Be Inspired!

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do.   

Fail at it.   

Try again.   

Do better the second time.  

The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire.   

This is your moment.   

OWN IT.” 

–Oprah Winfrey 

Be inspired and run with that inspiration.  What is one thing you have been wanting to do (maybe there are several)?  Pick something, set a goal, and go get it!  

I have worked my a$$ off (I’ll try to keep this PG) the last couple weeks to make my kitchen beautiful in my eyes.  For those of you who don’t know, I bought this house about 6 months ago, and it was quite the bachelor pad (except not as cool).  I have put a lot into making it my own… and the kitchen is my new pride and joy!  

The OLD wallpaper!

Ahhhh (sigh!)

My new cute IKEA table and chairs!

It took a lot of time.  A lot of pain (seriously, I thought I was giving my hands arthritis!!).  A lot of commitment and focus.  But it’s done, and I walk in there a million times a day (on purpose), and SMILE.  

This is EXACTLY what life is all about.  We strive to be better, and unless we stick it out and push through the tough stuff, where do we end up??  Not much further into success and satisfaction than where we started.  

Think about your health/nutrition/fitness goal (whatever it may be)… if you’ve accomplished it, you know how much hard work and true dedication it took to get you there.  Maybe some blood (only sort of kidding), sweat and tears along the way, but it was worth it, wasn’t it?!  If you’re sitting on the other end reading this and have a goal you want to achieve, just haven’t gotten there yet, make a plan and conquer THE HELL OUT OF IT!!  

If you need help getting there, turn to someone.  As I’ve said before, those who care about you will be there as motivation in whatever way you need it.  

On a lighter, yet still healthy, note!  Here was my yummy post-run breakfast... 

6 miles completed, along with a bowl of oatmeal with fresh apple and a sprinkling of cinnamon, and a milk-protein shake… and I’m fueled right to start the day!  Watch out evening TurboKick class!!!  I’ll be fueled for ya!  

Have a fabulous day.  Make the MOST OF IT.  

:) Maggie (and don’t forget to smile)

Rain, Rain... Watch Out, I'm Comin' Through!!

The rain today was a perfect opportunity to bring out the big guns and spread some motivational words about keeping our brains and bodies stimulated in the darker, colder winter months (although it doesn’t really feel like winter out there today – it IS darker because of the rain).  

Whether you simply feel the effects of the winter months on your mood (and motivation to be healthy), or you’re actually affected by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), I have some nice tips for you to keep MOTIVATION up, HEALTH a priority, and therefore your LIFESTYLE more balanced… than having to “jump back in” come spring.  

• The one thing that keeps me most motivated and in a regular routine of working out and [mostly] healthy eating is this simple fact:
  THE DAY YOU QUIT, AND EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY AFTER, IS ANOTHER DAY YOU HAVE TO RESTART.  
  This is how I created the lifestyle I live today.  There is literally no better time than the present. 
• Make a conscious decision to change ONE THING today.  Maybe that means go to bed earlier, eat a balanced and healthy dinner, snack throughout the day so that you’re not famished and starving when you get home, go for a walk, or walk/run.  You decide.  But make a decision and FOLLOW THROUGH. 
• WORKOUT.  Switch it up!!  Head outside one day, stay in the gym another, attend a class, call a buddy, do an at-home workout, call a REALLY AWESOME TRAINER you know:)  (that is 6 different workouts, people, keeping your brain and body stimulated!).  It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, there is a sun above the clouds.  It doesn’t matter how much time you have, make more (and if today is really “out” in your mind, then wake up early tomorrow and START).  It doesn’t matter who you think will support you, people who care WILL.  What matters is YOU, and that’s EXACTLY who is living inside that awesome body of yours. 

That’s it for today.  I don’t want to turn into a wordy blog-queen just yet… :)

The Beginning of Blogging

http://maggiebinkley.com 

Happy Sunday evening!  It's been a long day of scrubbing walls and painting on primer, and I finally got the mojo to write my first blog.  I'm not a huge social media junkie, but I've heard that this is a great way to build client base, connect with others, and spread the word about healthy nutrition and fitness.  

As I've just recently become an independently contracted personal trainer at a small personal training studio in the heart of Broad Ripple, this is one way I'm hoping to spread the word and spread knowledge to those that follow! Of course, I love that it's free!  And I love to write, so this should be a great outlet for that as well :)  

I will try to update often!!  And share great thoughts, ideas, and information.  For my first blog, I'm going to share my fabulous dinner and dessert creation for this evening...

I've always been what I call "creative" when it comes to food and meal prep, but due to my tightening the belt of my budget in 2012, I'm pretty sure my creations will continue to be even more interesting.  Since I failed to go to the grocery today, I conjured up a meal consisting of 

• Brown minute rice
• Egg whites 
• Broccoli 
• Carrots 
• Morning Star Veggie Crumbles 
• Salt/Pepper/Soy Sauce

I put this all in a pan with some cooking spray, and VOI-LA... dinner!!  It was delicious... my version of FRIED RICE with VEGGIES and protein.  A huge bowl and less than 300 calories.  Since this is light on calories, I will have room for Sunday night dessert :) 

• Sugar Free Devil's Cake mix (1 box)
• Diet Coke (1 can) 
• Chocolate chips (a sprinkling) 

After baking in the oven for 35 minutes at 325, here is my yummy dessert (with some Cool Whip of course!!).  Just 150 calories (1/12th of the baked cake!).   

Easy!  Yummy.  More to come...