Outside motivation

So for the last 5 weeks, I have been exercising at least 5 hours a week. I started because my company offered the incentive that if we did the YMCA March madness challenge for at least 3 weeks we would get one PTO day. Well, that was incentive enough for me. In addition, if we were able to make it to the final 4 teams out of 28, we would get our company medical contribution paid for two pay periods. Well, I am happy to say that I made it to the final four. I love some competition and my teammates do too. In the process of exercising, I have been exposed to many different classes at the YMCA. I have done Yoga, Body Step, X-Factor, Spinning, & FIT. I will have to say that most of the classes were quite enjoyable. I wasn't much of a Body Stepper though. It's like dance steps and I have two left feet when it comes to dance.

The good news is that a byproduct of the exercising has caused me to lose around 11 LBS! I certainly didn't set out to lose that much weight but I guess I have accumulated some extra weight over the past few years. I hope that I can continue the motivation to keep exercising even when the competition is over. Because the best benefit is that I feel so much better now then when I started over a month ago. Staying healthy is a lifestyle change that can be hard to keep up. So I hope along with me you can find some motivation to do whatever you can to feel better and stay healthy.

I am the Queen of the World!!!

So my fitness goal for the year is to run a 5k with my dad when he gets back from Iraq (I’ve been promising him this for years and have never done it). I haven’t fully mapped out my plan of action, but I feel like I have a good start. I’ve been running/walking a loop in my neighborhood that is about a mile. I get up at 6am, stretch, run it, and stretch again… simple, but it’s a start. Well, let me tell you that first week (which was last week, yes I am late getting this goal going) was hard! I am out of shape in a bad way! But, today I ran the whole thing and I felt awesome. The wind was blowing in my face, the temperature was perfect, and birds were chirping as if to cheer me on. I even circled the court afterwards and pumped up my speed. YES! So, I’m feeling pretty good today. Any other success stories out there???

Happy New Years!

It is time to start the new year out right! So have you set any New Year's goals to help you to get healthy?

There is a great article about setting goals here. Some of the highlights are:

#1. Determine a long term goal.

#2. WRITE IT DOWN - studies show that you will be more likely to stick to your goal if you write it down

#3. Create a timeline for the goal, with short term goals along the way to help you achieve it.

#4. Be realistic in your goals. Make sure they are achievable.

#5. Be specific. Very specific. The more specific the better.

#6. Determine a reward for achieving your goal and little rewards for all the short term ones along the way.

#7. Be forgiving of yourself. Have a contingency plan in case something gets in the way of your goal.

So I'm going to help you out with the second step of the goal setting process. Write down your goal in the comments and let us know what you are planning for this year as your health goal. Happy goal setting!

Okay, how did you do?

Thanksgiving... probably the worst day of the year for eating healthy. I read once that the average American eats 5000 calories on Thanksgiving, whoa! So, is it time to regroup in preparation for Christmas?

Weight goals?
Exercise goals?
Healthy food goals?

Don't falter now, you can do it!!!

Friday Weigh-In

I haven't been doing very good at keeping up with this, but I'll try to do better!

How have things been going?

I'm struggling right now, but I don't think I've really gained any, so that is good!

Chasing Time...

Happy Monday everyone!
I hope you're all having a beautiful start to your November.
As usual I'm still in the race to a healthier mind, body and spirit.
However, I've had a break though as to what keeps me feeling like I'm constanting running...I'm chasing time :(
The HARDEST part of trying to living a healthy life through exercise is finding the TIME!
I can't set a certain "time" of day and then expect to always have that little block of time.
Between taking care of children, housework, church callings, cooking, laundry and jobs we have to be willing to take whatever time we can.
So for all of you in the chase...put on your running shoes and pace yourself...we're in it to win it!!!

Eating Tips

I just read a terrific article on natural eating at Simple Mom. I found it really inspiring and great simple advice.

Hoorah For Me (and hopefully you too)!

I just need to pat myself on the back because I have been walking every day (except Sunday) since Fall began. How about you? Are the cooler temperatures inspiring you? If you haven't experienced it yet, take a step outside and breath in the Autumn goodness... maybe then you will feel like a little stroll, or jog, or *gasp* run!


Keep up the great work, you can do it!!!

Hello Monday!

Welp, it's Monday again and you know what that means...a whole new world!
WAIT...Aladdin, get out of here :)
I don't know about you but this weekend was a TERRIBLE one!!!
Ate LOTS of yummy but VERY unhealthy foods and ZERO exercise (yikes!)
However, it's a new week and a new chance for everyone...including all of us going through FOOD REPENTANCE...ooooooh :( LOL!
Weighed in this morning to know what I was up against this week, from a splurge weekend, and I gained ONE POUND... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

We're all entitled to falling off the wagaon...or being pulled behind it in some cases :)

The question is..."WHAT WILL WE DO ABOUT IT STARTING NOW?"

FRIDAY WEIGH IN???

Hello all!!!

Hope this week's been a productive one full of happiness and healthiness :)
How's everyone weighing in?
With two days of no exercise whatsoever in a row, I'm sad to report...nothing for me!
No weight gain :) ...but also no weight loss either :(

Just remember, when life's got you down or your goals haven't been met, it's ok!
Perfection can never be reached in this life, but that can't keep us all from trying.
Keep you head up, stick with it and know you've got others sweatin' it out with you!!

It's Monday...and I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Hello there!

How's everyone's Monday starting off???
Monday's can sometimes be rough...a new week, new challenges, new trials :(
However, there are people who believe in and are rooting for YOU!

"Come on y'all we can do it put some exercise into it...
if hard, it's ok eat some healthy food today!"

I heard a quote at conference that I feel applies to overcoming our hardships and can help in achieving our goals. It is as follows...

Elder Richard G. Scott say:
Spirituality yields two fruits:
1) Inspiration, to know what to do
2) Power, or the capacity to do it

If you just can't find the energy to exercise pray for the inspiration to know what to do. Maybe it's walking, maybe it's wii fit, maybe it's taking the kids to the park and playing with them...whatever you feel inspired to do 15 minutes of something is better than 24 hours of nothing :( GET INSPIRED!

Once you get inspired...KNOW that you have the power to DO IT!

I was SOOOOOOOO not feeling good this morning :( Feeling down, feeling tired, worried there was not enough time in the day! I said a prayer and put on my shoes. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! I ended up walking for 1 HOUR, 3 miles and burned 535 CALORIES!!! If I can do it...
"MRS LAZY" herself...then anyone can :)

I'm rooting for you...

Friday Weigh-In

So how have things been going this week? We know that Carrie is doing well. Congrats on reaching 5 lbs!!!!!!!

How about the rest of us? Is your hard work paying off?

You Are What You Eat...

My dad always said tackle one thing at a time...so I guess that's what I'm continuing to do. Giving up soda wasn't too bad, although I do miss the occasional Doctor Pepper on a really hard day. Hey, it's the closest thing we Mormons can get to instant gratification...we don't drink alcohol :) LOL! It was a little harder giving up huge plates of yummy mashed potatoes, fried foods and Sugary Cereals. Oh, but the hardest is my want to indulge in chocolate cakes, fresh baked cookies and TWISTED FROSTYS! Oh, the pain...

However, I have found a new love for Cheerios (Honey Nut are the best), fresh fruit, yogurt, Lien Cuisines, fresh subway sandwiches, veggies and Ice Cold glasses of water. I have found that when I'm not eating all the time and counting my calories more closely I make A LOT healthy choices. My problem is not what I eat necessarily...just how much of it I eat at one time and how often I eat it. I never realized I was stopping by Wendy's like EVERYDAY one week to get a .99 cent frosty :(

I am happy to report that while continuing to make healthy decisions in food choices and using my Wii Fit EVERYDAY that I have dropped another 2 POUNDS!!! It's a VERY SLOW work in progress, but I gained it a little at a time I guess I've got to lose it that way too. Hope you're all doing well!

Well I'm off to do some cardio & yoga on the Wii Fit!

Workout Wednesday

The weather is cooler. Perfect for exercising outside! I'm going to exercise today. Are you?

Friday Weigh-In

So have you kept your commitment this week to eat well and excercise?

I've been a work in progress...

This trying to get healthier and stay motivated has been WAY harder than I ever expected! I've had lots of ups and downs and fallen off the "wagon" a few times. However I'm taking it all in strides and one day at a time and FINALLY found my nitch. I bought lots of fruits, veggies and healthier snack options to have in the kitchen. It sounds kind of silly but instead of buying a fridge full of food to cook for dinner every night we've been doing the "subway diet"...obviously something we can do while the little one is still little and it's actually pretty inexpensive with the five dollar footlong deal giving us lunch and dinner for only five dollars.

This is only to buy us time until I put together the ultimate healthy food resource menu so that I know how to shop and prepare healthier meals everyday and not just when I have the stuff. I realize now that living healthier is not a pick and choose, it's a lifestyle change. It means having grapes, apples and yogurt instead of chips, cookies and icecream. It's eating in moderation rather than filling your plate to the edges with food and grazing over that plate for an entire evening until you realize you've eaten the whole plate...yuck!

The only part of this puzzle I've still got to put together is...EXERCISE! I've got to find something I can do that I can work into a schedule of diapers, bottles, highchairs, laundry, dusting, cleaning and so on! It's so tough when you KNOW a load of whites needs to be done and a baby needs your undivided attention but the day is slipping away without any exercise...not to mention the scriptures that need to read and the Church calling that needs some time and attention...oy!

TIME MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY...good thing we're all doing this together!

P.S. I've lost 3 pounds and am going to keep going!

Bummer!!!!

Since I hurt my ITB I have not been able to exercise. It was getting better then I reinjured it. I have gained an alarming 8 pounds!! I do enjoy reading other's success stories. Have we just fallen by the wayside? I am looking forward to cooler weather and wellness. Meanwhile I cannot keep eating the amount I was eating when I was active. I hope everyone else is having success.

Friday Weigh-In

Tell us how your week has been. Did the scales bring some good news this week?

Workout Wednesday

Have been exercising this past week?

If you feel like you are in an exercise rut this is a great article from Fitness magazine about jumpstarting your workout!

Friday Weigh-In

How have you been doing this week? Have you eaten all your fruits and veggies? Or have you been tempted and seduced (like me) into eating some not so good for you things?

There is a great motivational article on Spark People (thanks Jaren for telling us about that website, I love it!). It is called "Finding Inspiration in Your Biggest Temptations." I really hope you'll read the whole article, but I thought I would share a few excerpts that motivated me.

Instead of viewing temptations as roadblocks, think of them as motivators--the devil on your shoulder, if you will. If you stop, they'll get you; if you stay one step ahead, you'll always come out on top.

On eating out:

Follow the same rules at a restaurant that you would at home: Choose whole grains when possible, fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit, and opt for lean cuts of meat and low-calorie preparations.

Munching on Junk Food:

Are you stressed or upset about something? Instead of reaching for the
chocolate bar or the chips, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Eating your feelings leaves you feeling worse than when you started. Go for a walk, get out of the kitchen, remove trigger foods from the house--whatever it
takes.

On being lazy:

You get home from work and gaze longingly at the sofa. You had a long day,and a bit of rest sounds much better than socializing or spending time with others. You just want to be alone with your feet up, mind empty and the TV on. Instead of punishing yourself for being lazy, anticipate this respite from the hustle and bustle of your life and plan for it. Watch your favorite TV show, paint your nails, ask your partner to give you a foot rub. Reward yourself for being motivated, sticking with your healthy lifestyle plan and working out regularly. A bit of time spent doing nothing can help carry you through the rest of your hectic and action-packed life.

When temptations step in your path, don't cower. Confront them and enlist them as your allies. Soon you'll be stronger and more determined and will have traveled a little farther in your healthy living journey.