Home for the fourth (which is my birthday, yay!)

I'm going back to my sweet little home town tonight, to spend the weekend with my mom, and family.  I'm so excited, and can't wait to bbq, swim, and visit with my nieces.  My mom makes the best cakes in the world, so I have been saving my cheat meal for a piece (or two) of my birthday cake (which is going to be a Barbie cake this year)  and whatever yummy dinner we BBQ.  This year I remembered to pack a "New Hampshire friendly bikini because my bathing suits that I wear in Miami and California just weren't cutting it for my mom:)  I have to remember I'm visiting the local swimming hole, not South Beach.

In the past, I used to return from New Hampshire frustrated with myself, because I did a poor job of negotiating all of the delicious treats at my mom's house.  I don't tend to buy much from the snack aisle of the supermarket (maybe mixed nuts) and the cabinets at my mom's house are filled with all sorts of treats....but my nemesis was the candy cabinet, which is usually filled with M&M's, baby Snickers and Lindt chocolates.  When everyone else went to bed, and I was still asleep, I would go and raid the cabinets, eating much more candy than any person should probably have in one sitting.

Now when I go home my mom literally empty's the candy cabinet, and puts it somewhere so that I can't find it, and wreck much of the work that I've been doing for the past few weeks. I know this may seem a little extreme, but I appreciate it so very much, as it takes the pressure off of me, and I don't have to worry about having adequate willpower.  I also make sure to pick up plenty of things that fit into my nutritional plan.  I really like the way I feel eating clean, wholefoods, and so I've learned just to bring them with me, and incorporate them into the weekend.

I know it seems like a lot of work, and thought, and it is.  Staying in shape requires a fair amount of consistency on my part, but it's just become a way of life for me, and is as basic, and crucial as brushing my teeth:)

Stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan

Precision Nutrition

Yesterday I ordered a new gourmet cookbook, which is also designed to keep you lean.  I love the basic principles of Precision Nutrition......recipes that taste amazing, but are actually good for you!  Check out the site: http://www.precisionnutrition.com/products/system  I think the system is great for anyone, but I really recommend it if you aren't sure of what you should be eating.  It takes the guesswork out of things, and gives you some basic principles for success:)

80 percent:)

Call it what you will, I can imagine you've had one too.  A day where you had no intention of eating too much, but managed to eat a bit of anything and everything.  This happens to me: after a few weeks of dieting, anytime I have a very emotional situation, and....anytime I start to eat too much sugar.  Sometimes it seems like once you start eating "bad things", why bother stopping?  I'll tell you why:  Success is based on the percentage of times that you get things right, which means that you don't have to be perfect all the time.....but reigning in your bad habits will keep you on track for your goals.

Don't use a temporary slip up in your diet as an excuse to go completely off plan for weeks and weeks.  I see this all the time, around Christmas and vacations.  People talk about it as if they have no choice, and they MUST forget about sane eating habits......no way!  There will always be a birthday, a work dinner, a holiday....or a yummy bag of cookies that someone dropped off for you that's "irresistible".  There is always more of whatever goody you pass up today, don't panic!  If you still need chocolate tomorrow, there will be a million places to buy some..........

So if you have a slip up (and you probably will) , let it go.   Know that you are human, and if you do things right 80 percent of the time (with your diet) you will have a great body.

Traveling and eating healthy

Oh and that's Teddy my teacup yorkie in my suitcase....he already knows I'll be away, and he isn't happy!

Ok, so I'm packing for California....West Hollywood here I come:) and guess what?  Just because you are on vacation, your eating can still keep you lean....but.....it's going to take some effort and some room in your suitcase.  When I travel, I pack food, or go to a grocery store to put some things in my mini fridge in the room so that there's no excuse for eating tons of junk.  Here are things that I like to travel with (or buy upon arrival).

• Nuts
• Single serving protein powder
• plain, instant oatmeal
• apples and grapefruit (I buy there)
• All natural cheese sticks
• Crystal light (in case there is only yucky hotel water handy)
• Greek yogurt (haha, I wouldn't try to pack this......)

This way I can stay on plan, still eat out.....and I'm not starving the entire time I'm on vacation.  Interestingly enough, I often come back leaner after a vacation!

xoxo