My new year’s resolution was as generic as they get – I vowed to clean up my nutrition. Years ago, when I started this blog, I was a clean eating machine. I loved working out, I loved eating well, and most of all, I loved how I felt. While I held onto most of those habits through the years, in the last year especially, my eating habits really hit rock bottom. I essentially was eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Or, I was barely eating at all – letting the rush of life get the best of me. Come Christmas, I had acid reflux every day, my pants were tight, and it was time I got serious about how I was treating my body.
The Tone It Up Nutrition Plan
Over the last year, I’ve been doing a mix of Beachbody workouts, and Tone It Up workouts. Both programs offer a nutrition plan, but I’m a longtime fan of the Tone it Up Girls and was curious about their nutrition plan. I never purchased it before, because in my opinion, it’s pretty expensive. You can also grab a lot of their recipes on Pinterest and on their website. However, I felt like I really needed a kick in the butt, and wanted to know the full ins and outs of the program, so I hit that purchase button. It took a week for the kit to come in, which included a hard copy of the book, a booty band, water bottle, and two containers. But, I was able to get a download immediately after purchasing online, so I got started immediately.
The plan is very much how I used to eat, with a few changes. I was what you would consider a “clean eater” and the only thing different about this plan is the time of day you eat carbohydrate rich foods. Their plan breaks down into five small meals a day, eating most of your sugary and carb heavy foods (fruits, grains, oats, etc.) before your fourth meal of the day. Your dinners are meant to be “lean and green”. So, what have I been eating?
What I Eat on the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan
Meal 1
My absolute favorite meal 1, or breakfast, is overnight oats. This has been a favorite of mine for years. The TIU plan has many recipes and options for oats, but my all time favorite combination is simple; peanut butter, banana, oats, and almond milk. I also still drink my coffee with cream and stevia, although that’s not technically part of the plan. I can’t break up with that. I’ve also had TIU protein pancakes, which I love! I’ve yet to try any of the other recipes because I love the oats, and they’re working for me right now.
Meal 2
Meal two is like a mid morning snack. I’ve been eating fruit with almond butter, or a green smoothie. My absolute favorite smoothie is the green goddess smoothie. I decided to try their collagen, as well as their protein powder and have been enjoying both. I’ll do just about anything to make my skin look better, so I’m hopeful the collagen will help out. I make my smoothies ahead of time, freeze them in a mason jar and take one with me on the go.
Meal 3
Meal 3 has become my favorite, because I’m a carb loving girl, and this is the last meal of the day that you can include them. I’ve made PB wraps which is a whole wheat wrap (I use Ezekiel Wraps) with peanut butter and blueberries, but I mostly take leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. I’ve made their chili, and substituted lentils for the turkey, and have also made quinoa pasta with a simple marinara sauce.
Meal 4
Meal 4 tends to fall right in the middle of school pick-up for me, so it has to be easy. I will sometimes drink a smoothie if I didn’t have one that morning, or grab a kids Rx Bar. I’ve also made TIU Peanut Butter Cookies and Protein Balls that are easy to take on the go.
Meal 5
Last is that lean, clean and green dinner. My husband loves a good piece of meat, and also loves to grill – so most nights we’ve grilled up some chicken or fish and paired it with veggies. At this point I really need to branch out because I’m starting to get bored with that combination, but the book is full of recipes to try!
How I Feel About the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan
I will go ahead and tell y’all I haven’t been perfect. Last week especially I went astray many times. While their plan doesn’t have “cheat meals” because they believe in this being a lifestyle, they say to just pick back up and continue eating well and working out after a not so perfect meal. Which is just what I did.
Overall, I’m glad I’m finally purchased the plan, and have learned a thing or two about the best times to eat certain foods, and I am also enjoying the recipes. My favorite thing about the book is that each recipe tells you on the bottom which meal it’s best for. Once you’ve purchased the plan you also get their special releases, like the Love Your Body Series and the Bikini Series, so the recipes keep coming. As far as results, anytime you start eating better, you feel better. I’ve lost a couple pounds (I don’t have a ton of weight to lose), and have been less bloated. I’ve also been keeping up with their workouts, which incorporate a lot of yoga and stretching, so overall I’ve felt less achey and more limber! I’m most pleased with my renewed love for taking care of myself, and thinking about what goes into my body.
Have you tried the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan?
-Brooke
Now, let’s…get…linking!!
Link up any post you would like to show off; your outfit, home decor, recipe, workout. Anything at all! Because, oh, hey girl! I want to see it!
