Surviving The Hot Summer

The fans are going WILD!!!!!

No, I'm not at a sporting event or a concert.  I'm not even in the vicinity of those right now.  I'm sitting in my home office, at my computer, in a house with no air conditioning.  The only thing saving me right now is the desk fan my husband got for me, so I don't become delirious while trying to write.  (although I might come up with some VERY interesting stories that way!)

Our air conditioner bit the dust at the end of last summer.  We had it checked, and found out that the unit the builder used in our house (which is only 10 years old) is no longer being made - nor can we get parts for it.  So...that means we have to buy a whole new unit.  We didn't have the money to do it then, but thought we would by the time this summer rolled around. 

Well, we still don't have the funds.  Car repairs and other emergencies came up, and our budget is extremely tight.  So we're fighting our way through this especially hot summer, thankful for each time there is a break for a day or two from the intense temperatures.  Anytime a breeze blows through a window, I say a prayer to God thanking Him for it.  And the fans really are going wild - the one at my desk, plus the three others that we move around depending what room we are in at any given time.  Most days they help...unless the temperatures climb into the 90's when it just feels like hot air blowing around.

You know what it's like when the heat gets to you, especially if you are still overweight.  And that's the case for me.  Although I'm down over 35 pounds, I still have quite a bit to lose.  So it's uncomfortable.  But I also realize it would have been a lot worse if I hadn't lost any of the weight yet!

The real trick is getting my workouts done without passing out.  When I go to spin class it's fine, because the studio has plenty of air and fans to keep us sane.  It's working out at home that becomes challenging.  I'm so grateful that our finished basement is much cooler than the rest of the house, because I can do DVD workouts there.  Sometimes I still exercise on the first floor, using my step and kettlebells with a fan going.  But if it's in the mid-90's or above, I don't exert myself like that.  It gets to be too much for my body.  Then I try to just go for a light walk if I can to at least keep moving.

The other key is to stay hydrated.  I'm drinking cold water like it's going out of style, but it's necessary in this heat - before, during, and after exercise.  I've also been known to open the freezer door and stand in front of it for a quick cooldown. (And possibly get a little jealous of my frozen foods right now...)

The weight is still coming off...a little slower than before, but that's OK.  I'm doing my best with what I have, still moving forward.  I'm not just giving up and sitting around all the time because it's so hot; I won't give up on my progress just because of the heat. 

I will continue with my fitness no matter what.  It's something I can be proud of, and will push me to get stronger in the long run.  Will keep working on that hot body - and I don't mean overheated!

June Fitness Goals!!!

Happy June 1st!  It's been a rough week with stress including a death in the family, but I know I have to get myself back on track.  And what better day to do this than the first of the month?

So here are the goals I've set for myself for the month of June:

1. Lose 10 pounds - doable as I commit to the other goals below.
2. Play more tennis!  I try so hard to get better and have so much fun I don't realize I'm exhausted until afterward.
3. Get back to drinking more water.  Over the holiday weekend and the stressful few days that followed, I drank diet soda more than I should have.  Time to cut that out!
4. Keep up with Spinning and Pilates.
5. More fresh produce - my fruit & veggie count wasn't that great this week either, and now is the perfect time to get the good stuff in!
6. Walk/run on days I'm not playing tennis or spinning.  I've done a lot of walking, but it's time to step it up more with running intervals.
7. Come up with more healthy alternatives for favorite foods that are not so good for me.  Limit treats!

My plan is to rock June!  How about you???

Biggest Loser 13 Challenge - Chocolate Bunny Recovery

Yes, I gave in this week to Chocolate Bunny Syndrome. You know, the disease that hits many of us every spring at Easter time...Cadbury Creme Eggs, , Reese's Eggs, jellybeans and more seem to taunt us from every basket. And sometimes we just have to have one.

For me, it's always chocolate bunnies and eggs from Malley's. If you live in Cleveland you KNOW what I'm talking about. Once you have the good stuff from Malley's you become spoiled and it's nearly impossible to go back to "regular" old chocolate. And let's face it - if your going to veer off the healthy eating path for a treat (or two, or more) it better be something that tastes good enough to make the fat and calories worth it. There's nothing worse than wasting a splurge on something that tastes like crap, because you put your body through that and don't even enjoy it. THEN you still want the good stuff!

I enjoyed every single Malley's egg I put into my mouth. I still didn't eat as much of it as I used to, but I definitely indulged. I still worked out and ate pretty healthy the rest of the time. And I washed down my goodies with plenty of water.

The scale was relatively kind to me this morning...I did lose .6 pound in spite of Chocolate Bunny Syndrome. Considering that in most years I gained weight the week after Easter, this is a victory. I also learned that food doesn't have to be all or nothing. I'm not a terrible person if I treat myself once in a while, and I also don't have to go totally off the deep end and eat every piece of chocolate in sight along with several fast food meals because I've already "blown it". This is part of that balance I'm striving for, and it's ALWAYS a learning experience.

Now that the Easter chocolates are gone, it's time to get right back on plan. Basically I had already stayed on plan for the most part anyway while enjoying a few goodies. But swimsuit season will be here before I know it, so I want to do the best I can to get down another size before then. The suit I want to wear is ready, hanging around and patiently waiting for me to fit into it.

Time to get ready for summer. Are you with me? Let's hop to it!

Biggest Loser 13 Challenge - Much Needed Success!

I really needed this...thank you God!!!

After missing my weigh-in last Sunday due to being sick (partially stress, partially stomach bug) I was nervous about it this week. After all, it's been a rough one, which I posted about in my blog a couple of days ago. I wasn't sure what I'd see on the scale today.

Well, I saw a loss of 2.4 pounds! I allowed myself one Shamrock Shake on Monday night after the "I-knew-it-was-coming" fiasco earlier in the day, but other than that I ate healthy foods. Just because one thing went wrong, I wasn't going to let everything go wrong.

I also think it helped that I was able to walk a lot outside to help deal with the stress, instead of eating my stress. I prayed and thought things through on my walks...and I burned calories! Even though I still have stress from the situation, I'm making the most of every day and moving forward.

Which means I'll be back to Pilates and spin this week, stressed or not. At least the stomach bug part of things has calmed down so I can get stuff done. Also, since I don't need ginger ale for my stomach now I can drink even more water to clean out my system.

So I pray that this week will be much better, and I will do my part to make it so. I'm pulling the positives out of the situation (like my 2.4 pound loss) and working to improve in all areas. And I know - God will do His part because He is faithful!

Biggest Loser 13 Challenge - Bouncing Back!

I have officially recovered from Super Bowl Sunday.

I got right back up on my horse, so to speak, and trotted toward my goals. I got back into eating healthy foods and drinking water, flushing out the indulgences from the big game. And my exercise was consistent - even on days when I couldn't make the scheduled classes I made sure I still worked out.

It all paid off when I stepped on the scale this morning. I was happy with the 1.6 pound loss. As long as I stay consistent, my weight loss will as well. The key is planning well, and having a back-up plan for days when things come up that are out of your control.

The lesson in planning will serve me well in the coming weeks. I had a job interview last week, and I start Thursday...in less than 2 days. I'm really happy, as we definitely need the money and all of the efforts over the last couple of years job hunting have finally paid off. God was just waiting to hook me up with the right position.

Of course this means adjusting to a new schedule, working full time and balancing my writing and fitness goals with the job. I'm determined to get this novel published, and just as committed to my health goals. I know with plenty of prayer I will find the way to work it all out!

I'm also thrilled to be going into the new job with a good number on the scale, which only helps my confidence level. Everything I need to do can and will be done. And since I've been through the desert on a horse with no name...I'd better come up with one for him! Any ideas?

So it's off to spin before Biggest Loser tonight. How did you do this week?

Biggest Loser 13 Challenge - Super Bowl Recovery

Yes, I indulged a little on Super Bowl Sunday.

Not a lot - I mostly ate healthy but did allow myself a couple of beers during the game. I took a really long walk earlier in the day to help combat the treats. And I kept to my workout schedule otherwise, spinning, step, Pilates, etc.

So I got on the scale this morning wondering what I would see. Would Sunday's indulgences show up? Or did I do enough to continue my success?

I saw the number move in the direction I wanted...it was only a .6 pound loss, but a loss nonetheless. Even though I drank a lot of water, my body is probably still trying to get rid of the beer. And since my monthly gift has arrived, I'm sure that threw a wrench into my numbers as well.

So whatever the reasons, I do know that I can improve on my eating habits this week. And since my gift arrived complete with severe cramps, I'm working my way through the pain because I do not want to go backwards on this journey. What counts is that I keep going as much as I possibly can so that next week I see a much better number.

Even with the little setbacks, I'm making great progress. So it's off to spin again tonight before Biggest Loser. I know I don't complain even close to the amount some of this season's contestants do. NO EXCUSES!!!

My Biggest Loser Season 13 Challenge - No Excuses!

Tonight is the season premiere of Biggest Loser- which means it's time for a new challenge!

I managed to lose 2.2 pounds over the holidays, except that with a couple of drinks on New Year's Eve and my monthly gift ready to arrive, I gained most of that back.

But enough of that. No dwelling or excuses, only moving forward with my plan of ACTION.

My starting weight this morning was 199.6. It's nice to start 2012 without extra holiday weight to lose on top of everything else. (Normally I'd weigh myself in mid-December, and have a larger number on the scale come January 2nd or 3rd. Since I weigh a hair less than December 13th, I'm calling it a wash and going from here.) Just like last season, I will weigh in every Tuesday and post the results up through the Season 13 Finale in May.

The winter/spring BL season is always a little bit longer than the fall one, so I've kept that in mind while deciding upon my goal. I will lose at least 35 pounds by the finale, which will put me at 164.6 or less. I'm stepping up my workouts and being even more conscious of what I put into my body. And I will continue to stay away from the diet soda and drink plenty of water.

If you would like to join me, please post your goal here or on Twitter at #BL13Challenge. We can encourage each other all season long!

Now it's off to spin class before Biggest Loser tonight!!!

Finding Inner Bliss

Ahh...bliss.

We all want it. We all search for it. Many of us are confused about where to find it.

As you know by now, I look to God for my bliss. I always feel better when I turn to Him, do my best, and recognize that He is in control.

But there are many times when I'm stressed out and find it hard to slow down and focus...on where I'm going in life, what I need to do, and how to get there without losing my mind. Even though I pray often, my overactive, creative mind sometimes won't let me be still enough to hear the answer.

This is where Inner Bliss comes in. Yes, this is the name of the studio where I took my first yoga class on Saturday evening. When I spin on Mondays, often my instructor John's wife also takes class with us. Kristen is an instructor at Inner Bliss, and she invited me to participate in their annual Yoga Gives Back event on December 3rd, where for the entire day all classes are FREE. I signed up for her Candlelight Slow Flow class and eagerly anticipated giving it a try.

I mapped out the directions, knowing that even though I somewhat knew the area it could still be difficult navigating the twists and turns in the Rocky River/Lakewood area. At this time of year it's already dark in the early evening, which only made it more difficult to find the studio. I noticed the restaurant that was supposed to be right by it, but didn't see any other signs.

I wound up going down Lake Road too far and noticing I was in Lakewood. I needed to turn around and be back in Rocky River, so I got myself re-positioned and headed back. It was still too dark to see anything. I passed the restaurant and turned around again, thinking what a comedy it would be if I had to stop and ask for directions. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Inner Bliss." "I'm trying to find Inner Bliss..." I imagined some smart aleck telling me, "So am I" or "Well, aren't we all?" Luckily I pulled into the parking lot next to the restaurant and discovered that I was in the right place.

I had given myself plenty of time to get there just in case, so I wasn't stressed when I finally walked in. Even if I had been, the warm and inviting atmosphere would have caused it to drift away immediately. I signed in, grabbed a mat and found a spot to get ready.

The first few moves were relatively simple, but as the session went on I discovered that yoga is not quite as easy at it looks when someone else is doing it. I kept up pretty well for the most part, with a few times when I had to just go back into Child's Pose to stay with it and keep my breathing flowing. I'm glad this was a candlelight class, because it felt less intimidating that way. (Although, the ladies on either side of me were very kind...and most people are busy focusing on their own breathing and movement to have time to worry about someone else's.) Kristen and her assistant also came around to correct form and posture often.

I did notice one very important thing during this session. Concentrating on my breathing helped me clear my head and focus. And the various moves were strengthening my legs, arms, and core at the same time. There are similarites to Pilates, yet many differences which make yoga a perfect compliment to my other activities. And I felt absolutely wonderful afterward!

Kristen told me to drink a lot of water that night and the next day...double what I would normally think I'd need. She also hoped that I wouldn't be cussing her out on Sunday, since it was my first time doing yoga and I'd probably be sore.

She needn't have worried. I did have some soreness, but nothing that stopped me from decorating for Christmas, cleaning and doing laundry. I'm sure following her advice helped tremendously. I did cuss out the Browns - but that's an entirely different story.

So I'm now hooked on another form of exercise. (Better than food or other stuff that's bad for you!) I've signed up for the special beginners event in January at the studio, so I can learn it all step by step...and I can't wait.

Here's to all of us finding our Inner Bliss!

Biggest Loser Season 12 Challenge - Giving Extra Thanks!

The first weigh-in after Thanksgiving is usually stressful, not just for me but for most people I know. It's when everyone typically steps on the scale, sees a number worse than the week before, and asks why they had to stuff themselves on Turkey Day...and with the leftovers the rest of the weekend.

This year I did indulge in a couple of my favorites - stuffing and sweet potatoes - but otherwise had small portions on Thanksgiving. Of course I had pumpkin pie, but it was the healthier version that I've been making for a few years. I thought I did relatively well, but since the scale was not kind the week before I was still a little nervous.

Imagine my happiness this morning when I discovered I lost 1.8 pounds! Looks like my body (and the scale) made up for the week before. Losing close to 2 pounds for the holiday week is almost unheard of, but I'm thrilled to report that it can happen!

I credit this to choosing my holiday treats carefully, drinking plenty of water, and working out more than I ever have over the Thanksgiving holiday. Also, we only took a small amount of leftovers home, so I didn't keep the feast going for the entire weekend. It was really good to see it pay off immediately on the scale...but I know the rewards will last for a lifetime.

How did you do this week? Please shoot me a comment here or at #BL12Challenge on Twitter. Remember - if you did overdo it over Thanksgiving, now is the time to get back on track!

Staycation - Good For Body and Soul!

As some of you may have noticed, I haven't blogged in a little while. The first few days were not by choice...I had to get a new modem and then catch up on my other work first. But the last three days were definitely by choice.

I desperately needed a vacation, but there are no funds in the budget to get away from it all. So it was time for a "staycation"...having a holiday at or near home to recharge when you can't afford a big trip. I made a conscious decision not to log on to the computer for three days, not even to write. You see, if I had turned it on to write, I would have been tempted to check my mail or social networking sites. The whole idea was to relax and enjoy the time without distractions, so I could be refreshed when it was time to get back to business. Since I don't have a Blackberry or iPhone, there was no tempatation in that department.

We never ventured far from home...we swam every day, went on long walks, and watched movies. I got to spend some uninterrupted time reading as well. I stuck to healthy foods except for one treat - ice cream on Sunday evening. I still drank plenty of water, especially with all of the time spent outdoors exercising.

The plan worked...I am now recharged and ready to tackle more writing and other ventures, plus I didn't wind up gaining any weight on this little vacation. In fact, I lost a little over a pound! How often do we go on any type of vacation and lose weight, unless it's at a spa or weight loss retreat? Not too often!

I highly recommend a staycation to all of you...even more so if you can't afford a regular vacation. With the stresses of life we all need to unplug and refresh our souls, so we can be more productive in the long run. Besides, we all need to enjoy ourselves now and then!

Listen To Your Body - It Knows!!!

My body speaks to me.

No, it doesn't actually have a voice, but it doesn't need one. My body speaks without words...and I heard it loud and clear this week.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, I didn't eat a lot - but I did consume some foods that I don't usually have. A few salty tortilla chips here, a couple of diet sodas there, even a cupcake with VERY sweet frosting and other sugary treats found their way into my mouth. It wasn't overindulgence in large quantities that did me in...it was what was in the foods I ate.

For the last three days, my body has spoken in several ways. My fingers puffed up from the extra sodium, making it hard to get most of my rings on. The migraine that followed let me know in no uncertain terms that I should have skipped the diet sodas. To complete the lecture from my body, my stomach hurt and was upset from too much sugar.

My body is letting me know that I have to stick with healthy foods and skip the stuff filled with salt, sugar, and chemicals. I'm recovering from the weekend by drinking plenty of water to flush out my system, eating nutritious foods, and working up a sweat as often as possible. I can already feel the difference.

My body knows what it's "talking" about...and so does yours. Pay attention to what YOUR body is telling you. God only gave each of us one body, and we have to take good care of it!

MetroMint Heaven!

Is it possible to fall in love with a beverage? If it is, then I am definitely head over heels for MetroMint!!!

I happened to discover them at the grocery store while looking around in the water aisle. I was intrigued by the thought of mint water and enticed by the fact that there are no sweeteners or preservatives in their products. The water is purified by reverse osmosis, and the only other ingredients are pure, real mint grown in Washington State and natural flavors or essences. I knew I had to try it. There were only 3 flavors at my store, so I chose Spearmint and ChocolateMint.

I tasted the ChocolateMint first, and I swear my taste buds went straight to heaven. The flavor is amazing without being overpowering; completely refreshing while satisfying my chocolate craving. (It's better than the sensation you get biting into a York Peppermint Patty...no sugar or junk in it!) The Spearmint is also wonderful...both refreshing and invigorating.

Something you may not know (beacuse I didn't until now!) is that mint has many healthy and medicinal uses. Mint improves digestion, decreases heartburn, and eases nausea. Mint is also good for stopping bad breath, clearing congestion (great news for this allergy sufferer!) and easing stress. Hmm...sounds like a natural way to take care of all of those things doctors keep prescribing pills for! I would much rather use mint than drugs!

Metromint also comes in other flavors like CherryMint, OrangeMint, LemonMint, Peppermint, and GoodberryMint. I will have to go back and get the OrangeMint, plus try my local World Market for the other flavors. Check the Metromint website for more cool mint information and type in your zip code to find stores near you that carry this amazing mint water.

Yes, I've fallen in love with MetroMint...you better never go away or it would truly break my heart!!!

My Zumba Initiation!

Zumba is another thing I've been wanting to try for a while now, but kept putting off. When my friend Kristen invited me to a Zumba party at her gym, I jumped at the chance. There's no better way to learn something new than with a friend, especially one who's been raving about her Zumba classes!

The party was this past Saturday...an hour and a half of pure Zumba. Regular classes are only an hour, so it was longer than Kristen was used to herself. For me, it was trial by fire. Of course I've been working out, but Zumba is high intensity and uses all muscles groups. I wondered if I would be able to keep up and get the choreography quickly, but I was game to find out.

I quickly discovered that I love Zumba!!! I did pick up quite a bit of the choreography right away, and was able to wing it during the parts that were harder to grasp immediately. I noticed that a few of the others in the class were doing the same as me...and I was told that each week you pick up more and get better as you go. I loved the moves and the music was infectious. Kristen warned me that the music would be stuck in my head the rest of the day, and boy was she ever right. Since I dream of doing the Cha Cha and the Samba, the music in my head was very welcome indeed. We all made it through the 90 minutes - feeling exhausted yet exhilarated. (And I was really glad I took Kristen's advice to bring plenty of water!)

Each time I try something new and conquer it, I feel my strength building...not only in my body, but mind and spirit as well. Everything begins to click into place even more than before, and I see how these things fit into the bigger picture. If there's something you've been wanting to try for a while but keep putting off...do it NOW. You will be so happy you did!!!

New Twist on the Drinking Game

I'm sure many of you know all about the Drinking Game. You pick a certain word or phrase that is said often during the course of a TV show, and every time someone says it you take a drink. Of course, it is implied that your drink is alcoholic.

I've come up with a new twist on this game. Since a lot of us have trouble remembering to drink enough water each day, this could be a great way to get that H2O into our bodies.

For example, on Monday night during Dancing With The Stars, every time someone said the words "Quickstep" or "Jive" I took a drink of water. Since those were the two featured dances for the week, those words was used continuously and I got to drink plenty of water.

On Tuesday night during Biggest Loser I did the same thing with different words. Every time someone said the words "trainer", "challenge", or "game play", I drank some water. Once again, I quenched my thirst quite a bit.

This is really a fun way to get enough H2O every day. Try it...pick your own words to drink to for whatever show you are watching and have that water handy. It's definitely healthier than the original Drinking Game...and you won't have to worry about not being able to drive home, or not feeling well enough to do your workout in the morning!

December Goals: Merry Christmas to Me!

Happy December 1st! It's time to make a new set of monthly goals, even though we are diving into the holiday season. I had set goals for November, but some of them were not met because of the chronic fatigue problem. However, as a blog reader pointed out, I did something about the fatigue problem and went about finding a solution instead of just using it as an excuse to abandon my healthy plans. In the past, I would have just quit on my fitness goals with something like this...but I really have come too far to go back. I really like being able to accomplish things!

I also did modify some holiday recipes and drink plenty of water, which helped me get through November in better shape than I normally would have. Now that I have my energy back, here are my December goals:

1. Continue with the H2O, while limiting the special holiday beverages that are so tempting this time of year.

2. Modify some more recipes and find healthier cookie ones. I have to get my brother's awesome veggie casserole recipe he served on Thanksgiving...it was healthy and full of flavor!

3. Even on the busiest days, I will get at least 30 - 45 minutes of vigorous exercise. On days I have a little more time, an hour will be the goal.

4. Remember that working out does not give me license to eat unlimited amounts of cookies, candy, eggnog, or other holiday goodies. The calories and fat will still add up to more than I can burn off!

5. Lose 8 -10 pounds during December, by keeping to my plan listed above.

6. Find non-edible ways to be in the Christmas spirit, remember the true meaning of the holidays, and fully enjoy the season!

Feel free to share your December goals with me as well...together we can keep each other on track to start 2011 in a much healthier way!

I'm Pretty Good At Drinkin' Water! ;o)

Yes, I just heard that song by Billy Currington, "Pretty Good At Drinkin' Beer"...and I'm in a silly mood today. I was thinking how his mama would be so proud that he's reached such a lofty goal in life! LOL

I really am pretty good at drinking water. If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I tweet H2O reminders during the day on most days. Once in a while I miss one, or I'm gone all day on the weekends and don't tweet anything. I really need a Blackberry so I can give those portable water tweets! I get a lot of RT's and tweets back thanking me for the reminder...I'm so glad to help, and I know what it's like to get so busy during the day that you forget. I know when I forget, I don't feel as well as usual!

During that "vacation" period I took over the summer, I became pretty good at drinking diet soda again. I'd see my water bottle sitting there, pretend it was Rachel on Friends, and tell myself we were on a break. I did still drink water, especially on those days we were out at the pool, but it wasn't as much as I'd usually drink...and nowhere near enough for what my body needed. My health paid the price, as I became more sluggish and bloated with carbonated drinks.

I knew I had to get back on track. Thankfully my "Rachel" was still there for me, and as I filled up that bottle I swore I could hear her laughing at me and saying I told you so. Diet soda is a very rare beverage for me again, and it's amazing how much better I feel now that I'm back in my H2O routine. Our bodies really do crave water, and we need to give them plenty of it. A break from water is not a good thing, even if you do pretend you're on Friends. Just drink up!!!

Beating The Heat...In My House!!!

No, I'm not wishing for it to snow yet...there will be plenty of that here in Cleveland when winter comes around! I'm staring at this picture and trying to stay cool. The temperatures have been in the high 80's and low 90's the past few days, and our air conditioner has gone on strike. We found out that we need to get a whole new unit, because there are several leaks in this system...and they aren't making the parts for this cheapo brand that the builder used when this house was constructed. (Gee...I wonder why our builder is no longer in business???)

We're trying to get several estimates for a new unit, because we're still catching up on bills from when my husband was laid off. It's been a rough year and a half, but things are looking up. The first few days without air were fine, because the daytime temps were in the low 70's and it was around 60 at night. But the past few days have been miserable, especially for sleeping. I've been doing my walking in the upstairs hallway in the evenings, when it's a little cooler and there's a nice cross-breeze flowing from the bedrooms. There is no way I'm using the heat as an excuse not to work out...I'm through with excuses!

We are drinking a lot of ice water, and we even went to the mall on Monday to get cool. I got a good workout walking the mall, and since I can't really shop yet I didn't stop that often to look at stuff. Well, except for a really cool pair of running shoes that I saw, which will be going on my wish list for Christmas...or sooner if we can. Eating lighter foods really helps in the heat as well, and using the stove and oven as little as possible. Lots of nice, cold fruits and veggies for me!

Right now God just sent a gorgeous breeze through my home office window...thank you God!!! I will also look at that picture of Squaw Valley some more...and let it remind me that I want to be in shape for ski season. Stay cool everyone!

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!

It's Monday...I'm Motivating Myself!!!

I actually felt like that cat this morning. This past week I celebrated my birthday, complete with Mexican food and cake. And yes, my son squealed that it was my birthday to our waitress, so the staff came over and put the sombrero on my head (which felt like it weighed as much as a bowling ball) and sang in Spanish to me. I ate too much sugar this week, and in turn my body did not feel like exercising as much as I usually do. The one thing I did do right was skip the margaritas and stick to water.

So, as it seemed like I was rolling myself onto the scale this morning, I really expected to see a number that I didn't like. Imagine my surprise when I only gained 1 pound...I consider that God's birthday gift to me, along with the lesson that my body really can't run at its best when I pour so much sugar into my tank. I'm actually happy with that number, because I was sure it was going to be so much worse. (My aunt is also here for her monthly visit...but I know I can't blame her for that pound this time!)

So far between yesterday and today, we received some bad news. A longtime friend of our family passed away yesterday, and another friend's brother died from cancer over the weekend. Along with some weird happenings and the start of baseball practice tomorrow, it's going to be another crazy week. This is my chance...I said that I aspire to be like O'Neal, and it looks like this is my week to show what I'm made of. I will not drown my sadness and frustration in food, and I will leave it all in the gym just like O'Neal did. Working it out is the best way, and I will make sure that no matter what gets thrown at me and rearranges my schedule this week, I will get all of my exercise in, plus more. My sugary week is done, and I'm back to business!

(So)Be The Best You Can Be!!!

I drink a lot of water. Usually it's just plain water, either bottled or from the tap. Occasionally I add some lemon or lime to it, but I still drink it the way nature made it most of the time. I know it's best for my body to drink it that way...but every so often I feel the need to shake things up and add a little variety to my beverage of choice.

That is how I discovered SoBe Lifewater. It was on sale at the grocery store, so I picked up a few bottles. My favorites are the Lean Machine flavors, which are not only enhanced with vitamins, but with citrimax and ginseng as well. And these flavors are zero calories! My current favorite is the Strawberry Dragonfruit...it's naturally sweetened and curbs my sugar cravings. I plan on using these every so often, along with my regular water intake. It's a nice little added boost for me, which we all need every now and then.

I just discovered by going to their website today that SoBe is currently offering a buy one get one free coupon, which really makes me happy! You can get the coupon too, just go to www.sobe.com and there is a link to print the coupon. For those of you who don't like drinking plain water, or are like me and just want to add a little variety, this is a great way to try the products and taste them for yourselves. Enjoy your SoBe, and always be the best that you can be!