#ipromise Challenge Begins MONDAY, OCTOBER 1st, 2012

#ipromise myself to be accountability.

#ipromise myself to follow through.

#ipromise myself not to make excuses.

#ipromise myself to be honest.

#ipromise myself to give it all I’ve got.

#ipromise myself to make time for my priorities.

#ipromise myself to have a plan every week.

#ipromise myself to re-evaluate my plan if I fail.

#ipromise myself to never give-up

#ipromise myself to reflect on my behaviour and move forward.

#ipromise myself to not throw a pity party.

#ipromise myself to become an improved version of myself.

#ipromise myself to join this challenge every Monday until 2013.

#ipromise because I OWE THIS TO MYSELF and I AM WORTH IT.

»> #ipromise starts right now and you’re either IN or you’re OUT, you decide.

If you are in, then I need your commitment. 

YOUR COMMITMENT: 

• Every Monday until 2013 you need to blog, Facebook (tag me), or tweet me @TheresaJenn with the hashtag #ipromise what you will promise each week
• If you want to have 1-2 guilt-free meals then you need to plan and #ipromise what meal(s) you will have and on what day.
• If you want to have 1-2 alcoholc drinks then you need to plan and #ipromise what drink(s) you will have and on what day.

***** I challenge you to eat and drink clean the rest of the time and follow through with your #ipromise plan. 

At the end of each week, I want you to evaluate your week.

What went well? Why?

What did not go well? Why?

What do you need to change in order for the following week to be even more successful?

What is your new #ipromise for next week? Post this every Monday with the hashtag #ipromise

If you want to #ipromise additional items you can but I want your focus to be on food and drink consumption.

Examples of additional #ipromise items: 

• #ipromise to drink a glass of water with each meal
• #ipromise to only drink 1 cup coffee a day
• #ipromise to get 8 hours of sleep each night
• #ipromise to stop eating 1 hour before bed
• #ipromise to eat breakfast every morning within 30 minutes of waking
• #ipromise to eat every 2 hours
• #ipromise to practice patience with person ‘X’
• #ipromise to do cardio 3 times a week for 30 minutes
• #ipromise to lift weights 4 times a week

MAY CHALLENGE: It’s time to get more serious!

This month I challenge you to follow:

1.) The PRINCIPLES OF CLEAN-EATING

and

2.) Prepare all your meals the day before for 4 out of 7 days (more if you think you can do it).

RULES:

• must post on your blog that you are doing the NO EXCUSES MAY CHALLENGE (tag #noexcuses) - state your specific goals
• must post your meals at least once a week (in a photo, written, or both)
• record some sort of assessment at the beginning and end of this challenge to see your progress (e.g., diary, photo of your mid-section, body fat %, weight, measurement of your waist, etc.)

• BONUS: Since many of you went to purchase The Eat-Clean Diet Vegetarian Cookbook and want to continuing cooking, by all means go for it! Please cook and share your thoughts on any new recipe that you make. Looking forward to cooking up more recipes with you! Please tag me #thefameofhealthandfitness.tumblr.com or #FameECD

Let’s do this!

Wow, you went through some serious effort girl! I love your determination. The salad looks fantastic! So glad you liked it.

tone-n-tight:

Four different chain supermarkets in 2 days and no kumquats! Oh well, here’s my version of ECD’s Citrus Salad w/Mint. I used grapefruit, honey tangerine, mandarin orange, navel orange, and a cara cara orange. Close enough, right? =P It was delicious!

The Fame of Health and Fitness ECD Vegetarian Cookbook Challenge

(Source: angies--life)

Frank Budelewski is one of my inspirations. Not only is Frank one of the kindest and caring people I know, he is a true professional athlete. He is an example of leadership, motivation, determination, hard-work, support, athleticism, and professionalism. Once you read his story there isn’t a doubt in my mind that you won’t be inspired to do more and be more. When you think things are tough, read Frank’s story and your excuses will instantly deplete.

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” ~ Winston Churchill

Big Frank’s Biography

In highschool, Frank was ranked in the top ten biggest and strongest football players in the nation. After graduation, and many college offers, he accepted an offer from a top name college, and it was expected that he would someday play pro football after making a name for himself at the collegate level. Unfortunately just like in so many movies, his plan was abruptly changed. Two weeks before he was due to leave, he was is a car accident at over 85mph and never played football again. After the accident, many at the impound yard believed that the passenger must have died. When they were told that Frank had survived the crash and was in the hospital, the guard said, “The only person that could live through a crash like that would be Superman.” A title Frank felt he would have to work for to accept.

After over 6 years of operations and a severly slowed metabolism, Franks muscle had atrophied and he had gained ALOT of unhealthy weight and fat. He had gone from being a top level athlete to being obese and depressed. He was always a fan of bodybuilding, and although he was advised by his doctors not to lift weights, he would attend bodybuilding competitions as a spectator. Cheering on his favorites such as Paul Dillett, Kevin Levrone, Lee Priest, Chris Cormier, Markus Ruhl, Nasser ElSonbaty, and many others. At one of the competitions he saw a man who just seemed larger than life to him. He introduced himself to Pro Trainer Scott Abel, and made the decision to defy doctor orders and begin training with weights under the guidance of his new trainer.

After losing over 100lbs. of fat and completely restructuring his body, learning from one of the best in the world, Frank took his goal a step further and decided to compete in bodybuilding competitions. He started by taking first runner up in the Muscle-tech body transformation contest, and then it was time to hit the stage. Staying covered up during most of his transformation, people did not know what to expect when Frank walked onto the stage. Shocking all, he took first place at that competition, and after that, kept improving under his trainers watchful eye for years until achieving his lifelong dream by accepting Professional status with the WBFF.

Frank is proud and excited to represent the WBFF as a Pro, and has found a true home in an organization that appreciates individuality, as his dimensions are not ordinary at 6’4″ and around 300lbs. Many would say he doesn’t fit the COOKIE CUTTER ideal of what some other organizations believe a bodybuilder should look like. He feels that bodybuilders should be judged on how that look suits THEM! The individual. Not a preconceived notion that the bodybuilder should be a certain height, weight, etc. That simply creates a lineup of competitors who all look the same. He has found that the WBFF shares his opinion. And what better an organization to belong to than one run by a bodybuilder rather than just a businessman?

In addition to being a competitor, Frank has also become a trainer himself after receiving three training certifications and more importantly learning from one of the best in the world. He has specialized in taking those, like him, who have been overlooked, underestimated, doubted, or called a dreamers, and making them champions. Those he has helped compete in many different organizations in many different catagories, and some compete at both the professional and amateur level in the WBFF.

Franks next goal is to comeback after a career related accident as a Custody Officer caused him to have knee surgery. His plan is to bring a new package to the WBFF Pro stage and help to spread the word of the WBFF. Reaching as many competitors around the world as he can, who are fed up with the federations they belong to, and showing them that there IS an alternative! That no longer is the the top of the Bodybuilding and Figure world monopolized by federations who do not support, encourage, or promote their athletes. That the WBFF is the answer many of us have waited for.

Adopting the famous words of Friedrich Nietzsche… “He turns his injuries into strengths. That which does not kill him makes him stronger. He is SUPERMAN”. Frank has shown that through adversity, greatness can be achieved if you want it and work hard enough for it. And finally under the moniker of Superman, he hopes to inspire others to reach for their dreams and realize their fullest potential.

»> Thank you Frank for all that you do!

Having trouble finding all the ingredients for The ECD Veg SEVEN CITRUS SALAD with MINT recipe challenge #1?

Do not worry!

Everyone is from different parts of the world (e.g., Canada, United States, Australia, Germany, Brazil, London, Austria, and the list goes on!)and some ingredients might be difficult to find depending on your season and location.

If you’re having issues, just skip the ingredient(s) you are having trouble with finding and do with out. You can explain this in your recipe review.

If you have PINTEREST, let’s pin!

@TheresaJenn

Friendly Reminder: When you make your ECD Veg challenge recipes I would like to PIN them to the NO EXCUSES April ECD Veg CHALLENGE folder. Again, if you would like to be a moderator and have the ability to upload your recipe image yourself, please PM your Pinterest email address so I can give you permission. If not, I will see your recipe post once you tag it with #FameECDVeg

NO EXCUSES APRIL CHALLENGE

Welcome junior and senior members of the NO EXCUSES CHALLENGE. This challenge began in February of this year and has been going strong ever since. I debated whether or not you would be interested in a third month of the challenge but due to popular demand it’s back! Thank you for your messages and excitement.

This month’s challenge will be divided into Part 1 and Part 2. I will list the guidelines for each part and you can decide what you would like to participate in.

PART 1: Goals and Staying Accountable

If you don’t know where to start, please check out my page for the NO EXCUSES CHALLENGE. Here you will be able to read the guidelines for my first two challenges and you can also read the success that other bloggers have experienced.

If you have been doing this challenge since February and/or March then it will be easy for you to proceed.

Your focus is goals that you want to reach at the end of this month, in 3 months, and in 6 months.

You can record your goals like this:

1 Month Goals

I will accomplish __________________________________ by the end of April.

»> Write down as many goals as you would like but also take into consideration if it’s a realistic goal for less than 1 month. Also, if you create a goal, you need to have a plan. What will you do to ensure you are successful? Figure out what you need to do and start planning.

3 Month Goals:

I will accomplish __________________________________ by the end of June.

6 Month Goals:

I will accomplish __________________________________ by the end of October.

»> Really take your time to think about what YOU want and record your goals. Always state “I WILL” not “I’ll try” because this leaves a window of doubt. Next, make sure you set a deadline for yourself. Last, visit these goals often or post them somewhere visible in your home. I have mine above my bedroom light-switch.

***** BONUS *****

In the past you have had full control in designing your challenge but I would like to propose several extra challenges for you to take on this month.

1.) Get your sweat-on 2-4 times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes

2.) Prepare all your clean eating meals the NIGHT BEFORE so they are ready for you the next day and you have no excuses to not eat clean.

3.) Cut out all white flour

4.) Drink 1 glass of water with every meal

5.) Do not add salt to any meal

6.) Get 6-9 hours of sleep a night

7.) Never go to bed upset

8.) If you choose to weigh yourself, only do this once a week

9.) Do not add white sugar to anything

10.) No cream in your coffee

11.) Eat vegetables at least twice a day

12.) Eat at least one fruit a day

13.) Take your vitamins every day!

14.) Doing something nice for someone because you want to, not because you want something

15.) Work hard every day and only focus on one day at a time

16.) If you’re going to have a guilt-free meal, PLAN IT!

If these challenges are things you already do, then up your game! You’re in charge : )

»»> If you choose to participate in PART 1 of the challenge please TAG your posts with #noexcusesapril

PART 2: THE EAT-CLEAN DIET VEGETARIAN COOKING CHALLENGE
In conjunction with receiving the ECD cookbook early and my guest blog on Tosca Reno’s blog, I will be featuring 3 of ECD’s on my blog this month. Every Thursday, I will post 1 new recipe + 1 photo + 1 video.

You will receive the recipes for:

1. SEVEN CITRUS SALAD WITH MINT on Thursday, April 5th
2. TRI-COLOR PASTA WITH TUNA, SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE HEARTS on Thursday, April 12th
3. PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP BACKPACK KISSES on Thursday, April 19th

* You will have 7 days to shop for your ingredients, prepare your recipe, take 1 photo, and post a review of your experience. Please TAG your posts with #FameECDVeg

»> If you have PINTEREST, please follow me @TheresaJenn (same as my Twitter).

»> IF YOU ALSO HAVE PINTEREST, please send me a private message on Tumblr with your email address so I can add you as a ‘moderator’ for the board (‘No Excuses April ECD Veg Challenge’) I have created for our challenge. If I have your email address that you use for Pinterest then I can have you upload your recipe photos directly to our folder. It would be neat to have a whole collection of your recipes in one folder on my Pinterest. If you would prefer to keep your email address private, no worries, just send me a message to go check out your Pinterest account and I will repin your recipe to my folder.

»» SO! It’s time to start thinking and once you decide what challenge (hopefully both) that you will participate in, please make a formal announcement on your blog for everyone to read. Start your challenge by Tuesday, April 10th! Don’t forget to tag!! Please make at least 1 post a week so we can follow your progress. If you want me specifically to read something, TAG me #www.thefameofhealthandfitness.tumblr.com

****** This post and including the recipes may be reblogged onto your blog if you wish. I just ask that if you want to share the recipes that they are reblogged from my site and not ‘stolen’. Thanks in advance! ******

NOTE: If you’re just coming across my blog for the first time and want to know more about me, here is my story.

The APRIL NO EXCUSES CHALLENGE (2 parts: Goals & ECD Veg cooking) will be posted on Wednesday, April 4th. Stay tuned!!

In the meantime, start thinking about what you want for yourself this month.

Where are you now and where do you want to be at the end of the month? Please consider your current life circumstances but don’t allow any excuses to hinder your goals. When you think ‘I can’t do that?’ … ASK YOURSELF WHY NOT? For example, is it true that you don’t have the time or is this the that sabotaging voice talking?

Think realistically what you’re capable of doing if you give this challenge 100% of your effort.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Friendly Reminder:

ECD Veg Challenge #1 recipe will be posted on my blog with a photo, ingredients, method, and video on Thursday, April 5th!  Each recipe is easy to make and I know you will enjoy this process. I know I have!