Now I know what I have to do next. Luckily I like exercising and being active. I feel energetic and vibrant when I’m consistently power-walking and lifting weights. I think more clearly and sleep more deeply. So, back to my power-walking five times a week, and lifting free weights three times a week.

And none too soon. Shorts and bathing suits are peaking out from the depths the closet, and I’m not ready! But I will be if it kills me!

I’m also going to stick with eating small meals four times a day. I am so motivated by the results I had from the first seven days that I’m going to continue the same regiment and add fruit. I’ll do this until I get to the size I want. Remember the more different colors you eat in a day the better.

I am actually looking forward to getting up in the mornings and getting at it again. I’m excited about how much better I’m feeling and how much more energized I am. I don’t work well with that sluggish feeling. It makes me grumpy. And it’s hard to feel sassy when you feel grumpy!

To recap, 2-3 oz. of lean protein and 1 cup of veggies four times a day, about every three hours. Drink 100 oz. of water each day. I put a little cayenne pepper and fresh lemon juice to the water. The cayenne increases your metabolism and the fresh lemon juice has a natural diuretic effect. And now I’m also adding about 1/2 cup of fruit each time. Good fruit choices are berries of all kinds, pineapple, papaya, grapefruit, cherries, kiwi, mango and melon. Stick with the fruits of the season.

The fresh fruits and vegetables will have an energizing effect on your body, which in turn will make you feel vibrant and renewed. Behold the power of food!

So there you go. If it works for me, it will work for you. You just have to plan ahead and be prepared to take your meals and water where ever you go. It’s just as easy to take two storage containers with food to work as it is one. It’s also easy to plan your meals around meetings or carpool.

Also, when you need to eat out with family or for business, don’t sweat it. Just enjoy yourself, then get back on your eating plan. Consistency is the key. Your splurging now and again isn’t going to ruin your progress. It might even help keep you motivated!

Don’t ever beat yourself up for “falling off the wagon.” Just get back on! There is no room for guilt here. It’s fun to splurge now and again. It’s natural. It makes life fun.

But the confidence and pleasure you get when you take control of your body and your life is also fun! Try it!

Happy Living!

Christia

The Most Selfish Woman in America!

Recipes are to give you ideas, and you take it from there. You can either follow it to the letter, or adapt it to your favorite flavor profiles, and the ingredients you have on hand.

Baking is the only thing you have to follow to the letter, which is why I don’t bake  - much.

The philosophy of Eating on Purpose is to make sure that everything that goes in a dish has a purpose. The ingredients must be nutritional and flavorful. Your goal is to stay as natural in your ingredients as possible.

A few things to remember:

• stick with the natural forms of whatever you can hunt, gather, pick or pluck
• simple carbs – BAD; natural complex carbs – GOOD; simple carbs being bread, pasta, cookies, chips, etc.; natural complex carbs being fruits and vegetables
• good fats – fish oils, olive oils, coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, sesame oil, organic unsalted butter, etc.
• bad fats – fats that are man-made (hydrogenated, transfats), and damaged fats (vegetable oils used at high temperatures, like canola, sunflower, safflower, etc.)
• eliminate as much artificial sugar from your daily intake as possible; you may have withdrawals at first (headaches, grumpiness), but remember – cancer cells feed on sugar – need I say more?

Now for some tips to make life easier:

• since you want to add as many fresh herbs to every meal as possible, buy organic herbs, wash them, shake the water off, wrap them in a paper towel, and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; when it’s time to eat, tear or chop some leaves, and sprinkle over the top of your dish, always adding fresh herbs at the end to preserve the fresh flavors –  especially for flat leaf parsley, basil and chives.
• buy a bunch of lemon/limes, juice them, and store them in a glass bottle in the frig; then it’s ready to pour into bubble water, tea, a vinaigrette, over fish or chicken, fruit salad, whatever, for a burst of flavor and antioxidant punch.
• organic everything when possible, period!
• prep a bunch of veggies when you have a little time to spend in the kitchen, store in a plastic bag in the frig, then they are at the ready when you need something to nosh on, or for cooking.

I’m going to start posting recipes that I think you will love, and that will boost your nutritional intake.  The recipes will come from my next book Eating on Purpose.

Until then, Eat on Purpose!

Happy Living!

Christia

The Most Selfish Woman in America!

When you are already prepping veggies for something else, make enough of your favorites to store in a zipped bag in the refrigerator. Get one of those large containers of Greek plain 2% yogurt, and mix your favorite dip mix into it.  Now get in the habit of putting a plate of veggies on your counter in the kitchen. When you know you’re going to be in the area for a while, take out the dip. Eat some. You can leave the veggies out most of the day. Make a point to snack on them. (Of course, the dip can’t stay out all day.)

The yogurt dip is far more beneficial to your body that a sour cream version, and more stable. It will last longer at room temperature. And you won’t be able to tell the difference in taste. Seriously! Greek yogurt is a fabulous substitute for sour cream. And you get all the health and digestive benefits from the calcium and probiotics. And for some veggies, like carrots, the nutrients are better absorbed when eaten with fat, like that in the 2% yogurt dip.

Another good habit is to make a fruit salad in the morning and leave it on the counter with a fork near by. Prep once and eat all day.

These are great ways of getting kids, and yourself, to eat more fruits and vegetables. They tend to eat more when there is easy access. And so will you!

Get into the habit of making fruit and veggies easier to snack on. I say let’s make health easier on ourselves, shall we?

Happy Living!

Christia

The Most Selfish Woman in America!

BATHING SUIT WEATHER!

Even living in a “Big Babe World”, we have to be healthy, confident and the best we can be!

Now is the time for an Intake Alert! Time to be aware of what you put in your mouth, and how many calories you burn in a day.

If you’ve been indulging yourself in the celebration of Summer’s arrival, like I have been, it’s time to get back in control. And if you need to undo the “indulgence”, let’s get started .

For at least 2 weeks, cut out all alcohol, artificial sugar, breads, and processed foods.  NO, WAIT!  Don’t leave me now!

If you will give yourself 2 weeks on Intake Alert, you will be shocked how effective it is.

You will loose that bloated, swollen feeling. You will brighten up your skin. Your clothes will start fitting again. I’m Serious!

And  you won’t have to pay anyone anything! It’s all in your control, and your budget.

Here is your goal:  All fresh fruits, veggies, and clean, lean protein. Lots of water, some green tea and coffee, no processed fruit juices.  No dairy other than a small yogurt a day.  Preferably everything organic.

My clean proteins of choice are ground turkey breast, boneless, skinless, totally trimmed chicken breast, lean, grass fed beef, fish and protein from beans. Then all the veggies you want, cooked or raw. Extra virgin olive oil is a great cooking medium. And fresh fruit. I know it has sugar, but it is natural, and has so many antioxidants, it is vital for your health.

In my upcoming book, THE MOST SELFISH WOMAN IN AMERICA, I will go into detail about clean and lean eating, including benefits, recipes, and easy techniques for gourmet cooking. Life and food should be enjoyed!

Again, your goal is all natural, not “diet” anything. Clean, lean, organic, fresh.

Diabetics have to adapt the Intake Alert to their specific restrictions.

A little planning will make the 2 weeks easy to stick to. Every few days prep your veggies. Cut them into snack size pieces and put them in a ziploc bag. That way you always have something ready to snack on. This also makes cooking veggies easier because the prep part is already done. Also brown your ground turkey so it’s ready to use how ever you choose. Same with the chicken breasts. Just cook enough for a couple of days, then change up the protein you cook, to prevent boredom.

Summer is the perfect time for  an Intake Alert because the berries and cherries are in season. No mess or fuss. Just rinse and eat. I love that! And the melons – fabulous! Heaven! Fruit – God’s gift to Big Babes! (I think I’m adopting that title, Big Babe.)

There is not a fat person alive that eats like this. Look around! People who eat like this are vibrant, bright-eyed, strong and healthy. They can’t help it!

Now for the Exercise part of Intake Alert. Make a point to power (or just briskly) walk at least 30 minutes a day, 4-5 times per week. Lift  weights for upper body  3 times per week.

Focus on shoulders, biceps, and triceps, keeping your core muscles tight. Proper technique is important to prevent injury, so either look it up, or get personal instruction. You only have to get trained once, take notes, and repeat at home. Takes notes, though, if you aren’t going to use a personal trainer more than once. You need to reproduce proper technique to be the most effective at home. In my upcoming book, THE MOST SELFISH WOMAN IN AMERICA, I will go into detail about weight lifting techniques for your home workouts.

This exercise routine is great for everyday life, not just this 2 week focus period. You can make a huge difference in your strength and health if you adopt this exercise program to your Dream Life that we are working toward. Again, check out my upcoming book for your Dream Life focus.

If you will commit to 2 weeks on Intake Alert, you will be sold! Just shaking up you intake, and output, will get your body back into balance.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment. I will answer.

Happy Living!

Christia

The Most Selfish Woman in America!