Finding A Food Balance as a Personal Trainer
I haven’t done a What I Ate Wednesday post in FOREVER, which is crazy because I used to do them religiously every week. I figured today was a good day to cross this post off my list because I continue to get comments in reference to my Instagram and my eating habits, both at work and online.
You guys, I love food. The supermarket is my happy place and I could spend hours wandering around and looking at new products. I love food that is healthy and I love food that is dripping in chocolate and has 5 sticks of butter in it. I’ve worked out a system that works for me and allows me to enjoy the best of both worlds.
I want to take you through a typical day of eats Monday-Friday. It may not be EXACTLY the same for those five days, but my main meal staples usually are. I’m lucky in that I don’t mind eating the same things over and over again, so a lot of my breakfast, lunch, and dinner have very little variation.
*this post contains some affiliate links
Breakfast
Because Monday-Friday my days start very early, I’m not as hungry and I also don’t want to wake up any earlier than I have to. Most of the time I grab a PROBAR on my way out the door, but if I know I won’t be gone long, I’ve been enjoying these Luna Bars instead. Both flavors are delicious and have 25% less sugar!
Smoothie
I either train or teach first thing in the morning, then get a workout in. Post-workout I usually have time to go back home until the afternoon or evening when more training and teaching happens. It’s great because I can use those middle hours to work on this blog, catch up on any freelance work I’m doing, and focus on social media content and strategy for Sweat as their Director of Social Media.
As soon as I get home, I make myself generally the same green smoothie: 2 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 scoop protein powder (lately I’ve been using Vega Sport, but it rotates), 1 zucchini, 2 giant handfuls of Power Greens from Costco, and blueberries. I’ve been adding in some Wheatgrass and Camu powder as well since I stocked up as an Navitas Naturals Insider.
Tea
I used to stop at home every day and pick up a decaf double espresso from Starbucks, but ever since it got cold, I’ve been drinking tea religiously. I’m really only a fan of black tea, and I’ve been combining Saigon Chai and Pistachio Ice Cream from DAVIDs TEA. My beloved Cardamom French Toast is all gone for the season and so is the giant tin I thought would last me. 🙁
Lunch
You may have seen on Instagram, but I’ve started getting 90 eggs from Costco every time I run out. At first it was because they were sold out of my 36, but then I realized the cost savings and given that I eat them every day, I continued to buy them.
My lunch is usually 3 scrambled eggs with some ghost pepper from TJs (so good). I also use some salt and pepper, and it’s one of my favorite meals. If I’m in the mood, I’ll add in some of these awesome Scrambles I got in the mail or I used up all the lunch meat from this post in no time by mixing it in. It’s on my list to grab again because it took those eggs up a serious notch.
Snack
Sometime before dinner I will get hungry again and this part of my day is the most variable. I’m a huge intuitive eater, so if I’m hungry, I’ll eat and if I’m not, then I won’t. Pretty simple. Some days I’m hungrier than others and may whip up a new smoothie bowl to share with you guys, but other days I’m only slightly hungry and may only grab a banana or a handful of granola.
Dinner
My dinner for the past couple months has been the same every weeknight. Very exciting, I know. I bake chicken breasts seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever seasoning I’m in the mood for and then combine it with loads of vegetables. The ones I always have on hand are spaghetti squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and carrots.
Since I discovered the spaghetti squash hack of popping the entire thing in the microwave for ~ 12 min, my life has changed and I make it all. the. time. Just make sure to make a small cut on the outside, but other than that, pop it in and then easily slice it open and scoop out the seeds once it’s done. I’ll usually eat half the entire squash, which is a lot depending on how big it is. I also buy kombucha by the case and tend to drink it most often with dinner. SO GOOD.
I try not to eat a lot of grains because my stomach doesn’t seem to digest them well, but all bets are off during weekend food adventures. I mean, pizza and donuts. Come on.
Dessert
And because the day wouldn’t be complete without dessert, sometime around 7 or 8 pm I get hungry again and usually eat an apple with homemade pumpkin spice almond butter. It is the BEST. If I want more vegetables in my life, I skip the apple in favor of a sweet potato (also done in the microwave in ~ 6 min), cinnamon, and almond butter. Or Medjool dates and almond butter. I think you get the picture.
Of course there are random days (like Monday, Pi day!) when my routine may vary and I have (HAVE) to go get pie. This is the basic skeleton of how I eat on a weekly basis that, combined with exercise, gives me the balance I need to be able to take the weekends off and explore the city to bring you fantastic food creations.
Thanks as always for following along guys!
Questions:
- Are you an intuitive eater?
- What’s your favorite snack?
I was about to ask where the donuts were.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…The ABCs of Suz : From Paris to Pet Peeves!
I have been an intuitive theater for the decades but never was it more challenging than when I owned my training studio. I was forced to plan a lot more than I would have liked.
Carla recently posted…Whats Your Language of Encouragement?
Oh yeah I can imagine! Luckily I’m able to come home during parts of the day
This was not what I imagined at all!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…WIAW…Taming The Hunger Monster
I love food! For me it is a 80/20 balance. I eat the same breakfast every morning (egg sandwich on a flat bread with a light spread of goat cheese and ham). I have my mid morning/post workout protein shake every day. Lunch depends but usually consists of veggies and a protein. There is always an after noon snack and typically chicken or fish for dinner (I keep Salmon from Costco on my freezer and love it). I too get hungry before bed and always have a snack. I love popcorn, fruit or granola. On the weekends I let my self enjoy some of the sweeter things I wouldn’t and we order out Friday nights. I love food so it is all about balance!
Crystal Renaud recently posted…Making Time For Myself
Sounds like you’ve got the right idea! Love it!
I’ve quite personally training at gyms 5 years ago, althought I still am one. Since 2004, eek! i’m old. But it took lots of trial and error and prep to find what works. P.s that almond butter is taunting me.
It’s got your name on it. Yeah, I was just remembering the other day about all your fitness pictures you used to post!
Awww I was hoping to see more amazing donut and burger pictures. You mean you don’t eat like that everyday???
Bri recently posted…Guest Post: 5 common exercises performed incorrectly and how to fix them
Hahaha oh man I wish. But then I don’t think I’d be able to move from the couch!
I had an apple dipped in pumpkin spice peanut butter the other day, and it was the best thing I put in my mouth in a long time (#TWSS). I am sure your almond butter is no different!
I think if I lived alone or did all the cooking (my husband cooks 90% of the time), I would eat similarly. Eggs are standard around here – although 90 might be too much for us.
Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…Currently // March 2016
I eat like 3 a day so it takes me like a month haha. Apples and almond butter is one of my all time faves!
Great post and yummy eats. I am an intuitive eater most of the time unless I am trying to lose some weight. I am currently trying to slim down so I am counting calories and macros. I do this because I am not willing to go cold turkey and eat all the way clean I still like my treats.
Ivanna recently posted…I’M A PERSONAL TRAINER + I GAINED WEIGHT
I like that. Whenever I’ve totally tried to cut out things I like I’m miserable and tend to just binge on them later!
Wow, you’ve done an amazing job on keeping balance Erin. All of this looks so nutritious and delicious. Praise the Lord for balanced, healthy, delicious food. 🙂 And I used to be an intuitive eater, got into calorie counting (which wasn’t a good idea for me), and now my loving Heavenly Father is stripping those idols of food and calories day by day. It’s a process. He is so gracious.
Emily recently posted…WIAW: No Food Judgment
Glad you’re finding your way through that process!
Lots of fruits and veggies here! Yum. I would say that I eat more indulgently on the weekend, but it kind of just depends on my plans. If I go out to eat I usually won’t worry too much about eating super nutritiously.
Kate recently posted…What I loved (WIAW)
Yeah, I find it takes too much for me to be super strict about how I eat
Thanks for sharing how you balance mac n’cheese pizza with life 😛 I like to think I’m an intuitive eater too but it’s harder when I have to pack meals during the work week. It’s so much easier on the weekends.
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Toasted Coconut Chocolate Pudding Pie
Whenever I would pack for work I would always eat everything I brought even if I wasn’t hungry haha. I like the way I have it worked out right now 🙂
Hi Erin! Fun post. I love to see what other people eat, of course. And it’s nice you have the ability to make so much of your food at home. As far as sticking to the same types of foods – that’s very common, and I do it too. If you know what you like, it takes some of the decision-making out of each day. As long as you rotate your greens of course. 🙂 Great eats!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…A meal-prep plan for five days of healthy lunches
Yeah the greens I get from Costco are a mix of three different ones so I’m making sure to get a little of everything in there!
I love how you’re showing that eating doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. You do a great job of eating healthy, but not fussing about a treat here and there.
I also eat pretty much the same during the week and it honestly just makes life so much easier. I love not needing to worry about what to make or what to bring for lunch.
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Accounting for Bloggers: How to Structure Your Business
Totally. If I got bored I don’t know what I’d eat all the time!
I think you are an intuitive eater to a T and scream balance. Seriously, you and Kelly are the best at this!
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Healthy 3 Ingredient No Bake Cereal Bars
Yay! A lot of time my intuition tells me to eat pizza.
Looks like a good day of eats! I am a huge proponent of intuitive eating. I eat pretty much at any time of day and eat what I feel like my body needs. It definitely isn’t easy to figure out, but i think you have it down!
Kerri McGrail recently posted…WIAW: Sushi bowls, Oats, Nice Cream & Kale!
Yeah, once you learn your body’s cues then it’s pretty easy!
I’ll be honest and say I was a tiny bit curious how you were managing those food posts. But since it isn’t my business then I didn’t ask. I love the way you eat. I am able to eat the same thing over and over also. Drives my husband crazy so I have to come up with extra and different for him. Thanks for the tip about the spec. Squash! I don’t buy it because I keep over cooking it!!
Omg throwing it in the microwave is the quickest thing!
Anything with almond/nut butter is my favorite dessert! especially with banana! I also pretty much eat the same thing for dinner as you do, chicken, veggies and some type of squash sweet tater, it fills me up and makes me feel so good!
Rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted…Healthy Banana Split Breakfast Cookies {GF + Vegan Option}
Right?? It’s so yummy!
WHAT, you can microwave spaghetti squash?!? I usually avoid buying it too often because it take so long in the oven. You just made my day! All delicious eats. Oh and I am the same way with grocery stores, I love walking around finding healthy products, I probably love it more than shopping for clothes ; )
Patricia @Sweet and Strong recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday, WIAW #2
Omg yes! Just make a couple inch cut on the outside so the steam can escape!
I could hang out at the grocery store forever too! And that almond butter…so drippy and delicious!
It’s so good I eat it all the time!
I’m intuitive in the fact that I will have ice cream when my cravings get to me…is that bad? hehehe 😛
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Sweet Potato Tacos With Creamy Avocado Sauce
No way. All ice cream all day.