INSPIRATION KICK!

crissfit:

OMG Making these!

Baked Parmesan Tomatoes

TIP: I used a cupcake tin to hold the tomatoes together while baking!

Ingredients

• 4 tomatoes, halved horizontally
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450° F.
2. Place tomatoes cut-side up on a baking sheet. Top with Parmesan, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and bake until the tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

~ 62 calories per half tomato.

Okay, this looks amazing. I need to make this.

Ooooo this looks awesome I loooove tomatoes!

fuelingit:

LOVE these

This + squats = BEST LEGS EVER Y/Y??

(via get-thinspiration)

fitforinfinity:

motivationforfitness:

Adipose. Known by the English speaking world as: fat. So, let us learn a little bit about it and then learn how to reduce it on our bodies.

Adipose is stored by our bodies in times of excess to ensure our survival in times of need. An overweight person is more likely to survive long medical therapies like chemotherapy thanks to the excess of energy stored by adipose cells.

As a general rule, fat cells do not increase or decrease in number (note: it’s not impossible for either of these to happen, it’s just not common) instead they just grow or shrink in size. They are given excess sugar to store as energy by insulin and energy is removed for use in the body by glucagon (both produced by the pancreas.) 

So, why the run down? I think it’s important (and super fun… because I’m a geek) to know a little bit about your body part of interest before you change it. :D 

Since we now know that sugar is what is most commonly stored as fat, we can make a pretty good assumption on how to control our level of fat.

• Reduce your sugar intake. (No… NOT FRUIT!!! Fruit is fine thanks to all that fiber!) But other sugars should be reduced (they don’t have to be removed completely!) This includes white sugar, brown sugar, sugar in the raw, honey, maple syrup and agave nectar.
• Have a reasonable carbohydrate intake. Carbs break down into glucose and glucose is sugar. Now, don’t go all psycho on me and play the low/no carb game. That’s what we call a fad diet and as soon as you start eating carbs again, you’ll bloat up. Patience and moderation is needed when it comes to changing your body! Reduce your carbs to about 55% of your daily calorie intake. America is a carb loving country and many people do eat too many carbs… but it’s not an all or nothing system! (YAY!) So have your carbs, but learn to eat them throughout the day and try to not have it as the main course of your meal.
• Make sure you’re getting enough fat. Wait… what? Yup… fat. Eat it! Healthy fats. The unsaturated fats are your new friend, say hello! Olive oil, fish oil, nut and seed oils… you need essential fatty acids (EFA’s or the Omega 6 and Omega 3) to help you lose fat. Crazy, right? Well… not really, when you think about it. EFA’s aid in digestion, in the function of your thyroid gland, liver, kidneys and helps lower cholesterol. Your brain is 60% fat. Whoa! Ha ha, fat head. No, totally true. Your entire nervous system depends heavily on EFA’s. EFA’s cannot be synthesized by the body and must be found by way of a dietary source. Please don’t skip out on your fats!!! I actually take a supplement since some fats are only available from meat and dairy (like CLA.) Make sure you’re getting your fat!!!
• Exercise! Cardio is not the devil (okay, maybe it is… for some of you) but it’s not going to eat your muscles unless you do it to excess. Cardio is great for keeping your heart and lungs strong, and when done with the right intensity and for the right amount of time (this will vary greatly by person and fitness level) you will help kick the unwanted layers of adipose. Also ensure you are doing strength training. Muscle has a high energy demand and will help you to burn fat. So, what does that actually mean? your resting metabolic rate will increase over time and your body will eat up adipose easier.

Hope this helps my awesome anon who asked!

Cheers,
~Bonnie 

This is super helpful, thanks for writing this up!

leanmeanworkoutmachine:

1. Apples

1st Choice (Natural State): Apple

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Applesauce

Limit (Highly Processed): Apple toaster pastry

Shopping Tip: While applesauce is a healthy choice, it has fewer nutrients than a whole apple.

2. Oranges

1st Choice (Natural State): Orange

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): 100% orange juice

Limit (Highly Processed): Orange drink

Shopping Tip: Many fruit drinks contain high fructose corn syrup and little real juice.

3. Strawberries

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh strawberries

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Strawberry preserves

Limit (Highly Processed): Strawberry gelatin dessert

Shopping Tip: Gelatin desserts usually contain artificial strawberry flavor, not real fruit.

4. Peaches

1st Choice (Natural State): Peach

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Canned peaches in 100% juice

Limit (Highly Processed): Canned peaches in heavy syrup

Shopping Tip: Fruit canned in heavy syrup has more sugar and calories than fresh fruit.

5. Figs

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh figs

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Fig preserves

Limit (Highly Processed): Fig sandwich cookies

Shopping Tip: Packaged fruit cookies may contain refined sugar and preservatives.

6. Pineapple

1st Choice (Natural State): Pineapple

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Canned diced pineapple

Limit (Highly Processed): Pineapple cocktail cup

Shopping Tip: Fresh pineapple is higher in vitamins C and A and beta-carotene than canned.

7. Corn

1st Choice (Natural State): Corn on the cob

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Corn tortilla chips

Limit (Highly Processed): Cornflakes

Shopping Tip: Buy tortilla chips with just three ingredients: whole corn, oil, and salt — and eat in moderation.

8. Spinach

1st Choice (Natural State): Spinach

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Bagged prewashed spinach

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen creamed spinach

Shopping Tip: When buying frozen vegetables, avoid those packaged with sodium-rich sauces. Buy plain and add your own light sauce.

9. Garlic

1st Choice (Natural State): Garlic

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Jarred minced garlic

Limit (Highly Processed): Bottled garlic marinade

Shopping Tip: Minced fresh garlic is cheaper and more flavorful than jarred.

10. Carrots

1st Choice (Natural State): Carrots

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Baby carrots

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen honey-glazed carrots

Shopping Tip: Baby carrots are healthy but more expensive than regular-size loose carrots.

11. Soup

1st Choice (Natural State): Soup from scratch

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Canned soup

Limit (Highly Processed): Dehydrated soup mix

Shopping Tip: Homemade soup often has less sodium and more flavor than canned.

12. Ham

1st Choice (Natural State): Heritage ham

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Deli ham

Limit (Highly Processed): Packaged deli bologna

Shopping Tip: Heritage varieties of pork are much less likely to contain hormones than factory meat

13. Turkey

1st Choice (Natural State): Whole turkey

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Deli turkey

Limit (Highly Processed): Store-bought turkey meatballs

Shopping Tip: If you buy turkey and other meats at the deli counter, ask for brands free of fillers and nitrates.

14. Beef

1st Choice (Natural State): Grass-fed beef

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Grain-fed beef

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen beef patties

Shopping Tip: Grass-fed meat is higher in nutrients and lower in fat than grain-fed beef.

15. Chicken

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh chicken breasts

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Deli sliced chicken

Limit (Highly Processed): Chicken nuggets

Shopping Tip: Chicken nuggets contain very little real chicken.

16. Eggs

1st Choice (Natural State): Pasture-raised eggs

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Omega-3-fortified eggs

Limit (Highly Processed): Egg beaters

Shopping Tip: Pasture-raised eggs may have 35% less saturated fat, 60% more vitamin A, and 200% more omega-3s compared to omega-3-fortified eggs and egg beaters, which come from chickens kept in coops.

17. Cream

1st Choice (Natural State): Cream

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Fat-free half cream / half milk

Limit (Highly Processed): Flavored dairy creamer

Shopping Tip: Flavored dairy creamers are often made with colorings, artificial flavors, and corn syrup.

18. Yogurt

1st Choice (Natural State): Plain yogurt

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Flavored yogurt

Limit (Highly Processed): Flavored yogurt drink

Shopping Tip: Buy plain yogurt and flavor it at home with honey or fresh fruit.

19. Bread

1st Choice (Natural State): Whole grain bread

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Wheat bread

Limit (Highly Processed): Fortified white bread

Shopping Tip: If a whole grain isn’t the first ingredient, you’re missing out on nutrients.

20. Pasta

1st Choice (Natural State): Dried whole wheat pasta

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Dried white pasta

Limit (Highly Processed): Instant noodles

Shopping Tip: Whole grain pasta is higher in antioxidants than white or instant noodles.

21. Rice

1st Choice (Natural State): Brown rice

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): White rice

Limit (Highly Processed): Flavored instant rice

Shopping Tip: Brown rice, unlike white, hasn’t had its fiber-rich layers of bran and germ removed.

22. Nuts

1st Choice (Natural State): Peanuts

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Natural peanut butter

Limit (Highly Processed): Processed peanut butter

Shopping Tip: Natural peanut butter should contain only peanuts and a dash of salt.

23. Soy

1st Choice (Natural State): Fresh edamame (whole soybeans)

2nd Choice (Somewhat Processed): Tofu

Limit (Highly Processed): Frozen veggie burgers (containing soy ingredients)

Shopping Tip: Frozen veggie burgers are vegetarian-friendly but are highly processed.

(Source: , via girlgrowingsmall)

navel-gazer:

“Muscle makes all the difference.”

Just to answer a few of the questions I received in one swoop: yes, this is me; the first photo was taken about a month after I started working out with a personal trainer; the second photo is four months after I started with the trainer. I posted this on Reddit’s ProgressPics forum and got a big response from women who were discouraged about their exercise when it seemed like they weren’t losing any pounds. Thought sharing this on my blog might help some others.

Building muscle is so important and makes a big difference in how I look and feel. I won’t even weigh myself anymore, but prefer to use visual references like this — there’s still plenty of room for improvement, but you can see that numbers aren’t all that matter.

Truth.

(Source: navel-gazer, via sweatsalty)

This just popped up on my dash…Why on EARTH would you repost my graphic when MY URL IS ON IT?!

C’mon now. C’mon. 

(Source: fitdeer, via get-healthy-feel-awesome)

sciencingsara:

Sweet potato & brie mac ‘n cheese.

Edit: Click-through link to recipe added. Oops. I forgot the first time around.

Oh god….

(via fitforinfinity)

iwannaeatthis:

Avocado Hummus

2 garlic cloves
1 (15-ounce) can of garbanzo beans
1 lemon, zest and juice
2 tablespoon tahini
2 avocados
Salt
Olive Oil
Paprika

1. Place garlic cloves, garbanzo beans, lemon zest and juice from the lemon and tahini in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Salt to taste.

2. Add two avocados and blend just until smooth. Salt to taste once more. Transfer to a bowl, pour a few tablespoons of olive oil on top, and sprinkle a few dashes of paprika. Serve with whatever you like, whether it be pita chips, warm slices of pita or crackers.

(via Avocado Hummus)

(via shreddintheexcess)

(Source: myfitnessblog27, via berryhealthy)

(Source: saladisthemaincourse, via shreddintheexcess)

overcoming-obstacles:

leanmeanworkoutmachine:

How to Maximize Those Butt-Toning Squats! 

If strong, sculpted legs are what you’re after, you’ve got to become one with the squat. The basic exercise targets glutes, hamstrings, quads, and core, so incorporating it into your strength-training workouts is definitely worth your while. Here are some ways to get more bang for your butt — er, I mean buck — when doing squats:

Focus on your heels: When doing a squat, make sure to shift your weight back onto your heels and lower the body as if you’re about to sit in a chair. This proper form helps to put even more focus on the glutes and hamstrings and takes pressure off the knees. It also offers a stable surface that enables you to get low to the ground, which is what makes the move so effective.

Try variations: Target lower body muscles differently by changing the position of your feet. Squat with your big toes together, feet out wide, and try one heel or both heels lifted, or even one leg lifted (to get legs like Cameron Diaz). Step on a Bosu ball and squat on a wobbly surface to work your core, and try twisting variations for even more of a challenge. Check out this list of different squat variations.

Multitask with weights: Squats focus on the legs and butt, but you can make it a total-body move by working your upper body at the same time. Grab a set of dumbbells or a resistance band and while squatting, do front raises, biceps curls, overhead presses, lateral arm raises, and overhead triceps extensions.

Take your squats for a walk: While squatting, take steps forward or backward as if you’re walking, or take steps out to the side. Make it even harder by tying a resistance band around your ankles for even more of a burn. Learn how to do squat walks with a resistance band here.

Add a jump: Work your heart and leg muscles by adding a jump between reps. Get into your squat position. Bend the knees and lower down and, as you’re coming up, press off the balls of your feet into an exploding jump, then land in squat position and repeat. This is also a great move for challenging your core and balancing abilities.

Hold it: Traditionally you move the torso up and down as you do your squats, but if you lower down and hold the position for 15 or more seconds, you’ll really feel the burn. While lowered, you can also pulse up and down ever so slightly for 15 seconds before coming all the way up.

Hands down this is my favorite exercise

(Source: , via sweatsalty)