New Blog, Who Dis?

After much thinking, I have decided that come January, I am going to gear my blog towards other things besides nutrition. As much as I love sharing recipe's and healthy lifestyle habits, there is only so much I can think of sharing!

Since I will be super busy with wedding planning, and many other things next year, I will share all of that fun stuff with you, and much more!

STAY TUNED.....

Overcoming a Holiday Food Coma

The holidays aren’t over yet, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat your way through them! These last 4 days I have been eating nothing but junk, and I am soooo ready to get back into my normal eating/exercise routine! It is extremely hard to get motivated after a long weekend of eating, drinking, and being with family and friends, but if you have the determination in you, then you can do it!

I refuse to miss any days at the gym this week. Tonight will be mostly cardio, and a little bit of weights. Tomorrow I will go to boxing, Wednesday and Thursday I will go to the gym, and Friday I will go to boxing. I have prepared my lunches for the week as well, and have been trying to bring smaller portions with me so that I don’t get too full. I also like to save room for a little snack towards the end of the day. This usually consists of almonds, carrots, some pita chips…. Nothing too filling, and definitely no sugar.

I think I was definitely able to get everything out of my system this past weekend, and now I can start fresh and not crave pizza or ice cream for a while.

I try not to keep junk food in the house, and try not to order in during the week. The key to eating healthy is knowing what you are putting into your body, and that starts in your own kitchen. Take an hour out of your Saturday or Sunday to go to the supermarket and buy stuff to cook for during the week. Once you get into a routine, you will notice a huge difference. Find what works best for YOU.

I would start working on a routine now before the gym starts filling up with all of those New Year Resolutions!

Booty Building Exercises

Right now, I am currently working on building my booty for next year. Since it is the holiday season, I have been doing more cardio because I've been eating more (what else is new). By doing too much cardio, you begin to lose your muscle, and I have noticed it, so now it is time to crack down!

To build that great booty you have always wanted, it takes time, patience, and a couple of months. You must be consistent, because as we all know... nothing happens over night!

Below are some of my favorite booty exercises that I have been doing over the past couple of weeks. I hope to see some results by February if I keep up the weights and lessen the cardio!

1. Hip lift progressions (about 40 reps)
2. Squat kick-backs (4 sets of 10)
3. Squats with 15-25 lb dumbbells (3 sets of 20)
4. Single-leg squat toe-touches (squat down and touch your right foot out to the side, then bring in and do the same with the left leg) about 20 reps
5. Frontwards and backwards lunges (about 20 reps on each leg)
6. Squat jumps (15 reps)
7. Single leg progressions (3 sets of 10)
8. Single-leg dead lifts with 10-15 lb dumbbell (15-20 reps on each side)

Try these out and see which ones you like! The good thing about the exercises listed above, is that you can do these right in your own home!

How am I Doing?

Hey everyone,

My friend Gabby thought it would be a great idea to create a survey for my followers to take, just to see what types of exercises and stuff you like to do. Also, to see how you think I'm doing!

Please take a few moments to take this survey. This way, I know how to cater to my awesome followers accordingly =)


Sweet Nutrition Survey

Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Have to make a dish for Thanksgiving this year but have no clue what to make? I am sure almost everyone reading this is in the same boat. But what if I want to make some sort of healthy dish to bring to the table?

Have no fear! Thanksgiving has been at my moms or my aunts house for the last 27 years, and every year I try to make something different to bring. Last year I had found a recipe for sweet potato mac and cheese. It wasn't much healthier than regular mac and cheese, but sweet potatoes have some great benefits, and it tasted great!

I am starting to research ideas since this wonderful holiday of ours is approaching in 2 weeks! Roasted brussel sprouts is always an easy dish to go for, but I am looking to make it interesting! I found a recipe for squash gratin (instead of potato gratin). Roasted butternut squash is another easy, yet healthy dish to make. Roasted vegetables, quinoa salad, and many more salads you can find as well! There are tons of dishes you can find online that are super easy to make, and guilt-free!

Some of you may think that I am a bit coocoo trying to think of healthy recipes to make over the holidays, BUT this is the time where many of us tend to put on the big ol lbs. You can still enjoy these healthy dishes by adding your own touch to it, and you will also feel healthy and not as bad knowing that you can make healthy dishes that still taste great!

What are you bringing to the table this year?

Seriously Sticking to a Diet....

After what I have eaten these last 4 days, I am FINALLY starting my diet. Sometimes you just need that last hoorah to get out of your system.

Although I have plenty of time, I know it will take me a while to get used to not eating certain things, so I figured I would slowly (and for real this time) start NOW. The sweets have got to go for good, or else I may be hooked on them forever! No more ice cream or chocolates during the day or at night. Meal prepping is still 4 days a week for the most part. If I do not meal prep, I make sure I get a salad for lunch. I am going to start bringing more veggies to work as a snack.

No fried foods or binge drinking… I know, they are just such a great combo, but GOT TO GO! 

I will be mixing up my workout routine this week with both boxing and the gym. Boxing will help me burn the most calories, and the gym will help me with toning.

This time I am going to be serious and really stick to this! I have a lot to look forward to come the beginning of next year and want to make sure I am feeling and looking great!

Meals: 

Monday/Tuesday:

• Breakfast- vegan protein shake with organic peanut butter and 1 banana
• Lunch- grilled chicken and roasted brussel sprouts
• Snack- carrots and celery
• Dinner- steak salad/teriyaki (ground) turkey rice bowl

Wednesday:

• Breakfast- scrambled egg whites and a side of turkey bacon
• Lunch- leftover teriyaki turkey rice bowl
• Dinner- TBD (healthy)

Thursday:

• Breakfast- scrambled egg whites and avocado
• Lunch- grilled chicken salad (from outside)
• Snack- carrots
• Dinner- sushi

Friday:

• Breakfast- oatmeal with berries
• Lunch- TBD (something healthy)
• Dinner- TBD (something healthy)

Time management

Many of us like to come up with any and every excuse in the book to not work out, but that all stops NOW.

What are some of these excuses I speak of? Well let’s take a gander, shall we!

1.      I’m too tired

2.      I’ll go tomorrow

3.      I have to work late

4.      I have no motivation

5.      I have no time

6.      I have no energy

7.      I have to walk the dog

8.      I have a happy hour to go to

9.      I don’t want to cook dinner late

These are just some of the many excuses that we can give, but fortunately, there is a solution for all of them =)

If you’re too tired, the gym tends to give us that second boost of energy, and you actually get more done after a workout than if you were just sitting on your ass at home. If you keep putting the gym off until tomorrow, you won’t make it for a very VERY long time....make it...... TODAY. If you have to work late, go in the morning before work, OR if you have time during your lunch break, OR go after work if you don’t have to work late every single night (it won't kill ya, trust me). Motivation has to start somewhere, and that’s with Y-O-U. You are the only person that can truly motivate and push yourself to go.

Stop making excuses and start making moves! It is the only way you will truly meet your goals and see results. Once you start getting in the swing of things and have a routine down, the gym (or however you decide to exercise) will be a second nature to you.