Thursday, August 11, 2011

more motivated than EVER.

i am so excited you guys.  i am like bouncing off the walls excited about the subject of today's post!

first off, i have to say i am more motivated than ever to change my eating habits & live a healthy life.  like, i don't think i will EVER be able to go back to the old way that i thought about food.  what changed me you ask?  ummm, a little movie called "Food, Inc."

holy crap.

we only caught a bit of it last night on PBS, but i am planning on watching it in its entirety asap.  if you want to know why you should buy some {most!} of your foods organic or locally, just watch that movie.  who's seen it & what did you think?  i was already pretty passionate about eating smartly & healthfully, but watching this movie has just added another gallon of fuel to the fire.

so here we go.  here are a few things that help me live a healthy & fit life.  and some things that i am always working on being better at!


last week i saw a quote that has really stuck with me.  it went something like:  "if you want to weigh what you've always weighed, then eat what you've always eaten."  so true.  but for me?  even more importantly than what the scale says, i hate the way i FEEL when i'm eating badly & i love the way i feel when i'm eating right.  so i've been telling myself:

"if you want to FEEL better than you've ever felt, then eat better than you've ever eaten."

ok, so it doesn't have the same snazzy ring to it, but you get the point.  how you feed your body makes such a huge impact on everything.  food is fuel & when we fill up on junk all we're gonna get out of it is junk.  after a few days of crappy eating, i feel uncomfortable in my clothes, things fit tighter, there's a noticeable change in how i feel overall.  but after i'm back on track for a while my clothes fit looser, i can hold my belly in tighter, & i have so much more energy.

so what am i doing?  eating whole, real foods, saying no to fast food, & using all kinds of portion control.  even if you eat healthy, when you eat too much of it it's still too much.


dude, you've got to plan.  keep your fridge, cupboard & purse stocked with healthy snacks so that in a pinch of hunger you won't be tempted to open a bag of cookies or buy a hot dog at the food court.  think almonds, apples, string cheese, & the such as.  also?  i plan to cheat.  i always eat something sweet after both lunch & dinner.  just one something.  a reese's miniature or a chunk of cookie dough.  when i am tempted to pop a second one i just tell myself, "nah, i'll have another one later."  and i do... after the next meal.

plan your meals & cook them yourself.  if you need ideas, check out sites like cookinglight.com or cleaneatingmag.com.  both are amazing resources for healthy meal ideas & if you're like me, you'll find way more tasty meals than you can fit in a year.

when serving up a meal, leave the serving dishes in the kitchen & don't put them on the dinner table.  you're way more likely to thoughtlessly shovel seconds & thirds onto your plate when it's staring you straight in the face next to your plate.  just serve up what you know is a good portion, eat it slowly, then sit on it for a while before getting up for more.  you may decide you don't need more after all.

and lastly, drink lots of water.  like, lots & lots.  then drink some more.  your body retains water when it's not hydrated so make sure you're filled up & it'll flush your body of the excess.  true story.


this is a must.  and probably my favorite part.  i really do love to work out.  i get super stir-crazy when i miss a work out & i seriously love the feeling of pushing through quivering, shaking muscles in order to knock out a few more reps.  love it.  but that has come as a result of years & years & years of regularly working out.  being physically active has always been really important to my mom, & i attribute my love of it to her.  so thanks mom!

not so in love with getting physical?  start slow.  go for walks or do calf raises while you brush your teeth.  take the stairs instead of the elevator & park far across the parking lot.  move quickly while you clean your house.  bored with your work outs?  mix it up!  muster some motivation by registering for a 5k or find a friend to walk with.  as long as you're doing something, it's gonna be better than nothing.

i'm also more motivated than ever to up my work out intensity.  why?  because i'm seeing results.  and that is motivating.  when you see your body changing, getting stronger, & doing things that it didn't used to be able to do?  you just want to push it that much harder & reinforce what you're doing.

give it a go!  you'll be amazed at what you're capable of.

try workin out your fingers & click twice to vote.  your strong fingers will thank you.  i will too.
Vote For Us @ topbabyblogs.com!

37 comments:

  1. Yes! If that movie doesn't inspire people to change their eating/shopping habits, then I don't know what would. Also- Super Size Me. I've never been a big McDonalds fan but seeing what that crap does to the body is pretty horrifying!

    ReplyDelete
  2. "if you want to FEEL better than you've ever felt, then eat better than you've ever eaten."
    I LOVE this, so true!!! I love these posts you do, they always get me so inspired!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I need to check out that movie and pick up an issue of clean eating.

    Seeing results and getting stronger is SO motivating. The healthier I get, the stronger I get, the more I want to try. Go girl!

    ReplyDelete
  4. yeab, i've been planning that for few years... and it's still a plan... good great you can stick to your plan... way to go mommy p-ray!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this post. I have been slowly moving to a healthier lifestyle and changing the way I eat around here. (cooking for 8 people most days)It's been positive so far but I wouldn't be able to do it without planning ahead like you say. i think I might go pick up that mag today

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm always amazed by how many people don't drink water. I always have a bottle or huge glass with me, and that is key (for me). I mean what percentage of your body is water? ...and then people drink gobs and gobs of diet soda?! I don't get that myself.

    ReplyDelete
  7. YES! I LOOOOOVE this post! I have seen Food Inc and wow...it's pretty disturbing. There is a difference between hearing about things that go on in slaughter houses etc and actually being able to see it. *highfive*

    Lizzy
    www.lizzyfitness.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good for you! I wish I had this level of motivation right now. I definitely agree with you on the planning aspect. We've been doing a better job with planning out our dinners and have seen a huge difference in the type of meals we cook and our portions.

    http://noahbabyblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. stop being so awesome! (don't stop.) seriously, i'm all fired up now...i am definitely going to watch that movie. i need something to shocl me back to my senses and then, baby steps, i am re-subscribing to cooking light, which is so great. i have never made anything from them that wasn't totally delicious. you're right about everything you said. i know i have told you this before, but you're really an inspiration :) thanks for that :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't seen Food, Inc but I read Food Rules and it had the same effect. TOTAL pantry/lifestyle overhaul. But honestly, we all feel so much better. It's awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love it!! It's so true - as soon as you start thinking of food as fuel, it changes your whole outlook!! Also, I find keeping a food and exercise journal keeps me really accountable, and it's so great to look back and see all that I've accomplished!
    Plus, I've been making these breakfast bars with chocolate chips as my midday snack - they are super filling and satisfying, but surprisingly healthy too.
    http://www.fannetasticfood.com/2010/07/26/vegan-almond-butter-banana-breakfast-bars/

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think it's great that you are changing your mindset. I will just put it out there and say that I will never be an "organic" eater. For reasons that I won't get into, but I do really agree with portion control and overall healthy eating. I also think that everyone needs to cheat every once in a while, too. Like for girls weekends and we want to shovel our faces with gyoza from joeys, and lots of froyo! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Have you heard of this site?

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/

    She has such good, delicious recipes and she posts the nutrition/calories/weight watchers points right there with the recipes. I love it.

    Your pictures of Ben and Kim were so cute, maybe we'll see you there in a month or so when the baby is born!

    ReplyDelete
  14. awesome post! i saw that movie and it has totally changed the way our family eats now. We have been totally motivated to eating a more Raw and healthy diet and we have felt so much better because of it! I love your post...its so informative and inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've never watched that movie becasue honestly I'm scared of the reality check it'll give me. Maybe it's time to suck it up and watch it. I used to be so fit. I ate less and was about 20 pounds lighter. Then I got married, had a kid and taking care of myself went out the window. I swear your blog is turning into a huge inspiration to me. It's like you knew that I needed to read posts like these. :) Anyways, I'm totally pouring my little heart out to you, sorry. Off to check out those sites. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great post! I'm very passionate about eating as naturally and organically as possible. That movie is very informative along with Super Size Me. We can't keep putting nasty stuff in our bodies, it's just not worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tim & I watched Food, Inc. last winter and that is what kinda started me on this whole whole foods/whole grains/from-scratch cooking thing. I can't eat fast food anymore...I even have a hard time at restaurants (as you know) because I don't like not knowing what ingredients are in my food. Of course I cheat, especially on vacation, but it's been a huge, positive change for us! Our next change is buying some locally raised beef!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I definitely agree. Stir-crazy when I don't work out! Great pictures! You look awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I haven't seen that yet, but I'll keep a watch out for it. I love that you plan to cheat. In my experience, NOT giving yourself any room for something sweet sets you up for a splurge later and can ruin your whole diet. One of my favorite quotes is "Eat for the body you WANT and not for the body you HAVE." Wish you would link this post up with our #ThinnerThursdays. You rock the fitness posts and I think a LOT of people would love reading them in our linky!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love Gina at www.skinnytaste.com for great healthy recipes. Her recipes are delicious and I love how healthy they are. She gives you all the nutritional information with the recipe.

    Good luck! I am starting my better eating plan on Monday after I get back from vacation! AND I CANNOT WAIT!

    thereeseadventures.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I could use some serious motivation to eat healthier! I don't think anyone out there likes junk food as much as I do! Thanks for posting this, I needed it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for sharing. I really need to do something about it. Thanks for the motivation.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Definitely want to see that movie! I'm all about eating real, unprocessed, healthy foods! But dang, working out is SOOOOOO hard to do when you work full time (40+ hours), and your hubby works full time (55+ hours...so there goes my help) and you have a kid! There is seriously never enough time in the day! Sigh...
    ♥ Kyna

    ReplyDelete
  24. Go Amy! I'm so lacking in motivation lately, but know those 3 things you mention are so so important. For me it's really about the feeling too. Eating bad makes me FEEL bad, but it happens. Just need to do small treats like you do. Maybe that would help.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you so much for posting this! We've been trying to figure out ways to start eating healthy so we can lose weight and feel better everyday. All your mamavation posts are so interesting and informative. I really enjoy reading what you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep up the good work girl! You look amazing :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love this post too. Are you getting your hubs to take those pictures? Cause that is impressive, you look great, your post looks great. I just love ya.

    So you will get a kick out of this. I actually had a friend on fb post her status- "looking for a good way to loose weight without diet or exercise!" What the heck, seriously.... lol I should send her this post.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ugh, Food Inc is awful (in a good way)! I used to eat tons of chicken, thinking, "hey, it's chicken breast." Then I saw that movie and CANNOT buy anything other than organic chicken.

    And I read this book called The Omnivore's Dilemma...it talks all about how everything we eat comes back to corn and that's a large portion of why we're so overweight (since corn breaks down into sugar very quickly). Wow...that'll make you research what you're shoving in your piehole.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Totally feel the same way! I watched Food Inc in October and became a vegetarian {I was never a huge meat fan anyway} and I partnered with a local farmer as part of a CSA program so I get fresh, organic produce that's grown locally. Also, I've tried to cut way back on dairy...cheese and ice cream are the hard ones for me :) Aaaannnd, I'm super excited to start juicing...just trying to narrow it down to which juicer I want! I've also heard really good things about The Omnivore's Dilemma, but I haven't read it yet. Yay for feeling better and more energetic!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Awe. I love you!

    I love love love when you take pictures just for the content/text of your blog.. and I even love more how cute and creative they are!!

    I haven't taken eating better too seriously lately.. I blame it on the 115 degree weather.. but thanks for making me feel guilty.. must walk tomorrow and eat better!

    <3xojo
    @ holdingontothelittlethings.typepad.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Getting stronger is such a great feeling! I think I may need to check that movie out!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love this post. Great tips and you are helping to inspire me. I'm going to get that magazine now!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yep. Food Inc. thoroughly creeped me out.
    And I LOVE Cooking Light. I use a ton of their recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I totally have that shirt. Target rocks.

    ReplyDelete
  34. That movie totally changed the way I thought about food, especially the things my baby girl was eating!!! You are so right, it just takes planning. There is no reason to eat chemically altered, disgusting stuff when there is so much GOOD food out there. :) Check out Foodmatters, that is another great documentary! Seems like we have a lot of common interests, and I am happy to have found your page!

    http://mommydiarist.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. GUESS WHAT!?

    I walked a mile today! Lol.
    and ate spinach and squash and oatmeal and all natural chocolate nut bar and banana!
    lol.

    <3xojo
    @ holdingontothelittlethings.typepad.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your so cute! I want to see that movie!!! Love your hair does it ever look bad!?? LOL

    ReplyDelete
  37. Food Inc. def. caused me to look at things differently. Here is another one for you. Watch Sick, Fat, and Nearly Dead. It is not the same as Food Inc., but challenging nonetheless.

    Random (nothing to do with this post) question do you take all of your selfies? You do an excellent job, but how do you manage it with Parker.

    I just wish my son took better naps.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...