STUCK IN A RUTT? CHANGE IT UP! SML

We definitely are creatures of habit. I'm a prime example. I make a positive change in my life, like committing to exercising regularly, and then I stick to it like glue. Never changing things up or spicing them up a little. Eventually I get bored, especially when I stop seeing results. For 6 months straight I've been running on the treadmill three times a week at the same pace and lifting the same weights, the same way after.
Initially I was full of gusto cause I saw instant results! But fairly quickly my body started to get used to my workouts and it was getting harder for me to change my body for the better. My body was becoming more resistant to my efforts if you will. Now that is very frustrating, a point at which many people quit or feel defeated.
What we need to do 'before' this happens is to tweak our routine a little. This will challenge our bodies and keep us from getting bored...sml.
For example if you normally run, try biking. Or if you run at 5mph/30 min, try raising the incline and adjusting the pace a little, you could even go swimming when your body expects to run. As for the weights, change them up, try doing light weights lots of reps one day and heavy with few reps another.
The idea being to change things up regularly so your body is challenged, so you are challenged. The results?? You will see yourself getting better and better everyday!
Stay positive and keep smiling...

EATING OUT DOESN'T MEAN DISASTER!

Okay...you've done well all week with your eating and exercising! Yeah! Now it's friday and you're friends have invited you out for dinner and drinks. You want to say yes but you also know that your willpower is next to nothing when you're in their company.
After a cocktail or beer and a fried appetizer of some sort, usually involving cheese and extra thick batter, you've pretty much given up on eating well the rest of the night!
Well with some positive thinking and a little prep work you can go out to have a great time AND enjoy a few of your favorites.
First off drink plenty of water before going out and eat something healthy, so you don't arrive at the restaurant famished!
Skip the appetizer if you can but if you must only have 1 piece. Mixed drinks can pile on the extra calories. If you're drinking simple is better...rye and diet coke..vodka and tonic...for me light beer works at just 100 calories. Drinking water in between drinks helps keep your body from dehydrating and keeps the extra calories away.
For your main course try to choose something healthy. Stay away from the 'fried' stuff, creamy sauces and dressing, buttery items and make sure you don't eat everything on your plate. Almost every restaurant I know double or triples the portion size you need. If it's pasta you've ordered take half of it home, you only need 1.5 cups for a meal! Skip on the garlic bread and add some extra veggies. If you need the garlic bread just have one piece.
If you've gotta have the chicken wings...eat 4 or 5 instead of your usual 10...you'll thank yourself later.
We are creatures of habit and if you stick to making a change it will soon become routine and you will eventually adapt and enjoy it. Just may take a little time.
Keep smilin and enjoy life, one step at a time!

GETTING HEALTHY = A LIFESTYLE CHANGE

There is no 'magic pill' to make you lose weight, or get fit, or make you healthy. It takes a positive commitment to a lifestyle change in order to get yourself healthy. More than one factor affects your overall health and by making positive changes in your thinking, nutrition, fitness and environment you will achieve a better you...one step at a time.

Whether you are a top notch athlete or someone that steers clear of the produce section, you can always look to improve yourself each and every day.

You need to set yourself up for success, baby steps to start and commit to making positive changes everyday. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, eat a banana instead of a muffin, look at yourself in the mirror and say something nice instead of pointing out what you don't like, surround yourself with positive/happy/successful people. By checking in with yourself everyday to make sure you are making good changes you will soon find yourself looking for the good in everything...and of course people will be asking you why you've got a nice big smile painted on your face...Ha...

Listen to your body and treat it right and it will be good to you...I've had 5 children and my commitment to good health has paid off....Keep Smilin...

No Dieting Allowed!!

I've had 5 children and I'm a happy, healthy, fit 5'7, 110 lbs...and guess what?? Dieting is not in my vocabulary!..I don't believe in it because society has shaped us into believing that if we 'slip up' during these unreasonably drastic diets, then we are 'bad' and we have 'failed.'

We set ourselves up for failure. How do we expect our bodies to work efficiently on just fruits and veggies? Or by cutting out carbs or eating only 1000 calories a day? It's kinda stupid when you think about it. How far is your car gonna go if you fill it up with water? Our bodies need a variety of foods in order to be at their best.

And when our bodies are fueled properly are minds are clearer and thinking straight.

Moderation is the key. Understanding how to make better food choices is most important when looking to better yourself through nutrition. Should you have white or brown bread, pasta or whole grain rice, a glass of apple juice or a pear, a chicken finger or hot dog? This is an important area to learn a strong base so that you can make the right choices for your body. Are you ready to give it a shot?

Parenting Tips-The Importance of Routine...

As a single mom of FIVE, happy, independant kids aged 11, 8, 6, 4 and 2, I can't stress enough the importance of routine in a child's life. By giving your kids the ability to know what to expect, they in turn can prepare themselves beforehand, so they don't become overwhelmed.

For me seeing is believing...ha..my five children are each uniquely different but by having a base for routine they have been able to take that stress out of their lives and focus more on figuring out themselves! Of course sometimes the routine goes to the wind but the more consistant you are with it the more predictable your kids will be...happy and they will indirectly feel like they have some control over their everchanging worlds.

Simple examples are daily routine...bedtime specifically. Of course most kids want to stay up late and have mom or dad sleep with them...who wouldn't???...The problem with that is that they become grumpy because of lack of sleep and so do you if you've ever had a kid share your sleep time! ha...Believe it or not they are just as happy knowing that their routine is to brush their teeth and hop into bed for a story before 8 pm cuz that's when lights are out. I have found that warning your child about what is about to happen allows for a smooth transitions...no tantrums or crying when it' time for the next piece of the routine. I will tell my kids 5 or 10 minutes before they actually have to start getting ready for bed so that they are not overwhelmed and they have time to finish playing or whatever activity it may be. That also gives you an acceptable parameter for negotiation. They can ask for 5 more minutes and that may be ok with you, while giving them a sense of confidence by making a decision, not realizing that you really controlled it. Smile...It may take a little while to break bad habits but I guarantee that if you stick to a routine, so that your kids know what to expect and when, they will be the better for it and so will you! Give it a try...I dare you...smile.