The Guidelines for this Challenge

So now for those Guidelines.  Take the time to review them all.  And don't forget to contact me if you have any questions along the way by either leaving a comment on this blog or contacting me directly through email at robyn@zhooshfitness.com

•               eat 5-6 small meals every day

•               eat every 2-3 hours

•               make sure you have lean protein and complex carbs at every meal

•               drinks lots of water~8 cups a day ( i drink way more than this when i'm working out)

•               never ever miss a meal~especially breakfast

•               pack your food for the day~i use one of those soft insulated lunch boxes

•               no processed foods! especially white flour and sugar!

•               avoid all saturated and trans fats

•               no colas, juices or fizzy drinks

•               consume healthy fats (EFAs) every day~more on this later

•               avoid alcohol! ( LOL!  Isn't that what got us into this challenge in the first place?)

•               lots of fresh fruit and veggies for fiber and vitamins

•               proper portion sizes (more on this one later)

Okay, this should be enough to get you started!  Don't be overwhelmed.....if this sounds like too much, start small, pick out a few things, make some small changes.  

Keeping a food journal is an excellent idea!  Write down everything you eat over a 3-5 day period........and I mean EVERYTHING!!!  You will start to see where a little extra treat here and there really adds up.  In just a few months last year, my sister dropped 20 lbs  by cutting out snacking in the evening and going for daily walks with her dog.

The number one rule in my book is if you eat small meals every 2-3 hours, you don't get hungry so you don't snack and ruin all your hard work!

So for breakfast this morning, this is what i am having to start my day off right!

Quinoa with Oats

1 cup quinoa, soaked for 2 hours

1 cup steel cut oats (my fav)

1/4 tsp sea salt

3 cups water

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup raisins (i'm using blueberries today)

In a medium saucepan with lid, place soaked quinoa, steel cut oats, sea salt and water.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, vanilla and raisins.  Let sit for several minutes.

This makes 4 one-cup servings.  Only eat one cup!  The rest can be reheated the following day for breakfast or take it with you to work and heat up a serving in the microwave and this could also double as one of your meals later.

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