I've been of the air for a while due to making an international move. BUT I am so excited to announce a new dimension to Abbey Ward Lifestyle Solutions!
There are some fantastic fast workout and nutrition options that are based on good science. No gimmicks or crazy pills, just hard, efficient work, and whole food nutrition!
Join me in the REVOLUTION! I'll be there with you every step of the way!
The adventures of a military vet turned mom, wife, and health coach extraodinaire.
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Reality
So…I'm human too. I have all the knowledge in the world to get my body back to pre-baby weight but there are always those pesky few things that are in the way. I too battle self-hate, negative del-talk, coming up with excuses for sabotaging my diet, not exercising as much as I should…the list goes on and on…I'm human too.
So I'm here to give you the skinny on getting skinny. Listen, you can try all the products you want an?d they might work, but most likely not. You still have to put in the daily grind and watch what goes into your mouth. So you might as well just keep your money and invest it in a healthy lifestyle change involving good diet and an exercise regimen. One size does not fit all, and calories in and calories out is not necessarily the magic equation to weight loss. Weight loss is work, it's a commitment, it takes dedication and motivation. I have to continuously tell myself this. No…I'm not one of those stick thin fitness gurus, I'm just a normal looking woman, who just had a baby and now I need to reshape my post-baby body. I've always been a little on the muscular side, slightly stalky, and I gain weight in the blink of an eye if I don't eat mindfully and participate in regular exercise. I was able to mitigate excessive weight gain during my pregnancy. I gained about 30 lbs, which is healthy weight gain for pregnancy, textbook really. On average I'm 5'5" and about 150 lbs, muscular looking, and a little on the curvy side. 150 is where my body seems to feel most comfortable. Every one has a natural weight. A weight that takes dedication, but not too much rigidity. Something that isn't necessarily effortless, but a weight that is not to difficult to maintain. This is the weight that you should strive for. Think of a time in your life, where you felt this way and try to recreate that.
Seriously though, weight is something that constantly crosses my mind, so I'm telling you your not alone. It's a struggle or a challenge each day. I have to set intentions, and meal plan, and make sure I don't put myself in compromising situations. You need support, and scheduling, preparedness. It will always be work for some people and that's just how it goes. Once we can accept ourselves is when the balance will be obtained. Understand your body is the only one like it. It has it's own way of losing weight and gaining weight. Experiment with different portions of carbs, fats, and proteins. Eventually you'll find that perfect formula for YOU!
You can start with the information that I post, most of it has some benefit for all people (i.e. fruits and veggies, and exercise). But perhaps begin to journal your feelings and physical changes after food consumption and you'll find out what works best for YOU! But SERIOUSLY, save your money and your health and just stay away from all that crazy weight loss stuff on the market, you'll thank yourself years from now.
So I'm here to give you the skinny on getting skinny. Listen, you can try all the products you want an?d they might work, but most likely not. You still have to put in the daily grind and watch what goes into your mouth. So you might as well just keep your money and invest it in a healthy lifestyle change involving good diet and an exercise regimen. One size does not fit all, and calories in and calories out is not necessarily the magic equation to weight loss. Weight loss is work, it's a commitment, it takes dedication and motivation. I have to continuously tell myself this. No…I'm not one of those stick thin fitness gurus, I'm just a normal looking woman, who just had a baby and now I need to reshape my post-baby body. I've always been a little on the muscular side, slightly stalky, and I gain weight in the blink of an eye if I don't eat mindfully and participate in regular exercise. I was able to mitigate excessive weight gain during my pregnancy. I gained about 30 lbs, which is healthy weight gain for pregnancy, textbook really. On average I'm 5'5" and about 150 lbs, muscular looking, and a little on the curvy side. 150 is where my body seems to feel most comfortable. Every one has a natural weight. A weight that takes dedication, but not too much rigidity. Something that isn't necessarily effortless, but a weight that is not to difficult to maintain. This is the weight that you should strive for. Think of a time in your life, where you felt this way and try to recreate that.
Seriously though, weight is something that constantly crosses my mind, so I'm telling you your not alone. It's a struggle or a challenge each day. I have to set intentions, and meal plan, and make sure I don't put myself in compromising situations. You need support, and scheduling, preparedness. It will always be work for some people and that's just how it goes. Once we can accept ourselves is when the balance will be obtained. Understand your body is the only one like it. It has it's own way of losing weight and gaining weight. Experiment with different portions of carbs, fats, and proteins. Eventually you'll find that perfect formula for YOU!
You can start with the information that I post, most of it has some benefit for all people (i.e. fruits and veggies, and exercise). But perhaps begin to journal your feelings and physical changes after food consumption and you'll find out what works best for YOU! But SERIOUSLY, save your money and your health and just stay away from all that crazy weight loss stuff on the market, you'll thank yourself years from now.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Roasted Veggie Tacos
Corn tortillas
Peppers (your choice spicy, mild or sweet)
Onions
Mushrooms
Avocado
Olive oil
Taco seasoning
Turn oven on broil. Chop veggies. Place veggies on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with taco seasoning (MSG-Free). Place baking sheet in the oven until desired roasty-ness. Slice avocado or make your own guac and spread on warm tortilla…YUM!
Peppers (your choice spicy, mild or sweet)
Onions
Mushrooms
Avocado
Olive oil
Taco seasoning
Turn oven on broil. Chop veggies. Place veggies on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with taco seasoning (MSG-Free). Place baking sheet in the oven until desired roasty-ness. Slice avocado or make your own guac and spread on warm tortilla…YUM!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Baby "Wait"
You are not ALONE!
I have degrees and certifications that give me all of the tools I need and more to be right back to preferred size. BUT baby weight is a "wait". If your nursing the weight will take longer to come off (CONTRARY to popular belief). YES, you lose the initial weight faster because the hormones that are release during lactation help return the uterus to its normal size. Once that's done, you'll most likely be at a weight loss stalemate. YUCK!
BUT, all you can do is accept it. This reality has been hard for me. You can reduce calorie intake quite a bit, but you must remember that your body is producing food for another person. Even for those that are not nursing, remember that it took 9 months to put the weight on, SO it could take 9 months to take the weight off. Just remind yourself that slow steady weight loss is permanent weight loss. Weight loss is a journey not just a quick trip.
This weight loss has been one of the hardest weight loss experiences that I have had. My rule of thumb is to try to not become fixated on a number, but rather how you look in the mirror. This is easier said than done, YES, even for me. I'm not a super skinny girl to begin with, so this journey has been, and is right now at this moment, a difficult journey for me. Not to mention the pressure of not having seen my husband for 9 months (he's been in Afghanistan serving our country). So I'll share with you what all the "old pros" (shout out to Mom) have been telling me, "take it easy on yourself, you just had a baby". I mean seriously, think about it. Your body just made a human being! And is feeding one! CRAZY!
So…when tackling the baby weight, remember it will be a WAIT. Set realistic goals, don't compare yourself to others, eat healthfully, drink water, and try to be active (I don't mean hours at the gym, just plop the little one in the stroller and get out for a bit).
Live well
I have degrees and certifications that give me all of the tools I need and more to be right back to preferred size. BUT baby weight is a "wait". If your nursing the weight will take longer to come off (CONTRARY to popular belief). YES, you lose the initial weight faster because the hormones that are release during lactation help return the uterus to its normal size. Once that's done, you'll most likely be at a weight loss stalemate. YUCK!
BUT, all you can do is accept it. This reality has been hard for me. You can reduce calorie intake quite a bit, but you must remember that your body is producing food for another person. Even for those that are not nursing, remember that it took 9 months to put the weight on, SO it could take 9 months to take the weight off. Just remind yourself that slow steady weight loss is permanent weight loss. Weight loss is a journey not just a quick trip.
This weight loss has been one of the hardest weight loss experiences that I have had. My rule of thumb is to try to not become fixated on a number, but rather how you look in the mirror. This is easier said than done, YES, even for me. I'm not a super skinny girl to begin with, so this journey has been, and is right now at this moment, a difficult journey for me. Not to mention the pressure of not having seen my husband for 9 months (he's been in Afghanistan serving our country). So I'll share with you what all the "old pros" (shout out to Mom) have been telling me, "take it easy on yourself, you just had a baby". I mean seriously, think about it. Your body just made a human being! And is feeding one! CRAZY!
So…when tackling the baby weight, remember it will be a WAIT. Set realistic goals, don't compare yourself to others, eat healthfully, drink water, and try to be active (I don't mean hours at the gym, just plop the little one in the stroller and get out for a bit).
Live well
YUM!
Labels:
detox,
diet,
exercise,
fruit,
green juice,
healthy eating,
lifestyle,
veggies
Sunday, January 12, 2014
It's All About the Liver
The answer to all of your health concerns may be in your liver. Unwanted weight gain, difficult weight loss, those unsightly fat stores, headaches, allergies and much much more can all be associated with the liver. The liver in conjunction with your kidneys, acts as a major filter for EVERYTHING that you put in your body! When the liver is bombarded with toxins, it begins to store them along with fat and other unwanted micro and macronutrients. These toxins begin to fill up and and create a certain level of toxicity within the body. The pH level of the body become disrupted, the immune system slows, and the body enters a stress response causing you to hold onto excess weight, get headaches and feel just plain lousy.
So what can you do? Detox your liver! There is a spectrum of detox that you can participate in, anywhere from a juice cleanse, to a whole foods reset, or simple begin adding liver supporting foods to your diet, and eliminating liver killers! Here are some things you can do EVERYDAY to support your liver:
- DRINK WATER! Try a cup of warm water with a squeeze of lemon in the morning for a great liver kick.
- Citrus fruits
- Eat more garlic
- Stock on those leafy greens
- Try cruciferous veggies (cauliflower, cabbage, artichokes, brussel sprouts)
- Pass on the red meat and pork
- Eat more apples
- Drink green tea
- Avocados
Give it a try…see what happens.
Live well!
So what can you do? Detox your liver! There is a spectrum of detox that you can participate in, anywhere from a juice cleanse, to a whole foods reset, or simple begin adding liver supporting foods to your diet, and eliminating liver killers! Here are some things you can do EVERYDAY to support your liver:
- DRINK WATER! Try a cup of warm water with a squeeze of lemon in the morning for a great liver kick.
- Citrus fruits
- Eat more garlic
- Stock on those leafy greens
- Try cruciferous veggies (cauliflower, cabbage, artichokes, brussel sprouts)
- Pass on the red meat and pork
- Eat more apples
- Drink green tea
- Avocados
Give it a try…see what happens.
Live well!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
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