Every year we set out to make resolutions, to change our lives and to make better choices. This year we are here for it and adopting easy changes to help my husband and I get back on track. Read on to see how these little changes are making big differences.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Splenda Naturals as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Those Resolutions
Usually by now, I have posted a word of the year. I have written a post about what I want to change, my reflection on the past year and how this year will be different. I haven’t shared because I just wanted to do the things and be here for it. I didn’t set a formal resolution. I didn’t pick a word (although I am focusing on a phrase) and honestly most of it is because I know this year things will be changing, so I am here for it.
18 years, more losses than we could fathom and a whole lot of growth both on the inside and on the exterior. I am a full 40 pounds heavier than I was in college. My husband is much the same and although he has tried to workout, to eat better and to overcome a heck of a lot, the weight just keeps piling on. Honestly, it is a huge combination of things, and at this point both we all agree that it is time for an intervention. Fingers crossed, my husband will be having weight loss surgery in the next 5 months.
It was NOT a decision that we took lightly. You guys we tried everything for him and even the doctors have tried and he just cannot lose the weight. His family has a history of morbid obesity and I need this man here until we old and we can’t remember what shoes are for. Change is coming and I am optimistic that this will be what our entire family needs to get on track and get healthy. So there is no formal resolution, but there is change and we are just going to be here for it, ALL of it!
Starting Now!
We are starting now with small changes to hopefully make the transition pretty easy, when it comes down to the big changes. We already eat pretty low carb, but we are snackers and honestly, what gets both of us is the drink options. I found some really great options to try out that hopefully will help curb our cravings for that soda that we love.
I headed to Walmart and grabbed some Splenda Naturals and all the ingredients needed to make strawberry lemonade (my husbands favorite) and a few other favorites.
I actually squeezed lemons myself for the first time in forever and it was actually somewhat therapeutic. I sliced fresh strawberries and I threw it all in our blender with some Splenda Naturals and water.
I blended it on high and there was definitely a solid layer of pulp. Now my husband wouldn’t mind the pulp, but I do and so I did use some cheesecloth to strain the pulp from the fresh strawberries. You can leave it in if you want as well, it is all a preference.
I poured that sweet and refreshing glass of strawberry lemonade and WOW! It was a little sweet, a little sour and it hit the spot. The family even loved it and we went through the entire blender in a day between the 4 of us! So yummy.
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
This recipe is so easy to make and since making it we have made several batches. Each batch makes about 8 servings and I have yet to make one that isn’t amazingly delicious. Grab the recipe below.
Strawberry Lemonade with Splenda!
This is a fresh and tasty Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 6 Cups Water
- 3/4 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lemons
- 2.5 Cups SPLENDA® Naturals Stevia Sweetener, Granulated
- 1.25 Cups Strawberries (trimmed and halved)
Instructions
-
1. Squeeze the lemons
2. Prep the strawberries
3. Combine Water, SPLENDA®, Strawberries and Lemon Juice in a blender and blend until smooth.
4. For no pulp, use a strainer or cheesecloth.
Making the Swap
Swapping out those sugary drinks and high calorie messes that we were over consuming with better options has actually helped myself and my husband in many areas. First of all, we both agree that it has helped make our transition much easier, we love that we can just grab something other than water and not feel guilty about it. Second, the switch has actually lowered our sugar cravings and that was not something I expected, especially because I have such a sweet tooth.
For me one of the big switches has been taking out the heavy creamer in my coffee and swapping in a natural sweetener. I did not realize just how much that creamer was causing some digestive issues and how much sugar was in it. I swapped it out for the SPLENDA® Naturals Stevia because I had it on hand and I figured why not try it. It is also 100% natural, zero calories with nothing artificial and it really does taste great with NO aftertaste!
In addition, I enjoy a nice cold beverage on the weekends or an occasional weekday. I am a pretty casual drinker and I definitely enjoy responsibly (and encourage you too as well). It is not that I can’t go without beer and so I had to have an option, it is more like I want to have something on hand in case I do want to partake. I saw this display of Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold and noticed that it was low calorie (85 cals) and low carb (2.5 carbs).
I figured why not give it a try. It is made of organic grains with a pure and refreshing taste, is free of artificial colors and flavors AND brewed right here in Colorado! It definitely did not disappoint. It was cool, crisp and refreshing and I am pretty happy to have an option to go to if the want arises. It actually paired perfectly with my low carb pizza and went down smooth.
Adding in a Supplement
One of the other things that my husbands nutritionist suggested to help our transition to a healthier lifestyle was to add in a supplement. My husband and I decided on Optimum Nutrition. They have a variety of products and flavors that we were interested in trying out.
We went ahead and grabbed some Protein Crisp, and Amino Energy drink and some Golden Standard Whey product. For me the Protein Crisps and the Amino Energy are awesome. My husband uses the Whey and has enjoyed it. The Amino Energy helps with energy drops through the day, is easy to mix with water and has a fruity flavor. It also has 0 grams of sugar which for this diabetic is important. The Protein Crisp are super tasty and are high in protein with 20g. My husband has been using the Gold Standard Whey with 24g of protein and he says that it tastes good and is easy to mix and take for breakfast on the go. So far we are enjoying the supplements and seeing some improvement in energy and definitely lowered sugar cravings.
Enter to Win!
I know many people have made health a focus in the new year and so I am partnering with Walmart to bring you a great sweepstakes and a chance to win a gym membership! There are 5 grand prizes and the winners can choose the gym/health club that they want to join up to a cost of $599.00! Any membership in excess of that amount is the responsibility of the winner. One prize per person/household and only one valid entry per person. You can visit WalmartResolutions.com for full terms and conditions. Entries valid from December 28th, 2018- February 9th, 2019 and you can enter below.
