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Lifestyle Nutrition Reviews SoCal

Are You Too Busy To Cook, But Still Want Healthy Meals? My Fit Foods Has A Solution For That

February 16, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 8 Comments

Let’s face it, we live in a pretty fast-paced world. We are constantly on-the-go, whether it’s for work, school, parental responsibilities, and so on. One of the first things to fall by the wayside is cooking, let alone healthy cooking. Of course we want to be healthy, fit, and fueled by good nutrition, but what are we to do when we don’t have the time to meal prep?

The answer? My Fit Foods.

My Fit Foods Studio City The My Fit Foods Store in Studio City, California

Disclosure: A My Fit Foods PR representative contacted me to visit a MFF store, and share my experience on my blog. I received one day’s worth of food for free so I could offer my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

What is My Fit Foods?

Created by personal trainer and former Marine Mario Mendias, MFF is “a revolutionary new way to enjoy fresh, great tasting, and healthy food on your schedule.” Mendias started cooking meals in his home for his clients in 2006. His concept then grew into what My Fit Foods is today. There are various stores throughout Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, and Illinois (Chicago). I visited the store in Studio City (Los Angeles), California. Each store is stocked full of healthy, pre-portioned meals. There are several options, such as gluten-free (note: the kitchen is not certified gluten-free), sodium sensitive and calorie controlled, low glycemic grains, fresh produce, and antioxidant rich spices.

My Fit Foods 21 Day Challenge  My Fit Foods Healthy Snacks

How Does It Work?

You walk into a MFF store and tell them what you’re looking for (quick meals, dinners only, etc). There’s an entire wall of refrigerated food: snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and desserts. You can either look at the meals and choose what you would like to purchase, or ask for the on-site nutrition coach (Studio City’s coach is Natalie). The customized nutrition coaching is complimentary, meaning FREE! Each coach is highly-trained and certified.

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 2   My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 3

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 4

Here’s A Walk Through Of How I Started:

I met with Natalie (and MFF PR representative Whitney) to talk about what MFF offers. I shared my struggles and my goals with Natalie. For example, I’m always on-the-go, 7 days a week. I know how to eat healthy (I used to be a health coach), but I don’t know what my body specifically needs. Should I be gluten-free? Is red meat really going to give me a heart attack? There are so many fad diets out there (especially in LA), that I feel like our perception of good health gets skewed. Also, I really dislike cooking.

Natalie told me about their 21 Day Challenge. Basically with this challenge, Natalie (or that store’s nutrition coach) puts together a customized 21 day meal plan based on your health goals, lifestyle, occupation/schedule, and what your body needs. She tailors it to your likes; for example, I don’t like seafood. So she was able to put together a plan that didn’t contain seafood, but still offered enough calories, vitamins, and so on for what my body needs. Natalie printed out a form that has your meals/snacks laid out for 21 days. It’s awesome, because you won’t really have to think about what to eat and when to eat it. I’m sure some people want to have the freedom to eat what and when they want, but for people like me, I want whatever is the simplest option! I would then pick up my food in the store twice a week.

21daychallenge_badge

 

My Fit Foods 21 Day Challenge Effects

Photos courtesy of MFF’s website

When doing the challenge, Natalie recommends a multivitamin (there’s one for men and one for women) and a liver cleanse to clear the toxins out of your liver. I’m not doing the 21 day challenge at the moment, so I did not purchase either of these. However, I did purchase their raspberry B12 liquid supplement (my body is severely lacking in B vitamins). It comes in a dropper bottle, so I mix it with my Drip Drop hydration drink. It’s delicious! I also purchased a bottle of probiotics, which my body desperately needs as well.

My Fit Foods Probiotics B12 Supplements  My Fit Foods Healthy Supplements

Does The Food Taste Good?

Yes! So good. I am a very picky eater, so I was happy to see how many options there were! I took home a one day supply of fresh meals (never frozen and cooked/delivered every morning) and tried each of them three hours apart (Natalie’s recommendation). My boyfriend, Tim, also tried the meals/snacks. Tim tends to be skeptical of things that cost money when he can just do it at home. He tried the meals thinking he wasn’t going to like any of it; he LOVED all of it! And I agree. Everything was super delicious! The meals range between $5 and $12 (each). The snacks range from $1 to $4.

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals One Day  My Fit Foods Healthy Meals

My First Day Consisted Of:

  • Breakfast: Oat Bake (my favorite meal)
  • Snack: Protein Bar (their brand)
  • Lunch: Gimme More Chicken Wrap
  • Snack: Veggies In The Raw
  • Dinner: Asian Flat Iron

My Fit Foods Oat Bake Breakfast MFF Oat Bake

I purchased these absolutely DELISH raw cacao truffles (60 calories for one) because I like to have a piece of chocolate after dinner. I definitely need some more! 😉

My Fit Foods Living Raw Chocolate Truffles

I’m excited to begin my 21 day challenge with My Fit Foods! Like I said before, my schedule makes it hard to eat healthy consistently. Since the meals can be microwaved (or cooked on stove top for a bit more flavor), I can definitely take them with me. The snacks can either travel in an insulated tote or simply in your bag if they don’t need refrigerated. If you don’t have a tote, they have ones in the store! And they’re big enough to hold a day’s worth of meals/snacks. I will definitely be going back to pick up food for myself and Tim, and probably this week!

My Fit Foods Tote

To find a My Fit Foods store near you, visit their website –> locations (or click here).

To check out their entire menu, visit their website –> menu (or click here).

There’s also a list of 101 reasons why MFF helps you lose weight and live healthier that’s pretty awesome!

My Fit Foods Logo

Follow My Fit Foods on social media to keep up-to-date with the company:

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – YouTube – LinkedIn

  • What is the hardest challenge you face while maintaining your healthy lifestyle?
  • Would you be interested in a store like MFF? What do you like/dislike about it?

Thank you for reading my blog! I love chatting with people, so please leave a comment below. 🙂 Thank you to My Fit Foods for the opportunity!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Nutrition, Reviews, SoCal Tagged With: #21DayChallenge, #EatFit, #LiveFit, #MyFitFoods, 21 Day Challenge, Arizona, blog, California, fitness, fresh, gluten-free, health, health coach, healthy, lifestyle, Los Angeles, low calorie, low sodium, meal prep, My Fit Foods, nutrition, nutrition coach, Oklahoma, personal trainer, preportioned, review, SoCal, Studio City, Texas

Ambassador Fitness Reviews

ActivMotion Bar: A Better Way To Strengthen Your Core

February 3, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

Guys & gals, I have found my new favorite piece of workout equipment. It’s easy to use, easy to store, and it’s extremely effective!

So what is it?

It’s called ActivMotion Bar.

ActivMotion Bar SweatPink

“The ActivMotion Bar is no ordinary fitness bar. It’s always moving and strengthening your core with every exercise—because it’s filled with rolling steel weights. No other fitness product comes close to creating a multisensory workout experience like this. The moment you pick it up you’ll hear the weights move inside and feel them challenging your body. Whether you’re a beginner, a trainer, a pro athlete or anything in between, it’s time to change the way you train, engage mind and muscle, experience an amazing workout and get in shape quicker than ever before. It’s time for the ActivMotion Bar” (website).

When Fit Approach offered the opportunity to try the ActivMotion bar as part of my #SweatPink ambassadorship, I had to give it a little extra thought (Disclosure: I received a free bar, plus compensation, in exchange for my honest review). I don’t generally use weights during my workouts, so I was a little hesitant. Was it going to be too heavy? Would I end up hurting myself (I can be a total klutz)? As it turns out, I LOVE the ActivMotion bar! It’s light (the one I have, at least; it comes in 6, 8, 10, 15, or 18 lbs), but definitely gives resistance. After a few reps, I start to feel the burn. The day after my first workout with the bar, my arms and core were sore! It was awesome. Along with that, it’s easy to use. It’s one simple bar- it does not require assembly or parts.

ActivMotion Bar 1 ActivMotion Bar Workout

Plus, it has rolling steel weights inside! The steel weights help you to strengthen your core during your entire workout. I like the rolling steel weights because they help me to stay balanced (something that’s not-so-easy with Ménière’s Disease).

ActivMotion Bar Clear

A big reason why I like using the ActivMotion bar is that I can use it in my living room, and for any type of workout. I practice yoga, so I don’t use weights often. But I found that I could incorporate it into most of my yoga poses! Then when I’m done with my workout, I can store it in my closet or corner.

ActivMotion Bar Yoga

I did a 30 minute workout in my living room, and my boyfriend snapped some photos (don’t judge, I’m still learning form!):

ActivMotion Bar SweatPink 3  ActivMotion 031

ActivMotion 034

If you want to follow a routine, you can purchase DVDs. Choose between Total Body Toning, Active Aging, Training System, Foundation Builder (Level 1), Progressive Movement (Level 2), and Dynamic Performance (Level 3).

ActivMotion Bar SweatPink DVD

After using the ActivMotion Bar for about a month, I’m hooked! I’m seriously so excited to be incorporating the bar into various workouts. Plus my boyfriend loves it too! I made a quick video testimonial of why I love this bar:

My apologies for the vertical screen- I just got an iPhone 6 and had the hardest time holding the phone while recording!

I highly recommend the ActivMotion Bar for anyone who enjoys fitness. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, this bar will definitely help you step up your game!

 

Tweet: Why is @activmotionbar so awesome? Find out what @balancebrunette has to say: http://ctt.ec/V68d7+ #sweatpink #activmotionbar @fitapproach
Tweet: Why is @activmotionbar so awesome? Find out what @balancebrunette has to say: http://ctt.ec/V68d7+ #sweatpink #activmotionbar @fitapproach

Get more information on the various bars and DVDs (there are bundles, as well!) on their website, activmotionbar.com. And don’t forget to follow ActivMotion Bar’s social media channels for updates, workout ideas, inspiration, and more! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

ActivMotion Bar Logo Tagline

  • Have you used the ActivMotion Bar?

  • Is this something you could see yourself using?

 

Thank you for checking out my blog!!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Ambassador, Fitness, Reviews Tagged With: #sweatpink, ActivMotion Bar, Andrea Metcalf, Derek Mikulski, dvd, Fit Approach, fitness, gym, in-home, personal trainer, pilates, review, studio, workout, yoga

Fitness Reviews SoCal

LA’s First ‘Workouts on Demand’ App: Handstand

December 23, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

For almost two years, I lived in Los Angeles without a car. Being a fitness enthusiast and health coach, it was important to me to be active. I was able to run outside and do workouts at the park, but if I wanted a personal trainer or to attend a yoga class, there weren’t many options for me.

Now I have a car, but I also work a lot. I babysit for 3 families, I have a very energetic puppy, and have to keep up with the housework. By the time I get home, going out to a studio or yoga class is the last thing I want to do.

Lucky for me (and people in a similar situation), there’s Handstand.

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Cover

Disclosure: I received a free session using the Handstand app in exchange for an honest review on my blog. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Handstand is LA’s first ever ‘workouts-on-demand’ app, and it allows you to search, book, and pay for a fitness professional to come to your house for a private session. It’s like Uber for fitness. How awesome is that?! You can book a yoga session, cardio workout, sessions for two people, and more! However, it’s currently only in LA.

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga 2 Archie was really excited to do some yoga 🙂

I had a Q & A with the founder of Handstand, Tiffany:

Why did you create Handstand?

I really believe that working long or unpredictable hours, making time for friends, catching up with family, finding relaxation time, having young children, on top of all of the other responsibilities that only increase as we get older– leaves minimal time for health and fitness- which is where I came from and why I created Handstand. I made the time, woke up early, drove to the gym, worked out, showered, changed, ate, made it to work, but that was ridiculous. In fact, it was counterintuitive and left me over exhausted. And we read all these quotes that a “one hour workout is all it takes” but as I came to find, it was 2 hours and that was if I hurried.

What was your inspiration for Handstand?

I was always into fitness and discovering new trends. When I initially tried yoga at a class in a gym, I remember feeling incompetent and frustrated. I wasn’t relaxed after the session, but let down and discouraged. After some time, I gave yoga another shot in a smaller group setting with my cousin who just wouldn’t leave me alone about it! The yoga instructor came to my house and 10 minutes in, I immediately understood why my cousin pushed me into this. The instructor was different and the one that came over that day didn’t make me feel like a beginner, or that I wasn’t flexible enough, but rather she encouraged me to try different poses and adjusted me based on what she saw.  I felt her trust and by the end of the class, she was able to guide me into a handstand— something I NEVER thought I could do! So, I named this app “Handstand” which is symbolic of the goals we can reach when we have the right instructor or trainer guiding us. Every single trainers and instructor on Handstand is Handstand approved and can truly help anyone reach their goals- may it be a handstand or something else they’re reaching for.

Where do you see Handstand going in the future?

With Handstand, no matter where my users go, whether it be alone on a business trip in San Francisco, or to New York for a quick visit, they’ll never be alone or have to miss a workout. Hassle-free, accessible, affordable, and truly a new experience in every city. There will always be someone new to meet, someone there to motivate, change, and show my users new moves in a new city when they have time. 

Handstand is constantly being updated with new instructors and new workout types, which is where we’re heading now. Want to try meditation but don’t want to find a studio on your own? Find one on Handstand and invite a friend! Want to workout with your fiancé before work? Order a bootcamp session on Handstand for two. It’s affordable, accessible, and hassle-free.

What makes Handstand stand out from its competitors- if any?

Handstand is the first Workouts on Demand App in LA – and it comes from a place of need. It’s for everyone out there; people who want to work out with their friend, but go to different gyms; for the girl who’s trying to lose some weight, but just can’t afford a trainer to help her; for the mother who has a young child at home and has to find a sitter to make it to the gym; for the man who wants to try yoga but hasn’t the first clue of where to go or start– this is for everyone. 

I want my users to know they can feel comfortable with everyone on the platform because that was my inspiration and goal. No judgments, no commitments, no hassles. Planning, scheduling, and finding the right class or time isn’t what fitness is about. So no one has to sweat that now- Handstand has it set up for you- anytime and anywhere.

Thank you, Tiffany!

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Logo

I had the amazing privilege of trying Handstand. Here’s how it works:

  • Download the app (iOS) or go to the website.
  • Click “Find a Workout”.
  • Choose your neighborhood.
  • Search for a trainer! You can choose by searching time, type of workout, or price.
  • Book your trainer for your desired date and time.
  • Pay.
  • Have an awesome session! (You can rate the trainer after the session)

Super simple and convenient, right?

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Logo 2

I scheduled a yoga session with Nikka for Saturday at 12:30 pm in my apartment. Nikka showed up right on time, with a yoga mat and blocks in hand. I already have a mat, but it was awesome that she brought one just in case! She didn’t mind that I had two small dogs locked in the bedroom. They barked for awhile, but it didn’t distract her. I really appreciated it! We talked for the first 10 minutes or so, which I really enjoyed.

It was a little strange having a trainer come to my house who knew nothing about me, but she was extremely friendly and we had a lot in common. She asked me what yoga I like to do, what injuries I have, and what kind of yoga I wanted to do for our session. I told her about some health concerns I’ve been having (joint issues, specifically), so she suggested restorative yoga (for stretching). We also talked about what brought us to LA. It turns out, we are both from the Midwest! It’s always awesome connecting with people from the Midwest; we’re pretty similar and I love it!

The session lasted an hour, and it was EXACTLY what I needed! Nikka showed me an inversion pose that I now do every single day. I felt centered and happy the rest of the day. I will definitely be scheduling another session with Nikka, and I highly recommend it to anyone in the LA area looking for private sessions!

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Archie (my pup) & Mocha (a friend’s pup) were excited that Nikka was over!

If you’re excited to give Handstand a try, they have graciously allowed me to offer a 20% discount to my readers! Simply enter code founder20 when you’re ready to pay.

Follow along on social media as Handstand grows and expands: website, Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook. You can also download the app for Apple iOS here.

  • Is being active difficult for you due to your busy lifestyle?

  • Would you use Handstand if it was in your area? If you’re in LA, is it something you will try?

 

Thank you for reading!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews, SoCal Tagged With: app, Apple, barre, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, California, cardio, dog, Downtown LA, fitness, Handstand, HandstandApp, in-home, instructor, iOS, LA, Los Angeles, one on one, personal trainer, pet, private, puppy, restorative yoga, Santa Monica, session, SoCal, Studio City, trainer, Uber, Venice, West LA, Westwood, workout, Workouts on Demand, yoga

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