BWA Chats To: Abbey, Holistic Fit Foods

Here at BWA headquarters we are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest member of the team.

We have heard your cry for yummy healthy recipes you can try out on the weekends and enjoy guilt free of calories…. Enter the gorgeous Abbey Layton founder of Holistic Fit Foods.

We sat down with Abbey and discussed why she started sharing her easy to make healthy recipes and key tips on living an active healthy life.

Tell us about your love of fitness and nutrition that inspired you to create Holistic Fit Food?

I haven’t always been a fitness bunny… My sister, Kim, was the reason I got into it when I was around 17 years old. Before that I don’t think I even owned a pair of runners!

I quickly became addicted (as we do) and the food soon followed. I think once you get into exercise, it seems pointless if you eat rubbish?

Luckily my mum is a super woman (ab crunching fighting machine)… So I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by such an inspiring woman who’s kept me on track.

I’ve worked at StudioForty6 Personal training for several years now which has also kept me motivated… they suggested I start studying cert 3 & 4 of fitness, which I did, and will complete next year. Healthy food, however, has always been a passion of mine. Treating your body well is so important… And so many people don’t know how good the body is designed to feel.

When you eat well, and exercise, you really do feel amazing. I think that’s why I started the Instagram account (that and study procrastination). I wanted to try and inspire others and get them excited by food the way I do. The Instagram food culture is pretty incredible. There are so many people out there sharing recipes and their love for healthy food. My aim was to try and educate people and prove that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring or mediocre. It can be super tasty but do wonders for your bod also.

What gets you out of bed and exercising everyday? What motivation tips do you have for others to do the same?

At the beginning it wasn’t easy… but now I just put it down to habit. I feel weird if I sleep past 7am during the week. The initial motivation is what will get you out of bed to begin with, and the habit will keep you going. My favourite saying? You’ll never regret doing a workout…

But you will regret not doing one!

If that’s not enough though, put your alarm clock on the other side of the room. Then you have no choice but to get up!

What advice would you give those who love lots of sugar in their diets?

Studies have shown that Sugar is addictive… If you are consuming foods with high amounts of processed sugars, and not working it off through exercise or daily movement, it will be stored at fat. Instead of going cold turkey, swap certain things for a healthier option and keep it as natural as possible. Replace sugar for such things as rice malt syrup, stevia, dates, honey (although quite high in fructose) or maple syrup.

What should we be checking for on the labels of our ingredients?

Avoid products with high levels of saturated fats, high levels of sugar and too many additives. My tip here? Keep is as natural and as simple as possible. Unfortunately the food industry like to play little tricks on us to disguise sugar by using super cool code words like dextran, dextrose, diatase, ethyl maltol, fructose, barley malt, cane sugar and the list goes on. If you are unsure and finding yourself aimlessly staring at gibberish, Google can always lend you a helping hand, otherwise look at the ingredients and note the order in which they appear. Companies have to label the ingredients in terms of weight from highest to lowest so try and purchase foods with the nasties listed at the bottom (if at all).

Where do you get your ingredients?

I have shopped at Thomas Dux for a number of years now. I am totally obsessed. They have a great range of organic, gluten-free, preservative-free, dairy free and free-range foods. It makes a massive difference when your fruit and veg are coming straight from the markets. They taste fresher and last a lot longer.

What food can you not live without?

Eggs – I would be a very unhappy person if I couldn’t get my Sunday poached eggs with smashed avo!

What are your top 4 tips to feeling great inside and out?

Eat breakfast and add protein to every meal – Eating breakfast gets your metabolism going for the day… and adding protein to every meal will help keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Quality Sleep is essential – Our most important hours of sleep are from 10pm -2am. This is when the body restores and repairs itself. Getting around 7-9 hours’ sleep is also ideal.

Many studies have shown that adequate sleep results reduced weight gain, stress levels and overall happiness.

Weight train – Don’t be fooled to think this will bulk you up (ladies). Weight training is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight or for weight loss. I recommend slotting in 2 -3 sessions a week along with your cardio. You’ll be sure to notice a difference.

Drink lots of water – Min 2 litres/day. This will help with your 3pm sugar cravings and do wonders for your digestion and overall bodily function.

Finally if you could have breakfast with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Jack Dawson (titanic) – Everything I look for in a man!

See more of Abbey’s recipes here and stay tuned to BWA for her weekly posts!