From the man who brought you Movement, Music and PGX, comes Phase Two of his experience with weight loss and PGX: Maintenance.

At the start of this week I was struggling a bit to get motivated to workout. Over the weekend I did, what I thought, was my fair share of manual labor. Things like power washing - and even some (borderline) quality BBQing (heavy lifting via tongs, platters and what have you).

However, I know that most of you can relate, or even just imagine, that around BBQs, there's a larger consumption of calories - calories that are more often than not, the kind that aren’t that good for you. That’s right, I had some of those calories, with, might I add, some form of guilt.

So as Monday rolled around, I was in need of some motivation. Unfortunately, I have to say, that after you throw in a working day, my energy is certainly not in high form when I get home. However, that day, I quickly realized that I had managed to make it home about 30-45 minutes before the rest of my family - meaning, that I could get a good workout in before everyone arrived home, getting my workout out of the way so that I could spend dinner focused on my family. 

As I entered the house, I also remembered that I have MLB.tv on my iPad which meant that I could watch a baseball game while I worked out. Aka: Motivation found! That said, I need music in my workout. So I decided to make my own playlist as I went along. You know, like some old school DJ having to spin records on the fly!? Sometimes you have to pretend!

The next 10 songs are what I came up with:

1. Time - 4:50...Tick Of The Clock by Chromatics (from the Drive Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
2. Time - 3:19...I Feel Better by Gotye (Making Mirrors LP) 
3. Time - 3:19...Vagabond by Beirut (The Rip Tide LP) 
4. Time - 4:56...Deconstruction by Fanfarlo (Rooms Filled With Light LP) 
5. Time - 5:45...Situation (Extended Version) by Yaz (Upstairs at Erics LP) 
6. Time - 4:25...Paris/Orly by Deux (Decadence LP) 
7. Time - 3:46...Synchronize (ft. Jarvis Cocker) by Discodeine (Discodeine LP) 
8. Time - 5:50...If I Know You by The Presets (Vince Clarke Remix) 
9. Time - 5:21...Memorabilia by Soft Cell (Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing LP) 
10. Time - 5:43...Spock by VCMG (Ssss LP)
    

Believe it or not, the task of looking for songs to play while working out, allowed me to increase the speed of my cycling as I was so focused on finding the next track; I was in the zone!  When all was said and done, I had gotten through 45 minutes of my workout. For the remaining 20 minutes I had the rest of the Baseball game to focus on and it felt rewarding to have gotten through it without much personal resistance.

What I learned from all of this is that you can find inspiration in different songs, different books or even in watching a sporting event while you workout. It helped me get over the Monday doldrums and focus on a new week.  

Also, if you’re going to be around a large amount of food, make sure to take PGX at least 30 minutes before. This should help your stomach feel full and will perhaps make you less likely to indulge in too many fatty foods, food that is high in sodium, and overall calories.

What do you do to change your workout habits when you need a little extra motivation?

Image source: http://whattobring.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/5-ways-to-host-a-backyard-barbecue-on-a-budget/

Hey PGX'ers! It's the weekend!

Scroll on for interesting articles and tidbits from around the web!

It's so hot today! I'm thinking I should start this weekend right with a seriously refreshing Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup and Cauliflower Prosciutto Flatbread from Tartalette!

I don't know if I've trimmed down to my goal yet (I'm working on it; it's going to happen), but here's an article you might find useful! Weight Watchers share their 10 Tips Toning Up Ater Trimming Down. Remember, the real goal we should all have is better health!

It's so good for you to get outdoors and enjoy the greenery and get some clean, fresh air. But sometimes life and unpredictable weather get in the way and you're stuck indoors. Bring some nature inside and green your walls with Woolly Pocket Living Wall Planters!

Bed Bugs. Unfortunately for those little pests, nobody likes them. They won't bring you mysterious diseases but their bites are not pleasant surprise in the morning! If you are travelling, BC Living shares a helpful article on How to Avoid These Nasty Hitchhikers.

Looking for some cool content? Check out the PGX Pinterest page! We've got great photos of delicious recipes, fitness trends, inspiring quotes to get you moving, and much more!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Image source: Au pays des Cactus

Those tiny berries are loaded with nutrients - a great edible obsession!

This time of year is a perfect time to stock up on blueberries. Even frozen, blueberries are still delicious and lose no nutritional value; an awesome way to add a healthy bonus to any meal!

Blueberries are considered a superfood and are jam packed with antioxidants. They are great for your skin and help your brain stay healthy and strong. Blueberries are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and E.

One of the great ways to incorporate blueberries into your diet is at breakfast. You can add them to a smoothie, fresh or frozen. The blueberries not only add health benefits but give the smoothies a soft purple color. This can help make those "Green Monster" smoothies look a little more appealing. If you enjoy having a hot breakfast, it works well as a topper on hot oatmeal or fresh protein pancakes.

This year, I've been seeing more blueberries in salads for dinner and lunch. In salads, blueberries work well with feta cheese, strawberries and spinach with a light vinaigrette dressing. These types of salads make for a quick and crisp summer dinner - epecially when you are in a rush!

Tip: Don't forget an easy and convenient way to take your PGX is by sprinkling the granules over the fresh fruit, oatmeal or salad!

Img source: Delicious Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes from Ambitious Kitchen

5 Tips and Links to Keep You From Gaining Weight Over the Summer Weekends

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and fun of the summer but with longer days and more socializing there's usually more BBQ's and dining with friends. Often these social events can lead to eating foods that you usually wouldn't even think about indulging in. Being caught up in the moment and not planning ahead can leave you with a couple extra pounds by the end of the summer.

Here are 5 helpful tips to keep you on track with your diet and some healthy recipes to bring with you to BBQ's and dinners. Not only will the host love you for bringing along a dish but it will also be your sneaky way of staying fit and healthy.

1. Don't Skip Meals: If you skip meals during the day it will only lead to you binge eating later. You will be grabbing anything and everything to gain some energy by the time you arrive at the event. Ensure that you have a protein packed breakfast to start your metabolism.
2. Drink Lots of Water: Not only is it summer and your body requires more water but it can control cravings and leave you feeling full. Try to drink a glass of water when you first arrive at the event to keep you stomach full.
3. PGX Travel Packs: Packing these small pill packs in your purse or bag and taking them before a meal can keep you feeling full and satisfied. This will help you avoid going back for seconds.
4. Eat Before Leaving Home: It's a good idea to have a small snack before you leave the house to control your cravings when you arrive at the event. Try having a small plate of veggies and hummus.
5. Choose Wisely: Don't rush when you are in line at the BBQ. Make smart choices about what you are eating. It may seem simple but choosing a green salad over mayo packed potato salad can make a huge difference by the end of the summer.

• A smooth Avocado Hummus Dip is great to take as a nutritious snack/appetizer
• 25 baked alternatives to potato chips and french fries. I recommend the beet chips! yummy and a bit sweet
• Are you in charge of the Salad? This Cucumber, Mango and Watermelon Salad is an amazingly fresh side dish.

How do you avoid the Summer Weekend Weight Gain? Share your tips here in the comments or join the chat on Facebook and Twitter.

Image source

Hey PGX'ers! Need a snack? Try one of these low calorie recipes!

Shape Magazine dishes up some tasty, weight wise treats!

Chicken salad peppers, banana milkshakes, raspberry smores, caprese salad... Yes! Those snacks can be less than 200 calories per serving! If you’re craving something sweet and fresh this summer, try one of these recipes from Shape Magazine’s 10 Summer Snacks Under 200 Calories. Enjoy!

Image: Shape Magazine