Secrets of Success

Ask for help!

When you need help or advice, post a blog or SparkMail your SparkFriends and ask for help. You will be overwhelmed with the support, information, advice, input, and help you will get from them!

SparkPeople 28-day Boot Camp

Need a jumpstart? Been at this a while and have gotten off track or hit a plateau? Join the "28-day Boot Camp" team. You can start it at any time and it lasts for four weeks--long enough to start or renew some healthy habits. I've been on Spark for over two years, but I joined so I can get my November off to a great start!

Inconvenient on purpose!

In doing chores around the house, I often make it so I have to go in a room more than once, or up and down the stairs more than I have to. (By not taking everything in one trip, for example.) This forces me to make multiple trips and get more steps in my day.

Magazines

I get several magazines and I read them every month and then just throw them away. Starting this month, I'm going to do one thing from one of my magazines--make a new recipe, try a new exercise routine, check out a new website, etc.--something I can apply to my daily life. I spend the money for subscriptions, so I should be getting something out of them, right?

Tell Somebody!

Before my hubby leaves for work in the morning, I always tell him, "I'm going to yoga tonight" or "I'm going for a run after work." Once I've told him, I've committed in my mind to going. I know he's going to ask me how it was when I get home, and I don't want to say, "Oh, I ended up not doing it." So, tell somebody your exercise plans for the day--a spouse, coworker, or friend! And have them ask you about it!

Realize . . . .

. . . you can't control others' perception of you or what they think. You can only control you. Stress and worry come from thinking about things you can't control.

Naan for Pizza Crust!

Naan flatbread makes an excellent pizza crust! My grocery store carries regular, garlic, and whole wheat varieties and it's in their bakery section. Pile on the veggies and lean meats/cheeses and you have a delicious and nutritious pizza!

Panera Bread

The Panera Bread restaurant by my house has the calorie content right there on the menu boards where you order! While the nutrient (fat, sodium, etc.) information was not on there, at least I was able to make a better selection and not blow my calorie budge for the day!

Yoplait Greek Yogurt

Yoplait makes a Greek-style yogurt that is really good. 130 calories (for the honey vanilla I'm eating right now!), no fat, plus 12g of protein. A protein powerhouse! It comes in strawberry, blueberry, honey vanilla and plain. Fantastic!

Jazz it up!

Fun workout gear motivates me to exercise. Pink yoga mat, yellow scrunchie, fuschia sleeveless shirt--I always reach for the bright colored items when I work out. What would motivate you? Running shoes with orange trim? Pretty shorts? Brightly colored water bottle? Whatever you use-jazz it up!