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Setting Sticky Goals for 2022: Finally Achieve your Nutrition Goals
Why are gyms and fitness classes packed with new gym-goers in the beginning of January but then back to normal crowds come mid-February? I don’t think the problem is that we’re bad at trying to be healthier, but that we are inherently bad at setting ourselves up with New Year’s resolutions we can actually keep. Today we’re talking about 3 things you can do set goals you can actually keep in 2022.
2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Top Health and Fitness Picks from KLN Coaches
Our team has grown since our last Gift Guide, but we love sharing some of our favorite products - nutrition, cooking, fitness, and health related - and are doing so early this year knowing that the holidays are sneaking up quickly. This week we’re each sharing a favorite health or fitness gift that we hope you find useful as you start holiday shopping (or start your own list of what you may want this holiday season!)
Managing Nutrition During Busy Times: The Power of Setting Minimums
Today’s post talks about the power of setting minimums - how they can be an effective tool for progress, and the recurring theme that progress is about flexibility, not about an “all or nothing” approach.
7 Top Nutrition and Wellness Book Recommendations
As nutrition coaches, we are often asked - by both clients and non-clients - if we have any nutrition book recommendations. In this post we’re sharing the most impactful nutrition books we rely on. You’ll find that they’re far less about diets and more about other aspects of our health, nutrition, and behaviors. They teach us how to build and maintain long-term habits and how to eat food we enjoy so that our nutrition is sustainable.
Balancing Nutrition Goals with an Active Social Life
Over the past week we have had some great questions come in about how to approach social situations when you have nutrition goals, so today we’re answering the big question: CAN I HAVE NUTRITION GOALS AND A SOCIAL LIFE?
Our Top 5 Easy High-Protein, Macro-Friendly Snacks
Getting enough protein in your diet can be tough. The most helpful advice we have is to make sure that each meal and snack you eat has an identifiable protein source included in it. Every recipe we create has the goal of making it easier for you to hit your protein and today we’re including some snack ideas that can help you hit that protein target.
Nutrition Q&A: Reverse Diets, Macro Tracking, and Are Carbs Bad?
I had an overwhelming response to my call for your nutrition questions, so here are some of those great questions answered in part 2 of this Q&A series. Nutrition can be confusing and overwhelming, and I hope some of these responses help clear up some questions you’ve been wondering about as well!
Nutrition Q&A: Can You Spot Reduce Fat and More
I had an overwhelming response to my call for your nutrition questions, so here are some of those great questions answered in part 1 of this Q&A series. Nutrition can be confusing and overwhelming, and I hope some of these responses help clear up some questions you’ve been wondering about as well!
Meal Plans Aren't The Answer: You Need Meal Planning Skills
Here at KLN, we don’t do meal plans. A meal plan doesn’t give you an alternative when it’s girls night, when you’re out for drinks after work, or when you’re on the road with your family. Most of all, a meal plan doesn’t take into account that life is chaotic and constantly changing.
Sweet Potato Turkey Chili: A High-Protein, Macro-Friendly Recipe
My favorite part about fall weather is all the soup! Soup dinners are easy for a lazy chef like me and are my favorite way to prep food that will last throughout the week. This chunky sweet potato turkey chili is my favorite, because each serving is a generous size and packs in tons of lean protein and vegetables.
Macro-Friendly One-Pan Recipe: Sweet Harvest Hash
How do you make an easy sheet-pan meal even better? You make it macro-friendly with seasonal squash and flavorful protein. Enjoy this simple sheet pan meal and learn how to switch up the ingredients to fit your specific nutrition goals.
Top 5 Macro-Friendly Sweet Treats: Healthful Dessert Recipes
If you’re anything like me, you have a pretty strong sweet tooth and dinner doesn’t feel complete without capping it off with a nice little sweet treat. Here are a few of our favorite go-to macro-friendly treats and desserts. Some can be thrown together in a few minutes at home, others are ready to eat right away; some are great for an evening dessert, and others make great sweet midday snacks. Enjoy!
A Day in the Life: Nutrition Coaches Share Their Meal Prep and Eating Habits
We’ve loved sharing a glimpse of what nutrition for our coaches looks like in the past. As our KLN team has expanded, we wanted to again share the diversity (and similarities) in our approach as we all juggle busy schedules, responsibilities, personal goals, and our love of good food.
Navigating Fast Food: Making Macro-Friendly Choices When Eating Out
We’re sharing a few of our favorites options that can help you still hit your macros while eating out - whether you’re on the road traveling or just need a quick bite while navigating your busy day.
Evaluating the Role of the Scale in Your Fat Loss Journey
This fixation with the scale is a pattern we see with clients often. It’s natural, but it’s also preventable. Rather than just suggesting that you don’t let the number on the scale bother you, today’s post dives a little deeper into how you can make the most of this (often inaccurate) measure of progress and other ways to determine the true changes you are experiencing on your fat loss journey.
Summer Orzo Pasta Salad: A Macro-Friendly Recipe
This plant-based dish is about as easy as it gets when it comes to throwing together a simple side. Enjoy this Risoni Summer Salad as a side to your bbq dinner, or double the portion and enjoy it with some shrimp or chicken for a full, high-volume meal.
Strategies for Tracking Macros When Eating Out
If you’re tracking your macros, you have the flexibility to enjoy a meal out when you want one. Eating out will always be an estimation, but there are a few easy strategies you can utilize to make sure your meal out fits with your nutrition goals.
Beginner's Guide to Tracking Macros and Flexible Nutrition
I’ve rounded up some tips, tricks, and items that I’ve found to be the most helpful - both when brand new at tracking macros and when you’ve been at it for years.
8 REASONS TO CHOOSE MACROSFIRST AS YOUR MACRO TRACKING APP
Choosing the right tracking app can make or break your nutrition goals, and MacrosFirst stands out for all the right reasons. Let's jump into why MacrosFirst is superior to popular options like MyFitnessPal (MFP) and Cronometer and why it best fits your tracking needs.
HIGH FIBER MEAL PREP RECIPE: HONEY MUSTARD DENSE BEAN SALAD (WITH MACROS!)
If you’ve been on the internet recently you may have seen the popular trend of “dense bean salads.” In an online space where there are lots of questionable trends circulating, this is one that I can wholeheartedly get behind! The idea behind a “dense bean salad” is that it’s a recipe packed with ingredients that get better day by day as the ingredients marinate longer. This dense bean salad I’m sharing today is no exception. It’s flavorful, high in protein (with plant-based options available to boost protein without animal products!), high in fiber, and incredibly customizable.
WHAT PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT MAINTAINING WEIGHT LOSS
There will always be periods of time, whether it’s weeks, months, or years, where you may not be able to maintain your leanest or fittest point, and that’s normal. But if you take time to build foundational skills and habits, you can keep that maintenance range in a place that feels good to you. And you can always return to some of those more time-intensive skills and practices when capacity allows.
SOBER CURIOUS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: HOW ALCOHOL IMPACTS OUR MACROS, BODY COMPOSITION, AND OVERALL PROGRESS
The holiday season often conjures images of festive gatherings, joyous celebrations, and, inevitably, alcohol. For many, these moments include a glass of wine, a cocktail, or a beer to toast the occasion. However, an increasing number of people are becoming "sober curious," re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. This movement isn't about outright abstinence but about mindfulness and understanding how alcohol impacts our bodies, especially concerning health and fitness goals. Let's explore how alcohol affects our health, particularly in the realms of fat loss, sleep, and overall wellness.
MAKING MACRO-TRACKING BUDGET FRIENDLY
With grocery prices rising, getting high-quality food (especially protein!) can be challenging. In this blog post, I’m breaking down some great budget-friendly grocery options by macronutrients that is perfect for those tracking macros and looking to eat well without breaking the bank.
HAVING A COACH THROUGH “MAINTENANCE MODE”: INSURANCE FOR LONG TERM NUTRITIONAL SUCCESS
A maintenance phase is arguably the most important season of our nutrition since it’s where we can best focus on the habits that help us find harmony with our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Without the prioritization of changing our bodies, the other aspects of our lives that we value can better be at the forefront. However, that doesn’t mean that body composition can’t remain in the periphery. The foundational habits that we develop before or alongside a focused fat loss phase, with the goal of long-term physical change, continuously support small aesthetic changes over time.
Q&A: HORMONAL HEALTH, SUPPLEMENT SAFETY, AND SET POINT WEIGHT THEORY
The large majority of individuals probably don’t need to worry about their hormonal health. If you are struggling with your hormonal health, that is absolutely an indicator to see an endocrinologist - not a trainer, nutritionist, or wellness influencer! What supports our hormonal health most are the basics that support our overall health: exercising sensibly, giving ourselves time to recover, managing stress levels, eating a balanced and high quality diet and not chronically dieting. Hormonal health is incredibly important, so this is not about minimizing that importants; rather, it’s a reminder that the “boring stuff” is often what we overlook when it should be our first priority.
MACRO FRIENDLY DESSERT: SALTED CARAMEL APPLE YOGURT BARK
Tracking your macros doesn’t have to be restrictive and in fact, we pride ourselves on coaching our clients on ways to be more flexible with their food choices. We feel it’s important to include foods that you love and that means dessert and sweet treats! This peanut butter salted caramel apple yogurt bark is the perfect sweet treat for this season (or any season, really!) It’s super easy to make and for 22g of protein per serving, it can actually play a role in helping you nail your protein goals!
EMBRACE FLEXIBILITY AND ENJOY SOME PIZZA: TIPS FOR MACRO-FRIENDLY PIZZA NIGHT
When I start working with a client, they typically believe that they can't enjoy pizza AND eat “healthy” at the same time. Their experience tells them that pizza is a “bad” food, it’s a cheat meal, and it will definitely make them gain body fat. But often, that’s a fear of food and diet culture talking. By embracing a flexible approach to eating and incorporating some macro-friendly strategies, pizza can be part of a balanced approach to nutrition. Grab a slice, and let’s dig in!
TRACKING MACROS VS. COUNTING CALORIES: WHICH APPROACH SHOULD YOU TAKE WHEN WORKING TOWARDS YOUR FAT LOSS, PERFORMANCE, AND HEALTH GOALS?
At its core, counting calories is about ensuring you consume a specific number of calories each day. It's a straightforward approach focusing solely on energy intake versus energy expenditure. While this can be effective for weight management, it doesn't address the quality or composition of the food you're eating. Tracking macros, on the other hand, involves breaking down your calorie intake into three key nutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each of these macronutrients plays a unique role in your body. By paying attention to the specific amounts of each, you can optimize not only your overall caloric intake but also support your body's functional needs.
CHANGE TAKES TIME: WHY WORK WITH A NUTRITION COACH FOR 6 MONTHS?
At KLN, we require a six-month commitment from our clients, and there's a good reason for it. When you first join us, we take the time to get to know YOU – your habits, history, and what makes your daily life tick. This isn't something we can rush through-- it takes TIME! Time need to see how you live, how you interact with food, and how different factors affect your eating patterns. Getting to know you as an individual - your lifestyle, your needs, and what keeps you motivated - is crucial for providing the absolute best guidance and support from your coach.
3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR MEALS MORE FILLING: MACRO-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR SATIETY
If you’re in a calorie deficit and working towards fat loss goals, a main goal should be minimizing any feelings of restriction or hunger so you can maximize adherence to your deficit. This is why we, as coaches, take a strong stance against aggressive and unsustainable deficits. If our hunger is through the roof each day, it’s not very likely that we’ll be able to adhere to that calorie deficit for long. Luckily, there are tools that can help us minimize hunger and, luckily, those same tools also keep us well-fueled and promote our overall health as well.