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All Secrets submitted by
JUSFOLK
My SparkPage
A bit of fat adds staying-power to our meals. If your breakfast is a cereal-and-banana type that leaves you hungry by mid-morning, finish off the meal with 8 or 9 almonds; I've found the small serving of healthy fat keeps me satisfied longer.
8 cups a day...yeah, yeah, we know. For those who think it's hard, please try this: pour 8 ounces in a glass or cup and see if you can drink it in 5 big gulps. You'll see it's easy and quick to get those cups in - 5 gulps at a time!
People sometimes look at me funny when I carry three or four bags of carrots to the scale. But pre-bagged fruits and veggies can vary in weight, and checking to get the heaviest bag gets me more for my money!
I've found the best time to decide if I'm going to exercise is about 20 minutes into a routine! When I don't feel like getting started, I have a good, firm talk with myself, and head out (or start the DVD). Sure enough, in 15 or 20 minutes, I'm feeling great and wanting to continue!
Setting up shop with the food journal takes time, but once you've made lists of "favorites" and "food groupings", it can usually be done in less than 10 minutes a day. Once selected, the groupings can easily altered by adding or subtracting a food to that particular meal.
When my house is in total disarray, I'll grab a timer, set it for 20 minutes, and begin at the worst room to see how much I can do in the time allowed. when the timer goes off, I go to the next room. It's amazing how much I can see accomplished in a couple of hours!
To help avoid burnout, I shop weekly for foods I haven't tried before. I also allow myself a time or two a week to eat out (within reason) - makes it easier to stay on track!
Making my menus based on current sales
Instead of planning my menus and then going shopping, I check the store ads. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale? That'll make some meals this week. Grapes and bananas down in price? Chalk them up for fruit choices! Healthy eating can work fine in a budget.