Spread ♥ the ♥ Health

The End of Overeating

Allow me to cut to the chase… this book is GOLDEN. Be warned, it is NOT a diet book. You won’t find a daily eating schedule or exercise plan within these pages. On the other hand, if you’re interested in finding out the science behind why we can’t seem to put down those cheeseburgers, pick up this book. It’s smart and informative, without being preachy and incomprehensible. I haven’t gotten through the whole thing yet, but I’ve loved what I’ve read so far. If you love to eat (who doesn’t?), you will relate to this book. Plus, you’ll walk away from it feeling like you know something—always a good thing, right?

P.S. This is a good read for EVERYONE, not just people who overeat and/or are overweight. Information like this can benefit even the healthiest person in the world. All I’m saying is, don’t write it off just because you’re in good shape. There’s always more to learn!

A Little Advice…

I know, I know. Everyone already knows that exercise helps your mood. I think we all—including myself—could use a reminder every now and then. There are so many days that I tell myself, skip a day, workout twice as hard tomorrow. When I listen to that [bad] advice, I ALWAYS regret it the next day. So, push yourself. There will be hundreds of days in the future when you won’t want to exercise, and it’s too easy to allow that to happen. Try your best to workout 5-6 days a week, even if it’s for 20 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much your consistency will pay off. When you feel like you’re losing motivation, remind yourself of that incredible feeling you experience after a great workout. Then, go for it! Your mind and body will thank you later. :)

Goal Board

Are you unorganized? I AM! But it’s a work in progress. If you’re someone who needs to see your goals laid out in front of you, try making a board like this. My initial reason for creating it was to begin eating healthier and changing my lifestyle as a whole. Honestly, it’s helped me a LOT to be more aware of so many different aspects of my life. I love this thing!

My categories are: Physical activity, healthy eating, pets, schoolwork, clean room, household (chores), job search, me time (DON’T forget this one!), and clean car.

Here’s how it works: Every Sunday, I add all my smiles from Monday through Saturday. If the average is above 75%, I let myself indulge (ever so slightly) on Sunday. It feels good to be rewarded for keeping my priorities in order. If this is something that might work for you, try it out!

Metabolism Boosting Foods

Get your metabolism going as early as your first meal—breakfast! It’s essential that you eat breakfast every day. It’s much easier to jump start weight loss that way. Don’t have time? Wake up 15 minutes earlier. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! I like to eat yogurt, fruit, oats, or a combination of the three. Eggs also boost metabolism (and are another favorite of mine). Yolks are nutrient-rich, but high in fat and relatively high in calories, especially compared to egg whites. So, try making your omelets with two egg whites and one whole egg rather than three whole eggs.

Note: The foods pictured above are good to eat any time of day, not just breakfast. :)

Weight Loss Marbles!

Motivation is key if you want to reach your weight loss goals! I made these marble vases so I could have something physical to remind me of my accomplishments. Every time I move a marble over (another pound lost), I feel like I’ve truly achieved something. Allow yourself to feel good about each step forward! They’re cheap, easy, and fun to make. Supplies cost about $12 at Wal-Mart. DO IT… you’ll be glad you did, I promise!