Staci Rimbach wasn’t born with this hot body, she worked hard for it. As a full-time student and the Assistant Manager at Mountainside Fitness Platinum, she juggles a 40-hour workweek with school and studying – but she always makes time to workout and eat healthy. Here, the 24-year-old CrossFit fanatic reveals her hot body secrets, and how planning ahead is key…
How to find a workout you love… I’ve tried a lot of different types of workouts – strength training, running, yoga – but there always seemed to be something missing. I’m a very competitive person, and I like to push the limits of what I think my body can do; whether running farther or faster, lifting heavier weights or challenging my flexibility, I always strive to be the best. One day a friend recommended I try CrossFit, and it was love at first burpee. It had everything I was looking for in a workout: It pushes me to my limits, I get to be competitive, and it has a culture of like-minded athletes.
How to eat healthy… Planning is the key to eating healthy. I eat between 5 to 6 meals a day, and like to eat as clean as possible: lots of vegetables and protein and I buy organic as much possible (no processed foods!). In order to eat this way, I have to plan out my meals ahead of time: I prep my foods for the week on Sundays and Wednesdays and put everything in to-go containers so I can grab my food and go. I also live by the 80/20 rule, meaning I try to eat healthy 80% of the time and not-so-healthy the other 20%. That’s not to say I binge eat 20% of meals; it means I allow myself a slice of pizza or maybe a burger, items not normally in my diet.
How to avoid overeating… Planning my meals ahead really helps (see above). And if I’m eating out, which I do on occasion, I just eat until I’m full and then stop even though there’s still food on my plate. I know this is easier said then done :).
How to tame trouble spots… Here’s the thing about trouble spots: Everyone has them no matter who you are or what your body looks like. There are 2 things I’ve learned when it comes to my own trouble spots: 1) By taking out wheat, diary and processed foods, I was able to lean out which helped tame some of my trouble spots and 2) I try and accept my body for what it is, to work a little harder on those trouble areas and appreciate the parts of my body that I do like.
How to stay motivated… Staying motivated is one of the hardest things to do with my schedule. Between school, studying and work, there isn’t a whole lot of extra time in the day. I have to plan my workouts into my day so they fit seamlessly into my schedule. On those days when I just don’t feel like going, I have to remind myself how much better I’ll feel after. Working out helps relieve my stress and provides energy for the rest of my day – 2 major motivators. Last but not least, I’ve made working out a habit; it’s part of my routine. If I skip a workout, I mentally and physically don’t feel like myself.
