For all you out there who made hard-core plans to tone up and get healthy in 2011, how is it going? 1 month down and I hope you’re still all on board! You can do it, all you need is motivation, persistence, and that desire to look good for yourself.
This week, I am bringing you “Tips to Boost Your Metabolism” courtesy of Women’s Health Magazine…
1. Eat a Good Breakfast! Every. Single. Day. Don’t let your body go into starvation mode… after all, it truly is the most important meal of the day. What to eat? Lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats–omelets, steel-cut oats, berries and Greek yogurt, or fiber-packed cereal.
2. Drink Green Tea. It’s the closest thing to a metabolism potion. The brew contains a plant compound called ECGC, which promotes fat burning. According to studies, consuming two to four cups per day may torch an extra 50 calories.
3. Grab Some Metal. Women lose iron during their period every month. That can throw you a wrench because iron helps carry oxygen to your muscles. Stock up on iron-fortified cereals, beans, and dark leafy greens like spinach, bok choy, and broccoli.
4. Mix Things Up with Intervals. You’re always looking for a way to shorten your workout, right? Well, step up your intensity and you’ll burn the same number of calories or more in less time. Bursts of speed may stimulate a fat-burning response within the muscles.
5. Hit the Sack Early. When you sleep less than you should, you throw off the amounts of leptin and ghrelinâhormones that help regulate energy use and appetiteâthat your body produces. Make sure you get at least eight hours of rest.
And now on to Taylor’s Top Two Tuesday… this week’s topic, Top 2 Things You’ve Learned About Friendship–funny how sometimes these things come up when you need them most đ
1. Honesty is the Best Policy–if your friends are true friends, you should be able to be honest with them no matter what the situation is…having a support system of close women is extremely important and I know that God has placed certain women in my life for a reason. Open communication is key and you should never {I am so preaching to myself here} feel that you can’t honestly share your feelings ust because of how someone might react.
2. Be Who You Are. In life, you can’t please other people, you can only be who you are and if people like you for you, then so be it. If not, don’t worry about it–simply move on. I have let myself get hurt way too many times in the past and it just wasn’t worth the emotional stress I put myself through. This quote is one of my favorites: “About all you can do in life is be who you are. Some people will love you for you. Some will love you for what you can do for them, and some won’t like you at all”
Happy 1st day of February friends…so many exciting things coming up this month! Time with family, trips to LA and Denver, Superbowl, and of course Valentine’s Day!!
Love your top 2, especially that quote! And that little tip about drinking green tea makes me feel good, its a new found favorite of mine! Hope you have a great week!
My goal was to start to get back into the swing of things. Ive always been one to work out but I had stopped hitting the gym regularly. I was hoping to tone up not really lose weight. As of yesterday after my work out I had lost 4lbs in the past month! Thanks for your motivation every week. Great tips!!
Love that quote, it's so true that "sometimes it's just enough to know they're there." Happy February!
Thanks for the tip, friend! Love this post.
Also, would you mind sharing where you get all your cute little pictures each day. I love them!
Thanks for the tips! I love your top two, they're both so true. I'm a new follower from the top two linkup. Looking forward to reading your blog!
Thanks for your tips! đ I need them!
Good tips! I have been trying really hard for the last few months to always eat breakfast!! Especially plain oats on the mornings of long runs đ
Also, I wanted to thank you for that tissue pom pom tutorial. I MADE ONE!! And right when I finished, I thought of you!! đ
I might just have to bust out that green tea every day until swimsuit season!! đ
Love that friendship quote, so true!! Honesty in friends is so important.
Have a great day girl!!
SO true about friendships, honesty is SO important and being who you are is yes def a MUST ! Thanks for sharing girlie!
great post! i started doing the 30 day shred dvd in the mix of my other workout and it's great! 20 min of kickin butt time for lean muscles!
have a great week!
Definitely agree with your Top 2. đ
Thanks for the metabolism tips! I'll be purchasing some green tea asap! Also, love your Top 2–so true!! đ
Thanks for the tips. Happy February! Sounds like another month filled with fun things for you!
Love your answers! Especially that quote! đ
And thank you for the tips!
Love the Top 2 Tuesday posts! And thanks for the slim down tips! I always have to have breakfast in the morning or I'll just lag at work and starve until lunch. I don't know how people don't eat it! My problem is not working out, I need to get on top of that again, it's just so hard to get motivated when it's cold and dark before and after work!
could not agree more with your #1 and #3 fit tips!
Great post all around!!
love it!