3 Weight Loss Heroes to Get You Off the Couch

We all have those days. You're sitting on the couch, watching TV, thinking "I feel like dessert" or "I don't want to workout." If you're like me, you may have those days more often than not.  Some days, the biggest challenge is getting your butt off the couch.

The Enemy: My Couch

Do you know what motivates me? Others. There is a big, wide world of motivation out there on the internet -- weight loss bloggers who feel your pain and face the same challenges every single day.  When you're feeling lazy or sorry for yourself, surf your way over to one of these sites and find the inspiration (or camaraderie) you need.  If they can do it, surely you can too.

300PoundsAndRunning.com

Watch the inspiring video from 300PoundsAndRunning.com

Martinus Evans is truly an inspiration with an infectious smile and attitude. His weight loss journey began in March 2012 at over 300 pounds and with excruciating leg pain. Today, he has run several 5Ks, a 10K, lost more than 30 pounds -- and the leg pain.  Martinus wants your support, but he promises support and motivation in return.  Once you see him in action, I know you'll be as big a fan as I am. You can't help but root for him.
Twitter: @300lbsandrunning


RonisWeigh.com

Roni Noone (After) of RonisWeigh.com and RoniNoone.com

Roni Noone is a one woman weight loss and healthy lifestyle phenomenon. Her weight struggles reached a peak while in graduate school at over 200 pounds. But she resolved to get healthy for good after giving birth to her first son.  Roni has made good on the promise to herself: losing 70 pounds and along the way starting RonisWeigh.com, RoniNoone.com, GreenLiteBites.com, FitBloggin.com, and BlogToLose.com. Her posts are inspiring, insightful, and heartfelt.  She shares recipes, weight loss/maintenance strategies, and bits of her soul, allowing us to see her struggles and victories.  All the while, she epitomizes a healthy, balanced attitude about weight and life. Her #plankaday tweets and #yogaday photos are pure mojo to me!
Twitter: @RoniNoone

GirlGoneHealthy.com

Tera Norberg of GirlGoneHealthy.com, Before & After

Tera Norberg's mission began in 2008 when she struggled to rise from bed to help her 9-month-old baby.  At 265 pounds, she knew things had to change. Tera not only lost more than 100 pounds, but also became a Weekend Warrior, constantly challenging her body and increasing her fitness with many different kinds of exercise. She's had challenges keeping the weight off, but is not afraid to try everything from running 5Ks and kickboxing to throwing kettle bells and flipping 240 pound tires.  Her blog includes recipes, product reviews, and refreshingly honest confessions.  Recently diagnosed with PCOS, she proves that even with challenges, we all can improve our health when we put our minds to it. 
Twitter: @GirlGoneHealthy

Martinus, Roni, and Tera are just a few of the amazing role models out there to inspire you to better fitness.  If you haven't already, search for other weight loss bloggers on the internet or join Twitter to find even more help and motivation. If you already have a favorite weight loss blog, please share it in the comments below.  I want to know: Which blogger inspires you to pass on dessert, get off the couch, and live a healthier life? Because when I'm feeling lazy, I need every hero I can get.

10 Metabolism Boosters: A Cheat Sheet for Your Waist

I have a confession. Sometimes, I cheat. 

Not on a school test or work-related task. And not on my husband. No, I cheat on my weight. It's kind of like when I moved the submarine a smidge while playing Battleship with my little sister.  It's not a big sin, but it gets results.

Everybody needs a cheat now and then.

My cheat? Metabolism boosters to eat and drink.  Most of the time, I try to eat healthy and in moderation. I bust out the cardio (almost) daily and work in some weight training. But every girl slips up now and then. These cheats give me the edge I need -- especially when I want to eat that cookie/cupcake/candy bar or skip a workout to go out with girlfriends instead.

Behold, the Cheat Sheet of Metabolism Boosters!

Water. I can't say it enough, if you're not drinking enough water, your body cannot function properly and burn off calories. In fact, not drinking enough water may lead to bloat.  Drink water throughout the day (and instead of soda!) to make sure you're hydrated.

Black Coffee. Drinking black coffee instead of fancy café-bought coffee is great for your waistline not only because it has 0 calories, but also because it's a well-known metabolism booster due to the caffeine.

Green Tea. This one is a personal favorite. Studies have shown green tea can actually reduce the size of fat cells! It also appears to raise metabolic rates and speed fat oxidation. When you need a break from water or black coffee, sip on 0 calorie green tea. Warning: Stay away from the calorie-heavy bottled type with added sweeteners.

Lean Protein. It's important to eat a balanced diet. Lean protein will help you feel full longer than other foods and help your metabolism work more evenly and efficiently. Good sources of lean protein include chicken, fish, beans, and egg whites.

Leafy Greens & Broccoli. With their high fiber content, these veggies help you feel full and increase the body's ability to burn fat.  The biggies in this category are broccoli, kale, spinach, and Romaine lettuce. But because they also are a good source of fiber, shirataki noodles and rice similarly add bulk, help you feel full, and avoid extra calories.

Metabolism boosters include grapefruit, garlic, red pepper flakes,
broccoli, Skinny Noodles Shirataki, and blueberries.

Pomegranates. These fall fruits are packed with antioxidants that are great for your heart and may be... fat cell killers!  Studies show fat cells shrink when exposed to these antioxidants.

Berries. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries contain the same fat-cell-killing antioxidants as pomegranates. They also contain polyphenols, which may block the body from absorbing certain starches and fats.

Grapefruit. Vitamin C is the secret to this metabolism booster. One particular study at Scripps Clinic showed participants who ate 1/2 a grapefruit at every meal lost more weight than those who didn't.

Garlic. This tasty ingredient (another personal favorite) contains glutathione, a substance that helps the liver to clear out hormone-disrupting chemicals that can slow metabolism.

Chili Peppers, Cayenne, Red Pepper Flakes. Thermagenic properties of these spicy wonders heat up your body.  Cooling the body requires calories, which in turn revs your metabolism. So pour on the heat to be one hot mama -- or papa!

Now that you know I cheat, can I rely on your discretion? Yep, I thought not.