Hi guys, if you follow me on IG, then you can see I am sent products all the time. Because of my large following, I am beyond blessed to be sent tons of products all the time, from clothing to shakes, bars, drinks, EVERYTHING. Some are from newer smaller companies, and others are from larger worldwide companies.

This blog really isn’t me grading these companies. Honestly its not even remotely like that  I’m just basically naming my favorite products that I use constantly and that I feel are successful for anyone on a weight loss journey or someone looking to become healthier or fit.

Having products that you enjoy while changing your lifestyle makes it so much easier to stick to.

 

Let me also add before you read any further…that I was not paid by any of these companies to write this blog. These are my honest opinions.

 

PROTEIN WATER?- Hands down...I would say TRIMINO is the best one on the market. Not only does it due what it says it does, which is to boost metabolism and curb appetite… the taste is AMAZING. The peacho ne is my favorite. What I love is that it doesn’t have that “protein taste”. I could go on and on about this product. No other protein water on the market could compare IN MY OPINION. They can be purchased at many stores, gas stations and restaurants as well as gyms. On the website DRINKTRIMINO.COM there is a link where you enter your address and they tell you where they are sold near you. You can also order directly from the website.

 

PROTEIN BAR?- I would have to say taste wise is Quest. Hands down. Filling, tastes amazing, and low in carbs, high in protein. Second, I would go with detour bar. Both are sold in almost all stores, or on the websites. Questnutrition.com and detourbar.com

 

CHIA BAR?- Health Warrior Chia Bar! Every flavor is out of this world, and they are low in calorie. Can be found in stores or online at wellandgood.com

 

PROTEIN COOKIE? There is no question with this one. It is Lenny and Larry’s Complete Cookie. Each flavor is to die for, they curb a sweet tooth, and keep you feeling full. Also- read package and nutrition label, because  there are 2 servings per cookie which can end up with you consuming more calories than you expected. Half a cookie does keep me full. I have seen them at GNS, and supplement stores. Can be purchased at LennyandLarrys.com

 

PROTEIN BROWNIE- This wasn’t a hard decision. It’s the “Eat Me Guilt Free” Brand. All of the flavors are mouth watering. I have tried other brands, and there is no comparison. They also have a powdered protein peanut butter that I add to all my shakes. This company is definitely not only creative, but talented! EATMEGUILTFREE.COM

 

GREEK YOGURT? Oikos is my favorite, taste wise and low calorie. Can be purchased at almost all supermarkets/grocery stores.

 

SEASONINGS?-Flavor God is all I will use. Low sodium, and tastes amazing. I use the whole seasoning line.

 

TEA?- I use Teami Tea. The nighttime one is a detox and the day one is used to help boost metabolism, and curb appetite. It gives me natural enegy and focus, and my workouts jut seem so much better. TEAMIBLENDS.COM

 

PRE WORKOUT(s)?- I use cellucor c4 and Celsius pre workout. Ive tried so many but these are the most beneficial. I  order the cellucor from bodybuilding.com and the Celsius from Celsius.com

 

SHAKES? Quest, and Advanceplus, and cellucor are my top favorite brands. I order everything from BodyBuilding.com

 

SUPPLMEMENTS/PILLS- I like the line from NutraSumma.  The vitamins are amazing. Nutrasumma.com

 

PROTEIN PANCAKES?- I have tried 3 or 4 brands. The best tasting one, with the least calories, least carbs, and lowest sugar definitely is Abs Protein Pancakes. The chocolate chip flavor is my favorite. ABSPANCAKES.COM

 

TOPPINGS/SIDES/SAUCES?- I have used almost all of the products form the Walden’s Farms line. Sauces, dressings, syrup, jelly, ETC. zero calorie, and zero sugar. Yes they are almost at all stores. I also occasionally order online.

 

Hope this helps guys! There are so many products for everything on the market. Like I said before, if you like what you are eating, or you have things that you look forward to eating or drinking while on a journey to become healthier…it makes it so much easier to stick with.

Any questions, please email me directly.

Xo- Annamarie

 

I am beyond excited to tell everyone that I am part of an amazing team @glp_fitness which is a great company. This company works very hard to help everyone find their #confidencefromwithin 😀 They have done an amazing job, going above and beyond to reach out to people and promote self love. I've fallen in love with what they are about.

Me going through massive weight loss, there have been lots of ups and downs and it took me years to find my own inner confidence. Now that I have found it, I can't wait to others find their own.

Thank you to the GLP FITNESS team, for asking to me be apart of this team for such a great cause.

This picture of me I am wearing 1 of the shirts from the clothing line that says "Girls Who Lift" and I will wear it proudly. 💪🏽🙌🏽

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your summer. I know I sure am. Getting to spend a few of my Saturdays relaxing on the beach, which to me is one of the best feelings because my life being so nonstop, I never really get the chance to relax, which is why I am taking a few hours every other weekend to be on a beach chair, with my headphones in and my eyes closed. J

 

Ok, Ok, let me get to the point. This blog is all about setting a record straight. So many times people get being overweight confused with being unhealthy. YES, being overweight, or obese, etc can make you unhealthy…..but it doesn’t make you too much more than someone who doesn’t have a weight problem that doesn’t take care of their health. Health is NOT a weight. A doctor can tell me I am still 30-40 lbs overweight for my age and height, and I can be so much more healthier than a person who does not have a weight problem.

Health is not just a word, or something you learn in school. Its about what you put in your body. Its about exercise. There’s not just nutritional health. There is mental health. There is physical health. And you know what can help make you healthy in every aspect? EXERCISE and HEALTHY FOODS.  (This shouldn’t be a shocker, lol) There are so many benefits of exercise, that you probably don’t even realize. Adding in exercise everyday helps to increase your energy, make you more productive and you end up getting more done. For lots of people, exercise actually helps people to relax more later. To some people they turn to a quick exercise before bed, rather than melatonin or a sleeping pill.

NOW, I’m not sure if any of you suffer from anxiety. I know I do.  I can honestly admit that I suffer from bad anxiety, and panic attacks. You might be surprised to learn that the chemicals released during and after exercise can help those of us with anxiety disorders. 

Working out between the ages of 25-45 boosts chemicals in your brain that support memory loss when you are older, and even Alzheimer’s. No it cant prevent it, but it can help the decline.

There are so many people who turn to exercise as a way to get over an addiction.  An addiction of drugs, alcohol, sex, food, ETC.  Working out daily has more mental and physical benefits than just the physical changes you see in your body.

As far as physical benefits? Being overweight or not, exercise helps to keep your muscles, bones and joints healthy. If you are overweight and you are losing weight, you have no idea how much pressure and workload you are taking off your body to perform day to day tasks. Exercise helps the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and many other diseases and disorders including diabetes. This goes hand in hand with good nutrition. An overall healthy diet lowers your risk for not just diseases but heart attacks and strokes.

 

Regardless of your weight and age, exercise and eating healthy have so many benefits. Just because you do not have a weight problem, does not mean that you aren’t at risk for health problems. Even if this doesn’t apply to you, and you are on the right track, TRY to help someone else out. Try to teach them about what harm they could be doing to their body and what benefits exercise and healthy eating has on your body mentally and physically.

Don’t get so caught up in thinking that skinny means healthy. It doesn’t. if you are over weight, your body internally and physically can be stronger than the person next to you. You can out run that person on the treadmill for all you know. Just take care of your health and try to spread the awareness.  Always realize that not everyone in the gym is there on a weight loss process. Many are there just to maintain good health, which in my opinion is amazing.

Hi Guys! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend! Now…I get lots of emails and messages from women about what kinds of squats there are, how to do them, ETC. Here are a bunch, I do some if not most of them. There are tons more out there but I figured I would list the most beneficial ones. If you are not sure form reading the description, please YouTube them or ask a professional to assist you so that you do not get injured.

I hope this answers lots of the questions you guys ask!

PS- for those who do not know, squats work your lower body!

(Quads, Glutes, Hamstrings, ETC) adding things to your squats like ball throws will help to also work your upper body at same time! Ladies, squats do work! I have seen such a significant difference in my butt! The size, shape, ETC! Squatting is an exercise you don’t want to skip!

 

In the mean time… here’s a list of a few of the many different types of squats outside of the normal ones!

 

 

Sumo Squat

(Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart, toes slightly turned out, holding a medicine ball in front of your chest. Squat down as low as you can, keeping your heels on the ground and your back straight. Press back up to standing)- you can also add dumbbell, medicine ball or sand bag.

 

Single-Leg Squat

(Start in the beginning squat position. Lift your left leg up, bending the knee slightly to get your foot off the ground. You can hold your raised foot slightly in front or behind you depending on whatever feels more steady. Using only your right leg, lower yourself down as far as is comfortable. Return upright. Try not to put your left foot down between reps; you can use a wall or chair for support if needed. Repeat on the other side)

 

Squat Ball throws

(Grab a medicine ball and stand with feet about hip-width apart and toes pointed outward slightly. Position your hands under the ball so that you are holding the ball at chest/neck level. This is the starting position. Begin exercise by squatting down so that your thighs are parallel with the ground and knees do not pass your toes. Come up out of the squat and push the medicine ball overhead so that the ball leaves your hands. Catch the ball and drop down into the next squat.)

 

 

Bodyweight Squat

(Stand straight up with your feet shoulder's width apart. While bending at the knees, push your hips out and bend down. Picture yourself sitting on a chair. Once your hips have become lined up with your knees, return back to starting position.)

 

In-N-Out Squats

(Begin with your feet about double shoulder-width apart or as comfortably spread apart as you can, while still maintaining a firm stance. Next, drop your butt down slightly while keeping your head up and a natural arch in your lower back . This is the starting position. Begin exercise like you would a jumping jack, except keep your arms out in front of you. Bring your feet together to about hip-width apart and immediately push off the ground and return to the starting position.)

 

Dumbbell Squat

(Stand up while grasping a dumbbell in each hand. Your palms should be facing the side of your legs. Your legs should be shoulder width apart with your toes pointed slightly out. Start to lower your torso by bending your knees. Continue moving down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Raise your torso by pushing the floor with the heel of your foot as you straighten your legs. Move back into the starting position.)

 

Kettlebell Goblet Squat

(Take a kettle bell and hold it right under your chin with both hands. Stand with your feet a little wider then shoulder width apart. Squat down to a 90 degree angle and then stand back up)

 

Prisoner Squat

(Stand tall with chest out and back straight. Feet should be slightly wider than shoulder-width. Place fingers behind your head and pull elbows back so that they are in line with your body. This is the starting position. Begin exercise by pushing hips back and bending at the knees into a squat. Squat as low as you can, pause, then push yourself back up as quickly as possible in good form. )

 

Speed Squat

(Using a squat rack, position yourself so that a barbell is behind your shoulders and slightly below your neck. Grasp the barbell so that your hands are wider than shoulder width apart and your palms are facing forward. Step away from the rack and place your feet shoulder width apart with your toes pointing slightly outward. This is your starting position. While remaining upright, inhale and bend your legs into a squat position until your thighs are parallel with the floor. Without pausing, exhale and reverse the movement, pushing off with your legs and returning to the starting position. Immediately repeat the movement for a complete set.) these are the ones I found online a long time ago and this is how I learned. And hese are the ones I found online a long time ago and this is how I learned. Believe it or not I have learned and taught myself almost all of my gym routines from things that I found online. Happy squattttting!

 

Squat Pulses

(Perform a basic squat, but instead of returning to standing, stay in the lowest part of your squat with your thighs parallel to the ground and move up and down, keeping the movement small (a few inches up or down) and fast.)

 

Chair Squat

(Stand with your feet and legs together. Sit backward and down, pushing your hips out behind you. Lift your arms as high as you can, taking care not to let your chest drop. You can return to standing and repeat the squat, or for more of a challenge, hold it.)

 

Curtsy Squat

(Stand with your feet hip width apart and hands on hips. Move your right foot behind your left leg, as far past your left foot as is comfortable. Using a "curtsy" motion, squat down. Keep your weight in the front leg. Return to standing.)

 

Butt-To-Heels Squat

(Stand with your feet close together, arms out straight in front of you. Bend your knees and lower down until your butt is touching your heels. Your heels will come off the ground and your knees will be way forward past your toes. That's OK! As you squat down, lower your arms and lightly brush your fingers on the ground. Raise your arms back to shoulder height as you return to standing.)

 

Squat Jacks

(Start in a squat position. Jump your legs out like you would with a jumping jack but stay low in the squat. Jump your feet back in together. Don't come out of the squat until you've finished all your reps!)

 

Russian-Squat Jumps

(Start as you would for a Sumo squat with your legs wide and toes pointing slightly out. Arms can be on top of your head or crossed in front of you at shoulder height. Lower down into a low squat. Transfer all your weight to your left foot while kicking your right foot out to the side. Then switch your weight to your right foot and kick your left leg out to the side. For more work, add a slight jump with each weigh transfer)

 

Resistance- Band Squats

(Loop a resistance band around your legs, just under your knees. Keeping your knees stable by pushing out against the band (that's the hard part!), lower down into a squat until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Take one step to the left while maintaining your squat. Step back on the left. Keep switching sides or do all one side and then repeat on the other.)

 

Farmer Squat

(Start in a beginning squat position, holding a heavy dumbbell in each hand. Tighten your core and back. Perform a basic squat keeping the weights outside your legs. Return to standing.)

 

Wide-Stance Barbell Squat

(Place a barbell behind your head and slightly below your neck. Grasp the barbell with wide arms and palms facing forward. Stand with your feet very wide apart. Keep a straight back as you inhale and bend your legs to lower your torso down into a squat. Stop when your upper legs go slightly beyond being parallel to the floor. Reverse the motion and return back to the starting position.)

 

Criss-Cross Squat

(Stand with feet a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Squat down. As you come up out of the squat criss-cross your feet in the air. Immediately spread your feet apart again to prepare for the next squat. This completes one rep

Hey guys! If you follow me on Instagram, you will see that I have been posting pics about a tea that I have been drinking by the company called TEAMI BLENDS. I've gotten lots of emails about this so I figured I would clear this up. I did not use the tea during my weight loss process. Drinking a tea cannot make you skinny. Regardless of what you read or what you are told. My weight was lost with exercise, and healthy eating. I've only been using ths tea in the last month or so. I will say that it does help with any bloating feeling... And it does serve as a very good detox to rid your body of any toxins. I also love the way it tastes. Not to mention the way it makes me feel. There is nothing wrong with adding supplements to your journey.

Just wanted to clear some things up. A lot of times people get the wrong impression.

Hey guys! If you follow me on Instagram, you will see that I have been posting pics about a tea that I have been drinking by the company called TEAMI BLENDS. I've gotten lots of emails about this so I figured I would clear this up. I did not use the tea during my weight loss process. Drinking a tea cannot make you skinny. Regardless of what you read or what you are told. My weight was lost with exercise, and healthy eating. I've only been using ths tea in the last month or so. I will say that it does help with any bloating feeling... And it does serve as a very good detox to rid your body of any toxins. I also love the way it tastes. Not to mention the way it makes me feel. There is nothing wrong with adding supplements to your journey.

Just wanted to clear some things up. A lot of times people get the wrong impression.

Okay, okay, okay ill admit…working out in the morning before work is NOT easy.  Depending on what time you need to get up makes it even harder too. Because I start work early, if I want to work out in them morning, I need to be up at 3:45 am. Insane? VERY. But its so worth it. the feeling of accomplishment you get when you are done is seriously one of the best feelings. You drive home feeling like the incredible hulk lol. The day just goes by quicker, you have so much more energy and you are so much more awake!

 

Here are some tips for getting in an early morning workout, hopefully they can help you because this is what works for me.

 

Prep your clothes before you go to bed. –I pick out what im going to wear, and leave it on top of my dresser. Fill your water bottle and have it in the fridge…. Im a “plan-ahead” type person, and I always stick to a schedule…so intense that any inconvenience or change will drive me crazy, lol but that’s what has made me successful with getting things done.

 

Make it a habit. After a few weeks, it becomes a routine.

 

Don’t put the alarm clock close to you. I put mine on my desk, that way I have to get up to turn it off! (whatever it takes)

 

When you alarm goes off, get up, turn it off and turn on the lights. Once lights are on…that’s the golden sign that you are not going to get back in bed.

 

Plan your breakfast the night before, and make it something you look forward to eating!

 

Leave motivational pot it notes around the house and in the car.

 

Make your before pic your screen saver on your phone.

 

Start slow, take your time easing yourself into the morning workouts. Start with 2 times a week, build is up to 3 or 4, then 5 or 6.

 

Don’t count on anyone but yourself. Having a gym buddy is a great thing, I love it… BUT don’t count on them for your goals. You are in charge of yourself. If they cant go, or they quit, it could play a role on your motivation.  See it as “I’m going to workout, and you can join me”. that’s setting the tone with the mentality as “with or without anyone, I’m doing this for me”

 

NOW let me tell you the benefits of working out in the morning.

First off, you feel better all day. Like I said previously, you feel energized, focused, and less stressed.

You get a better workout than you would in the afternoon, because during the day you start thinking about everything you have to do after work, or things that would get in the way.

 

You find yourself wanting to eat healthier all day long, because you wont want to ruin the hard work you put in.

 

You could burn more fat. Lots fo studies show that you can burn 20% more fat if you workout before your 1st meal, also helps to jump start your metabolism. You burn way more calories throughout the day when you do a morning workout than you would if you did an evening workout.

 

The gym is almost always empty. You wont have to worry about a machine being taken.  You will also have less distractions. Nobody will be up at that time texting you, or calling you. The gym will be your main focus!!

 

Well wellll well, it's already July. Omg where does time go? I swear it was just the Xmas holiday season, lol.

Now I will admit, summertime and picnics make it so hard to stay on track. The potato salads, macaroni salads, chips and dips, hot dogs, cheeseburgers, ETC. (omg my mouth is watering, HAHA)

Here's a few tips I've mentioned before!!

Were you asked to bring something? Offer to bring a huge salad. Not only will it give you a healthy option it for others as well. Even if you weren't asked, just bring one anyway. Even a fruit salad for desert. Skip the s'mores or brownies and cookies.

Ask if you can bring a turkey dog or turkey burger for yourself to be grilled.

If you do have a burger, take off one or both parts of the bun.

Bring your water jug. Don't be tempted to drink soda and sugar drinks or sodas.

Assess the situation when you get there. Scope out the healthy foods.

The beer and liquor is full of sugar or empty calories. Skip it. It's hard but think of your long term goals.

Only fill your plate once and eat like you would eat any other meal. Focus on protein and veggies!

Maybe even eat before you go. That way you will be full and not even tempted.

As hard as it is on these days at events and picnics....you really just need to keep that mental focus. Picture your body the way you want it to look.

Put your before picture on your phone wall paper. ANYTHING to keep you focused and motivated to stick to your goals!

Hope all of you have a happy and safe andddddd healthy 4th of July!

Okay for those of you who have lost a massive amount of weight understand that last "plateau" where once you reach the last 30, you feel like no matter how hard you work, how good you eat, how much harder you make your workouts...you just can't get that scale to move. I would lie if I said I didn't get discouraged. It's all part of the process. In the last 2 months I've only lost 4lbs. I'm so determined and I work so hard, but when I least expect it, the scale will move.

This week I post 3 out of 4 of those pounds.

Talk about a good feeling!!!

Throughout a weight loss journey, you will hit plateaus and you CAN'T give up. Just keep your hea up. Stay focused and know that it will come off. Also remember that just because the scale isn't moving, doesn't mean you aren't losing weight. Non scale victories are just as important as pounds lost.

Okay for those of you who have lost a massive amount of weight understand that last "plateau" where once you reach the last 30, you feel like no matter how hard you work, how good you eat, how much harder you make your workouts...you just can't get that scale to move. I would lie if I said I didn't get discouraged. It's all part of the process. In the last 2 months I've only lost 4lbs. I'm so determined and I work so hard, but when I least expect it, the scale will move.

This week I post 3 out of 4 of those pounds.

Talk about a good feeling!!!

Throughout a weight loss journey, you will hit plateaus and you CAN'T give up. Just keep your hea up. Stay focused and know that it will come off. Also remember that just because the scale isn't moving, doesn't mean you aren't losing weight. Non scale victories are just as important as pounds lost.

Okay for those of you who have lost a massive amount of weight understand that last "plateau" where once you reach the last 30, you feel like no matter how hard you work, how good you eat, how much harder you make your workouts...you just can't get that scale to move. I would lie if I said I didn't get discouraged. It's all part of the process. In the last 2 months I've only lost 4lbs. I'm so determined and I work so hard, but when I least expect it, the scale will move.

This week I post 3 out of 4 of those pounds.

Talk about a good feeling!!!

Throughout a weight loss journey, you will hit plateaus and you CAN'T give up. Just keep your hea up. Stay focused and know that it will come off. Also remember that just because the scale isn't moving, doesn't mean you aren't losing weight. Non scale victories are just as important as pounds lost.

Okay for those of you who have lost a massive amount of weight understand that last "plateau" where once you reach the last 30, you feel like no matter how hard you work, how good you eat, how much harder you make your workouts...you just can't get that scale to move. I would lie if I said I didn't get discouraged. It's all part of the process. In the last 2 months I've only lost 4lbs. I'm so determined and I work so hard, but when I least expect it, the scale will move.

This week I post 3 out of 4 of those pounds.

Talk about a good feeling!!!

Throughout a weight loss journey, you will hit plateaus and you CAN'T give up. Just keep your hea up. Stay focused and know that it will come off. Also remember that just because the scale isn't moving, doesn't mean you aren't losing weight. Non scale victories are just as important as pounds lost.