Ways to Shave...Newlyweds Edition

It has been a month since being married and the honeymoon effect is drifting out of sight. What was once new and exciting is becoming routine and mundane. The desire to please and look good for one's spouse is no longer the main concern. When it comes to dinnertime, one may be so drained from the day that in order to relieve the stress, one must stuff their stomachs full. Pasta is so easy to make that it becomes the meal more than once a week for those who are new at cooking. As a newly married couple, there are so many things that may contribute to the addition of pounds. For myself, I am one that is eager to fight against that tide and keep my figure (I mean who doesn't want to look good for their husband?) As a once-upon-a-time health nut, I am looking for ways around the apartment to make it difficult for my husband and myself to put on extra pounds. Here are some things I have noticed:

1. Choose Popsicles.

We are dessert people. As one who finds baking to be therapeutic, I have tried to use my love of baking to give to others. Instead of baking for myself and my husband (which I will always leave a couple extra cookies, etc. for us), I bake for others, such as the kids in the youth group. Instead of always eating brownies or cookies, we have placed in our freezer popsicles! Less calories, and still lots of flavor to put an end tot he overbearing sweet tooth.

2. Leave the candy in the cabinets.

I have realized, since putting M&Ms out on our coffee table, that we are more likely to devour them because they are right there. Any sort of food that I have to work at getting, I am less likely to want to eat.

3. More meat, less carbs.

Since I am a newby at cooking, I find pasta and tacos some of the easiest things for me to cook. Instead of using lots of noodles, use more meat. Instead of using tortillas, go for the meat mixed with all the yummy ingredients that make tacos so delicious.

4. Fruit, Fruit, FRUIT!

Always keep fruit cut up in the fridge. Although it is not out in the open like my M&Ms, having it out in the fridge will always make me go for the fruit instead of having to open a bag of chips whenever I want a snack.

5. Dine-In instead of Dining-Out

We are not a couple that has the money to dine out a lot, which is a good thing if you are not trying to put on the pounds. You can burn over 100 calories by cooking something for 45 minutes. No calories will be burned by dining out, that's for sure.

6. Outside Activities

After eating dinner, go outside and walk together, talk about the day, get your food digesting, and enjoy the quality time together.