Balance

This is the time of year when you start looking at your New Year’s resolutions with almost no hope of actually following through… Well, as the saying goes, “There is no time like the present!” I am one who is guilty of starting every New Year with plans to lose weight and get in shape. After a few weeks… well, you can guess how that goes! I end up saying “maybe next year!”

Two things happened this past year that were different.
1. I started walking with my Mom every morning before work. We walk for at least 30 minutes. My mom is 20 years older than I am and she has the discipline I wish I had to get up and go every single morning. If she does not walk, I don’t. (Yep, I know I have problems! )

2. My husband’s gift to me last Christmas was working with a trainer. I have discovered that lifting weights tones my muscles and makes me feel better about how I look no matter my weight. I am stronger, too!

This issue’s recipe is not to fill your stomach, but to strengthen your heart!

Happy (Healthy) New Year!

Cindy

LONG LIFE RECIPE

2 Hours of building and toning muscle per week (that’s less than 20 minutes per day)

Ingredients needed:
1. Time, discipline and if you are like me, a partner to work with. I also find music a help when I am exercising. (You don’t have to listen to yourself groan!)
2. You don’t need any equipment to begin with. Use your own weight.
a. Lunges (hard on the knees, but wow, does it work)
b. Push-ups (there are a variety of ways to do these so go with what hurts the least; that is my motto)
c. Sit-ups (I dislike these the most and it is probably because my abs are usually weak.)
3. If you think you need a professional to get you started then give yourself a great present and purchase 6 weeks of working with a trainer at your local fitness center. You will never regret it! There also are a lot of medical facilities that now have fitness centers you can join.

7 Days a week of walking

Ingredients needed:

1. Time, discipline and a walking partner! (Having someone to walk with is the most important thing for me. It makes the walk seem to fly by, it is my social time and I am held accountable to someone else to get out and walk.)
2. NO EXCUSES! If you are physically able to walk then you should be doing at least 30 minutes a day. I can hear your excuses from here and believe me, I have said them to myself. If you have time to sit down and watch TV then you have time to walk. Walk with your spouse, dog, neighbor, or children…           “JUST DO IT.”

365 days leading by example

Ingredients Needed:
1. A reputation where people look to you for answers. Whether you are a Mom, Brother, Doctor, Nurse or Teacher, you can teach and lecture until you turn blue with little results. However, if you “practice what you preach” people will listen and take you more seriously.