Week 4: Lifestyle Change

It has taken me a month to finally realize that this journey I am on is not just a 'diet' or a temporary thing, it's a LIFESTYLE!  I am learning and training my mind to think about the benefits of the foods I'm eating so that I can be healthier and feed my body what it needs to survive! (not just things that taste good)  I'm seriously having SO much fun with this, it's exciting to read about what different foods can do for your body, instead of thinking about what is going to taste GOOD, because most of those foods (although I have found that I love the healthy foods I'm eating) are not beneficial to your body even though we all thing they taste good and especially those greasy fried things we all enjoy! (not saying I probably won't enjoy those things EVER but on a VERY limited basis! at this point it doesn't even appeal to me)  A diet to me means "temporary" or until you get to the goal you want to achieve.  Lifestyle change means that you are learning how to change the things in your life to become healthier not just what you eat or how much you workout or even what the number on the scale says, you are figuring out how to get yourself into a 'habit' of doing these things on a regular basis, so that you will have long term effects, not short term (which is the way I see 'diet').  You have to be completely committed to giving up those things that you maybe eat once in awhile or more often that aren't beneficial! It's okay to have some things in moderation, just not to often!  Obviously I'm not an expert and or perfect but I'm slowly learning and trying my best to be successful and to have a healthier, happier life! :) 

If you guys are like me I love my snacks, I look forward to eating most of the time, mainly when I'm at work because I get bored so if I think about what I am going to eat next it makes time go by a little faster! :)  I found that POPCORN is filled with LOTS of antioxidants, it has more then a days worth of fruits and veggies, and it also has as much fiber as 1 cup of cooked brown rice! Well that is great news, because I love to eat popcorn at night while I watch my evening shows! The only thing to remember is that you get the most benefit if the popcorn is plain (meaning not the buttery store bought stuff) or air popped and then you can add the things that are better for you such as olive oil (lowers cholestrol and benefits insulin levels as well as blood sugar control) and then sprinkle on your favorite seasonings.  Some things I found in Woman's Health magazine is to put rosemary and grated parmesan cheese also another that sounded good was lemon zest, oregano, and dill!  OMG, so many POSsibLItiEs I can't wait to spice up my evening snack! :) 

In my food for thought the other day I forgot to mention my most favorite thing Kombucha with chia!!!

Chia- is often called 'runners food', it's a superfood that provides sustained energy for the body.  It has more then 8x the omega-3 found in salmon, more antioxidant than blueberries, and more fiber than oatmeal.
Kombucha- is furmented tea and sugar. The benefits of this drink is it can boost immune system and reverse the aging process (no wonder my dad never seems to age.. lol).  It can improve the body's defense by detoxifying and enhancing the immune system and then helps fight off diseases.  It can also help improve liver function(god knows I can always use help with that!!). {just for the record I have been doing much better with the amount of alcohol I drink, I'm really not an acholoic like everyone probably things... hehe}

 Look at all the benefits I can get just from one drink!!! Kombucha with chia seeds in it! :)  My dad introduced me to Kombucha a few years ago and a friend of mine introduced me to Mama Chia (thanks Bliss!!) and the reason it caught my attention in years past is because the fact that it said Chia is 'runners food' and I used to run quite a bit.  Then recently they came out with Kombucha that had chia in it and I was thrilled! Not to mention now I know exactly why it so good for my body to consume, and I have some great health benefits to prove that. 

During this process I am learning SO much about my body and the way it's changing and it is so benecifial for my self-esteem these days.  I am so proud of myself for having willpower again and to not just let myself go I can finally say for real I'm getting my life back! :) 

Just want to throw in there a Happy Anniversary to my Wonderful parents! 27 years and it's be a crazy ride! :) Love You guys!!!