Favorite Fit Finds!

It’s time for another installment of Trainer Girl’s favorite things! I’m constantly on the look-out for what’s latest and greatest in fitness and nutrition, and also for what’s completely over-rated (i.e.: Any diet plan that has you buying a month’s worth of processed frozen dinners). Here are six of my newest Favorite Fit Finds! Try ‘em out for yourself and let me know what YOU think!

1. Favorite Oatmeal: Mad Hectic High-Protein Oatmeal

While I’m already a big fan of oatmeal in the mornings, my only disappointment with typical oatmeal is the lack of protein which is VERY important to get in the morning. Then Mad Hectic Oatmeal walked into my life! A woman who was feeling the same woes regarding oatmeal found a way to pack in the protein AND make it taste good – plus it’s made with all-natural ingredients. YUM! There are six scrumptious flavors with at least 13 grams of protein and up to 18 grams. So far I’ve consumed the French Chocolate and Raspberry Almond and love ‘em both (okay so I’m a bit partial to the raspberry, but you’ll have to find out for yourself). Get them online at madhecticfoods.com.

2. Favorite Take-Anywhere Workout Equipment: Valslides

I’m one of those fanatics that won’t travel without an exercise band in my suitcase – you never know when and where you can fit in a quick workout. However I also like to mix it up and that’s not as easy when you’re on the go, which is why I love the super-affordable, super-portable Valslides. They’re basically glorified furniture movers (in fact if you have any, they’ll work too!) that you place your foot on and perform lunges, mountain climbers, ab roll-outs, and much more with, and they turn a simple exercise into a calorie roaster. Oh, and they’re designed by celebrity trainer Valerie Waters, who apparently knows what she’s doing (if you’ve seen Jennifer Garner lately you know what I mean). Get ‘em at valslide.com.

3. Favorite Dessert: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Single Serving Cups

I’ve always been a Skinny Cow fan and they’ve done it again and come out with a new line of products – single serving ice cream cups in five flavors and under 170 calories!  Dulce de Leche and Caramel Cone definitely top my list, but also check out Strawberry Cheesecake, Cookies ‘N Cream, and Chocolate Fudge Brownie. I found these dessert rockstars at Fred Meyer but you can find them at Albertson’s and WalMart as well. Best news is they won’t break your health bank but they’ll satisfy your sweet tooth!

4. Favorite Post-Workout Recovery Snack: Horizon Organic Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk

You probably know by now after reading my blog and newsletters or attending my nutrition classes that low-fat chocolate milk is one of the best recovery snacks there is because of the protein-to-carb ratio. So is all chocolate milk created equal? If you ask me, Horizon Organic soars above the rest. It’s low-fat but tastes surprisingly creamy and rich. Plus it’s 170 calories which is plenty for you to consume post-workout. The even better part is I often see these single serving bad boys on sale at Fred Meyer 10 for $10. Find them in the natural section, buy a few and stock them in your refrigerator for a grab-and-go treat after the gym.

5. Favorite Tie-Me-Over Bar: Clif C Bars

I used to buy Clif Nectar bars in bulk and then they discontinued them for no good reason at all. I went from disappointed to relieved again, though, because they kept the all-natural idea and replaced the Nectar line with Clif C bars. The scoop is they use only a handful of ingredients (such as sea salt, nuts, dates, apples, cinnamon, etc.) and bake these bars to “marry” the flavors. They’re low in calories, high in fiber and at least the sugars are from natural sources. I keep these on-hand when I’m on the road or need some energy between client sessions. You’ll find them at Fred Meyer or Albertson’s, but can check them out at clifbar.com.

6. Favorite Substitute For a Traditional Workout: Just Dance for Wii

While I don’t condone you depend on your Wii as a source of exercise, I acknowledge and appreciate that once in a while you need a break from the usual routine. Maybe you you don’t have time to work out because you’re hosting a party and you know there will be Wii-time. Or perhaps you want to work out with a friend so you can laugh the calories a way. If so, invest in Just Dance. You can get your groove on to the best of virtually any decade’s top 40 and you can also control the level of effort and how challenging the moves are (they’re made up for you – your job is to keep up). I’ve been known to shake it for an hour and a half and burn up to 450 calories thanks to choosing the most complicated dances and challenging the nearest victim to a ‘Best Of 10’ marathon. Read the review at Nintendo.com and then Google it to find out where your most affordable outlet is.

Meet the
Trainer

Crystal is a certified personal trainer through the National Sports and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She has a passion for helping others live a healthy lifestyle and
coaching them to push their limits beyond what they think they
are capable of.