Double Your Weight Loss Starting Now

Many people think that gaining weight during the holidays is inevitable. I talk to people all of the time who accept holiday weight gain as a natural part of the season as much as they expect to see Christmas decorations in the stores. Unhealthy weight gain at any time of the year is not natural, nor desirable. In fact, the ideal is to maintain not gain. I have even coached hundreds of people in how to shed excess body fat during the holidays without feeling deprived or missing out on the foods they love. The key is the right foods, in the right amount, at the right time….Balanced Nutrition.



In addition, there is one super simple activity that can make a HUGE difference in not only whether or not you gain weight, studies show that it can help you double your weight loss (even during the final two months of the year!).

What is the secret? Bite It & Write It!! A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that by tracking your daily food intake in a "food journal" may double your weight loss efforts.


Researchers from Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research performed a study on 1,685 overweight and obese adults (men and women), whose average weight was 212 pounds. The researchers advised participants to adhere to a reduced-calorie eating plan ( DASH eating plan ) and had them record their daily food intake and their daily/weekly minutes of exercise.


After 20 weeks, the average weight loss was 13 pounds per person. In addition, researchers discovered that the more participants recorded what they ate, the more weight they lost in the end. Participants who did not keep a food diary lost about 9 pounds over the course of the study, while those who recorded their food intake six or more days per week lost 18 pounds—twice as much as those who didn't track any food!


If you’d like to learn more about achieving and maintaining your ideal body weight, you’ll want to attend…..

Get a Jump Start on the New Years Weight Loss Resolution &

Experience a Healthy Lifestyle Revolution.....

Simple Steps to Achieve & Maintain Your Ideal Body Weight


Healthy, Permanent weight reduction through….

• Reducing toxic load and releasing stubborn toxic fat.

• Increasing fat metabolism and improving overall metabolic function.

• Eliminating unhealthy food cravings & developing an appetite thermostat.

• Developing a simple, healthy balance of proper nutrition & physical activity.



Achieving & Maintaining Ideal Body Weight with Proper Nutrition & Essential Oils

Date & Time: Thursday December 16th @ 7pm - 8:15pm

Location: 4307 E. Blue Sage Court Gilbert, AZ 85297

Class Instructor: Melissa Guthrie - Fitness Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Health Educator, & Competitive Triathlete

Contact/RSVP: Jodi Lewis 480.213.6551 or Melissa Guthrie 1.800.775.0712 xt 7015 (Please RSVP!)

We look forward to having you attend. You are welcome to bring additional guests with you.


Gift Drawing & Healthy Snacks Provided.


Taught by Fitness, Nutrition Specialist, Health Educator - Melissa Guthrie. In addition to having two college degrees in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Science, Melissa was once the fat kid and has achieved her ideal body weight and has maintained it for over 14 years.


To Your Best Health,

Melissa Guthrie



What Do You Want to Know About Healthy Weight Loss, Balanced Nutrition, & Sports Performance?

I am continually amazed at how in a time in world history where we have instant access to information about any topic, we are at large a society still living in the dark ages when it comes healthy living. It is my personal mission to learn all I can so I can teach all I can and thus empower people with the solutions they seek and help them achieve their goals as they relate to health, fitness and body weight.

I'm taking my business on the road to teach and empower people around the globe - it is my mission to reach as many people as possible and make a positive difference for them. This week I'm in Arizona presenting on the following 3 topics. I invite you to join me.

• Balanced Sports Nutrition to Optimize Training, Performance & Recovery
• Maximizing Sports Performance & Fitness with Nutrition & Essential Oils
• Simple Steps to Achieve & Maintain Ideal Body Weight with Nutrition & Essential Oils
  
  Details about each event is found below:
  
  
  Attention runners, walkers, & sports enthusiasts!

Your nutrition habits can not only make or break your day to day training, they can be the primary difference between a stellar race day and a race day disaster. You are training hard, don't leave your results to chance. Come learn how proper nutrition will help you to get the most out of your training, to optimize your event performance, and recover better than ever before?


....Sole Sports invites you to a special evening with sports nutritionist & fitness trainer - Melissa Guthrie, BSc Exercise Physiology & Nutrition & Science.


Balanced Nutrition for Optimal Training, Competition, & Recovery


By attending this event you will:
* better understand your body's nutrient requirements before, during and after exercise.
* learn what foods every runner/walker should consume for better health, faster recovery, & optimal performance.
* gain greater insights into how to determine the right foods in the right amount at the right time.
* and more!

Date: Thursday October 14, 2010
Time: 7:00pm (if you'd like to join the group walk/run it starts at 6:30pm)
Location: Sole Sports Running Zone 6941 N. Hayden Ste B-4, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
www.solesportsrunning.com



*************

Learn how to optimize fitness,
improve race times, and stay injury-free with
the Essential Sports Performance Edge.

How would your fitness training & sports performance be impacted if you could significantly…
*improve metabolic function and increase oxygen uptake
*improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to the cells
*reduce inflammation & oxidative stress associated with training & competing
*speed recovery from hard workouts and athletic injuries
*prevent injuries and boost immunity
*get better, deeper, more rejuvenating sleep
*and much more

Come learn how to maximize your fitness & sports performance naturally through proper nutrition and the use of certified pure therapuetic grade essential oils.


Maximizing Sports Performance & Fitness with Nutrition & Essential Oils

Date & Time: Friday October 15, 2010 @ 7pm – 9pm
Location: 1263 E Evergreen Street. Mesa, AZ 85203 (Brown & Stapley)
Class Length: approx. 90 minutes
RSVP: call 800.775.0712 xt 7015, email mmguthrie@hotmail.com to RSVP . Space is limited.
Door Prizes and Give-Aways & Healthy Snacks!


***********************************

Slim ‘n Fit Seminar Series Announces a Free Introductory Education Class…

Simple Steps to Achieve & Maintain Your Ideal Body Weight

Healthy weight reduction through….
* Reducing toxic load and releasing stubborn toxic fat.
* Increasing fat metabolism and improving overall metabolic function.
* Eliminating unhealthy food cravings & developing an appetite thermostat.
* Developing a simple, healthy balance of proper nutrition & physical activity.



Date & Time: Saturday October 16, 2010 @ 10 am – noon

Location: 1263 E. Evergreen Street Mesa, AZ 85203 (Brown & Stapley)

Class Length: approx. 1 ½ - 2 hrs (optional bonus Start Right training class from 1-2pm)

Door Prizes, Give-Aways, & Healthy Snacks Provided.

We look forward to having you attend.  You are welcome to bring additional guests with you.  Please RSVP to 1.800.775.0712 xt 7015 or mmguthrie@hotmail.com as space is limited.



All Classes Taught by Fitness & Nutrition Specialist, Melissa Guthrie. In addition to having two college degrees in Exercise Physiology & Nutritional Science, Melissa was once the fat kid and has achieved her ideal body weight and has maintained it for over 14 years. Melissa is also a competitive runner and triathlete. For more info regarding Melissa visit www.gettingfitwithmelissa.com and www.journeytothegold.com


To Your Best Health,




Melissa Guthrie
MBS Development Group
Nutrition Coach & Fitness Trainer
Tel: 800.775.0712 ext 7015
http://www.gettingfitwithmelissa.com/
Eat Right. Train Smart. Live Well.

Add First In Order to Subtract

When most people talk about improving their nutrition, they begin listing off all the items they intend to stop eating or drinking and the unhealthy habits they intend to kick. They go on a “diet” or attempt to stop a habit cold turkey. Unfortunately, this may not be the most effective way to go about it. For starters, this can often feel like deprivation which results in an uncanny craving for the item that we’ve sworn to never consume again. In addition, nutrition habits whether healthy or not –so-healthy are often deeply ingrained usually dating back to our childhood. For most people it is easier to begin to establish a new habit, rather than break an old habit. So I recommend adding a healthy habit first before you subtract an unhealthy habit.

Here are a couple of examples:

If you would like to quit drinking soda – then start by first adding 2 eight ounce glasses of water each day. One first thing when you wake up and one just before you go to bed at night. Establish this new habit first, then gradually add additional glasses of water and eventually swap out a few sodas a day for water, until you’ve kicked the soda habit by first establishing a great water habit.

If you know you should stop eating sugary cereals and should replace them with 100% whole grain cereal. Begin by first adding a handful of 100% whole grain cereal to your bowl of sugary cereal. Each day/week increase the amount of whole grain cereal and decrease the amount of sugary cereal, until you’ve replaced the sugary cereal all together.

To Your Best Health,

Melissa Guthrie
Triumph Training
Nutrition Coach & Fitness Trainer
BSc Nutritional Science
BSc Exercise Physiology
Competitive Triathlete
Healthy Cooking Enthusiast

Tried and True Energy Boosters

A Boost of Energy

You are a busy person with a lot on your plate. You may be a parent, a spouse, a business owner, an employee, a volunteer. You may be part of many organizations related to business or personal life. And you are an athlete in training for a marathon or ½ marathon. With only 24 hours in the day, how do you do it all and keep your energy levels at optimum. Unfortunately many folks turn to artificial stimulants such as caffeine laden drinks including coffee, teas, energy drinks (Monsters, Rock Stars, etc), and caffeinated sodas. These may give you a burst of energy however that will almost always be followed by a significant CRASH! The tried and true healthiest way to experience long lasting energy throughout the day.

1. Get a good night’s sleep. Ideally 8 hrs per night with shut eye starting before mid-night.

2. Drink plenty of pure water. The recommendation is at least 80oz per day for most people. Athletes and those living in hot, dry climate may require more.

3. Maintain steady blood glucose levels by eating smaller meals every 3-4 hrs throughout the day. Make sure your meals and snacks include a balance between healthy complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

4. Shoot to eat at least 5-7 servings of colorful fruits and vegetables each day (the optimum is 7-13 servings). These foods are the vitamin/mineral and antioxidant powerhouses that help keep energy levels up.

To Your Best Health,

Melissa Guthrie
Triumph Training
Nutrition Coach & Fitness Trainer

A Moment on the Lips, Forever on the Hips

It is commonly reported that the average person gains 7 to 12 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years (and for most people this weight gain not easily reduces and is often maintained throughout the coming year). This is phenomenal to me. Typically it would not be well for an adult to gain that much weight over an entire year, let alone in 5 to 6 weeks. Some of the contributing factors to this astronomical weight gain include: overeating more than usual, consuming an excess of high calorie, high fat foods, and high sugar foods, dining out more often, higher stress levels, cutting back on exercise and overall physical activity, staying up later and getting less sleep.

Do you have any idea how many calories must be consumed in order to gain that much fat? Trust me holiday weight gain is 99.9% fat gain. There are 3500 calories (kcals) in 1 pound of fat. So if someone gains 1 pound of fat in a week, it means that they consumed an excess of 3500 kcals above and beyond what their body expended in energy that week. Another way to look at it is 500 extra calories were consumed every day for a week. Calories can add up quickly, so it is a good idea to keep a food journal to keep you in check. Use the rule: Bite it and Write it! If it goes in your mouth, it must be recorded in the journal. Following this rule is often enough to make a person think twice about picking up the cookie or going for a second helping of creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. Another key to journaling success it to have an accountability partner who you will show your journal to on a regular basis – this could be a friend or family member who is supporting your fitness efforts, a personal trainer, or a nutrition coach.


High calorie holiday foods to beware of:
Egg Nog - An 8 ounces serving contains 350 kcals, 19gm fat (11gm saturated fat) – this is not good for your waistline or your arteries.
Pie – a generous serving of Pecan Pie can be as high as 800 kcals.
Candies – 3.5 ounces of Peanut Brittle will add up to about 485 kcals
High fat meats – Prime Rib. The healthy serving of meat is 4 oz; the typical person consumes double that. For 8oz of Prime Rib you’ll take on about 850 kcals.
Potatoes – Candied Yams will add about 400 kcals for ¾ cup serving. Mashed potatoes (often loaded with butter & cream) will tack on close to 470 kcals per cup.
Gravies & Sauces – gravy made from fat drippings 375 kcals for ¾ cup.
Stuffing
Alcohol
Hot Chocolate
Cookies
Chocolate


Dining Out: Most people have no idea how many calories they are consuming when they eat out, even when they are attempting to order healthier. It is not uncommon for a restaurant meal to have 1200kcal, 70 grams of fat, 2000 mg sodium. This is as much fat, salt and calories and some people require in an entire day (and they are consuming it in one meal). YIKES!!

Holiday Spirits: Consuming alcohol promotes fat storage, especially when alcohol is consumed with a high fat, high calorie meal. The body does not process the carbohydrate in alcohol the same way it does the carbohydrate in fruit and whole grains and in the process of metabolizing the alcohol sugars, fat metabolism is hinder and fat storage is enhanced.

Stocking of Sweets: High sugar foods are not only high in calories; they also cause a spike in blood sugar levels followed by a surge of insulin into the bloodstream which promotes fat storage, especially when sweets are consumed later in the evening.

Season of Stress: High stress levels increase the body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone) which promotes fat storage.

No Time to Sleep: Sleep deprivation can lead to overeating, making poor food choices, and can temporarily alter hormone balance which means increase likelihood of weight gain.

Exercise your options: Exercise is what I call damage control for the holidays. Every extra calorie expended means one more calorie that doesn’t end up in a fat cell on your thighs. Ten minutes of exercise is better than no minutes. Simple ways to burn extra calories: Take two laps of power walking around the mall before you start your actual shopping. Park at the farthest parking spot from the door of the store and you'll burn a few extra calories walking and you are less likely to feel the stress of fighting for a close parking spot. . Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Schedule your workout for early morning, so you get it done first before anything else has the chance to thwart your plan. Find a workout partner so you can keep each other accountable to your exercise plan throughout the month of December. Spending time with friends or family – opt to go for a walk and talk rather than sitting on your behind. There are plenty of ways to keep exercise and physical activity a priority during the holidays. Extra benefits are exercise reduces stress levels and improves mood.

Happy Healthy Holidays!

Melissa Guthrie
BSc Nutritional Science, BSc Exercise Physiology
ACE Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
New Leaf Certified Metabolic Technician
Triathlete/Runner
Healthy Cooking Enthusiast

Making Your Workouts Work With a Fitness Buddy

It seems that for me the theme of this week has been accountability in business, in fitness, and in life. It is amazing the difference it can make in ones desire and motivation to take action, to be consistent, to stay true to one’s word when there is someone to report to. I have had the great fortune of having a weight training partner for the past 6-months and it has been a great benefit to us both as we’ve been committed and consistent to our weight training regime. Whereas, before we started working out together we always did our cardio, but were inconsistent with our weight training. Last night I had an impromptu coaching session with my business mentor. She challenged me and told me she wanted a detailed report on my activities today. I was not about to let her or myself down, so I took massive action today and accomplished much. Earlier today, I was speaking with a friend who invited me to a party tonight. I told him I wasn’t going to be able to attend because I am running 20 miles at 6am tomorrow. He responded like I had three eyes and hair on my teeth. “Why in the world are you running 20 miles and why are you doing it at 6am?” That’s simple – I’m training for a marathon, I’m training with a team and the team is counting on me to be there. Most people would think to themselves, "well there will be at least 40 other people there to run in the morning so if I don't show up it won't be a big deal and no one will even notice." Perish the thought! It is amazing the support each team member contributes to the successful training of each other team member. When you know the team is going to be there at 6am to train, you don’t want to have to run all those miles by yourself, then you don't even consider hitting the snooze button. A coach, a mentor, a training partner, a personal trainer, or a team can be one of the most valuable assets in reaching your goals.

Earlier this week, I was not able to make it to the gym to meet my workout partner, Kim on our appointed weight lifting day and I felt badly about letting her down, because we both really look forward to our training sessions. Did she just go home? NO! She stayed and did the workout. Today Kim was sick and didn’t make it to the gym. I was already there doing my cardio workout. I rolled off the stair mill and hit the weights. Going home or skipping weight training never crossed my mind. What I’ve found is the few times that Kim is unable to make it to the gym, I’m just as motivated to complete my weight workout as when she is there. In speaking with Kim, I know she feels the same, she knows I’m going to ask her how her workout was and she doesn’t want to tell me that she bailed out of weight training just because I wasn’t there. I think she actually takes pride in being able to say “Melissa, I kicked my own butt today. You would’ve been proud.”

Having a fitness buddy, workout partner, or personal trainer is a great asset any time of year, but especially now during the holiday season. We get busy with holiday parties, shopping, and working extra hours to make up for the time we’ll be taking off from work. With the cooler weather, the sun rising later and setting earlier, our motivation to workout can wane. Having someone to report to and or someone depending on you to show up can be that little extra nudge we require to be consistent with our workouts during the holidays and throughout the winter months.

Suggestions in choosing a fitness buddy and making your workouts work:

• Choose someone you actually like to spend time with, a person who is motivated and who will hold you accountable. You don't want to work out with a waffler.
• Make sure that your workout schedule can be consistent – same days, same time each week. Also be willing to be flexible as occasional adjustments are required. Choose someone who is punctual.
• Choose someone who has a similar level of fitness to you. You don’t have to be able to lift the same amount, but it is important that you can both do the same exercises. If you are doing cardio together, make sure if you are running, walking or cycling outside that you are both at a very similar level otherwise both of your workouts will be sub-par. If for some reason you are at different fitness levels, be sure that you can each do the workout at your own pace, while still doing it together. i.e. You are walking on the treadmill at 3.5 mph, 4% incline and your buddy is walking on the treadmill next to you at 2.8 mph, 2% incline.
• Make sure your workouts are planned ahead of time. Don’t show up to workout and say “what should we do today.” Know before you go. Have a plan and work your plan. As Jim Rohn says, those who fail to plan, plan to fail.
  
  

Success to you!

Melissa Guthrie

BSc Nutritional Science

BSc Exercise Physiology

ACE Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor

New Leaf Certified Metabolic Technician

Triathlete/Runner

A Thanksgiving Challenge & The Big Fat Problem

Do children come out of the womb screaming “give me soda…I want ice cream…cookie cookie cookie!”? Of course not, the truth is that we as adults are guilty for introducing these low quality, low nutrient, empty calorie foods into our children’s lives. I’ve heard of an experiment in which toddlers ages 2 to 4 were put in a play room which had two tables of food in which the children could partake without restriction. One table had cut up fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese cubes while the other table had chips, cookies, sugary fruit snacks. The experiment revealed that the children naturally migrated to the fresh fruits and vegetables without any adult interaction or coaxing.

In case you’ve not noticed, we have a big, fat problem here in the United States. More than 6 out of 10 people are classified as obese. I’d venture to say that only 1 or 2 people out of 10 are at a healthy weight. Our children are at risk like never before, with 1 out of every 3 children classified as obese. This means our children are on the fast track to developing a myriad of degenerative disease while they are still in their youth and for the first time in hundreds of years, a child born today has a greater likelihood of dying before its parents. We, the adults, are to blame. We set the example by how we eat. The poor food choices we make become the poor choices our children make by default. Our lack of self control and our gluttony become that of our children.

I was recently out for a morning run and I ended up running past an elementary school just before 8am. There were children walking to school and I was baffled to see two overweight children drinking soda pop as they were walking to school. I thought, who taught them to drink soda for breakfast? Most likely it was the adults in their lives.

I have recently attended several family birthday parties and I’ve been amazed as several of my nieces and nephews, who are all under the age 12, have wolfed down 3 bowls full of cake, pies, brownies, and ice cream in one sitting. Who teaches our children to behave this way? The adults in their lives are again guilty.

So as we head into the holiday season, tomorrow being Thanksgiving, the day most noted for total GLUTTONY, I challenge every adult to take some time and reflect on the example your setting for these precious little people who have been put in your stewardship. Consider what it means to truly love another person… does it mean you only want the very best for that person? Does it mean that you want that person to be the healthiest they can be, to be the best they can be? Does it mean you want to protect them from any harm or danger at any cost?

Life is precious and our bodies are a gift from our Creator. Children are a priceless blessing. Isn’t it time that we start taking our own health more seriously and that we set an example and teach our children to care for their bodies like the temple God created them to be? May we all care for ourselves and others in a manner that reflects the love and honor we have for our Creator and for ourselves.

Tips for a Healthier Thanksgiving:

BE active – go for a walk, run, hike or ride a bike. Play a game – like football or Frisbee.
Participate in a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot – walk or run, push the baby in the stroller. It is a fun event for the whole family.
Eat sensibly prior to the Thanksgiving Feast. Have a balanced breakfast. Depending on what time the turkey dinner takes place have a balanced snack and/or lunch too.
Eat smaller portions of your favorite holiday foods. Eat to a point of feeling satisfied or just slightly full. You’ll know if you ate the proper amount if you are hungry again in 3 to 4 hours. Now you can take your second helping. If you are not hungry for 6 or more hours after your meal, then you overate in a BIG way.
Use smaller plates. Put your fork down between bites. Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.
Focus on family and friends and strengthening your relationships instead of focusing on the food & feasting.

Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving to you!

Melissa Guthrie

BSc Nutritional Science

BSc Exercise Physiology

ACE Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor

New Leaf Certified Metabolic Technician

Triathlete/Runner

November Fitness Spotlight

Today I am spotlighting the success of my client, Mickey G. She began working with me at the end of August 2008, after she had been advised by her doctor that she had the preliminary stages of a health issue that could be controlled and even reversed through proper nutrition. During out initial meeting, we discussed Mickey’s goals which included being proactive about her health issue and following a custom meal plan, getting back to a consistent exercise routine, and reducing her body weight. She was not overweight by any means, but she knew where she felt her best and desired to get to and maintain that ideal weight once again. The course of action we devised focused on mainly on nutrition. We determined that after several weeks of her focusing on her nutrition, and then we would put together an at-home exercise routine.

About 3 weeks into the nutrition program, Mickey and I met for a follow up session. She was amazed at how great she felt, how much energy she was experiencing, and how much she was enjoying the more balanced meals. Not to mention, she had lost a few pounds. Her husband happened to stop by during our meeting and it came to my attention that by default he’d been following the nutrition plan as well, and was also experiencing renewed energy and weight reduction. I was delighted that he was beyond just being a supportive spouse, he was engaging right along with Mickey.

I met with Mickey a week ago to take her through the first session of her custom at-home exercise program. She reported that she has reached her goal weight – having reduced her weight by 14 lbs and her husband has reduced his weight by 27 lbs. They are both feeling great, of course looking great, and are sold on the healthy lifestyle they are living.

I am delighted about their success and want to congratulate them on making the decision to improve their health and fitness and taking the consistent action required to reach their goals.

What can you learn from Mickey? Mickey is a mother of six, five of which are still at home. Her children are very actively involved in extra-curricular activities. She home schools and works a job outside of the home. You do not have to be perfect in following the plan; you do have to be consistent. Nutrition alone is a huge component of the fitness pie. To be at your best for your family, your work, and your fellowmen you have to take great care of yourself. You have to make you a priority and take time for your health & fitness.


Congratulations Mickey & Darryl! You are Super Stars!

To Your Best Health,

Melissa Guthrie
BSc Nutritional Science
BSc Exercise Physiology
ACE Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
New Leaf Certified Metabolic Technician
Triathlete/Runner