Manic Monday

 

And here it is folks, Monday, again?

Yup! I don’t know why it is that each and every week, it seems, I struggle so much more on Monday mornings.  I think it’s because I’ve really enjoyed my family time and then Monday comes and everyone heads in their own direction.   Anyone else? Lets see a show of hands.

Oh, good, everyone struggles? I am not alone?

Neither are YOU!

Thats what I am here for. What are YOU struggling with?

You can either reach out and let me know and we can work towards you overcoming or you can tell yourself, again, that its ok, maybe tomorrow you will do better!

TOMORROW!…Tomorrrow…tomorrow? …

Me?  No, I did not get up and workout this morning. *sigh* but I am planning on making up for it later this evening and I WILL get it done!

How’s your Monday?  How’s the journey?

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Calories in vs Calories out

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ve seen me share many times that watching calories is crucial to weight loss.  And guess what!?!  It still is.
If you aren’t already counting calories, here is what I want you to do.
1. Find a calorie tracking program and create an account.  I use myfitnesspal.com.
2. Determine what your weight loss goal is.
3. Determine how many calories you will need to consume each day. (Need help with this, contact me and I will help.)
4. Start entering in anything that you have consumed for the day.
5. Enter in an activity that you participated for the day.
6. Use this program each and every day!
When you have a deficit between your activity and what you eat, you’ll start seeing the scale move.
As you’re planning your meals, you’ll want each meal to contain a 40% carb ratio, a 30% protein ratio and a 30% fat ratio.  You will also want to replace processed foods with low density, high fiber foods whenever possible.  One thing I suggest is picking foods from Michi’s Ladder.  The closer to the top of this guide, the better results you’ll have.  No matter hoe much you workout, if you don’t make smarter food choices, you won’t get optimum results.
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Wow!  Tonight is one of those nights where as a parent, you think back and you don’t know where time has gone.  At least that’s the way I feel.  Less than 15 years ago, I gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She was 7-1’2 weeks premature but you’d never know it today.  She’s tall and thin….model like.  You know, one of those girls who doesn’t have to use make up to cover up stuff.  Yep, Bob and I have been blessed.  She’s athletic and fun but focuses on her studies.  She makes sure that she makes the honor roll.  She probably won’t like to know that I’ve said this on my blog post but tonight, I’ve dedicated it to her.

So, as a parent of someone who is a teenager, I do struggle with finding ways entice them to be healthier.  I won’t lie….we like chips and dip and soda and all that stuff cause it does taste good.  It’s not healthy but it still tastes good.  We’ve really implemented some fun stuff into what we would typically do doing a Steeler game or other fun event.  We pop air popped popcorn, eat rice chips, make veggie platters, even lean meat and cheese trays.  We focus on being healthy and making it work for our family.  Even thought they aren’t as strict in their meal plans, it’s okay.  I do what I need to do to make it work for me.

If you’re finding some struggles coming your way, please reach out.  I’m here for you!

 

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Tips to put an end to Emotional Eating

Emotional eating is real and often not talked about openly but it happens.

Here’s an example…..I have a friend, who is in the midst of divorce.  Over the holiday season, she typically bakes  and keeps baking supplies on hand.  As her day progressed and the tension rose in her home, the bag of candies that would top her homemade cookies disappeared.  She ate a whole bag of candy in one day.  At the time she was doing this, she didn’t give it a second thought but after reviewing her habits, she noticed a pattern.  On stress filled days, she ate and she ate and she ate.  And guess what!?!  She’s put on some extra weight in the process.

Does this sound like a similar habit?  If so, here are some tips on how you can control emotional eating.

  • Remove the temptation.  If you don’t have the things that tempt you in the house, you’ll be less like to emotionally binge on food that isn’t there. Go ahead and clear out your cupboards of all the things you’d be tempted by.  If you have others that live at home with you, have them hide those things so you won’t know where to find them.  If you have unopened items and want to get rid of them completely, donate to a food shelter or give away to someone else.  Regardless, if it’s not there than you won’t eat/drink it.
  • Build a support system. Reach out to friends or family for positive support.  The next time you want to binge, pick up the phone and call a friend or a workout buddy.  There are also a variety of groups you can join too.
  • Relieve your stress. Yep, I know.  Easier said then done some days but, find a way to relieve your stress and boost your mood that is positive and life-affirming rather than self-destructive. Go for a walk,  read a book, call a friend, get your nails done are a few examples.  Just find something to do that will make you feel good.  When you feel good, you’re less likely to want to turn to food.
  • Write it down. Start a journal and include both what you eat and your mood.  Jot down what is bothering you.  You’ll then be able to see a trend of what is going on and also develop a plan on how to tackle those types of events.

I hope these tips will help you the next time you are feeling stressed or down.

 

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Turkey and Wild Rice

Turkey and Wild Rice

  • 1-1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup raw wild rice
  • 1/2 cup long-grain brown rice
  • 3 cups sliced mushrooms (button, crimini, or portobello)
  • 1 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • 3 cups turkey, chicken, or vegetable stock, or water
  • 1 cup cooked light meat turkey, cut in bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli
  • Cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley (for garnish)

Select a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and rice and saute about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, soy sauce, and pepper and saute for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add stock or water, cover tightly, and bring to a boil. When it boils, reduce heat to low and simmer 40 minutes. Add broccoli and turkey pieces, stir, and simmer 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.

Taste and add seasonings (more garlic or pepper, or a dash of cayenne). Garnish with fresh parsley.

Cooking Time: 1 hour, 1 minute.
Nutritional Information (using stock):

323g calories 1g saturated fat 3g fiber
9g total fat 41g carbs 22g protein

 

 

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Goodbye 2011!

What a year 2011 has been for me.  I can’t believe all of these things have happened.  When I look back, I am in awe of what I’ve been able to accomplish and know that 2012 is only going to be even better!

 

Some of the highlights:

  • Watched my Mother defeat Breast Cancer.
  • Led back to God.
  • Was able to quit my Full Time J.O.B. and become a Work at Home Mom fulfilling my life long dream of helping others.
  • Went on an awesome Girls only Caribbean cruise.  What a BLAST!!!
  • Celebrated my 3rd Beachbody coaching anniversary.
  • Found a Doctor to help treat my RA and is actively working with me to get it under control.
  • Had some amazing people brought into my life who have changed me.
  • Traveled all over the country…including Washington DC, Dallas, Santa Monica, LA, Niagara Falls, Eastern NC and even further to The Caribbean.

So, Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012!!  Thank you for being a part of this year!

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Enter to win!

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas!


Did you know that the 12 Days of Christmas Carol has is roots in the 18th Century England, as a memory game sung by British children? In this game players had to remember all the previous verses and add a new verse at the end. Those unable to remember the verse correctly, had to give a kiss or a give piece of candy to the others.


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10 EASY Ways to Cut Calories

We’re all looking for ways to cut calories, be more healthier and so on but here are some REALLY EASY ways to live a healthier lifestyle.


1. Nonstick: Use nonstick pans for baking, grilling, sauteing and even for soup. Their easy to clean up and require a little amount of cooking spray, wine, water or juice to cook with.
2. Method: Bake, broil, grill, poach or saute foods instead of deep-frying.  You’ll be amazed at how many calories you save by just doing this.
3. Reduce: Simply reduce the amount of fat and/or sugar in your recipes. For example, replace half the oil with applesauce or fruit puree when you bake; you can also use one-third less sugar or dried fruit to add sweetness to cereal. .
4. Baste: Instead of basting the turkey or chicken with butter or margarine, cut the saturated fat, and especially trans fat  by basting with vegetable broth, white wine or different juices.  You can also use fresh herbs, placed underneath the skin.  Just remember to remove the skin prior to consumption.
5. Lean: Buy the leanest cuts of meat and trim all visible fat before cooking. White meats are healthier than red meats.
6. Dairy: Buy low-fat and nonfat varieties of milk, sour cream, yogurt and cheese. And, you won’t notice the difference in taste.
7. Chocolate: Why deny yourself the sensuous pleasure of chocolate when there’s cocoa and Shakeology? You’ll get your chocolate fix in no time.
8. Eggs: When cooking, just substitute two egg whites for one whole egg (the fat, cholesterol and most of the calories from eggs are in the yolks). You won’t even miss the yolk.  Promise!
9. Crumbs: Substitute crunchy cereal for higher-calorie commercial bread crumbs. I like to use Kashi or Grape Nuts for homemade chicken tenders.
10. Cut: Make servings smaller. Portion control is one of the simplest things that we can do to cut calories.  Instead of using your typical everyday plate, use one that is smaller.
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How to survive FLU Season

Flu season is here.  If you haven’t had it yet, I certainly hope that you don’t get it.  I’ve been trying to beat this thing for 3 days now and I can tell you that I am SO READY to see it go.  As much as I LOVE tea, I’m tired of it!  And I’m hoping that all the cough drops haven’t put me “over” my calorie range for the day.

For me, eating healthy and working out each day help keeps my immune system in check.  But, I will admit that I’ve been traveling a bit lately and have not done my best at staying on track.  I know though that eating clean and staying away from processed foods will make a difference and so I’ve been trying to eat as healthy as I can.

As far as my workouts go this week, I’ve done what I could when I felt up to it.  I’m not going to allow my illness to come between me and my routine though.  I’ve had to modify my workouts and even missed a day because I felt that it was important to listen to my body.  I’ve come to learn that it’s okay to take a day of rest when sick but I won’t use it as an excuse for not working out.

If you’re well enough to exercise, the key is to keep some momentum going without overdoing it.  If you do fall off the wagon, don’t give up once you’re feeling better. Just get back up and get back on track.

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Quick and Easy Holiday Weight Loss Tips

Regardless whether you are just starting out on your weight loss journey or are well on your way, something that I really recommend you do is to take a look at the size of your portions.  You’ll also want to log what and when you are eating, plus the exercise that you do each day.  Doing something as simple as this will help keep you in check each and every day. I LOVE to use the free site MyFitnessPal to track my food. There are many more sites out there that you can even download an app for your smartphone. so that way, you’ll always have access to your “journal.”  I use WOWY to track my exercise daily and it also gives me a shot of putting a little extra cash in my pocket. If you don’t know what WOWY is, you can check it out here.

Since we’ve already entered the holiday season, I know you’ll be tempted with goodies and treats and even pressed for time some days.  Little tricks that you can apply while you’re at a party, a friend’s house or even at your very own will help keep you on track.  It’s very easy to go over your recommended calories.  Believe me when I say it is….that extra stuffed mushroom, glass of wine or piece of pie can all add up.  One thing that I’ve done in the past at parties…AND to keep from being noticed that I’m writing in my food journal…is use a mobile application to keep track (again MyFitnessPal has a great one) or I’ve even taken a quick picture of my plate. These are simple little strategies that work and help keep you accountable.

So now that I’ve shared with you some quick, easy tips, tell me…..How do you stay on track?

 

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