Secrets of Success

Cl;ean up as you go,,

I am always cleaning while I am cooking, by the time dinner is ready, all of the dishes are done and the counters are clean. It gives me more time with my family after dinner, and it keeps me form eating anything bad while i am making dinner.

Take the stairs

Four times a day while I'm at work I sprint up and down 6 flights of stairs. It's a little extra exercise boost and makes it so I'm not chained to my desk all day long being inactive.

Return your cart

It really is the little changes in our lives...I now make it a policy to walk my cart back to the grocery store. It keeps people from crashing into them in parking places and adds a few steps to my day.

Meat for minimal calories

I love meat and have been a big meat eater. The recommended 3oz is often not enough to satisfy me.

I've been altering my recipes and putting half and half, meat and mushrooms. I find this feels like meat and satisfies like meat without all the calories.

Using SparkPoints to Navigate Site

Overwhelmed by all this site has to offer? I surely was! My SparkPoints page offers a unique way to learn about the site, build new habits and earn a bonus spin each day. The red links at the right of each item take you to that particular section of the site so you can complete the task and earn the SparkPoints. Select View SparkPoints to get back to the list. You'll soon become addicted to earning as many SparkPoints as possible, while learning new habits to aid your weight loss efforts.

Yams

Did you know yams aren't just for the holiday meals? We have switched to yams. They are so good natural sweet and better for you less in calories then regular potatoes higher in fiber. You can bake them, broil them, boil them put them on the Bar-B-Que. You make sweet potato fries they are so yummy What ever you do with a regular pottage you can do with a yam, and you'll love them more.. Just give them a try You'll like them I know you will.

spice up your salads

Tired of the same old salad for lunch? When you make your usual salad Add 3 bean salad ,comes in a jar, and sprinkle feta cheese crumbles on top. This gives a whole new flavor to the same old bowl of tossed salad and adds a little calcium,plus ups the veggie total for the day.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables...an
d
light popcorn!!!

I have added a few fruits and lots of veggies to my snacks each day and it keeps me full without ruining my weight loss efforts!! Also, light popcorn is a great, filling snack, with only 15 calories per cup of popped popcorn. I will eat 4-5 cups in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner, and am full until dinner on only 60-75 calories! This is so much less than the other snacks I used to eat between meals!

99 ways to save money

If you are a member of AARP or know someone who is, check out the August/September 2011 AARP Bulletin for a pull-out section featuring 99 ways to save money. Notbody can do all 99, but I'm sure you will find at least a few you haven't thought of before.

LIFE

No matter what life hands you, find the best in it. If we only think of negative we will not have a nice life. Make sure you smile, laugh and cry because that is what it is about. As long as you can open your eyes each morning and meet the sunshine or rain your alive. Make each day the best you can so when you lay your head down you can smile. Love life.