Hot weather calls for something cold, refreshing, and high protein! I made this easy Protein Sago using Fairlife Elite Strawberry Shake, chia seeds, strawberries, and blueberries. Ingredients: - 1 Fairlife Elite Strawberry Shake - 2 tbsp chia seeds - 122 gr Strawberries 🍓 - 80 gr Blueberries 🫐 - Optional: crushed ice - Optional for creamier texture: ½ cup heavy whipping cream or a splash of milk How to make it: Mix the chia seeds with the Fairlife Elite Strawberry Shake and let it sit overnight so the chia seeds can expand and give that sago-style texture. The next day, add chopped strawberries and blueberries. I didn’t have room in my cup for crushed ice, but you can definitely add it for this hot weather! If you like it creamier, you can add ½ cup heavy whipping cream or a splash of milk. Just remember to track it because it will add more calories and fat. My MFP tracking: About 291 calories 22g net carbs 10g fat 18g protein Perfect as a snack, dessert, or something sweet while still staying on track. Enjoy! 🍓🫐✨

Meet Patrick and my partner Mario — now when I talk about them, you can put a face to the name. I got permission to share their pictures. 😊 Both of them have been mountain biking every Saturday whenever they can, and so far both guys have been doing great with no recent battle scars. We love that for them. 😂 Today, while they were out on the bike route, a nosy bystander asked Patrick and Mario, “How come you guys don’t go on the Cactus route instead of that one?” My partner Mario, in his head, was probably like: “Nunya… what does it matter to you if I decide to go Cactus or the other route?” 😂 But out loud, he responded respectfully and said, “I like the other route because I want speed going down the mountain. Cactus is more technical.” Of course, I had to ask, “Wait… what does technical mean in mountain biking language?” Because I’m still learning this mountain bike lingual. 😆 Mario explained that “technical” means the route has more curves, jumps, and trickier parts that require more skill and control. So my learning for today: not every route has to be about proving something. Sometimes you choose the route that matches the experience you want — speed, flow, fun, or challenge. And honestly, I respect that. Whether it’s fitness, mountain biking, or life… choose your own route and let the nosy bystanders wonder. 😂 P.S. Patrick is the one with the blue bike and the other guy is Mario 😆 my challenged partner you get to hear me talk about.

Yesterday during our team meeting at work, we were talking about the weather and one of my coworkers shared that since she lives in Arizona, she doesn’t get out much because of the heat. Then she gave me the sweetest shoutout. She said “Because of LENA who told me about Lifetime Gym she was the one who convinced me to join her dream gym” 🙈. She shared how much she enjoys the facility and said it has been one of the best investments she has made for herself. It may seem small to some people, but for me, I truly took it to heart. The way her eyes and face lit up while she talked about the gym experience made me so happy. She described it as this luxurious wellness space, and my other coworkers were intrigued because it sounded more like a resort than a gym. 😂 This reminded me that sometimes we don’t realize the impact we have on people just by sharing our own journey. I didn’t force her. I didn’t push her. I simply shared what has helped me, and somehow that planted a seed for her to invest in herself too. That is a big win in my heart. Fitness is not just about what we do for ourselves. Sometimes our consistency gives other people permission to start caring for themselves too. 💪✨

Sacramento packing update: clothes, toiletries, daughter’s stuff… and now apparently I have a snack reputation to protect 😂 My mom asked me, “Are you packing snacks?” Me: “Of course.” Then she hit me with the special request: “Pack some for me too.” Excuse me?! So now I’m not just traveling… I’m catering? 😂 Apparently, I’ve been told I have bomb snacks when I travel, so now my snack bag comes with expectations. Not me becoming the family TSA-approved snack dealer. Packed a few easy goodies: Crunchy edamame for the salty/crunchy craving. Catalina Crunch snack mix for the snacky-snack mood. Seven Sundays protein cereal for a quick breakfast or easy yogurt topping. Ultima electrolytes because Sacramento heat is going to humble all of us real quick. This isn’t me trying to be perfect on vacation. Trust me, sushi and Gunther’s ice cream are still on the schedule. This is just me making sure “hungry Lena” doesn’t make all the decisions. Because planned me packs protein snacks.Hungry me buys everything at the airport market and calls it balance 😂 Now here comes the travel-day plot twist… A few weeks ago, I strongly told my older sister, “Please pack my niece early. Do not wait until the last minute.” Then I reminded her every day for 3 days before we fly out. Fast forward to today… I get a call from my niece saying the stuff her mom packed doesn’t fit. Me on the other end: 😡Because Auntie Lena gave the warning, the reminder, the calendar alert, and basically the TED Talk. Good thing my packing was already done, so I drove over to my mom’s house to help consolidate the last-minute items. I brought my backpack and told my niece, “Whatever you can’t fit, put it in here.” Then I said, “But everyone carries their own load.” She gave me this princess look like, “Wait… I have to carry something?” 👑😂 That’s right, baby girl. Auntie Lena trains them young. Carry your own stuff because Auntie already got her own load to carry — emotionally, physically, and with protein snacks included 😂💪

I wanted to share a very special win today. One of my coworkers who saw me during my work retreat recently sent me a message that she signed up for a Lifetime membership. She told me that seeing me at the retreat, seeing how much weight I had lost, and how good I looked physically inspired her to join the gym. That honestly touched my heart. Sometimes we don’t realize people are watching our journey. They may not say anything in the moment, but your consistency, your discipline, and your transformation can plant a seed for someone else. This is a reminder that showing up for yourself can inspire someone else to start showing up for themselves too. Helping people comes full circle. I’ve been inspired by this community so many times, and now seeing my own journey inspire someone else reminds me why this process is so much bigger than just weight loss. Your progress matters. Your story matters. And someone out there may be watching you quietly and thinking, “If she can do it, maybe I can too.” 💪❤️ :