Workout

My boys are off registering for the upcoming lacrosse season. Ah, I can just envision it now. My cute boys whacking the opposing team with stick as I yell, "Knock that kid down! Come on, you're bigger than him, take him out!" Lacrosse does not bring out the best in me. I am not a competitive person. I usually think I'm pretty nice, but put pads on my boys and a stick in their hands and I turn into some kind of evil, yelling spectator. Step one is being aware of the problem, so maybe this will be the year that I'll get in control of myself on the sidelines.

Monday's workout was a fun one. We grouped lower and upper body exercises so warmup and then do 20 reps of the lower body and 10-12 of the upper body, repeat through it all 3-4 times then cool-down and stretch.

Lower body - Box jumps, lunge forward and back onto a platform or bench, step-ups, one-legged dead lifts
Upper body - Bicep curls, overhead triceps extensions, pushups, reverse fly, lateral raise

Thanks for stopping by!

All or Nothing

I've worked with a lot of people who are either on or off. They are either on their diet and exercising hard every day or they are off with very frustrating results.
I think too often we get caught up in thinking, I didn't make it to the gym today or I ate a cookie (or two or three) and all my weight loss or healthy living plans are done. This becomes especially hard during the holidays when we're too busy to exercise and there is so much good food around. I find myself thinking, I'll worry about it in January!
But living healthy is not an all or nothing propisition. It's possible to be healthy (and meet those weight loss goals) by just doing the best we can each day and making small changes that will add up to big results.
I always recommend just one small change a month. It can be something as simple as, drinking eight cups of water and cutting out one soda or scheduling three exercise sessions a week on the calendar (but not getting frustrated if we don't make it). As the months come and go and you keep adding a new healthy goal each month (and hopefully the previous months' goals have become a part of your lifestyle) you will see amazing results and not feel like you're completely changing your life or seeing the yo-yo effect of being all or nothing.
The most important thing is to not give up. Wake up each day excited to make healthy choices. Don't beat yourself up if you aren't perfectly healthy. Remember that we're not trying to lose seven pounds in a week or something ridiculous like that. We're making smart, healthy choices that will help us to feel good and look good for a lifetime.

Hard Work

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." (i)

Genius or any kind of success in life isn't usually based on how smart or talented we are. I'm sure you know many talented or brilliant people who haven't accomplished as much as those who have learned how to work. My sons groan every time I tell them that I'm more proud of how hard they work and how nice they are than how smart they are. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that they do well in school but my oldest has never been in more trouble than when he got a hundred percent on the test and eighty percent on his homework assignment.  

As an adult it's easier to recognize that hard work in and of itself brings satisfaction. When I make the time, I actually enjoy cleaning. I love working hard to produce a new novel. You probably have interests and hobbies that you enjoy, even though they're difficult.

Becoming physically fit is one of those areas that is hard work. Most people exercise because they want a certain result such as weight loss, strength gains, or a more toned appearance. But what if you exercised because you actually liked it? Is that really possible?

It is possible to enjoy exercise, even during a really hard workout. Here's the secret: perception. If you can shift your perception and convince yourself that fitness is enjoyable it can be. I can talk myself into or out of quite a few things. Fitness is one of those areas that I've learned to talk myself into a good attitude. It doesn't work every time, but as I'm running (and wishing I could lay down on the side of the road and call my husband to come get me) I say to myself, "I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful." Most of the time my body buys into mind's perception and I feel better.

How do you talk yourself into working out?

(i) Thomas Alva Edison Quotes - http://thinkexist.com/quotation/genius_is-inspiration_and-perspiration/146542.html

Keeping up with boys

My 18mo is 38 pounds and thinks the best spot on earth is in his momma's arms. Of course Momma must be standing up, none of this sitting down and enjoying holding him. I'm glad he loves me so much. I wonder how on earth I would keep up with him if I didn't exercise. But then I'll have that awful little thought that maybe if I didn't exercise so hard I'd have more energy for him and his big brothers. Quite often by bedtime I feel like I've been run over by the garbage truck.

What about you? Does exercise help you through your day or does it sometimes zap your energy?

Who to Trust?

Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach Diet, Body For Life, Biggest Loser Workout, The Firm, PX90. There are more weight loss plans and exercise program options than calories in my bowl of Snelgroves. How do you know which one is right for you?
We each have a different body type, metabolism, and genetic background. Jenny Craig might have saved your neighbor, but it may not work for your body, lifestyle, or emotional health. You need to evaluate what your health needs are and how you can most effectively meet those needs without wreaking havoc on the other aspects of your life.

I love chocolate. If I try to go on a diet plan that cuts out all treats I get irritable. It's not worth it for me or my family to have me lose a couple of pounds and be no fun to live with.

I don't advocate "dieting." I've seen many friends and family go on diets and lose weight then gain it back. Because of that I would be careful when signing up for a specific diet program, especially one that costs a lot of money and/or promises quick weight loss. If you do feel one of the diet plans is what you need to stay on track, do your research. Talk to friends and family who have used the program. See what kind of research is behind the program. Discover what real people's results were (not the ads the company produces) and find out if participants were able to stick with the program long term to stay healthy instead of just a quick weight loss which is not only a waste of time (and money) but can be harmful.

The best dietary programs are going to focus on healthy, whole foods. I would discourage spending a bunch of money on the program's food. Not only can it be very expensive, but nobody is going to do that for life.

I would encourage you to talk to a registered dietitian before signing up for any program. A dietitian could also help you write a plan and counsel you on sticking with it, helping you avoid shelling out money for a diet that may be a scam or harmful to your health.

What about exercise?

Again, every person's body is different. I have a good friend who teaches Pilates and looks fabulous. My sister-in-law is a cardio girl (bike, swim, run, crawl, you name it) and she also has an amazing shape. I love strength training and focus most of my time in the weight room and running.

Variety is the key. It's easy to get stuck in a rut, I do it myself. Varying speed, intensity, and duration can help. It's also wonderful to try new things out, though not always practical.

But what if you want to do a certain exercise program like Crossfit or PX90?
Research. Check out the qualifications, experience, and success rate of the program designers. See if they have research to back up what they're selling (I like to see a few different research studies because sometimes the study is small or paid for by the group it benefits). Talk to people who have used the program or trainer.

Try it out. Make sure you like it before you invest too much time or money into something. Most local gyms/exercise programs should have a trial period so you can see if you enjoy the exercise and the group. Exercise machines should have a money back guarantee (within a certain time frame). You're sampling the program to see if you like it, but you shouldn't expect immediate weight loss or shredded biceps. Becoming fit takes time. Give the program at least six to eight weeks. You can tell if the program is going to be effective by how you're feeling. You should be tired by the end of a workout and slightly sore the next morning, but you shouldn't have pain in your joints or a feeling of tearing a muscle or ligament.

It's extremely hard to wade through all the different options for diet and exercise programs. It really comes down to trusting your own instincts. Don't buy into quick weight loss schemes, they may work initially but will always let you down long term. Also, as a Christian I turn to the Lord when I'm making a decision. He cares about you in every aspect of your life. He doesn't want you wasting time, money, or becoming irritable.

Your health is important. Make sure your decisions regarding your health are not taken lightly.

No Excuses

An older gentleman comes to the gym with his bottle of oxygen strapped to his back. When I watch him lift weights I always think "That's how I want to be when I'm in my 70s."
I'm impressed by so many different people. A friend with breast cancer who not only keeps running but is training for an ultra marathon. A 60+ year old lady who is in better shape than most 20 year olds. My husband who finds time to exercise even though his schedule is overflowing with work, church, and family responsibilities (not to mention that lengthy honey-do list). An expectant mom who keeps walking through the pain.

All these people help me realize that I have no excuse not to push myself. Who inspires you to keep working hard?

Mom's exercise benefits the entire family

My husband has long known that it's beneficial for him when I make it to the gym. My boys sometimes complain about me being gone if they wake up early but even they are starting to understand that Momma is a lot more happy when she starts her day with exercise. It's not selfish to spend some time improving yourself. Here's why it benefits the whole family.

1 - More Bonding Time for Dad. I'm a selfish mother. I adore each of my boys and don't like sharing them very much. Especially when they're babies. My husband is an amazing father, but sometimes I hamper his chances to connect with our newborns because I just take control. When I'm gone to the gym, I can't interfere. Dad can snuggle, play, turn on crazy music, or let them watch a TV show before the sun has even shown its face (something Mom would never allow). Dad has different rules and my boys love it. And of course I don't dare say anything because I'm off enjoying myself at the gym. Yesterday I came home to my husband in the shower with the baby (so cute to see that tiny body curled up against my husband's broad chest). The little guy blew out his diaper and Daddy dealt with it perfectly. Mom being gone once in a while is good for all of them.

2 - Exercise Puts Mom in a Good Mood. "Exercise releases endorphins, natural hormones that flood the body with a feel-good energy, a natural high! You release stress through physical exertion and regulated breathing, so you can let go of the day’s challenges and go home feeling relaxed and refreshed." (i)

When Momma's happy, everybody's happy. That is too true. I definitely set the mood for our house. After I exercise, I feel better physically and emotionally. I'm excited to go home and enjoy my children and husband. Exercise quite simply starts my day off right.

3 - Exercise Can Also Help Relieve Depression. This is something I never struggled with until I became a Mom. "In the New York Times recent research, studying twins, indicated that, despite studies that seemed to suggest that exercise was almost as effective in relieving depression as anti-depressants, in fact, the association of exercise with reduced anxious and depressive symptoms could be explained genetically: people disinclined to exercise also tend to be depressed. One does not cause the other.” (ii)

The release of endorphins and relief of depression can lift us as Moms and obviously help the home be a more cheerful, relaxed place for our children.

4 - Mom Being Strong Can Prevent All Kinds of Stress. You can catch toddlers hurtling themselves at your pregnant bellies, you can carry your eight-year old to his bed when he's sick, and win an arm-wrestling competition against your twelve-year old (ah, the glory).

5 - Great Example. We all want our children to be happy and feel great. If we are good examples of healthy living, they will almost always follow that example.

6 - Momma's Looking Good. I remember as a teenager being proud of my mom when she came to school. She was nice to everyone and she also took good care of herself. I'm a year away from my oldest becoming a teenager and I sure hope he's proud of how I look so when I run into the middle school screaming, "Where's my adorable little boy?" I don't embarrass him anymore than necessary.

7 - Long, Healthy, Happy Life. Patricia T. Holland said, “Anyone who reads a newspaper or magazine is constantly reminded that proper diet, appropriate exercise, and plenty of rest increase our daily capacities as well as our life span. But all too many of us put off even these minimal efforts, thinking our family, our neighbors, and our other many responsibilities come first. Yet in doing so, we put at risk the thing these people need most from us: our healthiest, happiest, heartiest self. Unless we take care of ourselves, it’s virtually impossible to properly take care of others.” (iii)

We all want to be there for our children and grandchildren. Exercise is going to improve our health and prevent a myriad of health problems and diseases. If you have a hard time staying healthy for yourself, think about your family. It's worth it to take care of yourself so you can take care of them.


(i) Exercise can Make You Happy & Healthy by David Bohl, read the entire article here.
(ii) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, check out the blog here.
(iii) Patricia T. Holland, "On Earth as it is in Heaven." Book information here.

Exercise = Happy Mom

Exercise just makes me happy. After a good, hard workout I'm on a high for a while and that's good for everybody in the family.

Why is that?

"Exercise releases endorphins, natural hormones that flood the body with a feel-good energy, a natural high! You release stress through physical exertion and regulated breathing, so you can let go of the day’s challenges and go home feeling relaxed and refreshed." (i)

I can promise you that is true. I feel better physically and emotionally after I exercise and when I'm facing a hard problem or need to prepare a speech or presentation or think up a new scene for a book I do my best work out on a walk or run.

Exercise can also help relieve depression: "In the New York Times recent research, studying twins, indicated that, despite studies that seemed to suggest that exercise was almost as effective in relieving depression as anti-depressants, in fact, the “association of exercise with reduced anxious and depressive symptoms could be explained genetically: people disinclined to exercise also tend to be depressed. One does not cause the other.” (ii)

Exercise has so many great benefits. I think too often we exercise to lose weight but that's just a nice side benefit for me.

What do you do to get happy?


(i) Exercise can Make You Happy & Healthy by David Bohl, read the entire article here.
(ii) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, check out the blog here.

Baby Steps

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
This scripture reminds me that Heavenly Father has given each of us an amazing gift, our physical bodies. We are each responsible to care for our body or temple spiritually, mentally, and physically. Taking care of ourselves physically can increase our capacity to serve others and serve the Lord. It keeps our minds strong and our spirits free from the debilitating effects of depression and addiction. But how do we go about improving our physical bodies?
Start small with a concept I like to call baby steps.
Begin with one change at a time. Little differences can add up to big results. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to rule or completely alter your lifestyle. By starting small you won't feel completely overwhelmed and give up. Baby steps are the key to making lifelong changes. Instead of losing weight with a crash diet – which always comes back on – or starting an ambitious exercise program and getting injured or burned out, take it slow and change one thing at a time.
One change a month is a great goal. Twenty-one days will form a habit (good or bad). If you stick with a goal for a month you can be certain of making it into a long-term habit and if you concentrate on one goal a month you won't become frustrated and quit, but will instead make a positive change.
For example:
January - make a goal to eat five servings of fruits/veggies a day. Reward yourself with a treat on Saturday night if you keep your goal.
February - outline a plan to lift weights twice a week. Write on your calendar which days and times you're going to strength train or program it into your cell phone (the reminder feature could be very helpful).
March – decide to use only child-sized plates and bowls, it will force you to eat smaller portions.
April - convince your family to go for an after dinner bike ride or walk every weekday. If this is too overwhelming with busy schedules aim for a couple of nights a week.
May - trade white bread for high fiber bread.
Our main goal should be healthy and fit for life not just a desire to lose weight because we have an exotic vacation or a best friend's wedding coming up. So go write on your calendar what your next month’s goal is going to be. I write my monthly goals on my desk calendar then I’m reminded of them many times a day. My latest goal - walking at least 20,000 steps a day. It's a tough one but I'm amazed how those steps add up when pacing with a baby, dancing with my preschooler, or going on bike rides with my older boys (we put the pedometer on our shoe so it counts rotations, hope that's not cheating!).
The difference between a normal weight person and an overweight person is a hundred calories a day. An extra hundred calories a day adds up to ten pounds of weight gain in one year. Can you believe that? A hundred calories is half a Twix bar.
It's amazing how seemingly insignificant choices (baby steps) can make a big difference in our health. The choices you make today not only affect you but your family now and in the future. Because my son has a blood disorder the doctors have instructed me to eat extra healthy for him. Now that's amazing motivation. If you're struggling think about how your choices will affect your family, it makes it a lot easier to choose wisely.
Change your diet slowly and the healthy food will become tastier to you than the junk. I still haven't given up a few chocolate splurges each week (I don’t believe any woman should!), but I can hardly stand greasy food anymore. It takes time to change your diet and exercise habits. Decide on one area and do it today. I promise you will like the long-term results.

Exercise Through the Hard Times

I usually enjoy exercise. I love pushing myself through a hard workout. I love getting sweaty and having a reason to shower. I love knowing that my muscles are strong and I can keep up with my wild boys.

At my current state, I consider vacuuming a challenging cardiovascular exercise. How did I regress from running marathons to absolute slothfulness? I decided I needed another angel in my life and am expecting my fourth baby in August.

There are times in all of our lives that fitness has to take a backseat – sickness of a child, taking care of an elderly parent, overload at work, a new baby. I’m sure you all have a list of your own. The ironic thing is at these times we need exercise more than ever. Why?

• Exercise decreases stress by increasing your health and overall sense of well-being.
• Exercise is meditation in motion – you can forget some stresses as you exercise and often be able to focus better on the problem later. I also find that solutions come to me as I’m out on a run or bike ride.
• Exercise increases the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins. Anything that gets you moving quickly can give you that “runner’s-high.” I often get sluggish and tired in the afternoon, but if I go on a short walk or dance with my kids I feel much better and can usually avoid crashing on the couch. (I said usually, sometimes the nap is a necessity!)
• Exercise improves your mood – Regular exercise can increase self-confidence and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety.
• Exercise helps you to sleep better – people who exercise have lower cases of insomnia and sleep is improved because you experience smoother transitions between sleep cycles and you stay in the stage four (deepest sleep) cycle longer.

But what do you do when life is on overload and you barely have energy to get dressed each day? I suggest you employ the normal tricks to help you fit in fitness:

• Make a workout date with yourself on your calendar.
• Lay your exercise clothes out the night before. (I always feel so guilty when I have to put them away clean.)
• Place the alarm clock across the room so you have to get up.
• Find an exercise buddy who motivates you.
• If possible ride a bike or walk instead of driving.
• Chores count too – yard work, housework, cleaning the car, anything that gets you moving will burn calories and help you feel better (guess I shouldn’t joke about vacuuming being exercise).
• Park at the end of the parking lot and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Sign up for an exercise class or a triathlon to get yourself motivated (If I pay for something I’m guaranteed to do it because I hate to waste money).
• Do little spurts of exercise – dancing with your children, lifting weights while you watch television, walking or doing calf raises while you talk on the phone. Every little bit counts and a few minutes here and there can add up to great results.

Use all of these tricks and any others that work for you, but also realize that you are going through a hard or busy time and give yourself a break. If you don’t get to the gym on a morning you promised yourself to go, remind yourself that you probably needed sleep or some snuggle time with your child. Don’t beat yourself up. Focus on the positive and recommit to getting out of bed tomorrow.

Yes, I can barely waddle around the block, but soon I’ll have a gorgeous baby. The prize is well worth the pain. Every one of us is going to go through trials (many worse than the discomforts of pregnancy). If we focus on the positive, try to take care of our health, and rely on the Lord we can use these hard times to make ourselves a better person, we can come out smiling on the other side.

(i) Exercise: Rev up your routine to reduce stress by Mayo Clinic Staff

(ii) How does exercise improve sleep by Scott White

(iii) How to fit exercise into your busy schedule by Ehow Staff Writer

Metabolism – How to Kick It in Gear

Rev up your metabolism to lose weight – the idea is on the cover of most magazines and the talk of the fitness industry. But what is metabolism and is it possible to increase it?

Metabolism is basically how your body burns calories. Those blessed with a fast metabolism burn calories quickly and are able to keep weight off more easily. Metabolism is based on many factors – age, gender, genetics, weight, and muscle mass, to name a few. Of course we can’t do much about our family history, age, or gender, but there are tricks to increase your metabolism that will make you a more efficient calorie burner and help you stay thin and fit without as much effort.

1. Lift weights - Every pound of muscle burns 35 calories a day, while each pound of fat burns just 2 calories per day. Increase the size of your weights to burn more - When lifting identical volumes (such as 10 pounds 10 times or 20 pounds 5 times) those using heavier dumbbells burn about 25 percent more calories. Many women are afraid of lifting heavy weights, but it is impossible to bulk up without testosterone. Use a weight that is challenging to you, but won’t cause injury. You’ll lose weight and increase muscle tone much faster.

2. Drink plenty of water - if you're dehydrated you will burn fewer calories throughout the day. To burn an extra ten calories a day, make sure your water is icy cold. Ten calories may not seem like much, but it adds up to a pound lost a year.

3. Eat more often. It may sound crazy to those trying to lose weight by restricting their daily caloric intake, but the problem with this old school of thought, explains Michigan dietician Julie Beyer, is that it actually slows metabolism. Recent studies show that eating smaller meals every three to four hours aids metabolism and weight loss. "When you put too many hours between meals, your metabolism actually slows down to compensate. If you then eat a huge meal - at the same time your metabolism is functioning as if you're starving - your body wants to hold on to every calorie.” Molly Kimball, RD.

4. Move more all day. You can burn up to 350 extra calories daily - enough to shed more than 35 pounds this year - simply by pacing while you talk on the phone, getting up to talk to someone rather than e-mailing, and walking rather than driving for short errands.” James Levine, MD, PhD.

5. Dieting will drop your metabolism - as you lose weight there is less of you to maintain so your resting metabolic rate drops. The solution: eat consistent small meals and lift weights. Increase your muscle density and your metabolism will keep on kicking so you can keep on losing.

6. At least once a week have a long cardio day. Exercising for sixty minutes could burn five times as many calories post-workout than thirty minutes.

7. Eat breakfast. People who eat breakfast weigh less than those who don’t. Also, add more protein - it's harder for your body to process, you can burn twice as many calories digesting protein as carbs.

8. Avoid stress. “Stress can actually cause weight gain, particularly around the tummy,” says Shari Lieberman author of Dare to Lose. Stress increases cortisol which slows metabolism.

9. Include interval training two to three days a week. High intensity exercise burns more calories during and after exercise. Some studies have shown women who did a twenty-minute interval workout lost five times as much weight as those who did a forty-minute steady-paced workout. Sorry friends. I know the interval workouts are tough, but they are worth the pain.

10. Sleep. Oh, I like this one. “Research shows that people who don’t sleep for seven to eight hours a night are more prone to weight gain. Additionally, we now know that lean muscle is regenerated in the final couple of hours of sleep each night.” Julie Beyer, RD

Cami Checketts is a wife, mother, exercise scientist, and author. Her third book, The Sister Pact, is in stores now.

Sources:

“The Ultimate Over-40 Fat Fighter!” by Selene Yeager - Prevention Magazine

“Boosting Metabolism: 10 Tips That Work” by Susan Woodward for MSN Health & Fitness

“Make the Most of Your Metabolism” by Colette Bouchez

WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature - http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/make-most-your-metabolism

Think Your Way Fit

Can imagining yourself exercising actually produce results?

According to a Cleveland Clinic Study it can. For 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, volunteers imagined exercising certain muscles as vigorously as they could. They strengthened those muscles by 15 percent. (i)

Isn't that amazing? Now I'm not saying you shouldn't do your regular workout, but this could be a good supplement. Next time you're running errands or waiting at the doctor's office, imagine up an intense workout. It could help.

(i) "Think about Exercising" Parenting Magazine, page 22, February 2010

Interval Workout

With little time to exercise and far too high of treat consumption, intervals are a necessity for me this holiday season. It's possible to burn the same amount of calories in twenty minutes doing an interval workout as you would doing a steady-paced workout for forty minutes. But that's not all. After an interval workout your body burns calories at a higher rate for almost twenty-four hours. Also, there's been research that shows participants who included two-three interval workouts a week lost five times more body fat.

An interval workout basically means that you alternate pushing hard and going back to a moderate pace. Basically anything you can do that will increase your heart rate and get you breathing hard (add an incline, up the intensity, increase your pace). The key is to make your body work hard then give it a small break while you catch your breath. I like to time my intervals so I know I'm getting the best workout possible. I do one minute sprints followed by two-three minutes of jogging or I do a thirty seconds sprint, thirty seconds walk, thirty seconds jog. I repeat the intervals at least 4-7 times. You can time them however you like or you can just go on rating of perceived exertion and push yourself until you want to quit and then back off until you're ready to go again. I find the timing works well for me because I wouldn't go again!

How do you like to pace your interval workout? Have you personally seen the effectiveness of intervals?

Does exercise increase your appetite?

I've been reading articles about the effect exercise has on appetite. As usual, there's conflicting evidence. The general consensus is that moderate activity decreases your appetite, but vigorous exercise can increase your appetite.

I think the main issue is eating healthy, filling food. Most experts say you need to eat within half an hour after exercise to replace your glycogen stores. Eat low-fat, high-protein and high-fiber foods and you will be fine.

I also think it's important to not talk yourself into a pit that I've been in many times - "I work hard, I deserve to eat this ice cream, chocolate, cookie, or whatever." Although exercise is fabulous for your heart, lungs, prevention of disease, and re-shaping your body, you will not be able to maintain a healthy weight if you consume too many calories. Most of us underestimate how many calorie we burn with exercise. So avoid the trap and think, "I worked hard today, I want to keep being healthy and getting double the rewards!"

Another trap to avoid is exercising hard at the gym but then sitting around the rest of the day. Your overall movement will contribute to your weight control and health as much as your gym session. Try to sneak in little ways to move all day - run the stairs instead of yelling down to the kids, park farther away at the grocery store, take more trips rather than hauling twenty pounds of stuff from the car in each arm.

What about you? How do you keep your appetite under control when you're exercising hard? How do you keep yourself moving when the couch looks so appetizing?

Exercise - Your Happy Pill

"A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world."

~ Paul Dudley White

I love this quote. Quite often when I'm getting ornery and feeling sorry for myself I turn to chocolate, but I've been on a five-day hiatus from my happy food and I've had to get creative. When I force myself to move (especially when I want to lay on the couch and moan) I feel so much better physically and mentally.

Next time you're tired, grumpy, irritable, or just plain fed up with the world - go on a walk or bike ride, turn on some music and dance, do some yoga, or get on the floor and wrestle with your children. Let me know if it works for you as well as it has for me. If it doesn't - grab some chocolate.

Have a happy weekend,

Cami

Becoming a runner

My little sister, Abbie, has been working diligently to become a runner. She started by walking a block then running a block, gradually increasing the ratio until she was running a mile then walking for a few minutes before running again. Saturday we ran five miles together. Such a proud moment for me.

I know not everyone can run because of joint or health issues, but I found this great article in Prevention about how to become a runner. And it's well worth trying. "Minute for minute, running burns about twice as many calories as walking." (i) Running has been proven to be one of the top cardiovascular means to burn calories. Also running stimulates more good-mood hormones in the brain so runners report enjoying their workout more. (No wonder I'm so addicted to my run even when it hurts like a bikini wax.)

So if you've ever wanted to try running, here's your chance. Check out this link - http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/turn-your-walk-into-a-run-and-drop-a-size-in-4-weeks/1b52700d2a381210VgnVCM10000013281eac____/fitness/walking

(i) Turn your walk into a run ... and drop a size in 4 weeks by Marianne McGinnis, Prevention, July 2009

Try Something New

The human body is amazing. It adapts quickly to stresses placed upon it. This is a very good characteristic for our ancestors. Not so great for us.

Variety is key when you're trying to lose weight, get past a plateau, or become more fit. If you do the same cardio or same weight routine over and over it will become easy. This is a good thing because it means you're getting stronger, but it also means that you are burning less calories because your body is used to the demands placed upon it.

You can fix this problem by upping the intensity, duration, and speed of your workout or by changing the type of workout you do. Cross-training will recruit different muscle groups, challenge your body in a new way, and help you burn more calories.

If you always walk, try riding a bike or going for a swim. If you love the elliptical machine, try the Stairmaster. If you faithfully go to step aerobics, try yoga, pilates, or a kickboxing class. If you workout at home and need some variety, rent a new workout video or borrow one from the library.

Can't wait to hear about all the new exercises you're going to try,

Cami

Diet vs. Exercise

       As a lover of exercise, I would like to tell you that the only requirement to being healthy and fit is a regular workout regime. Unfortunately, I’d be lying to you. Without a healthy diet becoming and staying fit will be extremely difficult. Many people try to maintain or lose weight through diet or exercise alone. But you need both, especially if you’re over thirty and the metabolism has started to slow naturally (Darn this aging business).

      

As a teenager I used to eat nachos and ice cream daily. As a twenty-year old I would crush up Oreos and pour milk over them for breakfast. Now as a thirty-something (not admitting how many somethings) I’ve finally convinced my self-indulgent tongue that I have to eat healthy 95% of the time. I still have the occasional bowl of ice cream, but now it’s in a lovely (and tiny) crystal dessert bowl instead of a Cool Whip container. Don’t think that the beauty of my dessert bowl eases the sting of not eating enough of my favorite treat, but I have found that I can be satisfied with the smaller portion if I savor each teeny bite.

 

To lose weight and keep it off for life you need a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and a healthy diet that you can live with. I recommend that my clients eat 5-6 small meals or snacks per day, drink lots of water and limit themselves to one treat, something they can thoroughly enjoy and will keep them from craving more or being irritable (I don’t know about you, but denying myself chocolate for life would require my husband to live in his garage).

 

On my website, under the links page, there is a file called, “Cami’s Eating Chart.” It is a spreadsheet with suggested meal and snack times and a spot to record water consumption and exercise time. It’s a fabulous idea to write down what you eat. Keeping a food diary can double a person’s weight loss according to a study from Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Health Research. (i)

 

Many women tell me that they have a hard time eating 5-6 times a day. The reason I encourage this is it keeps food portions small. If you know you’re eating again in two to three hours, you won’t be so tempted to polish off that sandwich (I have to remind myself that it’s okay to throw food away). Also, eating often keeps your blood sugar or glucose levels even. If your blood glucose dips too low because you’re not eating enough or you’re allowing too much time between meals, you will become irritable, tired, your metabolism will dip (not something we want if we’re trying to lose weight) and if you go too long your body will start deriving its energy from protein, keeping the protein from its intended use – building our muscles and increasing our metabolism. If your blood glucose rises too high because you ate too much, the excess will be stored (usually as fat). Which leads us back to our healthy, small meals and keeping blood sugar at a normal level.

 

Another important factor is what you are eating. Make sure your diet is full of lots of veggies, fruits, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and high-fiber carbs and you’ll be doing well. Here’s a list of healthy snacks to get you started.

 

Popcorn (air-popped or 94% fat free)

Glass of skim milk

Cottage cheese

Raw veggies – carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, cucumbers, etc.

Boiled egg

Serving of fruit - banana, apple, orange, pear, strawberries, grapes, etc.

Rice cakes

Nuts or sunflower seeds and raisins

Small bowl of high-fiber cold cereal

Peanut butter on celery sticks

Fruit smoothie - Mix your favorite fruit with fat-free yogurt, skim milk, vanilla flavoring, and ice

Yogurt Parfait – low-fat yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, fruit, and granola

Almonds and Raisins

Apple and Peanut Butter

Chicken and Spinach Salad

Cottage Cheese and Fruit

Frozen Yogurt

Guacamole and Veggies

Ham and Cheese Slices

Hummus on Lettuce Leaves

High fiber toast with peanut butter and jelly

Oatmeal

Open-Faced Roast Beef or Turkey Sandwich

Peanut Butter and Banana

Peanuts and Yogurt

Pudding Cup

Rice Cake with Peanut Butter

Slim•Fast Low Carb Snack Bar

Strawberries and String Cheese

Tortilla Chips and Salsa

Trail Mix

Wheat Crackers and Cheese

Low-fat granola bar

 

Make the choice today to incorporate healthy eating and a regular exercise program into your busy life. You not only reap the rewards of losing/maintaining weight, you will also prevent a multitude of diseases, be full of energy, and feel great!

 

Cami Checketts is a wife, mother, exercise scientist, and author. Her latest book, The Sister Pact, will be available July 2009.

 

 

(i) Keeping a Food Diary Doubles Diet Weight Loss - http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/542031

 

 

Advice for Newbies

Beginning an exercise program can be frustrating and quite honestly, painful. Here's some advice to help any who are just starting out.

#1 - Everyone is so different - body type, fitness level, genetics - Please don't compare yourself or injure yourself by going too hard, too fast. It takes an invested effort to become physically fit. Someone who has been doing it for years or even months longer than you will be stronger. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Look at it as a motivator or goal for where you want to be, but don't hurt yourself to get there or quit because the results are slow.

#2 - The results are slow. It's frustrating for me to even think about this. The weight comes on gradually, it's going to come off gradually, but unfortunately it's a heck of a lot harder to take it off! Don't give up and don't feel bad if you don't meet your goals one day. It's the old turtle and rabbit race. Slow and steady will win every time. 

#3 - If you're new, take it slow - meaning the reps and the progression, watch your form and only do what your body can handle. I include plyometrics (jumps) in a lot of my workouts. You don't have to do them. You don't have to do anything I say. Listen to your own body. I like to jump, some people hate it. If you hate it, don't do it. That sounds dumb, but really working out should not be torture and if it is you'd better find a different kind of exercise that you like or you're never going to stick with it for life. That said, sometimes you have to keep going and you'll learn to like the exercise. It's a delicate balance that you'll have to figure out for yourself. But if you've been say running for a year and every step is still torture, maybe you're not a runner. Not a big deal, try something else. Maybe you're a swimmer or soccer player or dancer. 

#4 - Every woman should include some kind of resistance training for metabolism benefits, osteoporosis prevention, and the easiest way to improve physique and feel great. If you truly hate weight lifting (just rip out my heart), you can do different kinds of resistance training - Pilates, Yoga, resistance with bands or using body weight. The most important thing is finding something that works for you and that you will stick with.

#5 - Your body was meant to move. It should be fun. It should feel good. Keep it moving and you'll reap the rewards for life.