Healthy Fast Food Options Under 500 Calorie & Tips On How To Make Healthier Choices!

In the past, when I've tried to lose weight, I've had a laundry list of excuses for why it's not going to work. They all seemed insurmountable on their own; so combined, it felt doomed before I even started. 

What has been different (and so important this time), is that I've learned it's important to plan ahead. You can't get to a restaurant (starving), and automatically make good choices. I mean, you can, but it's hard. And you're more likely to succeed when you, you know, set yourself up for success. 

So, I created some tools to make healthy decision making easier and I figured I should share it with you. Because I'm a nice person, you know? :)

If you're hitting up a restaurant I don't have listed here (or you don't like my choices *gasp*), here are some tips to cut down the calories on any fast food item. 

I hope you use these tips and meal ideas next time you're looking for a way to make smart choices in a world that just wants you to eat all the foods, all the time.

And if you have any other fast food options, I should add to my list, please comment with them below!

Please note this is NOT a comprehensive list by any means. I gathered these numbers from the websites of their respective companies, so they're as accurate as they can be as the time of publication. 

xo, Katie 

How To Make Money From Your Weight Loss (And What To Spend It On!)

See that jar up there? That's my "too-big-clothes" jar. It lives in my kitchen (ironically, next to a big, dusty pasta cookbook). Every few days, I shove a few more bucks in it and one day, I'll treat myself to something pretty.

How did I fill this jar? Pretty simply!

Sell Your Clothes That No Longer Fit!

Every time I went down a size (or put on pants that I could promptly pull right over my bum), I set them in the "too-big" pile. Whenever my pile got unwieldy, I sold them online! Now, there are tons of ways you can do this and I've probably used them all. 

1. Ebay: This is best for items that are brand-new and still have tags on them, and where you're willing to post them for a low price.

2.  Poshmark, Threadflip, Vinted - these are best for nicer items (think a step above Forever 21 or Old Navy), where you think you can get a higher price (since they usually charge about 20% handling).

3.  Facebook local sale groups - this has been the best method for me. Most cities (large and small) have Facebook groups like these, where people post items for usually very discounted prices, and you can pick up locally. Buyers and sellers save money on shipping and sellers can accept cash in the mailbox or PayPal. Usually, you have to be invited to the group by someone you know in real life, and many people meet at coffee shops or parking lots so they don't have to give out their addresses. 

Use Apps that Reward You For Getting Your Workout On!

There are tons of apps (and websites) that want to help you be successful in your fitness journey. And what better motivation is there than money!?

4. Pact: this app allows you to make a promise that you will hit the gym X amount of times a week and when you do, you make money! When you don't, you lose money, but if you're already hitting the gym a few days a week (or if you want to motivate yourself to get an extra day in there), then this is a no-brainer! For working out 5 days a week, I make $1.05 a week.

5. FitStudio: this website links most devices and apps (Fitbit, UP, Nike+, MyFitnessPal, etc) to your Shop Your Way Rewards account (Sears and Kmart). The more you workout, the more points you accrue. They automatically add to your SYWR account, allowing you to redeem them for discounts and FREE workout clothes (or at least, that's what I'm buying). 

6. EveryMove: this app links with your fitness trackers and gives you points for being active. Those points can be redeemed for rewards that you choose ahead of time and work towards. The rewards range from charity donations to coupons and gift certificates.

Then Decide What You Want To Spend It On!

Once you've got a good chunk of money (I've made over $300 in about 4 months!), you can try to decide what you want to spend it on. I have a few ideas...

If you want to re-invest that money into your workouts and keep the cycle going:
Nike Air Relentless 4 in Cool Grey/Hyper Turquoise
ClassPass Subscription (photo via)
A Fun Workout Tank - Humble With A Hint Of Kanye

If you want to reward yourself with a job well done:
Fossil Curiosity Watch
A Gorgeous Manicure
Oval Sterling Silver Ring

If you want to give yourself something to look forward to:
Take A Trip! See that gorgeous bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, climb the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, or visit beautiful mosques in Istanbul, Turkey
Get A New Tattoo - This anchor is my new obsession
Buy A Dress For An Upcoming Occasion In A Smaller Size - Looking at this Oasap dress everyday would be very motivating!

Do you have any other ideas on ways to make money from your weight loss?

xo, Katie

A Helluva Start

It took me a long time to figure out what made ME happy vs. everyone else. 

Or even what I thought was "supposed to" make me happy. Find your happy things, girls!

Happy Weekend, lovelies!

xo, Katie 

Affordable Activewear For Any Size!

Ten months ago, I was fifty pounds heavier. Congrats to me, right? Yes! Though I still have a ways to go. So, in this in between place, I haven't really wanted to buy too many new clothes. Which is CRAZY hard for me, since I love clothes. I have a spare bedroom as a closet, you guys. In addition to my bedroom closet.

Anyway, once my size 16's stopped fitting, I moved on to my "skinny jeans" from days gone by. And since then, I've gone down a few more sizes, but I really want to wait until I'm closer to my goal weight and then I'll invest in some high-quality, staple wardrobe pieces.

To compound this, I pretty much live in workout clothes right now. My office is very casual and if I can go straight from work to the gym, it makes it all the more likely I'll get my butt in there. So, even though I'm avoiding buying "in between" jeans, I've had to pick up a few interim workout clothes. 

But the ones I've chosen will last me through the next few sizes, really maximizing my investment. Here are my favorite picks for AFFORDABLE workout clothes - no matter what your size or where you are in your fitness journey! I actually have all of these and I promise you they wear well, wash well, don't ride up/down, and won't break the bank! *Note: I actually own most of these!*

Row one: Mesh panel capris, Ladderback tank, Lotus tank, High-rise compression capris

Row two: Pink tank, Star quest capris, Banded waist tank, Ribbon stripe leggings

Row three: Run the world tank, Do it today leggings, Yellow tank, Ice cream tank

Where have YOU found affordable active wear? 

xo, Katie

Hi, I'm Katie!

Hi! This is me. Workout clothes, not-completely-brushed hair, and a goofy look.

I wanted to create a place where we could talk about fitness, fashion, and food. Because let's be honest, those are the only things I think about most days. 

"Where can I buy that gorgeous dress?"

"I can't wait to hit the gym after work and try out this new treadmill routine!"

"OMG, after the gym, I can't wait to stuff my face with delicious stuffed peppers."

So, here's that place! I named it  Sweet Fettuccine  because a. who doesn't love pasta? b. who doesn't love to say the word fettuccine? c. sweetness makes everything better and d. chocolatey fettuccine is actually a thing! (and I will show you how to make it)

Let's talk about the things we care about and let's do it with excitement (cue exclamation points)!!!!!

I hope you have a great time here!

xo, Katie

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