0 January...fin!

As the first month of the new year has come to an end, we'd like to remind you to develop useful habits in 2014 by substituting, moderating, being consistent, and treating yourself with a little cheat day here and there.

Also, during this cold weather warm up with a nice hot bowl of tasty ramen!

And if you want a good burger...don't go to Lucky's or Bobby Van's.

Until the next post....peace, love, and grub!

2 Resolution Month: Cheat?

How are those resolutions coming along so far? Hope everyone found them to be useful or at the very least entertaining. But we're not done just yet.

The fourth and final resolution theme for this month is....uh....to CHEAT!

"Cheat! What? Are you crazy? I worked so hard why would I cheat?"

I know, I know...take it easy. Yes I said cheat, no I'm not crazy, and yes you have worked hard...that's why I want you to cheat. There is a method to the madness I promise.

So you started your resolutions. You've substituted, moderated, and remained consistent. It wasn't easy, but ya did it. Let's fast forward a month from now. When you're at your wits end and CRAVING a large bag of cheese doodles. CRAVING a big gulp soda. CRAVING all the things you've cut of for weeks. You know what happens right? You say, "eh one bag isn't gonna hurt. One soda isn't gonna hurt..." That one slip up usually leads to falling completely off the wagon. Now every other day your busting down a soda and a cheeseburger and fries telling yourself, "I'll work it off at the gym." Maybe you go to the gym, maybe you don't. The fact of the matter is that the regime that you've worked to put together and customize to your liking and convenience is now compromised off your one slip up that manifested into many....because we all know slip ups don't happen in ones. It's 3's and 4's and 5's. Now you're going to the gym and working off a weeks worth of soda and burgers rather then that one cheat day. See where I'm going with this?

Cheating reduces the relapse by allowing you to still enjoy those guilty pleasures but at a minimum. You've been eating healthy all week? Treat yourself to cheeseburger on Friday or Saturday. Establish the day (or days...shouldn't be more then 2) that you feel is OK for you to revisit some old tasty friends of yours. 

DON'T TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BINGE!!! Just enjoy it for the day and then get back to business the next day.

Hopefully, these resolution posts have been somewhat helpful to you and your quest for better eating and habit changing. Stay tuned because next month will be a new theme, new ideas, and more importantly...NEW FOOD!!!

2 Resolution Month: Consistency

Is it safe to say that most people would like a change? Is it also safe to say that the majority of those people don't want to do the things necessary to make that change happen? Call it laziness, call it lack of focus, call it whatever you want. The fact of the matter is that if you want things done you actually HAVE TO DO THEM!!!

With that being said my 3rd resolution point of January is CONSISTENCY!!!

The ability will to carry out an act CONTINUOUSLY! Doing something once or twice...or for a week just isn't going to cut it. Nothing against your small victory (which I will get back to shortly) but if you want a much larger success you're going to have to work and work and work for it.

Tips to remain consistent:

- Start Small
Small victories are great for routines that you are looking to make habits. Want to start going to the gym more? Go twice a week. That's not too much right? It's not supposed to be...at least not when you first start. You want to start small to prevent yourself from A - burning out. B - being overwhelmed. And C - there's always room to do more. In order to get to 5th gear you have to start in 1st...remember that

- Don't Settle
To often we're quick to throw in the towel after only a few attempts. Little do you know that you are capable of going further and doing so much more. Don't settle for the thrill of immediate gratification. Challenge yourself. Push yourself. Motivate yourself to go beyond your initial goals.

- Schedule
I've noticed that some people maintain their habits better when they're scheduled into their day. I.E. - EVERY Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday I'm going to go to the gym...may not be the same time every visit, but at some point during those days you know you're going to be at the gym. EVERY Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I'm going to have a salad for lunch. I think you get the point.

- Just Do It!
No, I'm not endorsing Nike here, but everyone makes excuses as to why they don't lose weight, or why they can't get back in shape.  This relates back to the last one, a schedule.  When you have your schedule, JUST DO IT! You'll feel better about yourself.  Once you start to do it, you won't to stop at all.  So stop the excuses as to why you CAN'T and tell yourself YOU CAN and YOU WILL.

0 Resolution Month: Enter the Moderation

So the substitutions didn't do it for ya huh? How about we go a little cliche?

Next up on the resolution posts...MODERATION!

You've heard it before and so what if I'm beating a dead horse. It's something that needs to be repeated. Rather then eating until you're stuffed, or until your plate is completely cleared of it's contents...eat until you're satisfied. Not easy of course but if it was easy it wouldn't be a RESOLUTION now would it?

There is a thin line between satisfied and gluttony and we often tap dance all over it. At the point where your stomach tells your brain, "I think I'm good..." is probably when you should stop eating. Forcing yourself to continue eating after you've clearly had enough is just foolish. Rather then walking around uncomfortable and barely able to breathe, why not just save the rest for another time? Then you'll have food for later.

Quick tips to help you with your portions:

1 - Out of sight, out of mouth.
If you're anything like me then food doesn't sit in front of you for too long before you go in for the kill. If you order less, you will eat less...and that's just simple mathematics

2 - Listen to the words of your body.
Your body will tell you when you're good, when you've definitely had enough, and when you're a bite away from a food induced coma. LISTEN TO IT! Before you find yourself unbuckling your belt and feeling like you need to throw up for relief

3 - Self control.
Probably the most difficult of all the tips. Just because it's there or offered, doesn't mean you have to partake. It is definitely OK to say NO. Your stomach thanks you!

4 - Doggy before dine.
Ask the server for a to go bag....So you ordered a huge meal, you obviously want to eat it all because it's delicious, and, you paid for it. Cut it in half, don't finish it at dinner, bring the other half for lunch tomorrow. 

2 Resolution Month: The Art of Substitution

January is here and the season of making resolutions that we will probably never follow is upon us. Lets face it...the overwhelming majority of resolutions made for the New Year are broken and shattered before the 15th of the month. Usually because these resolutions are carried out in a rather boot camp of a way.

"I want to lose weight so I'm going to eat nothing but vegetables until I'm where I want to be...that's my resolution and I'm sticking to it!" Sounds good but highly unlikely. Quitting the things we love cold turkey is probably one of the most difficult things to do...so why do it?

For the first week of resolution month I'd like to introduce the art of substitution.  The act of maintaining the overall integrity of your meal but making a few minor adjustments that can prove to be beneficial in the long run. By substituting you can still get those satisfying portions but at a lower caloric cost.

Thinking about a burger with all the fix'ns for lunch? Maybe you should try a turkey burger with the fix'ns instead. Don't know where to get a decent turkey burger from? I'd recommend Schnippers. They have a turkey burger that can pretty much rival your local fast food burger spot.

Some helpful substitutions to consider in your quest to maintain your resolution:
Cauliflower for potatoes
Grain and/or wheat instead of white flour based products
Water or Vitamin Water instead of sodas and juices
Broiled and baked foods as opposed to fried
Need Caffeine? Take Vitamin B12 and drop the energy drinks
Drink Green Tea for antioxidants

Find what it is that works for you and make the substitution!!!