If you rest, you rust.
Helen Hayes
She lived to be 90 years old.
GET MOVING!!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Multitasking
This is today's newsletter from Denise Austin. My contribution is at the bottom.
Can You Work Out on the Phone?
Who doesn't love a long chat on the phone with an old friend or a family member who lives far away? If you're blessed with the gift of gab — as I am! — you can use that time to your fitness advantage.
Turn your next phone call into a workout by pretending to sit down in a chair! How? Instead of sitting on the couch or in a chair, lean your back lightly against a wall, making sure to press your spine flat. Then, as if you are sitting down in a chair, slowly lower your body along the wall until your knees are bent to at least a 45-degree angle (but don't go lower than 90 degrees). Hold the position for as long as you can: Start with 20 seconds and work your way up to 60-second intervals. Repeat the exercise every few minutes during a phone call and you'll really give those thighs a workout!
Makes you wonder what else you can do to get those workouts in. I've heard of people that also do exercises while talking on a cordless phone - walking around the room, plies', dancing while you're dusting, and so forth. Just another reminder that getting your 30 minutes of exercise in doesn't always have to be a set routine at a set time. It doesn't have to be a disruption in you're everyday life. Look for new and creative ways to work your body and pretty soon, like everything else we're doing, these things will become habits and you won't even realize that you're doing it!
Now, go have a great day!
Can You Work Out on the Phone?
Who doesn't love a long chat on the phone with an old friend or a family member who lives far away? If you're blessed with the gift of gab — as I am! — you can use that time to your fitness advantage.
Turn your next phone call into a workout by pretending to sit down in a chair! How? Instead of sitting on the couch or in a chair, lean your back lightly against a wall, making sure to press your spine flat. Then, as if you are sitting down in a chair, slowly lower your body along the wall until your knees are bent to at least a 45-degree angle (but don't go lower than 90 degrees). Hold the position for as long as you can: Start with 20 seconds and work your way up to 60-second intervals. Repeat the exercise every few minutes during a phone call and you'll really give those thighs a workout!
Makes you wonder what else you can do to get those workouts in. I've heard of people that also do exercises while talking on a cordless phone - walking around the room, plies', dancing while you're dusting, and so forth. Just another reminder that getting your 30 minutes of exercise in doesn't always have to be a set routine at a set time. It doesn't have to be a disruption in you're everyday life. Look for new and creative ways to work your body and pretty soon, like everything else we're doing, these things will become habits and you won't even realize that you're doing it!
Now, go have a great day!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Where ya' been?
Hi! This is Deanne's cousin Darla. She graciously offered once for me to post a blog on her Losing It site. And to be honest, I wasn't really sure what I'd say if I did.
But I do have a tip and Deanne is always the one with the great tips. I'm just so excited that I finally have a tip (that I'm sure she has known about forever but it's new to me), so here goes.
First thing is that I went back to the gym today. I say back because it's been awhile. The weather here in Houston has been as near perfect as it gets and so when I ran, I hit the bike trail by our house. (And to be totally honest, I only ran twice, so don't be impressed or anything.)
Today...even though it is gorgeous outside....I headed indoors. The treadmill pushes me harder than I do myself so it's good for me to go run there. When I arrived I got the dreaded...."Hey! We haven't seen you for awhile." I was both happy on the one hand that they knew who I was and embarrassed on the other that they knew I hadn't been there.
And of course I felt obligated to tell them where I'd been and so I mentioned the whole "running outside because it's such beautiful weather" thing.
And then I got my tip. You see, the fitness trainer/employee told me that running is great and important and necessary...in fact, he said cardio is the most important. But...and here is the tip...he said when you run you only burn extra calories for two or three hours after you finish your run. But he said that when you combine it with strength/resistance training you will continue to burn additional calories for as long as you are sore.
And that's good news for me. Because I decided to do some resistance bands to work on my arm strength. And I'm planning on being very, very sore tomorrow...so the calories will keep burning for several days! At least that's my plan.
And then...hopefully the next time I post...I can tell you about my own weight loss success story.
Three cheers for being sore!!!
But I do have a tip and Deanne is always the one with the great tips. I'm just so excited that I finally have a tip (that I'm sure she has known about forever but it's new to me), so here goes.
First thing is that I went back to the gym today. I say back because it's been awhile. The weather here in Houston has been as near perfect as it gets and so when I ran, I hit the bike trail by our house. (And to be totally honest, I only ran twice, so don't be impressed or anything.)
Today...even though it is gorgeous outside....I headed indoors. The treadmill pushes me harder than I do myself so it's good for me to go run there. When I arrived I got the dreaded...."Hey! We haven't seen you for awhile." I was both happy on the one hand that they knew who I was and embarrassed on the other that they knew I hadn't been there.
And of course I felt obligated to tell them where I'd been and so I mentioned the whole "running outside because it's such beautiful weather" thing.
And then I got my tip. You see, the fitness trainer/employee told me that running is great and important and necessary...in fact, he said cardio is the most important. But...and here is the tip...he said when you run you only burn extra calories for two or three hours after you finish your run. But he said that when you combine it with strength/resistance training you will continue to burn additional calories for as long as you are sore.
And that's good news for me. Because I decided to do some resistance bands to work on my arm strength. And I'm planning on being very, very sore tomorrow...so the calories will keep burning for several days! At least that's my plan.
And then...hopefully the next time I post...I can tell you about my own weight loss success story.
Three cheers for being sore!!!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Haters
You know how I feel about negative people. Don't have much time for them personally. More importantly, I don't understand it.
Valerie Bertinelli showed a lot of guts wearing a bikini on the cover of People Magazine last week. Anyone approaching the age of 50, irregardless of what their body looks like, shows a lot of guts wearing a bikini - period. For me, past a certain age, wearing a bikini falls into the category of "just because you can does not mean that you should".
42 and 9/10ths years is way past that point.
But, more power to her. I think it takes a lot for these celebrities to publicly attack their weight and lifestyle challenges. They live in a world where appearance is everything and to admit that you've been weak and are now taking control again is a major feat.
So I was very dismayed when I read the mailbag in this week's People. While most of the letters were very complimentary there was one that expressed her disdain with the celebrities who have personal trainers and special food delivered to their door. Made it sound like it was a breeze under those circumstances.
Yes, those things can help. But it is still up to the person to follow the program.
We know that weight can be lost without those things. All of us are living proof. Yes, it took me longer to lose my 50 pounds than it did her to lose her 43, or Marie Osmond her 45, and so on. I liked doing it this way because I felt like I was making the right changes in my overall lifestyle. The focus stayed on my overall health not just the number on the scale or the size on my clothes lables. I made the choices, did the research, and took ownership of my decisions.
But some people need the structure of the Jenny Craig program, or NutriSystem, or Weight Watchers. Some people need "forced discipline". They don't want to disappoint that trainer so they make their appointments and they try their best. Or they don't want to feel like they are wasting money so they follow through with what they signed up for.
Either way, you should be supportive of anyone's efforts to improve their health. Whether or not they follow the same path as you. And no one should think it is an easy process under any circumstances. It isn't.
I really felt sorry for that woman who wrote the letter. My guess is that she wishes she was in better health and so far has not been successful in making the right changes. But she shouldn't be so negative towards someone's success.
She is being a hater. And haters are just ugly. And ugly doesn't improve as the scale goes down. That has to be changed from the inside out. It takes a whole lot more than diet and exercise.
A lot more.
Valerie Bertinelli showed a lot of guts wearing a bikini on the cover of People Magazine last week. Anyone approaching the age of 50, irregardless of what their body looks like, shows a lot of guts wearing a bikini - period. For me, past a certain age, wearing a bikini falls into the category of "just because you can does not mean that you should".
42 and 9/10ths years is way past that point.
But, more power to her. I think it takes a lot for these celebrities to publicly attack their weight and lifestyle challenges. They live in a world where appearance is everything and to admit that you've been weak and are now taking control again is a major feat.
So I was very dismayed when I read the mailbag in this week's People. While most of the letters were very complimentary there was one that expressed her disdain with the celebrities who have personal trainers and special food delivered to their door. Made it sound like it was a breeze under those circumstances.
Yes, those things can help. But it is still up to the person to follow the program.
We know that weight can be lost without those things. All of us are living proof. Yes, it took me longer to lose my 50 pounds than it did her to lose her 43, or Marie Osmond her 45, and so on. I liked doing it this way because I felt like I was making the right changes in my overall lifestyle. The focus stayed on my overall health not just the number on the scale or the size on my clothes lables. I made the choices, did the research, and took ownership of my decisions.
But some people need the structure of the Jenny Craig program, or NutriSystem, or Weight Watchers. Some people need "forced discipline". They don't want to disappoint that trainer so they make their appointments and they try their best. Or they don't want to feel like they are wasting money so they follow through with what they signed up for.
Either way, you should be supportive of anyone's efforts to improve their health. Whether or not they follow the same path as you. And no one should think it is an easy process under any circumstances. It isn't.
I really felt sorry for that woman who wrote the letter. My guess is that she wishes she was in better health and so far has not been successful in making the right changes. But she shouldn't be so negative towards someone's success.
She is being a hater. And haters are just ugly. And ugly doesn't improve as the scale goes down. That has to be changed from the inside out. It takes a whole lot more than diet and exercise.
A lot more.
Friday, April 17, 2009
YEA!!!
I get excited when others get excited! I just got a comment about a 4.6 pound loss this week by someone who has been reading our support group blog.
And I had no idea she was reading it.
The other day one of our contributors told me she'd lost about 9 or 10 pounds herself. She hasn't posted it so I'm going to "out" her.
THIS is why I keep trying to find more and more people to join in. We can motivate and support each other. Sometimes we don't even know we are doing it.
I never wanted it to just be "my blog". It has always been about the whole group and whoever else we can drag in.
This excites me. It is less about what I'm doing for myself right now but how I (WE) can help others do for themselves. I know I'm rambling, but that is what I do sometimes, especially when I get pumped up!
SO - YEA for everyone out there that is trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I know you will succeed! YEA for us!
And I had no idea she was reading it.
The other day one of our contributors told me she'd lost about 9 or 10 pounds herself. She hasn't posted it so I'm going to "out" her.
THIS is why I keep trying to find more and more people to join in. We can motivate and support each other. Sometimes we don't even know we are doing it.
I never wanted it to just be "my blog". It has always been about the whole group and whoever else we can drag in.
This excites me. It is less about what I'm doing for myself right now but how I (WE) can help others do for themselves. I know I'm rambling, but that is what I do sometimes, especially when I get pumped up!
SO - YEA for everyone out there that is trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I know you will succeed! YEA for us!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Variety is the Spice of Life
Remember, workouts don't have to be boring! And doing the same thing every day will actually lull your body into complacency and it will stop working as well.
I was in a hotel earlier this week and used the fitness room. At first I went to my old standby - the treadmill. But this treadmill had SERIOUS issues so I hopped off and jumped on the elliptical machine. 20 minutes later I was toast! Different muscles, different effort. But it felt good. A little sore later in the day, but totally worth it.
With the weather getting so nice, and it isn't brutally hot - yet, use this time to vary your workouts. Get outside and soak up the sunshine while you run, or walk the dog, or garden. Your body will thank you.
At least it will eventually.
I was in a hotel earlier this week and used the fitness room. At first I went to my old standby - the treadmill. But this treadmill had SERIOUS issues so I hopped off and jumped on the elliptical machine. 20 minutes later I was toast! Different muscles, different effort. But it felt good. A little sore later in the day, but totally worth it.
With the weather getting so nice, and it isn't brutally hot - yet, use this time to vary your workouts. Get outside and soak up the sunshine while you run, or walk the dog, or garden. Your body will thank you.
At least it will eventually.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
GOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!
OK, it may be a little early for this post but I'm excited. According to the Wii, I am 1.3 pounds away from my original goal. 53 pounds, set over 2 years ago. I know I could rebound a little and it may take me a little longer to get there but it IS in sight.
As much faith as I have in myself, I have to admit that having only lost 5 pounds since January I was beginning to think I was done. And I was fine with that. Losing 48 or 49 pounds is beyond wonderful and so what if that was all. I haven't seen numbers like that on the scale since probably college or right around the time I got married.
But I got a little kick last week when I first tipped over that 50 pound mark. I sent my sister a text. But I didn't want to say too much because, like I said, I know my history and my patterns. My body will bounce up and down with the same 3 pounds for a while and then drop 3 or 4 and then go through the same thing with that group of 3 or 4 pounds. I may hover at 52 pounds for a month before I drop that last one.
But I'll get there. I can see it. And with a lot of added stresses in my life right now I haven't been working at it very hard but I know that it is a result of the lifestyle changes that I've made over the last 2 years. I no longer have to think about things because they are automatic now. I've surrounded myself with good food choices and I think before I eat and when I need to let things go I do so without guilt. (That was yesterday coming back from LSU. A Wendy's premium fish combo - mmmmmm. Probably a day's worth of calories but it was good! Sometimes you gotta have a day like that.)
So, this is not out here to brag but I hope to inspire. I was 40 years old when I started this so I don't believe in using age as an excuse. I was a diagnosed diabetic and more than 50 pounds overweight which put me in the obese category. And I'm the world's pickiest eater.
I had a lot of things working against me. But I did it. No tricks, no shortcuts, no pills, no easy way out. Lots of hard work, support, dedication and a true desire to make a change.
Everyone out there can reach their goals. You've just got to set them. Work towards them, and, as I've said before: NEVER GIVE UP!!
Now, go have a great day!
As much faith as I have in myself, I have to admit that having only lost 5 pounds since January I was beginning to think I was done. And I was fine with that. Losing 48 or 49 pounds is beyond wonderful and so what if that was all. I haven't seen numbers like that on the scale since probably college or right around the time I got married.
But I got a little kick last week when I first tipped over that 50 pound mark. I sent my sister a text. But I didn't want to say too much because, like I said, I know my history and my patterns. My body will bounce up and down with the same 3 pounds for a while and then drop 3 or 4 and then go through the same thing with that group of 3 or 4 pounds. I may hover at 52 pounds for a month before I drop that last one.
But I'll get there. I can see it. And with a lot of added stresses in my life right now I haven't been working at it very hard but I know that it is a result of the lifestyle changes that I've made over the last 2 years. I no longer have to think about things because they are automatic now. I've surrounded myself with good food choices and I think before I eat and when I need to let things go I do so without guilt. (That was yesterday coming back from LSU. A Wendy's premium fish combo - mmmmmm. Probably a day's worth of calories but it was good! Sometimes you gotta have a day like that.)
So, this is not out here to brag but I hope to inspire. I was 40 years old when I started this so I don't believe in using age as an excuse. I was a diagnosed diabetic and more than 50 pounds overweight which put me in the obese category. And I'm the world's pickiest eater.
I had a lot of things working against me. But I did it. No tricks, no shortcuts, no pills, no easy way out. Lots of hard work, support, dedication and a true desire to make a change.
Everyone out there can reach their goals. You've just got to set them. Work towards them, and, as I've said before: NEVER GIVE UP!!
Now, go have a great day!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Rock Those Abs!
Well, Denise Austin beat me on this one. I've been wanting to post this tip for a while but kept putting other things ahead of it. I learned this my first year going to HealthQuest and have tried to keep it in the back of my mind because it really does work. So, here is her newsletter for today. She says it better than I could anyway.
Is getting a flat stomach one of your fitness goals? If it is, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: You can work your ab muscles all day long and achieve great results - just by going about your daily life! By paying attention to your posture and pulling your abs in tightly, you'll be giving your abs a continuous workout for hours at a time.
Does it sound too good to be true? Well it isn't! You may think that sexy abs can only come from doing hundreds of crunches a day, but you'll achieve more noticeable results much more quickly simply by standing up straight and tucking everything in.
Give it a try right now! Sit or stand up super straight. It might help to imagine that there's a string attached to the crown of your head and it's pulling your whole body upward. Picture your spine getting straighter and longer. You'll soon notice that your hips automatically tuck under and your tummy squeezes in - quite the opposite of how your stomach protrudes when you're slumped over.
Standing upright like this works your abs - and, if you can keep it up all day, just imagine how 16 hours of ab work will strengthen your core! Even better than that rock-hard stomach you'll achieve will be the way you look slimmer and more confident with that excellent posture. Go for it!
Now, with shoulders back and tummy tucked in, go have a great day!
Is getting a flat stomach one of your fitness goals? If it is, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: You can work your ab muscles all day long and achieve great results - just by going about your daily life! By paying attention to your posture and pulling your abs in tightly, you'll be giving your abs a continuous workout for hours at a time.
Does it sound too good to be true? Well it isn't! You may think that sexy abs can only come from doing hundreds of crunches a day, but you'll achieve more noticeable results much more quickly simply by standing up straight and tucking everything in.
Give it a try right now! Sit or stand up super straight. It might help to imagine that there's a string attached to the crown of your head and it's pulling your whole body upward. Picture your spine getting straighter and longer. You'll soon notice that your hips automatically tuck under and your tummy squeezes in - quite the opposite of how your stomach protrudes when you're slumped over.
Standing upright like this works your abs - and, if you can keep it up all day, just imagine how 16 hours of ab work will strengthen your core! Even better than that rock-hard stomach you'll achieve will be the way you look slimmer and more confident with that excellent posture. Go for it!
Now, with shoulders back and tummy tucked in, go have a great day!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Raising the Bar
I have noted before that one of the things that I don't like about going to Health Quest or watching shows like the Biggest Loser is that they set up competition among the participants. To me, we should only be competing with ourselves. Pushing ourselves to make us better, healthier, stronger.
But I recognize that some people like that competition. They need a goal. Something they can aim for and beat.
So, in that vein and that vein only I pose the following, just in case anyone is interested. The Wii soccer points this morning: 490.
The bar has been raised.
But I recognize that some people like that competition. They need a goal. Something they can aim for and beat.
So, in that vein and that vein only I pose the following, just in case anyone is interested. The Wii soccer points this morning: 490.
The bar has been raised.
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