Better Health

It has been a long time since I have experienced any major cravings. Changing my diet around and adding in the important things such as more vegetables has made a significant difference. Adding shakeology as part of my daily routine helps as well. The need to drink coffee is gone which for me is HUGE. I used to drink 8 cups a day, even at night. The importance of a well-balanced diet is good but if you have to eat on the run a COMPLETE meal in a drink is a must if that is your best option/choice. It’s been almost 2yrs since I started drinking shakeology and the only time I complain is when we run out or Ryan hides a stash somewhere. Check out our pages and see what you are missing. Stop popping pills and drink to better health. DSDQ.

http://www.shakeology.com/ryanpretlow

Shakeology

I am not one to push products, and I was the first person to say I would put any products in my body that I could not keep up with on a consistent basis.  Well, times have changed, and my mind has too. 

We are an active society, and we are always trying to find way to keep ourselves healthy and active at every turn.  The problem is the more active we become the less likely we are to keep up with our diet.  There are plenty of reasons and choices on every corner to distract us and give us an easy and fast way to our nutrition.

But I ask you is it an easy way or is is it a faster way to more problems? 

If you leave you home and go to any store that sells nutritional products, and there are a lot of them, you will find an abundance of options and all of them will say basically the same thing -  that they are the best or it gives you the most for your money. Really, at some point you have to do was best for you regardless of cost of regardless of what the product/or rep says.  When you are looking for a product, there are a couple things that you have to consider. 

For me the first thing is WHAT is in the product that will benefit me long term and short term. 

Second thing is it all natural?  Is it gluten free? 

Will it help me with energy level (naturally) and truly replace what I may miss in a meal.  I do not and will never advocate skipping meals neither will you ever hear me to suggest that you actually replace a meal with a QUALITY  meal replacement. 

The truth is you should do the best you can to eat a well balanced diet, (fruits, vegetables and complex carbs).  Is it hard or difficult to do, YES, absolutely.  I always say, don't wish it was easy wish you were better.  How, make better choices and commit to those choices.  Remember you have to do whats best for you. 

For me Shakeology is that product hands down.  The benefits are to numerous to list, and that is for a later post.  Lets just say that it has everything you need if you need probiotics (to cleanse you daily) antioxidants (to help fight the harmful illness and diseases in the body) protein and amino (build blocks to help promote muscle growth) to name a few. 

Most of us, myself included, want the cheapest way to end or finish line.  Fast will not last.  The short cut will cost you more in the long run.  Remember the best way to reduce your health care cost to do your research.  Don't go the cheap way go the best way.... Shakeology anyone?

If you want to know more about Shakeology, contact me or Ryan or visit our website:

www.bring-it-fitness.com/Shakeology/FAQ

Happiness

Happiness is something that everyone deserves have in their life however unless you take that first step you will never achieve happiness.

Discovery

The most important discover a person can make is the discovery of oneself. Take the time to relax and think about the things that are important to you and how it can make you better. Prioritize and act today because putting things off will not make things less meaningful...DSDQ

Note to self

I know you.  I know who you are and where you come from.  I know that in order for my future to exceed my expectations I must let go of the things that hold me back and the things that keep me from living up to my potential.  In order for me to defy the odds I must change what I do for me and only me.  I must break free of my depression and say to myself that, "THIS ENDS HERE AND NOW".  Nobody said it would be easy.  Nobody has volunteered to do anything for me.  I am MY shield.  I am MY protector.  Nobody will claim what is mine.  Nobody will hold me back.  If anyone stands in my path I will go through them and not around them.  I will never look back because it will be part of my past.  Instead I will look ahead and be bold, fearless and stronger for those who choose to follow in my footsteps.  Am I perfect, No!  Am I claiming to know everything, No!  Who am I to make such a bold statement and take such a bold stance?  I am the new person I always knew I could be.  The difference between yesterday and today is simple. The reason(s) I am stronger now is obvious.  What is it? I finally stop giving to others and started giving to me.  I finally said, I do matter and I deserve everything I want but now I will earn it and I will own it.  I will be heard and remembered and most importantly, I WANT TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE.  DSDQ!

It won't come to you

The things you want and that are worth having will not come to you.  You have to go get them.  There are times when we get so consumed with making these huge goals and think in the long (which is okay) but we fell to understand that we have to put the work in.  Just because the goal is set or the plan is in place that does not mean that your job/work is done.  You have to work for it.  You have to earn it.  You have to live and breath it daily.  Keep in mind that there will be good days and bad ones.  The good days are easy to get through but don't neglect or forget about the bad days.  Those are the crucial moments when you get "IT".  The message or the one thing that you push you over the hump and get you over the hill.  Don't get complacent and don't be negative.  Being complacent will only give you a false since of security and being negative, we all know how that works.  You will give up or say I can't or even worse I quit.  Remember the house rules, adopt them as your own, Don't Stop Don't Quit.  If its worth having you will go for it because it will not come to you

Blame game

Don't blame someone else for your problems.  FIX them instead.  Playing that blame game will only make you more frustrated. When you point a finger at someone else there is usually three of them pointing back at you...DSDQ

Success

In order to achieve the success of the people you look you to you have to be willing to do things that you normally would shy away from.  You have to be willing to take the blame for all of you failures and understand that it's not the end.  Lastly, BELIEVE in YOU.  Turn your WISH LIST into a DONE/COMPLETE LIST.  DSDQ

Mistakes

Instead of wondering and dwelling on our mistakes I believe we should learn from them and show others how not to make the same ones.  Mistakes are part of our past and the past should be left behind.  I am reminded by my children that we are constantly learning and evolving no matter how old we get.  As I approach my next birthday I am already planning on making the next year better.  I will be wiser.  I will not doubt myself.  I will be a better husband and father.  Why am I writing this...  I will learn from my mistakes and not dwell on them as I did this past year.  Once it's done let it be.  Whenever an opportunity comes I will rise to the occasion and not make the same mistakes.  You should do the same.  DSDQ

Greatness

Greatness is not believed it's ACHIEVED!! How? Only through hard work, dedication and commitment can this done. DSDQ

The way to succeed is to do things that either others won't do or walk away from because it's hard or difficult.  From this point on (July 19, 2012) you will be measured (not judged) by what you accomplish and not by what or where you fall short.  Yesterday is gone.  Learn from the past but don't dwell on it.  DSDQ!

Freedom of choice

So many lives are changing around us daily.  Take the time to recognized those putting in the effort and the work.  It is not easy.  We are granted so few things in life.  One thing that you must not take for granted is the freedom of choice.  We make the choice in life to either accept things as they are or choose to make a change(s). DSDQ!

Moving forward

The way to succeed is to do things that either others won't do or walk away from because it's hard or difficult.  From this point on (July 19, 2012) you will be measured (not judged) by what you accomplish and not by what or where you fall short.  Yesterday is gone.  Learn from the past but don't dwell on it.  DSDQ!

Chunky Banana Oatmeal Bread Recipe

I received this recipe from a friend that did Weight Watchers a while ago.  It tastes good.

CHUNKY BANANA OATMEAL BREAD

Weight Watchers Recipe - 10 servings, 5 points each

Course: desserts

PointsPlus Value: 5

Servings: 10

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 50 min

Level of difficulty: moderate

This nutritious bread is easy to mix and will make the whole house smell wonderful!  You may add some cinnamon or different spices to "Spice it up."

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup   all purpose flour

1/2 cup      unpacked brown sugar

1/2 tsp       table salt

1/2 tsp       baking soda

1/4 tsp       baking powder

3 tsp          canola oil

1 large       egg, beaten

2 large       egg whites, beaten

3 large       bananas, ripe

1 cup         uncooked old fashioned oats

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Add oil and eggs; mix thoroughly.
• In a small bowl, mash bananas with a potato masher or fork. Add bananas and oatmeal to batter.
• Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan and bake until top of loaf is firm to touch, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes. Flip out and cool on a wire rack for another 10 minutes.

Mindset

Having the right place, the right equipment and the right routine will only get you started. Having the right mindset and the willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals is crucial for the long haul. DSDQ

Strength

Your are strong because of what you have to do and not because of what you do. Be vigilant and stay on the path you have chosen until you decide to get off or you are done. DSDQ

Character

Sometimes you have to make your own way regardless if anyone is going to stand behind you or not. Character is built in the midst of adversity and not when you are comfortable. Make it happen and don't wish it would happen. DSDQ

Never settle

We create the world we live in. Never settle for what's given to you. If you want more you have to give more and settle for nothing. DSDQ!

Power of the Mind

The body will follow where the mind takes it. The power of the mind is powerful. Embrace it and your world will never be the same. DSDQ!

Balance

When all else fails you and you think you are alone we all have a tendency of retreating to the darkness. I say don't. Stay in the light were others can see and you can find peace. Slip but get back up. Fall but don't stay down. Question but never doubt. DSDQ

Struggles

Your struggles will become your success. Your battles will become your victories. Your accomplishments will become stories of legend and rules to live be. What is this? It's you when your work is finished. Are you working or are you thinking about working? DSDQ

Standing out

For those of you who stand out from others always remember with praise comes criticism. Your reasons for doing what you do are just that your reasons. Trust in the end it is worth it. DSDQ

Acceptance

Accepting some things as they are does not mean that you are settling for something or giving in.  It means that you acknowledge them and make a decision based on what you know to be true versus what you wish to be true.  Change will not happen til you do this first. DSDQ!

If Anyone Questions You or Who You Are

"If anyone questions you or who you are let that be an opportunity to define who you are with more clarity. It may sound negative to you at first ; it may even shake your foundation and what you stand for. Every moment questioned is the time to define your moment."

~ D'Allen Pretlow, Bring It Fitness

You're Really Gonna Eat That?

Here are more frightening nutritional figures, from the Calorie King web site, about fat and calories in food that can be found at amusement parks, fairs, festivals, and carnivals:

Deep Fried Twinkie

Fried Snickers (5 oz.): 444 calories and 29 grams (g) fat

Fried Twinkie (2 oz.): 420 calories/34 g fat

Funnel cake (1): 760 calories/44 g fat

Twinkie Dog Sundae: 500 calories/14 g fat

Cotton candy: 171 calories/0 fat

Fried cheesecake (6 oz.): 655 calories/47 g fat

Foot-long hot dog and bun: 470 calories/26 g fat

Giant turkey leg: 1,136 calories/54 g fat

Eating these foods and more like them at a fair or carnival can wreak havoc on your waistline because they contain hundreds, sometimes thousands of calories and more than 10 grams of fat. If you participate in no exercise activities, it really is not a good idea to eat these foods AT ALL because you're not doing anything to get rid of them or work them off. Thus, OBESITY & OVERWEIGHT kick in.

I'm a Beachbody Coach. I'm not a dietician or medical expert, but I know what is good for my body and what isn't. And that is pretty universal. What is not good for my body is most likely not good for yours.  But exercise IS good! And especially FREE exercise.  Contact me and I can tell you how to experience some of Beachbody's most famous workout programs for FREE!  http://beachbodycoach.com/mochayaya.

The Things Around You Can Distract You

"The things around you can distract and keep you from ever reaching your potential as well as cloud your judgment. If you brought it in with you on your journey that doesn't mean you have to keep it with. Some of things we hold close can become a burden if you are not fully committed. Understand and learn how to respond and move forward when the circumstances have change." ~ D'Allen Pretlow

What's in Your Kitchen?

About 65 percent of Americans who took part in the study have soy sauce “on hand now,” and 20 percent keep “solid pack pumpkin” in their pantries. Some foods are rarely seen in American kitchens. It turns out, not surprisingly, that Americans are apparently not very fond of mincemeat; almost 9 out of 10 households said they “never” have it on hand. Artichokes, turnips and almonds were not far behind. The report also found that what Americans keep in their kitchens depends to a large extent on the number of people in their homes. Larger households are more likely than one-member households to have “kid-friendly” items like sugary baking ingredients and candy. Only 30 percent of one-member households have marshmallows on hand, but that figure jumps to 59 percent in households with five people or more. A similar pattern is seen with frosting, dips and cake mixes. As for where Americans are getting their inspiration to cook, it appears that nothing beats a favorite cookbook. The most frequent source of a recipe was a cookbook that had been owned for longer than two years. Most households reported using them for dinner-oriented main dishes and entrees, followed by side dishes, desserts and soups. “Brunch” foods were the least popular recipes. Over all, 4 out of 10 households reported turning to a favorite recipe at least once a week. And although technology has invaded nearly every aspect of home life, household chefs are apparently unlikely for now to turn their iPhones into pocket sous chefs. Only 1 percent of Americans included in the study said they use a recipe from a mobile phone app at least once every two to six months. One of the greater surprises, said Kim McLynn, a spokeswoman for the NPD Group, was the way in which people of different ages rated their cooking skills. “Younger cooks rated their skills very good,” she said, “whereas the older cooks rated their skills lower.” The report, called the “Kitchen Audit,” has been published since 1993 and is primarily used by food and appliance makers for marketing and product development purposes. 

Blog written by Ryan Pretlow, December 13, 2011

Who Are We?

Welcome to Bring It Fitness! We are D'Allen and Ryan Pretlow, and we live in Fayetteville, NC with our 5 beautiful children. We are fortunate in our marriage to share a true passion for fitness. We have over 8 years of experience in group training and in individual coaching. In a group setting, we have learned how to connect with others while teaching them the correct form and technique during workouts. Over the years, we have worked with very diverse groups and individuals. Other than raising happy and healthy children, we've found our purpose: to help others find confidence and achieve healthy self-esteem through changing their bodies. Look up... change the body. The mind WILL follow! 

Ryan knows this first hand. After struggling with her weight throughout childhood and adolescence, Ryan topped the scale at 240 lbs. She was miserable, and her self esteem was absolutely broken. She decided to take matters into her own hands. Through exercise and proper nutrition, Ryan lost 75 lbs. and has been able to keep this weight off for the past 9 years. So, we have been there. We know what you need to do find yourself through fitness.  

Our goal is to motivate and change your perception of yourself by convincing the body that it can do things it says it can’t do. We believe that your body will follow where ever the minds lead it. In most cases, it is a mindset that causes us to stay in the same routine and situation. We can help you break that cycle by showing simple things you can repeat on a daily basis, making changes periodically to keep the body guessing to keep the results coming. 

The only thing we ask of you is commitment and focus. You have to stay focused and work at it. It will not come to you. But with us, you are never alone. It is our job to help you get there. It's your job to go there. 

We've started this blog so that we can not just share tips and ideas with our current customers, but we would like to reach out to anyone who is ready to take control of their life and make healthy choices and changes.  We hope you enjoy, and please feel to contact us at any time.

Bobble 34-Oz. Water Bottle