Sharing the books I read in June and if I’d recommend adding them to your collection!

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful week! I’m so happy you liked the Anniversary Sale picks. While there’s not as huge of a selection as they’ve had in previous years, there’s still lots of good stuff!

For today’s post, I wanted to share a recap of recent reads. I haven’t been reading quite as much as usual since I was so focused on finishing IHP2, but I’m back in reading action with a mix of fun fluff + more educational fare. I’ve added so much to my list over the past month, so I’m looking forward to diving into some new ones on the list.

Here’s what I read in June!

(Dress on sale here)

June 2023 Book Recap

Mistress of Rome

I love Kate Quinn and am on a mission to read all of her books. It was pleasantly surprising to find out that this book is part of a 4-part series, and I’m already on the second book. It’s more a slow burn than some of her previous novels I’ve read (The Huntress, Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, The Alice Network), but it gradually builds until a crazy, satisfying ending. Since I typically read more WWII era historical fiction, it was a treat to read about an entirely different time period, and also learn a lot about what it might have been like in first-century Rome. 9/10 recommend and it lined up perfectly with our trip and the ability to see the Coliseum again in person.

From Amazon:

First-century Rome: One young woman will hold the fate of an empire in her hands.

Thea, a captive from Judaea, is a clever and determined survivor hiding behind a slave’s docile mask. Purchased as a toy for the spoiled heiress Lepida Pollia, Thea evades her mistress’s spite and hones a secret passion for music. But when Thea wins the love of Rome’s newest and most savage gladiator and dares to dream of a better life, the jealous Lepida tears the lovers apart and casts Thea out.

Rome offers many ways for the resourceful to survive, and Thea remakes herself as a singer for the Eternal ’City’s glittering aristocrats. As she

Get your summer body all year long with Summer Shape Up.

Summer is finally here which means my Summer Shape Up Challenge is BACK! Are you ready to confidently rock that bikini? If you are not quite where you want to be, we’ve got you covered. I have put together a foolproof plan to help you achieve your summer body goals in just six weeks. Let me show you how.

Step 1: Setting Goals: Know what you want!

The first step in your journey is setting realistic and achievable goals. Whether you want to lose a few pounds, tone your body, or simply feel stronger, outlining what you want to do will allow you to build habits to get there.

Start by visualizing your dream summer body and break it down into smaller milestones. 

Step 2: Have a Plan: A roadmap designed for YOU!

Now that you know what you want, you need to know how to get there. My 6 week Summer Shape Up challenge gives you a step by step, easy to follow and stick to plan to get results. No diets. No crazy intense gym workouts. Just 30 minutes a day at home.  

Step 3: Fuel Your Body Right

Let’s talk nutrition! The key to how you feel and lose weight is centered around what you put into your body. Our Summer Shape Up Nutrition Plan is an easy to follow ebook for 6 weeks. It includes both my Hot Body Meal Plan and my 14 Day Shape Up and is full of healthy recipes and nutritional tips to support your fitness journey. Nourishing your body with wholesome, delicious meals is a vital part of reaching your goals. With the SSU eBook, you’ll have all the tools you need to create balanced and satisfying meals that will leave you energized and ready to conquer the world.

To get the best results, our LSF Nutrition line offers clean and effective supplements designed specifically for women. From protein powders to energy boosts perfect for before your workout, we’ve got you covered. Fueling your body with the right nutrients w

Hi friends! Happy Friday! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the morning so far. Today, I’m off to a barre class and then meeting up with a friend for lunch to talk about some exciting upcoming plans. What are you up this weekend? We’re having friends over for sushi night, and I’m going to start ordering the kids’ uniforms and supplies for back to school. I can’t believe it’s less than a month away and wish it could just be summer forever. I’m definitely enjoying the slower pace. I hope you have a fun and wonderful weekend ahead!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

Exciting news:

I finished IHP Level 2! WAHOO! While it took me a long time to finish – I really wanted to learn and absorb as much as possible, and didn’t take the course to simply pass the tests – it was so worth it, and I’m honestly a little sad that it’s over. It was over 100 hours of learning, and I’m so pumped for this new certification and the ability to offer functional labs for my 1:1 clients (and also in the new group coaching program I’m working on creating). If you’re interested in learning more, send me an email at gina@fitnessista.com with the subject COACHING and I can share the different options with you.

If you’re interested in exploring a new career or if you want to take your current fitness or wellness practice to the next level, I can’t say enough great things about IHP. You can check out the details here, and if you use the code FITNESSISTA, you can get up to $250 off levels 1 and 2.

Celebratory dinner at Vivace:

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful day!

I’ve got a new podcast episode up this morning, and am chatting with Sara Frenza about changing body composition.

137: Top 3 body composition mistakes to avoid with Sara Frenza

Here are some of the things we talk about in this episode:

– Top mistakes we see when it comes to changing body composition

– What body composition means

– Different factors that affect metabolic health

– How to eat more protein

and so.much.more!

Here’s a bit more about Sara and her background:

Sara Frenza is a published fitness model and writer, nutrition and body transformation coach, and the owner of Sara Frenza Fitness and Nutrition. After overcoming her own struggles with chronic dieting and post-pregnancy weight gain, Sara discovered a sustainable approach to losing over 50 lbs. and transforming her body composition. Now, she helps women achieve their dream bodies through her 1:1 coaching program, focusing on the exclusive Restore, Lean out, and Sustain body transformation protocol. With a passion for empowering women, Sara has been published in top fitness magazines and graced the covers twice. Her journey from avoiding mirrors to becoming a fitness model in her 40s serves as an inspiration to women worldwide.

You can connect with Sara on Instagram and on her website. Download a copy of her free recipe ebook here.

More resources from this episode:

Check out this podcast episode about progressive overload training and how it works.

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don’t currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don’t begin on this path. They’re friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it! Read more

I’m sharing 10 high protein snacks that don’t use protein powder. These whole food, protein-packed snacks will keep you satisfied while you’re on the go!

Looking for quick and easy protein snacks that won’t make you choke on a mouthful of powder? 

I hear you! Whether you want to keep your blood sugar stable, boost your weight loss efforts, or simply fuel your body with healthy protein, I’ve got great high-protein snack ideas for you.

I’ll introduce you to a world of delicious options, from crunchy roasted chickpeas to creamy nut butter treats. These protein-packed snacks come with impressive grams of protein per serving, and they’re so delicious that you’ll forget you’re even snacking for health. 

Plus, I’ll throw in a little fun fact: did you know that cucumbers are a surprisingly good source of protein? Who knew?

So grab your cup of joe and let’s snack smart, snack deliciously, and snack our way to happiness and health!

10 High-Protein Snacks Without Protein Powder

While I love a good protein shake, and there are some delicious protein bars on the market, today I want to share some tasty snack ideas that don’t use any fancy protein powders. These ideas and simple recipes are made with whole food ingredients that are packed with protein — naturally!

Whether you need to refuel after a workout or are simply trying to make it from lunch to dinner during a long workday, these protein-packed snacks will help power you through your day.

Roasted Chickpeas

These roasted chickpeas make such a delicious and healthy snack! They’re perfectly seasoned, a bit spicy, and super easy to prepare. They’re perfect for parties, snacking in front of the TV, road trips, and so much more! Get the recipe for roasted chickpeas (pictured above) from Vegan Heaven.

Protein Pancakes

Rise and shine, breakfast lovers! Who says pancakes can’t be part of a healthy, high-protein lifestyle? Enter protein pancakes, the perfect blend of fluffiness and fuel. These breakfast beauties are a delicious way to start your day, packed with essential amino acids to keep you energized for whatever comes your way. 

Whip up a stack of these golden delights, topped with your favorite fruits and a drizzle of maple syrup, and savor every bite. With protein pancakes in your breakfast arsenal, you’ll conquer the day with a full belly and a smile on your face. 

Jerky or Meat Sticks

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