At the beginning of the year I decided to buy a cycling bike from Amazon and start working out again. After four months, I’ve found a few workout programs I really enjoy like the Peloton app and walking/running. Sharing some of the most frequently asked questions in today’s blog post.

Getting Started

How did you originally get started?

A big part of my fitness journey was Modere’s Lean Body System. This really helped jumpstart my journey, along with my Amazon bike. Trim supplement really helped give me a little extra boost of energy to start working out again and suppress my appetite. I took 1 tablespoon every morning. Would lightly recommend the Lean Body Chocolate + Go Variety. Be sure to use code 2410440 for $10 off your first purchase.

What are some of your favorite workout brands?

APL and Alo Yoga. I’ve been a huge fan of both brands for years. The TechLoom Bliss and Techloom Breeze are my two favorite sneakers from APL.

When it comes to Alo Yoga, the leggings come in a few different lengths, the capri is my most-worn style, but the 7/8 legging also works great on my height. The leggings are flattering, slimming and last for years.

They have new arrivals weekly with new styles and colors. Their newest summer collection is beautiful, but I also love their matching sets.

Do you like the Beats for working out?

Yes, love my wireless Beats for all my workouts! The noise canceling makes it easy to hear the instructor and focus on the workouts. I also love these petite style Beats.

Fitness

How many times a week do you work out? 

I workout 5-6x a week. Saturdays are typically my rest days.

What is the book you recommended?

Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle. I read it via audiobook.

What is your typical weekly workout routine? 

When I first started, I used my Amazon bike with the Peloton app (my username is Oliviajeanette if you’d like to follow along with my workouts). I took a spin class for 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Then I slowly moved into strength training on the Peloton app. After a month into my workouts is when I started to get motivated to workout more. I started to incorporate more Peloton strength training classes (lower body, upper body, full body) into my workout routine. Right now, I am doing a 20 minute Peloton spin class and some weight training. I do this routine 4-5 times a week. The other days I’ll do a high interval class or strength training class on the Peloton app. Right now I don’t follow a strict workout routine. It just depends on the day. If I’m not into a particular class that day, I’ll switch it up to something different.

How do you stay motivated?

It’s less about motivation and more about consistency. It’s turned into a habit at this point. One of my goals is to have a strong core, so seeing ab formation is keeping me constantly motivated. It’s a marathon not a sprint and I have embraced that mantra. I’m not motivated everyday to workout, but I remain consistent. It very much mirrors one of my favorite quotes; 80% of success is just showing up. I tell this to myself every morning I head downstairs to workout.

Amazon bike?

The absolute best! I use the Peloton app for all my classes. The app is $12.99 a month. For spin classes, when they say to add cadence, I just turn the knob a bit to the right to make it more difficult. When they say go faster, I go faster. I took Peloton in NYC, so I’m familiar with the classes.

If you’d like to track cadence, I’d highly recommend this tracker. Several readers have raved about using it during Peloton class. I’d also recommend getting these spin shoes, just don’t forget to get the pedals for the bike.

Diet and Meals

Do you eat out a lot?

We eat out, but not a lot.

Fast food?

Of course! We typically will grab fast food once every 3 weeks or so. We typically swing by McDonalds, Chick-fil-A or Raising Canes. I eat a chicken sandwich and steal some of Matt’s or Hugo’s fries.

Restaurants?

Sometimes, but not regularly. When we do, though, we love to get out and try a new place.

What do you do about eating out?

I think I might be giving you the perception I eat clean 100% of the time. I eat clean 80% of the time. I love going to a good restaurant (see my NYC highlights). I love pasta, pizza, fries, desserts and all the other delicious foods. They are  just not the norm in my diet. But yes, I will indulge whenever we go out to eat. I love chicken, so I’ll typically eat some type of chicken dish (or fish) with vegetables as sides. Even if it’s fried or breaded chicken, I just like the protein in my body. Gives my body fuel.

Do you and Matt make separate meals or eat the same?

We eat close to the same with small variables. I eat a lot more vegetables, so I’ll fill my plate with a majority of the veggies.

Any cheat days/meals?

Oh yes. I will certainly break away from my diet on occasion. For instance, the entire time we were in NYC. Although, I did have the worst stomachache afterwards. My body just isn’t used to that type of diet. Whenever I indulge too much, my body lets me know very quickly!

What are foods you avoid eating? Carbs or Fats? How do you go about it?

I try and avoid processed foods. Healthy carbs and fats are good for your body. It’s the processed carbs and fats that can be misleading. I love Ritz crackers, but those are the types of foods I try and avoid. I’ll replace with carrots and hummus or a rice cake with 1 tbsp of peanut butter. As for going about making changes, find the healthy stuff you like and stock your home with those items. When we have apples and bananas around our home, they’re easy for me to grab and go. When we have chips in our house, they are also easy to grab and go. I say, try and SLOWLY bring in healthier options and slowly fade out the non-healthy options. When you do things at your own pace, you’ll see the best results.

Do you get hungry between meals?

I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with two snacks. I don’t typically get hungry between those five meals. But if I do, I’ll grab a yogurt, apple, cheese stick, banana, rice cake, something that’s filling to hold me over till the next meal. If my body is telling me it’s hungry, I’ll feed by body.

Do you work out on an empty stomach?

Yes, I’ve been working out since I was 15 and for the most part always worked out on an empty stomach. After I brush my teeth in the morning, I go straight to the coffee machine to make myself a cup of coffee, then grab water and walk downstairs to do my workout.

Do you count calories or macros daily?

Yes, I tracked all my calories almost daily on the LOSE IT! App to drop the weight. Right now I’ve been a bit more lax, but going to start counting my macros to try and get those core muscles showing. After two babies, I want to get back to having a tight, lean and toned stomach.

Also, for counting calories, I know it gets such a bad rep, but I’m a believer. It can go both ways, not eating enough and eating too much. I sometimes find myself not eating enough food. So documenting what I ate each day gave me a better understanding about the foods that I’m feeding my body. I remember some days I was so busy that I’d eat two tortillas for lunch and go back to my desk. That’s not healthy, I needed more fuel in this body.

How do you stay motivated when family is eating carbs and you aren’t?

If I want some mac’ n cheese, I’ll eat mac n cheese. But I’ve kind of fallen out of love candy, donuts, chips, etc. I typically don’t crave it as much as I did when I was younger. After I got pregnant with Hugo, I didn’t have a sweet tooth anymore, either. I think I’ve just changed. I also don’t love the way my stomach feels gassy after eating some of those foods. I love toasted raviolis, but they give me the worst stomach ache. I decided to just pass, they’re not worth the pain in my body.

Can you provide a good diary of what you typically eat in a day? 

I love eggs for breakfast with a side of yogurt and sometimes sausage or bacon. My morning snack is typically a piece of fruit. For lunch, I’ll have a turkey wrap (plus yogurt dressing) with a side of carrots and hummus. My afternoon snack is generally a rice cake and peanut butter. For dinner, a turkey hamburger on a lettuce wrap with sweet potato fries. The primary foods in my diet are eggs, non-fat greek yogurt, frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, apples, banana,  carrots, celery, zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli peas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados, brown rice, black beans, hummus, turkey meat, chicken, ground turkey, ground beef, tuna, rice cakes, peanut butter (small portions), and salsa. You’d be surprised by the number of meals you can make with those foods! Here’s a good list of things I typically pick up from the grocery store.

What do you do about alcohol?

When we go out, I’ll have 1-2 drinks. My drink of choice is Casamigos Blanco Tequila with water and a lime or Tito’s with water and a lime.

Takeaway

My biggest takeaway from this recent journey is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Make it work for you. If you don’t like lettuce, don’t eat it. If you like protein shakes, drink them. Don’t get too caught up in the details. It’s just noise and cause you to stray in your journey. The most important think is consistency. Be consistent with your eating and be consistent with your workouts.

I know it may seem really difficult to get started, it certainly did for me. I will say that one of the biggest assets I have had in this entire process is Modere. You have heard me talk about this a lot, especially the collagen, but it’s been the perfect partner to get me to where I am now. Love all the benefits I’ve seen throughout the entire process (be sure to use code  2410440 for $10 off your first purchase).

You can follow along more on Instagram. I’ve saved all my stories in my Fitness highlight reel. Good luck on your fitness journey!

Thanks for reading.

xo, Olivia