Nutrition, Life Update and More! I’m not fasting for 16 hours anymore and now, I’m trying to eat before my morning workouts. Here are some changes I’m making and why.
Hello friends! Many of you are interested in my nutrition and fitness journey and a lot of you have signed up for and are doing Faster Way to Fat Loss so I want to keep you guys updated on what I am doing and why.
Nutrition Life Update and More!
I started Faster Way to Fat Loss back at the end of April and by early June, I had lost 10 lbs. Click here to read that post. Now, I’ve explained this many times but let me say this again: every person is different. Every body is different. During the first six weeks of the program, I didn’t cheat once. I didn’t drink alcohol. I stayed very closely to the meal plans and I also did the workouts plus more. Prior to starting the six-week program, I was eating whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted. I wasn’t intermittent fasting. I was eating a ton of carbs and sugar. I believe this is why I lost so much weight so fast.
And the good news? It’s now August 26th, and I’ve kept the weight off and lost a little more and gained more muscle.
What I Am Changing
In July, I started getting hungrier. I wanted to snack all the time. I was working out twice a day sometimes. Moving forward I will try to manage this because this isn’t necessarily a good thing. It has to do with my cortisol levels: “High cortisol can lead to reduced protein synthesis, which in turn can inhibit muscle repair. It can also suppress the production of growth hormone and other hormones that contribute to muscle development.
When your cortisol levels remain high for a prolonged period of time, it can also slow down your metabolism and hinder your athletic performance. To make the most of your training, it’s important that this stress hormone stays within a healthy range.” so, instead of two workouts, I’m going to just do one and take more walks with Coco.
I am also NOT fasting for 16 hours anymore. I’m going to take it down to 12 to 14 hours. I don’t need to be fasting for 16 hours anymore. Now, I will eat something small and protein packed before my morning workouts. I’m hoping this will also give me energy so my workouts can be even better as I grow more muscle. It’s truly amazing what your body tells you if you are in tune with your body and are listening. Even though I was able to go workout (without eating) and have a successful workout, recently, I got to a point where I was feeling a little more sluggish in the mornings.
I also just eat when I’m hungry now. I am still tracking my macros (and have even increased my macros; I now have a custom plan and with the help of my new coach, Sandi, we have increased my daily carbs, fat and protein). My goal is still a little more fat loss in certain areas but more importantly, I want to get more toned in certain areas. Last night, I took my kids back to school shopping at the mall, I packed myself a little chicken salad that I ate while sitting on a bench in Pac Sun (oh yes I did) and because we were getting home later, we picked up Chick Fil A and I ate their cobb salad for dinner, but with my own homemade dressing.
It’s funny, now my body doesn’t really crave junk food. I am not trying to not eat bread but I don’t really eat bread or regular pasta much anymore. I am still trying to find a chickpea pasta that I like, ha! I still very much enjoy potatoes and rice and last night, I enjoyed a few waffle fries and some of Madeline’s mac and cheese. I am feeling great and feel like I have so much more knowledge on how to eat a whole food diet and what foods give me energy and make me feel good. I am constantly eating more protein and when I have a craving for something sweet, I eat one of my protein rich energy bites or I will eat fruit with peanut butter.
I definitely have my favorite foods to eat: overnight oats, salads, tuna, chicken, salmon and more.
So, that’s the update for now. It’s the end of August and I will be back with another update in October or November.
Back To School Breakfast and Lunch Ideas
If you need recipe inspiration, these links will help you with breakfast, lunch and some dinner ideas!
25 Breakfast Ideas for the School Year
25 Healthy Lunch Ideas for Back to School
25 Delicious Dinner Recipes Using Chicken
My Meal Planning Guide
Click here for my meal planning 101 guide. This free downloadable PDF will help you learn how to meal plan and how to set your own schedule and know what to do!
You look so much younger! Maybe you lost weight in your cheeks:). You are my Hero!