Fit Recipes!, Fitness Tips

Great On The Go High Protein Meal Ideas

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

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: Double Chocolate Fudge Protein Brownie

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

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

Mindset Tips: How To Stay On Track Even When It Gets Hard

barbell on the floor
Photo by Leon Ardho on Pexels.com

“What can I do today that adds value to me tomorrow.”

It’s easy to succumb to short term convenience and comforts when we are tired, hungry, stressed or overwhelmed.  Especially at the end of a long day or week.  

Most of us do not deviate from our action plan when things are easy.  We veer off track when things get hard, inconvenient, or require more effort than we expect.  

When this inevitably happens.  Shift your mindset and REMEMBER that your long term goals are valuable and hold a greater purpose than how you feel in this fleeting moment.  

Stay true to what you know you should do.  Keep the promises you made to yourself.  Your tomorrow self will thank you that you persevered today.   

Every week I have the opportunity to hear how my 1 on 1 clients stay consistent to their long term goals despite their circumstances and about the rewards and benefits they see because of their previous consistency.

We call these Non Scale Victories and I have all my clients share at least one with me each check in.    

Next are a few non scale victories that were shared with me recently.

  1. Eating well and nailing their full body resistance workouts while on full time kid duty and a husband out of town.  This includes a very active, nap skipping toddler!
  2. Keeping to their nutritional goals despite the stress of moving halfway around the world, starting a new job, finding a car, and a new home.  
  3. Getting to play in the snow and keep up with their kid for sled riding.
  4. Having someone comment about how buff their arms are now.
  5. Seeing noticeable quad growth while waist measurements stay the same.  Lean Gains!

We all lead full and busy lives.  

It’s easy to get lost in the chaos of the moment.

Hold strong.

We are all more capable and resilient than we realize.

On your own fitness journey pay attention to your many non scale victories.

Victories such as:

  • Increased strength, endurance and mobility
  • Increased self confidence and self efficacy 
  • Less anxiety around food
  • Better Sleep
  • More ability to cope with negative stressors and less overall stress 
  • More energy for daily tasks
  • Less joint and muscle aches or pains  

Allow these victories to help you remember that making your fitness a priority is always worth it. 

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

Muscle: The Underrated Key To Successful Fat Loss

When I was a teen and in my 20’s I lost and gained weight more times than I can count.  Each time I repeated the cycle I regained even more weight.  I felt hopeless and broken as I tried to do what I thought worked.  Restrictive diets and lots of cardio.  Always with the focus on weight loss.  

What changed?  I had to switch the paradigm in my mind and habits that had me focused on weight loss.  Instead I had to focus my mind and habits on BUILDING MUSCLE.  

Eating for muscle, training for muscle, sleeping for muscle, hydrating for muscle, reducing stress and recovering for muscle.  

When I focused on muscle:  I lost fat, built strength, increased my endurance and drastically improved my overall health markers: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose management, and triglycerides.  

To go on an empowering fitness journey I suggest this. Rather than focusing on losing weight, adjust your perspective and start focusing on building muscle.

The habits and behaviors needed to build healthy skeletal muscle will yield incredible results in overall health and physique development.    

It does not mean that the process is easy and will happen without effort. 

But those efforts, WORTH IT!  

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

Fit Recipes!

Free Recipe: Dark Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Get your recommended per meal 30g of protein in this delicious dark chocolate pudding.  Also a great recipe for those of you new to meal prep!  Keep the calories lower by topping with your favorite fresh or frozen berries or cherries.  Also great topped with chopped walnuts for more of a brownie vibe.   

Serves 1 (fruit topping included)

345 calories

30g protein

39g carbohydrate

9g fat

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

  • 125 ml 2% milk 
  • 15g chocolate whey protein powder of choice
  • 8g sugar free chocolate instant pudding mix 
  • 10g cocoa powder 
  • 10g monk fruit powdered zero calorie sweetener
  • 15g chia seeds 
  • Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
  • Optional Toppings:
  • 100g fresh or frozen berries or cherries

DIRECTIONS

Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together until smooth.  Top with optional fruit.

Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight before enjoying. Stores for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

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/

The bulk prep recipe version of this chia seed pudding is in Volume 1 as well as many more yummy and versatile quick and bulk meal prep recipes including soups, pizza dough, and BBQ.

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

www.instagram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving