Here is how it works:
Just before the kids go to bed after going trick-or-treating, have them set their candy by the door. After they go to bed, parents swap it out for a toy (or basically any non-candy surprise their kids would like). Not only do the kids get to go trick-or-treating, but they also get a surprise gift when they wake up the next morning. Meanwhile, the parents can donate the Halloween candy to a local food pantry, homeless shelter or any other organization and get a tax-refundable donation receipt. Pretty awesome, right? This is a win-win tradition where kids can still go trick-or-treating, but afterwards they'll gladly give up their candy for a good cause! Like this tip? Save and share with a friend! Eric "Mr. Motivation" Cook Owner/Head Trainer
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Peanut butter cups are one of the most popular Halloween treats, according to industry experts. But they're loaded with "not-so-healthy" fats and sugar – a single serving contains 5½ teaspoons!!
If you love peanut butter cups try this recipe. It's easy and quick to make. Healthier PB Cups (Makes 12) Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, make the bottom layer by combining ⅓ cup of nut butter, 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tsp vanilla, and cocoa powder. Set aside. In a separate bowl make the top layer by stirring together ⅓ cup peanut butter, 2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey. Taste and adjust seasoning. To assemble the cups, place about ½ tbsp of the chocolate (bottom) layer into each muffin cup. Shake the muffin tin until the layer is evenly set. Repeat with the top (peanut butter) layer. Move the tin around till the topping is level. Sprinkle salt on top of each peanut butter cup. Put the muffin tin in the freezer until the candy is firm, around 30-45 minutes. Remove from the freezer and muffin tin, and place the candy pieces in a covered container. Store in the freezer. Share this healthier no-cook version with your friends. Our October 2019 client spotlight is dedicated to Emmy Kitolo!
Xpress Fitness: Tell us a little about who you are, what you do? Emmy: My name is Emmy Kitolo, a proud working Mom of two. Wellness and a healthy lifestyle keeps me centered and helps me create much needed balance. Xpress Fitness: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working or working out at Xpress Fitness? Fun Fact? Emmy: The limited free time that I have is spent relaxing, watching TV or spending time with my family. Xpress Fitness: How is training with us different than other gyms and how have we helped you? Emmy: A true sense of family and accountability. Embracing everyone’s fitness level and pushing us to be better every day. Xpress Fitness: What motivates you to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Emmy: There are many reasons, most importantly, I want to set the right example for my kids. Have always liked working out but as I get older I recognize working out helps me keep my energy levels up and of course be able to wear cute dresses J Besides, this is the temple of the holy spirit and we have to maintain it as we are all fearfully and wonderfully made! Xpress Fitness: What is your guilty pleasure food? Emmy: Carbs…occasional dessert. Xpress Fitness: What advice do you have for somebody looking to start training? Emmy: Stop talking about I will start tomorrow, or I will start on Monday…just call Eric and do it – show up even on the days you don’t feel like it. We promise you it will be fun #easymoney #wetraindifferent Congratulations Emmy! You are XPRESSFIT! This could be you! You should GET XPRESSFIT! WE TRAIN DIFFERENT! Xpress Fitness can take your training up another level and help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Visit the "Contact" tab or text GETXPRESSFIT to (901)297-5605 to schedule your FREE fitness consultation to discuss how you can achieve results! 1. USE FRUIT, HONEY AND CINNAMON TO SWEETEN BREAKFAST Packaged cereal, granola and yogurt often contains sneaky amounts of added sugar — and using honey, maple syrup or another sweetener yourself can add up if you’re not careful. Instead, opt for plain yogurt topped with fresh fruit and some nuts. Or make overnight oats with a hefty pinch of cinnamon (which can make things taste sweeter, even though it’s sugar-free) and later stir in chopped fruit and some unsweetened nut butter. 2. READ NUTRITION LABELS CAREFULLY Search for a store-bought granola with no more than 5 grams of added sugar per serving. KIND Peanut Butter Granola Clusters fit the bill, as does Bear Naked Granola Vanilla Almond. Both are lightly sweet, packed with whole grains and contain healthy fats from nuts. 3. OPT FOR COLD OR NITRO BREWS Drinking a daily coffee with a spoonful of sugar is a habit that could sabotage your weight loss goals. Instead, try a high-quality cold brew, or the increasingly popular nitro brews, which have a deeper but less-biting flavor than traditional drip or steeped coffees, making them easier to drink plain or with a splash of milk. 4. MAKE YOUR OWN COCKTAILS Pre-mixed drinks like margaritas, daiquiris and fruity sangrias are loaded with added sugar since bartenders often rely on pre-made sour mixes or flavored syrups. If you want to indulge in an alcoholic beverage, try making these lower-sugar versions at home. 5. CUT BACK ON SUGAR WHEN BAKING A little added sugar in pies is helpful for bringing out the sweetness of the fruit filling and creating an ideal texture. However, in most cases, you can cut the amount of sugar called for in your favorite recipes by 1/3, or even by 1/2 — smaller amounts still work well for turning already-sweet fruit into a more indulgent, but healthier, dessert. 6. CHOOSE IN-SEASON FRUIT If you’ve ever eaten a blueberry in January, you know off season produce isn’t nearly as flavorful as in-season picks — it’s less sweet, more tart and often less colorful. What fruits are in season and for how long depends on where you live, so your best bet is to ask vendors at your local farmers market. 7. SWAP SODA FOR FLAVORED SELTZER Flavored bubbly water is a great option in lieu of sugar-laden soda, provided you look for ones that don’t have added syrups or sugar. Try a can of La Croix or make your own fancier version by combining plain seltzer with some mashed and sliced fruit. GET XPRESSFIT!
WE TRAIN DIFFERENT! Eric "Mr. Motivation" Cook Owner/Head Trainer Our September 2019 client spotlight is dedicated to Christin Mays!
Xpress Fitness: Tell us a little about who you are, what you do? Christin: My name is Christin Mays. I am a Registered Nurse at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I joined Xpress Fitness about 2 years ago and I can truly say it has been hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made. This was actually my first gym to join because I’ve always been skeptical about joining gyms in fear of me not knowing what exercises and work outs to do. I train because I wanted a healthier and more lean body and core. Xpress Fitness: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working or working out at Xpress Fitness? Fun Fact? Christin: In my free time I like to shop, spend time with my family and friends and most all sleep. I am currently back in school to obtain my Master’s in Nursing Education, so I would say that’s my hobby lol, alone with riding horses, four wheelers and going to the gun range. Xpress Fitness: How is training with us different than other gyms and how have we helped you? Christin: Training at Xpress Fitness is different because I feel like Eric takes the time to create specialize workouts geared towards our body frame and I love that! It’s a small gym, therefore; he has more TIME for his clients. He has helped me physically, mentally and emotionally by motivating and pushing me to keep improving even when I feel like I’m not doing an exercise correct or if I’m having a hard time balancing myself. Not only does he train, but he also educates his clients about healthy lifestyles. He ensures his clients that it’s okay to eat bad sometimes because at the end of the day we are human! Xpress Fitness: What motivates you to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Christin: What motivates me to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle is the changes I’ve endured so far. I’ve lost 20lbs so far and to actually see results is rewarding. Coming to a gym where I feel comfortable and feel like I matter is a priority. Xpress Fitness: What is your guilty pleasure food? Christin: My guilty pleasure food is BREAD!!! I love it, but I also know this is a big part of the reason why I can’t get my stomach where I want it, so I try not to indulge. Xpress Fitness: What advice do you have for somebody looking to start training? Christin: For someone looking to start training, I would tell them that achieving their body goal is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. There will be times when you look at yourself and think why am I still doing this when I don’t see any results, but DON’T GIVE UP! You don’t have to take all the foods away that you love, but eat in moderation. Lastly, any results are better than no results at all, so remember why you started! NO EXCUSES! GET XPRESS FIT Congratulations Christin! You are XPRESSFIT! This could be you! You should GET XPRESSFIT! WE TRAIN DIFFERENT! Xpress Fitness can take your training up another level and help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Visit the "Contact" tab or text GETXPRESSFIT to (901)297-5605 to schedule your FREE fitness consultation to discuss how you can achieve results! Almost every guy or gal who contacts me wants to know to get a flatter stomach.
As a personal trainer, I've achieved a flat, symmetrical and carved set of abs without hardly ever training my abs! Here are a few simple tips that will help YOU will get your stomach flatter. 1. Sorting out what you're doing wrong with your diet, eat less and being disciplined enough to to eat healthier in order to drop UNWANTED body fat! 2. Train HARD. The core is naturally revealed with a lot of hard work. Not ab work! 3. Drink more water. 4. STAY CONSISTENT! Don't give up! 5. BE PATIENT! Results take time! REPEAT YES, I do have my athletes train abs separately sometimes (if they need to) but the KEY point here is that it won't make a difference IF you are holding on to body fat. You still won't have a flat stomach or ripped abs - that's down to eating and training hard. You should GET XPRESSFIT! WE TRAIN DIFFERENT! Eric "Mr. Motivation" Cook Owner/Head Trainer Our August 2019 client spotlight is dedicated to Hope Ferguson!
Xpress Fitness: Tell us a little about who you are, what you do? Hope: My name is Hope S. Ferguson. I am a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Memphis, TN. I am also a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserves Nurse Corp. I am the Committee Chair with the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetist for the Political Action Committee and the Nominating Committee. Xpress Fitness: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working or working out at Xpress Fitness? Fun Fact? Hope: In my free time, I like to travel. I enjoy taking trips. Some of my trips this year alone have been to Rota, Spain, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and coming up soon Iceland. I also enjoy seeing the newest movie release in theaters. I also enjoy seeing a live band, dancing, and bowling. Xpress Fitness: How is training with us different than other gyms and how have we helped you? Hope: Training is different with Xpress Fitness in relation that the gym is really a family and everyone is encouraging each other regarding accountability. With the family atmosphere, I have continued to be encouraged to continue on my fitness goals. Although every day is not a great day, I pick myself up and continue to come in to push myself forward. Xpress Fitness: What motivates you to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Hope: Two years ago, I had a little bit of a health scare, which encouraged my lifestyle change. During my yearly physical check-up, my doctor notified me that my blood pressure was in the hypertension stage 1 phase and that my cholesterol was 256 which normal level is less than 200. The motivation for me to continue to work out is the fact that two years later I have dropped my blood pressure into normal range of healthy living and my cholesterol is now down in normal limits. I have also transformed my body. Although the scale for me really hasn’t changed, my body has totally transformed. Xpress Fitness: What is your guilty pleasure food? Hope: My guilty pleasure food simply said is sweets. I love candy such as, chews, taffy and skittles. Not a fan of chocolate. Xpress Fitness: What advice do you have for somebody looking to start training? Hope: The advice I have for somebody looking to start training is best said by saying just start. Everyone story is different and your gain and losses should not be compared to other people gains and losses. I am guilty of that and I work on that daily. For everyone that may be insecure and don’t want to start, jump in there and just have the confidence to start even if you are alone because I promise the journey won’t be traveled alone. Congratulations Hope! You are XPRESSFIT! This could be you! You should GET XPRESSFIT! WE TRAIN DIFFERENT! Xpress Fitness can take your training up another level and help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Visit the "Contact" tab or text GETXPRESSFIT to (901)297-5605 to schedule your FREE fitness consultation to discuss how you can achieve results! Our July 2019 client spotlight is dedicated to Tracey Clark! Tracey is one of our 2018 Transformation Challenge winners!
Xpress Fitness: Tell us a little about who you are, what you do? Tracey: I’m a Tax Analyst for the FedEx Property Tax Team. My job is to file business personal property returns on all FedEx assets to includes trucks, airplanes, computers etc. Xpress Fitness: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working or working out at Xpress Fitness? Fun Fact? Tracey: I have a new man in my life and he’s now 6 months old (Charles Streeter Jr) so I’ve been spending a lot of time loving on him. My oldest grandson, 3 year old Denzel Kirk, lives in the UK as I hope to visit him real soon. I also work with the women’s ministry at my church so helping/mentoring others is a passion of mine. Xpress Fitness: How is training with us different than other gyms and how have we helped you? Tracey: The training is so challenging - Believe it or not I get a rush when Eric just comes out of nowhere with a new challenge. And because we’re family at Xpress Fitness, we cheer each other on.The help I’ve gotten goes deeper than exercise, it’s about being the best Tracey I can be personally and spiritually. Xpress Fitness is that one stop shop. Eric never wants you to give up. He is right there providing the nutritional information, tools and resources you need to be successful. At the end of the day, I’ve lost over 20 lbs, gained muscle and tightened up some areas since starting but I still haven’t reached my goal. So I keep pushing! Xpress Fitness: What motivates you to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Tracey: What motivated me was the fact that I didn’t like what was looking back at me in the mirror. I’m ex-military so I knew I needed to regain my love for working out. Plus coming from a family that struggled with obesity I made the decision to take it to the next level I reached out to Eric. I maintain the lifestyle as I love my body and would love to teach my grandchildren the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Xpress Fitness: What is your guilty pleasure food? Tracey: My guilty food pleasure is the Strawberry Cupcakes at Muddy bake. It’s like kryptonite to me. I can’t resist. Lol Xpress Fitness: What advice do you have for somebody looking to start training? Tracey: Start training from a victorious mindset of I can do this. You are the only one that can put forth the time and effort to change. Take it one day at a time even if you fall off just start again. Always visualize the new you. Congratulations Tracey! You are XPRESSFIT! This could be you! You should GET XPRESSFIT! Xpress Fitness can take your training up another level and help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Schedule a FREE consultation today! Come sweat and burn calories with us before you celebrate the holiday and eat BBQ!
Text "SAVE35" to (901)297-5605 with your social media name and fitness goals to sign up and save 35% on group or personal training. Not ready to sign up? No problem! Try our training for FREE! You can also get a FREE week trial of workouts when you subscribe to our newsletter and enter your contact information on our website. What are you waiting for? Sign up today! Our June 2019 client spotlight is dedicated to Chaundra Covington-Rousseau! Xpress Fitness: Tell us a little about who you are, what you do? Chaundra: I’m a senior pricing advisor at FedEx and currently working on a doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. I train to stay healthy and to remain active. When I entered my 30s, my metabolism let me know that our friendship was over, and I now had to start working for the body I wanted to have. Exercise also helps me to manage my stress level. Xpress Fitness: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not working or working out at Xpress Fitness? Fun Fact? Chaundra: I like to spend time with family, travel, and shop when I have free time. My hobbies are reading, writing and piano. Xpress Fitness: How is training with us different than other gyms and how have we helped you? Chaundra: I like Xpress Fitness because you have a small, fitness family who encourages you and lets you know that you are not alone. The struggle is real for everybody! But Eric pushes clients out of their comfort zones and challenges them. Training has helped me to lose weight and improve back pain and mobility. I learned that insert of lying down and accepting misery, you can actually work through the pain to feel better. No excuses. Xpress Fitness: What motivates you to work out and maintain a healthy lifestyle? Chaundra: I’ve had many adversities and dark times, but thank God I don’t look like what I’ve been through. My desire to enjoy life to the fullest is my main motivation for a healthy lifestyle. This past year I’ve had the pleasure of exercising with my husband on a regular basis. We’re still a work in progress, but we’ll get there. Xpress Fitness: What is your guilty pleasure food? Chaundra: I LOVE DESSERT. Chocolate is God’s gift to man’s table. Enough said Xpress Fitness: What advice do you have for somebody looking to start training? Chaundra: Set a goal, make a plan and take one day at a time. If you fall off the wagon, get back on and keep moving. But most of all, have fun. Congratulations Chaundra! You're XPRESSFIT! This could be you! You should GET XPRESSFIT! WE TRAIN DIFFERENT! Visit the "Contact" tab or text GETXPRESSFIT to (901)297-5605 to schedule your FREE fitness consultation to discuss how you can achieve results! |