Review: #VegaBar

A few weeks ago, I was selected to be one of many luck #fitbloggers to review some Vega Bars by a company called Vega. Vega is a plant based, gluten free, non GMO product line that carries a variety of products ranging from protein bars to energy drinks that are all vegan friendly! 

I was on a fast a few months ago that restricted me from eating so many things that I turned vegan for a month. I sure wish I knew about this line then - it would have helped so much, especially when I was trying to work out and lacked the energy to do so because of my dietary restrictions.

On to my review...
I was sent SIX bars total, two Vega One Bars, two Vega Sport Protein Bars and two Vega Snack Bars. I must say, they were all pretty good and to think I wasn't a chocolate fan! My fav was the Vega Snack Bar in Cranberry Almond, now those I would definitely purchase again.  It reminded me of one of those ONE bars in Starbucks! *smiling*

Will these bars work for me?

Honestly, I try to stay away from bars; it's a personal thing. What I found is that when trying to lose weight, I personally have to watch the amount of sugar I consume in products. No matter where that sugar is coming from, fruit, juicing, etc. sugar is sugar and sugar turns into fat. Being that these bars are what I would call a meal replacement (snack) they served it's purpose but I'm greedy so I would eat more than one at a time - okay so I ate two! 

Would I purchase them? Probably not until AFTER I meet my goal weight and maintain it and at that point,  I would more than likely go with the snack bar option as those were my fav.  This bar is about 6 PointsPlus value per serving on Weight Watchers which is a lot of points for a snack when someone like me is only allotted roughly 28 points a day!

In  my honest opinion, what I like about the Vega line is the fact that it's a vegan based company. I don't have to think twice about it having a bunch of crap in it so that helps a lot. But remember this, just because it's vegan or even vegetarian doesn't mean it's totally healthy for you so I would suggest doing your own research, figure out what your goals are and see if these products align with your personal goals. Everyone should make their best judgement when figuring out what their plan will look like - as we all have different goals. 

Find what works for you and rock it out that way.

Coming soon - my review on the #VegaSportSFE!

Meet Classy Fit Gal - Apryl-joi

SW: 170  |  CW: 146  |  GW: 140

“It was the main/only sense of accomplishment I felt around that time. I hated both jobs, was miserable, and single. I had no idea where my life was going.  Working out and losing weight made me feel accomplished. Proud. Amazing.”

On the outside looking in, I may seem like a fit girl who has known her way around the gym or someone’s sports field for much of her life or that being fit is and has been an easy journey, but this is far from my truth.

I am a 29 year old personal trainer who wishes to inspire, encourage, and motivate others to live a healthier lifestyle through my own active lifestyle. I’m passionate about people, see the best in others, believe that anything is possible, and want to make a difference however and whenever I can.

Looking at my life prior to now, I would have never imagined in a gazillion years that I’d be where I am today as far as my health and physique are concerned. I must give all praise and glory to God for taking my life on the journey through which it has been so far—it has surely been a ride!

Now, let’s take a moment to get to know me—Apryl-joi. I am a curvy girl with muscles, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, rocking 146 pounds that have been earned naturally and honestly. But I haven’t always been this girl. At the age of 18, I was diagnosed with an illness that could only be controlled at the time with medications that included steroids. If you know anything about steroids, they increase your appetite, cause weight gain, and cannot be stopped abruptly--but one must be weaned off of them slowly—this means the effects last much longer than anyone would anticipate. THIS is what caused the dreaded weight gain, but to family and friends, I looked somewhat normal and they got used to seeing me thicker than my usual.

Well, I wasn’t. I carried around this weight and rocked size 12s and 14s for 4+ years. The college I attended had an awesome workout facility, but I only took advantage of it about 1 to 2 times per semester. Yeah…the weight was surely going to fall off that way….NOT! While teaching high school Spanish back in September or October of 2008, my best friend encouraged me to start walking and working out at and around the school once the students were gone for the day. I was sick of looking and feeling the way I did and there was a new-found spark in me that was unlike any time before.
I had never taken weight loss and getting healthy and fit seriously until this time around. I took my friend’s idea of getting active and ran with it! Instead of working at school, I snagged an inexpensive gym membership and began to dedicate at least 3-4 days of activity in fitness classes, on the weight machines, and on even got some dreaded quality time on the Stairmaster.

I started at 177 pounds and had a goal to get down to 140 pounds. I didn’t have a time frame in which I wanted to do it, nor did I truly have a plan, I just knew that I would stick to physical activity, change my eating habits slowly but surely, and that I wouldn’t weigh myself for at least 2 months. I wanted to be surprised at my first weigh in and boy was I!

I can’t quite remember what I had dropped by Thanksgiving, but I was happy with the progress (any progress should be celebrated) and I was determined to keep pushing. By my 25th birthday, I was truly ready to reveal the new me. I was no longer self-conscious about wearing dresses, I felt inclined to wear my arms and shoulders out, and my stomach was no longer a huge issue—pun intended.

Overall, I would have to say that weight loss helped me to discover a greater sense of pride and confidence in myself. I am a natural social butterfly, but the weight loss allowed me to be even more comfortable in my own skin. Since my fit life journey began almost 5 years ago, I’ve been able to encourage, inspire, and motivate others through my journey—struggles, minor fluctuations, and all. I have surprised myself with the level of dedication, strength, and perseverance I’ve been able to display.

I’ve proven that a woman can be strong, successful, ambitious, inspirational, and beautiful, both inside and out, through any process or journey, and accomplish exactly what she sets out to do, and more.


The one thing that keeps me going is remembering where I started and never wanting to go back.

Along with excess weight come excess emotions, health issues, and sometimes a negative self-image, which can lead to negative behaviors.

If I had to give one piece of advice to my Classy Fit Gals, I would say to always remember your WHY during your journey and to never, no matter what, give up—a lot is riding on your decision to get and remain healthy.

Apryl-joi is the only certified female trainer with Dungeon Fitness Group located in Charlotte, NC and a resident blogger on www.sisterswithbeauty.com.  You can also connect with Apryl-joi via instagram at joicurcurlzncurves.

Classy Fit Gals are women of Class, Sass, Style, Stature and Virtue!

Become a Classy Fit Gal today by connect with us via Facebook and Instagram. We believe that transparency is what breaks the yolk. Share your story with us to be featured on the blog. Send your story along with before and after pics to classyfitgals@ebbyK.com.

August 1st - GOT GOALS?

Funny how time flies when you are having FUN HONEY!!!

 

It is August 1st and it is time to set some goals. 

Can you believe that more than half of the year is already gone? With that said - what have you to show for it?  One of those slap you in the face and make you look in the mirror type of questions - eh?

Personally, 2013 has been a fun, eventful and a challenging year for me ~ all in the same breath. I figured the more I am challenged the stronger I am becoming and the greater my purpose so...I decided to stop complaining about it, listen and pay attention to what God is showing me and grow from it.

Now that I am doing some self reflection, I had to really dig in to see what goals  I would like to accomplish for the month of August. My goals wouldn't be complete if I did not add some fitness goals - one of which is to simply RUN! 

Running has always been a challenge for me. With the extra weight I had before it was TERRIBLE on my knees.  I couldn't get around a quarter of the way on any trail I took without complaining. My knees used to hurt so bad I would literally be in tears - now they are just soar from the strength training I am doing ~ praise God for healing!

Now that my knees are good, it's my foot that is bothering me BUT that is hurting because I wore the wrong running shoes during my first initial run with my husband (see this post for details on how that went). 

So NOW I am tired of the excuses. I figured this much, it will be uncomfy until I get used to it.  I challenged myself the last time I was in Charlotte to run around this lake in my old neighborhood. I remember when I could not get a quarter of the way without stopping. What were the results? Check out both of these videos on my Instagram. (Video 1, Video 2)

One of my many mantras is this, "Nothing worth having-no goal worth accomplishing happens in your COMFORT ZONE.  All change occurs the moment you step outside of the box. It is THAT moment that you decide to be uncomfortable that your life changes for the better."

I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone this month.

Set a goal and stick to it!

 

This morning, I decided to put on some running sneakers I had thrown in the back of my trunk and get out there and run. I did it and here are my results. The goal is to run at least 3 times per week and beat my time each time. Follow my journey and progress on my instagram pages (iamebbyK) and (classyfitgals)

Set your goals, determine what your action items are and go for it! I will be checking in on September
1st to find out your results!

VA-CAY is NO EXCUSE to be LA-ZAY!

When I went to NY for the 4th of July I already knew that I was going to indulge in dishes that I have not eaten in a LONG TIME so finding time to work out was a must!

I knew that I wanted to continue to work out because knowing my past habits, if I take off for a week or so it would be really hard for me to get back in the flow of working out. It's something about getting comfortable in that "la-zay" space that can suck you in and if you aren't dedicated, you will fall right back in the same trap all over again ~ starting from SCRATCH ~ now who in their right mind wants to do that!

After all of the hard work you put in to get to where you are, why on Earth would you want to flush that down the toilet because you are on va-cay? Remember, this is a lifestyle change ~ not a fad!

The good thing is that when you're visiting NY you do A LOT of walking. Though we did drive while we were there, we still walked A LOT!  The sun was beating which meant more sweat ~ so that helped out with burning extra calories and releasing water weight!

Walking is a great way to get in some low impact cardio,  especially when you are used to driving every where {living in the South will spoil you}.

One morning, hubby, mommy and I decided to take a stroll through Prospect Park. Prospect Park is a beautiful park in the heart of Brooklyn. Mom is a cyclist so she rode her bike, hubby is a runner so naturally he ran and me ~ what did I do? I ran and walked. I am honest with myself and know and realize that I am not an athlete or a runner so running non stop for 30 minutes (not yet at least) isn't a part of my workout routine but I can surely go for 5-10 minutes without stopping (granted nothing on me is hurting!)

Start where you are and "accept where you are" - slow progress is great progress! 

My hubby is an athlete so for him running 5 miles non stop is nothing. For me, not so much. I am a very prissy woman and sweating was not a part of my makeup and when I did I felt totally disgusting. As far as being an athlete - Negative! So you get why working out for me is totally "out the box" and has been such a challenge for me, it's a total push for me BUT the sacrifice is paying off. Now, if I don't sweat during a workout I have wasted my time {at least in my mind I am wasting my time.}

Least to say I made it around the park, sister girl felt accomplished and not defeated {right heel hurting and all}. I'm thankful that I made it and even more thankful that my knees weren't killing me! Loosing the initial 25 has helped so much with my knee issues {I will talk about that another time}!

Here are some pics of me working out during my vacation!

When you're on vacation - do you try to workout?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when traveling

1. Book a hotel that has a nice gym - at least your essential cardio machines and free weights
2. If your hotel does not have a gym, utilize mother nature and take a walk/run around the neighborhood you are staying in
3. Pack healthy snacks or purchase some at a grocery store nearby. Duane Reade in NY has EVERYTHING

Remember, this is a lifestyle overhaul so NO EXCUSES while you are on VA-CAY!

Our last night in NY I decided to take advantage of the air conditioning and utilize the fab gym at our hotel! 

Enjoying a nice walk thru Brooklyn with my  honey!