It’s been a very hectic week and will continue to be crazy around our house for the next week and a half. I have every excuse not to exercise, but have even more reasons why I will NOT miss my workouts. It’s hard to drag my tired body out and get it running. When I’m feeling sluggish, it takes several minutes for my legs to find their pace and for my breathing to find its rhythm, but once everything is working together, my energy picks up and the world is gone for the rest of my run. I am unconcerned with what is to be done. Rather, I am focused on the brief escape I have from my responsibilities. And when I am finished, there is a sense of accomplishment and a renewed energy to face the rest of the day. So the sanity I gain from squeezing in a workout actually enables me to tackle all that awaits me rather than keeping me from completing my “to do” list. Give yourself a 20-30 minute break from life and get out and move. I promise that you won’t regret it!
All posts in category Fitness
Squeezing It All In
Posted by M. Terry on May 11, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/05/11/1226/
Slashing Your Chance of Disease
I took Aleyah to the doctor yesterday for her 6-year-old well-child visit. I have never seen anyone so excited about seeing the doctor. When we left, she asked (with eager expectation) when she would be coming back. While I am thankful for her cooperation during the exam, I was even more pleased that her pediatrician was impressed that Aleyah’s only trips to the doctor’s office in the past three years was simply for her yearly visit. She told me that many kindergartners are sick all throughout the year, and she sees some once a month due to sickness. She credited Aleyah’s lack of illness to her healthy eating and activity level.
Aleyah’s diet is high in fiber, and fiber aides in slow digestion and sugar absorption which then lowers one’s risk of diabetes and cancer.
The International Journal of Clinical Practice had researchers look at more than 40 studies concerning exercise and its benefits, and they found that over 25 diseases occur at a much lower rate when regular physical activity is part of an individual’s lifestyle. (breast cancer, colon cancer, depression, heart disease, and hip fractures to name a few.)
While diet and exercise cannot guarantee a disease-free life, you can certainly lower your risk significantly and have a stronger immune system to combat any illness that may come your way.
Posted by M. Terry on May 10, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/05/10/slashing-your-chance-of-disease/
The Sabotage of Your Goals
Recently, a friend had made the effort to provide a healthier version of a special treat for her child. Even after seeing him enjoy this treat, a family member gave him the “real” thing. Needless to say, this mom was a bit frustrated. I completely understand that feeling. As a mom who encourages eating whole and clean foods, I have had to take many stands for my decision to keep them away from unhealthy choices, and I can relate to feelings of frustration when I feel undermined. I think the number one reason others seem to interfere with our eating and exercise goals is lack of understanding. However, I also believe that people sabotage these goals because they are unhappy with their own choices when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle. Nutritionist, Cynthia Sass, offers some advice when dealing with people who are non supportive of your eating and exercising habits.
Posted by M. Terry on May 3, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/05/03/the-sabotage-of-your-goals/
For the Love of Running
Fridays have recently be reserved for a long run with my SIL. Just last week, she injured her back pretty badly, so our runs are on hold for at least a month. On our runs, we have discussed the importance of running in our own lives. I am a runner, but not much of a writer, so when I began Kristin Armstrong’s Mile Markers, her intro included two paragraphs about her relationship with running. As I read this, it was as though she had put into words what I could not have expressed. So the answer I now have for why I love to run will be answered with this…
So to understand me and what’s behind the pages of this book, first of all you have to understand why I run. That’s the hardest and easiest question. It’s like asking why we love who we love. We love them because of all the precious moments we have spent together, because of all the intimate ways they understand us, the subtle acts of kindness and grace they offer us, the way they accept us- good and bad- the way they offer us insight when we are stuck in a bad place, the way they keep us humble and make us feel great all at the same time, the way their presence is our insurance that we will never be numb…because we are at ease in their company, because we love them even when we don’t like them, because we like ourselves better when we’re with them, because they lead us to our truest selves. Because we can’t imagine not.
If running were a person, that paragraph would be my love letter. Running has taken me in and continues to comfort, heal, and challenge me in all kinds of magical ways. I am not a good runner because I am me; I am a good me because I am a runner. There is nothing impersonal about anything when I relate it to running. Running is connected to my family, my parenting, my spiritual life, my fitness, my friendships, my health, my sanity, my peace. I can clear my head and solve problems when I run, or make peace with not knowing. I can find beauty, or at least redemption, no matter what. (from the chapter titled “Warm Up” in Mile Markers, by Kristin Armstrong)
Posted by M. Terry on April 29, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/29/for-the-love-of-running/
Bob Harper’s Workout #4
Here is the fourth workout from Bob Harper and Shape magazine. This is another circuit routine that involves doing each exercise and moving onto the next without resting. You tone and get cardio all in one workout! Try this just twice a week and add in some other cardio and you will see results.
Posted by M. Terry on April 26, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/26/bob-harpers-workout-4/
♫ Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming ♫
Cruise ships offer such a wide variety of physical activities that there is NO excuse for not moving. Whether it is an organized activity provided by the cruise staff, or just an open opportunity to do something on your own, you can find a place to burn off those extra calories that you will be swallowing. Since you were unable to accompany me on my cruise, live vicariously through our high energy moments on and off the ship…
*We took full advantage of the gym. (30+ cardio machines, free weights, nautilus machines, and classes).
The view from my treadmill
I rang the bell!
*I scaled the rock climbing wall high above the ocean blue.
*We prepared for future retirement as I put a beating on my husband in shuffle board (score: 42 to -2)!
*Scott and Dave played a couple of rounds of putt putt.
From one adventure to another!
*The excursion we booked in Cozumel was a ropes course that included two hours worth of zip lines, wall repelling, rope and plank bridge crossing, rock climbing, and snorkeling. (Very fun and exciting!)
30-60 foot towers
The organized activities onboard included dodge ball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball tournaments. (There was also a belly flop competition if you considered that a sport.) Also, take the stairs as much as you can. They definitely offer a great extra little heart-pumping action.
Posted by M. Terry on April 20, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/20/%e2%99%ab-just-keep-swimming-just-keep-swimming-%e2%99%ab/
Treadmill Workouts
While I much prefer to run outdoors, we are all forced to stay indoors to exercise at some point. So, in honor of my uncle who has no safe streets on which to run and also for me since I will be cruising later this week, here are several treadmill workouts: 60 minutes, 30 minutes, 20 minutes, and even a climbing workout. It’s easy to set the “cruise control” on the treadmill, but it so much more beneficial to vary your speed and incline in order to maximize calorie burn. Hope this gives you some new ideas!
Posted by M. Terry on April 13, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/04/13/treadmill-workouts/
DVR + Discovery Fit and Health TV
Scott has been gone the last 4 days, so I only was able to get in one run. My lifesaver is my TV. While I do use DVDs, I also have a number of exercise programs recorded on our DVR. My favorite is Gilad’s Total Body Sculpt Plus. In their morning schedule, Discovery Fit and Health (channel 261 on DirecTV) has a variety of different workouts that you can record and use as needed. Also, don’t forget that you can go to the library and check out DVDs to preview, and then decide whether or not you want to purchase them.
And you can buy one today, March 30th, thanks to Groupon’s eBay deal – $15 gift card for just $7!
Posted by M. Terry on March 30, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/30/dvr-discovery-fit-and-health-tv/
Bob Harper’s Bikini Body Workout – Month 3
Happy Spring Break to all of you on the Space Coast! Unfortunately, rain is in the forecast for most of the week. But no excuses allowed for not getting in a workout! Here is Shape’s third Bob Harper workout which can all be done in your living room with minimal equipment and space. A great way to use these three workouts is to mix them up. Stick with one for a month and switch to the next. Or do one for two weeks and then move onto another. You can also do 2 different workouts in a week and add a new one in the next week. Varying your workouts keeps your muscles from becoming to acclimated to the same exercises and so you are less likely to plateau in weight loss and muscle building. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy the results!
Posted by M. Terry on March 28, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/28/bob-harpers-bikini-body-workout-month-3/
Melbourne Art Festival 5K Sign-up
Signing up for the Art Festival 5K! It’s Saturday, April 23rd at 7:30. The cost is $25 until April 15th. Challenge yourself and enjoy a fun race!
Posted by M. Terry on March 6, 2011
https://wholetothecore.com/2011/03/06/melbourne-art-festival-5k-sign-up/
Proverbs 31 Devotionals
Whole to the Core Blog 