help me lose weight – Page 2 – This {______

I am ready for change!

I’ve been working on eating healthy and moving more. I am currently having physical therapy once a week to help with my lower back arthritis.

I have been so frustrated with my goal of getting healthier and moving better. I often feel like the rusty tin man. My joints don’t want to unlock. I’m tired of feeling this way and I am working on a plan for change.

Besides physical therapy, I have been getting massages again. Not the nice, relaxing massages. These massages have improved my flexibility so much. My therapist, Wendy, has found a way to unlock my knees. It hurts like hell while she is doing it and for two days after, but it is working.

I will be meeting with a nutritionist tomorrow after work to get some assistance. I will share what I learn and give updates on my progress.

Thanks for reading.

Goal Setting Tuesday – How to choose a goal that inspires you.

The Art of Setting Goals: Crafting Your Path to Success

Setting goals is more than just jotting down a list of aspirations – it’s about creating a roadmap that guides us towards our dreams, motivates us through challenges, and ultimately leads to personal growth and achievement. Whether you’re aiming for professional success, personal development, or a healthier lifestyle, the process of setting goals is a powerful tool that propels us forward. Let’s delve into the art of setting goals and how you can harness this practice to transform your life.

1. Define Your Vision

The first step in setting meaningful goals is to clarify your vision. What do you truly want to achieve? Whether it’s advancing in your career, improving your relationships, or achieving a fitness milestone, defining your aspirations provides a clear direction and purpose.

2. Make Them SMART

SMART goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound – are a proven framework for setting goals that are clear and actionable. Instead of setting vague goals like “get healthier,” make them specific, such as “exercise for 30 minutes five days a week,” measurable by tracking progress, achievable with realistic expectations, relevant to your overall vision, and time-bound with a deadline like “achieve this by the end of the year.”

3. Break Them Down

Large goals can feel overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, manageable tasks or milestones. This not only makes the goal more achievable but also allows you to celebrate incremental successes along the way, keeping your motivation high.

4. Write Them Down

There’s power in putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Write down your goals and revisit them regularly. This not only solidifies your commitment but also serves as a constant reminder of what you’re working towards.

5. Stay Flexible and Adapt

While setting goals is important, it’s equally crucial to remain flexible and adapt as circumstances change. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes adjustments are necessary. Embrace these changes and see them as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.

6. Seek Accountability and Support

Share your goals with trusted friends, family members, or mentors who can provide encouragement and hold you accountable. Accountability partners can offer valuable insights, motivation, and support during challenging times.

7. Visualize Success

Visualization is a powerful technique used by athletes, performers, and successful individuals across various fields. Take time to visualize yourself achieving your goals – imagine the emotions, the sights, and the sounds associated with your success. This practice not only reinforces your commitment but also primes your mind for success.

8. Celebrate Your Achievements

As you make progress towards your goals, take time to celebrate your achievements. Whether it’s a small victory or a major milestone, acknowledging your successes boosts your confidence and reinforces your commitment to continuing on your journey.

9. Review and Adjust Regularly

Periodically review your goals to assess your progress. Are you on track? Are there any adjustments or refinements needed? Reflect on what’s working well and what could be improved, and adjust your goals accordingly.

10. Embrace the Journey

Lastly, remember that setting goals is not just about reaching the destination – it’s about embracing the journey. Each step you take towards your goals contributes to your personal growth and development. Enjoy the process, learn from challenges, and celebrate the victories, knowing that every effort you make brings you closer to achieving your dreams.

In conclusion, setting goals is a transformative practice that empowers us to create the life we envision. By defining your vision, making SMART goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, and staying flexible and adaptive, you pave the way for success and personal fulfillment. So, dare to dream big, set your goals with intention, and embark on a journey of growth, achievement, and endless possibilities.

Tuesday blogs will be dedicated to goal-setting. We will discuss books, podcasts, and personal stories about setting goals. I hope you will join me.

May 2, 2023 -One Bar S’mores taste test

It’s time for another protein bar taste test. I’ve enjoyed the One Bars. I found a new flavor – S’mores! Who doesn’t love s’mores??? Looks yummy!

So, let’s take a look at the macros – 210 calories, 7 grams fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 180 mg sodium, 25 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 1 gram sugars, 20 grams protein. Not bad.

Let’s open up the package.

DELICIOUS!!!!! Good texture. Not too sweet. I could almost smell the campfire.

Have you tried the S’mores One Bar? Do you have another favorite flavor?

Thanks for reading.

April 25, 2023 – Robert Irvine’s Fit Crunch Bar

My friend gave me this bar to try. She kind of liked it and wanted to know my thoughts.

The cross section made me excited to eat the bar.

The macros – 190 calories per bar, 8 g fat, 200 mg Sodium, 14 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 16 G protein. Not horrible but not the best.

Now for the taste. It was DELICIOUS! However, it was not filling. A Snickers holds me over better but also has worse macros. I think I would eat one of these bars occasionally as a treat.

Have you tried them? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

April 15, 2023 – Think! high protein bar taste test

If you know me, you k no ow I love lemon flavored EVERYTHING! I had really high hopes for the Lemon Delight Think! Bars.

First, the macros. A little higher in calories than I would have liked and I was disappointed that there was NO FIBER at all.

So, was the taste worth the calories and lack of fiber?

In my opinion, no. The texture was weird and there was not enough lemon flavor for me. To me, it was like eating a sawdust bar that was dunked in lemon water. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion.

This is a bar that I won’t be trying again. That doesn’t mean you won’t like it. If you have tried it and like it, good. Maybe you can share your thoughts on what you like in the comments.

What healthy bar or treat should I try next?

Thanks for reading.

March 20, 2023 – Practicing Mindful Eating

As I continue with my journey to get healthier and lose weight, I have been trying different food and different strategies and sharing them here. My newest strategy is practicing mindful eating.

What is mindful eating? Mindful eating is paying attention to the food you eat and using all of your senses when doing so. The opposite of mindful eating is mindless eating. We’ve all done that, right? Rough day at work. Start cooking dinner and sit down to watch TV…with a bag of chips or box of cookies. The next thing you know, you have eaten the entire box or bag. You don’t even remember tasting the food. Yeah, that’s really mindless.

So, how do you practice mindful eating? Here’s what I’ve been doing. I choose one meal a day to practice this. Today I chose to practice at lunch. The steps I followed:

No distractions – turn off the phone, tv, radio and computer. I eat in silence if I can.
Today I am having a ham salad sandwich. I will incorporate all my senses while I eat the sandwich:
- Touch: The sandwich is cold because it was in the refrigerator. The bread is whole grain with seeds so it had texture.
- Sight: I can see the seeds and the air bubbles in the bread. I can see the creaminess of the ham salad. There are pimentos in the salad that are red and make the salad look pretty.
- Hearing: The crust of the bread is crunchy when I bite into it.
- Smell: The bread smells so fresh and there is a tangy smell to the ham salad.
- Taste: As I bite into the crunchy crust and feel the soft and creamy ham salad, the nutty flavor of the bread and the tangy ham salad hit my tastebuds. Delicious.
I take my time eating my sandwich, savoring every bite.
The sandwich fills me up and once I finish it, I am full.
I feel satisfied and thoroughly enjoyed my meal.

That is how I practiced today. Have you tried anything similar? If you have, how has mindful eating helped you to eat healthier, enjoy your food more, and helped you lose weight? Do you have any tips or tricks you would like to share regarding mindful eating? Please comment below.

Thanks for reading.

March 5, 2023 – chopped salad with chicken and Honeycrisp Apple Vinaigrette

We took a run down to Farmer Joe’s in Cape Coral last weekend. Today I was craving a big salad. So, I chopped up 1/4 head of iceberg lettuce, an English cucumber, two heirloom tomatoes, and added a pouch of Starkest White Chicken.

I tossed this with Cindy’s Kitchen Honeycrisp Apple Vinaigrette.

Very tasty and filling. I think it needed a sprinkling of low-fat feta cheese to give it a savory pop. All-in-all, a nice dinner.

What’s your favorite salad recipe? What is your go to healthy salad dressing?

Thanks for reading.

February 28, 2023 – One Bar – Blueberry Cobbler

When I decided to try different protein bars and “review” them, I didn’t realize how many delicious bars were out there. This has been a wonderful and tasty endeavor.

happen to be my favorite berry. I could eat them every day and be happy. When I saw that the One Bar had a blueberry cobbler flavor, I had to try it. It took a while for me to find them, but I finally hit the jackpot this weekend.

Look at how delicious this bar is.

It really does taste like the blueberry cobbler that your grandma used to make. The flavor is spot on. The consistency is chewy with a bit of a crunch. Altogether delicious. And filling. I ate half of one as a morning snack and, after two slices, I was satisfied.

How do the macros stack up? I think pretty good.

See if you can get your hands on one to try. I found mine at Walmart.

Have any protein bar suggestions for me? I’d love to taste-test your favorites.

Thanks for reading!

February 24, 2023 – Mooala Banana Milk: A Tasty, Healthy Alternative To Dairy

Are you looking for a delicious, healthy alternative to dairy milk? Meet Mooala Banana Milk! This milk is made from bananas, so it’s naturally sweet and creamy. It’s also low in sugar, sodium, and carbs, and it’s gluten-free.

What’s more, Mooala Banana Milk is a great choice for smoothie making. It’s thick and filling, so it will help you stay satisfied longer. Plus, it’s a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. That little hint of cinnamon makes a big difference!

So if you’re looking for a delicious, healthy, low-sugar alternative to dairy milk, give Mooala Banana Milk a try! You won’t be disappointed!

Here are more photos of the bottle.

The Story Behind Mooala: Mooala was started by Jeff Richards. Jeff was a dad who wanted to make better eating a way of life for his family. He was always on the hunt for foods and drinks that were made with nature’s best ingredients and were free of artificial stuff. So when he started hearing about a plant-based milk that was made from bananas, he was intrigued. He tried it out and knew this was something special. He could taste the freshness and the banana flavor. And he hopped on the idea of creating his own version of plant-based milk that was free from any artificial ingredients. Fast forward to today and Mooala has become a household name. They are committed to creating delicious, dairy-free products that are made with all-natural ingredients and no added sugar. Nutrition and Benefits Of Mooala Banana Milk: Mooala Banana Milk is packed with nutrition. It’s made from real bananas and is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Plus, it’s low in sugar, sodium, and carbs. And it’s free from dairy, gluten, soy, carrageenan, and artificial hormones. In addition, Mooala Banana Milk is a great choice for smoothie-making. It’s creamy and filling, so it will help you stay satisfied longer. And it’s a great source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients. For those of you looking for a dairy-free alternative that still has the creamy taste and texture of regular milk, Mooala Banana Milk is the perfect choice. So give it a try and see for yourself why it’s becoming a popular choice for many households.

Have you tried any plant based milks that you would like to recommend? Put them in the comments!

Thanks for reading.

February 19, 2023 – Healthy Choice Cauliflower Crust Flatbread Pizza BBQ Seasoned Chicken

The older I get, the less I tolerate bread. Plain cheese pizza can cause me so much discomfort that it ruins my pizza craving. I’ve been trying more cauliflower based crusts. Today I tried this cauliflower crust flatbread. it was tasty. But how do the macros stack up?

Not bad!

Actual photo

Have you tried this? What are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading.