Crutch kicking step #1

Crutch kicking week 1 - see www.statue-search.blogspot.com for the answer! on 12seconds.tv

So one simple little thing. Nothing earth shattering. I just keep my Shakeology, scissors, protein powder, blender, single serving / to go blender, and to go cups in the same place in my kitchen. I'm sure you could make that happen in your own kitchen in less than 5 minutes. Would you believe me if I said that can help you reach your goals? Its worked for me!

If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times: you won't succeed in losing weight if you don't breakfast. You make the best plans to make that happen. You buy your healthy cereals or the eggs that you'll take the few minutes to make in the morning. And then it happens - don't worry, it happens to the best of us. You shut off the alarm in your sleep and now you have 2 minutes to grab something to eat as you run out the door. You hardly have time to remember to eat, much less make something to go. If you even did think of making a healthy shake for the run, chances are good the things you need aren't all in the same place so frustration wins and you leave hungry and tempted to stop by your local coffee shop for an over-sugared coffee drink and fatty pastry.

With everything in one place - also near the refrigerator - I have the milk / almond milk, ice, shakeology, scissors to open the shakeology packets, protein powder for days I need the boost, blender and travel mugs I need to make a quick healthy shake to drink on the road or once I get to the office. I also make sure that other ingredients I often use in my shakes are always handy. My open packet of fat free sugar free (FFSF) cheesecake pudding mix is in the box of shakeology. The natural peanut butter stays up front in the pantry and is never behind anything else. Fresh fruit is less than a step and arm reach away. For days I'm extra lazy, I bought a blender at Walmart (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hamilton-Beach-Single-Serve-Blender-With-Travel-Lid/5924588) that is so helpful! I blend my breakfast, take the mug off the base, and walk out the door.

So why is breakfast so important? If you don't eat a good breakfast, your body will go into starvation mode and you burn calories at a lower rate allll day long. What a waste of your good progress! An important part of this first important meal is a good fat. I'm sure you've heard other health nuts go on about natural peanut butter and that's for a reason. Its a good fat that helps make sure that you're kicking off your metablism for the day. Not only does the breakfast itself help your body function better, you'll have a tendency of eating more healthily all day if you ate a good breakfast to start!

Just one last note about breakfast though - especially if you're going to stock up on ingredients you need to make shakes and smoothies. I found a smoothie mix at the grocery near the bananas and I checked the package just out of curiosity. The ingredients were sugar, high frustose corn syrup and other unnatural ingredients. The instructions read: "blend with milk, ice and banana". Why do you need an additional packet of sugars and unhealthy additives to milk, ice and bananas? Use caution when picking your smoothie and shake ingredients. Make sure you know what you're getting and how it will supplement your daily needs!

Alright - here are my measurements for the week. How's your progress?

Weight - 152 lbs (down 4!)
Waist - 31" (down 0.5"!)
Hips - 39.5"
Thigh - 23.25"
Upper arm - 11.25" (down 0.5"!)
Body fat % - 27