Getting Closer...

In my health and fitness goals, I'm getting closer all the time.  I've lost enough fat that my husband actually told me to buy new clothes.  So, I got online to order some clothes only to have no idea what size to order.  So, measurements are what I had to go off of.  In taking my measurements, I realized in the last month I've taken another 2 inches off my waist!  What a great feeling to work hard at fitness and nutrition for months and be able to see such a difference.

What am I doing to make this difference? 

Shakeology, for 120 days, I've been drinking it faithfully.  It's not a miracle shake that makes you lose weight....or is it?  In drinking it faithfully, it has cleansed my body, shrank my stomach, kept me from getting hungry, given me the energy I need to keep up with my boys (18 months and 3 years) and a puppy, curbed cravings, kicked a nasty cup-a-day coffee habit AND best of all, it tastes good!

Staying active.  Whether it's P90X before the kids get up, swimming laps through the lunch hour, H2O aerobics in the evening, chasing 2 kids and a puppy or just getting out and enjoying the nice weather, I have been more active in the last 120 days than I have in the last few years.  Even though my boys sleep through the night, I have a puppy that needs let out.  So, for those moms out there that think they can't do this because they don't have the energy, try the Shakeology.  It helps!

Eating right.  I'm working with the 80/20 rule.  Shakeology helps, I get one solid, great, nutritionally sound meal in that.  Snacks thoughout the day and fruits and veggies help curb snacking on the bad stuff.  And, WATER.  Lots and lots of water!

Cravings

Summing it up from an article in Reader's Digest:

We all get that "gotta have it" feeling towards food; 97% of women and 68% of men in a study admit to having food cravings.  So, whether you crave sweets such as chocolate or a cheeseburger, you're in the club of cravers.  Cravings have been linked to a rush, biochemically speaking, like the feeling drug addicts get when drinking caffeine, smoking cigarettes, injecting heroin or snorting cocaine.  You may say, "that's like comparing apples to oranges comparing caffeine to heroine."  Maybe not according to a few university studies.  There's a new drug, Acomplia, currently awaiting FDA approval.

So,if this drug to stop cravings isn't available yet, how can I get rid of these cravings?   

Try these:
Avoid triggers: You crave what you eat, so switch what you're eating and weaken old cravings while strengthening new ones.
Destroy temptation: Don't keep the stuff you crave in the house and avoid the binge altogether.  If the chips or cookies aren't in the house, they can't end up on your hips.
Go nuts: I've said this one before, eat your nuts!  Drink two glasses of water followed by an ounce of nuts.  Within 20 minutes, it'll dampen your appetite by changing your body chemistry.
Jolt with java: Try a skim latte instead of a candy bar or cookie.  It'll save you calories and quench your appetite and the warm richness can distract you from the craving too!
Let it go: Stress is a HUGE trigger, so find other ways to relieve it; exercize, deep breathing, a walk, listen to music, relaxation techniques, get a new hair do.....the possibilities are endless!
Take a nap: Cravings can sneak up on you when you're tired.  Focus on fatigue, shut your eyes and re-energize.
Get Fesh: Brush your teeth, gargle with mouthwash and you won't want to mess it up or have those toothpaste mixed tastes.
Distract Yourself: Cravings typically last just 10 minutes, so divert your mind with something else.
Indulge: If nothing else works and your willpower is toast, it's ok once in a while, in moderation and small portion size.
Plan or Avoid: Vary your usual routine so you can avoid the temptation!

Start New Habits:

• Schedule food, make time for meals and snacks and shop for the items you want to eat, not the foods you crave.
• Make it fun and avoid stress.
• Enjoy the outdoors
• Bond with others; family and friends.
• Take a break and limit tv and computer time.  It will help clear your mind, eleminate stress and promote active vs. sedentary times throughout the day.  

 Half a cup of light ice ream topped with berries has only 162 calories, try that on your craving!

Cravings

All cravings mean something, it just may not be what you think.  I LOVE this chart from Pinterest....

I refer to this when I find myself rummaging for something to eat and it helps me keep my diet on track!