All posts in category Motivation

Shopping for Organic on a Budget

The biggest challenge to eating whole, clean, and organic is cost. I am unable to purchase everything I would like when it comes to buying organic and all-natural products. I must decide on certain items and against others in order to stay within our budget. Last week, Fox News Health posted 10 Secrets to Affordable Organic Foods. which includes tips such as buying from your local coop, prioritizing your organic purchases, and utilizing frozen foods.

In addition to this, check out the Johnson family’s blog –   True Food Movement -Whole Foods Thrifty Challenge. This family spent just under $490 at Whole Foods for one month’s worth of groceries. She speaks of the challenges of shopping on a budget, but also the rewards of eating whole and clean (even thought it was tough at first!). It’s always helpful to have someone in your shoes to take on a challenge such as this and share their own valuable experiences and tips.

I hope this gives you some helpful hints, and that you are able to find 2 or 3 ways to help you shop for the right foods while not going over budget.

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by M. Terry on April 16, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Deals And Steals, Health and Beauty, Motivation, Nutrition
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Posted by M. Terry on April 16, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/04/16/shopping-for-organic-on-a-budget/

20 Pounds Heavier

According to Gallup’s Annual Health and Healthcare Survey, today’s average American woman weighs 160 pounds. That is UP 20 POUNDS from the 1990s! This increases the likelihood of the “average” woman experiencing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. How do we combat this epidemic?

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by M. Terry on April 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Health and Beauty, Motivation, Nutrition
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Posted by M. Terry on April 11, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/04/11/20-pounds-heavier/

Turning 30 Minutes into 12 Hours

12 Hours

Hit the gym, hit the road, or hit the local track for a vigorous workout, and you will turn that short period of time into a 12 hour metabolism jolt. A strenuous sweat session turns your body into a calorie-burning machine for the next half of a day. Use this fact to motivate yourself to schedule and stick to a daily workout.

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by M. Terry on April 9, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Motivation
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Posted by M. Terry on April 9, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/04/09/turning-30-minutes-into-12-hours/

Our Easter Basket Goodies

Our Easter Basket Goodies

Since the Easter Bunny hops all across the earth in one single night, he needs some Easter basket treats that energize him and allow him to fill every basket along the way. So, our family’s Easter bunny makes sure that the kids also have baskets filled with goodies that they deem as treats but are also not sugar and fat laden. Here are some things that will be awaiting my little ones as they head down stairs on Easter morning:

  • Annies’ Bunny Grahams
  • Annie’s Snack Mix
  • Peeled Snack Dried Fruit (Paradise Found is our favorite mix)
  • Clif Kids Z Bars- S’mores
  • Mixed Nuts
  • Dove Dark Chocolate Squares
  • Archer Farms Fruit Bites
  • Gum
  • Skittles –My Anna loves Skittles, so I bought a small box that I will divide among the 3 kids. I never want to totally restrict them, so I’m happy to indulge them just a bit. Most of the other items that I bought are things that I buy occasionally, so these will also be a welcomed sight.
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by M. Terry on April 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Health and Beauty, Motivation, Nutrition, Product Review
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Posted by M. Terry on April 3, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/04/03/our-easter-basket-goodies/

Hump Day Slump

Whether it’s the Hump Day slump or that afternoon fizzle you feel, a lack of energy can be combated by exercise.

  • According to experiments conducted by Robert Thayer, PhD, at California State University, a brisk, 10 minute walk, can increase energy levels for up to 2 hours. And when the daily 10-minute walks continued for three weeks, overall energy levels stayed elevated.
  • 58% of women feel more energized after they’ve had a workout according to a health.com poll

Yet another reason to motivate us to add exercise to our daily routine! (Oh yeah, and a cup ‘o joe never hurt either!)

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by M. Terry on March 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Health and Beauty, Motivation
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Posted by M. Terry on March 14, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/03/14/hump-day-slump/

Staying Motivated Once You Get Motivated

Staying Motivated Once You Get Motivated

Yesterday, I blogged about getting motivated to move. Now here is how to stay motivated once you are indeed moving…

  1. Do Something You Enjoy– Find something you want to do and look forward to doing.
  2. Be Friendly– Find a workout buddy. The accountability will ensure that you stick to your workouts.
  3. Rock Out– A recent study in the Journal of Science and Medicine In Sport showed that triathletes who listened to tunes were able to go almost 20% longer than those who trained without music.
  4. Set Attainable Goals– Make sure your goals are realistic and results will be seen fairly quickly. Shoot for losing weight in small increments. Strive to add a 2 minute run to your existing walk, or add 5 minutes of running to  your established route.
  5. Schedule It – Just like you make a date with your spouse/significant other or a friend, make a date with yourself to complete your workout. Then you can be a better spouse, friend, and parent.
  6. Support A Cause– The youth girls and I are participating in Pregnancy Resources Walk-a-thon on March 17th. (Click and pledge your support!) My friend, Sara, just completed a 5 mile race last weekend for “Be Her Freedom“– a ministry that promotes awareness and is counteracting the human trafficking that exists in our world today. Find a cause, make a commitment to walk, run, bike, or whatever it may be, and exercise for a greater purpose!
  7. Reward Yourself– Buy a new workout outfit, get a massage, or treat yourself to a healthy meal- do something to celebrate your successes!
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by M. Terry on March 7, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Motivation
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Posted by M. Terry on March 7, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/03/07/staying-motivated-once-you-get-motivated/

Motivation to Move

For most people who are looking to begin an exercise program, their main goal is lose weight and look better. While that can be a motivator in and of itself, sometimes the thought of putting forth the energy to get moving is still enough of a deterrent to keep a person on the couch. But the best motivation to get up and moving is when we know just how much exercise benefits us physically and mentally. If you are having trouble beginning and/or maintaining an exercise program, take a look at all that exercise does for the human body. When you approach physical activity with these benefits in mind, they hopefully will be a catalyst to propel you to get up and move.

Regular exercise can:

  • Reduce the risk of developing heart disease
  • Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of developing high blood pressure
  • Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing high cholesterol
  • Reduce the risk of developing various cancers
  • Reduce the risk of developing diabetes or help control existing diabetes
  • Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
  • Improve mental well-being by reducing stress, depression and anxiety
  • Enhanced performance in work and recreation
  • Maintain and improve sleep patterns

Exercise is a gift you give your body. Your body was designed to work and move, and once you get in the habit of working out, your body will miss those occasionally skipped sweat sessions and you will notice the difference in the way you feel.

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by M. Terry on March 6, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Motivation
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Posted by M. Terry on March 6, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/03/06/motivation-to-move/

Engaging the Core – Plank with Triceps Extension

The core consists of the  muscles in the mid-section including the abdominals, upper and lower back, hips, and gluteus maximus. Having a strong core can help reduce the chances of back injuries and pain, improve athletic performance, and ensures better balance and coordination. It also plays a pivotal role in maintaining internal functions.

This core move is one of my new favorites to use in my circuit training. Along with the core, the triceps and chest are fully engaged too.

Plank with Triceps Extension

Hold a dumbbell in each hand and get into plank position (keep hands positioned under shoulders- Figure A).

Keeping hips and shoulders squared, pull right elbow up, keeping the triceps parallel to the floor (Figure B). Extend right arm straight back, hold for one second, and return back to Figure B position. Repeat on the other side to complete one rep. Do 5-10 reps depending on your ability level.

You can view this video to see the complete move.

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by M. Terry on February 17, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Motivation
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Posted by M. Terry on February 17, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/02/17/engaging-the-core-plank-with-triceps-extension/

200 Miles

No, this is not an ultra run distance for which I am training (although, some people are crazy enough to do so!). This is a mind-boggling fact that Scott read in his textbook for his seminary class, The Health and Well-being of the Minister. Here is the actual stat:

If you have too high a percentage of body fat, that converts into too many additional pounds. Each extra pound of body fat contains an additional 200 miles of blood vessels and capillaries. That translates into extra work for your heart.

So here is the challenge:

Rather than your heart working hard to feed those extra 200 miles of blood vessels and capillaries, how about making it stronger by:

  • walking or running 2 miles
  • completing a 20-minute toning circuit
  • Spending $20 a month on a gym membership (and actually using it!)

As we celebrate American Heart Month, give your heart the gift of strength and get moving!

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by M. Terry on February 13, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Fitness, Motivation, Nutrition
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Posted by M. Terry on February 13, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/02/13/200-miles/

Sacrifice to Savor

Sacrifice to Savor- that is my motto when it comes to eating a special treat.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we are surround by candy, chocolate, cakes, and other goodies. When these sweets are so readily available, we often eat them without much thought as to what we are putting into our mouths and ultimately into our bodies. Even during a typical day, sometimes we are in the habit of eating those 2 cookies after lunch, and then we really don’t enjoy them- we just pop them into our mouth, chew, and swallow.

One of my favorite desserts is tiramisu. If I ate it everyday or even once a week, it would no longer be treat- it would be a habit. So when I have the opportunity to partake of this coffee creation (or any of my favorite desserts), I make sure to savor every bite! I “sacrifice” many other treats so I can truly enjoy the moment.  I don’t want my tiramisu to become ordinary- I want it to always be extraordinary!

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by M. Terry on February 8, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Motivation, Nutrition
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Posted by M. Terry on February 8, 2012

https://wholetothecore.com/2012/02/08/sacrifice-to-savor/

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