Thursday, January 9, 2014

Tips for Success!

It wouldn't be called the 24 Day CHALLENGE if there wasn't something "challenging" to it.  The Challenge is always something different depending on who you are.  The point is that you are doing something to "challenge" yourself to improve your health in some way.

Maybe the challenge is drinking enough water.

Maybe it's getting in a workout.

Maybe it's giving up things you love like coffee, candy, or french fries.

No matter what challenge this brings to you, the end goal is that you are able to incorporate some new healthier changes in your life from here on out.  (And usually lose some weight in the process!)

I thought it would be helpful to list some strategies that I have found helpful or that others have shared with me.  (Just another thing to love about Advocare...such a positive, supportive network of people to surround yourself with.  Everyone WANTS you to SUCCEED).

~  Use a gallon jug of water to track how much you have drank through the day.  Decorate it up nice and pretty with positive sayings to keep you going.

~  If you're not a morning person and find you need to get up earlier, start off slow.  Set the alarm for 15 minutes earlier for a couple days, then another 15, until you reach your destination.

~  Prep anything ahead of time that you can.  I find if I get our lunches for the next day ready and packed the night before, that saves me a bunch of time in the morning.

~  Read up.  Prepare for the Challenge before you begin. Know what you're going to be eating and doing each day.  Ask questions!

~  Rethink the workout.  Depending on how you have worked out before, or if you never have, you may have to do something different than you were used to.  (A whole post coming about this!)

~  Surround yourself with positive people, who want you to succeed.  This is something we try to teach our middle schoolers.  You become who you hang around.  If you are constantly surrounded by negativity, you will become negative. Positive people are more fun!

~  Rethink recipes you already have.  Mix your own taco seasoning, swap out brown rice for white rice.  Try spaghetti squash??? (I'm giving that one a whirl this time :)

There you have it.  Hope these help!  Anyone else have a tip that works for them?

Here's a rundown on the food for the last couple of days.

Breakfasts:  Have been consistent on the egg white scrambles, oatmeal, and fruit.  Feeling good starting out the day with a super breakfast!

Lunch:  Usually leftovers from dinner.  When I put away leftovers, I always portion everything out into individual containers for easy grab and go lunches.  Meal replacement shakes and bars are wonderful on busy days or when we are out of leftovers.

Dinner:  Made Cajun talapia with creole sauce over brown rice for dinner last night.  Tonight is hamburger patties (made with 96% ground beef) and sweet potato wedges. 

Snacks:  Ethan has really liked the apples and peanut butter, so he's been really consistent on eating that.  I've tried to mix up the fruit a bit with apples, oranges and bananas, but still try to get the protein or healthy fat from peanut butter or almonds.

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