Day 3 of 40: Time for a Nap

This image says so much, I thought it was worth sharing. 

Well, it’s Day 3 of 40. So, far, my body and brain haven’t been getting along, but nevertheless, I was able to hit the treadmill and free weights today before my back gave out.

I also thought more about Day 1’s tips and found some great recipes to try out for those who don’t like drinking plain water. I can’t wait to go grocery shopping!

Flavored Waters (compiled from various sources)

1. All Citrus Flavored Water -- Slice 1 orange, 1 lime, 1 lemon into rounds, then cut the rounds in half. Add to jar, press and twist with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. Press enough to release some of the juices, but don't pulverize the fruit into pieces. Fill the jar with ice. Pour in water to the top. Stir it with the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick. Put a lid on it, put it in the fridge, and chill.

2. Raspberry Lime Flavored Water -- Quarter 2 limes; with your hands, squeeze the juice into the jar, then throw in the squeezed lime quarters. Add raspberries. Press and twist with a muddler to release some of the juices (don't pulverize the fruit). Fill the jar with ice, and then add water to the top. Stir, cover, and refrigerate.

3. Cinnamon Apple Flavored Water—Slice 1 apple of your choice (thinly). Drop apple slices in the bottom of the pitcher (save a few to drop in your glass later) and then the cinnamon stick.  Cover with ice about 1/2 way through then with water. Place in the fridge for 1 hour before serving. Re-fill water 3-4 times before replacing apples and cinnamon.

With all these recipes, you can drink the water right away, but the flavor intensifies if it's made an hour or two ahead. It's even better the next day. 24 hours later straight from the fridge, the ice still hasn't melted completely in mine. The ice at the top serves as a sieve so that you can pour the flavored water without getting fruit bits in your glass.

Now, for Day 3’s tip.

3. Diet two days a week. If you can't stick to a program all the time, try slashing your calories by half two days a week and then eating normally the other days. One study suggests this offers protection from breast cancer as well as assistance with weight loss. In order to find out how many you should consume in general, try using an online basal metabolic rate calculator. Basal metabolic rate or BMR is the amount of energy expended daily by humans at rest i.e. the release and using of energy in this state is sufficient only for the functioning of the vital organs, the heart, lungs, nervous system, kidneys, liver, intestine, sex organs, muscles, and skin. As such, you use energy no matter what you're doing, even when sleeping.  A good site for this calculator is http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/, or you can do it the old fashion way. 

For example, my BMR is 2038.2, the number of calories I'd burn if I stayed in bed all day.  Calculate yours and the answer might just surprise you!