Tag: weight loss

Fit Recipes!, Fitness Tips

Great On The Go High Protein Meal Ideas

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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.

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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

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.

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

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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

Fitness Tips

Muscle: The Underrated Key To Successful Fat Loss

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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.

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Fitness Tips

Jump Start Guide: How To Create A Sustainable Fitness Lifestyle

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It’s the new year and that means many of us are keen to make our health and fitness a priority.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to do all the things, all at once, and to expect immediate results.

This approach is not sustainable.  What if this year you tried to become consistent with a few basic healthy habits first?

Next are 3 habits you can start today to jump start your sustainable fitness lifestyle.

  1. Create a daily step goal and make it happen everyday.  8-10k is a great goal for long term health.  It doesn’t need to happen all at once.  It’s actually better to include light movement and walking throughout the day.  
  2. Make your first meal of the day (breakfast) contain at least 30g of high quality protein.  Starting with a high Protein breakfast helps you to feel fuller and more satiated for longer. This means you are less likely to overeat later.  Great protein sources include whey protein, greek yogurt and eggs/egg whites.  
  3. Remove trigger foods and ultra processed convenience foods from sight. Think chips, ice cream, candy, cookies, etc… Either don’t buy these items in the first place or stick them in a cupboard so it’s not the first or even second thing you see when you walk into your kitchen. Put the food you know and should eat front and center. Hiding the treats and placing a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, plus veggies, grilled chicken, and greek yogurt ready to eat (and staring you in the face when you open the fridge) will make it a lot easier to make better food choices.

Make realistic goals, commit, and then make them happen.  2024 let’s do 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.

http://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/online-fitness-coaching/

Follow me on Instagram for evidence based fitness tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

http://www.instgram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving

Fitness Tips

A Quick Beginners Guide to Routine Meal Prep

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Start your new meal prep routine with these 3 easy steps.

1. Freeze ripe bananas for easy and quick protein smoothies.

2. Make a big soup with plenty of lean protein and veggies over the weekend for easy weekday lunches or dinners.

3. Make overnight oats daily for a grab and go breakfast or snack the following day.

Making many different items in bulk can be overwhelming.

Prep simple things like freezing ripe bananas for smoothies, or chop fresh veggies for salads.

Pick one thing to make in bulk to get you going.

Prep other single serve meals and snacks throughout the week as you go.

Then add more bulk prep as you gain more confidence.

Want to learn way more about meal prep? Want loads of delicious meal prep friendly recipes? My e cookbooks dedicated to helping you master the art of meal prep are available now. Click here to find out more. Subscribe to my newsletter for a discount.

The Art Of Meal Prep For Sustainable Living

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Fitness Tips

HIIT or LISS Cardio: Which is better for fat loss?

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black skip rope
Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com

Either Can Work! Neither are required.

As long as you are creating an energy deficit via diet and/or exercise you will lose fat.

Do you like shorter more intense intervals via HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) or do you like longer less intense sessions via LISS (Low Intensity Steady State)?

The type of cardio you choose does not change your ability to lose fat.

Which type of cardio you choose depends on your preferences.

You can also do both which is my preference for general health and because I enjoy it.

Consistency is key to having a Sustainable Fitness Journey.

Your preferences matter.

Consistency is only possible when you enjoy the journey.

~~~

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.

http://melaniewales-sustainableliving.com/online-fitness-coaching/

Follow me on Instagram for evidence based fitness tips, free recipes, and full days of eating.

http://www.instgram.com/melaniewales.sustainableliving