Week 4 - Healthy Holidays

Monday, December 24, 2012

It's a chilly but sunny Christmas Eve here in northern indian....and more snow is on the way on Christmas day!

I tend to be a couch potato when staying with family for holidays and weekend visits. But this year, I am going to be active! I arrived yesterday afternoon and went for a much needed walk after the 3 hour drive. It felt great, even if it was a bit colder outside than I expected. I also did my daily stretching last night, which always feels good.

This morning, I did 10 minutes of strength training using the SP excuse-proof workout guide. No equipment needed, so it's perfect for exercise when away from home. Later today I will take another walk, even if only 10 minutes before our Christmas Eve get together begins.

You're probably starting to see a trend here....to get some movement in each day, if only in short spurts. What do you do when away from home, or when busy times appear on your horizon?


I hope you all have a blessed Christmas filled with love and peace.

Christina

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KELTIC-CARA 12/25/2012 2:13PM

After a long drive, a good stretch is definitely what is needed. Short burst of activity is a good way to go and I'm glad to read that you are stretching each day. Enjoy your Christmas Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLINGHOPE 12/24/2012 6:56PM

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XNANNY 12/24/2012 6:53PM

I am doing well so far as I do not celebrate Christmas until the day it's self. Next Saturday when I weight I might have a different story to tell. Report Inappropriate Comment

Good information from "Best of SparkPeople"

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Here is a link to the SP slide show "6 Sneaky Ways to Add More Nutrition to Your Meals" in case you haven't yet seen it. Good ideas!


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/slidesh
ow.asp?show=58

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOPINTOS 12/20/2012 6:59AM

Thanks for sharing! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Perfect Health Diet Team Country Living Team Dr Oz Show Fans Team Wheat Belly Team Report Inappropriate Comment

KELTIC-CARA 12/18/2012 1:14PM

I need to add a couple, thanks Report Inappropriate Comment

PJ2222 12/18/2012 10:56AM

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A year from now.....Week 3

Monday, December 17, 2012

Here is a great motivational quote I found right here on SP:

"A year from now, you'll wish you had started today."

Can you relate? I know I can! When I want a Blizzard from DQ or some other yummy treat, my go-to mantra is "I'll get back on track tomorrow." So after 12 years of "tomorrows" here I am, starting again. Next year at this time, I want to be a good distance along the road to better health, not starting another "tomorrow."

This is my third week with Spark People, and I've lost four pounds. I'm not sure how that happened because living my goals has been a roller coaster ride so far. I'm still not getting into a regular exercise routine other than stretching, and I'm still going through periods of craving sweets and caving to the cravings.

I've been working my way through the SP article "Mind over Body" in the SparkDiet Resource Center. The item about putting the "I" back into my vocabulary made me aware of the unhelpful self talk I give myself, and how a different type of self talk can help me change my thoughts and actions toward meeting my goals.

So this week I will be working on putting "I" back into my self talk. If you are doing the same, let me know how you do and any tips you have to share.

Have a great week!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOPINTOS 12/20/2012 7:00AM

love that one! Thanks for sharing! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Perfect Health Diet Team Country Living Team Dr Oz Show Fans Team Wheat Belly Team Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRIS3874 12/17/2012 8:21PM

Keep at it one day might be harder than the last but KEEP at it you CAN do it!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLINGHOPE 12/17/2012 1:34PM

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4 is a beautiful number! (Day 12)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Four pounds down! What a good feeling. What's even better is the slight ache in the muscles I've been using this week as I began strength training. Especially my lower body, not so much upper body. I'm going to bump up the weight I use for my upper body exercises so it is more of a challenge. It's a cold but sunny day here in central Indiana, perfect for a walk with Rocko.

Did you read the Spark People wellness article "60 Second Health and Fitness Boosters" -- if not, here is a link to it. Good stuff.

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellnes
s_articles.asp?id=1557


Have a great day everyone!

Christina

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOPINTOS 12/13/2012 5:41PM

Thanks for sharing! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Perfect Health Diet Team Country Living Team Dr Oz Show Fans Team Wheat Belly Team Report Inappropriate Comment

BROWNCOFIDDLER 12/12/2012 9:31PM

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MISSB8604 12/12/2012 1:24PM

Yahoo for 4lbs gone!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLINGHOPE 12/12/2012 1:04PM

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STEVIEBEE569 12/12/2012 11:56AM

Great job! Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

Sunday, December 9

Sunday, December 09, 2012

Rain, rain, and more rain! Oh, and I don't dare leave out the mud!


Definitely not a nice day to walk outside, so I am going to hop on the elliptical trainer today. You know, that big thing upstairs that has been collecting dust all summer and fall? Seriously though, I've had the elliptical trainer for several years now and it is a great piece of equipment. Very easy on the knees and other joints, and what a cardio workout! I'm going to start using it when I can't get outside to walk, which will probably be more often over the winter months.

What do you do for exercise during the winter months? Or during any time of year?

Last summer I came across a book at the library (and then purchased for myself) by Women's Health magazine with 15 minute workouts. They include strength training workouts and cardio workouts. The cardio focuses on high intensity interval training and has plans for walking, running, elliptical, etc. I guess I'll dust that book off too and start using it with the elliptical.

I've had good intentions for so long, but they were all very short lived with no lasting results. I want this to be the time that I stick with it and get healthy! Yesterday I read an SP list of 10 Excuse-Busting Exercise Myths - they are great! I copied them, printed them, and posted my favorites in specific places around the house to remind me to stick to my guns! Here is a link to the SP page, in case anyone else is interested.


www.sparkpeople.com/resource/slidesh
ow.asp?show=88

Have a great day!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GOPINTOS 12/13/2012 5:45PM

I like doing tabata protocol on my elliptical. Thanks for sharing! Smile and Enjoy the Rest of Your Day! Melinda (gopintos) Perfect Health Diet Team Country Living Team Dr Oz Show Fans Team Wheat Belly Team Report Inappropriate Comment

LOOKINGUP2012 12/9/2012 3:59PM

Great link! Thanks for sharing. I can see that posting these would help! Report Inappropriate Comment