Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award!

The “Outstanding Effort and Achievement Award” for last month goes to Jackie Haight and Laurie Grega!  Their consistency and exceptional effort has helped earn them the award and there are no signs of either of those facets dwindling.  The three of us began training at the gym together and have been doing in home training for all of 2011.  
During the spring and summer, these two were some of my only clients brave enough to conquer my infamous Alum Creek workouts week in and week out.  There are few who work as hard as these two do every single time they train.  Dedication is an understatement when it comes to Laurie and Jackie.  They have certainly made fitness a priority this year and it definitely shows!
Jackie never hesitates to push herself a little further during our workouts.  She frequently requests workouts that most people dread and finishes a good amount of them without even breaking a sweat.  Jackie is committed to performing weekly cardio on her own and still spends a good amount of time in the gym lifting.  She’s always looking for the next challenge and I have yet to see her fail.  Keep up the great work, Jackie.  I will do my best to keep the challenges coming!  
Laurie is one of the toughest people I train.  Her and I have trained together for almost three years and I’m not sure I’ve met anyone more driven.  Although she has struggled with an injury for the better part of this year, it has become more of a motivator to her than a setback.  Where other people would be quick to give up or give in, Laurie pushes even harder until she achieves the task at hand.  She is committed to doing pilates once a week in addition to our training.  Being able to work with Laurie for the past three years has allowed me to watch her progress in both strength and stamina.  This year has been full of new achievements, Laurie.  Keep up the great work; I can’t wait to see what’s next!  
Getting to know the both of you has been the best part of our training.  I truly look forward to our sessions and catching up each week.  Between Jackie’s stories and Laurie’s music selection there is never a dull moment at the Grega household.  I can’t think of a better way to start my Fridays than hanging with you guys! 🙂

1200 Calorie Meal Plan Ideas

Struggling to make your calories last all day?  Check out this website for meal plan ideas.  Below is an example of a 1200 calorie meal plan that won’t leave you starving.
BREAKFAST
3/4 Cup Bran Flakes
1/2 Cup Skim Milk
1/2 Cup Blueberries
1/2 Whole Wheat English Muffin
1 tsp Almond Butter
LUNCH
2oz Turkey Breast
1oz Whole Wheat Pita Bread
1/2 Cup Alfalfa Sprouts
3 Slices Tomato
2tsp Mustard
1/2 Cup Skim Milk
SNACK
1oz Roasted Macadamia Nuts
DINNER
4oz Whole Wheat Pasta
1/2 Cup Marinara Sauce
1/2 Cup Eggplant
2tsp Parmesan Cheese
1 Cup Mixed Salad Greens
2tsp Olive Oil
1tsp Vinegar
Calories: 1143
Fiber: 22.1g