I eat SIX meals a day and I am in the best shape of my life

So your body has this really INCREDIBLE thing called a metabolism. Yes, everyone has heard of it, however I am floored at how many people I meet that are absolutely killing it. Murdering it. DESTROYING IT. 

Wait a second, I opened this thinking you were going to tell me how I get to eat all day and be skinny. Well, yes. Hold on. I will get to that part.

Back to your metabolism.

What is It???

Metabolism is the sum of the physical and chemical processing in an organism by which its material substance is produced, maintained, destroyed, and by which energy is made available.

In general, athletes have a resting metabolic rate that is five percent higher than the average non-athletic person due to more muscle mass as opposed to fat mass.

But Why is that Important???

1. Consuming too few calories leads to the break down of protein (not fat) therefore reducing muscle mass in exchange for energy. As you just learned, people with more muscle mass have higher metabolisms. Do you see where I'm heading with this?

2. The more you restrict your calories, the better your body gets at burning as few calories as possible. It instinctively clings to as much fat as it can to keep you from starving. (That would be really cool if we were still cave men and didn't have magical things like grocery stores)

Saaaaweeeeetttttt. I get to eat whatever I want?!?!

Okay. Calm down. Breathe. You're going off the deep end here. 

Yes you can eat whatever you want to... This is America. 

However, if you do exercise that freedom, I cannot promise that you will see your metabolism get jumpstarted.

...... Then how do I jump start my metabolism?

Yay! The question we have all been waiting for!!

The key to jump starting your metabolism is to eat 5 to 6 small, healthy meals a day. 

Why am I doing this?

About three hours after your last meal, your blood sugar begins to fall.

After four hours, your body has already digested your previous meal. 

Once you hit the five hour point, your blood sugar starts to crash and you grab whatever you can to refuel. 

Eating five to six times a day empowers you. You are more likely to say no to bad foods and to stick to your diet plan.

Well what if I don't have a diet plan?

Well, my favorite supplement company Strong Girl has provided the world with the optimal meal plan. 

Meal One:

• 1 scoop of StrongGirl^™ Isolate
• 1 whole egg or soy-free egg replacer
• 1 tbsp. chia seeds
• 1/8 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tbsp. Oatmeal

Optional:

• 1/4 cup fresh berries or sliced banana
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil or pure maple syrup or agave

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender.
2. Spray pan or waffle pan with coconut oil, cook on medium heat.
3. Pour batter on pan and cook until one side is lightly golden brown, flip.
4. Top with fruit and syrup. Enjoy!

Meal Two:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vegetables (ex. kale)
• 3.5 oz. lean protein (ex. chicken)
• 2 tbsp. healthy fats (ex. avocado)
• 1/3 cup carbohydrates (ex. quinoa)

Lunch Alternative:

• Turkey Breast
• Sweet Potato
• Green Beans

Meal Three:

• small apple
• 1 small handful raw almonds

Meal Four:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vegetables (ex. large green salad)
• 3.5 oz lean protein (chicken)
• 2 tbsp healthy fats (ex. olive oil)

Workout Time:

Take StrongGirl^™ Pre-Workout

• Days 1 & Day 2 – 1 Scoop, 1x daily
• Days 3 & Beyond – 2 Scoops, 1x daily

Meal Five:

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop StrongGirl^™ Isolate
• ½ cup fresh berries or ½ banana
• 6 oz. unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 cup ice

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

Yes, I said optimal. But if you occasionally fall off the band wagon and have some ice-cream or too many carbs, it's not going to be the end of the world. You will have a happy, humming metabolism from all of your other healthy choices and the lean muscle you have been building in the gym. 

Happy Living Everyone!