Chompian of the month: Natalie Gruendl

This month’s Chompian is Natalie from Tastes Lovely. Check out her story below!

What’s your best tip on how to stay positive?

When you focus on the good, the good gets bigger! I feel a whole lot better when I spend time thinking of what I'm grateful for. Negative thoughts rarely serve me well. I've also noticed that choosing to be positive and joyful sets the tone for my whole family and our day. It's contagious!

What’s your workout routine?

I started jogging for the first time EVER a few months ago. Before this, I had never jogged a whole mile without stopping in all my 33 years of life. Ever. I'm serious! But if not now, then when? I used a Couch to 5K app that slowly eased me into jogging longer stretches of time. Within 8 weeks I was jogging a full 30 minutes straight, easily finishing 2 miles. I'm not the fastest, but I'm doing it and feel amazing!

How do you consider yourself a “game changer?” This is 100% open to your interpretation!

I was able to lose 50 pounds in 6 months, which is still so incredible I can hardly believe it's true! I saw a ton of people having great success with the keto diet, but was really turned off with all the dairy and unhealthy looking meals I saw being shared. I combined my love of clean ingredients and whole foods with the low carb high fat approach of Keto, and am shocked at how easily the weight came off. I call my eating style "clean keto". I hadn't seen this "clean" version of the keto diet anywhere, and it has been the perfect fit for my healthier lifestyle with the added bonus of weight loss. I eat tons of vegetables, wild and pasture raised proteins, and lots of healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, nut butters, etc.

What’s the best thing you do for your personal health everyday (mental or physical)?

Without question it is going for my jogs. I don't know how much jogging has aided in my weight loss, but I know without a doubt it has been essential for my mood and mental health! Having those 30 minutes a day to get my heart rate up, push myself and be in nature is the best start to my day. The endorphins I get from exercising are wonderful! Now I get why there is a term for "runners high"!

What is your favorite Chomps product?

The Italian Style Beef and Turkey are my 2 go-to Chomps products!

How does Chomps fuel your lifestyle?

Being a mom of 2 kids, we're often out and about exploring nature and playing outside. I always have Chomps in my car AND in my diaper bag so I can have a healthy, filling snack when I need it. It gives me the energy to keep going, and it tastes delicious. I love how well they travel, and that they don't need to be refrigerated. Bonus is my kids love them too! Our families favorite snack!