A healthy approach to eating and a solid week of workouts
When it comes to being healthy, the key is consistency without obsession. You have to make good choices most of the time, but allow yourself the freedom to enjoy life. That means regularly taking some rest days with no exercise, letting yourself eat whatever you want at times and thinking about things other than your diet and your workouts. (Yes, there is life outside of “healthy living.”)
Truth be told, most of my favorite foods are healthy ones and most of my favorite activities include sneakers and sweat. But that doesn’t mean that I’ve got a perfect diet or a perfect physique, nor do I have it all figured out. What I do know is what makes me feel good and fulfilled — and you guessed it — it’s a nice mixture of fitness, food and fun.
Today, I’m showing you what a full day of eating looks like for me, and it doesn’t include the cleanest choices in all the land, but it does include a few of my favorite things. These eats took place Sunday on Valentine’s Day.
“What I Ate in a Day”
Breakfast at 9:30 a.m.
A baked sweet potato, topped in crunchy almond butter, cinnamon, chia seeds and a banana. Served alongside a glass of green juice and some green tea, sweetened with stevia and vanilla almond milk. This was like dessert, and I will absolutely be enjoying this combination again.
Lunch at 1:30 p.m.
A plate of food from one of my favorite fast-casual eateries, Tender Greens, featuring grilled black-rock cod, mixed roasted vegetables and a piece of toast. White toast to be exact. And yes, I ate the toast, while dining al fresco.
Post-lunch Dessert at 2:30 p.m.
Because it was a holiday, Dave suggested we each pick up a sweet bite from Kara’s Cupcakes, which we enjoyed before hopping back on our bikes to ride home. The frosting on this little red velvet beauty was to-die-for.
Afternoon snack at 5 p.m.
This Mamma Chia beverage made it into the little gift selection that Dave gave me, and it was chunky, bizarre and quite pleasing. I mean, it’s like chewing your drink, which is weird, but also good.
Pre-dinner Appetizer at 6 p.m.
Because on Valentine’s Day, you get a fancy appetizer and a glass of your favorite white wine before dinner at home. I split this plate of shrimp cocktail with Dave as he prepared our meal. Hands down, shrimp cocktail is my favorite app of all time. And Chardonnay doesn’t hurt either.
Dinner at 8 p.m.
This beautiful plate of food came about from Chef Dave, who was busy working in the kitchen on this one for a while. It’s a roast chicken, with onions, prunes and sweet potatoes, soaked in red wine. And it’s one heck of a meal. (Oh and perhaps you may notice that I had sweet potatoes during all three main meals of the day? A win!)
Dessert at 9 p.m.
Why yes, this was my second red velvet cupcake of the day, and this one must have weighed about a pound. Of course, I couldn’t have enjoyed it without a mug of vanilla almond milk. I downed both of these in no time, while relaxing in front of the TV. Delicious!
That’s what I call a good day of eating. Carbs, sweets, wine, fish, sweet potatoes and lots of veggies! While I don’t eat two desserts every day, I sure do enjoy the days that it happens.
If you liked this food diary, feel free to check out more “What I Ate” posts by me or by others. And because I skipped my regular weekly workout report on Monday thanks to my lengthy Valentine’s Day weekend recap, I’m giving it to you today ….
My weekly fitness and workout recap
Here’s a look at all of my workouts from last week …
(Photo credit to Leah Bentley Photography, 2015.)
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, foam rolling
- Tuesday: Did a 30-minute CXWORX core workout at home
- Wednesday: Took a one-hour BODYPUMP class
- Thursday: Did a 30-minute yoga flow class at home
- Friday: Did a 25-minute full-body dumbbell workout, foam rolling
- Saturday: Rest day
- Sunday: Rest day
How was this week of workouts?
I’ve been averaging four-to-five workouts a week lately, which is a huge departure from the past when I was working in the gym full time. This past week included two full rest days, a short yoga session, some cardio, some weights and a core session, which is plenty of variety of movement. The highlight of the week was teaching a huge BODYATTACK class on Monday night, full of sweat, loud music and energy. From the looks of it, this week is shaping up to feature a very similar line-up of workouts as well.
And that’s the latest in the world of food and fitness over here. Now, go off and have a great day, my friends!
Keep a healthy food mentality and enjoy these tasty meal pictures ... Click To TweetQuestions of the day
What’s your favorite un-healthy food?
How have your workouts been lately?
That breakfast though…yum!
I know soo much goodness on one plate!! Happy Wednesday to you, Megan!
Love that you tried the banana and sweet potato combo! Looks delish!
And you sure have the perfect physique in my book!
Happy Wednesday. Xo.
Hahah, well thanks, lady. You’re too sweet! And YES to the naner/tater mash-up. A new love!! 🙂 Have a great day, friend!
I love that you eart a good balance of healthy and delicious colorful foods balanced with occasional treats, and spread the message that it’s ok to eat for fun sometimes too. Too many impressionable women read blogs and Instagram that only show ‘clean eating’ and weighed portions, or hours in the gym. Your healthy balance is a breath of fresh air and hopefully a good message to counteract a lot of the disordered bloggers or social media out there! Thank you!!
Thanks so much, Mo! I really hope so, because it’s how I live my life. I really appreciate you saying that. We can’t be perfect, and perfect isn’t fun — nor all that healthy. 🙂 Have a great day, friend!
Looks damn healthy to me! But then again, I’ve only had salt, sugar, and bowel prep over the past 36 hours. Pretty sure that it would still look amazing regardless!
Oh you poor thing … hope your testing goes well and gets done soon!!
Yum now I’m craving sweet potatoes! I should try to incorporate those more often! I try to eat mostly healthy but i do enjoy my sweets as well!
And that’s good to enjoy your sweets, Marielle! 🙂 Happy Wednesday, lady! Get yourself a sweet tater!
I teach 2 BodyAttack classes a week, and am participating in CX, Combat, RPM and Step every week. I think it’s reasonably well rounded, although it probably wouldn’t hurt to add in a yoga class 🙂
I love the food pics!
Good variety!! You are doing four BIG workouts, so a little rest and recovery in gentle yoga would do you some good. Or even just extra stretching after each class on your own. ??
Just happened upon your blog and was pleasantly surprised to see the workout routine are Les Mills oriented. I round my week out with my favorites; BodyPump BodyCombat and BodyFlow. Our instructor was recently certified in Step so I have been doing the Step Athletic and love it.
Very nice, Jennifer! We don’t have BODYSTEP around here at my gyms, but I do love to take that class when I get the chance. 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
Those red velvet cupcakes look amazing. Somehow I missed out on Red Velvet on Valentines Day and I’m craving some now.
Oh too bad, Jen! You should redo the holiday this weekend! 🙂
Sweet potato for breakfast… such a great idea! Happy Wednesday, Ashley 🙂
You betcha, Anna! You can never have too many sweet potatoes! 🙂
‘the key is consistency without obsession’ I love that. It rings so true for me especially after years of being obsessed with healthy eating.
I’m glad you understand what I mean when I say that phrase!
I totally love peeking into what my friends eat in a day, so thanks for sharing!!
My favourite unhealthy thing I eat is probably chips….I rarely have store bought baked goods in the house, but pop chips or any kinda chips always end up in the cupboard and I love them : ) If I’m out for a nice meal, it’s red wine and then chocolate cake!!!
xxoo
Kris
So you are into the salty, Kris?? ?? I could totally pass up chips haha. But not sweets! And yes for wine and cake at a nice meal.
Loving all the sweet potato and 2 cupcakes, what a great day!! My favorite un-healthy eat is non-dairy ice cream (who knew there were so many awesome varieties?!?! ) and cookies/brownies. The sweet tooth thing is my weakness. My workouts have been awesome, I take a class most days of the week, a variety of things like boot camp, cycle, PiYo, Pilates, and cardio boxing.
You are very good at getting in variety with your sweat sessions! Keep it up! And nondairy ice cream? Good to know hehee!!
I had an amazing cashew milk ice cream a few weeks ago, double chocolate brownie… YUM, and an almond milk snicker-doodle flavor… drool!
That sounds delish!!
That cupcake sounds so yummy! Perfect way to end Valentine’s Day 🙂
Sure was, Liz! Hope you had a great Valentine’s!
So true! Who was it that said, “Everything in moderation… including moderation.” Because I’m loving finally living a life of balance and happiness. It’s much more livable than going crazy with diet goals nonstop!
And awesome work keeping up 4-5 days/week for workouts. I tried to keep up 6 days consistently, but with freelancing, blogging, and a 9-5, I feel like it provides too much stress, which isn’t the purpose. 4-5 days works perfectly for me, as well. (This week is looking like 5 for me… go team!)
That’s the right way to approach it, Jessica. Workouts should not ADD stress. Four is plenty if that’s all you can do!
You’re such a great example of what living a healthy life is all about! Love seeing what a day of eats looks like for you, always so yummy 🙂
I really appreciate that, lady! I love food!! Glad to share the balance.
I LOVE Tendergreens. Their mashed potatoes are to die for! This week I have not been working out as much because a tweaked something in my back. 🙁 Hoping to get back into it later this week though!
How have I not had the mashed there?? Thanks for the heads up, Amanda! Have an awesome day! ?
Great eats {and good looking to cupcakes!}
Thanks, Marissa! Happy eating to you! 🙂
That is DEFINITELY what I call a good day of eats. I’ve seen that breakfast combo a few times now and have been craving it all week. I really must get on it. And that dinner! Soaked in red wine!? Be still my heart.
Double dessert and sweet potatoes in every meal is basically my idea of heaven.
hahaha exactly, Cora! Dessert and sweet potatoes are some of my favorites. 🙂
AMEN. Love your balanced approach and nice job hitting the SP 3 times!
Perhaps I should have fit the Sweet Potato into my snacks as well? Next time … 🙂 Happy eating to you, Arman!
My favorite un-healthy food would probably be a burger made by my hubby 🙂 Or ice cream!!
My workouts have been great this week! I’m taking part in the Winter Shape Up hosted by The Fitnessista and fANNEtastic food and have been loving the variety of workouts. This is the last week for it so I’m trying to figure out what I want to do next. I like doing my own thing at the gym or home but also love following a plan because it’s nice not having to think about what I’m going to do at the gym the next day.
That’s pretty cool you’re doing that. And didn’t you do Jess’s Elite Boot Camp too? How do they compare? I love that you participate in these programs! 🙂 AND it’s definitely nice to have someone write the plan for you so you don’t have to think. Have a great day, Catherine!
Yes, I did Jess’ boot camp too. I enjoyed both of these programs and would recommend them!!
I found Jess’ pushed me more because it was Crossfit style workouts/Olympic lifts and I lifted sizes of weights that I never thought I’d ever be able to lift and the workouts were over very quickly. Now that I have the workouts I’m going to repeat it again.
With the WSU, the workouts are varied and I like that I can do them at home with a set of 10 – 15 lbs dumbells and my own body weight. Lots of compound movements so you hit every major muscle group.
That’s awesome!!
I think your approach to health/nutrition/fitness is super refreshing. You’re a great example with all the healthy living bloggers out there!! Yes to 2 red velvet cupcakes in a day – I did that exact same thing on Valentine’s Day!! The best.
For sure! YES to red velvet. Hope you got some good sweets in from your sweetie too! 🙂
Your breakfast sounds amazing! I need to try the sweet potato-nut butter combo.
Yes you do, Sarah! It’s a great combo! 🙂 Have a good night!
A celebration day isn t an excuse to eat everything in sight just because you can. It s about enjoyment of what you re eating! I m going out on a limb here in saying that indulgence is a natural and healthy part of being human. I mean, we have taste buds for a reason, right? The key point is the difference between indulgence and overindulgence .
Very true, Fabian. Thanks for weighing in.