You Drink Aloe?!

Does the word ALOE make you think of summer during these ridiculously cold temperatures? Well the aloe I'm referring to is one that I drink EVERY morning. I love it! (it's mango flavored)

Aloe vera is a species of succulent plant that originated in North Africa and has been used for 2,000+ years for the treatment of a wide range of external and internal conditions.

Today, aloe plants are grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions, including Mexico, China, and part of Asia.

Although valued for its soothing and moisturizing effects on the skin, aloe also benefits inside the body. Most notably, aloe is used to promote a healthy digestive system, the process where food and liquid are broken down into small molecules that the body can use to build and nourish cells and provide them with energy.

This impressive plant supports nutrient absorption, thereby enabling our bodies to take full advantage of the various nutrients we eat or drink. Aloe offers antioxidant support, which helps cells and reduce free radical tissue damage by preventing the formation of radicals.

Aloe vera has also been used traditionally to soothe the stomach from occasional discomfort, such as indigestion and upset stomach (goodbye hangovers—I've used this a couple of times to prevent the achey stomach feeling after a night of fun with some wine and conversation)!

Although commonly an ingredient in topical lotions and gels, aloe vera is also incorporated into many food products, including beverages and teas, thanks to its many digestive health benefits.


DID YOU KNOW?
In Egypt, Aloe was call the "Plant of Immortality" and was offered at funerals of pharaohs and used in the baths of Egyptian queens. Egyptians still hang the aloe vera plant over the door of a new house to provide a long and fruitful life for its occupants. (Source: American Botanical Council, 2005)


Key Facts:

• The main chemical constituents in aloe are polysaccharides, of which the main compound is Acemannose (whatever that means...)
• Aloe vera enhances absorption of Vitamins C and E

Key Benefits:

• Supports healthy digestion
• Contributes to good intestinal health
• Aids in nutrient absorption
• Provides antioxidant activity

Enjoy! 

And let me know if you'd like to look into trying some aloe by e-mailing me at kickfitmollie@gmail.com or messaging me on Facebook!

-Mollie

The Weight Lifting Myth About Women

It's seems like every girl I talk to has it all figured out. They tell me that they don't want to lift, they just want to "tone" because they know their body and if they lift they will get bulky.  

It is really unfortunate that this is what a lot girls think because they are really missing out on a lot of the benefits that they can get from strength training. I hope to explain why strength training is important and how it can benefit girls who want to "tone."

First, I'll go a little nerdy on you and give you the Layman's version of strength training. Strength training is preforming repetitions of an exercise that cause fatigue between 8–12 repetitions. Then repeating that exercise for 3–4 sets. As you progressively get stronger, you add more weight to fatigue in the same rep range. This is the basic formula for strength training. Strength training happens between 8–12 reps, any more and it begins working the endurance of the muscle. It is also very important to pick a weight that makes it hard to finish the last rep.

So you want to get "toned" ...right? Which essentially means you want less fat and to gain more muscle. Without strength training, your plan to "tone" is only to lose fat and hope you have enough muscle underneath to look toned. Imagine if our snow plows plan was to set out plowing a frozen field and hope they uncover a road.  Instead of uncovering the road that they worked hard on building in the summer. Toning without building muscle is like trying to uncover something you're not sure is there. Arguably, crazier than a snow plow trying to uncover a road in a frozen field.

The moral of this story is quit listening to your Women's Health magazines that are telling you to do endless body weight squats and put some really weight on the bar and do some squats. I recommend finding a workout buddy and start with some simple exercises. Most importantly have fun with it—exercising is extremely beneficial.

Stay Awesome! 

-Collin

.....................................

Collin's post is so true. I used to think that I would get bulky. Until I started lifting...I'm 4 months in and I am seeing results like I never would have imagined...FAR from bulky. I am so happy with how my body is responding and places are really toning up. Especially my core. That is the one place I never would have thought would have changed because of weight lifting. I always figured endless ab workouts and the right food would create that transformation (which it very well does). But lifting weights had really helped me stabilize my core which is constantly contracting while I pick up heavy things and set them down (weight lifting).

Even if you use light(er) dumbbells, at least you're getting somewhere. Don't be afraid to start. I felt like I looked like a whimp when I started and I was using 10lb. dumbbells. But no one in the gym is going to judge you...you're there, off the couch, trying to better yourself...that's enough to earn respect. 

Enjoy, ladies! 

Eating "Outside Of the Box"

Hello, Happy Thursday, and Happy New YEAR! Woo!

Poor Mr. Collin has been battling, what I think is, the stomach bug the last couple of days. We had plans on NYE and he wasn't feeling the best so we ended up staying in. Bad timing, but is it ever right timing? (Angela pointed that out to me...hehe) I was pretty bummed right away, but as the night went on, I was totally ok with it and was glad I wouldn't have a hangover in the morning. (Totally inappropriate...I KNOW—sorry!)

Anyways, on with the post...

I have ALWAYS been a picky eater. Until working at Montage is Cedar Falls broadened my palette. I am thankful for that in many ways, but it did NOT help my figure! I RECOMMEND this restaurant if you're ever in the Cedar Falls area. Tell the owner, Mollie (who used to work there), sent you! It's a wonderful, elegant atmosphere, and the food is divine. No wonder I couldn't keep my paws off it! (My own food that is...not the guests food—just to clarify!)

Since I have created better eating habits, I had found ways to incorporate healthier foods to make a delicious dish. To say the least, I am not picky anymore. Only about what meats I eat...if any. (Chicken and turkey sums it up!)

Here are a few favorite recipes I found. They look delicious, and if I haven't tried them, they are certainly on my grocery list.

I encourage you to try something new this year. Expand your palette and throw a bunch of healthier foods together and see what you come up with! I also encourage you to buy or cook with less packaged foods...life is so much better and tastier that way!

Eating healthy isn't hard and it certainly pays off. You owe it to yourself to take the time to prepare your food. Unless you want your body to be considered a trash can...in which you stuff it full of fast food and sugar-filled nonsense...then, by all means. :)

Click the name of the dish to find the recipe!

1. Chicken and White Bean Stuffed Peppers: Quite possibly one of the best recipes ever. 

2. Grilled Turkey Burger: Fresh, tasty, healthy, and there's even a pickle!

3. Summertime Caprese Chicken: Summer and chicken in the same title? I'M IN!

4. Turkey Lettuce Wrap Taco's: Does this one really need a caption? YUM!

Thank You, 2013.

I certainly had a great response from yesterday's post. THANK YOU to all of you who left a comment, messaged me, ect. It is so heart-warming and humbling to know that you read my posts and are willing to leave notes of encouragement.

I am ready to close the book of 2013. It was a roller coaster of a year. My friend, Anna, told me to check out my "Year In Review" on Facebook today, so I did. I can't believe all of the things I have overcome, the people that have come and gone [and stayed], my transformation physically and emotionally, and best of all having 0 regrets. It's not that my motto is YOLO or that I should live with no regrets, but rather learn and become better from the things I went/go through.

Back to YOU messaging me and leaving comments. I have quite a few of you say how inspired you have been. If you could see me in person now, just imagine me making a slight head bow in gratitude. YOU are one of the reasons I find the goodness in goal-setting and achieving. The world is full of negativity and pessimism and it's a lovely thing to be able to see the good that people do and encouraging is still out there.

You can do anything you want in this world. It will take hard work, but as I told someone yesterday, try to do two things:

1. Find your "Happy Place" (Mine is on a beach in Bora Bora...or over-looking the Las Vegas Strip) :) & Think happy thoughts! See the opportunity in every SINGLE THING.
2. It may hurt, burn, or be completely exhausting, but NEVER give up.

While I was talking to Anna today, I realized that I have fallen in love with myself this past year. I never knew this was possible! It is SUCH a great feeling. If you have never fallen in love with yourself, I encourage you to try to find habits and reasons to. An example everyone can take for themselves is "hiding" or deleting negativity on social media. Trust me, logging on to social media and seeing happy posts, photos, articles, ect. is refreshing. VERY refreshing.

So here is to closing this book. And my top moments of 2013. Enjoy! And may you open the next book with positivity and optimism...find opportunity in everything.

1. Traveling to a city I would have never traveled to if it were my choice. Total surprise & I loved it.

2. Meeting and surrounding myself with the right people

3. Spending more time with friends

4. Discovering my love for health and fitness & becoming a fitness instructor

5. Traveling & experiencing life (again)

6. Concerts with my sister

7. Celebrating another year at Race For The Cure

Meet Mr. Collin

One of our more recent [holiday] pictures! :)

Collin wrote the following..."Hello everyone I'm Collin, Mollie's lucky boyfriend. (No, I did not write that...he did! :) ) We met last spring at my nutrition club, Power Full Nutrition. Over the summer, Mollie and I started to get to know each other through our common love for good nutrition and fitness, and our mutual friends Angela and Jason. We went FBO (Facebook Official) about three months ago and she just recently asked me if I would like to be apart of her blog—which I am very honored come on board!

A little back ground on me: I grew up just a stones throw away from Mollie in Lu Verne, Iowa. (We had no idea!) I have always been big into health and nutrition and followed my passion to Iowa State to study and walk on to the track team as a thrower.  To be a division 1 thrower, I needed to gain a lot of weight and gain it fast—I gained 55lbs the first semester of college! After two years of throwing and switching my major three times, I decided I needed a change. That's when I got introduced to Herbalife and over the course of a few months, lost 56lbs.  

I just graduated from Iowa State two weeks ago, and am living my dream of being healthy and helping people reach their health and fitness goals. I am the owner of Power Full Nutrition and am a full time Herbalife Wellness Coach. Now I am in the best shape of my life and have total control of my future."

++++++++++++

Collin will be joining my blog writing adventure. We are still organizing what our plan is, but he knows a lot about health and fitness and can help me get points across that I may not completely understand since I didn't go to school for that stuff. Beebs named Collin, "Mr. Collin" and it stuck. She's so proper and respectful!

Along with a couple of my friends, Angela and Diana, Collin has given me that extra push that I needed to reach certain goals. I have been so thankful at how patient he's been with me physically and emotionally...being a girl and lifting weights and focusing on fitness is a real mindset challenge!

To, also, clarify...I didn't realize that "Mr. Collin" liked me until one of our mutual friends was like, "Umm HELLO?! Wake up, he likes you!" And I am thankful every day that we were put in that certain place and time of when we met. He has the best attitude, seeks to understand, is strong and patient, and has a great sense of humor (total plus)! I could go on and on. But you get the point. 

I'm excited that he has agreed to help me with blogging. Feel free to message me any questions or special requests you would like to see on my blog. I'm always open to any subject and (we) will answer them to the best of our knowledge!

OH YEAH...and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**Holiday Survival Guide!**

That time of year is creeping up on us again. New Years. 2014. Another 365 days.

It's around this time every year that TV shows, radio shows, magazines, ect. stop talking about the hottest gifts and start talking about "New Years Resolutions."

I don't mean this post to end up being a downer or a guilt trip, but I have never met a single person in my life that has stuck with their "New Years Resolution"...I'm not a huge fan of this time of year [for the NY resolutions, that is]. Although, I will be excited to have packed fitness classes...hmmm :)

Props to them for getting in the right frame of mind...for a short amount of time. The thing that makes this a "not-so-exciting" time of year to me...the excuses of why people stop pursuing their resolutions. I'm all about people wanting to be healthier and more fit, don't get me wrong! More power to ya!

But the..."I got busy. I don't have time. I can't do it financially. I'm not seeing any progress. Not this, not that, can't do this, can't do that..." YADA YADA shpeels are exhausting.

Well folks, for one, one is NEVER that "busy"—people just choose to say that because it makes an excuse.

No time? I sacrificed a part time job that paid very well (bartending) to spend more time at the gym. I miss the extra cash coming in, but honestly, my body doesn't...it appreciates the attention I've paid to it—and the good amount of sleep I've gotten since I stopped staying up until 3AM.

Not seeing progress? Progress takes TIME. That's the thing humans don't think they have anymore. My boyfriend and I were talking over the weekend about how a week is a long amount of time. Seven days of 24 hours...It's how wisely people spend this time! There's a meme floating around out there that says something like it takes four weeks for you to notice change, your friends—eight weeks, and the rest of the world—twelve. STICK WITH IT! Make it a habit or a lifestyle!

I was just talking this morning about how pants I bought in July barely fit me anymore...I had already been down quite a bit then, but now...i'm down even more. I didn't think I could get any more "fit." Since making time for myself, paying attention to my body and what goes in it, and spending all the TIME I could at the gym (plus getting a good amount of sleep each night)—I am stunned at what's happened. I LOVE IT!

Here's what people need to remember during the holiday season...

Focus

How many times have you gone back from holidays with a “spare tyre” around your waist? I know I have done it a few times! Words “healthy holiday eating” is something not very often seen in the same sentence. Even though your diet would otherwise be pretty healthy, holidays seem to be a world of their own. When going away from your normal daily routines, it can be excessively difficult to maintain the healthy habits. The most often heard excuse for letting loose on the holiday is that that is the time to really enjoy life and have fun.

Inspiration

It doesn’t have to be like that, though. It’s possible to enjoy holidays AND stay in shape at the same time! What if having fun and enjoying life on a holiday would actually include healthy holiday eating? For the past years, whenever I have been on holiday and travelled to a new place, I frequently put a lot of effort into finding restaurants that serve healthy, organic food in the destination where I’m going. I take healthy holiday eating as a one kind of challenge, I spend time to find those places and give them a try. And boy have I found some great places along the way! I also always take some protein or healthy snack bars, selection of nuts or dried fruit with me to keep energetic day in day out.

Take Action

So, the next time you’re on holiday, take this challenge! Stay active, eat well and stay healthy. Include healthy holiday eating into your agenda and you’ll be rewarded. It is the most amazing feeling to feed your body with nutrient-rich food and to be able to enjoy the holiday to the fullest, without worrying about gaining weight or feeling tired after a bad meal.

I also found this Holiday Survival Guide that could be very helpful reminders of how to avoid holiday weight gain. They're simple steps & you'll feel so much better post-holiday if you stick with them! 

I would love nothing more than to help people better themselves...and a lot of people wait until this time of year to do so...I just don't know of a way to have people actually follow through with their goals [longer than 1–2 or 3 months]. 

The Secret To Happiness...

How do I play catch up? Is there such a thing? I've spent the last few weeks, since being sick, trying to do such a thing.

Well I could always start about a few things I have been super thankful for...but I'll save that for closer to Christmas and New Years! [It should be a good one!]


But today...taking my mind of my work for a few minutes... I found myself engaged by a collegemate of mine's picture and blog post. Going through classes, I had no idea what this girl had planned post-college. Over holidays, I knew she traveled to Haiti to help in many ways.

I ended up graduating a semester before my classmates, so I didn't keep in touch with any of them [just via FB]. I saw this same girl, that I was talking about above, had officially moved to Haiti to become a missionary when she graduated. I am in awe of her courage, optimism, and integrity. Her blogs are fascinating and give me a good laugh every now and then, and get in touch with my emotions. I just love her story. She is so in love. With life and the plan that has been created for her...including a significant other and a family. Click here to check out her blog!

Below is the photo she posted today with the caption, "The secret to happiness is beach days." ...I am one jealous girl!

Photo credit: Kayla Grooters

I wish her and her family the best. I love their updates! I hope you do too! (Check out ViBella Jewelry, while you're at it!)



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While I totally agree with her on this secret to happiness statement, I thought I'd share a few things that are my secret to happiness.

1. The people I surround myself with.
2. Nutrition/Health...trust me, it works & should be on everyones list!
3. Gym time...you knew it was coming! I feel so alive when I'm at the gym—especially when teaching fitness classes—the adrenaline of performing in front of participants is awesome!
4. My career...even though some people think it's a rather unnecessary job, I truly do love being a graphic designer.
5. Senses...being able to see colors, feel textures, smell smells, and hear noises...don't take those things for granted!
6. Being able to travel. While I've spent 90% of my traveling in Las Vegas, I enjoy it more every time. I try to find the beauty in each destination—even if I've been there five times! 
7. Having me time...you would think that this would be considered at the gym. But "me time" includes just being by myself...no matter where I'm at. Thinking to myself, doing things by myself, or for myself...it's necessary to stay sane as a human!
8. Dancing! Having rhythm is a GIFT! I could dance to anything! I've had people tell me that dancers are so lucky, especially if this other person has no coordination. And I've seen my fair share of people that lack rhythm or coordination. But, of course, they have something they're good at that I may lack in, too.
9. Laughing. Simple as that.
10. Having someone (or someones) to miss. I think people take this for granted. Missing someone is such a special, and sometimes overwhelming, thing. But without it, how do learn to appreciate the presence of another human (or animal for that matter!)? 

Just a girl who didn't understand a lap pulldown... :)