Preparing For Summer - HOT Playlist

Even though summer doesn't technically start until the middle of June, we all know the unofficial start is this coming weekend...Memorial Day Weekend. Time to think about barbecues, beaches, and outdoor concerts. Nature is kind enough to give us extra daylight to enjoy all of our activities, although I'm also totally down with Danny and Sandy loving those summer nights.

Since it's been warm and beautiful here the past few days (whoo-hoo...hardly any rain!) I've been pondering all of the songs that mention summer or hot weather that would be great for outdoor workouts - or even indoor ones to keep you pumped on rainy days. Here are some of my favorites:

"Summer's Coming" - Clint Black

"Long Hot Summer" - Keith Urban

"Summertime" Kenny Chesney

"Summer in the City" - The Lovin' Spoonful

"Summer Days" - The Partridge Family (I can see you smirking...it's a guilty pleasure I don't feel one bit guilty about!)

"Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams

"Hot Child in the City" - Nick Gilder (I know, technically it's the GIRL that's hot...but it still works!)

"Summer Nights" - John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John - Grease Soundtrack (Of course!!!)

"All Summer Long" - Kid Rock

"Heat Wave" - Martha and the Vandellas
"Hot Blooded" - Foreigner

"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves

"Hot Hot Hot" - Buster Poindexter

I know there are more, but these are the ones that come to mind and make me think warm, happy thoughts. Feel free to add any of your favorite hot summer songs!

ACTIVE Holiday Weekend!!!

On Memorial Day Weekends Past, we didn't do a whole heck of a lot. The most that would happen was attending BBQ's and eating a lot, then sitting around and talking with family and friends. Of course it was nice to catch up with everyone and have those conversations, but we were certainly not burning off all of the calories we had just eaten. In fact, we were too full to even feel like moving out of our chairs. We only got up to get another drink or more dessert.

Now to Memorial Day Weekend Present...we only had one BBQ to go to, and healthy food was served. We grilled at home as well, keeping to chicken or lean turkey burgers with salad and plenty of vegetables. Instead of big bowls of ice cream, we cooled off with sugar-free fudge pops. We went on long walks and bike rides, and played tennis. This is the first time I've ridden a bike in years. Until now, I had trouble balancing my extra weight and getting my legs to pump fast enough to get going. I still have a lot of weight to lose, but it's much easier to get on that bike now that I'm 35 pounds lighter.

The best thing is, we actually FELT like exercising! We didn't eat those heavy meals that would make us want to sit around or take a nap. We enjoyed our food, and it was fuel to help us do all of those fun activities. We drank plenty of water to stay hydrated, and didn't even miss all of the greasy, heavy foods. When I finally did sit out on my deck to read, I was able to really enjoy it because I had already gotten plenty of exercise and earned the time to just chill.

This is going to be a great summer. We are going to make the most out of every single day, just as it should be. I can't to see what our future holiday weekends have in store!!!

Memorial Day Motivation

This is a very quick blog today, as I am on my way to my mother-in-law's for a healthy holiday meal. I'm so thankful that she supports us one hundred percent in our weight loss and fitness efforts.

My weigh-in yielded the exact same number as last week...no loss, no gain. I'm OK with that, since Aunt Flo arrived yesterday with her gift wrapped in red just for me, just like the lady in the commercial hands to women on the beach. (I think I'm going to call that lady in those feminine hygiene ads Auntie Flo just for kicks!) It was so sweet of her to come visit for the holiday weekend...I think. Anyway, she will soon be gone and I'm certainly not going to change my plans for her. Plenty of exercise and nutritious foods are on my agenda...and I refuse her offer of chocolate and salty snacks!

I will tell you more about my weekend tomorrow. But since it is Memorial Day, I want to take time to say thank you to all of the men and women who gave their lives from our freedom. I think of one of my best friends and her family today, since she lost her nephew in Iraq almost 2 years ago. And my dad and I are both remembering his brother, my uncle, whom I never got to meet because he was the 7th soldier killed in the Korean War when he was 19. God bless all of the families and friends who are grieving...and God bless the USA.

Family Summer Shape-Up - In Session!

It's officially the start of the Memorial Day Weekend. Even though the calendar says it's not really summer until mid-June, we all know that this weekend is the accepted unofficial start of the season. The weather here is beautiful, low to mid 80's, with plenty of sun. Baseball practices have already gone on, and I've done outdoor workouts on several days. It feels so good to get outside and walk, run, play tennis, and just enjoy the day.

Even though we have already been getting more active and eating better, Operation Family Summer Shape-Up has now begun. You know I'm down 35 pounds, and now my son has already lost four pounds. We are working as a family so all of us can get fit and healthy. Going for walks and playing tennis together is a big part of our summer. Eating less junk food is also on the agenda, along with consuming more fruits and vegetables. My son is learning to drink water most of the time instead of sports drinks, juices, and sodas. We don't even have soda in the house. We may have one on a rare occasion when we're not eating at home, but even then most of the time we drink water. We are watching our portion sizes now more than ever.

The great thing about having this Summer Shape-Up is...we are setting goals over this weekend, to be completed by Labor Day. We will still be checking in weekly to see our progress, but having a bigger goal to work toward will keep us motivated and in motion. I challenge all of you to start your own Summer Shape-Up. Just think how far we will all have come by the start of September!