I swore to myself that this week I would get back on track to the healthy and fit lifestyle I worked so hard to keep over the past 9 months, but temptation got has gotten the best of me so far -- and I'm angry! (However, anger might be good for the fight I'm about to give back. Are you ready temptation? You're gonna get what's coming to you -- a health kick like you've never seeeeen! Muahahaha).
Sitting at work today my legs are uncomfortable inside my jeans that are fitting just a bit too snug. Also, my stomach hurts -- I can feel it rumbling and burning, eeeek. I am on the fourth day of an overpowering headache, and I'm so tired I can hardly keep my head up. I've taken 4 Advil so far today, which is more than I've taken over the past 6 months combined. I NEVER feel this nasty ... until now. Why?
I am convinced that these horrible symptoms are the cause of a care-free diet that has become practically devoid of any physical activity. My body isn't used to being treated this way and it is screaming at me to stop. My motivation to work out is practically gone, where in the past my body craved a good workout. Instead, I am craving junk food instead of the gym -- it has become an unhealthy addiction that I need to kick! But I can do it. I HAVE to do it if I want to get my energy back! (Not to mention my health and being as fit as I was two weeks ago for the pageant. Yikes!)
That being said, you've heard it here first folks. It's time to get serious. No more yucky processed foods, no more sugary treats, no more over sized meals. It all stops now and you're my witnesses! I've been reading about some tricks to get fit online and I intend to utilize them. I'll keep you posted on what's working and what's not so you can try them too!
I know for many people the new year brings resolutions to get in shape, lose weight, regain our health and become overall better people. But I say ... why wait? January 1st is still weeks away and our lives are happening now! We need to treat our bodies right NOW, and we need to do it the healthy way. So lets go. Are you with me?
Food and workout plans coming tomorrow.
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
8 Most Addicting Foods
I was reading articles on Yahoo! today and laughed when I came across this one -- it's sooooo true!
1. Dark Chocolate M&M's -- Holy cow are those addicting. But you know what else is addicting in the M&M family? Their new M&M's with PEANUT BUTTER IN THE MIDDLE!!! Ohmygosh those things are dangerous. Yum yum yum. I want some right now!
2. Guacamole -- I LOOOOVE guacamole, but I can never stop there. I like to drown my chips in guacamole, sour cream and salsa all mixed together in a beautiful trio of colors from the Italian flag. Wait ... that doesn't make sense. They should relate to the Spanish flag! Regardless, it's simply delightful -- and addicting. *Hint: Never try making guacamole with an avocado that isn't ripe. I attempted this once and thought if I stuck it in the blender it would come out OK (since it was too difficult for me to mash up myself). I ended up eating guacamole beads. Yuck on the texture and yuck on the taste. Take my advice and wait for those little babies to ripen.
3. Popcorn -- OK forget the butter ... just go to Garrett's Popcorn Shop on Michigan Avenue and get delicious cheesy-caramel popcorn mixed together! Uh oh ... why did I even start thinking about these foods. Now I want to run down and buy a bag. Seriously, if you haven't tried Garrett's you just haven't tried popcorn.
4. Rolos
5. French Fries
6. PopChips
7. Chocolate Chip Cookies -- MY WEAKNESS!!!! Someone from college gave me a recipe that includes using crisco (!), making them so amazingly delicious, but soooo amazingly full of guilt! The incredible taste is almost worth the damage they do to my arteries. Err, actually ... now that I put it that way, maybe not.
8. Ice Cream -- I like to go topping-wild when it comes to ice cream. My picture perfect bowl of ice cream would include chocolate ice cream mixed with chocolate chip cookie dough, brownie pieces that have been warmed up, cherry pie filling, about 26 scoops of sprinkles, chocolate fudge, tons of nuts, tons tons toooons of whipped cream, and some peanut butter. And in case you're wondering ... YES, all of those flavors DO taste great together!! :)
1. Dark Chocolate M&M's -- Holy cow are those addicting. But you know what else is addicting in the M&M family? Their new M&M's with PEANUT BUTTER IN THE MIDDLE!!! Ohmygosh those things are dangerous. Yum yum yum. I want some right now!
2. Guacamole -- I LOOOOVE guacamole, but I can never stop there. I like to drown my chips in guacamole, sour cream and salsa all mixed together in a beautiful trio of colors from the Italian flag. Wait ... that doesn't make sense. They should relate to the Spanish flag! Regardless, it's simply delightful -- and addicting. *Hint: Never try making guacamole with an avocado that isn't ripe. I attempted this once and thought if I stuck it in the blender it would come out OK (since it was too difficult for me to mash up myself). I ended up eating guacamole beads. Yuck on the texture and yuck on the taste. Take my advice and wait for those little babies to ripen.
3. Popcorn -- OK forget the butter ... just go to Garrett's Popcorn Shop on Michigan Avenue and get delicious cheesy-caramel popcorn mixed together! Uh oh ... why did I even start thinking about these foods. Now I want to run down and buy a bag. Seriously, if you haven't tried Garrett's you just haven't tried popcorn.
4. Rolos
5. French Fries
6. PopChips
7. Chocolate Chip Cookies -- MY WEAKNESS!!!! Someone from college gave me a recipe that includes using crisco (!), making them so amazingly delicious, but soooo amazingly full of guilt! The incredible taste is almost worth the damage they do to my arteries. Err, actually ... now that I put it that way, maybe not.
8. Ice Cream -- I like to go topping-wild when it comes to ice cream. My picture perfect bowl of ice cream would include chocolate ice cream mixed with chocolate chip cookie dough, brownie pieces that have been warmed up, cherry pie filling, about 26 scoops of sprinkles, chocolate fudge, tons of nuts, tons tons toooons of whipped cream, and some peanut butter. And in case you're wondering ... YES, all of those flavors DO taste great together!! :)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Eat More Protein
I was reading about different eating plans that winners of state pageants were following before gaining their titles, and it seems that a lot of them eat very lightly. They have about 6 very small meals per day, most of which try to include protein in some way.
Protein is a "macronutrient," meaning that the body needs relatively large amounts of it. But unlike fat and carbohydrates (which are also macronutrients), the body does not store protein. Therefore, it has no storage unit to draw on when it needs a new supply. For active women, it is said that the body needs to consume about two daily servings for a total of six ounces of protein.
According to WebMD, when people eat lots of protein but few carbohydrates, their metabolisms change into a state called ketosis. Ketosis means the body converts from burning carbs for fuel to burning its own fat. When fat is broken down, small bits of carbon called ketones are released into the bloodstream as energy sources. Ketosis, which also occurs in diabetes, tends to suppress appetite, causing people to eat less, and it also increases the body's elimination of fluids through urine, resulting in a loss of water weight. There are downfalls to a high protein diet, which you can read about at WebMD if you'd like.
No one really knows the effect of eating a high-protein diet over the long term, but the diet does appear to be safe and effective for up to six months. WebMD says that when it comes to feeling full, the clinical studies consistently showed that high-protein diets increase satisfaction and decrease hunger compared with high-fat or high-carbohydrate diets. In addition, most (but not all) of the studies reviewed showed that most people on high-protein diets took in about 10% less energy (roughly 200 calories) per day, which could account for at least some of the weight loss seen with this type of diet.
Some good sources of protein include:
Fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
***
As for my own diet, I do enjoy foods that are high in protein, but I'm going to have to make it a special point to add these types of foods to my day. I'll keep you posted on any changes I see by adding protein to my diet!
Protein is a "macronutrient," meaning that the body needs relatively large amounts of it. But unlike fat and carbohydrates (which are also macronutrients), the body does not store protein. Therefore, it has no storage unit to draw on when it needs a new supply. For active women, it is said that the body needs to consume about two daily servings for a total of six ounces of protein.
According to WebMD, when people eat lots of protein but few carbohydrates, their metabolisms change into a state called ketosis. Ketosis means the body converts from burning carbs for fuel to burning its own fat. When fat is broken down, small bits of carbon called ketones are released into the bloodstream as energy sources. Ketosis, which also occurs in diabetes, tends to suppress appetite, causing people to eat less, and it also increases the body's elimination of fluids through urine, resulting in a loss of water weight. There are downfalls to a high protein diet, which you can read about at WebMD if you'd like.
No one really knows the effect of eating a high-protein diet over the long term, but the diet does appear to be safe and effective for up to six months. WebMD says that when it comes to feeling full, the clinical studies consistently showed that high-protein diets increase satisfaction and decrease hunger compared with high-fat or high-carbohydrate diets. In addition, most (but not all) of the studies reviewed showed that most people on high-protein diets took in about 10% less energy (roughly 200 calories) per day, which could account for at least some of the weight loss seen with this type of diet.
Some good sources of protein include:
Fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
***
As for my own diet, I do enjoy foods that are high in protein, but I'm going to have to make it a special point to add these types of foods to my day. I'll keep you posted on any changes I see by adding protein to my diet!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Day One
WHAT a weekend, what a night, what a day. I can't believe this has happened to me. I seriously put my heart and soul into winning the Miss Illinois USA Pageant this year and I am thrilled beyond all belief that my efforts have paid off to make my dream become a reality.
The whole weekend was nerve-wrecking. Well, nerve-wrecking and exciting of course. I was excited to be there, but I wanted to win more than anything in the world so I had to stay focused. I trained in the gym for months and had eaten the most healthy of healthy foods for weeks and weeks leading up to pageant weekend. To prepare for the big day I worked with a trainer, a pageant coach, make-up and hair-stylists, picked out wardrobe changes, perfected my interview skills, spoke with past winners, involved my friends and family for support, went to other state pageants to pick up tips and so very much more in order to try and achieve my ultimate goal. When pageant weekend finally hit I wanted so very much to just relax, but I knew if I didn't stay focused I would lose my chance at the crown. However, during the weekend the girls were all SO sweet I was able to relax more than I thought. We talked and laughed and got to know each other as we figured out how all of this pageant rehearsal was going to work. Many times people have asked, "Are the girls caddy, like in 'Miss Congeniality?" Not in my experience. During pageant weekend the girls are all so friendly and helpful ... it is hard to choose who should get the congeniality vote! I loved getting to know those girls and I hope so very much that they will keep in touch :)
So last night after being crowned (November 22, 2009 -- a day I'll never forget!) my family took me out to dinner at the Greek Isles restaurant in Greektown. It was wonderful because I hadn't gotten to eat "junk" food for such a long time. I got a little too excited though and all of that food ended up making me sick. Whoops! It was great to be able to spend time with family though. I am so grateful to all of the people who came to support me during the pageant. Having them cheering me on in the audience really helped break my nerves, and brought a genuine smile to my face. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and inspiring group of people to back me during my pageant experience.
Monday morning following the pageant Mom and I met all of the pageant staff as well as the teen winner in the lobby of the hotel for a photo shoot. I didn't have any of the right clothes and my hair and make-up was a mess, but I didn't sleep a wink because I was so excited, so I knew it would have to do. The photoshoot was fun because Alexis (Miss Illinois Teen USA 2010) and I got to chat and get to know each other. It also gave a chance to get to know the people we'd be working with all year. We did three wardrobe changes and shot pictures both indoors and out. It was something I thought I would be really nervous doing in front of all those people, but it really came easy. I can't wait to see how the pictures came out now, but I'll have to wait!!
Following the photoshoot the directors took Alexis and I (and our moms!) to lunch at the hotel restaurant. Again, it was great to have "real" food, but it made me a little bit sick to my stomach. During lunch the directors told us a little bit about what to expect during the year, we talked a little bit about nationals, they told us what was next on our agenda, etc etc. It was nice to be able to ask questions because I had about 15 million things I wanted to know. They tell you it's going to be an awesome year before you take the crown, but once you have it, it is kind of scary! Its nice to have such a wonderful team to help me through this adventure!
Monday night mom took me out for ice cream (MORE food that made me sick!) and then I went to boot camp. All of the women in my bootcamp knew I was preparing for the pageant, and I guess Toni (the bootcamp leader) texted them all the good news Sunday night, because as I walked in EVERYONE was already there cheering and clapping for me with their cameras in hand! Luckily I brought my crown and banner with to show the girls so we were able to get some pictures together!
I ended up talking with some of their daughters who had also come to see me, and doing that made everything worth while. Watching those little girls' faces light up and knowing that they were listening so intently to every word that came out of my mouth was the most amazing feeling in the world. It made every early morning 4:30am workout worth it. It made every sore muscle worth it. It made every bit of junk food I passed up worth it. They were so excited to hear what I had to say, to have their picture taken with me, to ask me questions ... and suddenly I knew ... OK, this is the PERFECT job for me. I knew I LOVED being Miss Illinois USA just from how excited those little girls got. If I could make such a small difference in their lives, just THINK about the difference I could make to people who really need it. I'm so excited for this job. I feel like I was made for it!
It's going to be a GREAT year. :) I can't wait!
The whole weekend was nerve-wrecking. Well, nerve-wrecking and exciting of course. I was excited to be there, but I wanted to win more than anything in the world so I had to stay focused. I trained in the gym for months and had eaten the most healthy of healthy foods for weeks and weeks leading up to pageant weekend. To prepare for the big day I worked with a trainer, a pageant coach, make-up and hair-stylists, picked out wardrobe changes, perfected my interview skills, spoke with past winners, involved my friends and family for support, went to other state pageants to pick up tips and so very much more in order to try and achieve my ultimate goal. When pageant weekend finally hit I wanted so very much to just relax, but I knew if I didn't stay focused I would lose my chance at the crown. However, during the weekend the girls were all SO sweet I was able to relax more than I thought. We talked and laughed and got to know each other as we figured out how all of this pageant rehearsal was going to work. Many times people have asked, "Are the girls caddy, like in 'Miss Congeniality?" Not in my experience. During pageant weekend the girls are all so friendly and helpful ... it is hard to choose who should get the congeniality vote! I loved getting to know those girls and I hope so very much that they will keep in touch :)
So last night after being crowned (November 22, 2009 -- a day I'll never forget!) my family took me out to dinner at the Greek Isles restaurant in Greektown. It was wonderful because I hadn't gotten to eat "junk" food for such a long time. I got a little too excited though and all of that food ended up making me sick. Whoops! It was great to be able to spend time with family though. I am so grateful to all of the people who came to support me during the pageant. Having them cheering me on in the audience really helped break my nerves, and brought a genuine smile to my face. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and inspiring group of people to back me during my pageant experience.
Monday morning following the pageant Mom and I met all of the pageant staff as well as the teen winner in the lobby of the hotel for a photo shoot. I didn't have any of the right clothes and my hair and make-up was a mess, but I didn't sleep a wink because I was so excited, so I knew it would have to do. The photoshoot was fun because Alexis (Miss Illinois Teen USA 2010) and I got to chat and get to know each other. It also gave a chance to get to know the people we'd be working with all year. We did three wardrobe changes and shot pictures both indoors and out. It was something I thought I would be really nervous doing in front of all those people, but it really came easy. I can't wait to see how the pictures came out now, but I'll have to wait!!
Following the photoshoot the directors took Alexis and I (and our moms!) to lunch at the hotel restaurant. Again, it was great to have "real" food, but it made me a little bit sick to my stomach. During lunch the directors told us a little bit about what to expect during the year, we talked a little bit about nationals, they told us what was next on our agenda, etc etc. It was nice to be able to ask questions because I had about 15 million things I wanted to know. They tell you it's going to be an awesome year before you take the crown, but once you have it, it is kind of scary! Its nice to have such a wonderful team to help me through this adventure!
Monday night mom took me out for ice cream (MORE food that made me sick!) and then I went to boot camp. All of the women in my bootcamp knew I was preparing for the pageant, and I guess Toni (the bootcamp leader) texted them all the good news Sunday night, because as I walked in EVERYONE was already there cheering and clapping for me with their cameras in hand! Luckily I brought my crown and banner with to show the girls so we were able to get some pictures together!
I ended up talking with some of their daughters who had also come to see me, and doing that made everything worth while. Watching those little girls' faces light up and knowing that they were listening so intently to every word that came out of my mouth was the most amazing feeling in the world. It made every early morning 4:30am workout worth it. It made every sore muscle worth it. It made every bit of junk food I passed up worth it. They were so excited to hear what I had to say, to have their picture taken with me, to ask me questions ... and suddenly I knew ... OK, this is the PERFECT job for me. I knew I LOVED being Miss Illinois USA just from how excited those little girls got. If I could make such a small difference in their lives, just THINK about the difference I could make to people who really need it. I'm so excited for this job. I feel like I was made for it!
It's going to be a GREAT year. :) I can't wait!
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