Health & Wellness Tips from Molly Kimball, RD

As a mom, I know all too well how busy we are shuffling kids to and from activites, school functions and running errands.  We often come last on our to do list...between caring for our families and all the juggling we do, we tend to forget to eat, exercise and sometimes, even breathe.  This post and these tips are a reminder to all mothers to take care of ourselves...we deserve to be healthy and happy too.  Afterall, a happy, healthy family deserves a happy, healthy mom.

Back-to-Routine Health & Wellness Tips from Crystal Light Pure Spokesperson Molly Kimball, RD


1. Eat Frequently

You don’t necessarily need to eat more, just more often so you’ll never let yourself get too hungry. Try to have something within the first two hours you’re awake (after exercise is fine if you prefer to work out on an empty stomach), and add a small snack if you’ll be going longer than four hours between meals. But don’t feel obligated to get those six “mini meals” we always hear about – forcing in too many small meals can mean overzealously squeezing a snack in every hour or two, adding unnecessary calories.

2. Focus on Fullness

Strive to incorporate a source of fiber, protein, and a little bit of fat with every meal and snack. Think whole grain baked chips topped with 2% reduced-fat shredded cheese and a dab of guacamole. Or something as simple as low-fat cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt with berries with a bottle of water. The combo of fiber, protein and fat – along with the fluid – will work to keep you satisfied longer, helping to minimize mindless snacking.

3. Flavor Up to Drink Up

Staying well-hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal energy levels and preventing muscle cramping and headaches. But it doesn’t mean you have to force down gallons of plain old water. To actually enjoy drinking the water you need, just add flavor! You can even do it naturally with Crystal Light Pure. It’s got no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives and is sweetened with sugar and Truvia, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant, all with just 15 calories per serving.

4. Log It

Keeping track of everything you eat can help you eat smarter and may double your odds of weight loss success. It doesn’t have to be anything formal – just jot a quick note of meals or snacks, or tap it into an app on your smartphone. This increase in awareness of our habits can translate to a change in our behaviors, which is essential for losing weight and (more importantly) keeping it off.

One study of nearly 1,700 people actually found that those who kept daily food logs lost twice as much weight as people who didn’t.

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*Disclosure:  Kraft Foods sent me a sample of Crystal Light Pure for sponsoring this post.  I do believe in these tips and have been trying them out on myself.