Fit Friday: Goals Update & Meal Plan

Happy Fit Friday Luvs!

It’s been over a month since my last Fit Friday post so, in the spirit of checking in this week I wanted to create a post to see how is everyone doing with the goals you’ve set for yourself?

As for me I’m practicing consistency and actually seeing results. If you remember my goals were;

• Workout at least 5 days a week
• Eat clean at least 6 days a week
• Focus on Inches and not Weight 

1.                   Waist – 26 I’m currently a 28.5 and started at 31

2.                   Hips – 40 I’m currently a 38 and started at 36

Over the last month I’ve actually managed to stick to all goals except the food...still working on my clean eating habits but it gets better each week so I’m proud. And, as a result of my consistency I’m happy to report progress in my waist measurements. My waist is now a 27 which is down an inch and half from the day I shared these goals with you all. My hips are still the same which I’m totally fine with. I knew going into this that building muscles are something that takes time and this is a lifestyle change so I’m in no rush.

Any way that’s enough about me and my goals. Today I wanted to take a few minutes to share a meal plan that the hubs and I tried last month to jumpstart our whole fitness journey. Typically we aren’t the people that try diet/meal plans but ,I found a really good deal on Personal Trainer Foods in the beginning of last month and ran it past him. While he mulled it over I read the reviews and checked out the site to see what they were really offering. The food looked really good and it was actually the same items I’d purchase for us any way so we collectively decided to try it.

We received our food about a week after I placed the order and much to my surprise it looked and smelled really good

After seeing it we were eager to give it a try so that weekend we did and it was actually VERY tasty. Here’s my first plate

Not bad right? And the price was unbeatable. We got 28 lunches and 28 dinners for $199 much cheaper than a month worth of food at the grocery store and the food was already ready prepared for us. All we had to do each day was microwave it for a few minutes so for the most part it worked out fairly well.  Throughout the work week our food needs were pretty much covered and, we ate most of the food before we were completely over it lol. So, I thought I’d share it with you all in case any of you are looking for something similar not to mention Groupon has the deal available again.

Fit Friday: Tomato Basil Chicken

Happy Fit Friday luvs.

As I promised I’ve totally been working towards becoming a healthier me.  I’ve set a few goals for myself (I’ll share soon) and have been working out at least 4 times per week...I’m already seeing resultsJ.

The other day I revisited a recipe from Menu Musings of a Modern American Mom the other day and added my own little twist too it. It turned out delicious and was super healthy so I had to share it with you all.

Ingredients: (4 servings)

• 2 chicken breasts 
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes 
• 2 tsp minced fresh garlic
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• ¼ cup white wine
• 3 Zucchini
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil

Step-by-step:

Season chicken breasts as you wish. 

Add a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to your skillet.  This may seem like quite a bit, but it will form the base for the sauce.

While waiting for the oil to heat up, go ahead and Shred your Zucchini. When the oil is HOT, add the chicken breasts. 

After about 4-5 minutes, the chicken breasts should be ready to turn. 

After the second side has been cooking for about 4 minutes, go ahead and add in the fresh tomatoes that you have chopped up and fresh basil.

Next, add in the white wine andminced garlic.

Give it all a good stir.  

When your chicken is "done," turn the sauce down on the lowest setting to keep it all warm.

While your chicken sits on low, Sautee your zucchini shred in the coconut oil.

Once your zucchini is done turn your chicken off. 

Place some zucchini on a plate and top it off with chick mixture.

Fit Friday: Mango Chutney Shrimp Salad

Hey Luvs!

As I mentioned during my rant on Tuesday I would like to incorporate some fitness post onto the site. And, last night’s dinner reminded me of that thought. This is why I just had to share this quick and delicious recipe with you amongst other things.

The Recipe (This is a little something my coworker and I created as I walked out of the office yesterday with a craving for shrimp.)

Ingredients 

• 2 bags of Bumble Bee Super Fresh Lemon Shrimp with Garlic & Herbs
• 1 jar of Stonewall Mango Chutney
• 1 bag of Fresh Spinach

Instructions

1. Prepare shrimp according to instructions on the bag

2. Reduce heat and slowly add the entire jar of Stonewall Mango Chutney.

3. Stir shrimp and chutney together. Be sure to mix the two very well.

4. Remove shrimp from stove and serve over fresh bed of spinach. 
Like this....

My Fitness Story

By no means am I the typical person most would want to receive weight loss advice from. I've spent my whole life as a skinny girl who always ate what I wanted whenever I wanted. A collegiate athlete that really didn’t take my fitness and nutrition serious because, my God given talent had my back. Let’s not even talk about how I dropped my baby weight like a bad habit, and for the most part look like I never had a child. All that being said, my fitness story is more about feeling fit rather than looking it. I totally get that from the outside looking in I'm fit. Truth be told I've actually struggled with my mom body, I'm literally not used to the skin I'm in. How do I tell people this as a skinny girl? I don’t. Because, when I do most people dismiss the thought saying things like; I don’t know what you are talking about you look great. Girl you’re tripping. Ummm I’m going to need you to get over it. Or they’d simply rather discuss how they wish they had my body. As flattering as that may be it doesn’t change how I feel or the fact that since I was always the skinny girl I’ve never really had to deal with body related issues.

While pregnant I decided that I truly wanted to enjoy the experience. This for me entailed a few things like eating what I wanted (I ate something sweet daily), not exercising, and enjoying as much rest and relaxation as I could. In turn I gained almost 50lbs (most people couldn't tell but my doctors and I knew it was there lol) not realizing the consequences of my actions. Naturally, I figured I could drop the weight with no problem. However, I had no clue that dropping the pounds didn't mean it wouldn’t stick to me in all the wrong places (mom pouch). I had no clue my skin wouldn’t just fall back into place and I’d develop a skin related smut (small gut), and because of it I'd look at the physcial me differently. This is when I quickly learned it wasn't just a weight thing it was also a self-confidence thing. I'd heard about all this but couldn't really relate until now....I TOTALLY GET IT. Now, I spend my days trying to find my athletic spirit within my mom body, and it's a daily struggle. Most of the time I'm too exhausted to work out, and would rather eat something unhealthy. But, I’ve decided it’s time to go all in on operation fit momma. I just really needed to get creative so that I can put my words into action. That's why I'm hoping that by posting my fitness goals, progress photos, meals, workouts, and other tips and tricks I find here. As a community you all can keep me accountable for reaching my fitness goals.

Fellow Heartbeats...

You all are welcome to join me on this fitness journey by sharing your story and goals here as well.  And hopefully we can all uplift and motivate one another. If you are willing join me email me (externalheartbeats@gmail.com) the details on your story and I'll be happy to post it.