There are a few truths that I have learned since becoming a mom. Among them, one is that toys that are the most fun usually have many small parts. Two is that many small parts lead to many big messes. Three is that many big messes lead to constant cleaning by mom, followed by more big messes, and more cleaning. Therefore, it seems, in order to give my kids a fun childhood, it requires having a very tired mom!
My days fall into one-or-the-other kind of pattern. I can exercise and get a good, satisfying work-out—or I can have a clean house. I can’t seem to ever have both. I’m too exhausted from one to do the other.
I know that household chores burn calories, so I don’t feel quite so bad after spending the day scrubbing and cleaning. But—and this is a big BUT—housework will never equal the renewal I get from working out. Housework will also never give my body the extra dose of oxygen that I get from aerobic exercise.
I need exercise to cope. There is quite a lot of noise and drama that goes on in a household of little children. If I don’t let out some steam that has been building throughout a long day, I just might start howling like my two-year-old!
As much as I could let go of an exercise routine with some justification, the truth is I need it. Badly. My personal goal for the next month is to rekindle my determination to exercise and make it happen at least four times each week. It’s time to take what I know in my head and apply it.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Rolling and Sliding
Yesterday the topic was on momentum. I had a great response from one of my readers and thought I share for today’s blog.
Rolling and Sliding
Did you know that it's easier to stop a rolling object than a sliding object? Once an object has started sliding, friction has lost a great deal of its ability to control the object's momentum! That's why it's best to pump your brakes when you need to stop quickly—once you start sliding, you're out of control.
I think the same is true of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We will occasionally find ourselves starting to lose control, bumping up against the edges of our lifestyle goals. What we want to ensure is that we regain control before we start into a full slide.
An example: last night I went with a group to Wendy's after church. I'd been good all day, had gotten in some exercise that morning, and had plenty of calories left for the day. So, I had a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a root beer. YUM! It was slightly more calories than I had allowed myself for that day, but was still within my "buffer," so I wasn't too worried. Still, it flagged for me that I was over my line.
Soon after, the burger was gone, the fries were gone and my pop was nothing but melting ice. We were still sitting talking though, so I got up and got another cup of pop. I was still under my maintenance calorie goal, so I was fine in that respect, but I was definitely starting to feel the "bump, bump" of my weight loss goal.
On the way out of the restaurant, I was tempted to have "just one more cup of Coke." I'd already topped out my goal for the day. It couldn't hurt to have one more, right?
That's when I stopped and threw my cup away. I knew if I kept on, I'd end up feeling bad and potentially sliding out of control. The good news? By making that decision, I felt pleased that I was able to stop, and that kept me from entering a full slide.
And this morning, when I stepped on the scale I was down another two pounds! I'm pleased with my ability to stop, pleased that my loss is continuing, and am that much more encouraged that I can do the same thing again the next time.
Guest contributor: Chris Luka
Rolling and Sliding
Did you know that it's easier to stop a rolling object than a sliding object? Once an object has started sliding, friction has lost a great deal of its ability to control the object's momentum! That's why it's best to pump your brakes when you need to stop quickly—once you start sliding, you're out of control.
I think the same is true of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We will occasionally find ourselves starting to lose control, bumping up against the edges of our lifestyle goals. What we want to ensure is that we regain control before we start into a full slide.
An example: last night I went with a group to Wendy's after church. I'd been good all day, had gotten in some exercise that morning, and had plenty of calories left for the day. So, I had a bacon cheeseburger, fries, and a root beer. YUM! It was slightly more calories than I had allowed myself for that day, but was still within my "buffer," so I wasn't too worried. Still, it flagged for me that I was over my line.
Soon after, the burger was gone, the fries were gone and my pop was nothing but melting ice. We were still sitting talking though, so I got up and got another cup of pop. I was still under my maintenance calorie goal, so I was fine in that respect, but I was definitely starting to feel the "bump, bump" of my weight loss goal.
On the way out of the restaurant, I was tempted to have "just one more cup of Coke." I'd already topped out my goal for the day. It couldn't hurt to have one more, right?
That's when I stopped and threw my cup away. I knew if I kept on, I'd end up feeling bad and potentially sliding out of control. The good news? By making that decision, I felt pleased that I was able to stop, and that kept me from entering a full slide.
And this morning, when I stepped on the scale I was down another two pounds! I'm pleased with my ability to stop, pleased that my loss is continuing, and am that much more encouraged that I can do the same thing again the next time.
Guest contributor: Chris Luka
Monday, August 9, 2010
Momentum
It can sail us to the finish line of our goals. It can also swing us away from our goals. Momentum is a powerful force. It is the energy that surges after we aim and shoot to our goals.
Think about it scientifically. A decade and a half ago I learned in my high school science class that it takes more energy to start a ball rolling than to keep a ball rolling. The same can apply to habits and routines in our lives. It takes focus, determination, will power, and self-discipline to start eating right. After several weeks, however, eating healthy seems natural. Temptations come much less frequently. Momentum is carrying us to our goal.
The same kind of momentum can also lead us away from our goal though. Have you ever eaten past the point of being full—not because you’re hungry, but simply because you were spooning in the food at such a steady rate that the momentum kept you eating? I have. Have you ever eaten badly on a Monday and therefore eaten badly all week because it was easier to give into the momentum than to start afresh? I have done that too.
Momentum is a force, but it does not have a mind of its own. Nor does it start be itself. The power is in our hands. We are sitting on massive amount of power, ready to be unleashed into the direction we point. When it is unleashed, it will shoot us toward our goal…if we aim carefully.
Think about it scientifically. A decade and a half ago I learned in my high school science class that it takes more energy to start a ball rolling than to keep a ball rolling. The same can apply to habits and routines in our lives. It takes focus, determination, will power, and self-discipline to start eating right. After several weeks, however, eating healthy seems natural. Temptations come much less frequently. Momentum is carrying us to our goal.
The same kind of momentum can also lead us away from our goal though. Have you ever eaten past the point of being full—not because you’re hungry, but simply because you were spooning in the food at such a steady rate that the momentum kept you eating? I have. Have you ever eaten badly on a Monday and therefore eaten badly all week because it was easier to give into the momentum than to start afresh? I have done that too.
Momentum is a force, but it does not have a mind of its own. Nor does it start be itself. The power is in our hands. We are sitting on massive amount of power, ready to be unleashed into the direction we point. When it is unleashed, it will shoot us toward our goal…if we aim carefully.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Be Creative, Be Healthy
I recently heard these days called the dog-days of summer. While I’m not sure exactly what that means, I get a picture in my mind of a blazing hot sun and a lazy dog with his tongue hanging to his feet. There are certainly days when I feel just like that myself. It takes an extra amount of energy to try new things, it seems. Still, there are a slew of things to do on a hot summer day. Sometimes it helps to make a list of ideas.
Go to the library. This is one of my daughter’s favorite places. When it’s too hot to even think about the park, we head to the library. Libraries often have computers with kid-friendly activities, and of course, they have tons of books. And it is cool inside! Even on cooler days the library can be a good place to entertain the kids. Many people live within walking distance of their local library, so you can walk or bike there for some exercise along the way.
Go to a farmers’ market. This time of year farmers’ markets are springing up all over with an abundance of freshly-picked produce. This kind of food is the best in taste and in nutrients. A surprising number of nutrients are lost when produced is shipped over many days. The best way to have the most nutritious food is too eat it when it’s picked ripe. Farmers’ markets are also a fun experience for kids. They love to see the many varieties of food and help pick them out. Another fun idea is to go to you-pick farms where you can actually pick your own berries or other fruit. My kids are a little too young for this, but I can’t wait to try this in a few years.
These are just a couple of thoughts to make it through a hot week with restless kids. I’m sure there are many other ideas. I’d love to hear them!
Go to the library. This is one of my daughter’s favorite places. When it’s too hot to even think about the park, we head to the library. Libraries often have computers with kid-friendly activities, and of course, they have tons of books. And it is cool inside! Even on cooler days the library can be a good place to entertain the kids. Many people live within walking distance of their local library, so you can walk or bike there for some exercise along the way.
Go to a farmers’ market. This time of year farmers’ markets are springing up all over with an abundance of freshly-picked produce. This kind of food is the best in taste and in nutrients. A surprising number of nutrients are lost when produced is shipped over many days. The best way to have the most nutritious food is too eat it when it’s picked ripe. Farmers’ markets are also a fun experience for kids. They love to see the many varieties of food and help pick them out. Another fun idea is to go to you-pick farms where you can actually pick your own berries or other fruit. My kids are a little too young for this, but I can’t wait to try this in a few years.
These are just a couple of thoughts to make it through a hot week with restless kids. I’m sure there are many other ideas. I’d love to hear them!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Butter or Margarine?
When I was growing up, we always had margarine in our kitchen because the health experts said it was better for you. Later when I was in college, I always bought real butter because natural was in. Now, I’ve gone back to margarine again (although it’s now termed a “buttery spread” and is processed much differently than previous margarines). The question is this—what is really the best choice?
The debate is not so much about butter or margarine, but about “natural” food against processed food. Is natural always better? Generally I go for the natural—or foods that are the least processed. There are a few exceptions to my preference, one of them being margarine.
Butter is natural in the sense that it came from an animal, but there is a process that it goes through before it becomes that sweet, thick, and delectable cream. So in a sense, it is natural and processed. Margarine usually comes from a vegetable oil and is processed too. Okay, it’s usually a lot more processed than butter. But the reason margarine for me is the winner over butter is that butter has so much cholesterol and bad saturated fats. Margarine on the other hand, uses non-saturated fats. You can even buy margarine that uses cholesterol-fighting oils, like olive oil and canola oil.
The most important thing to remember when buying margarine is to stay away from hydrogenated oils. What made margarine so bad twenty years ago was the high content of these deadly oils. Margarine brands like Smart Balance, Earth Balance, and Promise are the ones to go for because they do not go through the hydrogenation process.
I know that taste is important, and to many people butter is better. However, I do think some of that is a pre-conceived notion. I’ll just say that I make very good cookies now and then, using margarine. Then I send them off to work with my husband. (No, I do not keep them around to tempt me!) The feedback I get from the happy people who eat those cookies are enough to keep me making them again and again. Maybe margarine tastes better after all.
The debate is not so much about butter or margarine, but about “natural” food against processed food. Is natural always better? Generally I go for the natural—or foods that are the least processed. There are a few exceptions to my preference, one of them being margarine.
Butter is natural in the sense that it came from an animal, but there is a process that it goes through before it becomes that sweet, thick, and delectable cream. So in a sense, it is natural and processed. Margarine usually comes from a vegetable oil and is processed too. Okay, it’s usually a lot more processed than butter. But the reason margarine for me is the winner over butter is that butter has so much cholesterol and bad saturated fats. Margarine on the other hand, uses non-saturated fats. You can even buy margarine that uses cholesterol-fighting oils, like olive oil and canola oil.
The most important thing to remember when buying margarine is to stay away from hydrogenated oils. What made margarine so bad twenty years ago was the high content of these deadly oils. Margarine brands like Smart Balance, Earth Balance, and Promise are the ones to go for because they do not go through the hydrogenation process.
I know that taste is important, and to many people butter is better. However, I do think some of that is a pre-conceived notion. I’ll just say that I make very good cookies now and then, using margarine. Then I send them off to work with my husband. (No, I do not keep them around to tempt me!) The feedback I get from the happy people who eat those cookies are enough to keep me making them again and again. Maybe margarine tastes better after all.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Mountains
I just climbed two large mountains—in a way. There is a website with a tracking system that I use for daily calories, weighing in, and setting weightloss goals for myself. I can access a horizontal graph that visually shows me how many pounds I have lost in relation to my overall goal. There are various themes and designs that I can pick from to personalize it, and I chose a picture of three mountains.
There is a small picture of a scale on this graph that moves to indicate how many pounds I have lost. When I started tracking last January, my scale was at the far left of the graph. Since then I have “scaled” two of the mountains. I’m almost two-thirds the way to my goal—and there is one more mountain to climb.
I love the analogy of the mountains. This challenge of meeting my weightloss goal is a demanding adventure. You know that feeling when you want to do something big—like take on a huge hike or run a long-distance relay…or climb a mountain. There is adrenaline and excitement at the beginning. You know it’s going to be tough, but you’re ready to man it out!
That is kind of how I felt at the beginning of this weight-loss adventure last January. I was going to conquer! But like every mountain-climbing experience, there are highs and lows. Seeing the picture on my weightloss graph reminds me of the mountains I have already conquered. I’m also reminded of the adrenaline-pumping excitement I had when I started. And I am reminded of what a thrilling adventure I am on. I have one more mountain to the finish-line. Time to step it up!
There is a small picture of a scale on this graph that moves to indicate how many pounds I have lost. When I started tracking last January, my scale was at the far left of the graph. Since then I have “scaled” two of the mountains. I’m almost two-thirds the way to my goal—and there is one more mountain to climb.
I love the analogy of the mountains. This challenge of meeting my weightloss goal is a demanding adventure. You know that feeling when you want to do something big—like take on a huge hike or run a long-distance relay…or climb a mountain. There is adrenaline and excitement at the beginning. You know it’s going to be tough, but you’re ready to man it out!
That is kind of how I felt at the beginning of this weight-loss adventure last January. I was going to conquer! But like every mountain-climbing experience, there are highs and lows. Seeing the picture on my weightloss graph reminds me of the mountains I have already conquered. I’m also reminded of the adrenaline-pumping excitement I had when I started. And I am reminded of what a thrilling adventure I am on. I have one more mountain to the finish-line. Time to step it up!
Monday, August 2, 2010
My Son
One year ago my son was born. The past 12 months have light-sped by. My little boy is a cognizant, babbling, running, and mischievous human being. It’s hard to believe that one year ago he was placed in my arms and welcomed to the world for the first time.
I thought I would have been happy to have just one child. We were enjoying my daughter Eden so much, it just didn’t seem necessary to go through those awful nine months of pregnancy when we were happy with our family. But we thought it would be nice for Eden to have a playmate and a friend.
I was dreading pregnancy. I remembered all too well the miserable nights, the sickness, and the weight-gain. I had finally lost the weight from my first pregnancy, and it was no easy task. But did we really want Eden to be an only child? No.
The first three months of being pregnant the second time, I was sicker than I’ve ever been. I couldn’t get off the couch. It was like I had the stomach flu morning, noon, and night. I lost 15 pounds in 4 weeks. You’d think that was a blessing, but it was awful!
After the first 3 months the sickness eased some. Soon I gained back those 15 pounds and then some. And then some more. My stomach felt like a bottomless pit. I couldn’t stop eating. The day finally came when we settled on a name (at last!) and not long after that Lance was born into our family.
Recently I was having a very difficult day. My kids and I were at a park downtown. I was trying to get a very grumpy daughter into her car seat, and I was biting my lip at the pain from a freshly sprained toe. Nothing was going right. I managed to buckle in my over-emotional daughter and turned for my son. He looked up at me and gave me a dimpled smile. And suddenly everything seemed right again.
I can vaguely remember the miserable pregnancy, but it’s almost forgotten. I am still dealing with the weight I gained, but soon I’ll reach my goal and that part will be forgotten too. What I never will forget, though, is the joy that Lance has brought to our lives. Every second of this blindingly fast year with him has been worth it.
I thought I would have been happy to have just one child. We were enjoying my daughter Eden so much, it just didn’t seem necessary to go through those awful nine months of pregnancy when we were happy with our family. But we thought it would be nice for Eden to have a playmate and a friend.
I was dreading pregnancy. I remembered all too well the miserable nights, the sickness, and the weight-gain. I had finally lost the weight from my first pregnancy, and it was no easy task. But did we really want Eden to be an only child? No.
The first three months of being pregnant the second time, I was sicker than I’ve ever been. I couldn’t get off the couch. It was like I had the stomach flu morning, noon, and night. I lost 15 pounds in 4 weeks. You’d think that was a blessing, but it was awful!
After the first 3 months the sickness eased some. Soon I gained back those 15 pounds and then some. And then some more. My stomach felt like a bottomless pit. I couldn’t stop eating. The day finally came when we settled on a name (at last!) and not long after that Lance was born into our family.
Recently I was having a very difficult day. My kids and I were at a park downtown. I was trying to get a very grumpy daughter into her car seat, and I was biting my lip at the pain from a freshly sprained toe. Nothing was going right. I managed to buckle in my over-emotional daughter and turned for my son. He looked up at me and gave me a dimpled smile. And suddenly everything seemed right again.
I can vaguely remember the miserable pregnancy, but it’s almost forgotten. I am still dealing with the weight I gained, but soon I’ll reach my goal and that part will be forgotten too. What I never will forget, though, is the joy that Lance has brought to our lives. Every second of this blindingly fast year with him has been worth it.
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