With Thanksgiving coming up I'm already strategizing about what I will and won't eat. I can skip the rolls, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie but I am definitely enjoying turkey, sweet potatoes, and hand-dipped chocolates.
Health News said those who log more than 5 miles per day could relax about holiday eating because fluctations in their diet are less likely to affect them. I agree that if you work hard you can justify some extra calories once in a while but for me it works best if I set limits.
How about you? What do you have to enjoy at Thanksgiving dinner and what can you do without?
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Incentives
My husband and I are cruising to the Caribbean in January. I have visions of white sand beaches and torquoise water and am spending way too much time googling the spots we're stopping at.
I decided I want to feel really good about myself on this cruise. I usually feel good about myself but sometimes when I'm on vacation (especially when said vacation includes a swimming suit) I find myself wishing I would've worked a little harder at the gym and said no to ice cream a few more times before I left.
So my husband provided some very nice incentives (shopping money, it's always shopping money) if I can get to the spot I want to be at.
Do incentives motivate you?
What's your prime motivation to take good care of yourself?
I decided I want to feel really good about myself on this cruise. I usually feel good about myself but sometimes when I'm on vacation (especially when said vacation includes a swimming suit) I find myself wishing I would've worked a little harder at the gym and said no to ice cream a few more times before I left.
So my husband provided some very nice incentives (shopping money, it's always shopping money) if I can get to the spot I want to be at.
Do incentives motivate you?
What's your prime motivation to take good care of yourself?
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Win The Broken Path
As part of the November Blog Hop with Tristi Pinkston and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer, I am giving away a copy of The Broken Path, which currently retails at $999.97 on Amazon. (You didn't know being my friend was so lucrative.)
Check out the giveaway here.
Check out the giveaway here.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
9 Strange Things You Can't Do When You're Pregnant
My friend, Christine, shared the article, 9 Strange Things You Can't Do When You're Pregnant with me. I was aware of some on the list. I really liked #7 - Clean the inside of an oven. My husband gets assigned some fun cleaning responsibilities when I'm pregnant, the shower is my favorite to pass off.
I was a little embarrassed about #9 - Drink caffeine. I was so exhausted during my last pregnancy that I slipped in a few Diet Cokes. Don't tell little Phoenix that his mama was neglectful. Next time I'll do better!
I was a little embarrassed about #9 - Drink caffeine. I was so exhausted during my last pregnancy that I slipped in a few Diet Cokes. Don't tell little Phoenix that his mama was neglectful. Next time I'll do better!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Inspiring Women
I love being around other women who inspire me to be a better person (without making me feel like dog dung in the process. You know what I'm talking about, sometimes we see someone who's amazing and instead of wanting to do better it just makes us feel crappy about ourselves. If you're having this problem you have to read President Uchtdorf's message).
My little sister's bday is today (Happy Birthday Abbie!) so we went on a fun girl's night Saturday. The women who came are amazing and I learned from each one of them: how to be a better wife, Mom, friend, author, and to be healthier and more fit. Yeah for girl's night out and for fabulous women who inspire others.
My little sister's bday is today (Happy Birthday Abbie!) so we went on a fun girl's night Saturday. The women who came are amazing and I learned from each one of them: how to be a better wife, Mom, friend, author, and to be healthier and more fit. Yeah for girl's night out and for fabulous women who inspire others.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
How Fitness Can Aid in Cancer Treatment
Liz Davies is my guest today, sharing with us insight about fitness and cancer treatment.
Studies have shown that it is important for individuals who are fighting illness to keep physically active, maintain a positive attitude, and eat a balanced diet. These attributes are known to improve the extent of recovery and the duration of recuperation.
It is natural for an individual to become fatigued and lethargic when battling cancer. The disease and treatment, as well as the emotional toll can be difficult to handle. It may be the last thing that a person wants to do, but being active can improve the coping ability and energy levels of the individual suffering with cancer. This is true for people battling a cancer with a low survival rate like mesothelioma or a cancer with a higher survival rate like breast cancer.
Cancer is a stressful condition and unfortunately, stress has been linked to poor outcomes when treating health issues. Physical activity addresses this problem in several ways. A person will experience the release of “feel good” chemicals that lead to a better emotional state as a result of participating in exercise. The added circulation aids the immune system in combating cancer and healing after treatment or surgery. While a person is participating in the activity, it provides a period of distraction for other pressing matters.
The immune process of an individual is elevated when daily physical activity is completed. Anatomically, this is due to the features of the lymphatic system, which mirrors the vessels of the cardiovascular system and relies on it to achieve transportation to every area of the body. A healthy vascular system equates to the ability of the immune system to function at an optimal level.
Participating in physical exercise enables a person to maintain energy. This simple fact has a large impact on a person who is fighting cancer, for example pericardial mesothelioma. Battling fatigue is a strain that an ill person should not have to deal with in addition to the disease and treatment, this situation has a negative effect on the person’s outlook and stress management.
Body motion leads to a better tolerance of pain in most people. This enables a person to cope with symptoms and procedures much more easily.
People who remain in motion naturally keep healthier weights and have better blood chemistry levels when tested, showing a better overall function of the organs.
Fitness when dealing with cancer does not mean a person should be able to run in a marathon. Each person is different. Participating in yoga, Tai Chi, gardening, or walking the dog is enough for some people. Discuss an appropriate activity level with the attending physician.
Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.
Studies have shown that it is important for individuals who are fighting illness to keep physically active, maintain a positive attitude, and eat a balanced diet. These attributes are known to improve the extent of recovery and the duration of recuperation.
It is natural for an individual to become fatigued and lethargic when battling cancer. The disease and treatment, as well as the emotional toll can be difficult to handle. It may be the last thing that a person wants to do, but being active can improve the coping ability and energy levels of the individual suffering with cancer. This is true for people battling a cancer with a low survival rate like mesothelioma or a cancer with a higher survival rate like breast cancer.
Cancer is a stressful condition and unfortunately, stress has been linked to poor outcomes when treating health issues. Physical activity addresses this problem in several ways. A person will experience the release of “feel good” chemicals that lead to a better emotional state as a result of participating in exercise. The added circulation aids the immune system in combating cancer and healing after treatment or surgery. While a person is participating in the activity, it provides a period of distraction for other pressing matters.
The immune process of an individual is elevated when daily physical activity is completed. Anatomically, this is due to the features of the lymphatic system, which mirrors the vessels of the cardiovascular system and relies on it to achieve transportation to every area of the body. A healthy vascular system equates to the ability of the immune system to function at an optimal level.
Participating in physical exercise enables a person to maintain energy. This simple fact has a large impact on a person who is fighting cancer, for example pericardial mesothelioma. Battling fatigue is a strain that an ill person should not have to deal with in addition to the disease and treatment, this situation has a negative effect on the person’s outlook and stress management.
Body motion leads to a better tolerance of pain in most people. This enables a person to cope with symptoms and procedures much more easily.
People who remain in motion naturally keep healthier weights and have better blood chemistry levels when tested, showing a better overall function of the organs.
Fitness when dealing with cancer does not mean a person should be able to run in a marathon. Each person is different. Participating in yoga, Tai Chi, gardening, or walking the dog is enough for some people. Discuss an appropriate activity level with the attending physician.
Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.
A Workout Loner
I'm a workout loner. I want to pound through my workout with only my Ensign magazine and my thoughts as company. I'm cordial to those who speak to me and sometimes even stop for a few minutes and chat but for the most part there's a sign in my eyes that reads, "Let me get my workout done and get home to my babies, please."
I wasn't always a recluse. Years ago I taught aerobics classes and couldn't run over a mile without someone to chat with. More recently, I organized groups of women to exercise with. We had a fabulous time and it was very rewarding to help them reach their fitness goals, but it all fell apart when I had my last son.
This morning a guy at the gym asked me, "When are you going to resurrect your workout group?" I didn't know what to say. Should I tell him that I miss my workout pals but it's sure easy coming to the gym whenever I can make it work with my husband and boys' schedules. Should I tell him that the group was very motivating but sometimes it was stressful to make sure everyone was working hard and using proper form and having a good time? Should I tell him that maybe I've just become lazy and selfish and only want to worry about me for a minute? I said, "I know, I miss my friends." And I do. Maybe I'll stop being so selfish, send out a text inviting my workout buddies to join me again, and stop being a workout loner.
What about you? Do you workout alone, with a buddy, or do you have a whole group of fun friends to motivate you?
I wasn't always a recluse. Years ago I taught aerobics classes and couldn't run over a mile without someone to chat with. More recently, I organized groups of women to exercise with. We had a fabulous time and it was very rewarding to help them reach their fitness goals, but it all fell apart when I had my last son.
This morning a guy at the gym asked me, "When are you going to resurrect your workout group?" I didn't know what to say. Should I tell him that I miss my workout pals but it's sure easy coming to the gym whenever I can make it work with my husband and boys' schedules. Should I tell him that the group was very motivating but sometimes it was stressful to make sure everyone was working hard and using proper form and having a good time? Should I tell him that maybe I've just become lazy and selfish and only want to worry about me for a minute? I said, "I know, I miss my friends." And I do. Maybe I'll stop being so selfish, send out a text inviting my workout buddies to join me again, and stop being a workout loner.
What about you? Do you workout alone, with a buddy, or do you have a whole group of fun friends to motivate you?
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