Bored of your typical diet foods? Don’t worry we’re here to help your fear of taking another spoonful of tasteless Greek yogurt.  Thanks to our friends at RedBook, we are here to share the most surprising foods to help reach your weight goal.

1. Avocado – Providing nearly 20 essential nutrients, avocados are the perfect (and delicious) healthy choice. Get clever with this super food to keep your taste buds excited!  Try mashing avocado and season it with your favorite seasonings like paprika, olive oil, cilantro and coarse kosher salt.  The options are endless!
2. Farro – Stop avoiding grains! This myth needs to go in one ear and out the other. Farro is the perfect example of “healthy grains” to keep you full while supplying your body with healthy amounts of fiber.  It’s deliciously filling and is perfect in soups or salads, yum!
3. Chia Seeds – Filled with omega-3, fats, fiber, protein and anti-oxidants, these seeds are amazingly good for you and will leave you full. Sprinkle on yogurt, salads or soups and enjoy!
4. Asparagus – This food literally SHRINKS your waistline by acting as a diuretic, helping you to release excess water and fit into those once skin tight jeans.
5. Gum – CHEW IT (don’t actually eat it!) When you are tempted to nibble, fight the urge with gum to trick your metabolism and curve your hunger.
6. Popcorn – Since this is a plant based fiber, it plays a role in improving gut bacteria, which is key in preventing weight gain. Hold the butter and sprinkle some chia seeds instead.
7. Pasta – If you choose a 100% whole grain and watch your portion size, pasta is a very filling and healthy meal choice (as long as you are careful with what you are putting on top of this healthy grain, of course). Change it up by incorporating fiber rich vegetables or a yummy pesto sauce.
8. Chocolate – Dark chocolate, that is! It has been proven that eating 4 ounces per day decreases cravings for other sweets, leading to long-term benefits!
9. Watermelon – This fruit shouldn’t just be enjoyed in the summer time. Having a low glycemic index and containing citrulline, watermelon improves blood flow and reduce fatigue.  This awesome fruit should be in your diet year round!
10. Buckwheat – Despite it’s name, this gluten-free seed is filled with antioxidants, fiber and protein to help you feel satisfied with less food. Score!

Make sure you put your best foot forward in 2017 and try these minor steps for 17 days straight to make 2017 a success.

1 minute plank

2 sets of 20 sit-ups

3 minutes of meditation

4 bottles of Agua

5 minutes of foam rolling

6 reverse lunges

7 minute run

8 lateral lunges

9 jumping jacks

10 burpees

11 minute stretch

12 push ups

13 mountain climbers

14 squats

15 minute cleaning mask

16 self-praising thoughts

17 deep breaths

Everyone says it, but sometimes if you say it enough, it will happen…2017 IS THE YEAR OF YOU!!! Think it, believe it, own it!! Follow these life-changing new years resolution tricks to make sure 2017 is your best year yet. 

Whether your resolution is to workout more, drink more water, be more positive, get more sleep, or even adopt a dog – whatever it may be, sticking to it is all about YOU.

1. Make sure to clearly define your goals and the reasons that you are setting these goals. For example, why do you want to be more positive? What will this ultimately do for your quality of life? Once you establish this, you are setting a clear path to success.
2. Track your weekly progress. Whether it is a calendar reminder on your phone, a diary entry, a blog post – whatever it may be, do it! When you become responsible for your progress, you are more likely to see results.
3. Have the patience to realize things do not happen over night and it takes time, hence why it is a resolution. Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
4. You may mess up, but no one is perfect. Pick yourself back up and remember your end goal and they way you will feel when you reach it, will motivate you.

With the holidays among us, it is becoming nearly impossible to stick to your workout regimen,  don’t you agree? For many of us, this separation leads to feelings of withdrawal, agree? Thanks to SHAPE, we have the stages – the good, the bad and the ugly – of FITNESS WITHDRAWL!!! 

Day 1: My body needed this rest!

Day 3: If I’m on a workout vacation, why am I still eating vegetables?

Day 4: All this rest, I feel good as new

Day 6: Ok I guess I should eat less since I’m not burning all those calories right now

Day 8: Why can’t I sleep???

Day 9: Wow, why am I not hungry anymore?

Day 10: All that fits me right now is sweatpants….

Day 12: Where’d my muscles disappear to?

Day 13: I can’t focus on ANYTHING

Day 15: How do I work an elliptical again?

Eventually….I’m over this…gym time!  

 The perfect balance is to stay focused, not obsessed and enjoy the holidays but remember to put yourself and your health first.