Biggest Loser 7

More Motivation From Michelle

Drinking milk is like drinking wellness by the glass and is one of the simplest things you can do every day and feel good about, for you and your family. You can even drink milk at restaurants and incorporate it into your favorite meals.

With beautiful spring weather upon us dining out with friends and family becomes a more common social activity. If you’re anything like me, when you eat out it isn’t always the healthiest experience. I have some great tips I’ve learned since I was on the Biggest Loser ranch.

I knew going into The Biggest Loser that not eating out was going to be impossible once the show was over. I am a young, single and social woman and eating out is part of how I get to spend time with the people in my life. So what's a woman to do? For starters, it's OK to be high maintenance-it’s your body, your money and your food.

Take part in the decision of where to eat – and what you’ll have. Speak up if there are certain restaurants that cause you to trip up. Once you decide on the location, decide what you’re going to order before you walk in the door. And, don’t be afraid to order a-la-cart and get something perfect for you. Let’s be honest, we are all savvy enough to check out a restaurant’s website for nutrition information, and some are even providing it on the menu so keep an eye out and do your research!

Be beverage savvy. Remember, beverages have calories too, so be careful what you select and make sure it’s going to benefit your meal experience – and your body. Selecting nutrient-rich lowfat milk over nutrient-poor and sugar-sweetened beverages is an important choice because it’s packed with nine essential nutrients. By the way, have you had your three servings of milk yet today? Drinking 3 cups of lowfat or fat free milk can help you get the calcium, protein, and other nutrients you need. Milk is nature’s wellness drink - it’s nutrient-rich like no other beverage!

Avoid the bread basket. There’s nothing wrong with bread in your diet, but skipping breads or pre-meal fillers is another way to save the calories for the meal. From the show I learned to watch my calories, and choose wisely at meals.

Be mindful of the menu. Get creative and make it work for you. You can always ask for things to be made with light or no butters and oils, and ask for your side veggies to be steamed as an alternative to something heavier. Also watch out for dressings or sauces I order them on the side so that I can better manage my portions.

Snack smart. People ask me all the time about snacking... I usually prefer to hold off so I can have larger meals, but sometimes life gets too busy. There are plenty of times I need to fuel up after a workout or on the go, and fat free milk is a great choice for me because of the mix of high-quality protein and carbohydrates that help refuel and replenish my exhausted muscles and help me stay in top shape. Not to mention it's simple...a glass of fat free milk has only 80 calories and provides 8 grams of protein without any fat. It’s one of my favorite ways to fuel my body. When I am not home I carry small pre-portioned snacks so that I don't go from hungry to starving. Things you can almost always find with me are whole grain snack bars, or fresh fruit.

Remember this is your life you are behind the wheel, take charge of it! You can prepare yourself for success, you found your way here and now I want you to keep going. Don't be afraid of the knowledge you find, it can change your life. Jillian and I spent lots of time together and what I learned most from her was that no matter where you are in life, no matter how successful you may or may not be its never ok to stop learning.

I am so very thankful that I had the opportunity to participate in something as inspiring as The Biggest Loser. It was a gift and I hope I have set a good example of what determination and will-power can do. In life we will all struggle with something, it’s part of what connects us to one another. I am better because I have struggled to achieve my goals. I feel as though I value the result rather than taking it for granted. So, embrace the journey that you are on.

Stay tuned for my next blog entry – all about The Biggest Loser 7 finale!

Your Friend,
Michelle Aguilar