Growing up I basically ate whatever I wanted. On a scale of 1-10, the importance of a healthy diet of fruits, veggies, lean protein, and whole grains were pretty much non-existant. I was the kid who ate the mac and cheese and left the broccoli. Yes, I love mac and cheese just like anyone else and still eat it today, but not to worry I make a healthier, more nutritious version with half the calories and fat. More on that later ;)
It wasn't until my sophomore year in high school that I started to take interest in eating healthy. My family had always had a membership to a gym but I didn't really get serious about using it. I was one of those girls who would do the elliptical with the TV's on them and watch the food network. Haha! I know, sad but true. There was just something about watching Giada and Ina Garten cook that interested me. They were always roasting vegetables, grilling chicken, making some kind of yummy sauce...so of course I (along with my parents) started replicating their dishes. Before I knew it, I, the girl who would abandon her broccoli, was now eating peppers, eggplant, asparagus, grilled mushrooms...anything! I have yet to meet a vegetable I dont like.
My healthier eating habits then sparked my intrest in the gym and I started going regularly. Yes, still a "cardio bunny", elliptical or treadmill for 45 minutes to an hour, but staying active nonetheless! This pattern continued all throughout junior year. The summer going into my senior year was really when my entire lifestyle changed. I discovered Insanity. I'm sure you have all heard of it, basically P90X. I accidentally came across it while looking at Pinterest one morning and thought "sweet a workout I can do at home!" So, I bought the videos and popped in the first one and had at it. Let me tell you...words cannot describe how hard it is. BUT I stuck with it. I actually found myself having fun. I didn't actually do all of the videos, I had my select favorites ;) but Insanity really taught me the importance of yes ladies, (because we all fear it) building muscle! Plain and simple. Now I'm not saying body builder status here, but just simple weight bearing exercises along with some cardio and BAM great workout! Lean, toned, and fit. After this, my whole diet consisted of a variety of fruits, veggies, lean protein, healthy fats (love my peanut butter), and whole grains. I started experimenting with all different types of food and found myself having more energy and feeling awesome. Above all, and most importantly, I loved what I ate. I wasn't starving or depriving myself of food in the slightest bit, and I was only getting stronger and healthier and even developed my new love for cooking.
So, here I am today, staying active and eating clean and healthy. No diets, just a lifestyle. I wanted to start this blog to help people believe that you can achieve any goal as long as you set your mind to it, stick with it, and just give it a chance! A lot of people are turned away from healthy food. I hope my love for this lifestyle shows through the recipies, tips, meal ideas, and workouts etc. I'll be posting, and most importantly inspire you all to get healthy and feel amazing as well!
Healthy, Nutritious, Delicious!
--Olivia :)
