December Client Spotlight: Leah Hobbs

Holiday Extravaganza is well underway and we have over $1,100 in the bucket this year! That's a lot of cash on the line, and it will take a lot of willpower if you want to take home one of the prizes! Our first prize, an awesome gift certificate to Lululemon has just been presented to Leah Hobbs for completing the lemon water challenge! Keep striving for success and keep up with the Holiday Extravaganza for more holiday challenges and more chances to win!

Leah Hobbs has had some amazing willpower these past few months as she has avoided fried foods, sodas and she has exercised daily! Leah has been a client and friend since she moved to Athens over 3 years ago. She has set new goals monthly and she has achieved them!  Recently, Leah has really focused on getting her family eating right and staying active! Hard work does pay off, Leah, and I am so proud of you! Please read Leah's awesome story below-

I hope she will inspire YOU to reach new heights this holiday season!

In her own words...

"I began my journey with Caroline 3 years ago…. Wow!

I knew that I had to find a place to exercise that would hold me accountable, push me and encourage me.  Working out at home was not going so well; I would find other things to do other than exercise.

      It has been a great journey…..the consistency of working out has not only made me feel stronger but has also motivated me to do other things.  I love strength training….two of my favorite exercises are dead lifts and chest press.  I have a love/hate relationship with Cardio, but I am working on that as I try to walk on days that I am not in the studio.  I ran my first half marathon last December.  It was a huge accomplishment crossing the finish line and I was so excited that I was not the last person to finish the race.  I learned to NEVER say …. NEVER.  I workout 3 times a week with Caroline and I walk or jog on 2 other days.

     This last year I have been making some nutritional changes.  Drinking lots and lots of lemon water, making better choices in foods and planning ahead.  These past 6 weeks I decided to give up my Zaxby’s fried chicken fingers and my sweet tea…. a true Southerner.  I don’t miss it at all.  I have been eating lots of protein, fruits and vegetables.   I feel better, have more energy and because of my decisions I am seeing positive results in my body. 

    And so I am excited about continuing my journey to a healthy lifestyle"

Energy Balls

• 1 cup oatmeal
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 1/3 cup of honey
• ½ cup flaxseed
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions: Mix ingredients in a bowl and shape into 1 inch balls. Refrigerate until firm, then enjoy!

Blessings,

Caroline

May Client Spotlight: Luci Furlow

Exercise is medicine is the theme for May! Last week I posted on gardening as a great form of exercise and the May client spotlight, Luci Furlow, is a perfect example of living a healthy active lifestyle and Luci loves to garden!   Luci & her husband, Mack own Seasonal Color Greenhouses in Athens.  Luci  is not only an amazing gardener but she is an devoted mother, wife,  and friend!  Luci started working out at TransFit over nine months ago and has amazed me with all that she has accomplished in such a short time! What I love about Luci is her quiet, yet very determined, hard-working spirit! Her attitude inspires all those who are around her daily!  When Luci puts her mind to a task: watch out world--- anything is possible! Congratulations Luci for reaching a personal goal this year and for committing to living a healthy family lifestyle. Can't wait to see what the future hold for you!!!

In Lucy's words...

I have always found time to exercise since I was a teenager - I enjoy walking and  doing strength and cardio fitness classes.  My husband, Mack, won a free TransFit session at a charity raffle, and he was so happy to give it to me. Caroline has really opened my eyes to taking care of this body that God has created just for me - be it healthier eating, making the time for exercise, or knowing when to rest. I am grateful for the many gifts God has given me, and I want to be a good steward of those gifts - including my health and the health of my family!

Exercise is great for my physical AND mental well-being. I attend a weekly Transformer class, and I leave feeling strong and ready to tackle the rest of my day! Caroline is such a positive, caring and encouraging person, and she makes every minute count when you are with her. On other days I will run, walk, or strength train using an at-home workout. I feel so much better if I get in 5 days of exercise in each week. Finding the time can be challenging when those busy weeks come up, but I just schedule it on my daily to-do list like it's any other item to check off. Fortunately, my work is fairly active - Mack and I own Seasonal Color Greenhouses, a plant nursery here in Athens. I have many days during our busiest seasons where I am planting containers for residential clients for a few hours each weekday.

In April, I ran a half-marathon in Nashville - which is something I said I would never be able to do. I trained for 16 weeks - very slow and steady - and when I crossed the finish line, I was beside myself and even cried! Mack did the full marathon, and we were happy to have those accomplishments to celebrate. It was such a fun trip to get away with family and friends to run a great race in a cool city - and then go out and enjoy ourselves!

As far as my goals that I am currently working on, healthy eating has to be at the top. I am much more aware of the food and drink I take in when I write it down each day. My eating habits have certainly improved over the last 6 months. I really do feel better when I eat well and drink plenty of water! Planning meals is another great way to ensure I am getting in "good for me" food. The busy weeks do catch up with me, and I won't eat as well as I should - and I can feel the difference.

It doesn't happen every night, but our family likes to gather for "family dinner" often. I enjoy cooking supper to wind down the end of the work and school day - and sitting down to eat with our family of 4 is sometimes the best part of my day! One of our favorite family dinners (super fast, budget-friendly, and everyone will eat it!) is Spaghetti! I serve it with spinach salad (add in whatever veggies you have on hand - carrots, tomatoes, avocados, etc. - and dress with a fresh vinaigrette)! Enjoy!

Family Night Spaghetti 

Serves 6 (easy to double and freeze)

• 12 oz. whole wheat spaghetti noodles
• 3/4 lb. ground sirloin (or venison)
• 1 c. chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 c. dry red wine
• 1 26 oz. jar of pasta sauce (with no added sugar or cheese)
• 2/3 c. milk (I use skim)
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/4 t pepper
• Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Brown meat over medium-high heat. Drain meat, if necessary. Add onion & garlic, and saute for 3 minutes. Add wine, and cook for 3 minutes. Add sauce, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer. (Cook noodles while it simmers.) Stir milk into sauce, and simmer another 2 minutes. Serve sauce over pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if desired. 

HEALTHY ACTIVE FAMILY VACATIONS

Summer vacations are in full swing as we head into July. Make your summer vacation a healthier one this year by making time to eat healthier foods, take a longer walk or run on the beach, or play active games with the family at your destination. Enjoying these extra moments with family helps you relax and refuel for the upcoming months. I have recently heard of so many families making better choices for their family vacations that I had to brag on them in hopes to inspire YOU to plan a more active, healthy family vacation this year.

Valerie Langley and her family organizes an entire family beach 5k equipped with water stops and 5k t-shirts! Each year the 5k group has grown, with a record turn out this year, and Valerie achieved a record time of 25 minutes!

Langley Family 5k Photo 2013

The Kilgore family has made a change from staying in a hotel in Amelia island to staying in a condo with a full kitchen so they can prepare their meals and not eat out as often.  Some of Suzanne's families favorite staples are yogurt parfaits, smoothies, and raw veggies (such as cucumbers and carrots) with hummus.

The Kilgore Family getting ready to enjoy a family vacation!

The Bennett family next week plans to join together for a family vacation after many family members run the Peachtree road race. Their 4th of July festivities include purple cable slaw & roasted beets in a vinaigrette, followed by yoga on the grassy lawn! WOW!

Russell & Charles Bennett on a healthy active beach vacation!

Kelly running to the bike in the Williamsburg Half Iron Man!

Friend, Jason Matthews, high fives his kids during the Williamsburg Half Iron Man race!

I just love these fresh ideas! Our family just returned from a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia where my husband, Kelly, competed in his first Half Iron Man in 17 years.  A company named Rev 3 organized the race and touts this event as a family friendly race with a 1 mile glow run, a family adventure course, and the triathlon. At the race finish, the company sets up jumpy houses, face painting, hoola hoops, and poster decorating making it fun for all! We like to incorporate our family vacations with a race or active event - so the days after the race we toured Colonial Williamsburg, slid down the water park rides, and experienced roller coasters at Busch Gardens!

The Matthews family also traveled to Williamsburg to enjoy a fun, active family vacation. Jason, UGA Accounting Professor, has recently started competing in triathlons and over the past year has transformed his lifestyle completely.  His wife, Pam, and four children enjoy coming to support him in his new found passion!

Eating healthy at these theme parks and vacation destinations  can be tricky, but planning ahead makes it possible!!! We always pack a backpack full of water bottles, nuts ,apples ,and premade sandwiches in case of those "I am starving!" moments. Of course, we let the kiddos have a treat while out, but trying to teach them to make their own smart choices will help them to become stronger and healthier so that they can grow strong and enjoy all the Busch Gardens rides!

Here is a list of some vacation travel snacks for you to pack! Never leave home without your cooler in your car!

Top 10 Healthy Vacation Snacks

1. Bottled waters 2. Apples 3. Almonds/Walnuts 4. Cheese sticks 5. Luna Protein Bars & Kids Cliff Bars 6. Grapes 7. Dry cereal in Ziplock bags 8. Pretzel thins 9.Raisins 10. Whole wheat peanut butter crackers

kids clif bar

cheesesticks

Blessings, Caroline

The Ward Family Pre-Race!