Fitness Friday is back (finally)

Oh hayyyyy!  So since I'm a full time blogger again I thought I'd start this weekend off with a guest post!

I was contacted by Paul Taylor last week about a possible guest post and of course I could not refuse a free day off from blogging!  Lol.  And since I haven't been keeping up with my health and fitness goals lately, I thought this post would be a great motivator (mostly for myself) to get back into shape and watch what we're putting into our bodies.

So without further ado, take it away Paul!

The Best Snack Foods for Losing Weight

Snacking between meals may sound like a disaster when it comes to losing weight, however when you’re armed with the right snacks they can actually be the difference between gaining weight and keeping it coming off. What determines the success of regular snacking is the type of snacks you’re eating. To snack during meals and still lose weight, pick up these healthy snack foods:

1.      Apple slices with peanut butter. Instead of grabbing a candy bar that has no nutritional value, try slicing up an apple and pairing it with two tablespoons of peanut butter. The crunchy sweetness of the apple will complement the peanut butter flavor perfectly and satisfy your sweet tooth, while simultaneously providing you with healthy fats and protein from the nut butter and healthy carbohydrates and fiber from the apple.

2.      Carrots and Greek yogurt ranch dip. Chips may be your go-to salty snack, but they also will do nothing in terms of keeping you full, and you’ll find yourself hungry again in no time. Instead mix a packet of organic powdered ranch dip with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt and dip raw vegetables, like carrots and broccoli, into it. Nonfat, plain Greek yogurt has the same texture and taste as sour cream, but it also has minimal calories and high protein content, making it a much better option than ranch dip or dressing.

3.      Turkey roll-ups. One of the cornerstones of a healthy, satisfying snack is one that has a lot of protein and some healthy fats. These two things will keep you fuller for longer, eliminating the need for unhealthy vending machine options. Take sliced deli turkey and a cheese stick and wrap the turkey around the cheese for a snack that keeps you satiated and alert during the typical afternoon slump.

4.      Greek yogurt with fresh fruit. If you’re in the mood for a creamy dessert or a dessert-like snack then pair nonfat, plain Greek yogurt with a little bit of honey and a handful of fresh berries. The thick, creamy consistency of Greek yogurt mimics that of frozen yogurt and the honey will sweeten up the otherwise tangy flavor of the yogurt. The fresh fruit gives you a little boost of fiber and an extra kick of sweetness.

5.      Hard boiled eggs and hummus. Deviled egg lovers will rejoice at this protein-packed snack that is reminiscent of deviled eggs. Take hardboiled eggs and discard the yolk sections, then take a dollop of hummus and add it in where the yolk was. The smoothness of the hummus is similar to that of a deviled egg filling, but using hummus instead will give you a little punch of protein that makes this treat the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. 

Snacking doesn’t have to derail your diet when you do it right, and can actually aid in weight loss. Pick snacks that have a good ratio of protein, healthy carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats from sources such as nut butters or eggs, and you’ll find you’re more satisfied and less likely to crave unhealthy snack foods that are the normal snack staples. 

Author Bio:

Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare. They take care of all the necessary information related to “babysitters”. He  personally think his blog will help finding information on all things related to a babysitter.

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See, pretty motivating, right?  I think I'm gonna head on down to buy me a bag of apples and hope it lasts long enough for me to eat before the kids hoard it all!

 This week I (ex: ran a mile everyday, did days 3-7 of the Bodyrock challenge, started a diet, hiked, biked, danced, etc.).

The hardest part was (ex: when my legs started to give up on me, doing all those burpees, resisting the temptation to order a Big Mac).

My greatest accomplishment this week was (ex: I lost an inch in my waist, I ran 3 miles nonstop, I tried a new routine and loved it, etc.).

Okay, I felt guilty because (ex: I ate a whole pack of Oreos, I was skipped on Wednesday, I didn't push myself hard enough because I was busy staring at the hot guy next to me, etc.).

Next week I'm gonna try (ex: to cut down on junk food, a new routine, to drink more water, etc.)



Have a great weekend and don't forget to comment below and thank Paul for his awesome post and for getting us back on track with Fitness Fridays! 

♥ Duckie.