SISTER WISDOM

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Day 9: Exercise Challenge Comments Off

Filed under monthly challenges
Written by Annie on 12th Apr -08

“Use now and then a little Exercise a quarter of an Hour before Meals, as to swing a Weight, or swing your Arms about with a small Weight in each Hand; to leap, or the like, for that stirs the Muscles of the Breast.” Benjamin Franklin

Update (Wednesday): 20 minutes cardio (walking in park); 5 minutes stretch/abs.

Using the opportunities you have helps you to do something that otherwise you would find excuses not to do. That is most possibly the wordiest sentence possible and says the least but I am using a really loud keyboard right now and just typing more words than necessary because I like the sound it makes. Clack clack clatter.

Okay. Let’s try it again. I think what I want to say is this: You can either find a way to make do with what you have and reach your goal regardless of your circumstances, or you can make excuses and stay where you are, which is not where you want to be.

As Steven Pressfield says in his book The War of Art , “Casting yourself as a victim is the antithesis of doing your work. Don’t do it. If you’re doing it, stop.” (By the by, there are 118 customer reviews at Amazon on this book. Is that normal? 118? Wow.)

Resources: Go to your local library or bookstore and check out a copy of Pressfield’s book. It’s a great, creative kick-in-the-pants, and though it addresses the “creative life” most directly, the principles apply to any endeavor.

If you are a graphic designer or photographer, check out TheCreativeForum.com, which is “a Web-based community for the creative professional that will allow graphic designers, art directors, commercial photographers and other commercial artists to exchange creative ideas via posting of images and work samples for discussion and critique.” There you have it.

If you’re a writer, read this excellent article from Write to Done – which I don’t know much about, but I’m impressed with what I’ve seen; I think it’s a good find – on establishing the daily habit of writing. (It comes from the Zen Habits blogger, Leo Babauta, so it’s got to be good.)

Tip: It’s more important to be diligent in the small things, everyday, than to kill yourself trying to accomplish that one big thing. The small things add up to big things. Pick something you’ve been slacking on (time with your spouse, exercise, calling a friend, reading, cooking a good meal) and be diligent and excellent at that small thing. There will be big results. It’s just a matter of time + diligence.

Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more. Proverbs 9:9

Day 7: Exercise Challenge Comments Off

Filed under monthly challenges
Written by Annie on 8th Apr -08

Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself. Elie Wiesel

Update (Monday): 30 minutes cardio (walking); 5 minutes toning (abs).

I went through Kim Lyons’ book yesterday and picked out some toning, strength, and stretching moves to try. I am needing a routine for that half of this extreme exercise regime… My “sexy abs sit-ups” just aren’t quite enough.

Speaking of the Kim Lyon’s book ( optimum everything in 12 weeks!), it’s a useful tool for at-home exercise, plus a good overall fitness primer. She begins with an introduction to your body, then moves on to your mindset. Her discussion of habits is valuable for anyone wanting to make exercise and good nutrition a real part of life.

Because it’s really all about the habits. We can force ourselves to stick to a diet for a certain amount of time, to really push through on working out for a while, but it is only in forming habits that we get long-lasting benefits. That’s what these monthly challenges are all about: 30 days to form a habit.(Some people say 21, I know, but I’m going for 30 just to be safe.)

cabbagesml.jpgThese life-improvement binges we go on don’t help us; in fact, they turn us off to making real, positive changes. I went on a diet once, when I was 17. My whole family did; Mom read about it in a magazine. It was called “ The Cabbage Soup Diet.” To this day, I don’t understand what dark, mysterious force compelled all 4 of us to agree to a week of eating cabbage soup. (That’s wrong right there, I don’t care who you are…)

I ate cabbage soup for a week and gained two pounds. I have never dieted since. One bad experience can turn you off from something that could be good. (Though I don’t think cabbage soup is ever that good.)

It’s better, far, far better to establish habits that you can maintain for a long time. You make small changes that produce small effects, but over months and years those small things become big. Diligence and consistency can accomplish lots more, and in a much more painless way, than fads and binges.

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Resources: From Fox News Health Blog, a 7-day log of the Cabbage Soup Diet experience. Read it and weep. (At least I did.)

From BPhoenix website, an article and list of fad diets. Yep, Cabbage Soup is on there.

From KidsHealth, an article on establishing habits that will help your kids be healthy eaters from ‘kidhood’ on. I don’t at all agree with their “avoid battles” concept of training toddlers how to eat… But then, I seldom agree with popular culture’s child-rearing philosophies. More on that some other time.

Tip: Think of one unhealthy habit you have now that you could change. It could be small, but small changes add up! Drink a glass of water every morning; eat a salad every night; snack on fruit instead of a Swiss Cake Roll. Pick one, and start making it a habit.

Say unto Wisdom, You are my sister; and call Understanding your intimate friend. Proverbs 7:4

Day 5: Exercise Challenge Comments Off

Filed under monthly challenges
Written by Annie on 7th Apr -08

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. Sir Winston Churchill
Update: 25 minutes cardio (walking); 5 minutes toning.
Joe and I took the kids to Vlasis Park after work today. (We all “work” on Saturday. Or at least we are all at work.) Vlasis has a great playground: the normal stuff, swings and slides and the like, and also a section for the toddlers with smaller swings and slides and things to climb on that they won’t actually fall through.
Mara learned how to go down the slide sitting on her bottom facing forward, instead of sliding on her stomach feet-first. We consider this a monumental step in her development. Everyone knows a child’s experience with slides (and swings and the like) contribute to the overall intelligence and fun quotient of the child as an adult.

Going places with one baby is easy. Going places with two babies gets a little more complicated. I’m sure going places with two babies is nothing compared to going places with three or four or five. I hope to find out for myself before it’s all said and done.

When we first had Mara, I was stunned by the amount of gear we accumulated and the number of trips between house and car to get loaded for a quick jaunt to the park. Comparatively, we were pretty simple in our baby stuff accumulation. It was still very much too complicated.

I work on simplifying all the time. Two babies means more diapers in the diaper bag, but you still only need one bag. Breastfeeding means no bottles or formula. We have a double stroller, but I keep it at home and use a simple umbrella stroller and our Baby Bjorn carrier when we go out. Those stay in the car.

The car. There’s another subject of dread complication. Car seats. Bulky, but necessary. Toys. Not bulky, probably not necessary, but there are lots of them, mostly corralled in a little Mara-sized backpack. Books. Not bulky, completely necessary (in my opinion), and contained in large, sturdy shoebox under the seat where Mara sits. Snacks. I’ve gone back and forth on this one. I usually keep one sippie cup which can be filled with water anytime. I’ve had, at various times, a bag of pretzels, a bag of animal crackers, a box of Pop Tarts, a box of Granola bars, and a bag of dried fruit. I find that they are quite useful and that Joe and I really enjoy eating them. Which is why I don’t keep them in the car anymore.

I grab a baggie of snacks or a couple of granola bars to stash in the diaper bag, now. It’s enough for the day but not enough that I’ll feel free to munch on it. So I just keep a bar of dark chocolate in my own bag…

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Resources: I don’t have much baby-gear envy. We don’t even own a high chair, and I don’t want one. But I do wish I had this stroller. Yeah. It’s cooler than mine.

Again with the baby gear. Onesies have come a long way. Like this one for the Google addict’s baby, or this one that I’m going to have to buy for my friend J’s little girl, or this one for the skateboarder’s kid (I guess those would be my kids…). I’m going to stop there, but if you want more go to this blog and get your fill.

Tip: Paring down your gear, and having it ready to go, makes those spontaneous park trips, road trips, picnics, and all-night-balloon-animal-making-contests a lot more feasible. Be ready for anything. Clean out your car and stock it with only the stuff you really need.

Day 4: Exercise Challenge Comments Off

Filed under monthly challenges
Written by Annie on 7th Apr -08

The more extensive a man’s knowledge of what has been done, the greater will be his power of knowing what to do. Benjamin Disraeli
Update: 45 minutes cardio (walking: errands w/ Mara, Castlewood Park with Joe & kids); 0 toning.
The weather has been amazing for the last couple of days and getting the cardio in via walks. The toning didn’t so much happen, unless you count carrying my 30 pound daughter on my shoulder for about 15 minutes of that walking. My shoulders were sore afterwards…
We walked down to the Meramec River at Castlewood Park. All the rain of the last week has pushed the river far beyond its banks. The water was up under the railroad bridge, a good quarter mile from its usual location. You could hear the rush of the current and see whitecapping. Our little ole Meramec is having a good time.
Mara had a good time throwing rocks into puddles, and Robbie perfected his owl-eyes neck swivel, trying to take it all in. Our latest fun with Mara:
Us: Mara, what sound does a dog make?
Mara: Woof, woof!
U: What sound does a cat make?
M: KKkkkkkkkk! (She does an angry cat sound.)
U: What sound does a duck make?
M: Quack!
U: What sound does a pirate make?
M: Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
We’re working on the sound a bird makes, the sound Robbie makes (waaaaa, waaaah), and the sound a Lamaze Instructor makes (hoo hoo hee heee hoo hoo haa). Yep. That’s how you raise a genius.

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Resources: I gave in. I just went for diapers, dog food, and groceries. I didn’t even need to be in that section of the store. But I walked in, grabbed my cart, and there they were, beckoning. The bright yellow cardboard of the display glowed warmly, promising comfort and abundance. The little envelopes smiled at me. “We’re only 30 cents!” they said. “You can afford us! Why, at this value, you can’t not afford us!”

So I came home with diapers, dog food, groceries, and seeds. More seeds. 9 more packages, to be exact. In an effort to justify myself, I will now share enticing websites that will make you want to buy seeds, too. I’m sure you’ll thank me later, when you have 3 gallons of tomatoes and a basil plant the size of your neighbor’s Prius. Just remember: no matter how much you love it, you don’t need more than one zucchini plant.
The Cook’s Garden: lots of heirloom and specialty garden seeds, as well as books and supplies. They have website specials and online ordering.

Kitchen Garden Seeds: great variety of vegetable seeds, as well as herbs and flowers. A nice recipe collection on the website. No online ordering; use the phone number during business hours.

Kitchen Gardeners International: an organization promoting local food, growing your own food; lots of information and resources, free email newsletter.

The ILovePlants website: a directory of garden links and websites, sorted for your convenience.

Tip: If you have to go to a store for, say, diapers or dog food, and you know they sell, oh, cunning displays of seeds, then you might want to either 1) take a non-gardening friend for moral support (“NO! Walk away. Put the seed packet down and walk away.”) or 2) carry only enough cash for the items you intend to purchase. I’m not sure 2) would really be that effective, because once the seeds get to me, I’ll sacrifice the dog food for them. And you can get a lot of seeds for the price of a 25 pound bag of kibble.

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Proverbs 4:26

Day 3: Exercise Challenge Comments Off

Filed under monthly challenges
Written by Annie on 5th Apr -08

Character is, for the most part,simply habit become fixed. C. H. Parkhurst

Update: 30 minutes combined cardio + toning: Pilates Workout for Dummies DVD.

I guess I’m one of those people who feels like I know how good my workout was by how sweaty my shirt is. So Pilates and I, especially when you consider my less-than-stellar sense of balance, are not exactly bosom buddies. The DVD introduction was long, by my standards, and I skipped part of it. “Just get to the exercises, lady!” The exercises look simple. They are simple. Just don’t equate simple with easy.

The point of Pilates is to build a strong core, as explained on the Balanced Body website.:

Building on the principles of Joseph Pilates, Pilates exercises develop a strong “core,” or center of the body. The core consists of the deep abdominal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Control of the core is achieved by integrating the trunk, pelvis and shoulder girdle.

I do not have a strong core. This truth became clear to me about halfway through the “Basic” section of the DVD (which, you remember, is for dummies). I finished up, and my legs were sore for the rest of the day. By night, I could feel all the muscles in my back talking, and they were not saying good things to me.

So, I call that a successful workout, even though my shirt wasn’t sweaty, the music was slow, and there was a long introduction. It is a good change from my normal choice of fitness activity: upbeat, quick movements, more emphasis on energy than accuracy. Pilates requires concentration and control and produces a more intense effect than I would have predicted.

Resources: Read more about the history of Pilates, how to get started at home with Pilates, or watch a video that introduces some basic Pilates stretches or another video that focuses on Pilates for abs.

If you still need some healthy eating ideas, check out About.com’s list of Top 10 Low Fat Recipes for Spring and get inspired. I’m not a fan of just substituting low or non-fat versions of things to make a recipe “healthier,” so I will skip the two dessert options (Key Lime Bars and Creme Brulee). But the Spring Salmon Salad sounds great, and I want to try the Pea and Mint Soup. With full-fat sour cream, though, or none at all, thank you very much.

Tip: To make changes toward healthier eating, start with small changes in what you keep at home. Don’t buy another bag of chips or box of Little Debbies, or even some processed, organic concoction. The healthiest eating is simple food in its most unaltered form: a fresh apple, orange, banana, or kiwi for a snack; lightly steamed carrots or broccoli tossed in sea salt and a pat of good butter for a dinner side. Make a few changes on your next grocery trip, and get some fresh, good stuff instead of that boxed, processed “non-food” you’ve been eating. You can do it!

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8

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