Thank you for all your healthy eating budgeting tips! Sound like a lot of us are in the same boat.. if eating healthy means a little more money, it’s worth it.. but also trying to be smart about it!
FITNESS
Check-In
Today was Shoulders & Back, Spin and.. check-in! I haven’t made major changes to my diet quite yet (carbs are above 100 g, just keepin everything clean), just increasing cardio. Since my last measurements (about 1.5 weeks ago), weight stayed pretty much the same but body fat went down slightly. What’s crazy is when I started dieting down for my last competition, my body fat % was right around the same as it is now, but I was 10 lbs lighter! Measurement wise, everything is up.. arms, glutes and legs.. My natural inclination is to not be happy about that, but then I have to stop & remind myself.. oh wait.. that was my exact goal, add muscle! So, all in all, even if I’m still adjusting to how I look in the mirror.. I’m pretty happy.. just can’t wait to be able to compete again!
NUTRITION
Pre-workout I snacked on a Protein & Oat Protein Pancake.. but post workout breakfast #2 was fantastic..
Strawberry Ice Cream Oats! I made 1/3 c Coach’s Steel Cut Oats stove top, then topped it with 1/2 of an Ice Cream Protein Shake (1/2 scoop MGN Ice Cream Sandwich Whey Protein Isolate + 1/2 c UVAB + 1/4 tsp Xantham Gum + Ice), and fresh Strawberries!.. perfect 
For lunch I went with leftovers.. a slice of Lentil Walnut Loaf, Seitan, a little Artichokamole and fresh Tomatoes..
Perfect on a hot day.. a Matcha Fit-uccinno (1 c UVAB + 1 tsp Matcha Powder + 1/2 tsp Guar Gum + 1/4 tsp Xantham Gum + Ice)..
There was also mid-day snacking on reduced-sodium deli Turkey wrapped with Cottage Cheese & Hummus.. so simple.. so healthy.. so tasty!
Dinner was a new mix. I saw a Vegan Cheesy Hemp Nacho Sauce from Kristen’s Raw, and made a few adaptations to create a single serving version to go with Shirataki Noodles. I blended the follow ingredients in the Magic Bullet using the flat blade: 2 tbsp Hemp Seeds, 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast, 1 tbsp Hummus, 2 tbsp H20 and dashes of Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Soy Sauce, Salt & Pepper. I mixed that with the noodles and topped it with 4 oz grilled Chicken, Sundried Tomato pieces and a little bit of fresh Basil..
I am loving this Chocolate Frozen Yogurt (1 c Unsweetened Chocolate Almond Breeze + 6 oz plain Greek Yogurt + 1 tbsp Special Dark Unsweetened Cocoa Powder + Stevia + 1/2 tsp Xantham Gum.. blended, then mixed in the Ice Cream Maker for 20 minutes)..
Yawn.. I’m spent. Have a great night!
Fun Links
congrats on your progress!
I totally need to up my cardio, too…sigh. It's my least favorite thing to do but it feels good when it's over!
lentil walnut loaf—I am SO SO SO there! i am all about these bean burgers and loaves lately! I can kee them in my fridge and freezer and so easy to make! and cheap! yess i cant wait to see your recipe!
Those lentil loafs always look scary but taste AWESOME!!
thats usually the case for healthy food….but its tastes awesome at least, right??
Boo for cardio!! Just kidding
Im trying to do a bit more but it stinks! lol. You have the cutest names for your recipes!
your progress is awesome – and as usual, an inspiration. The ice cream looks AMAZING. I have been having pumpkin icecream lately (on my blog) but I am going to try this. Fabulous stuff:)
And I love the dinner. Sooo good.
Great work Alyson! I have to do a lot of cardio to keep lean along with all my weights too. I have always had to do more than others even with clean eating.. UGH!
Um. Yummy- everything looks YUMMY!! And I'm soooo digging your blog, just added you on my blogroll so my readers can check you out!! WOOT!!
I'll be back regularly!!!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Thanks Kelly! I just clicked over to your blog.. and I think you won me over immediately with that lovely image of Ryan Reynolds :p .. Him + Scarlet.. their kids are bound to be ugly right? hehe j/k!
Alyson, I hope you dont go drastic with dieting. I like that your just "keeping it clean". Its better for your metabolism and I think your well being. Just the knowledge of being "restricted" from eating something usually makes you want it even more. I like that you eat clean, real food, who knows what drugs and elixirs some of the other fitness competitors are consuming. The loaf looks lovely, I still need to try seitan. I can't believe its a protein made from bread!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Thanks for your concern hun! The thing is, 80% of the year, I like to think that I just eat clean and “normal”(whatever that means, haha), but the truth is, that other 20% when I start dieting down to get ready to compete, my diet does get pretty strict, and restriction is just part of the beast that gets you stage ready. It’s a funny line, and I do my best to keep as much variety as I can, and would never ever take any junk, but for lack of better word.. I must admit.. my diet does get pretty boring. But not yet!
well, I'm really glad you actually EAT. Like i said I've hear some starving stories, and I'm glad your a foodie! I know you train hard too and I'm glad you do it the natural way!
gir l i know you are looking AWESOME!! I love your clean eating diet!! what does the carb cycling do? just make you more ripped? anyway girl…LOVE your eats!! that shake parfait looks awesome!
Sounds like you are right on track with your muscle gaining plan. I've gained 12 lbs since my comp which I can live with for now, but I think I'm leaner now than at the same weight pre-comp. I love muscle, you can weigh loads, but still be low BF%. I'm not a big believer in the BMI scale for that reason.
LOVE the look of your Chocolate "Ice Cream" gotta try me some o 'dat!!!