I’ve been receiving so many workout and eating questions lately and know that fitness is on everyone’s mind now that bikini season is around the corner. I’ve been eating and working out pretty much the same way for almost 15 years now! I’m all about little (realistic) changes you can stick with for years to come and today I’m sharing 5 lifestyle tips for staying fit!
I’ve welcomed my thirties and have had two babies but I’m still not quite ready to retire my crop tops just yet. Health and fitness have always been something I’ve been passionate about and I love being able to share tips and inspo on here with you girls too. Everyone is different (and has different goals) but hopefully these tips I’m sharing today will resonate with you too! They’re things I make a conscious effort with doing every day, so let’s talk…
Pick and Choose Your Splurges
(Steer Clear of Processed and Fried Foods)
Seems like a no brainer right?! But I know it can be hard. I try my best to eat as clean as possible and to be completely honest, I very rarely eat fried food. Occasionally I will indulge in french fries or steal a nugget or two from my kids but other than that I can’t think of anything fried that I eat regularly. I always gravitate towards lean proteins like grilled chicken, shrimp or lean red meat (like filet mignon). It’s not because I don’t like the taste of fried food (hello!) but I just pick and choose my splurges and my splurges are usually saved for wine, cheese plates or really good desserts. Tap into what is REALLLLY worth your calories and try your best to pass on the rest.
Drink Lots of Water
This is something I have not always been the best at doing but started making it a priority the past few years. Staying hydrated is great for several different reasons but mainly because it will stop you from mistaking thirst for hunger. There were so many times I would eat something (consuming extra calories) when I wasn’t really hungry but thirsty. To make it easier I started infusing my water with lemons, cucumbers or oranges and it’s amazing how much more I drink.
Indulge Every Day (in moderation)
Yes, indulge every day! I’m a firm believer in satisfying cravings in moderation. If you completely deprive yourself of sweets you will just end up going overboard once you actually do have them again. I have something sweet every single day but I just TRY to keep it at 200 calories or less. In the afternoons I always start craving something sweet so I’ll have my second cup of coffee and a small Godiva chocolate. It doesn’t sound like much but it honestly does the trick every time. Now that bikini season is upon us, I’ve been trying my best not to have sweets after dinner but if I can’t hold out, I’ll usually have a YASSO greek yogurt ice cream bar or a small package of cookies (I’ll share some pics in a full post soon).
Make Substitutions
Even in Southern California where we have tons of healthy restaurant options, ordering out can be a challenge. Don’t be afraid to skip the cheese, ask for the sauce on the side or make any other request that will make your meal a little bit healthier. Also, don’t let your friends or family members make you feel bad for doing so. I’m not sure if this has happened to anyone else but my family is from the East Coast (where comfort food is a way of life) and there were yearsss where they would all give me an eye roll or joke at the way I would order. It was frustrating because I was trying to eat healthier and they gave me a hard time or tried to sabotage my healthy eating. So if you experience that too with your family or significant others, don’t give into it- you do you! Fast forward ten years and now they are alllll trying to make healthier eating habits. #JustSayin’ 😉
and last but not least….
Consistency is Key
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…consistency is key! I’ve never been big on cleanses, fasting or fad diets. It’s about making small healthy changes in different aspects of your life that you can stick with for the long haul. Eat healthy, workout, have wine! And enjoy life. It shouldn’t feel like your restricted. If you are trying some sort of program and it works for your body- great! Just make sure it feels like something you can stick with for the long haul. Put in that work and changes will happen! You didn’t gain 10 lbs overnight so you won’t lose it overnight either, but it will happen if you stick to it!
Hope this was helpful for you girls! I have several other daily tips – so let me know if you want to hear more!
Always always love these posts!! Thanks for keeping it real! XO
thanks love! So glad you girls appreciate these posts too xo
Love this post! I’m built a lot like you, once a soccer player and have worked out since being in high school. I imagine it’s difficult to give the crowd their quick fix they want you to say but it’s truly a longitudinal habit that gives you your “size”. And don’t get us started on muscle memory! For example, if you go through one rough season in a random year, it feels great knowing if I’m having a rough couple months that I can relax [a bit] knowing that when I have the time I can get back into the swing of exercise and shape up, quite literally. I laughed at the “their allllll trying to switch up their habits” 😂 I feel that. No secret guys, just conscious habits 😎
amen girl! Its all about being mindful (daily), creating healthy habits and being consistent! xo
Love all these posts! It’s been really motivating to start ‘new’ habits with these tips on working out and eating. Would love to see you do a full post on your meal prepping for the week! xo
yes! I actually am planning on shooting a quick video on one of my weekly meal preps xo
Love this post! You are so real & the gentle reminders of how to be a better you! Thank you! Xoxo
thanks girl! They seem pretty straight forward but honestly it’s easy to forget when we are faced with so many different food options daily!
These posts are so great! I would loooove more details. I love your philosophy on enjoying life while still being mindful of choices. Having some some brie and wine is not the end of the world and doesn’t mean I have to put away my skinny jeans?! Im IN! LOL.
right?! My husband is so cute he will always tell me “eat, pray, love! ” when I start feeling guilty if i’ve really indulged 😉
Yes to indulging every day! Its when things are too restrictive that I give up. Love this post. Thanks for the insight
so glad you liked it! And right?! As soon as I tell myself no wine or no snacking at night….what do i do?! lol it’s all about moderation and mindful decisions.
Definitely love these tips! All balanced.
All great tips!! So many are looking for a magic trick but it’s truly all about balance! I love that you wrote treat yourself everyday! This is so key for me, I have a square or two of dark chocolate almost every night and I don’t feel guilty as I know I’ve made healthy choices throughout the day! People need to keep in mind it’s a marathon not a sprint when it comes to health & fitness. It’s so much better to take the slow approach and introduce new habits until they become your routine and then you add in another! Great post Babe!
exactly!!! Slow and steady wins the race! So glad you can relate and appreciate these posts too xo
Yessss! Love this post. I agree 💯
thanks love xo
You are my number 1 go-to for healthy eating advice. Love when you share tips and your meals. Would love if you made it a more regular thing and went more in depth!
thanks so much Samm. i’m going to try to do that on here. xo
Just curious … how often do you drink wine? That seems to be my downfall. I’ll have about 1 glass 2 weeknights and then maybe more on weekends. Wondering how influential alchohol is in staying toned even when everything else is on point and healthy.
ugh I really TRY to hold out till the weekend but feel like more often than not, I don’t make it to Friday 😉 I only drink one or two glasses when I do but it then always leaves me snacking after. So instead of a couple hundred calories for wine it then ends up being more like 500 +. I think that’s where it gets tricky and adds on more calories and sabotages your healthy eating.
Same here. I love a glass of red wine at the end of the day when I’m cooking dinner and the kids are going crazy 😉
ammmen!;)
Awesome post! It is a great reminder to think big picture and to be consistent. Thanks for taking the time to write this post.
Thanks so much love. So glad you girls enjoyed this xo
If you like yogurt bars, you MUST try Clio Greek yogurt bars. They’re 140 calories and are delicious Greek yogurt covered in dark chocolate. They are so tasty and don’t wreck your diet. I live by them as a fellow sweet tooth!
oh yes for sure will have to try those! I’m obsessed with YASSO too! Have you tried those?!
I am a dietitian and this is the best lifestyle advice I have seen from a blogger ever!! Great tips!
awww yeah so glad to hear that ;)) I was going back to school to become a RD but never finished so best compliment ever ;))
Great post! I have always exercised and tried to eat healthy because it feels so weird NOT to do so. As time goes on, I’m more and more thankful for my parents keeping junk food out of the house and enrolling me in sports throughout my childhood — they helped ingrain those good habits at an early age. Limiting sugar is more of a challenge for me now – I have a sweet tooth and married an amateur dessert chef!! — but you’re right that it’s all about consistency!
yes totally agree!!