Hey friends!

It’s week 3 of “Fitness Journey Fridays”! Honestly, this week wasn’t great health-wise. I didn’t keep track of my macros, my caloric intake was all over the place, I wasn’t eating the best foods on some days and I still found excuses to not start a workout routine. I felt guilty most days for pushing off workouts and for not making the best nutritional decisions but you know what? It’s okay. I still made better choices this week than most weeks of 2016. And I learned quite a bit. I learned that my body feels so much better when I eat more nutrient dense foods, that I have more energy when I eat better and that it’s okay to make mistakes. The most important thing is that I’m aware of all of this. It will make me strive to do better next week.

So why am I telling all of you this? Because I want you to see how real and relatable this journey is. I’m not perfect – none of us are! We constantly see people’s highlights on social media, which can be discouraging at times! I want to share these struggles with you in hopes that it encourages you to start your own journey and embrace the bumpy ride.

SUNDAY

A quick breakdown of what I ate on Sunday:

Breakfast:

• Simple Truth Instant Chia Oatmeal – Maple & Brown Sugar

Lunch:

• Baked Breaded Chicken
• Green Beans
• 2 Red Lobster Biscuits

Dinner:

• Aidell’s Chicken Apple Sausage
• Broccoli

Here are my intake and output stats for Sunday, January 15th:

Calories: 1,041 kcal  | Carbohydrates: 113g  | Protein: 67g  | Fat: 37g  | Sugar: 33g

Calories Burned: 2,110 kcal  | Steps: 1,568  | Active Time: 1hr24min | Distance: 0.44 mi

MONDAY

A quick breakdown of what I ate on Monday:

Breakfast:

• Smoothie
  • 1 Banana
  • Homemade Carrot Juice
  • The Chia Co. Chia Shot
  • About Time Birthday Cake Whey Protein Powder

Lunch:

• Spinach Mushroom & Garlic Pizza Slice
• 2 Raw Carrot Cake Bites

Dinner:

• Baked Breaded Chicken
• Mashed Potatoes
• Corn

Snacks:

• Lesser Evil Buddha Bowl Himalayan Sweetness Popcorn
• Slice of Pumpkin Pie

Here are my intake and output stats for Monday, January 16th:

Calories: 1,961 kcal  | Carbohydrates: 231g  | Protein: 66g  | Fat: 56g  | Sugar: 84g

Calories Burned: 2,489 kcal  | Steps: 5,099  | Active Time: 3hr50min | Distance: 1.48 mi

TUESDAY

A quick breakdown of what I ate on Tuesday:

Breakfast:

• Smoothie
  • 1 Banana
  • Frozen Peaches
  • Frozen Pineapple
  • Fresh Carrot Juice

Lunch:

• Jimmy John’s Beach Club on Wheat, No Mayo
• Whole Dill Pickle

Dinner:

• Taco Casserole

Snacks:

• Lesser Evil Buddha Bowl Himalayan Sweetness Popcorn
• 2 Raw Carrot Cake Bites

Here are my intake and output stats for Tuesday, January 17th:

Calories: 1,939 kcal  | Carbohydrates: 240g  | Protein: 86g  | Fat: 74g  | Sugar: 77g

Calories Burned: 2,618 kcal  | Steps: 7,451  | Active Time: 4hr6min | Distance: 2.44 mi

WEDNESDAY

A quick breakdown of what I ate on Wednesday:

Breakfast:

• Simple Truth Instant Chia Oatmeal – Maple & Brown Sugar
• 2 Carrot Cake Bites

Lunch:

• Grilled Chicken with Salt, Pepper and Turmeric
• Whole Wheat & Ancient Grain Pasta
• Green Peas
• Parmesan Cheese

Dinner:

• Tilapia Fillet
• Salad
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Caesar Dressing
  • Croutons

Snacks:

• Justin’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups
• Lesser Evil Buddha Bowl Himalayan Sweetness Popcorn

Here are my intake and output stats for Wednesday, January 18th:

Calories: 1,710 kcal  | Carbohydrates: 208g  | Protein: 99g  | Fat: 61g  | Sugar: 69g

Calories Burned: 2,629 kcal  | Steps: 8,560  | Active Time: 3hr15min | Distance: 3.08 mi

THURSDAY

A quick breakdown of what I ate on Thursday:

Breakfast:

• Smoothie Bowl
  • Frozen Banana
  • Frozen Peaches
  • Frozen Pineapple
  • About Time Birthday Cake Whey Protein Powder
  • Love Beet’s Beetroot Powder
  • Cold Brewed Green Tea
  • Wild Friend’s Sugar Cookie PB (topping)
  • Shredded Coconut (topping)
  • Kind Granola (topping)

Lunch:

• Baked Salmon
• Roasted Butternut Squash
• Romaine Lettuce
• Ozuke Dill & Caraway Sauerkraut
• Health-Ade Kombucha

Dinner:

• Penne Pasta
• Tomato Sauce
• Sweet Italian Sausage

Snacks:

• Justin’s Milk Chocolate PB cups

Here are my intake and output stats for Thursday, January 19th:

Calories: 1,999 kcal  | Carbohydrates: 276g  | Protein: 91g  | Fat: 62g  | Sugar: 119g

** No output stats – I put my watch on the charger and forgot it : ( **

FRIDAY [TODAY]

A quick breakdown of what I ate on Friday:

Breakfast:

• Simple Truth Instant Chia Oatmeal – Maple & Brown Sugar

Lunch:

• Baked Salmon
• Roasted Acorn Squash

Dinner:

• Penne Pasta
• Tomato Sauce
• Sweet Italian Sausage

Snacks:

• Justin’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups
• Lesser Evil Buddha Bowl Himalayan Sweetness Popcorn

Here are my intake and output stats for Friday, January 20th:

Calories: 1,609 kcal  | Carbohydrates: 235g  | Protein: 66g  | Fat: 48g  | Sugar: 67g

** No output stats – I was running late and forgot to put my watch on. **

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I’m still trying to figure out the proper format for these. I feel like giving you all a rundown of my whole day is a bit much – but if that makes a difference, I’ll gladly share the little snippets again!

I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned this week and use it to make next week even better.

Naturally,

Ari