Healthy

I have decided to get healthy, and there are many reasons why.  First, I just turned 30, and I realize that my daily diet of chocolate and sugary snacks will be catching up to me in the new few years.  Second, I want to set a better example for my kids.  Third, because I weighed myself a couple weeks ago for the first time since I got pregnant with Jack and was shocked to learn that I am not at the weight that I thought I was.  And lastly, because my sweetheart really wants to lose a lot of weight, and I figure that if I do it with him, he might have more motivation.    

My big sister Abby is a good example to me of what it means to be healthy.  No one works harder on health than she does.  Exercising is her passion, she never skips a day, and she eats only what she should.  She is currently in a weight loss competition, and after looking at what the "rules" of the contest are, Chad and I decided that even though we are not in the competition, they are great guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, and we are trying to do as many as we can.

For me, I am no longer eating the kids' sugary snacks, i.e. fruit snacks, granola bars.  I have replaced them with healthier things like almonds, yogurt and granola, whole wheat toast, apples and bananas.  My very favorite new snack is actually a protein shake, that I make in the afternoon with fruit, milk and sometimes a spoonful of peanut butter, and it keeps me full until dinner.  I also have cut down on my chocolate intake.  During the day I do not want a Coke, but chocolate.  That is what I indulge on when I have a rough day with the kids.  But, stopping is easier said than done, and I end up eating a few candy bars in the course of the afternoon.  I am allowing myself 1 piece per day to get my chocolate fix, and I do not feel bad, as I am eating better throughout the day than I had been. 

I am kicking up my water intake, by always keeping a huge ice cold glass of it by my side throughout the day, and especially as I work.  We used to buy chocolate milk, but we have stopped buying that as well.  Of course, no healthy lifestyle would be complete with exercise, and I have started to get my butt back into that too.  I like to go to the high school at night and take their classes, but I am embarrassed to say that I have not been back since I found out I was pregnant with Jack.  I have been going just a couple times a week, and already I have seen a big difference.  I believe in both doing weights, as well as cardio to see good results, and that's what I am doing.  And last, but not least, I have stopped eating after 8:00 p.m.  Like they say, 'Eat after 8, put on weight!"  I have found that it was more than a habit for me than anything else.  I used to really look forward to getting out my cookies and milk when the kids go to bed, and sit down and watch my recorded shows.  But, the more days that pass that I don't eat after 8, the easier it has become.  Abby gave me a good tip in that on nights she is really hungry and wants to snack, she goes to bed so she won't be tempted to eat.  I have had to do this a few times myself.

Chad has been snacking better, kicking up his water intake, and not eating past 8 as well.  To get him starting to exercise, we are planning on buying an awesome Sole Treadmill from my brother-in-law Rob, who works for Sole, and we are excited about that.  But even without the exercise, he has already lost 6 pounds as of last week! During that first week, I dropped 2 pounds.  It is not as good as Chad's, but it's a good start!

So tell me, what are your favorite healthy snacks/routines?