What are you eating?

I have missed adding to my blog. Sometimes there are circumstances that interfere with your daily routine. So, do you let these circumstances also interfere with your daily food intake? Does it wreak havoc on your healthy diet?
My a/c went out and my son and I were misplaced for 4 days. But, we still maintained a pretty normal diet. We did not hit fast food restaurants for every meal. We only ate out twice in those 4 days and of those meals we chose wisely...places that had fresh, healthy food selections. I have a list I would like to share of foods that are ideal for each of us to include in our daily diets. Later this week I will share a daily meal plan that I have been using that will encompass these food choices. For me, it is much easier to have something to refer to each day. I can mix things up...but having something tangible to go by (even take with me to the grocery store) just makes sense.

Here are the top super foods mentioned by most nutritional books and magazines:
almonds
beans
spinach (or other greens)
dairy (milk, cheese and yogurt)
instant oats
eggs
lean protein
natural peanut butter
extra virgin olive oil
whole grain bread and cereal (get to know millet, quinoa, barley etc...)
protein powder
raspberries and other berries

Get to know these super foods and find ways to incorporate them into your daily diet. You may use frozen if needed as they are sometimes easier to keep longer (especially berries). Throw raspberries and almonds in your morning smoothie. Add spinach and a Tbls. olive oil in your pasta dish. You can find ways to easily incorporate the super foods each day.
If you have questions about any of these foods, please ask. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. So, what super food have you used to make YOU, only better?

What do you see?

So, the question is...what do you see, when you look in the mirror? I mean, when you look in the mirror, just out of the shower? Do you look at yourself and say "Wow, I look pretty dang good today"? Or do you cover up as quickly as possible and cover all the mirrors in the house in fear of having to see yourself IN THE FLESH? For me...I think I have an illusion of what I look like. I still think I am 25 with this really cute figure. Then when I get out of the shower and I truly see what I look like I still tell myself well, this still looks good and if I can just work on this a bit or that a bit, I WILL look 25 again. I really don't see myself as a 41 year old lady. Ooh, GROSS!! Who wants to be a 41 year old lady! HA!
I am not sure where I got this attitude or way of thinking. I don't think it came from my mom. She is the worst at beating herself up, and she is amazing...just as gorgeous and cute as can be. Maybe I got it from my dad. Who knows? Maybe it came from being the oldest child, divorced parents and being a rather independent young lady. Maybe it comes from my Christian faith. Also, I like to see the glass half full. I am always sad when I hear other girls/friends beat themselves up about their appearance...especially when I see just how beautiful they truly are. Maybe we all need to look deeper within ourselves and find the real beauty we have. I mean that type of realization can cover up buckets of cellulite, right?
So, here is the challenge. Learn to love all your parts. Take a good look at yourself. If you are not happy with how certain parts look, for now, absolutely LOVE the other parts. For those parts that don't look so hot...figure out what's not working in your exercise or diet routine and change it up. If you have been doing the same thing over and over...you need to confuse things a bit and allow your body the opportunity to work different ways. This will help those other parts feel the love too. Find a buddy that will build you up and that you can lift as well. Life is too short to go along the journey feeling bad about how you look or feel.
So, have you noticed something about yourself today that is you, only better?

Seriously...

How can our bodies go from feeling sooo tired and achy one day to the opposite the next? I know that I am a woman, and unfortunately some of that just comes with the territory...so thank goodness it only happens every so often. I feel so great today. I did the Power90<>I think that after a lot of thought I would like to talk about journaling what we eat in the course of a day. I started this at the same time I started exercising back 3 weeks ago too. You can pick up journals at Weight Watchers or any bookstore. I got mine at Borders. I like the one I got because it has lots of great info in it. Just checked half.com and found it for $7. It is called The Ultimate Diet Log. I know, I know...who has time to log their food all day? Well, do you or don't you want to lose the weight? It really doesn't take that much time. I abbreviate. Plus, guess what? Don't eat the junk and you don't have to write it down!! If you have a salad, just wrote salad...I don't write 2 c. lettuce, 2 Tbsp. green onions, 1 tomato and so on...I just write SALAD!! This journal allows you to focus on 2 primary things in your diet. I chose protein and veggies. You can choose whatever you like. It also has a spot for your weight and if you took your supplement daily. I just use the supplement spot for a vitamin or you can use it if you are taking something to help with your work-outs. There is a great tip each day and exercise notes (how long) and even a short daily wrap up...just check marks. You can mark how hungry you are at each meal (eat 3) and each snack (eat 2). Idea is to eat every 2-3 hours in the day and cut off eating after 7pm. I have really enjoyed having this journal. It keeps me honest and helps me stay on track. If you need a meal plan, or an idea of what would be good to eat, please let me know. I have a basic plan that I am following. It is sooooo easy and I actually enjoy it. Your kids can even eat along side you and like it.

When you feel like doing nothing...

Today is a day when I don't feel very good and I don't really feel like doing much of anything. I feel really tired and just want to rest. But, I have learned that exercise can help you feel better. Plus, moving your body, warming up your muscles and stretching can really help release the endorphins needed to change your state of mind. The only other exercise video I use is by Kathy Smith. It is called Kathy Smith Wellness Mind and Body Relaxation System. I absolutely love this VHS tape. Since I am working out 5 x's a week I feel like this can be a once a week work out for me. Yes, I did say work out. No, it is not high impact, but you do get some really great stretching in AND you will feel like you have done your body some good when you have finished. It is a great stress reliever and it will help in reshaping and toning your body. I strongly recommend having this video in your work out library. It can be picked up online for about $2.

Okay, let's talk hair care. I am often asked about my hair and what I use to keep it shiny and soft. Well, there are no special secrets. I can tell you that I wash it only every other day...the days I sweat in my work out-overwashing can cause damage. I use Pantene for normal hair or Redken Blonde Glam. I also use Herbal Essences "none of your frizziness smoothing leave-in creme". I have to say that the H.E. product is as close to my secret weapon as I have. This is such a wonderful product. I get smooth silky soft hair. But, it also smells fabulous (mandarin orange) and it helps my fine thick hair just perform better. The shine really comes through. Remember when washing your hair to wash, thoroughly rinse shampoo, condition with a deep conditioner once a week, and rinse all conditioners with cool water-never hot. This will help close the cuticle. When possible, only lightly blow dry. Never use metal brushes all over your hair. Boar bristle brushes are great and can be picked up most anywhere. I usually shop at Ulta for all my hair care needs. If you are not on their mailing list you NEED to be. They send out awesome sale ads all the time.

So, what will you do today to make you, only better?

Today is a wonderful, new day!

A nice, short rain fell here in Arizona last night. It was a welcomed rain. Along with it came a nice cool morning inviting us all to throw open the windows and think about a fresh new day. So, exercise with the doors and windows open was something different for me. I think that I sweat even more. HA! I used Tony Horton's Power90> Sweat Cardio 1-2 and Ab Ripper 100 today. Oh how I hate Tony on that work out. Just kidding! But, the beginning of this work out is tough for me. I am not a jumping jacks kind of girl. The good thing is there is great variety in this routine and I love that about Power90. I MAKE myself do it for THAT reason!! I got this work out because I was way too afraid to try the P90X. Bet you have seen infomercial on TV. Wow-all of that looks painful. I can get through this workout, but I do pause once in the beginning. He does remind you often to go at your own pace. You can play your own music as it has the option of music on or off. I like that too. The sculpt 1-2 workout is right up my alley. I enjoy weights and upper body workouts. I do not pause during this one. The ab ripper is surprisingly easy too(4 minutes long). I can soooo tell a difference in my body in just these 2 1/2 weeks already. My back and arms are stronger. My waist is smaller and my abs are coming to surface. I just love how I am feeling.

I have to tell you that one thing I would really like to focus on is my hands and feet. Have you really looked at your hands lately? I bet you like to wear sandals like me too. The Arizona climate really does a number on our skin here, huh? We turn into leathery lizards if we are not careful. So, I am committing myself to moisture, moisture and more moisture. Here is what I like to do. First, while showering, I like to use a pumice stone on my feet. I put Dove soap on the stone, and my feet, and really get all that dry cracked skin off. After showering while skin is still damp, I use Avon Moisture Therapy Intensive. It is inexpensive, non-greasy and works great. Use the extra strenth cream in the tub for legs, arms and feet. Use the hand cream in tube for hands and elbows (those icky elbows). Keep a tube by the bed and use on hands every night before bed too. You will be amazed at how quickly your hands and feet change in appearance and texture.

These are a couple of great tips to make you, only better!

Deciding to work out again...

It seems like I had already made up my mind weeks before I started exercising again. As I mentioned before, it has been years since I had a real routine of exercise. I am active in my job. I get up and down all day long. I have to walk across our school campus all day. I also work on the playground and in the cafeteria, so I keep moving. But, I have to deal with this luncheon and that party-so man the calories kick my behind!! Also an exercise routine is so much more. So, I decided to start with something low impact and something that would start to mold and shape my less attractive "parts" along with improving my diet. I also needed something that I would ENJOY doing. I am using The Bar Method, by Burr Diehl (Leonard). It promises a lean and toned body which is what I'm after. I do not want bulk (seems like this is what I already have enough of. HA!) I have both Fat Free and Designer Sculpting. I like them both, a lot! I was able to get through both tapes, but I did feel the pain, so to speak, afterwards. I think that there are newer versions, but these are just great and you can get them online. Try Amazon and Half.com.

I have a couple of other DVDs I like that I am using that I will discuss in future blogs. I also want to discuss my skin care habits, diet, hair care, and beauty tips in this blog. So stay tuned. Think about it, what have you done today to make you, only better?

Getting Started

It has been a couple of years since I was in a good exercise routine. Many of you may remember when I was in a pretty bad SUV crash in 2006. I was on the way to the gym, ironically, and just never got back into the groove of going again. I guess we all have our excuses. But, when it comes down to it, we have to decide for ourselves that we want to get back into shape. Who knows what finally triggers that motivation. For me, it was mostly that I had no more excuses. I have the time now. I am off for the summer. I work at an elementary school and it's summer break. I have the DVDs I need, so I can avoid the hot Arizona heat outside. So, better get busy girl. it's been 2 weeks and I am so glad I am back on track.

But, there is definitely more to it than just exercise. I don't know about you, but I like to take care of it all. I want my skin to be healthy and my gut too. I want to feel good inside and out. I read everything I can get my hands and eyes on. But, what is actually good for me and what isn't? Well, that comes down to making some personal choices. I won't go out and spend a ton of money-especially on all of these skincare products or specialty foods. I will try and create the copycat version myself first though. I also refuse to spend money on cellulite creams and the like...been there done that. They do not work. Exercise and lots of water do more good than any of that ever will. But, I do have some great tips I have picked up along the way. I also have found a few other great bloggers with great tips and ideas for health, diet and exercise I would like to share with you.

I hope you will stop by often. I will have something new to share with you along the way. Maybe you will be motivated to join me on this journey to becoming you, only better!