P.U.C. details

I announced earlier this week that I'll be starting the push-up challenge soon. "Soon" will be this Monday (Jan 12), and it'll run for six weeks. I plan to take a week or two off to rest, and then I'll start up again.

I know a couple people wanted to do this too, and if you want to stay on the same schedule then you'll need to do your initial test on or before Monday, and then do three days each week. Leave a comment here with your initial number and I'll have these posted. Every couple weeks you're instructed to do another test, and we'll post those numbers too so we can watch our progress.

Happy pushing!
Amy

The "correct" way to remove snow.

Here it is, the beginning of January, and my house has already seen way too much snow according to yours truly, of course. Los niños adore the mounds and mounds of it surrounding the house. Rumor has it's we're a month ahead of our typical snow schedule, and don't I know it. I've shoveled just about all of it off the driveway and sidewalks (hubby's been home in time to do it once). I see snowflakes start coming down and my first thought is, Seriously, more snow to shovel? Enough already!! One month down, 4 1/2 more to go. *Deep sigh*

Since I don't have a snow removal wand, or a snow blower at that, I know I need to do a few strategic things to keep my back safe as I shovel the unwanted "stuff" off to the side. I came across a fantabulous article that reinforces the basics. Here's a brief synopsis:

Digging Your Way Through Winter: Tips for Snow Shoveling
Jean-Jacques Abitbol, MD, FRCSC
Orthopaedic Surgeon
California Spine Group, MC
San Diego, CA

~ Wear a hat, thick gloves, and good boots.
~ Choose a shovel with a curved handle for better posture.
~ Choose a shovel with a plastic blade instead of a metal blade because plastic is lighter.
~ Hand placement on the shovel is important. Keeps hands farther apart for better leverage.

For more tips from Dr. Abitbol, see his article from spineuniverse.com by clicking on the title. For those of you who have people to do this daunting task for you, lucky you. And for those of you who don't have the faintest idea what it's like to look out your front window during the winter and see snow sticking to your property, you'd better be outside running.

Live well (even when it's snowing)!
Amy

To: All Biggest Loser Fans

I know just about everyone on the face of the earth has heard of the reality show The Biggest Loser, which means just about everyone knows of Bob and Jillian, the insanely wonderful trainers that help people learn how to transform their lives.

Jenn and Erin over at Fit Bottom Girls were incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to interview the oh-so-famous Bob Harper and have posted it on their blog. If you have a few minutes, go read it (and try very hard to avoid any jealous fits)!

Normalcy anyone?

Is anyone else struggling with getting back to the normalcy of life now that the holidays are over? Good grief I'm still sleeping in, thinking twice about eating healthy (cake was actually on the breakfast menu this morning), and my kids are in p.j.'s until lunch time. Perhaps it's got something to do with the fact that the large windows of my house cannot hide the snow that continues to fall (and the cold air that comes with it), or maybe it's due to my head cold and the constant coughing and runny nose (ew). Either way, my body is NOT ready to return to pre-holiday status.

I know it's only technically day 2 of the new week, but I should have bounced back by now. Time to really gear up and get going. The mind has GOT to be stronger than the body. I really don't need 10 hours of sleep every night. I really do need to eat a healthy breakfast (with protein) to start my energy levels off right. Come on body, get in touch with the "finer" things of life!

What do you do when you're not feeling like doing what you're supposed to do? How do you overcome those setbacks?

It's on.

I'm starting the push-up challenge again! I loved the improvement I saw a few months ago after I did it the first time, and now that the holidays are over and it's a new year, I'm trying it again to see how much better I can do. I want to hit 90-100 by the end of this year!

The last time (a few months ago) I tried this, I had others join in to compete. I'm going to do this in cycles (do the program, off for a couple weeks, do the program, off for a couple weeks) until I reach my goal. Any takers who want to compete??

My initial test: 15 push-ups (sad, since my final number at the end last time was 33)


~Amy

The WINNERS!

Katie from Quasi's, Kelsey, Katie S and Kaci -- you'll be getting your shirts as soon as you email me your address! thinkwellactwelllivewell@gmail.com

Thanks to all of you who participated! Keep thinking positive about yourself daily!


~Amy

Something to check out...

Every Gym's Nightmare is having a give-away for a shirt here if you're interested! Looks cute & comfy!

It's a give-away!

You've all read (hopefully) my posts on Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty and how much I love its message...and now I've got something to spread the love!

I was sent 4 t-shirts (2 Mediums and 2 Larges) by the fabulous Mele (hi Mele!) to give away as a means to spread the word about the campaign. I'm happy to send these to 4 lucky people -- within the United States -- as they share at least one positive thing they like about themselves (with a brief mention which size is preferred). You have from now until Sunday, January 4 2009 to post your comment. I'll announce the winners on Monday, January 5 and they'll have 4 days to contact me (via email) with their mailing address. If I'm not contacted, I'll give the shirt away again.

To see the "You're Beautiful" shirt click here.

This isn't something to promote arrogance, but rather a way to see what "inner beauty" entails. I'll choose the winners by drawing their comment number out of a bowl.

I'll start:
Something I like about myself: I like my smile and seeing other people smile as a result.

GO!

Resolution

Exactly one week from today you'll be well into making your New Year Resolution a reality. You'll be mastering self-discipline as you learn to walk away from the thing(s) that deter you from your desired outcome. You’ll be working hard to conquer the roadblocks that may develop.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years regarding New Year’s Resolutions it’s to be prepared for the set-backs and have a plan to overcome them. That plan needs to be in place before your start date. Here are some basics to keep you inline:

Know your goals: What’s your long-term goal? What are your short-term goals that’ll get you to your long term goal? (i.e. long-term goal is lose 25 pounds by June, short-term goals include losing 3-5 pounds/month, eat 6 fruits and veggies daily, 72+ ounces of water daily, etc.) Determine the actions you need to take along your path and write everything down where you will be able to see it often.

Date it: Write your short-term and long-term goals down on your most-used calendar and circle the dates with a colorful marker. Keep it visible so you’ll see it every day.

Journal: Write about your journey to your result daily or weekly. Note the obstacles you overcame or are battling. What motivates you? Be positive as you write, and read your past entries the night before the new week to remind you of your success.

Support: Get support from everyone by telling them your goals. Look for sites or blogs pertaining to your goal and get a group going that will support each other by reporting your daily successes.

As small as these things may seem, they will help you achieve your goals and brighten your outlook when things are looking glum.

Happy Resolutions & Live Well!
~Amy

Kids cooking in the kitchen = less picky eaters?

I recently read of a study done by the Teachers College at Columbia University where researchers studied the affects of a child's eating habits when allowed to help cook. Cooking classes were offered to teach children how to cook. "The researchers found that children who had cooked their own foods were more likely to eat those foods in the cafeteria, and even ask for seconds, than children who had not had the cooking class." This included radishes, folks.

I've noticed when I allow my kids to help me prepare desserts, not only do they love the quality time spent together but they're more inclined to try the new treat we've made. [Light-bulb frantically blinking.]

What if I do what was once unthinkable and allow them to help me prepare dinner, scary knives and hot stoves included (but highly supervised and guarded)?

My second child is quite the picky eater. Children #1 and #3 will eat anything I put in front of them, so dinner for child #2 has been a frustrating task for me.

I guess it's time to play a new version of the dinner game??