Eating + working out

People have been asking me recently how I eat and what I do to work out. Truth is, I don't really have any secrets! It seems like every one or two weeks I am trying something new. But for the last couple of weeks I have found a way to eat that I am really enjoying. I bought the book "The Eat Clean Diet" on my kindle and read the whole thing in two days. Right away I tried to change some things up!

Here is what has worked for me:

1) Cook food ahead of time. The last couple of Sundays I have done my grocery shopping at TJs and Costco. I baked some chicken breast, cooked some brown rice/wild rice, hard boiled a dozen eggs and pre chopped lots of veggies. I also stocked my fridge with healthy greek yogurt and cottage cheese and almond milk. This has helped SO MUCH to have food available.

2) The book recommends eating 6 meals a day. Of course, these meals are not very big. The goal is to keep the metabolism up. I have had a hard time with this, especially at work, but I've been carrying fruit, nuts, and larabars to work, as well as a salad with chicken and HB egg. I keep an extra snack as well so that I can have something to eat before working out.

3) I love eating oatmeal with flaxseed, almond milk and half banana in the morning. A little cinnamon is nice, but no sugar!

4)I've cut out almost all the sugar in my diet, except for fruit. So far, each week I have indulged on Asian inspired slightly tart frozen yogurt...my favorite! I am not sure I can give this up. I do try to add almonds and fruit to make it slightly more healthy.

5) I drink tons of water! At least I try. I have a 750 ml Camelback water bottle and I try to drink 3 per day. So far I have gotten close each day but not completely finished my 3rd bottle. Its a work in progress.

6) I don't eat wheat. This isn't part of the Eat-Clean diet, but its something I'm trying and so far I like it! I don't seem to have the ability to limit my portions on bread, sweets and baked goods, so avoiding it all together has totally worked.

7) I don't eat anything artificial. Mostly this helps me avoid diet soda and protein bars!!!

8) I work out every day and keep it different! I like to go to spin class twice a week and do a lifting class once a week. I also run almost every day, or do the elliptical on an "off day." I also try to keep active and walk a lot! I am still working on lifting more weights at the gym, and I also want to try more yoga and pilates. When there is a boot camp class, I go! (Unfortunately these are rare.)

9) I do write everything down and somewhat keep track of calories. I really don't freak out about how many calories I eat and it really varies between 1400 and 2200. I am sure I end up eating more on the day or day after a really hard work out.

10) The diet has really helped me eat more protein. It recommends combining complex carbohydrates and proteins at every one of the six meals. I get most of my protein from Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, chicken breast and beans/rice. And I eat healthy fat every day, usually in the form of nuts and sometimes some olive oil or avocado.

And this is it! I will add more if I think of anything!