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awesome songs we like to workout to!
can I get an air-five?!
Okay, after sitting on my keester today for twelve hours in the car eating grapes, cookies, reading a great book (The Adoration of Jenna Fox), and wiping up Emily's car sickness... we finally made it halfway to Omaha (visiting the in-laws for Christmas). We checked in at the hotel (shout-out to Greg H. for letting us use his Marriott points!) and after a long hot shower, I went down to the fitness room and exercised for 45 minutes on the treadmill and elliptical. It felt GREAT! And I am so proud of myself. Can you tell?! So now I am justified in bringing my running shoes and I won't feel guilty for not using them on our trip. For once my good intentions of working out while on vacation came to fruition :) I'll report back to let you know if I use them again- hopefully this will help motivate me!
The Christmas Shopping Interval Workout!
Get your shopping done while getting in shape!
- Where sneakers or other comfortable shoes
- Park in the furthest corner of the mall parking lot
- Take the stairs: avoid escalators and elevators
- Walk fast for at least 2 minutes in between each store you visit
- Make 1 trip to your car for every couple of gifts you buy
- Stay hydrated by bringing a large water bottle
- Bring healthy snacks to eat throughout the day
- Where sneakers or other comfortable shoes
- Park in the furthest corner of the mall parking lot
- Take the stairs: avoid escalators and elevators
- Walk fast for at least 2 minutes in between each store you visit
- Make 1 trip to your car for every couple of gifts you buy
- Stay hydrated by bringing a large water bottle
- Bring healthy snacks to eat throughout the day
WORKED out!
Hey so, GUess WHAt? I did it!
YeP ,I finally made the effort & told myself that I am going to get in shape. So, I went & grabbed myself the container of puppy chow that I made (melted chocolate, & peanut butter over chex mix) & a bag of goldfish crackers & I worked on eating the whole container! MAn, I am exhausted!
I did tell myself to get in shape, right? That is the first step. We'll see how it goes on hmm, Monday? or maybe Tuesday.....
Just Do It!!
I have finally realized that the feeling of success upon completing a work out is wonderful! It is completely worth it and not to mention the hour away from the kids benefits them and me. We always leave the gym happier than we arrived. So the advice for myself and for you is...no matter the complications of starting the day with little ones.... make it to your workout! Whether at the gym or in the neighborhood, the endorphyns you release will make the smile come a little more easy across your face after you've done this for yourself! So Just Do It!!! Even if you're an hour later than you wanted to be....Just Do It!!
Now if I could figure out how to quit sneaking treats here and there.... Sometimes Colten or Noah will say to me, "mom, I smell something." I say, "what do you think it is?" They answer, "chocolate:)".... I have a mouth full of sweet tooths!! Anyone feel my pain??
Now if I could figure out how to quit sneaking treats here and there.... Sometimes Colten or Noah will say to me, "mom, I smell something." I say, "what do you think it is?" They answer, "chocolate:)".... I have a mouth full of sweet tooths!! Anyone feel my pain??
starting the week out right... or at least clean.
Dishes. The bane of my existence. It's a love-hate relationship. I love to admire, collect, create, and covet (the expensive ones). They are an art form in and of themselves. I mean, my art degree emphasis was in ceramics! But once they pass into the territory of becoming 'soiled' my esteem quickly turns to abhorrence. Especially since the only dishwasher around is me. 
Yes that's me! Apron and all. I've recently discovered that aprons prevent my jeans from getting wet when I have to quickly dry my hands to help Emily, answer the phone, etc. Pearls and lipstick are optional :)
But every now and then, I remember that the more often I do dishes, the less they pile up. Tonight, with an unexplainable burst of energy and motivation, I felt no desire to curl up with a book or bowl of cereal, and instead- washed all my dishes! Now, it helped that today was Fast Sunday, thus eliminating two meals worth of dishes and cooking utensils... but I was so proud of myself! In fact, it felt so good, that I went into my bedroom and proceeded to put away all my clean laundry (ah, my other arch-enemy *da-da-da duhhhh*).
So I'm starting my week out a step ahead! This means less priority-conflict when it's time to exercise in the morning, which will increase the probability that I'll get my butt out the door. All the same, it will be wonderful when Emily is old enough to do the dishes!
Yes that's me! Apron and all. I've recently discovered that aprons prevent my jeans from getting wet when I have to quickly dry my hands to help Emily, answer the phone, etc. Pearls and lipstick are optional :)
But every now and then, I remember that the more often I do dishes, the less they pile up. Tonight, with an unexplainable burst of energy and motivation, I felt no desire to curl up with a book or bowl of cereal, and instead- washed all my dishes! Now, it helped that today was Fast Sunday, thus eliminating two meals worth of dishes and cooking utensils... but I was so proud of myself! In fact, it felt so good, that I went into my bedroom and proceeded to put away all my clean laundry (ah, my other arch-enemy *da-da-da duhhhh*).
So I'm starting my week out a step ahead! This means less priority-conflict when it's time to exercise in the morning, which will increase the probability that I'll get my butt out the door. All the same, it will be wonderful when Emily is old enough to do the dishes!
What are some of your distractions from exercising or cooking a nutritious meal?
confessions of a holiday gourmandizer
"Portion control"
It has started already. I was good at Thanksgiving dinner. Half my plate was vegetables/salad. But every year from Thanksgiving pie until the last candy cane of Christmas, my peripheral vision is bombarded with treats. Yummy treats. Beautiful, chocolatey, colorful baked goodies. Now, I can resist the temptation to purchase these wonderful sights and smells. But from the loving hearts of friends and family, they are brought directly to the forefront of my vision, into my home where my willpower is nil and distraction doesn't deter me for long.
What is a sweet-toothed, chocolate-chip-cookie-loving overeater to do? I'll lay out the options.
- Refuse all plates of goodies and ostracize my friends, hoping they will forgive my brutal rejection as a New Year's resolution.
- Accept the goodies, but sacrifice them to the demon garbage disposal. And feel guilty forever.
- Regift! Shuffle and mix them up and redistribute the wealth. But what if a friend recognizes a cookie as their own? Or what if the cookies suck? Dilemma.
- I can let my husband eat all the treats and I just won't partake. Who am I kidding? He has the annoying habit of taking a few days to eat a plate of cookies, and they won't last that long with me around.
Advice needed. How do you deal with the holiday sugar rush?
It has started already. I was good at Thanksgiving dinner. Half my plate was vegetables/salad. But every year from Thanksgiving pie until the last candy cane of Christmas, my peripheral vision is bombarded with treats. Yummy treats. Beautiful, chocolatey, colorful baked goodies. Now, I can resist the temptation to purchase these wonderful sights and smells. But from the loving hearts of friends and family, they are brought directly to the forefront of my vision, into my home where my willpower is nil and distraction doesn't deter me for long.
What is a sweet-toothed, chocolate-chip-cookie-loving overeater to do? I'll lay out the options.
- Refuse all plates of goodies and ostracize my friends, hoping they will forgive my brutal rejection as a New Year's resolution.
- Accept the goodies, but sacrifice them to the demon garbage disposal. And feel guilty forever.
- Regift! Shuffle and mix them up and redistribute the wealth. But what if a friend recognizes a cookie as their own? Or what if the cookies suck? Dilemma.
- I can let my husband eat all the treats and I just won't partake. Who am I kidding? He has the annoying habit of taking a few days to eat a plate of cookies, and they won't last that long with me around.
Advice needed. How do you deal with the holiday sugar rush?
I did it!
I'm so proud of myself! I overcame the temptation to skip my workout (like I have been doing lately...), loaded Emily and Brady up in the double stroller (which is twice as heavy to push), and went for a long walk! I extended my usual route through a neighborhood that has steep hills, so I really got my heart rate going. Just had to share my recent success with willpower! Now I'm off to do the dishes- another task requiring great willpower to finish :)
Consistency is the Key
The key to exercise is consistency. 15 minutes a day of moderate to heavy exercise will be better than killing yourself off one day, and not working out again for a week. After I had my baby and I was able to exercise a little, but running wasn't sounding so great yet, I would set a timer for 15 minutes (my husband is my biggest advocate... he helps remind me) and do a combination of squats, lunges, toe to ceilings, push-ups (I started out with 5 on my knees. don't over do it!), tricep dips (on the back of a chair or a hearth, or stairs), bicep curls and shoulder press (using Libby's pumpkin pie cans for weight:). I would do some abs in there too. If I didn't rest in between exercises, my heart rate rose rapidly and I felt good after a hard 15 minutes. I saw improvement quickly with my daily work out. It is difficult to do it daily, but that is really important. It is too easy to fall out of habit.
Quick, Easy, and Healthy - Tasty too!
Chicken and Black Bean Burritos - serves 4 easily
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts - cut into bite sized pieces
1 can Black Beans
1 can Corn
1 Medium Onion (opt) - chopped
1/4 Cup BBQ sauce - I use KC Masterpiece
Tortillas - whole wheat if you really want to be good:)
First put the Onion and Chicken in a saucepan to cook. Add the BBQ Sauce, Corn, and Black Beans. Wrap in a tortilla. Treat yourself to a little sour cream or cheese if you'd like and enjoy. But really on it's own it tastes great too. It's very high in protein with the chicken and beans and very low in fat. Also, the fact that it's fast and all done in one pan makes it nice when you want real food on a night with not much time.
Enjoy!!
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts - cut into bite sized pieces
1 can Black Beans
1 can Corn
1 Medium Onion (opt) - chopped
1/4 Cup BBQ sauce - I use KC Masterpiece
Tortillas - whole wheat if you really want to be good:)
First put the Onion and Chicken in a saucepan to cook. Add the BBQ Sauce, Corn, and Black Beans. Wrap in a tortilla. Treat yourself to a little sour cream or cheese if you'd like and enjoy. But really on it's own it tastes great too. It's very high in protein with the chicken and beans and very low in fat. Also, the fact that it's fast and all done in one pan makes it nice when you want real food on a night with not much time.
Enjoy!!
7 weeks and counting...
Did you know that the new year is just 7 weeks away?!!! So many people say that their New Year's resolution is to lose weight. You (and I mean me too) can lose between 3.5 and 14 pounds before then so we can hit the ground running when that date comes! Losing .5 to 2 pounds a week is safe and realistic so by starting now, we'll have positive habits in place when everyone else is just starting!
NO EXCUSES!!! That's my theme. That, and STAY POSITIVE!!!
Quick Tip: Park in the furthest spot at work, at the grocery store or at the mall. Each step adds up and this small action alone will positively impact your health. And while we're at it, let's see if there is just one little errand we can run this week without the car at all!
NO EXCUSES!!! That's my theme. That, and STAY POSITIVE!!!
Quick Tip: Park in the furthest spot at work, at the grocery store or at the mall. Each step adds up and this small action alone will positively impact your health. And while we're at it, let's see if there is just one little errand we can run this week without the car at all!
Let's go Jogging!!
I'm ready to get myself in shape!! As I posted on my personal blog, I'm planning to 'jog' the half marathon in San Diego in August 2009. The website is www.afchalf.com. I hope there's some of you out there who'll join me!! - Genine
Thanks Heidi for putting this blog together. I'm looking forward to you reminding me of my goal for next August:)
Thanks Heidi for putting this blog together. I'm looking forward to you reminding me of my goal for next August:)
welcome, one and all...
So I'll start this thing off by introducing myself...Hello, my name is Heidi, and I'm an overeater.
This is my most recent full-length picture, taken at Halloween (no, I don't wear antennae as a normal accessory, although if Emily had her way I would...) I've been struggling to get in shape, but I happen to be an optimist. This is working against me in that when I have exercised or lost a few pounds, I'll think of how great I'm doing and reward myself by slacking off. Hm. Not too smart, right? The intellectual side of my brain knows all the right things to do to eat nutritiously and stay in shape, but it's the emotional side of my brain that tells me that eating another bowl of cereal will make me feel good. So my intellect and emotions are in an epic battle, the results of which are updated weekly on my bathroom scale.
So in an effort to end the war, I am attempting to have peace talks between the two sides of my brain, get everyone on the same page, and hopefully make some real progress in my goal to become more healthy.
So let's get together and share our experiences, ideas, resources, recipes, and fun random stuff to encourage having a healthy lifestyle!
I've invited some friends and family to become team members on this blog, so look at the bottom of each post to see who the author is. Also let me know if you would like to contribute to this blog by becoming a team member.
And above all, please leave comments! Comments on a blog are like a smile across a crowded room :)
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