Fuel

I have to laugh at myself when I think back to my old eating ways. Eating a package of PopTarts on the morning drive to high school, a quick bowl of Lucky Charms before I headed out the door, skipping breakfast because I knew that I was going to have a big lunch. Tisk, tisk, tisk.

Breakfast is now one of my favorite meals. I switch between my Herbalife shakes (either a fruity concotion or one with oatmeal) and either toast, scrambled eggs, or my weakness, wait for it....Frosted Shredded Mini Wheats. I know, one of those cereals that you think is healthy but is really loaded with sugar but it tastes so good you just have to have some every once in a while.

It's like nails on a chalkboard when I hear someone say they don't eat breakfast. My dads excuse: I don't have time. My comeback: a banana takes 3 seconds to peel and 1 minute to eat. It doesn't have to be some big, fancy, sit down around the table with pancakes, OJ, scrambled eggs, bacon, the whole sha-bang kind of thing like in the movies.

Even though my breakfast was around 400 calories this morning, it was jam packed with protein, nutrients, vitamins, fuel for my body to keep me going throughout the day. Doesn't it look yummy?

If you want to learn more about the health benefits of eating breakfast and would like an idea of what sort of foods you should be eating in the morning, head on over to the Mayo Clinic website and read, read, read!

motivation

Tips On Eating Out

Tips I have read about:

• Drink water before and during your meal. 
• If water is too boring for you, add a lemon.
• Pass on anything that is FREE. Chips, bread, etc.
• Most meals are more than one serving. If you are with someone else, split something.
• Just because you order a salad DOES NOT mean it is the healthiest option. If you know what restaurant you are going to, look up the nutritional facts beforehand.
• If you have a choice for a side item, pass on the fries. They can add an extra 200 calories to your meal!
• Don't drench your salad with dressing. Instead, dip your fork in the dressing and then dive in to your salad. Repeat this every couple bites.
• Pass on foods with names that have the words crispy, fried, cheesy, smothered, and creamy.

The one tip I thought of all by myself:

• When you are full, yet your plate of food is still staring back at you saying "eat me", take your straw and drip water all over. Who wants to eat soggy food?

The Future

Ok, I have 2 months until my cousins wedding. Until then, I will work out every day and eat super healthy because on that day, I want to look my best.

2 months go by...

Well, the day is here and I still look like crap. I worked out quite a bit, but looking back, I guess that pop every now and then didn't help. Oh, and all those nights I had a bowl of ice cream when I was still full from dinner. 

Sound familiar? There are many times that I do this to myself. I pick a goal and it is never reached. I look at the big picture, the grand scheme of it all, and feel like I can do it. Yet, the day comes and I am left looking at myself in the mirror, nothing changed.

Too often than not we focus on the end of our story and not the pages leading up to it. Take it week by week. Pledge to yourself that you will or will not do something this week. For example:

I will drink more water.

I will be active every day, even if it means walking around the block. Anything is better than nothing.

I will try one new recipe.

If I have to have a snack before bed, I will choose a fruit or veggie.

I won't beat myself up if I indulge in dessert. I will remember how guilty I feel and will have more self-control next time.

I will keep a food diary as I know it will hold me accountable and more aware of what I am putting in my body.

What do I do to take things week by week? I create a calendar. I write down what days I will run, lift, take a class, and bike. I write down my Herbalife shakes that I will have as well as what I will make for dinner. By creating this calendar, I don't get discouraged because I just live day by day. It is easier for me to stay focused on 5 days instead of 30 days.

This week I have pledged to not drink pop. I know that it is unhealthy and loaded with sugar, corn syrup, and other nasty ingredients that make my stomach jiggle and my thighs clap. 

What will you pledge this week?

Exercise: 15/15

Here is a quick workout for those days where you don't have an hour to spend at the gym. What I love about 15/15 is that it can be done anywhere (I did it yesterday in my bedroom) and when 20 minutes is up, you will be breathing hard and sweating. Always a good sign of hard work, right?!

For 20 minutes, repeat the following:

15 seconds explosion squats

15 seconds rest

15 seconds explosion lunges

15 seconds rest

15 seconds burpees

15 seconds rest

15 seconds push-ups

15 seconds rest

15 seconds mountain climbers

15 seconds rest