5 Weeks to Go!

Wow, so I only have 5 weeks to go until my competition and about 4 weeks until my photo shoot. At this point, I’m a little stressed! I’m still trying to get some last minute things sorted. When I stop to think about it, it’s crazy how much work and time I am putting into this. Apart from sticking to a religious training and nutrition schedule, which isn’t too much of a hassle since I do that regardless of prep, all of the time looking for makeup artists, suit designers, competition heels, tanning services, hair stylists really adds up. Many people have asked me why I am even doing this show and it has really got me thinking, why the heck do I do any of this?!

It’s such a lifestyle for me now that it seems like the norm. I look at other people’s habits and I’m like, why the heck are they doing that? In reality though, my lifestyle isn’t normal to most people. Most people don’t prep, measure and eat 5 times a day, most people don’t train every single day and lift weights until their eyes pop out of their head, most people don’t spend their free time reading articles on training, nutrition and business tactics and most people (my age) don’t handle three jobs while being a full time student. It’s tiring, mentally tiring. 

But, why do I keep going back to it? Why do I keep doing it? I wish I had a cool, sophisticated or inspirational answer, but the truth is, I just love it. I really love it. I love the confidence I have because of my fit body and because I am proud of what I have achieved and am continuing to achieve. I have gained so much on the inside and out because of my fit and healthy lifestyle. Thinking right now, I can list so many things that are different becauase of my change in lifestyle:

1. I used to hate my body. Every single day was a struggle to look at myself.

Now, I love it.

2. I used to cringe at the thought of shopping and trying on new clothes.

Now, I can put on a pair of tight fitting pants and think “Damn, girl! That ASS!”

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

3. I used  to feel intimidated walking into a gym.

Now, I am always at the gym (training myself or clients) and I look forward to it every, single day.

4. I used to be that girl on the elliptical for 30-60 minutes and calling it my daily workout.

Now, I just laugh.

These are only a few, and boy, there are MANY more, but if any of you are living the ‘fit’ lifestyle or about to embark on it, ask yourself why? What is it doing for you?

Butterscotch Peanut Butter?! Pacific Beach Peanut Butter Review

This past week, I had the opportunity to dig into some peanut butter. However, this was not your normal peanut butter, it was Pacific Beach Peanut Butter and let me tell you, there is a difference!

With flavors ranging from butterscotch, to caramel peanut, to toffee, white chocolate and more, there is a lot of nutty deliciousness going on in these jars ;)

I had the pleasure of trying out the Butterscotch, Salted and Unsalted flavors…

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The butterscotch as you can imagine was delicious! I had to double check to make sure I had gotten into the right jar- it tasted like frosting! The salted and unsalted were great too- I prefer salted to unsalted, so that takes the lead, but both were different to most peanut butters I have tried. The best aspect of these peanut butters is the texture. There is a smooth, yet slightly rough texture that I honestly cannot get my head around. It’s like a mix between crunchy and creamy, but something still on a whole new level! This peanut butter genuinely melted in my mouth- it tasted so fresh and clean. I could really taste the raw nuttiness of the peanuts, which is usually masked by other peanut butters that have been through a lot of processing.

Here is a little shot of the salted peanut butter…

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I am seriously in love with Pacific Beach Peanut Butter! I have tried my fair share of nut butters and have truly tasted nothing like it! What is even better is that Pacific Beach Peanut Butter is offering all of you guys a ***FREE*** jar with any purchase from their site!

If you are deciding between flavors, there is no need! Simply pick two jars to put in your online cart and enter this discount code once you checkout: Blogger03 ***(–>that is a zero, not the letter ‘o)***

The offer is only valid until 4/15/13, so take advantage now! And, if you are looking for a creative way to use it, try out these protein peanut butter cups- You will not regret it :)

 

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My Current Supplement Regime

Quite frequently I am asked by my clients at the gym what I think about supplements. What do I think about them? Well, I think some of them are a waste of money, while I think others definitely have their place in one’s nutrition regime.

I change up my supplementation routine a few times a year as the body adapts and I always want to keep it guessing- that’s what makes physique changes happen!

Here are the supplements I am currently taking:

Pre-workout

I just finished up my Cellucor C4 and  have been trying out new brands. I got a lot of free samples from the LA Fitexpo last weekend, so I have definitely made a dent in those. I was also sent some Craze from Driven Sports to review, so stay tuned for that post!

I have a pretty high tolerance to pre-workouts since I have been using them for a while now, so 2-3 scoops is usually what does it for me. I take pre-workout 5-6x a week.

Post-workout

Glutamine and creatine monohydrate are my post workout staples. I take 5g of glutamine, 2.5g of creatine and crystal lite and shake it all up to chug post workout. Glutamine has done my body wonders in regards to muscle recovery and reducing soreness, so it is by far my favorite supplement at the moment.

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Pre-bedtime

Before bed I take 5g of glutamine with crystal lite everyday, even rest days. This allows my muscles to stay in an anabolic state overnight so that my muscles are constantly repairing and rebuilding.

Pre and Post Cheat Meal

I recently started taking Cal Trim 1000 as a cheat meal ally. Two caps before and two caps after my weekly cheat meal does the trick. I wake up without much water retention nor bloating!

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I also take omega-3 fish oil pills and a multivitamin everyday :)

So, that is it! I don’t take any fancy protein powders, fat burners or anything of the sort. I keep it simple and only take what my body really needs!

Client Testimonial- Sam Kolpin

Sam Kolpin just completed my Slim and Sculpt Program. Here is what she has to say about her experience with This Fit Chick’s Workout Programs:

“I recently was given the opportunity to complete Carrie’s Slim and Sculpt program. I had been lifting weights for almost a year, but at the time I wasn’t sure which direction to go in. I knew I liked lifting heavy and wanted to make more progress with my strength and abilities. When I learned about the program, I jumped at the opportunity.

Throughout the 12 weeks, I noticed huge increases in my strength and differences in my physique. I gained an inch on each bicep, and an overall 3 pounds of solid muscle. As someone who does not gain easily, I was ecstatic! Before beginning the program, I could not do a single unassisted chin-up. 12 weeks later, I’m incredibly proud to say that I can now do 3 in a row – such a huge improvement!

Carrie herself is incredibly helpful throughout the process. She sends motivational quotes and information each week to keep the participants pumped up for their workouts. If you have a question or a concern, she responds to emails quickly and thoroughly. This made the process easier and smoother for me. The program also comes with a nutritional guideline that is easily adaptable to all sorts of dietary needs and restrictions, which was a huge help in determining how to properly fuel for my workouts.

Even as a busy graduate student, Carrie’s programs were quick and affective enough that I was able to fit the workouts into my busy schedule. Even in a hotel, I was able to complete the workouts with only a few minor adjustments. The workouts are fun and change up often, ensuring that you’re never bored in the gym. They are enough to ensure that you’re getting the best workout possible without leading to burnout, and allowing for enough rest so that your muscles are able to grow. I would recommend this program to anyone looking to gain muscle and shape their physique, whether teenager, adult, or a parent to young children. If you want a program that is affordable, affective AND enjoyable, Carrie is the right person to speak to.”

GET FIT: http://www.thisfitchick.net

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TWEET ME: https://twitter.com/ThisFitChick

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Holiday Discount on TFC Programs!

Happy Holiday’s Everyone!

I have a special treat for you all- my Slim and Sculpt, *NEW* Slim and Sculpt Elite, *NEW* New Year, New You,  Strength and Hypertrophy and Fat Blaster Programs are all 30% off until December 31st!

It’s time to get your New Year’s resolutions ready to go, so if you have a fitness one in mind, this is the perfect opportunity to get your program just in time for 2013!

Head on over to This Fit Chick.net and get your program now while these prices last!!

If you have any questions, email me at carrie@thisfitchick.net

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3 Month Fitness Programs- 30% Off Special!

Happy Turkey Day! From now until Monday, the 26th of November my Slim and Sculpt, Fat Blaster and Strength and Hypertrophy Programs are now only $13.99!

Get your program now before prices rise back up! For only $13.99 it is certainly worth a shot at changing your physique FOREVER. Say goodbye to the holiday weight gain and get HOT for New Years Eve.

Head on over to This Fit Chick.net to get your program today!

TFC Tips for a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving

The big day is just around the corner and I am sure many of you are looking forward to some delicious eats. However, it is too too easy to let the ‘holiday’ mindset get the best of you and spin you into a big hole of guilt. I definitely do not want any of you to fall into this feeling, nor do I want any of you to deviate from your fitness plans, so I am going to give you all my top tips for handling Thanksgiving the This Fit Chick way!

1. DO NOT skip meals leading up to the main meal. I know you are probably thinking you can save room for the ‘big feast’, but in reality, this is just going to lead you to overeat at the big meal (if not in quantity then certainly in calories) and you can end up eating more than you would have if you had eaten throughout the day (calorically speaking). Eat breakfast, eat lunch, or eat meals 1-4 if you eat on a mini-meal basis. These meals should be composed of vegetables, protein and fat to help with satiety and cravings. When the main meal comes, you will still be hungry and ready to indulge on some yummy foods, but you won’t be so ravenous that you devour everything in sight.

2. Drink water! You should be doing this all day, everyday anyways, but I just want to emphasize that you should be drinking water all day. This will help with many things, but most importantly it will keep you hydrated, which will help your hunger levels- dehydration often leads to an increased feeling of hunger, so drink up!

3. Get a workout in! It is important to spend the day with family, but try to wake up early to fit in a quick workout. 20 minutes is enough to get you pumped and help you feel on track for the day, which will help you make smarter choices when it comes time for the meal. However, don’t let a workout get you into the ‘I can eat anything because I worked out’ mindset. You can easily eat all the calories you burned in a 20 minute workout in just a a scoop of mashed potatoes. Gym closed? Try this circuit workout, this leg workout, or go for a run/walk outside!

4. Small portions at a time. Don’t go into the meal planning on having X many plates. Fill up your plate once- keep caution on your portions, sit down, visit with your friends/family and enjoy the food. Once you are finished, wait a good 10-20 minutes before getting up again. Talk with each other and enjoy the company- that is the whole point of this holiday anyway! If you are still hungry or want a little more of something then go up and get another portion of what you really want. Do not feel compelled to get seconds on everything. Also, always remember that the food will always be there! Take a reasonable portion as there is no need to take the whole lot- the food will still be sitting on the table/counter if you want more of it!

Hope you all enjoy tomorrow!

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Kicking Butt- WEEK ONE

Like, others have been doing, Nathalie is a client of mine who will be writing about her journey on my Slim and Sculpt Program every week. Nathalie does not have a blog of her own, so instead, she will be posting her weekly updates on my blog. Please be sure to check in every week, along with the others to hear more about how these clients are liking their programs!

Nathalie’s Week One Update on Slim and Sculpt:

Hey hey :)

Just checking in with a recap of ‘This FitChick’ workout program.

This week I had 4 workouts on the schedule, I completed 3 of them..

The first workout was based on weights.. Carrie introduced me to a new exercise that really kicked my butt! ( Really, it did, I was sore for days whilst  sitting on my bottom) The workout went by really quick and it was real fun!

The second workout was a strength circuit with lot of bodyweight exercises and a high pace. Damn! After the first circuit I had to catch my breath for a few minutes, very intense!

The third workout was a repeat of workout number 1, which I still very much enjoyed. I also added 15min of intervals because I knew I wasn’t able to make it to the gym for my 4th workout of the week, Interval training.

I like that the workouts are not too long, and they really work the muscles.. Up to week 2! :)

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Slim and Sculpt Client Introduction

Like, others have been doing, Nathalie is a client of mine who will be writing about her journey on my Slim and Sculpt Program every week. Nathalie does not have a blog of her own, so instead, she will be posting her weekly updates on my blog. Please be sure to check in every week, along with the others to hear more about how these clients are liking their programs!

Here is her introduction post as she embarks on the plan!

Hi guys !

My name is Nathalie and I’m 25 years old. I have been modeling since about 5 years now and part of being a professional model is of course eating right + exercise. I was more than thrilled when I was offered to try Carrie’s new fitness regimen. I have followed Carrie on facebook since forever and I was very inspired when I saw her results.

The program gives some nutritional guidelines. I think they are great but I have my own nutritional plan that I follow which I like a bit better ( just because I don’t always have access to a kitchen or food). My life is very chaotic sometimes and that’s why I like Intermittent fasting. I eat about 1800kcal per day and do one or two 24 hour fasts to create a caloric deficit. This also allows me to have a social life on the weekend because then I get to have a drink or have a sweet treat..

This is an example of a typical eating day:

FOODS Calories Carbs Fat Protein Cholest Sodium Sugars Fiber
Breakfast
Optimum Nutrition – Casein Protein, 1 scoop 115 6g 1g 24g 0mg 250mg 0g 0g
Quaker – Steel Cut Oats, 0.5 Cup 300 54g 5g 10g 0mg 0mg 2g 8g
Lunch
Alpro – Soja Joghurt, 250 gr 115 5g 6g 10g 0mg 0mg 0g 0g
Apples – Raw, with skin, 1 medium (2-3/4″ dia) (approx 3 per lb) 72 19g 0g 0g 0mg 1mg 14g 3g
Wild Harvest Organic Peanut Butter – Natural Creamy- Low Sodium, 1 tablespoonS 100 2g 8g 5g 0mg 0mg 1g 1g
Chicken Breast – Skinless, Bonless, 2 oz 55 0g 1g 14g 34mg 39mg 0g 0g
Nuts – Cashew nuts, raw, 1 oz 156 9g 12g 5g 0mg 3mg 2g 1g
Dinner
Veggies – Sweet Potato, 1/2, 180 g 162 37g 0g 4g 0mg 65mg 12g 6g
Chicken Breast – Skinless, Bonless, 6 oz 165 0g 2g 41g 102mg 116mg 0g 0g
Vegetables – Green Beans, Fresh, 2 cup (60g) 68 16g 0g 4g 0mg 16mg 4g 8g
Thai Kitchen – Coconut Milk, 1/3 Cup 140 3g 14g 1g 0mg 20mg 1g 0g
Snacks
Raw Cashews – Raw Cashews, 3/8 c 240 12g 18g 8g 0mg 8mg 3g 2g
Danone – Cottage Cheese – Verse Kaas, 100 g 89 2g 4g 11g 0mg 370mg 0g 0g
TOTAL: 1,777 165g 71g 137g 136mg 888mg 39g 29g

But as I said before.. Carrie’s guidelines are great as well and in my opinion better if you have a more scheduled life! J All roads lead to Rome ;)

I’m very excited to start my first week with Carrie’s ‘Slim and Sculpt’ program. The program is divided into 3 phases, each phase consists of 4 weeks. This week I’m starting with 3 strength training sessions and 1 HITT session. The exercises are very easy to understand and it looks like it’s going to be a fun challenge! See you later with a recap of week 1

These Ladies are Loving This Fit Chick’s Programs!

Just wanted to pop in and link you to a few ladies who are currently on my workout programs!

Check out what they have to saw about them!

Chelsea is doing my Slim and Sculpt Workout Program: Week One Recap, Week Two Recap, Week Three Recap, Week Four Recap, Week 5 Recap, Week Six Recap, Week Seven Recap, Week Eight Recap, Week Nine Recap, Week Ten Recap

Kathleen is doing my Slim and Sculpt Workout Program: Week One Recap, Week Two Recap, Week Three Recap, Week Four Recap, Week Five Recap, Week Six Recap, Week Seven Recap, Week Eight Recap, Week Nine Recap, Week Ten Recap, Final Recap

Sam is doing my Slim and Sculpt Workout Program:  Week One Recap, Week Two Recap, Week Three Recap, Week Four Recap, Week Five Recap, Week Six Recap, Week Seven Recap, Week Eight Recap, Week Nine Recap, Week Ten Recap, Week Eleven Recap, Week Twelve Recap

Sara is doing my Slim and Sculpt Workout Program: Week One Recap, Week Two Recap, Week Three Recap, Week Four Recap,Week Five Recap, Week Six Recap, Week Seven Recap

Bailey is doing my Slim and Sculpt Workout Program: Week One Recap, Week Two Recap, Week Three Recap, Week Four Recap, Week Five Recap, Week Six Recap, Week Seven Recap, Week Eight Recap, Week Nine Recap, Week Ten Recap, Week Eleven Recap, Week Twelve Recap

….Like what they are saying? Get your program today!