(my) Snackage Solutions

One of our fellow bootcampers asked me about snacks... she asked if I would email a list of my favorites. SURE! A few criteria for my snacks... EASY, AFFORDABLE, TASTY, and PORTABLE. Here are some of my treats... (I eat snacks sparingly... snacking ALL day is not a healthy habit, but snacking when your body needs it is GREAT) I also found a nice document to help... it is attached.

• Nuts - avoid chocolate covered. LOL
• Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachio
• Fruit - again, avoid fruit dipped in chocolate. LOL
• Apples, bananas, grapes meet all my criteria 
• Popcorn - air popped, no butter - avoid caramel covered. LOL
• I keep a bag in my car ALWAYS... in case I find myself thinking of driving through and getting french fries or something I don't need. 
• Protein Shakes - I have tried SO MANY and finally found one I like. I buy the pre-made ones because they are easy, portable and tasty. I like Atkins shakes (but only two flavors- Mocha Latte and Dark Chocolate)

BEFORE you snack: Am I hungry? Is it good for me? How much do I need?

I have a bag of snacks in the back of my car at all times. I have been caught MANY TIMES in situations that involved me needing to grab a snack from my car/purse. DON'T let those situations become EXCUSES for poor eating. BE PREPARED. 

Tuesday night as you walk past my car, take a look in the back at the bag on the floor... always there, always filled with snacks that meet my criteria, and always helpful in a pinch!

Exercise IS WORK (and that's OK)

This article really focuses on the "work" of exercise. Most of the time, people over-estimate the amount of exercise they are doing AND the amount of calories they are burning. This is a great reminder that exercise is work. It brings SO MANY amazing benefits, but we have to work at it. Keep up the good WORK.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1209 from SparkPeople.com.