Tune in. Eat right, train right for your body

People who don’t know me assume that I train for endless hours a day. In truth I am a single mum who spends most of her time juggle kids, teaching classes and sitting in front of a computer writing. I write for health and fitness magazines and I write personalized plans for people who want to look, feel and perform better. So I don’t workout all day, every day. I can’t. Over the years I have figure out what works for my body, but as a trainer and a coach i have learned a lot about what works for women bodies too.

The key to staying in shape is to train right and eat right. But not only that, its about managing stress and sleeping right too. Optimal health is like baking a cake. You need to factor in everything (all the ingredients) to get the right recipe to make the perfect cake. If one of the ingredients is not right, such as not enough sleep, or not the right amount of food at the right time, then the cake won't turn out right.

The first step is to start listening to your body, so ditch those calorie counters and start actually tuning in to your body. The body is the most amazing machine that is constantly telling you want it need for optimal health. If you are hungry then eat. Stop eating when you are feeling full, no matter how much food is left on your plate. If you are tired, rest. Take note of the difference between true fatigue and laziness. Take note of how you feel after eating certain foods? Do you feel bloated and lethargic? Or do you feel energized and full of vitality?

Tuning in is the 1st step but if anyone would like a little extra guidance feel free to check out my personal plans here or email me at sophia@sophiaFIT.com and I can email you the plan outlines.

Calories - The Basics

Before I leave you to delve into this blog I’d like add that I am not here to tell you or condone calorie counting, as it can become very destructive and turn into a obsession rather than listening to your body! I am providing you with a brief understanding on what a calorie is and how tracking your intake can make a impact on your health, both positively and negatively.

To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn. In theory, this sounds simple. However learning and understanding how to manage your intake of food can prove to be a tricky task! As we are constantly bombarded with information whether it be from friends, TV, magazines or social networks about calories it can makes it hard to know what’s right and what’s wrong!

Firstly, what is a calorie?
A calorie is a measure of energy. In science, it's defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius. We use calories that we eat and drink for essential functions such as breathing and thinking, as well as day-to-day activities such as walking, talking and eating! Excess intake of calories causes what you eat to be stored as fat therefore consistently eating more than you burn will cause weight gain overtime.

The United States government states that the average man needs 2,700 kcal per day and the average woman needs 2,200 kcal per day.

Keep in mind not everybody needs the same number of calories each day! People have different metabolisms that burn energy at different rates, and some people have more active lifestyles than others.

The recommended intake of calories per day depends on several factors, including:
• overall general health
• physical activity demands
• sex
• weight
• height
• body shape

Your body needs calories to survive! Without energy the cells within your body would begin to die, the function of your heart and lungs would stop and your organs would not be able to carry out the basic processes needed for living!

Now, not all calories are equal! The number of calories in food tell us how much potential energy the contain but not only calories that are important, the substance from which the calories is taken from is vital! These so called “empty” calories are those that provide energy but very little nutritional value. The elements of food that provide empty calories contain next to no dietary fiber, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals or vitamins! Empty calories can be made up of solid fats and added sugars. Solid fats are either naturally found in foods or can be added when foods are processed. Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added then food or beverages are processed!

• Cakes, cookies, pastries, and donuts (contain both solid fat and added sugars)
• Sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit drinks (contain added sugars)
• Cheese (contains solid fat)
• Pizza (contains solid fat)
• Ice cream (contains both solid fat and added sugars)
• Sausages, hot dogs, bacon, and ribs (contain solid fat)

The foods and beverages above are the main sources of empty calories but many can be found in no solid fat or added sugar products such as low-fat yogurt, no fat cheese or sugar free soft drink.

Choosing unsweetened applesauce or extra lean ground beef, can help keep your intake of added sugars and solid fats low but remember a small amount of empty calories is okay and won’t kill you! It is important to limit empty calories to the amount that fits your calorie and nutrient needs.

The main thing I would like you to take away from this blog is to ensure your diet is filled with whole, nutrient dense foods which will help you limit your intake of empty calorie foods!

Ditch counting calories and ....
• Opt for nutrient-dense options that our great-grandparents would recognise as food
• Go for a wide variety of in-season produce and ingredients
• Cook, which really is the key to it all
• Cut out processed foods
• Focus on regaining our natural appetite and cutting the cravings

Apple Cider Vinegar.. Yes, No, Maybe?

What is all the fuss about you may ask? Yes Apple Cider Vinegar is a great addition to a salad dressing but is it really a health miracle?

It is touted as a natural health cure, with a number of suggested health benefits such as weight loss, improved heart health & even treats dandruff. Although some of these health claims have potential, with small studies to back them up. Others, however, have little to no evidence of their validity.

Yes some small studies show encouraging results for apple cider vinegar's weight loss benefits. Though it may help with weight loss and health conditions, apple cider vinegar should NOT take place as a soul weight loss method!

Evidence-based weight loss plans encourage people to:
- Cut back or avoid processed foods and added sugars
- Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week

Apple cider vinegar is good to include but definitely NOT an essential! If you are keen to try start adding 1 - 2  tablespoons to a glass of water to enjoy in the morning upon waking!

New Year, New You!

The beginning of a new year is such an exciting time! It is time where you can ultimately reset and create new goals to smash throughout the year! Don't get me wrong I love the holidays but in most cases they are not necessarily great for our waistline!! In 2018 I want to be your mentor, your inspiration and your friend to help you with your health & fitness goals!!

I know a lot of you want to make positive changes to your health to kick off the new year so I am offering both my Nutrition eBook and my 7 Day Meal Plan for 50% off!

Subscribe to my newsletter here to receive the special code for 50% off My New Year Bundles! This is only available for the month of January! 

These books still offer loads of recipes and my basic philosophy on eating for weight loss including what you eat, when, how much and why, and other factors that affect your health and weight loss potential.

Thanksgiving Special!

How is everyone feeling the day after Thanksgiving? If you are looking for some new fresh, light and clean recipes to cleanse your body from all that holiday eating, my 7 Day Meal Plan e book is available at 30% off today and this weekend only. You can grab it here!. Simply enter the discount code: SPECIAL30 at checkout to receive your 30% of!! 

Offer ends Sunday 26th of November so get in quick so you don't miss out!!

Create your own adventure with Macro Bowls!

Macro Bowls are not only super easy to make but jam packed with nutrient dense veggies, fruits/carbohydrates, healthy fats, and quality proteins! They are perfect for people who are time poor, constantly on the go or busy running around after your kids! The best thing about Macro bowls is there is no secret recipe or rules, you can literally add as many macronutrients as you desire!

Here's a quick breakdown on what makes the perfect macro bowl:

Greens | Spinach, romaine, arugula, kale, micro greens, sprouts etc.
Proteins | Keep it plant-based by choosing proteins such as tempeh, beans, quinoa and lentils or animal based protein such as salmon, tuna, chicken, turkey mince or eggs!
Healthy fats | Avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds
Veggies | Carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, snap peas, peas, radish, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower or any other veggies that tickle your tastebuds!
Carbohydrates | Sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, beans (starchy-protein), corn and peas (starchy veggie). Key is to pick slow releasing carbohydrates to help you sustain your energy throughout the day!
Fruits | Strawberries, pears, banana, papaya, mango, grapes, raspberries, apples, etc.
Add-ons | Fermented veggies like kim chi or sauerkraut, homemade hummus..
Dressing | Keep it super simple with lemon juice and a dash of extra virgin olive oil or try my favourite combo of dijon mustard, tahini, lemon and apple cider vinegar!

My Favourite Macro Bowl Recipe!
This Macro bowl combo proteins packed & of course delicious!

INGREDIENTS
- 350 grams skinless chicken breast
- 1/3 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup of green beans
- 1/2 cup of broccoli
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- 1/2 cup of sweet potato peeled and cubed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Tamari
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 180c
2. Cook quinoa
3. Toss sweet potato in half of the sesame oil and place on lined oven tray. Cook for 20 minutes until golden.
4. Dice chicken and mix with garlic and tamari. Cook in hot frypan with the rest of the sesame oil until cooked through.
5. Steam the greens on the stovetop or in the microwave until tender crisp.
6. Portion the chicken, quinoa and veggies into bowls.
7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

I would love to hear & see your macro bowl creation!

Sleepy Brain = Sleepy Body

You might not believe it now but being short on sleep can really affect your weight! Yes I know we all live such busy lives and sometime you need to make sacrifices to complete all your jobs but this is something that should become a priority!!

 Do you find yourself reaching for a large latte or two to get you through the day?! Or have you been tempted to skip a workout because you're too tired and get take away for dinner? Well this can not only explain the reason why are you are struggling to lose weight but may cause you to be less motivated to get moving! 

Ensuring you get enough shut-eye is as important to your health, well-being and your weight as are diet and exercise! Achieving less than seven hours of sleep per night can reduce and undo some of benefits from weight loss. As when you have a “sleepy” brain it ultimately sets your brain up to make poor decisions, therefore dulling the activity into the brain's frontal lobe that is in charge of decision-making and impulse control! (TIP: Don’t do your weekly grocery shopping on little sleep!!)

Other than the effect on your brain function, insufficient sleep can affect your levels of insulin. Insulin regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein by promoting the absorption of, especially, glucose from the blood into fat, liver and skeletal muscle cells. So when insulin is functional well, the fat cells remove fatty acids and lipids from your bloodstream and prevent storage. BUT if you consistently don’t allow yourself enough sleep you will become more insulin resistant eventually leading to excess insulin which ends up as stored fat in all the wrong places!!

 Enough of the fact and onto some tips to help you ensure you get at least 7 hours of sleep!

• Shutdown your computer, mobile, and TV at least an hour before you head to bed
• Keep your bedroom for only sleep and sex! Think relaxation and release, rather than work or entertainment. So try and avoid having a desk or computer in your room, save that for the office or kitchen bench!
• Create a bedtime ritual. Instead, take a warm bath, meditate, or read.
• Stick to a schedule, waking up and winding down out at the same times every day, even on weekends.
• Watch what and when you eat. Avoid eating heavy meals and alcohol close to bedtime.  And steer clear of soda, tea, coffee, and chocolate after 2 p.m. (Keep in mind this is different for everyone!)
• Ensure your room is dark as darkness cues your body to release the natural sleep hormone melatonin, while light suppresses it!

These tips are pretty basic but trust me they you will see the results!

Lets talk about FIBER..

As people are becoming more and more fixated on finding the perfect diet to help with lose fat or gain muscle people are overlooking the hire component of fat lose, FIBER!

Fiber, often referred to as roughage or bulk, is a component indigestible part of the plant based foods that pushes through our digestive system, absorbing water along the way and easing bowel movements.

There are three different types of fibre which all have different functions and health benefits.

 Soluble fiber helps to slow the emptying process in our stomachs, which helps us feel fuller for longer! Foods rich in this type of fiber include oatmeal, nuts, beans, apples, and blueberries

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Insoluble fiber absorbs water to help soften the contents of our bowels and supports regular bowel movements. This is found in the seeds and skins of fruit (so always eat your peels) as well as whole-wheat bread and brown rice.

 Resistant starch is not digested in the small intestine and instead proceeds to the largeintestine where it assists the production of good bacteria and improves bowel health! Foods rich in this type include bananas, potatoes and cashews.

 Fiber is hugely important for gut health and the absorption of nutrients, therefore aiding digestion as it bulks up food in the digestive tract which makes your feel fuller for longer!

The minimum fibre intake should be no less that 20g for females and 25g for males but no more the 40g for females and 50-60g for males. But with most things too much of anything can be bad for you! If you fibre intake is too high is can reflect badly on you gut health and nutrient absorption. You need to focus on finding that SWEET SPOT!

Here are my TOP TIPS FIBRE TIPS!

1.     Eat Breakfast. Breakfast is a great place to start adding fibre.

2.     Add seeds. All kinds of seeds are high in fibre so aim to add 2 tablespoons of seeds into your diet each day!

3.     Eat more beans!! Lentils and beans are very high in fibre, especially soluble fibre. Try to have beans at least 3 or 4 times a week.

4.     Add Vegetables. As a good rule of thumb, salad or vegetables should make up 1/3 of your lunch and 1/3 of your dinner. Short on time? Frozen veggies are just as good!

5.     Eat Fruit. A piece of fruits will give you over 2g of fiber!! So aim to have 2-3 pieces of fruit everyday! Try slicing banana for brekky, adding apple to your salad and enjoying an orange a snack.

6.     Snack on nuts and dried fruit. Snacks like mixed nuts and raisins are high in fiber and make a great alternative to crisp and sugary snacks! All you need is a handful to help boost your intake

7.     Drink water.

** Remember it is normal to feel some bloating and to pass a little more wind when you first start to add in more fibre. This will settle down in a week or two.