Eating Healthy On A Budget – Yes, It is Possible!

 Do you want to eat healthy but when you look at healthy food you feel like it is more expensive? Here are some practical ways to eat healthy and stay on a healthy budget I want to SHARE with you.

 

 

 

 By Contributor on June 2, 2015

Eating healthy on a budget may often feel like an impossible challenge when you start walking through the grocery store. You look at the cost of healthy food, and start to wonder whether or not it’s really worth it. It is worth it, and YOU can eat healthy on a budget. You can fill your shopping cart with food that will fuel your mind and body without breaking the bank. The trick is to know how to do it.

Eating Healthy On A Budget – Yes, It is Possible!

Here are a couple tips to get you headed in the right direction.

1. Have vegetarian days. Reduce the amount of meat you’re eating. When you reduce your meat consumption, you also reduce the amount of money that you’re spending, which in turn frees up funds in your budget for other healthy choices.

2. Don’t buy pre-packaged food if you can avoid it. The healthiest nutrition is one that consists of natural, whole foods that have been acquired in their original state. That “fat free” or “low fat” packaged foods might be tempting, but they are packed full of artificial colors and flavors, not to mention being high in sodium and high in chemical compositions that you cannot even pronounce. You will be surprised by the budget difference when you pick up the individual ingredients for your favorite healthy treats instead of buying them ready-made for you. A good example is a container of hummus that costs around $4 can be made from a can of low-sodium beans ($1) and a handful of other ingredients that you may already have sitting around your home. Ready-to-serve oatmeal packets cost twice as much per serving than if you buy a big canister of oatmeal and sweeten it with honey. Plus it is just flat out healthier for you.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. The high fiber content of most fruits and vegetables will actually help you feel full longer, which means that you’ll be less likely to come back and snack later. By adding fruits and vegetables to your nutrition, you not only decrease the amount that you’re eating, you also substantially increase your consumption of healthy nutrients that your body needs to function at its optimal level.

4. Explore alternative sources of protein. Try out nut butters, beans, and Tempeh for healthier alternatives to eating large amounts of meat. Beans and Tempeh, in particular, are much less expensive but still have great nutritional benefits.

There are plenty of ways to stay within your budget and eat healthy. These are just a few strategies you can use to reduce your total at the grocery store.
No time for breakfast?  Check out 101 Healthy Nutritious Shake Recipes 

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

 Do you struggle with snacks? I wanted to SHARE this article with some fantastic easy healthy snacks you can take to work to help you stay on track. My two favorites are the apple and almond butter and the pita and hummus. What two do you think you would like to try

 

 

 

 

 

By Contributor on May 29, 2015

When you start on your weight loss journey, one of the greatest challenges you may face is learning how to create and find Healthy Snacks that will help you with your Weight Loss. While you can alter your existing nutrition by removing unhealthy food you still need to some of those voids with other foods. Creating and purchasing healthy snacks doesn’t have to be complicated, nor does it have to require a lot of time and preparation.

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

If you’re looking for a fast and portable solutions to healthy snacking you definitely want to check out these health snacks. Here are examples of 10 great snacks, but check out the complete list of Healthy Snacks.

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

1. Mini tostada

Spread ¼ cup of nonfat refried beans on a small tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and a sprinkle of your favorite cheese.

2. Frozen grapes

Freeze 1 cup of grapes and enjoy them as if they’re sorbet.

3. Greek yogurt with honey

Mix one teaspoon of honey into half a cup of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.

4. Cinnamon apple

Sprinkle an apple with cinnamon for a treat that tastes more decadent than it is.

5. Strawberries and chocolate

Dip 4 or 5 (depending on their size) strawberries into 2 squares of melted dark chocolate.

6. Almost apple pie

Try 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce with a hint of cinnamon.

7. Jicama Chop

one and a half cups of jicama and add a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt for a tangy, refreshing treat.

8. Café Au Lait

Enjoy 8 ounces of skim milk with a shot of espresso.

9. Carrots with hummus

Crunch on 9 or 10 baby carrots with a side of 2 tablespoons of hummus.

10. Nuts

A handful of 25 pistachios, 14 almonds, or 16 peanuts makes for a nice “good” fat and protein snack.

Another superior snack that can help keep you on track and aid in weight loss and muscle gain is Shakeology. The great thing about Shakeology it is designed with the perfect balance of all your nutritional needs. You don’t have to worry about designing that perfect balance, and you get all vitamins and minerals as well. Plus it can fulfill that sweet tooth craving and in general will help curb your other cravings, and give you more energy. There are hundred different healthy shake recipes, so you will never get bored.
It is not about keeping yourself deprived, it is about choosing foods that will properly fuel your body, provide nutrients, taste good, and satisfy you. Also keep in mind that eating every 3-4 hours is also important in helping you stay on track and choosing wisely. Most tend to not choose healthy foods when they over hungry. Keep in mind that you never want to deny yourself a meal and it is also important to eat something small following an intense workout. Again Shakeology is always a good suggestion for post workout. It provides the right amount of proteins and nutrients for great post workout recovery.
Keep it simple. Just be prepared and never leave home without the snacks and packets of Shakeology. Making sure that you snack have your snacks and that you are eating every 3-4 hours will keep your mind and body happy and healthy. Healthy snacking is part of any good nutrition plan because it keeps you in tune with your body’s needs and demands. Don’t feel guilty about your snacks, just choose for your health.

http://www.gettingfittogether.com/healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss/#!236

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

 Snacking when trying to lose weight is one of the hardest areas for me to conquer! I wanted to SHARE this article about healthy snacks options. I am planning on trying the banana one this week and the sweet hummus. Which one will you be trying?

 

 

 By Contributor on May 29, 2015

When you start on your weight loss journey, one of the greatest challenges you’ll face is learning how to find Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss. While you can alter your existing diet and remove unhealthy food all you want, you’ll find that if you’re exercising hard and eating smart, you’ll be hungry throughout the day–and that’s when you’re the most likely to reach for unhealthy snacks that are completely against your diet plan. Luckily, healthy snacks for weight loss don’t have to be complicated, nor do they have to require a lot of preparation.

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

If you’re looking for a fast, portable solution to healthy snacking, try Shakeology. There are dozens of recipes that you can check out, including the ones highlighted here. The linked article will let you check out more than a hundred different healthy shake recipes, so not only is there sure to be something there that you’ll like, there’s no chance that you’ll ever get bored with Shakeology! Prefer to keep it a little simpler and want to know that you’re getting the healthiest shakes available? Check out these Seven Healthiest Shake Recipes that will act as meal replacements or fill in as a post-workout snack.
The great thing about Shakeology is that it’s already designed with a perfect balance of all your nutrition needs. You don’t have to worry about designing that perfect balance, or about measuring out only the amount of peanut butter you’re allowed to have on top of your apple (when really, you’d rather be munching on a chocolate bar anyway). Instead, you can create a shake that fulfills your sweet tooth while still keeping you on track with your diet.
Prefer something a little bit more solid? Check out these ten healthy snacks for weight loss, or take a look at these homemade sweet potato fries that will knock your socks off and leave you feeling as though you’ve indulged in something naughty while keeping your diet on track. Or, if you’re looking for a healthy snack idea that is a break from the norm–something that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve been munching on rabbit food when you really want something sweet and filled with fat, try these options:

Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

• Spread peanut butter on a banana, dip it in melted dark chocolate, and freeze. This is the perfect healthy snack to help kick that “sweet” craving!
• Make a yogurt “bark” with the fruit of your choice: spread yogurt in a pan and sprinkle with fruit, then freeze. Once it’s frozen, break it into pieces and store in a bag in the freezer until you’re ready to indulge. It creates a wonderful bark much like the chocolate bark you love during the holidays, but for fewer calories.

• Hard boil eggs and bring them to work each day to help ensure that you’re getting enough protein.

• Make sweet hummus by placing chick peas or white beans, a tablespoon of coconut oil, and agave nectar or honey (to taste) in your food processor. Process until the texture is smooth, then add chocolate chips.

Preventing yourself from feeling deprived isn’t just about what you’re snacking on. It’s also about knowing when to snack. Immediately following an intense workout, you’re probably going to be hungry, and if you deny yourself until your next meal, you’re going to feel cranky and out of sorts–not to mention all too likely to break your diet as soon as someone walks through the door with a good suggestion.
Keep your Shakeology powder ready at hand so you can reach for a shake whenever you need one, or make sure that you’re keeping plenty of healthy, filling snacks right there with your gym bag. Know that you’re going to start craving junk food to keep you going when the three o’clock slump hits? Make sure that you snack around two or two thirty so that your body will still be going strong once that time rolls around. Healthy snacking is part of any good diet plan because it keeps you in tune with your body’s needs and demands. Don’t feel guilty about your snacks.
Just plan for them ahead of time so that you’re snacking the right way!


 http://www.gettingfittogether.com/healthy-snacks-for-weight-loss/#!236

Balanced Workout Routines for Women

 Do you prefer cardio or weights? This article has some great information on why your workouts should be balanced between the two. I hate cardio and love weights, after reading this looks like I need to get in more cardio. I would love to hear what you thought about the article or which one you need to balance more.

 

Balanced Workout Routines for Women

By Mel Batterman

Women often look for solutions for the best balance in their workout routines. At the gym you will generally see the majority of women on cardio equipment, while men are lifting weights. What is the real reason that men and women view exercise so differently even though a balance is really the best solution?

Since most women are typically nervous about using weights, but comfortable with cardio they tend to gravitate toward the cardio section most of the time. Most men have been trained to view an extremely muscular body as the ideal, and feel the only way to obtain this is by slinging weights around the weight room while ignoring cardio exercise. Unfortunately this is not good for either men or women, and a lot of times this comes with bad form in both the cardio and weight areas of the gym.

Balanced Workout Routines for Women

The truth is if you want to lose weight, you will need to create a balance between cardio at the right intensity level and weight training that provides the appropriate repetitions and sets. The same goes for the desire to build muscle. It is always good to have some flexibility and balance training to round out a balanced routine, and it will enhance both your cardio and weight training regimens.

Here are some tips for a balanced workout routine for women:

Assess Your Goals

Determine what you are aiming to obtain through health and fitness. For example if you’re overweight, your overall goal may be to lose weight. Now you need to create smaller goals to work toward the overall goal. The first thing you will want to do is determine your body composition which is the percentage of body fat you are currently carrying on your body. To figure this out you can either go to a gym to have it measured or you can create a FREE account at Team Beachbody and use the body fat calculator that is found under Fitness Tools. This will provide you with your current percentage so you can set up realistic, safe, and progressive goals each month to get your body fat to normal levels.

Combine Cardio and Weights

To have a balanced weight loss workout regimen, you must combine cardio and weight training. The key here, is to be sure you are working at an intensity that will provide results. To know this you should know your target heart rate. Again you can use the tools on Team Beachbody to figure your target heart rate. A good daily balance of cardio and weights would be to alternate cardio and full-body resistance training. You can also do a combination of cardio and weights on your weight training days if you so choose.

Some examples of balanced workout regimens would be the P90X program which consists of 12 workouts that include resistance training, cardio training, plyometric training, abdominal training and yoga. Of course if 90 days sounds like too much you can always start with the 21 Day Fix Extreme. This program still provides you with that amazing combination of cardio and weights, but in quick 30 minute workouts that you do for 21 days.

If you are interested in a program that has a greater amount of cardio but still provides resistance training, TurboFire is a 90 day program that would work. You always want to choose a program that best aligns what you like and your goals. Of course if you prefer to do something different every day, you can always create a hybrid of multiple programs as long as you create a good combination of weights and cardio, and still allow for appropriate muscle recovery. A great options for creating a hybrid is Beachbody On-Demand. Beachbody On-Demand gives you access to over 150 workout programs plus a coach. With an online coach and Beachbody On-Demand you can definitely get the right mix of strength-training and cardio to reach your goals.

The Importance of Flexibility and Balance

Flexibility and balance is an important part of any routine, and most of us don’t do it enough or do it at all. The more you stretch and work on flexibility and balance the quicker you will recover. This means less aches and pains, and greater results with your workouts. You will also be less likely to skip a workout because your entire body is stiff and sore.

Some strength and cardio programs already have flexibility and balance training as a part of the program. Even if they are a part of the overall program, it is still a good idea to take an extra 5-10 minutes after each workout to stretch the entire body. As you utilize flexibility and balance training you will see your overall performance improve, and that your body will truly feel better.

Get Your Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition

Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day. I know you have heard that before, and we all know that not everyone feels they have the time to prepare breakfast. Some of us barely have time to find our keys, let alone brew a cup of coffee before we’re out the door and on our way to work.

You do need to remember that if you’re looking to lose weight you have to have breakfast. If time is an issue then why not try a protein packed and nutrient-dense shake? They’re fast, easy to make, and your breakfast options becomes endless with your creativity. Make breakfast a priority and get total nutrition with Shakeology from Beachbody.

It is great when you can whip up breakfast with one of these delicious shakes in LESS THAN ONE MINUTE. Shakeology is truly YOUR Daily Dose of Dense Nutrition. It is packed with incredible amounts of high quality protein, antioxidants, phytonutrients, pre and probiotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods that your body desperately needs and craves.*

Plus, Shakeology can help to increase your energy levels, and reduce junk food cravings. Because Shakeology’s key ingredients are derived from whole food sources, your body will be able to easily absorb and utilize the nutrients immediately.

You now have everything you need to be successful!

http://www.gettingfittogether.com/balanced-workout-routines-for-women/#!236

Eating Healthy

Do you struggle with knowing how to eat healthy?

How to balance fats, carbs etc?

This article does a great job explaining how to make healthy swaps to eating better.

SHARE your thoughts!

http://www.gettingfittogether.com/a-rocking-low-fat-diet-plan-for-you/#!236

Eating Breaksfast Benefits

I just have to SHARE this, I had no idea that eating breakfast could actually do so much for me. Confession time, I skip breakfast alot. That is actually my weak area in getting my nutrition dialed in. Really I just don't eat anything until about 10:00 or 10:30 in the morning and then I drink my Shakeology®​. This really opened my eyes to the fact that I need to eat something within 90 minuets of waking if I want to maximize my weight loss, metabolism and decrease my risk of heart diease. I am curious do you eat breakfast and if so how soon after you wake up?
 http://www.gettingfittogether.com/3-benefits-of-eating-breakfast-backed-by-science/#!236

How To Get Fit Fast in 3 Easy Steps

This article really hit home with me. I have not been on track lately with my eating and workouts, sometimes it is all so overwhelming. I think this really helped me see the BIG picture! I would LOVE to hear your thoughts!

http://www.gettingfittogether.com/how-to-get-fit-fast-in-3-easy-steps/#!236

Let’s face it, our New Year’s Resolutions don’t stick quite as easily as the weight does. With summer upon us and nearly half the year over, your beach bod may not elicit the ‘wows’ you had hoped for.

But don’t sweat it. There’s still plenty of time to shape up and get fit fast. Whether your goal is tolose weight, slim down, build muscle or gain strength, this guide will help you along on the way.

How To Get Fit Fast in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: The Diet

The diet – perhaps one of the most difficult actions to take in your fitness regime. Let’s discuss the foods you should be eating, rather than the meal choices that will compromise your progress. You want foods that are full of nutrients and protein that start slimming down your waistline the moment they enter your mouth.  Vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish and low-fat dairy products build muscle, burn fat, and keep your body well-nourished and performing optimally.

Try to eat as many of the foods below:

• Salmon, tuna, and mackerel for muscle building proteins.
• Yogurt and cheese strengthen your bones and fire up weight loss.
• Spinach and kale to fight free radicals, improve muscle recovery.
• Beans and legumes to build muscle, burn fat, and regulate digestion.
• Beet juice for stamina, berries for satiety, grapefruit for metabolism.
• Leans meats like turkey to build muscle and strengthen your immune system.

These foods are chock full of proteins, nutrients, and health benefits to help you get into shape faster and your muscles roaring. It goes without saying ( but let’s say it anyways ) that burgers, fries, chocolate cake and the like should be eaten sparingly, or you’ll put right back on whatever weight you lost.

With that said, sacrifices at the dinner table aren’t enough. You’re going to need to get off the couch and move.

Step 2: The Cardio

To lose weight, you must create a caloric deficit, meaning your body needs to burn off more calories than it takes in. Cardio workouts are not only the best way to create a caloric deficit and shed some pounds, but it also encourages a healthy heart, improves blood circulation, and makes your body lean.

Whether you decide to bike around your neighborhood, get some miles in on the treadmill, or swim laps in a pool, you should aim for at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity to reduce the risk of heart disease and fight off any gains in weight. But if you want to get lean, you’ll need to double that time to start seeing results.

Remember, your options aren’t limited to the gym: mow the lawn, play with the dog, go dancing or clean up the house are great activities to help burn calories and keep you in shape.

How To Get Fit Fast in 3 Easy Steps

Step 3: The Workouts

Now it’s time to get your body looking toned and fit. Adding strength training to your fitnessregime will enhance your metabolism, improve your strength, while helping you get lean or gain muscle mass depending on the exercise. 

To sculpt your arms, upper back, shoulders and chest you’ll need to invest in some weights or head on over to your local gym. Bench presses, shoulder presses, lunges and dips are great ways to bulk up your muscles, spike your metabolism, and get a lot stronger.  Try to do some weight training 3-4 times a week on non-cardio days. Remember to start off light, gradually adding more weight to avoid injuries, and to take a day or two off to let your body rest.

To do some belly blasting and reduce those love handles crunches, sit-ups, air bikes and Russian twists will help flatten your midsection without the need for equipment. If these are a bit mundane for you, search or ask around the gym or web for tummy toning exercises that work just as well, if not better.

To top off your fitness regime, add some yoga to the mix for a bit of mind and body exercise. Whether you join a class or practice in your living room, yoga is a great way to improve your balance, flexibility and your overall health and well-being.

Staying Motivated

Getting fit requires discipline and motivation. Getting fit fast requires the same, plus an iron-will. But both start with the right mind-set. In fact, the only obstacle preventing you from a beautiful body and exceptional health is your motivation.

Getting fit alone can quickly get frustrating. Without the right guidance and advice it can even be dangerous. But support is there.

If you’re looking for the best place to get fit fast, Beachbody On Demand provides hundreds of online workouts proven to get you burn off calories and get you ripped. You can stream all the world-class programs right from your computer, get unique meal plans customized to your goals, and  connect with others, so you don’t have to do it alone.  

It’s a great way to stay motivated. On top of that, you’ll get your own personal coach for one-on-one guidance and support to help you get fit even faster.