the positives

b_j_d @becomingTHEyou made a homemade pizza and it came out awesome, my first try!

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou had a great lunch with a good friend today

The Only 20 things you will ever need to know how to cook...Part 1

Found this in Glamour...20 recipes for you to master that will help you cook great dinners, and even find ways to build off of if you are feeling adventurous. I'll post two recipes in each posting from this article every time...enjoy!

The Only 20 Things You'll Ever Need to Know How to Cook

No matter how stressed/busy/tired we are, most women still want to be rock stars in the kitchen. As a private chef and host of TLC's Home Made Simple, I've taught hundreds of cooking classes and invaded kitchens from Chicago to Miami. Every woman I've met requests an arsenal of impressive, no-fail dishes she can prepare on the quick and cheap. Sometimes it's the tastes-fancy-but-takes-two-minutes pasta sauce, or the perfect milk-dunking cookie. And always, always a roast chicken. Once I share my recipes, clients beg me to keep them secret. Well, Glamour got me to spill the beans. Here, your recipe box for life.

July 1, 2008

By: Allison Fishman

Recipe 1: A Pretty, Yummy Thirst Quencher

Ice water with lemon, mint and cucumbers

• fill a pitcher with ice and water
• cut slices of lemon and cucumber and put into the pitcher
• add some mint leaves
• store in the refrigerator and serve chilled
  

Recipe 2: The perfect poached egg

Bring 2 1/2 inches of water to simmer in pot. Add 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar. Crack egg into bowl and gently pour into pot. Simmer for 3 minutes (do not boil; it will tear egg). Remove with slotted spoon and dab with paper towel. Season with salt and enjoy, or make classic Eggs Benedict--just use a spatula to place the egg atop some cooked Canadian bacon on a toasted English muffin. Sprinkle with chopped chives and drizzle with...

Blender hollandaise

• 2 large egg yolks*
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Pulse first 3 ingredients in blender. Heat butter until just melted; with blender running, slowly add butter to mixture until frothy. If sauce is too thick, blend in 1 tsp. lukewarm water. Season with salt and serve.

*Use caution in consuming raw or lightly cooked eggs due to a slight risk of salmonella or other food-borne illnesses.

the positives

KatieSociety @becomingTHEyou I finished reading 2 books this weekend!! It was nice to just relax and read for a bit

trishhyyy @becomingTHEyou We can love, because He first loved us! 1 John 4:19

RottnLilMonster @becomingTHEyou My friend just passed her nursing boards!

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou im in love with our new house and all my new decorations :D the move is going VERY smoothly!!

Tips to help yourself always look and feel good

Found this in Cosmopolitan...we all have our "fat" days and days where we just aren't feeling as attractive as we want to...this article has some suggestions on how to make even these days sexy days. It also has diet smart and common sense tips that everyone should take into account and remember.

10 Things to Do Instead of Dieting

By Katy Lindenmuth

You don't have to count calories and kill yourself on the elliptical machine to look and feel hot. Try these little suggestions that can add up to a big difference.

1. Wear heels. Always.
We know, we know: High heels can hurt like a biotch and be insanely expensive. But trust us, they’re still necessary. They will instantly add sexiness to any outfit, regardless of the body that sits on top of them. They also make your legs look longer and, therefore, the rest of you appear thinner.

2. Beware your friends who are fat magnets.
Admit it: When a buddy orders French fries at lunch, you can't help but steal some of hers, or even order your own. Or how about the girl who always orders a greasy app, or another beer, or a huge dessert? We're not saying don't dine with them...we're just saying that you want to be extra-aware of what you're getting into when you hang with someone who isn't as savvy as you.

3. Discover your signature style.
You know that girl who can make guys salivate just by wearing a plain white Hanes tee and comfy jeans? That's because it’s not just what you wear, but also how you wear it. According to Spencer, everything you put on your body gives off signals that can captivate a room…or turn people off. So rock the clothing that gets you the most compliments and makes you feel good, even if it’s a V-neck sweater you bought on clearance five years ago.

4. Give food your undivided attention.
When it comes to meals, don’t multitask. If you chow down while watching the newest Gossip Girl episode, you will end up consuming more...and possibly not remember eating in the first place. (Even worse: You might miss a steamy Blair and Chuck scene.) Plus, remember that eating is something you do when you’re hungry — not when you're weepy, bored, fidgety, or drunk. Listen to your tummy, not your emotions.

5. Slip into some sexy panties.
Power suit? How about power panties? If you save your best ooh-la-la underthings only for dates and parties, you’re underestimating how indulgent some hidden sauciness can be on a regular workday. And since we all know that the wrong underwear can throw off your game for the entire day, keep an array of options in your drawer: seamless panties, Spanx, thongs, boy shorts, and at least one pair of sexy undies that basically looks like a doily. A very, very small doily.

. Buy more food without labels.
When you’re tossing items into your grocery cart, put a limit on food that comes in a box, can, or wrapper. The fewer preservatives, additives, and chemicals a food has, the healthier it is. (Duh.) A good rule to follow: If you have to nuke it when you get home, there’s probably a fresher option in the produce or meat aisle.

7. Wear black opaque tights.
Consider solid black tights the miracle worker of your lower-body wardrobe. Among their talents: They make your legs look thinner; they’re a stylish way to deal with cooler temps; they’re usually inexpensive; and they can hide a multitude of flaws, like veins, your annual winter pastiness, and even knobby knees.

8. Police your portion control.
One in four Americans eats everything he or she is served, regardless of how much food it is. Bigger is certainly better when it comes to paychecks and heel heights, but not when we’re talking about food portions. So the next time you’re about to down some macaroni and cheese, keep in mind that “the clean plate club” is one group you don't want to be in!

9. Beware of “healthy” foods and other hidden food traps.
It starts out innocently enough: You decide to make a salad for lunch. So into your bowl goes crisp spinach, shredded carrots, and cherry tomatoes. But as you’re patting yourself on the back for a meal healthfully done, your dish becomes laden with, well, crap: eggs, bacon, croutons, creamy dressing. The lesson? Just because it’s called a “salad” doesn’t mean it’s wholesome.

10. Choose fat burners, not fats.
Some magical foods actually satisfy you, for various reasons. Add these to your shopping list and incorporate them into your diet: grapefruit, apples, olive oil, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, lecithin, garlic, blueberries, and almonds. (Just not too much garlic, if you want to stay cool with your coworkers and boyfriend.)

the positives

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou saw a really cool acoustic show tonight at the mall

Friday Follower

This week's randomly chosen Friday Follower was @Trishhyyy. Here is what some of our followers had to say about her.

CaraLikeWhoa @becomingTHEyou seriously @trishhyyy is one of the sweetest people ever, & so funny. And my fellow Dallas Mavs fan! Love her!

Barbara222 @becomingTHEyou i dont know @trishhyyy personally, but if she's half as awesome as everyone on here says she is, I think I'm missing out!

RottnLilMonster @becomingTHEyou OMG, Trishy - what to say about Trishy? She is a crazy, loveable, funny, wild, cool ruckuser and a BFF. (also RT'd by LizeK316)

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou so @trishhyyy is one of the most welcoming, sweetest, and fun people that i know..she really helped me out over the summer

Sunny Side Up Daily

If you didn't know, your positives and other inspirational sayings are featured every Friday on Sunny Side Up Daily. Thanks so much for tweeting us and blogging with us!! Keep it coming and check out this Friday's article here.

the positives

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou we had a snow day!

ebwootwoot @becomingTHEyou snow day!

Interesting and Different Way to Relax

Found this on Redbook and thought it was really interesting. The article gives different ways that will help you clear your head and relax; some that I had not thought of until reading this.

Relax, Already!

By: Karen Asp

Feeling more stressed than ever? Join the club. Three quarters of adults have experienced moderate to high levels of stress in the past year, according to the American Psychological Association. These surprising strategies will go a long way toward taming tension — fast.

1. Tidy up a little.

Here's a reason not to hate housecleaning: Doing 20 minutes a week of housework (or sports, gardening, or walking) could decrease your stress levels, according to a study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine. (Not to mention the "yay, me!" boost you get from completing even one chore.)

2. Stare out the window.

You know how good a walk outside makes you feel. But even just peering through a window can calm you down, says a study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

People who looked out at nature scenes like a public fountain, grass, and trees experienced a greater drop in heart rate than they did watching the same images on a high-definition plasma screen. Spend just one minute or less looking outside. And the longer nature's in your sights, the greater the stress relief. So make a point of sitting by your biggest window to pay the bills, sip your tea, or just daydream.

3. Sniff some coffee.

The next time you're feeling overwhelmed, slip into a Starbucks and take a whiff: The aroma of roasted coffee beans can lower anxiety in humans. (no surprise if you're already a java junkie).

4. Get your game on.

Kick your kids off the computer so you can play a video game. Doing so for 20 minutes helped people reduce stress by as much as 54 percent in a Journal of CyberTherapy & Rehabilitation study. "Casual video games"—those that are fun, quick to access, and easy to learn—"create a mental distraction from your problems," says Carmen V. Russoniello, Ph.D., a study coauthor and the director of the Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

Just pick a game that doesn't make you so competitive that it riles you up, or you could reverse the benefits of playing.

Related Links:

• How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
• The Surprising Benefits of Stress
• 12 Questions That Will Change Your Life
• The Surprising Benefits of Finding a New Hobby
• How to Shake Even the Worst Case of Nerves

The next photo will load in 99 seconds.
Skip this ad.

5. Score a yoga buzz just by breathing.

It's no secret that meditation, prayer, and yoga can chill you out. All of those practices bring about what's called the relaxation response: a calming of mind and body that can actually decrease the expression of certain genes in the body, thus lowering baseline stress.

One quick and easy way to bring that natural buzz on: Sit quietly and close your eyes. Starting with your feet and moving up through the body, allow each of your muscles to completely relax and release tension. Shrug your shoulders; roll your head and neck. Then sit at ease and breathe in and out slowly. Just 15 minutes of this a day can keep the anxiety at bay.

the positives

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou lost a little bit of weight since last weigh in :)

the positives

kirstiethirsty @becomingTHEyou i got the job i applied for

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou got 2 great grades on my marketing communications quiz and assignment :)

Barbara222 @becomingTHEyou ok, I baked a loaf of homemade bread for the first time in a long time..forgot how relaxing and satisfying it is to do!

the positives

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou decided to give something a try and now just hoping that it happens

tashaaa_x3 @becomingtheyou we're ready for the move on friday, and i can't wait!

trishhyyy @becomingTHEyou My positive is that I'm starting a Boot Camp class tomorrow! I'm kind of excited, even though I have to be there at 5:30 AM

Challenge to Encourage Others

In the new testiment, James takes on the importance of the tongue and the major impact words have on our life. Our words have the power to build up or tear down. There is such power in what we say. In Colossians 4:6 Paul says..."Let your conversations by always full of grace..." What a much better place our homes, workplaces, Churches and world would be if we would choose to live by this instruction. I wonder how many marriages have been torn apart by careless words; how many friendships ended; how many children hurt; how many families wounded???
The positive about this is that we have the power to choose what we will do today, and everyday, with our words. And our words, just like they can cause major damage, they also have the power to build up, heal and encourage.
I challenge you today, to use your words to build up and/or encourage, five people today. Do it by speaking something positive into their life. It might be to your husband or wife, "I love the way you love our kids." "I am thankful for your commitment to work hard and provide for our family." "You're a loving Mom and I am blessed." Or to you kids, "You make me proud to be your Dad." You get the idea. Maybe things aren't great at home or with people at work right now. Then this is the best time to use your words to build up!! Maybe this is the spark, the positive spark, that catches fire, in a good way, and breathes new life into you, your friends, co-workers, your marriage and your family.
Isn't there enough negative talk out there??? Hasn't enough damage been done??? You be the one to speak hope, grace, forgiveness, joy with your words. And when you do, you will stand out like a shining star. Here's the catch. You can't do it and expect something in return. That's not why you're doing it. You're choosing to do it because you know it's the right thing to do. It's something God will bless.
Five people today. You can do it. Today is going to be an exciting day!!!
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
And while we're at it, why do it for only one day?  Imagine the difference you could make in your life by trying to do this daily and how much it would change the way others react to you and around you. 
 
Taken from my Pastor's daily blog: http://www.aboveyourcircumstances.com/  He's an amazing and inspiring man, check it out.

HUGE THANKS!

I just wanted to give a huge thanks to Stacy for making our header, base of the background, and twitter icon, and to Cara for playing with our layout and background to make everything cohesive. Thank you to Sunny Side Up Daily for featuring our positives every Friday and helping us spread the word. I also wanted to thank all of you for participating through twitter and this blog, both spreading the word and contributing to everything.

Stress Reducing Foods? Bring it on!

My mom loves to send me articles from various websites about health and stress...here is one that she's sent me a few times and I thought it would be great to share up here as well. She found this one on MSN.

9 Foods That Reduce Stress Levels

From Marie Claire

Reach for these items next time you're feeling under pressure, under the weather, or just too close to that breaking point. Munching on these stress-free foods will help pull you back into the game.

Oranges

vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well-known for boosting your immune system.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be particularly stress-reducing because they can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. They are packed full of beta-carotene and other vitamins, and the fiber helps your body to process the carbohydrates in a slow and steady manner.

Dried apricots

Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant as well.

Almonds, pistachios and walnuts

Almonds are packed with B and E vitamins, which help boost your immune system and walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure.

Turkey

Turkey contains an amino acid called L-tryptophan. This amino acid triggers the release of serotonin, which is a feel-good brain chemical. This is the reason many people who eat turkey feel relaxed, or even tired, after eating it. L-Tryptophan has a documented calming effect.

Spinach

A deficiency in magnesium can cause migraine headaches and a feeling of fatigue. One cup of spinach provides 40 percent of your daily needs for magnesium.

Salmon

Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart disease. A study from Diabetes & Metabolism found that omega-3s keep the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline from peaking.

Avocados

The monounsaturated fats and potassium in avocados help lower blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that one of the best ways to lower blood pressure is to consume enough potassium (avocados have more than bananas).

Green vegetables

Broccoli, kale, and other dark green vegetables are powerhouses of vitamins that help replenish our bodies in times of stress.

More stress-busting tips:

• Exercise reguarly
• Drink an energy shake for breakfast
• Eat small meals throughout the day, which will keep your blood sugar stable (when blood sugar is low, mental, physical, and emotional energy decreases, and stress increases).

the positives

JonasBrat @becomingtheyou I've had a beautiful weekend with my family. Doesn't get any better than that.

the positives

kirstiethirsty @becomingTHEyou I got a job interview on Monday

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou finally confronted a guy about something he did to me and made him feel like sht...i needed to do that

Sunny Side Up Daily

Sunny Side Up Daily has featured us again this week, thanks to all of your awesome positives and inspiration! Don't forget to check out the post here!!

the positives

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou i learned how to jump a car battery today...it's really empoweing to know that i can do that

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou I was asked to be in the play in choir today!! I'm excitedd!!

friday follower

this week's friday follower, as randomly chose was @caralikewhoa. Here is what those who know her had to say about her:

@RottnLilMonster @becomingTHEyou Cara is friendly, compassionate,dedicated, a great friend and one of the BEST STLeaders out there! So sayeth me


smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou i admire @CaraLikeWhoa for her honesty and always wanting to help and work on things with people instead of shutting them out

SunnySideUpB @becomingTHEyou @Caralikewhoa has this way of always making you feel special and appreicated. And she always has a great playlist! <3


kristi_crow @becomingTHEyou @caralikewhoa has been a good friend to me and I miss her!

hollaitsjill @becomingTHEyou Cara is rad. I had a blast hanging out with her in Hershey and I can't wait to see her again in Florida! :)

tashaaa_x3 @becomingtheyou ohh, and cara is amazing :] She's such a sweet heart, and so fun to talk to :]

the positives

KatieSociety @becomingtheyou 2 days in to 40 days of water and haven't cracked!

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou I had a great day with my mom :]

The Positives

b_j_d @becomingTHEyou my mom got me a Nick Jonas promo poster today!

Elafant_Heffer @becomingTHEyou I'm alive breathing another day of breaths and I wrote a poem a couple of people seem to like :)

JonasBrat @becomingTHEyou Finally found pictures I've been missing for the last YEAR. lol I'm so happy I could scream

The Positives

kristi_crow @becomingTHEyou I worked out today for the first time in a while and I feel great!

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou i did really well on my marketing research quiz

trishhyyy @becomingTHEyou It wasn't Monday!!! :-)

b_j_d @becomingTHEyou had a great phone call and a ton of laughs with my BFF who lives out of town

Something Inspiring

"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart"

It's hard to believe on some days...especially when some days turn into most days, but even the simple act of believing in yourself and that you can do something can help push things from seeming impossible to being possible. All goals take work to achieve; some will take more work than others, but once you start thinking and believing that you can do something, the goal will seem closer and closer to being fulfilled.

Keep this in mind every time you start getting down on yourself because something is not going the way that you want it to. Just like the little engine that could from our childhoods; "I think I can" gets your further than "I can't".

A defeatist attitude will get you nowhere; we all have it in our hearts to do whatever we set out to do. Go for it!

the positives

SunnySideUpB @becomingTHEyou Ive ate healthy all day and didnt let getting upset trigger a binge

LairBarbie @becomingTHEyou I don't have work tomorrow - WOOOOT.

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou my only class was canceled today so i decided to be very productive and got a lot done instead of doing nothing

Found a beef recipe from Cooking Light and thought that yall would be interested in it.. It looks really good; I can't wait to try it.

Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Red Wine-Mushroom Sauce

Stirring the mushrooms constantly helps release their juices, allowing them to caramelize quickly. Complete the meal with Wedge Salad with Sour Cream-Mustard Seed Dressing or roasted potatoes.

Prep: 1 minute; Cook: 10 minutes

Prep Time: 1 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 steak and 1/4 cup sauce)

Ingredients

• 4 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks, trimmed (about 1/2 inch thick)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Butter-flavored cooking spray
• 1 (8-ounce) package presliced baby portobello mushrooms
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

Preparation

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper; coat with cooking spray. Add steaks to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Transfer steaks to a serving platter; keep warm.

2. Add mushrooms to pan. Coat mushrooms with cooking spray; sauté 3 minutes or until browned. Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook until liquid almost evaporates. Remove pan from heat; add butter and rosemary, stirring until butter melts. Pour sauce over steaks.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 244

Fat: 13g

Protein: 23.3g

Carbohydrate: 3.8g

Fiber: 0.9g

Cholesterol: 74mg

Iron: 1.9mg

Sodium: 235mg

Calcium: 24mg

the positives

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou its absolutely beautiful outside :)

JonasBrat @becomingtheyou Became members of our church today and ran into a dear friend I've not seen in probably 5 years. :)

SunnySideUpB @becomingTHEyou I went out & got all the healthy food I need for the week.

BelleJolieNoir @becomingTHEyou celebrated my birhday today. 21 years on this beauitful earth

b_j_d @becomingTHEyou went to see CDN country artist Doc Walker & Deric Ruttan, amazing show and got to finally meet Deric Ruttan!

Pizza with White Bean Puree and Fresh Tomatoes

For anyone looking for a new twist on pizza, try this recipe...it's from Weight Watchers and really caught my eye.

Pizza with White Bean Puree & Fresh Tomatoes

A fragrant white bean puree and fresh tomato slices top this crisp pizza.

6 servings / 4 POINTS per serving / Active Time: 45 minutes / Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

· Cornmeal for dusting baking sheets

· 1 pound Quick Pizza Dough, (recipe follows)

· 1 cup White Bean Puree, (recipe follows)

· 6 vine-ripened plum tomatoes, sliced

· 2 scallions, thinly sliced

· 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

· 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

· Olive oil cooking spray

Preparation

1. Set oven rack in lowest position. Preheat oven to 500°F or the highest setting. Sprinkle 2 large baking sheets with cornmeal.

2. Divide pizza dough in half. Roll out one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Pierce the dough several times with a fork to prevent air bubbles from forming. Prebake the crust until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

3. Spread the crust with half of the white bean puree. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan over the puree. Arrange half of the tomato slices evenly over the pizza; sprinkle with half of the scallions, another 1 tablespoon Parmesan and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper.

4. Lightly mist with olive oil cooking spray. Bake the pizza until the bottom and edges of crust are browned, about 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining toppings on second crust. Slice and serve.

Nutrition

Per serving : 248 Calories; 3 g Fat; 1 g Sat; 1 g Mono; 3 mg Cholesterol; 45 g Carbohydrates; 9 g Protein; 6 g Fiber; 533 mg Sodium; 239 mg Potassium

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving / Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch

the positives

kirstiethirsty @becomingTHEyou I filled out tons of applications today

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou so much packing. I think we have everything done that we possibly could until the week before the move :]

Elafant_Heffer @becomingTHEyou Just watched a really good movie with Ashton Kutcher in it.

LairBarbie @becomingTHEyou I got a new phone. Old news but still!

trishhyyy @becomingTHEyou I met Magic Johnson today! :-)

trishhyyy @becomingTHEyou I found a new Mexican restaurant that was really good!

trishhyyy @becomingTHEyou it's Saturday night and I'm in a good mood

ItsStephumz @becomingTHEyou Tell your friends and family you love them. Life is short, don't regret not doing so!

BelleJolieNoir @becomingTHEyou i finished my birthday skirt and wore it out tonight

b_j_d @becomingTHEyou went bowling and had an absolute blast! It was a great way to end a crappy week.

10 Resolutions that we can ALL keep

So it's mid February right now; I've tried my hardest to keep my resolutions, and I've pretty much put less than half the effort into them instead of my full effort. I want to keep myself happy and healthy, and my resolutions were in line with that. Southern Living published an article about the ten things that we can do for ourselves, that we will be able to keep. It all starts with keeping positive and having a good attitude.

10 Resolutions I Can Keep

A for Attitude

You may not be able to spend a week focused solely on your health, but you can begin the journey with small steps.

Here are 10 steps...to get you on track to a new normal.

1. Change Your Mind

Get over all those preconceived notions you have about yourself. Write down every reason you have not to work out or eat healthfully. Then consider a solution for each problem. Give your body and mind the same consideration you give your automobile. Your workouts maintain the most important vehicle you will ever own. How far this body takes you is largely based on your choices. “Don’t die of something stupid,” Dr. Cooper says. “You are beautifully and wonderfully made.”

2. Evaluate Yourself

Before you kick-start your new lifestyle, find out where you stand so you can set realistic fitness goals. Many fitness facilities offer assessments for nonmembers for a fee. Most people, especially women, tend to judge themselves based on what the scale reads. This is a mistake! Get a true picture beyond mere numbers.

3. Eat Breakfast

You already know you need to eat healthfully all day. This can seem like a daunting task. So begin with a healthful breakfast. Registered dietitian Kathy Duran-Thal emphasizes that food is fuel. Start your day by providing your body with what it needs to get going. Include protein. If your mornings feel rushed―and whose don’t?―Kathy suggests setting out the items you need for breakfast the night before.

4. Get up and move.

Begin with reasonable goals. If exercise isn’t already a part of your life, the most important thing is to move. “Avoid inactivity. Notice I didn’t say exercise. Try to get a collective 30 minutes―break it up if you need to―of activity in every day,” Dr. Cooper says.

5. Change Your Shoes

If you’re like me, you’re wearing the wrong size of athletic shoes. On my last day at the program, Dallas podiatrist Allan Sherman checked my shoes and broke the news. “You should have about a thumb’s distance between your toe and the end of the shoe,” Dr. Sherman says. Who knew? I always thought blisters were just part of exercise. Shop for new shoes at the end of the day when feet are swollen, Dr. Sherman recommends. For optimum comfort, visit a shoe store dedicated to athletic shoes to find out if you need a neutral, stability, or motion-control shoe.

6. Explore Your Options

Don’t let anyone tell you what type of exercise you should do.

If you hate running―and I truly hate running―don’t force yourself to do it. I prefer power walking instead. If you think yoga is slow and boring, try ashtanga or power yoga. Try out different forms of exercise. Explore activities such as salsa dancing that are both fun and beneficial.

7. Be consistent.
You will only see results if you work out regularly and eat mindfully every day. You can’t take a four-day break and expect to see results that week. Exercise and eating right must become the norm, while indulgences and lazy days should be occasional treats. The good news is you will soon love the way exercise and good nutrition make you feel.

8. Update Your Routine

Stick with a workout routine for four weeks, and you will see a difference, says Chad Krisher, a personal trainer at Cooper Fitness Center. Then it’s time to mix things up. It can be as simple as lifting slightly heavier weights during your strength training routine or adding a yoga or Pilates class. Continue to challenge yourself every four weeks so you won’t hit a plateau. Plus you’ll avoid the boredom that can come with doing the same routine every time you work out. Chad suggests this budget-friendly idea: Meet with a trainer to help you set up a routine; then meet only once a month so the trainer can help you add something new or adjust your workout.

9. Enlist Help

Recruit friends and family in your lifestyle change. Ask your spouse to join you on evening walks, or go to a yoga class with a friend. Let the people around you know that you are trying to change your life and you need their encouragement and support.

10. Reward Yourself

Not with food. Let me repeat that: Not. With. Food. Get a manicure or a massage. (My week ended with a relaxing massage at the onsite Cooper Spa.) Buy yourself a new outfit or snazzy tennis shoes. If you’re like me, you might find you’re rewarding yourself with things that encourage you to work out more, such as a new exercise DVD, cute yoga pants, or a bright pink stability ball. I know, it seems crazy, but it feels so right.

the positives

b_j_d @becomingtheyou I won a gym membership today

ItsStephumz @becomingTHEyou A positive: Everyone coming together in tough times is just so amazing! Everyone coming together in support is great!

Friday Follower

This week's Friday Follower chosen out of random was @xoallisonxoxo. Here is what those who know her had to say about her

SunnySideUpB @becomingTHEyou Allie is the sweetest most beautiful and amazing girl EVER! She always has a great positive outlook & like to climb bouys.

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou , @xoAllisonxoxo is one of the most genuine people that i know, i admire how accepting and loving she is towards her friends

hollaitsjill @becomingTHEyou Allison is da bomb diggity! She was a blast to hang out with in Hershey and she's from Buffalo, bonus! Buff Love <3

CaraLikeWhoa @becomingTHEyou I love her because she is a Skank! :) And one of my best friends!

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou i love her because she's always got something nice to say :)

emeraldmaz @becomingTHEyou I think @xoAllisonxoxo has a great sense of humour.

LairBarbie @becomingTHEyou Allison is a great friend, always fun to talk to and has a good heart. And rocks the SCHSST. <3

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou forgot to say this yesterday, but @xoAllisonxoxo is one of the strongest people that i know

Sunny Side Up Daily

Your positives and our site again were featured at Sunny Side Up Daily! Check out the post here!

Thank you again, this would not be possible without you.

the positives

tashaaa_x3 @becomingTHEyou when i was 30 minutes late to work my boss just laughed at me for messing up my schedule :)

the positives

b_j_d @becomingTHEyou spent a great day with some great people, it was a lot of fun

SunnySideUpB @becomingTHEyou the site had its best day with almost 70 visitors!

kristi_crow @becomingTHEyou I got a job!!!

How do you make time for yourself?

It's very hard to resist the natural urge to help and/or take care of our friends and others when they come asking...trying to be available all the time and trying to always be there really takes a toll on your body and health, both mentally and physically...There is nothing wrong with being there for friends, but it is so beyond important to take time for yourself...Me time is imperative to making yourself happy and being the best person that you can be...Try to not feel guilty and take at least half an hour to yourself every day.

What do you do when you have "me time"? Do you feel better when you take that time? How do you try to fit yourself into your schedule?

Share your answers in a comment.

the positives

smashley_ashley @becomingTHEyou i did really well on a marketing research assignment

Elafant_Heffer @becomingtheyou I worked my @$$ of at work. and as much as my feet hurt i'm proud of my self.

Smile!

Today may suck, but I promise you eventually it will get better. You never know how just smiling, or laughing can cure a horrible day. Smile in the mirror at yourself, listen to a song that makes you laugh because of the memories tied to it. Watch funny videos on youtube.
You don't necessarily have to escape the bad things for forever, but maybe if you smile, you can take on all the challenges life throws at you with a different attitude.

There is an old saying that laughter is the best medicine, and on the worst of days, sometimes a laugh can just pull you through. I know for me, this semester Wednesday's are literally hell on earth. I have a 7:30 am class, then a class break from 11:30-1 and then I'm in class until 4. After that I have to rush home so that my dad can leave for work, and make dinner for my little sister and I. Then I rush over to church and help out with AWANA's (I'm a Sparks leader :] ) then choir practice until 9ish. It is a long day and I wouldn't get through it without a smile, and a little bit of laughter.

So make the most of those worst days, and find a reason to smile. Try your hardest to send your daily positives in, it really helps to know that SOMETHING went right that day, and if you need a smile talk to someone, anyone, or post something on here, I'm sure we could help you out :]

<3 id="gwProxy" type="hidden">