5 Simple Ways to Become a Consistent Food & Fitness Tracker

I HAVE to track or I have no idea why I lost weight or gained it...and...I need to know.   So I can repeat it - good or bad.  I have also found My Fitness Pal very helpful.  I used to use the Daily Burn Tracker; however, just this week I decided to switch to MFP.  DB is much more limited than MFP is.  I ended up looking up foods on MFP anyway.  Also, I loved the simplicity of the DB Tracker but I was needing more in the way of interaction.  My Fitness Pal definitely gives you that in a variety of formats: Friends, groups and forums.  I brought many friends with me from my Diet Bet.  The fact that so many of the Diet-Betters use it was the final straw that made me switch.  So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  What works best for you?  Let me know in the comments.

Here's how to get started: 5 Simple Ways to Become a Consistent Food & Fitness Tracker

Stress and a healthy lifestyle

Sometimes the littlest things will make me tailspin.  I know when that happens that I am on stress overload.  That is not good for me or anyone else.  So how do I avoid this?  I really am asking.



For the most part, I try to put my head down and push forward.  I try to sleep not that it works very well with my mind going a mile a minute.  I intentionally watch what I eat since I am a well-documented emotional eater.  I exercise to take my mind off it.  But are these long term solutions?



In fact, I have even started to do yoga.  Never thought I would say that.  I am more of a dance the pounds off - jump around - lift weights kind of exerciser.  The thought that I could lay down and move slowly and still burn calories was kind of a strange thought for me.  I have found that I really enjoy it though.  That is when I can do it by myself.  My dog tends to like to help.  And by help I mean lick my face when I am in downward dog.  Very helpful and completely distracting.  Kind of hard to concentrate when there are random distractions.  But you do what you can right?



I used to smoke.  I thought that helped.  You know like the Snickers commercial - need a minute?  That's what I felt that smoking gave me - that minute to think about things and formulate a solution.  Considering I quit that unhealthy habit 3 years ago - I no longer have that minute.  My friend Scott used to take "pencil" breaks.  It was his version of a smoke break.  Maybe I will adopt that.  It worked for him.  Maybe it will work for me too.



Eventually everything works out and you can come out of the stress overload.  Although, it can take a while especially if you don't deal with it properly.  Some things are on cycles like money, family, work... I am always open to suggestions on ways around this so let me know what works for you.



Here's what Daily Burn had to say about it:

8 Signs You’re Way Too Stressed (and How to Relax)

30 Day Challenge Complete!

I DID IT!! I finished the 30 Day Keaira LaShae New Year, New You Challenge!  Not only did I finish - I finished well!  I am officially down 13.4 pounds and 14 inches!!!!  What a great accomplishment.  There are days that I didn't want to.  There was a day I missed so I did two days worth in one (don't recommend that).  But I didn't give up.  Keaira LaShae is an incredible motivator and I am thankful every day that I found her.  Next week I am going to start on her Summertime Fine Challenge.  That will take me through February.  In the meantime, I will keep active with Daily Burn.  Hope February is finding you accomplishing your goals as well.  Shoot me a line!  Let me know how your journey is going! 

BEAST MODE

Exercise makes me feel like I can do anything.  Especially the heart pumping, sweat dripping, trying to catch your breath kind.  BEAST MODE!  "BEAST!  You are a BEAST!" - That's what my "trainer" Keaira LaShae says.  You know what that says to me?  YOU DID IT!!! You are accomplishing your goal.  I am definitely one of those people who says "I don't want to".  That doesn't stop me from doing it.  In fact, it might just make me work harder to prove to myself that I really do want to.  I have been amping it up by pushing harder the last few days.  I am nearly done with the 30 day challenge (Day 26 done today!) and I feel amazing!  Based on my past actions, I truly never thought that I could stick with a program as long as I have.  I have been working out with Keaira for a little over 3 months starting with Daily Burn and now on YouTube and I have no intention of stopping.  Finding what works for you is the key to success.  Dancing may not work for you but I love it!  She definitely keeps me motivated and feeling like a BEAST!  Make sure to find something that makes you feel like a beast too!

She's trying to kill me

OK not really.  But being a superhero is NOT an easy task.  Just ask Keaira LaShae.  In case you don't know, Keaira is a fitness trainer, dancer and singer.  The woman is amazing and has given me hope.  Hope that one day I will have arms and abs just like her.  I initially "met" her on Daily Burn (which I love).  She has a MOVE series on there that is the ONLY workout of any type that has kept my interest for more than a week.  Sooo... when I found out that she had put up a 30 day challenge on her YouTube channel, I thought... Hell yeah!  I'm in.  You can check it out here http://www.youtube.com/superherofitnesstv.  Honestly, it's awesome.  I am on Day 5 right now and, like a superhero, I am pushing through.  Not giving up.  But it's hard.  What I love most about her videos is that she will say "This is no joke, I am tired".  That is real.  Right now, she is my inspiration to get up at 5 am and workout.  Now that's saying something!