My thoughts on Weight Watchers...

In March I decided that I was serious about getting fit and joined Weight Watchers. At that time they were running a three month special and after doing a lot of research on the program, I joined! I tried several free apps on my phone that I could log my calories, etc, but found that most them did not have any of the items I was eating. This would result in me spending hours adding these foods to the program just so I could log what I ate that day. Of course after a few days of this, I gave up.

Weight Watchers online makes it very convenient and easy when you are on the go. I have their app downloaded to my iphone so that I can log my food at every meal and almost everything is in their database. If it isn't it just takes a few things you plug in to get the point calculation. Point counting just seems easier! They also have an extensive recipe collection that has been a life saver. My favorite thing about Weight Watchers online though is the scanner app. All you do is open the app, scan the barcode on your food, and bam you have your points! It really couldn't be any easier.

My three months will be ending in June and as much as the program has worked for me, I won't be rejoining. I made this decision because I really do feel that I have learned what I can from it. There are things that I absolutely love about the program and things that I am not so keen on. I thought I would break it down for you here, in case there are some people out there on the fence about the program.

Benefits to the program:

**Portion Control.... This was a HUGE eyeopener for me. I never paid attention to the serving sizes on items EVER! I would start my morning out with 3-4 servings of my coffee creamer, which of course was just packed with sugar. Meat was another area that I would just consume mass amounts of. Heck who am I kidding? I consumed big portion sizes in everything. That is how our society runs... Bigger is better... get more for you money...and of course this applies to our food industry. Take a look at the actual portion sizes below:

I am definitely more conscious of my serving size at every meal now and I never have that "stuffed" feeling anymore which is awesome.

**Is it really worth it?...Why I never asked myself this question before joining WW is beyond me? But once I started counting my points I really thought about the point value to everything and 99% of the time would put down the candy and have some yogurt instead. It honestly felt like a game I was playing and the best part was that I was winning! It felt good to see that I stayed within my points at the end of each day and felt full. Most days I feel like I actually eat more than what I did before joining WW. Now instead of opening a bag of chips and consuming half the bag, I reach for strawberries!

**Activity Points... I loved that anytime I did yard work, cleaned my house, or hit the gym I could log my activity points. This gave me extra points that I could consume during the week. Honestly, I never really dive into these points that often, but it is nice to know they are there for special occasions. Or when you just really, really need that glass of wine!

**Online Community...I found so many friends through Instagram thanks to WW. It such a nice strong community who really supports your goals and are there for you during your struggles too. I found so many great food ideas and recipes this way and so much motivation!!

Drawbacks to the program:
**I was never able to actually use their website on my home computer to log my food, etc. I tried contacting the company several times and they did reply back, but I was never able to find a resolution. Since I could access it through my iPhone and iPad this really wasn't that big of an issue for me. However, for someone that just has a home computer it would be a major setback obviously. I am sure if I would of taken the time to call them and have someone walk me through the errors it would of been resolved, but it wasn't that big of a deal to me.

**The biggest drawback for me is the suggestion of using low fat and fat free foods when available. By doing this you are obviously lowering your point value, but adding so many "extra" non-clean ingredients to your diet. So many recipes call for fat free cool whip or fat free pudding, but have you looked at the ingredient lists on these foods? It is terrifying!!! I wasn't putting these things in my body before WW and was a sucker and bought some fat free cool whip and felt like crap immediately after consuming it.

With all that being said, I am so thankful for Weight Watchers. I have made a lifestyle change and really that is what it is all about. It is not a quick fix or a fad diet that is going to get you in that bikini. It is a lifestyle change that will be used everyday forward. I have not been counting points for the past three weeks and mainly sticking to a clean paleo-ish diet and am still losing weight. I am now always conscious of my portion size and what I am putting into my body! To date I have lost a total of 11 pounds and several inches! So it does work! It gives you a great start to a new healthy way of life and for that I will forever be thankful for Weight Watchers!

XOXO
Amber

A Knitting Fool

Sometime before Christmas, I decided that I was getting bored with crocheting and needed a challenge. I decided to dust off my knitting needles and give it another go. This time I went into it with an open mind and a little more knowledge (thanks to my momma) on the basic knitting and purling! I became hooked instantly and haven't looked back. I still crochet, don't get me wrong, but these days I can mostly be found carrying around a knitting project or two with me everywhere I go. I am known by some in my family as the bag lady. Lol!

Here are a few projects I have completed over the past few months:


A hat for our dear friend Mark for Christmas.


Blythe sized hats and scarves or new kitty accessories!


I made a few of these knitted cowls for Christmas gifts too.


Completed my first knitted baby blanket!


My first project with a cable stitch. This little pink beauty is going to be a cowl for myself! I am so close to finishing it!


A fun lacy shawl/cowl!

I think I am now ready to tackle socks and sweaters. Fingers crossed that I can figure it out. I have found several great patterns on Ravelry, as well as several books that I hope will guide me along the way.

What have you been crafting lately? If you are on Ravelry look me up! My username on there is Ambercox. If you are a crocheter or knitter and are not on Ravelry, you need to go sign up now!!!! It is such an amazing FREE site full of patterns, fellow crafters, and yarns for sale!

XOXO,
Amber

Chia Seeds= Heaven

Why have I just started hearing about these magical little Chia Seeds? These little bad boys pack a powerful punch and are tasty to boot! It is a win-win situation folks!



Here are some pretty amazing facts about Chia Seeds...

**They have more omega-3 than salmon!
**They have more antioxidants than blueberries!
**They have more fiber than flax seed!
**They have more calcium than milk!
**They have more magnesium then broccoli!
**They have more iron than spinach!

If that isn't enough to convince you to try them, then here are a few more...

**Aids in weight loss by suppressing food cravings and keeping you feeling full!
**Reduces glucose levels!
**They are gluten free!
**Will have you feeling more energized!


I love to add a tablespoon to my morning smoothie, mix it in with my overnight oats, use it for a topping on my greek yogurt, and to make Chia Seed Pudding! The seeds, when wet, form a thick, smooth texture that allows for 25% reduction of sodium and/or sugar. If you like boba tea, boba tapioca pearls like the ones they usually have at frozen yogurt bars, or tapioca pudding you will love the texture of these seeds. Plus they have no taste, allowing them to take on the flavor of whatever you are adding them into! I really can't go a day with out these powerful little guys.

If you are curious about trying these, they can typically be found in your local grocery store in the Health Food Section. There are so many recipes out there that I can't wait to try. I will leave you today with one of my recent favorites:


Chai Seed Pudding

Serves 2
2 Cups of Sugar Free Vanilla Almond Milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1/8 cup of maple syrup
3/8 cup of Chia Seed (use 1/4 cup once full and then fill half full to get 3/8 a cup)
Cinnamon for garnish

Mix the almond milk, vanilla, and maple syrup together until well blended. Carefully fold in the chia seeds. Cover and allow to sit in the fridge over night for best results. **I will probably add a little more chia seeds on my next batch to make it a little thicker consistency.
Enjoy!

Have you tried Chia Seeds before? If so what are some of your favorite recipes?

XOXO
Amber

Morning Rituals... Warm Lemon Water with Cayenne

Want to start you day out healthy? Need it to be quick and easy? Try adding warm lemon water with cayenne first thing when you wake up. Trust me if I can work it into my morning routine, anyone can! (Some say that I am NOT a morning person.. pshhh)

Now I am sure you are asking why?? Well check out some of these benefits:

**Aids in kickstarting the digestive system for the day
**Lemon juice helps flush toxins and unwanted materials out of your system (bye bye greasy cheeseburger!)
**Stimulates the liver
**Boost to your immune system thanks to the high levels of vitamin C found in Lemons!
**Balances PH levels inside our bodies which will reduce inflammation and pain
**Clears up skin thanks to the Vitamin C
**Provides energy and enhances your mood (which I need in the morning!)
**Aids in weight loss due to the high pectin fiber in lemons. This helps fight cravings!
**By adding Cayenne Pepper with the lemon it helps aid in digestion and raises your body temperature resulting in speeding up your metabolism. (if you don't think you can handle the cayenne pepper just omit it)

Here are some helpful tips when making your Lemon Water:

**The water needs to be warm. I usually set out a glass of water the night before next to my tea kettle. When I get up, I fill my regular sized mason jar half full with the glass of water from the previous night. Then while I brush my teeth and wash my face I turn my tea kettle on.

**Once my water has boiled from the kettle, I fill the remainder of the mason jar with my hot water. This makes the water luke warm, making it the perfect temperature.

**Use half of a fresh lemon (never lemon juice) and juice it into your warm water.

**Sprinkle with some cayenne pepper. Just a small amount is good, but I like mine a little spicy.

**Drink through a straw to keep the acid from the lemons away from your teeth.

**Drink this on an empty stomach and wait at least 10 minutes after consuming before you eat anything.

Enjoy knowing that you have just started the day out on the right foot. I find that by starting out with my lemon water, I tend to make healthier choices throughout my day!

XOXO
Amber

Clean Eating Basics

When I decided to take that leap towards getting healthy, Clean Eating seemed to be the most logical "diet" to incorporate into my daily life. I had been reading several articles in regards to added preservatives in food and their effects on our bodies and watched Food, Inc. These really started to put a bug in my ear when I would do my grocery shopping. I immediately decided to stop drinking soda. I was not a heavy soda drinker, but I would have at least one Dr. Pepper a day, and then of course, get a very oversized fountain drink on the weekends!! I thought that giving it up would be hard, but that was almost two years ago and I do NOT miss it all. In fact the thought of drinking it at all makes me ill! This was my first step to Clean Eating, but it took up until a few months ago to be fully on board.

So what is Clean Eating???

It is actually pretty straight forward. Avoid processed food, preservatives, additives (Ie: boxed food),artificial flavors, colors, and added sugars, and focus on eating unprocessed whole foods (Ie: lean meats, whole grains, fruits, and veggies).

I also try to limit my intake of dairy by only eating non-fat greek yogurt, almond milk, and small amounts of cheese (mainly goat and feta).

Once you stop eating these convenient foods that grocery stores and commercials are constantly shoving in our face you really don't miss them. Eating clean really is easy and doesn't have to be hard on the wallet. Here are some helpful tips to make Clean Eating less of a burden on your wallet:

**Shop your local Farmers Market. This is a great way to find the freshest and most local produce and meat!
**When grocery shopping, shop the perimeters of the store. I rarely venture into the middle of the store anymore, which makes my shopping trips much quicker.
**Shop weekly ads. I always try and plan my meals around what meat, veggies, and fruit are on sale that week.
**Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.
**Plan ahead and prep for the week so that you aren't tempted to just grab something on the go** I can't stress this enough, and you will hear me talk about it again and again! You have been forewarned!

Do your research. It's time to take control of your health! There are tons of articles out there on Clean Eating and some very informative documentaries (most can be seen on Netflix...Yay!). Some of my favorite documentaries are:
**Food, Inc
**Forks over Knives
**Hungry for Change
**Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

Also, one of my favorite blogs is Food Babe. This girl really does her research and is such an inspiration.

I can honestly say that since adhering to Clean Eating I feel amazing! I plan on posting some yummy recipes in the weeks to come. Recipes that are on heavy rotation here at Poot Manor and that are Two Poot approved! Ha!

Just remember:

To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. ~Buddha


Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. ~Jim Rohn


If the body be feeble, the mind will not be strong. ~Thomas Jefferson

XOXO,
Amber

Road to getting FIT!!

Like many people on a "diet" things go really well for a couple of weeks and then slowly fizzle off. I am the queen of excuses. You name it, I have probably used it. "Oh I forgot my socks, I can't go to the gym." or "I am so tired" or "I just don't have enough time" or "My hair doesn't look good today". Seriously you name it, I have used it.

Every time I would try to jump back on the wagon I just couldn't seem to make it stick. So why now? What has made it stick this time? Well, where do I begin? I am 5'2".So although my number on the scale might not seem that bad, factor in my shortness and it is another story. Growing up weight was never an issue. Of course I was very active in High School with cheerleading and tennis. But I would seriously eat a pop tart for breakfast, a Mountain Dew and Funyuns for lunch, swing through McDonalds drive through after school for the two cheeseburger combo meal, and then would eat what ever dinner my mom would make me. How did this never seem to effect me? In all honesty it was. I never really thought about what I was putting into my body and how it made me feel. I might not of been gaining weight but I was gaining a poor eating habit.

In college I was pretty much the same way, however, by my senior year I was trying to incorporate some form of exercise into my week. Not a lot by any means, but I do remember doing some Abs of Steel videos with my roommates or going to the campus gym where we would end up talking more than "working out". I had started noticing that when I would eat certain foods, I wouldn't feel so hot. I was feeling more run down and my stomach was giving my fits all the time.

Fast forward 5 years, and I am visiting with my allergist. He kept insisting that I do a food panel to see if there were any foods that I might be allergic to. I was afraid, because honestly, I knew the truth. I knew that whatever it was that I was putting in my body had left me bloated 24/7 for the past year. I finally reached my breaking point and decided to do the food panel. As I suspected the panel came back and I was severely allergic to gluten. After getting over the fact that I would no longer be consuming Long John Silvers or beer, I wiped my tears, and decided to make a lifestyle change.

It has now been 7 years of living gluten free and I would never go back. Of course that road was very bumpy at times and I would fall off, but quickly realize that the big bowl of spaghetti just wasn't worth it. Now a lot of people think that by living a gluten free lifestyle that you are "so healthy" and "eat all the right things". I am here to tell you that is wrong. In fact eating gluten free left me at my heaviest weight and very unfit. Sure, I felt better because I wasn't eating pop tarts, donuts, and pizza, but I was still consuming the wrong types of food and was NOT active at all.

Two months ago I woke up and was just tired of beating myself up over feeling so run down, overweight, and frankly not believing in myself. I was never able to say anything nice about myself because all I saw was an overweight person staring back at me. After seeing several of my instagram friends joining Weight Watchers, I became curious. I was ready for a change and this program seemed to be just what I needed. I had also been doing a lot of research on Clean Eating, and had been slowly cleaning out our cupboards. This way of life just seems to make sense. I started to believe in myself and that I could do this. Going to the gym is now something I look forward to. I actually miss it on the days I am not there. After two months of being on Weight Watchers, eating clean, and working out I have lost 8 lbs. I have a long journey ahead of me but I wake up every morning excited to work towards this goal. And that goal now is to just be as healthy as I can be!

I know that most people have that "aha" moment when something happens to them to make them realize they are ready for a change. I am not sure I actually had one particular moment, but rather several of them that just started to pile up and finally came knocking on my door!

**I will be posting later this week with my thoughts on Weight Watchers and Clean Eating!! So stay tuned!**

Also I would love to here about your road to getting FIT! What works for you? What doesn't??

XOXO
Amber

Well, Hello There!!

I think 9 months is a long enough break from my blog! Boy have I missed it. Being away has really allowed me to step back and think about what I really what this blog to be about, to showcase what I am passionate about. So what is that you might ask? Well, two months ago I decided it was time to take my health in my own hands. I didn't really want to just go on a diet, I wanted to make a lifestyle change. For me that means eating as clean as possible and incorporating exercise into my daily routine. I want to be as up front and honest as possible as I battle against myself (because we know that most of the time we are our biggest enemy)!

Crafting is still a huge part of my life and I will definitely be posting what I am currently working on. I picked up knitting about 4 months ago and I haven't looked back. (The shawl in the picture above was my first completed knitting project)I think my crochet hooks miss me a little! You might see a book review or music posts here and there too! Poot and I still love to explore our little neck of the woods and travel, and I love sharing that part of my life here as well.

So won't you join me on this journey? If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see posts on I would love to hear from you!

XOXO
Amber