Health is the foundation that will allow you to live the life you deserve. With proper exercise and nutrition, you can feel good and be strong enough to handle all that life throws at you each day.

If you're like most of us, it can be overwhelming to think about all that you need to accomplish on a daily basis. It's just all too easy for days, weeks and even months to pass by before you find yourself over-worked, stressed-out, sluggish and emotionally depleted. Oh, and just to add to your sense of overwhelm, your clothes don't fit right!

At that moment, you are struck by the urgent need to take better care of yourself but at the same time wonder how you can possibly find the time to do it. How can you fit yourself into your to-do list?

This happens to everyone at some point in life, and we at Healthy Balance Fitness can directly relate to your predicament, as we all constantly strive to maintain balance in our own lives.

A healthy balance is not something that happens automatically - it is a constant evolution. Every day, you have to make hundreds of choices that can either contribute to or take away from the healthy balance in your life. The beautiful thing in life is that it does come down to choices. We can help you make the choices that will make you feel balanced, healthy and strong.

At Healthy Balance Fitness we help busy women put themselves back on their to-do lists and build a balanced body, balanced mind, and balanced life. It is our mission to support and inspire women to take care of themselves so that they can be strong and healthy and have the energy to live the life they deserve.

Regardless of where you are today, Healthy Balance Fitness can help you discover your strength and become healthier, happier and more balanced.

What is important is choosing activities you enjoy - walking, dancing, yoga, cycling, hiking... the list is endless. The ideal program should include a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility (stretching). However, you may not be able to add all of these at once. To begin making active living a habit, your emphasis should be on thinking about and planning your activity, making sure it fits you, enjoying it and rewarding yourself for meeting your goals.

To help you stay on your exercise program
remember these simple tips:

1. Start slowly and build: You did not get to where you are overnight. It will take time and effort to build this into your lifestyle. The best way to see and feel results is to get into a regular routine, make a commitment and be consistent.

2. Set realistic goals: Use goals that are attainable. Short-term goals such as walking five extra minutes will give you a sense of accomplishment.

3. Create a support system: Seek out those people who help you meet your goals and supply the encouragement you need. Avoid those who seem to sabotage your efforts. Working out with a buddy may help motivate you and keep you accountable to your commitment. It can be a friend, an exercise class, or a personal trainer.

4. Use a motivational activity monitor like a heart rate monitor, pedometer or Caltrac®: These tools give you the feedback that ensures you are spending every minute of exercise effectively by monitoring your heart rate, steps walked and calories burned.

5. Record your progress: Logging your progress can be a good source of positive feedback. Track type of activity, duration, time spent at your training heart rate, calories burned and how you felt. All of these values will help keep you moving.

6. Develop a positive attitude: Your self-talk can affect your routine and how you feel about exercise. Compliment yourself at every opportunity. Avoid words like "no, can't, never, etc." these only set you up for failure. Try at least a 10-15 minute walk before deciding not to exercise.

7. Have fun: Exercise is not a PUNISHMENT.

Servings: 6

Ingredients
2 (10.75 oz. fat free, reduced sodium chicken broth)
3 cups canned pumpkin
3 cups carrots, sliced
12 oz. fat free evaporated milk
¼ tsp. ground white pepper
1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
¼ tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
¼ cup water

Directions

1. Combine carrots and 1-cup broth in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

2. Transfer carrots and liquid to container of an electric blender; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a 3-quart saucepan; add remaining broth, pumpkin, evaporated milk, water, sugar, pumpkin spice, salt, and ground white pepper.

3. Cook over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently; ladle into bowls.

Nutrient information
Calories: 123; Protein: 7.81g; Carbohydrates: 23.6g; Fat: .39g; Fiber: 4g

Recipe provided by NutriFit.

NutriFit's meal service is the ultimate timesaving, convenient choice, designed to satisfy your nutrition and health needs with extraordinary cuisine. Their customized menus are based on your personal taste and food preferences. They prepare your meals using the finest quality and freshest ingredients available.
310-473-1989 www.nutrifitonline.com