A Health Conscious Italian Girl's Dream! Virtually Carb-Free Noodles!!!

I was like a kid in a candy store when I first came across the package of Shirataki Fettuccine Noodles at our local Henry's. WHAT??? Only 20 Calories and 3 Carbs per serving?!? Was this a misprint? Nope, every package was labeled the same. To make matters even better, they were only $1.39 per package. I loaded the cart up with both their Fettuccine and Angel Hair Pasta options.

I am a firm believer that if something is too good to be true, it probably is, so I must admit, I was very nervous to try these virtually carb-free noodles. Nervous became quite the understatement when I first opened the bag and took a whiff of the funkiest smell I have ever smelled in my kitchen (or what the package describes as "Authentic Aroma"). Nonetheless, I followed the instructions and rinsed the noodles...actually, more like soaked the noodles until the smell started to lessen.

After a few minutes of boiling the noodles and preparing my fresh veggie, turkey meat and roasted tomato sauce, I had a plate that looked much like the delicious homemade spaghetti I grew up on...but with 80% less carbs and calories. I dug in and instantly regained the excitement I had back when I was at Henry's finding these noodles for the first time. I could now eat my favorite pasta dish frequently without going into a major carb-coma!!! I have even cooked these for my fiance who enjoys his manly-man food and he too was pleasantly surprised!

When you can't workout outside...

As the seasons change, we loose our extra hours of daylight and desirable weather which allows us to jog, run, walk, swim, hike or bike outside. Many times the inability to do our favorite outdoor exercises results in no exercise at all. It is easy to get into a comfortable routine and loose the motivation to make a change. Here are a few ideas to get you pumped up for your Fall and Winter workout options!

• Utilize free week trials, groupon gym discounts and friend referrals ~ I always joke with my friends that with all the different bootcamps, yoga studios and gyms that offer a free week trial, I could probably get by with never paying for a membership! Taking advantage of these discounts and free trials is a great way to try out new exercise programs.



• Get a new membership ~ If you find a studio, gym or bootcamp that you enjoy- join! When you know you are paying a monthly fee, you are more likely to stay true to your weekly workout schedule...making sure to get your money's worth!



• Update your playlist ~ Running a few miles on the treadmill isn't always the most desirable workout...but running on a treadmill with a new playlist with a few of your favorite songs is a great way to get pumped up!



• Take a Group Class ~ Most gyms offer a wide array of group classes. Spin, kickboxing, zumba, weight lifting classes, gravity training, bootcamps and yoga...with so many choices, you are way less likely to get bored or burned out! Working out in a group is also very motivating...I don't know anyone who wants to be the girl that leaves the class 30 minutes early. My competitive nature always seems to kick-in, preventing me from slacking off!



• Workout in the comfort of your own home ~ It is easier than ever to order exercise DVDs online or walk into the local Target to pick up weight resistance bands, hand weights and bosu balls.

Excuses, Excuses!

I like to check "workout" off the daily to-do list first thing in the morning because giving myself 10 hours throughout the day to come up with excuses is way too dangerous! "Oops, I forgot to pack my sports bra in the gym bag... Oh, no! I totally forgot I promised my friend I would meet up for drinks after work... I am too exhausted to even put on my gym clothes after a long day at the office, how will I ever have enough energy to get in a good workout ?" The list of excuses can go on and on! It happens to everyone, even the most motivated of us. I can remember an instance when after doing one loop around the first third of the gym parking lot, I turned right back around and headed home (dressed in gym clothes, hair in a ponytail, water bottle, towel and all). I convinced myself that it wasn't my fault that the parking lot was "COMPLETELY" full and if the parking lot was this bad, just imagine how long I would have to wait to use the gym machines! Once you come to terms with how your mind operates, you can outsmart those endless excuses.

Here are a few responses to those excuses we tend to hear over and over again:

~ There just isn't enough time in the day!
~ You actually have the power to add hours to your day! I know you aren't going to like my solution but it works-wake up one hour earlier than you usually do. Before I got a puppy, I would wake up at 7:15am every morning in order to get in an early morning workout, but after I got the puppy he took up this time. Solution- set the alarm for 6:30am! I admit, it isn't easy the first week, but now I automatically wake up at 6:30am every morning. If you aren't a morning person, stay up an extra hour each night...life is short- get the most out of your day!
~ I also like my fiance's response to this excuse-"If you have enough time to watch TV, you have enough time to workout!" Better yet you can do both at the same time. Find a gym that has treadmills with personal TVs!

~ Gyms are too expensive!
~ Run around the bay, hike a trail, walk on the beach, bike around the city, jump rope, swim, get a workout DVD! Done and done...too easy!

~ I barely have time to spend with my friends!
~ I can't think of better quality time than working out with your buddies. This has two-fold benefits: 1- you have instant motivation, you are less likely to cancel on your gym session when you are meeting up with a friend there; 2- "Walks and Talks" (as I call them) or "Wogs" (a walk/jog as my friend Cindy calls them) are great gossip sessions and if you find a good talking partner, your workout goes by so much faster!

~ I have a baby!
~ There are so many great new programs for mommy's and mommy-to-be's! Check out Stroller Strides or local Mommy Boot Camps. Or refer to above and bring the baby on the "walks and talks" or "wogs" with you and the girls!

~ There is so much more that I would rather do with my time!
~ True, many times a big glass of chardonnay, tapas at happy hour or snuggling on the couch are much more tempting than clocking in a session at the gym. But like I said above, there is always a way to cram a workout into your schedule, whether it is combing friend time with gym time, adding more hours to your day or getting creative with where and when you workout. Plus, enjoying a glass of wine or ordering an extra tapa is so much better (and guilt-free) after a great workout! Lastly, snuggling on the couch doesn't provide all the wonderful benefits exercise does like weight loss, combating disease, mood improvements, and boosting your energy level (just to name a few of the hundreds)!

~ I just don't have the motivation!
~ Here is where I insert my teaser for next week's blog...I will be sharing my not-so-common motivators which will hopefully help your workout motivation level!