She Lives It – Meet Haley! – Lively Girl Fitness

Lively Girl Fitness

When I see someone who is in amazing shape, I do the same thing every time. I go right up to them and ask a bunch of questions about how they got to where they are at. Creepy? Possibly. But I am a firm believer that we can all learn and inspire one another. What is awesome is that they are never weirded out and/or do not want to talk. It’s opposite. They are passionate, open, and genuinely want to help people.

Lively Girl: Stands for the women who take action, who live and fight to lead a healthier lifestyle every day. They have struggled time and time again, and even failed, but has never given up.

Here is a woman who defines Lively Girl Fitness…

Meet Haley Pschirrer!

Questions I asked Haley along with her answers.

We all know the hardest part of clean eating and regular exercise is when you first start out. What initially made you motivated?
- During nursing school and a highly stressful time in my life, I started to notice I was gaining weight and eating more, unhealthy and unclean foods and didn’t really care about or seem to notice what I was putting in my body. I knew I needed to do something about my lifestyle choices and get back into an exercise program that worked for me. I wanted to feel well-rested, more energized, and of course I wanted my high school body back! That’s when I decided to make a change.
What keeps you motivated?
- Definitely that after workout feeling you get when you leave the gym knowing you put in work. I personally believe this is because I enjoy my workouts. This is what most people seem to struggle with. That alone keeps me going back 5-6 times per week! For people who truly hate the gym, you need to find a workout regimen that works best for you. A workout that you actually want to do!
How has exercising regularly and eating healthy affected you positively?
- With the right workout and diet plan, you can reach your fitness goals faster than you would think. Once I started on a strict diet and regular workout schedule I was noticing changes in as little as 5-7 days. Exercise to me is a stress reliever, but it also boosts self-confidence. I started on a high protein, low carb, medium calorie diet and began to notice a difference in how I felt even after the first day. I am more alert, not nearly as hungry, my cravings have decreased, my hair and skin have improved, and overall I just feel better and more like myself. It’s amazing to me how adding a healthy diet and exercise program can positively change the way you feel so quickly.
What are some of your favorite healthy snacks?
- One of the biggest struggles for me was finding the right protein shake. I am a huge fan of them. Not only do they make you full, but also if you find the right one it can kill your sweet tooth. My favorite is Optimum Nutrition Protein Energy in the cinnamon roll flavor. I don’t use them as a meal replacement, but as a snack in between meals. I also love apples and cheese, apples and almond butter, hard-boiled eggs, almonds, and anything to do with avocados!
Favorite workout?
- Lifting… period. Specifically leg day. Along with a healthy diet, lifting is the best way to tone and tighten your body. I think many women are worried about bulking up their muscles, which is why they choose not to lift. This is not true. I have definitely noticed my smaller frame now that I have gotten myself back into the weight room. When I do cardio I enjoy the stair climber and running outside when it’s not too hot!
Do you have any fitness goals for the future? (races, shows, competitions, etc)
- I have been pushed in the direction of bikini competitions, but I just don’t think that’s for me. Instead, I set smaller goals for myself. For example, I am currently working on becoming more lean by cleaning up my diet and hitting the weights and cardio. When I do this I set a start date and an end date and challenge myself to stay on track till the finish. Doing this alone has changed my eating habits for the better because I have noticed how much better I feel. Setting personal goals are a great way to motivate yourself and stay fit.
What is your best advice to those wanting to make this lifestyle change?
- RESEARCH!! I truly believe that the reasoning behind why fitness goals are so difficult for some people to reach is because they don’t know enough about it. If you don’t know how to lift weights, hire someone to teach you, watch YouTube videos, or learn a new technique everyday until you can confidently walk into the weight room.
- If your issue is food then learn more about it by reading labels. A high protein diet makes you more full, so find a way to eat your body weight in grams of protein if over eating is your issue. Something that has totally helped me is the app My Fitness Pal. Get it and use it.
- Get some products. Pre-workout is my saving grace. We all have those days when we don’t feel like working out because we just don’t have the energy for it. It gets you going and gives you the endurance to have an effective workout.
- Did you know the buddy system has an 80% success rate? Find someone who has similar fitness goals and work with them to help get each other there. This definitely has worked and still currently is working for both my fitness buddy and myself. Big shout out to my girl, Kayla Cook!
I’m a quote junkie, so I have to ask, what is your favorite fitness quote? Or whatever quote that describes you personally.
- I, too, am a fan of quotes and I have several favorites. “Fall in love with the process, and the results will come.” “Once you see results, it becomes an addiction.” “You don’t get the ass you want sitting on it.”
What is your biggest struggle that you face on a regular basis to stay fit?
- For the longest time, it was the consistent exercise program. But now that I have done my research and found what I love to do, the food and alcohol part are the hardest, but I am gaining momentum. I have the biggest sweet tooth and I love to bake. I still do, I just don’t indulge like I once did. This is part of why I love protein shakes so much, they really do help with cravings and they definitely satisfy your need for sweets!
- As far as alcohol goes, I don’t drink during the week. If I decide that I definitely need a drink, I have a glass of red wine. On the weekends or when out with friends, I just try to make healthier choices such as vodka soda or rum and diet coke. The key is moderation!