2013- "I really mean it this time!"

Just a few days have passed in 2013, and I've promised myself changes!  I have always been a relatively healthy eater, but over the last few months of spending time on that island, and the holidays being at home and having, well, you know..."home cooked food". Things weren't looking too good on the health front.

SO! I decided to take things BACK into my own hands and take charge of my health for this year. I'm a pescetarian. I have been for about 7 years now. So trying to find healthy meal options (breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner) are a little harder than you would think. Replacing protein for instance took me a while to figure out. Most healthy recipes and workout eating plans have you eating lean protein, for this they compile a list of grilled chicken, and lean meats. This of course doesn't work for me, so I stick with  seafood! Shrimp, Tilapia and Salmon would be my top choices for fish during the week. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE sushi, and scallops and lobster....BUT these things are not very budget friendly and HOLY CRAP! Do you know how many calories are in 1 roll of sushi!?!?? Day-um. A lot.

I'm sure you are aware of Pinterest? I think I was a little late in the game discovering this awesome gem. At first I was thinking "oh great another laaaammmme online thing people that are bored do". OH HOW I WAS WRONG! Well, the bored thing is true....really true. BUT the lame part is not. I have spent a lot of time putting together my Pinterest boards which are now full of fashion I like, beauty tips, exercise options, foods and recipes, pictures of awesome animals, funny quotes and pictures, and inspirational quotes for those days you need a pick me up and SO much more! Here is the link to my Pinterest page...I believe my page is public so you can check out boards and pins!

Samantha's Pinterest!!!

Here's my thought on this whole "Being Healthy" thing. Do what is right FOR YOU. Don't try and follow some of these crazy bullshit (sorry for the language) routines that have you eating 700 calories a day. THAT SHIT IS NUTS! Let's be real here. We are humans, we eat food. We drink. We workout for a week, and then we "forget" one day and lose an entire week of exercise. I am guilty to all of the above. Here's the reality. If you want to be healthy, you have to choose to be healthy for YOU. Not for anyone else, do it because you want to feel stronger going through your day, or because opening your closet and wearing the first thing you grab is AWESOME, or because you simply want to see what your body is capable of!

After doing lots of reading and researching on how to be fit and healthy. Here's the group consensus on what's good and what's bad in the health department.

1. Eat your veggies!

~DUH! but for real, people really don't eat as many as they should! The closest to raw you can keep them the better! They are a great way to snack, eat celery or apples with peanut butter and raisins!! 

2. Eat your fruit! 

~ Another DUH! Fruit is a great way to start off your morning, and right before/after exercising! In a hurry after work heading to the gym? Eat an apple! 

3. Eat protein! 

~This doesn't mean sit and eat a burger every night! NOOOO red meat is ok every once and a while, but NOT every night! Protein also means: Salmon, Chicken, Spinach, Beans, etc!

4. Eat Whole Grains!

~Be careful with this one here, if you study up on Whole Wheat vs. Whole Grains you may be surprised what you find. Whole Wheat has a CRAP load of sugar!! Whereas whole grains will keep the product closer to the grains actually pulled from the earth. Your bread should LOOK like it was made from grains. Not SUPER white and so soft you can roll it into tiny bread balls.

5. Drink Water!

~No joke. Do it. It is SO good for you. Your hair, skin, nails, and body will thank you. It will keep you full throughout the day and wash out the toxins in your system! (Vamp up your water with fresh lemon or cucumber if you get bored of just plain water!)

6. Eat at the correct times!

~Don't skip breakfast!!!! Don't do it! Your body has been starved for at least 8 hours over night, and if you are also on a workout program, you know how bad that is for muscle development and your glucose levels. Eat throughout the day! Bring snacks with you (fruit and veggies for example, pre-portion them and take them along!)

7. Moderation is key!

~ You will have days where you want to eat a piece of pizza...GO FOR IT! Just don't eat 4 slices!!! No one got fat from 1 piece of cake. Ever. Eating healthy is important, but there's nothing wrong with having a slice of pizza and a beer while watching the game! Just regulate what you're eating!!

7. Workout!

~ It's not a bad idea when you are first starting to transition to a healthier you, to first work on the food then start adding in the workout. But get MOVING! Go for a walk! Bike! Hike! Run! Swim! Something to get your body in forward motion, and believe me, that "A body in motion, stays in motion" thing...is TRUE! Once you start moving and getting to the point in your workouts that you are sweating and pushing your body to amazing limits. You WILL keep going! 

These are the common notes in all the research I have done on getting fit!  Now keep these things in mind. 

-Everyone is DIFFERENT! Our body shapes, our metabolisms, where we are starting and what our goals are! I could be in the best shape of my life and NOT have the "gap" between my legs...why? BECAUSE MY BONES WON'T ALLOW IT! I will also NEVER be a size 4. If i was...I would be dead. (I'm 5'10 and right now around 165lbs, I've been athlete all my life and you will see me lifting 20's before ever seeing me with bean string arms. YUP I JUST PUT THAT ON THE INTERNET!)

-CHANGE DOESN'T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT, OR EVEN OVER A WEEK! Don't expect to eat healthy for a week and lose 10lbs...that shit is crazy, and I want to slap anyone that thinks they can do that in a healthy way. It is NOT good for you! Most of the weight you are losing is water anyways. This isn't an over night thing. Don't get discouraged, just know that you are starting your change. One day at a time! 

-BE REALISTIC! Like I said above, everyone is different and change doesn't happen overnight. Keeping those things in mind, apply those to your goals. Do this for YOU!

-SET A GOAL! This year I plan on taking part in 5k's, 10k's, Warrior Dash and Tough Mudder. All races that will challenge me and test my strength! This for me is fun. I like a challenge, and if I have a REASON to be healthy and workout, I'm more willing to do it. (The inner athlete in me is dying from having no team sports). 

-IT ISN'T GOING TO BE EASY! If someone is saying it is, they are lying to you. Change is hard. If you don't think it is, you're probably not really changing. You are going to have cravings, and temptations. It is up to you to say no. No one is standing there with a fork full of chocolate cake trying to cram it down your throat (if there is, re-evaluate who you are friends are).  Get a support group of friends, family, significant other, anyone! Writing down what you're eating and what you are doing to workout is a great way to help as well. There's something that happens in your brain when you write down everything that you eat during a day. It's a serious reality check!

For more information on exercises, food, and inspiration, go to my Pinterest page!

Here is a great website for healthier meal options that I find myself going back to everyday: Skinny Taste!

I wrote this blog because I couldn't find enough things that were straight forward when it came to changing your health/fitness. Also I feel like I should put a disclaimer saying I'm not a doctor. So don't go and sue me for putting my thoughts on a blog! :)

I will continue updating throughout the year on how the change is coming. I will also post different races I am taking part in, and of course photo's!! If you have any questions, feel free to comment!