Quarantine Question: Have You Already Gained Weight?

If you said YES, it's time for some reality. If your weight loss has only STALLED, understand that it won't be long until you're gaining again. So listen up.

What happens with your weight will be determined by what you put into your mouth. COVID19 is not making you eat chocolate bunnies, pizza rolls and cake. You are choosing to eat these foods that are 'none of your business'.

COVID19 is not making you gain weight - your pants are getting tight because you are eating too many calories. Think about the kind of food you are eating. All day long, we post easy meals that use a pound of ground beef or chicken legs or bag of beans that you have in your kitchen. Delicious meals that will keep you full for fewer calories and not create hunger - that you can feed to you family as well.

I've baked cookies twice in fact, but always with almond flour and either Truvia or Splenda Brown. They are not carb or calorie free, so I still have to be reasonable. I'll have one or two, with the rest eaten by my husband who is a sugar hound. If you have kids, bake with them. It's important for them to see you cook. It's important for them to know how to cook. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR KIDS SEE HOW TO HANDLE ADVERSITY WHERE FOOD IS AN ISSUE AND EVEN IN SHORT SUPPLY. An adult should be able to feed themselves without take out or junk food. A great lesson for your child.

Right now Im going to be that good friend who tells you the leggings *do not* look good on you - the kind of friend where you don't get mad because you know they are right. The cookies still have calories. They aren't a green light to snack. They aren't HEALTHY cookies. They are just slightly lower in calories. However, they will keep you honest and out of the junk IF you are in control.

Here's the deal. If you pay attention for the next few days and don't keep feeding yourself excuses, you'll be in control again. That's all it will take. Just get a little focus under your belt and things will snowball fast in a good direction.

The bonus? As you take back your control, you're going to lose some weight.

Take Back Control. The Plan You've Been Looking for.

You are using the phrase STRESS EATER as an excuse to eat things you WANT to eat. No one is making you eat those foods. No one 'stress eats' a bowl of spinach. Be real with your choices and your words. Be real with yourself.

Here is the Fact: YOU WANT TO EAT THE JUNK and its easier to say you are a STRESS EATER and gobble them up. It's an excuse, it's not cute and it fools no one. Not even you.

Get on it and use it as motivation. It will work, IF you know how to use it. Details can be found here in our article about how to stop using the scale as an excuse to avoid reality and start using it as the tool that it is. The Scale. Friend or Foe?

Truth Bomb is that it feels great to see a lower number on a scale... any day, any time. Nothing tastes better than that moment feels. You know it and you've felt it. THAT'S what motivates me and it will motivate you too.

Train your mind to think POSITIVE THOUGHTS and focus on what you can control - and that can absolutely be the food in your fridge.

Surround yourself with foods that move you towards a lower weight. We've got so many quick meals that only need water. We have so many flavors that you don't need to be a Mixologist to avoid boredom.

Hungry? Think you are Hungry? DRINK AN INSPIRE SHAKE. That will stop a binge in its tracks. If you are still going to snap and eat something... because you cant take it: DRINK ANOTHER INSPIRE SHAKE.

Or fix a mug of Inspire Chili. Or have a Cinnamon Breakfast Square. It doesn't matter if it's 2am or 2pm. Calories can't tell time. Have something that is packed with the protein you need and requires minimal prep and you'll be able to stick with your intention, your plan to not give in.

Remember when you said you'd learn to knit "When you had the time" or maybe you said you'd "Read more books". Or you said that you'd clean out the spare bedroom "someday". How are your flower beds looking right now? Clean and tidy? Or in need of some TLC? Can you park the car in your garage or is it ready to be cleaned out too?

There's a project in your house you've been wanting to start. A craft or hobby you've wanted to pick up. And if not, I bet there's a stack of board games in the closet you can play with your kids instead of zoning out with Netflix again. Take the dog for a walk after dinner. DO SOMETHING to stay busy and to keep your mind off the food.

Today is the "Someday" you told yourself you would need to do these things. Well, its time to get it done. Someday is NOW.

You should be good to go now. Take the time RIGHT now to empower yourself and place an order for the things you need. We've got enough for 14 Breakfasts, Lunches and small in between Meals. We're open for you to shop from home with NO shipping delays, because we are here for you. We are TRULY in this together. Now...here is the recipe for those cookies.

Skinnier Oatmeal Cookies

makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut ( if you do not have this, use an additional 1/2 cup oats)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup raisins, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup packed Splenda brown
• 1/4 cup Truvia for baking
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, coconut, flour, raisins (if using), baking soda and salt; set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat butter with the Splenda Brown and Truvia until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl as necessary.
• Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Gradually add oat mixture; mix until just until combined.
• Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls - I use a small metal ice cream type scoop - 2 inches apart, onto two baking sheets.
• Bake until cookies are golden brown but still soft to the touch, 12 to 14 minutes .
• Cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Do not wait until 8:00 pm to have "some" while you watch more TV. Do not tell yourself they will be nice to munch on over coffee on the back porch with your morning coffee since you don't have to rush to the office right now. ONE after a meal so you can have a "treat" while your surgical tool limits your portions because you already ate ample protein & veggies.