Secrets of Success

A Better Burger Bun!

Next time you make a burger at home, try using an Orowheat 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin in place of your usual burger bun. They taste great, and really allow the flavor of your burger to shine through!

Track FIRST!!

I have found that if I track my food BEFORE I eat it, I'm more successful in staying within my ranges. This is for 2 reasons: first, I can see ahead of time if I'm eating too much, before it's too late to make changes. Second, it gives me the opportunity to see the impact of what I'm eating, and decide whether or not a particular food (like, say, ice cream!) is really worth the cost on that day.

CHOCOLATE Cravings? I have a solution!

I discovered a tea from STASH brand called "Chocolate Hazelnut". It's decaf, and it's delicious -- perfect for those after-dinner chocolate cravings that I so often get!!

Do the "And then Some"!

When you think you're done...do just a little more! It's the "and then some" that can make all the difference in reaching your goals!

Read "The Spark"!

I already had a pretty strong motivational, nutritional and fitness foundation when I joined SP, so didn't think it necessary to read "The Spark". Then my family got me "The Spark" box set for my birthday, and I began reading the book. Boy, do I wish I had read it sooner! I now have a better understanding of what SparkPeople is all about and how it can help me to improve not just my body, but also my mind. And, if you like SparkPoints, you'll rack 'em up fast with the book's bonus features!

Flavored Stevia Drops

When I was visiting my sister in Dallas, she introduced me to Sweet Leaf's flavored liquid stevia drops, which can be added to water or anything else you want to jazz up a little. It comes in a wide variety of flavors like Vanilla Creme, Chocolate Raspberry, and even Root Beer! I've tried it in my water, iced tea and coffee -- delicious!

Step Up! During the Commercials

I always felt there was something inherently wrong about sitting on my butt while watching The Biggest Loser, so I got into the habit of doing step-ups during the commercials (I use my stairs, so can't watch the show while I step). Depending on the length & number of commercials, I can usually get 500 or more step-ups in during the course of a one-hour show, or 15-20 minutes of fitness minutes!

Go ahead -- have a Blueberry "Danish"!

If you're a pastry lover like me, here's a treat that will help to satisfy your morning pastry craving: toast a whole-wheat English muffin, then top the halves with 1/4 c. part-skim ricotta cheese. Add 1/2 c. fresh blueberries, pressing them down into the cheese. Stick under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the blueberries begin to bubble. Sprinkle with a little sweetener, if desired. Yum!

Support your local library!

Instead of buying books or paying rental fees for DVD's, check out your local library! If you haven't been to a library in a while, you'll be surprised by how much they offer now!! Library financial support is dependent at least in part on circulation levels, so the more you borrow from your library, the better your library can serve you in the future!

Change that Tape!

Remember the days of cassette tapes? If you wanted to, you could record over something that had been previously recorded on that tape. Now, apply that concept to the "tape" that has been running through your head for years. It's time to record over that tape with some positive affirmations!