Hey guys, happy Saturday! 😀
I hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving and survived the madness that is Black Friday. I avoided the malls like the plague and decided to just hole up at home. I actually ended up passing out around 10, which gave me a glorious 8 hours of sleep for the first time in what feels like weeks. Bliss.
Today’s schedule is pretty packed (a weekend workout, grocery shopping, lunch with Mom, a coffee date with a friend, and seeing Life of Pi with Mr. Starbucks), but I came across this health survey over on Sara’s blog the other day and really wanted to fill it out myself. I’m kind of [read: very] nosy when it comes to the eating/exercising habits of others, so I thought it’d be fun to share mine as well…
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1. What did you eat for breakfast? The same thing that I’ve eaten for breakfast for the past 3+ months (wow that’s embarrassing to admit). Greek yogurt, cereal, a banana, another fruit (applesauce today), and almond butter.
2. How much water do you drink a day? I fill up a big 2L (8 cup) jug before I go to bed every night and try to finish it throughout the course of the day. That, in addition to herbal teas, probably puts me at about 10+ cups.
3. What is your current favorite workout? Living life! I’m not currently doing any formal workouts, but I do my best to stay active throughout the day. Going for walks is probably my favorite way to do that, followed by randomly busting out the dance moves when I’m home alone. Oh yeah.
4. How many calories do you eat a day? I think that out of any diet related question, this is probably the one that people are most curious about. Unfortunately, I have no idea. After spending years as a compulsive calorie counter, I gave up the habit and have no desire to go back. Although it’s a constant work in progress, I try and eat as much as my body tells me that it needs, making sure to toss in the little bit extra that’s good for my soul as well.
5. What are your favorite healthy snacks? My all-time-favorite will always be the AB/banana combination…
… but a few other things that come to mind are: any and all fruit, Greek yogurt, Popchips, and chocolate.
6. What do you usually eat for lunch? I used to be a lot more creative with my lunches, but lately it’s been a simple turkey/cheese wrap or sandwich of some sort alongside a random collection of easily digestible veggies.
7. What is your favorite body part to strength train? My mind 😉
8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train? My left pinky toe. Seriously, no matter how many toe curls I do, that damn thing is just always going to be a weakling. Bugger.
9. What are your “bad” food cravings? The kind that I can’t figure out – those drive me absolutely crazy! In all seriousness, though, I’ve stopped labelling food as being good or bad. Food is food; there are healthier and less healthier foods, but at the end of the day it all serves some purpose. The only bad craving is a craving ignored.
10. Do you take vitamins or supplements? I do. I take vitamin D, calcium/magnesium, and an omega 3-6-9.
11. How often do you eat out? Not often! I have a severe peanut allergy so my family didn’t do a lot of eating out when I was growing up and it never became a big part of my life. The boy is trying to nudge me towards giving it another shot though, so we’ll see what happens with that.
12. Do you eat fast food? Fast food = quick food? Because most of my meals take 10 minutes or less to prepare. But if we’re talking traditional fast food, then I’ve been known to enjoy the occasional trip to the golden arches, yes.
13. Who is your biggest supporter? My family. No matter how many times I stumble and fall, they’re always there to pick me up and give me a cookie. I think I just might keep them around…
14. Do you have a gym membership? Nope. The world is my oyster gym.
15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Ugh. Sleep. Lately I’ve been getting around 4 or 5, but I’d like to be getting at least 6 or 7. I’d ask for 8+ every night, but that’s just wishful thinking.
16. Do you have a “cheat” day? 😯 Whut? Cheating implies commitment, and the only thing I’m committed to is doing my best to give my body what it wants/needs. That’s something I never really deviate from, so I guess that means I don’t cheat? Short answer: every.single.day.
17. Do you drink alcohol? Not really. I’m a laughable lightweight who hates hangovers.
18. Do you have a workout buddy? Erm, no? Because no one can keep up with my impressive level of fitness? 😆 Sometimes me and Kaiah hang out, but she’s a bad influence because she’s just so lazy…
19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle? You mean since committing to a truly healthy lifestyle as opposed to the pseudo-healthy lifestyle that I tried to follow before? Getting my life back. I have no idea what I was doing back then, but it definitely wasn’t living. An obsession with numbers, a fear of food, constantly ripping apart every inch of my body… that’s not life. Since giving up the rigid control and embracing a life of balance and moderation, I can definitely say that I feel better than I probably ever have.
20. What was the last healthy thing you did? Way to put me on the spot! Uhm. I… filled out this survey, which made me happy when I realized how far I’ve come on my journey with health; and happy = healthy, right? 😀
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What did you have for breakfast today?
How often do you eat out?
How many hours of sleep do you usually get?
<3 you for this post. I'm so fed up with healthy living preaching! I need to read something like this every once in a while to remind me that I am not a sinner for craving chocolate donuts and that messing up the numbers won't really lead to apocalypse.
Aaah, sleep! My precious *squishes sleep tightly and doesn't let go* I want to sleep 8 hours too but if I decide to do it, my day will consist only of work and sleep and that's a tad bit boring. Plus those buggers I call friends on chat/Twitter/forums/*insert random social media here* are just too much fun to pass. So the 8 hours flew out the window :/
Hugs for Kaiah!
Eee! I’m so glad you completed this survey because it allowed me to take a nosy peek into your life, too! 😉 Someday we’ll share a soul chat over Mickey D’s fries and a cup of tea, k?
Seriously though, I love your balanced approach to life (you already know this). The fact that you’ve “been there” in regards to exercise obsession and food restriction makes you an inspiring and TRUSTWORTHY role model for so many women. Your voice is a breath of fresh air, and your story is proof that those who have suffered from ED’s can reclaim their life. I’m really excited to see where you go with this career-wise! You’re already touching so many people, and I can only imagine the magnitude of impact you’ll have in a few years. <3
Okay, sap fest over. I mean every word of it, though. <3 🙂 xoxo
Ack! Love you girlie! And you better know that I feel the same exact way about you <3 <3
Fun survey! I had a banana and hb egg for breakfast….but I’m a creature of (food) habit too and usually eat the same thing for months at a time
Breakfast today was an old favorite – oat bran and almonds with strawberry preserves. But I’ve sadly seemed to have burned out on in though 🙁
I would eat out more, but a college budget doesn’t really make it the most economically smart idea out there. But I guess because I do it so rarely, when I do it’s really special 😉
Oh how I missed you and your posts while I was away 🙂
And oh sleep. How much I would love to just sleep. I think maybe thats what I am most looking forward to when pregnant. I can tell everyone to leave me alond and shut up, because Im sleeping for two. HA! That is of course till the baby comes, then its back to ZERO sleep!
I absolutely love your answers to these questions, especially number 7. I’m so glad you’re finally finding a balance of health and happiness because you so deserve that. You’re such an inspiration.
I’m just like you in that I eat a variation of the same type of breakfast every single day. Hey, don’t fix what ain’t broken, right? I had yogurt with a diced pear, cereal and almond butter. I don’t eat out too often, mostly for financial reasons and because I’d usually rather eat at home! On average, I’d say I go out once a month, maybe more or less some months. And lately, I’ve been getting about 7 hours of sleep. I’m one of those people who needs a lot of sleep to function.
Hope your movie date with Mr. Starbucks went well!
great idea with filling up the water bottle before you go to bed to ensure you drink enough. i am struggling with getting in my h2o – this is a trick i should try!
Hey dear, just wondering — how many mg of magnesium do you take? I’m taking 133mg 3x a day. I think the Dr. said 400 was an okay amount?
My calcium and magnesium come together, and it ends up being 150mg 2x a day.
What a fun post girl. I can’t even begin to tell you how much your positiveness on life inspires me. You truly are such a beautiful girl, both inside & out. You described what being “healthy” means. I just love youu!!!
&& I also have to tell you that your pinky toe answer cracked me up. I was in the middle of putting down a spoonful of my smoothie & about choked from laughing so hard. 🙂
This morning for breakfast I had 2 eggs, 2 egg whites with tomato/peppers & cheese and an apple on the side. So good 🙂
I usually eat out maybe once every two weeks. I’d much rather cook my own meals.
What a fun post! I might just have to steal this idea and use it on a rainy day. All your answers resonate with healthy, natural eating and an intuitive way of life. You live life without dwelling on the food you ate and the exercise you did or didn’t do – it’s perfect and we all need to take note!
I actually eat out quite often, but only when I have to travel for work. It’s not something I ever give myself a hard time for and I just try to go with the flow.
How was LIfe of Pi? I read the book but am dying to see the movie (hopefully next weekend).
I really loved it – it stayed pretty close to the book and was just gorgeous to watch. See it in 3D if you can!
I love your dog’s name–Kaiah–that’s so pretty!! I also am not much of an alcohol drinker at all!
Yay more surveys for you to do! I love that you said your mind was your favorite body part to train! Your weekend sounds like such a blessing filled with pretty amazing things! Ick, I hate the phrase “cheat meals”. No, no, no. We shouldn’t think of it as cheating or bad. That puts such a negative connotation on food and that is no way to view food that fuels our body. Food is food. I definitely suck at sleeping ha. I’m always up late and get up early. Not the best balance! I’m working on it though. I don’t eat out very often either, my friends and I are always too poor. We tend to go out for drinks more, probably once a week, if that. I can’t wait to see Life of Pi! Was it good? I want to read the book first though, even though books are ALWAYS better than the movies!
Life of Pi was definitely a good one. See it in 3D if you can!
I love love love your answers, but these two made me laugh so hard
“7. What is your favorite body part to strength train? My mind
8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train? My left pinky toe. Seriously, no matter how many toe curls I do, that damn thing is just always going to be a weakling. Bugger.
😛
Did you enjoy Life of Pi? I saw it last night and I really liked it…minus the parts where it made me cry! For some reason I just hate crying at the movie theater!
Breakfast today consisted of 2 pieces of toast (one with almond butter and one with pumpkin butter), scrambled egg whites with salsa, and strawberries..yummy, if I do say so myself!
I probably eat out about 1-2 times per week. Often times I am disappointed with my dining out experiences and would rather just cook at home.
I normally get between 7-8 hours of sleep per night..sometimes less, sometimes more.
I really liked it as well! We ended up seeing it in 3D and it was just gorgeous to watch. I probably would have broken down and cried a few times, but I read the book so I knew what was coming.
I love this! And I’m beginning to think I need to make that breakfast for myself sometime. It always looks so good! Enjoy your date with Mr. Starbucks 🙂
I love reading your posts, seriously when I read them it feels like I was talking with you in person [wish that could happen, haha come to DC]! You’ve got such a great outlook on life, food and health included 🙂
Breakfast was a pumpkin waffle with tons of toppings. Maybe someday I’ll stray away from sweet breakfasts but for the time being I love the “quality time” I get in the morning with my cup of coffee and sweet stacks 😉 We don’t eat out that frequently but if I were to guess I’d say once a week or every other week. And I think I talk about needing more sleep than actually getting any sleep… You and me both could use more! XO
Stray away from sweet breakfasts?! Blasphemy! I think I tried doing that once… it was uncomfortable and strange 😛
Truth! No pancakes this morning but don’t doubt that I stuck with sweet > savory 😉
Ah yes, aren’t toes the hardest body part ever to work out ;)?! Love your attitude, Amanda! The picture of the lake makes me wish I lived around where you do. Is it far from your place or are you able to go there often?
I SO get you on the sleeping hours. I’m just back from a weekend at my parents’ where I got amazing 8 + hours a night but know I won’t get nearly as much tonight. Ugh, I really need to work on my sleeping schedule.
Eating out is something I’d like to do more often as ED kept me from really enjoying it the past years. However, alone it’s too expensive so I’ll need to meet my mum more often if I want to make this true – not that I needed a reason to meet her more often :)!
It’s actually pretty close to where I live so I’m able to go there as often as I like – perfect for walks… although not so much in the winter time.
I grew up not eating out much either. Now, I try to limit eating out to only a handful of times per week. Its just impossible to eat healthy if you eat out repeatedly….and quite expensive! I say cheers to more meals at home!
How do you do this not eating out often? It’s my time to meet friends – having lunch or dinner together but I prefer to cook my meals by myself. Still I love the company!
Love your answers. You seem to be so relaxed when it omes tonfood and exercise and you can be so proud of that!
Breakfast this morning? Pumpkin-Protein-Smoothie ( my favorite and 5x per week breakfast)
Sleep? 7-9 h a night and I could do more! I am so lazy! 🙂
You know how much I love my surveys!
Breakfast this morning is yet to be determined, still waiting for my stomach to wake up. I’m thinking banana oats sound good though.
Your answer to 7 and 8 are pretty brilliant/hilarious. :-p
Your weekend sounds perfect! I hope you had a fun time with Mr. Starbucks. 😀
And I love all of your answers to these – I totally agree with your answers to the cheat day and “bad” food cravings questions. I don’t like using labels like those either! Treating ourselves to what we want shouldn’t be labelled as a bad thing!
My breakfast today is pumpkin banana egg white oatmeal topped with granola and soy nut butter, which I’m eating right now!
I eat out about once a week. I love eating out at restaurants, trying new cuisines, and getting to eat delicious meals that I never could have cooked for myself. 😀
I usually get about 6.5-7 hours of sleep. I wish I could sleep more, but my body refuses to sleep in past 5:30 am lately. Ugh!
Breakfast today: green bean casserole + egg fried in butter
Eating out: practically never or very rarely
Sleep: 9-10 hours although it’s not interrupted. Right now my daughter is waking up 1-2 times a night to breastfeed. It varies as she goes through different stages. I rarely feel tired though.
This is another survey I’ve bookmarked for a rainy day…the nosy Parker in me loved reading your answers! How did you enjoy Life of Pi? I am thinking of seeing it this week at some point. I haven’t read the book so I have no expectations. I normally sleep 7-8 hours daily but last night was an exception: 4 hours and it looks like tonight is going to be the same. On that note, it’s time for some coffee!
Life of Pi was great! Try and see it in 3D if you can – it’s absolutely beautiful!
I really just love your outlook on food, exercise and life in general. You show that there’s so much more to health than ‘clean eating’ 24/7!
I don’t eat out much either, maybe 2 or 3 times a month and mostly at places like Chipotle, but that’s really because if I’m going to be spending money on a meal out, I want it to be great and that’s hard to get as a vegan unless I go to a veg-friendly place. There’s one vegan place near my college, and it’s worth every dollar. But usually I opt for the Whole Foods salad bars–they never disappoint!
Ugh I wish we had a Chipotle or Whole Foods up here. I love both those places so much, that they’re basically my first stops whenever I head down to the States.
I understand about not eating out!! I have so many stinking food allergies that it is too difficult to try to eat out. I about spit out my tea when I read that about your little toe! hahaha…
I actually love this survey and might have to do it myself. I always come to your blog because of how open and honest. I love that you aren’t compulsed to strength train because it’s the “big blog thing” and finally someone else that loves Micky Ds! Maybe we can have a blogger date there…
LOVE THIS. keep on keepin on girl! 😀 and yeah, I’m always so curious about other peoples’ habits too. I get caught in the comparison trap a lot, but you’re honestly probably one of the best “health role models” out there. McD’s does also make the best fries though! Well, except Chik-Fil-A fries. Waffle fries just…no competition there.
omg only you can make mcDonalds fries look gourmet with your mad photography skills! 🙂
Loooved this survey! I’m totally nosy about other people’s habits. I hope Life of Pi was good! I’ve been dying to see it. I actually had a my favorite egg white, spinach, and feta wrap from Starbucks plus a skinny caramel latte. Double yum!
Life of Pi was super good! Definitely see it in 3D if you can!
EEK movie date with Starbs boy yay!! I know you don’t talk about him much on here, but I am still jazzed about you two. This survey was fun, I need to start working out my mind more. I have been sleeping TOO much since quitting my job..no joke it’s almost disgusting how much sleep I get. I need to get back into big girl life mode soon. I eat out maybe once a month..if that. I LOVE cooking at home, so eating out is rare. But I am not against it at all, except for the priceyness!
Loved reading all your answers to this survey especially the part about strength training your mind!! You truly have come such a long way and I am thrilled to see how happy you are!! Can’t wait to hear how you liked the movie – and of course how Mr. Starbucks is doing!
My breakfast this morning – scrambled eggs on whole wheat toast and of course coffee!
Sleep – I try to get between 7-8 hours a night!
Also, is it cool if I totally steal this quiz and do a post on it next week sometime?? I’ll give you the credit you deserve 🙂
Of course! I’d love to read your answers!
Thanks for doing this! It was fun to read. But you really shouldn’t try to imply that you don’t really put much effort into being healthy, because it’s clear to me that you do with your food choices. There’s no shame in trying to be healthy, but I know it’s annoying when after an ED, people constantly scrutinize your every move just so they can say, “SEE!? You’re not really recovered!” (I fall into this category too when I’m reading people’s blogs and comparing myself to them!)
Anyway, have a good time with Mr. Starbucks 🙂
You’re right! I do still make a conscious effort to make healthy choices, but it’s a lot less obsessive now than it used to be. The scrutiny is definitely something I could do without, and there were times where I completely rebelled against healthy eating just for that reason, but I’m starting to figure out a good balance between the two extremes, so I’m happy about that 🙂
I love this, and even more I love your response to the cheat day question! 🙂 Although you say your lunch is uncreative, it still looks really good, as does your breakfast! Your answers to all these questions are so entertaining, and also inspiring! You have a great outlook on health!
Hallelujah, sistah!!!! Seriously, I’m thinking back to how I would have answered this three years ago, three months ago, and now, and my answers would all be COMPLETELY different. As though three different people filled them out, for sure. It shows that just because you’re one way one day, it doesn’t mean that it will be that way forever. I think that this is an incredibly exciting thing. The world is dynamic and ever changing, and we are constantly changing within it as we learn and grow and laugh and love. We never know what tomorrow will bring.
As for your answers — I love each and every one of them. Except I’m thinking that we’re going to have to enroll that toe in bootcamp or something — it’s clearly the weak link in the chain. 😉 Seriously though, I hope you’re very proud of yourself. You’ve built yourself a quaint life of comfort and enjoyment. And I still stand by the fact that I would love to walk a day in your shoes. 🙂 xoxoxo
yay, i love surveys! how was life of pi?? I’m sure seeing it with mr. starbucks makes it that much better, yes? 😉
This morning i had a pumpernickel bagel spread with coconut oil, some berries and grapes, and a couple bites of egg. I eat out more often than I’d like to admit and I usually get around 8 hrs of sleep.
And i have to agree! – its THE worst when I’m craving something, but can’t quite put a finger on what it is. gahh.
Life of Pi was really good! We saw it in 3D and it was absolutely gorgeous to watch. Plus it stayed pretty close to the book, which was definitely a plus.
Awesome round of 20 Questions! I always want that breakfast when I see it, need to keep it in mind! My breakfast this morning was a green protein shake w/ Thanksgiving leftovers, pumpkin & cranberries. So yum! We typically eat out on the weekends but try to stay in during the week, it’s SO much cheeper. Sleep = my best friend, especially in the winter when it’s chilly & dark, usually 7-9 hours a night. Kudo’s on all the accomplishments in #19…you’ve truly made big strides 🙂
I am continually impressed and inspired by your healthy attitude towards health and life. You really are serving as an excellent role model for me at this time in my life, so please keep posting and being awesome! I know what you mean about being an obsessive calorie-counter too, I’ve been stuck in that habit for 8 years and my goal over the next one is to break free of it completely!
P.S. AB & Banana (which I just realized you could abbreviate to “ABBA”, Mamma Mia!) is one of the best things out there 🙂
P.P.S. I gave you a little shout out in the post I’m putting up tomorrow, so check it out 😉
That’s definitely a good goal to have 🙂 It’s not an easy habit to break, but once you start to realize that you can trust your body and that it’s not trying to screw you over, the freedom you get from not counting calories becomes a little addictive.
i love this, you have such a good outlook after beating such a annoying eating habit like i have, i cant wait to have this insight that you have on food exercise and life!! slowly but surely:-)!
I really admire your positive and rational outlook on health, food and life. It’s the kind of answers we all need to be reminded of, and more importantly to apply it in real life.
An inspiration, you are! 😉