Holiday Humbug or Holiday Hustle? FREE Health & Fitness Challenge Support Group

I could start this blog in a very cliche way and share that the average weight gain during Thanksgiving and the New Year fluctuates between 7-10lbs -- BUTTTT I think we're all pretty damn aware that the Holiday season brings about a layer of holiday wrapping we don't exactly look forward to unwrapping in the early months of the New Year.

So with stating the obvious, let me first say that this time last year I was attempting (key word: attempting) to start my competition training to do bikini NPC.

I thought to myself, 'WHY let the Holidays dictate WHEN I decide to hit my goals?!'

And I STILL have that mindset. And I STILL have that goal. But guess what? Like any normal person, I QUIT! I decided it wasn't for me, saying that I loved FOOD TOO MUCH!

Talk about about BAH-HUM-BUG! I realized however, that you CAN still LOVE food (and even more so) while getting in amazing shape.

Now that I'm MORE aware of what it REALLY takes to take your health and fitness to the next level, I feel more prepared than ever to share that WITH YOU!

But our starting place isn't exactly the same. When I got started with this competition prep, I had been using Beachbody at home workout programs for the last 4 years.

And DAMN proud of that because they got me into the BEST shape of my life!

But there's that one ingredient we all try to maneuver around when it comes to seeing results...

Our eating habits. 

Diet. 

Nutritional plan.

Or lack there of. 

WhatEVAH you want to call it is fine, but it's the key to unlock the potential of a nice, chiseled, toned, sexy body that most of us crave.

And lemme just say... if I had to pick ONE program that could prepare me the BEST for learning to meal prep, plan and portion out my meals, it was the 21 Day Fix Extreme and 21 Day Fix.

Whether you've browsed my blog before or this is your first time, the 21 Day Fix is a comprehensive, no nonsense, hit it where it counts, kinda program.

WHY YOU (AND I) WANT TO DO IT?: 

Your (Autumn Calabrese) trainer won't cost an arm and leg. 

Whether you're like me and want to work your way up to a competition. 

OR you just want to look great all year round. 

OR you're tired of using the end of the year as an excuse for why you got fluffy.

OR you're ready to get serious about your goals BUT... 

You really NEED the guidance, accountability, and support of a COACH.... 

Well, then. You are in FAVOR ;-) I've done this program multiple times. That's why I make a GREAT coach and guide while you're on your journey to hit your goals.

Keep reading if you want to JOIN ME in doing the program while having my support and daily check ins.

And here's a piece of solid advice for you: You can use this program again and again and again and again. 

That's the reason I ALWAYS come back to it. I bought it once and use it again. And Again. And again.

And I get results EVERY TIME (every time I stick to it consistently, I might add).

Now we could use the holidays as AN EXCUSE as to WHY we didn't reach our goals or we can make it OUR REASON TO HIT OUR GOALS!

I would rather avoid the hum-bug of excuses because I know that life happens -- holidays, birthdays, weddings, travel, you name it.

If I can get the fittest, healthiest I've ever been during the Holidays, I can do ANYTHING.

Imagine that confident boost! 

So the question for you is.... ARE YOU WITH ME?

If you are then check it. Holiday Hustler. ;-) 

What You Get: 

• ME, as your FREE Beachbody Coach to help guide and keep you accountable through the rest of the year (and with the choice to keep it up through 2016!) 
• Goal Setting Session via 30 minute phone call or video chat 
• Daily Check-Ins via PRIVATE Facebook Group OR Daily Check Ins via Emails with ME
• Guidance and help creating your own PERSONAL meal plan according to your goals and tastebuds 
• 21 Day workout schedule with a variety of workouts to target ALL areas! 
• Option to get a 3 Day Cleanse to either kick off or finish with your new workout program
• 30 Day Supply of Shakeology, a health meal replacement shake that delivers over 70 superfoods, antioxidants and vitamins to increase your results and curb bad cravings. 
• ...& MORE! 

WHERE DO I GET IT? 

The group is held in a private online Facebook group, only visible to the members involved. So anything you share is totally confidential. 

Once you've ordered your 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack (fancy for; bundled deal of 21 Day Fix Workout and Meal Plan and 30 day Shakeology supply) you will be added into the group.

Just be sure you use the LINK BELOW and contact ME so we can get you started and work on those GOALS!

Don't have Facebook? No problem, you can stay in touch with me via cell, and email. We can also cheer each other on Instagram if you have that too. 

Not only that, but it's on sale this month for $140 << normally Shakeology is $130 alone, and you get it WITH your challenge pack, so you're practically stealing from us. Thanks. 

YOU HAVE 4 OPTIONS: Based on your goals, and how much you want to invest in yourself! 

A few things to keep in mind while proceeding: 

• 21 Day Fix is the FIRST program and suggested for beginners, AND/OR those who haven't worked out in a while. 

• 21 Day Fix Extreme is for 21 Day Fix Graduates, AND/OR those who workout and are ready for the next challenge. 

• You can choose between 5 flavors of Shakeology or do a combination for your 30 day supply.

• The 3 Day Cleanse is an option if you want to increase your results or have a bigger weight loss goal. I've done the 3 Day Cleanse after I finished the 21 Day Fix and lost an additional 5 pounds! 

Not sure which is better for you, 21 Day Fix or 21 Day Fix Extreme? Watch this: 

To order your 21 DAY FIX CHALLENGE PACK CLICK HERE!

(Includes 21 Day Fix workout program/schedule, meal plan, 30 Day Supply of Shakeology and access to the support group/daily check in emails/my coaching services)

To order your 21 DAY FIX CHALLENGE PACK WITH THE 3 DAY CLEANSE CLICK HERE!

(Includes 21 Day Fix workout program/schedule, meal plan, 30 Day Supply of Shakeology, 3 Day Cleanse and access to the support group/daily check in emails/my coaching services)

To order your 21 DAY FIX EXTREME CHALLENGE PACK CLICK HERE!

(Includes 21 Day Fix EXTREME workout program/schedule, meal plan, 30 Day Supply of Shakeology and access to the support group/daily check in emails/my coaching services)

To order your 21 DAY FIX EXTREME CHALLENGE PACK WITH THE 3 DAY CLEASE CLICK HERE!

(Includes 21 Day Fix EXTREME workout program/schedule, meal plan, 30 Day Supply of Shakeology, 3 Day Cleanse and access to the support group/daily check in emails/my coaching services)

We officially start November 30th, but the group is OPEN NOW to give you a head start, sneak peaks on recipes and meal plans, as well as some other pre-season goodies to get you excited for this new CHANGE! 

See you ladies soon! <3

I CANT WAIT to do THIS again!

CIAO!

Quinoa Crusted Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini Noodles

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I love that I can sit here on a Friday afternoon cuddled up in a blanket (I don't really need the blanket, I just like it), in a wife beater and yoga pants, listening to reggae while blogging recipes, sharing the things that helped me get rid of those last 25lbs and truly enjoying my career. This whole Beachbody coach thing aint so shabby.

A little progress pic.. I practice what I preach here at From Flab to Fab ... I plan on staying as Fabulous as I can for as long as I can! It's nice to feel good about yourself, see the results from your consistency, and hard work. Keep going ladies, you GOT this.

What does FABULOUS EVEN MEAN??? And why did I choose it... 

Extra --- ordinary... its that little EXTRA that defines the difference.
Stupendous... lovely word.
Amazingly good ____ (ad lib that: heart. soul. body. humor...sex???)
Having no basis in reality... I create my own... your reality IS what you create around you.
Extra ordinarily large... don't you want to live your largest dreams? I know I do!

Oh, I like it. I like it a lot.

Grateful.

Ok so onto the GOOD stuff... the recipe! I've seen a few versions of this concept before and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and make a few adjustments.

What You Need: *recipe for two

• 2-4 Chicken breasts (I did 4 chicken breasts in halves.. it was more than enough, I would suggest doing two and cutting in half) 
• 2 eggs beaten 
• 1/2 cup of coconut flour (don't worry you wont have coconut chicken parm lol -- if you use enough seasonings, that and the quinoa will cover up any coconut flavor) 
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• Italian seasoning, rosemary, basil, garlic powder OR I used Garlic Lovers by Flavor God
• Shredded mozzarella and fresh grated parm (or that stuff in the green container bottle thing)
• SAUCE: you can do store bought or home made.. I've done home made but I know it can be better.. so you can certainly Pinterest some good sauce recipes. To use my recipe for sauce and for the noodles/zoodles go HERE! 

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1. First things first chickadees - you need to cook that quinoa! Start that first -- the directions should be on the bag. If you buy bulk, typically its 1/2 cup of quinoa per 1 cup of water .5/1 -- cook and let cool.
2. Start the zucchini noodle prep -- I also made it with spaghetti squash for my boyfriend since he prefers that. 
3. Set up your little dunking station: beaten eggs in one bowl, coconut flour in another, and the quinoa. Cut the chicken breasts in halves or like chicken tenders.. up to you. Then dip chicken in the flour, then the eggs, then the quinoa...place into a glass pyrex dish (spray it with EVOO or canola oil).
4. I like to sprinkle the seasonings and cheese on top of the chicken once coated and on top of the noodles/zoodles. For the ZOODLE 'how-to' click HERE! Pop into the oven for 30 minutes or until done. 
5. Once your noodles are done, place chicken on top, pour on the sauce and sprinkle with fresh parm. 

THAT easy && THAT yummy! I first saw this recipe HERE on Damn Delicious but just changed a few things. But check out that page, it has tons of great ideas! 

21 Day Fix Approved:

2 Green (noodles/spaghetti squash/sauce)**psst technically tomatoes are fruit (21 DF mistake?)

1 Red (chicken breast/minimal eggs)

1 yellow (quinoa/minimal coconut flour)

1 Blue (cheeses/optional EVOO on noodles)

I hope you love this just as much as we did! <3 Bon Appetite, GUILT FREE!

Healthy Sweet Potato Burgers

I love potatoes of all shapes, sizes, and colors... I don't discriminate on carbs when they have potential to taste like french fries. I'm pretty sure you agree right?

So a few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went to our friends house (cute engaged couple -- Tiarah and Tony) and they introduced us to an AWESOME seriously healthy and EASY recipe... So thank you Tony for being health focused and getting us hooked even MORE so on potatoes ha!

This recipe is EASY... and takes minimal mental effort. Ready? Me too, because even the left overs are #bombDOTcom

What you Need:

• Two large sweet potatoes or yams
• organic, unrefined coconut oil
• Himalayn salt and pepper
• Grass fed beef/lean ground turkey/black beans -- use your preference of a patty -- black bean burgers are a GREAT option for vegan and vegetarian folks! For the black bean patty recipe (vegan and vegetarian friendly) CLICK HERE
• Hamburger seasoning 
• Olive oil
• shredded cheese or pepper jack 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut up the sweet potatoes in circles - these will be your BUNS! So make sure your SP are big enough or your patties are smaller depending on the size
2. Grab a pyrex larger glass dish. Toss in 1 tbsp of coconut oil -- if its not melted just place in the oven for a second. Toss the sweet potato slices around so they are coated with the coconut oil and add a dash of salt! Put in the oven for about 25 minutes -- don't let them get TOO soggy or your buns will fall apart! 
3. Season your ground turkey, beef or black bean patties with your choice of seasonings -- I liked hamburger seasoning,  pepper, a little salt, and add shredded cheese to keep most. Then place into SMALL patties and coat with olive oil. 
4. Either in a pan, on a grill (like my hand dandy George Foreman), or in the oven, cook the patties until desired temperature/well/medium well/etc. 
5. When both are done, add some ketchup, avocado and enjoy! Or whatever toppings you want ;-) 

21 Day Fix Approved:

Depending on which bracket your in based on your caloric needs/goals it depends on how many red/yellow/blue and green containers you have portioned for each meal. If you follow my meal above, it would be two red/two yellow/two green/1 blue (ok maybe two blue... whoops darn avocado). 

But the main containers you are using: Green, Red, Yellow (& blue if you are adding avocado) 

*The sweetness from the coconut oil adds the perfect sweet/salt ratio to your dinner, trust me its AMAZING! It doesn't taste like coconut burgers ;-) 

Bon Appetite! 

Strawberry Avocado Summer Salad

Welp, HAPPY ((ALMOST)) Summer!!!! Ok, I'm a little early, but that's ok.

I'm not a huge salad person when I have to make it myself because I just don't know what to do... I think its option overload so I always end up putting the wrong things together. I know, strange.

Anyway, this salad came out YUMMM and it was so easy.. and I'm a little proud of myself-- I can make pancakes from scratch off the top of my head, but I cannot master a salad, except this easy one.

21 Day Fix approved:

2 red -- chicken or protein (if you use two chicken breasts -- I cut all my breasts in half before I cook them so I get "more" out of it)
3 green -- I like a lot of spinach, but you can measure it out
1 purple- strawberries
1 blue- avocado (I'm apart of AA -- avocado's anonymous, I have a problem)

What You Need:

• 1/2 avacado
• spinach
• Himalayan Salt
• Pepper
• Diced up chicken (or protein of your choice)
• diced up strawberries
• diced up avocado
• lemon juice

I don't use dressing, so if you do, by all means go for it... I just like less calories. I use lemon juice with salt and pepper ;-)

So combine all that, dash of salt, dash of pepper, lemon juice... and that's it! 

It's simple, but fresh and easy. Can't go wrong! 

Women's 21 Day Fix Results - 21 Day Fix Review

Welllllllllp, the time has come! I finally get to reveal my 21 Day Fix results on my blog to share with you ALL!!!

So are you ready?

Im sure you're wondering if I lost weight...

but truth of the matter is...

I actually GAINED two pounds...

am I freaking out over that?

YES I AM!! That's 2 pounds of solid muscle and definition I didn't have before... check it out:

At first glance it's so easy to think, "I look the same" but truth is, I wasn't going for a weight loss story, I was going for a habit changing story. I've been honest that I'm not all that great at meal planning, prep and my portion control needed some work. 

I started out at 118 and finished at 120. Am I freaking out over 2 lbs??? HECK YES, that'stwo pounds of muscle I've been working hard for! I can see how a lot of girls freak out when the scale starts to tip in what they think is the "wrong direction" but truth be told, feeling strong is way better than feeling "THIN" so while I didn't lose weight (thank goodness) I did gain two pounds of muscle and the discipline to start prepping my food and sticking to my REAL portion sizes  

I noticed a difference in my hips, arms and of course abs, I love how eating healthy and clean makes those muscles POP What I loved about the fix: it's realistic. There's no facade you're going to lose weight by eating whatever you want and however much you want... Even I get my delusional moments where I think, "I can just burn all this off" but it's like trying to cram 5 workouts in one day and expecting a 6 pack. GOODLUCK if you need a good ole fashion wake up call, then I totally suggest this program! 

to read more about the fix visit my other blog posts:

The Meal Plan

21 Day Fix Review of the workouts, trainer, meal plan and containers

If you want to know more on how to be apart of my 21 Day Fix support group on Facebook, need help with meal plan and prep, would like a sample meal plan and get started on the 21 Day Fix yourself, contact me NOW! It's 3 weeks, anyone can do 3 weeks right?!

CLICK HERE (to get started on YOUR JOURNEY)

to make me your FREE coach, CLICK HERE! 

want to know what a free coach entails? CLICK HERE

Look forward to your results! As always XOXO