Small changes

Some people expect to see huge changes and major progress milestones when they start on a new diet and workout. For some this may happen. For others it’s a slow progression. I think you should celebrate even the smallest milestone.

These two pictures were taken three months apart. I started back on my daily apple cider vinegar and made a few small changes in my diet. The skin on my stomach (where my pregnant belly was) has tightened a bit and I’ve lost an inch around my hips/waist. An inch may not seem like a lot to most people but for me it is. I’m not exactly a big human. I’m 5’3 128lbs and have a BMI under 22. I’m what you’d consider average size for a fit person. I don’t want to lose a ton of weight. Sure, I have a little I could shave off. But mainly my goal is to build a little more muscle and maintain my size. I try not to focus too much on the scale. Weight can be irrelevant to some of us. On a “normal” health-line chart, I am considered overweight for someone my height. HOWEVER the general average doesn’t factor in muscle. So my weight may seem heavy on this scale but it’s due to the muscle I have “weighing me down.” Not a bad problem to have!

I always tell friends, be careful when weighing yourself. Your scale isn’t telling you your muscle to fat ratio (unless you have one of those fancy scales 😂). If you’re working out and eating well, and see the numbers go up, do not freak out!! When your body starts to burn fat, those fat pockets deplete themselves of fat cells and fill up with water till the body shrinks them and they all together disappear (for some). Not to mention you’re probably putting on some muscle which will add to that extra weight. Base your size off your clothing! Are your pants starting to fit a little looser? Maybe they actually fit better now! It all depends on where you started. Everyone is different. Try not to compare yourself to others too much (I know easier said than done). Your body type is different than everyone else’s. No two people are the same. What works for some might not work for all.

Measure yourself, monitor your clothing changes, do whatever helps you to see those small but big changes. Celebrate even the littlest milestone. You deserve it!

Fridge storage times

I love this image that’s going around IG! My husband always asks me “is this still good?” when he pulls leftover meat out of the fridge. I have a habit of cooking in bulk and some days I just forget when I made certain meals so I just toss it to be safe. Sounds like a waste but it’s better safe than sorry!

Here are what I call the meat rules! Screen shot it, memorize it, do whatever you need to remember it because it comes in handy often!

Never take a chance. If you can’t remember how long it’s been that the food was in the fridge just toss it!

Using negative comments as fuel

In college after I stopped cheering (yes I was a college cheerleader. Go Tech!), I needed an outlet. I loved to workout but it wasn’t enough at the time. I was so used to the thrill of being on the field during football games in front of 80k people. I wanted that thrill again. A trainer at the gym I was going to approached me and asked if I’d ever competed in a fitness/figure competitions. After talking to him a bit I thought ok this could be the thrill I need! I told a few good friends at the time what my plan was and almost all were supportive. Some were confused and thought I was getting into body building (not that it’s a bad thing, BB just isn’t for me). One friend actually said to me “you already look like a man with the muscle you have, why make it worse?” That comment would make a lot of people insecure. Not me. I saw it as a challenge. I thought, I’ll show you worse! And by worse I meant more lean and fit! I had muscle but it was thin muscle. My legs were muscular from tumbling and stunting. My arms were sculpted but not huge. So I used this negative comment as fuel.

I competed in my first figure competition that year and loved it! It was the scariest most exciting feeling ever! I’d never felt anything like that in my life! It’s one thing to stand in front of 80k people in a crop top uniform and tiny skirt and have them all lookin at you. It’s another thing to be in a swimsuit and have them literally judging your body! I remember shaking like a leaf up there. But I was so proud of myself after I finished. I took 9th out of 26. Not great but not horrible for my first time around. Not to mention I knew nothing about diet at the time so I was just winging it!

Looking back on old pictures now I still don’t see where the muscle I had “looked like a man.” I’m bigger now than I was then when I started. I have to think that person was just insecure and jealous themselves.

Now days I don’t compete on a competition stage but I do push myself in the gym like I used to. I love to look in the mirror and see muscle. In my mind I think back to that former friend and the comment they made and it makes me smile. They saw man muscles. Well guess what, my husband loves it. He actually told someone the other day his wife was jacked. To a fitness lover that just makes your heart melt.

Forget the negative Nancy’s of the world. Don’t let them tear you down. If you’re like me, use it as fuel! The only thing that matters is what you think, and of course the positive people around you who will lift you up!

Treat yourself

I always tell people, never go to the grocery store hungry. Guess what I did yesterday………I went to the grocery store hungry. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I got everything on my list plus two little treats. I’m sure some people are looking at these and saying “but they’re organic” or “it’s better than candy.” Not always! They are still high in sugar and fat! In moderation things like this can be a little better than eating a bag of candy. Fruit sugars are definitely better than refined sugars. However both are processed in the body the same.

Always watch your portion sizes. I make sure to portion things like this out into sandwich baggies when I get home. When I want a “treat” I grab a perfectly portioned baggie! This is to assure I don’t over eat. Because honestly if you leave the bag in front of me I’ll eat the whole thing! 😂 Treat yourself and don’t feel guilty about it. But do it in moderation! And don’t go to the grocery store hungry!!

Summer salads

I’m not a huge fan of vegetables. I’d rather have a burger. But let’s be honest, my health would suffer quite a bit if I ate a burger every day instead of vegetables.

During the summer when it’s really hot here in Texas I crave salads. I don’t like that heavy full feeling when it’s hot out. I love topping salads with grilled shrimp because it’s protein rich and high in water content. Not to mention they are quick and easy to cook!

This salad is a spring mix with strawberries, mango and pineapple topped with grilled shrimp. Sometimes I’ll add a little slivered almonds to my salads as well for a little more texture. One is my favorite salads is a chicken salad with hard boiled egg white, dried cranberries and slivered almonds (homemade of course). 😍

I’ve seen a few premade salads at Sprouts recently that are high in protein, low in calorie and low in fat. They actually look pretty good. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to make your own salads, these might be a good option for you! I know other grocery stores like Tom Thumb and Trader Joe’s carry them too!

Progress

I’ve pushed hard at workouts these last few weeks and I’m finally feeling like myself again! My muscles are rebuilding, I feel stronger and I’m more energetic. I’ve been detoxing and clean eating this week so that’s definitely made a big difference! I swear my body is just all around happier!

Looking back at pictures of myself over the years from when I was competing and “ripped” or when I was living at the gym eating minimal and skinny as a rail, I see what look I like best in pictures. I like a balance. Muscle with a little softness. That’s my look. It’s fitting to my height and frame but also decently easy for a busy mom like me to maintain. There are always going to be challenges like how and when to get to the gym. I have a little one and a husband that works a lot. So I have to be creative with my workouts. Sometimes I can get to the gym, other times I’m up in our guest bedroom squeezing in a quick at home workout while Ryder naps. As for diet, that isn’t always the easiest either. I LOVE food. So for me, I refuse to deprive myself just to have a “good body.” I prefer to reward myself. Eat clean during the week, then on the weekend I’m a little more flexible. It’s all about finding your balance (and happiness). Do what’s best for you not what everyone else is claiming you should do. Listen to your body. It talks to you! Maybe not in a verbal way, but your body gives you cues telling you what it needs (rest, fuel, movement, etc). You’re only given one body in this lifetime. Enjoy it, love it, and fuel it!

Apple Cider Vinegar benefits

Growing up, my dad had me taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for as long as I can remember. I never understood why except for that it was “good for me.” Now having gone to school and learning a thing or two about ACV, I understand the real reasons why my dad had me taking it. Yes I’m short it’s healthy for you, but there are SO many health benefits to taking it. To this day I still take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (3 times a day) in a bottle of water ever day! Yet another fantastic healthy habit my wonderful holistic father instilled in me at an early age! Below are just a few benefits of ACV!

1. Relieves symptoms of acid reflux: Acid reflux occurs because of low stomach acid levels. ACV helps to balance this back out.

2. Helps reduce constipation, bloating and gas: ACV helps control the growth of unwanted yeast and bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

3. Lowers blood pressure: ACV contains potassium which helps balance the body’s sodium levels. This helps you maintain regular blood pressure levels

4. Helps detox the body: ACV detoxes the liver by helping remove harmful toxins from it. It also helps stimulate circulation within the body.

5. Improves skin health: The antioxidant properties in ACV help prevent skin aging.

6. Aids in weight loss: ACV helps you feel full.

7. Helps reduce night time leg cramps: Cramps can be caused by low potassium levels. ACV is high in potassium and can aid in reducing and eliminating leg cramps

There are so many more benefits but these are the ones I mainly take it for!

Foods you should always buy organic

Some people buy everything organic. This isn’t necessary. However there are a few foods you should always buy organic. Not sure which you should buy organic and which you don’t have to? It’s easy. If it has a thick skin that you don’t eat, like an avocado, you don’t need to buy it organic. Pesticides cannot penetrate the thick skin of an avocado so it’s protected. Same for bananas, spaghetti squash, oranges, etc. Foods like tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, etc with skin you do eat, you should always buy organic. It is also recommended that you buy meats and dairy organic to avoid any added growth hormones that are given to the animals.

Materials and practices not used in organic farming include:

1. Synthetic fertilizers

2. Sewage sludge as fertilizer

3. Synthetic pesticides for pest control

4. Irradiation to preserve food

5. Genetic engineering

6. Antibiotic or growth hormones in livestock

Organic tends to be a little pricier most times than the non organic. But wouldn’t you rather pay a higher price to protect your body from unnecessary and harmful chemicals you could potentially ingest?

To learn more I recommend reading the USDA blog post on organic foods!

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means

Reduce Cellulite Naturally

Everyone battles cellulite. Some more than others. There are a few natural ways you can minimize its appearance:

1. Apple cider vinegar: Elements found in ASV such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and minerals, play a key role in flushing out toxins from your body. It helps reduce bloating as well.

2. Clean eating: Reduce or eliminate processed foods and sugary foods from your diet

3. Hydrate: Drinks lots of water. Water helps to naturally flush out impurities from your body.

4. Build muscle: Muscle toning helps to act as a “filler.” Your skin will look less dimply with muscle.

5. Massage: Increasing blood circulation to areas with cellulite will help minimize its appearance.

Cheat meals

Ryder and I spent the weekend eating and hanging around the house. We ate practically everything in sight. Ok maybe that was just me. Needless to say my body definitely doesn’t bounce back as fast as it did in my 20’s! I’ve been a bit bloated these last two days so I’m glad to be back to my clean eating schedule. Do I regret or feel guilty about the food I ate this weekend? Absolutely not! I eat clean and lean 75% of the time. The other 25% of the time I choose to enjoy and eat as I please. I’m not one who will completely deprive themselves of good food.

I think some people’s biggest downfall is they crave a “cheat meal,” have that meal then feel so guilty afterwards. Why feel guilty? If you work hard all week at your workouts and eating well, why not reward yourself!?! As long as you aren’t eating these “cheat meals” regularly a couple times a week, you’re fine! Pick one night a week and indulge. Or do what I did and have a weekend where you splurge, then get yourself back on track for the next few weeks. One day of bad eating won’t kill you. Neither will one weekend. The weekend may set you back a little further than just one day will (hence me being bloated and a little slower than normal). But like I said, it’s fine if it’s not a regular thing. Life is too short. Have that steak, burger, etc. Just do everything in moderation!