Did you know that only 8% of people who make resolutions actually succeed at them? I’m a part of the 92% who don’t succeed. Since I’ve not had success in losing weight, eating healthier and working out, I stopped making those resolutions. Instead, I’m looking for a transition to a healthier lifestyle. Joining JoyRide San Antonio’s One Month Challenge may just be a key starting point.
I’ll be honest that when I read about JoyRide’s challenge, my initial reaction was, “Oh heck no!” I had good reasons to say not to a month-long cycling challenge.
I’m not good or comfortable cycling.
I’m afraid to fail.
I don’t like to sweat.
I’m scared.
I like the food that I eat now.
So, I said YES! I signed up for the challenge because I also had good reasons.
I need to exercise.
I need a routine.
I need to be healthier.
I’m scared.
All the food I eat now may be killing me.
JoyRide San Antonio One-Month Challenge
The challenge is aimed at helping participants gain a healthier, more joyful version of themselves through a lifestyle challenge which combines JoyRide’s addictive cycling and fitness classes, group-support and a New York nutritionist-designed meal plan that works. The 2017 JoyRide Weight Loss Challenge begins on Monday, January 9, and runs through Friday, February 3.
“We are thrilled to offer our community a healthy, balanced way to shed those extra pounds and get fit in a positive, welcoming and supportive environment.” – JoyRide Cycling + Fitness Owner Becky Cerroni
So how does it work? Sign up is free on JoyRide’s event page at http://www.joyridestudio.com/texas-on-broadway/events. To qualify for the Challenge, participants must purchase a 10-pack of classes or enroll in JoyRide’s Unlimited monthly classes ($165 for Unlimited 3 Months, $195 for 10-Class Pack). Challenge participants will be required to take a minimum of four cycle and/or studio classes each week. In addition, contestants will be provided with weekly nutritional meal plans developed specifically for the challenge by New York Nutritionist, Ilanit Blumenfeld, RDN, MPH. There will be a private Facebook group for participants to encourage and support each other.
To qualify for the Grand Prize (see Grand Prize details below), there will be a private weigh-in on the first day and on the last day of the challenge at both San Antonio area JoyRide locations. The person who has the highest percentage of weight lost during the four weeks takes home the Grand Prize. Participants’ weigh-ins will be kept private and will also be encouraged to track their own weight loss journey through a food journal and at home weigh-ins. Challenge participants pay only for the JoyRide classes – supervision, nutrition and fitness advice, and meal plans are complimentary.
The grand prize is as followed:
6-months unlimited JoyRide classes
3 follow-up sessions with nutritionist, Ilanit Blumenfeld
The Good Kind meal delivery gift card
Whole Foods Market gift basket
lululemmon top and bottoms – your choice
More surprises from your favorite local retailers
Queridos! You can join me! I’d love to do this with you. Plus, I really, really, really need the accountability. The two factors that I usually self-sabatoge are not enough accountability and not eating nutritious food.
Join me! Sign up for the Alon weigh-in HERE. Sign up for the Broadway weigh-in HERE.
To get started on what the food will look like throughout the challenge, here is a yummy spaghetti squash recipe from Ilianit Blumenfel of IBG Nutrition.
Spaghetti Squash
By Ilanit Blumenfeld of IBG Nutrition
Serves 6
Nutritional information per serving: calories 321, fat 10, protein 39g carbs 9g, fiber 5g
Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
3 onions
6 carrots
4 large tomatoes
½ – ¾ cup tomato sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
1 ½ cup chicken broth
1 lb of ground turkey breast
1 cup Craisins
1 cup pitted black olives
1 ½ tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Directions:
1. Cut squash in half and place face down in the oven on 350 F for 40 minutes.
2. Remove from oven and let cool. Scrape out the insides with a fork (it will be in strands).
3. Chop 3 onions, 6 carrots, and 4 large tomatoes. You can use a food processor to make it quicker. Sautee in 1 ½ tbsp olive oil. Use ½ of the sautéed onion/vegetable mixture and add ground turkey breast, 1 tbsp ketchup, ½ cup tomato sauce and 1 cup chicken broth. Cook together, occasionally stirring until meat is almost entirely cooked (5-8 minutes).
4. Add ½ cup of Craisins, lower temperature to simmer, cover and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. On the side, use other half of the sautéed onion/vegetable mixture and cook with spaghetti squash on medium low heat. Add 1 cup of chopped black olives, ½ cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp ketchup and ½ tsp salt. Sautee together on medium heat for 5 – 10 minutes.
6. Mix in ground turkey. Stir together for 3 minutes.
7. Serve in spaghetti squash shell.
** Add spicy peppers or parmesan cheese for a different taste.
***For a vegetarian version, divide all of the ingredients (except spaghetti squash in half) and exclude ground turkey.
Thanks to the JoyRide San Antonio team, I’ll be joining the challenge in exchange for this blog post and social media updates. So, follow @QueMeansWhat on Instagram stories, Facebook and Twitter for all the updates. You can follow JoyRide on Instagram, too!
I’m scared but I’m doing this anyway. Like I’ve said more than once on this little blog of mine, “If I can do it, you can do it, too!” XO!
ABOUT JOYRIDE:
What’s JoyRide, you ask? Think calorie-torching, endorphin-surged, high-energy, super-athletic group fitness classes. Indoor cycling classes: Cycle, Tabata, Interval + Endurance, Resistance Ride, CycleLIVE, DJ and theme rides. Strength and resistance classes (select studios): Circuit, Sculpt, Pilates, High-Intensity Interval Training, BOSU®, TRX®, Pound®. All served with a large dose of authenticity, JOY, humor and positivity! Life’s a Trip. Enjoy the Ride!® Be fit. Be strong. Be JOYful! *Warning: JoyRide is highly addictive!
Website: www.joyridestudio.com
Instagram: @joyridetexas
ABOUT ILANIT BLUMENFELD, RDN, MPH:
Mother to four girls and a nutritionist, Ilanit’s lifelong passion for nutrition and cooking inspired her to pursue her Masters in Public Health Nutrition. She looks at nutrition holistically, emphasizing healthy living over quick diet and exercise fixes. Ilanit has worked as a nutrition consultant for individuals and groups for the past 8 years. Over that time she has created healthy food recipes from her kitchen and helped her clients meet their long-term weight loss goals. She makes cooking and eating healthy, fun, and, most importantly, delicious. Most recently she started her own food company, goVida Foods; a health-focused, freeze-dried fruit company that sells unique fruits and a variety of flavors from all over the world. We have included her snacks as part of the plan, which we believe you will truly enjoy.
