Social Dieting

You've all heard of happy accidents, and boy did I come across one the other day. I have been completely unmotivated in getting into shape, but at the same time find myself more and more unhappy with my body. Cue the violins. I know that if I want to see change I have to make change. So I was really happy when I came across DietBet. DietBet is a a 4 week social dieting game where you have 4 weeks to lose 4% of your starting body weight. Each player adds the designated buy in to the pot, and whoever reaches their goal gets to split the pot. Sounds fun right?

I did a bunch of research after I initially browsed the site. What's to keep people from cheating and what not? Well they have people that check the starting and finishing pictures, algorithms that detect unusual activity, and randomly audit players for additional proof. Basically if you hit your goal of 4% you win back your buy in and then some. Did I mention there is also a free app? You can do everything you need from your phone which for me is another reason I can't say no.

I signed up for Blogilates Sweatember DietBet for $25 and the pot has grown to close to $7,000! There are also fun giveaways that they are doing besides the money for some added fun. I start September 3rd and am really looking forward to jumpstarting a healthy lifestyle. If you are interested in joining click here. 

Images from DietBet

Goal: Drink More Water

I have a confession: I am almost always dehydrated (according to the medical diagnosis that is). I am not super thirsty by any means, but I don't drink nearly enough fluids as I should be. I don't mind the taste of water, but there is nothing exciting about it at all. Luckily I gave up on juice and soda a while ago, but I know that plain old water being my go to drink has halted my consumption drastically.

I, like everyone else out there, want to get healthier and the first thing I always read is to drink more water. I've tried fun water bottles, keeping track, and even keeping straws handy but nothing has stuck. What I have found is that I love coconut water, sparkling water with lime, and any other flavored water concoction. In the spirit of keeping things healthy on the cheap, I did some research on water infusion and am sharing my three favorite thus far. 

You don't need a fancy bottle like the one pictured, but I like keeping the flavor ingredients and the water separate so I get used to seeing plain water. Sometimes we have to trick our minds to get things done! Whatever method works for you, do it! If you don't need variety that is awesome and I am jealous that you are so level-headed. I have the attention span of a two year old so I need to keep it exciting, even if it's just water. Do you have any fun tricks or ways to keep yourself hydrated and consuming more water? I'd love to hear them!

Menu Planning Week 2

Recipes and images from PaleOMG and Nom Nom Paleo
Frittata/Short Ribs/Meatballs/Hash/Lettuce Cups

This week's menu comes after some deliberating about trying to incorporate the "Paleo" lifestyle in our (the boyfriend and my) diet. I know I'm not willing to go 100% all in, but I think doing 4-5 days a week is pretty doable. I know there is a lot of time and prep work involved in this lifestyle, but I really want to crack down on my carb addiction.

 I searched two well known Paleo recipe sites PaleOMG and Nom Nom Paleo for easy, tasty recipes that I would actually want to make. We haven't started just yet, but I think we're both looking forward to breaking our addictions and honestly eating some "real" food. Has anyone else tried Paleo yet? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Paleo Dessert You Will Want to Try

Happy Monday! After last week I really needed a weekend away with friends. It was great to relax, have some quality girl time, and not partake at all in social media. Unplugging and having fun was exactly what I needed to recharge.

I am sure many of you have heard about the Paleo Diet where you eat basically like a caveman. Even though I know people who swear by it, I have always been pretty skeptical about any diet that pushes animal fat and red meat. I am more of an "all things in moderation" diet believer simply because I don't do deprivation well. At our girls weekend two of the girls were on Paleo, so many of the foods served were Paleo-friendly.

One of the girls made a Paleo fruit tart which looked really pretty, but again my skepticism got the best of me and I assumed no sugar or butter could not yield good results... I was wrong! The tart was so good, so refreshing, and so light that I had to google it as soon as I got home so I could make it too. I think trying something and liking it really peaked my interest in this lifestyle. I don't know if I could or would want to fully commit to it, but it's definitely something to experiment with. Has anyone else tried Paleo? 

Images and recipe from PaleOMG

Cleansing for Dummies

I love the idea of cleansing, emphasis on idea. The actual process of going through a cleanse really gives me anxiety for a few reasons namely I like food, hate being hungry, and feeling fatigued during the work week really doesn't sound appealing. It was a total happy accident when I stumbled upon the Team Taralynn Seven Day Cleanse. I know what you're thinking "Seven Days?!? Yea right!" Before you balk and think you or I could never complete this just hear me out. 

The reason so many of us don't do cleanses is because it can be several days of being hungry, uncomfortable, tired and irritable. Unlike most traditional cleanses, this program is designed by nutritionists so that participants should never be hungry or tired while they are cleansing. Already I like this. During the cleanse, your body will rid itself of toxins and waste allowing you to kick-start or re-energize a healthy lifestyle plan. The cleanse is divided into three phases. 

Phase One is two days consisting of: fresh fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, non-fat organic yogurt, and lean protein. 

Phase Two consists of three days consuming only fruit (no dried, canned, or frozen if there is sugar added). Why so much fruit? Fruit require less energy to digest and introduces the body to water rich foods. These three days give your digestive system a rest.

Phase Three consists of two more days of Phase One. Now that your digestive system has been given a rest and has been cleaned out, these two days should be much easier and the food much more satiating. 

Any diet or cleanse for that matter requires discipline and willpower, but be honest have you come across one that sounds more doable? I know I haven't. There is even a really easy cheat sheet for food to consume on the cleanse making this almost foolproof. 

I'm really looking forward to starting this cleanse... weird I know. This is just the thing I need to kickoff the healthy lifestyle that I so desperately want to lead, and there's no time like the present right? What do you think about cleansing, and would this be something doable for your lifestyle?

All pictures and dietary information from Team Taralynn