February Goals Recap

This month has been a lot of work, but I think I've done well on my goals:

• Exercise - I, with my husband, have been using online workout videos to get in exercise sessions each week. We started with every other day, but haven't quite kept it up. I try to be realistic with life getting in the way, but really my life is dependent on my health, so I need to work on that.
• Increasing Up Time - I've really met this goal. During the week I spend at least 2 hours "up" each day...typically the majority of that time is walking. I haven't successfully maintained 10,000 steps each day, but I do reach that goal often and am usually above 8,000 per day.
• Water, Water, Water - I wish I knew the ounces I've been drinking (I don't track that), but I bet it's a lot! I drink a ton of water every day. I haven't noticed any affect from it yet, but I'm sure it's helping.
• Nutrition - This area I probably struggle with more than exercising! I think I have improved (homemade whole wheat bread, less and healthier desserts, healthier breakfasts), but I have yet to enjoy the improved nutrition. I've read about people who actually crave healthy foods after eating right for long enough and I'm hoping to get there one day.

February may be ending, but I will still be working on these goals. Meanwhile onward to March!

Random Thoughts - Health and Fitness

"Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise." 

- Mike Adams 

NaturalNews.com

I don't want to be part of this statistic! I know I need to do better making a difference in my life - choosing healthier foods and making a bigger effort to exercise. 

My main focus on exercising or activity this month has been walking. I found this quote and in a conformation biased way I agree with it: 

"Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far." Thomas Jefferson

Notice how Jefferson says to "Habituate yourself." You need to do the work and put in the effort. No one can do it for you.

I know I have been improving. I might not see it on the scale, but 2 hours of walking each day counts. It counts for me. All of my workouts count. My good choices count, especially so when I feel like making bad ones. I know I can make a difference for my health - body and mind. 

Image: Jennifer SweetOnVeg

"I've always believed fitness is an entry point to help you build that happier, healthier life. When your health is strong, you're capable of taking risks. You'll feel more confident to ask for the promotion. You'll have more energy to be a 

better mom. You'll feel more deserving of love." 

Jillian Michaels

Product Envy - Exercise Equipment

Here are a few products I've been looking at recently. I can't afford them right now, but it's fun to window shop : ) 

1) Gaiam Print Yoga Mats are so pretty! It's hard to pick my favorite, but this purple one just is so relaxing I love it! I've been attempting to incorporate yoga into my exercise schedule...usually on "non-workout days" as a means of stretching all my muscles. I'm also hoping to improve my flexibility. I currently don't have a mat and usually end up sliding all over the floor, so I definitely hope to purchase one in the future!

2) BOSU Standard Balance Trainer. I've never used one before, but recently I've seen a bunch of workouts on Pinterest that incorporate one, so they aren't just for balancing! My joints get very sore laying on the floor to do different exercises and I feel that using a BOSU would help with that.

3) Gaiam Balance Ball Chairs. I've seen these types of chairs on Pinterest and am interested in using one when I do sit at my desk. It's supposed to help with back alignment and helps strengthen your core. 

4) Fitbit Force Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband. While I currently use a pedometer I like how the Fitbit is used on your wrist. I wonder how accurate that is for measuring steps? It also tracks other things, including monitoring your sleep! I'm not sure if I like the idea of having an electronic attached to me at all times, but I like that it syncs all of your information to your computer so that you don't have to record your own stats.

What exercise products would you love to have?

Working Out Sucks! - A Book Review

Image: Amazon

A month or two ago I read Working Out Sucks! (And Why It Doesn't Have To): the Only 21-Day Kick-Start Plan for Total Health and Fitness You'll Ever Need by Chuck Runyon et al. While I disagree that this book will solve all your health and fitness problems, I do believe it can help "kick-start" your exercise and health plans.

Runyon et al. excel at motivating the reader to take control of their life and improve their health. I love how the chapters are small, which makes it easy to read just a section or two when you have a short break. The last section of the book is a diet/exercise plan. I didn't use this section myself, as I'm not into counting calories or measuring out servings, but it was helpful to get ideas.

The book includes real-life examples of people who have turned their life around in the health department. Inspirational quotes and informational statistics help activate your inner desire to improve your life. 

As I said earlier, it's not going to be all you need to change your life, but it will help. Funny, insightful, and a quick read, it's bound to touch on some area that relates to you, but don't expect the "Kick-Start Plan" to match your needs. 

Walking Walking Walking

Image: Peter Blanchard 

Increasing my steps each day isn't easy. My legs get tired (wearing shoes in the house and switching between my two pairs tennis/running shoes each day seems to help). I don't like getting sweaty and out of breath (I know that means I'm working hard, but it's not pleasant to deal with every day). 

My new favorite way to add steps is by walking (fast paced, but maybe not quite speed walking) while watching TV (Olympics anyone?). I've tried reading while walking back and forth in the house, but it sometimes makes me dizzy. I know I can't put as much effort or speed into walking when I read either. 

You're supposed to reach 10,000 steps a day for a healthy lifestyle. That's equivalent to 5 miles! I am trying to attain that many every day (I've reached it a couple of times), but it requires dedicating at least 2 hours of walking to reach it. I'm trying to lose weight and get in shape, so I can accept that I have to put in that much work, but for other people that seems like a lot of time dedicated to walking! 

If you have workouts during the week as well could you diminish this number? For example, say you workout for 30 minutes 3 times a week. Do you really need 10,000 steps each day? Especially on the days you're working out? An intense workout burns more calories than walking. 

I'm just not sure what to focus on...getting 10,000 everyday or trying to dedicate more time to workouts, even if they are short. What do you try to aim for in steps each day? Or what kind of exercise schedule would you suggest for a beginner to exercising?

Free Video Workouts

I don't belong to a gym. I don't really want to either, as that means commuting in order to workout. I much prefer working out in my own home in private. My husband and I like to work out together, but coming up with your own routing and timing each move is difficult for us. So we rely on video workouts. I don't want to shell out money to work out, so we stick with free videos we find online. 

Our current favorites are the videos from here and here. I love that both of these sites offer a great variety of workouts in a variety of lengths as well. Cycling through the videos ensures that we don't get bored and that we keep our workouts fresh. I think that it's also good that our bodies don't get used to any particular routine. We try to workout every other day, but at a minimum don't go without a workout for 3 days. 

Do you have any free workout videos that you enjoy? We are always looking for new ones, so please let me know!

Olympic Spirit

Don't you just love the Olympics? It's so inspirational seeing all the athletes competing. It inspires me to improve myself physically, even though I know I will never compete in the Olympics and probably in any sport to any extent at all. 

It amazes me to see the speed, agility, skill and sheer awesomeness of these athletes. It makes me want to do better and increase my own abilities. 

I know I can improve and I know I will. Just this week my weight has stopped fluctuating for my morning weigh in. It's so encouraging to see the number staying low! Now I want to start seeing it move DOWN. 

I've been increasing my steps each day (which I read today can also decrease your risk of heart disease). I did have a poor eating day on the weekend, but I'm not going to let that stop me. Even if you have a low day for exercise or your diet don't let it stop your overall improvement. One bad day can't stop you! 

How do you keep yourself on track? Do you allow yourself "low" days? Do you have a specific routine coming off of those days? Let me know!

Walking Challenge

One of my goals this month is to try to be up more. Up just means not sitting (duh), but I do want to also get up to the daily recommended number of steps to maintain health and weight (10,000). You can't really know how many steps you are taking without a pedometer, so I bought one. I researched different options and settled on this one. It was relatively inexpensive, but had great reviews. 

I've actually had the pedometer for two months now and it's great. I do find that it records most accurately when worn on the lanyard around your neck. While I've had it for some time, I haven't really stuck to any schedule for improving my daily step totals. So I've developed this walking challenge for February that ties into my health goals. Each day (excluding rest days) I up the steps goal by 500 steps. I know it doesn't seem like very much, but once you hit your typical number of steps upping it each day is a lot of work! The rest days are thrown in there because it's tiresome to be constantly trying to keep track. I would recommend still tracking your steps and maybe just trying to solidify whatever progress you've made. 

Let me know if you use my walking challenge! It would be great to have some step counting buddies : )