Even with all the craziness....

I'm thinking things with calm down after this week, or maybe next week! I've got a plan for this summer-including walking almost everywhere (healthy and ecofriendly!), eating really fresh foods, and cooking more, a goal is to have very active weekends so I don't have to do a straight up workout. I can burn calories w/o feeling the workout drag, definitly not cool on weekends right?! Also drink tons of water!!!! Thats been a huge help this week, I think its really worked good for my body. I haven't weight myself but I feel great and I noticed my energy sinks when I haven't had a lot of water that day! Also I'm going to do the Self Jump Start diet! The one with the calender and something new to try every day. I did it last winter and lost a few pounds so it definitly works. I may do the old one that I tried last year, and the 2.0 version from this year! One after the other I could loose around 16 pounds over the summer, I'm ALL FOR THAT!

In a nut shell, this summer I want to be a little greener and way more active! My hopes are that adding in activity when ever I can will help keep me healthy and help me find (and then stay at) my happy weight. And trying the day-by-day tips of the Jump Start diet(s) will help me get even healthier diet wise, also I'm going to make up more recipies!!!! Like the southwestern bean, corn, and chicken soup I threw together the other day! :D

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

Good Luck guys!

My summer goals!

Things have been so crazy with school work piling up, track heated up quite a bit, and crazy family and friend time!!!! But this summer I have a built in healthy step to take (literally) I'm planning on walking to work, to friend houses, to stores, and anywhere else I can walk within reason! Now I haven't really tested this, so I may not walk everyday! I'm planning on it for 2 reasons though! 1. Hello-mini workout! A mile here and there will seriously add up! Because I will find summery ways to stay in fab shape! I'm excited to start kickboxing on a regular bases after tracks over!!! YAY! and 2. I'm definitely not a tree hugger, but I am concerned about the environment, and walking/biking (maybe) to places I'd normally drive will be my 2 cents for the environment! That and recycling as much as possible, which I do already!

I am really excited for summer! I'm going to try to swim for some of my workouts, and hike! I love to hike so working that in my summer shape up will be a treat! Maybe even some beach volleyball or Frisbee! Who knows! Its summer! But the most important thing for me is to finally find my happy weight and have a VERY funny summer! I am really really looking forward to fun in the sun, while getting in even better shape for sports next year! :D Wow! I was having a stressful night, but thinking of summer made me smile too much!

How many charming talents have been spoiled by the instilled desire to do 'important' work! Some people are born to lift heavy weights. Some are born to juggle with golden balls. -Max Beerbohm (I enjoy this, it touches on a lot that's been going on lately!)

Live, Laugh, Love! Summers coming!

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

My Health Epiphany!

I believe this has been a long time coming, at least for the last few months! But this weekend (after reading this months SELF!) it all finally clicked; the whole happy weight thing. Lately I've been worried that when I have kids, I'll try to count their calories & start a bad cycle with them! That actually freaked me out quite a bit! I can't really think of a way to describe my realization! I'll try to make a list of my new healthy strategies! Maybe that'll help....

• I've said this before, but try to leave a few bites on your plate! Even if the food isn't very healthy, every little bit counts!
• MOVE! Working out is important, but I've learned from experience that working out too much can make you eat more. Totally counter intuitive! Cutting back on the feel the burn, make you sweat kinda workouts can help, its important to work movement into your life. Walk to work, to the store, start taking nightly walks or bike rides with friends and family! ALWAYS take the stairs. You get the idea.
• Work fruits and veggies in as much as possible, ideally at every meal.
• When eating out try to take off part of the bun to your sandwhich/burger, or pick mayo OR cheese, go diet or better yet good old h20! Try making easy changes to your favorite fast food orders, eat slowly & enjoy!
• I've also talked about eating slowly, I found it really hard to do until I read an article in the new SELF about mindfulness! That did the trick for me so check it out!

That's what I'm working with now, hopefully combining all that will help me find my happy weight! No more counting calories or anything crazy diet wise. Actually I'm banning the word diet! The word itself makes me cringe now. If you have any tips & tricks PLEASE let me know! I really want to hear from readers!!!!

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." -Helen Keller

Good luck guys,

Ash

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