Congratulations to our Giveaway Winner
Kerry Arguijo
March is one of my most favorite months of the year because I get to celebrate two things: the birthdays of some very special people in my life, and one of my passions?nutrition! And since I am so passionate about nutrition, I?ve got some pretty cool stuff planned for this blog this month! It?s all a bit hush-hush, so you?ll have to check back often to see what?s going on, but I will tell you one thing: There will be a weekly giveaway! :-)? You in? Awesome! Let?s go!
Good nutrition is so important! When you fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods, you?ll feel great (both physically and mentally), accomplish more, and have an all-round healthier body. The reverse is also true?if junky, low nutritional value foods are your fuel of choice, you?ll feel lousy, get less done, and have health issues.
In order to be healthy, our bodies need the right combination of what I like to call the Fabulous Four: protein, carbs, healthy fats, and water. Here?s why they?re the foundation of good nutrition:
- Protein builds and maintains muscle, bone, skin, hair, and pretty much every other body part and tissue in your body. It?s so important for weight loss because muscle burns calories like an inferno, so the more muscle, the more calories burned! Protein also breaks down more slowly than carbs and fat, which burns even more calories and helps you feel fuller longer.
- Carbs are the preferred fuel source for your muscles and organs. They come in healthy versions (vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes), and not-so-healthy versions (cakes, cookies, soda, doughnuts, candy, and many processed foods). Healthy carbs are also crucial for burning calories, and since they break down more slowly than the not-so-healthy kind, they keep your blood sugar and energy levels steady, and your calorie burning furnace hot so it burns more calories!
- Healthy fats (unsaturated fats) eaten in moderation help the development and function of your eyes and brain and help prevent heart disease, stroke, depression, and arthritis. They also help keep your energy levels steady and keep you from feeling hungry.
- Water is an important ingredient in regulating your bodily functions (digestion, circulation, temperature, and many others), as well as keeping muscle fatigue at bay and for healthy skin. And an adequate water intake is imperative for losing weight! We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water (150 lbs = 75 ounces, for example) every single day.
And since I want to help you have the best National Nutrition Month ever, here are some ideas to help you get started with your own celebration:
- Adopt one new healthy habit each week.
- Be adventurous! Try a new fruit or veggie.
- Host a healthy luncheon or dinner party.
- Try out a new recipe each week. Here are some of our favorites: Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Protein Waffles, Gluten-Free Pasta Perfection, and Sweet Potato Brownies.
- Make a weekly meal plan.
- Try out our Carb Cycling program!
What are you going to do to celebrate National Nutrition Month? Leave your ideas in the comments below and you could win a signed copy of Chris? book, Choose More, Lose More for Life!
?This giveaway is now over. A winner was chosen randomly and announced on Friday, March 7, 2014.
Let the celebration begin! 🙂
306 Responses
I am going to do my best to drink the total amount of water needed daily. I am also going to increase my intake of fruits and veggies.
For national nutrition month, I am going to set my alarm to have my meals every 3 hours. I already drink more than 100 oz of water during weekdays so I am going to try the same on the weekends.
I am on day 2 of the turbo carb cycle. I’m a bit overwhelmed and scared to make a mistake! But I am going to keep my promise to myself to stick with it!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken for dinner!!! LOVE IT!!! My husband said he could eat it everyday. This is great for BOTH of us, him needing to get healthy and lose about 25 pounds and me needing to lose well ALOT. Tomorrow we are going to try the Gluten-Free Pasta Perfection. I have always been one not to try different recipes and to stick with what I know and what my husband and I like and what we think tastes good and not come out of my comfort zone. SO glad I did. Thank you for giving us options that taste good. Looking forward to trying MANY more new things.
My husband is going back to cooking healthily and we’re still trying to figure out what I can and can’t eat anymore; as I’ve gotten older, we’ve discovered that I don’t tolerate dairy or wheat anymore, so trying some gluten-free eating, and some paleo.
I plan to eliminate red meat. Having a kidney transplant puts your diet in a different perspective. Red meat works the kidneys. I need to keep my new one working simply. Easily processed food from now on for me.
Just finished reading Choose to Lose and will start carb cycling this month! Excited to start feeling the effects of healthy eating on by body!
First thing I want to do is add more fresh veggies to my diet and find new ways to cook them so I don’t get bored with my “diet”.
I am adding new exercises to the fitness classes I teach, and I’m going to challenge my participants to drink all their water, and if they have pets yo get creative to and create fun exercise they can do together
I run a weight loss group on FaceBook so I am always trying to help people with nutrition and lose weight. I post all sorts of recipes from low carb to WW and gluten free and for diabetics. I will have to now introduce a new program to them….I myself follow low carb.
Thank you