Fitness Tips

The Best Meals and Snacks For A Fat Loss Diet

The best meals and snacks for a fat loss diet include choices that are high volume, high fiber, high protein and lower in calories.

Including meals and snacks that fit this criteria help to ensure better satiety and hunger regulation. This makes it easier to stick to the calorie deficit required to lose fat.

In addition, a high protein diet is crucial for muscle retention while dieting. Otherwise the risk of muscle loss during dieting makes any weight loss results less sustainable. Aiming for 1g of protein per pound of ideal bodyweight everyday is a great target.

It’s also important to include foods that are delicious and flavorful. Any fat loss diet that lacks the opportunity for food enjoyment requires unnecessary levels of will power. When we feel overly restricted and bored, diet adherence disintegrates.

Next is a list of some of my favorite meals and snacks to include in a fat loss phase.

  • Air Popped Popcorn seasoned with grated parmesan cheese and garlic powder
  • Fresh Fruit such as sliced apple dusted with cinnamon
  • Frozen Fruit such as mixed berries sprinkled with cocoa
  • Hearty Soup or Stew packed with a lean protein source and loads of vegetables
  • Huge Salad filled with a variety of vegetables, a lean protein source, and a light dressing
  • High Protein Homemade Baked Treat such as chocolate brownies made with greek yogurt instead of butter and protein powder instead of wheat flour
  • Fruit And Protein Smoothie containing a scoop or two of flavored protein powder and frozen strawberries and bananas

I highly recommend putting the time in to learn how to turn your favorite foods and recipes into healthier versions by swapping in better ingredients. My e cookbooks are filled with ways to do this. They are also filled with over 100 of my tried and true recipes for soups, dressings, brownies, cookies, smoothies, and so much more!

Click for details. https://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/shop-cookbook/

They contain all the recipes I have personally created and used consistently to lose fat, build muscle, and keep off over 140 lbs for years!

Find me on Instagram for more recipes, fitness tips, and meal ideas.
www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fit Recipes!

Easy Protein Packed Frozen Yogurt Recipe

Make your own protein packed frozen yogurt using the Ninja Creami.  This is one of my favorite recipes that I’ve come up with based on my simple protein creme  recipes.  

Mix and match protein powders and pudding mixes, crunchy and fruity mix ins, use cocoa, cinnamon, or other flavorings and spices to create an endless variety of flavor combos.

Like so many of my recipes use this as a jumping off point and get creative.  

Once you try it you will never go back to store bought frozen yogurt!  

Serves 1-4 (calories and macros will vary slightly depending on the ingredients you use)

Calories and Macros for the whole thing 

500 calories
70g protein
45g carbohydrate
4g fat

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

  • 300ml 1% milk
  • 300g non fat greek yogurt
  • 40g protein powder of choice
  • 20g sugar free fat free instant pudding mix
  • 30g monk fruit granulated zero calorie sweetener

DIRECTIONS:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.  (Don’t have a Ninja Creami?  Add ice when bending and enjoy like this as a thick milkshake.) Pour into a Ninja Creami container.  Freeze for 24 hours.  Using the Ninja Creami blend using the light ice cream function.  Blend again using the re spin function.  Add mix in’s, if using, and use mix in function.  Enjoy right away!  

Pro Tip: Meal prep in bulk and keep in the freezer for anytime you want a delicious and satisfying protein packed frozen yogurt. 

Need some more fun and delicious recipes to help you reach your goals? My e- cookbooks are available! Click below for details. 

https://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/shop-cookbook/

My simple high protein protein creme recipes can be found in Volume 2 as well as many more yummy and satisfying sweet treats including recipes for my lighter and protein filled take on cookies, cheesecakes, frostings, and so much more!

Find me on Instagram for more recipes, fitness tips, and meal ideas.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

Never Quit: The Only Way To Guarantee No Results Is To Give Up

Now 8 years into my journey I get a lot of comments such as “Well, it’s easier for you because_____.  It’s harder for me because_____. “

I wouldn’t call the efforts required over 4 years to lose 145lbs and another 4 years of maintaining and leveling up my body composition.… easy.  But that’s beside the point.  No one wins in the competition of who’s had it the hardest.  

We all have our own unique set of circumstances and challenges that we navigate while prioritizing our heath and well being.   

The great thing about living a healthy life with healthy habits and routines is that it works for everyone.  

Young and old.  

Underweight and overweight.  

Weak and injured.  

Through all stages of life and through all manner of struggles, we all benefit from taking care of ourselves with a healthy lifestyle.

It is a huge step to let go of the narrative of old self limiting beliefs and to start putting our energy in the right places.

I promise that each of our own challenges and life histories do not need to be a permanent crutch.  We need to let go of comparison and allow all the things we have uniquely survived remind us of how awesome and capable and resilient we are.   

When new purpose outweighs old excuses results have no choice but to follow.

The only way to guarantee no results is to give up. 

Never Quit!

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

See my client testimonials.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

Exercise Snacks: How To Include More Exercise Into A Busy Day

black skip rope
Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com

Any amount of exercise is always better than nothing at all.  By utilizing “Exercise Snacks” you can ensure you are getting something in every day no matter how busy you are.

Don’t be discouraged. You do not need to skip exercising entirely if you are busy and can’t dedicate 30-60 minutes to get in a workout.

You can do short bursts of various exercises for only 60 seconds at a time.  

Even 4-5 bouts of 60 seconds of simple exercises sprinkled throughout the day such as

  1. Bodyweight squats 
  2. Jumping jacks
  3. Push ups
  4. Briskly walking upstairs
  5. Jogging in place etc…

will promote your fitness and health.  

Not only do you receive benefits such as

  1. Improved cognitive function
  2. Improved cardiorespiratory fitness
  3. Improved metabolism

Including regular movement and exercise can become a more normal (and less daunting) part of your everyday life.  

Rethink the potential of your day.

 It’s Just 1 Minute. 

Ready. 

Set. 

Go!

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

See my client testimonials.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

To learn more about the science of exercise snacks (and much more) check out this great Found My Fitness Podcast Episode by Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. interviewing Dr. Martin Gibala, Ph.D.

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: The Giant Protein Cookie

Transform your bowl of protein oats quickly and easily into “The Giant Protein Cookie”!  The addition of baking powder and a little time to bake is all it takes.  Mix and match flavors of protein powder and instant sugar free pudding mix, add in’s and toppings and you may find yourself exploring endless variations of your own giant protein cookies too.  

Serves 1

(base recipe minus toppings and add ins)

428 calories

34g protein

49g carbohydrate

11g fat

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

  • 240ml 2% milk 
  • 40g old fashioned rolled oats
  • 30g whey protein powder of choice
  • 10g sugar free instant pudding mix
  • 5g baking powder
  • 15g monk fruit zero calorie granulated sweetener
  • Pinch of pink Himalayan granulated salt
  • optional toppings and add ins such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, dash of cinnamon, or cocoa, etc.. 

Pro tip:  You can use up to 10g of cocoa powder or pb fit peanut butter powder in the cookie mixture without messing it up. 

DIRECTIONS

On the stove top or microwave, cook the oats in the milk until softened. 

In a  mixing bowl measure out your protein powder, pudding mix, zero calorie sweetener, baking powder, a pinch of salt and any add ins that do not melt like nuts or dried fruit. 

Add your cooked oats in milk to the bowl with your measured dry ingredients and whisk together for 1 minute. This will help it to thicken. 

Pour protein oat mixture on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Top with any melting ingredients like chocolate chips.  (Can also wait and top immediately after baking while the cookie cools.)

In a preheated oven bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit before removing from the parchment paper.  

Then enjoy the warm and fresh from the oven giant cookie!    

Need some more fun and delicious recipes to help you reach your goals? My e- cookbooks are available! Click below for details. 

https://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/shop-cookbook/

Find many more delicious and macro friendly sweet treat recipes for cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, donuts, and so much more.

Find me on Instagram for more recipes, fitness tips, and meal ideas.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

Secrets To Losing Weight and Keeping It Off For Good

8 years between these pictures.  You want to know the secrets to losing weight and keeping it off for good?  

Well… there are no secrets.

No magic diet, or pill you can take to make the body fat melt off.  

It takes consistent WORK.  It takes changing bad habits for good.  

It takes realizing habits you thought were good really aren’t if you are not seeing results.  

It takes prioritizing your long term health over your short term wants every single day.  

It takes falling in love with the process.  

It takes a radical mindset shift, determination, and good information to help you along the way.  

3 helpful tips to get you going on your Sustainable Living fitness journey.

  1. Be Patient. Sustainable results are slow going.  If the process was quick and easy we would all be walking around in our dream bodies.  Losing 2-4 pounds a month is amazing progress!  
  2. Be Realistic. Set daily goals that you can actually achieve.  If you haven’t exercised in months, don’t expect to hit it hard from the start, training 6 days a week and an hour everyday.  This will burn you out.  Daily walks and a couple 30 minute full body workouts per week are a great start. 
  3. Celebrate your daily wins!  Big and small.  If you make a mistake or fall off track, that’s okay.  Learning how to lose weight and keep it off is a skill.  It takes practice.  Don’t beat yourself up.  Be kind and keep going NOW.

You are only one good habit away from being back on track. 

Drink a glass of water, take a 10 minute walk, or enjoy 3 deep slow breaths.  Cool.  Now you are back on track!!  Make those small efforts add up so you can lose weight AND keep it off for good!

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

See my client testimonials.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

The Best Low Calorie Sauces and Condiments

Healthy whole foods do not need to be boring and plain. Keep my top 5 everyday sauces and condiments on hand so you can always add flavor, texture and variety to your meals without loads of excess calories.

  • Yellow Mustard
  • Monk Fruit Granulated Sweetener
  • Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
  • Dill Pickles
  • Hot Sauce

Looking for ways to make all your healthy and homemade meals flavorful? Click here to learn more about my E Cookbooks. “The Art Of Meal Prep For Sustainable Living Volumes 1 and 2” are dedicated to meal prep and to eating well without sacrificing enjoyment or flavor.

Fitness Tips

How To Get Back On Track Now

How to get back on track now if you miss a workout, not meet your step goal, or deviate from your nutritional goals by under or over eating.

Here are the best next steps to get back on track.

physiotherapy-weight-training-dumbbell-exercise-balls-39671.jpeg
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Reflect: Why did it happen?

Learn: What circumstances preceded the events that led to it?

Plan: Is there a way to make it easier for you to stick to your goals in the future?

Keep Going: Consistency not perfection. It’s what you do most of the time that matters.

Don’t be discouraged if you fall off track. Everyone does. The only way to discover your potential is if you keep going.

Remember, a fitness journey lasts a lifetime.

Reflect- Learn- Plan- Keep Going

You’ve got this!

Use these steps to help you reach your fitness goals and to help you maintain your hard earned results long term.

If you have thought about having me as your coach to support you along your own fitness journey check out the Online Fitness Coaching page on my website for more info and how to inquire about my online fitness coaching service. Receive customized activity and nutrition plans, monthly virtual calls, and weekly email check in’s.

www.melaniewales-sustainableliving.com

Follow me on Instagram for more tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving