Keeping your head up and getting back on track during the pandemic

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I may not be where I want to be, but I think that it’s important to remember how far we have come especially in moments that we are feeling discouraged. ⠀

I know that this is a difficult time for everybody and most of us are feeling lost, discouraged, and frankly unmotivated. Most people downplay how critical the mental aspect of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. During these times of uncertainty we are challenged with so many things that can slingshot us into a bad headspace. It’s like a snowball effect, maybe you picked up a few bad things at the store and all the sudden you have reflected back and it’s been weeks since you’ve been active and your whole kitchen is stocked with only junk food. ⠀

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There are things that we are unable to control and I think it’s time to let that go and come to terms with it and focus on what you can control. After reading all the messages I received here is some information if you are feeling lost and discouraged.⠀

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1. PURGE THE JUNK FOOD- next trip to the grocery store have a specific list of foods that you know are going to help you work towards your goals. Don’t deviate and get rid of those foods you have been binging on⠀

2. INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY – Even if it means going on a walk around the neighborhood and then slowly increasing to home workouts. Each day committed to a specific time and activity and hold yourself accountable.⠀

3. SET GOALS- Specific and measurable goals with a timeline. Make sure you write them down and maybe even post them somewhere where you see them every day. If you need more accountability them share them with your family/friends or post them on social media.

4. LOVE YOURSELF a little bit more – Social media can be a great tool but it also can be something that is extremely toxic when we are constantly scrolling and comparing ourselves to others. The only person you need to be better than is who you were yesterday. But remember progress is never linear. We are human, we have our setbacks but it’s important not to dwell and keep moving forward.⠀

By this time next week you’ll thank yourself if you can start to move yourself towards the right track.

Roasted (Air Fryer) Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Quick, easy, clean, and tasty! First time roasting peppers in my air fryer and it turned out great. You can cook more than one pepper in the air fryer at a time, the time might need to be adjusted.

Ingredients

1 poblano pepper

Meats2u Shredded Chicken

1/4 avocado

1/2 lime

Optional:

Salsa

Bolthouse Farms Cilantro avocado yogurt dressing

Instructions

1. Prepare crockpot Chicken ahead of time recipe here but don’t add sauce after cooking.

2. Cook pepper 400 degrees for 6 min, flip and cook another 6 min.

3. Peel off skin and cut slit down center from stem to bottom (don’t cut through both layers.)

4.Stuff with chicken and top with avocado slices and squeeze fresh lime on top. Add other fixings you see fit and enjoy!

Crockpot shredded chicken

This has easily become one of my favorite and quick ways to prep a good amount of chicken for my boyfriend and I especially since we are so busy with our hectic work schedules

It was nice to dust off my crockpot that I was not using at all anymore and it’s gotten to the point where we actually think we want to get a second one just to make even more!

This recipe can be used with basically any sauce that you like depending on what you were going to be adding your chicken to our use the shredded chicken on top of salads, tacos, rice, etc. Because it is extremely versatile and easy to eat cold if you are one of those people who are always on the go.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 Meats2u Chicken Breast
• https://meats2u.com/product-category/poultry/?aff=kelsey&coupon=VIPKELSEY
• 1 Carton organic low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• Sauce of your choosing

Instructions:

1. Place defrosted chicken breast in crock pot. Add as much broth to fully cover chicken and a little bit more I usually use about 3/4 of a carton

2. Cook on high for about three hours or low for six just depending on how long you are going to be leaving your crockpot.

3. Once cooked, drain excess liquid and let it cool down. You can either use a hand mixer or two forks (pull forks in opposite direction)to shred the chicken.

4. Transfer to a large container add your favorite sauce, salsa, or leave unseasoned and add sauce later!

Mix well and store for up to about 3 days.

Chunky Meats2u Shrimp Burgers

Burgers:

• 1 pound @meats2u shrimp, shelled and deveined

https://meats2u.com/product-category/seafood/?aff=kelsey&coupon=VIPKELSEY

• 1 egg

• 1/4c chopped cilantro

• 2 tbs minced garlic

• 1/2 cup Panko

• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

• 1 large shallot, minced

• 1 tsp salt & pepper

• 1/2 cup red pepper, chopped small

Aioli

• 1 avocado,

• 1/2 c plain greek yogurt

• 1 tbs fresh lime juice

• 2 tbs minced garlic

• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped

• 1/4c chopped cilantro

• 1 tsp salt & pepper

Instructions

Burgers

• Divide the shrimp in half. Coarsely chop one half and set aside. Put half in a food processor. And grind to a coarse puree. Add in egg, shallot, cilantro, jalapeño and garlic to processor. Process until smooth. Sprinkle mixture with breadcrumbs and process again. Transfer contents of food processor to a bowl & add coarsely chopped shrimp and red pepper. Season with salt and black. Mix well. Form burgers and chill for 1 hour (covered).

• Heat oil in a heavy skillet. Fry the shrimp burgers until golden, about 3 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Drain on paper towels.

Avocado Aioli

• Remove peel and seed of avocado and scoop into food processor.

• Add greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic cloves, jalapeno, cilantro, salt and pepper. Process until smooth.

• Place in a dish, cover and chill for an hour.

If you are feeling discouraged about “Getting back on track”..

It’s probably about that time where the “new year new me “ has lost its luster. I tried SO hard to stay on track through the Holidays, they are tough on everyone! Then I had to throw in the fact that I was sick for weeks back to back and in the middle of picking up my life and moving to a different city PLUS work was a lot of pressure on me.

My scale has been dead for WEEKS. I literally did not change the batteries in my scale because I was all messed up in my head about gaining weight and didn’t want to see the number. I thought if I got on the scale it was going to be 12lbs heaver, I’m not joking …. I finally got on last weekend and I was barley up 5lbs and was getting upset over NOTHING.

When you’ve been through tough relationships that make you self conscious about your weight, an eating disorder and then throw in the fact you are constantly scrolling on Instagram seeing all these “amazing bodies” your self image can be a mess. There are going to be times where you miss workouts or you mess up on your meals, you are human BUT don’t let it drag out and be the person that gets in your own way. This definitely has become a lifestyle for me and with that you need to see the big picture. Sure there are times that I’m getting ready for a photo shoot or some sort of event and I go a little bit more hard-core but overall I have come to terms that being a thyroid cancer survivor my life has to be lived a little bit differently with my nutrition.

I love how I look and feel when I TAKE CARE OF MY BODY. that’s how I see all the time in the gym & kitchen, me taking care of ME. Are you taking care of YOU?

Seared Scallops and Cauliflower Risotto

I was looking for a relatively clean meal to enjoy on a Sunday evening while my boyfriend and I are both home to enjoy a meal that’s not in a melaprep container. Keith had never tried scallops before but absolutely loved this recipe! Traditionally risotto is made with quite a bit of fat and it would be way more carbs if I didn’t use the cauliflower rice so the substitution fits your macros while still having a savory meal.

If you don’t like scallops you can also substitute shrimp or chicken.

Ingredients:

Seared Scallops

• 1 lb Meats2u Jumbo scallops

• 3 Tbs avocado oil

• Salt and Pepper

Cauliflower Risotto

• 4 cups of riced cauliflower

• 2 tbsp avocado oil

• 3 garlic cloves minced

• 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated

• 1/4 tsp

• 1/4 tsp

1 bunch asparagus

Lemon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375. Cut off ends of asparagus and place of a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for 9 mine while prepping the rest of meal.

2. Bring a medium skillet to medium heat

3. Add garlic and green onions to the skillet and cook ~3 minutes

4. Add the riced cauliflower to the skillet and continue to cook until the riced cauliflower is almost tender (~3 minutes)

5. Stir until the parmesan cheese is well incorporated. Lower the heat so that the rice does not stick and cook until the cauliflower rice reaches your desired level of tenderness. Turn off the heat.

6. Pat the scallops with a paper towel. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top (about 1/4 tsp of each if you’re not sure about sprinkling)

7. Bring a frying pan to medium heat; Add avocado oil and wait about 30 seconds for it to heat up

8. Add scallops to the pan and cook for 3 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and pan so that they do not continue to cook.

9.Add a large spoon of risotto to a plate. Top with asparagus, scallops, green onions.

Goodbye butterfly: 5 years

𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹𝒷𝓎𝑒 𝒷𝓊𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒻𝓁𝓎 5 years ago today my life changed forever. I had my thyroid, a parathyroid, and 10 lymphnodes removed due to cancer. Shortly after my surgery I received my first dose of radioactive iodine. Nothing could have prepared me (or anyone for that matter) at such a young age to undergo the surgery and treatments. The past five years I spend hours upon hours getting lab work, ultrasounds, biopsy’s, injections, CT scans, and radioactive iodine treatments.

My doctors did not prepare me that the battle would be far from over after they removed my thyroid. They failed to tell me how sick I would feel for years, the struggle I would have with my weight, and lack of energy. They didn’t mention as they balanced my hormone levels with medication I would become depressed, fatigued, I would have skin issues, my hair would thin out and never feel the same again. I didn’t realize that removing one small little butterfly shaped gland could wreak so much havoc on my entire body. I thought my one little thyroid pill (that I will have to take for the rest of my life) would just substitute what I had lost, but It didn’t. My body rejected my thyroid medicine multiple times and swung me into hypothyroidism leaving me wondering what feeling normal even meant anymore. Even though it was hard and I wanted to give up so many times, I just kept pushing through and staying positive. I had my fair share of ups and downs but eventually I have always found my way back into the light. I decided to share what I went through in hopes of inspiring someone and remind them that they are not alone. I also share the truth about thyroid cancer on educating others about the challenges thyroid cancer patients are faced with. Even though it’s been five years I still suffer from extreme fatigue and staying in shape is a constant battle. The lab tests and ultrasounds that I still undergo have become a part of my new norm. It is as much a mental battle as it is physical & have to remind myself that I need to listen to my body and there are going to be days that I am not OK and that is fine. I am thankful for my life and that I am still here to live it.

(Note: My doctors at the City Of Hope did amazing job with my surgery and treatments and I am thankful for that. I do however feel that there was a huge under misrepresentation of the challenges I would be facing after my thyroidectomy. The purpose of this post was to educate awareness about the challenges thyroid cancer survivors face because it is a common misconception that our battle is over after we have been declared cancer free)

Monday Motivation – Glow Up

Fitness is so much more than just working out, it’s a lifestyle change. We all go through our ups and downs, and I’m not just referring to weight. When we are faced with situations in my life where things didn’t go as planned we have really two options: to either sulk (why didn’t this go as planned, how did this happen, why me) OR you can let yourself feel but use this moment to fuel what comes next. Being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2013 at 21 years old it was hard and it really put me at my lowest point the next few years. I really didn’t know how to handle the cancer, trying to graduate college, and being in a extremely unhealthy/abusive relationship. Like all other adversities, it is so much a MENTAL battle as it is physical. I WISHHH I would have found The Camp and got into fitness sooner than I did in 2016 . People come and go in your life and life is always going to keep to keep challenging you, THIS WILL NEVER CHANGE! But WHAT WILL change is HOW you handle it. Fitness has been there for me to immerse myself in when I feel lost, down, hurt, or juts need to get away from it all. It has also been a way for me to celebrate all that my body can do. We are all our own worst critics, if everyone could just love themselves a little bit more I feel we could shine just a bit brighter each an every day. I love being online sharing my journey and working with all the clients at the Camp on their health and fitness journey’s while continually improving myself. Thank you for all being a part ofmy life and letting me be a part of yours!

What matters is how well we rise after falling

Instagram: @Thyroidfitnesschic

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Meal prep Monday’s usually consist of plain dried up chicken, broccoli and brown rice right? Because it’s simple easy and quick! But it doesn’t have to be like that and chances are the more boring than your meal prep is the more likely you are to trash it and eat something else while you’re at work.

Lemon Pepper chicken only takes a few more steps and makes such a difference!

What you’ll need:

• Sprig of fresh rosemary
• Six chicken breasts (skinless)
• 2 lemons
• Lemon Pepper seasoning
• Capers (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease a baking sheet or large casserole dish.

2. Lightly spray olive oil on the dish and add chicken. Lightly season with lemon Pepper and turn over and season again.

3. Thickly slice lemons and add to the top of each chicken piece. Squeeze any extra lemon on top.

4. I LOVE capers so I also added 1 tablespoon to the top

5. Add the fresh rosemary and bake with foil for 20-30min depending until cooked. Spoon the lemon juice in the dish every 10 min while cooking. Time will vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

I served this with oven roasted asparagus and tricolored quinoa.

Cryo Recovery post Opp

FYI: $20 first full body session if you mention me, I was able to get you guys the hookup.

The team at The Cryospot always takes such amazing care of me. I have been utilizing cryotherapy for about a year now for various reasons. And have a older blog post from their old site location. In the past it’s been from injury recovery as well as muscle recovery in general from work outs to get me back into the gym at 110%. 

Recently I have been utilizing cryotherapy to help with my recovery from my breast augmentation surgery. I have a treatment plan of a full body session once a week and a spot treatment on my incision site every other week that will help with the pain and scar appearance. I had a different surgery (related to a skin cancer scare) in the past and I utilized the spot treatment and it made the scar so much more minimal so we are hoping for the same results again! 

So Why do Cryotherapy? 

•  Muscle fatigue 
• Knee and joint pain 
• injury recovery  
• fibromyalgia
• planters fasciitis 
• injury prevention -VERY IMPORTANT to be proactive instead of reactive, I learned this the hard way!
• Reduces Pain and inflammation
• Decreases muscle soreness 
• Faster muscle recovery
• Boots metabolism and immune system
• Reduces stress
• Improves blood circulation
• Improves sleep pattern
• Releases serotonin and endorphins (same feeling as that post workout happiness)
• Improves skin elasticity/ reduces appearance of cellulite 

Also, just a little FYI ..1 session can burn anywhere from 400-800 calories….