While
the title may be mis-leading, this post is by no means about your next
royal boyfriend or any romantic ideas for your future dates. Instead
it's about food and healthy dieting!
So I tricked you, however now that I've got your attention, read on:
Over
the course of 6-8 months I managed to drop roughly 30 pounds
exercising regularly and eating! That's right, eating. There was no
extreme dieting or borderline starvation tactics and while I dropped my
weight slowly, I managed to adopt a healthy lifestyle without
sacrificing some of the foods that I love.
Here's how:
Breakfast like a King:
Life
can be busy and after hitting the snooze button 16 times and finally
getting out the door for school or work, the last thing on your mind is
getting breakfast. BIG MISTAKE! I know you've heard it a million times
and I am prepared to say it for the millionth and one. Breakfast is the
most important meal of the day and is the perfect way to start your
morning off right to avoid mood swings and unnecessary snacking.
A
heavy, nutritious breakfast is the key to keeping you full longer. Try
to avoid fatty dishes and foods high in sugar or "instant" energy. A
good example of a nutritious breakfast is a cup of steel-cut oatmeal
with fruit or honey, hard-boiled eggs and grain toast. If you choose to
add a little honey to your oatmeal, a banana or apple on the side is
also a perfect way of getting your fruit count for the day.
Lunch like a Prince:
Now if
you're like me, I am a girl who likes to pack a lunch for work everyday.
Preparing meals over the weekend takes the hassle out of making lunch
during the week or having to settle for a not-so healthy option at work.
A good lunch meal is a baked sweet potato, grilled chicken and lots of
your favorite veggies. If 5 days of eating chicken is not for you,
switch things up with a few days of salmon. Easy fix!
This
kind of lunch offers good protein, complex carbs and a small amount of
fat. Just what you need to keep your day going without piling on
calories.
Dine like a Pauper:
While
most people are use to eating a big family-style dinner at night, while
trying to lose weight and eat healthy, I opted for lighter options.
Right after work is usually the time I would hit the gym, so after
working out, my meal consisted of protein and veggies or even a fruit
smoothie and a waffle with almond butter. This way I still felt
satisfied but I wasn't going to bed with a heavy meal on my stomach.
Now I know you are probably thinking,
"Is this all that I am eating?" Definitely
not, snacking throughout the day is only normal but what you snack on
is the deal breaker. Almonds and fruit are a constant staple at my
desk. Anytime I am craving something sweet, I eat a banana or maybe a
handful of dried fruits and I
take in lots of water throughout the day.
Trust
me, I know dieting and trying to lose weight is hard, but the better
you eat the better you feel!!! Fueling your body with what it needs for
an awesome workout will only help you reap the benefits of a hot summer
bod you can rock all-year round!