The Most Important Meal of the Day

You all know the saying, but do you apply it to your own life? When I lived an obsessive uneducated food life, I never ate breakfast. I thought it was unneeded calories, and there was no reason to fill my body with food just after I got up. Now I look back on this and am completely shocked that I was able to get through the day.

Reasons to reconsider my newly adored AM yum-fest:

Mid-day Binge: By not chowing down after you wake up, your body continues to live off of nothing. If you eat dinner and don't eat until the next day lunchtime, your body is running on empty for 18 hours! Asleep or not asleep, I couldn't possibly go that long without eating, and neither should you. Waiting that long will eventually take a toll on your stomach and energy level. Come lunch time, chances are you will divulge in endless calories that you could have easily avoided with a 200-300 calorie breakfast to start the day.

Coffee and Tea: Having a Cup O' Joe (or O' Tea) after waking up is a sure fire way to start the day off right. Your body takes in natural antioxidants, and gives you a quick boost of caffeine. For coffee drinkers, only drink a cup or 2 of regular coffee during the first few hours of the day, and switch to decaf if necessary, giving your body plenty of time to relax the caffeine out of your bloodstream before you end your day. For tea drinkers, try green tea! A magical little bag of this stuff is packed with benefits for your body. It's been known to increase fat burn, release antioxidants, and prevent health conditions. It tastes good, too!

Fiber Time: Breakfast is a time that we can take in a high amount of fiber, which couldn't be a healthier way to start the day. On the other hand, fiber shouldn't be "jam-packed" in your "jam-packed with cream cheese, overly sized bagel". Bagels, although a quick fix for hunger lack in nutritional value and can easily cost you 500-600 calories, not exactly how you wan't to start your day. Fiber can be hidden in so many great foods that we don't think of it to be in. Go buy a box of plain Bran cereal (preferably not Rasin Bran), add some fresh fruit and skim milk, and you'll be amazed with the wholesome and filling taste. It's a big bowl of delicious fiber! Oatmeal, fat-free yogurt, fresh fruit, and whole grain toast with jam will not only give you your fiber-fix, but will satisfy your body so much more and for a longer period of time.

Eat breakfast every day for a week and I guarantee you will see a tremendous difference that you will never look back from. Chances are you will naturally get up earlier and feel more awake, you won't be a ravenous hyena come lunch, and your body will start looking and feeling better. Plus, by not eating breakfast you're missing out on so many yummy foods! So go have a grapefruit and some oatmeal and live your day to it's true fullest.

Things to be Happy About

So the past couple of days have been personally beyond terrible, and in spite of this, I've decided to remind myself of all the good things. I think it's important to always remember the things in your life that make you happy on the good days instead of losing sight of them on the rare bad days. That being said, make a list, take a breather, and smile!

-All of this dreary rain recently will bring even more beautiful flowers, green grass, and warm weather by the end of it.
-It's iced coffee season, go experiment and enjoy!
-Time to officially put away the winter clothes, no more having to unpack them after being overly hopeful.
-You can take long walks and play outside! In the heat!
-It's beach and pool season, grab a bikini, a good book, and veg for the day.
-Everyone is overall in a better mood and smiling in the sunshine
-You now have a legitimate excuse to procrastinate because you really do have to give yourself that pedicure.
-Open toed shoes!
-It's baseball season, fan or not, go to a game with some friends and a good time is sure to be had.
-Cookies are a year round food!
-You are loved
-The white iPhone has finally arrived!
-You can drink summery drinks with little umbrellas and not look strange because it's snowing
-It's not snowing!
-Warm weather by law requires more ice cream outings
-Friend and family barbeques

These are just a few things, and just by thinking about them it's hard to not crack a smile. When the going gets rough, focus on what's ahead and what the great things are that are in front of you, because through thick and thin, they are bound to be there.

Would You Like Whipped Cream with That?

There are so many bizarre claims when it comes to what you drink. The most common being, it's liquid, so my body won't take in the calories as if it were food. I hate to break it to you, but that's ridiculous! After thinking up this blog topic, I decided to take it very seriously (or feed my sudden craving) and go to my favorite coffee shop in Troy, Flavours Cafe. Before I went, I did a little research on just how fattening some of the delicious drinks really are. I was stunned by the results, and completely rethought my order.

So many people take the claim that it won't taste as good if they get the "nonfat" version. Ten years ago, maybe, but with our food revolution, this is far from the truth. Not only can you not taste a difference, but you can save yourself around 500 calories just by throwing in a couple of "skinny" words. So what are the terms and words? And no, I don't mean mocha-frappa-chinolino-quadricafemcdoubletini.

Lite: If you are going to a chain cafe, like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Coffee Bean, then you will find the restaurant with "skinny" or lite" options, automatically slashing those calories. If you go to Starbucks and order a Tall Caramel Frappuccino with a little bit of whipped cream, you're tacking on 300 calories to your day. Throw in the little word light, and the same sized drink is setting you back a small 130, and chances are you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a taste test.

Non-fat/no sugar: If you're like me, and prefer the small local cafes, the chances that they'll have "lite" and "skinny" versions right on the menu are not as high. However, this doesn't mean you can't make it happen. Next time you ask for your vanilla latte, ask for a non-fat, no sugar version, and your barista won't hesitate to put in the order. Non fat will give you skim milk instead of whole or cream. This alone will save you 140 calories! Also, the difference in sugar and whipped cream can save you an additional 200. We're talking almost 400 calories just by saying two little words that your taste buds won't even recognize.

When you walk into a cafe or a bakery, remember first and foremost that it shouldn't be an every day indulgence, so chances are it's a nice treat for your tummy. That being said, remember that you will have more of these moments, and there's no reason to put all of your eggs in one basket, or in this case, all of them into your coffee mug. Before coming to the shop, I had my heart set on a fruit smoothie. I knew that they were natural and fresh, but that they also had some dairy. Not only does this balance out, but it also isn't full of sugar and processed smoothie chain ingredients, allowing me to feel good about my order. Taking a second look at the menu, I saw frozen lemonade with fresh strawberries. The cashier informed me that it was simply fresh lemons and strawberries, and I immediately ordered it. Sipping away at the sweet but delicious drink, not only did I seriously enjoy it, but I seriously enjoyed how I felt after drinking it. Healthy, sure of what I was drinking, and 110% satisfied.

If you're with a friend, they may order that 500 calories cream murderer, and that's fine, but it doesn't mean you have to. The best part of someone your with ordering a marvelous daring drink or that huge mouth watering muffin is that you can taste it. Instead of totally depriving yourself, you get a bite, know the taste, and save the rest of the calories by not eating it. Personally, I'd walk out of the cafe feeling much better about myself then walking out with a bloated stomach and regret. A few minutes of thought can go a long way.

Helloooo, Springtime!

It's finally Spring! (finally being the operative word here in upstate New York!) As for seasons, Spring is a personal fave. The snow finally melts away, the flowers bloom, and you wake up with the peaceful (and yes, sometimes utterly annoying) sound of birds outside of your window. What could be better then this? Well, summer...but it's a start!

My three favorite things about Spring:

1.) Break out the colorful flowing dresses and bask in your pastel glory. There is no better feeling than pealing off your parkas and mittens and trading them for warm weather clothing.

2.) Overall happiness! Not only is the sun radiating warmness, but suddenly so is everyone under it. The warmth brings smiles to people that is brought on so naturally we can't help but appreciate it and live the feeling to it's fullest.

3.) Finally and most of all, being outside. When there are 6 inches of snow and counting on the ground, trudging to the gym, to work, to just about anywhere out of your house suddenly seems like a horrible idea when your electric blanket is beckoning you in bed. When the temperature climbs, it's hard to not be outside.

So, what's my point? GO OUTSIDE! Live up the glorified weather and take in every minute you can. Your body will take in natural vitamins from the sun, you'll be up and moving without even realizing it, and maybe you'll even get to take your dog (or cat..?) on a walk. Although sometimes you need the gym, most of the time you can use the great outdoors. Go for a run, a leisurely walk, or hit the courts with some friends. Being outdoors gives you time to focus on yourself and your energy, and enhances the releasing of endorphines. Personally, I love exercising in parks. Seeing everyone around me running and taking in the sunshine, I become so motivated to be there and accomplish my work out goals. It's also a great time to people watch (check out the guy next to you and show off for him.) Whatever works.

Be your own foodie!

One of the most common ways to "diet" and lose weight is to keep a food journal. Although I am asking that you try this, I'm asking that you try this differently than you may have done before. Keeping a food journal should be all about self awareness, knowing what exactly you're putting into your body, and ultimately figuring out why you're doing it, and how it makes you feel.

Keeping a food diary shouldn't be about calorie number-crunching, because that leads people to think that they can eat any type of food, as long as it's in very tiny amounts. Chances are, you won't be satisfied or full, and your body won't be getting the nutrition and whole ingredients that it yearns for. Instead, you'll be eating little bites, getting the "hunger-grumps" from the crappy food, and you'll only gain satisfaction by staying under your caloric intake. Lame!

Writing down what you eat day to day, or even once in a while can benefit you in ways to jumpstart your new lifestyle. You can stay in touch with what you're putting into your body, and knowing how your body responded afterwards. While you can track your caloric intake, you can look at it as more of being aware of it, and how satisfied you feel after specific foods and dishes.

Break down your list by your three meals and your snacks. Your journal should help you focus on balancing out food amounts, and also balancing out your daily nutrition intake. For example, if your breakfast was full of whole grains, go easy on them the rest of the day, and get your fruits, veggies, and proteins the rest of the day, all in balance. Eating whole foods in a balanced practice and knowing your intake will make you more self aware and respectful of your body. By doing this you will train yourself to eat properly and will notice change in yourself without obsessing, but instead by becoming aware of yourself.

Love thy body, Love thy self

A few years ago, my life changed so exponentially after changing my lifestyle of diet, look on the world, and most importantly, outlook on my own body. I'm happier, healthier, and ever since I've found this magical place, I've wanted to pass on the word to get you there, too. I'll focus on weight loss tips the healthy way, nutrition, personal happiness, and finding peace with your inner self, all things towards a healthier, happier you.

For my first post, I figure, why not talk about what first drew me into this way of living, and start from the very beginning? As a young female in today's world, I constantly face distorted body images, "fad" diets, and the constant pressure to look good. I tried everything. Taping pictures of Victoria's Secret models to my fridge, eating Lean Cuisines for every meal, and believing anything people would tell me would lead me towards success. One day I stopped and realized, why am I doing this? This Lean Cuisine is full of junky preservatives, I'm always hungry, and every I lose the weight, it's back on in a week.

It was then that I stopped obsessing about the body and person I was trying to become, and began focusing on my own body, loving it for what it is, and how I can get it to it's healthiest, in the most positive and natural ways possible.

The first step (after admitting my bizarre yet common problem...) was to do some serious research. I looked to the experts, and went to my library to check out stacks and stacks of health and body books. (See-I even became organic with my research!) Within hours, I was completely consumed. I was so inspired and completely horrified with what I was doing to my body for so long. After all what had it ever done badly to me? I knew it was time for some serious forgiveness, and I began to change my lifestyle from then on.

I have found a peace with myself that I never knew I could discover, I lost weight without even trying, and I learned to love everything about myself, inside and out, a feeling I will never look back from. Now I want to take you there, at your own pace, and with your own rules, because I know that you will love the results and will love yourself.