Sweating for Summer: Stocking Your Fridge

When I began my first weight loss journey, this quote popped up everywhere. From the fitblr community to the gym to my own mom, I was reminded in some way that the majority of my battle with fat would be fought in the kitchen. What?! I didn't want to believe it. I love food. Most girls figure out the correlation between unhealthy food and weight gain in high school. But I was a gymnast during most of high school; it didn't matter what I stuffed my face with, I was going to burn right through it during my three hour practice that night. All I knew was that 3 slices of greasy pizza 10 minutes before practice wasn't the best idea (I learned that the hard way), but other than that I ate what I wanted. But when I went off to college where I partied, ate whatever and just went to the gym 3-5 times a week, I learned quickly that those days were over. I was cursed with the freshman 15 and then some. Lesson learned: I love food, but I can't devour all of the milkshakes and fries. Life just isn't fair.

So, if abs are made in the kitchen after all, what the hell am I suppose to eat? Personally, it's not the cravings that get the best of me most days. It's more about what's in front of me. Whether it's a bowl of ice cream or a serving of frozen yogurt, a pot-full of pasta or a plate-full, I'm just as satisfied really. Seriously, it's like my eyes are way too big for my own good. So, the key for me, and I think for a lot of people (although perhaps for different reasons), is to give myself the healthiest choices. My first stop on my fitness journey isn't the gym; it's the supermarket. So I'm bringing you along with me. This is how I stock my kitchen to prepare for battle, err, the Sweating for Summer challenge.

You can skip down to see what I took home - I won't hold it against you :)

Probably my favorite part of Trader Joe's. I love fresh flowers. I just need to learn not kill them. 

I always get my salad here. They're $4 a bag everywhere else!

Walk straight past this and over to the water. Even though they are pretty much the best juices ever :(

One of my favorite snacks. If you've never tried it, you need to.

A lot of people say don't buy frozen fish. And I get it, it's not as healthy as fresh fish. But see, if I bought fresh fish only, it would go bad in my fridge and I'd just end up ordering chinese. You see how this is a better option for me?

 Now, for my shopping cart :)

Every time I go grocery shopping, I pick up fruits. Trader Joe's has one of the best produce sections in the city, and, in general, have the best prices (seriously, I feel like I'm getting scammed if I shop anywhere else). By replacing sugary snacks with slightly, less sugary fruits, I save myself the I-just-inhaled-that-cupcake-guilt. You know that guilt I'm talking about.

Vegetables are an essential part of healthy eating. Of course, there's salad, which is like the golden child of every diet ever made. I also like TJ's prepped mixed vegetables because they make eating healthy so easy.
I've been wanting to whip up some guac for a while now, but it always seems so daunting. With everything right in one place in this Guacamole Kit, I couldn't resist.

Fage yogurt is my favorite brand because of how amazing it tastes and how convenient it is. I love eating it with sliced strawberries, raspberries and granola on top. And I like the one with honey too.

Here are a few good snacks I stock my pantry with. I admit the Inner Peas? Not so yummy. But those dried cranberries and granola bars, I'm known to carry those two around with me. They hit the spot every time! Read what's on the boxes there. I think it's too cute.

And of course, it's not healthy living if there isn't water. Saratoga spring water is like drinking the water of life from a bottle, but I'm not so bougie that I won't grab a plastic bottle too. I'm about that zero calorie goodness no matter what!

CHECK-IN #1: -2.5 pounds. I probably shouldn't have stepped on the scale today. The weather in NYC for the past few weeks has been cold and snowy, and I'm always a few pounds heavier at this time of the month. But I weighed in anyway because I want to do this right.