A New Week Begins

Today is truly the beginning of this journey.

I've started by eliminating my low-cal fluffy coffee which usually starts my day. It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be. And don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up my fluffy coffee. It will be my night-time power-writing beverage of choice if I've drank my water for the day. I've also added green tea with honey as my lunch drink.

I'm still planning out my meals. So now is a good time to talk about my plan.

Through lots of reading, TV watching (both infomercials and health shows) I've learned there is a few basic concepts to follow for optimal weight loss and good health.

3 meals and 2 snacks spread evenly throughout the day.
This constantly feeds the body to keep the metabolism in it's peak performance. Think fueling the car at regular intervals during a road trip to keep from running out of gas somewhere along the way.

Low-fat, Lean Protein
Lean meats are just better for you. If you've ever read Dr. Oz's book You On A Diet or seen his TV special documenting what the body looks like on the inside from years of abusive eating, you'll never eat red meat again ... or at least think twice before making it part of every meal.

Now I'm not saying - NO Red Meat. Hey, I'm not giving up a good cheeseburger now and then. But I do want to suggest that it's always best to know where the meat came from and what it's been eating. The earlier onset of puberty and development in young girls (as well as many health issues) are being traced back to the hormones these animals are being fed. Think about it. If the hormones are used to 'bulk up' the cow, what do you think they're going to do to the body consuming it. Okay... not preaching.. just 'food' for thought. :-)

Regardless of what plan you are on, EXERCISE is still a major player in the equation
Even those wonderful weight loss supplements tell you they work in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise! Exercise pumps blood and oxygen through your body, rejuvenating your whole system so it can breathe better and perform at an optimal level. Exercise will also help to tone up the skin as the weight goes down. It takes time. Find something you enjoy! Exercise shouldn't be a death sentence. But life without exercise can be.

So my plan encompasses all of those things. I first got started on the 3 meals/2 snacks after reading The 3-Hour Diet by Jorge Cruise. His plan is the same as all the other big names out there... he's just putting it in a context people can understand. Eat the foods you enjoy and learn to do it in moderation. There is no 'giving up' (for the most part) as long as you eat Regular Servings.

Tomorrow I'll show you some comparisons in how quantity has changed over the years. Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!