Ultimate RESET!

Monday, October 24, 2011

How Much Water is Enough?

Every time we turn around, there's another article telling us how much water to drink or not drink. It's confusing to say the least. Some tell us we need to drink 64 ounces, others tell us we need to be drinking 128 ounces, and some are telling us to only drink when we are thirsty.

I'm here to tell you what I think and the importance of water on our bodies.

I personally think that aiming for 64 ounces (that is 8-eight ounce glasses a day) of only water a day is a great starting goal for most people. That does not include tea, coffee, crystal light, sports drinks, energy drinks, milk, protein shakes or anything else but water.

If you're active or in hot climates your needs will increase.

A little known fact that most people don't know is that thirst is one of the last signs of dehydration. So using that as a gauge is not an option.

Every system in your body depends on water.
Flushing out toxins, carries nutrients, hydrates, gives energy (a lot of energy), aids in weight loss and several other important roles & benefits in the body.

Even mild dehydration can zap your body of energy, nutrients & can cause constipation.

So with all this in mind let's try and all stay on track with our water goal each and every day.

Hints to make water a little easier to drink:

~Spice water up. Try lemon, lime, orange or cucumber wedges in ice water.
~Get a fun water bottle that helps you track your ounces. I used to use a 32 ounces bottle and fill it up 2-4 times a day. I now just drink straight out of a gallon jug and once that's gone, my goal is accomplished.
~Put juice cubes in your water. Freeze 100% juice in ice cube trays and use a couple in your water, to spice it up.


The benefits of water FAR outweigh the side effect of using the bathroom frequently, so drink up!

Happy Monday!

Monday, October 17, 2011

My Weight Loss Story


If you've been reading my blog for some time then you have seen my That's Fit article.
I gained a lot of weight during my first pregnancy and continued to gain well after my daughter was born. I didn't ever realize it. I was unaware of how much I weighed, or really how I looked in the mirror. I was so preoccupied with being a first time mom and learning the in and outs of motherhood. I studied baby nutrition, toddler nutrition, baby games, activities etc. Yet I was clueless to mommy nutrition.
After a wake up call at my doctors office I changed everything. I cleaned out my pantry, restocked it, and picked up every book I could about nutrition, health and healthy weight loss. I safely lost the unhealthy weight and regained my energy & life.

Recently I have gone through some trying times in my life and put my nutrition on the back burning. A VERY common thing for moms to do in their busy, unpredictable lives.

Now that summer is over, the waters have calmed & life is more routine again, I have taken a long hard look in the mirror and on the scale.
While my diet has remained healthy and vegetarian, I turned to food for comfort & in social settings instead of being more conscience of how much I was actually consuming. Now after a few months I have realized I am about 10 pounds heavier (quite a bit on a small frame) and haven't been consistent with my workouts since the beginning of summer.

I have recommitted myself and changed my goals to fit.

I tell you this for a few reasons, one being that accountability is HUGE when you're trying to get healthy or lose weight. Being honest is something you have to get familiar with if you're going to take your weight loss journey seriously. Lastly it's to remind everyone that losing sight of your goal or temporarily slipping is human and to be expected in this crazy, busy, multi-tasking world we live in. What's important is that we notice it and decide to make a change.

If you're just starting on your journey, remember to start small and make strides everyday.
Take a walk one day, if you make it around the block then great. If you make it 2 blocks the next day, then even better. Instead of your grande mocha with an extra shot, maybe your order a skinny latte. It's the small things that add up to make a big difference.
That's Fit article: http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/05/13/nutrition-mom-lindsey-dropped-bad-habits-and-lost-50-pounds/

Happy Monday!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Good Parenting AND Good Nutrition


Good parenting and good nutrition used to go hand and hand. Mom was in the kitchen cooking, dad was working, mom was there to greet us when we got home from school, we had a healthy snack, help with our homework, played outside (what we consider exercise these days) then had a home cooked meal and settled in for the night.

What happened to those days?

Women stood up, spoke up and took charge of their own lives. Who says we have to stay home, cook dinner, sew our kids clothes, clean the house, change diapers & pour our husbands drinks?

That's right ladies, we have a voice now. We have a choice. Where does that leave our children? Does that mean we are bad mothers because we have decided to be wage earners instead of Betty Crocker's?

My answer: HeLL NO!! Why is there such a division between career and good parenting. More specifically, there does not need to be less good nutrition and exercise in our kids lives because we have decided (or need to) be career women.

Let's find a way to do BOTH without being victims to our lives (or economy or marriages).

A mother of 6 with a full time job can still find a way to feed her family (on a budget) in a healthy way.

Plan ahead and recruit help. Take the time on Sunday to plan your family's meal, shop for them, cook some of the ingredients ahead of time and require help from your kids and husband. If no one is willing to help you cook then make it mandatory that they clean up after dinner.

This can be done. You will look back and be so thankful that you did it. Not only did you provide healthy home cooked meals for your family, you also set an example for them.

Yes women are expected to do more in general, but that shouldn't be the way it is. Why aren't our kids & husbands helping us make sure we have healthy meals on the table?

This can go hand in hand again, we just have to make it a priority in our lives. Good nutrition ensures healthy parents AND children.

I want your thoughts on this subject of motherhood, career woman and being a wife.
What do you think?

Email me at positivenutritionmom@gmail.com

Happy Monday!

Monday, October 3, 2011

My Multivitamin

I've been asked quite frequently what vitamins I take and particularly the multivitamin I take or if I take one.

Yes I do take a multivitamin, by a company called Rainbow Light. I also take a flaxseed oil capsule, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and add a few others during different seasons.

Many people think that taking a multi is pointless, but in my opinion it usually can't hurt anything and often actually helps. Most people don't eat a perfect diet, so why not try to fill in the holes in your diet.

Rainbow light: http://www.rainbowlight.com/

I buy all of my vitamins from an online vitamin shop: http://www.iherb.com/ use coupon code JIC007 for an additional $5 your first order.

Try a good quality food based multivitamin for 2 weeks to feel the full benefits from it. I can almost guarantee that if you took it every single day you'd feel the difference and be hooked.

Happy Monday night!