Goals, New Program

Happy New Year!! 

Ok a little late but still coming from my heart!

I was a good girl last year so Santa (hubby) got me Insanity (Beachbody program).  I am thrilled & got started this morning after finishing ChaLEAN Extreme for the 3rd time. 

Today was the Fit Test & was only about a 1/2 hour long.  I was concerned this would not be enough for me because I normally workout about 1-1/2 hours - 2 hours depending on what I'm working on. 

This Fit Test was INCREDIBLE.  I have to say it had me huffing & puffing & really needing that 60 second rest in between.  I am very impressed with how well I did.  Truly I didn't think I would be able to get any good numbers during this test. 

I'm looking forward to this workout.  I am also looking forward to doing the Fit Test again a few times during the program to see how I'm progressing. 

Before doing these programs I usually take measurements & my weight.  The last time I did that was in April 2013.  I am not happy to report I have had some increase in inches (3-3/4") and gained about 3lbs.  I'm not concerned about the weight gain at all but the inches I don't like.  I do have to say though my clothes don't feel any different so that has helped me not be too down on myself.

I do know the problem area for me is food.  Not the type of food but the quantity.  I always justify the amount I'm eating by saying it's healthy food & my workout was killer.  Calories are calories.  Doesn't matter how you look at it. 

So, on to goals.  My goal presently is adjusting my amount of food I eat during the day.  Especially in the late afternoon & evenings. 

Another goal I have made for myself is not to be afraid to make new friends.  I find myself a little standoffish lately with new relationships.  I don't want to be that way.  I believe people are brought into our lives for a reason & if I can bless someone or the other way around, well far be it for me to stand in the way of that!!  I started yesterday & am very glad I did.  I had a cup of tea with wonderful woman & my daughter got to play with her daughter for a while.  A blessing all the way around.

So, have you made any new goals for 2014?  What did you choose to do?

Be Blessed & Live Healthy!!

You can follow me on Facebook & Twitter also at Imperfectly Pamela.

What To Eat?

To get a phone call or anything telling you something has happened to someone close to you is very devastating & stressful.

My sisters & I have always said how blessed we have been to have not really lost anyone close before what we believed should be their time.  Grandparents were around til they got older, etc. 

Getting a text saying Dad was in trouble in ICU was very stressful.  While my first thoughts were on him & how can we swing a flight up there & me leaving my family for a time, I knew I had to be there.  My husband was very understanding. 

Before I left I realized I had no idea what I would be eating while away.  I had just gone shopping & grabbed lots of Uberbars (my fave lately) and nuts.  My sis & I made sure we had water whenever we could get it as well.  The cafeteria offered good choices but you had to look for them.  Oatmeal in the am and eggs was my choice breakfast but we typically didn't eat again until dinner.  That's when the nut bars, nuts & any fresh fruit we could find came in handy.  We drank as much water as we could as well. 

We all deal with stress differently.  My sister was incredible with finding out all the information she could about what was happening.  The nurses with our Dad were very accommodating.  She was then able to route that information to her husband who is an RN & he could tell us what exactly we needed to know (and for me he was able to put it in very simple terms (: ) 

Saturday felt like a good day for Dad & we went back to the hotel on a little bit of a high.  We stopped for dinner take out from Olive Garden (have you had their salad with the GF salmon?  GREAT choice & oh so filling!).  Being that I try to respect my husband's wishes in not running alone my sis said she would come with me to the fitness room & walk while I ran.  That is the way I deal with stress.  I workout.  I felt giddy just thinking about getting there & running.  I couldn't get over how much I looked forward to it.  I did a HIIT workout on their treadmill & was able to eat & sleep well that night.  It's a good thing.  We woke up to a huge crisis my Dad was going through.  I needed that release the night before and was very glad I took it. 

Now,  I have comfort foods.  Unfortunately (well, fortunately) there wasn't much of what I like there (gluten free bread, chocolate, etc).  We did stop for our fave coffees that helped us to just feel a tad bit better about things :)  Even then I found another alternative at the cafeteria that I could use and my sis benefited from it too.

I realize everyone deals with things in their own way.  I think I have been doing this long enough that my brain just looks for other options that will give me that same feeling but is healthier for me in the long run.  On the other hand, I will not (and you shouldn't either) beat myself up over some comfort food you had in a stressful time. 

I get a clean slate tomorrow.  I'm thankful for that & I will take it!!

Tell me - how do you deal with stress?  Are you a comfort eater?  Do you turn to exercise or shut down?  I would really love to know.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Cool Website

Found this through a friend on Pinterest. 

It's pretty cool.  If you click on a part of the body it will give you different exercises for that part of the body. 

I'm all about total body workouts for sure.  This would be a great addition though for those trouble spots.

http://www.divine.ca/en/health/exercise-finder/c_266/


Check it out & let me know what you think!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

This made me smile

It's just how I feel AND it's pink.  Awesome.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

No time for exercise??

Really.  No time huh?  Ever wonder where our time goes?  We wake up in the morning & we hit the floor running.  Whether you work in the home or out of it our days are full of doing things for others more often than not.  Have you taken a moment to think of what would happen if you didn't have your health?  I believe eating right & exercising is something we all need for healthy bodies, minds & souls.  It amazes me how I feel when I don't get a workout in.  When my kids don't get outside or during a break in the sports they play, they are different.  We need that outlet. 

So, where does your time go?  Studies show you just need about 20 - 30 min of focused exercise a few days a week.  That used to seem like alot to me a while back.  Now it seems like that would be enough for a warm up!  Do you watch TV?  What about taking 30 minutes of that time to take a walk.  Wind down from your busy day or use that walking time to catch up with a loved one.  Take a walk with your spouse to connect before getting ready for the rest of the night.  Walk with your child/ren to catch up on their day.  You could even call someone that lives far away & catch up with them while you walk!  There are so many ways.  Go to the library & borrow some workout dvd's.  That is the best way to try them out without putting money out for them right away.  I have gotten some great workouts from the library that they were selling for about $1 or $2.  Both of those options cost nothing or next to nothing.  NO GYM MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED. 

Don't have weights?  Get some canned food from your pantry & use them.  Save milk jugs & put sand, rocks or water in them.  Go to the thrift store & see what they might have too. 

Need a lift in the afternoon?  Don't reach for the chocolate or caffeine.  Try doing some stretching.  I love to do yoga.  The stretching is great & focusing on making sure I'm doing them correctly really helps to clear my mind.  Obviously if you have an office job you may have to close your door or find a spot you can do this without causing a scene :)  

You CAN do this.  We need to remember if we aren't healthy then we aren't any good for those that need us.  Focus on yourself a little bit every day.  You won't regret it. 

What are some ways you take to clear your mind at the end of the day?   What do you do when your energy level drops in the afternoon?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Do you have a plan?

Have you really thought about having a plan for staying on your healthy eating/exercising course over the holidays?  Oh there are so many blogs & websites out there that are offering LOTS of advice.  I just heard one I hadn't heard before.  If you are a drinker, have a glass of water between each drink.  I'm thinking that will help a couple ways really.   What about the one - eating before you go to the party.  Now that is a good one.  My only problem is I eat before then I get there & feel like I can just skip right to the sugar-filled yummies!  When I am asked to bring a dish I always bring my fresh veggies & hummus.  That gives me something I can eat & I won't go right to the dessert table. 

As for all you fellow exercise nuts - don't kill yourself keeping up with the schedule you normally keep for working out.  Allow yourself a vacation day or two to enjoy family & the festivities.  Get right back to it though on the 26th!  Now for me, we are taking a trip to visit family.  We will be in the car for 17 hours one way.  We hope to break up the trip to make it a little more enjoyable but that would mean 2 days of no working out for me.  When I stay in a hotel I always find the stairs & do some running up & down a few times.  My son loves coming with me.  Then we walk the halls for a little bit at a brisk pace.  Makes me feel like I did something worth while. 

I hope this season brings love & family & friends for you all.

Be Blessed & Healthy!