Fit for Living
Welcome to 2008! Many of us have decided to make health and fitness a priority this year, and I'm hoping this blog will help us stay on track.
This is the place to talk about your fitness tips and healthful eating tricks, vent about your challenges and cheer for your victories, and offer each other much-needed support.
The format is open - no one has to tell their weight, body mass index (BMI) or age unless they want to.
To start, here's a little bit about me.
I'll be 38 on 1/25, and I'm about 20 lbs overweight by BMI standards -- 30 lbs by my personal standards L . I've gone up and down the scale over the past 10 years. I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, which has really worked for me the three times I've done it. The problem is I get cocky when I reach my goal weight and my old habits creep back.
Getting committed to a fitness routine has always been a problem for me, more so now that I am keeping up with a 2-year-old son. I am a member of my local YMCA, and I think I am finally finding a schedule that works for me. I try to go to a 6 a.m. Body Pump (weight-lifting to music) class Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as one at 9 a.m. Saturday. The challenge is trying to fit cardio in on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It's so easy to just go to work after dropping my son off at daycare, instead of going to the Y and hitting the treadmill or eliptical trainer. At the end of the day, I just want to vegetate.
Favorite Fitness Activities:
1. Body Pump (see link above): An hour-long barbell/weight-lifting class that works your whole body. Participants can choose how much weight they put on their bars and change them according to the exercise (i.e. lighter weights for triceps, heaviest for thighs/butt/back and hamstrings). Warning to first-timers: use the lightest weights to avoid day-after pain and to ensure proper position and technique.
2. Walking: At the mall, in the woods, around a park or on the beach, this exercise can't be beat.
3. Dancing: My cable TV lineup has a bunch of music stations, including salsa, 80s hits and dance/club music. I've started trying to get some hip-shaking moves in when channel surfing or cleaning the house on weekends. I won't be on Dancing with the Stars, but at least I'm entertaining my cats.
4. TV Exercise Shows: These have progressed way beyond Richard Simmons' sweaty oldies and leotard-wearing Jazzercisers. FitTV, an offshoot of the Discovery line of TV stations, offers a variety of programs in the morning and evening. I try to do some of these programs in the evening, and sometimes my toddler will try to work out with me!
Eating Tip:
Keep a container of finely chopped nuts (available in the baking aisle of most grocery stores) at hand to sprinkle over yogurt, cereal, salads etc. Nuts are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Progress report:
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Current weight 156 |
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Ultimate goal weight 130 |
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Waist size 36" |
Now it's your turn!