My passion for fitness began when I booked my first TV role. Motivated by the new role, I wanted to be the best version of myself I could possibly be. I decided to join the gym and like many girls set my sights on ripped abs and building tone muscles. The only problem was I had absolutely no idea where to start. Anyone who has ever walked into a new gym knows how intimidating it can be. I was so nervous the first day I just got on the treadmill and watched other girls working out. Undeterred, I slowly began doing my research and studying the lifestyle. Eventually, I learned enough to create a routine and started training 4-5 days per week focused on my #1 goal of getting abs.
You’ve probably heard the expression “abs are made in the kitchen” and it’s so true. A balanced diet with proper nutrition is just as important as a regular exercise routine. Eating out sounds nice but the truth is you usually don’t know what goes into restaurant food so I learned how to cook. I focused on eating REAL food, tracking my macros, and understanding what it took to fuel my body with the nutrients it needed. After several months of eating clean and exercising regularly, I reached my first ever fitness goal of ripped abs! Not long after accomplishing this hard-fought goal, my career really started to take off and not long after I suffered my first major set back. I got so busy shooting 10-12 hour days and traveling that I began to skip meals. I would skip breakfast and sometimes literally forget to eat until 3 or 4 pm. It didn’t take long for this unhealthy routine to destroy all the hard work I had put in. Before I knew it I was down to the lowest weight of my adult life, a mere 95lbs. I remember feeling physically and mentally sick at such a low weight. The funny thing is I didn’t even realize how thin I had become until one day I saw a photo of myself (picture on the left.) I knew I had to get myself back on track ASAP. Putting on healthy weight isn’t as easy as it sounds but I was more determined than ever. My first day back I had to literally force myself to eat breakfast after months of skipping the most important meal of the day. This time around my #1 goal was simply eating right and exercising regularly. I realized my career can’t be more important than my physical and mental well-being.
I’m happy to say I currently weigh 108lbs but even to this day, it’s a constant struggle to maintain. I’ve learned that in life we have two choices: one is to keep walking backward which will take you even further from your goal and the second is to take a step forward no matter how small it is. You’re either going forward or backward and the direction is far more important than the size of your steps. Over these past 11 years, I’ve been blessed to share my knowledge and experience to help and inspire others to reach their own personal goals. No matter what struggles we go through in life we can always overcome them. With my new website/ blog I will continue to share with you everything I’ve learned and please know I’m just an email away! 😉
Me encanta, me siento reflejado en muchas cosas, menos en ir al gimnasio xD. Me gusta que compartas tu forma de ser y verme reflejado. Eres un cielo :-*
Hey Lisa,
I am currently were you used to be and really wanting to get healthier and change my body.
What were you eating and how long did it take until you saw changes start to happen?
Thanks
Nicole 🙂
Hey Nicole, I’m eating a lot of food ! lol protein, healthy fats & carbs and veggies. If you want to gain healthy weight make sure you have this balance. Maybe I should do a what I eat in a day post?
Omg Lisa, I am so glad to stumble upon your post!! I’ve had issues all my life gaining weight and not sure about where you are but in this oart of the world people are less sympathetic because because not gaining weight is not an issue! Hahah. It would be a great idea if you do post what you eat daily so I can get some tips from it!
I love each pic.
Great story, how tall are you? For me, it’s hard to lose weight and also gain, which I guess could be a good thing. Trying to focus on also building muscle and keeping healthy.
I’m 5’2 🙂 and you ?
I think I’m 5’3′ but my weight is always around 115 since high school lol
Awesome… you are beautiful & i think we are the same size & I recently over the past year lost 35 lbs & kept it off but im still not satisfied. I want a more muscle toned body… please continue to give tips.. Happy Holidays
Thank you Jennifer! and Congrats, wow! That’s amazing! Happy holidays to you too and yes, more posts to come! 🙂
Hi Lisa,
What do you recommend for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? I’m 5′ 00″ w 140 and desperately need help :'(
Thank you
Gloria
Hi Gloria, If your goal is to lose weight. Your calorie intake should be lower without skipping meals. For Breakfast eggs, oatmeal, greek yogurt. For lunch zucchini with lean meat. For dinner fish with asparagus. Start with a low carb diet and fuel your body with real foods. Cut back on sugar, salt, high sodium and processed foods. I will post what I eat in a day soon! 🙂
Great ! Thank you Lisa: ) I truly appreciate your advice.
Happy holidays
Gloria
Did you ever make the post about what you east daily? I am super interested in that 🙂
Thanks.
I have not yet but will do! keep an eye for it :)xo
working on this post! 🙂
Saludos Lisa…
hola!
Hi Lisa, do you take suplements?
Hi Nat, Yes I do. 🙂 I take ON. I will do a post since it’s highly requested. xo Happy new year!
Hi Lisa!? I comment on your instagram all the time amber.lee_mcmanus… I just want to tell you I really admire you for putting this blog together and want to know if you can give me a little more food advice or ab advice? I have been working out for 10 months and was able to lose 6 inches on my waist in the first 7 months from eating better and ab exercises. I am now a 23 inch waist? .. my stomach is flat and firm and I have a little bit of abs at the top but I’m still struggling. Any help you can give me would mean so much to me!!
Thank you Hermosa!❤
Hello beautiful, I too am Cubana you Puertoriquena. Same height but 113lbs. I would love if you could share your meal plan. You look amazing. My goal is to gain about 10 pounds of muscle and tone up. Hope to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Barbara Claudio
Hi Lisa,
How much protein do you consume per day? You look fabulous, I love your transformation.
Hi Stephanie, about 100 grams per day on a good day:) I will be making a post about my protein intake and daily meals.xo
wooooooooowwwwwwwww LISA you are so awesome your body is by the book l really wish you the best in your life and if you really want to married JUST DO IT like the graphic in the NIKE T-SHIRT..So LISA keep up the good work on your self and remember that you have bean born TO BE LOVED.with warm love your loyal fan LOUIS.