7 Years Younger: The Anti-Aging Breakthrough Diet (Giveaway)

This is a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.

I’m guilty of packing on a few extra pounds during the holiday season, but I’m determined not to let that happen this year.  I know that I’m perfectly capable of making good choices; I just need a little help focusing.  With work, kids, the house, and all of the extra things you’re expected to get done during the holidays, focusing is even more difficult than usual.  To help me stay on track, I’ve decided to follow the 7 Years Younger Anti-Aging Breakthrough Diet program.

Did you catch the “anti-aging” part of that title?  Let’s face it.  I’m not getting any younger, but I sure am feeling a lot older.  Weight loss would be great, but I’d also love to feel more energetic and look less stressed than I have been lately.  The 7 Years Younger program was developed to help you lose 10-25 pounds in just 7 weeks, but you’ll get more out of it than that.  You’ll also be fighting those nasty effects of aging that we’re all feeling.  Obviously, this is right up my alley.

It all starts with a pledge.  You need to commit to being and feeling healthy, which involves knowing what your goals are and dedicating the time and energy required to achieve them.  Once you’ve pledged to do this for yourself, you’re on your way to improving your life.

And just how do these improvements happen?  By eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones, of course!  Okay, so this isn’t breaking news, but I bet you’ll learn a lot of specifics you didn’t know.  For example, were you aware that there are nutrients that can actually defend your skin from UV rays?  I didn’t before I read about them in this book, which which foods are the best and worst for you and why.

For each of the 7 weeks, you’re provided with a meal plan that is packed full of nutrients that will boost your energy and make your hair shinier and your skin smoother–all while promoting weight loss.  And don’t think you’ll have to eat icky “diet food” to accomplish this.  The meals are developed with taste in mind and convenience too.  This is more than a diet, it’s a lifestyle, so they’ve come up with a delicious and flexible plan that you can stick with.

The workbook really “works” for me.  Seriously; I’ve mentioned before that I’m a list maker.  If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t happen and/or I lose track of it.  This workbook gives you weekly meal plans and a coordinating shopping list, which makes having your meals ready super easy.  You also get daily to-do lists, places to record what you’ve eaten and your daily movement, and a daily assessment section.  At the end of the day, they even give you a reminder to check off your to-do list before going to bed.  It’s almost like they know how disorganized I am.

There are a few things that I can’t give up, no matter what kind of diet I’m on.  One of those is macaroni and cheese, so I was thrilled when I discovered they included a recipe for it in the book.  It’s a simple recipe that doesn’t take long to make, so you can fit it in even during the hectic holiday season.

7 Years Younger Mac & Cheese Pasta (Serves 4)

1. In a 5-quart saucepan, whisk 2 1/2 cups of low-fat (1%) milk into 2 tbsp of cornstarch.
2. Heat to boiling on medium, whisking, and cook 2 minutes to thicken.
3. Reduce heat to low and stir in 5 oz. of shredded reduced-fat (50%) Cheddar Cheese until melted.
4. Cook penne for 2 minutes fewer than the label directs.
5. To pasta in pot, add 1 package of frozen broccoli-cauliflower mix
6. Cook 2 minutes and drain.
7. Stir into cheese mixture along with 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.

There are over 90 more recipes in the book, and some of my other favorites include the Sweet Stuffed Waffle, the Big Fusilli Bowl, and the Ricotta-Fig Toasts.  You’ll also find a list of healthier lunch and dinner options from some of your favorite restaurants.  They really make it easy to know what to eat!

Of course, exercise is an important part of this and any health plan.  The 7 Years Younger book gives tips on how to incorporate more movement into your busy routine and includes an illustrated introductory workout that you can do right at home.  My options are limited at the moment, but I’ll be adding in more intense workouts as soon as I am able to.  For now, I’ll be focusing on eating delicious, healthy, filling, age-fighting foods.  That’s my kind of diet!

Are you ready to begin your own weight loss transformation?  Visit 7 Years Younger and try it free! Make sure you post pictures of your journey and tag them with hashtag #7YearsYounger2014.  You can also find 7 Years Younger on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Win your own copy of 7 Years Younger:  The Anti-Aging Breakthrough Diet!  Open to US residents, 18+.  Ends 12/23/2013.  Good luck!
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