We live life so quickly, and, oftentimes, with so many things we are trying to do at once. We feel like we have to look a certain way, act a certain way, wear certain clothes, and have certain things. We constantly compare ourselves to others, even if it is in little insignificant matters. We are a society built on judging and telling others how they should act and what they should be. How fat is too fat, how thin is too thin, where is the happy medium.....All questions asked on a daily basis by the majority of this country.
We sometimes base our portrayal of what is "perfect" on the Hollywood images that are splashed through pages of a magazine, or on the tv, or on the movie screen. We forget that we are each individuals, with our own path, our own goals, our own desires, and our own dreams. Life is not meant to be filled with working so much that you forget to live a little. It is not meant to have so many rules on the path to happiness for each of us. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Like a child running through water spraying from a fire hydrant. Or slip n' sliding in the backyard. Those moments as a child, where we are free from inhibitions and live solely in that moment are oftentimes lost as we get older. When in all actuality, those moments should be embraced even more as adults, and those moments should be more bold and carefree. But we think as adults we aren't allowed to have fun and feel free. There's society, telling us what is right and wrong again!
Listen to this song. Take it all in. Listen to it again. And then, this next week, let your inhibitions go! Embrace life and live each day to the fullest. My favorite line from this song is this:
"We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, BUT I CAN'T LIVE THAT WAY."
And we shouldn't. Mistakes are life lessons. Make them once, learn from them, and move on. Don't gnaw on your "mistakes" and regret having done whatever it was. Whether it was eating dessert one night, or enjoying that steak and lobster at the wedding reception. Indulge every now and then. Have your goals, but don't forget to live life. That's what it's here for, right? To live!!
Listen to this song!
Now go enjoy your week!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Day 15-17
Monday was actually my 33rd birthday. And though I woke up at a leisurely time (10:30 am!!), I still had my breakfast, let it settle, and then did a workout. I know, I'm crazy!!! My birthday should have been a given at NOT working out. But when I sat contemplating on all the reasons NOT to work out, the one reason I had FOR working out was greater......I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT!!! So I put in my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and started the Level 3 workout. I remember LOVING the Level 3 workout before, but on this day, it was really kicking my butt! Which, of course, is a good thing, but still! I was out of breath, aching, and dripping with sweat by the time I got done with this workout! I felt the impact of this workout in the days to follow, which was a mere reminder that everything I am doing is working. :)
Tuesday brought forth my circuit workouts with Jillian. I got a great upper body workout, mainly targeting my arms. I worked my way toward completing one of the missions in the JM Fitness Ultimatum 2011 on the Wii, and despite my several attempts to make it all the way to the end of the mission, when you fail to do an exercise properly, it automatically quits the mission on you. There is a time limit on how long and how many tries you get to do an exercise correctly. There were a couple of exercises thrown in the mission that I had never done before, and despite the step-by-step instructions in the "Help" section of the game, I apparently was still not doing them right. So I got about 8:30-9:00 minutes in to the mission twice, and failed out automatically twice. At that point, my arms were so exhausted, that I decided to go in to the individual exercises and do reps on the two exercises I was having difficulty with. Let's just say, after doing the reps on the individual exercises, I'm pretty confident that I will kick booty on the next go round with the missions. :)
Wednesday was a rest day, and a very welcome one at that. My body was still a little sore from the rigorous workouts from the two previous days, and I had a lot to do since it was my husband's birthday. However, I did still complete my 25/25 Challenge, and have successfully kept up with that for every day of June. And, having done an arm routine Tuesday, and having done the 25/25 Challenge, after looking in the mirror, I noticed a difference in my arms. They are more tone all over, but the jiggly underarm is making it's transformation into a solid mass of muscle. :D I couldn't be happier about that!
Still noticing a difference in the mirror, and I am actually finding myself strut around more confidently than ever before. I know this is working, and that all I am doing is paying off. I've got 7 more pounds that I want to lose before we leave on vacation on July 1st, and at this rate, I really think I'm going to make it! So get out there and get your butts moving! Something is always better than nothing!!
Good luck in your workouts and healthy diets! Remember, losing weight is not merely losing weight. In order to keep the weight off, you must change your lifestyle and teach yourself how to balance eating and exercise in an efficient manner. You can SOO do this!! :)
Tuesday brought forth my circuit workouts with Jillian. I got a great upper body workout, mainly targeting my arms. I worked my way toward completing one of the missions in the JM Fitness Ultimatum 2011 on the Wii, and despite my several attempts to make it all the way to the end of the mission, when you fail to do an exercise properly, it automatically quits the mission on you. There is a time limit on how long and how many tries you get to do an exercise correctly. There were a couple of exercises thrown in the mission that I had never done before, and despite the step-by-step instructions in the "Help" section of the game, I apparently was still not doing them right. So I got about 8:30-9:00 minutes in to the mission twice, and failed out automatically twice. At that point, my arms were so exhausted, that I decided to go in to the individual exercises and do reps on the two exercises I was having difficulty with. Let's just say, after doing the reps on the individual exercises, I'm pretty confident that I will kick booty on the next go round with the missions. :)
Wednesday was a rest day, and a very welcome one at that. My body was still a little sore from the rigorous workouts from the two previous days, and I had a lot to do since it was my husband's birthday. However, I did still complete my 25/25 Challenge, and have successfully kept up with that for every day of June. And, having done an arm routine Tuesday, and having done the 25/25 Challenge, after looking in the mirror, I noticed a difference in my arms. They are more tone all over, but the jiggly underarm is making it's transformation into a solid mass of muscle. :D I couldn't be happier about that!
Still noticing a difference in the mirror, and I am actually finding myself strut around more confidently than ever before. I know this is working, and that all I am doing is paying off. I've got 7 more pounds that I want to lose before we leave on vacation on July 1st, and at this rate, I really think I'm going to make it! So get out there and get your butts moving! Something is always better than nothing!!
Good luck in your workouts and healthy diets! Remember, losing weight is not merely losing weight. In order to keep the weight off, you must change your lifestyle and teach yourself how to balance eating and exercise in an efficient manner. You can SOO do this!! :)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Day 11-14
Well, this week was another good one for me! Thursday brought forth a challenge for me in upping my degree of difficulty in my Biggest Loser Challenge game for the Wii. From Low intensity to Moderate, which extended my workouts from 20 minutes to 30. So now, I do 30 minutes of circuits, 30 minutes in whatever for the Biggest Loser Challenge, and then an optional 20 minutes Yoga. Before, I did three workouts, and they equaled about 1 hour 10 minutes. But with the more intense workout being 30 minutes, I do not have to supplement my two workouts anymore, unless, of course, I want to. :)
Friday brought upon me a rest day. Since I skipped my rest day on Wednesday to get more working out in before my weigh in on Friday morning, I opted to move Wednesday's rest day to Friday. Which I very much needed after my million squats throughout the week! Saturday was a cardio day, and walking was the word! I needed something a little less intense than biking, rowing, or some other sort of cardio. Sunday brought another rest day, which was fine since I was not particularly feeling too well over the weekend.
My 25/25 Challenge was a success, and I completed 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches every single day this week. I actually enjoyed this exercise so much, that I am going to make it a monthly challenge to see if I can do 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches for every day in June. I really felt a difference in my arms, and my core muscles are more taught this week having done this challenge. I really think this will make a difference in my arm strength, and help my core muscles to tighten up more so when all the fat that surrounds my abs are gone, I will have a nice tummy to show for all my hard work! :)
My weigh in this week was another success! 1.3 lbs down, 1 inch from the waist, and 1/2 inch from the hips. I'LL TAKE IT!!! That brings me to a total of 2.8 lbs lost in the past two weeks. I am so thrilled for my progress! I took a look in the mirror in passing today, and I was shocked at what I saw staring back at me! I could see my waist! I could see the fat melting away! It was unbelievable! I know that I will make it this time around, and I know that I'm going to finally be at the size I would like to be at when this is all said and done. Perseverance is key! Stick with it!!
Make achievable goals. I have learned the hard way that if I set my sights too high, whenever I fall even the slightest bit short, I am disappointed with myself. So I set reasonable goals. I had a goal for January of this year, to lose 5 lbs. That's not unreasonable, right? I did so good that I surpassed that goal with 7 lbs. lost in January! So I keep my goals small, and I don't put the deadline so far in to the future that I cannot see it! Do a month at a time, a week at a time, a day at a time, whatever works for you. But just as our eyes are often bigger than our appetites, don't make your eyes strain so hard to see your goal that it virtually becomes unachievable. Be reasonable with your goal setting and time lines. You CAN do this!!!
Good luck this week! Keep at it! And know you've got a fan in me!! :)
Friday brought upon me a rest day. Since I skipped my rest day on Wednesday to get more working out in before my weigh in on Friday morning, I opted to move Wednesday's rest day to Friday. Which I very much needed after my million squats throughout the week! Saturday was a cardio day, and walking was the word! I needed something a little less intense than biking, rowing, or some other sort of cardio. Sunday brought another rest day, which was fine since I was not particularly feeling too well over the weekend.
My 25/25 Challenge was a success, and I completed 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches every single day this week. I actually enjoyed this exercise so much, that I am going to make it a monthly challenge to see if I can do 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches for every day in June. I really felt a difference in my arms, and my core muscles are more taught this week having done this challenge. I really think this will make a difference in my arm strength, and help my core muscles to tighten up more so when all the fat that surrounds my abs are gone, I will have a nice tummy to show for all my hard work! :)
My weigh in this week was another success! 1.3 lbs down, 1 inch from the waist, and 1/2 inch from the hips. I'LL TAKE IT!!! That brings me to a total of 2.8 lbs lost in the past two weeks. I am so thrilled for my progress! I took a look in the mirror in passing today, and I was shocked at what I saw staring back at me! I could see my waist! I could see the fat melting away! It was unbelievable! I know that I will make it this time around, and I know that I'm going to finally be at the size I would like to be at when this is all said and done. Perseverance is key! Stick with it!!
Make achievable goals. I have learned the hard way that if I set my sights too high, whenever I fall even the slightest bit short, I am disappointed with myself. So I set reasonable goals. I had a goal for January of this year, to lose 5 lbs. That's not unreasonable, right? I did so good that I surpassed that goal with 7 lbs. lost in January! So I keep my goals small, and I don't put the deadline so far in to the future that I cannot see it! Do a month at a time, a week at a time, a day at a time, whatever works for you. But just as our eyes are often bigger than our appetites, don't make your eyes strain so hard to see your goal that it virtually becomes unachievable. Be reasonable with your goal setting and time lines. You CAN do this!!!
Good luck this week! Keep at it! And know you've got a fan in me!! :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Days 7-10
I decided that I'm only going to update this twice a week. I've been pretty busy lately, and by the time I get to writing at the end of the night, I'm just exhausted. Not to mention, that posting a daily workout journal can be a bit much for some to read, and by the end of the first week, many are probably wondering when the heck I'm going to stop. So we'll see how it goes for the next couple of weeks like this, and then I'll take it from there. :)
This week, not only am I doing my 25/25 Challenge, I've upgraded my workouts. I am now doing two workouts (on most days that is!), and then trying to get in a little Yoga as well. The Yoga really helps with my back, and just my overall body. Some nice stretches to stretch my muscles, and really clear my mind. Not to mention, Yoga helps with my balance, which is something that has gone down hill since I haven't been exercising as much. My workouts never exceed 45 minutes, but most of them are only 30 minutes long. However, when you're doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred as one of your workouts, and then perhaps the Biggest Loser Challenge for Wii as the other workout, you're getting a pretty full workout!
Sunday was a rest day, or was supposed to be, so I only did Yoga that day, just to keep me limber and focused. Monday was the circuits from hell day! I swear I did so many squats, I could have squat around the globe and back! Needless to say, my legs that day were pretty much the consistency of jello, and every squat since has hurt like a.....well, it hurt!! Tuesday wasn't so bad, a little circuit training via Jillian, and then two sessions of Yoga. Wednesday, which was supposed to be another "rest" day, was, in fact, not. But that was my choice. I decided to work it because I feel lazy on my "rest" days. I know that the body needs time to heal from the working out, and I fully get that. But I feel like I've been on my groove this past week, and I just hate the slow days where I'm thrown off my rhythm a little. So I did more Yoga, and some challenges on my Biggest Loser for Wii.
Just to keep you up-to-date on the different things that I am doing for my various exercises, here's the breakdown:
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD - Three levels of circuit workouts by JM, with Level 3 being the biggest variety of exercises and the most difficult in degree.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 Wii - This actually is compiled of JM circuits, just made in to a game where you are fighting villains and crime in different challenges once you've worked out enough to participate in those. I have yet to do a challenge, or as she calls them "missions," because I have only had time to complete the workout and move on with my day. One of these days, I will try it!
The Biggest Loser Challenge Wii - Between Bob and Jillian, you are worked to the EXTREME!!! Not to mention the weekly weigh ins, and the weekly challenges as well. Each weekly challenge put you up against former Biggest Loser contestants in challenges that they participated in. Of course, you are only doing the physical challenges that were done on the shows, but still, they are difficult and in order to improve your weekly score, you have to do well.
Vacation Beach Isle Wii - I know, sounds like a slackers workout, right? I thought so, too. And while, yes, many of the activities do not require that much motion, 90% of the games focus on balance and stability, and the ever important hand-eye coordination. So these are kind of like mental-to-physical activities, and more done as a third workout during a day, or on my rest days so I still get a little movement and action. However, let's not be to quick to pass this one off. The Hula Dancing and Fire Dancing are quite involved, and the higher your degree of difficulty, the more you definitely feel the burn. Let's just say, I'm Hawaiian, and MY hips and obliques hurt after five rounds of hula dancing!!
Boot Camp Wii - Yep, seems like a silly game, right? My husband and I actually got this one just for fun. But after the first time of playing, we were so physically exhausted! The activities range from shooting things out of the sky to peeling potatoes, every job that would be done by a soldier at boot camp! The main thing that keeps this game up there with a workout status is that the motions that you have to do to complete an activity are so involved, that you literally are aching by the time you are done with ONE activity, let alone a whole chain of activities. It may not be a "Booty" Boot Camp, but it is a boot camp nonetheless!
Wii Fit Plus - Yes, Wii Fit Plus has a variety of exercises that can keep you going. I just find that the time between each exercise keeps me from having a constant high heart rate that is required in a good workout. I, therefore, keep this one around purely for "extra" little workouts throughout the week, and on my two rest days.
So far, that is all I'm working with. Along with my membership to Jillian Michaels online program which gives me circuits to complete. But, honestly, you can get that information from a number of her books, and all the exercises that she showcases in her online program are featured in her "Winning by Losing" book, and in her DVD's and Wii game, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011. So you could save yourself a membership fee, and just go stock up on her books and DVD's and save yourself money in the long run. :)
Today was the first day that I looked in the mirror and physically SAW a difference in how I look. I have noticed a difference in how I feel, but that is secondary to if I actually see a difference when I look in the mirror. Let me just say, that when I looked in the mirror, and noticed a layer of fat missing from my body, I was practically in tears. It pays to do the workouts. It pays to watch your portions. It pays to do the work.
Good luck on your workouts, and keep moving! Even if you're only walking everyday, keep it up! Something is better than nothing, and you will eventually see a new you standing in front of your mirror!
This week, not only am I doing my 25/25 Challenge, I've upgraded my workouts. I am now doing two workouts (on most days that is!), and then trying to get in a little Yoga as well. The Yoga really helps with my back, and just my overall body. Some nice stretches to stretch my muscles, and really clear my mind. Not to mention, Yoga helps with my balance, which is something that has gone down hill since I haven't been exercising as much. My workouts never exceed 45 minutes, but most of them are only 30 minutes long. However, when you're doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred as one of your workouts, and then perhaps the Biggest Loser Challenge for Wii as the other workout, you're getting a pretty full workout!
Sunday was a rest day, or was supposed to be, so I only did Yoga that day, just to keep me limber and focused. Monday was the circuits from hell day! I swear I did so many squats, I could have squat around the globe and back! Needless to say, my legs that day were pretty much the consistency of jello, and every squat since has hurt like a.....well, it hurt!! Tuesday wasn't so bad, a little circuit training via Jillian, and then two sessions of Yoga. Wednesday, which was supposed to be another "rest" day, was, in fact, not. But that was my choice. I decided to work it because I feel lazy on my "rest" days. I know that the body needs time to heal from the working out, and I fully get that. But I feel like I've been on my groove this past week, and I just hate the slow days where I'm thrown off my rhythm a little. So I did more Yoga, and some challenges on my Biggest Loser for Wii.
Just to keep you up-to-date on the different things that I am doing for my various exercises, here's the breakdown:
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD - Three levels of circuit workouts by JM, with Level 3 being the biggest variety of exercises and the most difficult in degree.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 Wii - This actually is compiled of JM circuits, just made in to a game where you are fighting villains and crime in different challenges once you've worked out enough to participate in those. I have yet to do a challenge, or as she calls them "missions," because I have only had time to complete the workout and move on with my day. One of these days, I will try it!
The Biggest Loser Challenge Wii - Between Bob and Jillian, you are worked to the EXTREME!!! Not to mention the weekly weigh ins, and the weekly challenges as well. Each weekly challenge put you up against former Biggest Loser contestants in challenges that they participated in. Of course, you are only doing the physical challenges that were done on the shows, but still, they are difficult and in order to improve your weekly score, you have to do well.
Vacation Beach Isle Wii - I know, sounds like a slackers workout, right? I thought so, too. And while, yes, many of the activities do not require that much motion, 90% of the games focus on balance and stability, and the ever important hand-eye coordination. So these are kind of like mental-to-physical activities, and more done as a third workout during a day, or on my rest days so I still get a little movement and action. However, let's not be to quick to pass this one off. The Hula Dancing and Fire Dancing are quite involved, and the higher your degree of difficulty, the more you definitely feel the burn. Let's just say, I'm Hawaiian, and MY hips and obliques hurt after five rounds of hula dancing!!
Boot Camp Wii - Yep, seems like a silly game, right? My husband and I actually got this one just for fun. But after the first time of playing, we were so physically exhausted! The activities range from shooting things out of the sky to peeling potatoes, every job that would be done by a soldier at boot camp! The main thing that keeps this game up there with a workout status is that the motions that you have to do to complete an activity are so involved, that you literally are aching by the time you are done with ONE activity, let alone a whole chain of activities. It may not be a "Booty" Boot Camp, but it is a boot camp nonetheless!
Wii Fit Plus - Yes, Wii Fit Plus has a variety of exercises that can keep you going. I just find that the time between each exercise keeps me from having a constant high heart rate that is required in a good workout. I, therefore, keep this one around purely for "extra" little workouts throughout the week, and on my two rest days.
So far, that is all I'm working with. Along with my membership to Jillian Michaels online program which gives me circuits to complete. But, honestly, you can get that information from a number of her books, and all the exercises that she showcases in her online program are featured in her "Winning by Losing" book, and in her DVD's and Wii game, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011. So you could save yourself a membership fee, and just go stock up on her books and DVD's and save yourself money in the long run. :)
Today was the first day that I looked in the mirror and physically SAW a difference in how I look. I have noticed a difference in how I feel, but that is secondary to if I actually see a difference when I look in the mirror. Let me just say, that when I looked in the mirror, and noticed a layer of fat missing from my body, I was practically in tears. It pays to do the workouts. It pays to watch your portions. It pays to do the work.
Good luck on your workouts, and keep moving! Even if you're only walking everyday, keep it up! Something is better than nothing, and you will eventually see a new you standing in front of your mirror!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Day 7
Yep, another day has fallen behind me. Yesterday, according to my JM workout routine, was a rest day. I can do cardio for "extra workout credit" but let's be honest. How many of us, who work out every day, are really wanting to do "extra" credit workouts? Yesterday, I can honestly say, that was NOT me!! LOL!
But, in taking part in my 25/25 Challenge, I DID do my 25 push ups, inclined against my wall, and my 25 crunches. My lower back was hurting too much to try and do the full sit up, so I figured crunches would suffice to start. I hope to be able to move up to doing actual sit ups, if only for the sake of being able to say that after 15 years, I can finally do them. :)
Life is a battle of some sort at every moment. Choose your battles wisely, and with knowledge of how to win, with realistic goals, and a plan to achieve said goals. With that kind of mindset, there's no way you can lose! So, as my good friend Charlie Sheen has said, "Let's all be Winners!" :D
Keep the stride, steady your pace, and eventually you WILL win!!!
For a recap of previous days workout stories, visit us on Facebook HERE.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Work It....Own It.....
Last Monday, I started up my getting fit regimen again. I am steady on the course, and keeping people up to date on Facebook. I forgot to post those notes on here, so head on over to Facebook to see how the first week of my journey to a healthier me went! And stay tuned on the blog (or Facebook!) to watch my journey unfold!
Read last week's notes HERE.
Read last week's notes HERE.
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That's right! You can now visit us on Facebook, and get the same up-to-date recipes, tips, tricks, workouts, and more! All in a more convenient place! So rush on over to Facebook, and be sure to "Like" us!!
Visit us on Facebook!!
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Thursday, March 10, 2011
Healthy Spaghetti
What? Healthy pasta? IMPOSSIBLE!!!
No, really, it's not. :) Here is a fantastic recipe for some healthy spaghetti. Homemade spaghetti sauce, IN A CROCK POT, whole wheat pasta, even some parmesan cheese!
Whole Wheat Spaghetti
Sauce Ingredients:
1 medium or large onion, diced
1-2 packages of mushrooms, sliced
1 medium or large green bell pepper, diced
1 large can whole stewed tomatoes, cut in chunks
1 small can tomato paste
Salt, Pepper, and Parsley to taste
Directions:
Chop up all your ingredients. Put everything except the tomato paste in the crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-4 hours. In the last twenty minutes of cook time, stir in a little tomato paste at a time until you have reached the desired thickness of sauce.
Cook your whole wheat spaghetti noodles, top with sauce and 2 Tbsp. of Parmesan Cheese.
Enjoy!!
Nutritional Facts:
Serving Size: 2 oz. Whole Wheat Spaghetti, 1 C Sauce, 2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese
Calories: 323
Fat: 3g
Carbs: 59g
Fiber: 11.5g
Protein: 19g
Monday, February 28, 2011
Crunches and Push-Ups
Yep, you know them, you love them, you can't live without them. The ever popular crunch and push-up. I know what you're thinking, these are simple exercises, give me something better! But there are so many variations that you can do that will work so many different areas at the same time! And if you're not able to do the variations or more extreme exercises, these are a great place to start.
Basic crunches are done with you lying on your back, knees bent, your feet on the floor, and your hands behind your head. Many people will do crunches and put too much strain on their neck which, in turn, puts too much pressure on your spine and back. To do them correctly, don't curl in as you crunch up. Instead, pull with your chin. Act as if you are trying to get your chin to touch the ceiling. Doing so helps to keep you from pulling at your neck and keeps your upper torso more aligned. Try it! You'll notice the difference immediately!
Want something a little more intense than the basic crunch? Try one of these:
Bicycle Crunches - Lying on your back, with your hands behind your head, bend your legs to make a right angle. As you crunch up, bring your right elbow to meet your left knee. Return to start. Next, bring your left elbow to meet your right knee. Return to start. Repeat in this fashion in sets of 1 minute.
Pike Crunch - Lie on your back, with your legs straight out in front of you and your arms at your side. Exhale as you bring your legs up to a 45 degree angle, keeping your legs straight. At the same time, crunch up and extend your arms toward your feet. Return to start and repeat.
Push-ups are something where technique is constantly being criticized, and the appropriate way to perform changes from one trainer to the next. But here are some basics that you need to understand about the push-up.
Push-ups are done by lying face down on the ground with your legs together. Place your hands, palm down, out to the sides of your chest, and position them so they are directly under your elbows. With your arms straight and resting on the balls of your feet, keep your back straight as you lower your body to the ground until your arms create a 90 degree angle (right angle) at the elbows. Return to start and repeat.
Need something a little more difficult than the basic push-up? Try one of these:
Plyo Push-Ups - Performed almost in the same manner as the basic push-up with one exception. Instead of merely pushing your body back up into the start position, push yourself up with an explosive burst, lifting your hands off the floor and clapping them together before landing back in the push-up position. Repeat.
Traveling Push-Ups - Start as you would a basic push-up. Thinking of your head and arms as being at 12 o'clock, and your feet being at 6 o'clock, perform a regular push-up. When you get back to start, bring your left hand to meet your right hand, and move your body (NOT YOUR FEET!) to the 2 o'clock position. Do a push-up. Return to 12 o'clock. Do a push-up. Now, bring your right hand to meet your left hand and move your body to the 10 o'clock position. Do a push-up. Return to 12 o'clock. Repeat this pattern: 12 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 10 o'clock. Continue for a pre-determined number of reps or time limit.
Is a regular push-up too much for you to start with? It was for me, too! Try this!
Wall Push-Up - Stand approximately 2-3 feet away from a wall. With your feet together, position your hands on the wall so they are to the sides of your chest, and your hands are directly under your elbows. Putting all your weight to your arms and balls of your feet, lower yourself toward the wall until your arms make a right angle at the elbows. Return to start and repeat.
Simple exercises with different variations. Now, no matter where you go, you can always try out something new and get a different burn than just the basic crunch and push-up!
Basic crunches are done with you lying on your back, knees bent, your feet on the floor, and your hands behind your head. Many people will do crunches and put too much strain on their neck which, in turn, puts too much pressure on your spine and back. To do them correctly, don't curl in as you crunch up. Instead, pull with your chin. Act as if you are trying to get your chin to touch the ceiling. Doing so helps to keep you from pulling at your neck and keeps your upper torso more aligned. Try it! You'll notice the difference immediately!
Want something a little more intense than the basic crunch? Try one of these:
Bicycle Crunches - Lying on your back, with your hands behind your head, bend your legs to make a right angle. As you crunch up, bring your right elbow to meet your left knee. Return to start. Next, bring your left elbow to meet your right knee. Return to start. Repeat in this fashion in sets of 1 minute.
Pike Crunch - Lie on your back, with your legs straight out in front of you and your arms at your side. Exhale as you bring your legs up to a 45 degree angle, keeping your legs straight. At the same time, crunch up and extend your arms toward your feet. Return to start and repeat.
Push-ups are something where technique is constantly being criticized, and the appropriate way to perform changes from one trainer to the next. But here are some basics that you need to understand about the push-up.
Push-ups are done by lying face down on the ground with your legs together. Place your hands, palm down, out to the sides of your chest, and position them so they are directly under your elbows. With your arms straight and resting on the balls of your feet, keep your back straight as you lower your body to the ground until your arms create a 90 degree angle (right angle) at the elbows. Return to start and repeat.
Need something a little more difficult than the basic push-up? Try one of these:
Plyo Push-Ups - Performed almost in the same manner as the basic push-up with one exception. Instead of merely pushing your body back up into the start position, push yourself up with an explosive burst, lifting your hands off the floor and clapping them together before landing back in the push-up position. Repeat.
Traveling Push-Ups - Start as you would a basic push-up. Thinking of your head and arms as being at 12 o'clock, and your feet being at 6 o'clock, perform a regular push-up. When you get back to start, bring your left hand to meet your right hand, and move your body (NOT YOUR FEET!) to the 2 o'clock position. Do a push-up. Return to 12 o'clock. Do a push-up. Now, bring your right hand to meet your left hand and move your body to the 10 o'clock position. Do a push-up. Return to 12 o'clock. Repeat this pattern: 12 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 12 o'clock, 10 o'clock. Continue for a pre-determined number of reps or time limit.
Is a regular push-up too much for you to start with? It was for me, too! Try this!
Wall Push-Up - Stand approximately 2-3 feet away from a wall. With your feet together, position your hands on the wall so they are to the sides of your chest, and your hands are directly under your elbows. Putting all your weight to your arms and balls of your feet, lower yourself toward the wall until your arms make a right angle at the elbows. Return to start and repeat.
Simple exercises with different variations. Now, no matter where you go, you can always try out something new and get a different burn than just the basic crunch and push-up!
Jillian Michaels' New Book!!
You know her as TV's Toughest Trainer. You've watched on NBC's The Biggest Loser. You've probably also heard about her revolutionary way of losing weight through circuit training. Yes, before I became the obsessed fan that I am, I had heard and watched all of that, too.
What I DIDN'T know, was that Jillian Michaels, at a very young age, dealt with being obese, too. She was overweight, her parents were divorced, and she was depressed. She fought back and found ways to lose the weight, and researched the way to do it correctly. She has sat down with the world's best doctors in every branch of medicine, to find out the best ways to treat your body. She makes it easy. She has done all the research for you, and she's laid it out in her past books like Master Your Metabolism.
I'm sure you're probably thinking, "Sure! And just because she's on tv and saying all this mumbo jumbo, I should believe her, too?"NO!! Not because she's on tv. Not because she's rich. And, most definitely, NOT because I am encouraging you to!
Many of us that read this site are here for one reason. To lose weight. Being healthy is always the second thing that comes to someone's mind when they are overweight. I know it. I've been there. I look at myself in the mirror and I think, "Wow!! How did I get this big? What can I do to get this fat off me YESTERDAY?!" What we sometimes fail to realize is that what took years and years to put on, will not come off with one magic pill in 6-8 weeks. PERIOD! There is nothing out there, short of liposuction, that will cut that fat right off your body! Whether you want to admit it or not, you worked to get that fat where it is. You opened your mouth, you lifted the food to it, and you ate it. No one forced you to do it. The good thing is, YOU CAN MAKE IT GO AWAY, TOO!!!
The efforts have to be made by you. The changes need to be made by you. The want and desire to be healthy and lose the weight you need/want to lose has to come from YOU!! You can't lose weight for anyone else but yourself. Until you realize that YOU want it for YOU, attempts will fail. And that's because you will eventually revert to your old ways and habits. But if you truly want to change, to be healthier, to lose weight, and you want it for you and you alone, you can move mountains!
We've all heard of those fad diets and magic pills. Atkins, South Beach, Zone, Quick Trim, Hydroxycut, Trim Spa, the list goes on. I will admit, I've tried them. Pretty much all of them. I did whatever it took to get rid of the extra weight. I didn't care about the ingredients, I didn't care about the toxins. I wanted the weight gone, and I wanted it gone NOW!! But, just as you would expect, the weight that was lost, was all gained back. Sometimes, extra weight found its way to me as well. But why? The pills obviously helped me to lose the weight, right? Quick fixes are not permanent solutions. They are just that. A quick fix. Not to mention harmful for so many reasons, those pills were nothing but a quick hope to reverse the years of binge eating and weight gain. There is only one way to do this the right way. Yes, diet and exercise are key. But pay attention, this is the secret...
LOSING WEIGHT IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE.
Surprised? You shouldn't be! I'm sure I've said this before, and I'm sure you've heard it before. Make healthier choices, eat healthier foods, get an appropriate amount of exercise.
One of the books that truly made me a fan of Jillian Michaels was her book Master Your Metabolism. It is a HUGE eye opener into the world of food, and what you are doing to your body. Laying out everything in the factual, point blank, brutally honest mentality that we've come to know and love about Jillian, her books really make you stop and think when you go to grab a "quick something to eat."
Jillian's new book, Unlimited, isn't what her other books have been, where she explores and shares all the ins and outs of eating healthier and what kind of exercise to do. Unlimited is a motivational piece of art! And I've only read the first 10 pages! In stores April 5th, Unlimited helps you to reach those dreams that others laugh at and knock down on a daily basis. It is a book of encouragement, that walks you through making your dreams come true. Regardless of the dream that rests in your head at this very moment. She helps you find what you truly want, and then pushes you to make it happen.
Change is inevitable. And when change takes place you have two options: change with it, or stay the same. Change is not something that we should be afraid of, it is something that we should embrace.
Take the time to read these ten pages, and make the choice yourself. You are here because you want to change. I am sharing this with you to help you move toward that change that you want to see.
Click HERE to read the first ten pages of Jillian Michaels' book Unlimited. In stores and online April 5, 2011.
What I DIDN'T know, was that Jillian Michaels, at a very young age, dealt with being obese, too. She was overweight, her parents were divorced, and she was depressed. She fought back and found ways to lose the weight, and researched the way to do it correctly. She has sat down with the world's best doctors in every branch of medicine, to find out the best ways to treat your body. She makes it easy. She has done all the research for you, and she's laid it out in her past books like Master Your Metabolism.
I'm sure you're probably thinking, "Sure! And just because she's on tv and saying all this mumbo jumbo, I should believe her, too?"NO!! Not because she's on tv. Not because she's rich. And, most definitely, NOT because I am encouraging you to!
Many of us that read this site are here for one reason. To lose weight. Being healthy is always the second thing that comes to someone's mind when they are overweight. I know it. I've been there. I look at myself in the mirror and I think, "Wow!! How did I get this big? What can I do to get this fat off me YESTERDAY?!" What we sometimes fail to realize is that what took years and years to put on, will not come off with one magic pill in 6-8 weeks. PERIOD! There is nothing out there, short of liposuction, that will cut that fat right off your body! Whether you want to admit it or not, you worked to get that fat where it is. You opened your mouth, you lifted the food to it, and you ate it. No one forced you to do it. The good thing is, YOU CAN MAKE IT GO AWAY, TOO!!!
The efforts have to be made by you. The changes need to be made by you. The want and desire to be healthy and lose the weight you need/want to lose has to come from YOU!! You can't lose weight for anyone else but yourself. Until you realize that YOU want it for YOU, attempts will fail. And that's because you will eventually revert to your old ways and habits. But if you truly want to change, to be healthier, to lose weight, and you want it for you and you alone, you can move mountains!
We've all heard of those fad diets and magic pills. Atkins, South Beach, Zone, Quick Trim, Hydroxycut, Trim Spa, the list goes on. I will admit, I've tried them. Pretty much all of them. I did whatever it took to get rid of the extra weight. I didn't care about the ingredients, I didn't care about the toxins. I wanted the weight gone, and I wanted it gone NOW!! But, just as you would expect, the weight that was lost, was all gained back. Sometimes, extra weight found its way to me as well. But why? The pills obviously helped me to lose the weight, right? Quick fixes are not permanent solutions. They are just that. A quick fix. Not to mention harmful for so many reasons, those pills were nothing but a quick hope to reverse the years of binge eating and weight gain. There is only one way to do this the right way. Yes, diet and exercise are key. But pay attention, this is the secret...
LOSING WEIGHT IS A LIFESTYLE CHANGE.
Surprised? You shouldn't be! I'm sure I've said this before, and I'm sure you've heard it before. Make healthier choices, eat healthier foods, get an appropriate amount of exercise.
One of the books that truly made me a fan of Jillian Michaels was her book Master Your Metabolism. It is a HUGE eye opener into the world of food, and what you are doing to your body. Laying out everything in the factual, point blank, brutally honest mentality that we've come to know and love about Jillian, her books really make you stop and think when you go to grab a "quick something to eat."
Jillian's new book, Unlimited, isn't what her other books have been, where she explores and shares all the ins and outs of eating healthier and what kind of exercise to do. Unlimited is a motivational piece of art! And I've only read the first 10 pages! In stores April 5th, Unlimited helps you to reach those dreams that others laugh at and knock down on a daily basis. It is a book of encouragement, that walks you through making your dreams come true. Regardless of the dream that rests in your head at this very moment. She helps you find what you truly want, and then pushes you to make it happen.
Change is inevitable. And when change takes place you have two options: change with it, or stay the same. Change is not something that we should be afraid of, it is something that we should embrace.
Take the time to read these ten pages, and make the choice yourself. You are here because you want to change. I am sharing this with you to help you move toward that change that you want to see.
Click HERE to read the first ten pages of Jillian Michaels' book Unlimited. In stores and online April 5, 2011.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
You Are Perfect
So many times in our lives, we fall prey to the thoughts of others. What does this person, or that person, think of me and how I look. We constantly look at others, wishing we had her legs, or her arms, or her abs. While it is great to have goals, and something to work toward, we sometimes get lost in all of it that we forget just how special we truly are, and what wonderful attributes we have without all the wishing.
I have done many posts on how to get leaner thighs, tighter arms, or how to work your obliques. I've shared recipes and words of wisdom to keep you motivated and wanting to achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. This week, instead of giving you pointers to help change your outward appearance, I would like you to focus on what is within. The character within a person is much more valuable than the appearance on the outside. We can sculpt our bodies into perfection, but the character inside is what will truly make us shine. I have met many people that are absolutely gorgeous on the outside, and what was on the inside completely disgusted me and turned me away. You have to believe in yourself. You have to do the things that will make YOU happy, never what will make others happy.
It is this obsession with perfection, and what society believes is perfect, that is taking over our children. This is what is causing stupid Facebook and Myspace wars between teens. Telling each other that their fat slobs and worthless. If we could only focus on teaching our children, and learning for ourselves, that each of us are perfect in our own ways, maybe there would be more positive people out there in the world.
Whatever your reason is that you want to lose weight and get in shape, I applaud you for taking the time to change the things about you that YOU want to change. If there is any part of you that is doing this for someone else, STOP!! That is no way to live.
I am a huge fan of Pink. Her songs tell stories of real "adult" heartbreak and life lessons. A lot of her songs deal with things she thought about herself as a child and teen. In a sense, like it is with most artists, her music is her therapy. I am grateful for the things Pink chooses to sing about and her honest way of portraying real life. Listen to this song, all the way through. And then think about it. We have all had those moments where we have felt less than perfect. But each of us, in our own little ways, are absolutely perfect and today is the day for us to shine.
Thank you, DownVilla, for the music video. **THIS IS NOT THE EDITED VERSION!**
Click HERE to watch the video and here the song.
I have done many posts on how to get leaner thighs, tighter arms, or how to work your obliques. I've shared recipes and words of wisdom to keep you motivated and wanting to achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. This week, instead of giving you pointers to help change your outward appearance, I would like you to focus on what is within. The character within a person is much more valuable than the appearance on the outside. We can sculpt our bodies into perfection, but the character inside is what will truly make us shine. I have met many people that are absolutely gorgeous on the outside, and what was on the inside completely disgusted me and turned me away. You have to believe in yourself. You have to do the things that will make YOU happy, never what will make others happy.
It is this obsession with perfection, and what society believes is perfect, that is taking over our children. This is what is causing stupid Facebook and Myspace wars between teens. Telling each other that their fat slobs and worthless. If we could only focus on teaching our children, and learning for ourselves, that each of us are perfect in our own ways, maybe there would be more positive people out there in the world.
Whatever your reason is that you want to lose weight and get in shape, I applaud you for taking the time to change the things about you that YOU want to change. If there is any part of you that is doing this for someone else, STOP!! That is no way to live.
I am a huge fan of Pink. Her songs tell stories of real "adult" heartbreak and life lessons. A lot of her songs deal with things she thought about herself as a child and teen. In a sense, like it is with most artists, her music is her therapy. I am grateful for the things Pink chooses to sing about and her honest way of portraying real life. Listen to this song, all the way through. And then think about it. We have all had those moments where we have felt less than perfect. But each of us, in our own little ways, are absolutely perfect and today is the day for us to shine.
Thank you, DownVilla, for the music video. **THIS IS NOT THE EDITED VERSION!**
Click HERE to watch the video and here the song.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Bound and Determined
Yep, this is the year. I've been putting it off for too long, and I'm bound and determined to make a significant difference this year. I have tried everything. I did the Atkins Diet, Mayo Clinic Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Slim Fast, you name it, I have done it. I have lost weight to gain it all back, and sometimes, I gained more than I lost. The only diet that kept me consistently losing and doing well was a protein shake twice a day with a balanced meal for dinner and three snacks a day. The problem? I enjoy food too much to drink my meals all the time. :)
About a year ago, after having watched many seasons of The Biggest Loser, I bought Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I figured I would give it a shot, since I was about out of options and things to try. As promised, having done the workout for 30 days, I lost 15 lbs. I could not have been any happier. Of course, life after that got busy, and my excuses to not workout followed, and the dvd got pushed to the side.
So this year, as I was planning my strategy to losing weight and keeping things fresh as far as workouts go, I decided to buy some games for my Wii to keep me active and enjoying my workouts. I bought Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 and The Biggest Loser Challenge. I am still awaiting the arrival of The Biggest Loser Challenge, but when I opened the JMFU 2011, I found an invitation to join Jillian's program on her website for FREE for 30 days, and if I don't like it, I can cancel it before the trial period is over. It has officially been three days since I've become a member, and I am nothing less than super impressed. Logging your food, figuring out your calories in and calories out, how much you need to burn, all the math that you used to do for yourself is completely done for you. Your workouts are outlined for you. You can even change to easier exercises if you feel the one given is too advanced for you.
I have logged my calories for two full days, and completed two whole circuit workouts. I cannot express how fantastic I feel, despite me cursing about halfway through the workout. You work up a sweat, you do it in the comfort of your own home, and you get a great workout that literally works every inch of your body.
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing bits and pieces of information that I am learning from my program. Some of the information is a repeat of things I have been saying for years, and some of it will be new information to copy down and keep with you. Whether it's old or new, it's information that you will want as you strive to build a better, more healthy you. So stay tuned, keep burning those calories, and stick to finding healthier ways to eat. The new, healthier you is right around the corner!
About a year ago, after having watched many seasons of The Biggest Loser, I bought Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I figured I would give it a shot, since I was about out of options and things to try. As promised, having done the workout for 30 days, I lost 15 lbs. I could not have been any happier. Of course, life after that got busy, and my excuses to not workout followed, and the dvd got pushed to the side.
So this year, as I was planning my strategy to losing weight and keeping things fresh as far as workouts go, I decided to buy some games for my Wii to keep me active and enjoying my workouts. I bought Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 and The Biggest Loser Challenge. I am still awaiting the arrival of The Biggest Loser Challenge, but when I opened the JMFU 2011, I found an invitation to join Jillian's program on her website for FREE for 30 days, and if I don't like it, I can cancel it before the trial period is over. It has officially been three days since I've become a member, and I am nothing less than super impressed. Logging your food, figuring out your calories in and calories out, how much you need to burn, all the math that you used to do for yourself is completely done for you. Your workouts are outlined for you. You can even change to easier exercises if you feel the one given is too advanced for you.
I have logged my calories for two full days, and completed two whole circuit workouts. I cannot express how fantastic I feel, despite me cursing about halfway through the workout. You work up a sweat, you do it in the comfort of your own home, and you get a great workout that literally works every inch of your body.
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing bits and pieces of information that I am learning from my program. Some of the information is a repeat of things I have been saying for years, and some of it will be new information to copy down and keep with you. Whether it's old or new, it's information that you will want as you strive to build a better, more healthy you. So stay tuned, keep burning those calories, and stick to finding healthier ways to eat. The new, healthier you is right around the corner!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year! Good Luck in 2011!
The first day of the New Year, and for me, it's nearly over. Weighing in for the last time of the year yesterday, I was shocked to see that the 7 pounds that I lost had stayed lost for the past month. Looking forward into 2011, I have new goals and new strategies to making myself a better me.
It's no surprise that with the New Year brings many resolutions to lose weight. Have you ever noticed how packed gyms are in January? It's also no surprise to see how many people fade away from their efforts after about the first month or so. The reasons for this are numerous, but I would guess that high up on that list would be that people get tired of starving themselves, tired of exercising every minute of their free time, and get tired of working so hard to lose 2 pounds one week, just to have it crawl back regardless of what they're doing.
The key? Know your body, and know yourself. At this time of year, many people will try anything to lose weight. Many fad diets are put into place to lose the weight you want, but the minute you jump off that fad diet, the pounds come crawling back on. What you must understand is that you need to balance out a healthy eating lifestyle with a healthy exercise lifestyle.
Here are some things to think about as you begin to make your New Year's Resolutions concerning your health for the year to come:
~ Keep it simple! The more complex your plan, the more you have to keep track of, and the easier it is to get overwhelmed and give up.
~ Take it slow! Losing weight, getting in shape, changing your lifestyle, these things don't happen overnight! It takes time, patience, a plan, and motivation.
~ Make reasonable goals! Sure, your ultimate weight loss goal may be 50 pounds, but sometimes it is easier to look at that ultimate goal 5 pounds at a time.
~ Don't beat yourself up! Many diets restrict what you are "supposed" to eat and how often you "should" exercise and what exercises you should be doing. Changing to a healthier lifestyle will not cut out all of your favorite foods for life, and it won't be a change you can make in a snap. Switching to eating healthier things will take some time to incorporate. Finding healthier or less fatty ways to make those secret indulgences you can't live without will take practice. So on those occasional days where you "slip" and you eat that piece of cake for dessert, don't beat yourself up! An occasional piece of cake is not going to pack on the 10 pounds you just lost. Enjoy it, and carry on the next day.
~ Drink water! Water, water, water! Many people don't know that when they are feeling hungry, sometimes they are just dehydrated, and those pains from dehydration come off as pains of hunger. So if you just finished that yummy cobb salad for lunch, and you start to feel a bit hungry an hour later, drink a couple of tall glasses of water, and see if you are still tempted to have a snack. If you are, make it a healthy one, like an apple, that will improve your mental acuity for the latter part of your day.
Those are just a few things to keep in mind as you set out for a better you this year. You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to, I truly do believe that. And, when all else fails, remember this quote I found, not sure of the author, but the message is great:
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, 'I'm Possible.'"
Good luck with your goals for 2011!
It's no surprise that with the New Year brings many resolutions to lose weight. Have you ever noticed how packed gyms are in January? It's also no surprise to see how many people fade away from their efforts after about the first month or so. The reasons for this are numerous, but I would guess that high up on that list would be that people get tired of starving themselves, tired of exercising every minute of their free time, and get tired of working so hard to lose 2 pounds one week, just to have it crawl back regardless of what they're doing.
The key? Know your body, and know yourself. At this time of year, many people will try anything to lose weight. Many fad diets are put into place to lose the weight you want, but the minute you jump off that fad diet, the pounds come crawling back on. What you must understand is that you need to balance out a healthy eating lifestyle with a healthy exercise lifestyle.
Here are some things to think about as you begin to make your New Year's Resolutions concerning your health for the year to come:
~ Keep it simple! The more complex your plan, the more you have to keep track of, and the easier it is to get overwhelmed and give up.
~ Take it slow! Losing weight, getting in shape, changing your lifestyle, these things don't happen overnight! It takes time, patience, a plan, and motivation.
~ Make reasonable goals! Sure, your ultimate weight loss goal may be 50 pounds, but sometimes it is easier to look at that ultimate goal 5 pounds at a time.
~ Don't beat yourself up! Many diets restrict what you are "supposed" to eat and how often you "should" exercise and what exercises you should be doing. Changing to a healthier lifestyle will not cut out all of your favorite foods for life, and it won't be a change you can make in a snap. Switching to eating healthier things will take some time to incorporate. Finding healthier or less fatty ways to make those secret indulgences you can't live without will take practice. So on those occasional days where you "slip" and you eat that piece of cake for dessert, don't beat yourself up! An occasional piece of cake is not going to pack on the 10 pounds you just lost. Enjoy it, and carry on the next day.
~ Drink water! Water, water, water! Many people don't know that when they are feeling hungry, sometimes they are just dehydrated, and those pains from dehydration come off as pains of hunger. So if you just finished that yummy cobb salad for lunch, and you start to feel a bit hungry an hour later, drink a couple of tall glasses of water, and see if you are still tempted to have a snack. If you are, make it a healthy one, like an apple, that will improve your mental acuity for the latter part of your day.
Those are just a few things to keep in mind as you set out for a better you this year. You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to, I truly do believe that. And, when all else fails, remember this quote I found, not sure of the author, but the message is great:
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, 'I'm Possible.'"
Good luck with your goals for 2011!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Time is Almost Up!!
As I head into the last week and a half of my 90 day challenge, I feel a little saddened that I will probably not make my mark, but encouraged that I have been able to reach my halfway mark AND maintain that during the ROUGHEST holiday season of the year as far as dieting goes. :)
With that being said, I know that I have relaxed on my exercise, and I have not been eating the best 100% of the time. With pure craziness surrounding me, I have skipped meals, or taken little nibbles of treats and goodies here and there to hold me over until the big meal at the end of my day. It is surprising that I have been able to keep anything off with schedules like that!
I fully own up to my mistakes, but am pretty pleased at the effort and success of keeping off the weight that was lost prior to the biggies (i.e., Thanksgiving and Christmas!). Afterall, at one point, when all is said and done, maintenance is key. I did decide, about mid-November, to switch from drinking protein shakes as meals to eating three meals and drinking half a protein shake once or twice a day for snacks instead. This way, my protein still stays in tact, but I can feel human and actually eat meals as opposed to drinking them. Drinking a meal always seemed like cheating to me, but it's a great jumpstart to get the ball rolling and help feed your motivation. AS LONG AS IT'S DONE CORRECTLY!!
So here has been a typical day's meals for me since the switch.
Breakfast: Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese (or butter, I alternate) and 8 oz. glass of V-8 Fusion.
Morning Snack: String Cheese, Applesauce, Handful of Nuts, or half a protein shake.
Lunch: Fish and chips (all baked, nothing fried!)
Afternoon Snack: Same as above.
Dinner: Chef Salad, Taco Salad, Baked Chicken with Rice and Steamed Veggies, or Pork Chops with Homemade Cornbread Stuffing (that way there's no High Fructose Corn Syrup!) and Green Beans.
I always baked meats, and usually, my meat is cooked in my George Foreman grill. Veggies are steamed and in the last 5 minutes of steaming, I add one tablespoon of butter to the veggies, mix it around and then let it finish steaming. This way, there is great butter flavor, but without the greasy taste when you eat the veggies. I have been incorporating a LOT more veggies into the mix, and I am finding new ways to eat the things that I love and have loved all my life. There is a healthy way to make MANY things. You just have to have the desire.
So here's to the last week and a half! May pounds continue to roll off, and may everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. :)
~ Coree
With that being said, I know that I have relaxed on my exercise, and I have not been eating the best 100% of the time. With pure craziness surrounding me, I have skipped meals, or taken little nibbles of treats and goodies here and there to hold me over until the big meal at the end of my day. It is surprising that I have been able to keep anything off with schedules like that!
I fully own up to my mistakes, but am pretty pleased at the effort and success of keeping off the weight that was lost prior to the biggies (i.e., Thanksgiving and Christmas!). Afterall, at one point, when all is said and done, maintenance is key. I did decide, about mid-November, to switch from drinking protein shakes as meals to eating three meals and drinking half a protein shake once or twice a day for snacks instead. This way, my protein still stays in tact, but I can feel human and actually eat meals as opposed to drinking them. Drinking a meal always seemed like cheating to me, but it's a great jumpstart to get the ball rolling and help feed your motivation. AS LONG AS IT'S DONE CORRECTLY!!
So here has been a typical day's meals for me since the switch.
Breakfast: Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese (or butter, I alternate) and 8 oz. glass of V-8 Fusion.
Morning Snack: String Cheese, Applesauce, Handful of Nuts, or half a protein shake.
Lunch: Fish and chips (all baked, nothing fried!)
Afternoon Snack: Same as above.
Dinner: Chef Salad, Taco Salad, Baked Chicken with Rice and Steamed Veggies, or Pork Chops with Homemade Cornbread Stuffing (that way there's no High Fructose Corn Syrup!) and Green Beans.
I always baked meats, and usually, my meat is cooked in my George Foreman grill. Veggies are steamed and in the last 5 minutes of steaming, I add one tablespoon of butter to the veggies, mix it around and then let it finish steaming. This way, there is great butter flavor, but without the greasy taste when you eat the veggies. I have been incorporating a LOT more veggies into the mix, and I am finding new ways to eat the things that I love and have loved all my life. There is a healthy way to make MANY things. You just have to have the desire.
So here's to the last week and a half! May pounds continue to roll off, and may everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. :)
~ Coree
Friday, October 22, 2010
90 Day Challenge Has Begun!
I am now 22 days into my 90 Day Challenge to lose 15 pounds. I am already down 7 lbs! It has been three weeks, and I feel absolutely amazing! Let me tell you what I'm doing. :)
This is my typical menu for a day:
Breakfast: Protein shake with fruit.
Morning Snack: Couple pieces of fruit, or fruit with string cheese.
Lunch: Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, or Smart One with a small dinner salad.
Afternoon Snack: Piece of fruit with pretzels.
Dinner: Protein shake with fruit, and sometimes a small dinner salad, too.
Evening Snack: Homemade portioned popcorn or Jello's Sugar Free-Fat Free Pudding with fresh fruit.
As far as my exercise goes, here's a list of things I do on a pretty regular basis for the past three weeks:
Walk 2 miles at least 4 times a week
20 minute Yoga sessions at least 3 times a week
Approximately 20 minutes of activity on Wii Fit Plus
Naturally, my exercise also includes normal, everyday things like the following:
Walking the dog at least 4 times a day (that's up and down three flights of stairs EACH time!!)
Cleaning the house
Laundry
Cooking and Baking
I allow myself a little treat on the weekends. I also don't drink my protein shakes on the weekends, either. This is so that I can practice making homemade meals that are healthier for me and my husband, and practice portion control, which is the number one reason I believe so many American are overweight. My husband and I enjoy traditional breakfasts on Sundays with hashbrowns, eggs, biscuits, and usually sausage, but we've also enjoyed bacon or pieces of ham. We get special snacks that we normally wouldn't allow ourselves to indulge in during the week, like tortilla chips and salsa, or spinach dip and potato rolls. Our Saturday dinners are also usually more fatty than that of those that we eat during the week. It is usually things like chicken wings and french fries, or homemade pizza.
As you can see from the menu above, we've also adapted a more European way of eating, where we eat our larger meal (what would be dinner in the US) for our lunch, and we eat our lunch size meal at dinnertime. This allows for our bodies to work off our largest meal of the day, instead of hoarding all the calories and fat in that meal and piling it away in our hips and thighs.
I have also begun cutting things out of my diet...FOR GOOD!! High fructose corn syrup was the first thing to go! I will be doing a blog entry on HFCS coming up soon, so stay tuned for that! Bottom line? That stuff is poison!! I have gone three weeks without any of that in the food I eat, and let me tell you, I feel healthier with every bite! Yes, it takes work to check every single label on the foods you eat to make sure that you are not indulging in that toxin. But it is worth it! Yes, HFCS is in practically EVERYTHING!! You MUST read the labels to find it. And once you see it in the list of ingredients, just put the product back on the shelf and keep moving! Your body will thank you, so will your metabolism! I challenge you to try it for a week. You will find that you can do without many things that you will find HFCS in. I know I have changed a lot of what I eat just to cut that one ingredient out of my diet. But you will never believe how amazing you feel!
I will be honest, this is hard work. It takes an effort to wake up every day and be motivated to get up and workout, or to stay steady on the menu. There are days that I will fight to do my workouts, and days where a protein shake or piece of fruit are the last things that I want to be putting into my body. But this is all working toward something that I desperately need to do for myself. I do not do this to be thin. I am doing this to be healthy. Being thin is just the added bonus to changing my lifestyle.
This is my typical menu for a day:
Breakfast: Protein shake with fruit.
Morning Snack: Couple pieces of fruit, or fruit with string cheese.
Lunch: Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, or Smart One with a small dinner salad.
Afternoon Snack: Piece of fruit with pretzels.
Dinner: Protein shake with fruit, and sometimes a small dinner salad, too.
Evening Snack: Homemade portioned popcorn or Jello's Sugar Free-Fat Free Pudding with fresh fruit.
As far as my exercise goes, here's a list of things I do on a pretty regular basis for the past three weeks:
Walk 2 miles at least 4 times a week
20 minute Yoga sessions at least 3 times a week
Approximately 20 minutes of activity on Wii Fit Plus
Naturally, my exercise also includes normal, everyday things like the following:
Walking the dog at least 4 times a day (that's up and down three flights of stairs EACH time!!)
Cleaning the house
Laundry
Cooking and Baking
I allow myself a little treat on the weekends. I also don't drink my protein shakes on the weekends, either. This is so that I can practice making homemade meals that are healthier for me and my husband, and practice portion control, which is the number one reason I believe so many American are overweight. My husband and I enjoy traditional breakfasts on Sundays with hashbrowns, eggs, biscuits, and usually sausage, but we've also enjoyed bacon or pieces of ham. We get special snacks that we normally wouldn't allow ourselves to indulge in during the week, like tortilla chips and salsa, or spinach dip and potato rolls. Our Saturday dinners are also usually more fatty than that of those that we eat during the week. It is usually things like chicken wings and french fries, or homemade pizza.
As you can see from the menu above, we've also adapted a more European way of eating, where we eat our larger meal (what would be dinner in the US) for our lunch, and we eat our lunch size meal at dinnertime. This allows for our bodies to work off our largest meal of the day, instead of hoarding all the calories and fat in that meal and piling it away in our hips and thighs.
I have also begun cutting things out of my diet...FOR GOOD!! High fructose corn syrup was the first thing to go! I will be doing a blog entry on HFCS coming up soon, so stay tuned for that! Bottom line? That stuff is poison!! I have gone three weeks without any of that in the food I eat, and let me tell you, I feel healthier with every bite! Yes, it takes work to check every single label on the foods you eat to make sure that you are not indulging in that toxin. But it is worth it! Yes, HFCS is in practically EVERYTHING!! You MUST read the labels to find it. And once you see it in the list of ingredients, just put the product back on the shelf and keep moving! Your body will thank you, so will your metabolism! I challenge you to try it for a week. You will find that you can do without many things that you will find HFCS in. I know I have changed a lot of what I eat just to cut that one ingredient out of my diet. But you will never believe how amazing you feel!
I will be honest, this is hard work. It takes an effort to wake up every day and be motivated to get up and workout, or to stay steady on the menu. There are days that I will fight to do my workouts, and days where a protein shake or piece of fruit are the last things that I want to be putting into my body. But this is all working toward something that I desperately need to do for myself. I do not do this to be thin. I am doing this to be healthy. Being thin is just the added bonus to changing my lifestyle.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
90 Day Challenge
Everyone wants to lose weight. Well, not those rail skinny little twigs, but, then again, yes, even some of them want to lose weight, too. The real question is, what's holding you back?
I have been overweight most of my life, and all of my adult life. I always say that I would like to be thinner, maybe back to a size that I was many moons ago. I'll jump on some fad diet and lose 20 pounds, just to have it reappear when I get off that fad diet. This is the yo-yo effect. Not a great thing to do to your metabolism. And while I have sat back for the past five years, telling myself that this time will be different, it never is. I start a diet, just to stop it for one reason or another, and then I'll reach the "What's the point?" point, and continuing on is just a waste of money on food I'll never eat.
Sound like you? Yeah, that's how a lot of people are, believe it or not. Some will find motivation later, some will give up forever and try to convince themselves that they are happy being overweight. THAT'S A LIE!! Nobody is happy being overweight! It's time to stop the cycle of bad dieting! Starting NOW!!
So many people I know are trying to lose 5, 10, 15, even 50 pounds. This is all fine and dandy if these people choose a plan and stick with it. The number one thing that I can recommend when dieting? Don't be too strict. When you tighten the reigns on your dieting so much to where you aren't eating the foods you love anymore, the temptation to cheat is higher than if you allowed yourself the proper size serving of the foods you love. Did you know that at the average meal, the average person will consume enough portions for at least three people? Gross, right?
So instead of cutting out Chinese food, feed that craving a couple times a month. But when you do it, be mindful of what else you have eaten for the day. If your breakfast or lunch was filled with carbs and fatty foods, that might be a bad day to indulge. Instead, enjoy your Chinese food on a day that you have planned to have it, where your lunch was a chef salad, and your snacks were fruits or vegetables. Then, be sure to eat the proper portion size. Don't eat it all because it's sitting in front of you! Portion out your plate, and put the rest away.
This brings me to my 90 Day Challenge, hence, the title of this article. I have decided that on October 1, 2010, I will begin a 90 Day Challenge to lose 15 pounds. I will do this challenge eating foods I love that are made in healthier ways than I've ever enjoyed them. I am going to portion out my meals, plan meals and snacks for each day, and I'm going to incorporate a workout program. Most importantly, I will be sharing this challenge with you. So you can see what I am doing every day, what I am eating, how much I am exercising. And if you feel so inclined to join me on this challenge, then AWESOME! The more the merrier!
So let's get started! Let's plan out what type of exercises we want to do, what kinds of food we love and how we can make those meals healthier while still enjoying our favorites. We can do this! 90 days-15 pounds=A Happier YOU!!!
I have been overweight most of my life, and all of my adult life. I always say that I would like to be thinner, maybe back to a size that I was many moons ago. I'll jump on some fad diet and lose 20 pounds, just to have it reappear when I get off that fad diet. This is the yo-yo effect. Not a great thing to do to your metabolism. And while I have sat back for the past five years, telling myself that this time will be different, it never is. I start a diet, just to stop it for one reason or another, and then I'll reach the "What's the point?" point, and continuing on is just a waste of money on food I'll never eat.
Sound like you? Yeah, that's how a lot of people are, believe it or not. Some will find motivation later, some will give up forever and try to convince themselves that they are happy being overweight. THAT'S A LIE!! Nobody is happy being overweight! It's time to stop the cycle of bad dieting! Starting NOW!!
So many people I know are trying to lose 5, 10, 15, even 50 pounds. This is all fine and dandy if these people choose a plan and stick with it. The number one thing that I can recommend when dieting? Don't be too strict. When you tighten the reigns on your dieting so much to where you aren't eating the foods you love anymore, the temptation to cheat is higher than if you allowed yourself the proper size serving of the foods you love. Did you know that at the average meal, the average person will consume enough portions for at least three people? Gross, right?
So instead of cutting out Chinese food, feed that craving a couple times a month. But when you do it, be mindful of what else you have eaten for the day. If your breakfast or lunch was filled with carbs and fatty foods, that might be a bad day to indulge. Instead, enjoy your Chinese food on a day that you have planned to have it, where your lunch was a chef salad, and your snacks were fruits or vegetables. Then, be sure to eat the proper portion size. Don't eat it all because it's sitting in front of you! Portion out your plate, and put the rest away.
This brings me to my 90 Day Challenge, hence, the title of this article. I have decided that on October 1, 2010, I will begin a 90 Day Challenge to lose 15 pounds. I will do this challenge eating foods I love that are made in healthier ways than I've ever enjoyed them. I am going to portion out my meals, plan meals and snacks for each day, and I'm going to incorporate a workout program. Most importantly, I will be sharing this challenge with you. So you can see what I am doing every day, what I am eating, how much I am exercising. And if you feel so inclined to join me on this challenge, then AWESOME! The more the merrier!
So let's get started! Let's plan out what type of exercises we want to do, what kinds of food we love and how we can make those meals healthier while still enjoying our favorites. We can do this! 90 days-15 pounds=A Happier YOU!!!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Summertime Kabobs
Yep, it's grillin season! The time of year, where it is usually hot and sometimes humid all over. It is my family's favorite time to pull out the grill and do anything but cook inside the house and risk heating it up and making everyone uncomfortable. So I figured I'd pull out one of my family's favorites.
Summertime Kabobs
Ingredients:
~Your favorite meat, but if you go for steak or pork, make it as lean as possible
~All your favorite veggies - Baby tomatoes, carrots, onions, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, make it COLORFUL!
Directions:
Put all your favorites on a skewer, if you want, marinate the meat the night before for a more seasoned taste.
Place your skewers on the grill and cook to your liking.
It's one of the most simple recipes for the summer, and it is something that you can do over and over again without getting bored, because the possibilities are ENDLESS! Go ahead....Kabob your summer!
Summertime Kabobs
Ingredients:
~Your favorite meat, but if you go for steak or pork, make it as lean as possible
~All your favorite veggies - Baby tomatoes, carrots, onions, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, make it COLORFUL!
Directions:
Put all your favorites on a skewer, if you want, marinate the meat the night before for a more seasoned taste.
Place your skewers on the grill and cook to your liking.
It's one of the most simple recipes for the summer, and it is something that you can do over and over again without getting bored, because the possibilities are ENDLESS! Go ahead....Kabob your summer!
Eating Your Colors
I am sure that you've heard that a number of times, but can you tell me why? I never fully understood the saying myself, which is what prompted me to research a little about the different colored foods and what they can do for you. So here is a small sampling of colorful foods, and how they can effect your body.
~ Red ~
Red foods, such as tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help protect against prostate and breast cancers.
Shop for: Red peppers, tomatoes, watermelon
~ Orange ~
Alpha and beta carotene make foods like carrots and sweet potatoes so brilliantly orange. The body converts these compounds into the active form of vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. These phytochemicals also operate as antioxidants, sweeping up disease-promoting free radicals.
Shop for: Apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, mango, oranges, papaya, tangerines
~ Yellow and Green, Part 1 (Leafy Greens) ~
Many yellow and green vegetables are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals that accumulate in the eyes and help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older people. Leafy greens are also rich in beta carotene.
Shop for: Artichokes, corn, lettuce, summer squash, wax beans, arugula, chard, collards, mustard greens
~ Green, Part 2 (Cruciferous) ~
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, provide compounds called indoles and isothiocyanates, which may help prevent cancer by amping up the production of enzymes that clear toxins from the body.
Shop for: Broccoli, green cabbage, kale
~ Blue and Purple/Deep Red ~
Blue, purple, and deep-red fruits and vegetables are full of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins, antioxidants associated with keeping the heart healthy and the brain functioning optimally.
Shop for: Blackberries, blueberries, eggplant, radishes (red), raspberries, strawberries, grapes
Notice that tan is NOT a color? Yes, that means the donut that I just ate as I sat here and typed this whole schpiel is NOT part of the color wheel. :(
So what have we learned? Color your plates up, People! The more variety of colors you have throughout a day, the better you will feel and the more your body will thank you!
~ Red ~
Red foods, such as tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help protect against prostate and breast cancers.
Shop for: Red peppers, tomatoes, watermelon
~ Orange ~
Alpha and beta carotene make foods like carrots and sweet potatoes so brilliantly orange. The body converts these compounds into the active form of vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. These phytochemicals also operate as antioxidants, sweeping up disease-promoting free radicals.
Shop for: Apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, mango, oranges, papaya, tangerines
~ Yellow and Green, Part 1 (Leafy Greens) ~
Many yellow and green vegetables are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals that accumulate in the eyes and help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older people. Leafy greens are also rich in beta carotene.
Shop for: Artichokes, corn, lettuce, summer squash, wax beans, arugula, chard, collards, mustard greens
~ Green, Part 2 (Cruciferous) ~
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, provide compounds called indoles and isothiocyanates, which may help prevent cancer by amping up the production of enzymes that clear toxins from the body.
Shop for: Broccoli, green cabbage, kale
~ Blue and Purple/Deep Red ~
Blue, purple, and deep-red fruits and vegetables are full of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins, antioxidants associated with keeping the heart healthy and the brain functioning optimally.
Shop for: Blackberries, blueberries, eggplant, radishes (red), raspberries, strawberries, grapes
Notice that tan is NOT a color? Yes, that means the donut that I just ate as I sat here and typed this whole schpiel is NOT part of the color wheel. :(
So what have we learned? Color your plates up, People! The more variety of colors you have throughout a day, the better you will feel and the more your body will thank you!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Work It!!
Complex moves help to burn extra calories. Not to mention you get the benefit of feeling the burn in multiple areas. Give this one a shot!
Squat Press
You may hold weights in your hands for added strength training, or go weight free!
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms bent with your hands in fists (or holding weights) and your wrists/palms facing up.
Squat down, keeping your back straight, and bending your knees no further than a 90 degree right angle, where your thighs are parallel to the ground. This will force you to push your booty out. ;) As you squat, press your arms up as if you were doing a bench press.
As you rise from the squat position bring your arms back to the starting position.
Complete three sets of ten, resting for one full minute between each set.
In no time you'll have a tighter tooshy and leaner arms!
Squat Press
You may hold weights in your hands for added strength training, or go weight free!
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms bent with your hands in fists (or holding weights) and your wrists/palms facing up.
Squat down, keeping your back straight, and bending your knees no further than a 90 degree right angle, where your thighs are parallel to the ground. This will force you to push your booty out. ;) As you squat, press your arms up as if you were doing a bench press.
As you rise from the squat position bring your arms back to the starting position.
Complete three sets of ten, resting for one full minute between each set.
In no time you'll have a tighter tooshy and leaner arms!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Father's Day
With Father's Day just two days away, everyone is probably racking their brains trying to come up with something brilliant to give the dad in their life. As with every holiday, Father's Day is yet another day where we spoil our dads with whimsical breakfasts, and tasty dinners. Why not try something different this year?
Many of us are glutenous when it comes to eating out. Let's face it, if we see it on our plate, we'll want to put it in our mouths! So let's change up what we see on our plate, but still create something delicious for the special dad in your life. Here are some examples:
Pancakes with homemade fruit salad on top instead of sugary syrup. Find a few of your dad's favorite fruits, chop them up real small, you can even put them in a pan with 1/2 cup of water and let the fruit meld together into a yummy sauce! Trick? Find sweet fruits that won't require you to add more sugar to the mix. :)
Crepes anyone? A breakfast favorite! You can find already made crepe wrappers with your fruit section at the grocery store! Get some fruit preserves (with your jelly and jam section!) and put it inside the crepe and warm to nummy goodness! To top the crepe? Try some low/no fat whipped cream!
Want to try something new for dinner? Buffets are a crowd pleaser, but have you ever really looked at the food you are putting on your plate? The food is mostly fried, slathered in butter, or just plain greasy! Then there's the never-ending line of palate pleasing desserts that do nothing but increase your waistline! Instead, try one of these options:
Salad buffet anyone? I'm sure you've heard of this wonderful place called Souplantation. It is a wonderful place filled with salads galore, homemade soups everyday, and a fruit bar that will please any sweet tooth! What's best about this, is you can keep going back, and you won't be eating a week's worth of calories in one meal!
Try a dinner in instead! Yes, it's nice to go out and have a big fuss made over your dad on this special day. But what about making up one of his favorites, and trying to cook it a little leaner than before? Better yet, what about grilling up something great like kabobs?!
Holidays don't mean that we have to eat to enjoy it, yet this is where our world has gone. So much of what we do is geared around what we are going to eat. We can enjoy ourselves while eating a little healthier at every meal. It doesn't take much, and your waistline, and HIS will thank you. :)
Happy Father's Day!
Many of us are glutenous when it comes to eating out. Let's face it, if we see it on our plate, we'll want to put it in our mouths! So let's change up what we see on our plate, but still create something delicious for the special dad in your life. Here are some examples:
Pancakes with homemade fruit salad on top instead of sugary syrup. Find a few of your dad's favorite fruits, chop them up real small, you can even put them in a pan with 1/2 cup of water and let the fruit meld together into a yummy sauce! Trick? Find sweet fruits that won't require you to add more sugar to the mix. :)
Crepes anyone? A breakfast favorite! You can find already made crepe wrappers with your fruit section at the grocery store! Get some fruit preserves (with your jelly and jam section!) and put it inside the crepe and warm to nummy goodness! To top the crepe? Try some low/no fat whipped cream!
Want to try something new for dinner? Buffets are a crowd pleaser, but have you ever really looked at the food you are putting on your plate? The food is mostly fried, slathered in butter, or just plain greasy! Then there's the never-ending line of palate pleasing desserts that do nothing but increase your waistline! Instead, try one of these options:
Salad buffet anyone? I'm sure you've heard of this wonderful place called Souplantation. It is a wonderful place filled with salads galore, homemade soups everyday, and a fruit bar that will please any sweet tooth! What's best about this, is you can keep going back, and you won't be eating a week's worth of calories in one meal!
Try a dinner in instead! Yes, it's nice to go out and have a big fuss made over your dad on this special day. But what about making up one of his favorites, and trying to cook it a little leaner than before? Better yet, what about grilling up something great like kabobs?!
Holidays don't mean that we have to eat to enjoy it, yet this is where our world has gone. So much of what we do is geared around what we are going to eat. We can enjoy ourselves while eating a little healthier at every meal. It doesn't take much, and your waistline, and HIS will thank you. :)
Happy Father's Day!
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