I Eat Glitter For Breakfast

You know that silly little saying---

I Eat Glitter For Breakfast? {{ Okay okay. I know the mug says eat cake for breakfast-- just pretend that it has glitter instead of cake! }}

Well- I feel like that should be every woman's motto. There is something about it that really just perks me up and makes me change my mindset to be AWESOME everyday. It's kind of like wearing a cape. Like a reminder to be the best superhero that I can be for myself and for my family... everyday.

Not striving to be perfect. Not striving to be someone who I'm not. But to be ME. And to love ME first so that way I can be the best version of me for everyone else! Does that even make sense? I hope this explains it!!


Do you feel like you know who you are? Like really know. Or do you feel like you have been trapped inside of a label for so long that you've lost yourself completely?

Are you a mom. A wife. A friend. A mentor/business woman. Do you wear many hats? Do you feel like you spend so much time filling other peoples' cups that you do not take the time to fill your own everyday?

I used to be this person! I used to say- I'm a wife! I have to do wife things... and I would never take ME time. Then I became a mom-- and then my baby came first for everything... and I hate to say it- at times.. too many times the baby came before my husband too. Then came baby #2 and it got even worse. I felt like I was in a constant spiral of cooking, cleaning, diapers, nursing, bath time, bedtime, etc that I never STOPPED...

Until one day. I did stop. I looked in the mirror and I did NOT recognized the woman staring back at me. Val had been gone for so long that I didn't know if I would ever come back.

That's when I made a CHOICE. A difficult and sometimes a very unbelievable choice--- to start changing my mindset. To start putting me first. To start saying NO to others if it meant jeopardizing my priorities. I started putting MYSELF FIRST!...

And oh my gosh. Was that scary!!

I told myself this everyday:

√ 1 workout won't fix you 

√ 1 week of clean eating won't make you healthy 

√ 1 personal development book won't change your mindset forever.

Do it all daily. Everyday. Never stop. Never skip. Just start to change. Never. Give up.

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And then I started to see and feel changes. I felt better and realized that he trio is fail proof---> if you apply it! because I did!

Give yourself a gut check.

Are you going to give this your all- or are you going to float by on autopilot and make excuses?

Start the change to find YOU and do something everyday that your future self will thank you for!!

I DECIDED that I was going to exercise, start a career in turning my fitness into a business and being the best mom/wife I could be----> AFTER putting my needs first for 30 minutes a day to make my mindset solid and my body thankful for the royal treatment!

We all have a choice.

A choice to either let the stress and negative thoughts build up and eat at us---

Or a choice to pray and let it all go! 

A choice to tell YOURSELF that today is a great day! That no matter what- we have the ability to breath in goodness and exhale the bad.

Repeat after me:

I am enough.

I am able to make the most and the best of every day I am given.

I have the ability to wake up and live everyday with happiness.

I am alive and today is a gift.

Remember to stop and smell the roses. Don't get so caught up in everything that you forget the simple things in life that mean the most. And the fact that you CAN live any life that you choose to create. I am living my DREAMS all because I made a choice to change. A choice to make a difference and it all started with ME! I feel amazing. I am grateful for my life and when life throws me curve balls. 

I eat glitter for breakfast!

Are you interested in learning more about how I have turned my fitness into a business?

Would you like to schedule a time to chat to see if this is something for you too? 

Fill out the application below and I will get back to you soon!

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January 4th NEW YEAR NEW YOU Online Health and Fitness Mentorship Program

NEW YEAR NEW YOU— ARE YOU READY FOR A CHANGE?

Can you believe that Christmas is almost here? It is my all time favorite time of the year, but I know that it can really start to take a toll on mental and physical wellness! Stress creeps in whether it be because of finances, time to get everything done or the fact that a lot of people slack on fitness and nutrition because the emotions are all over the place. No matter what the circumstances- this is your time to commit to making 2016 your year to shine! The possibilities of the new near are endless! What do you have planned? Are you ready to take control of 2016? 

I have been planning my new year fitness challenge group for weeks! I am putting whole new dynamic on it this year and I can’t wait to help other reach their health and fitness goals! This is my passion and I can’t wait to see and hear the results! But first, I have to fill it up!! So, I am inviting YOU to be a part of this exclusive challenge group! Think of where you could be in one year from now with some consistency, handwork and dedication! Let’s set and reach some goals!

What in the heck is a health and fitness challenge group?   

    It is a program that I’ve created specifically to help my clients reach their own personal health and fitness goals.  It is a small group setting that will offer support, guidance, motivation, meal planning, workouts and so much MORE! Don’t fall into the ‘norm’ of New Year’s Resolutions!! I don’t want to hear the cliche’ “I’m going to start on Monday” or “I’m going to lose weight this year” of “I’m going to the gym everyday” and really… the list goes ON! Why wait until Monday? Do it NOW!! This is a perfect way for you to say “I’m going to make a CHANGE this year starting TODAY” and I will hold you accountable to that statement!  I want you to be a winner! I want you to succeed! Is change hard? ABSOLUTELY!! Can you do it?? YES! WITHOUT A DOUBT!

Without the support of a fitness challenge group this is more than likely what will happen—> You start on January 1st (because that is when everyone is getting fit and healthy!) and you go STRONG! You give it your ALL!! You’re eating clean, hitting the gym 6 days a week…You’re on a roll!!! But then, January 25th rolls around and it is really cold out and you start to hit snooze a few extra times because your bed is so warm and comfy! You talk yourself right out of getting up to go to the gym.. you’ll “WORKOUT LATER…” Well, later doesn’t come! Then 6 days a week of hitting the gym becomes more like 2 or 3 days a week… and those salads that you were eating for lunch everyday— well, the pizza in the break room seems so much more appealing… AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT…. POOF.. THE ENERGY IS GONE!!!

I’ve been there!!! I was the one who paid for the gym membership because I ‘was going to go’ and I would go and buy fruits and veggies, but then they would go bad before I ate them. I would workout just fine. I never had a problem with getting out and working out or getting a workout in at home.. but nothing was what getting me results that I wanted. WELL.. it was because I really was not working hard! I was working out hard, yes... but then I would go through taco bell drive thru or grab  starbucks and donut while I was out shopping... Once I cleaned up my diet and really started to eat whole foods... it was amazing how my body started changing!!! So I want to help you do the same!!

 So… first of all DO NOT GO AND BLOW YOUR MONEY ON A GYM MEMBERSHIP!!! It will not give you the results that you want because you will have no accountability to stick with it! And face it.. it is not easy to make up your own schedule of workouts to delver awesome results!  I love Beachbody because I know that the workouts are designed to give me results and there is an option for every person whether you are beginning to workout for the first time or you are a freakin’ workout PRO!!  There are programs that will have you lifting weights heavy and hard 6 days a week, there are workouts that are less than 30 minutes 5 days a week and there are some dancy workouts that will have you jammin’ in your living room!!  I can pretty much guarantee that I can get you any program that you could think of and you will get results and meet your fitness/nutrition goals!!

 What I tell all of my challengers is this— working out is a must! Working out is FUN! I promise you, if you aren’t having fun during a workout.. then it’s not the right one for YOU!! You have to look forward to exercise!!! It’s a key of success! And along with the workouts— you MUST concentrate on NUTRITION!! Nutrition is 80% of your results.. Cold. Hard. Fact! You can do Insanity all day long, but if you are not properly fueling your body… you will not have the results that you are looking for, PERIOD! I lived for YEARS thinking that I would never have defined abs, that my butt would ‘never’ lift and that I would never have great biceps… it was all in my ‘GENES’ that I could never ‘look that way!’ Well— I’m here to tell you that YES YOU CAN!! It’s all about your nutrition! FUEL FOR YOUR BODY!! My results were amazing after I started to replace my cold cut sandwiches with some grilled chicken over a bed of lettuce,  when I cut out the waffles for breakfast and started eating oatmeal and really started adding whole foods to my diet! My abs started to define within a week! YES.. a WEEK!

So, one of my jobs in this challenge group is to teach you how to EAT PROPERLY!! And EAT I do! I eat every 2 1/2-3 hours! I pack away some FOOD and I AM SO FIT AND HEALTHY! That is what we are going to do for YOU!! It is NOT A DIET! I am going to teach you how to create a healthy LIFE!!

Clean Eating

One more KEY INGREDIENT to being a part of my challenge group is SHAKEOLOGY! Stop right there— it is NOT a weight loss drink! It is a TOTAL meal replacement. It is literally one thing that keeps me full, it tastes GREAT, it is the best ‘grab and go’ food that I have and it is definitely the most nutritious! It is honestly equivalent to eating 6 salads a day.. and it is all in one glass.  I make sure to always have a packet on me because there are those days as a busy mom where we forget to eat, or we are out running errands and all that is around are drive thrus… well, I drink my Shakeology and it makes me feel so much better!  I know that McDonalds nuggets would NOT make me feel good and I don’t know about you, but they are NOT THAT GOOD! Shakeology is worth the money I spend because it not only keeps me healthy, but my kids as well. I drink it every single day and I also give it to my kids almost everyday too. My husband drinks his for breakfast every single mooring and although I am at my goal weight, I still drink it because it is full of nutrients and I just eat enough calories to sustain my weight! WIN WIN!

You will get full access to a closed online accountability group.   This is a great part— with this you will get 24/7 access to me as your coach!  With my curriculum I will have daily assignments, motivational tips, recipes, meal plans readily available and so much more. Every challenger will start their workout on the same day and we will go 60 days STRONG.  Each day you will have information from ME to keep you going STRONG! I will not allow you to fail!! I will teach you how to LIVE your life so it doesn’t revolve around food and a scale! That is no way to live!! I will not only help to keep you accountable, but I will teach you how to handle yourself at family gathers where there will be a lot of food, I will teach you how to overcome cravings, how to get your kids to eat healthy, how to ’trick’ them into liking something and SO MUCH MORE!! All that I ask is that you commit to the program and FINISH IT!! You must check in each day (takes like 2 seconds peeps!) and just post how you did for the day! Easy peasy!

Does this sound like it is for you?? Are you ready to make a change? No more quick fixes? No more diets? Let’s start to make the change!! It’s all about working from the inside to the out!! Fill out the application below to be considered for my New Year Challenge Group!! We start on January 4th! Let’s get this show on the road!

There is limited space so contact me NOW! I want to give you each my individual attention, so I have to limit the number of challengers in a group! Let's get you on the road to success!! Complete the application below!!

Hammer and Chisel- Week 1 Review and Meal Plan!

I am totally in love with the new Hammer and Chisel workout program and I am really pumped about sharing my weekly progress and updates! I hope that it helps you along your journey too!

So I just wrapped up my full first week of the program! I am following the schedule how it is laid out, so I have my rest day on Thursdays right now and it really just helps to break up the week and give my body a little break when it needs it most!

Hammer and Chisel is my jam!

I literally just finished my Total Body Hammer and 10 minute ab hammer workout and I am feeling amazing (and sweaty ;) ), but seriously I can't even begin to say how happy I am to  have something fresh and new! It is so easy to get bored with the same old routine and I had definitely hit that boredom plateau over the past few months! I had been traveling a lot, being full time mommy and business owner, house responsibilities and you name it- I was doing it! My workouts are my HAPPY place, but no matter how good I feel afterwards- it was getting harder for me to actually push play everyday because I wasn't excited about it!

ENTER Hammer and Chisel- BEFORE Christmas! Because I am not one to wait until after the holidays to start to get into shape! NO WAY! Exercise is my drug! My happy pill!! AND it burns calories, so i'm not going to pack on a few pounds just to feel blah and have to do extra work after the New Year! This is my lifestyle so I just do it!

AND!!!! My hubby totally surprised me with new Bowflex Selectech weights that I have been wanting for over 2 years!! So- Merry early Christmas to me!!! I'm in love with these babies already!!

Another thing that I am loving with this program is that it is something new everyday! I am working different muscle groups and I tend to get lazy if I am doing the same thing over and over, but not this time! I can feel changes happening already and I love it! 

The meal plan for hammer and chisel is pretty great. It is easy to follow, no counting calories or depriving yourself of foods you love. It is simply all about balance and moderation. I am doing plan B meal plan because my goal is to build lean muscle. I am not on a mission to lose any weight, just continue to tone. So, when I focus on my food I am looking for things that will fuel me and keep me full! The team beachbody website has tracking sheets that you can find under the get Fit tab and then click on tracking sheets. 

Also a tip- don't drink your calories! I drink mostly water- i stay hydrated and I make it a point to always have a glass of water next to me! it is so important! I tell my chalelngers all the time that they have to hydrate in order for the body to work properly!!! My mission is to always feel great in my own skin and I want to do the same for all of you! 

Do you need some tips on how to stay on track? Check out my video message for my challengers who are in week 2 of our Surviving the Holidays challenge group. 

Do you need some extra motivation to get and stay on track? Check me out at www.facebook.com/valbfitness. I try to post a few times a day on that page! Make sure to LIKE my page too! I would really appreciate it!

Let me say this- I would NOT recommend Hammer and Chisel if you are just starting out in your fitness journey. If you love weights I would check out Chalean Extreme or the 21 Day Fix first! I can help you with that! Just contact me at valbozzo15@gmail.com and we can talk about what is best for you. 

If you are interested in doing the Hammer and Chisel Workout Program, please complete the application below.  I am currently accepting applications for the January 4th Hammer and Chisel Challenge Group.   Make sure that you link up with me if you do not have a coach.  A coach someone just like me that can help you with the workout program, with staying accountable, on track and focused on the results that you want. 

Sweet Potato and Pecan Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

Cooking spray

3 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1/3 cup honey

1 large egg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Salt

1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.

Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a pot with a large steamer basket in place. Put the sweet potatoes in the 

basket, cover and steam until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and let cool slightly. Add

the honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the nutmeg, ginger and 1/3 teaspoon salt; whip with an electric mixer 

until smooth. Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.

Mix the brown sugar, pecans and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl; sprinkle over the potatoes. 

Bake until hot and beginning to brown around the edges, 40 to 45 minutes.

How To Plan Out Your Month And Crush Some Goals

The holiday season is officially HERE! This can either be the BEST time of year or the most stressful, right?! I want to help you make this the BEST end to the BEST year of your life to date! Let's commit to setting and crushing some goals no matter if it is in your everyday life or your business or both! A new month means new opportunities and a clean slate. It does not mean that you throw all care to the wind and say- I will start in the new year? I am sitting at my desk right now with my planner and notebook next to me about to set some strong goals and I'm going to share with you exactly what I do and how I do it! And how for sure- YOU can do it too!

Tip #1- DO NOT WAIT. Start NOW.

After I became a wife and mom I really stopped thinking ahead of what 'today' will bring. I went on autopilot- taking care of my husband, the house, the kids and LIFE! Can you relate? That was just what happened and I thought that it was kind of the norm and I lost ME.

Well, a few years ago I hit rock bottom. I was in a depression, I felt like I was in the dark and just couldn't find my way out. I was being suffocated with the stress and responsibilities of day to day life, debt was growing and all of this was taking a toll on my marriage!

Enough was enough!


So- I decided that I was ready to change. I WANTED to change more  than I wanted to stay the same in my own bad cycle!

I didn't understand goal setting when I first started! It felt weird to me!! But, I went to this website that I had heard of called www.30daypush.com and just STARTED!
I encourage you to go and sign up for your free account! This is a game changer!

So- what else do you need to do?

IDENTIFY YOUR PRIORITIES.

Mine are:

My FAMILY! 1st- always. Faith, my business and with that comes my fitness and health which is a priority too. Health to me is mental, physical and emotional health! They all align when we make them priority.

CHOOSE 3-5 GOALS IN EACH AREA OF PRIORITY.

Your goals have to really have meaning. So take some time to really think about what you want to achieve!! And make some very attainable and some can be a few that take a little longer than a month or two to achieve.

What do you want!! Write it down and the kicker is here- PUT A DATE NEXT TO IT! A date that you want to crush that goal by! If there is no date next to it, it means it's just a dream! A goal has a time frame.

Trust me- it's crazy- but when you are working towards them with intention then you are going to achieve them.

Here is an example. Most people want to lose 10 pounds- right? It's not a crazy goal- it is totally doable. The average healthy weight loss is 2- 2 1/2 pounds a week- so losing 10 pounds in a month is a realistic goal!!

ACTION STEPS TO REACH YOUR GOALS.

Control the controllable. Set out everyday to be better than you were yesterday. Have your list of goals in sight and work towards them everyday. You can wish all day long for something to happen, but unless if you yourself are taking action to make these dreams become reality then won't move forward. Have a game plan! 

With our 10 lb. weight loss for example, you're going to break it down into your actions steps. You need to have an exercise routine. You need to follow some kind of nutrition plan. You need to have accountability to your goals, motivation (serves the priorities), and a reward.

So find some kind of accountability coach or a friend that's going to hold you accountable and motivate you to reach your goals. If you are clueless about where to start- I am here to help. Email me and we can get you going in the right direction.

 You are also going to want to have some kind of reward in there as well. So that when you achieve these things on your daily, weekly, monthly basis, then you have some of reward or something that you look forward to. Those are your actions steps. Make sure that you set yourself up for success and understand what you have to do in order to achieve those goals.

REVERSE ENGINEER YOUR GOALS. 

So now- you have your game plan! You are armed with your goals and you want to make them become reality!!

Time to REVERSE engineer! And if you're like me-- you're like "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"

We are going to map out what it's going to take to get there! For each action step you need to plan it out on your calendar. 

For example for a goal of exercising 5 days a week plan that out on your calendar for when you are going to accomplish this activity for each week of the 30 days. It has to be a meeting that you do not cancel on. You wouldn't cancel a meeting with your boss, so you are NOT going to cancel your workout.

Then you will need to take a look at what you are eating! You need to PLAN it out! Weight loss and results come from cleaning up the diet! 80% clean/ 20% treats. Create a meal plan mapping out exactly what you are going to eat for each meal each day!! 

You can even have a box there for your accountability that you can check off for when you check in with your coach or accountability partner.

Let me give you this last big piece of the puzzle. 

When setting your goals- YOU have to WANT them for YOURSELF. YOU have to dig deep and find the motivation and momentum to show up and work everyday! YOU CAN- but YOU are the only one who can accomplish them. 

The examples I gave you were fitness related, but if you are setting your business goals- the same deal applies. You can't just SAY you are going to do something- your actions and efforts must match the goal. It's all up to you and your mindset!

At the end of the 30 days celebrate your progress.

Re-evaluate where you went wrong and also celebrate where you went right! I find it super helpful to write down three things that I did really well in the month instead of criticizing myself and pointing out all the things that I didn't achieve because truthfully you're not always going to achieve all your goals and that's okay.

You need to get used to really celebrating your progress and just being happy that you are moving forward. CELEBRATE the small and the big achievements!!!! Find the positives always!

I hope you guys set some amazing goals this month I want to hear about them. I want to hear what it is that you guys are setting for yourselves for this month to set yourself for success, feel free to email me at valbozzo15@gmail.com or find me on facebook- fb.com/val.bozzo

My Top 6 Tips To Get Motivated To Workout

When I hear people tell me that working out just comes so naturally to me- I kinda want to cringe! Nothing really comes naturally to anyone- but with the right mindset it is easier to see WHY making it a priority everyday is so important!!

Do you want to workout? Do you want to get yourself onto a good routine and stop the rat race of excuses that fly everyday?


Here are are my 6 tips that get me motivated to workout everyday and i'm going to share them with you. Remember- these are things that have to be done consistently over time before they become a habit! It takes 3 weeks to create a habit! After 3 weeks of trying to escape your new workout routine- you'll begin to embrace it! Trust me :)

1. Set a goal! What do you want to see happen? Lose 10 pounds or maybe more? Tone up and feel better? Now- break them down into small weekly goals! Is it to lose 1 pound a week? 2 pounds a week? Celebrate every reached goal- THEN VISUALIZE your GOALS! It is so important to visualize how you are going to feel once you've accomplished your goals! What will you look like? What will you enjoy doing differently after you reach your goals?
Write them down- stick them all over your house- print pics if that will help and keep your eye on the prize!!

Hands down- JUST MOVE!! You've gotta get the excuses out!

2. Wear cute workout clothes! Motivational tanks are my fave! Cute Nike Pro shorts- matching sports bra- really whatever it takes! I swear- when you look cute- you feel cute! Target, Fabletics, TJ Maxx,  Marshalls, Victorias Secret, Dicks, Academy, Nike, Outlet Malls--- these are a few of my favorite places to shop!!

3. You've gotta LOVE your workout program. You really do! If you are someone who is into cardio, but you're trying to do a Yoga program- it's not going to motivate you to get your butt out of bed and get it done! Or if it's something that you've done over and over again- you're not going to want to do it and you'll put it off until later... then later never comes.
For me- I love kickboxing, weight training and HIIT type workouts. I choose my program based on my goals! If you need some help choosing something- reach out and let me know- I can help.

4. PREWORKOUT.

Oh My Gosh. Seriously- I used to be closed minded and would never even consider taking a pre workout. I had heard horror stories from some people and I wasn't going to use anything... UNTIL on day I did my own research and took the advice of some friends and other health professionals and went in for the kill. I made sure that all of the ingredients were all natural and I chose Beachbody's Energy and Endurance. AHHHH!!! It is my life saver! It's hard NOT to workout when my energy kicks in from that and when I'm done- I don't crash and burn. It's prefect for me, but remember- for some a cup of coffee is a great pre workout too!

5.  GET A WORKOUT BUDDY!!! Seriously- accountability partners are KEY! We have to be surrounded by like minded people! Get a friend and start to get your workout on! A simple text in the morning telling each other to get out of bed works wonders!!

6. You've gotta know WHY you are doing this. Your WHY has to be something so strong that on the days when you feel like giving up- the days when you feel like eating the ice cream or going through the drive thru- it's what keeps you grounded and away from the bad.

Ask yourself- WHY is now the time that you are ready to change? That why is really your self motivation. You can have all of the support you need with coaches, friends, family members cheering you on, but if it's not right in your mind- then you will never succeed. Hard core TRUTH! I know from personal experience. The why will be what will help you get back up and brush yourself off when you fall- because you WILL fall! It happens, it's life! We get back up and start fresh the next day. Your results will come from 1st- mindset, 2nd- putting in the work for your workouts AND don't forget the thing that controls 80% of your results... YOUR NUTRITION! You have to eat properly and follow a meal plan. I fought that part for so long- well I never reached my goals until I changed up what I was eating and drinking!

Those are my 6 tips for you! If you'd like additional help or advice- please reach out. You can find me on fb @ fb.com/valbfitness or email me: valbozzo15@gmail.com!

CHOOSE A HEALTHY LIFE! You deserve to live your life to the fullest! Be happy and cherish every moment!