My advice for when you really don't want to put effort into... anything

This may sound weird, but I can honestly say that I have gotten to the weight I am mostly because I am not an active person. I really don't eat that poorly, it's just every single calorie I take into my body STAYS in my body. I rarely turn calories into energy. That doesn't mean I can't make changes and tweaks. I need to get off diet soda. Yea yea, bad bad. But I was raised on it, and I honestly drink half of what I did growing up. I need to stop the "I've been dieting all week, time to go nuts on the weekend!!" thing because yea, I blow my whole week doing that. I just need to get used to just eating better on a more regular basis.

I have never been a really active person. I was never in sports. I was a born and bred homebody. My parents spent their life in front of the tv, and honestly, so did I. It wasn't until after high school when I had to keep a job that I was relatively 'active,' Then I got pregnant.

I was 22, technically 30 pounds overweight (but really only 15 pounds above where I feel awesome) and I only gained 9 pounds. But the hormonal semi truck that ran me over post-partum was insane. I got married a year and a half later, then had the post-wedding blues. All these recoveries meant added weight. I maintained for a while then my mom got sick when my 2nd was two. That's when I had the late night cocktails to get me through life. And really, that just escalated until 2 months after my mom passed away. I hit rock bottom and quit drinking. Then I got the surprise of my life and got pregnant with my 3rd, a daughter. She has been the light of my life, but as sad as it is to say, one of the only things that kept me going the past two years. I have felt in a rut, in denial, ignoring my body and what it needs. Ignoring my MIND and what it needs. And now here I am. 31 and concerned about how long I can stay in my kids lives based on the way I live.

So, it is time. Time to take control, to learn to love myself and get healthy in the meantime. Time to be awesome.

So before I went on my tirade, I wanted to post some tips for how I eat healthy or get a workout in in my busy life.

1.) Either after work, after you drop the kids off or after hubby comes home, be ready to workout ahead of time. So then literally, all you have to do is turn on the video or treadmill and do your business. I have found in my laziness, even finding socks, tennis shoes, sports bra, etc, is too much for me. If I drop off my second son at pre-k in my workout clothes, I walk in the door at home and and go to the basement and get it over with.

2.) Think of the foods you LOVE and find a healthier version. It IS possible. I LOVE sandwhiches and chips. And they HAVE to go together. So I buy a healthier chip, then go from there and get nuts, like cashews and a pickle, like I had today. I use wraps instead of bread. Low fat cheeses and dressings. I also love oranges. ANY healthy food you can come up with that you love buy it. Lots of it. And if you are hungry, EAT THAT. It is honestly that simple.

3.) Plan dinners. I have the hardest time with night time and dinner. If it ends up not really that healthy, eat smaller portions then fill up with healthy stuff. It IS NOT THAT HARD.

4.) I have discovered that one small square of Lindt's dark chocolate in the morning curbs my sweet tooth all day. No joke. But I have never been a sweets person, so it may just be me. But it has saved me as far as eating crappy sweets.

5.) If you have to eat out or go through a fast food, get the the cleanest and least fried greased crap you can. Most places have grilled chicken, salads, carb-free burgers, etc. There are options that won't derail you.

6.) If you are not on Pinterest, do it now. The choices for healthy, super yummy foods are endless. Also easy workouts for those that hate working out.

7.) Get a friend or significant other on board. Let people know you are doing this and are serious. You HAVE to find things to keep you accountable. People, blogs (heheh), anything. It may be what gets that workout in for you.

8.) Water water water water WATER!!! I don't care what you have to do, drink water all day. Get a fun water bottle, keep water bottles in the freezer, just do it.

9.) Buy fun workout clothes you enjoy wearing. Ok, haha, but really. Treat yourself to a nice pair of tennis shoes, some fancy yoga pants, off the shoulder tops a la Flashdance... whatever. Just make this as easy and fun as you can for yourself.

10.) MUSIC!! Buy at least an hours worth of peppy music on iTunes. I HAVE to run (or what I like to call, the fat girl's jog) with music. It makes me want to move.

11.) Set mini weightloss gift for yourself, so every 15 or 20 pounds, you get a massage, then maybe a pedicure, then get your hair done or whatever might help you to reach your goals.

12.) I say whatever a  lot.

That's it for now, I'm sure I'll have more later :-)