Comfort Foods. Really?

Since the holidays are coming fast and so is the cold weather, I’ve seen a lot of recipes in magazines and on TV that they’re calling “comfort foods”.  Just this morning a lady on the Today Show was making a dish that had 2 cups of heavy cream in it.  She called this a “comfort food” holiday dish.  Is the prerequisite for comfort food cream, sugar, butter, and any ingredient that is fattening?  I think the only person that is comfortable from this kind food is the person who is making it.

According to Wikipedia, the term "comfort food" refers to foods consumed to achieve some level of improved emotional status and food that brings some form or measure of comfort, sense of well-being, or easy satisfaction.

Shouldn’t it be called miserable food?  That’s how your going to feel after you’ve eaten it!  You’re not going to feel so comfortable having to unbutton your jeans because they’re too tight…not so comfortable feeling that extra roll of fat hanging over the top of your pants…and not so comfortable with your back boobs rolling out beneath your bra strap!

Beware of the so-called “comfort foods” this season that could leave you feeling miserable.

GOBBLE GOBBLE...Let the turkey do that!!

It's almost here...Thanksgiving!  Americans are getting ready for the big meal that represents this holiday, but let's keep things in perspective.  Before you sit down to the table, just take one minute, think, and analyze the situation before everyone starts shoving food at you.  Remind yourself of all the hard work you have put into your workouts and your vision of having a better body.  Are you going to let one afternoon of a room full of carbs and sugars take over your mind and freak you out?  NO!!  Be thoughtful of your choice process and think portion control.  Should we deprive ourselves?  No.  Just be aware that “this” is what got us out of shape in the first place.  If we all had good self-control in the past, we wouldn't be trying to transform our bodies now.  You might hear that little inner evil voice inside your head saying, "Get another piece of pie, big deal…it's Thanksgiving!"  Try my trick and say it out loud, "No, it tastes great, but I've already had a piece."  Yes, your family will think your nuts (they might anyway), but saying it out loud usually makes you walk into the other room or outside.  Do whatever it takes…start helping with the cleanup or just get the heck out of that kitchen and dining room!

If you do happen to freak out on Thanksgiving (and that little inner evil voice won), just start fresh on Friday.  Flick it off your shoulder and move forward.  Don't let it sidetrack your success just because of one crazy day. 

YOU are in charge of your body and what you choose to eat.  Make smart choices and leave all of the “gobbling” for the turkeys! 

Have a great Thanksgiving.  :)

Multi-tasking Gone Wild!

I don’t know about you, but I hate sitting for very long.  I really hate sitting in grey cubicles!  That’s why I love this idea!  It’s a treadmill desk from TrekDesk.  You can definitely multi-task if you have one of these.  If you walk around 5 miles per day, that could be a potential weight loss of 50-70 pounds a year!  Check it out…

Time - Get on Board!

I compare time to a speeding train that cannot be put into reverse or slowed down. You can’t see what’s up ahead, just what has passed. Looking back, you wish you could’ve seen yourself as a healthy and fit person that you always wanted to be. You can’t go back, but speed forward and hope the end of the ride is far into the future.


We all know by now what we should be doing to get fit and healthy, but are we doing it? The number one excuse to not get fit and healthy is, “I don’t have time.” Well, if you want it bad enough, you have to make time because time is not slowing down for you. Have you ever truly examined how much time you spend on useless non-activities? I made a deal with myself two years ago; if I want to watch TV, I need to be on the treadmill. Before, I would sit like a blob and waste an hour or two staring at the screen. I’m still trying to figure out how I can incorporate my laptop on a recumbent bike…?


Most of us feel that there are not enough hours in the day, but everyone on this earth shares the same 24 hours with their own individual responsibilities. (It’s too bad we have to sleep!) Some people make finding time to stay healthy and fit their number one responsibility and they MAKE IT WORK. Be honest with yourself about how much time you could be devoting to your body. Are their things that you could give up, multi-task, schedule for later, or even cut out? If you take a close look at each day and track your time, you might be surprised at what you will find.


So you don’t have to look back and imagine how your body should’ve, could’ve, or would’ve been, get onboard that speeding train and embrace every second you have now! Schedule those extra few minutes you find to plan your healthy meals, add some cardio, or crunch those abs. Then you can see what lies up ahead…a new fit and healthy body. You can become the conductor of your own speeding train through life and steer it where you want to go.

Eating Out without Freaking Out!

I love going out to restaurants and socializing with friends over lunch or dinner.  Unfortunately, I used to lose all self-control and order whatever looked or sounded good on the menu without giving it any real thought. Afterwards, I always had the same guilty feelings wondering…why did I eat that?  After four years of being on the road for my job, I had no other choice but to eat out almost every meal, so I eventually started packing on the pounds.  Snacking on candy while driving did not help the situation!

For a lot of people, eating out presents a huge challenge.  How can we dine out and still eat healthy?  Well, it takes some orchestrating, but it’s definitely doable.  You have to make it work for yourself.  You can’t depend on the chef, cook, or server to make YOUR healthy choices because it WON’T happen.  Since I only look at food now as “fuel”, it’s so much easier to find and order what I need at just about any restaurant.

The most IMPORTANT part of ordering is your communication with the waiter/waitress.  You have to convey how you “need” it…no extra sauces and everything on the side.  Most of the time, even if I don’t see what I need from the menu, I discuss with my server what I would like.  It’s never been a problem and I always get the food that I was looking for. 

I start with a basic protein like chicken, salmon, tilapia, turkey, etc.  Then I look for sides like steamed vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc., and I add a complex carb like brown rice, couscous, faro, or sweet potato.  If you're visiting a new restaurant and are not familiar with the menu, sometimes they’re available online so you can plan your choices ahead.  If not, then just take your time looking over the menu and ask for what YOU need so you can make a healthy and smart decision. 

Remember this when you’re looking over menu entrees and/or desserts:  “Yum, this looks really good, but will it look as good stuck to my thigh?”

EASY = Bad, HARD = Good!!

When you see someone (or yourself) who is physically fit, you’re looking at someone who has worked very HARD to get and stay that way.  When you see someone who is overweight, you assume that they have taken the easy road.  Let’s get real…it’s easy to stay fat and/or out of shape!  It’s easy to buy and eat junk food, it’s easy to eat crap just because it’s “there”, it’s easier NOT to work out, and it’s easy to sit and do nothing. 

Making the commitment to be healthy and fit is a big deal and it’s HARD.  Is it worth it?  ABSOLUTELY…100%!!  It’s hard to change your behaviors and routines, it’s hard to wake up early for morning workouts, it’s hard to push through one more set, it’s hard to sweat through cardio, and it’s hard to say no to sugar and desserts.  What’s NOT hard is looking at your new body in the mirror, feeling incredible, and knowing that your new decisions will take your future in a bright new direction. 

Most of us that have been on the weight roller coaster have always taken the EASY road.  So, the next time you’re working out and think about ending it early or taking it down to a lower level “because it’s easier", don’t do it.  Easy isn’t going to cut it anymore!  Make it hard and give it all your energy.  Hard = Good!  Your HARD workouts will pay off if you stick with your commitment to transform your life.  The rewards are fantastic!   

~ Some people dream of success...while others wake up and work hard at it. ~