Eat Healthy, In or Out

Eating well doesn't mean you have to stay in your home, cooking all of your meals. If you enjoy eating out, you can still eat healthy! Here are just a few tips on what to ask your server (at any restaurant) to ensure that you rmeal is being healthfully cooked and prepared.

- Ask for salad dressing on the side. Restaurant tend to douse salads in their tastey, fatty salad dressings. Substitute a vinegarette rather than a creamy dressing, and ask for it on the side so you can control how much is actually going onto your salad and into your body!

- Request your meal be cooked with "Pam" or cooking spray rather than in oil. After working at a restaurant, I watched our chefs smother egg white omelets, grilled chicken, vegetables, and all of our 'healthy' dishes with TONS of oil! yuck! Pam will drastically decrease the amount of calories and fat you're ingesting; if you really are craving oils, at least ask for olive oil :)

- Avoid the bread basket! While this is the hardest thing to do, and the greatest act of self control, try to avoid it! Or stick to one piece and be content with it! Or find a whole grain or whole wheat version! Bread spoils your meal, and usually some type of bread is already incorporated into your entree, so stay away!

- Instead of fries or delicious mashed potatoes, try to substitute your "side" for vegetables! And once again, make sure they aren't covered in oil. 

- Always opt for 'grilled' instead of 'fried'. You can literally ask for this on anyyy meal! Every restaurant has the option to grill, so don't be afraid to ask. Although deep fried foods are delicious, they are terrible for your body.

Like I've said before, it is always important to treat yourself and not worry about calories when you are out enjoying yourself on a "cheat" day! But if you find yourself going out often, use these tips to not feel so guilty about indulging in a meal you didn't have to prepare yourself :)

Morgan

Motivation

The key to a good workout regimen is setting GOALS! Whether it be hitting the gym 5 times a week, running a 10k race, or being able to do 10 push-ups, set an attainable goal! Working towards something will always motivate you to hit the gym, even when you would rather sit on the couch and watch a re-run of Say Yes To The Dress.

One thing I found very helpful in maintaining goals was a workout journal. Every day, log your workouts and whether or not you met your goal for the day.

Example:              Friday 1/27:      Ran 2 Miles, Abs, Felt great!

 Saturday 1/28:     nothing :(

Trust me, it always motivates me to hit the gym, JUST for the pure fact that I won't have to mark an 'x' on a day I was supposed to workout! If you are into running, sign up for a race that you HAVE to train for! Goal-setting is a major motivation, so what are you waiting for?

Morgan

Healthy Treats

We all think that eating healthy means depriving ourselves of our favorite foods and treats... however, that does not need to be the case!! Avoiding your chocolate cravings for days or weeks on end can be MORE than frustrating.. and ultimately lead to an unhealthy binge! So once in a while, TREAT yourself! That is exactly what I'm doing tonight with a delicious-looking cookie recipe! Moral of the story? "Dieting" doesn't mean depriving yourself... allow yourself to enjoy a treat every so often and avoid those crazy binges :)

Here is a healthy treat to get you started, can't wait to try them tonight!!!!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients
For sandwiches:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Sucanat (or sugar)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups quick oats
For creamy filling:
3 ripe bananas
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter (I prefer crunchy)
3 teaspoons honey
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
3. In a larger bowl, beat the oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until fluffy. Pour the flour mixture and oats into the bowl and mix well.
4. Place one inch balls of dough on cookie sheets. You'll have enough dough for 36 small cookies.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, removing from oven when the edges are slightly tan. After a minute transfer the cookies to a cooling rack.
6. While the cookies are baking and cooling, prepare the filling. In a bowl mash the bananas with the peanut butter and honey.
7. Place a dollop of filling on one half of the bottom of a cookie and then top it with another cookie. Makes about 36 sandwiches. Courtesy of FitSugar.com
   
   Enjoy!!!
   Morgan
   
   

What is "Fit for Success?"

When creating the title of my blog, I couldn't help but name it "Fit for Success." Currently, this has a lot of meaning to me! I am running for Miss Boston 2012 in only 26 days, and "Fit for Success" is my platform. Each candidate in the Miss America Organization has a cause in which they promote throughout their year, and since I am so passionate about making America a healthier place, I knew I had to chose this as my platform. Fit for Success is a program that aims to teach children and teens the importance of living a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives. Regular exercise and proper nutrition will make you feel better on the inside and outside, leading to more confidence and self esteem which can lead to further success. As a (hopeful) Miss Boston, I plan to go to schools to inspire children to make healthful choices through Fit for Success! Take the stairs, play games with your friends, and grab and apple with peanut butter instead of a candy bar! Motivate your parents to buy delicious fruits and vegetables instead of chips! Obesity is far too prevalent in American society today... in 2010, no state had an obesity rate of less than 20% (Massachusetts' obesity rate is 22.2%!). 12.5 million children are currently obese in America, and I feel it is my job to begin making a difference. I hope to reach many people through this blog, and hope to be Miss Boston to have a louder voice in educating America about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. My goal is to make people feel better about themselves!!!

The time to enhance your lifestyle is NOW! So, what are you waiting for? Get Fit for Success!!

Morgan

Welcome to Fit for Success!

Hello all,

My name is Morgan Berg, and for quite some time, I have had the desire to start a blog. When I woke up this morning at 5:30am and couldn't fall back asleep, I knew it was time to start Fit for Success! As a nursing major, I have always been passionate about exercise and nutrition, and I want to share this with the world... one follower at a time :) I'd like to blog about nutritious tips, work out ideas, and simple ways to stay healthy! It is easy to forget about the importance of health (after all, you only get one body!) so I am here to remind and motivate you to make changes to build a better "you." Feeling healthy on the inside and outside can lead to more confidence, higher self esteem, and ultimately, more success! So bear with me, I am no where near a professional writer, but I had to share my passion with the world, so here I am!

Lets get fit :)
Morgan