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November 3, 2014

Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style: Working Past The Pain!

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Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of  The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes!  All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weight 191 lbs; I am down tw0 pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today finds my continued yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, using a pedometer, portioning my meals, and now I also measure myself monthly, using seamstress tape!

 

For today’s  installment in this series, I want to discuss a way I Have found to push through the pain of exercising. If you are anything like me, then losing weight was as much an aesthetic change, as a needed, life affirming chance. One thing that has hindered me is the physical pain, the exhaustion, and the sheer effort that occurs from exercising. Here is a list of ways I have found to push past the pain while exercising:

  1. Count To 100:  Focus on the steps you are taking, the vaporous breaths, and concentrate on nothing else.  Count to 100 over and over again. This mental exercise can be extremely helpful during times when workouts never seem to end.
  2. Find A Catchphrase: Find a mantra that resonates with you. It can be one word or a whole paragraph. Something that you find soothing to repeat over and over again until your workout is through or you get a true second wind; my keyword is happy, as in, “I am exercising to get back my happy.”
  3. Picture Your Goals: You must have a reason for exercising. Call on those goals when you’re at your breaking point. Think about the pants that you can’t wait to fit into or the health gain you will receive, and even the way you will be able to just live, longer, better, and without pain and difficulty. Think small, attainable goals.
  4. Put It Into Perspective: Compare your workout time to the rest of your day. Let’s say your exercise session is 45:00 minutes long. That leaves 23 Hrs and 15 Min out of your day that you haven’t dedicated to exercising. Your workout session really isn’t a lot of time in comparison to the rest of your day. Next time you want to drop a workout for one day to the next, consider that every time you workout you are losing the negative seconds, minutes, hours, and days that you spend in pain, in discomfort, and in a body less than you deserve. Learn to make the most out of your time, so you can make the most of your life.

Here’s to your health!

Misty

Weekly Menu: Feeding A Family of 4, For Only $29.73 This Week!

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Happy Sunday, savvy savers! This week is starting off to a sunny start here in Dixie. Thankfully, this weeks menu is going to be a breeze, and consists of Cupboard Clearing ideas, so stepping out to the market is not necessary! I am cooking and prepping solely from what is in my deep freeze pantry, and stockpile this week! Without further ado, here is my weekly menu, for which was derived from couponing deals, freebies, and cupboard cooking; I will be feeding a family of four this week for only $29.73!

Please note: this week and subsequent weeks thereafter will start reflecting my new Amylose, low-insulin dieting options; this diet also reflects options suitable for my PCOS diagnosis.

This week we will be having:

Monday
Breakfast: Turkey, low-fat Mozzarella, and Spinach Omelette, with Green Tea.
Lunch: Turkey and Cheese rounds, with celery, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Almonds, Gala Apple Slices, and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot Three Bean Chili, cooked with Boca Crumbles, with Diet Cola.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Green Tea and Strawberry Smoothie; made with Truvia.
Lunch: Freezer Cooking Beef and Turnip Stew, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Strawberries and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Roll-ups; in lieu of taco shells I use Romaine Lettuce Sheets.
Dessert: Gluten-Free Brownies.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Baked Frittata Cups, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Taco Salads, with crystal light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Curry, steamed peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Homemade Gluten-Free  Truvia brownies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Homemade Greek Yogurt, with fruit cup, and Unsweetened Almond milk.
Lunch: Tossed Salad with Turkey, light vinaigrette, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Grilled Turkey Burger Patties, Bakes Squash Slices,  with Crystal Light.
Dessert: Brownie flurries with leftover brownies; we use Edy’s Sugar-Free Ice Cream.

Friday
Breakfast: Turkey, Cheese, and Egg Scramble, with Unsweetened Apple Juice.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with walnuts, grapes, and  homemade Greek Yogurt dressing.
Snack: Strawberries and two pieces of Sugar Free Chocolate; candy is used as melted drizzle for berries.
Dinner: Barbecue Pork, Steamed Green Beans, Quinoa, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Diet Coca-Cola slushies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Omelettes with sausage, and milk.
Lunch: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Quinoa, and lemonade.
Dessert: Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Cups.

Sunday
Breakfast: Bacon and Eggs, with Unsweetened Almond Milk.
Lunch: Grilled Andouille Sausage, Steamed Broccoli, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and walnuts.
Dinner: Crockpot Orange Chicken with Almonds, Steamed Snow Peas, and crystal light.
Dessert: Fresh Fruit Smoothies.

Enjoy the ideas!