Healthy Start

Everyone is looking for a quick fix, right? Quick energy boost? Fast weight loss? Speedy slimming? We are an instant gratification society - give me my results now, please!

Well, I do not believe that there is "speed to market" when it comes to health and fitness. It is something that you will need to work at your entire life. Watching what you eat and exercise should be part of your routine from now until your 100. (Insert sigh here). No, wait. That shouldn't be a source of frustration; it should just simply be part of what you do each day, like brushing your teeth.

Ok, enough airy fairy advice. That is all fine in theory, but when it comes to brass tax we all need help. Well, I can offer you some help when it comes to getting started, getting motivated and/or keeping your current goals in sight.

The first step you need to take is to start with breakfast. Can you hear Grandma's voice echoing in your head: "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." But it is so true. Breakfast is so important because it breaks the night long fast and bumps up your metabolism. If you don't eat breakfast, then your body goes all the way to lunch without kicking into full gear. Would you want to wait that long for your body to get going? Now that's NOT instant gratification for the old metabolism.

According to a Harvard University study of kids in the Northeast, there was a clear link that showed those that usually ate breakfast performed better in math and had fewer cases of hyperactivity in the classroom. Breakfast is your tool to natural energy.

We are all busy. It's just as easy to run out of the house to work without taking the five minutes to grab a bite. But there are so many easy things to make or prep the night before. Here are some great, healthy, filling options:

1. Whole wheat toast with peanut butter. This is my staple breakfast. I pop in toast while I'm packing my bag for the day. I slather a little natural peanut butter on it and wrap it in a napkin to eat in the car on the way to work. Add coffee in a to-go cup and you have a budget and health-conscious meal.

2. Oatmeal. Instant oatmeals are so easy to prepare and taste pretty good. Oatmeal is a nice, healthy comfort food - especially as the temperatures drop. Mmm...a warm bowl sure sounds good.

3. Shakeology. I just started selling Beachbody products and have fallen in love with this meal replacement shake. Seriously. I know that I don't condone energy drinks, but this one packs an energy punch without any weird ingredients. It also helps aid weight loss. It has all kinds of great vitamins, fiber, phytonutrients and more. Full, full, full for at least 4 hours. Mix her up, pop it in your BPA free water bottle and head to work. Convenient and tasty. If you are interested in trying this let me know or check out my Beachbody site: www.teambeachbody.com/meghanh

4. Egg White Omelette. This one takes a little more time and might be a weekend breakfast. I like to buy pre-cut veggies at the grocery store so that I can toss a few into the egg white mixture before cooking. Add a little reduced fat cheese and a slice or two of dry whole wheat toast. Delish.

5. Yogurt Parfait. This is one that I make the night before using plain or vanilla fat free yogurt layered with fruit. Add the granola in the morning so that it doesn't get mushy. Another one to put in a plastic cup and eat on your way to work! Just try to eat it at stoplights only.

Whether it's toast or Shakeology, make breakfast a priority this week. Your body will begin to use this fuel and your overall metabolism will improve. Try it for a week and let me know the result!



Source: Balancing Meals, Suite 101