Food and Meal Replacement Rant

Some days I get really fired up inside about certain topics and today is one of them :-) When it comes to health and wellness supplement companies, there are few that I like and others that I despise. First and foremost I believe that actually buying, preparing and cooking my food is the best way to get nutritional value. I use protein supplements when I am pressed for time or immediately after a workout. A lot of companies out there have all of these meal replacement shakes, bars, shots, goos, jellies, fruit snacks, you name it! And although I do see the reasoning behind having those things for situations where life gets hectic....am I really going to keep paying for my 2 shakes/bars per day that promise to help me slim down? Nope. How is something like this realistic for the long term? When has anyone ever said, "no thanks, I'd rather eat this little protein bar than go out for a healthy lunch"? (aka Special K diet...lose X amount of lbs in 2 weeks by only eating cereal and protein bars) Will spending a considerable amount of money on shakes and bars really get you the body you want? Probably not. Can your energy systems work properly if you are only drinking liquids all the time or bars with ingredients you can't pronounce? Probably not!

I admire the people who are trying new recipes, fresh produce, finding other sources of protein and trying to maintain a clean diet and find time for exercise. Lifestyle change! If you've been eating and exercising the same way for how many years and you still look the same, you probably need to completely change what you are doing. How can I get from point A to point B? By making an honest commitment to yourself that you will be better, even if there are small failures along the way. I have experienced failure/success many times with diet and exercise! How did I get into doing figure/physique shows? I decided to surround myself with supportive, positive people who believed I could do it and I changed my habits to get me to my goal. I have learned that there is no quick fix anywhere out there that will get you your "ideal" body. You have to put in the work, effort and find your own inner motivation to get what you want. This is a reminder that I need constantly and in all areas of my life, not just health. Today I accept who I am and keep pressing forward...each day is a new chance to get stronger!

Rant over,

Brittani