The Tools

Now that I've found a happy place with my eating and exercise I thought I'd share some of the "tools" I use on a daily basis. A week ago I decided I wanted to get more serious about losing that last 5 lbs. The first thing I did was download a free app called My Fitness pal. This allows you to input your current weight and your goal weight. It will come up with a daily amount of calories you can consume to achieve your goal. My current daily goal of calories is 1,380 and anytime I add exercise I get more calories to eat. (I put in that I wanted to lose 1 pound a week). So its been quite the motivator for exercise. Last week I burned 800 calories on the elliptical so I had that much more I could eat. Its been interesting to see what I actually eat during the day and how many calories that equals. What I like about this app is I can scan my food and it will record all of the nutritional information. It is very easy to look up meals at restaurants as well. A typical breakfast for me is a cup of coffee with creamer, whole grain english muffin sandwich, with egg white, spinach, and swiss cheese. The total for my breakfast this morning was 207 calories.  For lunch today I had a spinach salad with egg, mushrooms, tomato, carrot, zucchini, cottage cheese, and yogurt dressing, total calories was 235 calories. I usually average closer to 300 calories for breakfast and lunch. But this allows me to have a treat later, possibly some frozen yogurt or a Starbucks drink. I'm not starving, I enjoy each meal and I don't feel bad afterwards. Last week we did go out to one of my favorite places for lunch. I had fried fish tacos and I didn't feel so great afterwards. Its not that I don't enjoy eating the food but my body has really adapted to my healthy eating and it knows when I don't eat as well. 

As far as meal ideas I usually rely on Pinterest. I found a great zucchini skillet recipe that  you can change or add ingredients and it is super easy to make. http://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Zucchini-Black-Bean-and-Rice-Skillet-5623.html

I use shrimp for shrimp tacos, shrimp pasta, shrimp salad. I also like to make different types of fish with brown rice or quinoa. 

Exercise should really be something you enjoy doing. I promise if it is a chore eventually you will quit. I have to say spin/yoga has become one of my favorite classes. Its intense but I enjoy the teacher and love the results. A friend of mine loves Zumba and she said for her the pounds fell off and she couldn't wait to go to a class. Of course its always good to make exercise a routine but it is so much easier when is something you enjoy. We keep our family active by walking our dog daily, hiking, and playing together outside. 

Did I mention I feel great?? 

Diet And Exercise Update

I've decided to share my weight and height. I know most women keep this information to themselves but I really am happy with where I'm at, I weigh 139 and I'm 5'4. Now when I started this whole process of becoming healthier last October I was at 150 lbs. According to the experts for my height anything over 145 is considered overweight. I didn't believe I was overweight but I knew I didn't feel good. I slept poorly and didn't have very much energy. My goal is to be 135 and when I looked up how I can achieve this, all I have to do is continue my exercise routine and I can eat 1737 calories a day. One thing that has really helped me along the way is looking up the calorie content of restaurant food before we go out. Lets just say by doing this I either end up eating at home or I find a healthy place to go. My goal at any restaurant is to consume 600 calories or less. If you eat out a lot, try looking up the meals you normally order. There are many restaurants that I just don't go to anymore. The Chili's boneless buffalo chicken salad I used to love is 1030 calories and 4050 mg of sodium. Our daily intake of sodium should be 1500 mg, high intake of sodium leads to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. My favorite Sonic strawberry cheesecake shake small is 730 calories. It has really changed my perspective. Its not that I never go out to eat but I'm more informed and aware of what I'm eating.  Some of the places our family goes out to eat are Tokyo Joe's, Mad Greens, Wahoo's Fish Tacos, Panera Bread, and Chic Fil A. Adding fruits and veggies to my daily meals is also another way to stay healthy and full.

Next my exercise routine. I have to say doing body pump was not very challenging anymore, I felt like I was just going through the motions. Now I do barre fit, yoga/spin, and TRX classes. If you are curious as to what these classes are here is a link http://thespinningyogi.com/?page_id=24. It is amazing how hard I work in these classes. I'm usually dripping sweat within the first 10 minutes of class. I didn't realize my body could work so hard. And it feels great when I finish because I know I've done all that I could do. The results have been much quicker and I truly feel like this is the best shape I've been in a long time. These classes are more expensive, but my suggestion would be just to find something that challenges you. Jillian Michaels has some great workout videos you could do at home or run outside.

I knew when I started I wanted to make these changes for life, not just to lose weight or be on some crazy diet. I'm happy and more confident, I no longer feel depressed because my thighs are too big or my clothes are too tight. I've been more adventurous by trying new vegetarian meals that are truly flavorful. Its never too late to start or make a change when it comes to being healthy and active.