blog Archives - Lauren Fox On Demand

Sticking to Your New Years’ Goals!

January will already be coming to an end before we know it! How have you been doing with your goals? Has it been easy or hard to stick to your plans for 2020 in the first few weeks! If you’re anything like me, it’s been somewhat of a challenge to keep the momentum going. And that’s OK! We are human… it happens. We won’t get it right all of the time. Today I want to share some tips that will help you take that next step to making 2020 the best yet!

Set Intentions Instead of Resolutions

Instead of making resolutions, try framing them as intentions. Sometimes resolutions can feel like a lot of pressure. And it’s easy to make a resolution just because it sounds good!! When your 2020 resolution is to lose weight that can become the hardest thing to actually do! The beauty of setting an intention is that it’s a goal you fully intend to accomplish. As silly as it sounds, I think a lot of our New Years’ resolutions are missing the substance that true intentions can have. Why are you setting that particular goal? There’s a great Ted Talk about how our “why” determines our “how.” The way you set about achieving a goal is directly affected by the reason you are pursuing it. So, make sure it’s a good reason! If your intention is to lose weight, you need a reason, or a “why,” that’s compelling enough to help you stick to it! I’ve found that doing something to improve how others think of me isn’t nearly as powerful as doing something because I personally want to. Set your intention to lose weight because you want to physically feel better, not because you want to make other people think more highly of you!! Work toward intentions!

Make Your Goals and Intentions Specific and Measurable

I’ve mentioned this in previous blogs, but this next tip REALLY IS one of the keys to following through on your goals! Make sure your goals and intentions are specific and measurable. Your goals won’t do you any good if you don’t even know how to work toward them! If you set a goal to be happier in 2020, how can you measure that? It’s better to set a goal that is specific and measurable so you’ll know when you’re making progress! Instead of “be happier,” maybe you can phrase it as “take more time for fun activities.” Then you can keep track of how that’s going throughout the year! You can measure that goal. You can attain it because it’s tangible and specific as opposed to vague and broad.

Keep Your Intentions Visible

We are so much more likely to stick to our intentions when we can consistently see them! I’m a visual learner, and I LOVE vision boards! For me, that’s a great way to make sure I can keep my eye on the prize! I think a lot of us lose track of our intentions halfway through the year simply because we forget! We get distracted! There’s so much happening in our day-to-day lives that we need to find ways to keep our goals in front of us and visible. You can’t cross the finish line if you lose sight of the path mid-race!! Find a way to make it visible. You can try vision boards, sticky notes on your mirror, reminders in your calendar, or even an accountability partner that will help keep you focused.

This is the year of following through and coming out better, stronger, and healthier on the other side! Set intentions, be specific, and keep your eyes on the prize! We can do this, y’all! As always, let me know how I can help!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Healthy Habits for a New Year,
and Every Year!

When a new year comes around, it’s a fresh start, and we want to start off on the right foot! I’ve made a list of just a few ways you can make sure you are kick-starting your 2020 the right way! A few small habits can make a HUGE difference if you stick with them!

First, remember to always, always, ALWAYS drink plenty of water! The rule of thumb is to take your body weight and divide it in half. Whatever the number, that’s the number of ounces you should try to drink every day! Staying hydrated is good for your whole body. It’s even helpful for your skin!

Make sure you’re eating balanced meals! I know we all want something sweet every now and then, but just make sure you aren’t eating too much sugar all the time! Mix it up—eat protein, fruits, veggies, and carbs! Don’t have too much of any one thing. The key word here is “balanced!” We can’t be balanced if we’re only eating carbs!! For most of us, there’s no reason to cut out carbs altogether, but it is important to balance our meals.

Stay active! Even the little things help. Take the stairs at work or go on a walk in the morning or at night. Just keep that body moving as much as possible! If you need help with squeezing in your exercise, you can always sign up at www.laurenfoxondemand.com to get access to all my workout videos that you can do anytime, anywhere! Super convenient for those busy schedules!!

Surround yourself with positive people! We can’t always choose our coworkers, but we can choose our friends! Find the people who lift you up and keep you positive—those are the friends you want around you! You’re less likely to be a Debbie Downer if you don’t surround yourself with others who are like that! It’s important for both physical and mental health to stay upbeat. Build a support group with the people in your life so when tough times come, you know you have people you can lean on! Positivity is contagious, so be a person who helps spread it around!

Develop a bedtime routine. Find the best way for you to wind down from the day! Maybe it’s taking a warm bath, drinking hot tea, putting your phone away prior to getting in bed, or listening to calming music toward the end of the day. Having a routine in place that helps your mind decompress and wind down after being used all day is helpful for a variety of reasons! The main reason is that we all need good sleep, and that’s easier when we have bedtime rituals in place! It trains our minds to shut off when we need them to so they can rest and recover. Our bodies also need time to rest and recover… especially when we are keeping them active during the day! Take some time to figure out how to slow yourself down before you go to sleep each night and build a habit out of it.

Finally, remember to practice an attitude of gratitude! When we express all the things we are grateful for on a daily basis, it reminds us of all the good in our lives! That is so important! It helps keep everything in perspective. Life can have crazy ups and downs. Y’all know my life has if been all over the place if you keep up with me at all, and being grateful is the key to staying on track! Remember all you have to be thankful for and let that be the fuel that pushes you forward during the hard and frustrating times! We can do this, y’all! Let’s make 2020 the year of healthy habits!!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊
Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

New Year 2020, Let’s Make it GREAT!

Get enthusiastic about a new decade! There is so much in store for 2020 and the years beyond! Don’t dwell on the past—get excited about this new year with me! There is so much we can do to make the most of this year… let’s get started!

Ditch the Comfort Zone

One of the best things you can do to start this year off right is getting out of your comfort zone. This isn’t always the easiest place to start, but if you start small, you can accomplish much more than you realize! We’ve got to ditch the comfort zone if we want to go anywhere new! 2020 is the perfect time to take action! 

So… how do you get out of your comfort zone? Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Here’s your action plan!

1)     Mix up your routine. Sometimes we get stuck going through the motions, living our day-to-day on autopilot. Change a little detail of your day and help train yourself to readjust to what’s new! This is just one step to start getting you out of your comfort zone. Need some ideas? Try using a different route driving home from work. Do a different type of exercise than normal. Eat different food than you typically do. Talk to a stranger on a walk through your neighborhood. There are tons of ways you can disrupt your usual daily routine to make room for change!

2)     Say yes! I don’t mean say yes to everything, but trying something new can help boost your life to the next level! Know your boundaries well enough to push them when it’s right. Someone outside your normal friend group invited you to a social event? Say yes! Someone asks for help and you aren’t sure what to do? Say yes and then do your best! Open the door to new opportunities—you never know what could happen!

3)     Keep Yourself Accountable. One of the biggest parts of getting out of your comfort zone is staying out of your comfort zone. When we do something new or hard, it’s easy to go back to the place we feel safe and secure. When life is predictable, we feel at ease. But taking a risk can pay off, and doing the uncomfortable things leads to a fuller, more rewarding life! So, hold yourself accountable to get out of your comfort zone! Find a partner who can help motivate you. Set reminders in your calendar if you need to! Whatever works! Make sure you stick with it.

Set Defined Goals

Another way to make 2020 great is by setting short-term and long-term goals! When you’re setting a goal, make sure it’s measurable, specific, and realistic. If you tell yourself the goal is to be happier, how do you plan to measure that? Be more specific. What makes you happy? Let’s say time with your family is what makes you the happiest. Maybe your goal then becomes spending more time with family. That is measurable, specific, and realistic! Time management is key!

If you want to set a goal for physical activity, don’t say, “I want to exercise more.” Set a finite, reachable goal for yourself! Saying, “I want to exercise four times a week, every week” is a much clearer goal. Make sure that it’s a realistic goal, too. When you set a high bar for yourself, you may find that you rise to the occasion like a champion! But how long will that last? We don’t want to quit on our goals halfway through the year! Set yourself up for success. It’s better to build momentum. Start with a small, specific, attainable goal. Once you reach that, set a new one! You can continue to do this until you’ve reached that one big goal you have in mind for the year!

Take Care of Yourself 

You can’t put all your effort into making the new year great if you aren’t taking care of yourself first! If you want to give 2020 your best shot, you have to be your best self! Remember to get adequate sleep and fuel your body with a healthy, balanced diet. Focus on the positive and stop negative habits in their tracks! Take time to be grateful for all the good in your life so you don’t take it for granted. Keep your circle of friends positive… share smiles, laughs, and love! Travel when you get the chance and make yourself a priority. Keep learning every day and stay active! With all these tips, I hope you are more excited for 2020 and motivated to make it your best year yet! I am here for y’all and I can’t wait to see what this year brings

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊
Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

New Year, A New Decade, A New FIT You!
Amazing things lie ahead!

As we head into the New Year, I had some thoughts I’d like to share. It’s always a good idea to take note of the year we are leaving behind—2019—what did it mean for you? What did you learn? There is always some good and some bad, and we all have both disappointments and accomplishments. But we are still here and heading into a new year, a new decade!! Give gratitude for what you have learned and let’s get excited about 2020 and what amazing things lie ahead!

Planning for the Future

What are your goals for the next ten years? Where do you see yourself? I would love to have a small place on the beach because that’s my happy place!! I can film my videos anywhere, so I’d love to live at the beach at least six months out of the year and continue to grow and learn as well. I have a lot to accomplish in 2020 and the entire next decade! I want to help more people globally and get them in the best shape of their lives, making it affordable and convenient. I want to help our youth by teaching them that fitness can be fun and healthy nutrition is a must to live a good life. Ricky and I want to foster these healthy lifestyles because the statistics are in, and the future is grim for our children!

The Fox Fitness Project

Because of the dangers of childhood obesity, we have started our own non-profit, the Fox Fitness Project, to fight against childhood obesity. We really believe that the best gift we can give the kids of today is a healthy childhood. Did you know that one in three children and adolescents (ages 2-19) are overweight or obese? Children who eat healthy foods and get adequate physical activity have fewer school absences, higher academic achievement, higher self-esteem, and fewer behavioral problems. It’s clear that this is a problem in our world today, and I want to help where I can! When 40 to 50 percent of toddlers today sit and watch more television than is recommended and nearly half of preschoolers don’t get enough physical activity, we need to find a way to get kids moving and teach them about healthy eating!

Get Ready for the New Decade

Children aren’t the only people who are at risk, however. It’s also been found that women gain a minimum of ten pounds a decade! It’s crucial to minimize this by adopting a regular exercise regime and eating healthier. You can get started by signing up for my classes at laurenfoxondemand.com for less than a dollar a day! Your body, your health, and your life are worth that! Also, go to my website and click the menu button (the three bars at the top right) then click “store.” You will see my nutrition plan there. You can purchase it and get started immediately on a new you!! There are two phases plus some of my fat burning recipes. You’ll also get forever access to the new recipes and tips that I give monthly!

For my two-phase program, you’ll start with Phase 1: Get Foxy Fast! This will jump-start your transformation! Phase 2, Foxy Forever, will help you get fit at a slower pace, but will also help you maintain that new foxy figure!!  Give yourself the gift of health this year!

In addition to everything you can find on my website, I will also offer personal training via FaceTime or Skype in 2020 in case you need me to push you over the hump!! I am here for you—just make the decision to let me help you lose weight, feel great, and live a healthier, longer life!

Here’s to a new year, a new decade, and a new YOU!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

 

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Holiday Depression:
Don’t Be a Grinch this Holiday Season!

With all the craziness of the holidays, it can be easy to become a Grinch. We all remember Dr. Seuss’s grumpy guy who hated Christmas. But I am here to help you avoid that and keep the holiday spirit!!

Make Time for Yourself

Remember to practice self-care and take some time for yourself in the midst of the holiday stress! Build in time for yourself to protect your mental health. Take a bubble bath, read a book, or just take five minutes in your car between errands to chill out. With shopping, family time, and holiday events, it can all add up to a lot of stress if we aren’t careful! Make sure you have space to decompress if you need to.

Eat Well

To keep your body feeling good, aim for real food instead of all the sweets and holiday indulgences. You can certainly have some of those things, but try to make the majority of what you’re eating food that is fresh and natural! You’ll feel more energized if you do!

Keep Moving!

Make sure you have some time to move around! It been proven time and again, physical activity make you feel good! Do my On Demand, www.laurenfoxondemand.com  classes at home if you don’t have time to get out of the house to exercise! If you want to get out, try taking a walk or jog or going to a class or working out at the gym. You could even make it extra fun and have a dance party at home with your kids! There are tons of ways to get moving, so try your best to make room in your schedule for it!! Your physical health is just as important as your mental health!

Make a List

Making lists can help with holiday stress, too. If you have ten things you need to do (I know I usually have more like twenty!!), then figure out which ones are “needs” and which ones are “wants.” If they’re all needs, then prioritize which ones are most important and urgent. Take care of those first, then tackle the rest! Break down big tasks into smaller ones, and don’t forget to ask for help from a spouse or friend when you need it! This is the time of year that always reminds me to help others, so I’m sure people around you feel the same! You’ll never know if you don’t ask.

Help Others

Giving help to other people is another way to ward off those Grinchy feelings! If you are fed up with all the chaos that tends to come with the holiday season, do something that puts your focus on someone else outside of yourself! Need help finding the right volunteer effort? Just ask your friends or turn to social media, there are many organizations looking for help during the holidays and all year long. Often times, that can help you remember what’s most important and relieve some of your stress. Giving to others always feels good, and it helps someone else, too!

 Watch for Overspending

One of the biggest stressors during the holidays, or any time of the year, is money and finances. Santa Claus isn't going to dump a load of cash down your chimney, sorry. If you find yourself stretched this time of year due to buying gifts for people, work to stay within your means. If doing presents for others is too much, find other ways to give to them to show your appreciation! Make a gift if money is tight. It might mean more to the receiver than a store-bought gift anyway. Overspending is SO easy to do, so make a plan to avoid it! If you need to track your spending, set up a system. Be sure you aren’t letting the holidays become something negative—it should be a time of love and spending time with those we care about!

Whatever you find helpful for de-stressing this holiday season, remember to incorporate it into your routine! Use these tips to get started. Let me know what works! I love hearing from y’all and I'm always here to help!

Hope your holiday season is a wonderful one!

 Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Fitness Christmas
How to Stay in Shape for the Holidays!

The time is here… the holiday season! Let's celebrate Christmas! I love the holidays, but I also know that lingering feeling that comes when you start to think about all the Christmas tradition food, sweet drinks, desserts, and other treats… how do we keep up our physical activity and stay in shape with all the temptations?? There are a few little tricks that I want to share with you to help keep you on track with your healthy lifestyle in the face of all the sweet treats and holiday food!

Have a Plan                               

The worst thing you can do is assume you’ll have adequate willpower when you are at a holiday party and you pass the food or drink table. You need to make a plan for what you are willing to have and what you want to say no to. This will be different for everyone, so make your personal plan before the time comes to make a hard decision! Preparation is the key here. Figure out what you need to do for exercise, too! Schedule it in like a work meeting. Decide that you’re going to do it before it’s time to go so you won’t make a holiday, last-minute change and decide not to! Pack your bag, lay your clothes out… whatever it takes!

Be Realistic

Your holiday schedule and your regular schedule are probably not exactly the same. This means your exercise routine won’t be the same, either. You might have family coming to town, parties to host or attend, and more cooking than usual. Whatever the reason, don’t expect to have the same amount of time on your hands. Use the time you do have wisely! Understand that you might not be able to maintain the same level of exercise through the holiday season as you do the rest of the year… and that doesn’t mean you have to quit altogether! Do what you can when you can and be excited about it! Be realistic with your goals so you aren’t constantly feeling like you’ve failed or let yourself down.

Stay Hydrated

Drink you water! Water solves so many problems! When family and friends surround us for the holiday season, it can be easy to forget to keep drinking water! It’s easy to get busy and distracted. And since it’s colder outside, we tend to go for warm drinks! Coffee drinks and hot cocoa might taste nice, but they don’t keep us hydrated! We need to drink water every single day. Try keeping your own water bottle with you while you run errands or do holiday shopping. Make a reminder on your phone that prompts you to drink water every hour. Find what works for you! We need water to keep our skin healthy, allow our digestive system to function properly, and carry nutrients through our bodies. So, drink up, y’all!

Exercise Early

With the holidays, come the parties, events, and family outings…. life can get crazy. If you can, try getting your workout done in the morning so you can keep from getting distracted as the evening rolls around! Let mornings be the time you spend on yourself so you can focus on everything else going on the rest of the day without worrying about when you’ll get to exercise. Do it first and move on with the day!

I know the holidays threaten to take away all the progress you’ve made with your body so far this year, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Keep these simple tips in mind and move forward with confidence! I know y’all can do it! Let me know how I can help!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Aging…..
What does that look like today?

Your perspective of “older” changes as you age! Studies show, we are living longer these days, and that tends to make the way we view old age very different. How we view ourselves changes constantly as we age, too. Plus, times are different… in my grandmother’s day, they made weekly trips to the beauty shop (at age 50!) to have their gray and white hair fixed matronly! Not so much anymore! Thank the Lord because I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet!

I love to tell people my age because they never believe me, and that’s always great to hear! I remember when I thought 55 was so old!! Well, not anymore! I feel better in my skin than I ever have before! That wisdom thing is truth!! It’s like I finally know myself, get myself, and see younger people close to me beginning to learn (or at least needing to). When you do, it’s called soul growth and it’s a beautiful thing!

It’s so important to stay active and not curl up and die like many people think older people should do!! Young or older, we all need physical activity. The reduced risk of chronic diseases, increased life expectancy, reduced risk of heart disease, reduced risk of dying early and simply making the aging process much easier are all worthy elements to keep yourself in a healthy lifestyle! I plan to teach some form of exercise for the rest of my life! It may end up being chair aerobics, but you can bet your bottom dollar I will teach it!

As you age, you also get to escape scrutiny, and that is one of the best things about aging! You don’t feel like you are getting that evil side eye as much from others if you are out looking your best! And if you are getting it, when they hear your age, then their entire body language changes towards you! It goes from, “who does she think she is?!” to “go girl, you are killing it!” It’s so freeing! You no longer care what others think of you; you own it, and that is so amazing in itself! That’s why I say embrace aging with grace because it just keeps getting better as long as you take care of yourself! Our mantra should be: “Like fine wine we get better over time!” Cheers!

Given how much longer people are living and how much healthier they are at that time, our ideas of age are indeed changing. People in their 40's and 50's (like me) are treating aging differently than previous generations. “40 is the new 30” and I like it!

You make so many mistakes in your 20's thinking your 30's will be so much better, but most of us still make some of those same mistakes again until we start to figure some of it out. Your 40's can be very productive and wonderful because you do start to feel good in your own skin. I am loving my 50's, and at 55, I feel like I am finally to that “wiser” spot you hear about becoming when you are older! You just know you know what you know, and you no longer need the approval of others. You are less judgmental and more forgiving, which is a plus!

In 2018 Michigan State University conducted an online survey and the majority thought that old age begins at 50... oh my goodness! The older adults who say they feel younger than they actually are turn out to be the ones who normally live longer, healthier lives for the most part. Saying is believing!

Also, the statistics are in, and the more active you stay, the better you age overall. Fact: people who have a positive attitude about aging tend to age slower. There are reports that people who have negative attitudes tend to walk slower as they age, have a greater likelihood for brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, and can even be at risk of a reduction in lifespan!

Research has found that a positive attitude and exercise are the top two components to aging slower. No “grumpy old men attitudes” and you are on your way to a brighter future! Laughing has been found to be beneficial, so always try to see the humor in things!

Stay active by at least walking—and participate in my classes at laurenfoxondemand.com? I show modifications for every move, plus, I am starting to add more 30-minute beginner classes to get you started if it’s been a while since you exercised. I truly want to help, so please feel free to email me with any questions, etc. at laurenfoxondemand.com.

Until next time stay positive, eat your fruits and vegetables, get moving and enjoy the rest of your wonderful life!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Thankfulness

Hi y’all! During this time of year with Thanksgiving approaching, I always think about being thankful and grateful. In fact, I wrote a blog a few months ago about the “gratitude attitude”...btw, you should go read that one too!

I have been telling all of my classes to think of one thing they are thankful for in their lives. It made me think about the different stages in my life and how some things you appreciate like your loved ones and your health stay the same year after year, but others can change a whole lot with each decade.


When I was a little girl, I was so thankful for my grandparents, Memaine and Papa. I lived with them the first 7 1/2 years of my life for the most part and am still thankful for the role they played in making me who I am today. Your younger years create that foundation you build the rest of your life on and they sure made me feel safe and loved which is so important.

As a teenager I was thankful that my sweet mama always bought me the cutest clothes and she always took me to visit some great places which in turn made me a fashionista and helped develop my love for travel and good restaurants. Having a fun, pretty and cool mom is always a plus!


As a young adult I remember being grateful that my children were healthy and happy. They were my main focus for many years and are still at the top of my “Thankful list” today! (Along with my 5 grandchildren they have given me!)
But as I have aged, my perspective has changed. I now know not to take the beautiful moments in life for granted and those small moments are what I truly treasure. Through the years I had relationships that weren’t the best. They were like trying to put a square peg in a round hole! I lived through abuse, betrayal, controlling behaviors from others, heartbreak and more, but I am so thankful that I did not let it make me bitter or negative. I am truly blessed to have been able to stay positive and keep a smile on my face through it all. I am so relieved that I kept that happy heart open because now I have a wonderful healthy marriage that makes my life perfect! It took a while, but Prince Charming finally came knocking! The funny thing is that we met in elementary school, went to middle school and high school together graduating in the same class in 1982! Even went to the same College before he left for dental school. I obviously have gratitude for my Ricky and am so thankful for all of the support and love he gives me daily. I do wonder how we missed the love connection for so many years, but it makes me think that we had to walk our path to find our way back to each other with true appreciation and adoration. My point to this part of the story is don’t let life get you down or make you negative because there is a lot more to come and you want to be ready to accept it and be thankful when it finally does! I am also very thankful for my career and all of the wonderful people I have met along the way. I am so blessed to be able to help people transform into better versions of themselves...physically and mentally. Exercise has so many benefits and I am grateful to be able to continue to share it in my former studio which I just sold and globally with laurenfoxondemand.com! It is very rewarding and I am thankful for finding my true mission in life.


Now Ricky and I have created a nonprofit to fight childhood obesity called the Fox Fitness Project. Giving back will always make you happy and more thankful! I get to help keep people’s children healthy which I’m sure is at the top of their “thankful list”!

Bottom line, I’m saying is to just be thankful for what you have and you will end up having even more! As bad as life can seem at times, remember there is someone else dealing with worse. Just try to look for those silver linings, smile and know that the best is yet to come! Thank you for your continued support! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Barre Workout
Be Your Inner Rock Star!

For those of you who have done my class in recent years, you know I always called it “Celeb Barre.” Now I’ve got “ROCKSTAR BARRE!” This class fuses different disciplines of exercise into an entirely new format. The name really got me thinking… how do you connect to your inner rock star? What does it take to rock the barre like a star? So that’s what I want to talk about today—finding your inner rock star!!

First of all, what I know for sure is that my rock star barre class is addicting! It heats you up from the inside out and is an amazing way to burn fat, release toxins which results in weight loss! The endorphins you feel after a good body workout are part of what makes this class so enticing! That will definitely get you feeling like a rock star! But when it comes to connecting to yourself and feeling the power not just on the outside, but on the inside, too... it’s more than a good feeling after releasing toxins. It’s about real power that comes from physical activity!

I started thinking about The Wizard of Oz and how all Dorothy wants is to get back home. She tries all different sorts of things to find her way, but in the end, Glenda the good witch tells her, “You’ve always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself.” This applies to us, ladies!! We have the power within us! All we have to do is see it for ourselves! Teaching exercise has always been so rewarding for me because you can see people finding their own power. I watch lives change from the inside out! I can see the glow and the beauty that comes from someone who realizes just how much they can achieve with their own power. It even affects your family… you’re happier, less stressed, and more patient! I can’t tell you how many men have come up to me and thanked me for helping their wives and girlfriends with such a big life transformation. The long-term effects are outstanding! When you find your power, you have more to give those around you because you are happier with yourself. That’s real change!!

You can truly find yourself in a workout… that’s when the transformation happens. I can give you the space and workout routines to follow, but finding that inner rock star is something you have to do on your own. It’s a different experience for every person! Maybe you have a little ritual you go through to mentally prepare for your workout… that’s what I do! Over the years, I’ve developed a routine that helps me get ready for the hard work ahead! It helps me get to my inner rock star. For me, it’s my rock star bracelet! It’s perfect for exercise because it’s lightweight and doesn’t make noise no matter if I'm strength training, aerobic training or barre. When I put that bracelet on, I’m ready. I know its game time! I let it be a symbol that helps transform me into the rock star I know I am!

Find what preparation works for you! Maybe you experiment with different things until you find what you like. Send me feedback and let me know what you’re trying and what’s working! There is room for all of us to be rock stars. We should support each other and draw out the best parts of those around us! Helping others is so rewarding. Helping the world is what makes me the happiest! That’s why I started my nonprofit, the Fox Fitness Project, to fight childhood obesity! You don’t have to start a nonprofit to help though—find your unique way to be the light and love to those around you! Not only do I want you to find your workout power and put on your ruby red slippers to become the BEST version of YOU… but I also want you to find your own personal power! I want you to find your passion in life! I want you to wake up healthy, energized and ready to ROCK the world like the star that you are!!

I always say, “Rock the barre like a star!” and with the holidays around the corner, share our Rockstar Barre class by giving the “GIFT of HEALTH” this year!? You can purchase memberships for your family and friends or refer www.laurenfoxondemand.com to them! Then you will receive a free month for yourself while spreading the love and the power! It’s a win-win!!

Just like Beyonce says, “Who runs the world? GIRLS!” She’s so right… Let’s get it done, ladies! Find your inner rock star and you’ll never want to go back! Find the power in yourself and help others do the same. Love to you all!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

Eating Out Healthy!
Food For Fitness

Whether you hate cooking or you just enjoy eating out at restaurants, it’s important to figure out how to stay healthy when you aren’t making the food you eat for yourself! Or maybe you are like me and it’s just hard to find time to cook due to work overload! Whatever the reason, enjoying a meal out should not ruin your healthy eating goals or ruin your diet and exercise plan!!

Here are a few tips and tricks for committing to healthy eating while at a restaurant:

Don’t feel the need to eat it all. While cleaning your plate is nice and makes you feel like you got your money’s worth, don’t be afraid to take a to-go box!! It’s best to ask for a to-go container when your meal is served… remove the temptation from your sight and feel good about getting two meals for one price!

Many places serve way more food than should be eaten by one person! You can consider sharing an entrée, too. You don’t have to lick the plate clean! Even if you’re getting healthy food, you shouldn’t overeat. My grandmother always made me clean my plate, but portions were much smaller back in the day! Today’s portions are out of control!! Ricky and I split entrees a lot or take half of it home. Try it out!!

Look at the ingredients when listed. Certain dishes will inherently be healthier than others… and you can usually get a good estimate of that by reading the description of the dish. Look out for words like creamy, crispy, and breaded. These are likely less healthy options. Instead, aim for dishes that use words like grilled, steamed, seared, or roasted. Go for food for fitness. Eating out doesn’t mean you have to neglect good dietary practices.

Eat the meat! Look for lean meats like turkey and chicken. If you’re getting beef, go for a leaner cut. By eating meat, you’ll feel full faster… and that keeps you from eating too many carbs!! And if you prefer eating vegan or vegetarian, here’s a list of some great sources of protein you can try. Chickpeas, edamame, quinoa, kidney beans, oats, walnuts, peanut butter, lentils, tofu, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and black beans. If you don’t know what else you could get or you simply want to know more, consider getting a free fitness consultation.

Be smart with the sides. If your entrée comes with side dishes, opt for healthy food such as veggies, fruit, soup, or light salads with low-fat dressing. With soup, go for a lighter soup instead of a heavy, creamy one. Consider vegetable soup over bisque. With a side salad, stay away from too many high-fat ingredients such as cheese and croutons. Lettuce and spinach are a good place to start!

Beware the bread and chips. Carbs….Ugh! You know when you sit down at a table and the waiter immediately sets down a basket of fresh bread? You can ask them not to! If the temptation is too great, ask for no bread. If you look at fitness tips for women and men, you’ll notice them say that it’s better to be without. It’s also worth noting that whole wheat or whole grain bread is better than something like garlic toast. 

If you’re at a Mexican restaurant, don’t overdo it on the chips!! Easier said than done! We munch away on the chips and salsa and then feel like we need to eat the whole meal that comes after! Be careful about portion size and how much you’re eating before the real food actually comes!

Try mixing up the type of food you eat! Now I know some of y’all are picky eaters, but consider branching out! A lot of ethnic foods are healthier than other types of foods. For example, it’s easier to eat healthy food at a Japanese, Thai, or Greek restaurant than it is at a Mexican or Italian restaurant. There are more options for grilled meat and vegetables!

Look for Food for Fitness. The Fitness Fad is here to stay and many restaurants have catered to the people’s desire to stick to their diet and exercise plans. For the same reason, many are amenable to you altering your dishes to meet your macronutrient needs. 

Think of the Drink. You might have a lot of healthy food on your plate but you also have to be mindful of what you drink. Even fruit shakes may have more sugar and sweeteners than you'd expect. If you really can't do without do some research into your favorite refresher. Water, fat-free or low-fat milk, or unsweetened tea are always on the menu if you can.

Share a Dish. If you're an adventurous eater, sharing a dish with family and friends is a great way to explore healthy food without spending too much on ordering the different dishes for yourself. You could try asking for small plates for everyone.

Take Part in a Free Fitness Consultation. While it may not seem like this has anything to do with eating out, there are a lot of things you can learn from a free fitness consultation that can help you make smart choices. We all have different body types and metabolisms so what might be good for your friend, might not work on you. We offer free fitness consultations so you can get your numbers and we can give you tips on what specific ingredients you should avoid when going out for a meal.

Our fitness tips for women are especially helpful considering that we as women have a lot on our plate to take care of - figuratively and literally. Well, maybe not literally. What I mean to say, is that, as a woman, one of the best ways to let off all the tension and stress away is to indulge in a scrumptious meal. I understand. I’ve been there. But this does not mean we should neglect our beautiful body.

The bottom line is that you have to pay attention and give it a little more thought when you’re eating out… but it is still possible to stay healthy even while eating out! Don’t let fear stop you… just decide beforehand that you’re not going to indulge in every fried food you see on the menu!! Tell the person you’re eating with that you are trying to eat healthy food and let them help you. Your body is worth it! Feed it well!!

 P.S. My husband, Dr. Ricky, and I have written a nutrition plan to lose weight, and it includes some quick and easy recipes! It will be up for purchase on my website THIS WEEK! Once you purchase a diet and exercise plan, then I will email you more recipes throughout the year to help you stay on track!

Until next time, xoxo! 🦊

Lauren

Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
on YOUR schedule, on Any Device!

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