Day 30 &31 - "Don't Put OFF What YOU Can do Today for Tomorrow"

Hey yall!!!

I am absolutely loving my recovery week! Tough and effective but the pace is really nice!  INSANITY month two is scaring me! My best friend is on it right now and she told me how INSANE it is but she assured I could do it and not to be scared (Inside I am screaming EEEEEEEEEEEEK)!

I wanted to write a little something that I have learned this month that may be beneficial for those who want to start working out or trying to go for a healthier lifestyle!  I honestly can say that this can be a lifestyle that I can life with that makes me happy!  It is fun to try new things and watch your body change in ways for the better!  You can't complain about wanting a smaller stomach, tighter arms and thighs and all that type of stuff if you constantly make poor eating choices and the only work out you do is lift your arms to eat lol!  It is a mental thing and you must be ready mentally!  You may stumble through your journey and that is okay and natural but don't let one mess up be a pattern.  Pick up where you left off and just start again until you can make it a true change in your life!

I think being accountable to myself, my bff, my bf and you wonderful readers has really gave me what I needed to stick with this and just wanting to be healthy and live a good happy, healthy life.  It has been fun trying new things, working out (even though I have days I don't want too), making new meals and helping others with ideas with their healthy lifestyle.  My best friend could here it in my voice how excited I am about this new change in my life.  She is my hair person and I am her food person! She gives me great tips on how to help my hair grow and keep from breaking and I help her get ideas for recipes and push her to try new things.  She is such a great person! Everyone needs a bff in their life that can understand them, keep it real with them, support them (no matter what), love them, listen to them and just be there for them.  I am so happy to have her in my life.  My bf has been very supportive as well and I appreciate that.  I am happy that he is working towards being healthier as well so now I don't have to smell french fries while I'm eating brown rice (hahaha)!  He has been doing good and his technique has been to make a meal that he can cook on Sundays that can be his dinner through out the week.  So if you don't have an accountability partner or something to keep you accountable, please find it.  Do it for yourself and your future!!!  The support from my family has also been very beneficial.  Them being proud of me really motivates me to keep going.  I SO love the great folks got placed in my life!!!!

from pinterest

So here is my two cents on YOU or someone you know who wants to get healthy based on my experience so far...

• If you don't think you can go cold turkey with some things, start taking steps to be healthier whether it is you just stopping your pop (soda) consumption and going forward from there or just throwing out all the "bad" things that won't help you lose weight.

• Read "The Eat Clean Diet" book or Oxygen magazine.  Great start to get ideas.

• Get rid of your temptations like sugar coated cereal, candy, pop, etc.

• Don't weigh in every day....maybe once a week if you must but I do every two weeks and be sure to do it at the same time of day.  I prefer morning.

• Eat breakfast!  Missing meals DOES NOT help you lose weight.

• Portion control is a must!

• Eat 5-6 small meals a day.

• Treat yourself to keep your sanity is what I wise man (my bro) told me, don't overindulge but a treat or two should be okay if you must.

• Eat! Try more whole foods and less processed food.  If you don't eat and skip meals your body holds on to your fat and thinks you are in starvation mode.  So eat!! But eat healthier!

• Plan ahead! Find recipes or meals you want to make...make a grocery list and get prepared for the week.  I have a grocery list tab above that has a list of items to get you started.

• Get your metabolism going right away by drinking one or two glasses of water in the morning!

• Each meal you need a complex carb and a lean protein and this goes for snacks too!  Google and you can find several.  Also look through my blog for meals and snacks that I have eaten.

• Prepare snacks and lunch at night so you don't have any excuse not to eat right throughout the day.  It saves time in the morning.  I also get things measured and supplies out for my mornings when I plan to have oatmeal for breakfast.  It makes for a smoother morning.

• Keep your workouts fun and have variety.  

• Find fitness that you can do that you enjoy like walking, boxing, swimming,etc.

• Work on your will power!  There can be several situations that can get you off track if you don't stay strong.  i.e. happy hour, parties, etc just remember moderation!

Here are a few key items that help aid in my success so far with being healthier:

• Large Water Bottle (keep with you all the time)
• Nice size lunch bag
• Lots of containers and sandwich bags to carry snacks in and meals
• Great pair of shoes to workout in 
• Fun workout clothes (keeps me motivated)
• Laptop/Computer (research new recipes)
• Accountability partner
• Eat Clean Diet book
• Collage of positive words and motivating photos on my fridge
• Calorie counter (good in the beginning until you start figuring out portions and what not)
• Gym Membership, workout videos, home workout plan, etc

Top Food Items I MUST have...

• Water
• Oatmeal
• Eggs
• Fish, Chicken, Turkey meat
• Brown Rice
• Almond Milk
• Greek Yogurt
• Fresh Veggies and Fruits
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Frozen Veggies
• Olive Oil
• Garlic
• Sea Salt
• Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Pepper Grinder for Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
• Smoked Salmon
• String Cheese
• Tuna
• Sugar Free Jello with Lite Whipped Cream (so good and helps my sweet tooth)

Check out the links on my blog that are on the right hand of the page as well as a few more links to help you as well if you are just getting started...

Body Fat Percentage Calculator

Fit Sugar : Workouts and other helpful information

Tabata Routines and Information: Very intense but said to be highly effective  (gonna try this when done with insanity: 4 minute workouts and mix and match)

My Net Diary : Calorie counter for computers and has phone applications

My Fitness Pal -Calorie counter that you can use on phone apps and computer

You guys who are already health conscious have anything to add to the list to help others.  PLEASE comment and let others know what you have learned in making the right step towards being healthier!

If you want to be updated by email when I post you can look on the right hand side of the page and look for the FOLLOW BY EMAIL space and put in your email.

Until next time folks....meditate, think of a way to change up your workout routine for the better with something fresh and fun!!!!

Thanks for reading and please share a comment on what you think of tonight's blog or any advice you have for me and others working toward a healthier lifestyle!