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 have been a crazy nursing student with very little time for much of anything besides studying! However, after 2 long years of study, study, study … I’m graduating in 17 days! I’ve put myself on the back burner without even realizing it! So my plan this month is to start meal planning more effectively. I am suffering from anemia right now so my focus is to incorporate more iron rich health foods into my diet daily. <3
Eating more veggies!!
I am going to start keeping a food journal. I have done it in the past and it really is the key to success for me. I’m also going to insure that I’m getting in plenty of water. High protein, low carb. Your family is an inspiration. I am trying to get healthy and I really hope to meet someone who wants to make that an important part of our family. Being healthy together as a family is right up there with faith and love.
I have been doing research and carb cycling is going to be my choice for my transformation. I’m ready for a life change. And I need to to do this to be healthy for the rest of my life. Thank you!!!
I recently started a fitness blog after losing 100lbs this past year so I am going to try some new recipes so I can post on my blog and pay it forward and help others. I am also focusing on building lean muscle mass so come summer, I look good in a bikini.
I have 2 young sons and our overall health is my main priority. I have recently started making changes in our food choices, buying more organic, cutting out processed foods, making more fresh dishes, eliminating foods with dyes, buying more fresh foods, but I know I still have a lot to learn. I would LOVE to win a copy of Chris’ book to further my knowledge so that I can show my sons a healthier lifestyle.
I’m going to start my national nutrition month off with one new healthy habit a week. I do an awesome job hitting the gym once a day going hard for a hour mostly weight training. I’m starting to realize all that hard work and its being sabotaged with my bad eating habits. I eat 5 meals a day but get hardly no color in my meals. I eat allot of processed carbs. And I’m a sweets addict. This week I’m going to add at least one veggie to those meals.
Joined a couch to 5k club! Started the classic carb cycle, tried the turbo once too. Our whole family is making healthy changes and we just joined the YMCA! 🙂
I am using Bod.e products and exercising regularly! I am eating healthy foods and using Chris’ carb cycling routine.
I’m training for a half marathon in the spring, and a full for the fall. My biggest fault is nutrition… I know I need to eat healthier, and after starting my training, this is my month to do it!