Living Healthy in 2011

Last year's Living Healthy thread seemed to be helpful for a lot of us, so I thought I'd start a new one for the new year. Whether you've made a resolution to pursue a healthier lifestyle, or are just continuing a lifelong commitment to good health, this is the place to go for support, encouragement, and sharing thoughts, recipes, workout ideas, etc. Have fun!

As an effort to be healthier (and, I hope, to lose some weight and save some money) I have decided to swear off fast food for the rest of the month. I'm also trying to get back in the habit of exercising regularly -- even if that just means taking Sophie for a walk around the neighborhood.

I think that's a good plan foggi! I'm going to continue to try to exercise regularly, and maybe add some more weight training. I didn't get to do my annual birthday picture with all my kids on me. I want to be sure I can do it again. They aren't getting any lighter!

Since I still have some Christmas money and will have some time during the next semester, I'm renewing my gym membership next week. I'm cutting back on the amount of soda I drink. V8 in the mornings when I can afford it. And I'm trying to add more *actual* fruits and veggies, though everything is soooo much more expensive than Ramen and rice. As a result, it'll be sporadic at best. :(

#3 I think the answer here is obvious, JP. You need to put the kiddos on a diet plan, or possibly give them a shrinking potion. You don't need to get stronger, you just need to make the kiddos get smaller. I tried the ol' 'brick tied to the head to stop the upward growth' trick with my kids last year and it didn't work so don't fall for all the hype. 8)

#4 Katelisim- go for bananas. Those suckers are like 39 cents a pound.

LOL MEM! And of course, if I forget to take the bricks off when I try to lift them, I'm adding even more weight. That would be counterproductive! :o)

Well, I'm trying to get back in the habit of going to yoga classes regularly. I'm aiming for at least 2 but hopefully 3 classes a week. I'm usually horrible at creating and sticking to routines but hopefully the exercise will perk me up a bit since it's so dreary outside these days.

#6: If only I liked bananas. . . . unfortunately, I'm a pcky eater. On the bright side, I don't like the really expensive things either *shrug

#9 *GASP* How can you not like bananas, the most majestic of all the fruit?

I'm doing fine with the "no fast food" rule, but not so great with the exercising. I really need to figure out an exercise routine that I can do in the house, for days when the weather is nasty and Sophie and I can't get out for a walk.

#11 - Do you have Netflix? There are some really good workout videos available for instant streaming. I had to cancel my gym membership for financial reasons and the workout videos have been a good alternative. I found a really good "10-minute solutions" series of 50 minute routines broken up into 10 minute selections so you can do 10, 20, 30 etc minutes of exercise depending on your schedule. I like the cardio kickboxing and pilates ones.

#10: They taste sooo icky! And the texture doesn't help either. . .

#12 -- No Netflix here, alas. It's on my wishlist for when I get a job.

Foggi: Best and easiest indoor exercise--turn on your favorite music and just start moving. Even if you are only pretend conducting a symphony orchestra, it should be enough to get your heart rate up. Just try to keep it elevated for at least 15 minutes (3 songs?). You should be able to sing along or you are doing too much.

My indoor exercise of choice is my juggling bean bags. I have to do lots of under the leg tricks to maintain my heart rate, but for beginners, just trying to keep everything together is enough of a challenge. And then there is all that bending over to reach for missed throws. :o) Hopefully Sophie wouldn't steal you balls every time you drop, but that could add another aerobic activity--getting the ball back!

Yeah for new plans! I've lost 8 pounds so far this year. I've been exercising regularly (on the Wii Fit of course) every day! Yesterday I may have over did it though. I'm a little sore.

I try to skip most fast food all together with the exception of eating at the mall when on breaks since our work fridge/freezer is tiny. It worked until November or December but I've sworn back to it this month. I'm also trying be more aware of how hard I work or haven't worked so that I can take better care of my back, which pulls just as easily from not doing enough as doing too much. If I've been working really hard (multiple floorsets, a lot of box lifting) I try to get more rest, and if I'm having a really spacious week with not much in it I try to be on my feet more and tackle more cleaning projects. I don't exercise a lot, but my body gets a lot from organizing a stockroom and the walks to and from the distant bus stop.

#17--I used to not need to work out when I put away our food order. Lifting over 1000 pounds in cheese + whatever everything else weighs in under 20 mins did wonders for the biceps :P

#18: You can lift over 1000 pounds? I'm off to the rumor mill!

#18 kate:
I totally agree on that for our shipment, too! Putting away stock is a workout on its own. My arms are nothing like they were four years ago. My mother forgets this and last week shockingly said, "______, your arms!"

#19: LOL, I never really tried to understand the bajillionth rumour thread until now.

#20: I kind of miss that for the workout aspect, but not for the fact that it was always delivered at the most inopportune moments. . . my family frequently forgets that my muscles have disappeared and ask me to move furniture and large objects (like a stupid snowplow from a truck. Gah! That thing was heavy!).

I hardly ever eat fast food to start with. Doesn't taste very good to me, and is too much money. My trouble food is pizza. I work at a pizza place and frequently get stuff for 50% off to free. Awesome for my budget. . . not so awesome for my overall food healthiness. Definitely been doing better and not getting it so often. And when I do there are plenty of veggies on it.

Last night I decided to do the 20 minute Free Walk (or whatever it's really called on the Wii Fit), which was fine for the first 15 minutes. Then my legs were begging to stop. Luckily the time seemed to go by fast because I was able to switch to the TV and watch while I worked out. Except, of course, the last 3 minutes. My DVD clock said it had been 20 and the Wii said it hadn't. Surprisingly my knee is not hating me this morning from all stepping up and down so many times.

We are so all over this thread in 2011. Stay tuned.

I've been eating more fruits and less grains and sugars. (mostly due to the fact that I'm having a hard time processing grains and sugars in the mornings.) but I've also been eating out/eating fast food/eating convenience food too much.
I need to be doing some actual exercise. lately exercise has been taking care of Adara and a 6 month old. and going up and down stairs a lot. and shopping (that's walking, right?)

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I've lost 21.5 pounds since Dec. 26th!

Congratulations Kirby! That's awesome!

#25 -- Way to go!

Congrats, Kirby!

Awesome, Kirby!

wow! thats quite a weight drop! good for you!

I've been really trying hard this last couple weeks with keeping up with my SparksPeople diet and exercising. I think it's such a big number because my thyroid levels have finally leveled out. The doctor said that that was part of the reason I was having a hard time losing weight before.

Diet Stage 1: Dispose of all unhealthy food in the house.

*tick*

*urp*

good job MrA!

My goal for the year (life) is to get my blood sugar under control. As of now, it really isn't. I think it basically encompasses all kinds of factors: diet, exercise, medication, getting a better doctor, seeing a nutritionist, and probably stuff I haven't thought of.

Our family joined the Y yesterday! I've been attending a Hoopdio (hula hooping + cardio) class there for several months now, but was just paying as I go. However, since it doesn't work schedule-wise for us to use the gym on campus during the workday, and it's just far enough that despite being free, we don't go on the weekends, we thought we'd try the Y, which is within walking distance of our house. Plus, the Y has a child watch room where we can drop off Rex while we workout. I'm really hoping this will kickstart us into better health in 2011!

I've been walking everyday since we moved down here and my body is beginning to shape up a little. I haven't lost any weight tho

This was a very good week for me.
I ate less (because I spent a lot of time driving my children to their things)
I exercised more (say what you will about the weather, at least I feel like I've worked out when I shovel snow for an hour!)

Next week another snow storm is predicted. Sweet! My arms are going to be so toned by spring!

Today I felt brave and used my Bikram yoga audiotape. I haven't done Bikram since I was pregnant with my youngest, so we're talking 8+ years.

The result: I am soooo out of shape for it! I couldn't hold some poses for very long. My back flexibility has diminished greatly. There were points where I would come out of a posture and want to cry, but my kids were right there and I didn't want them to think I was having a nervous breakdown. And now I'm sore. Why did I wait so long to get back to this?

How is everyone else doing? We should really be revisiting this thread more often. Let's keep trying to be healthy!

I'm having a giant coffee and a French pastry as soon as lazy husband goes and gets it for me ;) Good for a healthy mind.

A healthy mind is the way to a healthy body! Aren't you up late? Or is it really early?

Early. The early bird gets the French pastries which sell out very quickly in Bondi.

I've been doing Bikram this year and the first class almost killed me but it was really surprising how even the second time through the motions I was a little more comfortable. It's still super tough, but I do feel like it's making me stronger and more flexible.

I've lost five pounds since early January. It's not a lot for seven weeks, but my goal has been to steadily lose a bit by adding healthier habits. Along with trying to get in a minimum of two hours exercise per week, I cut sugar out of my morning coffee (creamer only now) and have been adjusting my diet to eat more vegetables and generally monitor my portion sizes.

So far so good so I'm hoping to keep it up!

It's isn't the heat with Bikram. It's the smell of everyone in the room. :oD
I'm not ready to get back in the hot room yet. I used it because I know it's the one thing that really gets me sweating, even in my cool living room.

I eliminated caffeinated beverages this past week with success. Though, I've been sick the last 1.5wks, so I haven't been to the gym in ages. Going tomorrow and I'll probably feel like a truck ran me over ;P

I've been cooking a lot lately. I purchased a Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook about a month ago and have been trying a lot of the recipes.

I was doing really good with the exercising, and guess what? I hurt my ankle again. It happened last year too! This time I was just standing outside (in the snow again), and my ankle gave way.

I also have been drinking mostly caffeine free sodas when I drink them.

In another week (March 1) I'll have health insurance for the first time in a decade or so. I have an appointment with a new doctor on March 3. Maybe finally I can get some control over my blood sugar, which has been dreadful for so long I don't remember what normal feels like.

Trying to eat better is an ongoing process.

Aaaauuuuggghhh! I hurt in place I forgot I had! *whimper*

*sigh* I need to try harder. I am currently not gaining weight, but not losing it, either. I wish I liked exercise. . . .

Don't give up foggi! You can do it! Try to find something that you enjoy doing instead of thinking of exercise as an assignment that you have to do.

#47 what place is that? Maybe it's new. Have you noticed any extra limbs when you shower in the morning?

I bet it's a secret closet.

I think an alien is trying to push out of my lower spine. *groan* I was OK for a day and then I did a very simple movement (trying to set my boots down) and threw out my lower back.

I'm alternately heating and icing right now, but I will take any other suggestions as this is hurting like *I haven't felt in a long time.

*expletives removed for sensitive viewers.

Aleve or ibuprophen unless you have something stronger/better.

Thanks ejj, I'll try it.

My husband and I are working out at one of our local Anytime Fitness locations. Last night I tried the stairmaster for the first time, and I think I shall henceforth refer to it as the stairmonster.

I have resurrected this thread for a spot of bragging. . . . I ran 5 miles! I'm still in shock. The farthest I had ran before that is 2 miles, which I only started doing a few weeks earlier. I am thanking a combination of Basshunter and the marathon of Deadliest Warrior that happened to be on the tv in front of my treadmill--which just reconfirms that I have many of the same interests as a 12 year old boy *le sigh. Anyway, I'm ridiculously happy with myself, even if my legs are protesting a bit. :D

#56- congrats! thats more than i could do!

Oh wow! Congrats! I could probably drive 5 miles. I'm trying to recondition myself for the stairs at work.

Thanks! I went back to the gym today and was only able to run 2 miles. But I was still pretty sore from that 5 miles on Wednesday. I had a bunch of excess energy that day too. However, it's going to be so much less daunting when I up the mileage next time--knowing that I already can.

Kirby- There's a super steep set of stairs in one of the buildings at school that always kicks my butt--and for some reason, the temperature is continually around 75-80F. Everyone is a little sweaty after 4 flights of that. Ick.

I've been a little sweaty after 2 trips up. I don't know if I'm not ready for them yet, or if it's the 100+ weather we've been having (for 21 days straight so far). I've really got to get back into it since on a normal day I'm up those steps about 10 times a day.

I've started drinking wine again. I've had a love hate relationship with wine for years, but I've decided I just need to do it whether I like it or not.

My mother recently discovered that she liked wine. . . a lot. And can apparently buy it on the cheap at Sam's Club. Where I just found out sells adamame (or however you spell it). New nibbly snack food? Yes please!

#62- i looooove edamame (it wont recognize the word) especially with a little salt on top!!

I'm sore from only 3 days of band camp. On Thursday we ran the first lap of the year and I was able to run the whole way. Usually at the beginning of the year I would have to walk at the end so this is an accomplishment. Then on Friday we were told to run 2 laps but I apparently didn't hear the "only if you can" part. I ran one lap and kept going and noticed people were stopping. I looked around me and only about 12 people were still running. I did stop halfway through that one to walk but I ran the last bit and wasn't last. :)

My legs were so sore yesterday it hurt to walk. But in a good way.

They make you run at band camp?!? Glad I never did that during school. I hated running with a fiery passion during school, unless it was part of a game (soccer, tag, etc). I was fairly good a shot-put and they told me to do the field part of track and field. . . but they said I had do the warm-up run with everyone. So I opted out.

Haha! Yep, we run, do push-ups, sit-ups, and other stretches as a warmup. The main exercise is marching for hours though. We actually have to be pretty fit to be able to march for 8-10 minutes and still breathe properly to sound good. ;)

Wow, Chelsea, your band camp is far more intense than mine were...but I'd wager that y'all field a better band, too! Your director is quite astute to tie general physical fitness to marching ability. I'm curious: how large is your marching band? I went to a small, rural h.s. (and didn't march in college) so our band only had 30-35 people.

66 we do that too! lol dont you hate it? lol

*twirls the Thread Resurrection Stone*

Okay, I'm bringing this thread back from obscurity! I've challenged myself to go the entire month of October without eating out at all. Granted, I'm mostly doing this because I can't afford to be eating out right now, but I'm hoping that more healthy eating will be a much-needed side-effect. I made a big pot of chili and a big pot of stew over the weekend, which will take care of lunches (and dinners, when I don't feel like messing with anything more complicated) for the week. I froze some of the chili, too.

I'm also trying to get into a routine of doing some stretches every morning. I've noticed a decrease in flexibility lately, and I want to fight that.

Anybody else inspired to more healthy living this fall?

Must read slower. I'm so glad I saw that "out" because for a minute there I thought you were going the entire month without eating at all!

I've been continuing trying to exercise regularly. I definitely see an improvement in strength and flexibility, but I'm still not getting the weight down. Luckily, raking season is coming, so I should be stepping up my exercise again soon. :o)

Just have to say I'm loving this thread. Very neat... Good luck to everyone on their pursuit of a healthier life!!

#70 -- "I thought you were going the entire month without eating at all!" That would be quite a trick!

#72: Isn't it funny how one little word can change the entire meaning of a sentence? :o)

You should my sample ballot and voter information pamphlet. Someone didn't have a very good proof-reader. ;) I'll look for an appropiate thread to share it on.

I used to only eat fast food when on breaks at work and didn't follow it at all this summer. I'm going to try to resume back to that.

With my parents getting ready to move, I've decided to give up my car. I live within walking distance of a grocery store, 3 drug stores, multiple restaurants and other shops. The bus stop is right outside my building, so if I need to go somewhere farther than walking, that's easy too. I'm hoping that not having easy access to a car will mean that I'll walk more and buy less. I also assume I'll get sick of the restaurants I can walk to pretty quickly, forcing to cook more at home.

My battle is now that my thyroid is slowly dying my metabolism is all screwed up, and I am not allowed to exercise right now. I am eating healthy and gaining more and more weight. My Curves members are all trying to encourage me to keep eating right so I won't gain as much. I will be looking forward to the new year and a better metabolism.

The only time I like running is when (a)somethings on my mind or (b)it's raining. So today I went out for a mile when it was pouring and it felt absolutely amazing! I also like it because my sister said it's good to eat something sugary after physical exercise. Is that true?

I think it's good to eat something sugary, before or after exercise, but that's just me.

I don't like running that much, but it is a necessary evil, if I'm going to get where I want to go.

I've challenged myself to go the entire month of October without eating brains at all.

#79 -- Good for you, MrA! Considering that Halloween is this month, I applaud you going against the flow.

It is better to eat protein after exercising. Your muscles need it. But for fun and a reward, throw in a little sugar!

Brains are protein, aren't they?

Now I am picturing a serving of brains with sugar sprinkled on top. YUCK! You guys are so nice to help me keep my appetite in check.

You're welcome!

I reached my goal weight! still need to tone my midsection some, but I'm mostly back to being the shape I want.

Congrats rissa! Keep it up!!

I had to cancel my Anytime Fitness membership due to a large move. I'm still stuck at needing to lose 15 pounds (I'm only 5'1, so that's quite a bit), but our new place has a pool, so maybe I'll take up swimming again. It's been ages since I've gone swimming, and even longer since I've made it a consistent practice.

Has anyone heard of this? A friend of mine just posted it to her G+ account.

No, but watch out for sharks. Sometimes they hang out in pools just because you don't expect them there.

#88: What is it you want us to hear about? Is there a link? Did it get eaten by a shark?

Hmm...that's weird. I was attempting to post a picture from FoodDay.org. Catches the eye more nicely than a link, methinks.

#91 -- I hadn't heard about that. Interesting!

My not-eating-out month is going pretty well . . . but I slacked off on my morning stretches over the weekend and need to get back into the habit of doing those, starting tomorrow! I've definitely noticed some improvements in terms of not being so stiff after sitting at the desk for too long, so maybe that will motivate me to keep up the routine.

So, for some reason, this website made me think of my HE friends. I couldn't decide where to put this, so I'm going to post it on the HEG thread too.

Sounds like good motivation! I need to think of a motivating reward for myself. Losing the weight should be motivation enough, but after two years of nada, I need to rethink my strategy. A friend of my mother-in-law's would put a five-pound bag of flour in a basket for every five pounds she took off. Many of us just kinda shrug when we lose five pounds, because it's only five pounds, but looking at that five-pound sack can put things into perspective.

#94 -- Interesting . . . especially since, over the course of my not-eating-out month, I managed to lose (you guessed it) five pounds! It's a drop in the bucket, but on the other hand it makes me feel like I did accomplish something, even though I wasn't necessarily trying to "diet."

ETA: I'll have to do some eating out this month, but I'm going to try to be more intentional about it -- saving it for a special treat, instead of using it for convenience when I don't feel like cooking.

Yay foggi! I'm so happy for you!

#95 foggi:
Congratulations!

I recently started doing sit ups and some shoulder exercises. Not a lot because my back gets hurt easily, but I'm building it up slowly.