I have posted these previously, but I feel like I need a reminder as to why I need to lose weight and what inspires me to do it.  Here are 5 things that inspire me to lose weight.

1. First and foremost, my kids. I’m no “spring chicken” (having my first born when I was 30), and being the weight I am, I find it very difficult and exhausting to keep up with them. I have dreams of being able to run around and play with them, without getting breathless and tired. I want to take them to Disney World in the very near future, and when I go, I want to be able to enjoy myself with them, and not constantly be worried about where I can find a bench to sit down.
2. I’m tired of not “loving” myself. I’m very self conscious about my weight and how I look to myself and my husband (even though he tells me he loves me the way that I am…I know…I’m blessed). I’m ready to feel good about myself, and not become nauseated every time I look at myself in the mirror.
3. And I’ve mentioned this before, but heart disease, stroke and diabetes runs rampant in my family, and I absolutely REFUSE succumb to it.
4. I have really enjoyed Weight Watchers and plan to get back on it. When I’m on it, I’m able to eat a lot of the things that I used to, but just in moderation. Now don’t get me wrong, with WW I definitely eat a lot healthier that I did before, but I love how I’m able to indulge (not overindulge) in some of the things I like without going off my diet.
5. And last, this blog! I am having such a blast sharing my progress with my new found readers! I refuse to start something and not finish it, and having this blog has definitely helped with that.

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Technorati Tags: Inspiration, lose weight, motivation, weight loss, Weight Watchers

As you guys know, the 4th of July is coming upon us.  These celebrations are always a hard time for me.  Because when MY family gets together, there are always loads of food that I know I can’t have, so it’s tough for me to resist what everyone else eating.  So when I received this an email from Nubella this morning, I thought this would be perfect to share on MMH.  Hopefully this will help everyone this Friday!

Mosquitoes, weight gain, E. coli, oh my! With barbecue season in full swing, you may be wondering how it’s possible to make your next outdoor feast safe and healthy without sacrificing flavor and fun. If you heed the following tips, you’ll find that taking the proper precautions and having a good time needn’t be mutually exclusive. Read on as we reveal the seven secrets to a safe, healthy cookout.

1. Keep It Clean. Some of the quickest ways to transmit foodborne bacteria are by failing to wash your hands often, working in a contaminated prep area, or using utensils, platters, and cutting boards for a variety of purposes. After you handle raw meat or go to the bathroom, remember to wash your hands before continuing to cook. Keep your prep area clean by frequently wiping it down with warm water and a dash of bleach. Assign each utensil to a specific dish, and if you’re going to reuse a platter or cutting board, wash it off beforehand.

2. Skin ’em. By removing the skin from chicken, you’ll eliminate about two-thirds of its fat content. You can ensure the chicken will still be juicy and delicious by cutting a handful of small slits in the meat before marinating it for at least six to eight hours. And when grilling the meat, resist the urge to continually press down on it, which can dry it out.

3. Replace Chips With Crudité. Provide a plate of fresh, raw vegetables as an enticing alternative to fatty chips. Pair it with guacamole, hummus, or salsa, and you may even score some crudité converts, who will be saving themselves hundreds of additional calories by avoiding the chips and dip.

4. Give Your Fruits and Veggies a Bath. To remove any microorganisms or pesticides that might be clinging to fruits and vegetables, thoroughly wash them off before serving. Even if you plan to peel them, you should still give them a good scrub because a microbe lurking on the skin of just one vegetable can contaminate the peeler and affect other vegetables.

5. Mind the Temperature. A food thermometer can be a barbecuer’s best friend. By checking the internal temperature of meat before you plate it—the United States Department of Agriculture recommends a temperature of 145° F for steaks and fish, 160° F for pork and ground beef, and 165° F for chicken—you can ensure that your food is safe to eat (and free of E. coli bacteria).

6. Add Some Garlic. This member of the onion family is not only a delicious addition to marinades and a variety of dishes and condiments; it may also help in the fight against cancer. Additionally, research has shown that garlic contains antibacterial properties and can reduce cholesterol levels.

7. Set Out a Few Citronella Candles. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one centimeter of water, so they can thrive just about anywhere, waiting to turn your cookout into a feast of their own. Mosquitoes can be carriers of diseases such as West Nile virus, so it’s especially important to keep them at bay. To do this, set out a few citronella candles in your general area.

Technorati Tags: 4th of July Cookout, healthy 4th of July, Healthy Eating

Many of us try to eat healthy, but we occasionally are so busy that we can’t help but stop by McDonald’s, Wendy’s or dozens of the other fast-food restaurants.

But you can squeeze fast-food offerings into your weight management plans as long as you keep in mind these keys: moderation, “occasional stops,” and wise choices.

Now, more than ever, fast-food restaurants are offering a wide variety of healthy options, from fruit cups to granola. Some restaurants, such as Wendy’s, are allowing you to substitute more nutritious side dishes in lieu of fries in their combo meals.

Here are six ways you can get healthier meals in a fast-food restaurant:

Keep portion sizes small. “Portion control” is one of the foundations of weight management. In a fast-food restaurant, pick the smallest sandwich or order a half-sandwich. Don’t order double- or even triple-decker burgers, which can pack more than 1,000 calories and as much as 70 grams of fat. Aim for 250- to 300-calorie regular or children’s-sized burgers.

Choose a healthier side dish. Skip the jumbo fries in favor of smaller fries and spare your waistline 300 calories. Better yet: in this age of healthy eating, fast-food restaurants are offering healthier options, such as salads, low-fat dressing, baked potatoes, fruit bowls, yogurt, and baked chips, just to name a few.

Go for the greens, like a large salad as your main course, complete with grilled chicken, shrimp or garden vegetables with fat-free or low-fat dressing. Regular salad dressing can bring you more than 300 calories. Skip such high-fat dangers as deep-fried shells, breaded chicken, any other fried topping, cheese, bacon bits, croutons and fried chips.

Go for the grilled food. Crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets are high in fat and calories, but grilled or roasted lean turkey, chicken, ham or roast beef won’t murder your weight management plan.

Ask for healthier reduced-fat mayo, mustard and salsa instead of shredded cheese and cheese sauce. Condiments like special dressings, tarter sauce and sour cream will ruin your weight management with plenty of unneeded calories.

Watch what you drink. That 32-ounce soda contains about 400 calories, but healthier options include diet soda, water, unsweetened tea and bottled water. Of course, 1,000-calorie shakes and other drinks made from ice cream are out the drive-in window if you’re trying to manage your weight.

Source: Nubella

Technorati Tags: fast food, healthy foods, mcdonalds salads