The Guidelines for this 2 month Challenge

I just started a new job a few weeks ago and the hours are long-believe me!  I'm out the door at 6:15am and not usually home till about 7pm so i'm not sure how close i will be able to stick to a few of my own guidelines~lol~or fit in some gym time!  I have some time to myself today so i am going to go check out my local gym and get a free 10 day pass.  Last night i ordered a new weightlifting book from  www.chapters.indigo.ca called The New Rules of Lifting for Women....Lift like a Man, Look Like a Goddess....

I loved the title and the review looked good.  Now i am not new to weight lifting, have been doing it for years.  I've had personal trainers, tried different programs and have loved how it has changed my body!  If you are serious about this challenge then you must must start a training program.  Lifting weights helps with the weight loss.......building lean muscle boosts your metabolism, helping you burn more fat, shaping your body to the way you want it.

Start off easy if this is new to you.  The people who work at those gyms really do know their stuff.....don't be embarrassed to ask for their help, that's what they are there for and from my experience, they love to help beginners.  I should know because it was two guys at my University gym in Dublin that developed my training and diet program last summer to get me in my best shape ever!

So now for those Guidelines.  Take the time to review them all.  This is sunday so you have time, write out a grocery list, go shopping and start tomorrow!

• eat 5-6 small meals every day
• eat every 2-3 hours
• make sure you have lean protein and complex carbs at every meal
• drinks lots of water~8 cups a day ( i drink way more than this when i'm working out)
• never ever miss a meal~especially breakfast
• pack your food for the day~i use one of those soft insulated lunch boxes
• no processed foods! especially white flour and sugar!
• avoid all saturated and trans fats
• no colas, juices or fizzy drinks
• consume healthy fats (EFAs) every day~more on this later
• avoid alcohol! (this one will be tough for me~lol~but i'm determined)
• lots of fresh fruit and veggies for fiber and vitamins
• proper portion sizes (more on this one later)

Okay, this should be enough to get you started!  Don't be overwhelmed.....if this sounds like too much, start small, pick out a few things, make some small changes.  The number one rule in my book is if you eat small meals every 2-3 hours, you don't get hungry so you don't snack and ruin all your hard work!

So for breakfast this morning, this is what i am having to start my day off right!

Quinoa with Oats

1 cup quinoa, soaked for 2 hours

1 cup steel cut oats (my fav)

1/4 tsp sea salt

3 cups water

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup raisins (i'm using blueberries today)

In a medium saucepan with lid, place soaked quinoa, steel cut oats, sea salt and water.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon, vanilla and raisins.  Let sit for several minutes.

This makes 4 one-cup servings.  Only eat one cup!  The rest can be reheated the following day for breakfast or take it with you to work and heat up a serving in the microwave and this could also double as one of your meals later.