​On my search for healthier and tastier workout snacks, I came across the company SmashPack. If you are searching for a great tasting snack made with clean ingredients, then look no further! SmashPack not only tastes good, but they are packed with protein and REAL food ingredients. They are also low in fat, carbs, and sugar (very macro friendly – if you're counting!) and are soy, gluten and artificial ingredient FREE! To top it off their carb/fat/protein balance will also aid in muscle recovery and keep you fueled during your workout, which makes them a great pre/post workout snack.

Flavorful Thoughts: Mixed Berry, Tropical Fruit, and Orange Peach.  Each with its own delicious taste - Here are my favorites in order:
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1. Mixed Berry: a good texture with lots of berry flavor. A go-to flavor to have handy if you just need a snack throughout your day.
2. Tropical Fruit: super refreshing and one that I would use during a workout session for some quick energy.
3. Orange Peach: Love anything orange! This one is invigorating and great for snacking for a day out in the sun. It makes me think of summer!

Nutrition Facts: 180 Cals, 5g Fat, 35-45mg sodium, Potassium 240-280mg, 17-19g Carbs, 1-2g Fiber, 14-16g Sugar, 14g Protein

Choosing a favorite was really difficult because each one had it’s own unique taste. But if I have to select a number 1, then I pick … mixed berry. It was so flavorful and tasted like you were eating fresh-picked fruit. Also if you have time to refrigerate them, SmashPacks taste even more refreshing! But not to worry - they are amazing right out of your gym bag or purse too J

My husband always tells me I like to buy things at the grocery store that come in pretty little packages…which is probably truuue AND I definitely love the cute SmashPacks pouch. But beyond the fun little packaging, it’s the great flavors and healthy ingredients that keep me stocking them in my pantry. Cute, convenient, and tasty…my fave combination!

SO for all my gym goers, busy bees, or snackaholics – Definitely check out SmashPack and let me know how awesome you think they are too! Also, for 1 lucky person reading this right now, I have 3 free SmashPacks (1 of each flavor) to GIVE AWAY! To win these samples, Post a comment below and tell me why you would like to WIN and you might just find yourself with some FREE products. YAY!!!

Where to find SmashPack:
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AMAZON (Free shipping for Prime users)

SmashPack Website: Click Here
 You can also use my discount code AHFIT15 for 15% off your order (1 use only & only redeemable up until Oct. 21)

If you are searching for a healthy way to lose weight then read on! I want to introduce you to the Renaissance Periodization diet. This plan was a MIRACLE for me, and I'm excited to share my experience with everyone.
*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience

​When I started Crossfit training in 2013, I was fairly lean - weighing in around 130lbs. During the next year and a half I slowly gained lean muscle mass bringing me up to a healthy 140lbs. I felt great and was extremely happy with how I looked and how my workouts were progressing. But somewhere around the two-year mark, my previous food intake was failing to fuel my workouts. To help me become a better Crossfit competitor I had really ramped up my working out; and therefore, I found myself hungrier everyday. My knowledge of nutrition was slim, and I only knew to keep on doing what had worked for me in the past. So slowly my weight began to creep up during the next 1-2 years, until I found myself sitting at an uncomfortable 165lbs. These extra pounds began to impact my training, and I could just feel that this was not the right competitive weight for me! I was sluggish, inflamed, and out of breath during all of my workouts. I knew that something needed to change so I began my search for the right nutrition plan for me.

​I tried many forms of diets including (Intuitive eating, macro counting, and RP strength)! Intuitive eating (eat when you're hungry … stop when you're full) worked really well before I began to train competitively (2-3 hours a day). Macro counting, which lays out the amount of carbs, fats, and proteins to eat throughout the day, somewhat worked for me; but I was lacking the guidance of meal timing and definitely wasn't eating the correct amount of food with each meal. I found myself in an endless cycle of trying to "save" macros for the end of the day, and my weight just would not budge. So FINALLY I decided to give RP Strength a try. #bestforlast
I had always seen so many amazing “before and after” transformations that I was afraid it was too good to be true...Little did I know I would soon be one of them! Hallelujah! :)

In January 2017 I signed up for 1:1 coaching through RP. It was a 12-week cut with a personal coach to guide you through the whole process. [They send you diet templates with meal timing and they lay out when to eat and how much protein, carbs, and fats to eat with each meal.] Since I had tried about every other healthy option - I knew that I had to give this a shot! As the weeks progressed, I began to see amazing changes to my physique and to my performance in the gym (changes that I had been trying to achieve for so long!). I started feeling leaner and lighter and breathing was becoming easier during my workouts.

After the 12 weeks of 1:1 with my coach, Meagan, I officially weighed 147! That was about a 10lb loss from where I started on the diet and almost a 20lb loss from my heaviest weight. I was so excited, relieved, and happy to have found a plan that worked for me. But the best part is that my weight loss through RP strength was done in a very healthy way and with a natural (not rushed!) progression. During my RP plan I felt great, I was well-fueled for my workouts, AND I was eating more food than before I started. Also, I think it is good to point out that my training in the gym did not change AT ALL! It all came down to dialing in my diet. No extra running, rowing, or metcons were needed.

Also, During the 12 weeks I definitely had a couple of "cheat" days. It is good to point this out because so many people think one meal will ruin their whole diet (or they let it start a whole week of cheating). I allowed myself a few cheats, and then I was right back on track the next day. Moral of the story: 1 meal is not going to hurt the outcome of the diet BUT the more you stay on track, the better the results will be.
As of now I have been on maintenance for about 4-5 months and I am still feeling good. For those who aren’t familiar with the term “maintenance”, it’s the few months after the 12 week diet when you try and maintain your new weight with the numbers of carbs, fats, and proteins you are given from the RP templates. It's a crucial phase of the plan because it helps cement your weight loss so that it will become permanent! It's in this phase where you can make or break the diet (and all your hard work!). I encourage you to stick to the plan as much as possible at this stage and don't be tempted to slip back into your old ways of eating. Rest assured that towards the end of my maintenance I was able to work in a few cheat meals on the weekends - maybe a glass of wine or a beer during the week - and still not feel guilty. I consistently tried to stay pretty close to my numbers during the week, and then could enjoy a more relaxed weekend of eating … which is ultimately the goal of successful maintenance!

I hope this article has been helpful to anyone struggling to lose some weight or for anyone who is considering trying the RP diet. I 100% recommend giving it a shot, and I am happy to answer any questions in the comment box below.
Click the link below if you want to give the RP Strength templates a try! They also have RP cookbooks for anyone who needs some great healthy recipe ideas.
Click here to learn more about the RP diet templates and make sure to use code Amelia10 at checkout to save on your purchase!
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Have any RP success stories of your own?! (If not then click that link above!!) but if you DO then leave a message below and share with me and other readers how awesome RP really is :)