How I Found a Sustainable Fitness Lifestyle

Three years ago, I felt LOST.  I had been a bikini and figure competitor for 2 years and when I realized that I could not sustain that lifestyle, I dabbled in all different fitness programs.  My diet was all over the place with a promise to myself every Monday that I would "get back on the wagon".

Have you ever felt lost?  

I was contacted by a friend who was starting a program called "The 21 Day Fix".  I was intrigued and was ready to jump on board....  I thought "what the heck do I have to lose", thinking that if it did't work, I could just move on to the next "workout fad".

The program consisted of weight training, cardio, and a meal plan and it actually turned out to be FUN!  The best part of the program was the Facebook group. It was a group of us doing the same program, giving each other support and advice.

I finished on day 21 feeling like a ROCKSTAR.  It also happened to coincide with my very first real roller derby All-Star game.  I felt like a million bucks in my jersey that day, after losing a few pounds and lots of inches!

That program led me on a journey toward sustainable and maintainable fitness.  For three years, I have continued to use the many different workouts, the meal plans, and the support group to stay on track.  I think of my coach as my "fitness angel".  I am grateful to her every day for showing me this lifestyle.  I will never look back! 

Nothing gives me more pleasure than baking healthy treats.  When I started on my fitness journey, I found it fun to create recipes that would satisfy my sweet tooth but wouldn't negate all of the hard work I was doing in the gym.
Here's one of my favorites!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cake

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 Cups of Oatmeal
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
3 Scoops Quest Peanut Butter Protein Powder
1 and 1/4 Tsp. Baking Powder
Pinch of Salt
1 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 and 3/4 Cups Unsweetened Almond Milk

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a cake pan with non-stick spray. Grind the oatmeal in the blender so that it becomes like a fine flour. Place the ground oatmeal in a medium sized bowl. Add the peanut butter protein powder, baking powder and salt. Mix well.  Add the applesauce and almond milk. Whisk well until combined. 
In a separate medium sized bowl, place half of the oatmeal mixture and to it, add the unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix well. Place all of the peanut butter oatmeal mixture in the cake pan. Spoon blobs of chocolate mixture on top of the peanut butter mixture. Take a knife and drag through the mixture to create the marble effect.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the cake comes out clean.