Current Beer Obsession

I have to admit that I have become a bit of a beer snob.  If it isn't craft, I will more than likely turn my nose up at it.

The plus is that I have been learning lots not only about craft beer, but about local stuff too. The minus is that they pack more calories and can have a higher alcohol content. It is for this reason that I limit myself to just 1 at any given time.

My current obsession- IPA's or Indian Pale Ale's.
The hoppier the better, I say!

I just cannot get enough of a local VA brew called "Eight Point IPA" from The Devil's Backbone Brewing company.

So tasty!
To learn more about craft beers, including IPA's check out this great site for all things hoppy and crafty:
http://www.craftbeer.com/


Cheers!

Excuses

Enough said.


Cheers!

Workout

You cannot achieve your fitness goals on diet alone. Sure you can lost weight by changing your diet but that doesn't mean you're going to look good naked.

There is such thing as "skinny fat". Just look at the picture below. These two women way the same, which do you think hits the gym?

So, get off your butt go for a run and lift some weights! This is especially important if you're going to be a fabulous cocktail drinking foodie.

Cheers!

Inspirtation Junkie

I am a self proclaimed Inspiration Junkie. And, now that I have joined Pinterest, I cannot get enough of the health and fitness posters fellow Inspiration Junkies pin like this one:

Have you started your own motivation board? If not, you should just don't spend more time on that than you do on your actual workouts!

Cheers!

Water! Drink it.

How much water do you drink every day? Most folks recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of water per day at a minimum. If you're working out, drink more. If you're consuming alcohol, you better be drinking even more.

A good rule of thumb is to alternate cocktails with water. For every glass of wine, beer or liquor drink chase it down with a class of water.

Cheers!

80/20 Rule

There are many different ways you can apply this to your life.
Are you eating well 80% of the time?
Fitness is 80% diet and 20% working out
Are you working out more than you're not?

Some folks even step it up to 90/10. You need to find what makes you happy and balanced.

For more information on the 80/20 rule check out these great articles:

http://bodyecology.com/articles/80-20_rule_essential_to_diet.php#.UCpLce37Uy4
http://www.livestrong.com/article/540174-the-80-20-diet-rule/
http://beachreadybody.com/2011/02/07/beachbodys-8020-rule-for-eating-smart/

Counting Calories and BMR

If you're not already counting calories, you need to start NOW. If you're already counting calories, use an app. And, if you're already using an app, use it every single day. NO EXCUSES!

We've all know the formula:

Calories in < Calories out = Weight Loss

Calories in > Calories Out = Weight Gain

If you do not know how many calories you're consuming every single day how do you expect to reach your fitness goals? If you're taking in too many calories you're gaining weight. If  you are not taking in enough calories, you're not giving your body the energy it needs to be your fittest self.

There are so many different gadgets and apps that will make this once tedious task so easy, so you have no excuse not to do it.

Now that you're prepared to count calories, you need to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate aka BMR. Your BMR will tell you how many calories you burn in a typical day.

You can calculate yours here:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthtool-metabolism-calculator

It is important that you are honest about your level of activity. I exercise nearly every day but still choose inactive since I have a desk job and spend more of my time on my behind.

Let's say that your BMR is 1500 calories and you do not exercise. In order to maintain your weight you cannot take in anymore or any less than 1500 calories per day. If you take in less you will lose, more and you will gain. Simple, right?

Now, let's say you run for 30 minutes and you burn 300 calories (a good calorie counting app will also calculate calories burned during your workouts). In order to maintain your weight you cannot take in anymore than 1800 calories or any less. In order to lose, you need to take in less, if you take in more you will gain.

This is why it is so important to understand BMR, Calorie Intake and Calories burned during exercise. Over time, every calorie will count, trust me.