HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language; it’s the language used to create web pages and considered the building blocks for how a page will display to the viewer.
I had a conversation with a middle-school-age girl, whom I’ve known since she was born, over the weekend that illuminated to me how critical it is that we examine how we speak to ourselves.
She was telling me that she is really lazy. I don’t think it’s uncommon for kids to be considered lazy. By definition, it means unwilling to work or use energy. And in certain situations, I know laziness is the default label we use when we experience someone trying to avoid work or responsibilities.
My premonition though is that the lazy label she’s given herself could lend to this beautiful, vibrant young woman potentially not achieving her potential simply because she believes she is too lazy to. And that saddens me.
This actually came up recently with a new nutrition client I’m working with. During our first session, I had to administer some tough love regarding the depreciating self-talk. I do not tolerate it and here’s why: our language, the words we choose, are incredibly powerful. When we speak, whether we are addressing others, or ourselves, attributes to our internal programming.
There are many real-world examples of this, unfortunately. Children being told they’re “no good” or “losers” who won’t amount to anything and then we watch these kids actualize behaviors that affirm the labels they were given.
I saw the conversation I had with the girl as an opportunity to help her reframe her “laziness” as a means of energy conservation so that when she finds there is something that lights her up, she’ll have the energy to pursue it with purpose. I encouraged her to use language that signifies conservation of energy so as to not justify the label of laziness.
Granted, it might not get her out of her share of chores at home but I do believe that there is great power in shifting how we label ourselves and our behaviors.
If you are using depreciating self-talk or language of any kind towards yourself, please stop immediately.
You become what you believe yourself to be so if you’re constantly calling yourself a fat ass or pig, talking about your lack of discipline or that you can’t achieve what you want because you’re lazy or whatever, you are creating your reality.
Your choice of words – your personal HTML is code for how YOU view yourself internally and how you display yourself externally.
Your language is literally coding you so please stop talking down to yourself. Choose your words, your HTML, wisely.
Learn how to prioritize nutrition to support deficiencies.
The body is amazing. And complex.
Dysregulation and dysfunction are often a by-product of nutritional deficiencies. All systems in the body are regulated by the nutrients we assimilate through the foods we consume. Therefore, if we lack a balance of macronutrients (protein, fatty acids, and carbohydrates) or micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) the result could be a decline in basic system functions (digestion, for example) and in turn, health.
I believe that knowledge is power.
And, I want to help people gain access to the information – and resources – they need to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing by way of nutrition.
I’m offering a new option for people who would like to not only better understand where they could use additional nutrient support but also allow for the management of their wellbeing on their own schedule in a way that fits the dynamic of their life.
This package has two independent options; the Nutritional Deficiencies Analysis and the Customized Nutrient and Lifestyle Recommendations which are based on the results of the analysis and goals.
The analysis, by itself, is $35. You can do what you wish with the results; there is no obligation to work with me or opt into the second option.
The Customized Nutrient and Lifestyle Recommendations is $168 and includes evaluation of dietary and lifestyle habits based on the Nutritional Deficiencies Analysis results and other biomarkers, review of health goals and concerns to help guide recommendations, and personalized suggestions to follow to optimize your wellbeing on your own schedule and terms. This option does not include ongoing support or accountability so please keep that in mind if you desire guidance to implement dietary or lifestyle changes.
The graph above shows where a client of mine needs therapeutic nutrition support: her liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and need for fatty acids all scored high priority based on the analysis. Based on this information, I was able to create personalized dietary and supplementation recommendations to support the areas identified as needing a little extra help.
The Nutritional Deficiencies Analysis is not intended to diagnose any illness or disease but rather illuminates the need for foundational support through nutrition.
If you have any questions or want to explore any of my services to determine which one might be the most beneficial for you, please do not hesitate to connect with me. I’m here to empower you to live your life with vibrancy!
Eggs, raw cheese, grapefruit, honey, half & half, coffee. Simple and effective.
Feeling crappy is more affordable.
Swinging through the fast-food joint is way more convenient than preparing real food at home.
Turning a blind eye to symptoms of dysfunction is easier than dealing with the root cause of why you feel tired, bloated, suffer from reactions to certain foods, experience digestive issues, have a low libido, etc.
However, the conversion rate of those inquiries into clients is pretty low.
Why? Because people aren’t willing to invest in themselves. It’s too expensive.
Private, one-to-one nutrition support and guidance is not worth feeling good, losing excess body fat, achieving performance goals, or reaching a better state of health and wellness.
Buying high-quality, organic, whole foods that require actual cooking, and top-of-the-line supplements fall into the same category. Feeling crappy is simply more affordable.
And if you are suffering from any sort of ill health or chronic condition, not to fear! There’s a ton of prescription medications that’ll fix you right up. They’re definitely more “affordable” than real food.
But here’s the thing, if you desire to change how you feel, it requires that you change what’s on your plate.
Personally, I choose to buy the highest quality foods I can get my hands on because they make me feel good. And the foods you consume should make you feel good!
If your cells aren’t singing after you eat (because remember, the foods we consume are the raw materials that build every cell, tissue, and organ and activate their supporting functions in our bodies), you’re not eating real food.
Do you want your body to be constructed from Doritos? Or nutrient-dense, whole foods that supply ample nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to thrive?
Foods that are produced with regenerative farming practices, pasture-raised, grass-fed, non-GMO, organic, and otherwise thoughtfully produced matter. They are more nutrient-dense than their counterparts and provide more bio-available vitamins and minerals. More bang for your buck, so to speak.
I’m worth the investment. And so are you. Our health and well-being are worthy of the greatest care regardless of the price tag.
If you’re on the fence about investing in your health, consider the cost of not…
Allergies, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel, leaky gut, mood disorders, cognitive decline, diabetes and metabolic dysfunction, heart disease, cancer…. what will those cost you?
A bunch of years ago, a good friend of mine was approaching his 50th birthday. He was a fellow runner and together, we had formed a small running club in our community and I volunteered with a couple of youth running programs he organizes through his work with kids.
As the date approached, he decided that he wanted to commemorate it by running 50 miles the week of his birthday.
Being the friend that I am and always one to want to see my friends succeed with their endeavors, I offered to run as many of the 50 miles with him as scheduling would allow (his birthday falls around the holidays and I believe he had plans to travel out of state).
I can’t recall all the details but I do remember that at some point (early on if memory serves me), he felt like he’d bitten off more than he could chew. However, I was not about to let him quit. I made it my mission to cheer him on, to encourage him, and to drag his butt out to hit the pavement when he wanted to do anything but run.
He gave me the nickname Pry Bar.
And, he ended up running all 50 miles over the seven days. I was so incredibly proud of him and grateful that I could support him in achieving what he set out to accomplish.
I’m sharing this because a few days ago, I decided to cancel my February Aligned Activation workshop and not schedule any additional ones at least for the immediate future.
There are a handful of reasons which I may expand on at a later time. But the number one reason is that I prefer the intimacy of working with people one-on-one. Group coaching feels sterile to me. I want to have real conversations, not just speak into a social media abyss. I want to connect and know who I’m working with… What makes them tick. What lights them on fire. What scares the shit out of them. What their roadblocks are. And, how I can best support them in whatever goals they desire to achieve.
I may not be able to physically go run with someone that has the goal to complete their first 5k or train for a half marathon. But I can offer support in overcoming challenges. I can provide perspective when things seem unclear. I can help generate a game plan and facilitate the creation of strategies that align with the goal.
I can be your steadfast co-pilot, your biggest fan, and your loudest cheerleader.
What I’ve decided to offer in lieu of monthly workshops is private goal support mentoring. A la carte style; 44-minute private, one-on-one sessions for $44.
Together, with your desired outcome as a guide, we troubleshoot anything you feel is holding you back. We’ll explore whatever it is that you need to succeed, whether it be gaining clarity around what you seek to accomplish, the creation of systems, examining tools for implementing tangible actions, time management, habit stacking, or whatever else support looks like to you to help actualize your vision.
If you need your own personal Pry Bar or a HYpe woman in your corner, I’m your gal!
After taking a few months off from posting on social media about nutrition-related topics, I’ve recently begun to feel the pull to re-emerge in the nutrition sphere.
I am just too damn passionate about high-quality whole foods that are thoughtfully produced and sourced. I care too much about helping people understand the damage that is being done inside their bodies, robbing them of vibrancy and destroying their chances at living life to the absolute fullest, by consuming ultra-processed pseudo-food-like products. I so badly want to help people improve their quality of life and provide them with the tools and strategies they need to do so.
But that isn’t the intention of this post. You can read a recent Instagram post I wrote on the topic HERE if you’re curious.
Anyway, I’ve started to dabble with sharing some of my current meals, and on a few occasions, I shared images of my egg waffle sandwiches. I damn near broke the internet! And, it provided a sobering epiphany.
The posts generated a lot of interest and curiosity. And questions about ingredients, ratios, instructions, etc.
Utilizing what I had on hand.
I don’t really offer recipes. Unless it’s for a baked good, I don’t follow recipes when I create meals. I create meals based on my personal preference for high-quality, whole-food ingredients. I structure meals around things I have on hand and readily available rather than “cravings” and needing to make a quick trip to the store. My meals are based on what my nutrient needs are, and depending on if I’m working toward fitness or esthetic pursuits, my macronutrient targets. I do my best to allow my intuition to guide me.
So back to my egg waffle sandwich. It’s pretty simple. I currently need a high amount of protein. I also need ample essential fatty acids and some carbohydrates to fuel my activity level. My hens and ducks are laying like crazy and since eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, I consume them frequently. I don’t eat grains and only occasionally indulge in store-bought grain-free bread, but sometimes I want a vessel to make a sandwich out of.
Egg, cheese, and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder).
Enter the egg waffle. For which I have no recipe. Sometimes I make it with one whole chicken egg and a couple of servings of egg whites with a small portion of shredded mozzarella cheese. Lately, a duck egg, which is roughly the equivalent of two small chicken eggs, and some egg whites and no cheese. Or maybe a couple teaspoons of parmesan. Other times I might do two whole large chicken eggs and some egg whites. Or not. With cheese, if I have some/want some. Or not.
Are you beginning to see where I’m going? There is no recipe. There’s no IT HAS TO BE THESE EXACT INGREDIENTS IN THIS SPECIFIC RATIO. There aren’t any directions other than combining whatever you prefer and have so there’s enough liquid to cover the surface of whatever style of waffle maker you’re using, plug the appliance in, and let it cook until your maker indicates it’s done. Put whatever you want on top.
In one of the posts I wrote, within my HY PERFORMANCE Facebook group, I specifically said the intention of sharing a few of my recent meals was to inspire ideas. Not to provide recipes.
What struck me after receiving a number of messages asking for more details, I realized that collectively, we’ve not learned how to create simple meals from whole-food ingredients. We’ve been taught to open a package, boil the contents, and then add the accompanying seasoning packet. Remove the product from the box, puncture the plastic wrap, and put it in the microwave for three minutes. Open a can, put the substance inside in a pot, and warm it up over medium-low heat. Take the innard product out of the shroud it came in, split the contents into twelve pieces, put them on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Enough liquid mixture to coat the waffle maker.
What happened to free thinking? Ingenuity? Creativity?
We’ve become dependent on packaged processed foods because we don’t know what to eat or how to prepare foods that don’t come from a box or a can or other sealed mold to promote a long shelf life.
(Don’t even get me started on “I don’t know what to eat” statements. My brain implodes when I hear someone say that. I literally lose brain cells.)
The waffle maker does its magic.
Even having had this epiphany, I still believe it would be a disservice to provide recipes. Part of my role as a coach is to teach people self-sufficiency. Independence. And even innovation.
If I provided meals plans, told clients exactly what to eat and when, or shared an endless stream of recipes with detailed instructions with ratios of ingredients and/or nutrients that might not even be ideal for the individual following it, they wouldn’t learn how to tap into their wellspring of creativity. A healthy dose of curiosity leads to experimentation and exploration of new ways to prepare whole foods using a variety of techniques.
I’ll happily continue to offer ideas based on combinations that I’m currently enjoying. Just remember that my needs are vastly different from your needs so don’t misconstrue these ideas as being a recommendation that you should eat like I eat. My dietary protocol is unique to my bio-individuality, my goals, personal preferences, food budget, and home/family dynamic.
If you would like more guidance on dialing in a nutrition plan while learning how to navigate some of these challenges, explore my Functional Nutrition services page and see if there’s an option that fits your needs.
Please reach out if you have any questions or want to book a call to chat and see if my style of coaching would be a good fit for you.
I do what I do for ME. You do what you do for YOU.
I cannot want for you what you want for you more than you want it.
During a conversation with a client a few weeks ago, I made the comment that I have often felt that I want what she wants for herself more than she does.
For the record, I adore this client. I do want her to achieve what she desires so badly, and I have absolute faith that she is capable of it.
But over the course of our time together, it often seemed that I was dragging her instead of walking alongside her.
And to be frank, that’s not my job as a coach and mentor.
I am a portal for transformation.
However, if you want to be in my field and experience the fruition of whatever goals you have, the requirement is that you take the initiative to enter. And show up for yourself. Every. Single. Day.
I cannot do the work for you.
I can guide you, support you, steer you in the right direction, make recommendations, give you ideas, provide feedback, be your loudest cheerleader, and celebrate every win with you. But if I want it for you more than you do, it won’t work. Period.
I’m setting new boundaries with how I hold space for clients. My desire is to work with clients who are ALL IN.
I frequently get inquiries and messages from people who exclaim “I’m ready!” And then weeks pass without any action or further discussion. You’re either all the fuck in or not. There is no “I’m kind of ready” or “I think I’m ready but still on the fence about how ready I really am because life is crazy and I’m not sure and maybe next week, or next month, or in 2025 when my kid graduates high school will be better and then I’ll really be ready.”
I’ve worked with people who’ve said all the right things yet fail to follow through. I’ve had clients forget about their check-in appointments or get busy and not prioritize their commitment to themselves (and honor my time). I’ve witnessed every aspect of self-sabotage you can imagine.
My intention is not to be callous or without compassion. But it would be a disservice if I were to avoid administering a touch of tough love to trigger you a little bit.
If you have considered or are considering working with me, know that the requirement is going to be that you’re willing to prove that you’re all in.
Three life lessons I learned from raising ducklings this year.
I wanted a duck. One. Not three. But because I’m a “leap and the net will appear” type of gal, I often jump into things without preparing myself assuming that I’ll learn as I go.
This serves me pretty well for the most part. It keeps life interesting and my Mister on his toes. Ha!
Back in April, I was looking for chicks but chicks weren’t yet available at the feed store; ducklings were ample. I bought two. I figured if I was going to get one, a second one just made sense.
Unfortunately, one of the ducklings didn’t survive more than a week. I didn’t want the remaining one to be alone so back to the feed store I went for a replacement. There were two left. The clerk begged me to take both and informed me that they cannot be alone. They need to be in pairs or groups. He didn’t even charge me for it. I got a buy-one-get-one-free deal!
And that’s how I ended up with three ducks and three lessons.
Lesson One
The phrase “ducks in a row” is an idiom that basically means to have details in order, be well organized, prepared, or in proper position before embarking on a new project or undertaking.
I most certainly did not have my ducks in a row when I entered the feed store that fateful day in April. If I had waited based upon the technicality that I had no idea what I was doing, I would have missed out on a lot of joy over the past eight months.
I find it interesting that a natural characteristic of ducks is to walk in a row but slightly abreast. If you’ve never had the opportunity to observe ducks, they literally waddle around abreast with one another but slightly staggered. It’s quite comical. Their positioning is orderly without order, inline and misaligned, perfectly imperfect.
We often wait until the right time before we begin to do something. Waiting until things are in order, our schedules are clear, one project is complete before moving on to the next. The lesson I’ve extracted is that sometimes we need to leap before our ducks are in a row because frankly, they’ll never quite be inline.
Lesson Two
Their cooperativeness is affected by my energy. Unlike chickens, ducks do not tuck themselves in for the night. My three are part-time free-range ducks so when we let them out, we have to physically go shoo them back into their coop before it gets dark. Or, if we get delayed, in the dark which is even more fun.
It has gotten a little easier as they’ve become better trained but there’s also some strategy involved. And, one of the strategies I’ve come to employ is approaching them with a demeanor that exudes calm and unruffled (no pun intended).
They can read my energy. I’ve gone out to put them away and in my own haste, have ended up unproductively chasing them around in circles as my frustration level rapidly rises. In turn, they become leerier of my intentions and get worked up. So I get more worked up and advance from frustration to agitation. They get even more defiant and I get more pissed. And then… it just keeps escalating.
I either have to walk away and come back later or send for reinforcement. (AKA Papa Rooster, my mister, who is the true keeper of our flock.)
Anyway, they are much more compliant when I tend to them when I’m intentional about my energy. Isn’t that the case in most situations? We have the power to choose how we respond and therefore, the outcome.
Lesson Three
The net really will appear.
Any decision to do something comes with a learning curve. Preparing has its place and being proactive, instead of reactive, is a smart strategy a lot of the time.
But also, sometimes diving head-first into something forces you to rise up to meet the occasion. You can put one foot in front of the other and learn as you go. You can begin before you feel you’re ready. You can learn to trust your whims and that somehow, someway, everything will work out okay.
Sometimes you simply have to have unwavering trust and faith that the net will appear.
Walking into 2022 like I’m ready for a revolution.
Yes, you read that right.
New Year’s Revolution.
I’ve never been much of a fan of New Year’s resolutions. The act of resolving something typically stems from the desire to find a solution to a problem.
In the case of a person setting a New Year’s resolution, the root of desired change stems from the belief that there is something unsatisfactory – or wrong – about the person or their behaviors. And sure, some habits may be categorized as unfavorable but anytime we approach change from a place of self-deprecation, we are not setting ourselves up for success.
By definition, resolution means to make a firm decision to do, or not do, something. However, it doesn’t address the need for actual actions that align with what the desired outcome is.
You can make a decision to do something or not do something. To state a solution to a problem or problematic behavior is easy. But it doesn’t necessarily equate to change and that’s why I believe so many people are challenged in keeping their resolve.
Revolution on the other hand implies radical change as a byproduct of activity or movement designed to affect change. It also means in favor of a new system.
In order to evoke change, we have to be willing to actually change our behaviors. And the overtone of the word revolution elicits action and being in favor of new ways to do so. It’s not co-dependent upon feeling bad about ourselves but instead birthed from a place of self-love, excitement, and curiosity about what kind of radical change we can create.
That is my perception of it anyway and from my own experience, a more sustainable approach to achieving goals whether they begin at the start of a new year or on a Tuesday in the middle of May.
I practice what I preach and I invite you to consider this as we approach January 1: are you ready for radical change or are you going to settle for stating you have a solution to X but have no tangible steps to actually achieve it?
The core elements of Aligned Activation are intended to help navigate the nonlinear nuances of actualizing desires. If you’re looking for some support, my January workshop will be looking into the prioritization of priorities in relation to actualizing a goal or achievement.
Actualization of a goal hinges on one’s ability to filter thoughts, actions, feelings towards, etc., through the lens that correlates to the desired outcome.
I’m a protein forward practitioner. When I help my clients fine-tune their macronutrient ratios, protein is always the nutrient we target first and takes priority. We easily get enough fat and carbohydrates in our diets. Protein is another story.
If you’re unsure how much protein you should be consuming, and why, here’s a generalized summary of why protein is so important and how to determine your requirements.
First and foremost, proteins are the precursor to nearly every chemical process (think enzymes, antibodies, and peptide hormones which affect the endocrine system) and the building blocks for all tissues, organs, nerves, and muscles in the body.
Proteins and essential for digestion and detoxification. Proteins in the foods you consume actually trigger chemical reactions in your body to tell your digestive system what is needed to break down the foods you eat. If you’re consuming too little protein or not eating protein with every meal (or snack), your digestive system won’t operate optimally and you risk maximizing nutrient absorption.
Proteins improve satiety and increase thermogenesis. That means you’ll feel satisfied longer and you’ll burn more calories simply by eating more protein.
They rebuild tissues and are imperative for muscle growth and repair. Even if you’re not trying to “bulk up,” building muscle and staying strong later in life is vital. Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) is attributed to injuries in the elderly due to instability and weakness of the muscles and thus causing falls and other accidents.
Generally, you should aim to consume .75 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. Bodybuilders and those really pushing to increase muscle mass for sport may increase higher, up to 1.2 grams per pound. If you’re trying to lose weight or are an athlete, protein requirements should be adjusted to meet individual factors. If overweight, generally, I’d recommend your protein intake, in grams, be roughly equal to your goal weight.
Customization is based on age, gender, activity level, caloric intake, digestive function, and goals.
The best complete sources of protein that contain all nine essential amino acids come from nutrient-dense whole foods: meat, fish, eggs, and some dairy products if tolerated by the individual. Whey protein is a supplement that should be used secondary to whole foods but a great option to bridge the gap when transitioning to higher protein intake.
Vegetable proteins from nuts, seeds, and vegetables count towards total protein consumption but do not contain all nine essential amino acids so make sure you’re eating a diverse array of foods for good overall health and adequate protein.
If getting enough protein is a challenge, this is my area of expertise. Reach out and we can create a plan to ensure you’re getting enough to meet (or meat, HA!) your needs.
I’m a huge advocate for the collection of data to better understand how the body is responding to dietary manipulation in tandem with fitness pursuits.
And, there is a wide spectrum of tools and resources available; the scale is simply one of them.
I believe that what we measure, we can better manage. We are better able to create our desired outcome when we have a clear understanding of the metrics. Where we begin, the collection of data through various modalities to monitor progress over time, and what that looks like in terms of the trajectory of where we are versus where we are headed are important aspects of the process of modifying body composition.
We so easily get fixated on one aspect of measurement that it becomes difficult to view the bigger picture.
With my private nutrition clients, I utilize a number of different tools for gauging progress depending on the client’s comfort level. Scale weight, measurements, and photographs are the most common ones because they are among the easiest.
I’ve also recommended body composition analysis, which is my favorite tool because the data is so in-depth but it’s not the most convenient option. (More on this below.)
For some clients, using other biomarkers such as overall feelings of wellbeing, improvement in sleep, consistent bowel movements, increased energy, etc. are used.
I’ve had clients use a garment to help keep track of their composition changes by monitoring how the clothing fits and feels each time they put it on. (I’m a fan of this one too! Getting reports from clients that something that previously didn’t fit, now does, is a powerful way to witness the needle moving forward!)
I find that clients that embrace using a variety of these tools have better results. And by better results, I’m not only talking about weight loss or muscle gain. Having a solid grasp on changes in the body based upon data is really empowering; knowledge is literally power!
As for me personally, I monitor my body composition via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) by InBody pretty infrequently because it’s not something that’s easily accessible. But I really appreciate the insight it provides me when I do make the effort. (And by effort, I’ll have you know that I delayed my coffee consumption by nearly four hours this morning which was absolute torture!!)
There are a number of other analysis tools via bioelectrical scan, hydrostatic weighing, etc., and I highly recommend seeking it out if you’re as interested in data and monitoring body composition changes as I am. Even infrequent analysis is worth it!
I wasn’t overly surprised by anything the data revealed, except for the fact that I am apparently shrinking. I’ve asserted that I’m a solid 5’7 despite knowing that I’m actually 5’6 ¾. However, today I was 5’6 ½. Geesh.
There are two main reasons I opted to get tested. First, I was curious about where my body fat percentage is currently sitting as I near the end of an anabolic state (building) or, in other words, trying to add some muscle mass to my frame before I switch to a catabolic phase.
The other reason is that I have deficiencies that I’m trying to resolve. For example, my right leg has more muscle mass than my left leg, which is visually apparent (and not ideal when symmetry is important for my sport), and I’ve been working to create more balance. My efforts seem to be helping so that was good news.
(Today’s analysis did reveal that my arms are pretty imbalanced too, which I wasn’t aware of. My right arm is significantly smaller than my left. Dang, I’m lopsided! Lol.)
My intention in sharing all of this is to let you know that there are so many ways to observe our progress when we are striving towards making changes. And oftentimes, the best results are ones that we have the most difficulty “seeing” in ourselves.
Also, I am now offering a year-long coaching package! If you would benefit from having long-term support to help you navigate your personal nutrition needs, and accountability completely customized to you, check out the details via the link below.
The investment is your declaration that you are ready to take radical responsibility for your health and wellbeing and I’d be honored to take the journey with you.
Information about the package can be found on my Functional Nutrition page. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
hylaridenour.com 