Breakfast Power Food

Lately, I've been hooked on this breakfast power food!

Kefir blueberry yogurt blend with probiotics
Nature’s Path Organic Hemp Plus Granola (from Trader Joe's)
Add your choice of fresh fruit

It's so yummy and healthy as long as you can ration your portions because too much of this will yield a higher sugar content than desired for a morning meal. Remember, too much sugar will cause you to crash half-way through your morning routine!

H20... What's the fuss?

We’ve all heard it, the numerous benefits of drinking water and just how much we should be consuming in a day. Well, I used to be the girl who would power through meals without the need nor want to drink anything. Drinking beverages was just so boring to me that I would find no interest in consuming them whatsoever. The downside of it, I found myself only peeing about 4 times in an entire day, my skin became dry and patchy, I experienced headaches more often, and I found myself actually consuming larger meals than my own boyfriend was.

So, why was I feeling this way? What exactly are the many benefits of drinking agua that we often hear about in studies? It has been found that those who drink ample water actually experience a fuller feeling and consume fewer calories throughout the day in comparison to those who don’t consume enough. The desire for sweetened and carbonated drinks like soda, caffeine-infused coffee drinks, and sugar packed sports drinks and juices is also lessened amongst water drinkers. Also, drinking 8-16 ounces of water prior to each meal can also aid in more weight loss.

Now, you couldn’t possibly ask me to down 8-16 ounces of water prior to enjoying a meal… that’s just simply not going to fly with me – I’m the girl who wholeheartedly does not enjoy drinking fluids, remember? But the concentrated, straw-colored, aromatic urine I was passing (am I grossing you out yet?) was the final straw for me. My solution? Check it out!

                       
I was browsing through Target one day and I decided I’d purchase one of those cute Contigo bottles and give this whole “water deal” a try. Let me tell you guys, I just absolutely love my new water bottle! It holds up to 32 ounces of fluid, has a hide away/pop-up straw so that germs and nasty critters can stay away from your mouth piece, and it’s got a super fun, pink sporty look to it - who would have known drinking water could be fun? I carry this with me everywhere now, so even if I’m just bored or feeling the itch to snack away, I’ll take a few sips from it and the cravings are instantly satisfied. My digestive system works wonders now, my skin has a glow to it, I’ve kissed those annoying headaches goodbye, and I’m peeing often and clear! Girls, it’s the little things you’ve got to appreciate. Listen to your body when it tells you it’s thirsty, keep an eye out for its warning signs. The body needs to be in a continuous state of equilibrium and with its complex mechanisms of electrolyte balance. Increasing your water intake is the easiest, cheapest, and best way to start working towards a healthier you.

Make it a Lifestyle

This is a phrase that often sits on the back of my head as I encounter people expressing their desire to enter the world of “fitness and health.” The number one thing I see go wrong is the fact that a true commitment has not been established since the get -go when people embark on this journey. Instead, many hope to find results by hopping on an elliptical machine a few times a week, eating a few healthy meals here and there, and pinning some inspirational and motivational pictures online. Girls (and guys), let’s get real. Leading a healthy lifestyle requires dedication and most importantly a game plan. You will need to dig deep and identify why exactly it is that you desire this and what you will do to accomplish your goals.

Staying fit is not a short-term goal that one achieves in time for summer and then throws it away. If you want to see lifestyle changes and make an effort towards actually leading a healthier life, prepare to dive in equipped with the mental strength necessary to do so or you will almost guaranteed rebound back to your original state. Hey, it’s happened to me before, and I too rebound to unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle choices.  

What I’ve found to be the most helpful thing is actually developing a schedule (Google calendars is AWESOME, by the way). I’m talking about being a busy working mommy to a 2 ½ year old, managing the stresses of nursing school, and yet still making time to incorporate exercise into my weekly schedule. My work schedule tends to fluctuate a bit, which can become frustrating at times - especially once I’ve locked in a routine that works for me. This is when having a visual of what my week will consist of comes into play. It becomes easier to pencil in the classes, at home work-outs, and weekend hiking trips I dearly enjoy. A friend likes having a weekly meal preparation schedule so that she doesn’t find herself having to scavenger and rush for last minute meals. This makes things much easier when you take those dreaded long trips to the grocery store as well, but I’ll save my tips on making healthy choices at the store for a later post.

So, what do I mostly want you to take from this? Your outlook on what staying fit and healthy means to you needs to change. These will need to be placed higher on your list of priorities than you might have initially planned on and they will need to remain up there in order to stay on track. In no means will this prove to be an easy task, because it’s not. In fact, it will be extremely challenging and at often times disappointing when you veer of track. But keep at it; work hard, admire your changing body, learn to love the soreness as your muscles break down and build back up, and learn to get back up and push harder when you hit a plateau. I promise, the results are worth the time and effort!