Category Archives: Happiness has a name. Exercise.

Working out with the Biggest Losers!

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So, I was surfing around On-Demand on our cable box the other day and came across Exercise TV. I had heard of Exercise TV before but had never really “went there”. Anyway, while perusing some of their On-Demand videos I came across some Biggest Loser fitness videos. I was intrigued so I started one up!

Within minutes, I felt inspired to hop around with the contestants and do the “Last Chance” High Intensity Circuit training with Jillian Michaels and crew. There was something about Jillian Michaels barking at me to stick with it and then training me on “how” to do the exercises that really appealed to me. My kids thought it was great too! They were right down on the floor doing the exercises with me. I encouraged them to keep going and praised them for doing a good job. We all had a lot of fun! So much fun in fact, that we have been doing it every day for the last week.

My new philosophy is that a half hour or an hour of exercise is not much time out of the day. After all, how much time did I spend before on sitting around? Maybe not a lot individually but collectively, I know that I can squeeze about two hours total of sitting around time. So why not use that time for something constructive, ya know?

I am saving up some coins to buy some of the videos and some free weights. For now, I am going to enjoy the collection that video On-Demand has!

If I get ready for another exercise challenge after some time of doing these videos I think I would like to try P90X. I have heard nothing but good things about the program!

Do you use workout videos? Are there any in particular that you really like?

New shoes for my 30 minute walks

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I love walking!

This week, I have been walking for 30 minutes each day. I knew that it was going to be fairly easy to keep up with and I was right! However, I noticed that my feet are getting a bit blistered. I have had these shoes for a couple of years now and have been aiming to get new ones for awhile.

I did some searching and found that New Balance had some really positive reviews. I have high arches and wider feet (what a combo!). So I think i’m going to try some out at famous footwear or JCPenny.

Do you guys have any suggestions for shoes? I really want a good walking shoe. I am not a runner or jogger (at least, not yet).

Checking in with yourself – staying on track with health and fitness goals inspite of it all

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Many years ago, a good friend of mine said that the secret to his success was that he checked in with himself regularly. No matter what leg he was on in his journey, he would take a moment or two to make sure that he was still on track. Did anything need to be changed in his routine? Did he have the right attitude for the task at hand? Was he still excited about the path he was on? If not, then what needed to change? Believe it or not, this did not have to do with weight loss but rather it had to do with business. He was a stock broker at the time.

This friend and I had lost contact many years ago. Still, I never forgot the lesson he taught me. I figured it was an important one. So I have kept it in my back pocket until this very moment. Because I think it’s important to check in with yourself on this journey. Make sure that you are still happy and excited. Make sure that you are persevering and motivating yourself. Make sure that you are creating an environment that spells WIN. And if you aren’t, then figure out what you need to do to get back on track and go for it! :)

This week has proven to be a difficult week for me to get my fitness in. My baby has pink eye, my oldest son has strep throat and my husband has been working way later due to server outages with certain clients. I haven’t seen the inside of the gym since Monday.

At first, I felt like my train had been driven off of my path. It felt like one of those moments where you throw your hands up and say… “what the F?!” Obviously, there is nothing I can do to change the kids being sick or my husband having to work late. Those are some of the facts of life my friend. Shit happens and sometimes you step in it. Know what I mean? And really in the grand scheme of things, this is only one off-week.

Instead of lolling around the house moping about it, I utilized the extra energy to keep moving. I cleaned and organized things I never thought to clean or organize. Sometimes, I found myself jumping around in the kitchen just for fun. Or if a good song came on the radio, I would dance to it with my daughter. 4 weeks of working out has me craving movement. Any kind of movement. My body wants to move. From couch potato to mover and shaker in 4 weeks… that’s me! :) I have also been extra careful to watch what I eat. Just because I am unable to get to the gym, doesn’t mean I should throw all of my progress to the wind.

Today, I was pacing around the house wondering what else to clean (I think I have the cleanest home in America now). Then I remembered my old exercise bike in the garage. I found it buried under a whole bunch of stuff. So I moved the stuff and moved the bike back into the house. This was no small feat and took a lot of extra effort but it was totally worth it. I moved it into my living room and got 45 minutes of straight cardio on it! And after I was done I felt this calming sensation flow over my body and soul. That is what exercise does for me. It chills me out and sends me to my happy place.

So this week, when I check in with myself, i’m going to note that I overcame an obstacle and am still managing to keep on track with my goals all while smiling. :)