Make It Count!!

Readers, I feel badly that I have not posted recently; however, I will not apologize as some things do tend to fall by the way side for a time when one discovers she is expecting. :) About a week after my last post, my husband and I found out that I was pregnant! Between the subsequent holidays and the ever-continuing life adjustments, the frequency of my blogging has not been where I would like it to be. Nevertheless, I am going to do my best to continue writing as it is a creative outlet I truly enjoy.

Unsurprisingly, this blog does stem from a train of thought that has been and is at the forefront of my mind since I learned my body was no longer my own. Proper nutrition during pregnancy is of utmost importance - duh! A brand new life is being formed within the confines of your body, and he/she needs certain, varied, and plentiful nutrients to develop well.

As I read various paraphernalia specifically relating to diet and nutrition during pregnancy, the authors are so kind as to encourage expectant mothers to eat small meals 5-6x per day (to prevent sour stomach, gas, and bloat among other things) and to mix up the foods in their diets so as to insure their bodies are receiving the building blocks of life, vital to their newborn. Moreover, in almost all cases, the writers also contest that such habits are important to continue even after giving birth to promote overall good health. They could not be more right-on!

The key to having a good diet is simply to make it count! Your body craves a proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and other nutrients to function at its best. You won't achieve this balance by eating crap. You have to make every bite count! Not all foods are created equal. One cup of Fruit Loops does not have the same nutritional value or sustaining power as does one cup of oatmeal with brown sugar. An apple with peanut butter does not pack the same punch as four Oreos. It's not rocket science.

I realize that some people abhor the idea of feasting on fruits and veggies and cringe at the idea of taking a more healthy approach to eating (i.e. "dieting). But, simple choices made repeatedly go a long way. Instead of Fruit Loops, opt for oatmeal. Instead of six slices of roast beef on your sandwich with a bag of potato chips, go with four slices of turkey breast and an apple. Each decision when it comes to food can be one more nail in the coffin (to put it bluntly) or one for the beautiful structure you are working to sustain.

You have one life to live and one body to do it in. Why not give it your best shot? Now that is not to say, life must be all celery sticks and no creme brule. There is a time and place for every food item; after all, food exists so that it can be enjoyed! You just need to keep everything in balance; this is the key.

I am entering my second trimester and have noticed that in this last week I am seemingly more hungry than before. In my case, this is expected and normal. But rather than gorging myself on unsatisfying and nutritionally deficient junk food, I am going to continue to attempt to make food choices that truly count and afford both my growing baby and I the best nutrition possible. I can't do much for my baby right now other than take the very best care of myself, and that primarily revolves around what I eat. Therefore, it is imperative that I make every bite count! You should, too!

Happy New Year!!

So many use this time of year to "get back on track." I say, work to never fall off track!! True, easier said than done, but not if you approach your goals realistically. Here a few easy-to-incorporate tips to help you get started.

Tip 1: Be realistic. Set small goals that can be achieved - not easily necessarily, but make them doable. Determining to lose ALL of the extra pounds that were added to your waistline over the course of 2011 by the end of January is a recipe for failure.  Sure, a crash diet may produce those kinds of results, but they will never last. Also, once you achieve your smaller goals, you can set new, small ones, and as you achieve those, all of the small achievements you've made will add up. All the while, you will have incrementally changed your life habits, which will make for a lasting effect. Hello, success!

Tip 2: Drink more water. (I am scrambling for my Nalgene as I write this). Your body is 70% water, and that water needs to be replenished and refreshed. Plus, it helps all of your body's systems run smoothly. So simple a task. So often neglected.

Tip 3: Eat less processed foods. Processed foods often contain excess sugar or salt that you can just do without. Stick to natural, whole foods - fruits and vegetables. Or when it comes to other snacks, create your own so you have control over it's contents - make your own granola bars, trail mixes, cheese and crackers. The less of your food that is manufactured, the better.

Tip 4: MOVE! Put in exercise wherever, however, whenever you can. Park farther from your job's entrance. Take stairs rather than the elevator. Do an extra lap around the grocery store as you think of any other items you may have missed. Do an exercise DVD. Invest in a Wii and play! It doesn't even need to be a "fitness" game; there are quite a few that just get you up and moving. Take a walk. I know, it's not hard to figure out what to do, but more difficult to actually DO it. But if healthy living is a priority, you can make it happen!

Tip 5: Eat often; keep your metabolism running. Aim to eat every 3-4 hours. Have small snacks between each meal that combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They will keep you feeling full, energized, and well nourished. If you stick to three meals a day, or even eat frequently but in an unbalanced manner, you'll do yourself a disservice. You'll lose out on natural burn time that you don't even have to work for! Plus, if you're like me and love food, eating more frequently offers more opportunities to nosh on the foods you love. Granted, you will need to exercise portion control; however, since you'll be able to eat more often, you won't feel as compelled to eat so much in one sitting.

I have to say that 2011 was a good year for me as far as healthy living is concerned. I have dropped a few pounds since last January and have toned up a good deal. Certainly, teaching Zumba has helped a lot towards this end. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that I am where I am because of the diligence with which I approach diet and exercise.

You can't just "diet;" you must make it a lifestyle. Then and only then will you find true success. The number on the scale will matter less, and it will revolve more around how you feel in your own skin. When you're actively taking care of yourself, you can live guiltless, free, confident. That is not to say you won't have a bad day every so often; we all do. But keep your perspective on your journey as a whole, not on one single trip-up when you have countless other steps logged that have moved you in a positive direction.

I wish you the best in 2012. I hope you can put these tips to good use. Even if you only endeavor to incorporate one into your already busy life, something is always better than nothing at all. You can do it! Feel free to contact me if you need some extra moral support. :) Happy New Year!