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

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.