Secrets of Success

Reward yourself with a gift card each week.

Each week I lose weight, I am buying a gift card. This helps me to save "cash" toward achieving my goal and I am able to make the purchase. If any hiccups should come along, I can't spend the $$ (i.e., if car breaks down I don't use my Macy's gift card at Meinike).

Protecting Your Digital Food Scale

Having to whipe down your scale after each use can be a pain. I find that placing saran (plastic) wrap over the scale, including the key pad does the trick.

With clean hands, simply place a large enough piece of plastic wrap over the scale and keypad.

Adding a Link(s) to your message board posts or blogs!

When you want to share a link to your favorite Sparkrecipe or whatever in your message posts or blogs, it's very simple and easy.

When entering your message, just above your message (box), you will see an option for "ADD A LINK." A box will pop up. Type in or cut and paste the web address in.

The same if you want to post a link in your blog(s).

Reynolds Handi-Vac

This tool is great for keeping leftovers, and the bags help prevent freezer burn too. It definitely helps to eliminate wasted food. Use it to divide up your meats, fruits, veggies. Store them in the freezer or fridge for later use.
Also great to extend the life of your ground coffee. Place your food in the bag, seal, place the vac on the designated spot, press and voila - it removes excess air in the bag.

90 Day Challenge

Need to refocus, so I joined a 90 Day Challenge. Here are the Rules:

1. Set Goals
2. Practice Portion Control
3. Plan Meals Daily or Weekly
4. Close the kitchen at 8 - NO NIGHT SNACKING
5. Eating Out no more than twice weekly
6. 8 glasses of water daily
7. 5 fruits/veggies daily
8. Weigh in weekly
9. Take Measurements (before & after)
10. Take photo (before & after)
11. Encourage someone on the same journey.

Don't Text ... CALL or WRITE!!!

We need to slow down in life. Email, snail mail and texting has taken us to a place that, I believe, is impersonal. Yes I realize there is a time and place for this, BUT its nice to actually hear a voice than receive a text. This generation does not write letters as much as it should. While dating my husband, he wrote me letters - something to look back at years later.

Dips, Salads and Bell Peppers

No bread? no problem. When having a tuna, chicken or egg salad, skipping the bread is not a problem. Take a small red bell pepper (yellow, orange or green) and stuff the pepper with your salad mix. A great way to get a veggie in.

Meal Plan calls for a Smoothie in the middle of the Work Day

How often do you see a meal plan that calls for a smoothie as your mid-morning or afternoon snack? How do you do this without lugging your blender to work? Prepare it the night before, place it in the freezer. When you get to work, place it in the freezer (if your work has one).

Think First, React Second

There's a saying I used to hear "a moment on the lips = a lifetime on the hips." I don't think just applies to weight loss efforts, but n every area of our lives. Sometimes we get so caught up in the moment, that that 1 decision not only effects us, but so many others. So before you take that

Become One With Your Pedometer

Wearing a dress without something to clip your pedometer to? Or want to wear your birthday suit around the house and still count your steps? Take an old pair of undergarments. Carefully remove the elastic and toss the fabric (bottom portion).