Author: erikahovanes
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Carbs Aren’t the Enemy: A Love Letter to Energy
Dear carbs, We need to talk. You’ve been blamed for everything — the bloat, the cravings, the scale, the 3pm crash. An entire diet culture was built on fearing you. Here’s the truth: you were never the problem. What Carbs Actually Do Carbs are your body’s preferred energy source. That’s not marketing. That’s biology. They…
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Protein 101: The First Macro Worth Paying Attention To
If you’re new to macros and feeling overwhelmed, start here. Of all three macros, protein is the one worth paying attention to first. Not because the others don’t matter — they do. But because protein is the one most of us quietly under-eat, and it affects almost everything. Energy. Fullness. Strength. How your meals actually…
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How to Start Tracking Without Getting Obsessed
"I want to track my macros, but I'm scared I'll get obsessed." I hear this all the time. And it's a smart fear — because tracking can go sideways. But here's the truth: the tool isn't the problem. The relationship with the tool is. Tracking is a flashlight, not a leash. Used well, it shows…
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Your First 30 Days With Macros: A Gentle Roadmap
Starting macros can feel like standing at the bottom of a mountain with a backpack full of questions. Where do I start? What if I mess it up? What if I’m bad at this? Here’s the truth: you’re not climbing a mountain. You’re walking a path, one small habit at a time. Here’s your first…
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Macros vs. Calories: Why Knowing the Difference Changes Everything
You’ve heard both terms a thousand times. “Watch your calories.” “Hit your macros.” And maybe you’ve wondered: are they the same thing? Here’s the truth: calories tell you how much energy you’re eating. Macros tell you what kind of energy you’re eating. That distinction changes everything. Calories Are the Big Picture A calorie is simply…
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Guest Post from my Husband
Why My “Perfect” Macros Weren’t Working: The Invisalign Epiphany From October through February, I was doing everything “right”—or so I thought. I was hitting the Peloton daily, lifting heavy, keeping a close eye on my protein, and tracking my macros for every meal. Yet, despite the effort, the scale wouldn’t budge. I was staying completely…
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Stop Starting Over. Start Building Trust.
How many times have you told yourself… “Monday I’m starting over.”“After this trip I’ll reset.”“This time I’ll be stricter.” And how many times has that cycle left you right back where you started? Here’s the truth: Starting over isn’t the answer.Rebuilding trust is. The Reset Cycle Is Exhausting Most women don’t struggle because they lack…
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How to Track Macros on Vacation Without Losing Your Mind (or the Fun)
Vacations are meant to be enjoyed — not micromanaged through a food scale and a calculator. But if you’ve ever worked hard to build momentum with your nutrition, you know the thought of traveling can feel scary… We have all been there and we have all asked ourselves, “How do I stay on track and…
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Protein Bar Showdown
Protein Bars, Ranked & Reviewed: Fudge Brownie David Bar vs. Chocolate Jacob Bar vs. Cookie Dough Built Bar vs. Chocolate Dough Barebells Bar If you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of protein bars wondering which one actually fits your goals (and your gut), this one’s for you. Below I compare the four very specific flavors—David Fudge Brownie, Jacob Chocolate, Built Cookie Dough, and Barebells…
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Macros 101: What They Are and Why You Should Care
If you’ve ever heard someone say “I’m tracking my macros” and thought umm… what even is a macro? you’re not alone. Macros — short for macronutrients — are simply the nutrients your body needs in large amounts: protein, carbs, and fat.That’s it. Nothing crazy. No secret code. Just the three building blocks that fuel your body, impact how you…
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It’s not Genetic’s, it’s Consistency.
🌿 I’m Not Genetically Made Looking Like This Let’s get one thing clear — I’m not genetically made looking like this.I don’t “just have good genes.” I have good habits that I’ve built brick by brick, day by day, even when it wasn’t convenient, glamorous, or easy. For years, I believed some people were just born fit…
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Crunchy, Sweet & Salty The Granola You’ll Make on Repeat
Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice Granola Because progress tastes even better with peanut butter and pumpkin. The Story If fall had a flavor, this would be it — crunchy clusters of peanut butter–pumpkin goodness with just the right balance of sweet and salty. This recipe is quick to mix, makes your kitchen smell like pumpkin pie,…
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Progress, Not Perfection: The Perfect Plan Doesn’t Exist — But Showing Up Consistently Does
We live in a world obsessed with the perfect plans. The perfect diet. the perfect workouts. The Perfect morning routines. But here’s the truth no one wants to hear: perfect doesn’t exist! What does exist is consistency.And that’s where the real progress happens. Perfection Feels Safe, But It Keeps You Stuck How many times have you told…