Secrets of Success

food Scale

I weigh and meaure my food because it's too easy for me to get off track otherwise. If I judge by eye I sometimes go under which means I'm not getting enough.

Run with the Marine Corps!

Add a couple of Marine Corps (or Army, etc.) running cadences to your ipod. When you need to kick it up a notch during a walk or jog, turn on a cadence. This helps me stay on tempo, and if you turn up the volume, you can hear their footsteps keeping time. Makes me feel like I'm running with a team. Plus, most of the cadences are short, at 1-2 minutes, which works perfectly for me (a beginning runner).

calories burned vs. calories consumed

It is all about burning those consumed calories to lose weight. I eat a lot of calories but I also burn a lot and have lost 16 lbs. in 2 months and I can hardly believe it.

Go Go Gadget, Go!!!

Just like a car, before you start your day....stretch. Something that simple can make you feel great and motivated. Not to mention, it's a nice morning greeting to your body to take on the day.

Exercise

Put exercise before housework

Make a List of Exercise Tha's FUN!

I know I could not stick with a workout routine I hated. So I made a list of active things I enjoy, and then I look for ways to fit them into my week. It's a joy instead of a chore. My list was:

Swimming
Horseback riding
Nature hikes
Rowing
Dancing
Kinect fitness
Bike riding
Pilates
Sex!

Gold Star Celebrations!

I've placed a calendar on the side of my refrigerator. For every 5 lbs I lose I'll place a Gold Star sticky on that calendar day (I also track exercise on it). I plan to celebrate each Star day with a Special "Just-for-me" reward! This will keep my goals & achievements in front of me throughout the year & serve as a constant reminder of how far I've come. It's motivating me to stay on track! I recently earned my 1st Gold Star. My reward? A full-body massage...Fabulous! :-)

Yoga

A minue of yoga a day keeps the doctor away

Use accurate measuring cups

I recently found out that the spoons in our house are NOT exactly teaspoons, dessert spoons and tablespoons when I bought a 'real' set of measuring cups and I felt cheated! If you're going to measure then you want to get it right :)

Easy Stain Remover for Tea/Coffee Cups

To remove coffee/tea stains from your cups/mugs....Just sprinkle some baking soda into the cup and wipe the stain off with a wet sponge or paper towel.