Yoga

Okay. I know, I know...you're all thinking, "you said yoga wasn't your thing!" I did, in fact, say that (verbally, not on the blog). I didn't, however, actually try it. Guys, I've changed my mind.

I admit that I haven't gone to a class or anything like that, but I've recently acquired a Wii Fit (thanks, Jen!) and I've been loving the yoga. No joke. I love it! I've even been looking into yoga classes in the area (though, of course, I can't afford it at the moment).

The moral of this story: don't dis it 'til you've tried it!

I hate running. I do it because I feel like I have to. I genuinely enjoy the yoga. I do it because I want to. It's a very strange feeling to find a type of exercise that I enjoy. I believe I've found my niche. I highly encourage you to find yours! There are so many different types of exercise that it's nearly impossible to not find something you enjoy! Guys, I'm exercising via the Wii. This is monumental!!! Honestly, movement of any sort is a good thing. You could count gardening as exercise for heaven's sake! Come this winter you can even count shoveling snow (though that's not exactly fun)!

I want you guys to make it your goal for the week to find something that you like to do! Do it!

Update on the no-snacks-after-7:30-thing: Working great! I know I can't eat after that time so I don't sit and snack every night. I'm loving it...and it's working! I was down 1.8 pounds this past week! I am sooo close to having lost 30 pounds. I'm hoping my new dealio will help get me there this week. =)

Good luck to y'all!

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Holiday Preparations

I am convinced that the holidays were invented to bring destruction and chub onto my body. Seriously. With Halloween out of the way, we are now on the fast-track to food-fest, er, holiday season. =) This is a tough time of year for those of us who are working to lose body mass rather than gain it...and then some.

So, how do I prepare for the inevitable smorgasbord of food that will be passing my way?

1. Mindset
Believe it or not, your outcome is based largely in part by how you feel going into something. For instance, if I go into a vacation expecting to overeat and expecting to gain weight, I probably will. If you go in planning on doing a good job than you're less likely to fall off the bandwagon! Go into this holiday season with a good head on your shoulders and the plan to do well!

2. Plan Ahead
If you know you have a holiday party coming up make sure you really follow your weight loss plan the rest of the week. Don't use your upcoming party as an excuse to eat whatever you want. Don't say, "I have a party and I'm gonna gain weight anyway!" No! Know that you have an upcoming event and that you will need to save your "bonus" points until that event! I mean it! If you do it I'll do it. =)

3. Don't Quit
I know that parties are tough. If you do fall prey to the holiday food-fest, don't kick yourself! Use it as motivation to do better! Know that if you fall off the bandwagon it's waiting right there for you to get back on! Really, the bandwagon doesn't move without you on it! I swear! Never ever ever give up...ever.

4. Bring A Diet-Friendly Option
We all have that dreaded potluck party. Bring a healthy option! I know you probably have that "one dish" that you bring to everything, but maybe you can edit that one dish to be healthier...or bring a new dish altogether that could become another crowed favorite! You are the boss of you. You can try and say that you have no control over parties like that, but you have control over you. Be your own boss!

5. ASK
Oftentimes, we have family parties where I don't necessarily need to cook. We'll go over to my grandparents house and have a nice family meal. I'm sure some of you do the same thing! It's not difficult to pick up the phone and call your host/hostess and inquire as to what you'll be having for dinner. It's not difficult and I'm sure your host/hostess will not mind a bit (in fact, they'll probably commend you for the work you're doing to achieve your weight loss goal)! Suck it up and ask, guys, it'll do you (and your bodacious bod) a world of good!

6. Don't Quit
I repeat, don't quit! I can't stress this enough! Do NOT throw in the towel. If you need help and encouragement I'm always a comment/e-mail/facebook message away!

So, you guys, this is how I'm preparing for the dreaded holiday season. Hopefully these tips will be useful for you as well!

P.S. For the record, my "no snacks after 7:30" deal is working (except Halloween, of course)! My late-night snack attacks are non-existent! Woot woot! I'll still update you as time goes on...I'm aware it's only been a few days. Haha. Baby steps! =)

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My Little Experiment

So, it's no secret that I love to snack...seriously...I love snacking. My biggest obstacle with Weight Watchers is snacking in the evenings. Evenings are my time to relax and chill with my wonderful husband. This usually consists of turning on Netflix and chomping on popcorn or some other sweet or salty snack. It's great at the time, but it's not so great when I weigh in each week.

I'm doing an experiment.

I've decided to try to NOT eat anything after 7:30 p.m. I set an alarm on my phone to help me remember this little idea of mine.

Obviously, I'll have to keep y'all posted on my results, but I encourage you to try something like this as well! Finding out where your weaknesses are is important and finding out ways to fix them is important too! I'm super hopeful that this will be a great thing for my diet as I've been such a slacker as of late. If any of y'all come up with ideas for what you're doing to get rid of your weaknesses, share them in the comments! Your feedback is helpful for both myself and others! Make it happen, people. =)

Good luck and I'll make sure to keep you posted on my progress!

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What I've Learned

So, I took a hiatus...obviously. I didn't realize how many people actually look at and depend on this blog. I got an earful this weekend. =)

I learned a few things while taking a break from bettering myself and I'm going to share them with you in hopes that you won't do what I did.

Lesson #1. Junk food tastes good, healthy food tastes better. 
Yes, you read that right. I found myself severely missing my good ole' healthy foods. I have eaten so much junk in the past few weeks that I wasn't feeling well at all. Honestly, I found myself craving a salad after eating pizza pretty much daily...yup, and we all know how much I love pizza!

Lesson #2. Eating poorly makes you feel awful.
True statement. I wasn't feeling up to anything. I felt lethargic and lazy. My body didn't have the sustenance it needed to get through the day. Yesterday I ate three bagels and bagel bites. Yes, you read that right. My husband and I drove home from Michigan and I slept pretty much the entire way. I was exhausted. Part of that was emotional exhaustion, but the majority of that was sucky eating exhaustion. Absolutely ridiculous.

Lesson #3. Lack of exercise makes you tired. 
I thought I felt tired after exercise...wrong-o. Exercise energizes my body and helps jump-start my day. Honestly, I've been doing lots of Netflix-ing as of late and I don't like it. Run jump dance skip walk...move. Get out there and do it and you'll feel better. You only ever regret not exercising.

Lesson #4. Others count on your successes.
This is a lesson I learned over the weekend. I had people come up to me and ask why I haven't been blogging. Well, folks, it's because I haven't been succeeding. I've been pretty much derailed and it's painful to admit it. Here's the deal, I'm back with a vengeance. I'm out to lose..weight, that is. You have no idea how much impact your personal journey has on others! Keep doing what you're doing and lose the weight. You make a difference in other people's lives even if you don't realize it.

Lesson #5. Don't use emotions as an excuse to eat poorly.
My grandma passed away this weekend. I used that as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted. I didn't care at all. I'm well aware that I'm an emotional eater, yet I continue to eat poorly when my emotions get the best of me. Don't let that happen to you! Rather than eating the house down when something comes up,  go for an extra long run or go out and do something! Lesson learned, Allie, lesson learned. =)

Lesson #6. A bite here and a bite there really do add up. 
I've been working in a day care and every day during snack time I took a sample. This is bad...very bad. I'd wind up forgetting what I'd inhaled everyday and, lo and behold, I was gaining weight again. Samples equal points, people...I know better than anyone. So, when you're making that dessert for your church potluck, don't lick the bowl and expect it to disappear into thin air.

Lesson #7. Don't do it again. 
I've learned my lesson. I've been feeling awful the past month. I admit that I've tried several times to get back on track, but my heart just wasn't in it. Guess what? It is now. Holiday season is breathing down my neck and I've gotta get myself prepared for that awful beastie. You should too! Seriously.

I love you guys and I'm so thankful that all you beautiful people read my blog. I hope and pray that it is helpful for you! If, like me, you've been derailed, I wish you the best of luck in getting back on track with me. =)

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Just Do It

No, I'm not stealing the Nike slogan...I'm just borrowing it. =)

So, I went for a run last night...the first run I've taken in a little over a month. I've been kind of building myself up to this point. I kept telling myself that I needed to do it...that I needed to do it for my health.

I was right.

I didn't realize how much I missed it. I mean, I still hate it, but I missed it. It's a really great quiet time for me. I felt so much more alert and energetic afterwards too! I figured the reason I was feeling tired and fatigued was because of the move and new job. No. It was the fact that I wasn't working out!

Guys, if you're on the fence about getting out there and exercising, just do it! Joke I do not (Yoda, am I?)! You will not regret working out. You can regret sitting on the couch and thinking about it, but you won't regret actually doing it! I think I've learned my lesson (my sore muscles prove it)! Please please please give exercising a try! When I started Weight Watchers I told myself I didn't need to exercise to be healthy. I was losing weight just fine without it. While it's true that you can lose weight without exercising, it's false to say you can be healthy without it. I'm not saying you need to go out and run a marathon (heaven's knows I can't)...I'm saying that you need to move. Ya know that time you're sitting on the couch watching 8 billion episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (maybe that's just me...)? That's the time when you can be doing sit-ups or push-ups or walking on the treadmill or punching the air or walking around in circles. There are tons of things you could be doing while you're watching your favorite television shows or movies.

Here is an example: 

Photo Credit

This could be completely fun! I can just picture myself doing this with my little sister. =)

Oh, and if you're worried about what you look like when you're exercising, this should cheer you up.

Thanks, Perez!

This is the lovely Tyra Banks exercising...she's not looking so hot. Don't feel too bad about yourself. =)

I beg of you guys to just do it! If you need help or tips on getting started just give me a holler!

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How to Cut the Points/Calories

Okay, people, it's obvious that we can't just eat whatever the heck we want. So, how do you cut the calories or points you don't need?

Look at what you're eating for each meal.

Breakfast. When ordering your latte from Starbucks, opt for the fat free milk. Order it skinny! A tall regular latte is 4 points, whereas a skinny tall latte is 2 points. Easy adjustment. Another tip would be to lose the sugary cereals and pop tarts and opt for something that's high in fiber and protein. Think whole grain toast with jam with a couple of eggs or some oatmeal with fruit in it alongside a glass of milk. These are items that will keep you happy until lunch and won't break the bank for calories/points.

Lunch. I recommend loading up on fruits and veggies for lunch. If you're having a salad you should opt for fat-free or reduced fat dressings. Another idea would be to stock up on soups! There are tons of slow-cooker recipes out there that you could make ahead for lunches (the bonus to homemade soups would be having less sodium in it). You should make sure the food items you choose are lower in fat and carbohydrates and higher in protein and fiber. Those foods are the ones that will fully satisfy you! I know a lot of people choose quick and easy frozen meals for lunch. Some are good and some are bad. Processed foods aren't particularly good for you. I highly recommend going the fresh route and avoiding the frozen and processed foods, but, of course, it's up to you. =)

Dinner. My dinner meals usually take up the bulk of my points for the day. I try to fill my plate with half fruits/veggies, a quarter starchy veggies, and a quarter meat. This doesn't always happen. Most nights dinner is planned in advance and I just count out the points. I'm not all that picky about what I'm cooking for that meal. I guess it's kind of my "free" meal. I eat healthy throughout the day and then add onto it with a dinner that's usually filled with protein.

The biggest thing you can do is look at what you're eating and consider what you could do to make it less. Eat an orange rather than drinking a glass of orange juice. A general rule of thumb is to avoid drinking your calories/points. Spend your points on things that are of value. =) Another important tip to remember is that you shouldn't go overboard. The change in your diet has to be doable. Don't cut yourself short or you'll go off the deep end and binge. That would be bad. Obviously.

So, think about what you're eating and cut the calories, not the content. =)

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Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies

Guys, these are so good. There are no words to describe it! AND, they're only 3 points+ per cookie! I've recently been introduced to Nutella (as in somebody MADE me try it). I will never go back! I've been Pinteresting like crazy to find delicious recipes I can use Nutella in. This one was a winner. I found it at The Sister's Cafe (thanks) and immediately had to try them!

So, first things first, here's what you need:

2 sticks Butter at room temperature
2/3 c. Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 c. Sugar
1 c. Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 2/3 c. Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1/3 heaping c. Nutella

1. Cream the butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until smooth. 

 2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. 

 3. Add to the butter mixture.

 4. Add spoonfuls of Nutella to the top of the dough. Use a butter knife to swirl the Nutella through the dough. If you want lovely, marbled cookies then don't overmix the Nutella! I mixed mine a bit more than I would've liked, but I'm forgiving myself since it was my first (and definitely NOT my last) time making these. =) 

 5. Put the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes to set the Nutella before putting the cookies on your cookie sheet. 

6. Dollop about 1 T. of mixture onto your cookie sheet per cookie. This will yield about 48 delicious, mouth-watering cookies. =)

7. Bake the cookies at 350° for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden-brown. Don't over-bake them. They'll have to sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool. They'll look like the picture below when you take them out (nice and fluffy)...

 ...and they'll look like this when they're done sitting (flat). Don't worry or think you did something wrong when they flatten out!

I've already eaten two tonight (Yes, I counted them). The hubby likes them too and I'm sure they're going to be a staple at the June household! I hope you guys enjoy these cookies as much as we did!!!! =)

Nutritional Information

Calories: 115.7

Total Fat: 5.6 g

Sodium: 148.3 mg

Carbohydrates: 14.9 g

Dietary Fiber: 0.6 g

Protein: 1.9 g

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Forgive, Forget, & Move On

This weekend was...well...not what I had planned!

The obstacles that we encounter aren't easy ones...that's why we're overweight and unhealthy to begin with! It's okay if things don't go your way. We're not perfect and clearly what we put into our bodies can't be perfect either! So, here's what we have to do:

That, in itself, isn't easy either! Trust me, I know. After royally screwing up my eating plan this weekend (there goes goal #1 on my list), I thought I was done for. I decided this morning that I can still do this! I don't have any bonus points left (that much is VERY clear), but I can choose to do my plan as perfectly as I can for the remaining days of the week!

The beauty of "dieting" is that you're always free to start over fresh.

I'm dead serious. If you feel as though you're plateauing, start over! Forget about all the stuff that you've done previously and act as though you're just beginning your weight loss journey! I remember how it was when I started. I was on fi-yah! I'm not so much anymore. I need to start over. I'm doing that today (though I'm just starting this week over). It's your diet, your body, and your plan. You're going to make mistakes, but you're worth starting over! This journey is...hard. I'm with you, guys! I'm there! I'm going through struggles, mistakes, victories, and all of the same things you are!

Forgive. You have to forgive yourself for the mistakes that you make. We're only human...we can't be perfect. Facts of life, guys. FORGIVE YOURSELF! I know it's hard to do that after eating a bag of pretzel M&M's, two fun dips, and a box of candy cigarettes (delightful). That's not even half of my disaster day on Saturday...but I need to forgive myself for the slip-up and to...

Forget. Dwelling on the negatives isn't going to do you any favors. Forget about all the screw-ups you had and look forward. Forgetting enables you to start fresh. This is an important step. If you get hung-up on the negatives you aren't allowing yourself to see the positives. Look at long term things as well. I had to tell myself this morning that I've lost 25+ pounds and that this weekend isn't going to change that. That's something that I did. That can't be taken away because I screwed up this weekend. So, the next thing to do is to...

Move on. Focus on what is to come! Take a quick second and plan out what you want the results of your week to be and do it! This step is difficult because you can't proceed with it until fully realizing the last step. You can do it though. Nobody ever said that it was going to be easy (in fact, I'll tell you the EXACT opposite), but it's not impossible! Remember that and you'll be golden!

You guys can do this because you're worth it! Start fresh today!

Forgive, forget, and move on!!!!

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Defeated to Determined

It's been a brutal couple of weeks, guys.

As of yesterday I was feeling...defeated.

Today I decided that I wasn't going to feel like that anymore. I went to a Weight Watchers meeting in Champaign and I've been rejuvenated (yes, I tried reading my motivation blog to no avail. Hopefully, that was more helpful for you guys). It's been a hard time. I haven't been running because of the move. I'm unfamiliar with the area and I'm not sure where to run. Also, I have to be to work early in the morning and don't want to wake up at the crack of dawn to go. Moving took it's toll despite my efforts. We didn't have an oven/stove for awhile so that was rough too. See? Excuses. I keep making excuses.

I weighed in anyways tonight. I gained 1.2 lbs. Ouch. I AM contributing part of that to weighing-in in the evening instead of the morning. I don't think I gained that much, but I know I gained a little because I fell off the bandwagon. Like...seriously. I feel hard. Ya know what?

It's a new day.

Today I'm feeling...determined. I am determined to do better this week. I am determined to stick to my plan throughout the holiday weekend. I will do it, guys. You can too! Let's hold each other accountable  for the weekend and really own it!

My goals for this week:
1. Success over the weekend.
2. Find a new running routine.

Those are pretty hefty goals in themselves so I'm only going to stick with those. Let's use this week to get back into the swing of things! If I can do it, you can do it! I'll let you know how it goes and I hope to hear good things from you!!!!

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8 Ways to Stay Healthy While Eating Out

I'm back!!! Sorry about having such a loooong hiatus! I finally have internet again and can write these blogs to help you lovely people!

We've all been there...the favorite restaurant...the favorite dish...the favorite weigh-in the next week. The fact of the matter is, not everybody knows how to order healthy at a restaurant. I just so happen to have some wonderful tips to assist you in dining out in a semi-healthy to healthy way. I'm not saying that you can't enjoy your all-time favorite restaurant  every once in awhile...I'm saying that you can't do it every time you eat out.

1. Figure out nutritional information before you go. Most restaurants have their nutrition information online or at the actual restaurant. Check out the list and make up your mind before you go so you don't have to worry about the temptation of even looking at the menu.










2. Ask for dressing to be on the side. This is entirely reasonable, people. If the dressing is on the side, you can choose how much of it will go on your salad. It's quite a simple concept.

3. Opt for ketchup rather than ranch dressing for french fries. I have a lot of friends out there who run to the ranch for a dipping sauce. Guys, this is painful if you're trying to watch your weight! 2 T. of ranch dressing is 4 points whereas ketchup is only 1 point for the same amount! If you consider that it takes waaaay more than 2 T. of ranch dressing to eat those french fries...well, you're in trouble. Opt out of the ranch, guys. You'll thank me for it!

3. Ask for salsa to spice up dishes. Rather than ordering chicken with cream sauce, order up some plain ole' chicken and ask for some salsa to spice it up! Salsa is 0 WW points and a plain old boneless, skinless chicken breast (4 oz.) is 3 points. That's loads better than an entree that's worth 10+ points!

4. Alert your friends about your weight conscious decisions. If your friends are aware of your situation they will be better able to choose a restaurant that has a few healthy options. If you'd rather keep the information to yourself, offer up a restaurant option of your own for them to consider. That way, you can be in control of the options without broadcasting your weight loss goals.

5. Learn to say no! I love bread...all kinds. So much. Bread, rolls, breadsticks...take your pick...I love them all. At restaurants like Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse I can't stop chomping on them if they bring them out. If they're at my table I'm going to eat them. This is where saying no comes into good use. When the bread comes to your table. Take one and ask the waiter to remove the rest. Get the temptation out of your way. The same thing goes for free chips and salsa and other "bonus" items that can trip up your weight loss journey. They may be free money-wise, but they'll go straight to your hips, butt, etc...not so free then, huh?

6. Avoid dishes with creamy sauces. Yes, this means fettuccine alfredo. Avoid it like the plague. The creamier sauces have a lot more fatty ingredients than other sauces...ahem, heavy whipping cream. It's not that tough, guys. There are plenty of other options for you to choose from.

Photo Credit

7. Steer clear of the fried foods. Fried chicken isn't going to do you any favors. Instead, opt for dishes that are baked or grilled. One of my personal faves is the cilantro-lime shrimp from Applebees (pictured to the right). Honestly, it's delightful. You get more than enough food and the taste is divine! =) Yummy! Anyways, this tip also means that you'll want to ditch the regular mozzarella stick appetizer as well. One of those babies can have 4+ points and that's being on the skimpy side.

8. Order your vegetables without butter. A lot of people don't realize this is an option at a restaurant (sometimes it's not). It's worth asking for. Chain restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse are more than willing to cut the butter from your veggies. If they say no, just tell them you're allergic. =) I'm kidding, but ask...always ask.



It's a restaurant. They make what you order so don't feel guilty about it! You're heading into these places wanting something specific and they're there to serve you. Heavens knows it's probably a lot more entertaining for the cook to have to make something a little different than the plain ole' menu stuff. =) I hope these tips are beneficial to all of you and help you make wiser decisions when eating out! Best of luck to you!

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Maintaining Your Weight

I had a request from someone who doesn't want to lose weight, but maintain their current weight. So, here goes nothing. =)

Lots and lots of people assume that the hardest part of weight loss is, well, losing it. That's not the case (which is real great considering the difficulty I'm having with that part). Maintaining your weight can be just as difficult as losing it.

Why?

Your body has, what I refer to as, a "normal" weight. This is the natural weight that your body gravitates towards. This weight can change. The heavier a person gets the higher the normal weight gets....that doesn't mean that the thinner somebody gets the lower the normal weight gets. That's the problem.When you lose weight your body still wants to gravitate towards what it was.

What can be done to maintain your body weight?

Physical Activity I know, I know...this part sucks for me too. =) Exercising is important. Exercise increases your metabolism and helps your body use up the fuel that you've put into it. Your body continues to burn calories long after your exercise is finished for the day. How cool is that!? And, of course, on a side-note unrelated to weight, IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!

Diet Yes, folks, what you put into your body still matters. The average caloric intake is between 1,500 and 2,000 calories a day. Be mindful of what you're putting into your body! Fruits and veggies should be a huge part of your diet as well as lean meats, proteins, whole wheat, fat-free dairy, etc. You know the good stuff! Eat it!

Figuring Your Calories This is for those of you who are not on the Weight Watchers program. When you've reached the weight that you want to maintain, you should add 200 calories to your diet. Weigh yourself at the end of the week and determine if you've lost, maintained, or gained weight. You have to adjust your intake accordingly. This process does take some time. If you still lost weight after adding calories, add some more. If you maintained your weight then you are set to go! If you gained weight then decrease the calories by a tidbit. You guys are smart...you can figure it out. =)

Know Your Clothing You are the best judge of how your clothes fit. Use that to your advantage! It's easy to tell if your clothes are becoming loose or tight. Get rid of clothes that don't fit. Keep what works and make sure that you can stay in them!

Watch Your Trigger Foods Ya know those fatty foods that don't stand a chance of sitting in the cupboard? Those are the ones you want to steer clear of. If you can't control the amount of food that you're eating, don't keep it in the house. Don't go to the grocery store hungry either! You are the boss of what you eat. Take responsibility for it!

Weigh Yourself Weekly To make sure you're on track, you'll want to weigh yourself weekly. You'll want to remain within +/-2 lbs. of your desired weight. Some fluctuation is okay (it IS a body, after all).

So, my lovely friends, I hope this helps you maintain that lovely figure that you've acquired. =) Come at me with any questions, comments, etc.

Stay tune for more great posts!!!

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Easy Garlic Chicken

I made this delightful recipe (found via Pinterest) the other night and it was delicious! The chicken was super tender and it had a really great flavor! *Please note that these photos are from a half batch*

So, here's what you need (for a full batch):

4 6 oz. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
4 T. Brown Sugar
3 tsp. Olive Oil

1. Preheat the oven to 500° and lightly grease a casserole dish.

2. In a small sauté pan, sauté the garlic with the oil until tender.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in brown sugar.

*It should look like this picture when mixed*

4. Place the chicken breasts in prepared baking dish and cover with garlic and brown sugar mixture.

5. Add salt and pepper to taste.

6. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes.

7. Enjoy!

Do not be alarmed if it smells like it's burning. As you can see from the photo above, the sugar will burn a little bit in the bottom of the pan. 

I love chicken recipes because they're so low in points! One 6 oz. chicken breast from this recipe is 6 WW points and it's soooo much better than just plain ole' chicken!

Nutritional Information

Calories: 371. 75

Total Fat: 16.06 g

Sodium: 121 mg

Carbohydrates: 51.96 g

Dietary Fiber: 0 g

Protein: 23.76 g

Stay tuned for...

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How to Eat When Camping

This is a tough one, guys. Vacations are the downfall of lots and lots of people's diets. So, hopefully this post will help you enjoy your vacation and your post-vacation weigh-in!

My first tip to you is to pack your own snacks. The idea behind this tip is that you'll opt out of all those pre-packaged snack foods and head for something that will satisfy you and not bust your waistline! Typically, people head out on vacation, have a couple mojitos, enjoy a nice big lunch, snack out on some brownies that were brought along, BBQ a big ole' dinner, and then have some s'mores around the fire. Your goal should be to overcome that temptation. Make your own healthy snacks that are equally tasty. It's not that difficult to throw an apple and an iced tea in your cooler when you're heading to the beach. You just have to prepare in advance to do that. P.S. Sweet graphic, right? My favorite part is the square root symbol (clearly I couldn't find a check mark).

Tip #2. Find ways to make your favorite vacay snacks healthier. When roasting a s'more over the campfire opt for some hershey syrup on it instead of half of a hershey bar. It tastes just as good and is way less points and equally messy! =) When you know that you're going to have a less-healthy treat, make sure to drink a big glass of water first and eat a healthy snack. It'll fill you up and you'll want less of the unhealthy snack. Another idea is to make up some trail mix before you leave and use that as a go-to when you get the urge to snack.

Tip #3. Utilize your grill. Camping and grilling go hand in hand. Grill up your meat for dinner and throw a ton of veggies on with it! If you make too many vegetables you can use them for lunch/snacks the next day! You can also throw some extra chicken on to save for your salad the next day (yes, you can eat salads on vacation). I know that this is a million dollar idea, but I'm sharing it with you. =) Use it.

Tip #4. Be mindful of your portions. Vacation does not equal vacation from your meal plan. Don't let this slip while you're vacationing. You do this all the time at home and your vacation routine shouldn't be any different.

Tip #5. Go into this thinking you can do it. You can! It's all about your mindset. You're still preparing all of your own meals...the only difference is your location.

If you are heading on a vacation any time soon feel free to contact me for encouragement and any specific questions you have! I'm more than willing to help you out!

Stayed tuned for tips on how you can dine out in a healthy way!

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Pros & Cons of the Week and Next Weeks Goals

How are y'all doing? Did you work hard this week?

I totally rocked my weigh-in today (I have to brag a little)! I lost 3.6 lbs! Woot woot! 

So, the pros and cons of this week (I want you to make a list too!)...

Pros

I lost weight!
I didn't eat as much as usual in a typical week (Usually I feel like I have to snack constantly).

I planned meals out in advance-ish. 

I didn't overeat at a family party (huge bonus).

No binging (hallelujah)!

I stayed motivated throughout the week.

I had beer and stayed within my points (gotta love a little Oberon. 3 WW points/Bottle)!

I found some low point desserts to snack on.

When writing out your pros, make sure you include everything. Don't sell yourself short. I don't care how big or small the pro is. Write it down. Everything counts!

Cons

I took the week off from running (a little personal experiment).

I didn't get in all of my good health guidelines each day.

I managed to sneak in a few processed (& super unhealthy) foods.

There were a few times during the week where I found myself hungry before dinner (stomach growling hungry).

I drank more soda than usual.
I'm a bit worried about the amount of weight I lost this week. That's a lot of poundage for one week.

Don't get obsessed with the cons of your week. Acknowledge them and let them go. I'm serious. Do not hung up on these. If you have nothing else to feel good about, just remember that you are trying.

All in all, this was a pretty great week for me (I hope it was the same for you)! This coming week is a bit worrisome to me. My husband and I are moving to the fair land of Urbana-Champaign, IL. Y'all know how moving goes....but I think I can manage. This weekend could be nightmarish, but as long as I own the rest of the week I think I'll be okay.

So, goals for this week. 

1. Don't use moving as an excuse to eat terribly. 

2. Find a new Weight Watchers location in Urbana-Champaign.

3. Choose healthy options for the inevitable en route fast food stops.

4. Less soda, more unsweetened iced tea.
5. Focus on getting in those good health guidelines daily.

I'll give you guys an update next week on how these goals went for me (yikes). =)

If you lovely readers can come up with any goals, feel free to share them with me and we can hold each other accountable for this upcoming week! When coming up with your goals, make sure you look ahead for anything that could cause you trouble in the week (date night, girls night, guys night, family party, etc.). Good luck this week!

Stay tuned for "How to Eat When Camping"!!!

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Key Lime Pie

So, this dessert is pretty darn tasty (and, like the last one, easy)!

Here's what you need:
1/4 c. water
1 package sugar-free lime gelatin
2 containers fat-free key lime pie yogurt
8 oz. frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
1 Keebler ready crust reduced fat graham pie crust

1. Heat up your water in a microwave safe measuring cup for 45 seconds or until boiling.

2. Whisk in Jell-O until dissolved.

3. In a large bowl mix together the Jell-O mixture and yogurt.

4. Fold in the whipped topping.

5. Carefully spread this mixture in the ready-made crust and refrigerate until it's set.

Garnish as desired and store in the refrigerator. This is 4 WW points per piece. It's delightful! Try some variations of it and let me know how they turn out!!! Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (per 1/8 of pie)

Calories: 160

Total Fat: 3.5 g

Sodium: 115 mg

Carbohydrates: 27 g

Dietary Fiber: 0 g

Protein: 2 g

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Motivation

This is the worst part of losing weight. I have one bad week and all I wanna do is throw my hands in the air and yell, "screw it!"

I don't.

You shouldn't either. Losing weight doesn't come easily. I get soooo mad when I hear about diets that "help you lose 20 lbs. in a month" or whatever (that rant is for another day). They're not healthy and they don't work long-term. Working hard, eating right, exercising, and staying motivated are what work.

Let's be honest.

Photo Credit

These pictures aren't going to get me motivated like all of the health magazines and gossip magazines seem to think. These pictures are going to depress me and make me long for something that I know I'll never have. This isn't me being a Debbie Downer or anything like that...this is me being realistic. I can wish on every shooting star that I would look like this someday, but my body structure won't allow it and I won't starve myself to do it. Heaven's knows I can't afford a personal trainer. That being said, what will motivate me?

Regular people.

I want to see people like me working their butts off (literally) to accomplish their goals. I hope and pray that this blog will do that for some of you! If you know me personally, you know that a year ago I would've died running a mile. Today I'm doing just that. I worked for it.

How have I stayed motivated?

Pinterest has been a great way to stay motivated without me even realizing that it's happening! All I have to do is log in and check out the health and fitness category for thousands of things to say, "you can do this." Another thing keeping me motivated is people telling me that they notice! People have seen what my hard work has accomplished and they let me know. Do me a favor and tell people you notice when you notice! It can make all the difference in the world! Encouragement is key. Of course family and friends have been a huge help. A simple, "Wow, Allie, do you really need another piece of pizza?" from my sister is enough to make me rethink what I'm doing. Oh, I guess I don't need that other piece of pizza. Heaven's knows it'll go straight to my rear end. Another idea would be to find a workout buddy. I'm the type of person that prefers to workout alone, but I know that other people are different. Find a friend who will workout with you and not cancel...somebody who will hold you accountable. You'll end up not wanting to disappoint them either! I know you can do it!!!

It doesn't take much, guys. Believe in yourself. If you have a week where you've gained 2 lbs., look back at what you've accomplished. Yes, you gained 2 lbs. this week, but you've lost 10 lbs. overall!  You're working on it and that, in itself, is an accomplishment! On another note, if you're feeling discouraged, shoot me a message, e-mail, etc. and I'll tell you why you're awesome!

Words cannot express how badly I wanted to insert the "you can do it" clip from "Waterboy" in here!

YOU CAN.

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Weight Watchers Point System

It's been brought to my attention that half of you have no idea what I'm talking about when I say Weight Watchers (WW) Points. I'm going to let you in on the secret. =)

The WW program assigns point values to all foods. Every single thing you consume has a point value. A couple years ago the WW program had a complete overhaul and now uses the PointsPlus system (which is what I am talking about on this blog).

About the program...

1. Uses fat, carbs, fiber, and protein to calculate PointsPlus values. 
Basically, they've become more informed of what is good for you and what isn't. The PointsPlus program calculates points based on how much fat, carbs, fiber, and protein there are in any given food (you have to purchase a PointsPlus calculator to participate). The goal is to eat foods that are high in protein and fiber and low in carbohydrates and fats. Those foods are healthier due to the body working harder to process protein/fiber. The body stores more calories of foods that are higher in carbs/fats. The picture to the right is a screen shot of my e-tools app for my iPhone (LOVE IT). This is how I figure out points for foods. You can also purchase an actual PointsPlus calculator from any Weight Watcher's location, online, etc.

2. All fruits and vegetables (excluding starchy veggies) are zero points.
You can eat as many fruits and veggies as your little heart desires (YES!). I stock up on fruits and veggies at the grocery store as they have now become my go-to snack.

3. Each person is given a daily PointsPlus target each day and a weekly bonus allowance.
Your daily PointsPlus target is the amount of points that you are required to eat each day. For instance, I'm allowed 26 points per day. I have to eat that much each day. If you eat less than that amount of points your body isn't receiving the nutrients it needs and it will go into, what I like to call, "starvation mode." You don't want that. I'm also allowed 49 "bonus" points per week. The beauty of this is that if I'm going out to dinner with friends I don't have to worry about going over my daily PointsPlus target because I have some wiggle room due to the bonus points. The flexibility of this program is magic. For me, it's what makes it do-able.

4. Simply Filling
This is the option for those of you that would have trouble writing down each and every thing that you eat each day. This option wants you to eat primarily "power foods." These are foods that provide high energy and nutrients. If you look at the picture to the left you can see foods with those lovely green triangles. Those are considered power foods. Weight Watchers has a very extensive list of power foods which are available to you through the program. You don't have to track your foods which is the beauty of this method. You eat until you are satisfied and that's it. Also, the 49 bonus points are still available for you to use besides the power foods.

5. BE ACTIVE!
Weight Watchers also has a point system for activity! If you earn a point for activity, you can swap it for a point for food. So, if I go running for 30 minutes and earn 6 activity points, I can use those towards food during my week! Yay! Incentive to exercise! Of course, you're not required to eat those points...it's just an option and an added bonus for people like me who LOOOOOVE food...and beer. =)

6. Good Health Guidelines
I've already addressed these in my "I Hate Vegetables! Help!" blog so feel free to check those out again too! =)

All in all, this is a wonderful, well-rounded program. I never feel as though I'm not getting enough (when I follow the plan correctly). I know that if I screw up a new day is only a few hours away. I HIGHLY encourage those of you who have tried and failed at a variety of other programs to try this one! I've tried a multitude of other plans, but none of them have carried the same success as Weight Watchers. Try it and love it...you won't be sorry. =)

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Support Systems for a Successful Weight Loss

It's very difficult to successfully lose weight without the help of a support system. My husband has been my saving grace throughout my Weight Watchers journey....without him, I don't think I wouldn't been able to accomplish the loss of 25 lbs.

So...

Where can you find support systems?



1. Family
First and foremost, family is key! As I stated above, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without the support of my husband. The moment I told him I wanted to join Weight Watchers he made sure we squeezed it into our budget. He has also been very open to the differences in grocery shopping and he's been amazing as far as keeping things out of the kitchen that are considered "trigger" foods for me. The key is to make sure your family knows how important this is for you. Sometimes our families are the hardest people to talk to about our weaknesses. You can make it happen. A great part about the family support system is that they are always there. You can't just "go home" to get away from them! A few weeks ago a Weight Watchers member in my meeting said that she was going to grab a dessert or something and her 5 year old daughter asked her if that was a Weight Watchers friendly snack. I about died laughing when she said that because a 5 year old knows what kinds of foods to eat for a Weight Watcher's lifestyle! So, people, draft the support of your families!

2. Friends
Not everybody has a supportive family. Period. But, everybody has friends. If your friends are like mine they'll encourage you every step of the way! Ask your friends if they'll listen to your weekly or monthly progress! You can also ask friends to hold you accountable for exercising by going to the gym with them on a regular basis. A huge part of friend support is going out. If your friends are aware that you're on the verge of a lifestyle change, suggest going out to restaurants that have a healthier option for you. Don't be afraid to say no to going out to a restaurant that only has deep fried foods or lack of a healthy option.

3. Weight Watchers Meetings
Obviously this option won't work for everyone because not everyone is a part of the Weight Watchers network. If you're not a part, become a part! You can receive wonderful hints, tips, and encouragement from the people in your meeting. A huge part of the meetings is learning how to make the best of what you've got (food-related). For example, if you're at a church potluck you can learn how to choose the better options! Hooray! An easy way for you to judge if this option is for you would be to go into your nearest Weight Watchers location and sit in on one free meeting. It's completely harmless and could be very beneficial for you!

4. Internet Forums
This is an option that every person in the world has access to. There are thousands upon thousands of weight loss forums on the internet and most of them are free to join. You can meet and socialize with other people that are experiencing the same things you are as well as find hints, tips, and recipes for all sorts of things! You're also able to ask questions and receive replies from hundreds of people! Great option.

How can you overcome obstacles?
Support systems aren't always peachy keen. People don't always remember how difficult weight loss journeys are and how they're support is crucial to your success. Remind them. If they don't know how important they are to you, how can they help you? I'd be willing to bet that you have 2-3 of these support systems available to you already. It's up to you to make good use of them!

As always, comment, repin, +1, share, tweet, etc. to share these great tips with others!

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