Going Back To My Better Habits

After all the lakwatsa and eating to death during the celebration of our 8th year anniversary, it is time to go back to the better habits I developed trying to be fit.

There is no special formula for this. Just like what the doctors would say, a 30-minute cardio workout three to four times in a week and healthy eating will do. It is just a matter of discipline and having a good knowledge of what healthy eating is really about.

FOOD INTAKE

If you aim to lose weight, it is very important to reduce your food intake but take note of what is the healthy dose. They said you should not go beyond the 1200 calories limit per day. Depriving yourself too much can result to cravings and before you know it you are eating more than you should. Also, your body needs the energy and nutrients that food supplies.  

It would be better if you eat more fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins. They are packed with vitamins and minerals but low on calories. Make a list of your favorite fruits and veggies and try to stock them on your fridge so whenever you are hungry, these are the food that you would go for first. Also, remember that there are fruits that are quite high in sugar so eat them in moderation and load on your favorite salad greens and crunchy root crops like beets and carrots. Needless to say, you should stay away from the sweets. Pastries are yummy but the sugar and saturated fats in them are the one that builds up into fat inside the body.

EXERCISE

I am quite big and chubby, so the best work out routines should include a lot of cardio. It is the fastest way to burn and shed fat. If you are slimmer but needs to tone up, you can do more core and strength training to develop muscles. It will support the skin which will make it look tighter.

What To Eat

Last week I featured Cucumber, Baby Carrots, and Bell Pepper. This week let's have a little more variety by adding some fruits. =)

First stop, Kiwi!
I like kiwis because they help your digestion and clean out toxins. They also boost your immune system with high Vitamin C content and antioxidants

Grapes!
I always liked grapes so I was so excited to learn that you get a lot of benefits when you eat them. It improves your brain, protect you skin, helps fight diabetes, and aids in weight loss too!

Lettuce :)
I don't know why but I have always been fond of Romaine Lettuce. I like that it's crunchy and bland in taste so it is easy to pair with any dressing or other more flavorful ingredients. It is high in fiber and it also helps in digestion, so it meas it is definitely going to be helpful if you're planning to lose weight.

So, instead of grabbing a bar of snickers or chips when you feel like snacking, try these healthy eats that are easily found in your local supermarkets.

What to Eat

It is good to know what food you take when you are starting to live a healthy lifestyle. I have attended a nutrition seminar a few months back and learned that the key to proper diet is MODERATION, DISCIPLINE, and VARIETY. Yes, variety! Because no one food item contains all the nutrients that your body needs.

For this week, I have chosen these food items as main components of my meals.

CUCUMBER is a good way to take in nutrition and since it is 95% water, it has fewer calories. It also helps to hydrate your body and eliminate toxins.   Do not leave out the skin for it has Vitamin C. It is also known to reduce the risk or certain types of cancer. 

BABY CARROTS are high in fiber which cannot be digested easily. As a result, you will feel full for a longer period of time so it helps manage your weight. 

GREEN BELL PEPPERS have fiber and vitamins C and E. They also help to lower the risks of chronic illnesses

APPLES, as they say, keep the doctor away. It is mainly because it is one of the healthiest that you can eat. It can help reduce cholesterol, prevent high blood pressure, protect your brain from Alzheimer’s, protect against colon cancer, and protect your heart, lungs, and bones.

A combination of cucumber, baby carrots, and green bell peppers

My Weight Loss Program: Day 1 Gone Bad

Not a very successful diet day. Although I was able to limit my food intake I am not sure if I can say the same about the calorie count.

Here is what I planned for my meals for this week. 

Breakfast:

1/2 cups muesli (230 calories)

1 cup coffee (90 calories)

Lunch:

Fresh cucumber and baby carrots (200 calories)

grilled fish (123 calories)

Dinner

corn on the cob (365 calories)

These can also be substituted with other food items of the same kind. You can replace muesli with oatmeal and add some dried fruits and nuts to it. You can have other veggies to go with a lean protein for lunch.  And salad for dinner instead of corn as long as you keep your calorie intake to 1,200 in a day at a minimum. Taking less can be harmful to your health. Although, some people might be doing it but you have to be sure to get a doctor's advice first.

This meal plan is only 1,008 calories so I can still sneak in 100 calorie snacks in between. You can use this site to check the calorie count of the food you eat. caloriecount.about.com/calories-bobs-red-muesli-old-country-i126945

So this is my planned calorie intake for today which didn't really happen. =( I ended up consuming a lot more calories in the morning, skipping lunch, having fastfood at 4:30 in the afternoon. Dinner was the only meal I can be proud of. I had fish and vegetables.

I felt quite guilty eating fastfood earlier so I went to do a ten minute jump rope to help burn 135 calories in 10 minutes. It is also a good cardio workout for me. www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/arms/express/jump-rope-workouts/

So, day one did not exactly went as planned. But I am sticking to this meal plan and will try to do the jump rope workout regularly along with this diet and let's see what happens.

Facts:

Muesli is good for breakfast because it is high on fiber and energy. the combination of oats, barley, various nuts and seeds makes it a god alternative to cereals which usually has high sugar contents.

My Weight Loss Program: The Night Before

I was never a skinny girl. I love food. I love to eat. And desserts have always been my favorite. I love to bake for my friends and family. I am fascinated with the techniques and knowledge that comes with baking like when making pate a choux and creme patissiere. And l love how I can make people smile with the food I make.

Weight had never been an issue for me. I guess I was able to receive the much needed love and affection from my parents when I was growing up so I never really had to try hard to feel accepted. Plus, I have a loving boyfriend who appreciates and accepts me for who I am. So, it was never an issue until I began to feel the effects it has on my health.

When you start to notice that you easily tires and experience shortness of breath after short walks, you'll know that you'll need to do something to change the situation. At this time in my life, l want to be able to enjoy my youth and do things I want. It would be such a  waste not to, won't you agree?

I have created this blog to chronicle my journey to a healthier lifestyle. And maybe inspire others to do the same. l am not a doctor, nor a licensed dietitian. So, if you decide to follow my routine and diet, please consult your doctor first especially if you have certain health conditions.

What I will be sharing is based on my own research and personal experience. I would definitely appreciate you commenting for advice and stuff that would help improve my regimens and routines.

Also watch out for my other DIY projects which I will be posting here as well.

health and fitness (found this photo on Google)