minerals

7 Pieces of Common Fitness Advice that are Completely Wrong

Posted on November 28, 2017 by LetlerFit

I did another one of these posts a while back, but today I wanted to bring you a different set of Fitness Myths:

Fasted Cardio is Highly Effective: Numerous studies on this matter are inconclusive on whether or not the benefits to fasted cardio outweigh the risk of glycogen depletion, light headedness, catabolism etc. Eating the correct nutrients before your workout is what give you energy, contributes to fat loss, and makes for a more effective workout. Fasted cardio makes you think you’re working harder but its because your rate of perceived exertion is increased due to your body running on fumes.
Anyone can excel at whatever sport they want: Actually we are all born with specific muscle fibers. Elite sprinters probably won’t be seen winning a marathon…different fiber type composition. Baseball pitchers probably won’t be seen winning gold as an olympic lifter. Get your feet wet in a variety of sports and your body can tell you, which sports it was best meant to play, but not everyone is physically capable of becoming an olympian and don’t beat yourself up over it!
Push through injuries: The common walk it off mentality is AWFUL. Sharp shooting pain is how our body signals us something is not right and unless you’re fighting in a career altering match or running in the finals at the olympics, injuries are not something you should just “walk off.”
Avoid Cardio to Make Gains: While excessive cardio is not good for the gains, we should all be doing some form of cardiovascular as the immunological, improved performance, increased recovery, and sooo many other benefits.
Go 100% Every Single Day: Our body NEEDS rest, for some it’s in the form of active rest, but it is considered rest nonetheless….if we expect our body to perform at 100 everyday there is no time for your muscles to repair and grow. Not allowing for proper recovery also increases stress levels in our body which can lead to gut inflammation and illness.
Squats Are Bad For your Knees: Bad form is bad for your knees. Squats are an incredibly effective compound exercise, I use them often for even my elderly clients.
Ab Exercises are What Give you Abs: Did you know some people with 6 packs don’t do a single crunch, russian twist, or sit up? Shocking I know. While those exercises may contribute to enhancing a reduced waistline brought on by clean diet…they are not necessary. A heavy squat, properly lunge paired with a medicine ball rotation, even a bent over row are highly effective exercises for your abs. Genetics and diet go a longer way in improving the appearance of your abdomen.

Learn more about the best online fitness program which includes comprehensive programs focused on shifting towards healthier eating habits, staying fit, and building a better booty. You’ll also find a variety of fitness apparel to help get you that extra motivation to take your goals to another level. Contact me today to learn more about the best fitness programs available to get your body in gear.

LetlerFit Black Friday is HERE!

Posted on November 24, 2017November 24, 2017 by LetlerFit

Our favorite holiday shopping day is HERE and we are not disappointing! Have you had your eye on any of our leggings, shorts, capris, or tanks? Today only, 50% off on all apparel! Here’s what that looks like:

Leggings: were $64.99, NOW $32.49
Capris: were $54.99, NOW $27.49
Shorts: were $44.99, NOW $22.49
Tanks: were $24.99, NOW $12.49

Have any questions about sizing? feel free to leave a comment or e-mail LetlerFit@gmail.com! Ends TONIGHT 11/24/17 at 11:59PM EST

Code: BLACKFRIDAY

Shop NOW!

10 Simple Diet Mistakes that make your Calorie Counting to be far Less Effective

Posted on November 21, 2017 by LetlerFit

Mistake #1: Calories are not created equally. 200 calories in chocolate is not nearly as dense as 200 calories in a colorful salad with protein. We need more good quality calories that bad quality calories in order to lose weight
Mistake #2: You are forgetting about macronutrients. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins make up calories. Carbs and protein yield 4 calories per gram while fats yield 9 calories per gram. The goal is to eat the correct amount of each eating 1400 calories out of your 1800 calorie day in just one macronutrient is not good. Each macronutrient has a purpose and requirement in our body.
Mistake #3: You are forgetting about Micronutrients. While a donut does contain carbs, fat, and protein (usually 1-2g), the calories are empty. When you consume food the goal is to look at food and think “What kind of energy is this going to give me? and what kinds of vitamins and minerals will it give me?” Vitamins and Minerals are equally as important as macronutrients….the good news is they do NOT directly add to the calorie count.
Mistake #4: Consuming too many calories. Trying to lose weight? At the end of the day weight loss is having less calories in versus calories out. Meaning we need to eat less than what our body burns in activities each day.
Mistake #5: Not consuming enough calories. Trying to gain weight? You need to be consuming more than what your body burns in activities each day.
Mistake #6: Most people do not know how many calories they should even be consuming. Advice: My fitness pal does a decent job at giving you calorie needs based on goals and activity.
Mistake #7: Overestimating calories burned while exercising. The calories the machine tells you, is wayyyyyyyy more than reality because it goes off of the machines RPM and not your body’s work.
Mistake #8: Assuming all lasagna at a restaurant is the same. Luckily most restaurants are registered with my fitness pal and give you calorie, macronutrient, and micronutrient breakdown. However, when a food from a menu does not pop up, it’s hard to find an exact match as recipe and portion size really make a difference.
Mistake #9: No Plan. Meal prepping is a must!! I know my entire week’s menu before it has even started…helps me stay focused and organized. Plus i control what goes into my food and then it becomes easier to track if need be.
Mistake #10: Drinking calories. Most people have no necessity for juices. Skip the liquid calories and go for water!

Eat Pretty: A Book Review

Posted on November 17, 2017November 17, 2017 by LetlerFit

I just got done reading this book by Jolene Hart, entitled Eat Pretty. I definitely give this one an A in the category of educating those who have no formal education in nutrition.

We are always taught that choosing healthy foods leads to weight loss and overall a more “attractive” physique. Some people are lucky enough to get taught that good nutrition helps prevent or control diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc. Very few people are actually taught how the foods we eat affect our complexion.

This book does an excellent job at classifying the foods that give acne, skin rashes, and more as beauty betrayers, while those those that promote a healthy complexion are deemed beauty foods. The other great job the other did was classifying the foods by season, because as most of us know, not all foods are available year round.

The other also dedicated a section to non-nutritional factors that may affect our weight and complexion like stress, sleep, water, and hormone function. Factors many people tend to look.

My favorite part about this book is how the author goes into how she perceives balance, which to me is the most important. So many books stress restriction and don’t that they miss the overall point of a balanced lifestyle.

If you are interested in learning what foods and how they contribute to our radiant skin, I definitely recommend you Buy the book here, you won’t regret it!

7 Plant Based Foods That Help Promote Healthy Bones

Posted on October 26, 2017October 26, 2017 by LetlerFit

Research has found that diets rich in whole foods, specifically potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, high quality protein, and calcium make for healthier bones. With the plant based diet gaining more popularity I’d thought I’d share 7 foods that are great for healthy bones and vegan! Building strong bones doesn’t just come from milk and cheese!

Spinach
Fortified Cereal
Collard Greens
Bok Choy
Sweet Potato
Grape Fruit
Figs

15 Fitness Quotes To Get You Moving

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by LetlerFit

Today’s post brought to you by some of my favorite pinned fitness quotes!

“Stay so Hungry, you never Stop Eating.” trademarked by yours truly! -Melissa Letellier. How bad do you want to reach and set new goals?
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, but from what you do consistently.” Going to the gym 6 days one week and never stepping foot in it again for another 4 weeks is way less effective then going 2-3x every week.
“In 2 weeks you’ll feel it. In 4 weeks you’ll see it. In 8 weeks you’ll hear it.” Sometimes we need the extrinsic motivation to continually light the fire.
“At first they’ll ask why you’re doing it, later they’ll ask how you did it.”
When I started by journey I got so many negative remarks about why I’m always on a diet. Some of those same people were now forced into a continuous restrictive diet due to medical reasons while the lifestyle I built allows me to continue reaching new goals while enjoying pizza and donuts every now and then.
“I’m working on myself, for myself, by myself.” Sometimes the road is lonely, but you should always be your biggest reason why. Not for revenge, not to make someone jealous, to make YOU happy.
“When you feel like stopping, think about why you started.” It’s normal to lose motivation, it’s normal to get “derailed,” but at the end of the day if your reason why is bigger than your reason why not…you will get there
“Do it for the after selfie.” While my fitness journey was for me, i’m still human. It feels good to prove people wrong and brag about my hard earned accomplishments, don’t feel ashamed for what you’ve worked for!
“Slow progress is better than no progress!” It’s normal for your body to see more progress at the beginning. Don’t feel discouraged when the pound that once took you 3 days to lose now takes you a week. It’s stilling coming off and better than putting the pound of fat back on!
“You are your only limit.” This can be applied to everywhere in life, not just your health and fitness.
“Remember when your body is hungry it wants nutrients, not calories.” This one is HUGE for me! In a world obsessed with counting calories and macros, we often forget that vitamins and minerals also exist and are also equally important.
“Workout because you love your body, not because you hate it.” Yes it’s ok to want to change your body with exercise but remember to never take for granted the ability to exercise! Not everyone can! Exercise should also not be used as a punishment for eating a cookie.
“I don’t diet, I just eat according to my goals.” Seriously, it’s why it’ a lifestyle. Diets are short term and never work.
“Sweat is Pretty.” Sweat is a sign of good hydration, your body regulating heat the way it should be, and working hard! So many women are afraid to sweat i public for fear of looking gross or smelling bad. Be proud of your work and being well hydrated!
“Fall in love with taking care of your body.” As cliche as it sounds, you really do only get one body! What body do you want to take with your through life as you age?
“Create healthy habits, not restrictions.” It’s not about never eating the cookie, the pizza, or the donut. It’s about choose the fruits and the vegetables more than you do the cookie, the pizza, or the donut.

6 Meals That Are Quick To Make And Healthy To Eat

Posted on October 19, 2017 by LetlerFit

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. Most of my personal meals I bulk prep them for about 6 meals each and the total prep for meal is about 15-30 minutes and I have lunch for 6 days! Here are 6 Recipes, you can find more on my @SnackLikeLetler Instagram! Also on my Snack Like Letler E-Book!

1. •Ingredients: 2/3c Italian Couscous, 1 Quinoa Burger, 1 Mushroom, 1/4 Orange Bell Pepper, 1/4 Tomato, Parsley, Herbs de Provence, Bay Leaves, Salt, Garlic Seasoning, Cayenne Seasoning, Avocado Oil
  •Directions:
  1. Put Couscous into a pot, add Parsley, Herbs de provence, Bay Leaves, and salt to taste. Add 1.5c water and boil

2. While couscous is boiling turn oven to 350 degrees and bake quinoa burger for 10 min
3. In a separate pan sauté Bell Pepper, Mushroom, and tomato in avocado oil. Season with garlic and cayenne
4. Once couscous is ready mix in sautéed veggies
5. After veggies have been mixed in, break a part the quinoa burger and mix it into the couscous
6. Enjoy!!! This was my pre-workout meal

3. •Ingredients: 1 Salmon Fillet, 1c Quinoa & Brown Rice, 1/2 Tomato, 1/2 onion, Cayenne Seasoning, Garlic Seasoning, Cumin Seasoning, Salt, 1/2 TBSP Sesame Seeds
•Directions:
1. Pour 1/2c of Brown Rice & Quinoa into pot & add salt to taste before adding water and boiling2. Dice onion & tomato.
3. Season vegetables with cayenne & garlic
4. When brown rice & quinoa is ready mix in vegetables and pour in sesame seeds
5. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F
6. Season salmon with garlic, cayenne, & cumin
7. Cook in over 12 minutes
8. Serve with 1 Haas Avocado

4. •Ingredients: 2oz of Dry Edamame Pasta, 1/4 tomato, 1/4 onion, 1/4 orange bell pepper, 2/3c Broccoli, Cilantro to taste, salt to taste, Italian seasoning to taste, 4 Mushrooms, 1/2 Haas Avocado, lemon juice•Directions:
1. Put Broccoli & Pasta to Boil add salt to taste
2. Dice tomato, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms and sauté in avocado or coconut oil
3. Season vegetables with italian seasoning, cilantro and lemon juice
4. Once the Pasta and Broccoli are ready, pour out the water and combine the vegetables
5. Serve with a side of 1/2 Haas Avocado

5.•Ingredients: 1/2 DicedTomato, 1/8 Diced Onion Onion, Cilantro to Taste, 1 Packet Lemon Pepper Tuna, 1/2 Squeezed Lemon, 1 Haas Avocado, 1/2 tbsp olive oil
•Directions:
1. Gut the avocado
2. Place all ingredients into a bowl
3. Mash & Mix
4.Stuff Avocados

6.•Ingredients: 1/2 packet of Trader Joes Portobello Mushroom Ravioli, 2 TBSP Pesto Sauce, 1/2 tomato, 1/2 onion, 1/2c spinach, 1/2 TBSP Avocado Oil, 1/2 Haas Avocado •Directions:
1. Pour 1/2 TBSP avocado oil into pan
2. Add diced onion & tomatoes. Sauté
3. Add Ravioli & Mix
4. Add 2 TBSP Pesto Pasta
5. Mix Together
6. Add Spinach and continue to mix until spinach has mixed in well
7. Serve with 1/2 Haas Avocado

13 Nutritional Swaps For People Trying To Live Healthier

Posted on August 30, 2017August 30, 2017 by LetlerFit

You don’t have to be miserable to be healthy, but you do have to make a little bit of effort!

Swap the bag of chips for an apple with salted peanut butter (make sure peanuts and salt are your only 2 ingredients) and then instead of low quality carbs and fats with slim to no micronutrients you’ll be getting high quality carbs, fats, proteins, AND micronutrients
Swap the juices for water…we get enough added sugar in our diets without even trying
Swap the fried foods for grilled
Have rice and potatoes with protein for lunch? Swap one of the carbs for a fresh salad
Do you add sugar to your fruit bowls? Swap the the sugar for a sprinkle of chia seeds
Swap smoothie shop smoothies for home made ones. Did you know most of those smoothie places just give you fake fruit juice and call it a day?
Swap your store bought protein bars for for some boiled eggs
Swap your diet sodas for regular sodas…don’t fall into marketing traps….but better yet swap all of the sodas for water
Swap the milk chocolate for dark chocolate
Swap your pudding for apple sauce (apples-maybe water too-should be the ONLY ingredient)
Swap the morning cereal for steel cut oats and berries
Swap the regular yogurt for Greek Yogurts with added probiotics
Swap your Starbucks Latte for some green tea (without adding sugar)

5 Delicious Foods That Are Shockingly Low In Calories

Posted on August 29, 2017 by LetlerFit

Ultimately weight loss is about calories in vs calories out. Your total daily intake cannot be more than what your body burns from performing your daily activity. Here are 5 foods that are not only low calorie, but also PACKED with nutrients that may help you on your weight loss journey.

Celery: A stalk of celery is roughly 3 calories. It’s calorie coming from .5g of carbohydrates. The great part about celery is that despite being low calorie it is a great source of natural sodium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin C!
Spinach: 1 cup of spinach is only about 7 calories and has more nutrients that lettuce! The calories in 1 cup of spinach come from about 1.1g of carbohydrates, .9g of protein, and .1g of fat. Spinach is another great source of sodium, potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron
Kiwi: 2 Kiwis are about 100 calories coming from 24g of carbohydrates (natural sugars and fibers), 1 g of fat, and 2 gram of protein. Sprinkle some seeds on those slices and you have a refreshing snack! Anyways, kiwis are a great source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron
Green Bell Peppers: 1 cup of green bell peppers has 18 calories from about 4.3 grams of carbs, .2g fat, and 1 gram of protein. It is loaded with potassium, vitamin A, more Vitamin C than your average orange, and has some sodium.
Mushrooms: 1 cup of mushrooms has about 44 calories coming from 6.6 grams of carbs, .6 grams of fat, and 6.2 grams of protein! Mushrooms are a great source of Calcium, Iron, potassium, and sodium.

4 Pieces Of Common Health Advice That Are False

Posted on August 24, 2017August 24, 2017 by LetlerFit

Eat this, not that. This is the magic potion. Drop 10 pounds over night with this. We’ve all heard it! Here are the 4 most common health advice that I hear, that are actually false!

High Fat and Protein, Low Carb is the way to go
- Actually, 45-65% of your daily requirements to feed your central nervous system, your brain, your body, and your muscles come from carbohydrate! When you eat high protein, low carb, your body is forced to make carbohydrates out of proteins. Your body HATES to do things that make it’s life harder, which I would agree with. It does enough for us, like breathing without us having to think about it, why should we want to force it to work harder? The problem with carbs is the same problem with fats and proteins. Too much of ANY carbohydrate gets stored as fat. The key is to eat just enough of each macro nutrient to hit your goals and keep your body happy!
Snacking is bad
- We all know that crash between each meal that we get, or the lack of focus at work between lunch. Well it’s our brain telling us it needs a little boost of energy (especially glucose). Snacking between meals keeps us from feeling hangry, keeps us from over eating at lunch and dinner, and keeps our bodies energized! The problem with snacking is the same problem with over eating carbs…too much is NOT good. (see the pattern?)
Counting calories is how you lose weight, because a calories is a calorie.
- Of all recommendations I hear non health professionals give to people seeking health advice its calorie counters I hate the most.
  - 1 gram of carbohydrates and protein yields 4 calories
  - 1 gram of fat yields 9 calories
  - 1 gram of alcohol yields 7 calories
- So tell me again how all calories are the same? Overall calories are incredibly important and I don’t discredit that. However, it is what makes up those calories that is MOST important! For example, an average adult consuming 2,000 kcal a day should consume
  - 1000 calories from carbs (250g)
  - 460 calories from protein (115g)
  - 540 calories from fat (60g)
Everyone should be on a gluten free diet: This one is real quick….ready? If you are not gluten intolerant….you do not have to specifically look for gluten free.