Happy New Year Everyone! I am ramping up to more substantive posts now that I have had my little boy (born October 29, 2010 weighing in at 10lbs 2 oz and 22.5 inches long!). I wanted to make everyone aware of some deals I saw this past week! First, Costco had a whole host of Jillian Michaels fitness dvds for 7.99. I picked up the 30 Day Shred and 6 Week Ab DVD. I like Jillian Michaels and LOVE the fact that her workouts are 20 - 30 minutes long so they are easy to fit in.
Second, in the Northwest, Fred Meyer had some really nice hand weights (coated with handles) on sale this past week. I suspect nationally you can find similar sales in the new year. Investing in some cheap handweights will allow you to expand your workouts at home for cheap. Of course, you can also use soup cans, canned fruit, etc, as handweights for almost free if you keep a stocked pantry! I just decided to splurge on some weights with little handles that are easier to manage!
I look forward to catching up this New Year as I once again begin my journey from the Glider Rocker to the Finish Line!
So, in the spirit of finding more excellent exercise DVDs - what are your favorite DVDs?
One other idea: Have a weekly or bi-weekly workout girls' hour - get together with friends and try out each other's exercise videos - we all have them, and joining in with friends and making it a social event will cause us to actually USE them! And, maybe share a healthy recipe as a post workout snack!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Great and VERY QUICK AND EASY Chicken Recipe
A friend forwarded this recipe to me which I made last night: Lemon-Apricot Chicken. This was so simple, I made it in about a half hour with a side of rice and vegetables. I did not use the curry powder as we don't keep that as a regular item in our pantry and I am trying to live by my pantry this week! But this was so good and so easy and enjoyed by my four year old and my 18 month old. I also pounded the chicken breasts a bit so it took less time to cook them and used very little salt. I was concerned by the sodium in the dish, but overall the nutrition information was not bad when paired with high fiber rice and a vegetable.
I have a piece of chicken left over, so I may try this on Wednesday: Chicken Taco Pizza. I just need to locate either a healthy premade crust or find some alternative. I will try to play with this to reduce sodium as well.
Do you have a quick and easy recipe you would like to share? Please post it in comments or email me and I will be happy to share it. One easy way to deal with the Money limit (it is cheaper to cook at home), the Knowledge limit (you know EXACTLY what is going into your meals), and the Time Limit (we need something quick and easy and, for me, that provides some sort of left overs to keep up with life at home!) is to cook healthy meals at home!
I have a piece of chicken left over, so I may try this on Wednesday: Chicken Taco Pizza. I just need to locate either a healthy premade crust or find some alternative. I will try to play with this to reduce sodium as well.
Do you have a quick and easy recipe you would like to share? Please post it in comments or email me and I will be happy to share it. One easy way to deal with the Money limit (it is cheaper to cook at home), the Knowledge limit (you know EXACTLY what is going into your meals), and the Time Limit (we need something quick and easy and, for me, that provides some sort of left overs to keep up with life at home!) is to cook healthy meals at home!
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Truth Behind my TEMPORARY Slow Down!
So, it seems like years since I have written. In relation to the life of this blog, it has been I guess. I have had to slow my training to almost, well, less than, a crawl. Shortly before my hiatus, I wrote of lack of energy, blaming it on my nutrition. Well, nutrition was definitely partially to blame, but even then, I didn't realize how important it was to fuel my body. I have come to learn that at about that time I was four weeks pregnant with my third child. I am currently just exiting the first trimester and hoping to find more energy and less nausea in the second trimester.
While I have been extremely exhausted these past weeks and barely find the energy to chase after my two young children much less exercise, I will say I have felt better this time than either of my earlier pregnancies. I credit that to the shape I was in at the time I got pregnant. I was 13 lbs less and much more fit than I was when I got pregnant with my second, and a whopping 23 lbs lighter and much much more fit and active than when I got pregnant with my first.
Also, a bit of a even more personal note, I can't believe the difference a healthy body makes for the conception of a baby! This third pregnancy was a very very BIG surprise. Even more surprising given the extraordinary efforts we put in to have our first child and still the constant monitoring we needed to have our second child. I remember when trying for over 6 years to conceive my first child how the Dr told me if I lost some weight and became healthier we might have more success. I just got angry, but I did lose 25 lbs, then got pregnant with my oldest. Apparently if I had perhaps lost 50 lbs at the outset all the treatments and heartache may not have been necessary.
So, a lot of friends have asked if this will change my blog. I sincerely hope not - while I may not run miles a day and will surely not compete in my first triathlon this summer, I will have many of the same stumbling blocks trying to maintain a healthy weight and fitness level throughout the pregnancy. I am also constantly trying to improve my family's nutrition and keep within a budget while doing it (gone are the days for me of buying all organic without even a blink of an eye as to the cost). I will be talking about other things, but it still remains the same.....although perhaps I should rename the blog "From the Glider Rocker to Being Able to Visualize the Finish Line, Back to the Glider Rocker with Hopes of Crossing that Finish Line for the First Time in 2011!" No, that is just too long - I like the name of my blog as it is!
While I have been extremely exhausted these past weeks and barely find the energy to chase after my two young children much less exercise, I will say I have felt better this time than either of my earlier pregnancies. I credit that to the shape I was in at the time I got pregnant. I was 13 lbs less and much more fit than I was when I got pregnant with my second, and a whopping 23 lbs lighter and much much more fit and active than when I got pregnant with my first.
Also, a bit of a even more personal note, I can't believe the difference a healthy body makes for the conception of a baby! This third pregnancy was a very very BIG surprise. Even more surprising given the extraordinary efforts we put in to have our first child and still the constant monitoring we needed to have our second child. I remember when trying for over 6 years to conceive my first child how the Dr told me if I lost some weight and became healthier we might have more success. I just got angry, but I did lose 25 lbs, then got pregnant with my oldest. Apparently if I had perhaps lost 50 lbs at the outset all the treatments and heartache may not have been necessary.
So, a lot of friends have asked if this will change my blog. I sincerely hope not - while I may not run miles a day and will surely not compete in my first triathlon this summer, I will have many of the same stumbling blocks trying to maintain a healthy weight and fitness level throughout the pregnancy. I am also constantly trying to improve my family's nutrition and keep within a budget while doing it (gone are the days for me of buying all organic without even a blink of an eye as to the cost). I will be talking about other things, but it still remains the same.....although perhaps I should rename the blog "From the Glider Rocker to Being Able to Visualize the Finish Line, Back to the Glider Rocker with Hopes of Crossing that Finish Line for the First Time in 2011!" No, that is just too long - I like the name of my blog as it is!
Friday, March 12, 2010
This looks like a GREAT recipe site!
A friend shared this great recipe site with me Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
I have not yet tried any recipes from here, but some of my friends have and say it is GREAT! The site calculates weight watchers points for you. I am not on weight watchers, although I have been in the past. I can't speak to the points calculations. For me, I judge by the ingredients if it is healthy - if I am looking for a particular focus (i.e. high protein, high fiber, etc) I would take the time to break it out by the ingredients. So, I have heard the recipes are great - I only wish the actual nutritional information was included, but that is something I can also calculate.
I plan to start on Sunday with the chicken chili. Let me know what you make and how you like it!!!
I have not yet tried any recipes from here, but some of my friends have and say it is GREAT! The site calculates weight watchers points for you. I am not on weight watchers, although I have been in the past. I can't speak to the points calculations. For me, I judge by the ingredients if it is healthy - if I am looking for a particular focus (i.e. high protein, high fiber, etc) I would take the time to break it out by the ingredients. So, I have heard the recipes are great - I only wish the actual nutritional information was included, but that is something I can also calculate.
I plan to start on Sunday with the chicken chili. Let me know what you make and how you like it!!!
Getting Back on that Horse!
So, it has been quite a while since my last post. A myriad of health issues (nothing major) with my two children and then myself has caused my writing time to dwindle. It also caused, for almost two weeks, my workout time to dwindle. However, the workouts picked back up way before the writing. So, to fill you in on what I learned, even though it took a long time to share it with you, I am finally back!
First, you are always going to have setbacks. It is how you deal with those setbacks that defines your level of success. Whether it be children, a large project at work, a planned vacation, or perhaps an unexpected need to travel, your routine will inevitably be disturbed. The key is getting back to it! I was proud this time around that my workouts faded for about a week and a half, but I got back to it.
Second, you have to be willing to adjust your goals. This admittedly has been the hardest part for me. I am typically all or nothing - and so often end up with nothing. I have had some health issues that have caused my goals to shift. Nothing life threatening - but just enough to curtail my running and force me to either slow it down or walk. That has been hardest for me - I was finally beginning to ALMOST like running. And now I need to slow it down. Honestly, it took about 4 or 5 days for me to just mentally get past that and get out there and walk - and walk really hard! And, frankly, it is still challenging.
I may also need to forego a triathlon this year, and that really hit me hard. Finally I felt like I was on the road to DO IT!!! And, wham, now I may need to wait a year. That was a big mental block for me. But, I decided that in that year, I will develop healthy eating habits, become more physically fit, and strengthen my body to be ready to truly TRAIN and train HARD in about a year.
So, the biggest lesson I have learned is be flexible - and flexible does NOT include giving up.
Now, let's get back to exceeding those Limits!
First, you are always going to have setbacks. It is how you deal with those setbacks that defines your level of success. Whether it be children, a large project at work, a planned vacation, or perhaps an unexpected need to travel, your routine will inevitably be disturbed. The key is getting back to it! I was proud this time around that my workouts faded for about a week and a half, but I got back to it.
Second, you have to be willing to adjust your goals. This admittedly has been the hardest part for me. I am typically all or nothing - and so often end up with nothing. I have had some health issues that have caused my goals to shift. Nothing life threatening - but just enough to curtail my running and force me to either slow it down or walk. That has been hardest for me - I was finally beginning to ALMOST like running. And now I need to slow it down. Honestly, it took about 4 or 5 days for me to just mentally get past that and get out there and walk - and walk really hard! And, frankly, it is still challenging.
I may also need to forego a triathlon this year, and that really hit me hard. Finally I felt like I was on the road to DO IT!!! And, wham, now I may need to wait a year. That was a big mental block for me. But, I decided that in that year, I will develop healthy eating habits, become more physically fit, and strengthen my body to be ready to truly TRAIN and train HARD in about a year.
So, the biggest lesson I have learned is be flexible - and flexible does NOT include giving up.
Now, let's get back to exceeding those Limits!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Hurry - free 200 caloroie portion DiGiorno Pizza
While not the healthiest by any means, if you need for pizza fix, DiGiorno is now packaging a product in a 200 Calorie portion. Better yet they are giving away coupons to try it for FREE!
Go here to get your free coupon - this will go fast so hurry, hurry, hurry!
Thanks, For the Mommas!
Go here to get your free coupon - this will go fast so hurry, hurry, hurry!
Thanks, For the Mommas!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
As If The Olympics Weren't Inspiring Enough .......
As those who know me in real life can attest to, running is not my favorite sport. I keep striving to "find the love" because I know it can be a fantastic activity for health, fitness, and overall wellness (I have to admit, my time running is my "therapy" time). However, it sometimes frustrates me beyond belief that I can't "love it more." So, imagine the sense of camaraderie I felt when I learned that Apollo Ohno at one time had similar feelings regarding running!
First, I am not a devoted Apollo fan. I definitely respect him, but early on I felt he had this young arrogance, in spite of his athletic ability, that, well, just turned me off. Over the years I think he has matured and, well, maybe I have softened, and I find myself more of a “fan.” You can’t deny his athletic abilities and superb sense and execution in most races (did you see him in the qualifying race on Saturday? That blew me away!).
Anyway, Apollo, in an article in March’s Runners World, describes his early struggles with running. I was surprised to learn that early in his career he was known as “Chunky” and had a hard time finding both success and joy with running. But, like I also know in my own head, running proved invaluable in his training and he has learned to love running (I am still working on this part!). I also found it interesting that he does his best thinking while running. That does parallel my own feelings, running is a time I sort most of the most complicated life, professional, or training dilemmas. I usually write most of my posts that I publish here in my head first while, you guessed it, running. My time running, for the most part, is the only time no one demands anything of me other than me, which is, in some ways, extremely liberating.
Even more inspiring was Apollo’s discussion of how running was so different than his skating fundamentals but it was an integral part of his training success. I have to say, it was also a relief to hear how, in the beginning, he was a horrible runner even after elevating to a high enough level to train at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. While I don’t ever think I will reach any sort of Olympic Athlete status, perhaps there is hope for me and running yet! I have to admit, I can honestly say when finished with a run I feel like I can conquer the world, so that is probably a pretty good start!
If you are interested in reading the entire article, it can be found here.
On a more general note, I LOVE the Olympics and find them extremely inspiring. Every athlete had their challenges and following their stories of surmounting their own personal demons always pushes me to do more. I also firmly believe that my preschool age child is getting a tremendous life lesson from watching the Olympics. During last the last Summer Olympics she was glued to the coverage of swimming. She was just over two years old and kept asking about the stroke styles, the races, and even wanted to hang the Michael Phelps photo of him swimming that was published in our local newspaper on her wall. The Winter Olympics this year has proven to be a slightly different experience. She is very focused on the win or lose aspect of the Games, but is beginning to understand what a tremendous accomplishment it is to actually get to participate in the Olympics and that even if an athlete loses (or gets silver or bronze) that they are very fortunate, very talented, and, most importantly, worked extremely hard to get there. She keeps describing how this athlete or that athlete had to practice and practice to get there. That little mental connection alone has been priceless.
Admittedly, while sitting in front of the television isn’t exactly the healthiest activity, the Olympics can provide tremendous inspiration and learning experience for both adults and children.
What has been your favorite Olympic moment either thus far this year, or in the past?
First, I am not a devoted Apollo fan. I definitely respect him, but early on I felt he had this young arrogance, in spite of his athletic ability, that, well, just turned me off. Over the years I think he has matured and, well, maybe I have softened, and I find myself more of a “fan.” You can’t deny his athletic abilities and superb sense and execution in most races (did you see him in the qualifying race on Saturday? That blew me away!).
Anyway, Apollo, in an article in March’s Runners World, describes his early struggles with running. I was surprised to learn that early in his career he was known as “Chunky” and had a hard time finding both success and joy with running. But, like I also know in my own head, running proved invaluable in his training and he has learned to love running (I am still working on this part!). I also found it interesting that he does his best thinking while running. That does parallel my own feelings, running is a time I sort most of the most complicated life, professional, or training dilemmas. I usually write most of my posts that I publish here in my head first while, you guessed it, running. My time running, for the most part, is the only time no one demands anything of me other than me, which is, in some ways, extremely liberating.
Even more inspiring was Apollo’s discussion of how running was so different than his skating fundamentals but it was an integral part of his training success. I have to say, it was also a relief to hear how, in the beginning, he was a horrible runner even after elevating to a high enough level to train at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. While I don’t ever think I will reach any sort of Olympic Athlete status, perhaps there is hope for me and running yet! I have to admit, I can honestly say when finished with a run I feel like I can conquer the world, so that is probably a pretty good start!
If you are interested in reading the entire article, it can be found here.
On a more general note, I LOVE the Olympics and find them extremely inspiring. Every athlete had their challenges and following their stories of surmounting their own personal demons always pushes me to do more. I also firmly believe that my preschool age child is getting a tremendous life lesson from watching the Olympics. During last the last Summer Olympics she was glued to the coverage of swimming. She was just over two years old and kept asking about the stroke styles, the races, and even wanted to hang the Michael Phelps photo of him swimming that was published in our local newspaper on her wall. The Winter Olympics this year has proven to be a slightly different experience. She is very focused on the win or lose aspect of the Games, but is beginning to understand what a tremendous accomplishment it is to actually get to participate in the Olympics and that even if an athlete loses (or gets silver or bronze) that they are very fortunate, very talented, and, most importantly, worked extremely hard to get there. She keeps describing how this athlete or that athlete had to practice and practice to get there. That little mental connection alone has been priceless.
Admittedly, while sitting in front of the television isn’t exactly the healthiest activity, the Olympics can provide tremendous inspiration and learning experience for both adults and children.
What has been your favorite Olympic moment either thus far this year, or in the past?
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