Andrea's Monday Motivation

Hi, I’m Andrea and I’m a personal trainer at Burn Boot Camp Collierville. My husband and I have an 8 month old little girl named Raegan and a 2 year old pit bull named Flex. Both are super energetic, silly, and loving! I grew up in southern California, where I was a cheerleader and power tumbler. I cheered through college, which is where I found the motivation to continue my journey of health and fitness!

Over the next 6 months, Andrea is going to give us motivation as mothers in three specific areas. She’s going to provide positive affirmations and mantras to help us achieve good mental health. A workout will be provided, focusing on strength and agility, getting our heart rate up and helping us to feel strong. Plus, physical health doesn’t stop at exercise — it’s proper nutrition. Andrea will be providing easy (and yummy) recipes to keep us eating healthy!

I would never speak to my child this way.

Have you ever thought about the message you send about body image to your kids? I want you to think about the last time you tried on a swimsuit (or any item of clothing) and said something negative to yourself like, “Oh my gosh, I look terrible.” Now, imagine your young daughter getting ready for the pool, and throwing on her suit. Would you look at her and say, “Wow, your legs look a little chunky today! Maybe wear a different suit.” Ab.So.Lutely. NOT! Why? Because it’s mean, demoralizing, and sends a terrible message to our kids. So why would you say it to yourself? Even if you would never say that to your child, have you ever said something about that AROUND your kid? Guess what. It’s just as bad. I see it all the time, little boys and girls pinching their belly fat because they see mommy do it all the time.

So, my challenge for you this month is to talk to yourself the way you talk to your kids when trying to encourage them! Just today, my 10 month old was working on walking, and I just kept saying, “Good job, big girl! That’s so good! You’re so close!” It’s so easy to hype up our kids. Let’s take some of that energy and SHOW our children that it’s okay, and even encouraged, to speak to ourselves like we actually love ourselves. Let’s give our children shining examples of self love, high self esteem, and body confidence.

And, by the way, that swimsuit looks awesome on you!

Cardio Burst

Warm up

4 min AMRAP
20 jumping jacks
20 mount climbers
10 volley tip to squat

Workout

Burst training involves short bursts of maximum effort, followed by brief active recovery breaks. Your heart rate is going to get pumping on this one!

You will do each exercise for 4 rounds: 60 second work; 30 second recovery, 50 second work; 25 second recovery, 40 second work; 20 second recovery, 30 second work; 15 second recovery

Half burpees
Speed skaters
Cricket climbers
Broad jump back pedal
Mountain climber push up

Finisher: 100 jump squats as fast as you can!

Fajita Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

8 large bell peppers
1 med white onion
1lb ground turkey, beef, or chicken
2c cooked rice
Fajita seasoning

Optional toppings: Cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees while you’re browning your meat (if you want to make this meatless, quinoa, black beans, or pinto beans are great options).

Dice up your onion, and add it to the pan, when your meat is almost done.

Once that’s in the pan, cut off the tops of your peppers and gut them (get all the seeds out!).

Add your cooked rice to the pan and season the mixture well!

Place your peppers upright on your baking sheet, and fill up with the fajita mix! Bake for about 15 minutes, or until peppers are soft.

Top with whatever other toppings you want, and enjoy!!