For Tami: Staying Fit

Since you've asked, here's some of the things I do to stay healthy--M.G

~My goal is being healthy, energetic and strong. (not deathly skinny!) I know some people who are those three things and they are not a size 0! For me, personally, I am a thin person…that’s normal for me. I’m also 5’9 and have a high metabolism. (it’s genetic J)
~I set my weight and give myself a 5 lb range either way. I don’t step on the scale everyday, I just go by how I feel and how my clothes fit. (In today’s culture, so many girls/women are obsessed with the # on the scale. I say, throw out those “ideal” models! Women come in all different shapes and sizes--the goal is being healthy!)
~Exercise!!! It’s so important! I enjoy walking everyday. My Mom, sisters, babies and I walk several times a week around our town which is around 3 miles. We walk and talk. It’s way more fun that way!
~Healthy diet: I eat very healthy everyday. When there are posts w/ double chocolate, fudge, peanut butter birthday cake it’s definitely a treat! I allow myself dessert on Sundays and usually a “little” sweet treat several times a week. I say, better to satisfy a little craving than to abstain and then go crazy! Instead of real sweets, I’ve been enjoying delicious, crisp apples and organic orange yogurt recently. Somedays though, I gotta have my chocolate!
~Eat GOOD fats! Here’s a revelation that came to me a few years ago. I find that when I eat good fats, I stay full longer and I don’t get headaches as much. We eat our steamed veggies w/ butter and sea salt, I saute in coconut oil or olive oil. I make my own salad dressings--delic!! (extra virgin olive oil, raw ACV, garlic, salt, and herbs) We eat a lot of free-range eggs too. (good for brain development in young children and during pregnancy) I also noticed less sugar cravings after I boosted the healthy fat intake!
~Eat meat--I’m not at all a vegetarian! My family eats meat once a day. I think my hubby would die without it. We actually eat a lot of red meat, because we raise it (beef) and hunt it(venison). I make salmon sometimes and I just purchased 10 free-range chickens for the freezer.
~Watch what ya drink! That’s where the calories can really add up. I drink tons of water and some herbal tea. We don’t drink much milk (we get dairy other ways) or juice.(best to get the fruit w/ the fiber--eat the whole fruit)
~Cultured milk products: these have been around for ages and are super healthy. Kefir and yogurt are two that I either make or buy.
~Whole Grains: super healthy. I’ve just been reading that we should vary the grains we eat. Branch out from solely wheat products
~Prepared foods are unhealthy! I rarely buy them…and then, only for convenience, or if my hubby is craving Kraft macaroni. J I don’t even buy boxed cereal…it’s too expensive and oats are healthier!

Now, I must add, that being pregnant for most of my married life has caused my weight to go up and down. I’m just about down to my normal weight!! For me, I don’t worry about it too much, as long as I’m eating healthy and exercising. Those first months post-partum are the hardest weight-wise though. Too small for maternity and too big for my regular. You should see my closet--there’s a lot of clothes, but only ¼ are wearable at this non-pregnant-almost-back -to-normal stage! Such is life, though. Thankfully, Krista, just took ½ my closet to her house since she’s at the poochy stage of pregnancy. J Thanks, Krist.