THE ONE HOUR COMMITMENT FOR STAYING SANE, ALIVE, AND HEALTHY

OK! Seriously, I want to see an endocrinologist for my hypothyroidism which has not been monitored as it should have. However, that is not going to happen soon so I have decided that I have to make a more concentrated effort to maintain and reduce my weight. Even though, I know from recent experience that I must have a caloric intake of around 1000 if I want to shed pounds, I have to remember that it is more about getting in shape than getting skinny. Strong is the new skinny. I need to make more muscle, increase endurance and improve cardiology. Even skinny people need to do those things! So, here is the motivating story that works for me. I share it because maybe it will work for you, too.

There is a man that we know who has been walking an hour a day, every day, for years. He is over 70 and still as sharp as a 30 year old. He moves normally and can converse, well, you know, like a regular guy. His wife, on the other hand, has not adopted the one hour a day walk and she has dementia, she falls a lot and she cannot take care of things or enjoy her family like she used to. She is not overweight at all and never has been. So, this is the motivating factor for me to see them at such opposite ends of the spectrum in their old age and the only thing they have done differently in all these years of marriage is that HE WALKS AN HOUR A DAY.

SO. Today was my first day of walking. It took me longer than an hour because I got tired and had to stop, so I stopped the clock while I caught my breath after an uphill stretch. Also, I stopped the clock to take a few pictures. It was a perfect day for walking, a little overcast yet warm enough for a light jacket.  I don't feel any different yet, but I didn't get hit so hard with my afternoon lag which usually hits around 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy the pictures! Now that I've recovered my blog password, I will try to post if I have any more decent photos and videos! I hope they are not sideways! If they are, next time I will turn my phone the right way! haha! :D

Thanks for your support, friends!

#health #healthy #gettingfit #gettinginshape #exercise #walking #strong #strength #gethealthy #fitness

Jumping Rope Between Sets - Brilliant!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I was peddling along on my little stationery bike at the gym and I saw this young lady, about 20+ years younger than me, alternating jumping rope with doing reps on the weight training equipment. Well, you know it caught my eye because not many people jump rope at my gym. I saw her jumping and I said to myself "Ok, Self, when you can do THAT, then you know you are in shape!"  And how clever to not waste time between reps by just sitting there waiting as most people do!  Love it!  Victoria was kind enough to let me video her for my blog!  Enjoy! And, hey, can YOU do this? ;D

Let us know if you can do this!

Eat less. Move more.

Long Time No Post!!!! Hey, how are YOU???

Hey everyone!

It's been forever since I posted! Well, 15 months to be exact!  TOO long, right? I know! I've missed you guys! ;D

Ok, so about two months ago some of my friends and I had decided to track our weight loss and see who can win on a 15 week schedule. However, this is what happens when you have really relaxed, lovable, and easy-going friends: So far we have a cumulative weight loss of about 10 pounds. haha! 5 of those are mine! Haha!  But that's ok, we are still doing it.

Since I posted last, about 15 months ago, I have improved my eating habits but my exercise habits have remained the same. Needless to say, I have not lost any weight - other than the recent 5 pounds - but my immunity system is WAY better! And I like the taste of whole foods much better now. In fact, I can actually taste if anything has high fructose corn syrup in it. I mean, you can't really taste it, but it now leaves a metallic-ish feeling in my mouth. My portion sizes have gone down quite a bit. It seems ridiculous that I ever ate a standard serving which is served in any US restaurant. They always serve up enough for at least two people. Having grown up with "clean up your plate", it's no wonder so many people in the USA are overweight. The portion sizes are too large!

Now my friends and I order soup or a small salad when we eat out. If we want to try something else on the menu, we have the option of getting a to-go box and filling it up first with at least half of the food. That way we aren't tempted to eat mindlessly long after we are no longer hungry.

Anyway, I'm back and in my very next post I have something fun to share with you!

Eat less. Move more. :D

TO SAVE YOUR LIFE, SWITCH TO A WHOLE FOODS DIET

SAVE YOUR LIFE BY SWITCHING TO A WHOLE FOODS DIET!

I would love, love, love to hear your recipes using whole foods and your experiences of changing to a whole food diet! 


Today I watched on Netflix the show called FORKS OVER KNIVES at the suggestion of a Facebook friend (thank you, David N.!) who has lost 30 pounds in 4 weeks and says he feels great!


This production showcases clear and conclusive research that supports what we have all felt in our gut for a long time! Studies that have been done over years and years in China, Philippines and Japan combined with studies done in the United States are discussed. Individual case studies are shown. It is very convincing evidence that we should be eating these things for good health: fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes! The best rule of thumb, as one doctor in the show puts it, "...if it has a father and mother, don't eat it."

In the show Forks Over Knives, it was explained why the obesity problem exists in America. To grossly over-simplify, it is because the foods we eat are too rich and our bodies are fooled into thinking that we are not getting enough nutrition. So, we have to eat more to get satisfied. The doctor who explained this said "people are not more lazy now than they were before..."  He said that most of us need to learn how to eat whole foods which are nutritious and start eating a plant-based diet. There is an incredible amount of data showing that cultures who are introduced to eat the way we eat in America then start to have the same sicknesses and weight-problems that we do.


Initially, the reason that I paid attention to my Facebook friend David's post is because I have recently noticed that when I eat a smoothie for breakfast and a salad from my garden for dinner, I am completely satisfied. It has been a mystery to me because I know the amount is much smaller and there are not as many calories as the standard meat--veggie--starch meal. I wondered why I felt fuller longer when I added one single lettuce leaf to my morning smoothie. 


The whole foods diet answers that question: Because we get the nutrients we need from what we ingest, our appetite center signals our brain by saying, "Way to go, you feel perfectly satisfied!" 


I'm keeping this short, but if you have Netflix, you probably want to watch that show! It is a little bit scientific, but they do a great job with charts and diagrams to make it more easily understandable. 


And please share your recipes for some yummy whole foods dishes!  

YOGA or Fat Burn? Or both?

Just returned from my first yoga class. Well, I seriously should say my only yoga class for awhile. Even though I found the stretches very beneficial and trying to balance myself (plus my extra pounds) on one foot while in a weird contortion very rewarding, it will be a while before I return. And return I will. But right now, that hour could be spent in burning off the extra weight. I can always do a lot of the stretches at home instead of spending my time at the gym getting centered and moving at a turtles pace for an hour.

Yoga is not for sissies. It is tough, not joking. My muscles feel like tomorrow will be a wee bit painful. It looks easy and the people in the class who have been doing it for a while look very graceful and limber. Who am I kidding? I actually looked pretty graceful, too. The movements are slow and methodical, so for the most part gracefulness is inherent by design. 

I wish they had 15 minute yoga classes, because I would be more inclined to join in before hitting the elliptical. Ah-ha! An epiphany! I can go to the yoga class, say hello, stretch and yoga-ise for a bit and then excuse myself to the elliptical. Nice! That's the best idea I've had all day. So far...

This is one move that I could not do because my abs and back are not yet strong enough to lift my extra hip and leg weight up that high. However, I modified it and did my best. This is called the boat pose. Looks easy, right? Try it!!!

It seems like yoga is something one could do at home with a video or a book showing the poses. Our yoga instructor kept saying to use our breathing to find our balance. And believe me, we moved s-l-o-w-l-y . . .!

OH! I also found this link which was pretty good. They may have one of these classes in your area if you are interested. . . .http://www.yogadork.com/news/fat-yoga-no-longer-a-four-letter-word/ 

So, this Yoga Thing . . . What is Your Experience?

Yoga sounds like a great idea. I tried it once several years ago and it was dreadfully boring. Maybe I chose the wrong type of yoga.

I found this site which may be helpful to get started. If you have any other ideas to share, you can leave them in the comment section.

http://yoga.about.com/od/beginningyoga/a/howtostart.htm

This Trainer Says Add Strength Training

I just happened upon this blog today while looking for something totally different and it is great!  I had no clue that obese people had so much more of a difficult time losing weight! OOOOH MAN! It's tough, but do-able! 

The bottom-line on this article is to avoid becoming obese, include strength training, and commit for six months to any fitness change program. SIX MONTHS. Considering that healthy activity should be a lifestyle, let's just say the transition period will be six months and the increased activity in life will be for the rest of our lives. Ya wanna?  ;D  We can do it!  It really is much more fun to walk the dog or play with children than to sit in front of the television and eat, right? Not to mention, skating, bicycling, swimming, and all those other fun activities!

Enjoy this blog! If you are struggling with obesity, this will be very, very helpful in helping you to understand that you have more to overcome and I believe it will help you make that commitment to work harder! 99% of all self-improvement effort is in our minds!

http://gregghoffman.hubpages.com/hub/Obesity-and-Fat-Loss