Health and Nutrition

Putting Action into Words

Putting action into words

I’ll bet lots and lots of people made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get fit. Certainly a worthwhile goal, but I’m tweaking my New Years resolution this year after reading a blog by Diane wordsCarbonell, author of 150 Pounds Gone Forever. She recently blogged about New Years Resolutions. She’s not a fan of them, and instead of making one, she suggests making your words match your actions. Last week I blogged that the Klutzy Athlete had lived up to her name by being klutzy and spraining her ankle. This week I’ve been struggling with a painful ankle and ice baths. I’m not sure which is worse, the injury or… Read More

The Klutzy Athlete Lives up to Her Name

ankle My ankle The Klutzy Athlete has lived up to her name—again. Somehow I went from shooing the dog to twisting my ankle. Of course wearing snowshoes while doing so was not the most brilliant idea I’ve ever had. Experience speaking here, you either end up hurt or on the ground. I remained standing, but definitely hurt myself. Now I have a sprained ankle that looks like a black and purple grapefruit. Of course I’ve been advised to stay off of it, elevate and ice. Let me tell you if you think a sprained ankle hurts, try soaking it in ice water for 20 minutes three times a day! It reminds me of when we wet-waded (just wearing… Read More

Passionate About Healthy Lifestyle

healthyThere was a break in the rain yesterday, so I went out to prune my wisteria. There is no way it could be termed ideal weather for gardening, but I’d been stuck inside most of the day, and I thought this was a great to get some fresh air and a little exercise.

Passionate About Healthy Lifestyle

While I was working, I asked myself why I was passionate about diet and exercise. My immediate response was that I wanted to keep my weight down so that I felt good about myself, but it goes deeper than that. I realized I’m on this weight loss quest to improve my quality of life, not just right now, but as I age. I want… Read More

Desserts and Weight Loss

dessertsI attended a family Christmas party this past weekend, and while I didn’t eat to excess, I still felt like I did. I wasn’t bloated, I didn’t have that overly full sensation, and I’d even left food on my plate I didn’t like, but I didn’t stop when I was full.

Losing weight is hard work

I didn’t understand why until I read Diane Carbonell's, author of 150 Pounds Gone Forever recent blog about How to Keep Going When Your Diet gets Hard. She discussed the challenges she faced when losing weight, and a point she made about desserts stood out for me.

Desserts

She talked about attending a party where there were dozens of rich desserts. As she’d… Read More

Combating Holiday Stress

Combating Holiday Stress

Holiday stress has really taken a toll on me in the past—lack of sleep, poor diet and little exercise makesstressme feel lethargic, exhausted and bloated. As part of my weight loss quest, I have decided to make some changes to the status quo this year. My goals this holiday season are to:
  • Be kind to my body
  • Fill my body with healthy food
  • Make time every day to exercise
  • Make time ever day to unplug, sit and reflect
  • Get plenty of rest, including naps
  • Savor my food, whether it’s a rich dessert or a healthy meal
  • I will remind myself that it isn’t the food that’s special, but the people that make the holiday memorable (thank you Jansen Schmidt for that great… Read More

Post Thanksgiving Review

Post Thanksgiving review starts with this quote, “The best laid plans of mice and men…”exercise

Cooking and Exercise

I had intended to try Rebecca J. Clark’s, author of The Checklist Diet suggestions for cooking and exercise.
  • Calf raises—whenever you're stirring something on the stove.
  • Side leg raises—while stirring/mixing away from the stove.
  • Stand on one leg—while washing your hands (don't forget to switch legs).
  • Arm circles—while waiting for the pot to boil.
  • Deep breathing—while chopping vegetables (in through the nose, pause, out through the mouth)
I’d also planned to play plenty of music and dance while I was cooking, but all I managed to do was a couple of calf raises. And the outdoor exercise I’d planned, never got off the ground. Of all… Read More

Holiday Weight Maintenance

savor Walnut trees turning color Tis the season when pounds start magically appearing. Exercising and maintaining my weight can be a challenge this time of year. My routine gets out of whack with guests to entertain and an abundance of food to eat. Suddenly, I’m not exercising regularly, overeating and not savoring my food or the holiday.   savor Cattle grazing under Mt. Shasta

New Traditions

This year in my quest for a healthier lifestyle, I am instituting some new traditions. Instead of vegging in front of the television the entire time, I will take a walk. If there’s snow, instead of cuddling up by the fire, I… Read More