Whatever keeps you moving

Starting a work-out can be difficult, but sometimes just continuing the routine can be even harder. Make a playlist of your favorite songs for your workout. It’s a great way to keep yourself motivated and exercise longer! It doesn’t matter if it’s your teenager’s hip-hop or some of your favorite hits from the 70s and 80s, just make a playlist of whatever keeps you moving.

Super Bowl Party: Fun AND Healthy

It’s almost Super Bowl time! Along with the game and commercials, we look forward to the food and fun that comes along with it. At most social events, eating healthy is a challenge. Here’s my advice when it comes to eating healthy and enjoying a good party.

Don’t get caught up in the calories. Be aware of what you’re putting in your body, choose the fresh veggies and fruit over chips and fried foods, but don’t beat yourself up over enjoying the food and good company. Eating is social. Don’t take yourself out of a social situation because you won’t try even a taste of someone’s cheesecake or new cheese dip they made. Taste and enjoy the flavors. Partake in the conversation and have fun!

Here are a few cooking tips that I use a lot of the time, but are good reminders when it comes to serving up Super Bowl party foods with a healthy approach.Use low-fat or fat-free yogurt instead of sour cream when you can.
Offer hummus with whole-wheat crackers or veggies.
Use low-fat milk and cheese.
Always choose to bake over fry.
Mixed nuts for those who are looking for salt.
Whip up some angel food cake for a lighter dessert option.
Try a turkey-black bean sloppy joe for a healthy twist on a traditional sandwich.
Offer low-calorie beverages.

Have fun!

Making Adjustments

It’s about this time that our big goals and excitement of 2009 are beginning to wear off, just as they should be heating up! If already your goals seem to have fallen by the way-side, re-vamp. It’s never too late to gain control. Consider the first few weeks of January your trial period. Now is the time to adjust.If your goal(s) were simply unrealistic, adjust. If your resolution just doesn’t work with your schedule, adjust. If you want to change your body, your mind or you home, you have to constantly be adjusting your approach to find what works for you to succeed.

Not every fitness plan works for everyone. Yes, I think you should give everything a fair chance, but you need to know your body and your schedule. Don’t force yourself into running if pilates is more your style. Find a workout that works FOR you. If eating healthier leaves you more hungry, re-evaluate what it is you’re eating. Find more filling healthy alternatives. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you starve, it means you feel more complete.

You can reach your goals. You can keep your resolutions. Like anything, you have to be flexible in how you get there. Try a new approach. Bring in new techniques or tools to help you get there. With ten children, I’ve made adjustments every day in my approach to parenting from what I’ve learned that works and doesn’t work for me and my family. You can live healthier in mind, body and spirit. Focus, make adjustments and go for it! Each day work at it and you will get there.

Keep it up!

Woman Can Lift Weights

There are ways to “pump iron” without “pumping up”. It seems that many women are concerned that they will become bulky in size if they should start lifting weights. What I want to remind you is that muscle burns more fat. If you want to break that fitness plateau, adding weights to your routine is the way to get off of that flat and shed that fat.

Eating right is the second piece of the puzzle. Breaking habits is hard. Grab a buddy who can help hold you accountable. Make moves to add more protein, eat smarter carbs (more whole wheat!), and choose water over sugary alternatives.

At the gym. If you have access to a gym, ask one of the trainers to walk you through the equipment. They can show you the proper way to lift, what weights and even develop a schedule for you.

At home. Picking up a few dumbbells and/or bands can give you and your home gym a boost – not to mention your workout! Online resources for workouts can be found at fitnessmagazine.com or womenshealthmag.com.

Martin Luther King Day

It’s a day of service and a day to honor how far our country has come, a reminder of how far our country has yet to go.

I urge you to get out and serve in your community today. Make a pledge to help someone else, donate your time and energy to a cause, to do something that will better your immediate community and the bigger world around you.

Live well. Live out the dream.