People ask me all the time what kind of food I'm eating to get the energy to workout more than Beyonce. As someone who has tried every fad diet known to man... I can tell you.... honestly... I've never found one that worked long-term... instead I just try to burn more energy then I consume. I don't calorie count, eat only veggies or document what I eat... instead I just try to use common sense.

The 2 biggest changes for me in getting control of my eatting were portion control and good food choices. I try to limit how much I eat out... but I don't turn down the opportunity to eat out and splurge occassionally, if it means spending time with friends. For example yesterday, my workout buddy (Kelly) and I went out for lunch at Montana's to celebrate her birthday... I wasn't even 1/2 way through my meal when I put down my fork and said "I'm done"! The waitress asked me if I wanted to pack up my plate and I said "No thanks!"... I knew it was a treat to have this food, so I definitely knew I shouldn't eat it twice this week... there probably was the equivalent of 3 meals on my plate. We had dessert... but we split one... and even then we had some left on the plate. So many of us have engrained in our brains that we need to finish what's on our plate... but really when you go to a chain restaurant their serving sizes could easily be shared by 2 adults. A lot of times now, Gord and I will actually share an entree because otherwise it just seems like a waste.

At home, one way that I've been able to eat smaller portions is just by using smaller dishes! I know... this is not rocket science... but it's what I've done. When plastic became faux pa for kids... I bought a bunch of Correlle glass dishes at Walmart. They have a collection of individual pieces that are smaller than regular settings (intended for fruit dishes, bread plates etc)... they are a perfect portion sizes for kid's meals (and even better for Moms)!

During the week... I stay away from carbs and baked goods... they are my vice. The more I eat them... the more I want them... so I just don't have them in the house... my cravings for carbs are pretty much gone now... but the first month I was in serious carb-withdrawl and it wasn't a pretty sight.

I work out on an empty stomach from 8:30-10:30am almost every morning... and then start eating small meals all day long... for example... this morning when I got back from my run... I had about ½ cup of cottage cheese... then for lunch I had a piece of grilled chicken and about a tablespoon of natural peanut butter on top (my version of Thai food). Mid-afternoon... I'll usually have some 1/2 cup of low-fat yogurt and berries... supper often times I'll have a protein shake or a protein bar (or grilled chicken again or fish... and maybe some raw veggies). I rarely eat red meat anymore. I rarely cook veggies anymore, though I know I need to get more veggies into my diet... I'm working on that. I like veggies a lot... they are just so much effort to clean and chew *how lazy is that*! hahaha

Night-time is brutal for me because I love munching when I watch my favorite shows (Gossip Girl or Brothers & Sisters)... so I'll eat a small portion of trail mix (about 1/4 cup). Sometimes I even eat a bowl of veggies (guilt free crunching)!

I drink a ridiculous amount of water and green tea. I drink about 2-3 litres of water every day... if I'm thirsty... I drink more water... pay attention to your mouth... it will tell you if your body is thirsty! I have at least 2 cups of green tea a day. Green tea is great for detoxing your body and making sure you don't retain water.

Kelly told me about this fabulous water combination yesterday, and I made it last night and have been drinking it in ridiculous amounts this morning...

It's called Sassy Water (she heard about it on a radio talk show earlier this week):

2 liters water
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
12 small spearmint leaves

It reduces your water retention and decreases your g.i.-track size (fun stuff)! Anything reduced or decreased sounds good to me... plus its giving me a nice alternative to just drinking lemon water.

You have to make the Sassy Water the night before for it to be effective. I went and bought 2 large glass bottles to store it in. I'm leaving the pitcher on my desk and just drinking as I work.

It really is all about planning... having grilled chicken in the fridge ready to eat, veggies cut and ready for munching if you get hungry... and the flexibilty for frequent pee breaks!

Don't get me wrong... there are days where I bing... I'm a stress eater... if things go wrong at work or in my personal life... I just want carbs... but if I do have a bad food day... I just work out more the next day and I try not to dwell on it.

Devin had told me to exercise first thing in the morning on an empty stomach... and what Devin says... well I do it (no questions asked)... I burn about 1000-1200 calories (on my 8km days) before I even have breakfast... that's a good way to kick start the day (but I'm lucky because I'm self employed and have a supportive business partner that is cool with me starting work mid-morning). I find it also keeps me motivated to make good food decisions... when I work out in the morning I'm never tempted to eat chocolate or drink a coffee after I work out... I only want to feed my body with good food.

Now with that being said... Saturday... anything goes... if I have any food craving at all during the week... on Saturday... I eat it... and I enjoy it! Devin says I can... so I do (without guilt)! Devin is the only expert that I listen to. Look at him... his body is a machine he obviously knows what he's talking about. He says that it's good to spike your metabolism with a treat day... but if you have a treat day to go crazy with it... he said when we first met "I don't care if you eat a dozen donuts... get it out of your system"... I don't think I've ever eaten a dozen donuts in one day during my entire life... not even three donuts in one day... but I get what he's saying. Often times after eating healthy all week... I'll feel sick if I treat myself with carbs or sweets on Saturday... and it is a reminder to me that my body actually wants me to eat healthy and stay away from those types of foods.

The couple weeks when I started my new regime (back in August - attempt # 45 to get thin)... I lived for Saturday and couldn't wait to eat bad... but now I'm just like... oh cool maybe I'll have toast for breakfast today... its not a huge deal.

Today, we took the dudes to a movie in Dartmouth Crossing. They wanted popcorn... and they are kids so hey I want them to have the experience... but I brought a protein bar with me... I handful of popcorn because it smelled so good... but that was enough... I'm parched now though so I could only imagine what it would be like to have an entire bag again.

So that's about it... I wish I could share with you some miracle food that I eat that is melting away the pounds... if it existed... that's all I would eat!