I’ve always been about healthy eating, but I’ve been even more conscious about it lately since I keep having these health problems that refuse to go away.

I’d like this blog to focus more on healthy living rather than weight loss [...]]]> I caught this link on Twitter this morning and thought it was an interesting read.

I’ve always been about healthy eating, but I’ve been even more conscious about it lately since I keep having these health problems that refuse to go away.

I’d like this blog to focus more on healthy living rather than weight loss specifically. I believe that living a healthy lifestyle is much more important than trying to lose a few pounds. Besides, weight loss is a side effect of healthy living so it makes sense to focus on the latter first.

I’m a firm believer that you are what you eat. Unfortunately, a lot of the foods we eat can be dangerous for our health. Some more so than others. This article talks about 7 foods that experts won’t touch. Grain-fed beef and pesticide ridden apples are among some of the more common foods that health nuts avoid, but I’ll summarize the other 5 here:

Canned Tomatoes – Buying tomatoes in jars or tetra paks is safer than canned tomatoes. Tin cans contain bisphenol-A (BPA) which has been linked to a wide variety of health problems including heart disease. Better be safe rather than sorry and avoid buying them canned. Buying tomatoes locally or growing them yourself is the tastiest and healthiest option. I love eating home grown tomaties with macaroni. Very yummy!

Microwave Popcorn - It’s easy to toss a bag of popcorn in the microwave and chow down, but the chemicals that can stay in your system after eating said popcorn are not looking out for your best interest. My favorite way to make popcorn is in a pot on the stove. Chemical-free and delicous!

Nonorganic Potatoes – Here’s a quote from the article which should be enough encouragement to start buying organic potatoes:

“I’ve talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals.”

Farmed Salmon – Salmon is one of my favorite things to eat and I’m surprised at myself for not knowing that farmed salmon are fed chicken feathers among other gross things! You can read more about farmed salmon and why you should avoid it here.

Hormonal Milk – It’s widely known that dairy producers give their cows hormones to increase milk production which may be linked to certain cancers. It’s not proven yet, but why risk it? Look for organic milk instead. I personally like to drink almond and hemp milk which are readily available at health stores.

Even though it can be more costly to opt for healthier alternatives to the foods listed above, it’s well worth it. You can’t put a price on your health.

Is that you?

I know it used to be me. It still is on some days.

Food is easy to use as a [...]]]> It seems like the majority of people who are overweight are using food as a crutch. Any time they feel sad, lonely or depressed, they turn to food instead of a friend or family member.

Is that you?

I know it used to be me. It still is on some days.

Food is easy to use as a crutch because it’s always there. Even if you’re scraping the bottom of the peanut butter jar, there’s still a little bit left any time we need it.

The sad thing is, we don’t realize that there are other ways to make us feel better. And those things are usually the things that not only make us feel better, but they make us better physically too.

Let’s taking walking for an example.

If I feel really lonely, I like to go outside and walk around, even if it’s just around the block. Getting outdoors into the fresh air is always invigorating and makes me feel better.

When’s the last time you went for a walk instead of reaching for food when you were unhappy? If it’s been awhile, try it next time. Try it now! Even if it’s cold or wet outside.

You won’t want to. You might have to use every ounce of mental strength you have to get out the door. But once you’re out there, things magically change.

The fact that you even got out the door makes you feel better because you just did something positive for yourself. The farther you go, the better you’ll feel.

If that really isn’t your cup of tea, how about reading a book?

When I feel really bad, I like to delve into a book. It takes my mind off my own problems and keeps me from wanting to eat. By the time I’m done reading, I feel much better.

Many times, the urge to eat will have long passed when you fill that void with something else, like walking or reading.

Calling a friend or family member is also a great way to get past it. I like to call my mom when I need to talk. She understands because she goes through the same thing. Do you have someone that understands that is there for you?

It doesn’t have to be someone really close. You could even join a chat room or forum where there are other people just like you. It really helps to talk to other people who are going through the same thing. You can keep each other accountable and be there for each other.

Whatever you chose, it’s important to have at least a few backup plans when you have those cravings. Brainstorm some ideas right now before that craving hits again.

If you’re literally reaching for that food, before you grab it, think to yourself: “Do I really want to eat this? I know i’ll enjoy it, but it will only last for a few minutes. Is it really worth it for the price that it will cost me?”

If that doesn’t work, you can try what I do. It may not be the best way, but it works for me.

I look in the mirror and focus on the part of my body that I wish I could change the most. And that would be my BUTT. I’ve met my goal weight, but I still need to tighten up and get toned. My bum is flabbier than I want it to be.

So when I really want to eat ten handfuls of chocolate chips, I think about my flabby bum. If my craving is really bad, I’ll go to the mirror and whip my pants down and actually look at it. Trust me, it works!

There really is no end to the amount of things you can try. The important thing is you TRY until you find something that works. Even more importantly, you need to find out the reason behind those cravings. I bet there’s a lot more to that story than you think.

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 [...]]]> 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.

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.

Stretching during cool down reduces potential muscle injury.

Before you begin your workout you should be warming up. Warming up will also reduce the risk of injury because it increases circulation gradually.

You can do this [...]]]> Did you know that simple stretching should be done during the cool down phase of your workout routine rather than the beginning?

Stretching during cool down reduces potential muscle injury.

Before you begin your workout you should be warming up. Warming up will also reduce the risk of injury because it increases circulation gradually.

You can do this by jogging on the spot, doing jumping jacks, etc. You want your muscles awake and ready for their workout. If you’re going out for a run, start by walking briskly for five minutes.

THEN, once you’ve completed your workout, you can start stretching.

I would get up at 6 a.m., throw on some ugly sweats or some booty shorts, [...]]]> I have to say that the only time that I lost weight the fastest was when I ran every morning. I’m not talking about running on the treadmill, or even jogging, but flat out running out in the beautiful outdoors.

I would get up at 6 a.m., throw on some ugly sweats or some booty shorts, then shake my ass all around town. I took a water bottle with me and I made sure to go out early enough that as few people would see me as possible. (I’m one of those people that likes to “people watch” but I don’t like being watched myself. )

I often went alone but sometimes my cousin would come with me. It was nice having a running buddy, but I think I prefer to run alone.

When you run with someone else, you feel like you need to stop when they stop. This doesn’t do anything for your endurance. However, if they run faster and farther than you, this could be great incentive to kick it up a notch and push yourself even further.

Having a running buddy is also nice because you get to chat with them, but if you’re trying to get the most of your morning run, chatting isn’t going to get you there. You shouldn’t be able to hold a conversation if you’re running hard enough.

Not only that, but having a casual conversation with someone doesn’t encourage proper form. You need to focus on your breathing while you run. How you breathe makes the biggest difference in how fast and far you can run.

I suppose it depends on who you’re running with. If you’re running with your buddy from down the street, you may be taking a hit in your running performance so you can socialize. If you run with someone who is as dedicated as you are, it may be beneficial.

Keep chit-chat to a minimum, focus on your breathing, and bust ass!

You’ll be trimming off the inches in no time, just like I did.

Actually, people who get plenty of rest can resist those things.

Why?

Our bodies produce a hormone called leptin while [...]]]> Food cravings are a huge issue with a lot of people. It would be really nice if food didn’t have to taste so darn good! Who can resist a gooey cinnamon bun or a big fat juicy hamburger?

Actually, people who get plenty of rest can resist those things.

Why?

Our bodies produce a hormone called leptin while we sleep. Leptin helps us fight cravings during the day, but if we don’t get enough rest, our body has trouble producing leptin so it’s harder to curb those cravings.

Have you ever noticed that when you get a bad night’s sleep, you’re eating a lot more the next day? I sure have. I can’t seem to stop!

If this happens to you, your task is to start getting more sleep.

Go to bed earlier and do everything you can to get a better quality sleep. Buy a new mattress if you have to. Easier said than done, I know, but when it comes to your health, it’s worth it.

Not only will you fight those food cravings but you’ll feel better altogether.

Last year I was dating a guy who owned a pizza restaurant. We would stay up late at night watching movies and he’d order pizza from his [...]]]> Getting into the habit of late night snacking is a serious no-no. It’s incredibly easy to start, and it’s incredibly hard to stop. I’ve started and stopped countless times.

Last year I was dating a guy who owned a pizza restaurant. We would stay up late at night watching movies and he’d order pizza from his restaurant for something to “munch” on. He was a vegetarian and couldn’t put on a single pound if he tried. I’m not a vegetarian and just looking at food will make me gain weight.

Needless to say, the pizza thing got out of hand and I started putting on the pounds.

That relationship ended and my late night eating soon ended as well. My weight dropped back down to what it normally is and all was well.

Now I’m in another relationship. He works late so we end up eating supper really late most nights. Not only that, but we snack after supper which is even worse.

I’ve been working hard to curb those late night cravings and I’m doing well. I’ve gone through this many times before so I’ve had practice.

Here’s a list of some of the ways I curb my late night cravings successfully.

If you absolutely MUST snack…

It’s important to measure out portions. Grabbing a bag of potato chips and sitting in front of the TV with them is a recipe for disaster. This is mindless eating. You don’t realize how much you’re actually consuming if you do this.

Instead, opt for a healthier snack and put it in a bowl. Once the bowl is empty, DON’T REFILL IT.

Avoid eating carbs for a snack. This will derail your fat burning process. Choose a protein snack instead.

If it’s two or three hours before bed time, do your best not to eat at all. Your body burns fat while you sleep, but if you eat right before you go to bed, your body will be busy trying to digest that food instead.

Learn more about how to stop cravings.

I know it’s hard to eat a healthy breakfast every morning when you’re in a rush to get to school, work, drop the kids off, etc. but it’s in your best interest to do it anyway!

Wake [...]]]> Did you know that people who skip breakfast have a higher risk of weight gain, obesity and type 2 diabetes?

I know it’s hard to eat a healthy breakfast every morning when you’re in a rush to get to school, work, drop the kids off, etc. but it’s in your best interest to do it anyway!

Wake up a bit earlier if you have to. Get everything ready the night before to help you save time in the morning. You can even cook your breakfast the night before and just heat it up when you’re ready to eat.

You’ll want to skip the sugary cereals and opt for a high protein breakfast. This will curb the sugar and carb cravings later in the day because it keeps you feeling full.

It also kickstarts your metabolism so you can start burning calories. Ideally, you’ll want to eat within the first hour of rising. It may take some getting used to, but you’ll soon get in to the habit and start feeling great.

I like to have eggs most mornings. When I eat eggs for breakfast, I’m still full by lunch time. If you’re in a big rush, a protein smoothie or cottage cheese will do the trick.

Now get your protein on and start eating breakfast!

There are all kinds of opinions on how it affects our bodies and our skin. Here’s my take based on my research and my own experience.

I use water to help me maintain my current weight in these ways: