This last week in particular has been pretty exciting for me! I am down to 154 and holding pretty steady. Only variation is from my new water intake. I have been making sure to get a gallon a day because of how active I have become. I am down to 27.6% body fat now, which is within a healthy range and no longer puts me in the overweight category. Because I lift weights, I rely on that number more than what the scale says. I could be 120 and in an unhealthy body fat percentage, so that number tells me a whole lot more about my weight. Because of this percentage, I have decided to go from focusing solely on losing fat to focusing more on building muscle. While losing fat is still up there on my list of things "to do," It is no longer my number one priority. I have been doing a lot of research on women body builders and their routines as well as their diets, so I can have a better idea of where to start heading. I don't want to get "body builder" big, but without testosterone I don't have much to worry about there. I just want to have a nice physique and have something more than a skinnier body to show for all of my hard work. I am now following a different form of lifting that focuses on building muscle rather than cardio lifts. So I am lifting heavier and slower now. The definition I lost in my calves over vacation time has already returned doing this, which made me giddy with excitement since it took months to appear in the first place! My new goal is to get down to 15-20% body fat within the next year. Honestly, I am not sure if that is a super high goal or not, I am sure it is, but I am going to do it! Why? Because I like a challenge. If I have a goal set, I tend to work my hardest to hit it. Whether I actually hit it or not, I am still proud of wherever I happen to end up!
Sometime last week I sent a transformation photo in to Quest Nutrition telling them about how they have helped me along my journey. They are my absolute favorite protein bar as they don't put a ton of crap in their bars. The carbs aren't too bad, the bars don't taste like cardboard and the company has amazing customer service. A few nights ago, they sent me an e-mail asking if they could put my story in their Blog! I am beyond excited that they find ME worthy of their blog! Some little nobody from a place people have never heard of is going to be featured on a companies website! I know there are a lot of people that follow their Instagram and Facebook pages, so getting to be put out there to inspire even more people looking to do just what I am doing is Exciting! Especially since I am being recognized by a company I really love!
When I started this blog, I promised some healthy recipes. So, here is one for you that I have found I really enjoy! I like to make this one in the morning and then snack on it throughout the day. It's a way to get some fiber and protein that I need without going overboard on the carbs. It is delicious!
-Protein Pancakes-
2/3c oatmeal-blend until powdered
2 egg whites (I sometimes use the whole eggs)
2 scoops whey protein
1c Almond Milk
Blend the powdered oats and eggs together. Add in the whey and Almond milk. May need to blend in touch more Almond Milk if just using the whites. Cook in 1/4c scoops over medium heat. Eat and enjoy!
2/3c oatmeal-blend until powdered
2 egg whites (I sometimes use the whole eggs)
2 scoops whey protein
1c Almond Milk
Blend the powdered oats and eggs together. Add in the whey and Almond milk. May need to blend in touch more Almond Milk if just using the whites. Cook in 1/4c scoops over medium heat. Eat and enjoy!
I don't use syrup or anything on them. They taste that good! Depending on what brands you use, the nutrition facts can vary. For one entire batch, it's roughly 510-634 calories, 50-62g of protein (depending on if you use whole eggs) and roughly 26g carbs. It seems like a lot of calories, but if you spread out how many of them you eat throughout the day, it really isn't much. For me, it was a great substitute recipe for one of my favorite breakfasts!
