Hey everyone! As you already know, we are getting married! Even though the wedding is still 10 months away, I have decided to start a diet and workout regimen, and guess what? I finally, FINALLY! Found the balance of what works with me and my body. I have been trying to lose weight since I moved in with my fiance 2 1/2 years ago. It is true what everyone says. You move in together, you get comfy and cozy, and then before you know it, 10-15lbs (or more!) has accumulated and your looking at yourself wondering how you got this way!
The things I wanted to change in my current lifestyle include the following:
- Working out 3 times per week at the gym doing cardio based workouts for 20-30 minutes. Post cardio, abs, back, arms and leg toning exercises.
- Vinyasa yoga 2 times per week.
- Lemon water every morning 30 minutes before eating breakfast.
- One-two cups green tea per day with local honey and a slice of lemon.
- Sleeping at least 8 hours per night.
- Cutting out MSG/GMO products. Trading over to organic products as much as possible/what we can afford/find.
- Eating more frequently and smaller meals. More vegetables, less fruit. Lots of protein!
I decided when we got engaged a couple months ago, that it was time for me to change my lifestyle and lose this extra 15lbs that had accumulated on my body. My friends had given me some suggestions as to what they had done to lose weight, and the steps they take daily to ensure that they won't gain back what they worked so hard to lose. Some had said they tried the high protein, low carb diet. For me, that just wouldn't work. I love carbs wayyyyy too much. Plus, carbs are what gives you the energy you need to get through your day.
I had a friend post an article on Facebook awhile back that was interesting to me. It was an article I believe out of the Huffington Post, talking about drinking warm water with lemon every morning. When I first saw the article, I was a little skeptical. After researching the benefits of drinking this mixture every morning, I decided to give it a shot. Lemon water is actually really great for your body, and has antibacterial and anti fungal properties. It also aids in reducing bloating, helping to keep your face clear of acne, curbing your appetite, and regulating digestion.
Now, there is something you must realize. I hate lemons usually. I LOVE lemonade however, but that's only because it has enough sugar to take out the bitterness of the lemon. Any recipe that calls for lemon, I usually tend to steer clear, or only add just a smidge of what it actually calls for.
Three days ago I tried the lemon water for the first time. The instructions were to warm up one mug or cup of water, and add the juice of half a lemon for 150lbs and less, more than 150lbs add the juice of one whole lemon. Drink the whole mug when you wake in the morning, wait 30 minutes after finishing, then eat breakfast. I must admit, that first sip...WHEW! It was really sour and bitter, and my fiance was laughing so hard at the faces I was making! It was pretty comical. Over the next few days, I noticed that I had a lot more energy, (one of the benefits) my face started to clear up, and I didn't feel as hungry as often through out the day.
So far so good! I am so glad that I had read about the benefits of drinking lemon water. There are many more than I have listed, but it is worth the shot, and its good for your body! Another article I stumbled upon while researching the benefits of drinking lemon water, was the benefits of drinking green tea daily. Green tea is great for you! Just look at all the other cultures in our enormous world that drink tea on a daily basis and swear by it for its herbal healing properties. I am naturally a green tea freak! I love the tea, and usually always have a big box in our pantry.
Green tea is great for boosting your metabolism. Pair this with drinking your lemon water every day, and I guarantee you will see weight loss results! It is also good for keeping your insulin levels in check, preventing spikes, and it helps keep fat from storing. For people with blood pressure problems, it helps reduce high blood pressure. This tea is also great for people with depression and anxiety. It helps them relax and feel more at ease. Isn't this what we all need in our daily lives?
So far I am down 9lbs, which I seriously could not be happier about. I haven't seen the numbers on the scale for quite a long time! This all is good motivation to keep going, and push myself to lose these last 6lbs to get down to my goal weight! I really hope this article has helped all of you reading this, and hopefully it works for your body as well to get you to your goal weight! Trust me- even though it may not taste the greatest, it is SO good for you. Your body will love and thank you!
Have a happy Friday!
-A
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