You can't be perfect all the time

The last two days my son has been a little disappointed in himself. He read Huckelberry Finn at the beginning of spring break and took his test and only got four questions right on their little computer quizes he takes. Today he was upset he was having a hard time doing some of his math homework. I helped him and than sat him down to talk. I reminded him that even though he is a great kid and very smart it is practically impossible to be perfect all the time. You are going to make mistakes, you are going to mess up sometimes, and you will even get in trouble at times. It does not mean you are a not a good kid but you are human and that is just how it is.

So why on a diet blog do I bother mentioning this. Because I think more often than not we forget this. I eat good most days or most meals but I do still have the occasional Pepsi. I love Pepsi but it is not the best thing for me to have every single day. I still eat cookies, usually just one, eat pasta, and order pizza. I get chicken on my pizza and get the healthier version of noodles and try to have it with chicken but occasionally I have it with hamburger meat. 

I mess up, I sometimes get distracted by the kids and miss the occasional workout. Sometimes we are busy and I eat out. It doesn't overshadow all the good I have done it just means that it might take me a little longer to get to my goal. It did take several years to get this way and I expect it will take me more than a few months to undo the damage. My Vi shakes makes it easier to make healthier choices. Gives me plenty of alternatives so I dont get bored. 

So don't let the occasional "slip" up get you down or derail you. I tell my son all the time it's not how often you mess up but how often you keep trying. Tomorrow is another day, don't let your mistakes define your future. 

Are you ready to join me on the Challenge?? http://lanischweitzer.bodybyvi.com

6 NEW Reasons to Take the Challenge in 2013

Almost everyone I know wants to get in better shape, loose weight, or just be more active. The Body By Vi Challenge helps with all that but if you need more reasons than your health to join let me give you the 6 new reasons to join the millions that have already joined.

1. 90 Day Money Back Guarantee. Insane 90 Day Challenge with a 90 Day money back guarantee. Dont get the results you want, start but dont stay with it....get your money back.

2. OVER 47 MILLION IN FREE PRODUCT AND PRIZES & VACATIONS!!!!!! That was how much was given away last year the goal to beat it this year. 

3. Project 10 Weekly Winners. Every week in 2013 they are giving away $10,000 to 10 people for loosing 10 pounds. Plus EVERYONE gets a "I lost it" T-shirt.

4. Monthy Challenge Finalist- Finalist will now receive a professional photo shoot and free Vi-Gear!

5. Ultimate Transformation Vacation. Your before and after party awaits. This comes complete a with a $5,000 Beverly Hills Wardrobe Shopping Spree!

6. Challenge Trainer. Get the resources you need on your personal challenge at challenge.com. Tools, apps expert tips and expert tips. 

For all these reasons dont forget the most important to join the challenge. YOU!! Feel better about yourself, take your confidence back and be the person you were meant to be. If you looked at these great rewards and you find yourself still thinking about it be honest with yourself, did you just come up with excuses because you are scared of change. That's ok we all do it but its time to get past your fear and live your life the way you want. Message me if you have any questions at leiworkfromhome@gmail.com. IF you are ready to start your challenge Pick a kit and lets get going http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Healthy and on budget

My Body By Vi diet allows me to lesson my grocery bill while eating healthier than I was but I also like to cook and still eat dinner since I actually replace my breakfast with a shake and a snack since I drink one after my workout. I still eat lunch and dinner. Since my goal is more than 30 lbs the total I spend per day a month is about eight dollars. Not bad for two those two meals plus my omega's and my metabolic booster.

Since I am new to eating healthy and hate spending a ton of money I thought I would share a few recipes that I have found. I love pasta so the first one I am sharing with you Chicken Piccata with Pasta and Mushrooms.  This recipe you can swap the chicken for a mild fish like Talipa or Shrimp. 

 

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces whole-wheat angel hair pasta
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 chicken cutlets, (3/4-1 pound total), trimmed
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 10-ounce package mushrooms, sliced
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 2 teaspoons butter

• PREPARATION

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk 5 teaspoons flour and broth in a small bowl until smooth. Place the remaining flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and dredge both sides in the flour. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink in the middle, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; cover and keep warm.
  3. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until they release their juices and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add garlic and wine to the pan and cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the reserved broth-flour mixture, lemon juice and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in parsley, capers, butter and the reserved mushrooms. Measure out 1/2 cup of the mushroom sauce. Toss the pasta in the pan with the remaining sauce. Serve the pasta topped with the chicken and the reserved sauce.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 397 calories; 9 g fat ( 3 g sat , 3 g mono ); 54 mg cholesterol; 45 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 28 g protein; 5 g fiber; 544 mg sodium; 609 mg potassium
  I made this a few weeks ago and it came out great. The kids and husband love it. My husband loves steak so I haven't tried this second one yet but think when he comes home we are going to try it. 
  

  INGREDIENTS

  • 8 ounces 1/2-inch-thick steaks, such as rib-eye, trimmed of fat and cut into 2 portions
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

  • PREPARATION

    1. Sprinkle both sides of steak with chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the steaks and cook, turning once, 1 to 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer the steaks to a plate, cover with foil and let rest while you make the salsa.
    2. Add tomatoes, lime juice and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes soften, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cilantro and any accumulated juices from the steaks. Serve the steaks topped with the salsa.

    NUTRITION

    Per serving: 192 calories; 8 g fat ( 2 g sat , 4 g mono ); 81 mg cholesterol; 4 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 26 g protein; 1 g fiber; 359 mg sodium; 515 mg potassium.
    
    
    I hope you guys like these recipes. There are many more to be found on web if you just look. Although I am meeting most my needs with my shakes I still love good food.
    Are you ready to start your 90 Day Challenge? What can you accomplish in 90 Days?
    http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Benefits of Soy Protein

There are several types of protein out there but today I am focusing on Soy Protein. I am on my Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge trying to get in better shape and wanted to learn more about it and why it works so well in these shakes for those of us that are trying to loose weight or achieve a fitness goal. 

Soy protein is a vegetable protein. This type of protein is great for recovering after a workout. The reason it is great for recovery is that it contains glutamine (emino acid that aids in recovery), arginine (dialetes blood vessels so nutrients can get to the muscles faster, and BCAA's (one of nine essential amino acids that aids in recovery). 

Soy protein also helps support a healthy cholesterol and boost thyroid hormone output. For those of us with that suffer from low thyroid that alone is worth joining the challenge and drinking the shake mix. By increasing thyroid production it helps boost up metabolism and aids in fat loss. This type of protein can be taken both before and after your workout. 

Ready to start your own 90 Day Challenge? Contact me and we will pick a goal, pick a kit, and get started. 

http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Foods to help belly fat

Before I ever had kids I had a little pouch. I hated it. One time my little brother asked me if I was pregnant. Two c-sections later it has not gone away. I am proud to say that thanks to my 2 Body By Vi Shakes a day and my workouts I do notice that my stomach is starting to get some light definition. This might be a light trick caused by shadows but....I am hopeful.

So tonight I thought I would look up food that is supposed to help with that. I know that I am not the only one with that issue. There were lots of articles this one is based on one I found on Real Age. 

1. Black Beans. Legumes in general are high in fiber and protein which help reduce appetite. Black beans are the highest in flavonoids which is expected to help fight belly fat. 

2. Pears. Fresh pears are very low in calories and high in fiber that the articles actually states you can eat one at every meal and loose weight. Pears are loaded with two things that are supposed to help fight belly fat they are: catechins and flavonols. 

3. Popcorn. Ok for those of you that got excited this popcorn minus the butter and salt (and the oil they use at the movie theater sorry guys). Popcorn is a whole grain belief it or not and people who ate lots of whole grain have been proven to have smaller waist lines.

4. Cold Potatoes. If you put potatoes in the fridge overnight they form a resistant starch crystal. This is a fiber that triggers two hunger halting hormones. It also helps burn more fat while making less available to store. You can make a vinegar potato salad. 

5. Peanuts. The calories burned from peanuts are burned more readily than their less healthy alternatives such as cookies, crackers and chips.

6. Sunflower seeds. Tip to remember unsalted. You can toss them into your cereal, on your sandwhiches in your yoguart. This yummy little treat is high in monounsaturated fat, which is a healthy fat that inhibits waist spreading. 

7. Tea. White Tea to be exact. A study showed that cells that were treated with white tea absorbed 70% less fat than those weren't. The same cells also triggered fat break down. 

8. Apple Cider Vinegar. This yummy ingredient has a compound called acetic acid. This turbo boost the ability to burn fat while hindering fat storage. Double trouble for fat. 

9. Safflower Oil. This is used a lot in salad dressings and a few teaspoons of this a day seems to encourage belly fat to take a hike. It contains an omega-6 ingredient called linolic acid that causes your metabolic rate to rev up. 

Some of these foods are new to me. Some I realize I am getting thanks to my high fiber protein drink from Visuals and the omega-6 from my Omega Vitals. Some of these seem pretty easy to add to your diet. For instance maybe I should see if I can find a white tea that I like and that will also help increase my water intake and hopefully help me add more water to my day. 

How to Handle Weight Loss Plateau

I have PCOS and under active thyroid so for me loosing weight seems to be a take one step forward and 2 or step backs. Lately I have been losing inches and no weight. That is not a terrible thing but I want both. That may sound greedy but most of us look at the scale as an indicator of how we are doing on the weight loss fight so must of you probably get that. Nothing worst than sticking to your diet to see the scale stay still....

So looking around I found an article on Web MD. To give credit were credit is due I am going to sum up the 10 steps it recomends and if you want more details click this link: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-ways-to-move-beyond-a-weight-loss-plateau  Most these ideals we have heard before but sometimes its good to have a little reminder

Step 1. Imagine your success. For those of you secret lovers this is right up your alley. It also points to think long term not just the 10lbs you want to look good in your dress because yo-yo dieting is bad for you and to always keep healthy snacks around.

Step 2. Understanding your weight-loss personality. For instance do you impulsively eat a thing ice cream, do you eat when out with your friends, or do you munch on snacks while watching TV. Knowing what you are will help you figure out your weak spots.

Step 3. Record all your food. (This is my weakness) This way you actually know how much food you are taking in. Also you can keep track of how you felt before you eat and if you were full after. I have seen some say to record how hungry you really were when you started to eat. That could help you notice patterns.

Step 4. Beware of Calorie Creep. If you do step 3 you will notice this more than if you do it on your own. Ways to easily avoid this, make an open face sandwich (when I make hamburgers I never eat the top bun it requires i use a fork most times but I am ok with that) snack size candy bar instead of full one etc.

Step 5. Watch Restaurant Overeating. Restaurants are known for huge portion sizes so if you are not really hungry have an appetizer or a salad. Also I know if I go to Cheesecake Factory I have enough for a big lunch the next day and instantly divide my plate in half. Or if you are going with a friend share everything one meal one share the price saving yourself some calories and some money.

Step 6. Eat Low Fat Protein Meals. Protein surpresses a hormone that stimulates your hunger. Foods high in fat are known to increase this hormone. So if you eat a meal that is low fat and high in protein....you get rid of one of the items that triggers the hormone at the same time taking in one of the items that helps surpress it. (Just a few numbers for you that are curious the Body By Vi protein drinks have 1 gram of Fat, less than a gram of sugar, and 12 grams of protein)

Step 7. Eat more Fruits and Vegetables. This adds many vitamins and minerals not to mention fiber. They are low calorie food that has lots of nutrional value.

Step 8. Push the envelop pass the plateau. Simply this means your body adepts to your workouts so if you have been going on a casual 30 min walk, make a small change carry weights, add more time, make it a jog or maybe try kickboxing.

Step 9. Wear a Pedometer. Make a goal for how many steps you are going to take and put it on in the morning.

Step 10. Try Yoga to avoid stress eating. They actually have a few poses listed if you want to read but the main goal for this goal is to find a better outlet for your stress than food. Most of us do it, I admit I do it to at times and if I am alone and at home have tried putting on my cardio kickboxing tape instead. Punching and kicking imagining pains in my butt is way better.

Hope that helps most of you or gives you a few ideals. I actually combine 6 and 7 by adding strawberries and bananas to my Body By Vi shakes. I love it and feel better. I still need to work on recording my foods but I am getting there.

Ready to start your own 90 Day Challenge? Curious to know more?  http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Its not how often you fail. Its how often you get back up!!

Since I have started my 90 Day Challenge before the holidays with a few friends I have to admit I have eaten sweets and indulged in chips more than once. I have not given up on myself though and despite the occasional slip I realize that if I am going to make this a life style and not a "diet" than I just have to acknowledge its not that I had a cupcake last night or that one day last week while brainstorming what I am going to do about the current problem that I had that I splurged on chips and dips its the fact that the next day I go on like nothing happened. I mean, really, lets face it none of us have our weight problems because we sat down one night and had some ice cream or splurged while we were at a yummy restaurant.

We tell our kids all the time that practice makes perfect. Why do we constantly give up on ourselves if we "fall of the wagon" when we mess up on our new diet. Although I don't see me stopping from having the occasional cupcake at a party or chips and dips every once in a great while it doesn't mean that I am following back in my bad habits. It means I am human and thanks to yummy recipes like the Butter Finger Protein Shake I make with my Vi shakes they happen a lot less...espicially when I admit to myself that I feel way better with a Vi shake for breakfast and one for a snack later.

Start your challenge today and be amazed at what you can accomplish.
http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

How much protein do you really need?

This is a common question along with why do I need so much. There is no magic number that fits everyone across the board but my dietician told me the best way to figure out what you need as individual is to take your current weight and multiply it by 0.3. That means if you are 200 lbs you would take 200x0.3 and your total would be 60 grams. This number changes as you loose weight so make so as your weight goes down you will need less, and of course the opposite is true if you gain weight you will need more.

Why do you need protein? To make sure that while you are loosing weight you loose fat and keep your muscle mass. It is also the building block of every cell in your body. It is needed for virtually every function in your body and half the protein you consume goes to energy for your body. 

Not getting enough lean protein. Want a fun way to increase your protein and loose weight?

I am currently doing the 90 Day Challenge with Body By Vi and despite my under active thyroid and my PCOS I am loosing weight, loosing inches, and have more energy. Regardless and what you choose make sure you are getting enough lean protein. 

http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

11 Ways to Rev Your Metabolism - #1 #...

11 Ways to Rev Your Metabolism - #1 Protein! http://ow.ly/9ZRaf Try THIS awesome ProteinShake FREESAMPLE http://ping.fm/LhT4s getfit