Starting it Fresh for 2011

For lots of us our New Year's resolution every year is to lose weight, then by February we are back to our old habits and completely forget our goals. This year let's set lots of small goals and make it happen!

Although I haven't updated my blog recently I have been keeping up with healthy eating for the most part. Working out has been taking a backseat to some minor medical issues I've been having, but I am working it out, and will be working out soon enough.

I will be embarking on a little journey of vegetarianism for the first part of this year. A very dear friend of mine recently had a doctor tell her that in order to start on a healthy track that she would need to go full vegetarian. I told her that I would support her in this task, and I've always wanted to try it. So I am writing this blog as my delicious smelling spinach and cheese manicotti is baking in the oven.

I want to encourage you all to make big goals for yourself this year. I am still working on my list, but for accountability purposes I will share it with you when I'm done.

Happy New Year y'all! Let's get healthy!

Stress Eating 101

My name is Carey, and I am a stress eater. That's right even after 3 months of booty kicking bootcamp; I still battle this problem. I know that I am not alone in this. I stress, and then I immediately want to shove my face full of food. If you are reading this and you've ever done this I'm sure you understand that there is no easy cure.

So how do you put that cookie down? First, I suggest that you recognize your problem. That is a huge part of the problem. I would always tell Scott that an ice cream sundae helps feed my stress, the reality is that I was still stressed after consuming way too many calories worth of goodies. Once you realize that this is what you do, you can stop yourself. Ask yourself, "why am I eating this, can I make a better food decision?"

If you need your oral fix, try chewing a piece of gum, and it always helps to make yourself full of water.

I also find that snacking during the day with small healthy snacks help keep cravings down because you are never really hungry. Don't ever starve yourself because that's when you start looking for convenience in food which usually leads you right into a drive through. Yikes! This also includes surrounding yourself with healthy options. I keep healthy snacks in my desk.

Another thing that I suggest (that doesn't work for everyone) is to feed your cravings sometimes. If you are really craving a brownie, have a small piece, don't make an entire pan. Portion is key, right? When you deprive yourself of your cravings you fix your thoughts on it, and when you finally get your hands on it, you can get a little out of control. Also know what your healthier options are. If you're an ice cream person, try sugar free, fat free pudding or frozen yogurt.

Any which way you spin it, this is a hard road to be on, but I know I can do it, and I know you can do it!

Remember small goals! :)