Category Archives: 24 Day Challenge

LITTLE BLACK DRESS FITNESS CHALLENGE

JOIN ME IN JANUARY!!!

STARTING JANUARY 11, 2016 

IT’S CHALLENGE TIME AND YOU’VE GOT 2 SWEET OPPORTUNITIES…

  1. FOOD CHALLENGE, we are joining the Nation for the ADVOCARE ALL-IN 24 DAY CHALLENGE!  I’ve tried and led many different challenges like this, and hands down this is the best I’ve found that yields the best results for reaching short-term AND long-term goals.  This is a kickstart for weight management, overall body composition, energy and overall health.  YOU’RE NOT ALONE!  Join the challenge and recieve personal coaching from our team, online resources like the new 24-Day Challenge Virtual Coach, Nutrition Guide, Healthy Recipes, 24-Day Challenge app and support from community events like “Prep for the Challenge” Party and “Moving in to Max Phase” Party.  Read more here…
  2. FITNESS CHALLENGE… we are committing to the popular LITTLE BLACK DRESS CHALLENGE!!  Lots of groups follow this workout, but in my coaching group I will be leading  you in daily videos on how to apply the TYE4® to your exercises to make them harder, cleaner (better form), safer and YOU will get better results because of it!  The workout is made up of basic movements, 30 days of exercise assignments and no gym needed.
  •  You will need a TYE4 if you don’t have one… order here.
  • Read more about TYE4 wearable resistance/assistance system here.
  • Sign up here to join the FITNESS CHALLENGE {$10 for the month of January}

JOIN ONE or JOIN BOTH

Oh, and…

JOIN ME IN MARCH FOR REFRESHING, INSPIRING WEEK IN THE 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!

Come read about our Fitness Retreat here…

b5bb1b_3ff873b7c0f64f729823bc5ff48c1507DANA&ASH

I’M PARTNERING WITH INSTRUCTOR DANA TAFT FOR THIS RETREAT.

ASK HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REFERRAL PROGRAM

ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com

b5bb1b_3b7b6b36b471422fbd20bf140f61af87

Screen Shot 2015-12-05 at 3.21.29 PM

 

ADVOCARE ALL-IN 24 DAY CHALLENGE 2016

Well, the gyms are about to be PACKED and FITNESS is about to become very popular again – not as trendy in Nov & Dec haha  That’s all fine and good, but the real KEY TO CHANGE starts in the kitchen. Once we get our eating under control and in order, the ‘gym part’ will have a greater payoff!

‪#‎truthbomb‬

So if you need to jumpstart

• weight management • energy • overall body composition • overall wellness

JOIN US for the NationWide Advocare ALL-IN 24 Day Challenge!

We are starting January 11, 2016
Order by January 4th for the special perks and free stuff!

524793_10207059127730990_3847615818399240384_n
For more info on the challenge go to Advocare.com

Email me with questions
ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com

• My family has trusted and benefited from Advocare for over 10 years for our vitamin and supplement needs, and we’ve witnessed the greatest results from our clients through this program. I’m personally excited to do the challenge again because it dissolves my bad food cravings, boosts my energy and resets good eating habits!!

H E L L O NewYear
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
photo credit:: @wrightkitchen

BREAKFAST (contributor Sara Upton)

written by Contributor Sara Upton…

Eating a healthy breakfast does a number of positive things for you physically. For instance, it gives your body the perfect dose of energy that it needs to make it through your busy morning. It has also been linked to enhanced weight control. Up to 90 percent of people who have been able to maintain weight loss for more than year indicating that they eat this important meal at least five of the seven days per week. 

However, the key to making breakfasts work for you is to choose food options that supply a decent amount of nutrients while tasting amazing. What are some to consider?
Tasty Yet Healthy Breakfast Options
If you have a little bit of time on your hands, a breakfast burrito is a great way to get some nutritious foods in your system and satisfy your hunger at the same time. Don’t be afraid to load it up with veggies either. Peppers, avocado, tomatoes, and any others you want to add will boost the flavor while keeping it healthy. 

Another option, and one that is slightly more filling, is whole-wheat apple pancakes. By adding wheat flour, you’re consuming healthier carbs. The apples are good for you too as they are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants and fiber, which is good for your digestive tract, lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes, and even has the potential of reducing your cholesterol levels.

If you don’t have a lot of time to make a meal, a nutrient-packed breakfast to consider is a simple green smoothie. Some ingredients that are great in green smoothies include kale, spinach, and parsley. Of course, you can always add other non-green foods as well, such as different fruits, flax seed, and other nutritious ingredients that you’ve grown to love.

Juicing is yet another alternative and one that a lot of people find enables them to start their day with a lot of energy without giving them a full stomach that can weigh them down. How is juicing different than smoothies? The main difference between the two is that juicing removes a large amount of the fiber. 

It’s still good for you, though, as many people have experienced improved health via juicing. Jil Larsen is one of them. She was able to reverse her skin disorder after just six months of eating healthier foods and juicing.

And here is one more idea for a quick and healthy breakfast for those crazy busy mornings…

Healthy Breakfast Tips
If you typically struggle with eating a healthy breakfast, here are some tips that can help:

  • Buy nutritious breakfast foods that you not only enjoy eating, but that you also don’t mind making, so you aren’t tempted to walk out the door without them.
  • Have a number of healthy food options on hand so you don’t get bored eating the same breakfasts over and over again.
  • Keep your fridge and pantry stocked so you can’t skip breakfast due to the excuse that there’s nothing to eat.

Click HERE for more details about the NOVEMBER BINGO CHALLENGE and sign up HERE!

Come join the fun!!

 

bingo final

Thank you Sara for encouraging us in these healthy ways!

Follow Sara now on Twitter —»  here «— for more on healthy lifestyles!!

ADVOCARE 24 DAY CHALLENGE BREAKFAST VIDEO

Happy DAY 1 of the Nation Wide 24 Day Challenge!!!  This is exciting for sure.  I was home this morning and had time to prepare a nice breakfast so I thought I’d share.  On those mornings I’m moving to get out the door, I will drink a meal replacement shake or have a quick breakfast prepared I can grab, like the egg muffins my friends Tammie and Jenn make 🙂 I will share that recipe soon.  Anywho, here is what I ate this morning.

  • Saute’ onion, spinach and beans in a small amount of butter.
  • Add eggs and scramble.
  • 1/2 Avocado (Salsa is good too)
  • 2 Apple slices with almond butter
  • Ezekiel bread with almond butter

So good.  Now I’m full and fueled!

DEVILED EGGS… w/AVOCADO

We started making these eggs last year and still just LOVE them!  I first tried this at a HEALTHY FOOD PARTY we had in January, and I’ll be sharing it at our MEAL PREP PARTY that I’m hosting on January 4th!!!  This party is for all our local peeps who are joining in on the NationWide 24 Day Challenge starting on Jan. 7!  Any who, add this one to your meal plan.  It’s super good!

REPOST FROM JANUARY 2013:  My friend, Teresa, brought deviled eggs to the Healthy Food Sampling Party we had at my house last Friday.  They were SO good and I had to try it out myself.  Teresa found this recipe on Pinterest that led to a cute website My Kitchen Of Love.  We left out the mayo and tweaked the seasoning a bit.
My girl Taylor wanted to take this project over last night, so I must give her creds for the eggs “we” made.  SHE actually made them and they were GREAT!
 
what T A Y L O R did…
 
 She made 12 hardboiled eggs and peeled them after they were cool.

She cut the eggs in half length wise, scoop out the egg yoke and put them in a mixing bowl. She smashed the egg yoke, along with an avocado, and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and olive oil.  Just like traditional deviled eggs…she transferred the mixture to the egg white halves and then sprinkled them with paprika.
We didn’t take the time to make these look pretty,
but in the end it didn’t matter that much… they were gone in seconds!
Taylor added mustard and loved it.
INGREDIENTS
12 hard boiled eggs
1 avocado
salt and pepper
garlic powered
olive oil
paprika
Thank you TAYLOR for helping out in the kitchen!  This is too easy and too good NOT to do.
If you want to join us for the NationWide Advocare 24 Day Challenge, email ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com for more information!
10385280_10205584529996664_1226203547659823860_n

SUCCESS STORY: NATE WINTERS

Check out this transformation from our friend Nate Winters!

“This is what discipline looks like. I was 235 lbs in the first pic. I have kept off 50 lbs for 2 years. Advocare has changed everything and I am so thankful I said yes. I am finally happy and this year will be our best.”  Nate Winters

10849940_10202822037764326_8743971730151233612_nWe have a group doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge in January – if you need a fresh start, a new beginning or just a kick in the pants, contact us!  We’d love for you to take this journey with us.

email me:  ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com or get back with the person who shared this with you.  This is personalized coaching – we help set a program and walk with you in your journey!

MAKE THIS NEW YEAR A NEW YOU!

JANUARY 2015 – BREAKING BAD EATING HABITS – JOIN US!

TRUTH RIGHT THERE.  IF YOU NEED HELP WITH KITCHEN PART, JOIN OUR GROUP IN JANUARY – WE WILL BE DOING THE ADVOCARE 24 DAY CHALLENGE TO RESET A HEALTHY EATING ROUTINE.  IT HELPS KICK THE BAD HABITS TO THE CURB AND ESTABLISHES NEW GOOD EATING HABITS.  IT ALSO CLEANS OUT THE SYSTEM – MUCH LIKE AN OIL CHANGE – SO WE CAN ABSORB THOSE IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS FROM THE FOOD WE EAT AND THE SUPPLEMENTS THAT FILL IN THE GAPS.

EMAIL ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com FOR A FREE EVALUATION.

Being Good on Vacation Part 1 – SPARK SLUSH

Well Hello!!!  
I’m home now from a month of vacationing.  Well, it wasn’t ALL vacation.  I did work some while I was gone.  As you can see, I didn’t do much blogging, but I did take lots of pictures 🙂  Now I want to share with you some ways I stayed healthy while traveling.  
 
IT’S REALLY HARD TO BE GOOD!
It’s possible, we just have to get creative.  
 
While I was in Texas, we took a weekend trip to the beach.  Port Aransas was our destination and it was a lot of fun in the sun.  And guess what???  We found the BEST SHAVED ICE place there on the island.  I’m serious… may be the best in all the earth!?!?!?
I mean, really.  
This is just one tiny part of the menu.
thePROBLEM
It’s all sugar… and I’m not eating sugar!!!  
OH, WHY ME!!!!!
 
After discovering that this was in fact the best shaved ice on planet, the kids decided to visit it as many times as possible while we were there.  I allowed myself 1 real snow cone, and I chose COFFEE WITH CREAM.  After all, I would order that at a coffee house 🙂  
After that trip I had to get creative.
Oh my it was fabulous! 
 So here’s what I did the rest of our trips to the best shaved ice place in the world…
 
I made
ADVOCARE
SPARK SHAVED ICE!
1 bottle of water
1 cup of fluffy shaved ice
1 scoop of ADVOCARE SPARK
(Spark is a vitamin energy drink
 
It was amazing and here’s how I did it
If you want to be a part of our 24 Day Challenge Group, shoot me an email and we’ll connect and get you set up on a customized 24 Day Challenge package perfect for reaching your goals! 

THE BEST BEANS THING RECIPE

This is the fastest, easiest thing to make ever.  
1. Sautee’ ONION and GARLIC in COCONUT OIL for a few minutes.
   (buy it at TROPICAL TRADITIONS – it’s seriously the best- don’t believe me?  Read the review)
2. Add some GROUND CUMIN.  I probably add about 1 tsp.
3. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add 1 can of diced tomatoes.
5. Add 2 cans of BLACK BEANS.   RINSE THEM FIRST PLEASE!
6. And done.
 I love to add avocado and lime.  
 Now go make it and thank me later 🙂

EATING AT CHUYS! HEALTHY STYLE!!!

 
So naturally the Bensons went to Chuys to celebrate Elvis’ Birthday.
And YES we slow-carbbed it all the way!  This is how we did it…
 
We were eating mexican Tex-Mex food so our nice waitress brought out warm, freshly made chips, fresh salsa and the amazing CREAMY JALAPEÑO sauce.  What a sad moment for the slow-carbers. This guy was happy though… and he dove right in.
 
Taylor has decided to do a modified version of the Slow-Carb Diet.  I’m really proud of her.  She decided to do it because she want to have good eating habits, detox off of the December mentality (you know what I mean) and keep her body strong!  PROUD MAMA!  Anyway, she asked if she could have chips before the food came out. The answer was NO. This was her reaction.

 
After that moment we all can relate to, she said, “Ok, what CAN I eat?” Great question Taylor.
theANSWER…
Order beans to munch on while the others at your table are shoving their face with chips.  You can enjoy the salsa and even ask for a side of guacamole with it.
ourDRINKS
Water and if you miss the soda, order carbonated water and squeeze lemon or lime in it.
Jeremy does this all the time.  I just like plain water.
Did you know that Chuy’s has a Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Menu?  
theMEAL
I ordered fajitas. HOLD the tortillas 🙁
Tortillas, I will see you on Saturday! (cheat day)
Have the rice cut from your order —» they will give you double beans.
I love to have fresh limes to sprinkle over the top of my food. SO GOOD left me SO FULL
and SO HAPPY.
 
At the end of the meal I didn’t even miss the fact that I changed it up a bit!
If you need a kickstart into better eating habits, join us for the Advocare 24 Day Challenge!
Just shoot me an email and we will connect and figure out a plan that is perfect for meeting your goals!

ashley@ashleybensonfitness.com