Buy some new work out gear to get motivated

Sometimes it's the stress of getting ready for the gym that makes you hate going. My normal routine is school or work, and then I tear apart my closet to find my work out attire. I search high and low for my sports bra, running shorts and a tank top or tee shirt. It takes me thirty painful minutes to find everything and get dressed. Normally it will take another 15 minutes to find those old scuffed up running sneaker that are either under my bed, in the trunk of my car, or buried in the laundry room basket of shoes. I don't feel good before I go to the gym, what makes me think I'll feel good after? Well thats why they having stores labeled "sporting goods," such as Dicks, Modells, and Sports Authority. So I had some money that was burning a hole in my pocket. I decided to buy some new sneakers, and some cute gym clothes. I bought everything matching, pink and black Under Amour attire, I eve bought some new socks. Today after getting in my new gym clothes I felt more motivated and I was actually excited to show off my new stuff at the gym. I felt good before the gym, but most importantly I felt good after. Sometimes you need to boost your self esteem just to motivate yourself to work out. Whether it's buying your self a new out fit or changing up your old routine, it could help your work out intensity and your attitude before and after the gym. Get some new sneaks and get to the gym!

No food alone could ever cause us to lose weight, there is no such thing as the best single weight loss food. We all understand that weight loss is the result of the energy consumed from all various foods within the diet, and that a diet's total energy must be lower than the energy used by the body.
Some sites peddle the idea that certain foods are the best for weight loss because when these "special foods" are eaten they result in negative calories however, there is no hard scientific proof to support this theory. In fact the only reason some foods are considered the best for weight loss is because they help reduce the total energy consumption in some way. For example, some fruits are listed in the negative calories foods list and considered one of the best foods for losing weight but this is probably due to the fact that fruits are often very low in energy. If any low calorie food is replacing another food high in calories then it can be considered good for losing weight.
More about fat Burning Foods.
Some other foods that are considered helpful when losing weight are those high in fiber. The fiber helps fill up the stomach quicker causing the individual to eat less, thus less calories are consumed.
Foods that are low in fat are also believed to be the best for losing weight. Fat contains more than twice the amount of energy than carbohydrates or protein, so eating less fat naturally lowers calorie intake.
Lower the Fat in Different Dishes
Foods that are nutritionally dense, especially from some of the B vitamins may help increase energy levels and give an individual more desire to exercise.


Many foods with a high water content are among some of the best foods to help lose weight. They are often low in calories plus increasing water intake has been shown to benefit weight loss. Water benefits weight loss
Fresh, natural produce are among the best foods for weight loss, they are often low in energy and low in sodium. A high sodium intake has been shown to cause slight water retention, thus gaining an extra few pounds of water weight. A low sodium diet can help rid the body of water retention.
Learn best ways to weigh food portions
Processed and convenient products loaded with refined sugar are NOT the best foods for losing weight. The sugar contributes to "empty calories" void of all nutrients.
All the best foods for weight loss should generally be....
Fresh natural food
Nutritionally dense food
High in fiber
Low in calories
Low in fat
Low in refined sugars
Low in sodium
Many good weight loss foods may also contain...
Complex carbs
High quality protein
Fiber
High water content
Examples of some of the best foods for losing weight...
Fruit
Vegetables
Legumes
Wholegrain foods (muesli, oatmeal, wholemeal pasta, etc)
Baked potato
Boiled brown rice
Fresh fish

Summer BBQs

Now the summer is approaching, I find myself at the daily BBQ whenever we have 70+ degree days. Hamburgers, hotdogs, and macaroni salads can be fattening but there is a way around that. After I get the hamburger craving out of the way, I have found a simple and tasty way to still enjoy Barbecuing with friends. Whether you bring a package of chicken with you, or it is already at the outdoor event, it is easy to grill chicken. Get some pineapple and onion and some sticks, and make some bbq or teriyaki chicken shish-kabobs. I have researched a recipe for a delicious bbq meal, your friends will be eating their hamburgers in shame.

INGREDIENTS		COST
4 boneless, skinless	chicken breasts	$5.75
2 large	bell peppers	$1.28
1 medium	red onion	$0.60
1 inch	fresh ginger	$0.30
1/4 cup	soy sauce	$0.37
1 clove	fresh garlic	$0.06
1/2 tsp	sesame oil	$0.02
1 medium	fresh pineapple	$3.55
TOTAL		$12.00

Now this may seem like a long time to marinate the chicken, but if you already know you are going to a BBQ before hand marinate it at home and then bring it in a container. Get fat free sauce and grill away. You can substitute chicken for shrimp tuna.

Break out the grill and make these delicious chicken kabobs that are so good, you won't even realize they're good for you!

Spring is here, and summer is approaching

Lets face it, summer is coming, fit or flabby. You have to get your quick 2 month work out in now or never. My Vegas trip is booked and I know i'm not bikini ready! I have been slacking with girl scout cookie season here and all. I have been making excuse after excuse, but now its time to get serious. I started working out again this monday. I actually had my boyfriends cousin sign up for the gym so she will be coming with us and she pushes me to go with her to the gym. I wasn't able to get to the gym yesterday and today due to work, but tomorrow I will be at the gym for 10 hours! Im going to do cardio tomorrow and going back to grilled chicken. It's hard being 21 and not being able to drink, but that is the worst thing to do when your on a diet. This weekend I chose to do other things so I stay clear of bars. I don't have alot of money saved up for Vegas, so that is also another reason to keep me from drinking those sugary pina colodas, ha. Anyway I need to focus on my goal weight, fifteen more pounds by may! I will let you know how tomorrows work out goes!

Food Shopping

My entire house is full of healthy eaters, which means whole wheat everything, fat free sugar free, low fat for every food. My mom sent me food shopping so I had to be careful with what I needed to buy. Walking up and down the isles you have to routes, the good tasting sugary and salty foods, or fruits, veggies and whole grain options. When you go food shopping it is important to replace your gushers for grapes, oreos for oranges, and chips for cantaloupe. You can still buy things you love but do it the right way. For example, when choosing milk, trade your whole milk for fat free or reduced fat milk. If you still want to incorporate pasta in your meals, get whole wheat pasta instead of normal pasta. If you need chips, they offer reduced fat. Also make sure to stop by the produce section and go nuts. Get every type of fruit or vegetable imagined, this way when you feel hungry grab an apple or substitute that side of french fries for broccoli and low-fat cheese. Even orange juice is high in sugar, but they do offer low sugar orange juice. Take some time when you shop to really look at your calories and sugar intake. It is crucial not to just throw whatever looks good in the shopping cart. Tonight for dinner I will be cooking grilled chicken with whole wheat pasta with a little tomato sauce. To drink I chose diet coke instead of regular coke. You can drink diet sodas but only drink alot of diet sodas because they will leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Just remember when shopping, shop smart!

Motivation post

So I have lost all motivation. School, work, midterms. I can't seem to have any strength to get to the gym. I have 3 days left until spring break. This break will help me get more motivated because the stress level will be down. I haven't been eating right either. I feel once I get put into high levels of stress I tend to eat worse and not care. PF Chang did taste good on Monday though. Anyway so my boyfriend and I promised each other we would start up our diets today. So today, I NEED a large cup of coffee, and then will eat fruits in class, and then when I get home I will eat a healthy whole wheat wrap, and then chicken and salad for dinner. I am going to try to get my gym session in, and possibly a cardio class to get the ball rolling. I have a two week membership at LA Fitness where they offer a olympic size pool, a huge room for classes such as cardio kick boxing class, or spin class. I took a class last week and loved it. My muscles were killing me, but that is a sign that you are working your muscles hard. After my life starts to get a little situated I need to start focusing on going back to the gym. I switched up what gym I go to becasue I was getting a little burnt out of good Ol' Planet Fitness. Its a good gym but it just has your basic machine. Well I will let you know how today turns out and if I stick to my diet plans. Adios!

Work and eat right

I know, it is hard when you go to school full time and work full time to eat a healthy meal. Lately I have been focusing on what to eat outside of the house. As we all know Stockton isn't the healthiest place to eat, but have you ever left campus to check out what type of food is available. I left campus in-between my big breaks last semester and ventured to the mall not even five minutes away. They have a pretty decent salad joint in the food court. If you don't have time to go check out your surroundings in-between your classes than just make something and bring it from home. Make some chicken on the good old George Formann and toss it in a salad and bring some salad dressing, and voila! Your not only saving money, but your eating good too. I normally like to chop up some fruit and bring it to class because it can last a few hours. Now for those who work in the food and restaurant business, I know it's so hard to eat right. I always bring out food to customers, you know that juicy hamburger or that hot dripping cheese quesadilla, but I learned a small trick to help these cravings from attacking. One way my friends and I have learned to deal with this problem is too never let your self get to that point of starvation. Always fill up on healthy food, and drink lots of fluids so your full. Once your full you won't even want to think about food. I normally eat a hug salad before work or at work this way I won't want to eat the bad foods that I deliver to people. If you work in a place where you have to order your food, make sure to order something healthy from that pizza place next door. Hey, a chicken caesar salad isn't bad compared to 3 greasy slices of pizza. Either that, or make something and bring it to work, such as a whole wheat tuna sandwich. Don't make excuses, it IS possible to eat healthy during your hectic school/work week.