Tag: get strong

Fit Recipes!, Fitness Tips

Great On The Go High Protein Meal Ideas

melaniewalessustainableliving

We should get at least 30g of high quality protein in each of our meals even when we are on the go.  Next are 3 high protein meal ideas that are great options even on the busiest of days to help you reach your protein goals and help you stick to your daily nutritional goals.  

This post is inspired by my recent family medical emergency and are the exact meals I used to keep my highly stressed and sleep deprived brain and body functional as I cared for my daughter during her hospital stay.  (Update: She is now fully recovered!!!)

  1. Pack 2 scoops of protein powder and an apple or banana.  Simply mix the protein powder in water, a coffee, or other preferred beverage while out and about.  Add in a whole piece of fruit for convenience, fiber, and increased satiety.  Very quick and easy to pack when you are rushing out the door.  
  2. Make a “yummy bowl.”  This yogurt and fruit bowl is my favorite on the go option!  (In my 2nd cookbook I call it the Overnight Dessert Recovery Bowl because I generally make it for my evening dessert) For ease at my house, I refer to it as my “yummy bowl”.  It’s super easy to make and bring in a cooler. See below for a screen shot of the full recipe direct from my e cookbook.   
  3. Buy the best high protein options you can find.  Sometimes we don’t have time to pack or an emergency occurs and there is no other choice.  Read labels and opt for prepared foods that are high in protein and lower in fat such as greek yogurt, a turkey sandwich wrap, and Fair Life Core Power high protein milk.  Add in a piece of whole fruit for more low calorie volume and satiety instead of opting for a side of chips or a cookie.  

You have choices.  Eating like crap never helps you feel better.  

Whatever the day brings you can make the choice that aligns you with your long term goals and helps you feel your best.

Prioritize your health and well being and let the excuse of being “too busy” go.

Getting and staying fit is always worth the effort.  

Screenshot from my E Cookbook “The Art Of Meal Prep For Sustainable Living Volume 2”

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 the Overnight Dessert Recovery Bowl in Volume 2 as well as many more delicious and macro friendly recipes for bulk prep, quick prep, sweets and snacks prep and so much more.

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

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

Find Your Turning Point Now

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Earlier in my life I attempted to lose weight more times than I can count. 

During an attempt I took up swimming.  I had recently hurt my knee after a fall down my back garden steps.  Swimming was a good fit because it allowed for movement while not aggravating my knee injury.  

I started feeling better.  I started feeling proud of myself.  

Then I shared with someone how I’d taken up swimming and how I was focusing on losing weight again.  This individual promptly told me that swimming was not going to help me lose weight.  Great that it was helping me feel better, but not to get my hopes up for weight loss.

This conversation was devastating.  I lost my drive to go swimming.  I allowed it to set me back on my fitness journey for many years to follow. 

Recently I’ve been sharing simple ways you can start to incorporate healthier habits into your daily routine.  This is because getting started with something and then to BUILD off of that initial momentum is crucial. 

We all have to start somewhere. We also need to believe ALL our efforts are worth it.  Because they are.

Could our efforts be optimized and maximized?  Of course!  That’s what I do as a coach for my clients.  I help my clients optimize their time and efforts so they can achieve amazing and long term results.  

But, building a base of healthy habits through small daily actions and believing it’s worth it to do so creates both momentum and confidence to remain consistent. 

Consistency is key for progress.

My turning point came after having my daughter.  With an infant to care for I had to find ways to incorporate my health goals into my busy days.  I had to get creative to make it work.  I also started to believe in my efforts again no matter how small they were.

From 2016-2017, in less than ideal conditions, I managed to lose 40 lbs during my first year postpartum. 

The momentum I created then still carries me through today.  Sure, by deepening my education and experience I have learned how to optimize and maximize my efforts to take my results and that of my clients to the next level.  

But never underestimate the power of ALL of your efforts towards a healthier version of you.  Don’t be discouraged.  Keep going.  You’ve got this!

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

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: The Giant Protein Cookie

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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

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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

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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.

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: Double Chocolate Fudge Protein Brownie

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I stumbled across this perfect protein brownie recipe on accident!  I was trying to create something else utilizing canned pumpkin and chocolate and what ended up happening was that I made divine brownies instead!  The pumpkin is what makes this brownie possible. You don’t taste the pumpkin at all, instead it gives this brownie it’s perfect texture without using butter and allows the rich chocolate flavor to come through.🤤 

Makes 8 servings

Per 60g serving

135 calories 

9g protein

19g carbohydrate

3.5 fat

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

  • 2 eggs 
  • 75ml real maple syrup 
  • 75g nonfat Greek yogurt (unsweetened applesauce can also be used and works great!)
  • 140g canned pumpkin 
  • 25g cocoa powder 
  • 50g Chocolate Protein Powder of choice 
  • 25g all purpose flour 
  • 50g semi sweet chocolate chips (or mix and match any kind of baking chips such as milk, dark, white or peanut butter chips)
  • 5g baking powder 
  • 1/2 tsp ground pink Himalayan salt 

DIRECTIONS

In a mixer or by hand mix together the eggs, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, and pumpkin until smooth.

By hand fold in the cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

By hand fold in the protein powder.

By hand gently fold in the flour and chocolate chips until smooth and just combined. To not over mix!

Pour the batter in a parchment lined 8×8 baking pan and bake at 325 degrees for 22 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack. The middle of the brownie should still be a bit gooey when you first remove it from the oven. It will further set as it cools.

Once cooled cut into desired portions and store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

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/

This Double Chocolate Fudge Protein Brownie recipe is included in Volume 1 as well as many more delicious and macro friendly sweet treat recipes for brownies, cookies, and so much more.

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

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

How To Get Back On Track Now

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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

Fitness Tips

The Best Strategies For Navigating Trigger Foods

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You may see my transformation below and think I have iron clad will power.  This is not the case.  I can and do succumb to tasty treats and have indulged in excess.

If this is the case, then how did I transform and how do I still maintain my results?  There are a multitude of reasons, but one of them was learning how to deal with trigger foods. 

What are trigger foods? 

They are usually ultra processed and extra tasty foods that hold the magic combo of sugar, fat and salt.  They are low in protein and low in fiber and you know the saying, “bet you can’t eat just one?”

Next are the 5 best strategies for successfully navigating trigger foods. 

  1. Don’t Buy/ Don’t Make: You can’t indulge in something that is not available.
  2. Out Of Sight/ Hide It: Constantly being reminded that a tasty treat is available makes it so much harder to exert willpower. Hide them from yourself.
  3. Swap it: Make an alternative (but similar) treat Instead that is higher in protein, fiber and nutrients. My E Cookbooks are full of swaps.
  4. Pair It: Enjoy a smaller portion along with an otherwise high volume, high fiber, high protein and nourishing meal. 
  5. Not First: Fill up on fruits, veg, and protein to start your meal.  Eating foods first that are designed to be as tasty as possible will make other foods incredibly lack luster by comparison.  In addition, if you eat these types of foods while hungry, it will easily lead to overconsumption.  If you are going to include these foods, save them for last.  

Use these strategies 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

Fitness Tips

Easy Fit Family Meal: Same Meal Prep 3 Different Meals

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Here I share a real world example of how my family of 3 created an easy fit family meal using the same meal prepped foods (chicken, potatoes, hard boiled eggs and salad dressings, along with fresh salad veggies, spices and condiments) and created 3 different meals by making small adjustments to accommodate our own unique goals, taste preferences, and portion needs.

Do you ever feel like because the members of your household do not have the same fitness goals as you that you struggle to stay consistent with your own nutritional goals?

Or that you have to cook an entirely separate meal for yourself which can be time consuming and exhausting? 

It’s okay and completely normal to have different goals, taste preferences, and portion needs as the other members of your household.  You can still eat well without additional time and hassle and reach your fitness goals by making small adjustments.  

These meals are also pictured above.

Meal Option 1:  Roasted chicken and potatoes seasoned with sugar free BBQ sauce, mustard, hot sauce, and spices without added oils.  Big salad with light ranch dressing and a whole hard boiled egg.

Meal Option 2:  Olive oil roasted chicken and potatoes seasoned with regular BBQ sauce and spices and a mayo dipping sauce on the side.  Small salad with vinegar and olive oil dressing and a hard boiled egg yolk.

Meal Option 3: Chicken and cheese quesadilla w/ ketchup.  Sliced veggies and light ranch dressing.  Hard boiled egg white with mustard.  Olive oil roasted potatoes lightly seasoned.

Need loads of fun and delicious recipes perfect for meal prep to help you reach your goals? My e- cookbooks are available! Click below for details. 

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

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

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: Super Easy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

melaniewalessustainableliving

For this recipe if you can open a can and chop an onion you can make this.  If there was ever a recipe to get you started on your meal prep lifestyle this is it.  It is delicious, high volume, high protein and full of flavor!  The pumpkin blends in seamlessly while adding a sense of sweetness and richness to the chili while  keeping the calories low.  Pumpkin is so versatile!  If you like my recipes and fitness tips remember to share!  We can all reach our fitness goals and enjoy the process too!❤️ 

Serves 8

For 1 serving (443g)

280 calories 

24g protein 

36g carbohydrate

7g fat

Ingredient’s you’ll need:

  • 1 can pumpkin (425g)
  • 1 can black beans (425g)
  • 1 can tomato paste (170g)
  • 1 large can diced tomatoes with chilis (794g)
  • 1 can beef broth (425ml)
  • Some jarred or canned salsa (300g) 
  • 2 tbsp chili powder (30g)
  • 760g ground lean turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 large onion chopped (400-500g)
  • 1/2- 1 tsp ground pink Himalayan salt

Directions:

Add everything to a slow cooker and cook on high for 5-8 hours.  Stir occasionally and chop the ground turkey up as it cooks so it can blend with the chili.  Allow to cool a bit before storing.  When reheating add some water to make it more high volume of you need.  Or top with cheese, sour cream, etc.. and enjoy with cornbread/corn chips if you need more calories and less volume.  Enjoy within 5-6 days of preparing or store portions in the freezer for future meals. 

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/

This Super Easy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili bulk prep recipe is in Volume 1 as well as many more yummy and versatile quick prep, bulk prep, and sweets and snacks prep recipes.

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

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving