Live your life!

the-healthy-princess: (source)

Sun, 19 May 2013 03:43:32 -0400

the-healthy-princess:

(source)

juliafreakingvu:

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:02:55 -0400

juliafreakingvu:

eatcleanmakechanges: getfit-befit: I want to exercise, BUT I...

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:01:49 -0400

eatcleanmakechanges:

getfit-befit:

I want to exercise, BUT I can’t afford a gym membership.
I want to exercise, SO I’ll come up with a list of free and low-cost workout options like:

SparkPeople’s free workout videos

SparkPeople’s at-home workout ideas

Walking, running or biking outside

I want to run, BUT it’s too [cold, rainy, hot, snowy, windy] outside.
I want to run, SO I’ll plan my runs around the days and times with the best weather, and invest in a few pieces of running gear that make running more comfortable. If all else fails, I’ll come up with an alternative workout I can do indoors, whether running on the treadmill or something else.

I want to work out, BUT I have [bad knees, a bad back, an injury, chronic pain].
I want to work out, SO I’ll make an appointment with my doctor and/or physical therapist to find out exactly what I can do safely and without pain.

I know I should exercise, BUT I don’t know how to get started.
I know I should exercise, SO I’ll do everything in my power to educate myself on what to do and how to get started, beginning with:

Reading articles in SparkPeople’s Fitness Resource Center

Asking questions on SparkPeople’s Fitness & Exercise Message Boards

Joining a fitness challenge at SparkPeople.com

Signing up for SparkPeople’s Exercise of the Day email

I want to get fit, BUT I just hate exercise!
I want to get fit, SO I will accept that my goal involves exercising. I will do my best to keep trying new workout ideas until I find something that I do enjoy!

I do want to work out, BUT I am just too busy.
I do want to work out, SO I will make it a priority while cutting back on other things that aren’t as important to me. I will find 10-minute chunks of time that I can dedicate to exercise each day.

I want to exercise, BUT I don’t have anyone to watch the kids.
I want to exercise, SO I will find ways to include my kids in my efforts to work my workouts around times that they are napping, at school, occupied and entertained.

I want to eat healthier, BUT it’s too complicated.
I want to eat healthier, SO I will start with one small step at a time, such as:

Eating more whole grains

Eating more fruits and veggies

Looking up nutrition facts before I order from a restaurant

Measuring my portion sizes

Tracking my food to learn how to make better choices

I want to eat healthier, BUT I can’t afford it.
I want to eat healthier, SO I will purchase foods that fit within my budget and help my reach my goals, even if it’s only a few things in my cart. I’ll also actively research ways to save money on healthy foods and reallocate money I used to spend on junk foods toward healthier items.

I want to eat better, BUT I hate to cook.
I want to eat better, SO I’ll find ways to do that that involve little to no cooking, including:

Buying healthy convenience foods to save on prep time

Choosing frozen or prepared meals that fit into my diet

Ordering healthy foods from restaurants

Collecting 15-minute recipe ideas that I can make easily

I want to eat healthier, BUT I hate vegetables.
I want to eat healthier, SO I will focus on eating more of the healthy foods I DO like, and keep trying vegetables in new ways until I find preparation techniques I do like.

I want to eat better, BUT my family won’t eat healthier foods.
I want to eat better, SO I’ll get my family on board by including them in finding and planning meals that meet everyone’s goals.

I want to cook more, BUT I just don’t have time.
I want to cook more, SO I will cut back in other areas (like TV watching) that don’t serve my goal, and collect quick-cooking recipes that I can make with limited time.

I want to lose weight, BUT it’s so overwhelming.
I want to lose weight, SO I’ll take it one step at a time instead of overwhelming myself by changing every habit at once. I will also stop beating myself up for not doing everything perfectly all the time, and start celebrating the good choices I do make each day.

I want to lose weight, BUT I don’t have support from anyone in my life.
I want to lose weight, SO I will remember that I’m doing it for ME and not for others. I will tell at least one person about my goals whom I can trust, and if I can’t find support from friends and family, I will become active in SparkPeople’s Community to make friends and get support from people who have similar goals!

Next time a “but” tries to get in the way of your goals, turn it around like the examples above and you won’t let your excuses win!

Which “but” buster is your favorite? How have you busted one of your own excuses recently?

Thank you for this!

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Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:21:04 -0400

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Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:53:22 -0500

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Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:39:11 -0500

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Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:54:28 -0500

realgirlsliftheavy: getting-strong-wont-be-long: HAVE YOU SEEN...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:13:08 -0500

realgirlsliftheavy:

getting-strong-wont-be-long:

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?!?!?!?!?! Watch it.

No gym? No problem. Just do backflip burpees and superman pushups instead.

chickswithrecords: hip-hopscotch.

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:20:51 -0500

chickswithrecords:

hip-hopscotch.

nevergiveup-283to140: my typical breakfast, its delish!

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:12:00 -0500

nevergiveup-283to140:

my typical breakfast, its delish!

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Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:12:57 -0500

strengthfromstruggle: Alex Morgan

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:11:30 -0500

strengthfromstruggle:

Alex Morgan

Pre-Workout Snacks The body works to build muscle and...

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:32:14 -0500

Pre-Workout Snacks

The body works to build muscle and recover 24 hours a day, not just during that one-hour session at the gym. Luckily, smartly timed snacks can give the body the fuel it needs to gain muscle, burn fat, and recover as best it can. Pre-workout, that usually means grabbing a snack about 30-60 minutes in advance, depending on its size and contents, and how much that stomach’s actually grumbling. All ready to go? Check out these 25 options to start things right:

1. Protein Creamcicle: Put a twist on the classic kids’ treat by blending 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 1 cup orange juice, and 1 cup ice. Trainer and fitness expert @JCDFitness does it!

2. Fruitsation shake: Blend 1 scoop of your favorite whey protein flavor with ½ cup ice, and 1 cup frozen berries for a sweet energy boost, suggests strength coach @Roglaw.

3. Cha-Cha coconut shake: Infuse 1 scoop chocolate whey protein with 2 teaspoons of extra virgin coconut oil. Girls Gone Strong co-founder @JenComasKeck loves this!

4. Star-buffs shake: Need a pre-workout pick-me-up? Greatist’s fitness editor suggests blending 1 cup iced coffee (keep the ice) with 1 scoop chocolate whey protein.

5. Dressed up oats: Load up on carbohydrates for a longer workout with ½ cup cooked steel-cut oats topped with 1 tablespoon dried fruit and 1 tablespoon shaved almonds.

6. Perfect yogurt parfait: Feeling fancy, huh? Top ¼ cup nonfat yogurt with ½ cup whole grain cereal and ½ cup fresh strawberries.

7. Yoberries a-go-go: For the perfect blend of carbs and protein, try 1 cup non-fat vanilla beanGreek yogurt — which often packs more protein and probiotics than regular plain yogurt — with ½ cup fresh blueberries.

8. Eggs n’ toast: Have a heartier appetite? Try 1 or 2 hard-boiled eggs with 1 slice of whole-wheat toast.

9. Fruit and Cottage: Top ½ cup cottage cheese — a low calorie and higher protein option — with ½ cup fresh pineapple, berries, or melon. And voila!

10. PB Apple: For a quick carb fuel-up, slice 1 medium apple and serve with 2 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter.

11. Classic fruit cup: Prefer to keep it sweet but simple? Combine 1 cup berries, melon, banana, and oranges — oh my!

12. Dried fruit: For a quick pre-workout fix, try ¼ cup serving of dried berries, apricots, and pineapple, says Greatist Expert Jessica Redmond.

13. Fruit leather: Need something light that makes you feel like a kid again? Try 1 single serving of fruit leather. Have a little extra time? Roll some out in the kitchen.

14. Energy in a bar: With so many options in the aisle, try opting for a bar with the most naturalingredients. While protein count is key, also check the sugar content (it shouldn’t rival what’s found in the candy aisle!).

15. Chicken n’ sweets: For a fast bite, grab 2-4 ounces (or a palm-sized amount) of sliced chicken with an equal portion size of sweet potatoes, suggests Greatist Expert Dan Trink.

16. Oats n’ eggs: Not just for breakfast, try ½ cup cooked oatmeal and 2 whole eggs seasoned with salt and pepper.

17. PB & B toast: Fuel up with 1-2 tablespoons of all-natural peanut butter and half a sliced banana on whole-wheat toast, says Greatist Expert Lisa Moskovitz.

18. Turk-cado pasta: Add 2-4 ounces (or a palm-sized amount) of roasted turkey and 3-4 avocadoslices to ½ cup cooked whole-wheat pasta for some enviable eats.

19. Wafflewich: Spruce up this classic by combining 1 frozen Kashi waffle with 2 teaspoons of almond butter and 1 teaspoon of jam.

20. Better than a PB Cup: A half-cup cooked oats with 1 teaspoon defatted peanut flour, a dash ofstevia, and a sprinkling of cocoa powder on top — a concoction from the kitchen of Greatist contributor David Butler.

21. Veggie omelet: Add a little more color to your diet by combining 2 whole eggs shaken with 1 teaspoon of water cooked with 1 cup sautéed seasonal veggies.

22. Rice con leche: Got a long way to run? Fuel up with ½ cup cooked rice, covered with ½ cup milk, a scatter of raisins, and a dash of cinnamon on top.

23. Sports drink: An 8-ounce low sugar sports drink (keep it under 10 grams of sugar) will do the trick if you’re in a crunch. For a little more fuel, add a scoop of BCAA powder— branch chain amino acids that help maintain muscle and tissue health^[1].

24. Hearty salad: Need some greens? Try 1 cup of salad greens with assorted veggies, 1 hardboiled egg, and a drizzle of EVOO and vinegar, or your favorite low-fat dressing.

25. Energy gel: Got a long way to go? Slurp down a energy gel (like Gu) prior to an endurance workout.

Post-Workout Snacks

After a tough gym session, post-workout snacks are an imporant way to restore energy and rebuild muscle, too. Downed within two hours after exercise, protein-packed shakes and snacks are a great way to rebuild tissue that breaks down during exercise. Here are 25 ways to end that workout on a high note:

26. Protein pancakes: From the kitchen of Greatist contributor Laura Skladzinski, mix 4 egg whites, ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup low fat cottage cheese, 1/8 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Cook on preheated griddle (medium low heat) until it bubbles, then flip and cook another 30-60 seconds. Top with fresh berries or sliced banana.

27. Sweet potato pie shake: This isn’t your grandma’s recipe. Combine 1 scoop of cinnamon bun whey protein, ¼ cup diced cooked sweet potato, 1 cup of ice, and 1 cup vanilla almond milk in the blender — a Kellie Davis original.

28. Chunky Monkey shake: Monkey around with 1 medium banana, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 1 cup low-fat chocolate milk blended with ice.

29. Double G shake: Aussie strength coach @Rachel_Guy1 recommends an 8-ounce greens drink (any superfood blend found at most health food stores) with 1 scoop of glutamine.

30. Double Trouble shake: To lengthen the delivery time of nutrients to your muscles, combine ½ scoop of whey protein blended with ½ scoop slower-digesting casein protein, plus a handful of your favorite fresh or frozen fruit.

31. Bananarama: One medium sliced banana with 1 cup low fat milk — it doesn’t get any easier than this!

32. Protein bar: For a quick, store-bought fix, feed those muscles with a protein bar. Just watch the sugar content. Look for bars with 10-30 grams of protein, less than 10 grams of sugar, and the fewest number of ingredients you can’t pronounce!

33. Beef and squash: Need something hearty? Try a handful of lean roast beef with an equal portion of butternut squash.

34. Tuna crackers: Mix up a batch of light tuna salad for a quick bite. Add two heaping spoonfuls to a handful of whole grain crackers, and chomp away.

35. Bagel with egg whites: Half a medium-sized whole grain bagel with 2 eggs whites makes a great post-workout sandwich.

36. Ants on a raft: The ants go marching… Spread a heap of natural peanut butter over a brown rice cake and top with raisins.

37. Milk and cereal: Any time is a good time for cereal. Add 1 cup of low-fat milk to 1 cup of whole-grain cereal. Nosh loudly.

38. Chocolate milk: One to two cups of low-fat chocolate milk seals the deal with extra carbs and protein.

39. Black bean omelet: Four eggs whites, 1 ounce low-fat cheese, and ¼ cup canned black beans — then spice it up with a savory salsa, if you dare.

40. Green Monster smoothie: Blend 4 cups spinach, ½ cup vanilla bean yogurt, 1 cup almond milk, 1 banana, and 1 tablespoon peanut butter with ice — a favorite of Greatist contributorClaudine Morgan via Iowa Girl Eats.

41. Cottage cheese crunch: One cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1 teaspoon honey, ½ cup whole-grain cereal, and a dash of cinnamon does a body good.

42. Eggy muffinwich: Ditch the fast-food and opt for 1 whole egg, fresh spinach, 1 slice low fat cheese, and 1 slice Canadian bacon served on an English muffin, suggests Greatist contributorLisa LaValle Overmyer.

43. BCAA n’ cakes: When in doubt, just add cakes! Pair up two scoops of BCAA powder mixed in ice water with two rice cakes.

44. Recovery in a bottle: When time is of the essence, grab a store-bought recovery drink to sip on after training. Just check the label — sports recovery drinks will provide plenty of carbs refuel, or opt for aminos to really rebuild.

45. Apples and cheese: Tease your taste buds with 1 medium sliced apple and 1 stick of low-fat string cheese.

46. Pita and hummus: One 7-inch pita with two spoonfuls of hummus adds a little pep back to your step with quick digesting carbs.

47. Egg scramble: Veg out after a hard training session with 2-3 whole eggs scrambled with a handful of chopped onion, spinach, and bell peppers.

48. Choco-tropical trail mix: Go bananas for a blend of ½ a handful of each: macadamia nuts, dried coconut, dark chocolate chips, and banana chips.

49. AB & J Rice Cakes: Almond butter takes the cake. For this healthier twist on the classic PB & J, sandwich 1 tablespoon of almond butter and 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam between two rice cakes.

50. Chicken hash: After your workout grab 1 cup cooked diced chicken, ½ cup butternut squash and apples, roasted in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make a big batch and store it in the fridge!

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Sun, 27 Jan 2013 04:12:20 -0500

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Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:49:43 -0500

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Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:49:21 -0500

pascalcampion: Provence Holidays

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:17:20 -0500

pascalcampion:

Provence Holidays

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Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:03:53 -0500

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Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:20:17 -0500

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Sun, 30 Dec 2012 12:11:59 -0500