Know Your Reason

Know Your Reason. It sounds so Professor Trelawney (Harry Potter reference, what's up!). 

Anyways, this post is a little more psychological than I wanted it to be. It just ended up that way. I'm going all Dr. Phil on you guys, so hang in there. Or maybe Oprah. But I don't have any cars to give away. Just KNOWLEDGE. Boom.  Anyways, this post is not inspired by any of my model-friends. It is coming directly from me.

Know Your Reason

You need to know your reason, guys.  By that, I mean, the "WHY?" "Why do I want to get healthier?" If you don't know your 'why,' you are NEVER going to make it.

Spoiler Alert: Your answer should be more detailed than "I want to lose weight."

Why am I saying this? Because I 100% believe that in order to achieve something, you need to know why you want to do it.  If you don't know, you will never get there. It needs to be detailed. Find your reason. Get as specific as you need to. Saying you want to "lose weight" is so generic.  It has been said by a MILLION people out there. That's not your personal goal. What weight? Why? Why? WHY? If you keep saying the same, generic, "I want to get healthy" nonsense, you won't feel as responsible when you fail OR when you achieve it. Make the goal your own. You will feel more proud when you reach it.  You will be able to take accountability when you don't.  Those are good things. They help speed up the process. 

Valid Reason

"I'm in my friend's wedding on December 3rd and I want to lose 15 pounds so my pink bridesmaid's dress looks super hot on me."

Even though that might seem silly, it states a purpose (friend's wedding). It sets a timeline (December 3rd). The weight is specific (15 pounds). It shows the end result (super hot). And it is one sentence. 

Follow those guidelines. Write it down. But not on Facebook. Don't be that girl. 

-Annie

Professor Trelawney wants you to comment! :)

TOP Secret Lose-Weight Tips!

This is inspired by my gorgeous friend Samantha. Like the American Girl Doll, she is classy and polite and every parent loves her. She has long brown hair...actually, she kind of looks like the AG doll, except less little child. And she does not have those two painted on white teeth. Do you guys remember those? *shudder*

SHHH! TOP SECRET TIPS BELOW.

COLOR/LIGHTING: 

Do you ever wonder why one of McDonald's colors is red? Are you thinking about other restaurants you go to? Do they have warm colors or decorations throughout their restaurant? Maybe a little dim lighting? Do you know why? RED MAKES YOU HUNGRIER. You will EAT MORE when you eat off of red plates, in a room with red walls, etc.  Think about the holidays...people say that they gain 5-10 pounds over the holidays. Maybe that isn't just all the "holiday" treats or meats. Maybe it's because you're surrounded by red decor and maybe eating off of red plates.  It is a proven fact that you will eat more around red.  Solution? Eat off of blue or white plates. Those colors are passive, non-aggressive, and will not leave you going for seconds.
The dim lighting makes you eat more. It is pretty simple, guys. You're plate isn't as revealing. Dim light doesn't highlight what or how much is actually on your plate. Solution? Recognize when you're in a darker room and be aware with it.  Know your surroundings.

SMALLER PLATES:

This is pretty self explanatory guys. You can't fit as much food on smaller plates. If you buy smaller plates, the actual portion sizes you serve yourself won't look as tiny.  Sometimes, when you have a big plate and parts of it are empty, you might add some more food. If you can't afford new plates, just buy one single smaller plate at Target. It can be YOUR own personal plate.  Every time you eat off of it, you will remind yourself to stay healthy with portion sizes. The investment is worth it.

WHEN IN DOUBT, BRUSH IT OUT:

This is such an easy trick. It's healthy for your mouth, and your stomach. After your done with a meal, and you feel like you want to eat more, run upstairs and brush your teeth.  Obviously this trick doesn't work all the time, so try carrying around mint lifesavers in your purse, and pop one in after dinner.  Boom. Good breath and ready to move on from your food.  I mean, who wants that gross "eating food after toothpaste" taste in their mouth? No one. That way, if you have people tempting you in your life, you can simply turn them down by saying, "Sorry, I don't want any dessert. I just brushed my teeth." Or "Sorry, I'm going to hold off on seconds. I just popped a mint in. Darn." You'd be surprised at the results. Soon, you won't need to brush your teeth or pop a mint, because you won't want to eat more.  Eventually, when you get healthy, you'll get fuller faster.

What do you think? Like? Love? Comment and let me know if you have tried any of these! <3

-Annie

Why Pinterest Food Recipes? WHY?!

This is inspired by my model-like friend Shannon. She literally looks like Jasmine. She is also a social media and health guru. She has given me a few health rules to follow in today's digital society. Here we go!

...

Pinterest can be the devil of mixed messages. First, you're pinning fitness tips and inspirational Nike sayings. Next, you're pinning every recipe that involves Pillsbury biscuits and/or croissants. But then, oh wait, you're pinning pictures of your favorite celebrities and models as "skinnyspiration." Oops, you're back to desserts and cheese puffs.

STOP YOURSELF SNEAKY PINTEREST ADMINISTRATORS. I HATE YOU. BUT... I LOVE YOU. 

Today, we are going to go over something that may seem unimportant, but really is. Media. Mixed messages. And how to be strong.  What to listen to and what not to. Granted, you might be the opposite. You might see an ad with Jennifer Hudson in a black v-neck shirt (we get it, you can wear leather now), and succumb to a bunch of different diet plans.

We need to help ourselves.

How?

If you are trying to lose weight, tone, or just feel better, you need to stray from ads and mixed messages. Obviously, you can't know when Marie Osmond is going to pop up and sell Jenny Craig to you on TV, but you get the just.  I'm sure all of you have heard "the easiest way to stay away from bad foods is to not have them in the house."  That is actually an overused saying I agree with. But in today's world of social media, someone needs to develop a plan to stay strong when confronted with delicious food network shows (Damn you, Paula Deen. But I love you. Be my grandmother.) and cheesy Pinterest casseroles.

Here's what I recommend: 

PINTEREST PROBLEMS: Instead of having a board entitled "Recipes" or "Yum!" Have a board entitled, "Healthy Eats" or "Happy and Healthy Recipes."  This way, you will not have a board to pin those lemon drop cookies that look delicious. You won't be tempted to go to the store and buy a million chocolate chips for Oreo filled brownies. I mean, right? You can't pin "Four Cheese White Pasta" to your "Healthy For You Recipes" board. 

If you do this, you will not only reap the health benefits. You will gain followers who are trying to stay healthy. Don't give into social media. 

TV SHOW PROBLEMS: This is huge. Because we watch so much TV, we don't even realize what we are watching or what our brains are being confronted with.  Here is my suggestion.  Yes, watching Ace of Cakes and Top Chef desserts is awesome. Seriously, a cake with fireworks? What? But, if you're like me, when you're watching those shows, you get hungry, or you end up longing for food. You might feel unsatisfied or frustrated until you eat something yummy.  Remember: This blog is for those people serious about getting healthy. In my previous posts, we talk about how "anything in moderation" should not be a thing. Well, when watching TV, try to watch shows with people you might want to emulate, regarding their health.

TV Show Recommendations:

1. So You Think You Can Dance (FOX): You guys. These dancers will make you want to be active and creative.  It is for the soul and the body. Seriously, if you want to be inspired, watch it.

2. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (CMT): No matter what you think about cheerleaders persona, fake tan, or PG-13 dance moves, if you watch this show, you will see how they stay in shape.  They show their workouts, stretches, and nutritionist.  It really is eye-opening, and they do work hard, physically.

3. The Biggest Loser (NBC): I think this is pretty self-explanatory.  If you are looking for something inspirational, I really can't think of anything better.

4. Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition (ABC): Although, I'm a fan of the above shows more, this show does show the ups and downs of weight loss processes. If you're struggling with your weight loss journey, and want to see someone who is going through the same thing, this is the show for you.

WEBSITE RECOMMENDATIONS:

Instead of perusing yummy dessert websites and blogs, begin with this one: www.myfitnesspal.com. It is a super easy, get started website.

Happy pinning, tweeting, watching, and surfing!

Comment if you have any other social media suggestions!

-Annie

Long and Lean Workout Tips

I have heard too often, "I like running, and I feel in shape, but my legs are getting bulky!" Or, "I feel like lifting weights to tone my arms, but I don't want to bulk up." Or, finally, "How are dancers so long and muscular but LEAN?" 

Here is a two easy rules to stay long and lean (more of these later!):

1. If you have ever been a dancer, or know a dancer, you are aware that dancers use their BODIES as their workout tools.  They use their own body weight to strengthen their core, arms, and legs.  If you are not a weight lifter, or nervous about weight lifting results, use your body. It is your best tool. I'm not saying you have to go all Kourtney Kardashian naked yoga, or participate in rich people $100/hr Pilates classes...the following will be a great start.

Examples:

Side crunches for those love handles!

Side pushups for that underarm flab!

Booty lifts for that pooch around your belly button!

Leg lifts for those thighs!

Squats for a dimple-y booty!

(COMMENT if you want to see how-to's or more in depth descriptions about these workouts).

2.  STRETCH. Stretch, stretch, stretch. One of the biggest ways people bulk up is because they don't stretch, or don't stretch long enough.  Stretching is an integral part of your workout.  You should stretch before and after your workout in order to create a long and lean body. Hey. I get it. You've just attempted to run a billion miles and now you feel dead and all you want to do is lay on the carpet and watch TV.  It is a whole different workout to even gather the strength to take as shower. But...don't. First of all, you end up with sweat carpet and who knows what kind of bacteria is on your carpet? You disgust me. Second of all, you're only cheating yourself. Boom. I said it. If you focus on stretching, you will create long limbs. Do lunges, ankle stretches, arms stretches, back stretches, abs stretches. FINALLY, shake it out. Roll your head, ankles, shoulders, and hips. Do arm circles. This should be how you end your workout.  Distribute that energy. Trust me.

Comment if you want more long and lean tips, or have tips of your own to share!

Good luck!

-Annie

I found this picture from healthycrush.com...she looks pretty into it!

The Too-Long-Somewhat-Obligatory- "My Story" Post

So, when I started this blog I wanted to make it personal.  I want you guys to know where I started.  I covered a little bit of that in my first post, but I'll talk about it more, here. Pardon the super serious Annie, I'm usually a little more sarcastic. Bear with me through this post. 

Ever since I was little, I've always been overweight compared to my height.  I am 5'1, which is obviously short for my age.  I stopped growing around age sixteen.  When I was younger, no one could ever tell that I was overweight, because I looked pretty small (given my height). I was very active throughout grade school. I ran cross-country, played soccer, and was on the dance team.  (Sidenote: Doesn't every little kid play soccer? Isn't it, like, mandatory when you're five, just to play soccer? Sorry. Back to the story.)

I really started to notice myself gaining weight between my 16th birthday and my 18th birthday. I was active in musicals, singing, and dancing, but my other physical activity stopped. I also was more mobile. I had my own car, and I found myself going to get coffee and scones or food after school with my friends. 

{That is another HUGE point: Do NOT eat fast food.  It's not worth it.  The portion sizes are CRAZY big.  If the fat content isn't bad, the sodium levels are.  If you get low-sugar options, you can bet there is some other chemical sweetener in there.  Remember: Just because it's zero calories, doesn't mean it's healthy. Just because it's on a "Under 200 Cal" menu, doesn't make it okay to eat.  This is why if you are serious about losing weight, you should NOT be eating fast food.  This includes Subway, Panera, etc.  If anything, look at the bread content.  Even if you order a lean turkey and spinach sandwich with a little vinegar...look at the amount of bread you're eating.}

Okay. Back to the story. I was insecure and constantly untagging myself in Facebook pictures.  I was constantly jealous of my skinny friends, and I didn't know where to begin.  I felt like whenever I worked out, my body wasn't showing results. It was extremely frustrated.  A lot of people will tell you that you can eat whatever you want if you work out.  This is not the case. The foods you eat have a huge impact. Take high-fiber foods, for example.  If you eat high-fiber foods, it will aid the digestion process, and help you lose weight.  Better than running five miles on the treadmill (which I still am unable to do--hey cut me some slack!) and eating a Big Mac.

{Do not reward yourself with food. You are not a dog.}

Anyways, finally I decided I needed to do something.  I knew I could never eat rice cakes every day, or work out five miles. I didn't have the money or means to do a diet program. I asked my gorgeous and pictorial-worthy friends what their secrets were. I was surprised at how easy it was to emulate them, and after a few weeks of really trying, I saw results. Once you see results, you want more! 

Comment if you want me to post a before and after picture! I'd be happy to do that if it will be inspirational to my readers.  As always, thanks for reading. I believe in you.

-Annie

Information That May or May Not Knock Your Socks Off

So my model friend Jessica told me the following advice when I asked her for simple guidelines that normal people can follow in their day to day routine without wanting to cry or binge on white cheddar popcorn. I want what I post on this blog to be truthful, simple, and things that we can all do. I have failed at every extreme diet I have tried. The tips in girly advice magazines have never worked for me. I'm sorry, people at work would just look at me like I'm crazy if I did fitness ball exercises at my desk. That's, just...I cannot. I am the first to admit that I am an average human. I am not a superhero or Victoria Beckham.

I am literally the kind of person that takes my bra off the second I get home from work. So. Yeah.

Keep In Mind:

DO NOT EAT DINNER PAST 7:00PM.  It is NOT worth it. You do not want to sleep on a full stomach. You want to be able to fully digest your dinner before you lie down for the night.

WATCH SERVING SIZES. Often times, you think "Oh this healthy cereal is yummy, I'll just pour some into my bowl" or "Oh, great, a big glass of milk, yay!" You'd be surprised and shocked at how small the serving sizes are for how many calories there are in the dish or product. A lot of cereal serving sizes range from a half a cup-a cup. MEASURE. It will blow your mind.

SHOP ON THE PERIMETER WALLS OF THE GROCERY STORE. Try not to be tempted by going inside the aisles. A lot of times, everything you need you can find on the outside walls of the stores. The inside walls are where dry, white bread, processed foods, frozen foods, dessert mixes, pop, and potato chips are. The outside perimeter grocery store walls are where your dairy, protein, organic bakery bread, vegetables, fresh spices, fruit, and healthy starches are located. Have you ever thought about that? Is your life changed? Mine certainly was after hearing that.

Questions/Comments:

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below! If you want to hear more in-depth recipes, leave it in the comments below! If you want to get advice on something I haven't talked about, leave it in the comments below!

-Annie

PS: I found this on Dustin Maher Fitness Website...pretty eye-opening, right?

Dinner and Drinks Gone Healthy

This post is inspired by my model friend Spencer. I know, even the name sounds cool. She was the one who swears by a colorful plate. She also has a colorful personality. I'd like to describe my personality as colorful one day, but I mostly try too hard. This is my life. I'm not kidding. Anyways, here's what's for dinner! Let me know how it goes! 

Dinner:

The key for dinner is vegetables and color.  More color usually betters your chances of the plate containing healthy food. Think about dull colored foods...a lot of them are usually unhealthy: dark brown meats, bread, potato chips, ranch, butter, etc. Now think of colorful foods: Carrots, red and green peppers, spinach, kale, avocado, etc. Fill yourself up on vegetables. Put the carbs on hold for a week. Trust me. Try it.

A seasoned, grilled chicken breast on a bed of oven roasted vegetables.

This meal requires you to pick a part to season. Too often people season and salt every part of their dish, when really only one element needs seasoning. The spices will linger in your mouth, and you will be satisfied with the flavor. 

I like to season the chicken. I season it with cracked black pepper, a little salt, and a tiny pinch of garlic powder if you want to be easy (a little minced garlic if you have time). There are, of course, other spices you can use depending on if you want the chicken to be more fragrant (try thyme or rosemary) or savory (garlic, onion, etc.) I then lay out my favorite vegetables on a cookie sheet and drizzle them with a little bit of olive oil. I put them in the oven for a tiny bit, and check on them when I see the tops of the veggies beginning to get a little brown. I then place the seasoned chicken breast on TOP of the veggies on my plate, and it really tastes like a delicious stir-fry. Trust me. 

The Ultimate Drink:

Important, and I cannot stress it enough: Water with lemon. The acidity of the lemon helps break down your food and aids in the digestion process. And, of course, nothing keeps you going more than water. You need water. You need to stay hydrated. Often times, if you don't drink water, you find yourself eating or drinking high caloric things to "satisfy" your thirst (i.e., slushies, pop, ice cream). Did I mention that lemons help purify your liver, contain potassium for healthier teeth, and can often relieve symptoms of asthma? Boom. Roasted with the truth.

-Annie

Oh Snap. It's Lunch Time.

Inspired by my friend Ari. She is a tan goddess with one of those contagious laughs that everyone loves. And she doesn't even try. Yes, this post is about a salad. If I didn't post about a salad, I would only be sitting on a throne of secrecy. Part of my weight loss was contributed to eating some salad. Did you really expect to lose weight without eating a salad now and then? It definitely doesn't taste like a brownie, but now, after getting healthier, I don't even crave them. Embrace the salad. Love the salad. 

Lunch:

My spinach and greens nutty salad. Go crazy with tomatoes, green onion, carrots, and broccoli. Toss in some kale, if you want to feel like a trendy celebrity. Seriously, I think they all eat it. Maybe if you eat it, you automatically become a celeb. Magic. Sarcasm. 

Anyways, add a small amount of chickpeas and low-sodium almond slices, low-sodium peanuts, or low-sodium walnuts for protein. Finally top it with a shake of black pepper and some red wine vinegar. If you must, add the tiniest bit of the healthiest oil you can find to the red wine vinegar. But I'm telling you, you do not need it. 

I know, I know. It's a salad. But this truly is the most popular lunch among my friends, and after eating it and adding vegetables and other elements I liked, I found it to be not only tolerable, but enjoyable. 

-Annie

...magical celebrity kale >

An Ode To Healthy Snacks

Snack Options:

I promised to be completely honest in this blog, so I'm not going to lie. When you first start out, a smoothie for breakfast and a salad for lunch is NOT going to fill you up. Bloggers that say you'll be "full and satisfied" for the day are most likely stretching the truth. Speaking from personal experience, I find myself getting hungry (especially when I started my health routine). Don't freak out. 

Eat one of the following. (By the way, some experts say you should eat smaller meals throughout the day. These snacks will help you get closer to that if you're into it, and you can eat them at your desk. I think it's extremely hard to eat six meals a day, especially if you are working..."can I have four lunch breaks, please?")

A. Cucumbers. Dip them in apple cider vinegar. This also works for celery. The acidity of the vinegar helps break up/dissolve fat and other gross elements in your stomach. Trust me.

B. A serving size of almond butter spread on a serving size of low-sodium wheat crackers. Important: The only element in almond butter should be almonds and a TINY bit of salt. If the almond butter you buy or make yourself has any other ingredients, DO NOT BUY. IT IS AN ALMOND BUTTER OF LIES. 

C. A small portion of Greek yogurt. Check the serving size, guys. Some yogurt is deceiving. You should have one serving of the greek yogurt at the most. Greek is important. Regular or light yogurt is NOT worth it.  Greek yogurt contains healthier nutrients that will sustain you longer. 

D. A handful of frozen almonds. On a hot day, these guys are yummy.

E. A paper cup full of watermelon chunks, fresh raspberries, walnuts, and blueberries. Party in a cup.

-Annie

...almond butter in all it's glory. comment if you want the recipe to make some! >

The Easiest, Yummiest, Healthiest Breakfast!

After years of feeling insignificant in pictures, at weddings, and during parties (given that all my friends look like models and I am rather plain in comparison-well, I feel much better about my inner and outer beauty now, though!), I have asked them about their go-to meals. The next couple blogs will be about that. Again, after trying my model-friend tricks and tips that I am sharing on this blog, I have lost weight and feel better than ever. Every day I'm still trying! This is an ongoing effort for me, too.  

Obviously, you would not eat these three meals every day. These are just one of the many suggestions I will share with you! 
Anyways, they swear by these upcoming meals and snacks, and now, I do too! Enjoy! 

Breakfast:

Easy Breakfast Fruit Smoothie (Five steps, Four ingredients!)

You will need the following:

1. A blender. I am pretty lazy in the morning and always in a hurry. Not to mention, I do NOT like to wash large blenders or machinery, which is why I recommend a Magic Bullet or One Cup Smoothie Blender. That way, you can just blend and take it to go. Example: 

http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/blenders-single-serve-blenders.html

2. A bag of frozen mixed berries (I recommend strawberries and raspberries. You want frozen fruit in order to make your smoothie cold...who wants a warm smoothie?)

3. Half of a frozen banana 

4. And then either of the following:

A. A tiny bit of coconut water and a quarter cup (or to taste) of apple juice

OR

B. A cup of milk

5. Finally, if you want to get fancy:

One spoonful of (whey or any protein powder) VANILLA or VANILLA CREAM flavored. The flavor is important, because, honestly, some protein powder flavors taste disgusting. This one is actually pretty yummy. This will make the smoothie a little creamier.

How you do it: 

1. Chop up the frozen banana into chunks (this is important, it blends better and easier and spreads flavor throughout) and put it in the blender. 

2. Be generous with your frozen berries (not a half a bag or anything, don't get too wild) and toss them in the blender. 

3. Add your coconut water and apple juice OR your cup of milk. 

4. Finally, if you want the extra protein, toss in your whey vanilla powder. 

5. Blend. 

It's that simple. And delicious. Keep in mind that this is just how I make my personal smoothie...once you try it, you will be able to adjust the measurements to what tastes good for you.

-Annie

The Platinum Rule, The Golden Rule, and The Silver Rule

This is going to be a simple post about food inspired by, of course, what my model-like friends have taught me. I will cover exercise, health habits, recipes, and tricks/tips in upcoming posts! 

Keep in mind that some of these may be common sense to you.  

...But you might be surprised.

The Two- Part Platinum Rule:

Part 1. Just because it says DIET, LOW-FAT, HEALTHY, ALL-NATURAL, ORGANIC, or VEGAN does NOT mean that you should eat it. Seriously. I'm serious. Stick to the basics. Be smart. Don't buy into the fads. 

Part 2. Just because it is endorsed by Michael Phelps, Jennifer Hudson, Marie Osmond, Jillian Michaels, or a person that reminds you of yourself that lost 100 pounds, does NOT mean that it is right for you. 

The Golden Rule:

If you are serious about getting healthier, start out by not eating/drinking the following:

1. Donuts/Muffins/Scones
2. White Bread/Shortbread/Cornbread/Biscuits 
3. Pastries
4. Candy
5. Cake (including Angel Food. I'm serious!)
6. Ice Cream (including Fro-yo, people!)
7. Fast Food (including Subway, Jimmy Johns, etc.)
8. Pizza (including veggie)
9. Frozen Food (including Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, etc.)
10. Pop (including DIET!)
11. Alcohol
12. Cookies/Brownies (I'm sure you are getting the trend, here)
13. Lemonade/Fruit Punch/Sunny D (sugary drinks)
14. Chips
15. Fried Food

...this is just the beginning. 

I PROMISE: You WILL see results. 

All those other blogs and fitness trainers that preach "anything in moderation?" NO. Don't give in. You are stronger than that. There are just some foods that you should never eat if you are attempting to lose weight. Accept it. Move on. 

Once you reach your goal weight, see how you feel. I've heard it takes 21 days to break a habit. That's not even a month, guys. Succeed. I believe in you. 

The Silver Rule:

DO NOT REWARD YOURSELF WITH FOOD. You are not a dog. 

If you have to, write that down on a note and stick it on the refrigerator. 

Conclusion:

If you follow these three rules, you will feel better, look better, and want to be better. Get serious! These are rules anyone can follow. You do not NEED those foods. You do not NEED "food rewards."  These aren't impossible to follow. They are baby steps. Get ready, get set, GO!

I am counting on you.

-Annie

Cheese on Olive Garden Salad Person.

All my friends look like models. This is not a joke. The picture below is TRULY what they look like.

This blog is for people like you and me. Non-model, typical, “Why yes, I would like cheese on my Olive Garden salad” people. This blog is for people (like you and me) who wake up without makeup on, and don’t look like Selena Gomez in the Who Says music video.  This blog is for the girls who met boys and got their prom dates through their model friends. Finally, this is for the girls who love those model friends anyways.

And, this blog...is for trying. 

It is an experiment.  After years of hanging out with my model-like friends, observing their health tricks and tips, seeing their uncanny ability to lose three pounds in a week, and the way they hold themselves with confidence, I decided it was time to share their secrets.  We are all beautiful in our own way, but, if you’re interested (like I am), in enhancing your beauty inside and out…this might be the blog for you.

Warning: I am an unstable writer. Sometimes I get a little sarcastic. Sometimes I get a little serious.  Sometimes I get a little cutesy.  

Spoiler Alert: I’m mostly sarcastic.

-Annie