{Simply Sunday} will be focused on simple living, healthy living, frugal ideas, helpful links etc.
To-Do and This’n That
I’ll be tackling my usual Sunday system in an attempt to keep me organized this week, and more importantly, hopefully I am able to get a few things accomplished.
Healthy{ier} Living:
Okay folks. Serious here. If the key was Eat less and move more would there be be an epidemic of overweight people in the United States? You know the old saying, you are what you eat? Well, folks, that is the problem. And todays economy is not helping. Food budgets do not permit us to purchase the fresh fruit and vegetables that we need, and should be eating. Life is busy, and a trip thru the local drive thru saves time and energy in the kitchen. The stressors of life builds up and and we crave that refined flour and sugar so our seretonin levels will increase.
The disclaimer:
*I offer NO medical advice, simply the tools of healthy eating which leads to healthy habits. Please do not begin any type of diet/exercise program until you have consulted with your doctor. Your doctors office is a wealth of information {typically}, and your doctor can assist you in pointing you in the direction of a weight that is appropriate for you, an appropriate exercise plan, and the appropriate multi vitamins that will be necessary for you.
So how do you make your way thru all of these obstacles? By beginning RIGHT NOW. Whether you are over weight, or just need to make some better food choices:
-
Step 1: You MUST figure out the total number of calories that you are intaking right now which maintains your now weight. It does not matter how much you weighed last week, what you ‘think’ you’ll weigh next week, or what you want to weigh. You need to know todays number. This called your BMR. Write down your number. This is the amount of calories you are eating daily to maintain your weight right now.
-
Step 2: Be REALISTIC. Serious folks. Choose a weight that is APPROPRIATE and REALISTIC for your age, height, body frame and activity level. Now go back to the BMR site and re-enter all the information but change the weight to your REALISTIC weight goal. This is the amount of calories you need to adjust your everyday eating habits to.
-
Step 3: Life plain and simple evolves around food. Happiness, Sadness and everything in between includes food of some sort. Conscious choices and smart, HEALTHY choices are what put you a step forward to your goals.
-
Step 4: NO fast food. Attempt to eat from your kitchen. If you find yourself in the situation where you have to have fast food, choose 1 of these meals.
-
Step 5: NO soda– and that includes Diet Soda. Yeah, they are still up in the air about diet soda causing weight gain, and the artificial sweeteners causing cancer, but here is an article I was able to dig up with some very interesting information in it. Ask yourself: did my Great Grandmother drink diet soda? No? Well, you shouldn’t ingest it then. Especially if you are trying to make your body healthy.
-
Step 6: Increase that water intake. Adipose tissue and water make for an unfriendly pairing and adipose tissue will loose the battle every time. And the body loves water!!
-
Step 7: PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN. Each meal you must eat protein first and foremost.
-
Step 8: Fresh fruits and vegetables
-
Step 9: Use caution with those 100 calorie snacks. Reach for an apple if you must have a snack.
-
Step 10: One handful of walnuts or almonds every day.
That’s a smidget of the basis friends. HABITS. That is what it all boils down to. GOOD healthy choices/habits will promote weight loss AND MORE IMPORTANTLY the ability to maintain the weight loss. Anyone can loose 5, 10, 15 pounds. The secret is maintaining that weight loss: good healthy choices/habits will promote this.
Am I an expert? Nope. I am a success story. I have listened to my nutritionist. I have maintained a 98 pound weight loss for 32 months. I have read. I have educated myself. I have created a habit. Imagine 32 Months without a Sprite!! And I feel better. My cholesterol is perfect and my sugar is perfect. They were not prior to beginning my journey 32 months ago.
If you want the weight loss you’ll find it inside of yourself to dig deep to set the excuses aside and JUST DO IT! If you are ready to start taking extra good care of your body you will dig deep to set the excuses aside and JUST DO IT! Are you ready to JUST DO IT?! I want to hear your suggestions, comments, ideas, etc. I will share a few more tips and strategies as we go along, but the above is the basics to begin GOOD HABITS.
A few Sundays ago in my {Simply Sunday} segment I mentioned that I was putting together an outdoor table setting. At a local antique store a gorgeous setting practically jumped out at me. I am so looking forward to a sunny day this week for lunch out on our back deck using these! I have three complete sets, plus a few extra plates/bowls. Yeah, I am in love.
This morning Reggie and I made a trip to the pet store in Belfast. On the way back home we stopped at an Antique store and 2 “Flea Markets” Here are my newest vintagey goodies. The scale was priced $20.00, I paid $5.00.
I can’t publically talk about it right now {sorry…and I know, that’s not very nice of me…} but Sharon and I are planning an awesome party next August, and there was no way that I could pass this set up for $2.00!! Yeah, I almost fell over when the woman told me I could have them all for $2.00. It appears the rain that we have had has effected the people who rent the buildings at one flea market in particular. Regardless of rain/shine they have to pay the rent on their building. Missing pieces, but that is the allure of vintage…you don’t ‘have’ to match!
This is going to be a very mellow, low key week, as I sit for the NCLEX on Saturday. My energy will be on last minute cramming and praying beginning today.
To-Do List
-
Daily Project 365
-
Friday, Dr’s appointment to discuss the results of my med change, and to discuss this insomnia!
-
Create card for Saturdays Unscripted Sketches
-
Saturday, I will PASS the NCLEX
Busy week ahead of me. …here’s to a wonderful week for all of us!
In the Kitchen
A few Sundays ago I began talking about having a windowsill garden. We’re going slow, but as you can see, there is progress. And for someone with a black thumb, this is very promising!
-
Basil: contains cancer protective phytochemicals that help stimulate the immune system.
-
Cilantro: its main aroma component, decenal, offers antibacterial effects. Anitcancer properties. Also has blood sugar lowering effects.
-
Oregano: offers more anitioxidants gram for gram than any other herb, as well as most fruits and veggies.
Low calorie homemade banana bread recipe.
In the Stores {couponing}
Well friends, I hope you enjoy this Simply Sunday post, and I would love to hear some comments/feedback from all of you who are reading. Until next time…
xO-Jenny
