Myth or Fact?

I been emailed a few questions, and I've had people ask me if this or that is true. So I thought, it'd be nice to start a little mini segment and list out some myths. Maybe trick ya and throw a few facts in there. There is so much information and its hard to know what is true and what is myth. Some people say this is the only way, others say another way is the only way. I like a combination of clean eating and exercise. I'm so against chemicals, its almost hilarious. Although, balance is a good thing and I like to have a little cheesecake or something every now and then. Moderation. Its a good thing.

1. It's expensive to eat healthy. Hmm. Mostly a myth. It can be expensive to eat healthy, depending on where you shop, and what you buy. I've found, I went to the Dr (as did my kids) regularly when we didn't eat healthy, and had more prescriptions. Now we go 1ce a year for well checks. So, that saved a lot. And yes, I do have insurance, but I still had out of pocket expenses. Also, the main bill. The grocery bill. Rice, lentils, and beans are much cheaper than a million boxes of hamburger helper any day and with some garlic (typically 30 cents per head of garlic) and olive oil (12$ for a very big bottle at my local Costco) adds tons of flavor. The trick is to buy in season. Bananas, Apples, Celery, Carrots and Sweet Potatoes, are fairly inexpensive. Less than 1$ per pound. I've learned I need to buy my spinach, kale and lettuce at Costco, only 3$ each and they last me a week for the whole family. Meat was the other expensive part. I found a clean little grocery store close to me. They have their own butcher and it costs between 3-5$ for most packages of meat. And they're good cuts too. I only buy ground beef at Costco. Low fat, No pink slime meat (I did a post about that too, last year, I believe.) All in all, I save drastically more by buying healthy food. If you get crazy and fancy. It can get costly. But, shop smart. Use the recipes I've posted, and if you're in doubt, email me. I've probably got a recipe for that.

2. "20 minutes is all the exercise I need." Nope. This ones a myth. As we age we need even more too. I used to be able to get my workouts done in 30 minutes or less. Not so much anymore. Now, I take an hour, at least, to maintain the same fitness level and shape. It doesn't matter how you break it up either. Do 6 - 5 minute sessions. Do 2- 30 minute sessions. For weight loss, you want to aim for about 250 minutes per week of exercise. That seems to be the "golden number" for whatever reason. You may think you're too tired to work out, do it anyways. (As long as its laziness and not a medical reason, then ignore that last line!) When I start out tired, I feel great when I'm done. I sleep better at night, and have more energy during the day. Just one of the amazing wonders of exercise :)

3. Don't eat after 8pm. I always do. I have to. Otherwise, I'm up at midnight looking for a snack. I have a fast metabolism thanks to all my exercise. My body needs it. You just need to snack smart. I aim for 6 small meals a day. The largest one is breakfast. Its the start of my day, I'm going to be doing a lot. I go for the Steele Oats and berries with some milk poured over it. Recipe is posted. Snack. Usually fruit and Greek yogurt. I recommend nuts, if you re not allergic. I am, so its a no go for me. Lunch, I like to do that Salmon BLT sandwich I posted on our workout foods on our facebook page. I'll get a post going to transfer all that to here too for all of you. Then its my workout, and my next snack, my post workout shake. Then Dinner (half a plate of veggies, quarter of my plate starchy vegetable or carbs like quinoa or rice and quarter of my plate quality protein like salmon or chicken) and lastly my before bed snack. I've been liking berries and kefir lately. Carbs are my energy, without them I'm soooo exhausted. Besides, they're good for brain food. Lets all stay smart :)

So there's our first set of Myth or Fact. Let me know how you liked it. Anything you're curious about and I can do a Part 2.