Eating Healthy on a budget ;)

People complain all the time that eating healthy is expensive. The reality is that healthy eating can be cheap and quick too. Difficult economic times do not mean that we have to sacrifice our health — or budget –  when it comes to food.  With careful planning and a little effort, healthy eating can fit into  a budget, but preparation and planning are key.  Be thoughtful, kind, and respectful to your body. PLAN AND PREPARE. Plan meals ahead of time that will stretch you a month long. What works for me is buying chicken in bulk, large bag of frozen vegetables and berries that last me the month- along with my natural herbal products.  This is what works for me and I am just giving an example of how I choose to live  a healthy lifestyle and not burn a whole in my wallet. Although it may seem a lot up front- I average out my costs to at most $12-15 a day for breakfast, lunch, snacks  and dinner. That’s extremely good considering people will go out for lunch at that price, plus tip, and even more for dinner. It’s important to shop when you are not hungry and go strictly to the aisles you know where your items are at on your list. On a day you are not busy pre cook some chicken (or your preferred protein) that will last you 3-4 days so all you have to do is heat it up and prepare with whatever you are having on the side. Throw on some legumes/beans, stir fry vegetables, brown rice,etc to make it a balanced lean and mean meal.  All these in bulk are budget friendly.

For example of a daily menu: PRICE BREAK DOWN PER SERVING

Breakfast:  Peanut butter cookie shake shake: Herbalife cookies n cream formula 1- ($1.21),  chocolate protein powder($1.48), 1 TBSP PEANUT BUTTER ($0.21) 1/2 banana ($.010)  (cinnamon ($0.02) water and ice PRICELESS

Snack: gala apple- $0.69  ALMONDS ($0.30) toast ($.15) avocado ($0.24 ) cottage cheese($0.47 )

Lunch : TUNA SPINACH SALAD SANDWICH.: spinach ($0.24) TUNA ($0.69) Sweet Spicy mustard ($.07) bread 2 pieces ($0.33) Red Onion ($.02) Mushroom slices($0.24). Kale Chips-HOMEMADE ($0 .40)  carrots and hummus (~$0.89)

Snack: Peanut butter  Protein bar ($1.34) peach ( $0.88)

Dinner: Chicken breast(1.99) sweet potato ($0.69) stir fry vegetables ($1.23) sauces : honey mustard:~ $0.11 sirracha ~$ 0.13)

Dessert: Banana ($0.19) chocolate chips ( $0.13) PB ($0.21) herbalife cookies n cream formula 1(1/2 serving) ($0.61)

TOTAL FOR THE DAY: $15.26 —–> a lot of good nutritional stuff for this price

Example of a power salad I made for cheap cheap cheap: 

TIPS:

• Choose your meat wisely and buy in bulk. You then can freeze it properly and use it at your convenience.
• Or Consider Going Meatless:  Skipping meat, even once or twice a week, can help save money, since meat is usually the most expensive part of a meal. I read  even at current prices, you can save $210 per year by swapping out 1 pound of sirloin ($5.99) with a 14-ounce block of tofu  ($1.96) once a week for a year.
• Discover Great Ways to Use Canned Fish:  Canned salmon and tuna provide omega-3 fats, which help keep your heart healthy by lowering triglycerides and blood pressure. The difference: canned fish is really cheap. At just $3.68 per pound (just over 3 cans at $1.15 each), canned tuna is a delicious, healthy and cheap option for dinner. Get creative.
•  Grains and legumes are inexpensive and pack a nutritional power punch.Plus, they add a heaviness to a meal that most people rely on meat for.
• Buying bulk can save a lot of money. You can purchase grains, pastas, dried fruits, nuts and flours in the bulk isles of your grocery or natural foods store. You can choose the amount that works for you (bulk doesn’t mean you need 25 pounds of rice at a time!), and bulk food sections give a lower price per quantity ratio while saving on packaging.
• Seasonal foods not only taste better, they are more nutritious and they don’t need to be shipped in from half a world away!Seasonal foods will often cost less as well. Think ahead and stock up on fruits and vegetables in their natural season in order to can or freeze them for the off season.
• While it may seem like some processed foods are cheaper, the real steal is on the nourishment they provide. Empty calories still leave us hungry for real food. When we spend money on real, whole, organic, herbal and fresh foods, it is essential that we shift our old ways of food shopping.

Small shifts in the way we feed ourselves and families can help us find that sweet spot between staying responsible with our budgets, and feeding ourselves  healthy, organic, herbal,and vital foods/ supplements. Think of all your food items you purchase as little treasures you are going to store in your chest box full of gold!!!!!

For questions on meal planning and fitness evaluations email me at ablifestyle3@gmail.com

Its Mind over Matter

So I have been posting a lot of body workouts that you can take and use to tighten those muscle fibers. But some people struggle with even putting on their nike’s tying them and getting out the door. I practice, I preach on having a balanced mind, body and spirit lifestyle. One of the most important things first is your mind- if your mind isn’t right- then how are you going to function or focus on a workout? How are you going to crush goals if you can’t self motivate and dedicate yourself to them?

There is no magic pill, no secret technique or approach that can solve this problem for you. It will take time, hard work and persistence to get yourself where you want to be. But there are several things you can do (and think) that can make all that hard work a little easier and greatly improve your chances of success.

No doubt about it, sticking to a weight loss or exercise program day after day can be tough. And without the proper support and motivation, any inroads made in terms of losing weight or adopting a fitness routine  could be for naught. Weight loss is really a mind game. When you think about it you can always feed the hunger center of your brain the correct, healthy foods, and it will feel “full.” It’s the emotional side of you that your brain must overcome. And that’s not easy. I even have days where it’s tough.

As you implement your lifestyle change, you have a chance to begin to make better, healthier choices in your life selections. Take it slowly and consider following the lead set by the “successful lifestyles.”

Smile and laugh out loud several times a day. It keeps you grounded, and helps you cope with situations that would otherwise make you crazy. Read a funny story, watch a sitcom, or tell jokes to bring out those happy feelings.

Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace for at least 10-20 minutes each day. Contemplation is good for your soul, helps you cope with the demands of daily life. I started doing this every day. Take the time to really visualize what it is you want and how you want your day to go.

Have a positive attitude. Do your best to look at life as if “the glass is half full.” You must believe in yourself, have good support systems, and think positively (“I think I can, I think I can…”) to succeed.

If you give it some thought, I bet you’ll agree that losing weight is not really your goal. Sure you want to lose weight and it’s important to you. But why? Is it because some number on a scale is really that important and meaningful in and of itself? Probably not. If you’re like most people, you probably want to lose weight because in your mind that will make it easier for you to live the kind of life you want to live. Keep that vision in mind every time you you take a step towards your goal.

These are good steps to and questions to ask yourself:

1. What do I want my life to look like in (1, 5 or 10) years? Explain what you want to be doing, the roles you want to take on, how you want to see yourself, etc.
2. What would my ideal days look like? Explain why you’d look forward to getting up in the morning, the first thing you’d do every day, who you’d spend time with, the good experiences you want to have each day, how you’d face challenges in your daily life, etc.
3. What personal values (love, human connection, security, independence, comfort, interest, excitement, contribution to society, family, career success etc.) do I want my daily life to express and reflect? Include how you’d rank these values if you had to choose between them at any given moment.

These are just tools you can use to get your mind right and get yourself thinking. Write yourself a vision statement to get yourself from where you are to whee you want to be.  DO not get down on yourself!!  Focus on what you can CHANGE in your life as “fit.” It’s also a good idea to include pictures  that will remind you of your goals and vision on tough days. Use your Vision Statement regularly to remind yourself why you are committed to your goals. You against YOURSELF!!

Stay up, Stay Positive

Benefits of fitness and eating healthy during and after a diagnosis of any kind of cancer!!

This is an AWESOME article written by David Hass. He reached out to me to post this on my site as a great topic to have everyone aware of how important it is to take care of your body after cancer!!!  Each different cancer has its limitations, but if one can keep a healthy body, they can have a better chance to overcome this awful disease! I have had many people in my family come across cancer, including my mom. She is a strong survivor most to what she did after her chemo and surgery. SHE ATE RIGHT AND EXERCISED  It is 80% nutrition and 20% physical activity.  A lot of what makes us who we are and what we look like is what we put in our body and how we treat it. Every little change you make in your life naturally will impact your health. I have now been a certified trainer for 2 years and have educated myself day in and day out on nutrition for the body. Everything from weight loss, targeted nutrition, and people with illnesses Our bodies are the most important machine you WILL EVER OPERATE. Controlling what goes in it, increase energy, obtaining better nutrition and health shouldn’t be work, but rather a lifestyle. Every body needs protein, carbs and fat to survive. But for it to thrive, antioxidants, plant-based nutrients, and other supplements specific to each body’s needs are required. If it’s difficult to consume through food, then it’s easy to supplement it.   I did a lot of research and I have the tools to help you get some of the nutrients your body might be lacking, so that in itself it can restore and rejuvenate to work at optimum levels and help better assimilate nutrients, eliminate impurities and invigorate your body right down to your cells. E MAIL ME AND ASK ME HOW I CAN HELP YOU DESIGN A GREAT NUTRITION PLAN- ABLIFESTYLE3@GMAIL.COM.

UNTIL THEN, PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE! Thank you DAVID!

CLICK HERE TO READ!!! 

To get more great tips and articles go to David’s page HERE

Weight loss mistakes to avoid!

Many dieters tend to make similar mistakes when trying to lose weight. But being aware of these mistakes—and making small physical and mental changes—will help you lose the weight and keep it off for good. You will then find in that process the transition of a lifestyle change rather than a dreadful ”diet.” Here’s how:

Slower is Better
The first mistake dieters make is having unrealistic weight loss expectations. A lifestyle I live is set up for me to maintain my weight and stay healthy. A lifestyle change I could help set up for others is safely losing between half a pound and two pounds per week. Studies show that individuals who rapidly lose weight are more likely to gain it back. So if you’ve lost a few pounds this month—excellent! Don’t discount that because you see someone on T.V. losing 15 pounds in two weeks.

Everyone is Different

While some people lose a lot of weight in the first few weeks, others might not lose any weight for a few weeks. Although this can be frustrating when you’re doing everything right, it’s not a reason to give up. Sometimes it just takes a little while longer to see the results of your hard work reflected on the scale. Remember eating right and exercising regularly have positive impacts on your health in many other ways, such as more energy, less stress, better sleep, and reduced risk of many diseases. You’ll receive those benefits, regardless of the number on the scale.

Weight Loss is Rarely  Constant from Week to Week
Many people lose a lot in the first few weeks, and then their weight loss slows down considerably. It’s totally normal to have weeks when you lose more than expected, and weeks when your weight remains the same despite your consistent efforts. Our bodies are very complicated and don’t always cooperate with the estimates of how much we should expect to lose. People rarely lose a consistent amount of weight each week. Measuring your weight loss on a monthly basis can be a more accurate gauge of how well you are doing. But always ALWAYS stay on track, even if you derail a little.

Eating Less Isn’t Always Better
A lot of people assume that the less you eat, the faster you will lose. One of the biggest mistakes dieters make is not eating enough. Your calorie range is based on your current weight, goal weight, how aggressive your goal is (whether you want to lose weight quickly or slowly) and how much exercise you are doing. Your recommended calorie range might seem like a lot of food—especially if you are accustomed to fad, restrictive diets.  I have a great program I can help anyone get to their goals-MAINTAIN, LOSE , OR EVEN GAIN MUSCLE WEIGHT. 

But if your body is not getting enough nutrients and calories (especially if you eat less than your recommended CALORIE range), your metabolism will slow down. This is called “starvation mode” because your body thinks it is experiencing a famine, so it starts holding onto every calorie you give it, making weight loss much slower or impossible, and weight gain more likely. That’s why it’s so important to eat within your calorie range. If you aren’t, you could be doing more harm than gooD. What’s great about the program I could help set your goals is by providing your body the lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals a lot of people miss out on through food. It’s easy, manageable, and only ranges out to $5-$6 a day to get YOURSELF HEALTHY. Now that’s a good investment. WHO SAYS BEING HEALTHY WOULD BE COST EFFECTIVE? YES THERE ARE WAYS AROUND IT.

It’s never ever to late to jump on the band wagon to a healthy  lifestyle. Set goals and start a manageable plan to get you on your road to success.  

KREMA PEANUT BUTTER REVIEW

KREMA- AHHH SO DIVINE. It is delicious and nutritious. I can’t tell you how much I love peanut butter. When I find new peanut butter brands to try  I jump with joy because this is my favorite food!!! 

It will always be a staple in my household and a part of my diet.

It is one of the oldest peanut butter companies in the country!! It was established in 1898 -whoa long time ago! What I love about it is it only contains peanuts. It still comes out extremely smooth and creamy. It comes out very oily because it’s all natural; which  I like when I dab and  smear on my oats or homemade treats.  It does not contain any salt, added sugar, or hydrogenated oils like all the other big brand names out there. If you have a sweet tooth or salty tooth all you can do is add a dab of salt or sugar to your needs. My personal preference is it all by itself. It also contains no trans fat and is a good source of unsaturaed fat and folic acid. I recently came upon this in the store and I knew I had to write into the company to blog and give my reviews.

The first one  I tried was Natural Creamy peanut Butter

This one is my favorite! So smooth and has a natural peanut butter taste. I used it in a banana bread recipe I recently made and posted. It gave such a perfect soft texture and matched well with the banana taste. Man did my sister and I devour that bread fast! Check the recipe and try this creamy peanut butter to mix in. Of course I added a smear on top of the bread after warm out of the oven. MmMmMm

Second was the Krema Crunchy Peanut Butter

It is a creamy base, with chunks of peanuts in it. I love this as well. 

So far with this one I have been smearing on whole wheat cinnamon swirl toast with sliced banana! I also mix it in to my morning oats, which contain 1/3 cup oat bran, 1T chia seed, 1T flax meal, and sometimes HERBALIFE CHOCOLATE PROTEIN POWDER (makes it taste like chocolate cake- and adds extra protein and vitamin/mineral boost!!). This concotion keeps me full and fueled for hours! Especially before a hard work out or busy day! I recommend both of these and to purchase you can find more at their website www.kremaproducts.com

I will continue making and expierencing new recipes! I want to try making unusual recipes as well. Next up I want to try their hot and spicy Krema Peanut butter and make a chicken veggie noodle dish with a peanut sauce mixed in!!!Yuuum!

Have a good day everyone and ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SMILE! 

How the Girl scout COOKIE CRUMBLES

Awww memories of girl scout cookies. The day  when you would eat a whole box in 2 days and not have a guilt in the world? Right….Well as you get older things change and you  need to start thinking about your indulgences. In January, charming little girls came to your door to ask if you would support them and purchase some cookies. Their poise and confident sales approach won you over. Your idea was to give the cookies away or hide them in the freezer when they arrived. Now that the cookies have been delivered, it isn’t as easy as you thought it would be. The cookies prob weren’t given away and you probably didn’t leave the package un-opened….Annual cookie sales provide these girls with a wonderful opportunity to learn sales and marketing skills. The better the girl’s skills, the more cookies we typically purchase which can really derail our weight loss goals. Since no foods are off limits in a healthy lifestyle, mastering portion control will be your key to successfully staying on track during this time of year.Here are the best Girl Scout cookie choices and the recommended serving size. SOURCE: from Spark People

Trefoils (5-cookie serving) or Shortbread Cookies (4-cookie serving)
Calories – 160 (Shortbread – 120)
Fat – 8 grams (Shortbread – 4.5 grams)
Sodium – 115 mg (Shortbread – 105 mg)
Carbohydrate – 22 grams (Shortbread – 19 grams)Protein – 2 grams (Shortbread – 1 gram)

Savannah Smiles (5-cookieserving)
Calories – 140
Fat – 5 grams
Sodium – 125 mg
Carbohydrate – 23 grams
Protein – 1 gram

Shout Outs! (4-cookie serving)
Calories – 130
Fat – 5 grams
Sodium – 130 mg
Carbohydrate – 18 grams
Protein – 2 grams

Dulce de Leche (4-cookie serving)
Calories – 160
Fat – 8 grams
Sodium – 70 mg
Carbohydrate – 20 grams
Protein – 1 gram

Thin Mints (4-cookie serving)
Calories – 160
Fat – 8 grams
Sodium – 120 mg
Carbohydrate – 22 grams
Protein – 1 gram

Here are the cookie choices that you will want to pay close attention to serving sizes when enjoying.

Lemonades (2-cookie serving)
Calories – 150
Fat – 7 grams
Sodium – 80 mg
Carbohydrate – 22 grams
Protein – 1 gram

Thanks-A-Lot (2-cookie serving)
Calories – 150
Fat – 6 grams
Sodium – 110 mg
Carbohydrate – 22 grams
Protein – 2 grams

Peanut Butter Sandwich (3-cookie serving) or Do-Si-Dos (2-cookie serving)
Calories – 160 (Do-Si-Dos – 110)
Fat – 6 grams (Do-Si-Dos – 5 grams)
Sodium – 135 mg (Do-Si-Dos – 70 mg)
Carbohydrate – 26 grams (Do-Si-Dos – 16 grams)
Protein – 2 grams (Do-Si-Dos – 2 grams)

Samoas or Caramel deLites (2-cookie serving)
Calories – 140
Fat – 7 grams
Sodium – 55 grams (Caramel deLites – 85 mg)
Carbohydrate – 19 grams
Protein – 1 gram

Tagalongs or Peanut Butter Patties (2-cookie serving)
Calories – 140 (Peanut Butter Patties – 130)
Fat – 9 grams (Peanut Butter Patties – 8 grams)
Sodium – 95 mg (Peanut Butter Patties – 110 mg)
Carbohydrate – 13 grams
Protein – 2 grams (Peanut Butter Patties – 1 gram)

Thank U Berry Munch (2-cookie serving)
Calories – 120
Fat – 5 grams
Sodium – 75 mg
Carbohydrate – 18 grams
Protein – 1 gram

Which Girl Scout cookie is your favorite? Are you able to follow recommended serving sizes when enjoying them?

Mine are the Samoas or the Tagalongs ( of course because you all know chocolate and peanut butter are my best friend/ enemy ). In reality is having 2 cookies easy to stop at? NO! So I personally try to stay away and make delcious ‘sweet treats’ on my own and give a healthy alternative twist that won’t derail me off track.   In a lifestyle it’s all about balancing things you enjoy in life but also putting in the hard work. You want to be a fit person, right?  That’s why I’m sharing my own habits for keeping fit and staying healthy. One that works for me is listening to my body. If I feel like indulging I will, but you have to have the WILLPOWER to know when to STOP!

   If you indulge, well stay on track and stay active. For most of us, work is a reality of life. Whether you love your job or hate it, working for a living is something that you know you have to do, and probably don’t have much trouble motivating yourself to show up to each day. Wake up, get ready, arrive on time, do a decent enough job to not get fired (maybe better!), rinse and repeat…day after day, week after week. As responsible adults, we make our careers a priority out of necessity. We work to make money, which helps us live the lives we desire. You can complain about it, or just do it-EITHER WAY THE MOTIVATION IS THE money. So when it comes to a healthy lifestyle- what mOtivation is it going to take for people to take care of themeselves and health? Is it going to be the month later where 10+ extra pounds show up on the scale, or a trip to the doctors office to be told your cholesterol and blood pressure numbers  are off the charts to scare you to get healthy? Where does the line lie for you? What motivates you to get things done in life? So why do we treat other areas of our lives  so much less important? You can hate your job but still show up 40+ hours a week. So why not spend 20-60 minutes a day to take care of yourself! The benefits are huge: weight management, stress relief, stronger bones and muscles, a healthier heart, less depression, higher self-esteem, a sense of pride and accomplishment, a decreased risk for countless chronic and debilitating diseases—far outweigh the temporary “rewards” of skipping it (more couch time or a few extra minutes of sleep).What would it look like if we all treated exercise like our jobs (or at least our second jobs)? Doing exactly that can help you make fitness part of your life once and for all.

So before you dive into a box of cookies- decide where the line lies for yourself. Of course since I love healthy alternatives, I came up with my own healthy GIRL SCOUT COOKIE RECIPE! Look under recipes in DESSERT.

Make the BEST yoU!!!

Good day my peoples!

Today is an informative day. Why do we care so much about reading up on health articles, healthy recipes, tips, and the new workout trend? Well because today obesity and people gaining weight has become an EPIDEMIC!! Obesity has been on the rise since about 1980 and is now at epidemic proportions. How and why did obesity start; we didn’t suddenly become a country of overly hungry people eating everything in sight. You don’t have much time and you are hungry. So you go and get a fast food meal, day after day. Obesity can start just like that. The same for the pre-packaged processed foods. And those fats and calories add up quickly. This is people acting on hunger and busy lifestyles with the wrong foods.

With people’s hectic schedules it led to quick fixes-aka fast food- or easy grab to go food processed crap in the grocery stores.  People really don’t take time these days to sit down and enjoy what they are putting in their body. And if you think about it, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. Literally in every aspect. We don’t become healthy by becoming thin; you become thin by becoming healthy.  We have more glowing skin, silky hair, healthy organs, more energy, and feel more pure ALL FROM EATING GOOD AND CLEAN!  And not to mention, with being healthy you will naturally be thin and fit.

Now don’t get me wrong. I believe in indulgences and eating all the delicious stuff out there. But I’m only talking about doing this 10-15% of the time. The other 85-90%% should be eating clean to look LEAN! I didn’t always have this mindset. Growing up I ate anything in site when hungry. I have by no means ever been overweight ( prob because I have always played sports and been active) but I definitely was not as fit and energized as I am today.  For example I would go to dinner at Red Robin with friends after a soccer game and basically scarf down a basket of fries even before my meal was served. Then I would have my honey mustard grilled chicken burger with more fries to be exact! 

Woop there it is. Looks divine but honestly my lifestyle and eating habits have changed.. I GENUINELY enjoy healthy foods and healthy eating? Why? Because I like they way it makes me feel, I have more energy, and I genuinely like the way it TASTES!  Food is fuel for our bodies, and if we put unhealthy food into our system then we can expect to feel badly. Healthy eating makes you feel better. If you eat healthy food, then you will generally feel better throughout the day.

We Live this life ONCE- SO WHY NOT LIVE IT TO THE BEST! What you eat can also be a huge support as you go through different stages in your life. Your food choices can help reduce PMS, boost fertility, combat stress, make pregnancy easier, and ease the symptoms of menopause. Whatever your age, committing to a healthy diet will help you look and feel your best so that you stay on top of your commitments and enjoy life. So please stop and take time for yourself on what you are doing in your life to live it healthy and to the best. Yes that photo above looks good, but I def would choose a different item on the menu. Here are some photos of what makes me drool:

    See how colorful and delcious these looooook!!!!!!!! yuuuum

 

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PUT IN YOUR BODY TODAY TO MAKE THE BEST YOU?

 

check my recipe page for good nutritious and delicious fooooods

Footprints to your OWN path ;)

People often say that thoughts become things- but questions are what help determine our thoughts.

Successful people simply ask better questions. If you ask better questions, you get better answers. When you have better answers, you make better decisions. Better decisions lead to better results.

The quality of your life improves.

Now, you may be thinking, “ok that makes sense, but how do I do this?”

You have often heard the suggestion or saying “ask and ye shall receive.” It’s true.

Think for a second about something you want and what you are willing to do to get that.

Maybe ask a question that will put you in a better mood in an instant- what are you happy, proud, grateful, excited about?Once you are in a better mood you can then really start to focus on what you want.

An Exercise/Process To Help You Ask Better Questions:

• Set out to ask four questions about that thing that you want.
• What is in your way?
• How are you limiting yourself?
• What can get you to that goal?
• Who can help you?

Asking questions can get you anything you want. When you ask the right questions, and write them down you then have a plan. When you have a plan, you have instantly increased the odds that you will get what you what. Or at a minimum you will have increased your belief in your ability to get what you want. YOur focus is to help you gain hope, increase your optimism. What is interesting about this focus is that you can get to this point, and start nurturing this, without sticking to a stringent plan.

It is A GREAT place to be, and WORTH the work it takes to get there.

People have responded to this concept, and really embraced it. If you think about it, so many traditional diet approaches are a Skin to push a beach ball under water. Obviously the ball will bounce right back up .But when you think in terms of the journey, you break it down into a small series of adjustments. Start making small footprints in that journey and you will create your own clear path…

You must focus on what you can control versus

what you cannot control.

When you try to change everything, you get overwhelmed

because your mind actually is an amazing problem solver.

Your capable mind, the thing that solves problems and takes

care of things every single day tries to solve all the problems,

including the ones that it has NO CONTROL over.

 I want you to pick one thing you can control and focus on only what you CAN control.  This helps you break down the all or nothing thinking and helps you realize, ok, I can control this one thing.  You will get some confidence about changing a situation and your brain says, “Ok, I did something about that.  I can do something about this!”

As you build one win on top of another, by focusing on the things you can control, your thinking becomes reprogrammed and instead of thinking in black or white, it begins to think in the shades of gray.

You begin to understand by focusing on the things you can control, you
can win one step at a time.

listen TO YOUR BODY!!! food CRAVINGS!!

You make a choice that affects your health every time you’re in the kitchen, at the grocery store, or even at work. Are your decisions as fit as they can be?
Sometimes you have to look deeper into these cravings. Why does it seem that we are always craving foods that are bad for us? When our bodies crave something, we often seek out foods that satisfy our food cravings to the extreme, whether it be salt, sugar, carbohydrates, or caffeine. Have you ever been told to listen to your body? When it craves a certain food or nutrient, it often points to something real going on in your body that should be addressed. Here are the answers to your questions about food cravings, plus a look at thefive foods we crave the most.

Chocolate

According to the Journal of Nutrition, chocolate is the most widely craved food in America. Most people have a taste for chocolate, which helps, but chocolate also contains key ingredients that may be linked to why we crave it so much. For instance, many people seem to crave chocolate when they are stressed or feeling down. Chocolate’s reputation as an aphrodisiac stems from its phenylethylamine content, which regulates the body’s release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural mood lifters and often have a calming effect when the body is stressed. Chocolate also contains traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a substance found in marijuana. THCreacts with cells in the brain to release dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters responsible for the release of endorphins. The “high” from marijuana is therefore replicated to a much lesser degree when eating chocolate. In addition to its “feel good” qualities, chocolate contains large amounts of iron, a mineral that can be depleted during a woman’s menstruation cycle.  If you just have to get that chocolate fix, try dark chocolate to reap its antioxidant benefits!

Another way I  deal with my chocolate craving is using my Herbalife chocolate protein powder and making yummy treats out of it! Refer to my recipe tab for those delicious BITES

Salt

Salt, which most people associate with potato chips or French fries, is another commonly craved food. Like chocolate, some people are drawn to salty foods over other types, which can contribute to the nature of their food cravings. Some experts believe that Americans are so accustomed to a high-sodium diet, that they go into salt “withdrawal” when their eating habits change. This dietary change can be a real shock to one’s system, particularly for those who are dieting or have very low-sodium intake. Slowly cutting back on salt, rather than completely cutting it out of your diet, is a more effective way to reduce your intake of sodium. Finally, a desire for salt may simply be a result of dehydration, the process by which your body loses water, electrolytes and salt. The best way to fight dehydration is by drinking more water and by replacing the lost salt. Many sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade provide the necessary nutrients for hydration, especially after an intense workout. Sudden, excessive cravings for salt can also be a sign of some serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and sickle cell anemia. If you experience symptoms of any of these diseases, you should consult your physician immediately.
Carbohydrates
A craving for carbohydrates usually results in the consumption of refined carbohydrates, which are made from refined sugars and white flour. Consuming these items cause a rapid increase in your body’s blood-sugar levels. Not surprisingly, carb cravings often occur in the mid-afternoon, when your energy stores are at their lowest. While a high-carb snack will give you more energy, it will also cause a sudden drop in energy, which will encourage even more unhealthy snacking. Many carbohydrates are also referred to as “comfort foods,” which people associate with pleasant feelings. When you need a jolt of energy or a mood enhancement, it is natural to turn to the foods that have created those feelings in the past. Instead of reaching for a bag of pretzels or a few (or maybe more) of your favorite cookies, eat a handful of nuts and dried fruit or yogurt to give you the energy you need. The fiber in the nuts will help you to feel full for longer, while the low-glycemic fruit will help to stabilize your blood sugar so that your energy stores aren’t depleted as quickly. Adding a source of protein like yogurt, which takes longer to digest, can also slow down your body’s response to the carbohydrates.

Caffeine

Do you reach for a caffeine fix every time you’re feeling tired? Those who have serious cravings for caffeine throughout the day are most likely suffering from an addiction to caffeine. Caffeine stimulates activity in the brain, which in turn, causes the release of the hormone adrenaline. Despite achieving the desired effect, after the dose of caffeine wears off, it often creates a craving for additional caffeine to recreate the effect. There are healthier, more effective ways of preventing fatigue throughout the day. First, make sure you are getting enough sleep! Second, exercise daily. Although many people mistakenly think that they will be more tired by exercising, they are actually wrong. Overall, exercise will increase your energy level and will enable you to overcome your food cravings. Lastly, make sure you eat a healthy snack that is high in protein and whole grains every few hours to maintain your energy.

——————>Another tip I swear by- is the HEBALIFE GREEN TEA EXTRACT. This stuff is amazing and all natural. Ditch the coffee and soda for this refreshing and tasty alternative. Feel reinvigorated with this natural energy lift. Not only that, –  It’s delicious, instant and low in calories, and has antioxidant and thermogenic benefits of green tea and botanicals. It burns 80 calories everytime you drink it! WOOP WOOP! aSK ME if you have questions for this tea extract!

Fat

When most of us crave fat, we don’t reach for a packet of nuts or a spoonful of flaxseed oil. Instead, we look for sources of saturated fats, such as potato chips, or snacks that satisfy our sweet tooth and our fat craving. Essential fatty acids are healthy fats that contain vitamins A, D and E, which your body uses for healthy skin, hair and nails. Because most Americans eat a diet that is lacking in these essential fats and oils, your body may crave them regularly. Unfortunately, when you respond by eating saturated fats, your body will continue to crave the fat it really needs. Fat also adds flavor and variety to our foods, which can be obtained by adding other healthy foods to your dishes. The next time you’re craving fat, try eating nuts or seeds, nut butters (peanut butter is my FAV!!!!!!!!!!!)avocados, or salmon and tuna. As a healthy substitute for vegetable oil, use olive oil when cooking.

******Food cravings are natural and unavoidable. However, they don’t need to be detrimental to your health if you respond to them appropriately. Stop and think about the real reasons behind your cravings and find solutions that will satisfy them and, at the same time, improve your health. Listen to your body, but don’t let it control you!!!!!

EXIT TO SUCCESS

When you’ve made the decision to start losing weight and get into a regular exercise regime, there are a few things you should consider to help ensure your success. Remember nothing happens in the snap of a finger or overnight. Although you can dream about many great things in life to happen, sometimes you have to snap out of it and be realistic. Everything takes work and effort to get results!

1. Set goals for yourself. Be really specific about your goals. Don’t just say “I want to lose weight”. Instead, say “I want to lose 20 pounds of fat” or “I want to be able to run for five minutes without stopping”.

2. Measure your results. Depending on what your goals are, it’s important to measure yourself along the way. If it’s a specific weight you want to reach, measuring can be done with a scale. If it’s an endurance goal, timing yourself while your workout will work. If it’s your health, like cholesterol, then you’ll need to have a doctor test you. Just remember to have something measurable so you can see whether you’re improving or not.

3. Plan. Writing down your goals and how you plan to accomplish them will do more than you might think to reaching them. To get the most out of this step, do it every day. It’s a bit like a daily affirmation. Plus it’s just a good reminder.

4. Be real. Don’t set goals for yourself that are completely unrealistic. This just sets you up for disappointment. If your goal is to look like a supermodel, you may be setting the bar a little too high. Instead, choose a goal that’s challenging yet reachable.

5. Time yourself. In addition to setting goals, you should set a target date to reach those goals. Again, this needs to be challenging yet realistic.