Guys, I hate working out! I swear, every time I read magazines or blogs making it sound like it feels so good to feel the burn and about that “pleasant soreness” I die a little on the inside. Honestly, I find absolutely nothing pleasant about the entire cardio/strength experience, but I do my 40 minutes a day anyway because I’m trying to lose weight. I’m not doing it to get a beach body for summer [which is a dumb concept anyway, because every body is a beach body], nor do I have a body dysmorphia [I fully realize that being size 8 is not a reason to freak out and go on a diet]. I just don’t feel good in the body I have right now, and I don’t really like how the clothes fit anymore. I am doing it to feel more like myself in my own body, which I think is a pretty healthy reason for weight loss. With that said, I thought I would share some of the stuff I’ve been using and loving lately, that maybe some of you might want to take a look at if it’s something you’re interested in.
Okay, let me rephrase. I am not really so much into weight loss as I am into getting toned. I couldn’t care less if I stay size 8 or go up to size 10 as long as my body fat gets somewhat replaced with lean muscle, so that’s the ultimate goal here. And anybody who ever worked out knows that feeding your muscles with protein is a must. You don’t really need protein shakes as long as you eat a balanced diet, but I find drinking one to be easier. It also saves me time that I would otherwise spend cooking protein-packed breakfasts and lunches, so there’s that too. My workout shakes lately consist of a single banana, a couple ice cubes, some unsweetened almond milk, a scoop of NOW Sports Eggwhite Protein [$49.99, available here] in Rich Chocolate, and a scoop of HUM Nutrition Raw Beauty [$39, available here]. This shake tastes like a dessert and totally kills my cravings for sweets for the rest of the day, which is suuuper helpful if you are a sweet tooth trying to diet.
I know there are many different types of protein, and I find egg protein to be the best-tasting of the bunch. If you look closer at the picture, you’ll notice that the jar is actually empty. The idea to write this post actually came to me after I finished my last scoop, and I knew I had to share my findings with you before I toss it in the trash.
And the reason I started using HUM Nutrition Raw Beauty [reviewed here] is because I often forget to take my multivitamins. You really need to have them with food for best absorption, and you know, when I eat the last thing I think about is my pills. The flavor of this powder [it tastes like mint chocolate chip cookies!] complements my protein powder so well, this is a match made in fitness heaven 🙂
Speaking of HUM, I recently repurchased two of my long-time favorites – Daily Cleanse [$25, available here] and Flatter Me [$25, available here]. When I ran out and stopped using them before I had a chance to replenish my medicine cabinet, my body definitely noticed their absence. Daily Cleanse helps my body *ahem* cleanse itself more effectively and *ahem* smoother. I made it a habit to take two capsules in the morning with a glass of water before breakfast so it feels like an automated action and I don’t even think about it anymore. Flatter Me is a real gem because it helps me digest things better. Jam-packed with digestive enzymes, Flatter Me seems to reduce bloating and general tummy discomfort. HUM says they help break down fats in the food more effectively, and I tend to believe that claim because my stomach doesn’t feel full and heavy after having a rich meal. FYI, I am on my 5th or 6th bottle of each, that’s how much I love these two!
SPECIAL OFFER:
Here’s how you can save majorly on HUM Nutrition supplements:
- First of all, go here, scroll down, and click the pink “GET STARTED” button. That will prompt you to take a personalized quiz, and the specially designed algorithm will select the best supplements for your concerns. There is a surprise at the end of the quiz – a $10 off code with a 5-day expiration date.
- HUM Nutrition offers a really sweet 25% discount that applies automatically when you buy 3 or more supplements. It stacks with coupons!
- At checkout, don’t forget to use your personal $10 discount by putting it in the COUPON CODE area.
- In the REFERRAL CODE area, enter F910B to get another $10 off. That’s my personal code, and if you use it I will also get $10 off my next shipment, so it’s a win-win for both of us!
Alright, let’s get back to my fitness must haves. The next product I recently added to my routine is NOW Sports T-Lean Extreme [$29.99, available here]. And no, these are not skinny pills. T-Lean Extreme is first and foremost a supplement that helps convert adipose [body fat] into energy. For me it has the effect of 2 espresso shots but without the crash. With rare exceptions, I do not find the flavor of coffee enjoyable, and energy drinks are packed with sugar and other junk, so taking a pill that doesn’t contain icky additives just makes more sense to me. I take one in the morning with my breakfast and the effect lasts all day through early evening while it slowly wears off.
After the workout I usually feel super thirsty, naturally. I don’t mind drinking plain water to re-hydrate, but apparently studies suggest that coconut water helps replenish certain minerals that we lose when we sweat, and keeps our bodies hydrated better than plain H2O. True or not, I love the flavor so I keep several bottles in the fridge for refreshment. Lately I’ve been drinking Invo Coconut Water [$2.99, find it at Wegmans and Whole Foods] and it easily trumps other coconut waters I tried! The company uses HPP, which stands for High Pressure Processing pasteurization, also called “cold-crafting”, that preserves healthy enzymes and other nutrients normally lost via heat pasteurization process, so this unique coconut water tastes fresh and sweet. There are 3 flavors to choose from – Tropical, Sencha Green Tea, and Pure.
Last but not least, as of 2 weeks ago I also started using AHAVA Deadsea Plants Firming Body Cream [$39, available here] to make sure my skin stays firm while my body is shrinking in volume. I heard enough rumors about women getting stretch marks when they lose weight, and one way to avoid that is to make sure the skin stays hydrated at all times. AHAVA says this body lotion helps repair collagen and elastin via anti-glycation ingredients, recovers lost firmness, and supports sagging skin while improving skin tone and elasticity. Not my words, I copy-pasted that 😉 Seriously though, I really don’t know if these forming body lotions really work long-term, but I think they show some promise when it comes to helping the skin feel tight. This is not a product I will repurchase because to be honest I am not really loyal to any of them, but I will keep using it until the last drop.
Well, I think I pretty much covered everything I’m using right now as far as my workouts go. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the products above, and I’ll be happy to answer if it’s something I know.
What is your favorite protein powder brand, type, and flavor? Have you tried any of the products above? Do you exercise regularly, why/why not? What keeps you motivated when you feel lazy and want to give up? Share your wisdom with me, ladies!
Disclosure: Always consult your physician before taking any new supplements. This post features products purchased by Glamorable and received for editorial consideration, and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
