My Latest ClassPass Experiences and Why I Decided to Quit

Before I get to a few reviews of recent ClassPass experiences, let me first say despite cancelling my membership, I am not knocking the service entirely. I think it’s a great option if you’re looking for variety and affordability. However, I feel as though the brand has grown at rapid speed and I have become frustrated at how difficult it is to get a spot in my favorite classes, the fact that I cannot take more than 3 classes per month at favorite studios, and lastly the issue with dramatic increases in their monthly unlimited memberships.

When I initially signed up for ClassPass in 2015, it cost $89 per month for an unlimited membership. Less than 6 months later I received an email stating the price of my membership increased to $120 per month without additional services ($165 per month for new members!). While I was slightly annoyed to receive an email providing no real detail as to why my rate went up, I stuck around because I honestly felt the new price point was still worth it! Since then, I’ve become frustrated that once I fall in love with a studio, I cannot take more than THREE classes per month despite having an “unlimited membership.” I also do not appreciate that most studios don’t open up all of their classes to ClassPass. Working a full time job and having a life to live makes scheduling my workouts at convenient times of utmost importance. The final straw came last week – when I uncovered that my membership was about to skyrocket from $120 to $175 per month ($200 for new members) with again, NO NEW additional services. I've since decided to sign up directly with a CrossFit gym and a barre studio (with the hopes of becomming an instructor there later this year). 

Like I mentioned, if you’re new to town (or new to the fitness world) and need variety and affordability, I say give ClassPass a shot. But if you’ve found a studio (or studios!) you love, call them directly and speak with the owner to figure out an affordable membership option. And treat yo self to a manicure with the $$ you save! 

Now, on to those ClassPass reviews I promised above…

1)      UFC Gym I came on a Saturday morning for their boxing class, described on their site as: Boxing Conditioning teaches basic boxing skills and techniques, designed to increase muscular strength and cardio endurance -- the perfect class to get shredded! Boxing Conditioning will include cardio calisthenics, shadow boxing, bag work (150lb. bag) and core strengthening exercises. You will sweat like crazy, build a rock solid core and burn hundreds of calories

My ratings:

Instructor: 4 out of 5. Brandon was definitely knowledgeable as a Boxer by trade, however his quick combos without any set up left me with awful flashbacks to my one and only experience at Zumba. Everyone went left, and I went right. Everyone stepped forward, I was walking backwards.

Ability to break a sweat: 4 out of 5. I definitely worked up a sweat throwing around all of those jabs, hooks and crosses. I didn’t, however, love how the smell of sweat permeated everything from the bags, to the mats, to the gloves I had wrapped around my hands.

Chances I’ll return: Unlikely

2)      Trim Fitness Studio It was the day after CrossFit and my body was begging for a day off from lifting weights, so I headed into this studio for a Lagree method pilates-style class. If you’ve never heard of Lagree, the class is described on their site as follows: Lagree Method is a vigorous fitness program that fuses the principles of Pilates with strength training, cardio, resistance & counter-resistance for full body conditioning. Each student enjoys an intense and safe workout while burning between 500-700 calories in a single 45 minute class! The highly motivating, certified instructors combined with the new M3™ Megaformer machine will give you the optimal results you’ve been searching for! This core targeted, high-octane, shirt-drenching workout will strengthen your body, tighten, lengthen & tone your muscles, burn fat, improve endurance plus jump-start your metabolism!

My ratings:

Instructor: 2 out of 5. Kimberly was the only staff member when I arrived at the studio and was very friendly. She explained the megaformer machine to me quickly and before I knew it, shoes were off and class began. For something like pilates on a reformer, I would’ve appreciated a bit more hands on (especially being my first time there) or at least a bit of teacher demonstration. Kimberly shouted out orders so fast, I felt as though I was at Sotheby’s buying a piece of art. Personally, this style of teaching is not effective for me.

Ability to break a sweat: 2 out of 5. I may have sweat a tiny bit here and there, but I spent most of my time looking around trying to discern what I was supposed to be doing. It felt like a game of Twister gone wrong. Right foot here, left hand WHERE?!?

Chances I’ll return: Very unlikely

3)      Full Pshycle I checked out an early morning spin class here with a girlfriend and loved it! I may have initially been intimated when upon check-in was asked if I wanted a pair of ear plugs, but the studio was adorable, the staff friendly and equipment brand new!

My ratings:

Instructor: 4.5 out of 5. UGH I so wish I could give Shelby 5 out of 5, but her constant repetition of the words “OH YEAH!” sort of drove me nutty. Aside from that, she brought an awesome level of energy to the class and even when it was hard to understand her, I loved the class. She even came by to explain the bike to me (the bikes are a bit different than standard studios). She seems to love what she does, which is always what you want to see out of an instructor!

Ability to break a sweat: 5 out of 5. I was basically swimming in my own sweat at the conclusion of our class.

Chances I’ll return: Highly Likely

4)      Xtend Barre It’s been so long since I’ve taken a barre class! I loved teaching classes last year, and was so sad when I chose to walk away from teaching because of how hard it was balancing a full time career and training for my first fitness competition. It was simply too much. Since then, I honestly haven’t taken more than a handful of classes. I’ve recently thought about going back to teaching (for fun) and stumbled upon this studio in my ClassPass app. After reading great reviews, I decided to take a class this past weekend with a girlfriend. For those unfamiliar, here is a description of an Xtend barre class: Xtend Barre is Pilates and Dance Amplified! Xtend Barre is a 55 min multi-level class geared to challenge bodies of any age, gender, or fitness background. You'll get it all in one class! Full body toning, cardio, core and stretches! Sound too good to be true? It's not! All exercises can be modified for beginners, pre and postnatal clients or clients with injuries, but that can also be amplified for advanced clients that are looking for an extreme challenge.

My ratings:

Instructor: 5 out of 5. If I could give Jordan a higher rating, I would. She was amazing – such positive energy and with such grace! She smiled the entire class and I felt her attitude was 100% genuine.

Ability to break a sweat: 5 out of 5. Honestly, I was surprised with how much I sweat during this class. It was intense!! We used props (mainly a small ball and light hand weights – I used 3lbers) and I was sore the next day (particularly in my side-butt region). I loved how hard segments of this workout were. Earlier in the week I crushed a long, intense CrossFit workout – and to come get my butt handed to me in this barre class was a reminder to always vary my types of workouts to ensure I work all my muscles in different ways!

Chances I’ll return: Already signed up for membership :)

What about you? Have you heard of (or tried) ClassPass? What do you think of the model?

Xo,

Jenn

Healthy and Fit on the Road: It's Possible!

I feel like one of those shitty friends who calls after letting days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months with zero contact. Thankfully I haven’t been MIA because something bad happened, I’ve just been busy adulting over here. Work demands have monopolized quite a bit of my time these days – but I’ve also been busy spending time with friends and the boyfriend, too! Things have been so hectic, in fact, that I’m writing this to you from 35,000 feet. Which brings me to my next thought…

I know I’m not alone in saying it’s hard to balance a hectic life with a healthy life. You feel me?! 

Maybe you’re like me and fly more days in a month than some fly in a year – or maybe you haven’t stepped foot in an airport since  you could picked loved ones up at the gate (ah, the good ol days). Maybe you’re busy juggling work, family demands, squeezing in your workouts all while trying to keep up with all your other obligations. Either way – it’s trickery I tell ya, trickery!

So how do I make time for working out while ensuring I’m eating nutritious food on the road? With over 11 years of business travel under my belt, I’ve developed a few tips and tricks I’d love to share:

1)      Don’t let yourself get hangry. How many times have you rushed out of the house and thought, “I’ll just grab something when I get to airport”? Your intentions may be good. Perhaps you’ll scour the terminal for a grilled chicken salad or search for a freshly prepared acai bowl – but chances are, you won’t. I’m not being Negative Nelly over here, I’m simply being realistic. Far too many times we run out of the house without eating, fully intending upon “grabbing something” once we get past security and settle in at the terminal before take-off. Chances are by this point, we’re hangry and reach for the first thing we see. And let’s be honest, healthy choices at the airport are not aplenty. This morning I witnessed it firsthand – folks grabbing McDonalds and candy before boarding our 10:30am flight. While I could’ve easily done the same (or bought my ultimate favorite airport indulgence – I mean really, how good are Twizzlers?!?!) – I didn’t. Instead I bought a tall Cold Brew at Starbucks and drank it alongside a baggie of celery and grapes I packed from home. Knowing I’d need a protein boost, I also tossed an RX Bar in my bag (if you haven’t heard of them – go check em out!! They are made with minimal ingredients and are essentially a protein-packed version of a LaraBar). The lesson here is just as the old adage goes – “Fail to plan and plan to fail.” Maybe it’s the night before, or maybe if you’re like me it’s the 5 minutes before your Uber driver arrives - but go ahead and pack those healthy snacks so whether you’re stuck at the gate or trying to get through a long flight, you’ll have healthy, notoriously dense sustenance to keep you going!

2)      Schedule your workouts in advance. I may not be as avid of a CrossFitter as I once was but one of the things I’ve always loved about CrossFit was the community. Whether you’re walking into your neighborhood box or one on the road, you’ll generally always be welcomed with friendly, smiling faces. In fact, “dropping in” on a local CF box has been a longtime favorite of mine – whether I’m traveling for business or pleasure. When I know I have an upcoming trip, I’ll look at boxes close to my meetings or to my hotel – and I’ll reserve a spot for myself. Paying in advance ensures I stay accountable and follow through with my commitment. This way if my coworkers try to convince me to join for happy hour or drinks after dinner, it makes it easier to pass knowing come 6am the next day, I must be ready to lift my little heart out. Which brings me to my next point…

3)      Limit the booze. Gosh, when I think back to my rookie business travel days at 21, I had NO clue how to do it the healthy way. I’d be on my feet in the production studio working 12+ hours days, followed by indulging in a heavy steakhouse meal with my team (I mean, it was FREE!), coupled with copious amounts of wine, followed by “just one drink” at the hotel bar… just to go upstairs, catch a whopping 5 hours of sleep and do it all over again. Not surprisingly, I quickly burnt out and began to dread business travel. Nowadays, my trips look a whole lot different. I never drink alcohol on flights anymore and if I do join colleagues for happy hour or dinner, I limit myself to 1-2 drinks no matter what. Getting in the gym by 5-6 am, followed by brainstorming in a boardroom for 10 hours (or more) leaves me exhausted come the end of the workday. These days the idea of drinking at a bar has zero (maybe less than zero) appeal. I’d rather go back to my room, unwind, talk to my loved ones and hit the hay. And if I’m going to expend the calories on drinks, I’d rather wait until I get home and share a bottle of wine with the boyf anyway J

4)      Bring the comforts of home. In my bag right now (aside from work attire) are my resistance bands, workout clothes, running sneakers, dry shampoo, BCCAs, vitamins, and protein. Sure it’s a pain in the ass to pack it all – but it ensures that even when I’m staying in an unfamiliar place, I still have just some of the comforts of home. And while this isn’t fitness related, I even bring all of my favorite skincare products. Did you know Sephora gives out free samples of any product they sell?? And have you ever asked your facialist or dermatologist for samples of the products they use? This way even if you’re bringing a small carry-on like me, you can still have all your guilty pleasures right at your fingertips!

I could go on and on but the flight attendant just informed me we’re on our final approach and I must shut down the laptop. I hope some (if not all!) of these tips helped you – whether you’re running yourself around the country for business or simply running around your hometown juggling the endless demands of life!

XO,

Jenn

Bathing in Mustard and Other Random Fitness-Related Faves

Bathing in Mustard. Okay, hear me out. Maybe you body build. Maybe you CrossFit. Maybe you run long distances. Or maybe you work a corporate gig and always feel tight, stiff and achy. Shy of shelling out major bucks on massages every week, what are we supposed to do to alieviate sore muscle pain? If you've tried soaking in Epsom Salt, you've seen nothing in comparison to... you guessed it. Mustard!! I know it sounds so weird - but trust me on this. Found on Amazon or in your local Whole Foods Market, this stuff is the bom dot com (are people saying that anymore?!). Run a hot bath (as hot as you can take it), throw some of this mustard bath in and get ready to be pleasantly surprised at how amazing you'll feel afterwards. I've used this stuff for years - it's helped me through sore muscles due in part to CrossFit comps, training for my fitness comp, after triathlons, even after a long day of work. It even helps open up your sinuses and you'll notice you start sweating out impurities just sitting in the bath (may want to take a quick shower afterwards #justsayin).  

IT Band Pain. Gawdddd my IT bands are always in a constant state of torture. My monthly massages consist of me screaming bloody murder from the pain radiating out of my tight and over worked legs. Anyone else feel my pain?! (See what I did there - so punny!) For my fellow fitness enthisuiants constantly fighting IT band issues, I strongly encourage you to start incorporating some stretches post-workout. I've bookmarked this bad boy and plan to incorporate some much needed post-lifting stretches. Thanks Active.com! 
8 Yoga Poses and Stretches for Tight IT Bands

Tumeric Protein Smoothie Bowls. Switching up the beautifully delicious Acai Bowls I've been making lately, I decided to start experimenting with tumeric. I've begun incorporating it into a lot of my meals - and holy yumola. I invented this breakfast - which can literally be throw together in less than 5 minutes and can easily be taken on the go. Simply throw into a blender:

• 8 ice cubes (the more ice, the thicker it'll be!)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened Cashew Milk (I think this is way creamer and more flavorful than almond milk!)
• 1 scoop favorite protein (I love the way PEScience Snickerdoodle tastes in this - but anything will do)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 teaspoon each of: cinnamon, powdered ginger and tumeric
• Blend!

If you're taking this on the go, you're done. If you're enjoying this at home, I like to pour the mixture into a bowl and top with 1 teaspoon of chia seeds and a 1 teaspoon of Cake Batter Buff Bake (because I'm obsessed and because some healthy fat is great since the bowl is virtually fat free). 

Macros for the bowl (without toppings): 171 Calories, 15 carbs, 2 fat, 25 protein, 8 sugar

I hope you give some of the three things I've been loving lately a shot. And if you do, I'd love to hear what you think!!

XO,
Jenn

*As always, all opinions are my own. I'm not being paid to endorse any products I blog about. 

What I'm Loving Lately: Random Roundup

1) Summer dates - I plan to let this handy list inspire a fun summer of lovin with the boyf! Wineries? Romantic picnics? Yes please!
2) Blake Shelton eating sushi for the FIRST time. How is it even possible people who have never tried sushi still exist?! Either way - I nearly peed my pants at how funny this video is. If you're having a case of the Monday's on this lovely Tuesday morning - stop everything and watch this.
3) Starting the day with a beautifully delicious Acai Bowl. Ever since we came back from Hawaii, I just can't get enough of these. I love mixing in some protein powder and spinach (trust me) and getting uber creative with my toppings!

4) If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I am legit OBSESSED with Buff Bake - and they really hit it out of the park with the new Cake Batter flavor. Slather that ish on everything from bananas to rice cakes and I'm a happy, happy camper.

5) Summer reads. Normally I love curling up in bed with a great novel - but in my ever long quest to become more and more knowledgeable on living a healthy and balanced life, I ordered and cannot wait to sink my teeth into this read. Written by a physician, this book explains how making simple plant-based choices can help us all live a happier and healthier life. Once I make my way through it all I'll be sure to post a review and share my learnings!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe long holiday weekend!

XO,

Jenn

Monday In Meals & The Importance of Nutrition Timing

Happy Tuesday, friends!

While it’s no secret I love blogging about topics including friendships, love and fitness, it seems as though my nutrition related posts are most popular (THANK YOU to everyone who reads!) I figured why not share a day’s worth of healthy, wholesome meals. So let’s jump in! Here’s what I ate yesterday:

Pre-workout snack {not pictured}

Cup of coffee (black) with 1 salt-free Lundberg brown rice cake topped with 1 teaspoon Buff Bake Cake Batter (my new obsession!). I LOVE these brown rice cakes – they literally have ONE ingredient in them. It doesn't get much better than that!

Macros for this meal: 93 calories, 15g carbs, 3g fat and 3g protein

Breakfast post-workout

Bowl of Cake Batter Zucchini Oats. My oh my this was delicious. And thanks to how voluminous the zuchinni made the oats, I was able to reduce the oats from 1/2 cup to 1/3 cup AND it kept me full until lunch!

Macros for this meal: 374 calories, 36g carbs, 17g fat and 23g protein

Lunch

Turkey tacos! I simply cooked ground turkey breast (the breast, as you might imagine, is much leaner than the dark meat which keeps your overall fat intake down) with ½ chopped onion. I weighed out a 3 ounce portion, and mixed up sriracha with non-fat plain greek yogurt and topped everything with 1 ounce non-fat cheddar cheese. I wrapped it all in a few leaves of butter lettuce. 

Macros for this meal: 288 calories, 27g carbs, 6g fat and 33g protein!

Dinner

Veggie & Egg “Fried” Rice. This is a weeknight go-to in my house. You simply cook 1/3 package of cauliflower rice (Trader Joe’s is my fave!), 1 cup fresh bok choy topped with one tablespoon of Coconut Aminos (my soy sauce substitute), and ½ cup egg whites and one whole egg. That’s it!

Macros for this meal: 193 calories, 13g carbs, 4g fat, and 24g protein

Post-Dinner Snack

Green Protein Shake. I don’t know about y’all, but I just love something sweet at night. I don’t buy cookies or ice cream because I WILL be tempted to eat them - so I rely on this little treat to satisfy my sweet tooth. Thankfully it’s super quick AND packed with protein. Simply mix in a magic bullet or blender: 5 ice cubes, handful of fresh spinach leaves, ¼ cup frozen banana, one scoop of your fave protein powder (I use PESCience Peanut Butter Cup as it tastes great and is compromised of Whey protein – which is quick to digest - AND Casein protein – which takes longer to digest), 1/3 cup unsweetened cashew milk and a splash of water. Blend and enjoy!

Macros for this meal: 159 calories, 13g carbs, 2g fat and 24g protein

You'll see I started out the day heavier in carbs (as I worked out in the morning) and slowly started tapering off. It's interesting to note even though dinner would appear to be 'carb-free' as the 'rice' was cauliflower - it still contained 13g of carbs as did my protein shake. This is why it's valuable to track your nutrition intake for a bit to see exactly what you're putting into your body at each meal. It's also worth noting I managed to get in 20+g of protein at each meal (minus my pre-workout). It helps to spread our your protein throughout the day to keep you fuller, longer! 

It's worth noting - everyone's nutrition goals are different - and no macro counts are a one-size fits all. For example, my body requires less calories than my boyfriend because I weigh nearly half as much and have less muscle mass than he does. However, I engage in intense exercise 5 days a week, so I may ingest more carbs and calories than another female at the same height/weight as me who happens to be sedentary. There are plenty of macro calculators out there to help - and while I'm NOT a nutritionist, I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have around nutrition to the best of my ability. If you're interested in calculating your own macros, I suggest starting with IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros).

And speaking of. 

Did you know that the timing in which you eat certain foods matters? Let me explain.

1. Your body benefits most from eating more carbs and less fat in the meals around your workouts. So you'll see I ate a rice cake before and a bowl of oatmeal afterwards. Usually I top my rice cake with non-fat plain greek yogurt BUT that Buff Bake is brand new and called my name. 
2. I mentioned it earlier, but it's important to spread your protein intake as equally as you can throughout the day to keep you fuller, longer! 
3. Typically I eat more fat on non-weight lifting days and more carbs on days I lift weights. I've said it before in previous posts, but carbs are NOT the enemy. I repeat - carbs are not the enemy! You need them for energy - so stock up on healthy, nutrient-dense carbs such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, old-fashioned oats and more. If you missed my post back in February on the importance of healthy carbs, check it out! 

I know this post contains a ton of information that may be brand new to you - as always, please feel free to contact me or comment on this post and I'm happy to answer any questions I can. Again, I am NOT a nutritionist nor am I a physician but I've been an avid fitness lover for quite some time and after doing quite some metabolic damage to myself after a fitness competition prep, I feel passionate about sharing helpful tips on how to live a healthy and balanced life. 

XO,

Jenn

4 Ways I Make Health and Fitness Part of My Every Day Life

Have a buddy. Having a friend meet you at the gym or check out a new spin class is a really great way to keep yourself accountable AND have fun. You share the experience (what’s that saying about misery loving company?! Ha!) AND if time permits, you can enjoy catching up over coffee, lunch, shopping, or a cocktail (not every time, but nothing wrong with a weekend mimosa here and there!). This past Saturday I met a girlfriend for spin and afterwards we hit a local Mexican spot and sipped a tequila on ice, ate a salad and went shopping afterwards. We got in a great workout AND spent time together. Working out with a friend will no doubt push you harder and even broaden your horizons and make you try a movement or class you wouldn’t have otherwise. So go – call a close friend and make a workout date!!

Switch it up. I’m grateful to live in a large city like Atlanta, where ClassPass has more fitness-related classes to take then you could possibly imagine. Within the last 7 days I’ve taken a few Pilates reformer classes, a 90 minute hot yoga class, some intense spin classes, crossfit-style bootcamp, and a yoga class focused on hip and hamstring flexibility. It’s been so fun listening to my body and uncovering strengths (holy strong quads and holy flexibility – I was basically a human sweaty pretzel for the duration of my hot yoga class!) and also realizing I have weaknesses (nearly puked once during spin and also came to the realization I have the hand eye coordination of a toddler). Sure, I still lift in the big box gym and won’t deny my trusty deadlifts and squats for long, but its fun having fun with fitness. You meet people along the way, you see new parts of town, and you challenge your body in ways it’s never been challenged before.

Get creative in the kitchen. Boy how I missed cooking last year. One of the best ways to take your nutrition into your own hands is to quite literally, put nutrition in your hands. Hit the farmer’s market and scour the aisles for fun, unique produce you’ve never heard of before. Spend an hour a week looking up new recipes to try. And experiment! Try a new cuisine or eat a few vegetarian meals throughout the week. Not only does it feel good to eat good, nutrient-dense food, but there’s no reason it can’t also be fun!

Listen to your body. Sometimes I’m just not feeling it. Sometimes I know my body needs rest – and now I listen to it. If you have pain beyond normal muscle soreness, listen to it. If you’re just being lazy, well, get off your ass and move J Even if it’s just a walk through the neighborhood – working out gets those endorphins flowing! There are times when I KNOW my body is craving an intense lifting session or a kick-butt kickboxing class. Other times I feel tight and stressed and know how wonderful 90 minutes of hot yoga will feel. Get in touch with your body and nourish it from the inside out!

I hope you put into practice at least one of the ways I make health and fitness fun. There are far too many ways to take care of yourself – so if what you’re currently doing isn’t fun or you feel like you’re in a rut, CHANGE. Taking this approach is more holistic and will address your overall health and fitness. Making it fun and committing to living a healthy lifestyle will make working out will feel less like a chore and more like a blessing!

XO,

Jenn

Carbs are NOT the Enemy!

Confused about carbs?? It's amazing how often I hear people say they're going "low carb" or how they're scared to eat that morning bowl of oats... and I just want to scream out "Carbs are not the enemy!!!"

Now, that's not to say I'd suggest hitting your local greasy spoon for a tall stack of pancakes drenched in butter and syrup, followed up by a burger on a hot, buttery bun with a side of fries for lunch... all washed down with a bowl of Fettuccine Alfredo for dinner. All I'm saying is carbs are not the enemy. And we should stop treating them as such. 

Let's debunk some common carbs myths and discuss the benefits of eating those tasty whole grains! 

1) They fuel your workout. Take it from someone who had their carbs cut as they trained for 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, in preparation for my first fitness competition. Carbs are life. Okay, maybe not life, but carbs do help fuel you for those long, grueling workouts. I'll give you a real-life example:
I was one month out from my show and headed into my local gym for leg day. Now I think it's worth mentioning, I LOVE leg day!! I train glutes directly once a week, hammies once and quads once. That's three days where I beat the every living life out of my little legs. So you can imagine my amazement when I loaded my barbell with 165lbs (a weight I never had trouble picking up thus far) and couldn't get it off the ground. I'm not talking couldn't fully extend... I'm talking not even an inch off the ground. I had ZERO energy and less than zero strength. Prior to cutting carbs, I was crushing 50 pullups a day. Once my carbs were cut, I could barely throw my 100lb body up to the bar... it was brutal. 
The lesson I learned is that our bodies need carbs - ESPECIALLY before and after we lift. Which leads me to my next point...
2) They help build muscle mass. Ingesting carbs after a workout kicks off the recovery and muscle growth process! After an intense gym session, our bodies are depleted of glycogen (stored energy) and glucose (usable energy). The reason being, when we're lifting weights our muscles are working hard - using up all available glucose and glycogen for energy. Once our bodies get to a point where there is simply no more glucose/glycogen left to use, we then begin secreting the hormone cortisol - which essentially eats up our muscle tissue for protein and converts it into glucose. This whole process - known as gluconeogenesis - results in a loss of muscle tissue. What a bummer, right?? Which is why it's critical to ingest carbs and protein - getting them to your exhausted muscles immediately following a tough workout. 
3) They help you recover faster. Eating complex carbohydrates after an intense lifting session can minimize delayed onset muscle soreness by replenishing glycogen levels, support immune system function, and assist with overall muscle repair (when paired with protein). 

And if the reasons above aren't enough, let's face it. Carbs are freakin delicious. Just remember that mostly EVERYTHING we eat has carbs. Fruit, vegetables, multi-vitamins, you name it! However, all carbs are not created equal. Some great complex carbohydrates to add into your diet are:

• Brown rice
• Oatmeal (cook it in water and fold egg whites in at the end!)
• Sweet potatoes
• Quinoa 
• Brown rice cakes
• Ezekiel bread (their cinnamon raisin bread toasted and topped with a tablespoon of almond butter is the BOMB dot com)
• All veggies

If you take away one thing from this post, I hope that it is the mere fact that carbs - and food in general - are not the enemy. They're fuel. They work in conjunction with our training routines and should be enjoyed and appreciated. Life is too short to live in fear of food!

XO,

Jenn

My First NPC Bikini Competition Recap!

I did it! On 10/31 I competed in my first NPC Bikini Fitness Competition at the Lee Haney Games here in Atlanta, GA. I competed in Bikini A Novice – for women under 35 years old, under 5’4 and placed in the top 5!

What an emotional experience prepping for my first competition has been. There were days I loved the process – there is something so empowering as a woman to uncover this raw inner strength we never knew resided within us. Then, as it got closer to my show date and I began the “cutting phase” of prep, there were days I struggled to get out of bed. Struggled to power through extreme fatigue and a brain fog I simply couldn’t shake. All in all, the experience was so rewarding, on so many levels.

• I made some wonderful friends. There’s something comforting when you experience this with someone who can relate. These girls know what it’s like to go to bed starving, wake up with a rumbling belly and forcing yourself into the gym for hours when all you want to do is take a nap. These girls were my listening ear, confidants, and partners in and out of the gym for the past 6 months. They’re simply awesome – and we’ve already begun making memories outside of the gym that I cherish.

• I uncovered willpower I never thought I had. Prior to this prep, I lived by mottos including: life is short, have dessert first! And treat yourself! You deserve it! I was awful about depriving myself. If I drove by Pinkberry on the way home and wanted it, I got it. If I was tired and felt like calling my lifting session short, or called it quits at mile 3 instead of pushing myself further, I stopped. This experience forced me to take this seriously. I knew I couldn’t “cheat” on the diet… I knew I couldn’t skip out on workouts. I was going to have to push myself. Push myself beyond every single limitation I ever placed on myself. There was going to be no “I can’t” or “I don’t want to.” I had to give it every single ounce I had. And I did. And it was fucking amazing. Now don’t get me wrong, eating chicken and cod and asparagus out of my microwave (I was living through a renovation the last month of prep) was not amazing. It was terrible. I cried. A lot. Dragging my exhausted ass to the gym for hours a day wasn’t fun towards the end. I had zero strength. Zero endurance. Deadlifts are some of my favorite moves – and I went from being able to pull 135lb for 10 reps no problem to struggling with 95lbs for one rep. Sometimes I felt so dizzy, other times my stomach grumbled so loudly I would troll Pinterest for hours… just looking at food I knew I couldn’t eat. But I realized just how strong I am. It’s mind over matter – and that transcends into various aspects of life beyond any fitness competition.
• My confidence skyrocketed. I’ve briefly discussed my past struggles on this blog, but I battled a serious eating disorder for 10+ years of my life. It was awful. I just never felt confident in my own skin. I compared myself to other girls, I stared at my reflection in the mirror wondering why I couldn’t have slender hips and chiseled abs. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy – the feeling you get as a woman when you’d do anything – including risking your own health – to feel better about yourself. Throughout prep, my confidence soared. Sure, the comments and glances from men were nice, but it was seeing myself transform that really motivated me. I saw my body tone and tighten, and I saw my strength and endurance increase. For the first time in my 31 years, I was proud of the reflection that stared back at me. I felt beautiful in my skin – and that is priceless. In fact, I had a friend of mine - who happens to be an exceptionally talented photographer - offer to take some pictures the day after my show... and I'm in love with each shot more than the next. She hasn't had a chance to work her photoshop magic on my splotchy spray tan, but here is a sneak peak at some of my favorite shots:

Now, as I’ve always said, it hasn’t been all unicorns shitting rainbows. It’s been hard. And there have definitely been quite a few “lows” throughout the past 6 months.

• I’ve isolated myself. I’ve declined invitations to bachelorette parties, vacations, dinners out, girl’s weekends, work trips and more. I’ve spent more Friday and Saturday nights alone on the couch than ever before. By the end of prep, I was so hungry and irritable, I stopped answering my phone and refused to return phone calls. I don’t like being a negative person and rather than project my grumpiness on anyone else, I abstained from communicating with the people I care about.
• I created a body that isn’t sustainable. I’ll admit it – I love being as lean as I was show day. But the fact of the matter is, it’s not sustainable. I have zero desire to live a life of deprivation. I want the margarita. I want the fro yo. But I also want the abs. Well friends, you can’t have it all. So now I’m going to have to live life and figure out how to balance it all.
• I’ve become shallow. It’s embarrassing to see how many of the pictures in my phone over the last 6 months are shirtless selfies. Every day I’d wake up, weigh myself and take a selfie to see my “progress.” What I want is a camera roll full of pictures of me and my loved ones, smiling, making once in a lifetime memories. So again, now I strive to live a life of balance – and stop putting my life on hold.

So, you must be reading this and wondering… “So Jenn, will you do it again?”

And the answer is probably. My goal over the next few months is to continue hitting the gym and building a bit of muscle in key areas including my delts, hamstrings and glutes. I’m going to indulge and let myself enjoy some treats I used to enjoy like frozen yogurt, petite filets, wine and margaritas but try and limit my indulgences so I can maintain some sort of lean physique over the holidays.

If I do another prep, I’d like it to be with a IIFYM approach. I did my last prep with a “clean eating” and “elimination diet” and I don’t think I would or could do it again. I don’t have the desire to eliminate complete food groups from my diet nor do I think it’s necessary. Plenty of people compete using an “If It Fits Your Macros” approach – meaning they track their macronutrients including calories, fat, protein and carbohydrates. And as long as they calories out exceed their calories in, they can eat any food groups they choose. Coming from someone who hasn’t had a banana in nearly 6 months, I’d say IIFYM sounds pretty damn good to me.

So there’s my recap, folks! I must say yet again – thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you for all of your support and kind words throughout this whole journey. I’ve kept every note, every voicemail. I cherish my friends who came out and sat for 5 hours on show day waiting for me to come out and strut myself nearly naked for 5 minutes on stage.

My desire for balance transcends into every aspect of life, including this blog. I’m excited to resume writing about life, love and everything in between and sharing it all with you along the way.

XO,

Jenn

NPC Bikini Post-Competition Life: I'm Ready!

"What are you going to do after the competition?"

Hands down, this is the #1 question people ask me lately. I have precisely 3 days that stand between me and show day and to distract myself from the grumblings coming from my stomach, I have been doing a ton of thinking. Thinking about what i want once this competition prep - and competition itself - is over. I’ve contemplated what my new normal will look like. What will make me happy. What I truly want for my life. And here’s the truth. 

Competition prep has quite possibly been one of the most selfish things I’ve ever done. Now that’s not necessarily a terrible thing. It has gotten me in incredible shape, imparted a ton of knowledge as it relates to nutrition and overall well being. I’ve learned how to make better decisions as it relates to food, and I’ve learned to push myself in the weight room. Mostly i’ve come to the self-realization that i am a tough cookie. I set my mind to competing, and i’m doing it. It hasn’t been easy 99% of the time. I quit 100,000 times in my mind. But I somehow stuck it out. All of the nights out with friends, tupperware in tow. The vacations I abstained from, in fear of not having the right foods at my disposal. The short fuse, the impatience from being hangry, the self-inflicted isolation. Running on fumes and still showing up in the gym when I barely had enough energy to get out of bed. 

So yes, I’ve had lots of time to self-reflect and decide what I want once Saturday is behind me. And here’s what I’m ready for:

I’m ready to be a bit more selfless. I’m ready to be a more engaged friend. A daughter who calls more often. I’m ready to be more present in my career. I’m ready to workout for pleasure. Embrace my love of cooking. Entertain in my new home. I’m ready to resume traveling for pleasure. I’m ready to get out there and try all the awesome new restaurants that have opened in Atlanta since I’ve been on prep.  

And quite possibly the most significant, I’m ready to fall in love. Not just the love I have for friends and family. Beyond the love I have for myself. I’m ready for the put someone first, love with my whole heart, even when it’s scary and I’m vulnerable and feel like I’m standing naked in a crowd but it’s SO worth it love. 

I’ve spent the last 6 months being completely consumed with myself - and I’ve learned so very much. But truth be told, there is a whole life I want to live that has NOTHING to do with how visible my abs are. And to that life, all I can say is, "I am ready!"

NPC Bikini: 12 DAYS Out. Someone Give Me a Cracker!

NPC Bikini: 12 DAYS Out. Someone Give Me a Cracker!

12 Days. 288 Hours. 17,280 Seconds. 

But whose counting?! 

Mental State:

• We truly all do get by with a little help from our friends. My girlfriends have stepped up in the biggest way possible lately. From coming over for tea, to coffee dates, to hourly check-in texts and helping me whitewash my fireplace - I am beyond blessed with such strong, reliable and loving women. Color me emotional from the sodium, fat and calorie deficit I'm in, but it nearly moves me to tears just to think about all the love around me. I am so grateful each and every single one of you!!
• Today is the big day! I pick up my suit at Waterbabies! Cannot wait to see that teeny tiny red sparkly suit! 
• I'm still amazed at the scale. I've been losing a lot of weight - not necessarily the healthiest way I'm sure. My calories are around 1k a day, fat is under 20g and sodium is non-existent. Next time around, I think I can do this with more food... but we're so close out to showtime I am just trying to power through and make it to next Saturday.
• I can't lie though - it's an emotional roller coaster. I'm still foggy, still weak and sometimes I just want to cry. Other times - like yesterday when I was at LA Fitness and a guy literally came up to me and said, "Hey Gorgeous. Happy Monday. How was your weekend? You party?"... I just want to punch people in the face. Dude, I don't know you. I don't want to talk to you. Walk away! #sorrynotsorry BUT there are days (or moments) where I feel happy and grateful. The other day I was running sprints and an amputee walked by. I couldn't help but look up, and thank g-d for blessing me with the physical ability to embark on this journey. 

Workouts:

Totally normal gym attire, no!?

• Finding my energy completely zapped. Long gone are my early morning workouts. I just can't get up and energized in time. Now I get up around 7:30am, drink coffee and eat breakfast. I ease into my work day and then workout at lunch and after work. I just can't power through early mornings like I used to!
• Definitely feeling my strength subside. I'm trying to go heavy, but power lifts like squats and deadlifts are getting harder to PR. 
• Cardio was upped to 6 days a week, 30 minutes at a time. Considering some girls have an hour 7 days, I don't want to complain. I just listen to a bunch of good music, pray and breathe. It's over soon enough.

Nutrition:

• Yeah, so all sodium is now gone. That means my little tablespoon of mustard to help me choke down fish is gone. My food officially has zero flavor. 
• I am going to turn into a green bean. Or Asparagus. Or a piece of chicken breast. I've given up on trying to make the food exciting - so at this point I literally eat the same meal 6 times a day (fish or chicken, sweet potato or butternut squash, and asparagus, carrots or green beans). The struggle is real, folks.
• I've cheated. I'm weak. I've eaten a few quest bars here and there. Good lord the mint chocolate chip is delicious. Sorry Coach Steve. 
• I am still going at this 100% natural. No fat burners, no diuretics, nothing. 

Saw this quote by Arnold himself and couldn't help but love it. We truly are always stronger than we know. ALL that's getting me through the next 12 days is knowing that I've been strong enough to come this far - it's been a LONG journey - and I just have to keep pushing past the boundaries I've put in my own way. Let's do this!. 

NPC Bikini: 2 Weeks Out. Brain-Dead, Tired and Hangry

17 Days. I can do it. I can do iiiiiit. Can't I?! 

Mental State:

• Hunger. Intense feelings of hunger - aka HANGRY pains. I literally think about food 90% of the day. The other 10% I'm asleep.
• Doubt. Am I ready? Since this is my first show, I have no benchmark on how I should feel/look. Am I lean enough? Is my stomach flat enough? Are my glutes getting TOO flat? It's been a hard balance to strike - leaning out while keeping any size on me. I'm losing weight rapidly without really changing much - so I'm almost a bit nervous of coming out on stage looking flat... but I am trusting the process, my coach and my body. Whichever shape I bring out on stage is the shape I'm meant to have on show day. 
• Fog. Not like London Fog. MENTAL fog. I've gone grocery shopping without my wallet THREE times. I've missed calls at work. I constantly leave the house and realize I've forgotten something once I'm driving out of the neighborhood. I'm just completely OUT.OF.IT. 
• Grateful. I've worked SO hard since May for this body, and it's been great to me. Thank g-d I've had no injuries - I may be small, but I'm mighty! I'm also greatful for my friends, my coach, my teammates and everyone who has stuck by my side and given me words of encouragement when I wanted to cry, quit or both!
• Excitement. Thanks to my awesome teammates, I'm excited for show weekend!! As I've mentioned, hair, tan and makeup are all booked. Now it's fun thinking about lounging around with girlfriends and enjoying the event itself.  
• Guilt. I'm feeling guilty for having thoughts of pushing a small child out of my way for a brownie. Or a Quest Bar. Or a protein shake. Or anything OTHER than chicken, fish, green beans  or asparagus. 

Workouts:

• So.Over.Cardio. It's not even that I hate cardio (kinda do, but it's a necessary evil) - it's just that I'm so tired. It's hard for me to get motivated to power through sprints and stairmill circuits when all I want to do is nap! I've started taking High Volume by PEScience and love it. Totally helps give you a pump with zero caffeine. If only it would take away my cravings for food other than chicken and asparagus!
• Still powering through my lifting sessions. I actually got the chance to meet Lee Haney a few weeks ago at my coach's gym - what a nice guy!! He went up to Coach Steve and said "Hey Steve, is that one of your competitors? She looks beautiful." I had no idea who he was! Steve looked at me and said "You do realize that is Lee Haney himself, right?" Color me embarrassed. Here I was, bitching and moaning through 5 sets of pull-ups in front of a bodybuilding legend!

Nutrition:

• I'm trying my best, but hot damn I'm OVER this diet. Eating chicken or fish 7 times a day is just not fun folks. Especially when you factor in zero sodium. Actually, that's a lie. I've been using mustard or hot sauce - but those are gone 2 weeks out. So now it's plain 'ol protein. It's a constant internal battle between I'm so hungry and I hate the way this fish tastes.
• I want carbs. All the carbs. I've been trying to de-bloat my belly however possible and cutting starchy carbs was the first way. So now I'm eating 4oz of butternut squash with some cinnamon as my carb source for lunch & dinner. I'm still having my WHOPPING 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats in water for breakfast. I swear, I long for the mornings of oatmeal with almonds and a cut up banana. 
• Like I mention above, I'm trying to do whatever I can to get rid of any last belly bloat before the show. So a new nightly ritual of Dandelion tea and chugging lemon water are now part of my daily routine. 

Life Lately:

• I went to a friend's wedding over the weekend and rocked a new dress (which fit when I bought it 3 weeks ago but I had to have it taken in last minute!). I was proud of myself for having ZERO alcohol at the wedding, zero wedding cake (although I did try a bite of a french macaron - my all time fave), snacking on a Quest bar during cocktail hour and making good decisions on clean veggies and lean protein during the reception. It was NOT easy - but I made it happen. Mind over matter. . 

Late night abs: 

NPC Bikini Update - We're Getting Close Folks!

Measurements 3 Weeks Out

• Weight: I'm not even accounting for me weight right now because it literally fluctuates at a moments notice
• Height: 5’2
• Chest – 34 inches
• Arm (bicep) – 9 inches
• Arm (forearm) – 6.5 inches
• Waist – 24 inches
• Hips – 31.75 inches
• Glutes – 35.5 inches 
• Thighs – 20.5 inches
• Calves – 12.5 inches

What I've accomplished this week 

Post-LONG, sweaty gym sesh!

• Finally took the plunge and bought my suit
• Booked my spray tan for the night before the show
• Booked my hair appointment (actually my amazing girl Tiff did)
• Booked hotel room for night before (sharing with Tiff - who I swear I couldn't even get through doing this show without. Got to love great girlfriends!)
• Incorporated more cardio (treadmill sprints and stairmill ladders)
• Kept my energy UP in the gym despite being physically exhausted 
• Cheating on my diet with a super small cup of sugar-free fro yo (don't tell Coach...) after Cost Plus World Market delivered two dining room tables and refused to take one back, the cable and internet in my new place has been out all week, cabinets were installed with no counter tops, and then I dropped my phone and shattered the entire thing. Tell me you wouldn't treat yourself to $2 worth of fro yo too?!

On The Agenda

• Get fresh haircut and highlights tomorrow #FreshtoDeath
• Join/pay for NPC membership 
• Register for my 2 classes for show day (novice and open)
• Make mani/pedi appointment
• Buy nair (yeah, blonde gmaarm hair begone...)
• Buy competition day outfit (apparently silk is where its at)
• Buy competition day jewelry 
• Practice posing in hooker... err I mean clear... heels . Need my sass to match my ass!
• Up my water intake!
• Find part time job to support my competition lifestyle (just kidding... sort of)

Being three weeks out tomorrow, this is all starting to feel SO real. It has been a LONG road since May. I've done this prep 100% clean - no fat burners, no stimulants, no crazy pre-workouts or thermos. It's been me vs me the entire time, with an awesome support system pushing me along the way. Even the front desk attendants and trainers at my local LA Fitness crack me up. When I leave in the morning they all yell "See you later!"... because OF COURSE I'm coming back for my two a day... DUH :)

I'm committed to finishing this prep strong - regardless of how show day goes, because like I've mentioned in my last post - my life will go on well beyond show day. I'm in my new home, renovations are nearly over, I've hired a Manager at work to help with my insane workload and I have NO out of town work trips planned between now and show time. Let's do this!! 

Oh, and just because... I'm totally celebrating my FIRST bicep vein! #

XO,

Jenn