Valentine's Day is on it's way...

So we just got through Super Bowl Sunday and now we are faced with Valentine's Day.  Does this look like a healthy Valentine's treat?

or how about this

You might be very surprised to learn that these are made from English muffins with either cream cheese or jam!  Visit this blog for more information:

Catholic Icing

Just goes to show that with a little thought, we can get through these holidays just fine!

What is your plan to avoid the chocolates and rich dinners this Valentine's Day? 

Let's Get INTENTIONAL!

I received the following in an email this week (Orange Bolding is my emphasis):

Americans search for ways to infuse daily life with the sacred

In an article entitled “Infusing the Sacred Into Daily Life” in the first USA Today issue for February, 2011, I read the following, “Newlyweds Matthew and Becca Brench of South Hamilton, Mass., want to grow in contentment and self-control. To get there, they fast together every Wednesday, consuming nothing but water and fruit juice.” It was enough to cause me to read the entire article which you can do as well at http://yourlife.usatoday.com/mind-soul/spirituality/story/2011/01/Americans-search-for-ways-to-infuse-daily-life-with-the-sacred/43124298/1.

With Lent approaching I thought the article might be helpful in addressing the attitude that people don’t have time for “more” spiritual exercises. Here is where one can understand that “raising spiritual awareness may not necessarily require extra time — just extra mindfulness and intentionality in day-to-day activities.” The author D. Jeffrey MacDonald concludes with the idea that “Today, Americans are cultivating spirituality by probing deeper dimensions of things they do each day, from prayer to exercise and volunteering.”

One of my biggest excuses in my pre-fit life was that I didn't want to give the time to fitness.  I didn't want every day to revolve around when I would work out.  I didn't want every meal to be about counting calories.  I didn't want to be INTENTIONAL.  What I've discovered is that my life doesn't revolve around my efforts to be fit, but fitness is a part of my life.  It doesn't take any longer to make a healthy meal than an unhealthy one.  Honest!  Really think about the time you spend in line in the drive-through and then getting the meal home and handing out everyone's meals and finally eating.  Probably, you've given 20-30 minutes and more money to a meal that is not going to help you on your goal to a healthier you.  Those same 20-30 minutes spent preparing a meal would have served you and your family better and saved you money!  Be intentional about a better lifestyle and discover that it isn't any harder...just better.

What examples do you have where you choose the option that seems easier and quicker, but not good for you?  Is is really any quicker?  Do you really feel any better?  Share!

Monday

Okay team, only a few more days until the next weigh-in.  How are we doing?  How was the Super Bowl?  Did you behave?  Do you feel Super or Super-sized?  You know what?  It doesn't matter because today is a new day. 

How are those food journals coming along?  Anyone record every bite all last week???  I've heard from Annie and Kate both (and Teri previously) about what an eye opener it is to really see what you eat.  If you haven't tried it yet, please do!

While I am working out on the elliptical, I like to watch tv.  I have been watching the television series 24.  I never watched it when it was on and last night I started season 6.  Each episode is 42-46 minutes long and I like to stay on the machine for at least 40 minutes - the timing is perfect.  The pace of the show is quick and entertaining and really helps the time fly by.  There are some days where finding out what will happen next to poor Jack Bauer is the only thing that gets me on the machine!  How do you entertain and motivate yourself when working out?

Lakeside Walk today (we hope)

With any luck, today will be a lovely walk around the lake...pondering and reflecting "What in my life is dormant?"

The lake is a great setting to walk and reflect on why you are a part of this Fitness Challenge.  Most of the trees are bare, no leaves, no birds, no life.  This is the dormant season.  Do you feel like your life is currently dormant?  Are you waiting to live until after you reach your goal?   Are you unable to physically do the things you want to be able to do?  Like walk upstairs all the way from the basement to the 2^nd level of your home or walk the dog a mile and a half or run along your child’s bike as she learns how to ride without training wheels?  Do you avoid the pool or any other invitation that might require a swimsuit?  Are parts of yourself dormant?

This challenge takes us right into spring and the Easter Season.  The season of new life and new beginnings.  What does your spring look like?  Are you ready to embrace life?  Do you feel your muscles gathering into buds ready to sprout into new strength?  Do you feel the energy of a lifestyle without the extra weight?  Are you preparing for your Spring?

Come out and walk with us and reflect on the dormant areas of your life.  Walk quietly and explore these ideas in your own mind.  Better yet, bring  a friend, meet your teammates there and share with each other.  You are not alone, we are all in it together.  Let’s get ready to greet the spring!

Even if you don't make it to the lake, still take some time to reflect on what YOUR spring is going to mean to YOU.

Betsy

Thursday

Hi Team ORANGE!  It's the Thursday before Super Bowl Sunday. That means it is time to start making a plan.  Super Bowl parties tend to involve a LOT of food (and not healthy food either) and often a LOT of beer or other alcoholic beverages.  Start thinking about how you are going to handle the temptations, what your limits will be so that on Monday YOU will feel like the winner!  If you know you are going to indulge, schedule in some extra workout time and plan to eat super healthy on Saturday and Monday.  No one is saying you can't enjoy the party, just be smart about it and plan for it.

I have my fingers crossed that the weather is decent enough for our lake-side hike this Saturday.  I am really feeling the pull to be outside and active.  The forecast has deteriorated as the week has progressed, unfortunately, but sometimes we have to be tougher than the weather.  If we wait for the perfect day, we'll be waiting a LONG time.

Finally, I want to congratualte our whole team!  Everyone weighed in and is sticking with it!  Next weigh-in is February 13.  Are you ready???

Betsy

Kate checks in...

Well, the week is starting off really well.  I have started using the myfitnesspal ap on my phone and I think that it will be really great for keeping me accountable! (Betsy, I decided to use this one because it will be more convenient than logging in only at night at home.)  I also went to the LIFE Christian fitness class at Fern Creek Christian Church last night and it really kicked my butt!  I hope to go back this Thursday as well.  (Betsy, the ladies there had great things to say about you---of course I assured them we must be talking about two different people...ha, ha)

Teri, I hope that your weigh-in went well!  You have been kind of quiet the past day or two so I just wanted to check in.

Wendy and Rusty, we'd love to have you join the discussion. What have you two been up to?

Annie, how was your workout last night? 

Kate

February 1

It's a new month - February is here.  Are you ready to make it a GREAT month?

This is a reminder about the activity  chart that Cyndi gave everyone at the kick-off.  Are you using it?  How many points have you earned?  What's the easiest way for you to earn a point?  What's the biggest challenge?

The last 2 weeks, Cyndi challenged us to keep the daily food log everyday - every bite! - for at least a week.  Did you do it?  What did you learn?  It's a fascinating exercise because you WILL learn something.  Maybe you will learn that you don't want to eat as much when you have to write it down...maybe you'll learn that your portions are quite larger than you realized...maybe you'll learn that you don't eat very much protein....maybe you'll learn that your diet is actually pretty good...

One of the benefits to the daily food log is the simple discipline of keeping this challenge at the forefront of your mind all day.  If you are committed to writing down everything that goes in your mouth (if you bite it, you write it!) then all day long you will be aware of what you are a part of this challenge.  Don't look at it as if you are being scolded over every choice - look at it as being part of something larger than yourself.  You are now part of Team ORANGE!  You are part of the St. Gabriel Fitness Challenge!  You are NOT alone!

So, if you haven't kept a food log for a full week yet, try starting today.  It WILL impact you and it WILL help you!  Leave a comment letting us all know how you plan to approach the daily logging challenge.

Peace.