Sorry to be so blunt, but my blog title got your attention right?
As my blog and social media has grown over the past few months, the #1 question I’ve been asked recently is “How do you stay skinny when you eat so much?”. First off, let me first say that I don’t not consider myself skinny. I have curves and just like many of you, I struggle every single day of my life with feeling bloated and heavy.
I do recognize however, that considering that amount of food I eat or am perceived to eat (see my Instagram) coupled with the number of food-related events that I go to, I am on the smaller side of the spectrum. With the holidays coming up, I thought I might share my tricks with you in the hopes that you will be able to use some of them to help you over the next few weeks (or in life).
1) Kick start your metabolism w/ protein right when you wake up!: For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know I’m a huge advocate for Amazing Grass (and no, they have never paid me to say that). Ever since I started my day off with this (it’s been almost a year now), I’ve found it much easier to control my weight. Recently, I started working with a nutrition trainer who told me to add a little extra protein to my morning to see even better results. I started adding 1 scoop of Isopure to my almond milk/amazing grass breakfast. This powder is essentially pure protein and really gives my metabolism the jumpstart it needs. If you’re not into the powders, try having a couple of eggs right when you wake up. The whole idea is to just give your metabolism a punch so it works hard for you all day.
2) Interval Running: I hate working out as much as anyone. The fact is, unless your some freak of nature who naturally doesn’t gain weight, you have to get some cardio action in a few times a week. To make it as painless as possible, I found a great, 20 minute cardio workout that is easy and actually kind of fun!
It’s a treadmill workout that goes like this:
Walk for 2 minutes at 4.0 mph
Sprint for 30 seconds at 6.5-8.0 mph(depending on your fitness level)
Walk for 1 minute at 4.0 mph
Repeat that until minute 18 and and then walk the rest at 4.0 mph.
Because you’re constantly changing speeds and switching things up, the workout goes by super quick. Sometimes I even forget to get my headphones on because I’m thinking the whole time. It’s great. If you can get this run in 3-4 times a week, you’re golden. Oh, and it’s most important to do this cardio the day of a big meal. So I know it’s painful, but get your butt up on Christmas and go for a run. You will thank me after.
3) Don’t Starve Yourself Before a Big Meal: As tempting as it is to wait all day for that big meal and be super hungry, it’s actually one of the worst things you can do. Basically, by waiting all day to eat, your body goes into “starvation mode” and when you finally do eat, it decides to store the fat just incase it needs it for you when starve again. Instead, start your day off with a punch to the metabolism by eating lots of protein and have a yummy protein and vegetable heavy lunch like a chicken salad. By the time dinner comes along, you will be just as hungry, but your metabolism will be revved-up and ready to go.
4) Take Bites: This tip may be hard for a lot of people, but with time, it gets much easier. One of my biggest secrets that people figure out when they eat out with me is that I don’t eat everything that is put in front of me in it’s entirety. If it’s something not healthy, I take 1-2 bites of it and then I stop. When people tell me they have no self control and have to eat the entire thing, I say this: “Would you rather have none of it and stop it completely or be able to enjoy one or two delicious bites?”. Try the self-control thing. It makes a healthy lifestyle much more enjoyable then restricting yourself completely.
5) Don’t Stress and love yourself: One of the biggest reasons why people gain weight is because they are always stressing about it and stress makes you gain weight! Instead of stressing, make an effort to do the right things (i.e follow some of these suggestions) and be proud of yourself for living a healthy lifestyle. The weight will come off as a by product of your happiness. Stop obsessing and just love yourself, because you’re the only “you” in this entire world.
Love always,
Erica
About to head to the gym and will try your interval run! XX Kat
Yayy! You will love it babe
I don’t get the obsession about being skinny. You waste your time obsessing about your looks when everything else is so much more important. You’re one of hundreds of thousands of women who just succumb to the pressures that society places on them instead of finding strength and fighting back.Posting stuff like this just makes you sound shallow. FYI you are skinny and you sound like an asshole stating otherwise. Beauty and being thin should not define a woman,yet you’ve ignorantly fallen prey to the pressures of society that tell you these lies.
Jennifer,
As women we should be empowering one another. Calling people names and weight shaming them doesn’t make you any better. This post is too help people enjoy their holiday food without compromising their health. Obesity, Diabetes, High Blood pressure, etc are a serious problem in our society. Helping people to enjoy life in moderation is only meant to encourage a healthy life style, it is all about being being good to your body. Just because someone is “skinny” doesn’t mean they don’t work very hard for the body they have to be able to enjoy food in moderation. It appears to me you are just unhappy with your own life and are taking it out in the wrong way. Please spread love and positive vibes not hate and anger. Have a great day!