Why You Need A Food Scale

I am not sure why blogger is being a pain in the ass but it has been all week. Anyone else having problems with it?

Now that rant is over, let's get back to today's post.

 I think I am going to try to make Thursdays my "workout" day on the blog. It might include a recipe, ideas and or what I have been doing.

 Today it's all about WHY you should weigh your food instead of using measuring cups. I think this is very important and every house should have a food scale.

When I first started trying to count my macros, I would just use my measuring cups. I figured if it said 1/2 cup (40g) is a single serving than I would eat a 1/2 cup and not have to worry. I was very wrong. 

In America, our biggest downfall is that we LOVE to eat and eat A LOT. We tend to eat more than one serving at a time which turns into why so many people are over weight not to mention how easy fast food is and how horrible it is for you. Save my fast food rant for another day.

To get started on weighing out your food -

First thing: Buy yourself a food scale ! They are not that expensive and will come in handy for lots of things.  

Next: Learn to read the food label where it tells you the serving size. Look for serving size in grams not in cups. 

Last: Log it in My fitness pal or whatever app you use to track your food. Notice how much you used to over eat of everything.

example: My oatmeal says 1/2 cup (40g) is a single serving. Approx. 13 servings in a container. 

I measured out my half cup. Before food scale, that is what I would of ate for my oatmeal. Notice too that this half cup isn't even over the edge of the measuring cup.

Next I weighed my 1/2 cup serving. Remember when you go to weigh your food, place the container you are weighing it in on the food scale than zero it out. (Notice mine has a bowl on it and says 0g)

I placed the 1/2 cup of oats in the bowl and it weighed out to 44g. That is an extra 4g a day and now multiply that by 5. I would be eating an extra half serving by the end of the week that I have not accounted for in my fitness pal . No wonder the scale won't budge for me. 

So instead I just pour out my oatmeal in the zero out bowl until I reach 40g and just skip the 1/2 cup measuring all together to know that I am getting my correct serving size and I am accounting for everything I eat in my fitness pal. 

Counting macros is becoming easier and easier but I am still very new to it and learning how to make adjustments. 

Remember to get yourself a food scale! 

Happy Thursday ya'll! 

Just Keep Hiking: Cedar Creek

Saturday we got up semi-early. Made a bomb protein pack pancakes and headed out the door with the fur babies to go on this hike.

When we got there, there was a sign that you had to pay $6 for a permit to hike down to the "waterfall." The hike round trip was just under 6 miles, 3 miles down to the "fall" and 3 miles back to the car. 

Beware, picture overload!

In the car on our way to go hiking.

Notice Cali really excited for the car ride

A man & his daughter bond!

The babies walking together

About half way there. Once you come down the hill it opens up to this beautiful path. The sun was shinning bright and the green grass. It was the perfect picture moment.

Ms. Cali loved exploring

and of course we had to take the mushy pictures

We continued our hike and finally came to the "waterfall." Since California is in a drought, there was NO waterfall but the lake it falls into was nasty so we didn't let the dogs in either. 

The "waterfall"

We spent about 20 minutes at the waterfall/lake and headed back. 

After the hike back to the car. 

The babies were passed out.

Weekend Shindigs

Hey ya'll! Can you believe it's already Tuesday? The last Tuesday in January 2015, I know I missed Monday but that just shows how busy I truly have been.

Friday: I made this bomb buffalo chicken in the crock pot for dinner/ to eat throughout the weekend. Otherwise, it was just a quiet Friday night as usual. We went to bed kind of early because we had a big day planned for Saturday. 

Saturday: We woke up semi-early. We made breakfast (protein pancakes) and head off to go hiking. Come back tomorrow for more pictures. 

A man & his daughter.. they have a bond like no other!

After our hike we came home laid around, did some chores and I tried to go shopping at Victoria secret but they were really rude so my sister and I just left. 

Sunday: We did our usual grocery shopping in the morning. Than my sister ordered this zoodle maker last week and we love it. 

and than after, I decided to start the C25K app challenge. I have 8 weeks until my 5K run so here is to me hoping to run it. 

over all it was a good weekend! 

How was your weekend?

Friday Writings

Dear Friday, I can honestly say I am surprised to see you already. I am NOT complaining but you sure did show up quickly this week. I don't think I reached all my goals I set out for myself but that is OK, we have the weekend. Dear FT7, I gave you the benefit of the doubt earlier this week when you stopped working for me but after today I really think you are broken forever. It makes me sad because we had a good run but I guess it's time to move on. Dear Hubby, I know you are extremely busy at work and it is draining but you are working so hard for us. Thank you. You are amazing and I am extremely blessed to call you my husband every day. I love you more. Dear Cy, So proud of you for sticking to your diet. You are doing amazing and can't wait to watch what it will do for you. Dear Work, You are NOT fun anymore. You are not what I want to do. I try to find everything else to do (like blogging) instead of you, but I guess it's time to buckle down and just do it.  Dear Self, it's time to get to it and stay on track. You can do this. You've proven to yourself over and over again that you are way stronger than you think. Dear Readers, Thank you for the sweet comments. I hope I responded to everyone. 

Have a wonderful weekend! You deserve it! 

Hi Ho Hi Ho Off To Hike We Go

Remember when I said the hubby wanted to go hiking EVERY Sunday in 2015? 

I am here to admit we have YET to do a single hike this year. We have been sick but that doesn't mean we couldn't go, we just chose to sleep instead. I love my sleep. Well this weekend we decided to do it on Saturday (let's hope we go). 

Now back up to the weekend before New Years and we found this beautiful hike right by our house. We were able to take the dogs too, well two of six dogs. 

Look how beautiful that view is. That road way out in the distance is the freeway. 

Our first stop on the hike and we managed to play with the Go Pro (Hubby's Christmas present)

Of course you gotta test the go pro with the kissy pictures. We really need to learn to use the remote instead of the phone. 

We sure do know how to use that selfie stick though.

Of course I gotta make sure my babies get enough water. We've manged to get both dogs to drink like this out of my camelbak but we do bring a bowl too for them. 

Another picture with the selfie stick. Can never have enough couple pictures right?

And then the hike was over (well after 2 hours hiking), walking back down to the car at the end of the hike. 

Cali is the Husky and Trigger is the dobi/rott mix

Hopefully next week I'll have pictures from our hike this coming weekend too.

Happy Hump Day ya'll! 

I Love Long Weekends

 Well hello after 3 day weekend, anyone else get the president day off? I actually didn't get it off but none of my kids showed up for school yesterday so I was sent home early! 

and as always, I forget to take tons of weekend pictures so here is what I got for ya. 

Friday: The house was sick so we laid real low. I think we were all in bed by 8pm and asleep by 9. Aren't we just a lovely bunch? 

Saturday: We got up and went grocery shopping for the week than my cousin is in town from up north so we headed off to meet up with them. It was a fun night out besides we lost my favorite purple jacket.  

Sunday: We went on an adventure to Costco & hubby got the new fitbit charge. I had this bright idea to print a new preschool curriculum. Well almost $200 later we have it printed but I need the work sheets printed now. Than I meal prepped my dinners and it was off to start the week. 

Monday: I was up at 4am as usual to do my cardio and something about this song. 

I attempted a new breakfast but it was a big fat fail. So maybe next time I won't do the cocoa in it. and yes for the record, I pretty much weigh all my food out. 

Overall the weekend was good. Nothing too crazy but good. 

How was your weekend?

Party Time Friday

We made it to Friday ya'll! Another week in the books and another week down for 2015.. 

Did you do everything you could do to reach your goals for 2015?

I tried. I think I will try harder next week. This week was the preview and I know now how it works and it's time to get serious. With all that said, here's to Friday Five! 

1. I would LOVE for someone to buy me this shirt. I would like a size small please.

2. I was talking to E man this week and I asked him if he wants a marriage like his dad's and mine. His response, "yes but not right now" He was too cute not to just wanna squeeze him. I am happy to know we are being a good role model of a marriage for him

3. Hubster and I are thinking of ordering some of these bands. They are great shoulder warm ups and such. Anyone else them? 

4. Nothing says a good week without a Gym selfie! Also, I happened to be at the bank on this day and was asked for my phone number. I instantly thought, BOOM I STILL GOT IT! I politely told the man I was married but on my way to the gym so I don't wear my ring. #sorrynotsorry #Ilovemyhusband 

5. Isn't this the truth? I have been trying to stay focus all week and so far it's paying off so let's hope I can keep it up.

Week 2: I am extremely thankful for communication. Yes with my husband as it has improved tremendously but with my entire family. My mom is always there to chat with, my sister always has an ear, my dad always has some type of advice and my brother seems to answer the phone when I need him unless he's still drunk from the night before. 

Have a fun & safe weekend ya'll !

A Little Throw Back

Since I posted about stepping outside of my comfort zone and this year began 15 days ago I really started thinking what I want 2015 to look like for me, I want it to be different than the past years. So the wheels started turning....

And in honor of today being Throw Back Thursday, I loaded some of my favorite pictures. (honestly, I think every picture with the hubby is my favorite) Between the pictures and what was said to me over the weekend, it got me thinking of my 2015 goals. The first goal I listed was get in the best shape of my life. 

When we went to the Laker game in October 2010 that was probably the smallest I was where I was happy with the way I looked. We broke out these jersey not too long ago and let me say that it does not fit like that anymore. Therefore my new goal: Fit back into that Lakers jersey to take hubby to a game.

I also want to go to a Padre game again. It's been well over a year that we've gone to a game but we deserve to go. I do love me some good sports. 

Last thing, I really need to start mixing and matching my clothes in my closet. As I go through old pictures I realize how I used to dress and I think I was much more into than than I am now so I need to get back there. I have loads of cute clothes. I think as the confidence comes back everything else will fall into place. 

So for 2015, I am making it a different year. I am not going to let the days just fly by like I have in the past. I want to grab a hold of it and hang on tight. 

++Watch out 2015... You are going to be my year to shine BRIGHT! ++

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

Some days I just want to open this blog and start typing what my heart feels... I always feel the urge to write a catch phase but the truth be told, I suck at them! 

So today I am just going to write what my heart feels besides this cold I caught this week that has me coughing and sneezing everywhere. 

In the past two years I've had this goal to get in shape. I never really did too much about it besides write it on here, well I went to the gym but I never examined my life thoroughly to change it to reach this goal. Well that all changed over the weekend. 

I am not sure exactly what flipped in my brain but it did. It could of been a conversation with someone who I cherish a lot, spoke some things that I never wanted to hear, but I am going to take it as a blessing in disguise and keep moving forward.

I was awake Sunday morning at 5am working out. I am using my fitness pal again. By this, I mean I am not shoveling things in my mouth that I am not tracking. Everything I have eaten since Sunday has been tracked in there. I gave up my Dr. Pepper addiction cold turkey. I am drinking a gallon of water everyday and eating clean 90% of the day I believe. Also, I am using my facebook page a ton to help hold the accountability and support. 

As far as my workouts go, I am still seeing my trainer 2 days a week and I just got my new numbers with some meal plan of "ideal days" that I am going to try to do next week. I am also using our tread climber a few days a week, planking and doing some kettle bell work. 

Let's see where this will take me in my goal

Through this last week and mainly the last few days I learned you are you're own worst enemy. The only person you can compare yourself too is the person who you used to be. There is no reason to compare yourself to anyone else because you will NEVER be them. Find the motivation you need and JUST DO IT!  

What is a goal you've been trying to achieve but just can't find what you need to push forward?