“Remember when you were a kid and your Mom would drop you off at the movies with a jar of jam and a little spoon?”

Two points if you successfully recognized that quote!

(Hint: How u doiiiiiin?)

So Jam. Is it Delicious? Yes! Is it easy to make? Yes! Is it healthy? Yes!

AND guess what? It goes in a jar! And why is that so great you say? Well any chance I get I eat straight out of the jar (Jam, almond butter, peanut butter, various dips) For some reason it’s the best! And don’t roll your eyes at me, I know you all do it too!

I have always been a jam fan. G-Mama (my mom who I will talk about a lot) made me the best jam even up to my mid 20’s. Well ok I am lying.. she asked me the other day if I wanted apple jam. So yeah mama’s can still make you food, it’s okay 🙂

But this jam I put together the other night, just in time for the upcoming fall holiday! I call it Cran-Nan-Jam!

It’s tangy, it’s sweet, and has a hint of banana that hits your palate in the most wonderful way.

My recipe is a click away… Cran-Nan-Jam

So what did SkinnyMinnie do to MOVE today?

Well I went to the gym and did a nice short arc trainer session (ya know the stationary elliptical that inclines.. looks like the old tony little device!) Works great on the bum when the stair master looks extra evil.

So my tip to using these types of machines is to break it up. I will do 20 minutes and then go lift. YES YOU NEED TO LIFT!

NO you won’t be a bulky scary woman. The female body is incapable of bulking up that way naturally. So yes, to get results for fat loss you need to do it. Not only will you look great, but the more muscle you have the more you can eat and not worry about every gummy bear sticking to that thigh! So get out there and grab weights. Ever see those muscle guys that power down a whole Big Mac and wonder how the heck they look that way? Well they probably don’t eat that way all the time, but they have so much muscle their body burns it right off. Awesome, I know!

Anyway you did your 20 minutes! Woo, wipe the sweat off and go lift with the guys. It’s not as bad as you think. And no one cares or is watching your every move.

I use kettle bells a lot. They are very convenient and most gyms have them now. Today I grabbed a 25 pounder (of course use what is comfortable for you, might want to start with a 10 or 15) and did 20 side bends on each side to work my obliques x 2 reps. You guys know these. Hand on hip or head, standing straight and taking the weight in one hand and side bending down towards that side (you won’t go very far). Keep that tummy tight! This matters!

I also grabbed a 25 lb kettle bell for some squats. I usually just hold it between my legs and squat down. I’ll do 15 of these about 4 times, with rests in between. Tummy tight!

Followed by basic planks. Holding it for 45 seconds x 2. Side planks, 45 seconds on each side!

My strength training today was short, tomorrow is shoulder day so that consists of more time lifting 🙂

And back to the arc trainer I went for another 20 minutes of fun!

Oh, and don’t forget to stretch it out

I also chased miss Phoebe Buffay around today. But that’s nothing out of the ordinary.

XOXO With a Cherry On Top,

-Minnie