The first quarter of the year is rapidly slipping away. Do you remember what your New Year’s resolutions and goals were? Are you making progress toward them? Are they long forgotten? If you need some help getting the motivation train back rolling on the tracks, I’ve got some tips for you. Basic changes you can make right now to relight the fire that burned hot over the holidays but perhaps began to fade since then.
Hydrate: This one seems so simple, yet many of us (me) come up short. When I’m properly hydrated, I eat less food, crave less junk, and my workouts feel easier. Aim for at least 64 oz. of water per day. More if you’re active.
Get plenty of protein: Studies show that protein intake around 30% of total calories may be optimal for weight loss. Taking in adequate protein helps build and preserve muscle mass, which in turn burns more calories. Taking in protein as soon as possible after a tough workout is key for adequate recovery.
Recently I had the opportunity to try Quest’s new Cinnamon Crunch Protein Powder. As soon as I heard the word Cinnamon Crunch, visions of my favorite breakfast cereal danced in my head, along with the thought of freshly-baked cinnamon rolls, dripping with icing. I headed to my local GNC and picked up a bunch of Quest’s convenient protein powder packs.
They’re perfect to stash in a desk drawer, purse or gym bag. I mix up the powder in a shaker cup with some almond milk or ice water and enjoy it on the way home from the gym . Each serving gives me a full 20g of muscle-building protein with less than 1g of sugar. Amazing, right? It’s soy-free and gluten-free but how’s it taste? Know how the milk tastes when you enjoy a bowl of Cinnamon Crunch cereal? Yep, just like that. Delicious!
Snack wisely: One of my goals for the year is to significantly reduce my intake of sweet treats and added sugars. I used to be a daily treat kind of girl and that often turned into an afternoon of mindless snacking. I’m thrilled to tell you I’ve stuck to my guns and treats happen here once in a while but by no means daily. The sugar cravings are gone. I’ve mentioned it here before that protein bites are my saving grace. Instead of diving into cookies that keep me craving more, I enjoy a couple of homemade protein bites and I’m satisfied.
I love Quest’s new Cinnamon Crunch Protein Powder so much, I just had to create a Cinnamon Crunch Protein Bite. Because who doesn’t love the smell of fresh-baked cinnamon goodness? I know I sure do, and these are perfect snacks for the kids’ lunchboxes too. They’re moist and delicious with a fraction of the calories and fat you’d find in a cinnamon roll, and loaded with satisfying protein your body needs.
Go ahead and pin this one for later because, trust me, you NEED to make these!
Cinnamon Crunch Protein Bites
| Cinnamon Crunch Protein Bites | | Print |
- 1C Oats
- ¼C Quest Cinnamon Crunch Protein Powder
- ½C Nut Butter of your choice (I used almond)
- 2t Cinnamon
- ⅓-1/2C Maple Syrup
- 1t vanilla extract
- 1-2T coconut oil, melted
- 1T Chia Seeds
- 2T Ground Flaxseeds
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Add in wet ingredients and combine.
- Form teaspoon-size scoops of dough into balls
- Chill.
Smaller portion sizes. Seemingly everything is super-sized these days and it’s all too easy to overdo it on portions. Planning meals ahead, eating 5+ servings of fiber-rich fruits and veggies every day as well as staying hydrated will help you keep portion sizes under control.
Sleep. This one’s so important yet so easy to overlook as we try to cram everything into a day. Sufficient sleep benefits your heart, weight, mind and more. Power down your screens, relax and unwind before you hit the hay. Sleep is truly restorative.
What goals did you set for the year? How do you get back on track? Have you tried Quest Protein Powder? What would you make with it?
I didn’t set goals for this year, but I did set short term ones for the winter. I think its time to reevaluate those and make some new ones. I am always on the lookout for good protein powders and homemade snacks, so thanks for sharing!
My goals are just to stay healthy and keep kicking ass!
I love carbs so I am always struggling to eat less of those and get more protein in my diet! I love greek yogurt so I try to have that everyday for breakfast or a snack. I’m also a huge snacker so I love the recipe that you provided!
My overall goal for this year is just to continue running and to stay injury free.
Oh man! I keep saying how much I miss my morning cereal, now that I’ve given it up for those anti-inflammatory smoothies! I need to check this out!
I am doing pretty well with my goals this year so far. Cinnamon crunch does sound great! Will have to look for it
My goal is to remain uninjured! I am working on less sugar, but that is a huge uphill battle….I’m pinning this post…those protein balls look like a great recipe!
I’m not a super fan of Quest because of their use of sucralose and/or sugar alcohols. Not saying I never do sugar alcohols (hello, Halo Top!), but I try to limit it and I definitely try to avoid sucralose. So I probably wouldn’t use it.
While i’m still a daily treat girl, I preplan it and that usually works for me. Oddly enough, I can get into trouble with protein balls because I’m a volume girl & they just seem so small.
i have been really bad with snacking while i’m at work… the teacher’s lounge is always filled with unhealthy goodies! ah i need to be better!
I’ve gotten a big off track with my eating habits over the past couple of weeks, especially when it comes to snacking. I’m trying to get back on track, but its definitely easier said than done.
Ahhh, it’s time to finally get back on track and strike for the goals! These tips are truly inspirational. Love the crunchy bites 😛
Cinnamon toast crunch? Yes please! I have seen the bars but not the protein powder, I will check it out! I need to make some of those balls, I have eaten almost a whole box of girl scout cookies since I have been home- YIKES! I need a batch of these balls! 🙂
I’m a big fan of protein or energy bites too… just enough sweetness to satisfy me but with the combo of protein and a little healthy fat to keep blood sugar balanced, too. Cinnamon roll flavor sounds amazing!
I use the quest protein mix but only as shakes. Never thought to make other things with it.
My only goal for the year was run run 1000 miles for 2017. I’m doing pretty well so far but some of those mile will be walking miles. I missed my walking partner last week due to her little girl having the flu. Thank you for sharing your recipe for the protein bites! I definitely need more protein in my diet.
Those little energy bites look great! I make these often but have never thought about adding protein powder to them. I actually just finished eating a batch now so maybe the next batch I make I’ll try this!
These bites look delicious. Have you run with them? I’m always looking for new run fuel.
I definitely need to increase my protein, and I can always tell when I’ve been skimping on sleep. Hello, naps on the weekends. 😀
My goals are kind of sort of on track.
I have upped my protein and cut some sugar, and that’s a good thing. I haven’t worked out quite as much as I wanted to but I am getting back to it, slowly but surely.
A friend of mine told me in the past few months that sleep is the most important, least utilized recovery tool there is. That’s a strategy I can get behind!
Those protein bites sound delicious!
These look amazing.
My goals are still to get my meds figured out, feel like myself again, and start losing the 40 pounds that I lost. Not much is happening yet – but fingers still crossed.
What do you mean that the first quarter of the year is slipping away?! Hooooow did this happen? ha Also, I’m with you on cutting sugar. I’m upping protein too and I feel so much better. Except of course I decided to slip last night and ended the night with a bowl of unhealthy cereal and then some chips… not good.
Protein balls are my favorite snack! Love your recipe! Pinning and making it! 🙂
Great tips… those protein bites sound great!