chunky tales

What a crazy, crazy week.

I have gotten a lot of questions lately about how I fit everything in during a busy week. My boss and I just picked up a new client and I have never been this busy at work in my life! Let me just say I now drink coffee again. It has been a while.

But I didn’t let my routine go. My normal routine goes a bit like this - and I didn’t allow this week to be an exception!

Depending on whether or not I have a breakfast event in the morning, I am up by 5 or 6 in the morning. Getting my cardio in early in the morning is the best for me. Some people hate it - but I have found I get the best results and have the most energy (for some reason) right when I wake up.

I start every morning with my GNC GenetixHD pro-sculpt and this acts as a thermogenic ie gives me a little boost that I need without eating!

PINK BERRY DELICIOUSNESS!!!

I am currently on my 2nd week of Beach Body’s INSANITY. And let me tell you - its amazing! 35-40 minutes every morning of this stuff has really challenged my body and tricked it (it was getting TOO used to my morning runs!). The best part, is breakfast right after. JUST GET UP. It is worth it to go through your whole day knowing you’ve already worked out. AND it doesn’t hurt that your metabolism is through the roof!!

I do it because it works. Yes - sometimes it sucks to wake up. Sometimes I hate myself and it just killllls to roll out of bed. BUT DO IT. It is worth it and you’ll get used to it!

I have had 2 AMAZING breakfasts the past 2 days. I always have my delicious egg white oat pancake, but I was getting a bit bored of the topping. So I decided to experiment.

I blended a few fresh strawberries and blueberries, and a few splashes of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and it formed a delicious thick smoothie. Then, I poured over my egg pancake!

This was SO good. Great way to get my fruit in and prevented my pancake from being super dry (which sometimes happens!). Try it!

Thursday morning I had one of my old favorites, a Blueberry POWERCAKE from the lovely Casey at www.powercakes.net! She has the best best recipes!

Thursday was an early morning - and I didn’t actually have time to do my insanity (it was recovery day anyways which I find boring haha). I had to be at work at 7:30 so having my breakfast ready in the fridge was KEY to a speedy morning.

The night before, I prepared this delicious CAKE. Yes - I ate the whole thing. Yes - that is allowed. and YES - it powered me through the entire morning!!

Just look at this beauty!

Here is how you make this blueberry heaven (you can also find this recipe and others on Casey’s blog)

Dry Ingredients:

2 tbsp coconut flour
1/2 tbsp flax meal
1/2 tsp baking powder
Cinnamon to taste
Truvia/Stevia

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries (or fresh!)
1/2 cup spinach (I use fresh, but she uses frozen)
6 egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

I blended all my wet ingredients together with my hand blender, and then added to the dry mix. Then put in the over at 350 for 45 minutes!

After its done, I placed in the fridge overnight. The next morning, I poured some melted coconut oil on the top to create a hard coconut shell (below has 1/2 tbsp).

Get in my belly!!!

I look at breakfast as my fuel for the entire day, so I am never scared to eat a big breakfast! And believe me, I spend the most time thinking about what I will have for breakfast because I love it so much!

If I plan the day before (using my iphone MyFitnessPal app) it makes my busy days so much easier. Planning is KEY to success in this business! Every night before I go to bed I know exactly what I am eating the next day and its all prepped in the fridge the night before. That is why I do meal prep Sundays - so all the food is ready to go, just gotta pair things together to make my meals!

Always have protein in your bag for the day too! My friend told me the other night that sometimes she just doesn’t have enough protein through the day because she doesn’t want to cart around chicken breasts! That is why there are healthy and natural alternatives. My favorite new kind of protein powder is Tera’s Whey. I buy the one serving size packets to put in my bag and I am set for the day - just in case!

This stuff is sweetened with Stevia, organic, 20 g of whey, and just amazing. I have so far tried the Bourbon Vanilla, the Yumberry, and the Blueberry. All I HIGHLY recommend. You can find them at Whole Foods and I am sure at other organic/health food stores!

After work, I go to Vida to lift. I started weightlifting 2 months ago and LOVE it. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I used to be SO intimidated by going to the “men’s” floor. I didn’t want to look like a dumb ass! I got some tips from Salone and did my research online to get some ideas. I slowly but surely became completely comfortable up there. Now - It is part of my daily routine. Everyday, I work a different body part.

Honestly, doing cardio at night is SO much harder for me than lifting weights. It may not be easier on my body, but I am so much more likely to go to the gym if I am tired if I know I will be lifting and not running! THATS how it works for me. Even if I am exhausted from a long day, knowing I will just be lifting (even though I work really hard and lift very heavy) makes it dooable in my mind!

Plan what works for you and your energy levels. And remember - food is fuel! Have a pre-workout carb/protein/healthy combination. Try 2 unsalted rice cakes with almond butter and greek yogurt on top, or even a banana. You’re workouts will be so much better and so much more effective!

Remember - being busy is NO EXCUSE. If I can do it, you can too. You just got to plan your day before it starts - know when you have time and when you can squeeze in a workout. And have your food all prepped for the day. You will succeed and you’ll get the fit body you’ve always wanted!