Thursday, March 27, 2008

Mental Health Days

I think I invented these things. A mental health day. It’s a day when you just take time off from everything and take care of you AND you don’t feel bad about it. I try to incorporate them into my life on a pretty regular basis because I think that mental health is as important as our physical health. For my mental health days, I have even in the past, skipped the exercise. That is changing though. From now on, I am not skipping on the exercise because somehow, I have done well lately and my runs aren’t killing me, I am feeling way more flexible and there is no way that I am stopping and possibly dealing with a setback now.

You see, I have exactly 6 pounds to lose to hit my original goal. That is when I promised myself a new wardrobe. Queenie likes to shop. A. Lot. I figured that 50 pounds would have me needing new clothes badly. It is amazing to me how long you can drape yoga pants over a rapidly shrinking body though. Elastic and drawstrings are my best friends right now. I don’t mind my baggy drawers at all. I wear them around like a trophy. When someone says “OMG Queenie, you look like you are in a burlap sack” I simply smile and say “Yep I do. Isn’t it fabulous?” They never catch on to my joy. I have worked hard to have baggy pants. I WANT to not have a thing in my closet fit me any longer. I am weird like that though. All I see is a mental health day, a purse full of cash and my empty minivan waiting to haul home my entire new collection of cutie patootie shorts, skirts, tank tops, sandals, dresses and anything else that I can find in a single digit size. I CAN’T WAIT. I have been in double digits for over 14 years. When my ass can fit into a 9 again, I will be dancing for joy. Anyone want to come document the incredibly wonderful shopping trip for me?

Goals are important for your success. They are the things that keep you focused when that triple decker hot fudge sundae crosses your path. You may not enjoy baggy clothes or visions of single digit everythings but you need to keep your goals in front of you at all times to stay focused. Sticky notes, computer reminders, checking in here at OWW on a regular basis. It will all keep you in check.

Does anyone know where I can bronze a pair of size 18 jeans with boot legs? Oh wait, maybe I can turn them into a comforter for my California king sized bed. There is probably enough fabric to even make a pillow sham. Heh.

Be sure to go vote for us on the Bloggers Choice Awards. We were nominated for the best health blog. Now, if we can just get the site rebuild done, we might just be worthy. Ciao.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Choosing The Right Fitness Equipment To Use

Choosing exercise equipment is an important but tricky process. The convenience of having good equipment at home makes a huge difference for many people trying to lose weight and get fit. But, unfortunately, the majority of exercise equipment purchases go bad. People choose the wrong equipment and it simply doesn’t get used. There are a lot of $2000 “clothes hangers” sitting in homes all over the world.

The key to choosing good exercise equipment is doing research and using your own personal experience to figure out what equipment you’ll actually use on a regular basis. Here are a few proven tips for finding great exercise equipment for your home (and saving some money in the process):

* Decide what your primary fitness goals are: weight loss, muscle building, heart health, flexibility, etc. This will help you focus your search.

* Decide how much money you want to spend. The dollar range ($1000-$2000 for instance) will help you focus your search even more, saving you time and frustration.

* Figure out how much space in your home you have to work with. There are pieces for just about any situation (ie folding treadmills, folding gyms, etc.)

* Go to a large gym and try out the various pieces of equipment, including cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. Keep the weights very light - you just want to get a ‘feel’ for each piece of equipment so you can figure out which ones you like the best. Make a list of your top 5 pieces.

* If possible, visit a local fitness equipment store and see what they have to offer. Often times you can try out those “infomercial gyms” you see on TV all the time. If they have the equipment you like, ask if they’re running any deals now or in the near future. Never buy exercise equipment at normal “retail” prices unless money isn’t an issue.

* Never make an “impulse buy” at a sporting goods or fitness equipment store. Ignore pressure from salespeople - they’ll often tell you anything to get you to buy, even if they know it’s the wrong piece of equipment for you.

* Never buy equipment over the phone, no matter how great the commercial you just saw made the product seem!

* Never feel like you have to spend a ton of money to get into shape. There are many pieces that are under $100 or even under $20 for that matter that work just as well for what you need like balance balls, and weight resistance bands.

* No matter what, choose equipment that you enjoy using. Many of the cheaper products (ie infomercial cardio equipment) seem like a good deal at first but you’ll soon tire of strange, annoying movements and/or flimsy, unstable-feeling materials and construction.

* Good exercise equipment should give you years of enjoyable workouts and great fitness results. Make sure you take the time to find the perfect equipment for you and you won’t regret it later.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of the exercise equipment AFTER you buy it:

Shame yourself into a workout: “I spent money on this thing. I’d better get on it.”

Create an affirmation: “I will move my body for 30 minutes every day.”

Set up a space that’s inviting and entertaining, with a television set or sound system to offer diversion.

Tell yourself you can only watch a favorite TV show or movie while exercising.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Mmmmmm Spinach

A Quick and Easy Spinach Salad

2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 cups of spinach leaves
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted
Salt & pepper to taste

1. Whisk lemon juice, oil and vinegar together. Add salt & pepper to taste.

2. In a large bowl toss spinach leaves with dressing.

3. Add the tomatoes and goat cheese, mix gently to flavor entire salad.

4. Sprinkle pine nuts over entire surface of salad.

Nutritional Info: Servings 4, Fat 3.9g, Calories 79, Protein 8g, Carb 7g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 87mg

Please eat your spinach. It’s packed full of iron and tons of other good for you things. Ciao.