'Tis the season to indulge in the magic of the holidays, and what better way to celebrate than with a nutritious and delicious treat? Introducing our festive Eggnog Smoothie – a blend of holiday cheer and health that will leave your taste buds singing! This delightful concoction is not only a guilt-free pleasure but also a powerhouse of nutrients. Let's dive into the recipe and uncover the secrets behind this winter wonder.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk (or your preferred milk)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ice cubes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Gather Your Ingredients: Assemble the festive lineup of almond milk, banana, Greek yogurt, nutmeg, cinnamon, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and ice cubes.
2. Blend the Base: In a blender, combine the almond milk, banana, and Greek yogurt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Spice it Up: Add the nutmeg and cinnamon to the mix. These spices not only bring the classic eggnog flavor but also contribute health benefits, making this smoothie a festive and nutritious choice.
4. Sweeten the Deal: Incorporate honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Adjust the quantity based on your taste preferences.
5. Vanilla Elegance: Enhance the flavor profile with a dash of vanilla extract. This adds a subtle yet rich undertone to the smoothie.
6. Chill Out: If you prefer a colder beverage, toss in a handful of ice cubes and blend until the desired consistency is achieved.
7. Serve and Garnish: Pour your Eggnog Smoothie into a festive glass. For an extra touch of holiday spirit, garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg or a cinnamon stick.

Health Benefits: Our Eggnog Smoothie isn't just a tasty treat – it's a nutritional powerhouse. The banana provides a natural sweetness and a dose of potassium, while Greek yogurt adds protein and probiotics for gut health. Nutmeg and cinnamon not only evoke the holiday season but also boast anti-inflammatory properties.

Indulge in the joy of the season without compromising your commitment to health. Our Eggnog Smoothie is the perfect blend of festive flavors and nutritional benefits. Whether you enjoy it as a post-workout refuel or a delightful snack, this smoothie is a delicious way to embrace the holiday spirit while staying true to your wellness goals. Cheers to a season of good health and great taste!

​As women over 40, we often find ourselves wanting to lose weight. However, we need to realize that our fitness journey can become something much more powerful: getting strong. Not just physically but mentally as well. Exercise has a way of making us feel better about ourselves, and it can have a positive impact on our quality of life.

Group exercise is one of the best ways to achieve our fitness goals. Many women may feel intimidated by joining a group fitness class. Still, it's important to remember that we all start out as beginners. It's okay to not be perfect, and it's okay to make mistakes. The benefits of group exercise are invaluable. It provides us with a sense of community and allows us to push ourselves harder and achieve more than we ever could on our own.

Overcoming the fear of not belonging in a group fitness class is one of the biggest obstacles women over 40 may face. However, once we take that first step and join a class, we quickly realize we are not alone. We are surrounded by other women on the same journey and share the same goals.

I didn't start my fitness journey until my late 30s, and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only have I lost weight and become physically stronger, but I have also noticed improvements in other areas of my life. My quality of life has improved, and I feel more confident in myself. I am aging better than I ever thought possible. Exercise has given me the strength and energy to tackle life's challenges head-on.

To wrap up, being fit as a woman over 40 doesn't only involve shedding pounds. It's also about cultivating physical and mental strength. Participating in group workouts can be a fantastic approach to reaching our fitness objectives and conquering the anxiety of not fitting in. Remember that we all start as newbies, yet we can progress and evolve into our greatest selves with perseverance and effort.

Hi! My name is Joy and I'm the owner of Get Fit Together. Just a little about me. I'm 48 years old and have 1 daughter aged 24. I live with my boyfriend, Marc. You may have seen him around the gym. I started teaching fitness classes in 2009 at an all ladies gym.

I was not athletic in school. In fact, gym class was my least favorite. (I hated it.) I didn't start working out until I was in my 30's. Just like everyone else. It started to lose weight. But it became so much more than about the weight loss. It's my stress relieve. My emotional release. My get out of head space. I've gained self confidence and security in learning about myself and how strong I can be not only physically but everywhere else in my life. Not to say I don't have self doubts or fears. We all have them and no one is exempt from them.

I'm here to tell you, that everyone can start their journey from any stage in life. Find your reason why to start. And I will tell you now, that reason will not be enough. Fitness for me became a love of the journey. I loved feeling how strong I was becoming. Once I got over the fear of becoming a fitness instructor, I fell in love with giving that to other people. You see becoming a fitness instructor was so outside my comfort zone. It took some pushing. I'm a shy person and you want me to get out in front of people and lead a fitness class? I'm not good enough. I could never do that. You are crazy. See your head can get filled with all the reasons to self doubt yourself. Push back your fear. It's worth the journey.

And here we are. Over 13 years later and still loving the fitness life and sharing my passion with others.

Those fears held me back for a long time with opening the gym. It's fear of being a failure. Fear of losing money. Fear of being looked down upon if I do fail. Well screw that. The failure I knew I would feel most is not trying. I will keep trying. I will keep pushing on my journey. I don't know where is leads but I'm on it to the end.

Where will your journey take you? Losing weight? Being able to keep up with your kids or grandkids? Carrying all your groceries inside in one trip? Being able to pick yourself up off the floor if you fall? Feeling badass for picking up heavy weights? Reducing the amount of medications you take? I believe in you no matter your reason. I will back you and I will be here for you. We are in this together.

And if you have taken the time to read all this, here is just part of journey in pictures.
The comparison from my heaviest weight to my leanest weight. (By the way, I much prefer somewhere in the middle.)

My, I'm so unhealthy pic in the stripped shirt. 24 years old, one month post partum and having my gallbladder removed the next day after that picture.
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And the picture of where I am today. Happy, healthy and following my dreams.