Tip 42: Spring Cleaning

Okay, so I know today is the first day of SUMMER, but what better time to think about cleaning out your house, and life, and...kitchen?

Summer is a beautiful time of year, warm, sunny, and full of relaxing days spent enjoying the fruits of your labor. It's also a time of year we stress about, having to wear shorter skirts and shorts, and dresses, and of course, bathing suits.

Many people make the mistake of trying to lose weight in the summer. Any time is a good time to start your weight loss journey, BUT results are slow. They take time, patience, and dedication. If you start your diet and exercise program in summer, you won't see fantastic results until fall, which then leads you to get discouraged and give up. Please don't give up!

Today's tip is a lazy one. Because summer should be focused more on fun than on work.

Tip 42: Clean out your kitchen.

Click "read more" for an easy way to make staying on track easier.

There is this old idea that if it's not around, you won't eat it. And it makes sense. Think about it: if theres no chocolate cake in your house, you won't see it in the fridge every time you reach for a healthy snack. You won't think about it as much. And you won't eat it simply because it's there.

Get a big bin or plastic bag and put it in the center of your kitchen. Go through cabinets and the pantry, and ditch all junky food. Canned pasta, fatty chips and snacks, junk food. You should know at this point what foods are good and which are bad. Then tackle the refridgerator, doing the same thing.

All unopened, nonperishable foods should go in the bin. You can go to your local grocery store, food bank, red cross, YMCA, municipal building, etc. and donate that food to a familiy in need!!! Please don't be wasteful! :)

Anything opened or expired should go in the trash can.

This "spring cleaning" of sorts is good for you AND your family.

Now, to be clear, I'm not saying that cleaning out all the junk will completly clean out any food cravings you'll have. But when you DO go to the store, avoid buying junk in the first place. And, if you absolutely MUST have it, buy it in single-serving size packages. Avoid the bulk or familiy sizes - they make you more likely to overeat.

And think about it, yes those cookies or pastries or cakes are good from the box, but aren't the ones in restaurants much better? Wouldn't you much rather treat yourself with a decadent dessert from a nice restaurant or bakery, instead of a crappy, prservative-filled peice of junk from a box? :P

And, remember to re-stock your pantry and frige with healthy foods and staples.

My top 10 food staples (to always have on hand):
1. Skim milk
2. frozen fruits (none with added sugar)
3. frozen vegetables (none with sauce or added salt)
4. whole wheat pasta
5. tomato sauce
6. whole wheat bread and/or tortillas
7. fresh fruits and vegetables
8. healthy whole grain cereal
9. oatmeal
10.  healthy snacks (my preference is pre-portioned ziplock bags filled with hard pretzels)

Have fun! :)

Just Another Whale,
MyzzLyzz