The good foods!

Alrighty my fellow friends and weight loss buddies. It's time to get down to business. I have read many places online that while it take working out and eating right to live healthy and lose weight, it really matters what you are putting in your body. It's not about eating the amount of calories you're suppose to and saying "Yay I didn't gorge my  mouth with way too many calories!" it's about filling your body full of nutrients so you can feel healthy, look healthy and be healthy. Isn't that what we all want? I know it's what I want. I once read "abs are made in the kitchen not the gym." I think it's true. Today I'm going to tell you a boat load of different kinds of food you can eat to start your road to success. Yay!

Veggies

Okay I know the whole heart picture of veggies is a little much, but I recommend having a good relationship with veggies, you'll be eating a lot of them. Here is a short list of the endless veggies that are good to eat:

• Spinach
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Carrot
• Avocado
• Broccoli
• Mushrooms
• Peas
• Celery
• Cucumber
• Cauliflower
• any other veggies you may want. :)

Fruits

 

Oh how I love fruit! Really when it comes to eating healthy it's the easiest when I can eat fruit, I just love it. But unfortunately I love it so much I have to watch how much I eat so I don't consume too much sugar. Ugh. Everything in moderation... remember that about everything. Anyway fruit is pretty much just like veggies you can eat anything you want. But I think you have to watch the amount of sugar you consume.

• Apple
• Banana
• Grapes
• Strawberry
• Blueberry
• Raspberry
• Mango
• Orange
• Pear
• Anything not listed... list here. Like coconut, or cantaloupe... you got the idea. :P



Legumes

 

This list isn't so long, but there are still some that I have found to be yummy.

• Lentils (any form)
• Black beans
• Pinto beans

 

Meat

 



I'm sorry if you find the above photo to be gross... what photo of raw meat isn't. Anyway, next is meat, meaaat. All kinds of meat, correction lean meat. Every time I type the word 'meat' I say it like a big bulky guy MEAT! Hah. I think one of the most crucial things to know about choosing a meat is, make sure its lean. No fat, skin, or anything that isn't red... or white or whatever color the meat is.

Fish:

• Salmon
• swordfish
• Shrimp
• Scallop
• Talapia
• etc

Other meats:

• Chicken (skinless, fat removed, boneless is good too)
• Pork- lean
• Red meat (fat removed)
• Veil
• Lamb

Grains/carbs



 

 

Yummy yummy yummy carbs, yummy! Hah. I love any form of carb, so delicious. Rolls, bread, noodles, potatoes, all so good. Here are some that are actually the good kind.

• Whole grain anything. (pasta, tortilla, roll, etc.)
• Oatmeal
• Brown Rice
• Couscous
• Sweet potato

 

Nuts

 

Nuts are the easiest snack! Lots of healthy fat and protein, some of my favorites words!

• Almond
• Peanuts
• Peanut butter
• Walnuts
• Pistachio
• etc.

 

 

There's the basics, some other things I would note that I have found to be quite important are:

• Measuring cups/spoon are your friend! Use them like you use a spoon or fork. Proportions are extremely important.
• I have learned while visiting friends or family, it's hard to say "I can't eat that" or stark hacking away at your steak to take all the meat off... so instead it a very limited amount, nothing you will regret later. Also about cutting the fat off... well just tell them that you don't like the fat, and at least your eating the meat! :)
• Always look at the nutrition label, specially for grains and carbs, you'll have more control if you're aware of what you're putting in your mouth.
• If you don't know the nutritional or caloric value of something look it up. Here are a few sites I like to use:

nutritiondata.self.com

myfitnesspal.com

 

Have any questions leave a comment! Till next time, work hard, work long! :) Adios.

 



 

 



How to set a long term goal

I've been inspired to write a new post. An old friend of mine recently asked me to help her get the ball rolling on her weight loss journey. I was more than glad to, I was actually really really excited I could help someone first hand. Anyway, while I've been pouring all my secrets, tricks, and beginning step on her it made me think "I should share this with everyone. Make a post!" Its the hardest to get started, so I wanna make it as easy as possible.

Courtesy of google

First, I'll go back to my first post on this blog, to get started you have to have the motivation to want to lose weight.

Second, Determine your BMI (Body Mass Index). Which is based on current weight and height. This is to determine what your weight should be. (Goal weight)

Third, Calculate your caloric needs to maintain weight. So that later you can adjust to lose weight. I got this formula from the INSANITY program.

For woman: 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - ( 4.7 x age in years)

For men: 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)

This equation is based on the Harris Benedict Equation

Fourth, Now that you know how much calories your body needs to maintain your weight you need to determine how many calories to eat based on how often/hard you workout. Take the number you received from the third section and multiply by your level of exercise below.

From my iPhone

After calculating this number this is the amount of calories you have to eat to maintain your weight while working out. So to lose weight you want to subtract 500-700 calories from your final calculation. That 500-700 calories is equivalent to 1-1.5 lbs a week of weight lost.

Fifth, Based on your BMI and the amount of weight you lose a week you are now able to calculate a long term weight loss goal. Just divide the amount of weight you want to lose by how much you will lose a week and in that many weeks you will reach your goal weight.

EX: To lose 45 lbs at 1.5 lbs a week March 16th is when the goal will be met. (45/1.5= 30) Add 30 weeks from the current date.

I know that losing 1.5 lbs a week sounds like so little but, it's better to reach a goal early than late. I know that far too well. :) You can subtract more calories depending on how your body is responding to the amount of calories you are eating, just never go below 1200 calories. Personally I would never go below 1500 because I workout daily and my body needs the extra calories for energy.

So, now that you have an idea of when you are going to reach your goal weight, and how many calories you need to eat you need to know how to divide them up.

Eat at least 5 times a day; 3 meals and 2 snacks.

EX: For someone who needs to eat 1800 calories a day 400 calories for a meal and 300 calories for snacks OR 500 for meals and 130 for snacks.

A little tip I have to go along with this post is:

Make sure you eat after working out, some lean protein like skinless boneless chicken breast, beef, pork, fish (just remember to remove the fat), whey protein shake, protein bar. Complex carbs are okay too. You want to eat protein to rebuild your muscles up and re-energize your body. Also watch how much sugar is in the protein powder or bar. You want it as low as possible.

I think that's all for now. Have question leave a comment. :)