Most of the music on my iPod is from the 80s or before. Sad, I know. But I confess, I love 80s music. And now that I think about it, there is a good bit of 90s music on there as well. But as for anything in the 21st century? Really not much.
So now I have children. Children who have iPods and friends who listen to music that sometimes makes me raise my eyebrows.
But look who's talking. How about some of the stuff we listened to growing up and never thought twice? "Mama's got a squeezebox, Daddy never sleeps at night?" What's that all about? And "gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight, gonna grab some afternoon delight." Excuse me? I clearly remember belting out those lyrics when I was younger than Declan is now. Afternoon delight? I had no clue what that was until someone explained it to me. When I was about 32.
I've lived a sheltered life.
I had a point here. Ah, I know what it was.
My point was that lately, I've been downloading some music. I'm going to tell you what it is, but you can't laugh. One of my favorite new downloads is from...wait for it...the Disney TV movie, Lemonade Mouth.
Cannot believe I just confessed that. I will also admit that for several years now I've sometimes been seen trotting around the neighborhood and listening to High School Musical 2. I hope you still respect me.
In my defense, I have also downloaded some Bruno Mars, Pink, Jessie J, and some other stuff the boys wanted. I don't even know who they are, but I feel like I need to listen to them just in case they're learning about afternoon delight or something.
My point--finally--is that I love walking to music I really like, regardless of whether or not it makes me look like a huge geek. I like to bop along. Sometimes I play the air guitar, sing or even do a little dance step. If I think no one is looking. Then there was that time not too long ago I was singing and not realizing someone was running up behind me. Oh well.
Exercise doesn't have to be a hugely strenuous thing (although I'll do a post about intensity). Strap on your sneakers/tennis shoes/running shoes/trainers--whatever you call them in your corner of the planet--and get out there.
And do a little groovy step in my honor.
Checking in
I'm on target for this week except that we've been out and about so I haven't logged my food. And I notice it in the little nibbling I've done here and there. Those little nibbles add up, so take my advice. Log your food and be consistent about it.
In fact, that's my tip of the day. Again.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Going Through the Motions
Hey, how about me not posting on the very first day of the Wellness Challenge? I realize that I said one of my goals was to post 3x a week, but really, I figured I'd at least post on the first day!
It wasn't meant to be. And that happens. And that's the point of this post.
Life happens. And you need to work to accomodate life as best you can. Have I mentioned that Mondays are hell days, but they are particularly hellish in the summer? It's just because of deadlines, but with the boys home, Mondays are just tough. I stayed up really late on Sunday night trying to get my ducks in a row, but that made me super tired Monday morning. And I woke up to the added bonus of my period. TMI. Yes, indeed. But my period wipes me out in my old age. I think I'm ready for menopause. Not really. Or maybe. Not sure.
Anway, my point is when the alarm went off at 5:25am, I made no move to get up and walk. I finally rolled out of bed at about 6:30am and I did a really lame cardio workout for about 40 minutes and then did some stretching. I did the whole workout low impact. My feet never left the ground. I didn't burn a whole heck of a lot of calories--maybe 250 total. But I was OK with it.
Eamonn has said for years that when you don't feel like working out, just start and go through the motions. Usually when that happens, once I'm up, dressed in my workout gear and in the basement and started moving, endorphins start to kick in and away I go. I'm always glad when I make like Nike and Just Do It.
Now, with that said, yesterday the endorphins never kicked in. I just went through the motions, but I'm glad I at least did that. I didn't want to say I skipped my workout on Day One.
And today, I did hop out of bed right at 5:25am and went for a great walk.
So there.
Food on Monday was good and typical. Shakeology for breakfast, leftover salmon, rice, and carrots for lunch, fruit and crackers for a snack, a Cooking Light recipe for vegetable enchiladas for dinner that no one like but me. Came in around 1386 calories, which seems low. I also had two squares of dark chocolate. Just because.
Today's food:
Breakfast: Shakeology, almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup cantaloupe.
Lunch: Salad w/ last of leftover salmon, feta, tomatoes, cukes, yellow pepper, olive oil, avocado...some tortilla chips.
Snack: two squares of dark chocolate (is this a trend?)
Dinner: Baked potato with sauteed mushrooms, onions
So I feel on track for the week even though I didn't at first. It all comes out in the wash. I'm also realizing that with all of my walking, when I transition back to some hardcore high impact aerobics in 4 - 5 weeks, it's going to be a sufferfest.
I'm telling myself that a little suffering is good for oneself. I'll let you know how that works out.
Tip of the Day: Even when you don't want to workout, Just Do It. Start and you may find yourself getting a great workout. Or maybe you'll just go through the motions that day, but either way, you'll be glad you did! Trust me on this one.
It wasn't meant to be. And that happens. And that's the point of this post.
Life happens. And you need to work to accomodate life as best you can. Have I mentioned that Mondays are hell days, but they are particularly hellish in the summer? It's just because of deadlines, but with the boys home, Mondays are just tough. I stayed up really late on Sunday night trying to get my ducks in a row, but that made me super tired Monday morning. And I woke up to the added bonus of my period. TMI. Yes, indeed. But my period wipes me out in my old age. I think I'm ready for menopause. Not really. Or maybe. Not sure.
Anway, my point is when the alarm went off at 5:25am, I made no move to get up and walk. I finally rolled out of bed at about 6:30am and I did a really lame cardio workout for about 40 minutes and then did some stretching. I did the whole workout low impact. My feet never left the ground. I didn't burn a whole heck of a lot of calories--maybe 250 total. But I was OK with it.
Eamonn has said for years that when you don't feel like working out, just start and go through the motions. Usually when that happens, once I'm up, dressed in my workout gear and in the basement and started moving, endorphins start to kick in and away I go. I'm always glad when I make like Nike and Just Do It.
Now, with that said, yesterday the endorphins never kicked in. I just went through the motions, but I'm glad I at least did that. I didn't want to say I skipped my workout on Day One.
And today, I did hop out of bed right at 5:25am and went for a great walk.
So there.
Food on Monday was good and typical. Shakeology for breakfast, leftover salmon, rice, and carrots for lunch, fruit and crackers for a snack, a Cooking Light recipe for vegetable enchiladas for dinner that no one like but me. Came in around 1386 calories, which seems low. I also had two squares of dark chocolate. Just because.
Today's food:
Breakfast: Shakeology, almond milk, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup cantaloupe.
Lunch: Salad w/ last of leftover salmon, feta, tomatoes, cukes, yellow pepper, olive oil, avocado...some tortilla chips.
Snack: two squares of dark chocolate (is this a trend?)
Dinner: Baked potato with sauteed mushrooms, onions
So I feel on track for the week even though I didn't at first. It all comes out in the wash. I'm also realizing that with all of my walking, when I transition back to some hardcore high impact aerobics in 4 - 5 weeks, it's going to be a sufferfest.
I'm telling myself that a little suffering is good for oneself. I'll let you know how that works out.
Tip of the Day: Even when you don't want to workout, Just Do It. Start and you may find yourself getting a great workout. Or maybe you'll just go through the motions that day, but either way, you'll be glad you did! Trust me on this one.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wellness Challenge
OK, so here's the scoop. One of my oldest and dearest friends is about to embark on a huge effort to change the course of her health. I'm really, really excited for her so the two of us have hatched a plan to work together and support each other.
She's working on updating her blog and when she does, I'll post the address here. If you get a chance to go and give her a boost, it would mean a lot to both of us!
Now, as for the challenge, I'm not doing prizes or anything, and really, it's whatever you want it to be. It's not weight loss specific, eating a certain way, or working out a certain number of times a week. It's about setting some goals around what you want to accomplish for your own health.
Here are the goals I set for myself for August:
1. Weigh in and record weight in Bodybugg on Monday, Aug. 1
2. Clean eating 6x/week, one cheat day (usually Friday)
3. Workouts 6 days/week, one rest day (usually Sunday)
4. Log food in Bodybugg each day
5. Report in on Get Fit, Have Fun at least 3x/week
I know for a fact that my goals will be different for September. The kids will go back to school, I'll want to start a full-fledged Beachbody program again. This summer I've been doing a lot of walking while the weather is nice and I plan to keep that up for awhile longer.
So that's what my personal challenge looks like for the month of August. What goals will you set?
Tip of the Day: Make a plan. Decide which days you’ll workout and stick to it. Exercise is a non-negotiable appointment with yourself. Period. Nothing interferes with your workout time.
She's working on updating her blog and when she does, I'll post the address here. If you get a chance to go and give her a boost, it would mean a lot to both of us!
Now, as for the challenge, I'm not doing prizes or anything, and really, it's whatever you want it to be. It's not weight loss specific, eating a certain way, or working out a certain number of times a week. It's about setting some goals around what you want to accomplish for your own health.
Here are the goals I set for myself for August:
1. Weigh in and record weight in Bodybugg on Monday, Aug. 1
2. Clean eating 6x/week, one cheat day (usually Friday)
3. Workouts 6 days/week, one rest day (usually Sunday)
4. Log food in Bodybugg each day
5. Report in on Get Fit, Have Fun at least 3x/week
I know for a fact that my goals will be different for September. The kids will go back to school, I'll want to start a full-fledged Beachbody program again. This summer I've been doing a lot of walking while the weather is nice and I plan to keep that up for awhile longer.
So that's what my personal challenge looks like for the month of August. What goals will you set?
Tip of the Day: Make a plan. Decide which days you’ll workout and stick to it. Exercise is a non-negotiable appointment with yourself. Period. Nothing interferes with your workout time.
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