Health Coach | Speaker | Writer | Welcome to my digital diary! I'm here to help you blend life & fitness to find your health & happy! Thank you for being part of my family & allowing me to add value to your journey!
A sobering & reflective conversation… Emotion is energy in motion. Dieting is an emotional problem, it’s more about behavior than food. Nothing happens if nothing moves. So I ask you, “Where is your emotion driving you?” Hard truths & guidelines to help you push the restart button for the last time. 🔖 Do you refuse to rest? Refuse to give up addictions? Refuse to reverse diet & STOP chronically dieting? Do you refuse to simply put in the work it requires to change your body, health, & life? Y’all, basically what you’re saying here is, “I want this, but I don’t it bad enough to do what is required to achieve it.” Biggies: “I can’t cut back on workouts.” (even though they’re stressing my body out even more which is actually hindering progress) “I can’t give up my coffee/bangs/etc.” (even though my cortisol is jacked up thru the roof & I can’t sleep at night) “I can’t give up sweets & snacking at night.” (even though they’re causing inflammation, gut problems, high glucose, fat gain, & more cravings) “I can’t reverse diet because I’ll gain weight.” (even though you’ve been eating less than a toddler for 20+ yrs & still don’t have the health or body you want) Sound familiar? I share these things because I love y’all and I’ve made all the same mistakes as you! It’s Sunday night, let’s freaking rock this week! Here are some tips to help, take what you need! Oxox Coach “your biggest cheerleader” K 📣
I remember walking into the gym thinking everyone was judging me. 👉🏻 Am I too fat to be in here? 👉🏻 Are they judging me because I’ve been on the treadmill for an hour & don’t know how to use this machine? 👉🏻 Are they laughing at me because I’m not as strong as I used to be or I’m not very good at doing this specific lift. 👉🏻 Are they judging me because I am not as lean as I used to be? What matters is you find the movement your heart loves. Movement is energy, movement is life, movement is abundance! This doesn’t mean killing yourself in the gym 7d/wk. How do you start? ✅Shoot for 10K steps a day. ▪️Park further away from your destination. ▪️Take the stairs. ▪️Time block morning or evening walks. ▪️Take a walk at lunch. These can even be short 10 minute walks. ✅Time block 2-3 workouts a week. ▪️ Pick what time of day works best for your schedule. ▪️Shoot for 20-30 minutes starting out. ▪️ If large crowd stress you out pick a time a day that’s less crowded or workout at home. ✅Invest in a trainer or workout buddy ▪️ They are there to help you! They will show you what routines & how to use equipment. ▪️ Swole mates keep you accountable & give support you need! ▪️ Sign up for online training programs that give direction & align with your goals. ✅Set your day up for success ▪️Sleep in your gym clothes if this makes it easier for you to get up & go in the morning ▪️ Wear clothes you’re comfortable in & make you feel GOOD.
When we think of weight loss & happy living, the immediate reaction is to downgrade our food, increase exercise, work ourselves to death & become deprived for the rest of our lives.
Well, that’s one way to pursue weight loss & success, & it might work for some. But at what expense?
I spent a big chunk of my life that way — a very long & hard pursuit in my 20’s & most of my 30’s.
You end up putting weight back on, becoming miserable & embarrassed about your body. You chase all the wrong things & end up pissed off & unhappy wondering if this is all there is to life? One struggle bus after the other.
If you have been dieting & seem to feel like you’ve been unhappy & unfilled forever, not gaining any momentum, it’s time to flip the switch. It’s time to rewrite your story.
Thinking about health & happiness in terms of peace & fulfillment rather than scarcity will create a new environment for success in fitness & life!
It’s not about being as lean as possible. It’s not about being as monetarily rich as possible. It’s not about being married, or partnered, or single, or divorced, etc. It’s about love & savoring the journey!
What’s the point if you’re not enjoying life?
Here are some huge playmakers I’ve learned in the game of life! Get off the bench.
Your #1 focus should be on reducing stress & optimizing hormones.
Stress, anxiety & depression are huge factors that inhibit weight loss & quality of life. If you experience chronic, excess stress on a day-to-day basis, this needs to be at the top of your list. This also means eating well & ENOUGH. Chronic dieting is also a stress.
Sometimes it’s a challenge, well, because life – we need our jobs to make a living, or perhaps our children are driving us crazy. Do the best to control what you can control.
Elevated cortisol levels have a sneaky way of increasing your hunger & cravings for junk foods (or overeating good food sources, too!). This can easily escalate to overeating & weight gain.
Some natural alternatives that help mitigate stress & anxiety:
Spending time in nature, walking is always the answer
Listening to your favorite music while your kids are b*tchin
Exercising so you don’t punch the offending person (I recommend lifting weights)
Meditation, yoga, have a spa day
Stretching & massage (even if you have to do it yourself)
Spending time with animals (especially the cute ones)
Get more sleep & get movement in 1st thing in the morning before you eat.
Sh*tty sleep makes you tired throughout the day, throws hormones off, makes you hungrier, & causes you to give fux about things you most likely don’t need to give fux about. All can cause more fat gain.
A study in 2010 found that adding 3 hours of sleep resulted in burning 400 calories at night. Subjects who slept for 8.5 hours/night lost 60% less muscle than those with 5.5 hours of sleep/night. In addition, extra sleep helped them boost their metabolism.
Also, stop telling yourself you’re not a morning person. Knock out 20 minutes of movement 1st thing in the morning before you eat. When your body is in a fasted state, you are more likely to burn fat for energy since there isn’t any instant fuel available.
Lift weights & simply do sh*t you love to celebrate what your body can do.
I modify CrossFit classes + Lift & “body build” 5d/wk. Haven’t looked or felt better! Lifting heavy weights not only burns calories (because it takes a lot of energy to do this), but it helps you build extra muscle. This is important for us seasoned ladies, who lose muscle mass more rapidly as we age.
Lifting weights helps keep your bones strong & healthy & eliminates your chances of fat gain as menopause starts to creep (as in, belly pouches & weight gain as long as you are also prioritizing stress management & happy hormones).
The more muscle you have, the better you look nekkid & the more food you can eat because muscle allows you to burn extra calories at rest & throughout the day.
The hardest climbs lead to the best views.
I wake up early, get outside in the sun & nature as much as possible, walk 15k steps/d, eat plenty of protein & healthy fats via meat & eggs, & give gratitude for all that I have now & every mistake that has made me better.
It’s the struggles in life that shape us & determine who we become. My elderly patients & clients frequently tell me that they have finally been able to see their difficulties in life as sources of both strength & character. They are proud of the challenges they have faced & wish they had adopted this thinking when going through difficult times.
As one patient told me, “Just keep moving. Minutes of pain can lead to years of growth.” You can use this mindset to achieve your goals, both in life & fitness.
You are the main character of your life.
A lot of us forget that each of us has a different story. When we try to align our stories with what other people expect or want, that’s when we lose our own.
Think about dreams you want to fulfill. Whenever we don’t know what to do, we should ask ourselves, “Will this make me happy? Will it add legacy to my story & value to other people?”. “Rich & successful” mean different things to us all!
In your healthy living journey, remember that you are the main character. You don’t need to compare your results to others; they are your own! Your story will unfold, maybe just in a different way.
Embrace aging is inevitable, but living well with a young spirit & nourished vessel is a choice.
Resting doesn’t mean quitting.
Sometimes life gets really hard & common wisdom tells us to keep persisting. We should, but what’s often left out is that it is ok to take a break. Taking a break from challenges in our lives makes sure that we have the time & energy to come back with a better mindset. Taking a break does not have to mean “giving up”… it just means we’re re-energizing ourselves for a bigger comeback!
How does this lead to happier living? If you find yourself completely stressed out, take a break! It’s ok! You can meditate or just rest your mind & body. When you come back after this rest period, you’ll have a clearer mind & renewed purpose.
The secret to having it all is believing abundantly you already do! A healthy, happy mind & spirit mean a healthy, happy life. That also takes rest & presence.
It’s the little things & There’s no such thing as false hope.
Yeah, the big things are great but if you sit down & talk to the elderly, they rarely talk about what they’ve achieved. They speak of candid moments of generosity & kindness that they still remember, even decades later.
We often forget that making others happy can also help us become happier too. So be kind, both to others & yourself!
Hope is the desire that a situation or circumstance will turn out favorably. By its definition, it can’t be false. It’s either there or not there. Would you rather spend time with someone who lives a life of positivity & optimism or despair?
It is possible for you to become healthier, happier, more fit, etc…whatever you want is possible! Have faith because sometimes it’s all we have & you create your reality!
Share with a friend who needs this too!
There is a light inside all of us. No matter how hard we try to shove it down.
It glows. Always glows — even the faintest, no matter how dark it may seem.
Hoosier farm girl & Purdue University grad, Katie is a multifaceted girlboss! She’s a nutritionist, radiologic technologist, personal coach, executive assistant, motivational speaker & writer, & brand growth consultant working with individuals, businesses, organizations, & executives. She specializes in gut health, sports nutrition, disordered eating, social branding, human connection, and how to optimize life to attract health, wealth, & happiness. Katie welcomes all preferences & skill levels with a no diet dogma or one size-size-fits-all approach to health, wellness, fitness, & nutrition. After decades of struggling with her own health issues from Crohn’s, obesity, disordered eating, infertility, hormonal imbalances, & being a competitive athlete, she is passionate about helping others find self love, achieve their goals, & create sustainable success habits for an EXTRAordinary life!
When I started my fitness journey my goal was to lose as much weight as possible on the scale. I had no idea what body recomposition meant. Got down to 105lbs by basically starving myself & doing cardio all the time. I’ve been all shapes & sizes & learned immensely throughout my journey by making mistakes. Know that the body you desire may take years to build & develop, mine has taken nearly a decade. I was shocked at a check up for insurance 10+ years ago when they told me my body fat was 25% at 105lbs. Huge wake up call! I was #skinnyfat (Photo left) I went carnivore 3 years ago, took a higher fat approach at 1st, gained weight (15lbs) my body fat was higher at almost ~26%. I switched to a higher protein/moderate fat approach & that is truly when my body changed to the lean physique you see today. (Photo right) You can make your diet cyclical. You don’t have to follow a higher protein approach or low carb forever, just make sure however you’re eating aligns with your body goal. People freak out & think just because they’re not in high levels of ketosis they’re not gonna be able to lose body fat. I was never in a high level of ketosis & I still managed to lose 20lbs. Took an inbody scan & my body fat is around 16% which I realize is pretty low for a female. (I’m being transparent not asking for criticism)
This is the lowest my body fat has ever been, the most food I’ve crushed, & the best I’ve felt. No matter what diet camp you belong to, if you’re gonna crush 2 habits a day please make them be SLEEP & eating enough protein Swipe for tips & #carnivorediet FAQ’s that helped me lose weight.
I hope these help you however you need! I also have a 354 page Meat & Macros guide. Link here to get yours!
“I forgot to eat.” Something you will never hear this girl say now. Years ago, I wore my ability to restrict food like a badge. Result: constantly being cold, loss of appetite, & zero energy. There were days I had to pull over to catch a quick nap because I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Workouts I thought I was gonna pass out. Blood pressure super low, like 80/58 low. I remember the doctor saying do you feel lightheaded a lot? I had a DM from a woman this week & she made the statement she was never hungry & didn’t understand how eating more macros would help. So I put it this way…
Dying animals have no appetite & don’t eat. Thriving animals fight for their food. Which one do you wanna be?
Katie Kelly/ Coach K / @lil_bit_of_fit 🙂
A decrease in hunger after living in a calorie deficit for too long is our body shutting down to survive. This is why females eating below their BMR or at a low body fat don’t have a period. Your body is preserving energy to live. This is commonly why you’re constipated. Digestion slows. This is why you’re cold, no energy. Your hormones & systems down regulate to compensate.
Low quality food, deficiencies Should you eat if you’re not hungry? Or when you’re not feeling hungry but know your body needs food, what should you do? Always eat when there is physiological/internal cue – in other words, when you either feel that hunger pang or become aware that your body is in need of nourishment. 2 guiding factors of what to eat & how much: 1. Inner Wisdom — how the body lets us know that we need food, or have had enough to eat. Growling stomach. 2. Outer Wisdom — knowing what your body needs even if it’s not exactly asking for it. Knowing you haven’t eaten in hrs. I hope this helps! Swipe for things I had to do to get a healthier happier leaner physique that may also help you!!
Q: I only have 2-3 days to work out a week? Any tips on workouts I can do? And what changes helped you lose the most weight? ➡️Swipe, save, tag & share! Here’s a very basic but solid full body program example if you’re planning on resistance training & working out 2-3 d/wk. You don’t need to make training overly complicated nor do you have to excessively do cardio & HIIT. Stick to walking & basic movements focusing on getting stronger with each of them. Most of us want to save time & get in & out of the gym as quick as possible without sacrificing workout efficacy. I put 2 exercises back to back to make 3 simple super sets. Aim to do each super set for 4 sets of 8-12 reps – slowly with good form. Form always 1st before adding more weight to prevent injury. Take 1-2 minute rest between sets in order to ensure adequate recovery. I know this is the hardest part for some of you, including myself. It’s hard to beat the crossfitter out of you when you’re focusing on bodybuilding. 😂 🏋🏼♀️ Gradually increase weights each week. If you’re consistent, you can switch up your workout after 4-6 weeks. No one says you have to switch up your workout if this is working for you either. Go your own way as with everything in Food, Fitness, & Life.
If you’re looking for a step by step plan to lose weight, actually keep it off, & improve gut issues &/or emotional issues with food, apply for a consultation in the link in my IG bio. Can’t afford coaching? I created a 354 page guide that will teach you anything you need to know about meat, macros, & getting the body you deserve❤️ Also in the link in my bio👩🏼💻📲 link here
THE question everyone asks when they go to start a diet… “How long is it gonna take?”
I know you hate hearing “it depends” but there’s really no other answer for it.
Typically, if you are a smaller individual with less body weight to lose, lower in body fat%, it should take a lil longer to lose the same amount of total weight as someone who has more weight & body fat to lose.
In general terms, I would recommend a rate of weight loss of 0.4-0.8% total bodyweight per week.
Any slower, people get discouraged, any faster it’s hard to adhere & sustain plus you run the risk of losing lean body mass. We want to maintain as much lean muscle as possible when dieting.
Ain’t nobody wanna be #skinnyfat & be running around with a pancake booty.
Also, your story and history matter. Any “coach” that slashes your calories or prescribes macros without reviewing your history and current starting point you may wanna rethink.
Just had this exact conversation with a Consultation client this week. Her coach slashed her calories to 1500 without educating her what her true maintenance calories should be & what time frame was appropriate for her diet.
My client thought 1500 was her maintenance calories at 5’10, working out five days a week and this is what she should be eating for life🤯
Your coach should also explain & go over how to properly reverse out of your diet & what it means to periodize your nutrition properly to get the body you desire.
Feel free to save, tag, and share this post with your friends.
I go through different examples of how long it would possibly take you to lose 30 pounds and two different stories that may sound similar to yours.
What I have to say may piss some of you off, and that’s OK.
I hear this question a LOT.
I asked you guys what you were struggling with & these were the biggies: What can I do to beat the sugar cravings? And the “I’m bored with my food.”
And I get it, I’ve been there too, & I’ve also realized when I tend to crave things like this it’s because my life & body are out of balance.
⠀So here’s the thing…there’s not just 1 reason why sugar cravings take over. It really could be a number of things, but these are the ones that are worth taking a look at first:
• Under eating, over exercising, overly fasting
• Unbalanced blood sugar
• Too many processed carbs & sugar
• Malnutrition
• Too little sleep
• Not drinking enough water
• Unmanaged stress / emotional eating
• Bad habits
⠀
When you start to become more aware & mindful about what’s causing your cravings & you start linking them to your lifestyle or daily choices, you can start to reset your body & strive for more balance in these areas, to help ease your cravings.
⠀
For me, not getting good, restful sleep is a huge trigger for cravings as well as Crohn’s flares.
Swipe through, I promise the cravings will get better the more you build a foundation on consistency & fueling your body & mind with nutrient dense foods like all the delicious meats & nourishing positive thoughts!
