ariahimar

[ariahimar]

What do you think about compression leggings? Do they really help for soreness? Somedays the arnica gel and foam roller just don’t cut it!

[ariahimar]

Ashley,

You’ll have to tell me if this is a bad snack or not…but when I REALLY want something sweet, I blend dates, almonds, and cacao to make “brownies.” I put them in a mini muffin tin and refrigerate. They are so good and keep me off the cookie. It’s a once in a while thing or what I bring to work for potlucks.

I usually snack on raw nuts, Simple Truth brand turkey slices, Quest bars, and almond butter.

I am going to try your frozen grapes this weekend! Sounds so good!

[ariahimar]

I can’t wait to sit down this weekend and map out my goals and how I’m going to get there. I have physical, personal, financial, and career goals to achieve! It is hard to find a balance sometimes and not let one area of my life suffer for another. I am trying to achieve a body fat goal, write a novel, move up in my company, and get eight hours of sleep each night. That’s a lot!

[ariahimar]

Thanks for sharing!! Going to bookmark these for those tough days!!

[ariahimar]

Exactly Ashley! You get more flies with honey and that applies to you as well as the rest of the world . You have to be good to yourself! You won’t reach your goals if you’re talking down to yourself all day. Be your own biggest cheerleader even if you have to fake it at first.

[ariahimar]

Should I treat post-work out food as a meal or snack? Does it need to replace a meal? Thanks!

[ariahimar]

I prep my breakfast for the whole week every Sunday. I make protein shakes so I line up seven containers and put all the dry ingredients in plus coconut oil. So easy in the morning. My bf and I bring a salad everyday so we prep those too. We usually do two to three days at a time so we only have to make salads every few days. And we take turns. So simple and we always have a great lunch. I also prep sweet potatoes and peppers and hummus to take with me. I keep Brazil nuts in my desk along with lots of tea bags.

We have a thing called Company Kitchen in the break room. It’s pretty much an open vending machine. When the people come to stock it or service it they always try to engage the employees and make sure everyone knows how to use it. It is mostly junk (sometimes there is Greek yogurt or almonds) so I stay away. I don’t want it to tempt me so I refuse to let them teach me how to use the machine you pay at!

Question: How many days in advance do you cook chicken? I only like to keep it in the fridge for two days max. Anything longer and it seems to go bad. I always see pictures where people have chicken prepped for five or six days. I don’t know how they are doing it.

[ariahimar]

Oh! And when I feel like I just can’t go on but need to push myself during a workout I say “my body is capable of incredible things!” It works!

[ariahimar]

Hi Ashley! I was talking to a co-worker last week and she asked how I started on the road to health and stayed motivated. I always tell people the truth, that some days are much harder than others and I have lied on the floor and cried because I wanted candy. Ha! That’s the truth! I told her that before I started to get healthy, I had a lot of regret after I ate. I would binge and then sit and hate myself. So when I started to change my life I would say to myself “I’m not going to regret this workout.” “I’m never going to regret eating this grilled chicken salad.” “I’m not going to regret not eating this candy.” And it worked! Slowly but surely, the regrets became further and further apart. That sinking feeling in my stomach and that feeling of failing myself started to fade until they became a distant memory. And now, almost three years in, if I slip up, I don’t regret it. I know the next meal will be clean and I don’t have to hate myself for one moment of weakness.

[ariahimar]

Hi ladies! Elizabeth, I feel you pain when it comes to food in the work place/dealing with people who have an opinion about what YOU put in YOUR body. I work in an office with hundreds of people and there is ALWAYS cake. Always cookies, chips, or extra sandwiches from an executive meeting…A few months ago I had a group lunch with the AVP and they provided Moe’s for us. Moe’s is honestly not a temptation for me and it gives me a headache so saying no wasn’t a problem. After the meeting people told me I was rude for not eating it. Rude for not eating food I didn’t want and that would make me sick. I’m rude for not having cake at someone’s farewell party. Something is wrong with me when I don’t have a beer with friends or pass on dessert. I’ve even been accused of having an eating disorder. I don’t know if it is the peer pressure mentality of “it’s not as bad if everyone else is doing it” or what but it is quite frustrating to have anyone’s opinion imposed on my food and my body.

“It’s just one cookie. It won’t hurt.” Sorry, not sorry. You have to turn down all of the “just one cookies.” I have been pretty good about choosing my cheats wisely. It has to be my absolute, all time favorite. I’ve been to a couple family member’s homes for meals and they had made something I couldn’t/wouldn’t eat. Their response was “this can be your cheat meal!” Nope. I choose what, when, and where and it is not going to be party platter sub sandwiches and Doritos.

Sometimes I feel like the harder fight is with the people in my life at this point. I have my struggles but I know my goals.