Workout Wednesday – Miss USA to MBA

Workout Wednesday: Tovita aka How To Be Smart About Food

February 10, 2016February 9, 2016 MissUSAtoMBALeave a comment

So I consider myself to be a smart cookie. I mean, I graduated college with honors and I’m at an ivy for my MBA (p.s. if you are tired of hearing that…I’m not, so I will say it until they put me in the ground). And I’m athletic, I swam and rowed in college, I was a junior olympian in swimming, won countless horse shows…so I like to think I know health and wellness.

Then why was I so dumb about food?!?

Now when I say dumb I don’t mean like because Oreos are vegan I thought they were healthy. I mean allowing my food noise and my disordered eating to take over my life dumb. Nothing put more of a damper on family affairs than when you are on some insane diet, and your out of town relatives have to listen to you order so far off the menu, that you would have been better off bringing your own food. I’m the kind of nutrition nerd that was making her parents show at Whole Foods, when it was called Fresh Fields.

So a few months ago I realized I was letting my disordered eating take over. I was starting to obsess about my calorie counting app, toying with starting a new diet, and wondering if I could find the willpower to go keto. Now those things may work for other people, but I’m looking to go through more of a Khloe Kardashian lifestyle change, slowly but surely, and as a lifestyle change.

After a good bout of Facebook stalking, I came across the Tovita Nutrition instagram page. They had just coached the gorgeous new Miss California USA 2016, and I wanted in on that Tovita glow. I emailed the ladies, and worked with Molly for 8 weeks. The only person that knew about my nutritional fairy godmother was my mom.

What I gained during those 8 weeks never involved a diet, is was about learning to be intuitive and smart with my eating. Through Molly’s guidance I lost 12 pounds, but gained so much more. During my family vacation to Orlando I wasn’t a raging diet monster. If I wanted to indulge I did, and mindfully, and when I was over it, I moved on. It sounds simple, and it wasn’t. But having the accountability of knowing someone would check over my food journals, give me advice, and be supportive was helpful. I think the best compliment came when my cousin said, “I’m so glad we can all sit and enjoy a meal, and you’re not over there eating something depressing.” Full disclosure, this was while we were at a Mexican restaurant where I had all the veggies they could pile on a skillet with some chicken and salsa.

I’m hoping over the next few months, I can share with you dear reader all the tips and tricks I learned from Tovita, how I’m evolving in my lifestyle change…and the smaller jeans I get to rock right now.

So if you are looking to have a kick ass coach, or you just want a virtual buddy who will tell you that “no, more than a tablespoon of coconut oil is not healthy.” Check out the ladies of Tovita.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Workout Wednesday: TSC Bombshell Body Guide

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 MissUSAtoMBALeave a comment

I adore Lauryn Evarts at the Skinny Confidential.

Girl crush would be an understatement about this lady. She is aspirational, real, and the friend you wish you had.

I’ve been following her blog for some time (coconut milk ice cubes, chia seeds, diva cups…she covers it all), so when she announced that she was creating the bombshell body guides I just had to try it. If you are wondering, I bought the guides, tried them, and fell in love with them long before I talked to anyone at Skinny Confidential to review them…that’s how much I loved them!

Continue reading “Workout Wednesday: TSC Bombshell Body Guide” →

The Best Part of Waking Up

October 14, 2015 MissUSAtoMBALeave a comment

Don’t worry this isn’t a post about coffee…that’s for a later time.

This is about how I start my morning. I start every morning, 30 minutes after I wake up, with a green smoothie.

Now this isn’t a magical 14 ingredient green smoothie that you see on some IG pages, this is quick and easy.

1 banana (preferably frozen so it’s creamy dreamy goodness)

1-2 big handfuls of spinach or any other dark leafy greens (I’ve used baby kale before)

1 cup milk (almond, coconut, cashew, whatever floats your boat)

1 scoop of pea protein (like Perfect Fit Protein)

…and it’s that simple. That’s how I start my mornings. Now if you want to know why I eat something 30 minutes after waking up, that’s another post about my adventures in carb cycling 😉

I start the day with a protein packed, dairy free, gluten free, vegan, nutrient dense smoothie that gets my metabolism humming along for the day.

Hopefully seeing how easy it is to incorporate more greens or nutrient dense food in your day will inspire you to give this a try.

XOXO,

MacKenzie

Workout Wednesday: 305 Fitness

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015 MissUSAtoMBALeave a comment

Sorry for going MIA Monday, I needed a bit of a break…and I was neck deep in learning team meetings, managerial statistics homework, and catching up with some classmates.

Today I want to ramble on about one of my favorite things (that will hopefully become a regular part of this blog), boutique workouts. My workouts are pretty varied, and I belong to Equinox. I love my EQ workouts and classes, but sometimes I want to get dressed in my best Luon and head some place new, and that’s where boutique workouts come in.

A week ago I had a late start to class on a Thursday and decided to try out a spot I frequently see on Hannah Bronfman’s snapchat. By the way if you aren’t frequenting her instagram or www.HBfit.com, you are missing out on some awesome wellness inspo!

I’ve been intrigued by 305 Fitness for a while now. As few may know I’m a frustrated dancer. I’m not amazing, but I have dreams of breaking it down Step Up style. So I put on my best day glow VS Sports pieces and headed down to the village for a 7am partay!

First off I knew I was in for a good time when DJ April Fresh stepped into the DJ booth. Yes, you heard that right, there is a live DJ! My teacher for the morning was Denese Butler. There were black lights, strobes, I’m pretty sure glitter fell from the ceiling (or maybe I imagined that). It was like going to the hottest club, I was having so much fun I didn’t notice I was working out. I was dripping in sweat, smiling ear to ear, and riding an insane cloud of endorphins.

I took a 305 arms class, which had a concentrated arm segment. But I legit couldn’t walk for 4 days after the class, and I loved it!!! The studio is fun, kitschy, and reminds me of my 6 years in the 305.

I’m not lying when I say 305 Fitness is one of the toughest classes I’ve ever tried, but one of the most fun. I can’t wait to go back and let off some steam from all the managerial statistics and corporate finance stuff swirling in my brain. I think the best and most rewarding part about the class, its a safe space to be free, have fun, and embrace your inner Sasha Fierce.

If you want to check out 305 Fitness follow the link here.

Hopefully I see you in class, and leave a comment with any NYC boutique workout recommendations you have…or some classes you’d like me to review for you!

XOXO,

MacKenzie