This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kashi.
2014 is the year of changes for me. I’ve already shared what I’m doing differently in my parenting. I’ve also said that I need to eat better and exercise more, since this is the most I’ve weighed aside from pregnancies. While I think that exercise and diet are both factors that contribute to weight loss, I’m first going to share with you the changes I’m making to my diet to get healthier this year.
Drink More Water
My 24oz constant companion.
I know this sounds super simple. It’s advice I’ve heard over and over again: that often we aren’t even hungry, we’re just thirsty, so we need to try drinking water first. But, aside from the time when I did a detox, I’m terrible at remembering to drink water. But since the new year started, I’ve been drinking a lot of water. I keep this huge cup filled and refill it as soon as it’s empty. It helps that it has a lid, so that I don’t feel like it’s going to spill all over the place. Also, for January, Hubs and I have given up soda and alcohol, just to give us a jumpstart on getting healthier.
Meal Plan
This week’s meal plan.
I’ve been big on meal planning for the past few years. With three boys, things can get hectic around here. If I don’t plan ahead, it becomes really easy to talk myself into going through a fast food drive-thru on the way home from soccer practice or ordering a pizza for delivery instead of heading to the grocery store. But, I’m being more intentional with my meal planning, with the dinners being around 500 calories each per serving.
Snacking Often
I tend to get caught up in my family’s busy schedule and not make time to stop and allow myself to snack. So, when it comes to meal time, it’s been a while since I ate, making me feel like I’m STARVING and causing me to overeat. I make sure to have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, and sometimes a snack after dinner. I’m trying to have some variety but without breaking my grocery budget: a different type of snack for each snack time would add up over the week, but the same over and over would have me wanting to raid my boys’ school snacks and eat something I shouldn’t.
Last week, I alternated my snacks between apple slices, grapes, yogurt with honey, carrots, and Kashi Crunchy Granola & Seed Bars. All simple snacks that filled me up and made me less likely to pig out when mealtime rolled around.
About Kashi Crunchy Granola & Seed Bars
Easy to toss in my purse for a snack on the go.
- These new Kashi Crunchy Granola and Seed Bars provide a blend of progressive and unique ingredients(including chia seeds, flax and quinoa).
- The Crunchy Granola and Seed Bars come in two flavors: Honey Oat Flax and Chocolate Chip Chia.
- The Chocolate Chip Chia Crunchy Granola and Seed Bars deliver 320mg of ALA omega 3’s, 3g fiber and 23g whole grains and the Honey Oat Flax Crunchy Granola and Seed Bars deliver 320mg of ALA omega 3’s, 3g fiber and 25g whole grains.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kashi.
I have to work REALLY hard on staying better hydrated. I sort of hate water, it’s so bland, but it’s such an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
I had a terrible time drinking enough water until I started adding a slice of lemon or orange to it. Just enough to make it taste a bit more interesting!
I might need to try that. Why can’t water taste like something… I don’t know. Like wine? 😉
I am doing the SAME exact thing this year. I am trying so hard to keep my meals organized, drink more water, and cut down on snacking on all of the “bad” foods. I have noticed a huge difference in my overall energy and the way I feel by making these small changes. It’s much easier when you plan things out.
I notice the difference, too. I have to remind myself of that when I start craving something bad for me!
I too am on a journey to a healthy lifestyle. I am quick to exercise but the eating is still out of whack. I had given up soda which made a big difference in my belly bloat but have since fallen off the wagon. This past weekend I started drinking water every hour on hour that I am awake, it didn’t matter the amount just needed to get in the habit. By doing this I am averaging about 100 ounces of H2O daily which is awesome. But also added multiple trips to the potty.
Ha! I feel ya there. I feel like I’m constantly running to the bathroom!
The last 6 months have seen me really drop off in water intake – I need to take a cue from you and drink more water!
It’s an easy habit to slip out of! But I’m trying!
We love kashi! I am trying hard to eat healthier and get more exercise in the new year. Water intake is a definite difficulty…it gets boring but I am trying!
It does get boring. Another commenter suggested adding some fruit slices to it to give it a little bit of flavor.
We have a lot of Kashi products in our house. GoLean Crunch is a staple snack food. I’m not sure we’ve even ever had it for breakfast…we just munch on it!
I love cereal as a snack. Especially since I rarely have that much time to sit and eat in the mornings.
Drinking water is a big one. And honestly, it’s not that easy if you are like me and don’t really like the taste (or lack of it).
I wish it tasted like something yummy. Someone above suggested adding fruit slices.
I’m a big snacker! I like to have something like those bars for my purse or car. I often get so caught up in the day that I forget to eat. Which slows my metabolism down and makes me feel awful. Having a snack handy helps. Good luck on your weight loss goals! I know you can do it!
PS are those mabels labels on your cup? So cute to put your twitter handle on them!
I know my metabolism has been thrown all out of whack. I’m trying to get into better habits.
They are Mabel’s Labels. From a conference I went to(pretty sure it was Type A).
I am 100% dedicated to losing weight this year. It’s only been two weeks, but I’m on the right track and am quite optimistic I can keep at. Snacking and Water are both super important and I’m trying to be much better. I’m mostly adding a lot of exercise and limiting my caloric intake. Since I want to lose 45lbs, I have to work really hard! =/ I love Kashi frozen meals for work lunches because their fast, easy, and healthy. I’ll have to look at their snacks too!
Good for you! I feel like I’m off to a good start this year, too. Watching what I eat and exercising. I haven’t tried Kashi’s frozen meals yet. I’ll have to look for them.
I’m terrible at meal planning. But I’ve also been drinking a LOT more water lately and cutting back on the soda. I haven’t had a Pepsi in a week. It was tough to overcome the caffeine withdrawal headache, but I did it. And now I’m not sure I want to go back, knowing that headache will happen again.
I am a big snacker, and I think that’s one of the places where I overdo it and it feeds my weight gain. I’m working on choosing healthier snacks (fruits, veggies) and I think I’ll start checking out the Kashi brand. I’ve heard good things.
I use pinterest to meal plan. I’ve also used emeals service. The menu up above is from Dinnerella, but first week trying them. I really like it!
Your meals look so much more advanced and fancier than mine! I am trying to do better about planning meals this year not as much for the healthy aspect but for the money, save so much money when I actually plan
They are really very simple. And affordable, too. Those are from my first week trying out the meal planning service Dinnerella. They focus on healthy, easy, family friendly, yet still affordable meals!
We are really focusing on losing weight, eating healthier, and being more active this year. Meal planning is something I’m trying to get used to – for health reasons as well as making grocery shopping cheaper.
It does help out a lot with keeping my grocery budget down. The menu I have above is from the meal planning service Dinnerella. Their meal plans are easy, healthy, and the grocery shopping is reasonable.
Good luck with your goals! You can do it. I love Kashi products. My favorite are their Honey Almond Flax Granola Bars. I’ve been eating them for years. Keep up the good work.
I would probably like those. My favorite of these crunchy ones is the honey oat flax.
Kashi is one of the very few ‘box’ items we will purchase. I’ll have to remember to put these on the list the next time we go to the store.
These are all great tips, and will definitely help you with your weight loss, especially drinking LOTS of water. That always helped me a ton, from over eating. Kashi’s a great brand too, we love their products.
I love Kashi and I second the snacking! It really does help. Also, tons of water. Keep up the good work!
I love Kashi Bars because they are healthy and wholesome! They have the best waffles and crackers too!
I’ve decided to do all this as well! I have been hitting my water goal of 120 ounces so far. I am going to have to pick up some of the Kashi snacks.
It’s so hard to start a diet, so I commend you. We had a nutritionist speak to our local mom’s group recently and she said that she recommends Kashi as a very healthy company to get snacks from.
I’m getting more sleep and eating better. I’ve already noticed slow drop in weight, but I want to make these permanent changes.
I think it comes down to water so much more than we might think. I’m horrible about getting enough water, my lips are always dry and remind me. I have never thought of the idea of snacking (or smaller meals) as a super way to help stay on track.
For me, the most effective thing I can do is give up sugar and coffee (the coffee makes me crave sugar) but that’s also the hardest thing for me to do for a long period of time. I can usually drink enough water, but I just snack way too much and that is my downfall.
i have to get better about drinking water. in the last few months I’ve slacked but notice by the afternoon when I haven’t had enough
I must agree with drinking lots of water when you think you are hungry. I drink water all day and hope that my kids will pickup on it like I did. When they complain about being hungry in between meals, I advise them to drink a glass of ice water.
I have been drinking more water and I have been taking a break after each task I complete and doing a couple of exercise moves. It is getting mo more active and I do not feel like I am losing time from working.
I do SO good on the water drinking for a while and then I slack off! Good for you! And I know what you mean about the meal-planning. It’s a must here too for sure.
I have found that drinking plenty of water and meal planning are some of the best tools for losing weight. My husband just had his gallbladder removed and we’ve gone to a strict meal plan and he’s been dropping the pounds!
Snacking often is really helpful for me. Makes me not so starving for lunch and dinner.
Good for you! Meal planning and eating small meals often is the key! It really makes a difference. Good luck with your goals
I drink lots of water, and I love it. You can try the Crystal Light drops to put in yours that will make it taste better for you. Good luck with your goals.
Kashi Go Lean Crunch Almond Flax is my absolute favorite snack! I am so addicted that I have to make sure I have another box in the house when I get down to half a box. Good luck on your healthy eating and seriously, check out the 17 Day Diet. It is the best thing I have ever done. So, so easy.
Water is the hardest to start back into a routine doing. Not sure why, but I struggle. It takes a week or so forcing it down, and then I am usually back on track with my intake. Good luck!
That’s a great plan for getting a jump start on losing weight. I need to do better with the drinking of water and meal planning. I do okay for awhile, and then slide backwards.