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Keep the "Honeymoon Period" going when it comes to your health & fitness goals!

Beware of what in the “fitness world ” is refered to as the “Honeymoon Period” – this is the 6 week time period between New Years Day and Valentines Day. Similar to that blissful period of the Honeymoon in a marriage, in committing to a healthy lifestyle – the beginning is when there is a great deal of energy and enthusiasm.   The gyms are bustling, and we are diligently trying to eat right. So what happens? According to numerous studies - by Valentines Day, many people have fallen back into old habits, and the enthusiasm dies down.

The good news is - it only takes about *4 – 6 weeks for something to become a habit and probably less time for us to integrate something so totally that we are no longer aware of it. *Some sources indicated it can take as little as 21 days for an action to become a habit.

So how can you make your fitness commitments last beyond the “Honeymoon Period?” Below are 3 easy Guidelines for Health & Fitness Success:

1. Keep Your Expectations Real:

While it would be nice, there are no magic pills or exercises that will whip us into shape overnight.  that said we do have the CA Living:Toned -By -Tonight Workout that will make your muscles look more defined for a big night out On-Demand, and the California Living Beach Body Workout - a terrific 20 minute total Body Workout On-Demand for you to check out when time - or a lack of it is a factor in reaching your short term fitness goals.

Keep your expectations realistic – aim to loose 1-2 pounds a week. You may experience more weight loss early on – which is natural – yet the healthiest weight loss plans will not shock your body into shedding large amounts of weight in an (unhealthy) short amount of time.

The secret is balance – your fitness goals are just one part of your life – and should not consume your every waking moment – nothing should – that would be a terribly unbalanced and unhealthy way to live. Most of us have jobs, families, and many other daily commitments beyond working out. Sure there are celebrities that lose weight or “get buff” for their next film who work at it 24/7 – but unless your planning to audition to be the next “Rambo” give it a rest! Your results will come – in time! By understanding this and keeping things in perspective you will be able to work towards your goals over a longer period of time.

2. Set up a Goal and Reward System:

It is important to have goals like – “I want to be in a bikini this summer,” – or I want to run a 5K or 10K this spring.” By setting up intermittent goals along the way and rewarding yourself for reaching these goals you will keep your enthusiasm high and have mini-milestones to look forward to achieving.

For example, going 30 days without eating junk food, or going down a size in your jeans are reasons to celebrate! By setting up non-food related rewards such as a day at the spa, a shopping spree (please don’t blame it on me), or a movie night out with your friends (hold the butter & salt please!), you will feel good about your progress along the way and be less likely to throw in the proverbial towel.

3. Work in that Workout!

What happens when we say to ourselves “I’ll get to it – right after I do this…or – I’ll do it tomorrow” – the “it” usually never happens because we did not consciously plan it into our daily or weekly routine. Create a schedule that works for you – three days a week – every other day, 30 – 60 minutes everyday – Making exercise a part of your life means making it work with the rest of your life.

The beauty of exercise is you can combine it with things you love, hiking, biking, rowing, walking – I know it’s easy to say and harder to do – but seriously, try scheduling an activity you love once a week. While the winter weather presents some challenges you can swim indoors, shoot hoops, or even play a game of tennis indoors – in Cali anyway!  You can also work with a trainer and create a kick-butt workout at your local gym and combine it with a fun spin or dance class to keep it interesting. Try adding kick boxing, yoga, or Pilate’s to your routine – you’ll challenge your mind and body in different ways and meet new people who share similar interests – a great fringe benefit!

All the best with your goals – Enjoy! Aprilanne

Aprilanne Hurley SFN is a Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, author ofThe Party Girl Diet, and the Health Expert for California Living, the Bay Area’s original lifestyle show featuring California’s trends in food, travel, and healthy living. Hurley’s new book, The Party Girl Diet is a healthy, sustainable lifestyle plan combining today’s groundbreaking health and nutrition research with Hurley’s penchant for good living to deliver a revolutionary new diet and lifestyle that lets you  “Keep the Party Going…While You Lose the Weight!”

Order your copy of The Party Girl Diet on Amazon.com

Content on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes.  It is not intended to cure, treat, or diagnose any disease or illness.  Please consult with your health care provider prior to starting any new diet or exercise program.

The time is now to book your Blue Angels Air Show Cruise with Angel Island Tiburon Ferry taking place on San Francisco Bay:

Sunday, October 7, 2012

2:30 – 4 pm

NEW!  Book your Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Blue Angels Air Show Cruise Online. Advance ticket purchase required, please call 415.435.2131 for more info.

Boarding takes place at 1:30 PM for Angel Island Ferry’s 2 PM – 4:30 PM Blue Angels Viewing Cruises.

Plan an exciting bay cruise with a group of friends and take in the sights during this event with “front row” seats on San Francisco Bay.

Tickets:

$60.00 – Adults

$40.00 Children ages 5 – 12

FREE for children 0 – 4 years

Enjoy the best sights the Bay Area has to offer of the Navy’s Blue Angels Air-show aboard Angel Island Ferry’s spacious vessel – sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacular air show.  Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture memories that will last a lifetime.

There will be a no-host bar on board, and additional snacks/non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. (Please note: You are welcome to bring a picnic however No BYO alcoholic beverages are allowed on AITF specialty cruises – thank you for your cooperation.)

SPACE IS LIMITED so please act quickly to be a part of the this rich, exciting, and visually amazing California tradition.

For directions to to our Tiburon Dock and more information on ferry schedules and other special events please visit our website:  AngleIslandFerry.com – and “take a ride with us!”  Captain Maggie

For more information on Blue Angels Fleet Week 2012 visit:  Fleet Week Official Site

PLUS – You can witness the Blue Angels Annual Air Show by land – by hiking to the top of Mt. Livermore – located on Angel Island State Park which is the absolute BEST place to take in the sights during the Blue Angel’s Fleet Week 2012.

Views from the top of Angel Island State Park's Mt. Livermore are out of this world!

Getting there:  For the most scenic route and your overall convenience, head to Tiburon, CA and take a ride with the -  Angel Island Tiburon Ferry  to Angel Island State Park, where you can hike up to Mt. Livermore (approximately a 2 hour round trip – moderate intensity adventure) or arrange to take a tram ride to experience the incredible sights this “top of the world” destination delivers!  Please call Angel Island Company for tram tour information at:  415.897.0715, or the Cove Cafe @ 415.435.3392.

California Living host and Author Aprilanne Hurley takes in a specialty cruise on SF Bay with Captain Maggie McDonogh and the Angel Island Tiburon Ferry..."now this is the life!"

Make a great day of it – and reserve your tickets for one of  Angel Island Tiburon Ferry’s Fleet Week Specialty Cruises scheduled on Sunday October 7th, 20 12 for the best seats on SF Bay for viewing the Annual “Parade of Navy Ships” and Blue Angels Air-show taking place in Northern California.

This annual cruise offers a stocked bar with beverages and snacks for purchase.

HURRY – space is limited and will sell out quickly.  For more info. and to reserve your tickets please call 415.435.2131 ext. – and/or visit:  CaptainMaggie.com

A ferry ride with Angel Island Tiburon Ferry also offers some unique health benefits thanks to the fabulous negative ions present in the ocean and bay air!

For more information read my post on “The Positives of Negatives – Ions that is” on this site and… enjoy ~ Aprilanne

This Meatball Recipe will always steal the show

Originally featured on California Living™ with Aprilanne primetime, Grandma Rose’s Authentic Italian Meatballs Recipe is one of 2-weeks of delicious, easy recipes in The Party Girl Diet Book.  

A little background on this recipe:  Grandma Rose’s generation did not use measurements in recipes, but rather cooked with their senses, how the food looked, tasted, and even felt, adding more cheese, or spices etc., to perfect the texture, consistency, and flavor of a dish.

With this “cooking culture” in mind, the following recipe is the official recipe known as  “Grandma Rose’s Authentic Italian Meatballs,” compliments of Joe Mack, Grandma Roses’ eldest son, who recommends tasting one as soon as it’s cool enough, “because that’s when they taste the best.”

Get in touch with your “Inner Italian” and give it a try…Buona Fortuna!

2 pounds of chopped beef, veal and pork
2-3 eggs depending on size, slightly beaten
1/2 cup plus of finely chopped onion
3 slices of white bread or 2-3 hotdog rolls, chopped finely – About 1/2 cup of skim milk or more – Very big bunch of Italian Parsley chopped fine/leaves only
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Heaping tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

1. Soak chopped bread in milk till it is nice and mushy

2. Add eggs, parsley, onions, cheese, salt and pepper and mix well

3. Add chopped meat and mix well using your *hands; there is no alternative

*Fun Fact # 1 -Grandma Rose would never wear nail polish when cooking for fear that it may chip into the food she was preparing..

4. When thoroughly mixed, form into meatballs by rolling in your palms. You should make 18 to 24 meatballs.

5. Place meatballs in lightly oiled, olive of course, cookie tin and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Do not overcook. The meatballs may be browned in a frying pan; however, the baking is easier and probably healthier.

6. When cool remove meatballs from pan and scrape off any fat that has formed. Did you make more than you need or want to freeze some to enjoy at another time? Try Joe Mack’s Freezing Trick – by laying them out on a cookie sheet and covering to freeze for later use.

Want tasty, healthy recipes your whole family will enjoy?  Discover how delicious healthy living can be @ PartyGirlDiet.com.

Watch  “Making Meatballs with Aprilanne” now On-Demand on Aprilanne.com

"Dishing the best in health & fitness - straight up ~ with a twist."

Aprilanne Hurley SFN is a Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, California Living’s Health Expert, and author of  The Party Girl Diet - the revolutionary new diet and lifestyle that lets you “Keep the Party Going…While You Lose the Weight.”