Well, ladies & gents… we are almost 1 week into our “New Year, New You” promotion with Sage Fruit’s Biggest Loser Apples.  I started tracking my calories 2 weeks ago & am down 4 inches.  Yes.  I am measuring myself.  I’m also weighing in before my Friday morning bootcamp, using My Fitness Pal & gaining a complete understanding of my caloric input/output & sleep patterns with the help of my Body Media FIT armband. the same technology that is featured on NBC’s Biggest Loser Challenge America.

Kissing Goodbye 4 inches!

I know, I know – some of you are saying “she’s obsessed.”  or maybe “sounds like too much work.”  No.  You wanna know what’s been too much work lately… buttoning my jeans.   I’m not obsessed…  I’m the example.
As a mother, I’m my kids example.
As a wife, I’m an example of my husband.
As a daughter, I’m an example of my parents.
As an employee of Indy Fruit, I’m an example of my workplace.
As The Produce Mom, I’m an example of the produce industry
I’m a potential example to each & every person that I interact with on a daily basis.

Keeping myself accountable has been pretty eye opening.  First, I am amazed at how my sleep (or lack thereof) is so drastically impacting my wellness goals.  How many hours of sleep do you get a night?  8 hours is my goal.  I’m yet to get there.  I stay up too late & wake up too early.  But I’m working on it.

Calorie tracking is a no-brainer.  You gotta do it if you are trying to lose weight.  My Fitness Pal & Body Media‘s websites boast that tracking calories doubles your weight loss!  I’m a believer.  And thanks to modern technology, this is not a daunting task.  It takes me maybe 10 minutes a day to track everything.  Knowledge is power.  You must know what you are putting in your body!

A balanced diet that is rich in fruits & vegetables as well as an active lifestyle with regular exercise and adequate sleep is the only way to reach your goals & lose weight.  There are no tricks.  There are no magic wraps or pills.  It’s not overly difficult.  It simply requires dedication.

I workout with my friends.  We traded in our weeknight wine tastings for early morning bootcamp.  Best decision we ever made. We are still enjoying each others’ company & we are taking care of our bodies.  We are holding ourselves accountable with our team approach to exercise!  I have tons of workout DVDs at home & a treadmill.  I rarely workout on my own.  Doing it with friends means I’m less likely to skip.  Doing it in the morning is another key to my success.  Life gets in the way & by the time we all rush home from work, get the kids settled down, serve dinner, finish homework, get them in bed…. the last thing we want to do is leave the house again & go to a gym or hop on the treadmill in the basement to run 3 miles.  I want to put my feet up in the recliner & unwind from the day’s chaos!

Whatever works for you – I wish you the best of luck.  Be the example.

Sage Fruit & I have some fun giveaways to help encourage you to make 2013 a “New Year, New You”

1.  NEW YEAR, NEW YOU PHOTO CONTEST

• Visit The Produce Mom’s Facebook Page
• Click on the “Photo Contest” Tab
• Follow the directions to upload a picture of how YOU are making 2013 a “New Year, New You”
• GRAND PRIZE = $100 Grocery Gift Card
• RUNNER UP PRIZES = Cookbooks & Produce Mom Merchandise

2.  NEW YEAR, NEW YOU SWEEPSTAKES

• Visit The Produce Mom’s Facebook Page
• Click on the “Sweepstakes” Tab
• Follow the directions to enter to win a Body Media armband
• GRAND PRIZE = Body Media armband

Must enter by Friday, January 20th!

GOOD LUCK!
xoxo Produce Mom