One of My Favorites...

I’ve found a great, easy breakfast that ties me over and gives me the energy I need on my long morning hikes or bike rides.  They’re so convenient I grab them as I rush out the door to work on mornings as well! Two of these with a side of fruit is a filling meal.  

I make these once a week, keep them in the fridge and they freeze well too!

I took them on my family trip last weekend so they travel great and they’d be easy to toss one in lunch boxes (because that might just be in our future soon) or in you’re purse while you’re out and about.

These have real food ingredients and include healthy carbs, fats & protein.  

The great thing is you can use any milk or protein powder you have on hand.  You can swap out the fruit for anything fresh or dried as well!  If you’re like me, take liberties to adapt any recipe to YOUR liking!

Mindy’s Oatmeal Muffins

3 tbsp chia seeds (soaking in 6 tbsp water while preparing the recipe)

2 cups rolled oats

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

1 tsp baking powder

1/2-1 tsp salt

1/2 cup dried cherries (or fresh)

1 cup milk ( dairy or non-dairy of choice)

2 tsp vanilla or almond extract 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients & mix well.

Add wet ingredients including chia seeds. Spoon into 12 muffin tins or silicone cups. Bake 20 minutes.

Are You Using The BodyGym?

I love all the messages I’m receiving from those of you starting to use yours!

It’s not too late to pull yours out of the box or to order your own! (just click here!)

If you try one of my TikTok’s or Facebook live workouts let me know! What would you like to me to post more?

5 minute workouts? 9 Minute workouts? TikToks? Stretching?

With BodyGym, Exercise CAN Fit Into Your Life!

Why is BODYGYM my go-to workout? Because it fits seamlessly into my life.

If I have a few minutes in the morning I love to do a little stretching with the bar.  Standing stretches help me loosen up as I start my day.

If I find myself having five minutes between changing laundry, watering flowers, errand, emails or picking a few weeds I can squeeze in five sticker exercises from the bar for one minute each.  

In the evening I love laying on the floor stretching with the BodyGym band as we’re watching something or talking together in our tv room.

Today I found myself in the kitchen talking with my daughters on a FaceTime call so I went through the exercises on the front side of the bar.  9 minutes is all it took while I was in regular clothes—fitting it into my day.

Exercise doesn’t need to look like a 30 or 60 minute workout done to a DVD or in an exercise class. (Although, I love participating in movement this way when that fits my schedule.)

I love doing BodyGym with others and I’m grateful for those opportunities when I get to teach—especially groups of women and teenage girls.

How are YOU doing on YOUR movement?  Where can you squeeze in 5-10 minutes throughout the day? 

Where do you keep your BodyGym?  Is it in a room where you rarely see it?

Is it still in the box? Don’t feel guilty—sometimes we do that!

If the only thing you did today was put that BODYGYM in a place where you see it, I promise you’ll use it more.  

You can find cute baskets or leather boxes that blend into your living space so you see your BodyGym, but it doesn’t look messy or out of place.

As a trainer, I encourage people to schedule workout time and stick to it the way they would any important appointment. If this isn’t happening in your busy life right now, challenge yourself to do just 5 to 10 minutes of BodyGym wherever you can in your day.  There’s no need to even change into workout clothes if you don’t have time.

Every minute of exercise contributes to your well-being, health and progress. Make it fit into your life, especially during these busy summer days.  Every and any minute counts!!!

Tag me on Instagram if you accept this challenge because I plan to share a little BodyGym joy for those posts showing us just how DOABLE BodyGym can be!  Just use #thebodygym so I can find you as I’ll be announcing the winners throughout the week.

Here’s to health and happiness as you simply incorporate more movement this week!  

Still Need a Body

Gym?

You can find yours here!

Stepping into the Second Half of 2020

This week we step into the second half of 2020. Life is different. We didn’t plan for any of these events we’ve experienced together.  Meme’s fill social media about the gained “Corona 15”, constant baking and comfort eating, not fitting into clothes, etc. Let’s guarantee these last 6 months of 2020 are noticeably better by taking action with those things you CAN control.

YOU have control over

-getting outside in nature

-daily workouts

-filling your pantry and fridge with real food

I bet you know what to do to be at your best, right!?!?  We all do.  The problem isn’t knowledge.  The problem is lack of action and accountability.

I’m inspired daily with those in my 4-week online BodyGym Challenge.  We’ve been holding each other accountable to getting in 5 workouts a week with 3 of those specially designated to fun, BodyGym strength sessions. We’re sharing recipes, photos and hacks for real-food based meals (that are simple) and we’re tracking just a few additional habits that make or break success so we can do more than just survive these interesting times.

Now is a time to assess.  

Are you where you wanted to be when you set your intentions in January?  Are you doing the daily actions to transform yourself into the person you’d like to become?

If you’d like a little help getting out of that rut I ‘d love to have you participate in the July BodyGym Challenge.

My program guidelines meet you where you’re at.  They’re doable even with summer in full swing.  

Give me 4 weeks and you’ll see that daily coaching has been the only thing needed to kick start your success.  

Registration for the challenge is open until Friday, July 3 since we begin Monday, July 6.  Register online at www.mindybuxton.com.  

Here’s to making the second half of 2020 great together!

Mindy’s Mango Cardamom Smoothie

People don’t think to add spices or herbs to smoothies but they can add a great flavor alongside of their anti-inflammatory & health benefits!

1-2 cups water

1-2 cups greens (or 1 cup greens, 1 handful fresh basil)

1 Tsp chia seeds

½ - 1 tsp Cardamom spice

1 cup mangos (or ½ cup pineapple ½ cup mangos)

Handful Ice

1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder

Add water, chia seeds and greens to blender. Blend until liquefied. Add frozen mangos and ice, blend until thick. Add protein powder and cardamom, blend until desired consistency. Click to sign up for my free 8 simple recipes.

A Week of Celebration!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

How fun is it that we get to celebrate twice in one week? Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day, does it get any better?!?!?!

I just wanted to share my favorite Mexican themed recipe that’s fresh, healthy and delicious.

Mindy’s Ceviche Recipe
Preparation time: 15 minutes to prepare, let soak all day or overnight in fridge. 
 
INGREDIENTS
            1 lb. of raw shrimp chopped (you can also use mahi-mahi or halibut)
            2 fresh squeezed limes (use juice)
            1/2 red onion, finely diced
            ½ cucumber diced
            1 chopped fresh tomato
             Fresh cilantro to taste
             ½ avocado diced
             5 Tbsp. fresh salsa
             Tortillas or tortilla chips or romaine lettuce leaves
 
METHOD
In a glass casserole dish, either Pyrex or ceramic, place the fish, onion, tomatoes, salsa, cucumber and cilantro. Squeeze in lime juice. Stir well, making sure the fish gets exposed to the acidic lime juice. Let sit for several hours in the fridge, giving time for the flavors to blend.  (My daughter adds a splash of Tabasco sauce!) ALSO, if you leave the avocado pit in, the mix it won’t turn brown.
 
Serving Options
Serve with chopped cilantro and slices of avocado with heated tortillas
Serve in romaine lettuce leaves or over a bed of green for salad style
Serve in hard shells for ceviche tacos
Serve on a tostada shell
Serve nacho style with tortilla chips
Use as your veggie dip or chip dip
 
Serves 8. Approx. 80 calories per serving of the fish ceviche mix.

Honoring The Ladies…

If you need an idea for that fabulous lady in your life, my next 28 Day BodyGym challenge begins on Monday!

I’m giving a $10 discount to all females between now and Friday, May 8.

I’m honored to have both mother & daughter and sister groups starting next week. I love how the BodyGym and these strategies create a supportive atmosphere fostering positive change. This group of women truly band together as they improve their health and fitness in addition to the health and fitness of those around them.

Message me to register at the discounted rate or for a gift certificate to give this Sunday!

Here’s to a week of celebration and expressing gratitude for the many women who give, love and support us!

Real Life Heros!

I grew up wearing Wonder Woman Underoo’s and watching Linda Carter on T.V..  I still think she’s pretty awesome, but it’s funny how as an adult none of my hero’s wear capes anymore.  Between the new Wonder Woman movie and training for the Huntsman 140 bike ride I’ve had some time to reflect on the many hero’s in my life. 

Watching someone be told, “you have cancer”; watching them try to live life after being injected full of Chemo; or watching a woman sit stoically in a chair while her head is being shaved automatically turns them into your hero.  Cancer has taught me more about courage, sacrifice and the unlimited potential of the human body than anything else I've witnessed in life.

Cancer began rocking my world as a senior in high school when I lost my grandpa to leukemia.  Both of my parents are cancer survivors and I lost one of my best friends to melanoma at the age of 25.    I've lost clients, friends, and loved one's in addition to watching so many around me be affected through their own cancer experiences. Cancer changes your life—regardless if you’re one with cancer or if you’re the one feelingly so helpless sitting along side your loved one in this modern day battle.

This picture above was taken from the Ride from Reno team.  At Sacramento Pass, names of loved ones who we honor in remembrance or who we support right now are written in chalk to inspire riders that we all can do hard things. This is a pretty powerful WHY incase you need a reason to take care of your body and health!

This picture represents MY people.  They're who I’m honoring and riding for this weekend.  Some are family members, friends and two are are even strangers.  It doesn’t matter our relationship; they’ve inspired me by the way they hero through life. My REAL LIFE HEROS don’t wear capes.

This weekend take time to tell your loved one’s how much they mean to you.  Regardless of the battles you might be facing in life, remember that YOU can do hard things too.  I look forward to the day when there’s a cure for cancer.  I’m grateful for a healthy body that is able to participate in such an important cause.  Thank you Vicki Linton for inspiring me to join Warriors on Wheels and for the tireless work you and your family dedicate to cancer awareness and support.  I’m honored to be able to ride with you this Saturday!  

I'd love if you shared this post on your personal pages and encourage others to donate the last 2 days of fundraising.  I'm looking forward to showing you a sneak peak of the Primary Children's Cancer Center before it opens to the public!  Watch for my upcoming Facebook live.  

7 Days CAN Make a Difference!

This weekend I join an amazing team of people riding to raise money for Cancer Treatment.  You can support us by donating here before Friday!

This month I did a complete overhaul on my BodyJoy Slim Down Challenge.  I've learned so much the past few months being part of a private study based on scientific research with clinical nutritionists, registered dietitians, scientists, and functional & traditional medical professionals.  Now that I know better, I had to incorporate it to help others KNOW and DO better too!

Here's a comment from one of my new participants who dropped 5.6lbs. in 7 days...

“I'm actually really proud of myself for week one and super motivated by the results. I found ways to eat things I do enjoy by putting it in my log and making decisions around that. Planning ahead of time has really been key….I thought that I would have a harder time staying within 3-4 meals a day, but I end up being so full. In fact, it made me not crave treats because I was so full. I also found on busier times how to pack the right food that I need. Tonight we have a BBQ so I'm taking my own sides and logged the chicken before hand. This week my goal was to make dinner meals that my family and I can eat together but maybe I have less sides etc. It's hard with a house of all boys...most trying to put on weight. Thanks so much Mindy. This really has been an eyeopening experience.” Marni R.  

Because Marni is eating real food and adequate amounts of calories I know she didn't starve herself the past 7 days.  Inflammation from food is a REAL problem that most people don't realize.  Removing those possible foods decreases bloating and water retention, an can even decrease pain as well as help burn body fat.  Results aren't just about calories, they're about nutrients and other important factors too!

If you don't think 7 days can make a difference, try making just one change and do it consistently for 1 week!  I promise you'll have a positive result that can fuel your motivation to continue the process.  The hardest part is actually starting!  So today, commit to your one change.  Use your BodyGym daily, replace your soda with 64 oz. of water (infused with sea salt and fresh squeezed lemon or lime), watch your portion sizes are just a few ideas!

Tell me what you'll do different and next week by commenting below then check in to share your progress!  I'll keep you updated on my June participants because they're going to be right there with you making the next 7 days successful too!  

Top 3 Tips as I Celebrate 43!

I’m not a big birthday lover, but I sure appreciate the wisdom and knowledge I’ve learned with getting older.  Thinking back over the past year, I have 3 Top Tips that help us thrive and live true BodyJoy.  Why 3?  Because I’m now 43 which is “old” according to my teenagers but “still just a baby” according to my parents and 85 year old client.  It’s all relative, right?!?! I’ll be sending these tips out over then next few days so here’s #1…

You're never stuck where you're at; your body can always improve!  Your body can change at any given moment.  This is such a blessing!  I started my birthday last year being diagnosed with MRSA.  That bacteria and the protocol for eradicating it truly broke me more than any other health condition I’ve endured. 

I remember moments of wanting to give up and literally die during those harsh antibiotics and the daily visits to my Dr. to keep me from being hospitalized.   I never knew that side effects from antibiotics could be worse than the bacteria it was killing---but with MRSA they are.  I remember thinking I looked and felt the way my mom did when she was going through radiation or chemo—the only difference was I still had my hair. 

I had to physically start over with walking---just into another room---because I was so weak after 2 months of bed rest.  This experience gave me the opportunity to remember we should never underestimate the importance of starting small when it comes to improving your body and health.  The simple things like a walk, stretching and doing only 5 minutes of movement at a time made a huge difference in getting me back to just participating in life.  With consistency, I was able to build back up so I could return to my physically demanding job of personal training. 

MRSA might not be relatable, being frustrated with health and/or the body due to pain, sickness or conditions has affected us all at one point or another.  Regardless of your condition or how you feel now, there is always something you can do to feel better.  Starting small and easy is important vs. getting impatient and over doing movement or giving up completely because you feel like complete junk. 

I’m here to tell you that EVERY situation can be improved when it comes to your body or health. You’ll find the answers in the simple, basic things like standing, walking and stretching.  Anyone can do at least one of those things daily.  1 or 5 minutes will make a difference and common sense plays a key roll in progress. This is such a great thing because you don't need to be extreme or spend tons of time or money on looking for answers.  

Vegetables are necessary to nourish your body and can be eaten in 2 seconds because you don’t even need to cook most of them.  Water is essential for you to be your best--it's free and you have access to it anywhere you go.   Simple basics should be your first priority regardless of where you're at in health.

One year later, I can honestly say this is the healthiest I’ve been in my entire life.  My kids and T.J. roll their eyes at me because almost daily I comment that, "I’m so happy to be pain free" or "I’m so happy to be moving how I WANT to now" and that my life isn’t consumed with healing the way I’ve had to spend my time in past due to dis-ease. 

Sometimes our biggest challenges can bring bigger blessings once we put in the attention, time and honor what we need in that moment.  Consistency and mastering the basics are key to any success in life—especially when it comes to your health. 

Regardless if you’re health is thriving or if you’re in the worst situation you’ve experienced, know that by making small efforts daily you will improve.  Keep things simple and basic because it’s easy to get overwhelmed and impatient!  

Are you doing the basics?  Are you drinking at least 64oz of water each day?  Are you making sleep a priority?  Can you eat more vegetables?  Can you opt for baked or grilled vs. fried food?  You might now think these things are a big deal, but you'll realize by doing them they impact how you look and feel more than you expected.  

Know that YOU know your body better than any one.   Come up with 3 small things you can do for your body starting now.   You’ll be closer to creating a new experience and body!  Remember that only 1 minute of movement and 1 simple vegetable can make a difference! Your success is found in the basics!

Join my May BodyJoy Slim Down Challenge beginning Monday, May 1!

Register online at www.mindybuxton.com to join my 4 week May BodyJoy Slim Down Challenge.  I have less than 10 spots available and I'd love for you to be one of them before it closes this Thursday, April 27!  You'll eat real food, you won't diet & you customize my successful strategies so you keep your results long-term!

The official announcement from my last challenge with the winning results...

"Congratulations Kirin Kreb for being the March BodyJoy Slim Down Challenge Champion dropping an impressive 16" and 16.5lbs in 4 weeks!  Jennifer Tuttle Alle was in second place dropping 11" and 10 lbs. and Marie Mendenhal was third dropping 9.75" and 5 lbs.  You ladies have a free spot in the May BodyJoy Slim Down Challenge and Kirin will receive the Amazon gift card prize.    May registration is live on my website and spots are limited to 80.  The past 3 months have sold out so register soon!"

February Favorite Things

NOW is the perfect time to refocus on your health if January was a little rough.  Simple swaps can make your body and life just a little better without being overwhelming.  I thought I'd give you a few of my favorite's incase you needed ideas for Valentine's Day.  These would make great gifts for loved one's or a much deserved reward for yourself!

BodyGym is my absolute go-to; not just for my own body, but for all of my clients ages 12 through 85.   I've had the privilege of using BodyGym for over 14 years now.  I witnessed the very first pilot test group and have been watching impressive transformations taking place for people throughout the country ever since.  In over 20 years in the fitness industry, I've never seen anything like this.  I can't name another piece of equipment which is affordable, can be used by any age group, any place, hit every single muscle group, gives you cardio, strength training, flexibility, assisted stretching AND helps drop inches and fat.  I use this in my 4 week challenges and participants drop an average of 7 inches and 5 lbs. It's the last piece of exercise equipment you'll need because you actually use it since you can take it anywhere and use it at anytime you'd like!  In just a few minutes a day you start toning, tightening and you get that endorphin boost that makes you feel great.  You can find it on www.bodygym.com.  An added bonus, if you get yours now you'll be ready to participate in my March BodyGym Slim Down Challenge through Facebook and see your own body transform! This is a gift that keeps on giving!

Cenavi Dark Chocolate Bark & Square Flats are the best treats I've found that help me avoid over-indulging but still make me feel completely satisfied. Besides, what's Valentine's without chocolate?!?!  These were formulated by one of the most recognized and respected chocolatiers in the world. These chocolates have no added sugar, are high in fiber and probiotics and unlike most "no sugar added" chocolates on the market, have no sugar alcohols.

You’ve never tasted a chocolate as healthy and delicious as these. That's exactly why I love them!  They taste like "regular" chocolate! My daughter's thought they were the San Fransisco brand when I first gave them one.  With a healthy lifestyle, I think it's important to still have treats. It helps us be more consistent with our results because we aren't deprived.  I love that people would ever guess these are no-sugar-added or contain healthy probiotics by how delicious they taste!  Look for the Silver Fern graphic on my website and enter the coupon code Mindy10 to get an even greater discount.  Just a bit of advice, if you're buying these as a gift, you definitely want to get a package for yourself!

The BodyJoy Plan is the book of strategies I wrote to help others change their lifestyle without yo-yo dieting or feeling like they're dieting.  It's the inspiration that created my online group training which continues to help people all over the world hit their goal.  It's been rated Book of the Month several times on Amazon and you can read more about under the shop tab on www.mindybuxton.com.  Even if you just follow 2 or 3 of the several strategies, your health and body will improve.  It's a sound go-to since all the weight loss books out there always take something to an extreme.  You won't lose 20 pounds in a week, but you'll never have to release the weight you drop because you do it the right way.  What better gift is there than the gift of health?  

This month as we focus on love and celebrating those we care about, know I'm extremely grateful for my fitness friends.  You're amazing and you continue to inspire me!  Thanks for allowing me in your life.  Here's to a month filled with health, happiness and BodyJoy!  For more tips, recipes, & exercises  follow me on Instagram, Facebook or sign up for my newsletter at www.mindybuxton.com.

Keep it Simple!

So...January's a little more than half way over and this is the time when people tend to get burnt out on their "resolutions."  Why are they so hard to stick with?  When you do a complete overhaul on your life with new food, new workout routines, and eliminating tons of things you used to do, it gets overwhelming.  

When you keep things simple, your goals become manageable and results will show up through consistency.  

Simplify Workouts.  Just move anyway you like for at least 30 minutes a day.  Go on a walk, jump on a tramp, stretch, go to a class, do push ups and squats---any movement counts and some exercise is better than no movement at all!  BodyGym is my favorite go-to since I can do it when and where I want.  Women underestimate how important strength training is to their health, not to mention inch loss.  Experts are now saying it's as crucial as getting yearly exams.  Strength training is necessary for our health--and in my case, my happiness and mental sanity!

Make it easy on yourself by scheduling it a week at a time.  Get out your calendar or phone and write in appointments that work for you.  Treat it like any other important appointment you schedule.  Write in exactly what you'll do for your workout--a walk, body weight exercises, swim, etc..  This takes the guess work out once the time comes around.  

Keep Food Simple. Have a protein or two on hand at all times.  If you've got eggs and chicken in your fridge all you need to do it grab a few vegetables and you've got yourself a simple meal.  How easy is it to make an omelet or throw together a salad, taco or soup with just a few food items?  Cook in large batches so you only have to do it sparingly, but you can eat off that meal a few times.

Do What Works for You.  Keep yourself focused on your needs and your goals.  Eat only foods you love, move in ways that your body loves and trust that if you have joy in the process you'll continue to do it.  Consistency, not deprivation is what leads to success.  I hope you can simplify your eating and exercise so you'll continue to keep some of these New Years habits going all year long.  If for whatever reason you didn't start improving your health January 1st, it's never to late to start.  It's an awesome thing that simple leads to results!

Sign up for more tips & free recipes below or by going to  at www.mindybuxton.com.