Friday, April 13, 2012

What do I eat?

I encourage everyone to eat 'clean,' but a lot of people have trouble distinguishing what is clean and what is not. So, in an effort to help out, here's a list of things that are regularly on my shopping list:

  • Organic fruits/vegetables (usually: apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, broccoli, asparagus, celery, iceberg lettuce, spinach, tomato, avocado, green beans)
  • Raw almonds (I'm allergic to these, but i can usually eat a handful and be okay--livin' on the edge!)
  • Tilapia
  • Eggs (organic, brown)
  • Soy milk or coconut milk (i use it in my Shakeology--SO good!)
  • Laura Scudder's smooth peanut butter
  • Organic cereals (granola and shredded wheat squares)
  • Triscuits (plain)
  • Cheese (sparingly)
  • Salsa (Julio's brand--NO PRESERVATIVES)
  • Whole grain/whole wheat bread (check the ingredients--just because it says, "Whole wheat" doesn't mean it's whole grain. It can still have sugar and enriched flour in it.)
  • Whole grain/whole wheat tortillas
  • Tuna
  • Chicken
  • Ground turkey
  • Tofu
  • Whole wheat pasta (I eat this about 1x every 2 weeks)
  • Truvia (i use this in my coffee during the week)
  • Lara bars (I'll sometimes pick up a few of these, but not often)
  • Better Oats brand oatmeal (LOVE this stuff)
  • Plain, steel-cut oatmeal (Nature's brand)
  • Beans (black beans, pinto, red beans, etc.)
I know there are other things--i'm just not remembering! I DO drink Shakeology 1-2x a day. I LOVE my Shakeology, and will never go back to NOT having it! I drink a TON of water, too!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Think you can't?

You can. Think you don't have the time? You do. Think your body can't change? It can. Think you can't change old habits? Throw that crap out the window. Here's an example:

I used to know this woman--wife, mother of two, full-time job. She did what many working parents do: Go to work, sit on her butt at work (Hello, desk job!), eat when she could (rarely healthy), get off of work, run the kids to their various activities, shower, conk out at 11pm, and start the day all over the next morning. Sound familiar? Of course it does--many, MANY houses run like that--you're not alone.

Over time, this woman had lost any "her" time that she ever had. She started to gain weight because, well, as much running around as she did, she was fueling her body incorrectly, and really--driving to and fro doesn't burn many calories. One day, the woman was looking through pictures, and for the first time in a LONG time, actually saw herself. And I mean SAW herself. She saw the extra pounds, the untoned body, the creases in her forehead from stress. And she knew that it was time. So this is what she did:
She made herself a priority.

She stopped scheduling lunch-time calls. She stopped thinking granola bars were healthy. She stopped thinking, "Oh, I look okay for a 'mom'." She stopped making excuses.

She started dedicating 1-hour for herself (at her lunch hour). She stopped eating processed foods. She stopped thinking she looked okay, and decided that she could be healthier. Guess what happened?

She lost 40 pounds. She lost a ridiculous amount of inches. She became a smaller size than when she was in high school. She became happier. She became friendlier. She became a better mom. She became more patient. She became a better wife. She became a BETTER PERSON.

In the big picture, what changed? What did this parent give up? The answer: ONE HOUR A DAY.

So you say it can't be done? I say it can. Because I'm that person who didn't have time.

For one week, write down everything you do. Ex. 6am: wake up. 7am: leave for work/drop off kids. Noon: lunch (can you get in a workout here? No---move on). 5pm: Leave work/pick up kids. 630pm: Dinner, etc.

If you can't make an hour for yourself, you CAN make 30 minutes. Carve it out in the morning or before bed. It CAN happen. You think 30 minutes won't/can't make a difference? IT WILL. I promise!!

You can do this. YOU can make that change. Believe in yourself. You deserve it.