You May Think That White Bread Is Better But You Are Wrong.

I wanted to take time to explain exactly how I lost weight in the amount of time I did (1 year). Like I said before, I lost the weight on my on so I took all the information I have heard from doctors, tv shows (Biggest Loser), and fitness magazines. This picture was taken after I finished my 2nd 5K! As you can tell dieting does not mean forfeiting good food. So here is a list of my rules… because I like lists.

1. Eat your fruits and veggies! Filling up on these first saved me from eating hundreds of bad calories plus you get tons of energy from these foods.
** Favorite fruit: Pinapple Favorite veggie: Snap peas **
2. Eat breakfast! At 220 lbs I never ate breakfast (and you would think I would want it) but now I never go a day without it. It is essential. It gets your metabolism started and you will eat less throughout the day.
** Favorite breakfast: Lowfat yogurt topped with Cascadian Farms granola **
3. Drink water! Erase the word soda from your vocabulary. These are empty calories and when you cut these out you will lose your water weight and become less bloated, your skin will be clearer, and water actually keeps you full.
** Favorite water: … water… (Hot tea w/no sugar is tasty too) **
4. Only whole grains! You may think that white bread is better but you are wrong. I once thought that too but I now enjoy the taste of whole grain carbs. You will lost belly fat (ladies) when you simply make this switch. Hint- Make sure it says 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat because they will trick you with that. They do have more calories but this is where you want them to be!
** Favorite whole grain: Arnold's 100% Whole Grain Health Nut**
5. Find substitutes! Chances are there are probably healthy substitutes for your favorite guilty pleasures. There are healthy ways to make pasta, health(ier) ice creams, healthy pizzas, and healthy fast food restraunts. Find them and use them. Losing weight does not mean that you have give up all your favorite foods and forfeit taste.
** Favorite substitutes: Perkit's frozen yogurt, Subway, SmartOnes Macaroni and Cheese **
6. Get your butt in gear! You have to exercise to lose weight, no choice. Simply see exercise as part of your day just like you have to go to school, go to work, and run errands you have to exercise. I came to enjoy exercise very quickly. It gives me energy and an outlet to release my stress. It is important to have a balance of cardio and strength training. Find something you enjoy and make sure you switch it up to keep it interesting. I exercise 6 days a week and always give my body a day to recover.
** Favorite exercise: Running and cycling **
7. Make goals and visualize! Know where you want to be and make a plan. Know how much weight you need to lose each week and to make things fun have a weekly ceremonial weigh-in. Visualize yourself in that bathing suit or dress you would want to wear or crossing the finish line at a 5K. Don't let the set-backs get you down. Move forward and you will get there. I promise.
** Favorite goals: Finishing my first 5K and reaching the 50 lbs. mark **

This is how I did it. Anytime someone asks me my secret I simply tell them I eat healthy and I exercise. So I have enjoyed getting to expound on this. I would love to answer questions that you have, so ask!