Healthy Eating Routine

A couple of weeks ago, when I shared my workout routine, may of you also asked about my eating routine. As many of you know, you can workout as much as you want, but if you still don't eat great, you're not going to see the results. Someone once told me "you can never out-train a bad diet." Sad, but true.

Now here is the thing, when I first started really working out, I didn't think I had a bad diet! However, after three months of serious working out, I had only lost a few pounds. I felt strong on the inside but just sort of felt like I had a layer of "cushioning" over me. So annoying. But what was I going to do? I already felt like I was doing all I could.

That was until I ran into a college friend who had recently lost weight using Weight Watchers. If you are like me, you probably think that WW is totally just for old ladies and Jessica Simpson. I didn't actually know anything about the program. However, my friend said she was losing weight she hadn't be able to lose for years. So after checking out the program online, I thought, what the heck, why not give it a try. I signed up for Weight Watchers online.
 

The basic gist of the program is that you can eat all of the fruits and vegetables that you want and then you should also be eating protein and small amounts of fats and carbs. I mean, nothing super surprising there right? The thing that is different is that WW assigns points to food and gives you a daily limit so your portions are controlled. 

The points will shock the heck out of you. That greek yogurt with honey I was having every morning- KILLER. Same with the eggs, sandwiches and pasta! No wonder I had gained all this weight, it was WAY more than I needed! With the help of Weight Watchers, I completely overhauled my diet and starting eating way less processed, packaged foods and starting cooking almost every meal for us.

That being said, this is what I eat on a typical weekday.

Breakfast

• 12oz all fruit smoothie. I used to use Greek yogurt but don't feel like I need it anymore.
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, whites only

Snack

• Fruit (nectarine, plum, pear, berries, etc)
• 1/8 cup mixed nuts or 1/2 cup edamame

Lunch

• Usually leftovers (I make 4-6 servings at once) or if I eat out, I get vegetable pho w/ tofu

Snack

• More fruit and nuts if I haven't had them already
• One serving of no sugar added applesauce
• Mini rice cakes, either cheddar or caramel. Yes, this is now considered "junk food" for me haha!

Dinner

• A variety of WW-friendly recipes that usually involve a ton a veggies and few carbs. My husband, a carnivore, usually cooks up some meat for the week and portions it out with each meal. Usually tri-tip or chicken. 
• Here are some of my favorite recipes. Make sure you follow the portions, as hard as it may be!
• Chopped Greek Salad - 6 WW pts
• Roasted Vegetable Tacos - 6 WW pts for 2 tacos
• Lettuce Cup Tacos w/ veg crumbles, beans and cheese - 7 WW pts
• Zucchini Enchiladas - 7 WW pts
• Radicchio Salad - 7 WW pts
• Roasted Vegetable Couscous - 7 WW pts
• Caprese Bean Salad - 8 WW pts
• Italian Salad - 10 WW pts

Drinks

• Throughout the day, I drink tons of water and two cups of caffeinated tea (one at 9am-ish, one at 3pm-ish)
• Occasionally I will have a sweet green juice from Juice Shop SF, Pressed Juicery or Greens & Company
• At night I may have a glass of wine (or two, if I'm being honest)

I think the key to this routine, or any healthy eating routine, is to find foods and recipes that YOU like. Websites like Skinny Taste, Eat Yourself Skinny and The Fit Girl's Kitchen (remember Kat? :)) have hundreds of delicious recipes that make eating healthy actually enjoyable. A friend recently asked me if it's hard for me not to go out to lunch everyday and, without hesitating, I responded with "no way, I look forward to the lunch I bring!"

So now you guys know what I did to lose the weight I needed to for my wedding. Of course, it was very hard the first couple of weeks but then I started seeing results and got used to the routine. Now, over two months after my wedding, I have been able to maintain my weight by continuing to follow the plan. It's really become second nature to me. Don't get me wrong, I still love pizza and there are days when I DEFINITELY don't want to wake up for Pilates. Ultimately though, I've conditioned my body to be used to this new way of life.

If you all have any additional questions, feel free to shoot me an email at tartanandsequins@gmail.com!

Xo J