When we talk about the benefits of exercise, looking better gets the most attention.

Burning off unwanted pounds is a great thing, but let's not overlook a more immediate benefit of exercise.

Exercise transforms how you feel—with a quickness.

It's true. While weight loss takes time and extended effort, all it takes is one workout to begin reaping the reward of a more energetic and capable body.

Here are the top 3 ways that your body will feel better with exercise:

1) You'll Have More Energy
How are your energy levels these days?

(And I'm talking about natural energy, not energy manufactured by caffeine.)

Do your eyes pop open at the sound of your alarm? Then do you bounce through your day with a spring in your step?

Or do you hit snooze half a dozen times before getting up and dragging through your day?

While you may not instantly feel like the Energizer Bunny, your energy levels will dramatically increase once you begin a consistent, challenging exercise routine.

How does spending energy create more energy?

"(Exercise) literally creates energy in your body. Your body rises up to meet the challenge for more energy by becoming stronger," explains Samantha Heller MS, RD.

Research consistently concludes that regular exercise increases energy levels and reduces fatigue.

2) You'll Have Fewer Aches and Pains
When your life becomes sedentary (this means you are inactive for most of the day) then you'll quickly find your body developing aches and pains.

You'll feel it when you stand up - a throb in your back, creaking in your knees and stiffness in your legs.

This is pain due to underuse.

Your body was meant to move!

Movement improves flexibility and range of motion, and releases natural pain-reducing endorphins, which means that, with a regular exercise program, you'll be moving smoother and with less pain than ever before.

3) You'll Feel Happy and Confident
It's hard to understand how 30 to 60 minutes a day spent on exercise is able to completely transform how you feel about yourself. But it does.

Think back to the last time that you accomplished something. Maybe you performed well at work and received kudos from your boss, or you finished a project at home that took weeks of your time and concentration.

Do you remember how that accomplishment made you feel?

You stood a little bit straighter, you smiled easily, and deep down you felt alive with excitement.

When challenging exercise becomes a regular part of your life, feelings of happiness and confidence also become a part of you.

From now on I want you to forget the idea that exercise is nothing more than a means to achieving a slimmer body.

Instead, look at exercise as a complete life enhancer.

I'd love to get a call or an email from you.

Reach out to me and I'll show you how to integrate a consistent, challenging exercise routine into your lifestyle so that you'll begin to reap the benefits of an energetic, more confident you.

Don't wait to begin enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle - call or email now!

There's a good chance that you'll find yourself in a coffee shop looking for refreshment at one time or another this summer. It may even be a daily occurrence!

Keep in mind that what you order will directly impact how you look and feel.

Use these guidelines to order smart:

• Order something that will cool you off, not weigh you down. This means only drinking beverages that contain little to no sugar.
• Blended drinks are packed with sugar - making this the worst choice. Imagine that blended coffee drinks are a dessert-in-a-cup - because it will end up stored on your body as quickly as a slice of cheesecake.
• Unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea is an excellent choice.
• Unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced coffee is also an excellent choice.

Another sure-fire way to feel better than ever is to eat a diet that is high in fiber and protein and low in refined sugar and carbohydrates. These shredded chicken lettuce wraps are easy to make and will keep you on track with your healthy, fit lifestyle.
Servings: 6

Here's what you need...

• 1 Tablespoon chile pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup lime juice, divided
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 6 whole chicken legs
• 3 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 6 large butter lettuce leaves

1. In a small bowl combine the chile pepper, salt, pepper, oregano, 1/4 cup of the lime juice and the olive oil. Place the chicken in a large baking pan and coat with the seasoning mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the cabbage, onion, cilantro and remaining 1/4 cup lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roast the chicken legs for 40 minutes.
4. When the chicken has cooled, discard the skin and bones and shred the chicken.
5. Fill each lettuce leaf with a spoonful of cabbage mixture, topped with shredded chicken.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 248 calories, 12 fat, 740mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 26.7g protein.

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