Healthy living #3 weightloss

As I wrote in my first post of 2014, this new year meant some changes for myself, including to lose weight. I can honestly say that on new years (eve) and the first of January I had no resolutions at all. I thought it was complete bull because if I wanted something to change I would do it already. However, two days later I was thinking about 2013. This was just an awful year for me, the hardest, disappointing year. I couldn't wait to leave that all behind. That morning I was standing in my room and looked at myself in the mirror. Not just for a second, but for minutes. Who was this girl that I was looking at. The sad eyes, the body that I didm't recognized. What had I done to my body? What crap did I feed it the past six months. I was embarrassed and ashamed.

I had a hard time recognizing the girl I used to be. I gained over 15 pounds in just 4 months, unfortunately not muscles, but fat. I didm't recognize my face, and my love handles were bigger than ever. Well, lets just say that this was a huge wake up call. From that day on, 17 days ago, I am eating clean. I have lost 5 pounds and am slowly starting to get some confidence. I will get back into sports, but don't want to start to soon. In the past I would stop eating and work out like crazy, but that never worked. So this time I am taking it slow.

How to get ready for summer

Only one month until the official start of summer! We're all finishing up school or work and getting ready to take time to relax, read, swim and tan. I will be in school for another month, which means 40 days to get ready for Summer!

Body

As most summers, I spent -like many other people- a lot of time camping, hiking, swimming and hanging out at the beach. I noticed that one of my most important ''tasks'' is to be in shape. With being in shape I don't mean size 0 shorts and an eeniemeenie waist. I mean to look decent, be in shape and feeling comfortable. Like many other people I tend to start hitting the gym in February, realizing winter is almost over. I usually keep up for two months and then it gets boring. I have now started pilates, focusing on toning my body rather than trying to loose weight.

My TIP: Have a realistic goal in mind. Don't go after a victoria secret model look, but a realistic and healthy picture of yourself. It is so important to stay healthy and comfortable rather than too skinny and feeling like crap. 

I hit the gym for two months and had a very healthy diet, but I only gained weight. Yes my body was tighter, but my pants didn't fit anymore. I was very unhappy so I quit the gym and started doing pilates. My pants fit and my waist has slimmed down. (Besides, it is very relaxing and takes your mind away from all the stress in your life)

Skin

A lot of people probably don't want to walk around the swimming pool/beach looking very pale. So before you go public, you might want to get some colour. In the past two weeks I laid in my own backyard, (privately) and tanned like crazy. Don't forget to put on sunscreen, you will still get a tan when using it. If that takes too much time you can use lotion, spray tan or make use of a tanning bed. It is up to you of course but don't forget to check the effects. Organic options are available. 

Hair

You might want to get a new fresh look when summer starts. I have long, thick hair and it gets HOT! Even though I refuse to cut it, it would be a tip for some people. And this is also the time to try something new with your hair that you didn't dare before. You won't see your fellow students for three months, so be crazy and do it! You have enough time to fix it before school starts. 

Clothes

The year is over, you made it so you deserve to treat yourself. Get a new summer wardrobe so you can go out feeling comfortable and happy about your look. I usually start saving money around January so I can buy summer clothes. With a new wardrobe I also mean beauty supplies, so think of cute nail polish colours, fresh body sprays and bows for your hair. 

Holiday

Treat yourself with a nice get-away to a tropical island, the mountains or a city trip. Get away from your daily life and create time to relax and gain energy for the new year. Start looking around November for nice places before everything is booked. Of course you can still go places. If you want to visit a city you will be sure to still get a hotel. Flight tickets might be more difficult. If you find something nice but it is full, book it for next year, so you are guaranteed a spot.

Events

During the summer a lot of fun (music)festivals are going on. Get your planner out and mark data where fun and exciting stuff is happening. Think of the 4th of July, fireworks and BBQ's. It is also a great time to meet up with -old- friends that you didn't see for a while, and go together. 

Cleaning

And lastly, summer (or just before) is a great time to clean. When school finishes get all your paperwork and notebooks out. What do I want to save and what can be thrown away. Take care of past years finances and make an overview for the next couple of months. Clean up your dorm or room, your car and your mind! Start your summer fresh and cleaning up will guarantee that your break will start feeling relaxed and less worries. 

 Of course there is no handbook on how to get ready for summer, but this is kind of how I get ready for my summer break

Much love <3

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Healthy Living

I remember my mom taught me all about nutrition from a very young age. What we need (and don't need) and what it does to our bodies. We went to the grocery story and market together, picked out ingredients and cooked together. I strongly believe that healthy living = happy living. It is amazing how nutrition can influence our well being, our thoughts and our happiness. Does this mean that I am always eating healthy? Hell no. You know, we are only human, and we all have cravings. So they key word you are looking for is *ding ding ding*, moderation. Yes you can have that piece of chocolate, or those crisps. But, you also need to eat your fruits and veggies.

So don't eliminate your snacks, do exercise and make your own meals. Try to limit salt intake and measure your blood pressure just to be sure. You can develop a healthy lifestyle by looking at the food pyramid. What should my diet look like? What is the right composition? And avoid dieting because you are most likely to bounce back to your starting weight, if not more. (Believe me, gained 15 pounds plus an extra 10 pounds right back). 

Breakfast

- 1 or 2 whole grain sandwiches with peanut butter or cheese, or whatever you enjoy

- Blueberry soy yogurt + flaxseeds and 1 apple or banana

- Scrambled eggs with low fat cheese

Lunch

- 2 whole grain sandwiches with peanut butter 2 and tangerines (or any fruit)

- Salad, in which you can throw in anything, like rice, couscous, beets, avocado. 

Dinner

- Whole grain macaroni/spaghetti with veggies and, preferably home made, tomato sauce

- Potatoes with veggies and soy meat

- 2 whole grain wraps with veggies and soy meat

- 2 tacos, veggies, soy meat and/or low fat cheese

- Dinner salad e.g. lettuce, boiled egg, tomatoes, cucumber, croutons and bell pepper)

Many options are available as snacks, it depends the mood you are in. Sometimes you prefer sweet and sometimes more salty. Listen to what you are craving, and try yo use the healthy option available. Think of tangerines, oranges, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, almonds, nuts, carrots, dried cranberries, yogurt, rice crackers etc. 

And I think that is it about my diet. When I am home during the weekends it is a little bit harder, as I cannot control what my parents buy. When you get your own groceries it is easier, because you are in control what goes in or what stays in the store. If you live at home you could ask your parents for a small part of their budget to get healthy options for yourself, or go shopping together and teach them about their food choices. 

Tips for grocery shopping

1. Make a list --> This will prevent you from making spontaneous purchases
2. Eat before shopping --> Having a full stomach will prevent you from buying too much food
3. Fresh food vs. canned --> Basically, every food that has a wrap or can around it is unhealthy. (no, not the lettuce)...Canned food has a lot of added salt, sugar and has a low amount of 'real' nutrients. On one hand it is cheaper, but less healthy. Besides, my mom grows all the veggies herself, and having grown up eating these foods, the differences are huge! Honestly, I cannot even eat canned food, the taste is not yummy. I would say go for fresh, than frozen, and at last canned. 
4. Don't get distracted. If there are certain aisles that you know will tempt you into buying something you shouldn't have, then don't enter. If you go to one store only, then you know your route. Spend a lot of time around veggies and fruits, and avoid the 'bad' places that might seduce you.

Diet tips

1. Treat yourself. Don't eliminate sweets or snacks, keep it in moderation. You should enjoy life, not punish yourself. 
2. Don't add salt to your dish. We don't realize it, but almost everything we eat already has salt in it. People in western countries eat more salt than they need, which results in the huge increase of cardiovascular diseases. I do want to stress the point that one pizza has your daily intake of salt already...So be creative and make your own. Ready to go tomato sauce also has a lot of salt, so think of making your own signature sauce (and limit the cheese)
3. Drink enough water. This for me is almost the key to feel fit. Our organs need water to function. When you don't drink enough water your body will retain the water that is in it because it is not being 'fed' with new fluids. Besides taking care of your organs, your skin and hair will thank you as well :)
4. Eat enough! Your body needs at least 1200 calories to function properly. Go below that number and your heart will eat its own muscle. Again, your body is a temple, give it the food that it needs to be strong and fit. 

Exercise

I do pilates 3x a week and more home workouts. And unfortunately, no excuses because no gym membership is needed. Just open Youtube and type in whatever you like to do, or what part of your body you want to focus on. I do have a gym membership, but get bored soon, and tend to stop for a little bit. And then I receive an e-mail from the gym saying I haven't been there for a while...great :)

I think the most important thing to living healthy is because YOU want to. It is not about dieting, it is about creating a lifestyle that does not go up and down. Don't follow some kind of diet, but change your lifestyle. Diets are temporarily...which means after a while you will go back to your old eating habits. Don't say you are on a diet, even if you are trying to lose weight. Say you changed your lifestyle, and try to eat more healthy. Your body and mind will be thankful. We need to nourish our bodies, and take care of them. 

If you have any recipes to share, either vegetarian, vegan or 'normal' let me know! What is your ultimate diet/stay healthy tip?

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