When it comes to transformation, there is no truer statement than “Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym!” Seriously, no matter how many thousands of crunches you do, miles you run, or weights you lift, a bad diet will always outweigh (pun intended 😉 ) even the best exercise plan (which is why we keep adding new recipes and include a full nutrition plan in the TRANSFORM app). 

With that being said, there are definitely some helpful tools to keep you on track toward reaching your goals, and these 4 things, specifically, have been absolutely essential in my own transformation, as well as the transformations of those we work with. Each is super simple, and likely something you already have lying around in your cupboards, so hopefully there’s very little $$$ required to deck out your kitchen! Check out the best gear on the block for changing your body…and your life!

1. Slow Cooker: Okay I’ll admit, I wasn’t an adamant slow cooker user until recently. Is it just me, or does the phrase “crockpot cooking” automatically bring back flashbacks of overly salty mystery foods made by Grandma? I’m telling you, these bad boys are actually complete game changers!! If it wasn’t for my slow cooker, I would never have the time to make fresh meals at home. I love the convenience of dumping in chicken breasts and a couple of simple ingredients (like salsa or fresh veggies) in the morning, and having the most tender, delicious meal by dinner time. Perfect for mamas on the go!
2. Blender Bottle: Water and protein intake are two of the most important aspects to full body transformation, so a proper vessel for both of these is SO vital to success. Keeping a blender or water bottle on hand at all times is the best way to ensure you’re getting enough protein…no matter where you are! I throw mine in my purse in the morning with a scoop of protein powder and have it ready for whenever I need it. Just add water and pair with a piece of fruit, and you’ve got a complete meal (or hearty snack, depending on your meal plan). Rinse it out and fill it back up with ice cold water to make sure you’re getting the hydration you need! 
3. Plastic Containers: This may sound a bit cliche, but it’s oh, so true!! “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” How do you avoid this? By having pre-made, pre-portioned meals!! This is the ticket to staying on track in even the most hectic of situations. Honestly, at least a few times a week (or day) I’m caught in between a kid’s sports practice and a conference call with little to no time to whip up a diet-friendly meal. By having meals portioned out in plastic containers in the fridge, I save myself the urge to drive thru and grab something fatty or splurge on something off-plan. So convenient, and crucial to weight loss (or intentional weight gain) success! 
4. Kitchen Food Scale: As much as I would like to tell you that it’s fine to “eyeball”?measure ingredients as you throw them in your pan?anyone who knows me (eh hem…EWL peeps!!) knows this is the HUGEST no-no in my book. If you’re trying to transform your body and dial in your nutrition, then you MUST know what you are actually putting into your body. You can’t possibly know by “eyeballing” your portions…you MUST measure. Having a food scale on hand to make sure you’re appropriating the right amount of chicken, cheese, or any ingredient is imperative to ensuring success. Although it may seem tedious at first, after a few weeks of religious use, it really does become a natural part of the cooking process, and you won’t even THINK about preparing a meal without it!

My Favorites Plus Some More:

Simple as they may be, these 4 kitchen essentials are the golden ticket to longstanding, full-body transformation! Remember, it’s not as much what you DO as it is what you EAT! Have more kitchen essentials? Post below!

Xoxo,

Heidi

Related reading:

Kitchen Hacks: My Top 8 Tips and Tricks!
Ask the Powells: How Do I Gain Healthy Weight?
Carb Cycling: The Extreme Cycle
The Extreme Cycle | Meal Planning Tips
Ask the Powells: How Can I Structure My Meals?