A Christmas Treat

  

If you live in the northern or midwest regions, the weather is more than likely FREEZING now in your hometown as we are just a few days away from Christmas. While Christmas dinners and desserts are soon to be prepared, we must think about our bodies and the days following the holidays as well as going into the New Year. It can be very tempting but remember, moderation is essential! BeFitForU is all about enjoying life's simple pleasures as well as being a healthy, happy you.

Something that we must incorporate in our eating habits is trying foods first before adding anything extra. If you are constantly shaking on extra salt or sprinkling on extra sugar, then you are conditioning you palate to have a certain standard of a "good" taste. These habits however are those that lead to conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.


Did you know? Diabetes melletis commonly known as Diabetes, is classified into two different types Type I and Type II.

 

Type I: Affects about 5-10% of Americans and is and auto immune type of diabetes. Basically what happens is the genes that are inherited malfunction.

 

 

 

Type 2: Affects the majority of Americans and is typically directly linked to fatty, unhealthy foods and also a lack of exercise.



 

If you want to stay warm during the holidays, one way to do so is with a cup off hot chocoloate. Of course that sounds pretty cliche, but did you know the health benefits of a cup of hot chocolate?

According to a study that was conducted at Cornell University, the concentration of antioxidants in hot chocolate nearly doubles that of red wine and contains nearly five times the amount of black tea.
Check out the article here.

      What Are Antioxidants???

Antioxidants are substances that can potentially remove harmful oxidizing agents in a living organism.

Anti: Against

Oxidation: Chemical reaction when a substance is exposed to oxygen.

An example of oxidation is when an apple turns brown after being sliced. This is due to the chemicals that contain iron present in apples reacting with oxygen. This reaction actually produces melanin, which gives skin its pigmentation!!

Lemons contain high amounts of citric acid which is an antioxidant. This is the reason that lemon juice is suggested as a way of preserving the color of your freshly cut apples.


Another food rich in antioxidants is dark chocolate. I encourage you all to give it a try because you actually may prefer it over milk chocolate!!! Enjoy your time with you family and friends!!!
 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

 

 

Go Nuts For Yogurt!!!

I was thinking about the old Mounds versus Almond Joy commercials and was somewhat inspired. I happen to love Almond Joy's but I wanted to make my 220 calories  a lot more healthy, so here's what I came up with!!

I first started with coconut flavored greek yogurt. I chose Yoplait here but I also like Dannon Light & Fit which has about 30 less calories to worry about.

*Greek yogurt has become very popular with its double protein content and thicker consistency over regular yogurt. It also is high in calcium which is great for bones and teeth but also your heart and nerves. The live and active cultures are also an excellent way to maintain probiotic (bacteria in your tummy) health.*

 


I next opened a 100 calorie pack of Emerald natural almonds and counted them. There were 15 almonds inside so deeming this package 100 calories would mean that each almond is about 6.67 calories. Total calories =6.67x7, 46.69 or 47 for 7 almonds.

 





I then just simply crushed the 7 almonds  (I wanted the almond content to be 50 calories or less) in a plastic sandwhich bag. My Fisk University mug worked rather well since I did not have a rolling pin handy.





For the the addition of chocolate I used one Hershey kiss which has a calorie content of 25.



 The Hershey kiss was crushed in a plastic sandwhich bag as well.

Next just mix all of the ingredients together!!!

 

Enjoy!!!!!!! 

Full calorie content: Coconut Greek Yogurt: 110

            7 Almonds: 47

                   1 Hershey Kiss: 25

                                             Total: 182

On the Road Again?!

Last week I had to take a 3 day business trip to a small area which did not offer a wide variety of foods to eat. There was basically an Applebee's, (click here  for an Applebee's coupon, hurry!!) a mexican restaurant, a BBQ place, and an Italian restaurant to choose from. What I found quickly happening was one, that I was eating out! Although it is okay to out every now and then, I personally get burned out very quickly. Secondly, I found myself trying to force myself to eat all of my food in an effort to "get my moneys worth."

For anyone who has experience this first hand or who is trying to stick to a specific dietary plan I have some suggestions for you!!!

1. Look for the nearest grocery store.

This sometimes means that you would have to drive 20mi outside of your location which is why it is important to think about these things in advance. You can either bring your food along or stop somewhere on the way. Although it would have been a little out of the way, there was a Kroger in the area in which I couldve bought food from. While cognizant about my calories consumed I did however order a salad for dinner at Applesbee's with my dressing on the side. By choosing to have your dressing on the side you can control the amount used and reduce calories this way. Some may choose to eat their salads without any dressing but I sometimes add a small amount  for flavoring. Applebee's also has a section on the menu with items that are under 550 calories without skimping on the flavor!

Applebees Nutritional Facts

2. When you order your meal ask for a to-go container.

Once your food is brought to you can divide you meal by putting half into the to-go container, (assuming this is a dinner or large portion.) While eating also drink water which I recommend as your default beverage, which will help you to obtain that full feeling faster and also help supply your daily water intake.

3. Utilize the work-out facility on the premises.

If you'd also prefer to work off those extra calories consumed take advantage of the gym offered at your hotel. Sometimes the gym may not be very new or as nice as what you are used to but something is definitely better than nothing! And if all else fails as I am sure you read in my Heart Walk 2012 post, try walking. You can do that anywhere!!

4. Don't Be Afraid To Be Different!

It may put you in an awkward situation but you definitely do not want to sacrifice all of your hard work over a couple of days of "hangin with the crew." I had to eventually tell my coworkers one night that I was going to eat a can of Campbell's soup that I brought from home instead of eating out. Which worked well for me because I also wanted to relax, but tagging along for the convo is totally fine too!

Halloween Zumbathon 2012

A spooky  and chilly night on October the 20th was perfect for Yoyo's annual Halloween Zumbathon!!! 

All of the proceeds benefited Autism Speaks as well as Yoyo's own non-profit organization Building Back Piece-by-Piece.

Many, many hours went into the preparation of this event including developing choreography, editing songs and even a few hours of practice after each Zumba class. Several students of Yoyo's were selected (including myself) to help make this event even bigger and as you can see we practiced hard!

Yoyo, seriously ready!





While the event date came closer and closer we had to meet and make sure that are costumes, choreography and event schedule were all in sync.

 But we of course still had to have fun while doing it!!!!

 

On the day of the event as people began to file into the "haunted" school, many costumes were on display including our opening Zumba instructor, Michaela.

Two Zumba instructors followed, Javin (bottom far right ) and Diondra (unable to be pictured) and then it was time for our show!

D' Tae, Brandon, Donovan, Javin

Donovan, Javin, Yoyo, and Derek

Keli, Donovan, Derek, Darline, Brandon, Natasha, Yoyo, D' Tae, Me, Chulee D

 Opening with Michael Jackson's Thriller we quickly got the crowd into zombie mode and even included a Michael Jackson tribute remembering the King of Pop.

In our wacky costumes and with  this dubstup version, you couldn't help but to say three times Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Bee-tle-juice!!!

Me, Keli, Chulee D, Natasha, and Darline

I am far left..

See a snippet of our performance above!

And as the guys had there performance it was now time for the ladies! With horns and a red tail, "She's A Devil" is what we sang as we salsa-ed across the stage. If you can't tell this one is one of my favorites!

Natasha, Darline, Me, and Keli

See a snippet of our performance above!

The event continued with Yoyo's younger brother Donovan mixing up the Zumbathon with a little KISS!!

Kiss Tribute by Donovan

Closing the Zumbathon was a  Gangham Style performance by PSY featuring Zumba instructor Javin in which the power mysteriously turned off during our during our performance! Maybe the school was haunted after all!!!! Nevertheless we finished the event on a positive note which was all for this little guy here!

Devin with Mommy (Yoyo)

Derek, Devin, Mr. Lopez, Mrs. Lopez, and Donovan

Finally the infamous Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, aren't they so fabulous! They are so supportive!!

After all of our hard work and dedication we can officially call ourselves The Zumba Crew!!!!!

Photo Gallery:

                                                     

         

 

Happy Halloween!!!!!!