Marvelous in My Monday

What is MARVELOUS in YOUR MONDAY this week??
Head over to The Healthy Diva for more MARVELOUS IN MY MONDAY posts!!

This weekend was a little bit of hectic with a dash of chaos on top. Despite my plans... I did not make it to the gym this weekend, but that's okay... better luck next time! =)

My Starbucks green tea got me through the weekend alive!! The TRENTA size has to be the best thing Starbucks could have ever come up with... in my opinion!

There isn't a whole lot of MARVELOUS to share, but I did get a chance to think about something I really wanted to share. I read a blog posted by Kacie at Savvy Sassy Me. She wrote a post titled Workout Burnout-Overcoming the Fitness Funk. I read through it and her post hit close to home with me. Kacie hits nails it on the head when she says,

"Being too healthy can become unhealthy."

We have all seen it or experienced it. Becoming healthy becomes an obsession and at certain points the obsession can become unhealthy. I see this happen a lot. People start "strict diets" on a Monday and before you know it is Wednesday and they have given up. The extreme restrictions become unhealthy ultimately making a person fail at his/her goal. Please read her article then consider the following...

They say it takes about 21 days to change a habit. Start small and don't try to change everything at once... this rarely works. If your plan is to eat healthy... don't do a strict salads only diet and please don't get sucked in to an "easy" fad diet. Those never work... if they did there would only be a couple... not fifty different ways to lose 30 pounds in one week!

Pick up a book, follow inspiring blogs, choose better magazines. I can't begin to tell you how much this changes my habits. I love Tosca Reno, The Eat Clean Diet, Clean Eating Magazine and Oxygen Magazine. I stand behind Oxygen Magazine and Clean Eating Magazine 100%. There really is no other method I believe in. Results will come from changing your lifestyle and eating whole foods. 100 calorie packs are not the answer. I can't even begin to tell you the countless blogs I find inspiring. I love Katie at Healthy Diva, Meg at A Dash of Meg, Jessie at Jessie Loves to Run... really the list is endless. I will create a tab with blogs I love to follow just for you to check out if you are interested.

These really are just my thoughts on a healthy lifestyle. It really is about finding balance and educating yourself on what is right and wrong. You can't believe all of the advertisements you see. It really does make me chuckle when people say they have cut out CARBS or they eat only salads and veggies. People make these decisions not based upon knowledge, but what they have heard and what is being SOLD to them. Companies will sell the idea of health whenever they can. Please make sure you understand why you are doing the things you are doing. Cutting out carbs and eating salads and veggies only is a little contradicting--- if you really understand what you are doing. ;-)

Send me your thoughts!!

Happy Monday!!

Finding TIME *MAKE IT HAPPEN*

I decided to write a post on finding time... for a healthy life.
I am currently a full time student and work full-time. I manage to hit the gym, eat six times a day, and eat clean on top of all of the crazy stuff around me. People often say...

"WOW! You must be tired!"

Well, I am, but I feel good at the same time.
I have managed to wake up at 5AM in order to hit the gym before work. Some days are tying but I absolutely know I have to do it. I hit the gym from 5:30-6:45AM and head home to make my second meal of the day! I get ready for work, but I make sure I am prepared.
I usually have three different meals while I am at work. I keep the work fridge pretty stocked each week with clean foods (Greek yogurt, fruit, salad, chicken, etc.). If I know I don't have it at work for the day... I bring it along with me.
I have a listing of times on my work wall... I will actually take a picture of it for you guys!
The times are when I need to eat. If I feel hungry before it's time... simple... I eat. The common practice of starving yourself only makes things worse by the way ... if your body is hungry... please eat!
I keep almonds, walnuts, tea, low sodium tuna, Greek yogurt and fruit all at work. Then I don't "accidentally" not eat.
I keep our house full of clean healthy foods. Lots of veggies, fruits, 100% whole wheat bread and tortillas. I love coconut milk and almond milk...and LOTS OF TEA!
I manage it all by being prepared. There is nothing worse than realizing I didn't prepare a clean meal when I need one on hand. Write it down!! I keep a running list of things to do, groceries to buy, things I want, etc. I keep the list in my phone or in my planner and it really does work. I even use it to keep track of things for school.
My point is... whatever your journey and whatever your goal ... you have to find a way to make it work and stay organized.
Staying healthy and fit doesn't come over-night... you really do have to work for it and PLAN for it.

If you really want something bad enough...

you'll make it happen...

if you don't want something bad enough...

you'll find an excuse.

What I Ate Wednesday- #1

What I Ate Wednesday is hosted by Peas and Crayons and I am very excited to participate in my very first...

What I Ate Wednesday

I start my day between 4:30AM and 5:00AM in order to get to the gym before work to get my workout in! I eat every three hours (usually) unless I start to get hungry... then I eat a snack or my next meal a little early.

Pre-workout- 100% whole wheat toast with a teaspoon of natural peanut butter.

I am also sharing my pre-workout I take. We get these green tea pills at Costco and I love them. I have used numerous pre-workouts that are advertised and the green tea pills are by far my favorite.

Post-workout- I usually have about 5-6 egg whites and a veggie or fruit.

This morning I added a handful of spinach and 1/4 zucchini to my egg whites. I also made a veggie smoothie- half a mango, 8 strawberries, 1/4 C. blueberries, 1/2 banana, handful of Kale & Spinach and a teaspoon of ground flax seed blended with cold water and 10 ice cubes.

10:30AM called for a tablespoon of this peanut butter (which I LOVE), 1/2 cup of oats and 1/2 a banana. I didn't take a picture of my oatmeal mix because well... It looks unappetizing, but it is so good!!

Lunch Time 1:30- I LOVE the Ziploc Steamer bags to cook my chicken and veggies. For lunch I cut up a whole sweet potato put in the steamer bag and put cinnamon and all spice. I microwaved at 3min 30sec. I removed the sweet potatoes and added a 1/4 zucchini and microwaved 3min.

4:30PM- My "wings" meal!

They had wings at work today and I was determined to kill my cravings with a clean version.

Here goes--- 3 chicken tenderloins in a Ziploc steamer for 6min 30sec. I seasoned them after they were cooked with paprika and pepper and added a tablespoon of Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce. The sauce is somewhat high in sodium so I am very careful to make sure I measure it. I cut up 3 full stalks of celery and made my own dipping sauce.

Tablespoon Greek Yogurt with pepper, Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb, onion powder, Italian seasoning and dry mustard. I don't have an exact measurement I just put a dash of everything until it begins to taste like a sour cream dip.

7:30 DINNER TIME

Taco Beef Salad- plate of lettuce, sprinkle of fat free Mexican cheese, 5 grape tomatoes, 1 1/2 cup lean ground beef, 2 tablespoons salsa and a teaspoon of Greek Yogurt.

I made my dressing with a teaspoon of lime juice, tablespoon olive oil, tablespoon red wine vinegar, chili powder, pepper, onion powder, red pepper flake... all to taste!

I am loving peach iced tea right now. I don't drink any caffeine after 4PM so this caffeine free tea is perfect ice cold. I put a little hot water in the bottom of the cup with 1 tea bag. Let sit 2 min and then add cold water to fill.
And there you have it, my first What I Ate Wednesday!!
Comment and let me know your thoughts and if there is anything I can add to my weekly W.I.A.W.!!
I love hearing from you all!! Thank you for your kind words and support!
As always, thank you for listening!
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Xo
Anna