How often do you choose DIET SODA over WATER?

Which of these two drinks do you prefer? It's easy to pick the soda over water...who cares, it's just soda, right? 

I used to always get a large diet coke/pepsi and then I'd order the Whopper or BigMac and large fries, too...ha!! My husband would always ask me, "Why are you drinking a diet soda with the type of food you're eating?"  Of course, I took offense to that question, but reality is...it was TRUTH! I just didn't want to listen!

We've always heard that soda is not good for you...and I'm sure you also know that Diet Soda isn't any better! I continued to drink Diet soda a lot during the first two years that I was changing my lifestyle to be more "healthy."

When I learned more about clean eating, I stopped drinking diet sodas, stopped using splenda, stopped eating/drinking ANYTHING with splenda or the other fake sugars.  I was amazed at how different I felt when I started drinking MORE WATER!!  I also drink a lot of Green Tea either plain or sweetened with a little bit of natural honey (when I make it at home).

I'm not perfect...I will admit that I still drink a diet soda every now and then...but RARELY!!  It's in the fridge at my workplace...readily available to me 5 days a week, and for free! Talk about TEMPTATION!!  But, when I stay strong in my choices, and choose to not drink the diet soda...I feel so much better!  Some days, I know that I don't drink enough water...so that's my daily goal...keep drinking that water!!  You may have heard this...but you should drink about half your weight in ounces of water on a daily basis!

CHALLENGE TO YOU:  Put down that soda...and drink more water!! I challenge you to journal about how you feel and the changes that you see.

Eat Clean...and Never "Diet" Again!!

I hate 'fad diets'....I don't need to name them because you know what they are. There are hundreds of books out there telling you this is the "DIET" for you!  It promises a lot...and they guarantee that you'll lose weight fast, but are you really going to eat like this for the REST OF YOUR LIFE...and KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF? 
I'm a huge supporter Tosca Reno's plan of EATING CLEAN! Anyone can follow this eating plan pretty closely...and make it a lifestyle of eating healthy! When you eat clean, you don't have to count calories, fat or Carbs!! Eating clean eliminates processed foods from your diet. One of her best resources is the Eat Clean: Basic Grocery List.  I have it hanging on my fridge as a daily reminder to eat healthy and clean!  Before you go shopping, you must first clean out everything else from your fridge and pantry so the 'temptation' of unhealthy food and snacks are not readily available.  In the first week, you'll see the pounds start to melt away and the inches fall off!!  Your skin will look clearer and more radiant, you'll have more ENERGY, and you'll feel GREAT!!  
Personally, I eat clean about 90% of the time, and the other 10% of time, I will splurge and enjoy what I want to eat...and it works for me!  The key to lasting weight loss...is to find what works for you!  Eating clean will stop cravings for sweets and help you break through a plateau if your weight loss has come to a stop, which was the case for me last year.  
If you are a "Clean Eater," please post a comment on how it's working for you! 

I'm Back...Healthier & Stronger 4 Life!

It's been a year since I did anything on my blog, and it's time for a FRESH new look and new focus!! I hope you like the changes I've made…it’s still a work in progress over the next few weeks!

Many thoughts go through my mind on a daily basis that I want to share with others on how they can become HEALTHIER and STRONGER in all areas of their life: spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally!  Over the last 3 ½ years of my journey to losing weight and getting healthier, I’ve experienced many ups and downs. I can honestly say that my personal walk with God has become stronger as He has been and will always be my source of strength in overcoming my food addiction and emotional eating habits.  I no longer look to food as my comfort. My marriage has become stronger, and I’m a better mother to my 3 kids.  I'm finally within a few pounds of my GOAL weight and 1 POINT away from the "healthy" BMI!!  I've gone from "Obese" to "Overweight" and I'm currently at a 26 BMI.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is calling me to share my testimony and be an inspiration to others who are on the road to getting healthy and fit!  I’m not here to promote a “fad” diet…and I’m not here to sell you anything.  I’m here to MOTIVATE and INSPIRE you to live healthier and be more active…so that you can LIVE for many years to come and enjoy the precious life that God has given you!    

So…what's new with me?  Well, about 4 weeks ago, I decided to set a goal to run my first full marathon!  Last September, I ran my first Half Marathon...it was hard, but I did it!!  I will be registering soon for the Denver Rock 'N Roll Marathon set for October 20th!  I'm very excited and nervous too!! The training schedule that I'm following has me running a long run on the weekend, then I drop back down to a shorter run, then I increase my long run by 2 miles.  The farthest distance I've ran so far is 16 miles! This Saturday, I'm scheduled to run 18 miles!