Feeling bloated? You aren't alone. It's one of the most common complaints I receive from all types of clients. And it can lead to missed or uncomfortable workouts and lead to much distress if it happens frequently. So what causes it? And how can you alleviate it (the sooner the better)?
Read MoreHeading into an off-season? Should you adjust how you fuel your body? Read on for 7 nutrition tips to help you optimize your off-season -- so you come back stronger, healthier and more ready than ever to tackle a new training block/goal!
Read MoreToday I want to address an often-controversial topic but one that feels like is coming up way too much lately. Weight and weighing yourself. Weighing yourself day in and day out can become a vicious cycle. One that can lead to burn out and frustration. Not only because our weight can fluctuate on any given day due to hydration, the meal you had the night before, the time of day or even that time of the month (for ladies). But also because you are focusing on the wrong measure of success. The number on the scale can lead to either feeling victorious or defeated which doesn’t bode well for your mental health and well-being and takes the focus off of the things we know lead to better performance.
Read MoreAre you looking for a snack that satisfies the runner hangries? You know what I'm talking about - that sudden urge to eat everything in sight and you must have it now before you snap your [insert friend, teammate, coworker, significant other or random stranger]. If it's been 3-4 hours and you haven't eaten something and have no plans for a meal in the near future, then follow my 3 tips for a snack that satisfies the hangry monster! ⠀
Read MoreThere’s a famous saying - you’re only as good as the plan you follow - or something along those lines. I wholeheartedly agree. Do you have a plan going into each week for what you’ll eat? Do you include any meal prep? Don’t think you have the time? Guess what? You probably do and it takes less time then you think. Before I dive into a couple tips on how to meal plan/prep, let’s talk about why you should even bother.
Read MoreDo you eat before you workout? Whether it's a long run, interval workout or easy day, you aren't getting the most out of it if you are exercising on empty. Over the next couple of blog posts I am going to cover how to fuel pre-workout for various types of workouts. Up first: the long run!
Read MoreListening to your hunger is important. Being mindful about what and when you eat is also important. And both are things I work with clients on all the time. As runners and endurance athletes, we have different needs than the general public. Sometimes we need to eat when we aren't hungry to get the most out of our training. Let me say that again: it's OK - and often even necessary - to eat when you aren't hungry.
Read MoreOn Monday (which consequently was also National Pumpkin Day) I posted some of my favorite pumpkin recipes to social media and asked which you’d most like me to share the recipe for. And here it is! These pumpkin muffins have been a go-to recipe for me so far this fall and make a great pre-workout snack or addition to my breakfast. To me they taste like fall. I hope you enjoy!
Read MoreA couple weeks ago I participated in my team’s (DWRunning) intra-squad track meet. I was excited to compete in the mile, 800 and 4x400 even though short distances have never and will never be my strength. Prior to the meet I had put in some mile-specific work and gotten out on the track far more than I have ever done before and I was really hoping to see an improvement—maybe even a PR. Well - if you follow me on social - you know that didn’t happen - and for a couple of reasons that upon reflecting on - make complete sense.
Read MoreOne of the most common conundrums runners face is stomach – or gastrointestinal (GI) – distress mid run. It doesn’t happen to everyone – and is highly specific – but I have had way more complaints of inability to eat before, during or after a run due to an upset tummy or fear of having to use the bathroom mid run. Why does it happen? And is there anything you can do to combat it?
Read MoreWe all need rest days. Some more than others. They help our bodies recover from the work we put in day after day as well as allow us to go harder, faster, and longer in the days following. But do we need to eat the same on a rest day as we do on a training day?
Read MoreHands down the macro-nutrient I get asked the most questions about is protein. Some of the most common include whether or not all sources are created equal? If timing really matters? And are current recommended amounts enough to support optimal health? So for today’s blog post, I thought I’d go ahead and answer some of the most common questions I get about this important nutrient to help clear some confusion. Here goes!
Read MoreWhen the temps start to heat up, my mind always turns to hydration. It can literally make or break your work out. In fact, it can be a major contributing factor to a race day DNF or PR– whether it be from over- or under-hydrating. Making sure you are sufficiently hydrated will also get you to the finish line feeling good. Your goal? Start and finish adequately hydrated.
Read MoreDuring these unprecedented times, you may find yourself craving comfort foods. And while you may not always feel like eating them, you also need to consume nutrient rich foods (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats) to help support your immune system so that it can operate at its best – especially if it is called upon to defend against a common cold, the flu, seasonal allergies or even the coronavirus.
Read MoreCheck out this video of me explaining one of my favorite topics: the 3 R’s of post-workout recovery nutrition. That includes Refueling our glycogen stores (with carbs), Re-hydrating (with fluids) and Repairing our muscles (with protein). Check it out and let me know what you think!
Read MoreIf you’ve been following me over on Instagram, then you know that I was fortunate enough to receive some Verlasso salmon in the mail this week*. I love salmon and was curious about how theirs would compare in taste and flavor to what I am used to. And I was intrigued by their sustainability story. But my husband is not much of a salmon fan. So this was going to be a true test of our relationship – because let’s face it - no one wants to be the ‘coworker cooking fish in the office kitchen’ which, given the current work-from-home situation, our kitchen has become. Well, let me tell you, it did not disappoint and there were no complaints filed with HR. So, without further ado, here are 3 reasons I am loving this salmon right now and a simple recipe for a poke bowl you can make with a couple key ingredients from your fridge and pantry.
Read MoreWe’ve made it to the final post in my series on stocking your kitchen during the quarantine. Today’s post is all about the dairy and meat departments and includes a link to download my master grocery list. Last, but certainly not least, is recipe idea #4 - a sweet treat because couldn’t we all use more cookies in our life right now? Let’s dive in!
Read MoreI don’t know about you, but I’m coming up on two weeks of being stuck at home and starting to run out of ideas for meals. And like me, you might also be running out of fresh options and starting to tap into your frozen foods. So for today’s blog post, I thought I’d share some of my favorite tips for making the most out of both your fresh and frozen finds. Last but certainly not least, I’ve included a recipe inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks, Run Fast, Eat Slow. I used both fresh, frozen and pantry staples in this recipe and it kept for at least 3-4 servings as a main dish salad or 5-6 servings as a side dish. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Read MoreA couple of weeks ago I asked on Instagram which recipe would be more appealing for me to share: Chicken Tortilla Soup or Gumbo. The verdict? Chicken Tortilla Soup. So here’s a healthier take on a classic soup that’s simple to make (thanks to the crock-pot) and is filled with protein and fiber and is topped with crispy tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Read MoreLet’s face it: salads can be downright boring. And difficult to adequately fuel hungry endurance athletes. But they don’t have to be. A salad can be an easy way to get in a ton of nutrients from colorful veggies and lean protein. Follow these 5 tips to build a better salad that not only provides tons of nutrition but satisfies!
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