this is possible for me - a wife, full-time interior designer and online health and fitness coach with a crazy busy schedule - then YOU can turn your goals to reality this year! 

Are YOU ready to make this your best year yet? 

Let's DO it!

xoxo,

Corina 

Peppermint Mocha Latte - Clean Eating & Vegan Version!

The holiday season just wouldn't be complete for me without all things peppermint!  Especially pipping hot, chocolate-y delicious, Peppermint Mochas!  

the only problem?  They're full of lots of icky things - additivites, sugar and artificial flavors like you wouldn't believe.  Here are the ingredients of the Starbucks version (one of my personal favorites!): espresso, milk, mocha sauce (corn syrup, water, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, cocoa (processed with alkali 13%), potassium sorbate, artificial flavor), and peppermint-flavored syrup (sugar, water, natural flavors, preservative, sodium benzoate, citric acid), whipped cream, and dark chocolate.

Calories in one Tall nonfat Peppermint Mocha Latte with no whip (add 70 calories and 7 grams of fat for whip):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Um, no thanks.  

Thankfully the amazing team of nutritionists whipped up a much healthier version for us to enjoy this season while sticking to our nutrition plans and health and fitness goals! YES!!!

 

Bonus for my Vegan friends: Sub almond milk for the nonfat milk & leave out the honey for a version that's made just for you!

Peppermint Mocha Latte Recipe

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 5 min.
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
½ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. raw honey (optional)
¼ tsp. pure peppermint extract
1 cup brewed black coffee (or 1 shot espresso)
1 fresh mint leaf (for garnish; optional)

Preparation:
1. Bring milk, cocoa powder, and honey (if desired), and peppermint extract to a boil in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat; mix vigorously with a whisk until frothy.
3. Pour coffee into a large serving mug; top with milk mixture.
4. Garnish with mint leaf if desired.

Here’s the nutrition details for the vegan version:

& voila! Meal plan and waist-line approved!! 

Happy Holidays & Enjoy!! 

xoxo,

Corina

*Recipe & nutrition information from teambeachbodyblog.com*

Easy Clean Eating Hot Chocolate Recipe

There are few things that I love more than hot chocolate in a cute mug on a rainy day while watching a movie curled up in a blanket! :)  That is true bliss to me!

The other night I was craving hot chocolate, but traditional store bought packets are not clean or 21 Day Fix approved! Since I'm following the 21 Day Fix nutrition guide right now I knew that I had to find an approved recipe or set my craving aside for a treat. 

Luckily, after searching a bit for something that sounded tasty I came up with an easy, 21 Day Fix approved recipe! 

Peppermint (or Regular!) Hot Chocolate  - 21 Day Fix Approved!

Ingredients

  ·      1 cup, plus 1-2 tablespoons milk of choice (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk!)

·      2 rounded teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

·      1-2 packets stevia, depending on your desired sweetness 

·      ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

·      ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

·      cinnamon, optional

Instructions

1.   Place milk in a small pot over medium low heat.

2.   Meanwhile, place cocoa powder, stevia and extra tablespoon of almond milk in a small bowl. Whisk until a paste/thick mixture forms and powder is absorbed. Add additional tablespoon of almond milk, if needed.

3.   Whisk cocoa mixture into milk mixture. Heat till hot but not boiling.

4.   Pour into a mug and sprinkle with cinnamon, if using.

5.   Serve and enjoy once the drink is cool enough to safely drink

Notes

Container count: 1 yellow! Everything else is a free 21 Day Fix flavor addition! 

If you're feeling like a splurge add a little bit of whipped cream to the top! This is a must have for me - and I don't feel like a little bit hurts anything ;)

The directions above are for a stovetop preparation, but you can just as easily make this in the microwave.

The above recipe will yield you a peppermint hot chocolate!  To enjoy hot chocolate without the peppermint simply skip the peppermint extract! 

To make a different flavor variation - such as caramel or raspberry - simply replace the peppermint extract with your extract of choice! 

And voila - there you have clean eating, 21 Day Fix approved hot chocolate! 

I would love to have you join me in my next 21 Day Fix accountability health and fitness group!  If you're interested in joining us, losing weight, creating new healthy lifestyle habits and toning from head to toe, please fill out the form below! I absolutely love this plan because it allows for things like this hot chocolate recipe - a simple pleasure that I simply can't live without in the winter! 

Are you a hot chocolate drinker?  Share below what your favorite variety is! Regular, peppermint, caramel, raspberry...the list goes on and on!!   

Thanks for stopping by!  

xoxo,

Corina

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3 Day Refresh & Zucchini Noodles Recipe!

Friday was our FINAL day of the 3 Day Refresh cleanse that my hubby and I were on! 

I can honestly say that I'm BEYOND pleased, excited and impressed with our results! 

Not only did we lose pounds and inches, our cravings for junk food and the fattening treats from Thanskgiving are long behind us! 

At the start of the cleanse I was feeling bloated, fatigued, heavy and overall discouraged with my physique. My hubby also felt bloated and completely out of control of his cravings - we were both essentially wanting to eat everything in sight! 

At the end of our first day Abs said to me "Wow it's amazing how much I think to just pick something up to eat throughout the day, even when I'm not really hungry!"

That realization in itself was enough of a transformation for me!! 

Nevertheless --- here are our official results from the 3 Day Refresh! 

Now that the results are out of the way I want to share our favorite refresh meal - Lemon Herb Zoodles!! (My mouth waters just thinking about them!!)

I've been getting a TON of questions about how I make zucchini noodles - or zoodles, as they're commonly know! The first tip is to get a spiralizer! My hub brought ours home from Wal-Mart for about $20!  Totally can't beat a new kitchen gadget at that price! 

They're so simple and tasty so I'm super excited to share the recipe with you! 

Lemon Herb/Scampi Style Zoodles

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini

1 tbsp fresh squeeze lemon juice

Olive Oil 

Pepper, to taste

Sea Salt, to taste

Garlic, to taste

Method:

Wash and dry each zucchini

Cut off the end of the zucchini just enough to make an even surface (the weird end with that little stump thing)

Using a spiralizer (I use the Veggetti - LOVE!) make noodles out of each squash - spiral into a bowl or dish

Once both zucchini are spiraled cut the strands of noodles 2 or 3 times, into bite sized pieces (this is dependent on your personal pasta size preference - I prefer smaller pieces to large so I cut them more)

Heat a pot of water to boiling, lower heat to medium

Once water is boiling add zucchini to pot and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until tender

Drain noodles and divide into serving dishes

Drizzle fresh lemon juice and olive oil over each dish; season with pepper, sea salt and garlic, to desired taste level

Serve zoodles by themselves or with chicken or shrimp!

Enjoy! 

xoxo,

Corina

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Introducing: Real Girl Fitness!

Introducing Real Girl Fitness

The health and fitness community for real girls living in the real world!

When i was starting my healthy living transformation i knew one thing:

I had no idea where to start.

At the time I was following a ton of bikini competitors on social media but I knew that I didn't want to get as fit as they were or eat as strictly as they did.

But I also knew that I couldn't continue what I was doing for workouts and healthy eating - yoyo'ing in and out of plans and always becoming frustrated. 

Where was the happy medium?

Where were the girls who still enjoyed food, worked out consistently but not obsessively, ate a healthy diet without killing themselves with strictness and truly enjoyed the process?

Was I asking for too much? Was that a totally unattainable combination?

Maybe you're asking yourself the same questions!

Well I'm here to tell you that, no, it's not too much to ask for OR unattainable!

It's the lifestyle that I live and love and teach to the women that I work with.

I call it Real Girl Fitness.

We workout. But not for hours a day.

We eat healthy. But not just salads or chicken, rice and broccoli.

We set goals. But don't reschedule our lives around them.

We eat pizza sometimes. And ice cream too. 

We're just like you. We were you. 

Join the Real Girl movement on Facebook & become a Fit and Healthy Real Girl! 

Click this link to request access: http://tinyurl.com/realgirlfitness

xoxo, 

Corina

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Day 2 Re-cap of the 3 Day Refresh!

Today is officially Day 3 of our 3 Day Refresh challenge!  The finish line is in sight!!

I'm so excited that we're at this point!  I'm also super excited to share my experience from Day 2 with you!  

But first - I have to be honest – this is my second attempt at doing this cleanse.  

The first time I tried it was when it had just been released, in June after our annual training event.

It was an extremely exciting product and exactly what so many of my customers ask for on a consistent basis!

I was absolutely thrilled at the thought of having it as a part of the official product library and a brilliant tool for my clients. 

However, when it came down to completing it, I just could not get past Day 1.

Day 1!!! 

Like what!? I could barely last 1 day!   

Yet here I am, today, on Day 3, soaring through the program and truly loving the process!

So what changed? 

I can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it was my mindset. 100%.

The funny thing is that so many things in a health and fitness journey are a matter of changing your mindset.

Mind over matter.

Mind over munch.

Mind over craving.

Mind over laziness. 

Mind over defeat. 

Mind over feeling like you "can't" do something! 

Back in June, my mindset, my willpower if you will, was not strong enough.  I didn't desire the change and so I saw the process as too difficult to complete. 

My how a few months can change so very much! 

Yesterday, as day 2 of this cleanse, was a much easier day than day 1 of the cleanse, as I suspected it would be.

There were minimal temptations, unlike hosting a snack-heavy youth group like we did on the evening of Day 1 (talk about torture!).

My biggest victory of Day 2 was when a co-worker offered me chocolate I heard myself saying "No thanks! I'm good!" and actually meaning it!!!

It didn't hurt. 

It wasn't something I had to force myself to say. 

It came out naturally, and easily and was the truth!!

Talk about a non-scale victory!! TALK about mind over matter! 

In less than 2 days my willpower had increased so much that turning down the chocolate that I normally hunt people down for was an absolute breeze. 

Day 3 - you are mine. Let's do this!!

What is one thing lately that you've found yourself lacking the willpower to complete?  Have you ever been in that position?  How did you get your willpower strong enough to fight toward your goal? 

I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

xoxo,

Corina 

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