How to Make Drinking More Water Feel Less Overwhelming

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One of the habits I’m really trying to be more committed and consistent about is drinking more water.

I own dozens of water bottles: Tervis, Corkcicle, Hydrojug, Stanley, Owala, Yeti, Swig… and plenty more. Just ask my husband. He has a firm one-in, one-out rule for my cups—which I have not been great at following lately.

I’ll see a new cup and think, “This is the one. If I have this cup, I’ll finally drink more water.”

Spoiler alert: there is no magical cup.
There is only commitment and consistency.

I’ve realized that for me, a huge cup of water feels overwhelming. It just sits there judging me all day. So instead, I’ve started using a cute small cup that I can refill throughout the day.

To keep myself accountable (and eliminate the “I’m too busy to refill it” excuse), I keep a quart (32 oz) mason jar nearby and use that to refill my cup when it runs low.

This combo works better for me. It’s not even 8:00 AM, and I’ve already had 16 oz of water. My goal is to finish one mason jar before I have my coffee.

So if big water bottles feel overwhelming to you too, maybe try this approach:

  • Find a small cup you actually like using
  • Use a mason jar, Stanley, Tervis, or whatever you have to refill it and keep track of how much you’re drinking

No perfection. Just progress.

What are some things you do to help yourself drink more water?

Michelin Star Microwave Egg

On By JillIn Recipes, Weight LossLeave a comment

I saw a post a few days ago about a two-ingredient microwave omelette created by Michelin-star chef José Andrés.

You can read the original article here if you’re curious:
https://www.allrecipes.com/we-tried-jose-andres-microwave-omelet-11752917

Now, I’m not sure I’d personally call this an omelette. To me, an omelette has cheese, onions, ham—stuff. But whatever you want to call it… it is delicious.

How To Make It:

  1. Crack the egg into a small microwave-safe dish. (I’ve been using a small Pyrex bowl.)
  2. Add the mayo. (Some sources say to use 1 tablespoon of mayo, but that feels like a lot to me. I use about a teaspoon—I don’t measure it exactly, just scoop out a tiny bit with my fork and eyeball it.)
  3. Whisk it really well until it’s fully combined.
  4. Microwave for about 40 seconds. (Timing may vary depending on your microwave.)
  5. Carefully remove it, flip it onto a plate, and season with:
    • A sprinkle of cheese
    • Salt and pepper

That’s it.

Honestly, it’s one of the best eggs I’ve ever had. It comes out fluffy, rich, and way more satisfying than you’d expect from something made in the microwave. I’ve made this three times in the past couple of weeks already. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to start the morning with some protein—especially on days when I don’t feel like cooking a full breakfast.

You could absolutely turn this into a sandwich if that’s your thing. Since I’m going a bit lower on carbs right now, I’ve been having it with a few small smoked sausages. Next week, I’ll probably pair it with two slices of center-cut bacon and some fruit.

Simple. Flexible. No fuss.

If you try it, let me know what you think—I’m always curious how other people tweak it.

Healthy Habits Challenge – Week 1: Fresh Start & Your “Why”

On By JillIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Welcome to Week 1 of our challenge — and if you’re here, I’m really glad you are.

This week isn’t about meal plans, workouts, or doing everything “right.”
It’s about something much simpler—and much more important.

Your Why

Most of us already know what we “should” do.
Eat better. Move more. Drink more water. Go to bed earlier.

The hard part isn’t the what.
It’s remembering why we want to do it—especially on the days when motivation is low, life is busy, or starting feels harder than skipping.

Your “why” doesn’t have to be dramatic or perfect. It doesn’t need to impress anyone.

It might be:

  • To feel better in your body
  • To have more energy
  • To be healthier long-term
  • To feel more confident
  • To show up better for yourself or the people you love

Or it might simply be: “I’m tired of starting over, and I want something that actually sticks.”

Every reason counts.

One Small Habit

Once you’ve written down your “why,” choose one small habit you want to practice this week.

Not ten.
Not a full lifestyle overhaul.
Just one.

This is about practice, not perfection.

Your habit could be:

  • Drinking more water
  • Taking a short daily walk
  • Tracking meals
  • Journaling
  • Going to bed a little earlier
  • Adding protein to breakfast

Pick something realistic—something you can show up for even on an average, imperfect day.

This Week’s Challenge

📝 Write down:

  1. Your why
  2. One habit you want to practice this week

That’s it.

No pressure to do it perfectly.
No pressure to never miss a day.
Just commit to showing up and trying.

If you’re comfortable, share your “why” and your habit with the group. There’s something powerful about saying it out loud—and you never know who you might encourage just by being honest.

This is your fresh start. Not because it’s a new week…
…but because you decided to begin again.

You’re already doing the hardest part: showing up 💛

If at First You Don’t Succeed…

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IIt’s the start of a new year, and here I go again—trying to recommit to my health and wellness and lose some weight.

I was looking for a graphic to go with this post that said:
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

But while searching for that quote, I stumbled across a few others that made me laugh, so of course I had to share:

  • “If at first you don’t succeed, then maybe you just suck.”
  • “If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.”

Luckily for us, we’re not skydiving…
We’re just trying—again—for what feels like the 87th time to focus on our health and wellness and lose some weight.

Here’s the frustrating part: I know what to do to lose weight. I really do.

I just need to actually do it.
And that is so much easier said than done—or I would’ve already done it and wouldn’t be starting over for the 87th time.

So what does it really take to lose weight?

  • Willpower?
  • A calorie deficit?
  • Cardio? Lifting weights? Walking every day?
  • Low carb? No carb? Intermittent fasting?
  • Tracking calories? Tracking points? Counting macros?
  • Eating “clean”? Giving up sugar?
  • Drinking water like it’s some kind of magical weight-loss juice?

Nope.

None of those things will help you lose weight if you don’t have the two things that actually matter:

Commitment & Consistency

Not perfection.
Not doing everything “right.”
Just showing up again… and again… and again.

Even after the 87th restart.

This year, I’m choosing to focus on commitment and consistency instead of perfection.

What that looks like for me:

  • Journaling daily and tracking my meals – for accountability
  • Doing my best to drink 64 oz of water a day (that’s my goal—everyone’s target is different, and that’s okay)
  • Being more intentional about what I eat and how I spend my time

And also:

  • More movement, less lazing around
  • More reading, less TV
  • More doing instead of just planning what to do

At least this time, nobody has to jump out of a plane.

What do you plan to work on this year?

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal

On By JillIn Meal Prep, Recipes, Weight LossLeave a comment

Happy New Year! I’m trying to start this year off on the right foot and that includes making healthy, filling foods that are low in points/calories. This oatmeal recipe is super easy to make and is so good.

  • Add 1 cup of steel cut oats and 3 cups of low calorie unsweetened almond milk to your instant pot with a dash of salt.
  • Set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. 
  • When the time is up, carefully release the pressure and then stir. Let is sit for about five minutes after stirring with the lid on to thicken up a bit.
  • Serve and add cinnamon or whatever toppings you’d like.

This makes 4 one cup servings at 4 WW points each.
My husband loves this as well, so we’ll both have a bowl and I’ll save the other two portions in glass bowls in the fridge to quickly reheat the next day.

Recipe courtesy of Fit Foodie Finds: https://fitfoodiefinds.com/10-minute-instant-pot-steel-cut-oats-video/

Strawberry Nice Cream

On By JillIn Recipes, Weight LossLeave a comment

Ingredients

  • 2 large, ripe bananas frozen
  • 2 cups of frozen strawberries (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Instructions:

  1. Mix the bananas and strawberries together in a food processor until smooth.
  2. Stir in in the almond milk and vanilla
  3. Transfer to container and freeze until ready to serve.

This is zero points on WW (unless you are on the diabetic plan).

Peach Tea with Apple Cider Vinegar

On By JillIn Recipes, Weight LossLeave a comment

I haven’t been making the best food choices lately and I’m trying to get back on track. Yesterday I had some very greasy food that is causing me some gallbladder pain. I read that apple cider vinegar can relieve gallbladder attack pain so I thought I would try this. A few years ago I found a recipe from Trim Healthy Mama called Good Girl Moonshine (completely alchohol free). I thought I’d modify this recipe a bit and make it WW point friendly.

Ingredients

  • Two black tea bags (whichever type you prefer)
  • Stevia or sweetener of your choice
  • DaVinci Sugar Free Peach Syrup
  • 1 TBSP of Apple Cider Vinegar with Honey
  • Fresh lemon wedges

WW Points – 1 (for the honey acv)

To make this I put both tea bags in the mason jar and added hot water to about 2/3 full and let it sit for 5 or 6 minutes. Then remove the tea bags and add stevia, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon wedges and one squirt of peach syrup. Mix well and then fill with ice all of the way to the top.

This is a refreshing drink and good way to get some apple cider vinegar in if that’s your thing. You can tweak this recipe in many ways to your liking – for example you could use flavored tea and leave out the peach syrup.

Salsa Verde ChickenTacos

On By JillIn Meal Prep, Recipes, Weight LossLeave a comment

Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos are one of my favorite things to make, especially when I have a busy week planned. These are so easy to make. Yesterday, I almost forgot about them, but was able to run into the kitchen in between meetings and get these started in less than 10 minutes. Then when I finished work, they were ready to eat.

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless chicken breasts
  • taco seasoning or seasoning of your choice
  • 16 oz jar of salsa verde

Steps

  1. Season the chicken (on both sides) with the taco seasoning or spices of your choice. I use the homemade taco seasoning that I made and keep on hand.
  2. Place chicken in the crockpot and top with the jar of salsa verde.
  3. Cook on low for 3 and a half hours.
  4. I think this has too much liquid in it, so I pull the chicken out to shred it and then large spoonfuls of the salsa to the chicken and mix together until desired consistency.

We usually use this chicken for chicken tacos. Here are the points values for the tacos:

  • Salsa Verde Chicken – 0 points
  • Carb Counter Snack Size Tortillas – 1 point each
  • Light Sour Cream – 2 points for 2 TBSP (I split this among across several tacos)
  • Cheese – usually around 1 – 3 points, depending on if I’m using fat free or not
  • Lettuce & Tomato – 0 points

What are your favorite healthy crock pot meals?

This Week’s Grocery Haul & Meal Plan – 3.20.23

On By JillIn Meal Prep, Weight LossLeave a comment

Winston Churchill said: “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” I have definitely found this to be true in my weight loss journey. On the weeks I plan out what I’ll eat and fill my fridge and pantry with healthy options, I tend to do well. If I don’t plan, I’m more likely to pick up fast food and make poor choices. Here is my grocery haul for the week and my meal plan.

Grocery List

  • Bananas – 0
  • Grapes – 0
  • Mandarins – 0
  • Strawberries – 0
  • Lettuce – 0
  • Tomatoes – 0
  • Hershey’s Zero Sugar Chocolate Syrup – 0 points 2 TBSP
  • Fat free half & half – 1 point for up to 4 TBSP
  • Lowfat buttermilk (to use in low point ranch and cornbread)
  • Eggs – 0
  • Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Thick Cut Bacon – 2 points for 2 slices
  • Flat Out Pizza crust – 4 points for one crustC
  • Chicken – 0
  • Carbanada Egg Fettucini Noodles – 3 points
  • Shredded Fat Free Mozarella
  • Mexican 2% Shredded Cheese
  • Salsa Verde Salsa – 0 points (for salsa verde chicken tacos)
  • Thomas Light English Muffin – 2 points
  • Sara Lee Delightful White – 2 points for 2 slices

Meals for this week:

  • Ham & Cheese Sandwich (with lettuce & tomato) – 7 points
  • Bacon, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches – 5 points
  • Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos – 2 points each
  • Lowfat Chicken Fettucini Alfredo – 6 points
  • Air Fryer Naked Chicken, with corn on the cob, green beans, pinto beans – 0 points except for oil and butter used
  • Pizza – the crust is 4 points for the whole pizza, other points depend on toppings and how much cheese

What about you? Do you have plan this week? I’d love to see your meal plan or your grocery haul pictures.

Low Fat Mug Cake (3-2-1 cake)

On By JillIn Recipes, Weight Loss1 Comment

This mug cake is super easy to make and is great for a quick fix when you want sweets but don’t want all of the calories or fat.

To make this base for this you take one box of Angel Food Cake Mix and one box of regular cake mix and mix them together thoroughly. Then you this dry mixture and put it in a canister and label it as 321 cake mix.

  1. Spray a coffee mug with nonstick spray.
  2. Add 3 TBSP of the dry mix and 2 TBSP of water to the mug and mix.
  3. Bake in the microwave for about 1 minute.
  4. Carefully remove from the microwave and let cool for a minute.

You can eat it from the mug or remove it to a bowl or plate and top it with whatever you’d like. I used a strawberry cake mix and topped it with fresh strawberries and some fat-free whipped topping.

I chose strawberry cake mix for mine because I love strawberry cake and fresh strawberries are so good right now. You could also use a yellow cake mix, chocolate mix, or whatever flavor cake mix you like. If you use a sugar-free cake mix, the points/calories would be even lower.

WW Points: 4 per serving