What I’m Into – January 2013

MyFitnessPal

 

 

I decided a week into January that I’d quietly start counting calories.  Losing weight wasn’t a New Year’s Resolution, but the new year did give me a fresh start.  I had let the holidays completely overtake any semblance of health.  I was feasting off cookies, cakes, white mochas, and ice cream sundaes…daily.  My weight aside, I needed some accountability on my sugar intake.

I downloaded the LoseIt! app to journal my food but found a few weeks later the food database in MyFitnessPal is a lot better.  While I’m not bent on counting calories, keeping a journal has helped me limit my sugar intake.  Only 50 calories left? You gotta choose something healthier than a cupcake. 

I still entertain a dessert every day, but I’m staying within my day caloric intake.  Four weeks later, I’ve lost 4-5 pounds and I’m into that.

MyFitnessPal has an app but don’t worry if you don’t have a smart phone. Everything can be tracked on their web site.

 

P90X

 

 

On top of counting calories, I’d been wanting to work out but just could not get it together.  I hate working out in the morning, I don’t want to take any more time in the evenings away from home.  I don’t like getting sweaty in the middle of the day and normally my lunch break is needed for errands. 

Scott decided about two weeks ago to start P90X on his own.  He asked me to do it and I immediately said no.  I’ve heard way too many complaints on social media about how hard it was.  I wanted to exercise, but not go crazy or anything. 

The first night he put in the DVDs, I jumped in. I figured I would do what I could and bow out for the rest.  The first night I made half the night.  I was able to keep it together the other nights and guess what?  I’m into it. 

I love that every night is something different. I love that Scott and I are doing it together.  I love that the girls are home with us and jump in when they want.  If they aren’t doing the DVD, they’re hanging on to the chin up bar or playing around us.  I feel like I’m getting the exercise I need without sacrificing family time.

 

Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds

 

 

The hardest part of letting go of sugar is finding good replacement snacks.  I’m not a big vegetable fan, try to stay away from too many carbs and being gluten free doesn’t leave you with too many options.  Cheese anyone? 

Almost every nutritionist will tell you to snack on almonds but I cannot stand plain almonds.  I stumbled on Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds one day in the store, desperate to find a good alternative and y’all, these are so good. I’m into it.

Have low calorie, whole food snack options for me? Let me know!

 

Candles

 

 

My aunt gave me a soy candle for Christmas and last month I started keeping it at my desk and lighting it every day.  Turns out I love the yummy smell and dare I say it, the ambiance it creates.

I tried replacing the candle with one from Walmart and y’all, do not waste your time.  The candle was gone within a week.  I’m all for saving a buck or twelve but the more expensive candles really are worth it.

Here’s the candle my aunt bought me from a school fundraiser.  If nothing else, you have to go check out the scent names.  Some will certainly leave you scratching your head!

 

Vine

 

The latest social media site is out.  It’s called Vine and you share a 6 second video with a caption.  A video Instagram, if you will. People are doing some super creative things with the way it lets you capture short frames to come up with your 6 seconds. 

I’m enjoying getting a new kind of glimpse from folks when normally video would scare them away.  Download the app and find me as amyjbennett.

 

Cake Boss

 

It’s been about 6 months and we’re still surviving without DirecTV.  The kids have most recently found Cake Boss on Netflix and it’s tranquilizing.  You start watching one episode and with Netflix’s automatic start into the next episode, you get 3 or 4 episodes in without blinking.  Amazing what those guys do.

 

Any of these familiar to you?  What’s your favorite thing right now?