My Summer Challenge & Goals!

Its JUNE! Which means summer is right around the corner! Actually its pretty much here, but technically around the corner. Anyway-I forgot about the Jump Start Diet thing until yesterday so I'm 2 days behind, I've been so busy and it just doesn't feel like its June already! But I really love the old Jump Start, its so simple but it really works, last time I can't remember if I made it to the end, all I know is it worked but I fell into my old habits, actually worse habits! :S Speaking of good habits, I'll list some of my new ones that I'm celebrating today!

• Drinking TONS of water! (Makes me feel SO good!)
• Eating slowly and consciously, it really really works! I've found a way to enjoy one square of dark chocolate for a good 4-5 mins, its like meditating! Only better! Try it, trust me!
• I'm back to working out in the mornings! Lights my spark for the day.
• I'm currently doing a food log, but I don't write it down ASAP I'll do it at night so it's a little less stressful, I'll usually watch a comedy or listen to music while I'm writing it down too.
• Doing hard core (literally!) and arms and going a little lighter on my bottom half since I'm a pear shape! Thank you Fitness mag for that! Actually I just started this one today, but its a good idea I'm going to stick with for the month, or maybe summer!

I'm also reading the book Why French Women Don't Get Fat its really great, sound advice for the most part. Similar to the Paul McKinna stuff with recipes and french humor and stories. Its inspiring as well, the author has a good story behind her weight struggles. (at least I think its cool!) But the book is helping me remember the mindful eating stuff, only it doesn't talk about workouts, only walking a lot. This summer I do plan on walking to as many of my destinations as possible, but lately its been raining hard, with some thunder storms thrown in. Not great walking conditions!

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. -Martha Washington

Good Luck & Happy Summer!

Its working!

I am so sorry for being gone so long! I was literally gone for a few days, and other than that I've been so busy its not even funny! So I have a quick update with more to follow I promise!

Well, I've been trying the no diet thing, eating mindfully and as healthy as possible and its definitely working! I've lost a few pounds, but I really haven't weighed myself, not until today anyway. I'm still thinking about using my food journal again. I have no idea why but I can never keep those going! Usually two weeks and I stop. Someway though! I am SO tired and stressed I really have to get to bed! More later!

It is wise to direct your anger towards problems -- not people; to focus your energies on answers -- not excuses. -William Arthur Ward

Healthy Eating Goals for this week!

I got this weeks goals, again from a magazine! I'm kinda obsessed! But, these are awesome ideas!

1. Eat more protein-it keeps you full longer!
2. Eat at least 5 grams of fiber at every meal.
3. Leave at least 3 semi-large bites of every meal on your plate. (With normal portions of course.) This can save about 50 calories per meal, which totally adds up over time.

I'm pretty excited about this, sometimes I forget about the 3 bite rule, I've done it before, but it just hasn't stuck. This is a requiring problem for me, I haven't written in my food journal all weekend, and its been an unhealthy weekend. Well, not that bad, but pretty bad! I'm also going to keep up with the food journal as much as possible!!!! Its hard for me, but if I keep at it, and don't stress too much I'll be MUCH better off!

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." -Les Brown

Luck all around!~Ashlee

Finally in Control!

I'm celebrating a little because I finally feel in control of my eating! I feel so balanced with healthy foods and treats! Its an amazing feeling!!!! And I've kept up with writing in my food journal, I did miss a meal or 2 yesterday, but other than that I've made sure its all in there every night. Tonight I had McDonald's, and chocolate! And twizzlers at school, only 2 though. Normally this would be close to freaking me out, if not totally freak me out! But I feel great! Gotta love it! (And I highly recommend the new Bliss Dark Chocolate! 6 pieces are 200 calories! That's awesome considering I can only eat about 3 pieces at a time and I've fulfilled my chocolate craving!)

I haven't weight myself yet this week, and I'm almost looking forward to tomorrow morning in hopes that I've actually hit the 150s again! And this time I'm staying there, but only for a few weeks, then I'll be in the 140's and I'll NEVER look back!

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." -Oscar Wilde (Which are you?)

Live Laugh Love!!!!

Goes good till 5!

What I mean by the title is I seem to be on a major health track until dinner, then I eat at least an extra half a serving of everything! And then from there I snack a lot, I am a victim of night time munchies. Granted I have probably cut my munching in half, and I'm still coming in under 2,000 calories most days. Maybe I'm coming in too far under 2000 calories since I'm working out hard with track practice everyday?

I have kept up with my food journal this week-I think its because I've made it less of a hit or miss thing. Making it less stressful has made it easier in the long run. Check websites like these:

• self.com: for calorie counters, recipes, an online food log, forums, and tons of other workout and health stuff!
• shape.com: for workouts and health related calculators, like BMI, calories burned in a workout, etc.
• fitnessmagazine.com: recipes, workouts (build a workout video!), tons of articles, a printable food log, calorie counters for workouts and foods, create your own diet plan, and a special "see yourself 20lbs thinner" visual motivation tool!
• fitsugar.com: its a blog with many posts each day on workouts, equipment, celeb workout tips, food info, etc. This website also has printable food & workout logs!

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Think ahead. Be clear about your goal. Plan to make it real." -Dr Pamela Peeke!

Ashlee

This weeks goals!

As I was thinking about my goal for this week I was eating m&ms, (after I'd already had 2 small pieces of cake!) So the 1st thing that came to mind was to swear off chocolate for the week, but I know that would make me misserable! Especially with the PMS! (I seem to PMS for 2 weeks now? I'm not happy with that!) Anyway, I decided to make my goal this week writting down everything I eat! Food logs/journals are very very helpful, and studies show using one can help you drop tons more weight!!!! I've used it before and it was helpful, only after a week or 2 I get really frustrated, bored and lazy and I stop using it. So this week I'm going to stick it out! Hopefully making it a habit and possibly finding a way to use a food journal that will stick! Hey if it works for Carrie Underwood it'll work for me!!

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." -Aristotle


Ashlee