1-Hired a coach (yes I’m a coach and I could absolutely set my own plan, but I knew I needed someone to be accountable to and to call me out when needed)

2- I said “NO” to a lot of things. I knew if I wanted to see results I had to commit! I legitimately had three months in my mind and knew I could go all in for that short amount of time. I said no to heavy cream in my coffee. I said no extra late night snacking. I said no to nut butters. Can these things be part of a fat loss phase, absolutely, but for my plan, they did not fit and I was committed even though I enjoy everyone of these! It’s just like a budget sacrifices have to be made somewhere. You just simply decide where!

3- I followed the plan! There were 7 days out of 90 that I did not hit my numbers spot on! If I’m being honest, in my opinion, her plan….not great! It didn’t take into consideration the foods I prefer to eat or how I was eating previously to starting this cut. I felt like she put me in a box and created a “generalized” macro prescription and that was it. However, I committed. I followed her plan. I didn’t ask for changes or adjustments. I legitimately went all in. And lookey 😳 there….it worked!!!! 🫣More in this later friend. 😘

4- I focused on Protein & Produce first!!!! Obviously protein because that was part of my nutrition prescription. I knew it would maintain my lean muscle and keep me full and produce to keep me satisfied. I knew going into a fat loss phase I was likely to be more hungry so I knew I had to fill my meals and snacks with lots of produce, especially veggies so that I was HANGRY!

5- I trusted the process. To be honest, four weeks and very little had changed. But after those four weeks of continuing to remain consistent things just felt like they almost shifted overnight. I didn’t remain consistent because I had an amazing coach. I remain consistent because I knew the science of fat loss and I knew most people quit just before the finish line. I knew my deficit was accurate and I knew if I remain consistent, there’s no way I would not see results. And I did.

Fat loss phases can be challenging.

I’m thankful for this experience and all of the others that I have had through my journey. As nutrition and health coaches our personal experiences with our own nutrition journeys give us so much insight into coaching our own clients.

We understand the challenges, how arduous it can be, and we understand the dedication and commitment it takes.

More to come on lessons learned from this.

We’ve all been there. It’s midweek, you’re juggling work, family, and a dozen other responsibilities, and the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen cooking a healthy meal. That’s when the drive-thru or delivery apps start to look like the quickest (and most tempting) solution. But what if I told you there’s a way to make eating well a lot easier, even when life is crazy busy?

Enter: Batch cooking your proteins.

The Power of Batch Cooking

Batch cooking is essentially prepping a large quantity of a food item at once so that you have it ready to go for meals throughout the week. When it comes to proteins—whether it’s chicken, beef, tofu, or beans—batch cooking can be a game-changer for your nutrition. Here’s why:

1. Saves Time and Energy
   • Imagine this: You cook a large batch of chicken breasts or ground turkey on Sunday, and now you have enough protein ready for several meals. This not only saves you time during the week but also spares you the mental energy of deciding what to cook each day. With your protein already prepped, putting together a healthy meal becomes as easy as reheating and adding some veggies or grains.
2. Prevents Poor Food Choices
   • When you’re tired and hungry, it’s easy to reach for something quick and unhealthy. But if you’ve got a batch of cooked proteins waiting for you in the fridge, you’re more likely to throw together a balanced meal instead. A bowl of reheated protein with a side of pre-washed greens or microwaved veggies is faster—and healthier—than waiting for delivery.
3. Portion Control Made Easy
   • Batch cooking also allows you to portion out your proteins in advance, making it easier to stick to your nutritional goals. Whether you’re aiming to increase your protein intake or just maintain a balanced diet, having pre-portioned servings helps you stay on track without having to measure and weigh every time you eat.
4. Versatility in Meals
   • One of the best things about batch-cooked proteins is their versatility. That batch of grilled chicken you made? It can be turned into salads, wraps, stir-fries, or even added to soups. Having a base protein ready gives you the flexibility to mix up your meals without spending extra time in the kitchen.

How to Get Started

Getting started with batch cooking is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple plan to try out:

1. Pick Your Protein: Choose one or two proteins you enjoy and that can be used in various dishes. Chicken, ground beef, tofu, or beans are great options.
2. Cook in Bulk: Prepare your chosen protein in a way that’s versatile. Grilling, baking, or sautéing are all good options. You can even season half one way and the other half differently to keep things interesting.
3. Portion and Store: Once cooked, divide the protein into portions that work for your meals. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer, depending on how soon you plan to use them.
4. Plan Your Meals: With your protein ready, think about what veggies, grains, or other sides you can quickly pair with them. Prepping these in advance can further cut down on your cooking time.

Conclusion

Life gets busy, and it’s easy to let nutrition fall by the wayside. But with a little planning and batch cooking, you can set yourself up for success. Prepping your proteins in advance is like giving yourself a head start on the week. It makes healthy eating more convenient, less stressful, and ultimately, more sustainable.

There are 2 types of carbohydrates: SIMPLE and COMPLEX

• Complex Carbohydrates or “Smart Carbs” are polysaccharides. Since they have more than 2 sugar groups linked together.
• Simple carbohydrates contain smaller more easily processed molecules known as mono and disaccharides. They contain either 1 sugar molecule or 2 linked together.

Certainly! Here’s a list of some great pre and post-workout snacks to fuel your fitness journey:

Pre-Workout Snacks:

Banana with almond butter
Greek yogurt with granola
Oatmeal topped with berries
Whole grain toast with avocado
Energy balls made with nuts and dates
Apple slices with peanut butter
Rice cakes with hummus
Smoothie with spinach, banana, and protein powder
Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit
Whole grain crackers with turkey slices or cheese.

Post-Workout Snacks:

Protein shake with whey or plant-based protein powder
Grilled chicken or salmon with sweet potatoes
Cottage cheese with pineapple or berries
Quinoa salad with vegetables and chickpeas
Greek yogurt with honey and nuts
Tuna or chicken wrap with whole grain tortilla
Hard-boiled eggs with whole grain toast
Chocolate milk or a protein smoothie
Hummus with carrot sticks or whole grain pita bread
Grilled tofu or tempeh with roasted vegetables.
Remember, these are just some ideas, and you can mix and match according to your taste preferences and dietary needs. It’s essential to find snacks that provide a good balance of carbohydrates and protein to fuel your workouts and support muscle recovery. Stay hydrated, listen to your body, and enjoy your fitness journey

 

If you are tracking your food, this is the BEST way to pre plan.

Try not to get in the habit of tracking your meals after you have eaten them.  Its a guess at best. Your not being proactive with your targets and its just a “shoot from the hip” approach that slows progress.

Pre-Plan and I promise you will see and feel the benefits very quickly!

 

Micah realized that learning to fuel for his super busy, active job was key. And when he got there, his energy was endless!

No more wanting to fall asleep on the drive home.

No more afternoon crashes.

Just sustainable energy all day!

 

 

1. Eat 30 grams of protein for breakfast! You will be surprised how much this impacts your energy, output and focus for the day.
2. Get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep! Less than this and we are sleep deprived. Hit 7 consistently and you will feel SO MUCH BETTER!
3. Eat 3 servings of veggies each day! I don’t care if it’s the same three veggies, just eat them! Your digestion, gut health and mental clarity will drie you to go all in on this!
4. Get outside for at least 15 minutes everyday (even with it’s cloudy)! The difference that this will make on your mental and physical health will be incredible. Give it 21 days and tell me how you feel!

 

1. Random bedtimes and wake times! Your body loves consistency in both nutrition and sleep. Try to get to bed and wake up at similar times both during the week and on the weekends.
2. Caffiene in the afternoon. The average half-life of caffiene is 6-8 hours, so that bang or coffee at 2:00 could be killing your sleep. Although you might fall asleep easily, staying asleep and getting restful sleep is severely effected by caffiene!
3. You’re not getting enough sunshine! Getting outside and letting that sunlight shine on your face, skin, and eyes is creating a wake/cortisol response. Without it, often it can throw off your bodies circadian rhythm and create poor sleep patterns!

You may need Magnesium –

When stress is high or we are training hard our body can become depleted of magnesium. The reason is when cortisol is high your body pours on the magnesium in order to try to “put out the fire” but that can cause serious magnesium deficiency.

Some signs this might be the case for you:
Crappy Sleep
Super Moody
Constipation
Slow Recovery
Constantly craving sugar

Magnesium is used in more than 500 different cellular reactions in your body.

It is crucial for your brain, heart, blood sugar levels and your mood.

Magnesium rich foods are leafy greens, avocados, seeds, legumes, and my favorite….dark chocolate.

Include these foods regularly but supplementing can be helpful too.  I take 300mg and hour before bed.

I love Pure Encapsulation’s
DesBio
Jigsaw Health
Traceminerals
You can also find Calm at most grocery stores locally.

“My co-worker was passed out on the ground after 4 long days of work and I just kept going. I know how I am eating is making a huge difference in my stamina.” -SN

Crazy right! This is not the first feedback we have gotten from clients when I comes to how much better their energy is!