Hi Everyone! I wanted to hop on today and share my go-to tips for when I really need to reset, and get in my best shape. While I maintain a healthy lifestyle all year round, I definitely am more conscious about really toning up and feeling my best during the summer months, but as I always, always want to reiterate, it’s not how you look, but how you FEEL. I am going to share a sample of what I eat in a day and the workouts I do to really amp things up. This was the routine that really helped me see results and I have since been able to maintain, by keeping this routine as my base, but mixing in more low impact workouts. I really wanted to share this because I remember when I started on my health and wellness journey, there really wasn’t a lot of people sharing exactly what they did to get where they are. Now trust me, this is not what everyday or week looks like for me, but I always keep this base for the most part. The key to remember is that everyone is different, and what works for me might not work for you, and vice versa. :) The goal is for all of us to do the best we can everyday and constantly work towards achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You know you are seeing results when you see yourself glow, not necessarily when you’re “skinny” or have a six pack.
FOOD:
AM-
DRINK: Matcha + Hot Lemon Water
EAT: 1 slice of Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Toast with Almond Butter + 1/2 grapefruit or a banana if I’m doing something more intense
POST - WORKOUT:
Green Smoothie: almond milk, spinach, mango, banana, Garden of Life vanilla pea protein
or
Berry smoothie: 2 cups of cold water, frozen mixed berries, banana, garden of life pea protein
LUNCH: 2 eggs scrambled with a heap of spinach + an apple
SNACK: Berries + a handful of nuts (almonds, pistachios, or walnuts) or brown rice cakes with almond butter
DINNER: Every night is different, but some of my go-to’s always on rotation are:
Salmon + Roasted Brussel Sprouts + Sweet Potatoes
Brown Rice + Sautéed Mushrooms + Roasted Chicken + Roasted Broccoli
Pesto Chicken Meatballs w/ Rao’s Marinara + Steamed Spinach (with lots of fresh garlic)
Brown Rice Pasta with Pesto or Red Sauce
White Fish with Roasted Veggies
DESSERT:
2 Dates with Almond Butter or 2 Squares of Hu Chocolate
Peppermint Tea
WORKOUTS:
3 days a week: HIIT WORKOUT (I used this one to really get in shape. I also like this one a lot.)
3 days a week: 5k run or walk + quick Pilates workout or Hot Yoga Class (60 or 75 mins)
1 day a week: rest + treat of choice for dessert
*Updated: This summer I have started going for a power walk almost every single morning for an hour. Never underestimate the power of walking! Living in NYC got me in the best shape of my life from walking alone. It’s also a great time to get some headspace or multitask and respond to emails :) I like making a great playlist, listening to a good podcast, changing up my route, or setting a destination (like coffee or matcha) to help keep me motivated. I also do a melissa wood health workout when I get back or go to a hot yoga or Pilates class in the evening.
TIPS:
-I LOVE snacking on fruit. It’s by far the food I consume the most. I never think of fruit as bad or too sugary; however, I try to stick to fruits that are lower on the glycemic index, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar as much. This will help you from craving too much sugar and feeling like snacking even more. My top picks are: cherries, grapefruit, apples, berries.
-Eat a lunch with a good balance of protein + fats. I eat eggs and avocado almost everyday for lunch because of what great fuel it is. It keeps my blood sugar and energy levels stable through the afternoon, not to mention, the regular consumption of both of these foods has tremendously improved my skin, hair, and nail health.
-Soak up the sun! One of my keys to a summer glow is making sure I get outside and get in some sunlight. You don’t have to be tan to still feel the benefits the sun has to offer. Just make sure you protect yourself properly! I never forget face sunscreen when I’m heading out the door for my morning walk.