Success.. and How I make it Reality!

This journey for me has been a year long so far... I haven't lost a lot of weight ( 16-18 lbs at this point) however I have transformed my body entirely.. From the shape to the fitness! I have lost 16 plus inches on my body, dropped 2 dress sizes and went from not running to being able to complete 5 kms within 40 minutes. ( not fast but COMPLETED!)

I found that tracking my food, first off in a binder than using the www.myfitnesspal.com site has been one of my sources of success...I spend 30 minutes or so on Sunday's making up my "Success Binder" menus for the week. This allows me to truly spend 30 minutes on myself and my family allowing us all to have proper nutrition. It also let's me see what my general intake should be, so if I have a bad day or busy at work day, I generally know what I NEED to fuel my body with.
I have noticed that when I do not plan my menus... I gain weight back and I feel generally like crap. This is a mind set problem.. just because I do not plan my menu doesn't mean the calories I put in my body aren't accounted for and I must be more aware of the amount I am eating.

I also enjoy having a on the go energy and protein packed snack! I found these bad boys through a friend on twitter and have been a fan ever since! In fact, I am such a fan the company made me a Brand Ambassador. So hit me up if you want to get some deals, or samples! These 100% all natural, vegan and organic bits of algae have allowed me to cut back on caffeine, they increase my energy and production in life generally and are a GREAT fuel at the gym!.
www.energybits.com

This is a photo of one of the meals I had this week. It was delicious!

I have never eaten nor cooked kale before, however I found a recipe on pintrest to stir fry up veggies, kale and cooked rice. I added some chili paste and it was amazing! I also get sick of bland boring chicken, so have been cooking it with chunky salsa and adding a little bit of cheese on the top prior to taking it out of the oven. AMAZING!

Pintrest is a wonderful way to keep food fresh, there are TONS of recipes and often you can search "Low sodium" or "low in fat" recipes as well and get numerous ideas. Keeping whats in my menu fresh with some old favorites also allows for success!

The other portion of my success... Keeping it fresh at the gym! I love my weight work outs! But if I decide one day that power cleans just aren't my thing... or I could careless to box jump Ill switch an exercise out from another work out and replace this one. I always make sure to complete all my work outs in a week but sometimes mixing it up is the key!


I also enjoy "treating" myself.. and this usually means new workout clothes! I am getting ready for spring running training and wanted to make sure I had some new duds.. It makes you feel fresh and ready for your activity. I don't like wearing sloppy clothes to the gym... you have mirrors everywhere!! This is the time to watch yourself exercise and see how your body has changed!

I have found that JC Penney and the GAP have wonderful and affordable workout attire, and JC Penney has wonderful sales right now!!

So my success is simply made... like it all should be! Being able to have simple workouts, simple menus and simple treats allow me to continue on. These are things I do not have to stress about.. now I can spend my time on telling myself I am doing awesome and to keep on!


We are all our worst enemy.. so eliminate the things that stress you.. make it easy and focus on changing your negative " I cant do this its to hard" thoughts! This change takes time.. wont happen over night nor over a week. Allow that!



Cheers!

February's Heart Month!

I worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for 8 years and Heart disease/conditions were 75% of what I dealt with. From chest pain to full myocardial infractions to transfers for angioplast appointments. The patients I worked with often had high blood pressure or high cholesterol amongst other conditions of bad diets, unhealthy weights and little to no physical activity. A lot of my father's family has heart conditions of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. So I definitely take such conditions seriously.

The Canadian Heart and Stroke website is full of wonderful information about Heart Disease.

(http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3682421/k.48B2/Heart_disease__What_is_heart_disease.htm)

What is heart disease?

It is a group of conditions affecting the structure and functions of the heart and had many root causes. i.e.) plaque (fatty materials, calcium and scar tissue) builds up in the arteries and prevents the heart from getting enough blood.

Prevention includes:

- being smoke free
- eating a healthy low fat diet with many leafy greens (like algae!!! Yes I said it!)
- know and control your blood pressure
-achieve and maintain a healthy weight
- manage your diabetes
- reduce stress
- visit your doctor regularly and follow their advice



How am I keeping heart healthy??

Well this is a constant work for everyone!! I try to eat a diet full of vegetables, fruit, healthy fat proteins and try not to indulge in all the heavy fat foods!

One of the best snacks you can have on you is Energy Bits, 100% spirulina algae grown organically and are an all natural sources of food for your body. There is no sugar, cholesterol, or fat in this product so every bit that you eat..... Is good for your body and therefore a perfect snack for your heart. Eating meats and salads can be quite a hassle at times like when your running between meetings, kids soccer games or during a marathon... so let's keep those to meals not on the go snacks. However Energy Bits is an nitrogen based algae that opens up your blood vessel that allows continual oxygen and nourishment supplied to your body. It also contains 64% protein within its minimum 12 bits of algae. So all in all... Eating Energy Bits on the go not only is way easier than a steak and salad when your in the car... It also has numerous health benefits and is very heart healthy!!!

So in light of February's Heart Month I would like to team up with Energy Bits (www.energybits.com) to give away a free sample of Energy Bits!! All you have to do is follow myself (@adenium11) and EnergyBits (@energybits) on twitter and comment below how you try stay heart healthy!
(Draw will be done February 28)
Also, please give Canada Heart and Stroke a follow on twitter (@TheHSF) great people giving great information!


Cheers!