How To Lose A Pound

I just read a very interesting article on Huffington Post that shows what individuals around the world eat and how many calories they consume on an average day. If you would like to read it you can do so here.

As most of you know I started a lifestyle change in 2012 and haven't looked back. I count my daily calories and track my physical activity as well. On a typical week day I will walk 3-6 miles and eat right at 1,500-1,900 calories.

Proof that tracking your caloric intake and physical activity pays off! 100 pounds lighter! 

Now, you may be thinking for someone who is still plus size how can I only eat 1,500 calories and still manage? I eat healthier foods, but I definitely won't lie and tell you I always eat healthy and keep a clean diet. I would be fibbing to no ends on that one. Though, I will admit that I do eat healthier throughout the weekday and give myself a break on the weekends. Nick and I have Friday night dinners and sometimes we just want to lounge and do nothing so we become couch potatoes on the weekends or at least one day of the weekend; I get too stir crazy and have to do something.

So, to give a glimpse into what my daily calorie intake looks like and what I eat on an average day.

I didn't walk three miles on this day but I did walk to a local store to purchase fresh veggies for the week ahead so I was able to burn 300+ calories just by forgoing my car and walking.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD:
Pros: 
• M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., I drink 10-15 glasses of water | I eat plain oats every morning | I have at least one vegetable for lunch along with a lean protein and fruit.


Cons: 
• M-F between 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., I eat heavier meals and I am normally burnt out on water so I will drink some ginger ale, milk, etc., with my dinner. Sometimes I eat later than desired and I want dessert after dinner... EVERY NIGHT!!

• Saturday - Sunday I eat what I want to in moderation and I don't typically burn as many calories. 

The thing I recognize is that:
1. You can eat what you want but you have to remember moderation.
2. All calories aren't equal. You must move! Even if it is taking the steps instead of an elevator or running 5 miles a day, you must get to moving! Walking for an hour a day (3-4 miles) helps me burn right at 600-800 calories.

If you'd like any help, motivation or insight as to what I did and the steps I took please feel free to contact me.

Where in the world is Jennifer?

So here we go..

I have been absent but with good reasoning! I graduated from UA, got a job and will be moving out of state, lost 58+ pounds and still losing and will be blogging more (especially about healthy choices)!

First things first..

I graduated!!!! I finally graduated with two degrees Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism and Human Development: Family Studies).

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I snagged a job in Charleston, SC. I am right around the corner from beginning that job. I don't want to reveal too much about that.

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I have reached the point in my life where I am serious about getting healthier, losing weight, eating better and living longer! I started my weight-loss journey on January 10, 2012. I started by watching what I ate. I made smarter choices and a couple of weeks later I discovered an amazing app for my iPhone called LoseIt. This has been a God send. It is a food tracker that allows the user to put their current weight and goal weight to calculate how many calories they can intake and how long it will take to reach your goal weight. It also allows the user to update their weight, input exercise and even scan items into the system. 

I recommend this app to everyone trying to lose weight or just maintain a healthy weight. I realized, as soon as I started using LoseIt, that I was drastically overeating and definitely not exercising near enough. 

So, I used LoseIt for a month before I discovered Nike+ (thanks to my roommate Hallie). This has been another amazing product. Nike+ is an app that comes with your iPhone. It corresponds to newer Nike shoes that are equipped for the Nike+ sensor. If you have a pair of shoes that are equipped, buy the sensor and get active! I do a daily workout consisting of me jogging/walking off 1,000+ calories and around 4+ miles. Pairing this app with the LoseIt app has worked wonders for my life. 

With all of this combined I have lost 58+ pounds! I feel better and look better. I am healthier and happier! 

So look for me to be posting more, especially about weightloss, health and happiness!