You Think You Know......But You Don't

everyday everyone struggles with something.  sometimes it's the same thing day in and day out.  i'm one of those people.  i was diagnosed many moons ago with an eating disorder; binge eating.  who knows how or when this happened but it is part of me and i must embrace it, or it could very easily destroy me.  for as long as i can remember, i have always had negative thoughts and feelings when it came to food.  i remember feeling like i had to hide how much i ate from my mother as a kid/teen, and even from my husband as a newlywed.  i always thought that this compulsion was some what under control and was a "normal" relationship with food.  it wasn't until i went through our first deployment (hubby is Navy) did it become apparent to me that there was something wrong.  i could eat normal for months at a time, and never give a second thought to binge eating.  then something would set me off and it would begin!  my binges would last for days/weeks on end.  i would start hiding food and eating in secret.  my normal tendencies were/are to hide chips and chocolates around the house (often in my closet) so i can eat after everyone is asleep; i was married for close to 5 years before hubby even knew i did this!  i guess i am good at hiding things lol  i remember when he was night check (1900-0700) i would go on a binge at least once a week.  he came home around 11pm for dinner.  i would serve his dinner, watch him eat and then clean up while he was home.  once he was back to work i would then sit and eat as much as i possibly could (bowls of ice cream, chips, 3 or 4 sandwiches) and then clean up so he would never know.  i was ashamed of this.  i have never openly admitted to any of my friends i have this issue.  some of my (in real life) friends know because i have become more comfortable with this issue.  it's part of who makes me who i am.  this is another reason i am so passionate about health and fitness!  i am much more aware of my patterns now and i try not to let myself get into them.   primarily it is because i don't want my kids growing up with a mother like that.  i want my daughter to grow up with something i never had; a positive role model, and learning the right way to have a relationship with food.  i now know what my triggers are and when i notice them i take control of the situation, rather than letting it control me.  one of my triggers with binge eating is my actual weight.  see when i'm over weight i get upset with myself for following in my mother's footsteps and then the cycle begins.  i noticed towards the end of my pregnancy i was hiding chocolate around the house again and then bags of chips.  i rationalized it "it's just pregnancy cravings" but i knew better.  then the behavior continued after BabyL was born but i rationalized; i need the extra calories since i'm breastfeeding and then i got caught!  we were grocery shopping and i went to grab a bag of chips and chocolates to throw into the buggy.  C looked confused and asked why they could never find those chips and stuff *BUSTED*  i put the temptations back and started to regain control of my eating habits that very day!  that was over a year ago and i'm glad to report i have not had any slip ups since then.  though some days are struggles. 
so you may be asking, how i am able to control/curb this issue?  well that's where food journaling comes in.  i almost always am logging my food.  i've used many different programs and websites through the years.  right now i am using MyFitnessPal and i think it's great (for the most part).  i'm not trying loose weight just keeping accountable for what i'm eating, even if i get up in the middle of the night i still log it.  the physical act of writing/typing it out and seeing the totals at the end of the day has really helped keep from binging.  i will admit, i do become a bit obsessed the first few weeks but it does get my mind of binging :-)  i don't journal to loose weight.  i journal to keep control.  

i suggest MyFitnessPal but with a word of caution;  i recommend you do some research on how you want to eat, and figure out your calories for yourself.  i was living a primal lifestyle for a while before i got pregnant with BabyL and LOVED it.  so, i'm eating like a cavewoman (for the most part) again and loving every second of it!  so is the fambam!!  what does eating like a caveman mean.......the short version.........everything is as close to nature as i can get it, lots of good fats and no grains.  it also means living with a different food pyramid too.  look at that baby!  how can you NOT be happy with all those fruits and veggies?!?!  i mean i get to eat things like steak, butter, avocado, spinach, salads, onions, apples almonds, greek yogurt (i don't get rid of dairy like some primal purists do), and oh so much more!  we all feel so wonderful living like this; so much more energy and happiness. the hardest part is cutting grains out (bread, noodles, rice, beans) but i feel so much better doing it.  BabyL is on a bread kick and i'm ok with that, I just stay away from it lol  there is less bloat in all of us and we all have so much more energy eating like this.  i'm keeping my carbs around 100-120gms since i'm nursing and i did see a difference in my production when they've dipped below 100gm.  i only push for 80% of my diet to be primal because i know that's what my body needs.  understand that the PrimalBlueprint is a lifestyle; just like any nutrition plan should be.  it encompasses every aspect of your life not just what you put in your mouth.  if you have any questions about this please feel free to ask.  

hope y'all have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!!

Menu Monday

well ladies and gentlemen it's another week which can only mean it's time for another fun filled edition of MENU MONDAY!!!  we've done pretty good sticking to the menu so not only am i saving money (always a plus) but we are all enjoying the family time picking the menu out, prepping the meals and eating them together.  in fact, the big kids made breakfast all on their own........protein powder pancakes!!

Sun: french toast; meat roll ups & fruit; southwestern slopy joe's with broccoli
Mon:  egg cups & fruit; beanie weenies; medateranian beef stew
Tue:  oatmeal; egg salad; southwestern pork chops & salad
Wed:  greek yogurt parfaits; hard boiled eggs & fruit; beef & portobello ragout
Thur:  eggs & apples; leftovers; steak & sweet potato
Fri:  gluten free muffins & fruit; tuna salad; hamburger salad
Sat:  eggs & bacon; leftovers; fish tacos w/broccoli slaw

so what's on YOUR menu??  this week i'm linked up with This Flourishing Life and KdBuggie so if you stumbled on me by them please let me know.  if you see anything here that you'd like the recipe for please don't hesitate to ask!

hope y'all had a marvelous monday *waves*

Fun Friday Wrap Up

woo hoo it's another Fun Friday here; i just wish that someone would have told the weather that we had plans to go to the park today, because with the nasty grey rain going on here that is NOT happening!  *shrugs* such is life right?  i think we will dance our way into the weekend with some ZumbaRush and finally watch the Hunger Games tonight <3

we have had a busy, and exciting week here in the FitFamily home.  the big kids have been enjoying Aikido, bike rides, learning some new cooking skills, and challenging each other to dance offs due to the weather being all wonky here.  i have been having a blast setting up people to be part of the Challenge Groups that are starting next month, helping people pre-order Les Mills Combat, and starting people with the 3 Day Cleanse!  i also took my measurements for the first time since before starting P90X and in 6 weeks i've gone down 1.7% body fat *happy dance*  the program is really starting to kick into high gear, so i can't wait to see where i will be at the end of it!  we can't forget about BabyL; he's hit a huge milestone this week too!  he's not only running now but climbing on everything, saying a few new words AND he used the potty yesterday!!  not bad for a 14month old lol  i have also been participating in Fat Mum Slim's photo a day challenge this month so i am going to share some of my favorite shots from the last week :-)

Up Close

Light

Thankful

Shadows

this week has been of fun, adventure, exploration, temper-tantrums and so much more.  i am sure, despite the weather, we will have a fun weekend too.  this week i linked up with Chubby Cheeks and Posh on a Budget again.  if you would, go check out these blogs because there are some great reads over there.  if you found me via either blog hop WELCOME and please let me know you stopped by :-)  it's been an AWESOME week here in the FitFamily home; how about yours?

here's your Fun Friday song y'all!  have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY *waves*

Fun Friday

oh looky, looky what day it is!!  it's another round of FUN FRIDAY people!!  there is a cool crispness in the air the last few days here in WA and i can't WAIT to get out there and enjoy it with my kids today!  each week, on FUN FRIDAY, i challenge y'all.   i want y'all to get out there and do something that makes you smile, laugh, and just enjoy life today!  it doesn't have to be anything big, because remember that even baby steps are steps in the right direction.


if you're stumped for ideas here you go:
grab some chalk and start drawing on the sidewalk
go pick some apples
go for a walk along the shoreline
take your dog for a run
play board games, or cards with your family
go attend a live concert
find a farmers market today and walk around
throw together a pot-luck with some neighbors
treat yourself to some frozen yogurt

see the possibilities are ENDLESS!  just get out there and do something that makes you smile ladies and gentlemen :-)

here's a fun friday song for y'all:




tomorrow is Shakeology Saturday, and my RockStar ShoutOut!  If you want to be included in my RockStar ShoutOut tomorrow go find me on Twitter, MyFitnessPal, FaceBook, or even on TeamBeachBody and say "I was a fitness/healthy RockStar because........."  as i always say; even baby steps are steps in the right direction.  so did you drink your water goal once this week?  did you eat cleaner this week than last?  did you get in 3 workouts instead of 2 this week?  did you loose .25lb this week?  did you run a marathon this last week?  did you stick to your calories all week long?  did you get enough sleep all week long to help repair your body?  see, it doesn't take much and every little bit counts.  so what are you waiting for?  let me know so i can add you to my RockStar ShoutOut on saturday!   in honor of Shakeology Saturday i have a special treat planned for y'all tomorrow so stay tuned!

this friday i've decided to join in on a few blog hops (the more the merrier right?), so if you've found me through one of them welcome!  be sure to let me that you stopped by and what you think of Healthy Ambition.  if you have your own blog why not link up to this great people: Posh on a Budget, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, and and An Island Life.  

have a FABULOUS FRIDAY y'all *waves*

Tasty Tuesday

it's another tasty tuesday here at Healthy Ambitions, and i would love to share some wonderful recipe with y'all but we've been kind of boring the last week.  why?  well with hubby going back out to play navy for a while last week was a lot of quick meals, and leftovers because we were just busy getting last minute things together before he left again.  we did make hamburger salad a few times per request of the kids and hubby.  i love this meal for a few reasons.  first, it's SUPER easy to make!  i am in the kitchen less than 30 minutes, and dinner is on the table.  what more can a busy working mom ask for?  this is a great meal for football nights, PTA meetings, late night dinners, or even when it's just to dang hot to cook.  another reason i like this meal is it's cheap!  making a healthy meal does not mean you have to break the bank.  for a long time we have been a family on one income, and we still don't use my income for daily expenses.  basically we are a family of 5 on a paycheck (military pay check) of one, so i stretch pennies where i can.  another reason i like this recipe is that even my kids can make it.  C is my oldest and he's almost 12.  he LOVES to cook and this is such a quick meal he can cook, plate and serve this meal pretty much on his own.

hamburger salad (per salad)
1 chopped grass fed burger
2c chopped lettuce
.5 shredded carrot
.5 sliced tomato
top with mustard and/or mayonnaise

see how easy that is, and doesn't that just look YUMMY!!  it's nothing fancy, or complicated, but we love it.  my husband was very standoffish the first time i served this.  his response was "what! a hamburger with no bun?  have you lost your mind woman?"  granted, this was years back when we first started our journey to a primal lifestyle.  like i said, we have had this 3 times this last week, and the kids were actually bummed that i didn't add it but once to this week's menu lol i hope you enjoy this simple healthy meal as much as we do.  next week i will be sharing a crock-pot meal with y'all :-)

this week i have linked up with a few great blogs; The New Modern Momma (recipe swap) , Chubby Cheeks Thinks (a Twitter link up) and The Empowered Momma.  why don't you join the fun and hop on the link ups?  if you found me via one of these WELCOME, and please leave a comment (i love comments).  yes, this is still a new blog, but that doesn't mean i'm not going to rock your socks off :-)  you can follow me here (slide your mouse to your right and it will pop up), and on Twitter, and even FaceBook

i hope y'all have a TERRIFIC tuesday!

Menu Monday

as i mentioned yesterday; i am trying to get back on track with all that i put in my mouth (and my family's) so i sat down to make a menu this last weekend.  it was odd adding up my class work and seminars, the kids' stuff, daily routines and fun times to all of our meal times.  i am trying to save some money and not go out as much too with this.  it was really hard since my husband took my bag of Shakeology to the ship with him and i won't get my new bag until later this week *tear*  but i did it and so far we have stuck to our menu.  also, the farmers market stopped last week so i need to figure out what i'm going to do.  i think i may have to travel off island and go to Trader Joe's and Costco more often for produce.  in the past i would just make a list of 7 meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner and cherry pick what i wanted to serve each day.  this plan works great if you don't have anything going on that day but, we have gotten hella busy the last few months and it's just going to get worse.  in fact, as i was figuring things out i realized we have something going on sun, tue, wed, thur and fri every week.  that's if i don't choose to take supplemental classes and if we don't do field trips or park days!  crazy, huh?

so here's my menu for the week:

Sun- eggs & bacon; leftovers; hamburger salad
Mon- primal muffins & eggs; lunch meat roll-ups & cheese; steak, sweet potato & salad
Tue- greek yogurt & fruit; veggie chips & hard boiled eggs; mexican stuffed peppers & quinoa
Wed- toast & greek yogurt; leftovers; chicken enchilada soup
Thur- fruit parfait; deviled eggs & lunch meat; BLAT & veggie chips
Fri- primal waffles; veggie chips & lunch meat roll-ups; beef & broccoli
Sat- egg cups & fruit; leftovers; veggie chili over cauliflower rice

snacks will be- kiwis, hard cheeses, apples or raw nuts

do you make a menu?  if not why not?  if so how do you go about doing it?  have you found that having one helps you with staying on track with your nutrition?  what's the hardest part about doing this for you?


i'm linked up with; This Flourishing Life, KdBuggie Boutique, CrazyMomma and Marine Wife, Mommy & Life ------why don't you join the party and link up too :-)  if you have your menu planned out on your blog please feel free to share it here!