Looking Back.

I'm aware that most of my posts on my blog, Instagram, and Facebook are about losing weight and cooking yummy, healthy food, which may be annoying to some, but it keeps me accountable, so I shall continue my dears :)

The other day I found myself browsing through pictures from the last few years and I was surprised to see how I let myself get to where I got. When I got stressed, I ate. When I got bored, I ate. My week consisted of leaving my house at 8:00 in the morning and not getting home til 10:30 at night. I didn't sleep. I relied on caffeine to function. Resulted in vertigo, high blood pressure, and getting over 200 pounds. But by going through that, it led to focusing on myself and my health. So there's reasons for everything!

With some still focusing on their new years resolutions, I've had some people ask for pointers on how to lose weight and ask questions, so check out this posts my dear friends! Along with those tips, there are two main things that have helped me!

Shakeology! 
It's an awesome shake that you can get in 3 flavors (also available for my vegan pals) made of 70 ingredients that are full of nutrients, that can benefit you in so many ways! Helps weight loss, energy, digestion, cholesterol, curb cravings, and so much more! I haven't been able to work out since last Decembers because of injuries, but have gone down 4 inches in my stomach from clean eating and Shakeology. It works! When I first looked into getting Shakeology and saw the price I was resistant to spending the money, but it has actually saved me money! It's one less meal I have to make and plan for everyday. It boils down to $5.00 for the healthiest meal of your day. How often do you pay $5 for a meal that fills you up and is healthy for you? It's worth it! After the first month and you see and feel the benefits. you'll be hooked! There's more in depth info here.

BeachBody!
It is the headquarters for getting healthy! Supplements, exercise gear, fitness programs. You name it. And when you sign up as a coach, the list expands to nutrition tips, meal planner, fitness tips, getting connected with other coaches, discounts on purchases (*cough cough* Shakeology), and so much more. Curious? Check it out! And I have the delightful honor of being involved with ShredNation too!

For some more background check out this post.

Questions? Get at me!!
eas5223@gmail.com

Quick Snacks

Sorry for the silence lately. 

Due to some fractures and broken bones from a car accident, I'll be focusing on easy, healthy recipes and eating clean!

Now for some simple, fast snacks you could make.

...even for those with one functional hand.

Cocoa Roasted Almonds
When craving chocolate, chose the healthy alternative.

Fruit
Simple.
Slice.
Dip in natural peanut butter if you have a sweet tooth.

Granola
Have snacks in your car.
Random hunger? You have a healthy snack compared to fast food.

 Eggs
Boil.

 Squash & Zucchini
Slice.
Season.
Oven at 300*
15 minutes.

Bananas
Slice.
Natural peanut butter on top.
Freeze.

I know these snacks may seem too simple or dumbed down, but they've helped me keep on track.
It's the baby steps that can make or break your process.

Some yummy recipes coming soon from your truly.

My Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle!

This last year has had its ups and downs, as does any other. But one of the main things about this year that I've done compared to others is focusing on myself. At the beginning of the year I got sick from neglecting my health by over working myself with work and school and was in the doctor’s office every other week it seemed because of it. I had high blood pressure, vertigo, low B-12 levels, wasn't sleeping. I ate what was cheap and what was convenient, which was primarily fast food restaurants, which got me over 220 lbs. My doctor told me that I had to make a change because I'd only wear myself out more if I kept at the rate I was going. This led me to let eliminate the things that were causing me extra stress and focus on me and my health. That decision was not popular with some people I know, because they wanted me to finish what I had started, but I needed to focus on my well being. And oh how it has been a journey!

I started by signing at a fitness center for a 6 week boot camp. I must admit, I lasted for 3 weeks. The location and time of the fitness center didn't work in my interest as far as gas goes. But they gave the basics for eating right and got me motivated for working out harder.

As I made eating cleaner and working out harder part of my daily routine, I would take pictures of this journey of getting healthy and post on instagram (yes, I’m one of those people who posts pictures of their food, don’t judge haha) to keep me accountable. Every year one of my new year resolutions is to lose weight and it’d last for two or maybe three months after losing maybe 10 pounds and would give up. But being determined not only to lose weight but live a healthy lifestyle, I figured broadcasting my journey would keep me accountable.

So as I posted pictures of my scrumptious, healthy food, I’d hash tag it as weight loss or eating clean (yes, I’m one of those people that use hash tags more than some may prefer, don’t judge haha). And through that I found a lovely lady, Chelsea Osborn that would post picture of living a healthy lifestyle and how she’s lost 50 pounds and gotten to where she is now and started to follow her on instragram. As I’d see her posts on my news feed I got more and more motivated to stay on the tract with working out and eating healthy. Chelsea would always talk about Shakeology, ShredNation, and being a Beach body coach (I’ll elaborate in future posts… don’t worry!) and how they have helped her and I eventually emailed her asking her how I could get involved!

Her and her fiancé Robb (also a Beach body coach!) got me set up with Beach body and ShredNation. In a nut shell Beach body is the headquarters for getting healthy where you can purchase fitness programs, Shakeology, supplements, and connected with coaches to keep you motivated. ShredNation is a group of coaches from Beach body that is a support system to keep each other accountable, motivated, and a place to ask for advice!

I’m so excited to keep going on my journey of getting healthy! One of my friends asked, “why are you broadcasting your workouts or what you’re eating all the time?” And it’s way to keep myself accountable! I've attempted to lose weight at least 5 times in the last 2 years, and quit easily because I didn't let people know that I was trying to get healthy and fit. But not this time! Going to go strong and have a support team to keep me on track! I can see a difference and and I can feel a difference and I'm just at the beginning of this journey.

I'm not a fan of progress shots as of now because of the BEFORE picture. But everyone needs to start somewhere and focus on the progress they've made so far!

Slimmin' Down Sunday

I know last week I talked about a couple of normal habits I've changed and thought I'd add in on last week’s post. 

       Last year I tried to lose weight, as a new year’s resolution (like every other American ha). I joined a new gym that had classes that I'd get involved with and joined Weight Watchers. I think that lasted a grand total of 3 months and lost maybe 10 pounds. 

         One of the things that I'm trying to do differently this time around, is creating accountability for me in different ways. 

• I have my "primary accountability partner" that I try to work out with at least once a week (swim laps, run in her neighborhood or at a park). 
• I have my My Fitness Pal buddies, where we can see each other's activity.
• I write about it on here (would've never guess that one, huh?). For me, knowing that others know and/or are watching makes me want to keep going harder and not fall back into old ways.
• I try to take advantage of social media. There are so many other people that use social media to share ideas, tips, and to encourage others who have similar goals.

Some other miscellaneous things that I do to keep me on track:

• Making working out a priority. I plan my days out. Everyone has their normal obligations. Work. School. Church. Friends. Family. etc. But we make time for things that we want to do. If my favorite show comes on at 8:00 on Tuesday nights, you know I'll make it home in front of my TV by 7:55. So at the beginning of every week I find times to do put in my work out and if it's right after work, that just means I have to pack my gym bag the night before and keep it in my car. If there's a will there's a way. 
• Working out: I hate running. But I admire people who can and love running and they can get in “that zone” to where it’s relaxing to them to escape. One day I’m going to be one of those people. But I started with no endurance, so I started with interval training (walk 3, run 2, walk 3, run 2, etc) and eventually added a minute to the running time. I’m slowly getting to the place where I think I’ve found my pace and by breathing. And every day I run, I try to add another minute to the last longest time I ran straight.
• Eating clean: Prepping my food ahead of time. When I get hungry, I crave the bad food. So I pace myself with small meals that are good for me and with protein. And trying to get your family to eat healthier too, so there’s not as much temptation. Logging what you eat helps you too. You can see what you are doing right and what you’re doing wrong. And you can take note and change it. 
• Getting Educated: I want to know why I’m doing certain exercises and why I’m eating certain things. So I’m trying to read health orientated magazines (Women’s Health, Weight Watchers, etc) and blogs online geared to healthy lifestyles.

I'm proud to say that your girl has dropped 25 pounds so far!! :) If ya’ll have any pointers or tips, let me know! I’m learning as I go!

Roasted Snap Peas

    Saturday I went to the local flea market with my brother and sister to check out the produce. And holy moly! My sister and I got about $30 worth of insanely fresh produce for about for $10. One of the purchases was snap peas. One of my instructors in school at them like they were fries and thought I'd try it out. And I did some simple experimenting with them, with my very limited amount of cooking skills.  

Rinse Snap Peas

Preheat Oven to 450*

Mix 1/2 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

Add Salt & Pepper.

*less the salt and pepper, the fresher the taste*

Place in Oven for 10-12 Minutes

It's a rather yummy snack with out the guilt!

You could also add some garlic, if you want a different flavor.

Weight Loss Wednesdays

    Weight Loss Wednesdays are making it's debut, inspired by something I read! I haven't exactly... let's say "cultivated" what I'm going to share on these Weight Loss Wednesdays (or WLW? catchy?). So I thought sharing some of the things I've been doing to jump start this lifestyle change.

Normal Habit #1: Relying on Caffeine to get me through the day.

• To give you a jest of my daily intake of caffeine, I had 2-4 cups of coffee a day while at the office. I was dependent on caffeine.   
• When I got stressed, I didn't sleep, so I relied on caffeine to keep me going, which caused vertigo. When I went to the doctor, they said I had high blood pressure, at 21, because I substituted caffeine to compensate for the sleep I never had.

New Habit: Vitamins & Keeping Hydrated & Having the Right Amount of Protein.

• Vitamin Shop is where it's at!
• Take a Multivitamin in the morning
• Take a B12 Complex around 2:00: The time I'd have my typical 2:00 Energy Boost Coffee Stop. I can swear my B12. The doctor told me, my B12 levels were low, and gave me an injection of B12 (didn't know that was even possible haha), and you can feel a difference! And it's the healthy alternative of getting energy.
• Not having enough water is a biggie as far as not having energy.
• Making sure I have some form of protein in every meal: Eggs, Meat, etc.

Normal Habit #2: Eating the Wrong Food or Overeating

• I was busy and never home. Ate what was convenient and was the yummiest.
• If I was given a lot of food, I ate it all. 

New Habit: Choosing the Healthier Option and Planning Ahead:

• I plan my foods ahead of time. If I get hungry, I crave the bad food. By bad, the yummy, greasy food that I'm used to eating. So I pack snacks throughout the day, if I know I'm going to be in the office or out and about, so I can avoid any temptation.
• To help me with the over eating, I take Glucomannan. It's a herbal dietary fiber that absorbs water & fat and expands your stomach making you feel full aka eat less. Also absorbs fat from stomach and digestive track.
• Fruits, nuts and veggies are my go to's.
• Walnuts: have omega-3 acids
• Almonds: has vitamin E to cut out cholesterol
• Greens: Low in calories and filled with vitamins
• Tomatoes: Decreases risk of cancer. 
• Blueberries: has water content, antioxidants, vitamins, rev. metabolism, & lowers blood pressure
• Choosing whole grains: Has fiber, iron, & vitamin B.

            Well, it looks like this turned into what I've changed as far as eating choices. One of the things I've been doing, is when I ready something that I find interesting or helpful with my weightless journey, I write it down in a notebook for future reference. I'm what you call a notebook junky, I write everything down. 

If anyone has and ideas or tips, feel free to let me know! Learning something new every day!

A Healthy Devo

A Healthy Devo. That's a rather odd combo huh? Well, it's out there! 

I'll elaborate more on it in a second (:

      So, the last 2 months I've been turning over a new leaf with my eating and working out. Not just going on a diet, but changing my lifestyle. I'm proud to say that I've lost 20lbs so far and have more to go! I joined a boot camp to jump start this change, which has motivated me to work harder and keep going. But I must say that one of the things that has made a world of a difference is broadcasting my journey in getting healthy, creating accountability between me and my friends and family. Even using social media to get work out or receipts ideas, like twitter or instagram(emmalynanne). With that I get friendly reminders that I'm not logging into MyFitnessPal and need to keep going. Along with instead of going out to movies, I'll go running or biking with friends and grab a smoothie afterwards. 

      Now, where does this "healthy devo" come into play? Well, one of my best friends has managed to make her way to the Accountability Partner position in my life. And my birthday was this week and what did she give me. The ultimate healthy eating package! I mentioned to her a nifty Tupperware I saw in pinterest , and she finds me something 10 times better, along with other things I've shared with her that made their way into my healthy eating package. But my favorite was is a devotional that is titled Made to Crave Devotional: 60 Days to Craving God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeust, that is based on her Made to Crave book. On the back cover is states, ".. this is not a how-to-get-healthy book. It is the road to finding the lasting 'want to' that extends far beyond the surface issues of weighing less and getting to a smaller clothes size. It's a spiritual battle and it's real. And it's amazing how perfectly the Bible gives us specific ways to find victory over food struggles."

       I'm so excited! You'll be sure to hear more with this getting healthy journey! 

Simplify & Rejuvenate.

        Long time no see! I apologize for my leap of absence. Getting back into the swing of things! Lots of changes in my life. But for the good! I overworked myself for too long, which resulted in some medical issues (always fun, I'm aware! haha). But I'm back and kicking! My docs (along with others) have given me two things to do: Simplify and Rejuvenate. So that's my mission! You will see more activity soon on this blog, so keep your eyes open :)