Good news: Splurges are all part of the plan.
"I
grew up eating junk food," she says. "With a single father, I was left
to cook for myself. I'd reach for whatever was microwaveable or
pre-packaged, and as soon as I could drive, I'd head to the drive-thru."
[post_ads]Fast-forward five years and Victoria is now a certified fitspiration-queen
with 1.3 million followers on Instagram, where she is far from
chronicling her latest meal of a burger and fries. The now-personal
trainer serves as an inspiration with pics of her beach-ready bod and
healthy meals. We talked to Victoria — who admits she's still that girl who loves junk food — about how she keeps her splurges at bay.
1.
Lots of Bright Fruits and Veggies
"I'm a creature of habit," Victoria explains. "Some people need variation, but I am totally OK eating the same thing every day. I usually make an omelet, and lately my obsession has been turkey bacon. It's really lean, and it's a great source of protein."
For some carb-y fuel, she pairs it with a bit of oatmeal topped with coconut milk, goji berries, and cinnamon for sweetness.
3.
5.
6.
1.
Lots of Bright Fruits and Veggies
Victoria admits to splurging pretty regularly — 20 percent of the time, to be exact. She enjoys a cheat meal every week, and while she was living in Italy, that meal most certainly involved pasta and wine.
"Every
cheat meal in Italy was pasta caccio e peppe (pasta with cheese and
peppers)," Victoria laughs. "In the U.S., it's usually Mexican food."
But when she's back on the grind, it's back to basics. Think lots of healthy fruits, veggies,
lean meats, and natural food 80 percent of the time, and splurge-y
faves like pizza and ice cream for the other 20 percent. How does she
stay on track? Big, bright bowls of fruit help keep her feeling full, happy, and balanced. As for that 80 percent part, Victoria says, it's not a hard number.
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"It's
more of a general guideline, really," she explains. "A reminder to make
fueling your body a priority. I think the 20 percent is just as
important as the 80 percent. The 20 percent takes care of you
emotionally. I think food should be fun… you should be able to enjoy a
meal out without feeling guilty about it."
2.
All the Eggs
Without fail, every breakfast starts with eggs.
"I'm a creature of habit," Victoria explains. "Some people need variation, but I am totally OK eating the same thing every day. I usually make an omelet, and lately my obsession has been turkey bacon. It's really lean, and it's a great source of protein."
For some carb-y fuel, she pairs it with a bit of oatmeal topped with coconut milk, goji berries, and cinnamon for sweetness.
3.
Party Foods
One of the toughest parts of dieting is staying strong in the face of temptation, and game-day foods and party snacks
are the worst offenders. Rather than skip out altogether, Victoria
munches in moderation on light, fresh foods like meats, cheeses, and
crudités.
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"Instead of crackers, I really like dehydrated fruit," Victoria explains. It gives her the crunch she wants without going crazy on chips or crackers.
4.
Smart Travel Snacks
"When you're traveling, it's so easy to forget to eat — which is a huge no-no if you're working out a lot," Victoria explains.
[post_ads]And judging by her bod, it's pretty safe to guess that Victoria is always
working out a lot — even if she's on the road. To make sure she's
getting the fuel she needs when she's away, Victoria recommends keeping smart snacks in a purse or backpack when you're on the go.
"Whenever I land, I try to find a nearby grocery store or farmers' market and stock up on fruit and Greek yogurt, protein bars, nuts — little snacks like that," she says.
5.
The Right Post-Workout Snacks
"Eating before your workout is so important if you're doing strength training," Victoria says. "You need a protein and carb source, so I'll normally have a protein bar."
But Victoria maintains that, for cardio, it's all about the refuel. In fact, skipping it could even stall your results.
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"For a post-workout snack, I'll have a protein shake because it's liquid, and to begin the repair/recovery process, you really need something that's quick-absorbing and -digesting," she explains.
Victoria recommends a scoop of vanilla protein powder, a couple handfuls of ice, about 30 milliliters of coconut milk, a cup of frozen blueberries, and cinnamon.
But Victoria maintains that, for cardio, it's all about the refuel. In fact, skipping it could even stall your results.
[post_ads_2]
"For a post-workout snack, I'll have a protein shake because it's liquid, and to begin the repair/recovery process, you really need something that's quick-absorbing and -digesting," she explains.
Victoria recommends a scoop of vanilla protein powder, a couple handfuls of ice, about 30 milliliters of coconut milk, a cup of frozen blueberries, and cinnamon.
6.
Macro-Balanced Meals
Victoria
might have a fitspiration-worthy physique, but she's just as
susceptible to caving as anyone else. To help her make her 80 percent
choices when she's eating out, she stays strong and keeps a complex
plate full of well-balanced foods. Think lots of lean protein, veggies, and sauces and dressings on the side.
"The
hard part is choosing it," she admits. "I try to balance my meal
between the macros: protein, carbs, and fats. When deciding what to eat,
I always look at what each is really giving me, just to make sure my foods are balanced."
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