Last week I had a bit of a run in with an unhappy woman who emailed me letting me know that I don’t eat enough and that I give off the wrong message when I post what I eat in a day. I try to preface everything I do or say, but there are always things that people interpret the wrong way. And the last thing I want to have is people comparing in a negative light. What’s funny about what I do is that I always have someone saying I eat too much or I eat too little. So which one is it? Well, it’s neither. They are probably just comparing to what THEIR body needs instead of understanding that what MY body needs is completely different. Our life stressors, our schedules, our bodies, our needs, our workouts…they are all different. So why would you compare?
Well, because that’s human nature.
If you think I eat too little, well consider my workouts. Last week, my workouts that I’m actually working the entire time range from 12-30 minutes. So that means I’m working out a max of 30 minutes per day. Max. So if you’re working out 1-3 hours per day, you obviously need a different amount of fuel compared to a person like me who is working out for 30 minutes. If you think I eat too much, well that’s weird. Have you seen the normal American diet lately? Come on, bro.
My point is, stop f*cking comparing. No single person is like you, so why would you compare yourself to someone else? I share what I ate in a day to help inspire you with your own meals or show you that eating clean while traveling is possible or help you see that daily healthy eating habits are possible. It’s not for you to think that you should be eating 10 plantain chips because someone else ate 10. Instead, you think – Oh, maybe I should check out plantain chips for a snack for myself. It’s all about perspective.
Comparison is the the enemy. It eats us lives and hinders our growth. So stop comparing. Stop slowing yourself down. Take responsibility for your own needs, your own body, and your own decisions. That’s going to get you so much farther in life.
Sunday – See video here
Every 3 minutes for 6 rounds:
10 thrusters
10 bar facing burpees
10 pull ups or toes to bar (alternating)
My slowest time is 1:47
Monday –
Back Squats: 4 x 5. All sets at 83% (18 mins) – I used 135#
Then 9 min AMRAP Of:
5 Squat Cleans (165/105)
10 Toes 2 Bar
I got 7 + 2 using 85#
Tuesday –
Every 90 sec for 9 sets (12 mins) – 2 Snatch + 1 OHS:
Sets 1-3 @ 65% of 1 rep max snatch
Sets 4-6 @ 75%
Sets 7-9 @ 85%
I worked up to 95#
14 min AMRAP Of:
40/35 cal Row
30 Box Jumps (30″/24″) – Must Step Down
20 Burpees
10 Squat Snatch (135/95)
I got 2 rounds + 8 calories using 65#
Wednesday –
20 mins Moving w. Purpose:
Deadlift: 8 reps with 5 sec descent each rep. 2 sec reset at the bottom of each rep. All sets at 50% of 1 rep max. – I used 105#
Single Arm OH Squat: 8 & 8. As heavy as great movement allows. – I used 10# dumbbell
30 sec Hollow Hold
I got 4 + 8
Every 2 mins for 10 mins:
200m Sprint. (“Crack n Back”) – slowest time was :47
Thursday – Rest day
Friday – Rest day
Saturday – Rest day
____________________
Free Travel Workout:
2 rounds:
50 side skater jumps
40 jumping lunges (total)
30 burpees
20 hand release push ups
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I love the “what I ate in a day” posts and always look forward to them!!
Ugh. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last 4-5 years, it’s that people will ALWAYS find something to complain about or some way to tell you how to do your job (even though you would never tell them how to do theirs). And you can fly into a f***ing frenzy with apologies or explanations until you realize that only makes things worse. (Case in point: I am an opera singer and just did a recital with another female colleague last week; we took a cute promo photo and had people asking if it was a lesbian thing. ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME?! Like why would you even think that? And if that WAS what we were doing, why the hell should it matter? And we could have changed photos or sent apologies, but that would have just put the most negative spin on the whole thing. And it’s totally unnecessary.)
Anyone who reads your blog on a regular basis should know how you feel about fueling your body and enjoying food. Never in a floppity jillion years would I look at your plates and think, “gah, she doesn’t eat enough.” Since I started reading your blog and cooking your recipes, I’ve received more comments about how healthy I look than probably ever before, and I feel better about what I’m eating because it’s so damn tasty and doesn’t make me feel like crap. So regardless of what negative stuff other people will concoct to cover up their own insecurities, I’d say you’re winning pretty hard. Keep being a boss, Juli! And keep being hilarious on Snapchat– your snaps make my day all the damn time!
Just wanted to reiterate what some others have already said – your “what I ate in a day” posts are so helpful! It keeps me open minded with trying new foods I otherwise wouldn’t have, and I have been SO thankful for that! You’ve been such a motivational factor in my paleo journey, thank you!
I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. People compare and think other people can’t possibly be healthy or happy doing/eating XYZ because THEY would not possibly be happy doing/eating XYZ, so when that person says that they are happy and healthy doing XYZ, they either think, “LIAR, I MUST PROTECT THE INTERNETS!” or, “THAT IS NOT FAIR!”
I have always been so impressed with your bravery putting all your stuff out there, and positivity toward what other people can or can’t tolerate. It’s why I like your blog and your book when a lot of other paleo blogs/books turn me off. I have always loved that when you say something is wrong for you and someone else chimes in, “I don’t have any issues with that,” you always say, “That’s awesome for you! That does not work for me though,” and vice versa. “That’s great that you can tolerate cow dairy, shine on, crazy diamond.”
Today is grocery day and I have all the ingredients for that delicious-looking cordon bleu casserole and more jalapeno popper chili on my list. I can’t wait!
Also, your chia tips were the only ones that FINALLY helped me make a good chia pudding.
chia pudding is THE BEST so I’m glad mine finally worked for you! and i hope you looooove the chili as much as i do!
I’d love to know what you do for a warm-up and cool-down before your workouts. Love you snaps, podcast, and every. single. post. Keep at it, we appreciate your hard work!
warm ups are different every day at our gym depending on what we are doing that day and who the coach is. we always go for a run then do kb carries either suitcase or overhead then some sort of warm up whether that’s squatting, work on the pull up bar, etc. then we always do some sort of stretching and barbell prep!
I just wanted to chime in that I agree with the other posters here. I started following you about a year ago, bought your book, have made your recipes, follow you on social media, and listen to your podcasts. I think you’re just the bees knees! I would personally never think to compare my meals to yours as my body composition is completely different, as well as my goals and fitness level. I like that you post your meals though as they offer meal inspiration, so please keep posting them!
I love the message that you’ve been giving out about not comparing meals/bodies, etc. And also your last podcast was amazing! I am 5 years into my health journey which originally started with the intent to just lose weight. I wish I had come across your blog 5 years ago because I think I would have looked at this whole health and fitness thing from a healthier, less obsessive angle, and would probably been much happier in the process.
Keep being you girl, and don’t stop cussing either…’cause the majority of us don’t mind, and some of us just plain love it!
thanks so much for the support, leah! i definitely won’t stop cussing, it’s just second nature haha!
No problem, thanks for being you! Also, I just wanted to mention that I did one of your workouts last week from IG and my booty hurt for 4 days. And yesterday I did the first workout from the Fed and Fit book, and I’m definitely feeling it today! So thanks for the workouts too, keep them coming!
awesome!!
Hi Juli
I’m trying to find out more about cross fit as I really need to build strength to keep shoulder issues at bay. Not sure if others are interested but was wondering if at some point you could do a “Crossfit 101” post to explain some of the terminology, etc. for the beginners. I have got some useful info from the Crossfit website but am still a bit confused. I’m going to sound really stupid but I can’t figure out what things like “All sets at 50% of one rep max” and getting 4+8 for a “30 sec hollow hold” mean. ????
explaining all the terminology would probably take quite a bit of time, but i may do it someday. feel free to ask questions and check out certain terminology, that’s how i taught myself how to do stuff. like if i read the hollow hold and didn’t know what it was, i would just youtube search hollow hold and the first video is super helpful (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlDNef_Ztsc). then if you have any more questions such as what is all sets at 50% of 1 rep max, just ask here in the questions! that just means you are going to take your 1 rep max deadlift (your heaviest deadlift you’ve ever done for 1 rep) and divide it in half, then you’ll do all your sets at that 50% weight. does that make sense?
Yes, totally makes sense now! Thanks Juli, you’re the best. Will get onto researching more about crossfit…there is soooo much to learn…baby steps 🙂
Hi Sue! Most crossfit gyms require new athletes to go through an ‘on-ramp’ or beginner orientation session for two weeks to learn all the terminology, how to safely perform different movements, assess your fitness level, etc. before you join the regular classes. I found my on-ramp class to be super helpful with all this stuff! It’s a safe space with other newbies to learn the ropes and get familiar with everything before you dive into workouts.
Thanks Meg, would definitely be helpful for a total newbie like me 🙂
I’m a mom of 1, part time RN, and part time auntie/nanny for my two nephews. A year ago I only made it 20 days through a whole30 (carb flu is a real thing), however my takeaway was that dairy and gluten made me feel awful. I finally made the full time commitment to get rid of dairy and gluten 2 months ago and that is when I started following your blog. What I’ve found is I really enjoy all aspects of your blog because I feel like it helps me to stay me, because sometimes in my 24 hours of night shift nursing and spending days with a baby and 2 toddlers during the week, I lose sight of myself. It makes me sad that negative nancys and Debbie downers are out there giving you a hard time. It’s taken me my almost 30 years to realize what I do for myself (health/fitness/wellness) really has nothing to do with others, it’s what’s right for ME. That being said, I hope to influence my loved ones with unhealthy practices, and also be a strong role model for my daughter. I guess haters gonna hate, but I really appreciate you.
Juli,
I have been crossfitting for about a year and half but following you and your blog for much longer! In typical crossfitter fashion, I very competitive and pushing myself to lift heavy. Like you, I put on muscle very quickly. I was wondering if you had any sort of recommendations in regards to how to decrease the weight. Do you have any rhyme or reason? Also, do you enjoy the barre classes you were taking? I was thinking about adding another facet to my training- to spice things up a bit..
let me know your thoughts!
Thanks for ALL you do. You are such an asset to the fitness/health industry!
Best,
Kelly
Hi Juli!
I completely obsessed with your blog and inspired by everything you do. I belong to a crossfit gym, but do a different type of class we call “rivfit” that doesn’t do the heavy lifting or gymnastic moves that crossfit does. It’s a lot of endurance and we use just dumbbells instead. I really would like to start including some of your weekly workouts into my every day training however, they include moves I can’t necessarily do with the barbell. I consider myself fit and thin, but I would really like to get more toned in the stomach area so I was wondering if you had any suggested workouts to do because girl you got those abs I completely admire and want! hahaha
Thanks for being an inspiration and always being completely yourself!
All the best,
Tori
honestly, any sort of definition i have in my stomach comes from 1. genetics 2. my diet 3. crossfit movements such as olympic lifts or gymnastic movements. i don’t do anything specific for my stomach, it’s just doing those crossfit workout every week for the past 6 years!
Tori –
Have you tried using a body bar to start? A lot of the movements that Juli does are scary, but she also built that from zero, back in the day. Sometimes getting the movement patterns with an only slightly heavy bar is a great way to increase your confidence, teach your muscles how to move and to start to build that strength up.
Un-cross-fit-related, have you tried pilates? I have seen a big change in my core strength (which also led to heavier deadlifts, squats, etc) after starting pilates a few times a week
PS, Juli, I’m annoyed for you about that email situation. Some people…