Tips to get through 75 Hard

 Tips to get through 75 Hard 

Although I haven't completed the program yet, there are few tips and tricks I've learned thus far to help me get through the daily tasks of the #75Hard challenge. 

In case you don't know the rules of #75Hard, I'll share them below. You can also check out my previous blog post for more information.  

Okay so now you know the rules, lets discuss some ways that will make your life a little easier while doing the challenge. 

1. As SOON as you get out of bed, take your progress photo. 

This may sound silly, but if you've done any research on this challenge, you know that this task is the one almost everyone overlooks.  It sounds easy, so you put it off and before you know it the day slips away from you and you forget.  Don't let that be you! 

2. Start drinking your water as early as possible. 

Needless to say, you don't want to be up all night peeing.  The earlier you start, the better off you'll be.

 I would also highly recommend drinking room temperature water.  It's extremely difficult to chug ice cold water! Not only that, but when I was training for Miss USA, my trainer recommended that I start drinking room temperature water because ice cold water shocks your system (think of when you jump into an ice cold pool.. thats how your body feels) and it slows your metabolism down. 

3.  Attend a workout class for one of your 45 minute workouts. 

I know workout classes aren't for everyone, but in today's world there is such a wide array of classes you can choose from.  Whether it's yoga, spin, aerobics, crossfit, etc... pick anything you think you might be interested in and book a class.  The reason I recommend doing a class as one of your 45 min workouts is because once you book a class, you'll be even more obligated to go.  It's scheduled and your paying for it.  No backing out now! 

4.  Download the 75 Hard App and place it on your home screen. 

You can find the 75 Hard app in the app store! It does cost money... I want to say its $4.99 or somewhere around there, but it's SO worth it.  It's a GREAT accountability tool, you're able to track your progress, and if you place the app on your home screen it's a great daily reminder. 

5.  Develop a mantra. 

There are going be days that are tough.  Write down a few mantras that you can always come back to during the difficult moments.  

A few of mine are: 

Take it day by day. 

Wake up. Kick Ass. Be kind.

I'm doing this for me. 

6. Plan ahead. 

Meal prep whenever you can.  You never want to be in a situation where you can't stick to your diet.  This also goes for your workouts.  I travel for a living so planning out when and where I'll be able to workout is vital to my success.  I would recommend scheduling your workouts in your calendar or planner.  You might not always stick to your schedule exactly but at least you'll have an idea of what your day NEEDS to look like.  

7.  When your body feels tired, take the intensity out of your workouts. 

Some days your body is going to be tired.  I mean 75 days of two a days will do somethin' to ya.  When you feel tired, just go for a light walk or do yoga.  

8.  Purchase a gallon sized water bottle. 

I have one and I've been pouring my water from that water bottle into other glasses throughout the day.  It's much easier to keep track when you're pouring from one bottle rather than trying to add up how many glasses and ounces you've had.  

9.  Do your research. 

I read a lot of blogs, listened to the Real AF podcast, and did a lot of research before starting the challenge.  I wanted to be as prepared as possible.  You can learn so much from other peoples experiences!  For me personally, I think doing so set me up for success right away.  I knew the challenges other people faced, so I was able to plan and prepare accordingly.  

10.  Remember your WHY. 

There are going to days that tough.  You are going to be exhausted.  You might even want to give up, but in those moments you have to remember why you started.  Maybe you needed a change, wanted to lose some weight, wanted to become a better leader, or excel in your career.  You must always hold your why close to your heart!

Best of luck to anyone starting this journey! Hope this helped! 

Xoxo

Ashley 

 

Why I'm doing the 75 Hard Challenge

The 75 Hard Challenge 

You're probably wondering what #75Hard is, and why the heck am I doing this to myself. Well, I'm about to share ALL of that with you.  

On Sunday, September 20th, 2020 I decided to start the #75Hard Challenge which consists of

1. Follow a diet.  Zero cheat meals & No Alcohol for the full 75 days. 

2. Workout 2x per day for 45 minutes.  One workout must be outdoors. 

3. Drink a gallon of water per day. 

4. Read 10 pages of a non-fiction book. 

5.  Take a progress photo. 

Zero Compromise, Zero Substitutions. 

 If you fail at any one task, you must go back to day one.

Now, you may look at that list and think to yourself that sounds crazy- which it is! It's definitely not for everyone.  In fact, Andy Frisella the entrepreneur who started the #75Hard movement says that only 1% of people who start #75Hard will actually finish.  (ummm challenge accepted?!)

So, why on earth would I put myself through something like this?  Well, because I'm eager for change and growth in my life. I want to do something for myself, I want to prove to myself that I'm resilient, and most importantly I want to step into my power and develop mental toughness.  Competing for Miss New Mexico year after year, I always had a goal in front of me.  For almost a decade, I was focused on competition and becoming the best version of myself.  While it was nice taking a step back and focusing on some areas in life I had been neglecting, lately I've felt like I've been treading water.  I never want to remain complacent in any area of life.  My heart and soul light up when I have a goal and a vision in front of me.  Nothing feels better than keeping your word to yourself, working hard, and watching your dreams become reality. 

I know these next few months are going to be difficult.  There are going to be days when I don't want to workout outside or stick to the diet I've chosen. However, I know the lessons learned and the growth that will take place will absolutely be worth it. 

How I found out about #75Hard - it was fate! 

A few weeks ago I was reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.  I became obsessed with it.  The message behind the book was speaking straight to my soul.  The book divulges into behavior patterns and how they can work for us or against us.  I highly recommend it! Anyway, I was about halfway through the book when I got a text from my Aunt saying we should try this challenge and she sent over a podcast.  The podcast was called 75HARD: A Tactical Guide to Winning the War with Yourself.  I gave it a listen and it was like the stars aligned.  Here I was reading this book about building better habits and behavior change, and then BOOM! I'm sent a challenge about building better habits and becoming the best version of yourself.  I instantly knew it was something I wanted to do.  I picked a weekend and set my mind on starting September 20th, 2020.  

Who is Andy Frisella?

Any Frisella is the founder/CEO of 1st Phorm, hosts a podcast called REAL AF, and is a public speaker.  He also started the #75Hard movement... for FREE! 

Here are some of the many things he says you will get out of this program

I plan to blog throughout my journey over the next 75 days.  I'll share tips I find helpful to get through the 5 daily tasks & I'll share my progress.  I'm looking to forward sharing this journey with you! 

xoxo, 

Ashley 

Low Carb Taco Bowls

Low carb taco bowl 

This recipe is Keto friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free!

This dish was SO tasty! I had plenty of leftovers for the week, however I’m only cooking for one. 

I used an 8x8 casserole dish. I also used DAIRY-FREE cheese because I am 90% dairy-free. I absolutely love the almond mozzarella shredded cheese from Trader Joe’s. In my opinion, it’s the best dairy-free cheese out there. 

I used ground chicken, but you could also use ground turkey or ground beef. I would opt for extra lean regardless of your preference! 

You could also add things like black beans, or whatever your favorite nacho toppings typically are, but the recipe below is specifically for a lower carb diet! 

Grocery List: 

(Screenshot for reference)

Frozen cauliflower rice 

Avocado or olive oil 

Ground Chicken, Beef, or Turkey (I used ground chicken) 

Onion 

Trader Joe’s taco seasoning 

Shredded cheese (I used the almond shredded mozzarella from Trader Joe’s) 

Tomato 

Avocado

Black olives 

Jalapeños 

Butter lettuce 

Cilantro 

Hot sauce 

How to Make:

Preheat oven to 350

Pan fry cauliflower rice with oil until browned.

Add cooked cauliflower to greased casserole dish. Spread in even layer. 

Cook onion until translucent. Add ground chicken. Cook until browned. Add to casserole dish. Spread in even layer.

Top with shredded cheese. 

Cook for 10-15 min. 

Add toppings and serve! 

Leave off lettuce and avocado if you’re planning to have leftovers! 

Step by step pictures below! 

Hope you enjoy as much as I did! 

Xoxo 

Ash 

Eating Healthy While Traveling

True progress requires time and consistency  

As a flight attendant, I pretty much live life on the road… or should I say, in the sky.  I’m gone anywhere from 3 to 7 days at time without access to a stove, microwave, and full fridge.   As you know, sticking to any kind of meal plan is difficult when traveling but with these added obstacles, it’s even more challenging. 

I’m excited to share some of the meal prep hacks I’ve learned along the way!   At the very least, hopefully you’ll get a few cool ideas for your next trip! 

Use travel size shampoo bottles to store liquids 

Do you ever want to bring things with you like almond milk, salsa, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing etc. but can’t fit the entire bottle?  Well, problem solved!  Pour your liquid items into shampoo containers so they take up less space! 

Single serving items are your best friend 

Single serving items are perfect for traveling.  They’re small and easy to pack, plus you can toss as you go.  There’s no having to portion out what you need for each day, because it’s already done for you! 

My single serving staples: Protein Shake Packets, Justins Nut butters, Sabra Hummus, Wholly Guacamole, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Quinoa, and Starkist Tuna! 

Use Ziploc bags for everything 

Ditch all the Tupperware. I pack ONE piece of Tupperware in my food bag.  I store all of my prepped meals in Ziploc bags because it takes up less space.  I literally pack premade rice bowls, chicken, etc. in Ziploc bags.  Just make sure to double bag to avoid any leaks! I re-use the one piece of Tupperware I bring, and really only bring it so I have something to eat out of since I don’t always have access to plates and what not.  Speaking of, I do carry a travel size container of dish soap with me so I can wash my tupperware out. 

Dry Foods 

Dry foods are obviously great because you don’t have to worry about them spoiling.  Also, pack your dry foods and cold foods separately so you can save room in your cooler bag! 

My dry food staples: Laura Bars, Epic Bars, Nut Thin Gluten-Free Crackers, Low Sodium Nuts, Rice Cakes, Apples, Dried Fruit, Seasonings, Stevia Packets, Tea.  

Pack a bag full of plastic silverware so you can eat wherever, whenever.  

I use this 6-pack bag right now for my cold food and I love it but I’m definitely looking into getting the bigger bag, especially for my longer trips!

I hope this gave you a few good ideas! The major key here is, KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Pack items that are versatile.  For example- Rice Cakes!  You can have them plain, with peanut butter and jelly, with hummus, with cream cheese, or with lunch meat!  Pack as many things that you can use multiple ways so you don't get overwhelmed trying to pack a million things! 

I would love to hear some of your favorite meal prep hacks! Leave your ideas in the comments below! 

Happy Monday & Be Safe 

xoxo 

Ashley Nicole 

Becoming a Flight Attendant

Since embarking on this new journey, I've had several people ask me about my career as a flight attendant!  I figured I would share my story on how I even stumbled upon this gem of a life I'm now living.  I'm currently 26 and I feel like I've had quite a few "life experiences" already.  I worked in real estate for 5 years starting when I was only 19 years old, I have my degree in business marketing, I've been on a reality TV show,  I've been featured in national marketing campaigns, was Miss New Mexico World 2015, and I was Miss New Mexico USA 2017.  With all of that under my belt, it may come as a surprise when I say that becoming a flight attendant was BY FAR my most difficult endeavor.

I really can't pinpoint one specific thing that made me want to be a flight attendant.  Being a flight attendant was always something that was in the back of my mind growing up.  I traveled a lot with sports in high school and college, so I think just doing a decent amount of traveling really opened my eyes to making a career out of it.   In college specifically, when I was studying marketing, I really admired the company I now work for.  I knew for several years that one way or another I was going to work for this company.  What I didn't know however, was just how difficult it was going to be to land a job.

All in all, it took me two and a half years to a become flight attendant.  I repeat, TWO AND A HALF YEARS.  That is a heck of a lot of waiting!  I applied for the flight attendant position when they had an opening  in 2016.  I was so excited but then after months, and months, and months of not hearing a single word back, I figured I didn't get the job.  About 10 months after  I had applied, I moved to San Diego and got a job with a local TV station doing advertising and marketing.  I was just starting to get settled into a life out here when all of a sudden I got a voicemail saying, "Hello this is Bill and I was wondering if you were still interested in the flight attendant position you applied for?"  I thought it was a prank call!  For some reason, I ended up calling Bill back and sure enough, it was legit!  I said yes like I just received some elaborate marriage proposal!   I remember running around my apartment screaming with excitement!

After that phone call, I had to fill out some paperwork and wait a couple months for an over the phone interview.  I was so nervous for my first interview!  The first interview was pretty extensive.  It wasn't a breeze in the park by any means.  I had no idea if they liked me or not afterwards which usually isn't a good sign.  However a few weeks after that, I received a phone call saying that I was moving forward and to be on the look out for further instructions for the face to face interview.  Once again, I was left waiting.  I didn't hear anything for so long, I started to wonder if they forgot about me.  Finally, they called back and gave me a few days notice for a face to face interview in Dallas, Texas.

My interview in Dallas was a blast.  I'll never forget the feeling of walking into headquarters for the first time.  I felt like I had made it!  For some reason, I wasn't as nervous for the face to face interview.   I knew I had what it took to be a great flight attendant, and I knew how passionate I was about the brand.  I knew all I needed to do was be genuine.  I also truly believe that everything happens for a reason, so I was at peace knowing it would work out how it was suppose to.  They asked some pretty hard hitting questions, but I had prepared as much as possible and left feeling great! However... I didn't back hear right away, once again!

During the week of my 26th birthday, I received one of the best gifts!  I FINALLY got the word that I was HIRED for a dream job, with my dream company!!! It was contingent on me passing flight attendant training, but none the less, I got the job!

I like to think that this experience was a learning lesson for me.  Good things take TIME.  There is beauty in staying patient and staying hopeful.  I can't tell you how many times I could've lost hope, and honestly there were moments that I really wanted to but persistence, hard work, and dedication always pay off in the end.


This is just the beginning of my story.  It's actually a very small part of my journey to becoming a flight attendant but I just wanted to share it with you all because I know there are probably some people out there who are currently in my shoes, playing the waiting game!  Don't ever lose hope!

Espwa

xoxo,

Ashley Nicole

Protein Donuts

Hello everyone! 

After purchasing some protein pancake mix awhile ago, I decided to try and make some homemade protein donuts.  I've been experimenting with different ingredients for a few months and I finally feel like I nailed down the perfect recipe! 

First of all, let me just say that protein pancake mix should be a staple in your pantry!  I use it all the time for pancakes, donuts, protein banana bread, and more!  I love that the mix is so versatile! I typically use Flapjacked mix but any protein pancake mix should work.  

The recipe I'm sharing today is super easy and makes around 6 donuts.  You might want to double up on the recipe because you'll for sure want more!  

You'll need a donut pan.  You can find them just about anywhere.  This one on Amazon is 7.99 for a two pack.  

Prep Time: 5 Minutes 

Cook Time: 10-15 minutes 

Donut Ingredients:
1 cup of protein pancake mix
1/4 cup of stevia
1 tbsp of baking powder
1 tbsp of cinnamon
1 egg
2 tbsp of coconut oil
1/2 cup of coconut milk or milk of choice
1 tsp of of vanilla

Baking Instructions: 
Preheat oven to 350.  Mix everything together. Spray pan with coconut oil baking spray.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. I always set the timer for 10 minutes and then add time if needed. Donuts should be fluffy and slightly browned at the top.

Frosting Ingredients:
Protein powder 
Water

Frosting instructions:  Mix vanilla or chocolate protein powder, and a very small amount of water together. I usually use around 2 scoops of protein powder just because I like to cover the donuts in a decent amount of frosting. Make sure you mix in very SMALL amounts of water until it gets  pretty sticky.  You don't want the frosting to melt off and you want the sprinkles to stick.  Frost donuts then add sprinkles.

You can also mix stevia/truvia together with cinnamon and just dust the top of the donuts for a simple donut.  

I hope you enjoy this recipe! 

Tag me in your posts if you decide to try them out @RealAshleyMora 

Xoxo, 
Ash 

Fashion Friday with Val Stefani

Happy Friday! 

Welcome to my #FashionFriday blog with Val Stefani.  Today I'm giving all the details on this gorgeous dress I picked out for Miss USA!  We were in Las Vegas for a total of 10 days and during that time, we had various events, rehearsals, dinners, and photoshoots! 

Not gonna lie, I was extremely picky when it came to my Miss USA wardrobe.  I wanted my personal style to shine through everything I wore.  When you're competing with the most gorgeous women in the country, the last thing you want to do is blend in.  When I was picking my wardrobe for Miss USA, I wanted pieces that were: 

• Figure flattering
• Comfortable for long events and long days
• Chic, timeless, effortlessly beautiful 
• Representation of my personal style

I fell in love with this Val Stefani gown immediately because of the halter style top, slight mermaid-cut skirt, and the gorgeous bead work.  I loved that this dress was simple, timeless, and classic.  Dresses that flatter my figure and accentuate my curves are hard to come by, but this dress fit me like a glove.

I felt like the cut of the dress, the color, beading, and neckline were very elongating! I'm short, especially in the pageant world so any piece of clothing that makes me look long and tall gets 5 stars in my book.  This gown was no exception! 

One thing that I particularly love about Val Stefani is their unique design.  A lot of pageant and prom dresses look alike or have similar styles, but I appreciate the fact that Val Stefani offers styles that will set you apart.  

This dress comes in Navy and Magenta.  Not shown in the photos is the trendy t-back.  You can click HERE for more photos.  I'm wearing a size 0.   

If you want to see more of the Val Stefani collection, Click HERE.  

I hope you enjoyed this #FashionFriday 

Check back next week for more exciting styles! 

xoxo 

Ashley