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This cold weather has me excited for more overnight backpacking trips 🏕 Waking up to a cold morning, hot cup of coffee, and a view like this 👌 I still haven't conquered a solo overnight trip, and I have no problem admitting I'm not quite ready for that. BUT this last one nighter with my mom really let me know that I'm getting more and more prepared for the Appalachian Trail next year. Yes we are in the woods, yes there are wild animals around, yes it's OK to be a little scared sometimes. But seeing four snakes and not letting my fear turn me around was a plus. Dealing with the fact that I will have to 'go' in the woods and its not a big deal because you get used to it, also a plus. Getting more comfortable with my gear, actually getting a good nights sleep with my sleeping equipment, understanding how and where to hang a bear bag - these are things I'm excited about practicing and doing because I have this awesome goal I want to accomplish! This weekend my mom and I are hitting another section of the @palmettotrail and next weekend another overnight backpacking trip - hopefully two nights hiking from Sassafras to Caesars Head, then back to Sassafras. Small portion of the @foothillstrail that we haven't hiked before. Very excited for what's to come, and I hope you all get a chance to enjoy this fall weather 😊 ❤ #hiking #goals #cantwaittohiketheAT #trails #nature #exploremore #foothillstrail #palmettotrail #appalachiantrail #practicemakesperfect #excitedforthefuture #excitedforgoals #hikingwithrae #backpacker #camping #fallweatheristhebest https://www.instagram.com/p/CFPhvNMH04-/?igshid=p2l5reyhnad8

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Hiking Roundtop Mountain passage of the @palmettotrail this weekend, can't wait! 🥾🥾 🏕 ❤ With the extra milage from starting at Sassafras, getting to the campsite on the next passage, then hiking back to Sass on Sun, should be a little over 14 total miles total 😁 #hiking #camping #backpacking #palmettotrail #mountainsarecalling #theyarealwayscalling #adventure #hikingwithrae #readyfortheweekend #weekendvibes (at Roundtop Mountain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEt9psHHQrz/?igshid=1c5pz6d41sm97

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New blog post! Haven't posted in about two years, but I'm excited to started sharing my adventures with everyone again! 😁🌲🏕 #hiking #blog #congaree #nationalpark #nature #outdoors #adventure #happy #naturehub https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTtlDiHWqX/?igshid=qudafi2kms62

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Working from home half time during the summer is great because I can take a break whenever I want and get a quick workout in. Legs today! I only chose four exercises and did four rounds... 🏵 Glute Bridge with 20 pound DB (20) 🏵 Step Ups (12-15 each leg) 🏵 Kneeling Kickbacks, Bent Knee Kickbacks, Bent Knee Pulses (10-12 of all three each leg, then switch) 🏵 Calf Raises in Plie Stance (30-40) Just squeeze everything basically and you'll feel this for sure. I thought I was going to do 5 or 6 rounds but was ready to stop after 3... so I did 4. Hope everyone is having a great Monday! #homeworkout #workout #healthy #happy #legs #fitness #fitspo #goals #progress #motivation #strongnotskinny #fitlife #summertime #muscles https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQesZGHobx/?igshid=1sbkmbheg12ak

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These aren't exact macros for the week. I'm more so aiming for around these numbers, but as long as I'm in this range I'm fine with it: 150-160 PRO 180-210 CARB 45-65 FAT My numbers won't always be super exact, but as long as they are close that's what matters to me. Meal 3/lunch is a mixture I've never tried, so if you have had it before, please let me know if it is good or bad! I'm a little unsure but I like cottage cheese and love potatoes... so I guess we shall see. Next Sunday I'll be leaving for Austria for work, so that will be interesting trying to figure out my food! I'm not a registered dietitian, so this is in no way me telling anyone to eat this. This is just to share what I eat to get the results I want and maybe something similar can work for you as well. I may stay around 1850 to 1900 calories for a little longer because it feels like a good amount. If I increase I may need to add cardio and I super dont want to do that... unless it is more hiking! Hope everyone is having an awesome and relaxing Sunday! #mealprep #mealplan #myfitnesspal #fitness #goals #lifestyle #healthy #nutrition #happy #reversedieting https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOQyOLnscJ/?igshid=lphf1lpl9xsr

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Meal prep for the week! I completely changed most of my meal plan this week because I needed a break from the same thing over and over. The only thing that needs to be cooked for my daytime meals are the potatoes in meal 3, so everything is still as I bought it. I will post my macros and meals in the next post so you can take a look, but this is basically everything! 62$ at Aldi, and that includes La Croix for me and Dr Dazzle for my husband. It's always the meat that brings the price up, but I have to have good meat for din din. Hope everyone is having a beautiful day! #mealprep #macros #tracking #fitness #goals #lifestyle #fitspo #happy #healthy #nutrition #reversedieting #progress #prep #mealplan https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOO-Y4HhDJ/?igshid=4cou0vpvubh9

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Great hike at Congaree National Park... until Henry started to overheat, even with drinking lots of water. Learning experience - no more hikes for Henry that are more than one mile! Scared the crap out of me and the park ranger on duty was unfortunately no help at all. I dont remember me or any coworker being that unhelpful when I worked for the state park service. But the park itself was beautiful and the hiking was worth the trip! Except Henry getting worn out, of course. #hiking #sundayfunday #nationalparks #happy #fitness #healthylifestyle #sunshine #summertime #greatoutdoors #sctrails #southcarolina (at Congaree National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByOGatWnvPF/?igshid=niq0xbdlhra8

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Beautiful day for a hike at the lake! #hiking #lakegreenwood #statepark #fitness #happy #sunnydays #summertime #sctrails (at Lake Greenwood State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByMAGCOnBjW/?igshid=z41e9xquc5yo

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Dem errrrms. One thing I love about consistency is when your body really gets in the groove with the healthy meals, the workouts, not having a cheat meal that turns into a cheat day or cheat weekend... the results and change really start taking off! But I'm not saying A cheat meal is bad. A cheat meal or refeed can be a great thing for your mentality and your body. A cheat meal can even be what helps push your body to change a little more. Sometimes I get stuck in the same meal plan and won't want to have a cheat meal because I will be worried about progress. I have to make an effort to remember that a cheat meal, and variation for that matter, can make a big difference. One of the problems I used to have with competing was ALWAYS eating the exact same meals with almost no variation at all... it only fueled my obsession with everything competition related being 'just so' and I felt like I couldn't have a social life. Now dont me wrong, those last 4 weeks of prep, yeah you probably dont want to incorporate any cheat meals. But if you're more than 8-10 weeks out and already limit yourself to only chicken, tilapia, and rice, that's going to be more rough than it needs to be. And the potential to create an unhealthy relationship with food will be high. I'm sure there are some who disagree and argue that it takes dedication and if you cant do it then don't. Well, yes I agree it takes dedication, but you shouldn't be creating a situation where an eating disorder is waiting to happen. There are coaches out there who understand this and won't starve you and will allow cheat meals and refeeds. The important part of cheat meals is to not let them get out of control and turn into a cheat day or weekend binger. Food is so important but it shouldn't control your life! If you feel like it does, you may need to change some habits before it turns into an unhealthy relationship with food. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGMaWYHJk-/?igshid=1t68c1ola5sbf

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Before and after a quick easy at home shoulder workout. If you dont have any weights, you can fill up two water bottles and use those! This got hard really fast because I did everything fairly quickly, back to back. ☀️ Seated Shoulder Press ☀️ Seated Side Raises - Drop Set (I used 10s, 5s, 2.5s, but if you are using water bottles you can just do one set) ☀️ Alternate Standing Front Raise with Upright Rows (I used one plate for this) ☀️ Standing Bent Over Side Raises (rear delts) I did this whole cycle four times, with short breaks in between each cycle. Burns like heck! And only took about 20-25 minutes. #shoulders #beforeandafter #homeworkout #fitspo #fitness #goals #healthy #lifestyle #training #tracking #fitnessmotivation #happy #ignoretheconstantmessinthebackground https://www.instagram.com/p/ByA07zOHdKM/?igshid=12bhnstzadv4d

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This is my workout area this morning... and every other morning. Small space in my living room, nothing elaborate - no gym, no machines, not even dumbbells (yet)! But nothing stopping me from getting a good solid workout in. If you want to find an excuse not to workout, you will always be able to find one. Personally, I am making an effort to build the body I want, gain the mental strength and positivity that comes with being happy with myself and my body, and do it in the convenience of my own home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the gym, in fact, I'm a little jealous of my brother and sister in law who have a gym about a 30 second walk from their front door! But I dont have that, and truthfully I dont want to get back into the routine I had when I was focused only on muscles and only on myself and looking at food on IG every night. It was incredibly lonely and selfish. For me, I am taking my love of fitness and nutrition and molding it into a different routine. A routine that works for my life, makes me happy, and allows more time and energy for my family. I post my progress, food, and workouts for anyone who feels the same way and wants to follow mine or a similar fitness lifestyle. None of this is to say you need to do exactly what I do to be healthy; it's simply to show you what I do to feel better about myself, my progress, and my nutrition. If my page helps only one person, that makes me incredibly happy! Hope everyone has an amazing day! #happy #lifestyle #fitnessmotivation #goals #fitness #fitspo #nutrition #workout #homeworkout #progress #healthy #growth #prep #tracking #reversedieting https://www.instagram.com/p/ByAxptTnKjF/?igshid=65bs7tgp4g59

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I'm not one for energy drinks, mostly because I'm not big on anything soda related... BUT I did not have my coffee this morning and was dragging. Badly. This was delish! #monster #energydrink #didnothavecoffee #notmadaboutit #yummy #notgonnacallthishealthy https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx-l4DJnlN2/?igshid=1fqn9aszzana5

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New macros for the week. Again, not a huge difference, the importance is to have a slow change. My aim is for anywhere between 1850 and 1900 calories, with ~150g PRO, 50-60g FAT, and 180-200g CARB. I definitely like keeping carbs high, but over 200 may not be for me, at this time. I realize carbs are what give you the most energy, but I dont move around enough to be comfortable eating that many carbs. I'm still trying to focus only on manipulating my nutrition with my home workouts, NO cardio at this time. If I were doing cardio, I could see adding a little more carbs, but as if now i think my max will be 200. Fats i feel like i respond well to, so i increased them a tad. I always keep protein steady because I just dont see the point in me eating eating more than 150g. If you swipe right you can see every single meal I am eating this week. This is not me saying you need to eat this to be healthy, this is me giving you an example of what it is like having a healthy meal plan that works for me. Everyone is different. Some people thrive on 300+ carbs, but I would feel like a balloon if I ate that many! Hope everyone is having a great Sunday! #happy #healthy #mealplan #mealprep #sunday #prepared #prep #tracking #reversedieting #nutrition #macros #goals #fitness #fitspo #fitlifestyle #progress https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx71jxjnqb_/?igshid=1fmop5s23tryy

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Sunday meal prep! Lot of similarities to last week, but if you check out the next post, you will see the macros and breakdown of all meals. Excited about making progress! #mealprep #mealplan #tracking #goals #fitness #fitspo #fitlife #prep #healthy #happy #progress https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx70OvUnv8g/?igshid=1stni03jp5uxu

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😁😁 making progress!! So many updates too. Made some food adjustments in the past few days, which I'll post an update shortly, and it has made a difference! Basically, I keep making adjustments to my nutrition plan based on my appearance, energy levels, how much (if any) bloat the next morning, and how my workouts feel. Now that I can see my abs a little more, I know the changes I made were positive. Not that having or showing abs equal healthy, but it's in line with one of my current goals. Now time for some meal prep and workout prep! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx7pAWhHchD/?igshid=g6awgsg1fsd2

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So happy with the work I've been putting in, both in my workouts and my nutrition. It's even more motivating when you can see the physical changes, not just feel the changes in your mood and energy. Sometimes it takes a while, but consistency is so important. I'm so thankful for my love of fitness, I feel so much healthier than I did in my early twenties... mostly because I drank a lot when I was in the military. I feel really thankful for a lot of things in my life actually - my amazing family, wonderful husband, great friends (I dont have a lot, but the ones I have are truly good people), health, home, good job... I know I take my life for granted, but in the moments where I'm truly thankful, it really hits me with how much I have. Hope everyone is having a great day, getting some exercise and movement in some capacity, and fueling your bodies with healthy food! #happy #thankful #fitness #goals #workout #homeworkout #bodypositivity #fitspo #fitnessmotivation #fitnessgoal #exercise #prep #fitlifestyle https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxz16MPnwh2/?igshid=1jlo4vmqt16y3

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Look at that beautiful meal prep 😁 everything ready to go for the week! Not pictured are my protein bars. Most of my groceries come from aldi, but my sweet potatoes are from Bilo. Never have had good luck with aldi sweet potatoes for some reason. #mealprep #prepared #macros #reversedieting #healthy #clean #goals #fitness #happy #fitspo #fitspiration #prep #lifestyle #progress #tracking #positivity #sunday https://www.instagram.com/p/BxqU3yYHPAg/?igshid=1fjxwp7gw32cg