What’s on YOUR iPod?

Music, it is a powerful thing.  Music can make you smile, make you laugh and make you cry.  Music can keep you motivated, keep you moving even when you think you would rather just go lay down.  My MP3 player was the best investment I have made, by far, when it comes to losing weight.  I have the exercise DVDs, I have the weights, I have the bands, I have the GIANT ball, I have it all, but none of it gets used like my music player.  I dont just use it when I am out walking/running though, I put it on when I am cleaning, it helps keep me going and gets me moving more while I clean.  Cleaning burns calories too!  ;)

What type of music you listen to really does inspired your actions.  When we were teenagers my friend loved hard music and her mother would always get upset when she put it on in the car because she said it made her speed.  Back then we thought she was a bit loopy but it was true.  I understand that now.  The fast pace made her want to go faster while she was driving.  So what are you listening too?  Something that inspires?  Something that makes you go faster?  If you are setting up a list, choose two slower songs for your warm up, then a few fast ones for your actual work out, and then a few slower ones for your cool down.

Here is my list!

Ordinary Day by Emilie Mover

Love Story by Taylor Swift

Keeps Getting Better by Christina Aguilera

Disturbia by Rihanna

So What by Pink

Rock N Rolla by Suzie McNeil

Hot N Cold by Katy Perry

Miles Away (Remix) by Madonna

All Summer Long by Kid Rock (I put this on for Connor but it gets me moving too!  lol)

Right Here by Brandy

Single Ladies by Beyonce

Dont You Know Your Beautiful by Kellie Pickler

Better In Time by Leona Lewis

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz

I generally walk between 45 to an hour 15 minutes so sometimes I skip songs and some times I add them.  I also have Proud from The Biggest Loser but my player wont play it for some odd reason.  Its really great to motivate though so sometimes I will play it on the computer while I am getting ready to head out.

What is on YOUR iPod???  What gets YOU moving?  Tell us!

Boredom Eating!

Our team is doing FABULOUS!  Everyone is dropping pounds and getting healthy one day at a time.  If you want to join our team, just let me know!  I will add you to our side bar and we can help track your progress as well.

Boredom eating, it is something everyone of us has encountered at some point and time.  May be some of us more than others.  I find that I am a Boredom Eater.  I swear if I have a minute in the day where my hands are not busy I find myself gravitating towards the kitchen.  Most of the time I am not even the slightest bit hungry, just looking for entertainment for  my idle hands.  To avoid this, here are a few things that I doand I know will help you as well!!

If you feel yourself heading to the snack cupboard when you are bored try one or more of these until the urge subsides:

Drink a glass of water.

Reply to some emails.

Read a post from your favourite blog.

Write a note in your journal.

Play a game of Solitaire.

Brush your teeth.

Call a friend.

Go for a walk.

Do your dishes.

Read the paper.

Do some stretching.

Write down a 10 Ten List…. (ie  10 reasons to get healthy, 10 articles of clothing you want to be able to wear, 10 places you would like to visit, 10 people you admire the most)

Exercise!!!

Anything that gets your mind to change gears is what you want!!!  Please comment and let us know what YOU do to avoid Boredom Eating!

Need some Motivation?

Sometimes seeing is believing and if that is the case with you, may be you should try Weight View.  When you visit this site, you can upload a full body “Before” photo of yourself and they will send you back an “After” photo!   It says on the site that it takes 24-48 hours but it did take a little bit longer then that for me.  They Thinify you!!  So this is me at 196lbs, my heaviest.  Ack!  This is what I will look like, without the ginormous head though, at approximately 145lbs.  Seeing what I was and what I will be certainly has put a spring in my step!

So check it out and post back to let us see what YOU will be rocking in the future!!!  :)

Heart & Stroke

During the month of April, Connor will be raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.  His school will be holding a Jump-a-thon where the children will all be skipping rope to encourage healthy and active lifestyles.  It is said that more women will die, in Canada but I am sure it translates well into other parts of the world, due to heart disease, then any other disease this each year.  The following is an excerpt from their site explaining why it is important to be at a healthy weight.

Fat stored around your middle can put you at risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type-2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Almost 60% of Canadian adults are overweight or obese. Obese Canadians are four times as likely to have diabetes, more than 3 times as likely to have high blood pressure and more than two times more likely to have heart disease than those with a healthy weight.

A modest weight reduction of as little as 5% of body weight can reduce your high blood pressure and total blood cholesterol. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs, 5% would equal about 7.5 pounds. (5% of 68 kg equals 3.4 kg). Simply weighing yourself is not the only way to determine your health risk. Studies have shown that extra weight around the waistline is more dangerous to the heart than extra weight that is on the hips and thighs.

So go ahead and grab a tape, get that measurement and aim to reduce it!!! 

How Important Is Water?

 

Water.  It is always a hot topic when it comes to dieting.  How much should I drink?  How can I possible drink all that is recommended?  I dont like the taste of water, its too plain.  These are a few of the questions that arise when people start talking water in their diet.  The experts still seem to be throwing out different numbers each day but the generally consensus says that we should be drinking approximately eight 8oz glasses of water a day. 

Water is extremely important to healthy living.  Water makes up two-thirds of our body.  Without the right amount of water, our bodies just do not function the way they should.  Water helps stabilize our metabolisms, it works as a lubricant to help keep our systems flushed and in working order, it keeps our temperature in check, helps our bowels function properly and so many other things. 

Did you know that sometimes when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty?  It’s true!  So the next time you feel a grumble, first try drinking a glass of water, wait 20 minutes and then if you still feel hungry, have a snack.

How can you get in your 64oz?  Always keep a bottle of water near you and full.  You are more likely to sip on it through out the day instead of hitting the fridge/vending machine for some sugary fix.  Drink a full glass of water before you sit down to each meal and then have one with you meal, sipping between bites.  Not only will this help you get in your water but it will also help  fill you, so you will not be consuming as many calories.

Don’t like the taste of plain water?  Do not reach for the flavoured waters you see in the stores.  They are filled with preservatives, artificial flavours and hidden sugars.  Instead try spicing up the water  yourself.  Add a slice of lemon, lime, mint leaves,  or even some cucumber slices for a refreshing taste.  At first it is hard but eventually you will be drinking more then you ever thought you could!

Not all of your daily water needs have to come from pure water, you can count your morning green tea or protein shake, just make sure that at least half of your intake is pure.  Now go pour yourself a glass of water!!!  ;)

Yoga!

Yoga is a wonderful way to exercise.  It teaches you have to breath, how to stretch and best of all, how to relax.  These days it seems that everyone is rushing and everyone is tense.  Bringing yoga into your life will be a positive influence, I guarantee it.  For those of you who are new to yoga, or have never tried it before, I bring you Yoga is Yummy.  This lady is very happy and always eager to share her yoga knowledge with the world.  You just cannot help but smile with her through the pain.  Here is a video she put together for newbies.  It’s a wonderful little exercise.  It only takes ten minutes so anyone can fit that in their day.  I think doing it first thing in the morning before your shower will help rev you up!!!

Remember that yoga is a great exercise but dont go overboard, you will feel it in the morning. ;)

Good Inspiration to Stay Away from Fast Food

How many times have we gone through the drive-thru because we didnt have time to cook supper?  Or may be we just were not in the mood?  Fast food is just that, fast.  Its quick, readily available,  its cheap and it tastes yummy!  However, its not good for us.  We often hear that but we dont really listen.  We say things like “one time wont hurt me” or “I will just eat better tomorrow.”  We think, how bad could it be?  Check this out!!!  It will leave you thinking…

In yesterday’s comments Maggie left some wonderful resource sites.  I know that a lot of people swear by Weight Watchers and I can really understand why!  Eating what you like!  Thats a diet that anyone can live with.  :)  So check out their site which has lots of great free resources, as well as some you can sign you for.  It teaches you to eat the proper portion sizes which is the biggest key to weight control.   They also have a Canadian site you can visit if you live up North, like me.

Keeping track of your calories can be difficult at the beginning but before you know it you will be telling your friends just how many calories that cheeseburger and fries really has!  Check out the Calorie King for all your nutritional information for your favourite foods.  I know it seems like a lot of work but it really is a fantastic way to learn, to keep track and to know where you are and where you are going.

What would you like to see on this blog??  Let me know!  :)