Life is a beautiful journey if you make it one. You must work hard to get everything you want in life (with the exception of a few who may find that these things come easier for them). You may be wondering what exactly I am talking about. Well, first off getting into a fitness regimen is one battle. Then another battle would be a nutrition program. Wait, then there’s proper supplementation. Then battle with motivation, life stressors, work, day-to-day situations, now holidays— which can throw a curve ball at us and make it seem impossible to get on track and stay on track.
I have always been the type to go after what I want. If you want to achieve something, why not do it?! You just might have to work a little harder!
At-Home Workout
When I do not have time to hit the gym before work, I simply do it at home. You can do almost any routine at home and have it be a sufficient cardio/plyo-based workout. For example:
Jog in place for 3 minutes
3 rounds of:
50 Jumping jacks
40 crunches
30 mountain climbers
20 pushups
10 burpees
Take a 30-second rest and repeat (seems easy but wait till you try it— it may surprise you on how tough it can be if you really push it!)
I typically do this routine on an empty stomach. I always take my ALLMAX BCAA & Glutamine before to preserve my muscles. I do this on empty because I am at home and so close to my kitchen to make my breakfast. So it’s safe and effective for getting into that extra glycogen you may still have from Thanksgiving!
Stay on Track
When trying to follow through with any program, almost everyone complains about staying on track, motivation and time. I always set a date, goal, trip, anything to help me stay on track. Trust me, it is so easy to fall off— but it’s up to you to get back on. Winners, goal-getters and self-motivators are always striving for the best. Even those who are at the top fall off. I, myself, sometimes need a kick in the rear end. Here are some tools for staying on track:
Fitness magazines like FitnessRx for Women are amazing at giving tips on training, health and nutrition! It’s so awesome to help me stay on track and I love giving my body a new challenge to try!
Time management. This is something even I am horrible at! One thing I do is always keep a journal and day planner where I schedule my meals along with clients, work etc. This helps me stay on track and manage my business and healthy lifestyle.
Time. We all can take 30 minutes out of the day for ourselves. This requires a little bit of selfishness on your end! Thirty minutes of strength training or aerobics (cardio/plyos etc.).
Motivate with a partner! I am lucky to have trainers around me at work and friends who share my same passion! Have a friend who wants to get in shape with you and kill a workout! Time flies and it is so much fun in the process!!
Quick Tips for Healthy Snacks On the Go
I know the dessert tray is staring you down for a battle right about now! It’s OK to just have one. I always bring a dish that I can have whether it’s dessert or just an entrée to share with everyone. I’m an over indulger and have no shame telling you that. So I have to keep my fat kid at heart happy with some healthy treats— or out comes the beast! Here is a few recipes I would take to holidays parties:
Crustless Protein Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients:
1 can pure pumpkin
12 oz fat-free condensed milk (or almond milk. I used condensed for a creamier taste!)
1 1/2 cup stevia
3 scoops vanilla protein powder (Isoflex Vanilla by AllMax) (Omit if you want a classic pumpkin pie!)
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp pumpkin spice
3 tbsp Just Whites egg white powder
Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients together, then add wet and whisk for about a minute until all is smooth.
Bake at 375 for 30-45 minutes, depending on your oven. Do a poke test with a toothpick and when it comes out clean, let cool for 10-15 minutes! I cut into 11 slices. Of course, you can do 8 depending on how big you want it.
Per slice (at 11 slices) 69 calories, 0 g fat, 2 g carbs, 7.63 g protein!
Sweet Potato Pumpkin Casserole
Ingredients:
3 large yams
3/4 cup pumpkin
2 cup stevia
1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup
2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 c chopped walnuts
2 tbsp oat flour
3 egg whites
1 packet Truvia
Directions:
Set oven to 400 degrees. Boil potatoes for about 45 minutes and when done let cool and peel skin off. In a large pot, start mashing potatoes and add ¾ cup pumpkin, 1 cup stevia, 1/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup and 2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice.
In a separate bowl, add 3 egg whites and 1 cup stevia and whisk together until it froths. Then combine potato/pumpkin to egg whites and mix together until it’s blended quite well. Put into a baking dish.
In a separate bowl, add walnuts, and 2 tbsp oat flour mixed together and sprinkle on top of dish. Last touch sprinkle 1 packet of Truvia over dish and (optional) drizzle sugar-free maple syrup or sugar-free honey (I used natures Hallow’s Sugar Free Honey sold at Whole Foods) over the top!
Bake for 30 minutes and serve immediately!
These are a few tips and recipes I follow to help me stay on track during the holidays! Easier said then done, however— plan, prep, enjoy these days with your loved ones! You won’t regret it—summer will be here before you know it!
