Ever struggle to just find the time to workout?   I’m not saying the “I don’t want to, so I’ll find something else to do to fill that time” sort of no time to workout.  I mean the “I really need to workout to get me out of this funk, but where is the time to do it” kind of struggle.  

Well, this happens to me often.  As a busy, most of the time “working out of the home Mom” of 3 kiddos (ages 8, 5, 13 months), this is a daily struggle.  It comes to a head at this time of year as the two older kids are home from school for the holidays, the baby doesn’t want to nap because the big kids are far too entertaining, and I still have the house turned upside down from all of the Christmas presents that need to find homes.  When I don’t workout, I honestly feel like garbage.  I have a low thyroid condition that screws with my metabolism, my digestion, my energy, and so forth and without some daily moving, I get cranky...very cranky.  So, what can I do to get my workout in?  In the past week I've found these options super helpful!

Top 5 - No Time for Exercise Workouts

1. Take the Kids to the Pool!  Yes, I realize it’s December and this won’t work for many people, but the point is that all 3 of them can go with me.  I can do a few crunches while sitting at the steps with the baby, some walking lunges using her as my resistance, and play sharks and minnows with the big kids getting my “run” on in the water, which provides 12 times the resistance of air.  So when I cannot get to an aquaBelly Baby™, this is a great alternative.
2. At Home Workout with the Kids: Since kids are so impressionable, I can use this to my advantage.  Once I've convinced them to exercise with me I give them each a set of 1 pound weights or start a push up contest, and voila, instant family workout.
3. Go for a Run: Strap the baby in the stroller & get the big kids to take turns being my running partner while the other sits on the front of the stroller with the baby.  This adds resistance for me carrying an extra 45 pounds to the already 18 pounds of baby normally in the stroller.  So while I'm not going fast, the "running" child can keep up but I get my booty kicked by pushing the extra weight & getting my jog on simultaneously.  
4. Wake up Early: I like to get my butt up early before the kids are up (this is my usual plan), even though this week I could have slept in without having to get them ready for school.  This way I  get my run in at the gym or doing an at-home workout alone.  Since it’s still dark out at this time, this must be something done indoors or with a partner, if say, I were running outside.
5. Enlist Friends: My family & neighbors are in the same boat as me with having the kids at home.  We love to get together for kid and adult friendly active games.  Whether it's a snow ball fight (ahhh a Florida girl can only wish) or a game of tag, all the running around is a fantastic cardio workout.  Really... who needs the gym?!

So while I’m not completely a workout fiend, I can become a fiend without one.  If you are ever struggling to find the time, man, I’ve been there!  Join me on the aB Fit Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/aBFitClub/ with some other time-pressed ladies to get some more ideas and motivation to get you to your “best body ever.” 

As we approach the New Year, now is the perfect time to reflect back on your awesome year of accomplishments.  One of the best ways to kick start a bright tomorrow is to think about the victories you experienced this year, no matter how big or small.  Positive thinking fosters success in so many ways.  It can be easy to recognize our failures as a way to improve but spending more time focusing on what went RIGHT is far better for our self-esteem and personal well-being.  As a way to ring in your best year yet, we challenge you to create the "Story of your Success" for 2013.  It's easy all you have to do is create your Top 10 Win List of  all the wins that made this year a success.  We want to wish you the very best New Year & give your our list to help get you started...
XO,
Kristy & Samantha



TOP 10 WIN LIST - 2013

1. Launched 3 brand new class programs - aquaBelly Baby™, aquaBooty™, aquaGrand™
   
2. Added an aquaBelly® Instructor in California - Hollywood here we come!
   
3. Broke 600 "likes" on Facebook - High Five
   
4. Taught our first International aquaBooty™ class in the Bahamas ocean!
   
5. Completed the ACE Fitness Personal Trainers Conference
   
6. Created the aB™ Fit Club
   
7. Ran our first Groupon (we're finally big enough to be considered)
   
8. Partnered with "Best for Babes" a National Breastfeeding advocacy organization
9. Started the 1st aB™ Fit Club Challenge - "Your Best December Ever" with 20% participation
10. Raised the percentage of moms returning to class post-delivery classes, from 25% to 50% 

Now it's your turn!  Submit your TOP 10 WIN LIST for a chance to win "Be Your Best  in 2014" - an online guide to making winning choices for your mind, body & spirit this coming year.  Deadline 12/31/2013.

Have you ever thought of owning your own business, but didn’t think you’d have the time? Are you worried about childcare for your little one while you work? Do you not need to work but want to do something that’s for yourself which is fun and rewarding?

If so, we have a great idea for YOU! How about taking your baby to work with you while you get to meet other new moms and stay in shape while you are at it? Does that sound good? If so, becoming an aquaBelly BabyTM Instructor is right for you!

aquaBelly BabyTM is a great “starter” business in that it does not require much time from you and is very easy to manage and maintain. aquaBelly BabyTM is a fun, social, fitness class for you and your baby. Your little one helps you to strength train while you lift and dance in the water with baby without the baby even begin submerged fully in the water.

Since we know you’ll love being an aquaBelly BabyTM Instructor, from now until February 14th, 2014, we are offering a very special rate for new business owners to teach aquaBelly BabyTM class which could lead to more class options in the future such as aquaBelly®, aquaBootyTM, and aquaGrandTM to add to your business offerings. We are only accepting a few motivated Mommies, so if this sounds like something that can work for you, contact us to discuss the special rate and training process.  Contact us today for more information!

Hangovers suck, and I'm not just talking about alcohol hangovers... food comas, emotional withdrawals, and holiday after-effects can sabotage our efforts at starting a new year fresh.  Instead of waiting to make New Year's Resolutions to combat the damage you may do to your mind, body and spirit this holiday season, how about taking some preventive steps NOW?!  With 18 days left until 2014, here are 5 easy tips to stay strong & healthy this year.  

1.  Beware of Liquid Calories, especially alcohol
Although many of you are looking forward to next year when you can celebrate your baby's appearance into this world with a glass of bubbly... the rest of us will more than likely indulge this year.  It's important to remember that holidays beverages, both alcoholic & non-alcoholic are loaded with sugar & unnecessary calories.  Alcohol contains almost as many calories per gram as fat, let alone mixing it with creamy or sweet mixtures.  It also lowers our inhibitions making it easier to stand close to the desert area of the buffet.  To combat the tortuous hangover, take B vitamins & Calcium supplements or eat a banana prior to the party (if adding new supplements, check with your health care provider first).   Stay hydrated with plenty of water or sparkling water, NO soda at all.  A good rule of thumb, aka professional partiers, is one glass of water per cocktail to prevent headaches & you won't drink as much.  

2. Beat the Bulge 
If you've been eating healthy all year, don't think of the holiday season as a time to treat yourself with junk.  Celebrate your accomplishments by sticking with what has worked thus far.  Eat 4-6 healthy meals per day rather than save up all day for the holiday party after work.  Socialize on the dance floor or by the fire, instead of in the kitchen or at the appetizer station.   Show your kids that this time of year can be just as healthy as the summer by eating oatmeal cookies instead of sugar cookies.   Keep up with your fitness routine so you can look smokin' when the ball drops!  Make a healthy holiday pact with a friend or family member.  Join the aB™ Fit Club - Your Best December Ever Challenge!  It's not too late.


3. Digestive Regulation
During this busy time of year it is easy to rush meals or eat on-the-go as we travel.  Now is not the time to be the winner of the "food race".  It takes at least 20 minutes for our brains to signal that we are actually full.  A slow eater will actually consume less calories than someone that shoves food through their face fast.  Hang out near the vegetable tray at parties and think before you dip.  Cheese plates & heavy spreads can cause major bloating.  Drink two glasses of water and eat a piece of fruit before you arrive.  Limit what you put on your plate.  Just because everything looks & smells so yummy doesn't mean your body can handle all the food combining, it's not regularly used to.  Don't feel bad about saying no to Great Granny's fruit cake.  Your belly will thank you tomorrow.


4. Be in the Present
Instead of focusing on all of the tasks that you have to accomplish before the New Year, think of each day as an opportunity to enjoy this season.  OK the decorations were up WAY too early this year, don't let the stores jade your feeling of joy in this moment.  You still have plenty of time to find Christmas presents for those special someones, there will still be the perfect hot number for you to wear to NYE celebrations (even the coziest pjs, if you're lucky enough to stay home).  Valentine's, Ground Hog's Day & St. Patrick's are months away, contrary to what retailers believe you to think.  Enjoy the days your kids have off from school, or you from work,  forget thinking about how you just want to be back on your daily schedule.  Focus on the PRESENT, not the presents.  


5. Keep Calm & Merry On
Does you family act a little nuts this time of year, more than usual?  Are your co-workers going crazy decorating the office at the last minute?  Take a moment and give a little giggle, instead of becoming enraged.  Getting stressed & agitated at situations & others only makes it harder to keep the pounds off, messes with our digestive system (see #3) and ruins our day.  Make a movie in your mind of the ridiculous things that others worry about.  Imagine that irate dad at the toy store shopping last minute, as a funny Clark Griswald whom maybe just wants the best for his family but was working too much to do things on time.  Even if your in-laws want to complain about the time you set aside to spend with them this season, smile, that they take the time to kvetch about You.  If money is tight, remember your kids will remember a snowball fight with the family more than the newest game on an iPad Mini.  Keep Calm, Merry On... & wear a funny sweater even if it's 85 degrees outside!

In honor of Meatless Monday, here is a super easy & healthy recipe for PIZZA!  Yes... I said HEALTHY - Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Pizza.  I added yummy, fresh Mozzarella, California Green Olives & Caramelized Onions but you can add whatever toppings you want as long as they are healthy.  Please no Sausage or Pepperoni tonight.  The caramelized onions add sweetness, homemade tomato pizza sauce adds heartiness, mild California green olives are buttery & the Mozzarella gives a gooey creamy taste.  No Need for Delivery!

Gluten-Free, Vegetarian Pizza Dough

• 3 C Quinoa Flour
• 1 Tbs Ground Flax
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 Tbs Active Dry Yeast
• 1 1/4 C warm water
• 1 Tbs Olive Oil

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 375 degrees.  Let the oven get really hot.  If you have a pizza stone bake the stone while the oven is pre-heating for the best, crispy crust.
   
2. In a bowl combine yeast & 3/4 C warm water.  Let set for 5 min to activate.
3. In a separate bowl (preferably a stand-mixer) mix together flour, baking powder & salt.  
4. *In your stand mixer combine flour mixture, yeast, olive oil & the rest of the warm water. Mix together on low speed with the dough hook until a ball forms.  Continuing kneading for a few minutes. 
5. *If you are mixing by hand, make a well in the dry mixture & add the yeast mixture.  Add the olive oil & additional 1/2 C warm water before stirring.  Then stir it all together until well combined, using a wooden spoon.  Once a ball has formed knead the dough for a few minutes.  
6. Rub olive oil over the pizza dough ball, set aside & cover with a damp kitchen towel or cheese cloth.  Let rest & rise for 1 hour.
7. Once dough has risen, dust a cutting board with corn meal or quinoa flour.  Throw the dough or flatten out moving from the center out forming the pizza pie.
8. Top with homemade pizza sauce & my favorite topping above.
9. Place in the over on either a baking sheet or pizza stone.  Bake for 20-25 minutes depending on your oven for desired crispiness.  
10. Let rest & slice... Voila!!!!  You will never call for take-out again.  

* You can freeze pizza slices for leftovers... if you have any!

Don't wait until the New Year to focus on a New You.  Join the aB™ Fit Club Challenge for Your Best December Ever!  aB™ Fit Club online participants can take part in the challenge to keep you on track throughout the holidays.  The top 2 performers at the end of the month with the most High Fives will win exciting PRIZES!  Click here to join and find out the rules.

• High Fives for Workouts
• High Fives for Healthy Recipes
• High Fives for Motivation & Positive Affirmations
• High Fives for Health & Fitness Photos