Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day

November 24, 2014Leave a comment

No matter how many times it’s proven that breakfast is important to a healthy lifestyle, people still continually skip it.

If the choice to have breakfast or not the answer is ALWAYS have breakfast.

Now WHAT to have can be up for debate. It is very beneficial for your body, mind and muscles to start off the day with protein. Whether you exercise regularly or just with getting older protein is so important for building muscles and for older folks maintain muscle mass in general! Plus it helps you feel fuller longer and gives you the fuel boost to start the day!

Studies have shown that high protein breakfasts can be linked to weight-loss since you feel fuller long you have less desire to eat carelessly throughout the day.

Here are some high protein breakfast ideas:

Two slices of whole-wheat bread with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on each, topped with sliced banana. One cup of skim milk to drink. Total: 22 grams of protein.
Strawberry Smoothie: Blend together 1/2 cup of strawberries, 6 ounces Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup of uncooked oatmeal, a drizzle of honey (as needed) and 1/2 cup of skim milk or soy milk. Total: 21 grams of protein.
Mediterranean Sandwich: Whole-wheat pita with 4 tablespoons of hummus, tomato slices, 1 ounce of goat cheese and 1/4 cup of sliced almonds. Have a café latte to drink, made with 1/2 cup of steamed skim milk. Total: 22 grams of protein.
Cottage cheese
Greek Yogurt with fruit and honey
Breakfast Burrito: Corn tortilla filled with two scrambled eggs, sautéed onions, 1/4 cup of black beans and pico de gallo. Total: 25 grams of protein.
Apple Walnut Oatmeal: Cook 3/4 cups of dry oatmeal with 1 and 1/4 cup of skim milk, and add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, plus 1 chopped apple. Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with honey. Total: 24 grams of protein.

Avocado Tuna Salad

November 14, 2014Leave a comment

Here’s a really easy and healthy lunch (or dinner) that takes barely any time to make! Since avocado is fatty and creamy it can easily be substituted for mayo! Whether it’s tuna salad, chicken salad, or potato salad you basically have free range, but here is what I used.

Ingredients:
1 large avocado (or 2 small ones)
Can of tuna
1 tbsp sugar free relish (to taste]
1 tbsp spicy brown mustard (to taste)
1 hard boiled egg (optional)

Viola! Easy as that! Put it on a piece of bread for an open faced sandwich!

Tired? Go for a walk!

November 12, 2014Leave a comment

Sometimes you hit that wall, sometime around 2 or 3pm you just dont know how you’ll make through the rest of the day; what do you do? Grab a cup of coffee? Snack on something to keep you up? Take a energy drink?
While all those may “work” the most effective way to get an energy boost – physical activity. Crazy right? Go exert energy to gain some? But that’s exactly right!

“We live in a society where people are always looking for the next sports drink, energy bar, or cup of coffee that will give them the extra edge to get through the day,” says researcher Tim Puetz, PhD, also of UGA. “But it may be that lacing up your tennis shoes and getting out and doing some physical activity every morning can provide that spark of energy that people are looking for.”

If you get to the point where you can barely stay awake – go take a 10 minute walk around your office or walk out to your car and back in. You’ll be surprised how much a little physical activity will increase your energy level for the rest of the day!

Referenced article

You vs You

October 9, 2014Leave a comment

Everyone is at a different place in life and same goes for fitness – everyone is at a different place. Everyone has struggles and successes so when you see someone that is where you want to be, before you take even a second to get discouraged – know that someone is looking at you, wishing they were where you are. STOP COMPETING – just try to get better than YOU were yesterday.

Take pictures, take measurements, keep a fitness journal and track YOUR journey. Scales can be very misleading so ditch the scale and look in the mirror – that’s your competition.

Get fit while watching your favorite sports!

October 5, 2014Leave a comment

With the NFL in full swing and MLB playoffs heating up don’t forget about your health! Watch all the games you want but get fit while doing it! 👊💪

So put the pizza and beers down 🍕🍕 🍻🍻 and do these workouts with friends, family and kids!

There’s always time to make to for fit!

Go O’s and Redskins!

Depressed? Go Exercise!

September 30, 2014Leave a comment

There are many studies showing a direct correlation between happiness and physical activity. Here are some facts about physical activity.

Releases endorphins
- Endorphins are those “feel good” chemicals that are produced from cardiovascular exercise. The body has positive reaction to exercise naturally so that feeling after you get through a tough workout out–yeah those are endorphins!
Increases serotonin levels
- Having low levels of serotonin has been connected to depression, but guess what naturally increases serotonin levels….yep-EXERCISE! Serotonin affects your mood, ability to sleep and your appetite. So get moving and release those good natural chemicals!
Improves sleep
- Lack of sleep, restless nights and insomnia are effects of depression. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin chemicals for “feel good” result and sleep aid but also your body will need rest with the increase activity level you are physically and mentally spent which will allow you to relax and get quality shut eye!
Distraction
- Now that you are feeling good (endorphins) and sleeping well (serotonin) you are able to focus on you and the natural positive chemicals being released in your body preventing negative or discouraging thoughts that are common with depression.

Exercise has many many positive side effects – do yourself a favor and get moving!

Reference

Dessert: Skinny Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

September 27, 2014September 27, 2014Leave a comment

NEWS FLASH: It’s OK to indulge! Have dessert – just not all of the dessert!

When you make any meal yourself, you can be sure of the ingredients that you are putting into your body, same goes for dessert!

I made these brownies and they were super easy and delicious!

Remember living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to boring and plain! Learn to make your food and desserts! Now just dont go and eat the entire pan!

For this recipe click here and follow @sallysbakeblog on instagram for lots of recipes and tips!

Attitude is key

September 25, 2014September 25, 2014Leave a comment

I found this online somewhere and love the message. You can be the smartest or the hardest worker but the number one thing you need to be successful is your attitude! 🙌🙌
If you believe in yourself and whatever you are trying to do – nothing can stop you! 👊👏
So no more negative or discouraging thoughts🙈🙉🙊change your attitude💃💃 and change your outcome!😎😎

Weight loss vs Fat loss

September 22, 2014Leave a comment

This question is tossed around all the time. Often times you here females say they want to lose weight but are scared to lift weights because they fear they will get “too big.”

Females don’t produce the same testosterone levels as men so you can lift and lift but it’s damn near impossible for you to bulk up like a huge bodybuilder. So from now on don’t even allow yourself to think that!

Plain and simple: the more muscle you have the faster your metabolism works in a resting state.

Therefore the more muscle mass you have the more calories you burn in a day at a resting heart rate.

Example: Man A and Man B weigh 175. Man A has 10% body fat, Man B 30% body fat. Man A has less body fat (more muscle) will burn more calories naturally in a resting state than Man B with more body fat (less muscle). Dont worry about the number on the scale – worry about your body fat and lean muscle mass.

Ok–youre not feeling it… here’s another example

Take a look at this picture:

A pound of muscle is a lot smaller than a pound of fat – even if you aren’t losing “weight” you can (and will) change your body through gaining muscle!

Focus on FAT LOSS and not weight loss. You may or may not lose a few pounds, but gaining lean muscle and losing body fat will definitely result in you liking what you see in the mirror!

Keep your head up 🙆☝and stop looking👀👀 down at the scale!

Look in the mirror and see how your clothes fit :):)💪👊

Try something new

September 16, 2014September 16, 2014Leave a comment

We all get into a routine or pick exercises we like but the way to results is to push yourself to a new limit! 👊
Many gyms offer all sorts of classes, no harm in trying one out. You may find a new passion! If you don’t like it, try a different one. ✔✔ Whether it’s yoga, pilates, kick boxing or a spin class the variation will target your muscles in a different way. 💪💪💪
I did my first spin class today and it was tough🔥🔥🔥. Am I gonna go back? Definitely. I’ll try to improve and get better each time. Don’t think you’ll be a pro right away, work into the class and I bet you’ll see the results in your body and the way you feel!

maketimeforfit

There's always a way to Make Time For Fit

Tag: lifestyle