You are what you eat!

April 11, 2022Leave a comment

I’m a little behind on my goal of posting 2x a month but here I am back at it!

There are a lot of benefits to the “fitness influencer trend” – What I eat in a day! or What I eat Wednesday. It’s great for ideas for snacks or meals you may not have thought to try. New recipes, more options. But also – at the end of the day it’s just that IDEAS.

If you and I ate the same thing we would still look different! Our bodies all burn calories differently, metabolize foods differently and so many other things come into play! YOU ARE YOU and you don’t need to be anyone else!

On vacation I am not going to eat what I usually eat but it’s also about the basics I usually stick with! Focus on protein at every meal – add some veggies and fruit then maybe I add dessert and a drink (or 5). Vacation is supposed to be disruptive in a sense. You get out of your routine to relax, explore, learn and try new things! One week of indulging isn’t going to throw your goals off track – it may even help and prevent a binge later on!

SO my tips for enjoying your vacation – do what you want, eat what you want and when you are back, jump back into your routine and keep it moving!

I’ve said it a million times – “We are what we repeatedly do!” (excerpt from the Aristotle quote “We are what we repeatedly do, therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit”)

Consistent habits OVER time make you who you are, not a few days away!

You don’t know who’s watching

March 21, 2017August 2, 20201 Comment

Updated: August 2nd 2020

Working out is apart of my daily routine. I’ll go train clients at my boot camp (click here for info on that) and pre-covid I’d slide into the office at least Tuesday and Thursdays and work at my other job at Fox Sports Southwest. I’d always get up and workout in my garage those days. My life was set up where my workout is a part of the day. It’s built in. It does help I have equipment in my garage but honestly you don’t need much to get a good workout! Through two pregnancies my schedule and workouts didn’t change much. Of course the intensity changed but I was consistent.

One minute of exercise is more than zero.

I want my kids to see how much I value my health, physical fitness and mental fitness. They will grow up seeing my work ethic and my lifestyle. I want to live as long as I can to see them have kids and their kids have kids! So I take care of myself, eat well, sleep enough and have fun.

Here is a simple workout format you can use and incorporate ANY body weight exercise in.

Exercise 1 & 2 10 reps of both then-8 reps of both-6-4-2 (run, jump rope, high knees)2-4-6-8-10

Example exercises:

Squats & Pushups – run .25 miles

Lunges & Tricep Dips – 100 jump ropes

Superman pulls & Straight leg situps – 100 High knee

If you have dumbbells you can add different moves and modify as you wish! It doesn’t have to be complicated!

You are what you eat!

October 30, 2015October 30, 2015Leave a comment

Food has so much effect on your feelings, attitudes and your appearance! Here are few foods that are good for skin!

Tomatoes
Why: They’re full of lycopene, a phytochemical that provides red pigment and health benefits. Lycopene helps eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays – in other words, it protects against sun damage. To reap the most benefits, heat them up: A half-cup of cooked tomatoes, for example, packs 16 milligrams of lycopene. A daily dose coupled with sunscreen will help block the burn.
Mangoes, Papaya and Apricots
Why: Got that washed-out look? Load up on some fruit. Mangoes, papaya and apricots are full of pigments called carotenoids, which are stored in the layer of fat directly beneath the skin and can improve color. “They peek through, giving you a rosy glow,” says registered dietitian Karen Ansel, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and co-author of “The Calendar Diet: A Month by Month Guide to Losing Weight While Living Your Life.”
Cocoa Powder
Why: Flavonals, the antioxidants in dark chocolate, reduce roughness in the skin and protect against sun damage. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who drank cocoa fortified with 326 milligrams of flavonals a day had better skin texture and stronger resistance to UV rays than those who didn’t get as much of the antioxidants. Just a few ounces a day – or a standard Hershey’s Dark Chocolate bar – is sufficient. Another tasty way to get enough? Spoon some cocoa powder into your morning coffee, Ansel suggests.
Flaxseed
Why: Think of these as tiny wrinkle fighters. They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which erase spots and smooth fine lines. In one study, participants who had about half a teaspoon of omega-3s daily for six weeks had less skin irritation and redness, as well as better-hydrated skin, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition. That’s likely because fatty acids attract water to skin cells, plumping the skin and reducing wrinkling.
Sweet Potatoes:
Why: They’re full of vitamin C, which smooths wrinkles by stimulating the production of collagen. One study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found people who consumed 4 milligrams of vitamin C – about half a small sweet potato – daily for three years reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 11 percent.
Spinach:
Why: Want to protect yourself against skin cancer? Take a page out of Popeye’s book. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that folks who ate the most leafy greens (more than four times a day) developed half as many skin tumors over 11 years as those who ate the smallest amount (once a day or never). That’s likely because the folate in spinach helps maintain and repair DNA, reducing the likelihood of cancer-cell growth
Canned Tuna:
Why: It’s packed with selenium – a nutrient that preserves elastin, which keeps skin smooth and tight. Selenium also prevents free radicals that are produced by UV rays from damaging skin cells, protecting against sun damage.
Safflower Oil
Why: If you have dry, flaky or itchy skin, take note: This common cooking oil doubles as a moisturizer. It contains omega-6 fatty acids, which keep cell walls supple, allowing water to reach the skin. Some research suggests consuming safflower oil can help ease skin problems such as dermatitis, inflammation, acne and dry skin.

Why are you not seeing results?

September 9, 2015Leave a comment

Often we get caught up with in the instant gratification. You can post a picture online seconds after you take it or you can Google the answer you any question you may have.But somethings can’t be sped up or shortcuts just won’t cut it. Your health is one of those things. Good things take time, and great things take consistency.

Some reasons you may not be reaching or maintaining your fitness and lifestyle goals.

Fail to plan then plan to fail
It takes a little bit of effort but a little planning goes a long way. When hunger strikes, the last thing you want to do is make food. You want something easy and quick. Try making salads in a bag or jar so you have a go to snack or meal easy and ready! Planning ahead will help you stay on track and not worry about making a poor decision! Plan your meals out for the week on a Sunday and you can prevent yourself from making hasty choices when hungry!
Share your fitness goals!
Eating healthy is so much easier as a team than as a individual. Share your goals with your friends and family and work together!
Eat Protein
Try to incorporate protein into every meal, especially if you have increased your workout routine. Protein helps rebuild your muscles so feed them properly to get the results you want!
Avoid alcohol
Sometime this is the hardest thing to do! Going out with friends or after a hard day at work you just want a nice cocktail or glass of wine. Be smart and limit your intake to only one drink.
Exercising more to eat more
No matter what way you slice it you can NOT out exercise a bad diet. Your body needs certain foods for nourishment and you just can’t justify eating an entire pizza and 3 rounds of drinks because you ran 2 miles, sorry it just doesn’t work like that!
Cutting out sweets entirely
Don’t deprive yourself completely or you are setting yourself up to fail. Keep yourself in check with moderate portions and you can enjoy a treat once in a while.
Eating healthy and living active is a life style!If you keep yourself in check each day you will want sweets and unhealthy foods less and less, your body will stop craving it! Don’t set up a “cheat day” or “cheat meal” just keep consistently eating vegetables, protein and complex carbs and it will be easier to stick to your plan and reach your goals.

Good luck on your journey to healthy living!

Eating at Work!

July 24, 2015July 3, 2015Leave a comment

When I first moved to Texas my job was during the evening so I was forced to eat dinner at work. Making a lunch is one thing but dinner – I know I had to be smart about what I bring because I’m at work making money not trying to spend it! Plus whatever restaurant I could run to during a break from work would not be healthy!

I try to get a protein, a carb (forget that carbs are bad! Not all are bad!) and a vegetable when I pack my dinners. I usually stick with fish and chicken for proteins. Throw in some brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat pasta for my starchy carb. My veggie of choice lately has been Kale. It’s very easy to make and I really like the crunch and flavor of baking it. Otherwise I go with frozen broccoli, spinach or sweet potatoes.

Eating well is just a matter of planning. It’s hard to throw things together quickly if you don’t have things in the house or you are tight on time.

There are countless ways to prepare chicken, tilapia, and catfish. Find some recipes that you like and make them ahead of time, portion it out in tupperware containers and you’ll learn what works for you!

Good luck prepping!

Don’t beat yourself up!

July 21, 2015July 21, 2015Leave a comment

I used to get the worst guilt if I missed a workout or ate too much at dinner or even ate a cookie. But it’s important to remember – You are human and you don’t need to be 100% perfect all the time.

It’s simple, try to eat unprocessed foods and if you want a cookie have one maybe two, just not the whole box.

If you put yourself on a zero tolerance diet, you are setting yourself up to fail. Remember the first bite is always the best. Enjoy it then move on. Don’t beat yourself up if you accidentally splurge! Just don’t let it ruin the rest of the day.

One bad meal is just that one bad meal! If you crack your phone screen you don’t take a hammer and shatter the rest of it! It’s about moderation. Each meal, snack, dessert are independent of each other so don’t let one bad meal trigger a chain reaction! Plus, the longer you eat unprocessed foods and load up on vegetables the less you’ll crave sweets and other unhealthy foods!

Good luck, happy eating and here’s a quote I like to read if I get off track.

“Balance is key. In everything you do. Dance all night long and practice yoga the next day. Drink wine but don’t forget your green juice. Eat chocolate when your heart wants it and kale salad when your body needs it. Wear high heels on Saturday and walk barefoot on Sunday. Go shopping at the mall and then sit down and meditate in your bedroom. Live high and low. Move and stay still. Embrace all sides of who you are and live your authentic truth! Be brave and bold and spontaneous and loud and let that complement your abilities to find silence and patience and modesty and peace. Aim for balance. Make your own rules and don’t let anybody tell you how to live according to theirs.”
–Rachel Brathen

What is flax seed and how do I eat it?

July 16, 2015July 3, 20151 Comment

Flax seed comes from flax which is one of the oldest fiber crops in the entire world. It has taken the health industry by storm and it lives up to its reputation. Flax seed is loaded with the “good stuff.” It is a great source of omega 3 fat (healthy fat), antioxidants and fiber. It can also protect from colon, breast, and prostate cancers as it has been said to prevent the growth of cancerous cells. Flax seeds can also lower cholesterol, prevent hot flashes, improve blood sugar and helps with constipation due to the high fiber content.

How? Where do you add flax seed to your diet?

Add flax seed to:
Salads, yogurt, muffins, oatmeal, protein shakes, bread chicken, french toast, apple sauce, ice cream, cottage cheese or substitute an egg! There are tons of possibles and more details click here!

Load up on flax seed where you can you will see and feel it many benefits!

Reference here and here

Stay on track even when dining out

July 10, 2015July 2, 2015Leave a comment

Headed out for dinner? Here are some tips that can help you stay on track with you fitness lifestyle goals!

One tip I use when dining out is to order half my meal. Just ask the server to box up half for you before you get it.
You’ll be surprised how much food half is, and you trick your brain because when you clean your plate you won’t feel terrible afterwards!

Another tip I use is to always get the side of vegetables! Fries have zero nutritional value, just don’t get them -you’ll be OK I promise!

You know you can order those veggies dry? They won’t be raw but they won’t use a half a stick of butter when sauteing them.

This is half of my dinner from the other night

I got a chicken caprese sandwich with a side of zucchini and squash. That doesn’t look like half a meal does it? Portion sizes are outrageously large in restaurants and often times our eyes are way bigger than our stomach! Go to the restaurant with the mindset to order half and you’ll get to enjoy your meal without the guilt! PLUS you get leftovers!

Need a workout program? Start today! Email maketimeforfit@gmail.com for a free consultation to get your personalized workout program!

Do you foam roll?

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015Leave a comment

I’m sure you’ve seen them at your gym. People rolling and contorting their bodies on this foam cylinder, and you think “what does that even do?”

A foam roller is a very helpful tool that helps your body recover and can help to prevent injury. When you use the foam roller it digs into muscles to release tension, specially Self-myofascial release. It a massage technique that require longer low pressure on a muscle until it releases and the mobility and tissue are restore to their proper form. A foam roller allows you to have this type of massage by yourself.

Benefits

Increased blood flow throughout the body
Better movement and increased range of motion.

Ideally foam rolling should be down both during your warmup and your cool down. It’s so important to get your body prepared for a lift and to stretch after a workout!

Now why does it hurt?

Now if you’ve tried foam rolling and feel like you are almost forced to tears, chances are you are doing it right AND you really need it. Similar to the pain you get while stretching. It should be uncomfortable, but not unbearable, and when you release you should feel looser.

How do I do it?
I like to start with my calves and work my way up to my hamstrings. Then I move to IT bands (which usually hurt a lot because I hold a lot of tension in my hips). When I find a spot that’s tight I hold in place and bend my knee to increase the pressure. Then I move onto my quads and then inner thigh. Then the other leg – IT band, quad and inner thigh. After that I sit on the foam roller rolling over my glutes sometimes crossing my leg putting my ankle to my opposite knee to dig in deeper, switch sides. At the end I lay on the foam roller in line with my spine and up my arms up like a touchdown signal and am just still for about a minute (which is actually really long time to be still). I usually feel my shoulder and neck tension release and a great sense of calming to do nothing for a minute.

This is just my routine. There are many ways to foam roll you can what works for when you consistently include foam rolling into your workout regime.

Here are some pictures!

I promise after a week or two of consist foam rolling your body will recover faster and your muscles will be looser over all!

references here and here

How do you make spaghetti squash?

June 24, 2015June 25, 2015Leave a comment

Lot’s of hype on spaghetti squash – but how in the world do you make it? It’s actually very very easy!

What you need:
1 spaghetti squash
Casserole dish (microwavable)
Knife
Water

What to do:
Cut lengthwise the spaghetti squash in half
Clean out seeds – don’t mess with sides just scrape the seeds from the middle
Place halves face down in the casserole dish
Fill with water about .5 to 1 inch so that the face of squash is covered
Microwave for 12 minutes – rotate dish half way through if your microwave doesn’t spin
Now when it’s done it will be VERY hot.
Let it cool and remove from dish and flip the squash face up on a plate. Using a fork, pull the inside of squash to the center and it will come off in little spaghetti strings!
Move these to your bowl and top with whatever you want!

Suggested toppings:
Spaghetti squash and your favorite protein
Garlic & butter
Butter
Butter & brown sugar (yes this makes it less healthy but it delicious! )