it's a Lee life: Fitness & Food

Ever heard the saying "Abs are made in the kitchen" ?
Well, I'm here to tell you its a saying for a reason!

I first started macro eating in May, I was four months postpartum and I had always been curious about it.

Macro counting goes a step further than calorie counting.

It counts your macronutrients -- grams of protein, carbs, and fats within your calorie goal.

I'm sure you have seen #iifym (if it fits your macros) on Instagram!

I actually discovered my macro coach on Instagram! {Social media is seriously amazing huh?}

I joined her two week introduction to macros group and I lost 14 pounds in two weeks and several inches off my waist and legs. I was shocked!

Besides my weight loss, I felt overall healthier. I had more energy and was sleeping better, even with an infant and toddler, and my skin never looked better due to the proper nutrition I was feeding my body.

Best of all, I was happier!

Yes, I was working out during those two weeks too {more on that next post}.

And because I loved it SO much, I joined her veterans macro group in September for three weeks, lost another 7 pounds, and learned even more how to make macro counting fit my busy life.

And it is not all about the weight ladies! Just look at these pictures!
** I 100% recommend taking pictures because the scale does not tell the whole story!

4 months pp 10 months pp

I am not suggesting everyone takes up macro counting eating ways, I am simply saying what I did to loose my baby weight after having two babies in two years and putting my body through all that stress.

Now, I do think macro counting helps you learn that food is for fuel and not to be viewed as a negative thing.

I LOVE FOOD!

Especially for us women, who think we should only be eating 1,200 calories a day, and I was one of them. Totally destroyed my metabolism. My body was holding on to the fat because it did not know when another meal was going to come. On top of all that I was feeling weak and always tired.

The truth is it is different for everyone.

I was eating close to 2,000 calories during my macro counting days due to my age and activity level. I HAVE never eaten SO much food or protein for that matter! I kept asking my coach, "do I really get to eat ALL this and stay within my macros?"

BUT I slowly went from 1200 to 2000 calories with reverse dieting, which I am happy to talk to you about more one-on-one if it is something you are really interested in!

Again, I love this stuff!

I've mentioned before I am a nutritionist, so food in general fascinates me and I love learning about different ways to help me live a healthy lifestyle for me and my kids.

They are my reason! What's yours?

I sort of gave myself a little break after my husband Ben came home from deployment in October but now that it is the New Year, I am jumping on that fresh start band wagon!

ALLLL aboard!

I am beginning a timed nutrition plan the second week in January.

It's time to get back at it and be my best self in 2018!

1. Meal Plan. Or prep, whatever name you call it, it has to be done!

For me, I get so busy during the day, I can sometimes forget to eat {not intentionally, babies just take priority these days}, then I become impatient with my kiddos and get hangry, grabbing whatever is easiest, which usually ends up being unhealthy.

Knowing ahead of time what I am eating and when, not only helps me stay on track to eat clean but helps me eat enough in general to avoid the hangry mommy monster. When that blood sugar drops, boy, you better watch out!
We are all so busy these days that being able to throw a meal in the microwave to heat it up or take with us on the go is a life saver. I am also a big fan of protein shakes. All the nutrients you need and helps satisfy those cravings sometimes too!

They even have water bottles that track your water, like this one or this type, and apps where you can record your ounces. {I LOVE the My Fitness Pal app} I record mine there!

3. Record your food. Use an app like My Fitness Pal (MFP), or even go old school and use a notebook. My macro coach had us excel log all our food and turn it into her.
It really helps seeing it on paper.
I know it can be time consuming but MFP makes it really easy to input and even has a barcode scanner.

The thing I felt helped me was to go ahead and add in my food for the day that I knew I was going to be eating.
Going back to the meal prep, I would pre-record my meals so I knew what macros/calories I was already going to use and what I had left. It was very helpful for going out to dinner or for get togethers with friends.

4. Consistency and Moderation.
I put these two together because they go hand in hand.
Go ahead and say I won't eat anymore sweets.
I won't have anymore junk food.
Or whatever your vice is.
I LOVE wine.

In three days, you'll be stuffing your face with chocolate cake and eating a whole bag of chips. Sound familiar?
No where does it say you have to give up EVERYTHING.
Have that one Reese cup or small snack at night, but stay consistent with your clean food during the day AND on the weekends. {those days count to ya know}

I look forward to my glass of red wine every night but since I know I'm having it I don't reach for that sweet treat after lunch {instead, try brushing your teeth after lunch to help curb that craving -another little trick I picked up from my macro coach}.

5. Bring a buddy! I'll highlight this in my workout post too but no one likes to do things alone.

Encourage a friend to join you on your fitness journey or again technology is the best, join an online group.
For our macro group, we all had a Facebook page we would post and talk on. It was the best!
And for my program in January, I am with a ton of women, going through the process with me and holding me accountable. Us girls have got to stick together!
I mean, we run the world right?

It does not have to be a girlfriend. Get that hubby of yours to do it with you. Ben is all for eating clean and following my nutrition programs with me {lets face it the man can't cook, so its either eat what I'm making or a bowl of cereal for every meal}

Also, don't call it a diet. Ew that word. I can't even.
That word just has a stigma to it, a negative, bad meaning and we don't want that!
Only Positive Patty's here!

No matter what our size we are all beautiful.

In truth, its a lifestyle change. It's not going to happen over night. There is no miracle pill or drink.
Yes, we all want to look our best for certain events, so we eat "better" before weddings or vacations. Usually loosing the weight only to gain it back a few days after.

But what we really want is to feel good ALL the time.
So why not live a healthy lifestyle like that ALL THE TIME?

And lastly...
if that cheat meal turns into a cheat day, don't throw in the towel. Get up tomorrow and start over. It doesn't have to be a Monday or a New Year. You aren't competing with anyone else but yourself. Be better than yesterday and you are already on the path to success!