Breakfast Drinks.

My mom is really into breakfast drinks. Slim Fast, Carnation Breakfast Essentials, and any others that make for a quick breakfast on the go. Since she was always stocking up on these, I thought I would start drinking them since I tend to always wake up late. At first I was loving it. It's yummy and chocolaty, so what could be wrong with it?? Funny that you ask... Let's look at the nutrition label, this is for a Slim Fast.

17 GRAMS OF SUGAR???? For those of you who don't know...that is a lot! So it's kind of weird that these are considered "weight loss drinks" because I don't see how you are aiming to lose weight by drinking 17 grams of sugar just for breakfast. After I learned this information (or actually read the nutrition label), I quickly backed away from the drink. I was a little sad, because this is such a quick breakfast but quick isn't always the best. So now I'm back to eating oatmeal in the morning, which is still semi-quick, but much less sugar. 

So next time you're really loving something and put into daily life, check the label so you can make sure it's 

healthy-ish.

Accountability Partner.

Or as I like to call it an accountabilibuddy. This is a friend who keeps you accountable on your journey to a healthier life. I have an accountabilibuddy and we do many different things to keep each other on track. Here's a few tricks that my buddy and I use.

Workout together. We like to go to the same spin class so we can encourage each other and also to make sure the other actually shows up to the class. Even when on the days when there isn't a spin class for us to go to, we like to go lift weights with each other. Again, so we know the other didn't skip a workout and to make sure we both complete the workout and just wimp out when it gets too hard.

Text each other. We try to text throughout the day and keep each other motivated. In fact, today I told her to text me throughout the day and say "don't you dare eat bad!" The reminders are nice and help keep me on track. Especially when it's been a rough day and I'm very tempted to eat some cookies.

Be open and honest. Having an accountability partner is pointless if you aren't going to be honest with them. When you mess up one day and drink a lot of Dr. Pepper and skip your work out, you need to tell them!! Your buddy is there to encourage and help you, and if you're lying or hiding stuff how are they going to help you?? So just like Honest Abe said, tell the truth always!

Be there for them. If you want someone to be there for you and help you out, you have to do the same thing for them. You will both need each other so be there! Getting healthy is hard and you will need a support system. 

Added bonus: working out together can be a perfect girl time/vent session :) 

Food Through a Window.

Going to the drive through is bad, we all know it and yet we all do it. WHY DO WE DO IT???? It's easy, fast, yummy, cheap and so many other reasons. But let's talk about the not so good things about it. It's packed with empty calories and fat, it leaves you feeling sick, and if you do often the pounds will add up quick.

So let's break up with fast food. I've been trying to avoid eating there unless absolutely necessary, and it is, I pick the healthier option. How do we go about breaking up with fast food?

Make meals before you leave the house. Making food before you leave, or even at the beginning of the week save you time for those days you are so busy you want to cry. When it's made before hand you won't have to be running around the kitchen in a panic trying to whip dinner up really quick. That way, on your way home from work you won't be tempted to stop by and get fast good because you know you have it all made waiting for you at home.

Have a snack in your car/in your desk at work. We all make terrible decisions when we are hungry. So always have a healthy snack with you and then you won't be starving later and end up snacking on a whole bag of chips or cookies. Some snacks I like to keep close are almonds, baby carrots, apple with peanut butter, or trail mix! These will help tide you over until dinner time.

Take the long way. If you're like me and you have awful self-control when it comes to food, do yourself a favor and don't drive by your favorite fast food place. So many times I haven't even been that hungry but I drove by my beloved Chic-fil-a or McDonald's and I headed straight for the line. THIS IS A NO NO! Take a different route, it's as easy as that.

It's time to break up with fast food, and if you're having a hard time doing that just use the over used  break up line "it's not you it's me."

Running.

I've never been much of a runner, actually I think it's fair to say that I used to hate running. But recently I decided that maybe a little bit of running won't kill me. It's great cardio and it's not that bad while watching Netflix. Also running has TONS of benefits.

- Builds stronger bones
- Gives you energy boosts
- Gives you nice legs and core
- Helps you sleep better
- You don't need a gym to run
- Shows your heart some loving!

If you're ever bored on a gloomy day check out run to the finish, she's convinced me to start running!!

Now I'm not saying I am going to go out and run 12 miles a day, but I think aiming for 30 minutes every other day is pretty doable. Doing the same workout over and over again can get pretty boring, so adding in running was a way for me to spice it up a little bit. So if you aren't running at all and are getting bored with your workout regimen, maybe consider adding some running.

So let's get out there and start running so we don't look like the bottom picture ;) and we can stay 

healthy-ish