The Tippy Toe Diet

Healthy Fun at School?

2009-12-09T05:43:00.002-06:00

Interesting article in the local paper this morning about a new school program coordinated by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League: Fuel Up to Play 60. Through health fairs and workshops, students learn about the benefits of healthy eating and being active, and then earn points/prizes for themselves and their schools by tracking their progress. For added fun and to bring out the old school spirit, students can check out their school's ranking against other schools via an online scoreboard.

I like this program. It provides an opportunity for students who might not have the healthiest pantries at home to learn about more nutritious foods and helps them build good exercise habits at an early age. I also like that the emphasis seems to be on what they do, not how they look.

This article brought back memories of my own school days. I played basketball, volleyball, and softball (none of them well), and although I was slightly overweight, I was fairly fit. (What I wasn't was "skinny", and from that, a 1000 diets were born.) My high school system only required one year of Physical Education, and then you were on your own. I went to the mall and hung out at Dairy Queen. This morning, I'm wondering if I would have joined in a program like "Fuel Up" if I'd had the option.

Probably, if the cute boys were there. :)

What about you? Were you physically active during your school years? Would a program like this encouraged you to be more active?

Steppin' Up

2009-12-07T09:46:00.002-06:00

I've been avoiding the gym lately. I'm not sure why, but I think it has something to do with avoiding that "stuck indoors" feeling that winter brings. (I do not like winter. )(At all.)

The good news is that I'm not avoiding exercise. I have a treadmill at home, and over the past couple of years, I've acquired a few other at-home exercise tools. One item, a going-away gift from a friend/former co-worker, is a Reebok 5-Position Step Deck*. I've used the step a few times for basic step-ups with weights, but not much more. Until last week, that is.

This particular fitness step comes with two DVDs, one for toning and one for cardio. I'd set them aside and forgotten about them, to be honest, but last week I decided to give them a whirl.

Verdict? Not bad. Not bad at all.

Both DVDs allow for beginner and intermediate levels. Since they do not have a clumsy-and-uncoordinated level, I decided to start with beginner and fill in with other exercises if I didn't feel I got a proper workout.

I really do need to film myself doing the cardio workout. I could upload it to YouTube for your benefit. (I have it on good authority that belly laughing probably burns a couple hundred calories.) As I mentioned, I have zero coordination. I can do the basic step on/step off movements just fine. Ditto the kicks and the "repeater knee." I can even clumsily do the side steps and crossover steps. The problem (and the hilarity) comes in when the demo lady says, "Okay, get those arms moving!" I try to match my movements to hers (and that of her two sidekicks--which, btw, why do these exercise DVDs always have two sidekicks?). The results are dismal, but amusing. At some point, I give up and just flail my arms about. I figure movement is movement. Who cares if it's synchronized?

I'm sticking with the beginner level on cardio for my next two workouts, as I try to master--or even just tame--the coordination. I have, however, raised the step to its highest level. At the end of the 30-minute cardio workout, I have a nice little sweat going. On days when 30 minutes is all I have time for, this will work, and on those days when I want to do more, I can always repeat the DVD or hop on the treadmill. Or Mother Nature willing, bundle up and walk outside!

The strength training DVD also provides a decent workout, if a bit too short at 15 minutes. Instructions for beginniner, intermediate, and advanced are given, with the differences primarily related to auxilary equipment used (resistance bands and dumbbells) and step position. I started at the intermediate level, because I couldn't find the right resistance band. I found the more resistant band yesterday, so I'll move to advanced level today. To get the benefit I want, I think I'll repeat the DVD at least once and toss in a few extras, like jackknife and hamstring curls. Maybe some pushups and lunges. After all, bodyweight is free. :)

My goal with strength training is to find that edge between soreness (I'm opposed to it) and knowing that the targeted muscle groups are fully engaged and pushed. I believe that if we properly warm up before and stretch after a workout, soreness is totally unnecessary. And for me, soreness is also detrimental to the process. I'm not going to consistently do something that makes me hurt.

It's nice to have this at-home option for a gym alternative, and I'm looking forward to developing it into a full strength training workout. If you have any other step DVDs to recommend, I'm all ears.

And flailing arms.

Do you have a gym alternative for indoor exercise? Or is the gym your One True Love?

*Link is through my Amazon Associates account. You can also find them at many sporting goods stores and Target.

Winner: EatSmart Digital Scale

2009-12-06T23:45:00.000-06:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

A big congrats to Just_Kelly, who was selected by the random number generator as the winner of the EatSmart Digital Scale. Congrats, Kelly! I'll contact you via email for the particulars.

Thanks to EatSmart for offering the giveaway and to all of YOU for playing!

How I Scored $8 in Free Groceries

2009-12-05T09:18:00.005-06:00

Good one-day sale at Kroger this morning, especially for fruit and nuts. Since those items are a staple for me, I was at the store bright and early. Four-pound bag of navel oranges @$2.50: check. One-pound bag of shelled walnuts @$2.99: check times two. Same price for almonds: double check again. Pears @ $0.99/pound: in my basket. And so on. I was pleased.

The pleasure ended as I reviewed my receipt on the way to the car. I try to keep up with it as the clerk is scanning, but the way they ring up sales is goofy (full price, then take off the sales price at the end), and my math isn't so perky early in the a.m. I had been overcharged for the oranges and one bag of almonds. Oh no!

When I returned to customer service to ask for the $2.50 difference to be refunded, I learned that the store has a policy of refunding the full price of any item that scans an incorrect price. Thus, my refund was $8.60. Free groceries! Healthy groceries, at that!

And all because I took the time to check my receipt!

Now that I think about it, I actually got a bag of Baked Lays for free too, using a coupon Kroger sent me as part of their store rewards program. That's another $3.79.

So what will I do with this minor cash windfall? Why, go out to lunch, of course. :)

Don't forget to check out the review and enter the drawing for the EatSmart Digital Scale. You have until Sunday night, so the clock is ticking!

Wishing you all a joyous weekend!

Product Review: EatSmart Digital Bathroom Scale (Giveaway, Too)

2009-12-03T21:24:00.001-06:00

(Disclosure: I am not affiliated with EatSmart Products in any way. This is a solicited review, but no compensation was offered or received. The company did provide the product for evaluation.)

There are probably more than a few of you who rubbed your eyes and wondered if you were at the right blog. Cammy, a.k.a. She Who Hates the Scale and Hasn't Owned One in 20 Years, is reviewing a scale?! She's lost her mind!

Possibly. Probably, even. But I've been headed that direction for a long time anyway.

When the kind folks at EatSmart Products asked me to review their scale, I almost declined their offer (politely, of course.) Reviewing it meant having it in my possession.

In. My. House.

A scale! ::tremble::

In thinking it over, though, I realized I was thinking like the Cammy from two years ago, the one who let the scale declare her success, rather than letting her actions speak the truth. I know now that the scale is a simple unit of measure, one moment in time. What I do consistently tells my story.

So I went back to the email, clicked the link, and took my first gander at the scale:

Oooh! Ahhh! Shiny! And with nifty features, too! From the EatSmart description:

# Large 3.5" LCD display - Easy to read from any distance
# 4 high precision sensors - Consistent and accurate measurement
# Max weight 330 lbs / 150 kgs
# Sturdy tempered glass top and large 12" x 13" platform
# Auto Calibrated; Auto Power-Off; 4 AAA batteries (included)

Aw, they even include the batteries. Who could turn down a request to review a product that even includes the batteries? What could go wrong?

Despite some lingering reservations, I agreed to review the scale. I am pleased (and more than relieved) to report that the experience held one pleasant surprise after another.

My first surprise upon opening the box was just how pretty this scale is. Seriously. At 12"x13", the deck is large, but it's only 1" high so it doesn't feel too big. It's sleek and actually kind of sexy looking with it's shiny silver and glass.

The second surprise occurred when I inserted the batteries and saw the display. They promised a large, easy-to-read display, and they were right. If Google satellite was passing over my house this morning, it probably picked up this display. Perfect for the early morning blurry vision. Potential Downside: No squinting and pretending an '8' is a '3'.

Third surprise: Since I haven't exercised at the gym since before I went on vacation a couple months ago, I haven't had any way to weigh myself. With a four-week road trip and Thanksgiving in my recent past, I'll admit I was a little nervous getting on the scale this morning. Being the professional reviewer that I am, I pushed my fears aside, mostly by reminding myself that while my halo was askew a few times, my overall actions have been good. Plus, all my clothes still fit. The scale agreed and showed me ~~at the higher end of~~ within my goal range. Whew!

But wait. EatSmart said their scale was accurate, but how would I really know? I didn't want to recommend an inaccurate scale! I could be sued, or worse, ostracized by the entire fitness/weight loss blogging community! Oh no! So I ran to my Professional Review Testing Center, a.k.a. the home gym, a.k.a. the spare bedroom, grabbed a couple of 10-pound dumbbells, and placed them on the scale. Scale results: 20 pounds exactly! Yippee!

It's always a relief when I can give a thumbs up to a product offered for review.
I love reviewing products, but I'm hesitant to agree to them (and sometimes I regretfully turn down requests) because it takes a lot of time to politely say I didn't like it. Thankfully, that wasn't the case this time. I like the design and functionality of this scale and at $28.95 with free shipping, the price is right.

To see customer reviews and a video demo of the scale in action, click here.

To order directly from Amazon, click here.

To order from Amazon via my Amazon store*, click here.

EatSmart Products offered (and I accepted!) to send one lucky U.S. reader their very own scale. (Apologies to the international readers!)

To enter the random drawing which will occur on Sunday, Dec. 6th at 9 p.m. (Central Time), leave me a comment letting me know you want in! Oh, and you also have to promise me that if you win, you won't weigh yourself every 15 minutes or obsess about a 0.2 pound loss or otherwise engage in any scale silliness. It's a pledge I am taking, too!

In all seriousness, I'm interested in how other people view the scale. Keeping in mind that it's all a process, is the scale your main measurement, or have you reached the place where it's one of many? Or do you skip the scale entirely? Inquiring minds, and all that jazz. :)

(Disclosure #2 - Products ordered through my Amazon store generate a small commission to me. Only products that I like and use now or have used in the past are included, unless otherwise noted.)

2 Tools for Building Good Habits

2009-12-02T05:27:00.006-06:00

"Good habits, once established, are just as hard to break as are bad habits.”
Robert Puller

Well, ain't that the truth! I'm amazed at how cranky I become if I don't get my desired amount of exercise in each week. Or how my mind automatically runs through "acceptable" choices when I'm deciding what's for dinner. These are habits now and hard to break.

It's that "once established" part that sometimes proves troublesome. (It's always the fine print.)

I start out with all good intentions of adopting a new and better way to do something, but...well, you know. To borrow (and mutilate) a phrase: the road to obesity, sloth, disorganization, clutter, and other hellish things is paved with good intentions.

With holidays and home remodeling projects kicking into high gear, the next month or so will probably be a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants exercise in maintaining my weight and my sanity. Not a great time for good habit building, and that's okay. My eyes are on the prize(s), and I've got my already-established good habits to see me through. That said, I can still explore possibilities, can't I?

One possibility I read about on MakeUseOf recently is habitforge. This app uses the "21 Days" method of habit building as a guide. You name your challenge, they send you an email each day (at a time you designate) asking if you've done it, and you respond accordingly. They track it for you, and if you miss a day, they start the clock over at Day 1. Looks pretty nifty, huh? And they'll never see you blushing when you respond "no" two days in a row. :)

Some people have better results with visual motivators. A good tool for that is Joe's Goals. It's a really simple interface that allows you to track your activities (or lack thereof) in building good habits.

Those are just a couple of easy-to-use online tools to assist in building good habits. If you've got any others, sing out!

Or maybe you've got other good-habit-building tricks up your sleeve you'd be willing to share with us? (Pretty please, with agave, honey, or turbinado on top?)

Fitness Wish List

2009-11-30T13:14:00.003-06:00

I hope you all had a most marvelous Thanksgiving weekend! I sure did, which gives me even more reasons to be thankful. Funny how that works out, isn't it?

For those of you whom I left sitting on the edge of your seats all weekend, fretting about the value of my Sports Authority gift certificate...drumroll...$10!! (Everyone who is not surprised, raise your hands. Ah, a majority. :) ) Still, every little bit helps. I purchased new Duofold base layers (top and bottom, in black) and some Columbia fleece pants. I shall be nice and toasty warm now!

At another store, I purchased the Bender Ball (it was on sale AND I had a 20% coupon!) As of this writing it is serving as a paperweight, but I hope to use it later today.

It's interesting how many fitness-related items are on my Wish List these days. In fact, other than a new desktop computer (current one is about 8 years old) and a few household items, everything on my wish list is related to fitness. Since I grudgingly gave up visits from Santa so that he might focus on the children, I no longer send him a list, but if I did, it would look something like this:

- Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor or any Garmin, for that matter.
- Sunny Health & Fitness 25 Lbs. Adjustable Chrome Dumbbell - I like this one for compactness.
- Columbia Sportswear Women's Pagora Hiking Shoe - I'm thinking about joining a local hiking group, now that the snakes are sleeping it off for the winter.
- Bosu 3D System Balance Trainer - I loved working out with the BOSU ball. My balance is pathetic, which is part of what made it so much fun. I may have to make this a reward purchase for something big.

I should stop there. I could add bike accessories galore and sports bras in every color, but I don't want to look greedy. :)

Huh. I should stop writing about exercise and get out and actually do some. But before I go, I'm wondering what would be on your Dear Santa fitness wish list? (I'll take notes, in case I ever win the lottery.)

(Disclosure note: Any links to Amazon are through my Associate's Account. Should you make a purchase after following one of my Amazon links, I will receive a 4% commission. )

~

One Holiday Down, One to Go

2009-11-26T20:07:00.003-06:00

As splurges go, this annual event wasn't particularly spectacular. Oh, there was a slab of chocolate cake, sure. But that's pretty much it. I tried to splurge on catfish for dinner, but I had only two small pieces. One serving of mashed potatoes, one serving of green beans (country style), and a wheat roll. I'm probably pretty close to calorie count for the day. I failed the Splurge Test. Me!!

Oh well, at least my nutritional goals were shot. I guess I'll have to hold on to that. And try harder at Christmas. :)

It was a beautiful Thanksgiving Day in Memphis, and I had the bright idea to ride my bicycle to the restaurant where I was meeting my family. It was an easy 5 mile ride, one way, and it gave me time to contemplate my blessings and to be thankful for them. I also gave thanks for making it to the restaurant without getting squished by a turkey-dazed motorist.

On the way home, I happened upon a cute little dog running across a fairly busy street. I stopped and tried to catch him, but he wasn't interested. He darted back into the street and into the path of a car. Fortunately, the driver slammed on his brakes and while the car did make contact with the dog, it was apparently a glancing blow as the dog got up and dashed across the street again. I followed and found him visiting with some dogs (properly behind their fence) on another street, probably bitching about the car that got in his way. I hope his owners found him. He wouldn't let me near him, before or after the incident.

With the great dog adventure, I wound up taking a different route home and eventually rode 12 miles. That's a decent ride for me, and I am pleased.

So tomorrow is the so-called Black Friday. I'm no hardcore participant, but I will be at Sports Authority when they open the doors. The first 80 people in line receive a gift card with a value from $10 to $500 (who wants to bet mine will be worth $10?), and I need some new Duo-fold thermal pants. I would also like to find some fleece pants. If I should happen to get the $500 card, I'll be bringing home an elliptical. :)

Other planned stops: Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Pier 1, and Target, if the parking lot doesn't look too crazy. Oh, and maybe I'll stop at this store:

Obviously a typo, but wouldn't it be nice? :)

Hope you all had a wonderful day today, whether you were celebrating Thanksgiving or just enjoying a beautiful Thursday!

Recipe: PB2 Chocolate Chip Bread

2009-11-24T20:21:00.003-06:00

First, the recipe, which I got from Sparkrecipes:

Ingredients
3/4 c. wheat flour
1 c. white flour
6 T. PB2(dry)
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 c. Splenda
1 egg
3/4 c. soy milk
1 t. vanilla
1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. fat free sour cream
1/4 c. water
6 T. chocolate chips

Directions
1. Mix dry ingredients
2. Mix wet ingredients
3. Mix those together and add chocolate chips
4. Pour into 3 sprayed mini loaf pans (C: I used the 5" aluminum pans)
5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 47 minutes

Number of Servings: 15

Now, with apologies for the blurry results:

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this a 4, as prepared by yours truly, following this recipe. Or maybe following this recipe. I was on the phone during assembly and might have doubled the baking powder by accident.

The consistency of the bread is good. It's dense and filling. Oh, and it's super easy to make. And that's about all I have to say about it on the positive side. The problems I have with it are numerous:
1. Not enough of a peanut-buttery taste. I couldn't detect it at all. :(
2. Not enough chocolate chips for the recipe. I'd rather plan for a few extra calories and have at least one chip in every bite. (Okay, I'd rather have 10 chips in every bite, but it's supposed to be a healthier recipe.) BTW, I used Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips, which are scrumptious!
3. Splenda. I've never cooked with it and didn't know what to expect. It lingers on the palate and not in a pleasant way. If I try this recipe again, I'll definitely use an alternate sweetener. Maybe some nonfat dry milk!
4. No umph! With no distinctive peanut butter flavor and a chocolate chip or two in every third bite, this cake would benefit by the addition of a little spice. Cinnamon, maybe?

Sorry I don't have a better report. We definitely should consider that I'm not a cook or a foodie-type person, so the problem may be me. Any suggestions you have would definitely be appreciated. And if you make it and have better results, please share your tinkerings with me!

Next week: Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Soup (if I get up the nerve for it)

Ripped from the Headlines

2009-11-23T08:19:00.001-06:00

News bits that caught my eye:

Kate Moss, professional Skinny Girl, created a minor ruckus last week, when she was quoted as saying that one of her mottoes is "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." Apparently, in addition to being one of the stupidest diet-related slogans out there, this phrase is frequently used in pro-anorexia communities. (I had no idea.) Her reps are using the "taken out of context" defense.

You might have gathered that I'm not fond of this slogan. Actually, I despise it. This concept of "thin" as some sort of ideal is one of the reasons I became obese. I trapped myself into thinking that "thin" was the only acceptable result, and that just wasn't in my genetic structure. The inevitable failures led to me not liking me very much. And I'm really quite likable, as it turns out.

If I was forced at fork point to deliver an alternative to "nothing tastes as good as...", I'd find "being healthier feels" or "being in control feels" much more meaningful. But even those don't really work for me, because from my point of view, comparing taste and being is like comparing apples to shoe boxes . They're two separate entities. The only motto that truly makes sense to me is "nothing tastes as good as carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, but if I want to remain healthy, I can only have it every now and then." :)

What would your alternative slogan be? Do you have a motto that makes you back away from the carrot cake?

Moving along, Lincoln University is in the news for requiring that its students either pass a BMI test (30 or lower) or take a class called "Fitness for Life." The weekly 3-hour course has an exercise component and also presents health and fitness information.

Ah, so many issues, so little time. But in a nutshell...

First of all, thumbs up to the university's Powers That Be for caring about the health of their graduates and wanting them to go forth into the world with the knowledge of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. They deserve kudos for attempting to address the issues.

But--and you knew there'd be one--this requirement does raise my Big Girl hackles (yes, I still have those) in that it focuses on weight as opposed to health. We all know BMI and weight are not the be-all/end-all of fitness and just because someone falls into acceptable levels on those tests, that doesn't mean they're healthy. There are many lifestyle choices that affect health, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, drug abuse, unprotected sex, etc. In my opinion, requiring that ALL physically-able students take and pass the course is a preferable solution.

Finally, big thumbs down to the media for trying to sensationalize the issue through misleading headlines, especially the ever-idiotic Fox News for reporting that "students must pass the BMI test to graduate." (That was the on-screen text I saw as I passed the television. I didn't watch their report.) The actual requirement is that students must score under 30 on the BMI test or complete the fitness class. They do not have to lose a single pound or lower their BMI even one point to graduate. I may not like the requirement, but it should be reported accurately.

Your thoughts?

And that concludes this cantankerous post. :) Hope you all have a magnificent Monday. I'm off to shop for countertops, but I'll be checking in on YOU later today!

The Taco Soup Edition

2009-11-19T08:22:00.004-06:00

Being on the road for a month helped me overcome my disdain for cooking. The first thing I did upon arriving home was rush to the grocery for barbecue chicken fixin's. After I ate that for two weeks, I decided it was time to branch out. A little dip in the temps outside convinced me it was soup time.

I found this recipe for Taco Soup at Recipezaar. It's easy, relatively
inexpensive, fairly healthy, and DEEE-licious!

Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (16 ounce) can white beans or kidney beans
1 (11 ounce) can niblet corn
1 (11 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes & chilies
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix
1 (1 ounce) envelope hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 lb shredded chicken, ground beef or any meat

Directions
1 Cook meat and drain.
2 Shred if needed.
3. Add all ingredients to crock pot.
4. DO NOT DRAIN CANS.
5 Stir.
6. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
7. Keep on low until serving to keep hot.
8. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips.

Cammy Tinkers:
I made some substitutions for things I had on hand: black beans and chili beans instead of the beans listed in the recipe. Also, I bought taco seasoning in a bulk jar awhile back, so I used 3 (ish) tablespoons of that instead of the packet called for. Finally, I only used half the packet of Hidden Valley, because I couldn't really figure out its purpose.

I used Laura's 96% Lean Ground Round (no affiliation) for the meat. The recipe called for a pound, but I'd be happy with a half pound, both for taste and for $$$$. :) You can, of course, use ground turkey or chicken. I'm on the outs with ground turkey right now, but I will give the chicken a try next time out.

As for when that might be? Probably next year. This recipe makes 10 generous servings. I've had to resort to freezing about half of it. I'll enjoy it in the weeks ahead.

This is a very thick soup. I'm thinking of adding some veggie broth or tomato sauce/juice next time I prepare it to make it more soup-like. I'll also be using the hot Rotel and/or more green chilis. :)

And that was this week's Adventure in Cooking. I'm going to the grocery this morning to pick up the ingredients for PB2 Chocolate Chip Bread. Wish me luck. :)

Hello, Woman's Day!

2009-11-17T18:48:00.004-06:00

The December 1st issue of Woman's Day magazine has a wee article mentioning three weight loss/fitness blogs and just who do you think was among the three? If you guessed The Tippy Toe Diet, you'd be correct! I'd heard about this but hadn't mentioned it because I hadn't seen it with my own four eyes. Today I saw it.

From Blogger Pictures

To be mentioned at all is quite flattering, but to be included with Roni and Shelley is beyond awesome as they're spectacular bloggers.

Big thanks to Woman's Day for the article. We all know the importance of the community aspect of blogging, and it's nice to think other folks who are struggling might give it a try. I only wish they hadn't titled the article, "Blogging Your Way Skinny." Given that the three blogs mentioned have a specific focus on becoming healthier (not skinny!), the title makes me cringe a little. Oh well, if it catches someone's attention and convinces them to give blogging a try, I guess it's worth a little suffering on my part. :) But to clarify to any Woman's Day readers checking in here: I'm not skinny and don't care to be, so if you see me on the street, don't get the wrong idea that I'm letting myself go. :D

(Disclosure: I don't have any affiliation with Woman's Day, although I do have a subscription to their magazine. I'm pretty sure they didn't make the connection. :))

Makeover Monday

2009-11-16T15:54:00.001-06:00

I'm making over my makeover. Although there are plenty of areas of my life I'd like to improve, or explore the possibilities for improvement, I'm not making over anything this week. Instead, I'm going to focus on accepting the imperfect me just as I am. You're cordially invited to join me.

Sometimes I pursue makeovers simply because a product or concept looks interesting. It's fun to try new things. Sometimes, though, it's because I'm dissatisfied with some aspect of my life, which is fine if the dissatisfaction is based on some self-determined and realistic standard, but not fine if I'm holding myself to some impossible standard. It's also not fine if along the way, I forget to acknowledge and celebrate the truly good things about being me. Instead, I develop a pattern on focusing on the negatives, and I know from experience that what I focus on gains momentum.

Three relatively simple things to do to move along (or back onto) the road to self-acceptance:

* Start your day by repeating this quasi-mantra: "Today starts today." Accepting ourselves includes accepting that our past behaviors can't be undone. We can (and should) apologize to those we've wronged or hurt, including ourselves, but we must move on from it. Let today begin today, with the past in its proper place.

* Before you leave home, visualize yourself going through your day being your best self, regardless of size, shape, or physical imperfections (real or imagined.) See yourself being happy in your own skin, without thought or concern as to how you are perceived by others.

* Set aside a few minutes at the end of the day to write down the good things you did that day. Yes, record your diet and exercise, if you must, but the idea is to go deeper, to highlight those things that show the wonderful person you are, inside and out. After all, your value to the planet is not dependent on the size of your blue jeans, be they size 6, 16, or 26.

Self-improvement is a good thing. I highly recommend it.

Self-acceptance is a beautiful thing. It allows us to live in the moment or looking ahead, which in turns allows us to move forward, loving ourselves all the way.

***

With that said, Makeover Monday is on hiatus indefinitely. I'll still be trying new things from time to time (and sharing them here, no doubt--it's how I'm made), but I think it's time to shift to something else. Maybe Time Saver Tuesday or something along those lines. That will free up Mondays to tell you about my fascinating weekends. :)

Tippy Toe Re-Start

2009-11-12T08:07:00.003-06:00

Boy, you leave home for a month and the routine is hard to find again. Three time zones changes, the change in Daylight Savings Time, and two strong bouts of PMS haven't helped. :)

While it feels as though my vacation was one month-long splurge, when I think back on it, I realize that I really didn't stray too far from The Good Path (if you exclude Las Vegas which is now just a sugary blur.) I had more beef in one month than I had in the previous twelve (FOUR cheeseburgers!), and more sweets than I did in the previous two years, but other than that, it was mostly lean meats, veggies, and fruit. I'm feeling pretty pleased about that. It feels like I passed some sort of test.

Exercise wasn't much of a problem on the trip. I didn't do much in the way of structured workouts, mainly because I was too busy walking and biking so much, but most days had some sort of activity built into them. Some days had LOTS of activity.

I haven't gone back to the gym--or the scale--yet, as I've been busy catching up (17 bags of leaves, so far.) I've bicycled some of my errands, and I'm counting two hours of leaf raking/bagging as one hour of gym time. I'm using the fact that all my clothes still fit, and that I (mostly) like the way I look in them, as permission to continue this path. Until Sunday, at least, when I plan to begin with structured workouts again. :)

Having the opportunity to take this trip was truly a gift. I had never seen the southwestern US or any part of the Pacific coastal areas, although I always wanted to. I can't say that the itch has been successfully scratched. More like, whetted my appetite to see moremoremore!

Favorite places: San Francisco (CA), Albuquerque (NM), and Venice Beach (CA)! All very active and vibrant communities in which I felt very much alive and at home.

Close runners up: Lake Mead (outside Las Vegas) and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Peaceful and hauntingly beautiful.

A few photos are here: Cammy's Western Tour. I took a gajillion more photos, but after a jillion, the desert shots start to look alike. :)

With that, we return to our previously scheduled blogging.

(Edited to fix photo link: Thanks for the heads up!)

Makeover Monday: Dashing About in an Orderly Fashion

2009-11-09T16:29:00.000-06:00

Greetings from...Memphis! Yep, I'm home! I explored for 5,250 miles before running out of steam. Not to mention, money. :)

As you might expect, being gone from home for so long has resulted in quite a few errands to run. I'm trying to be orderly (and a little bit fun) about it, and so far it's working. I'll be back to blogging regularly soon, but until then, I'll share this glimpse of how I'm spending my time in running errands in a (mostly) organized way:

1. The List - Y'all know how I love my lists! When I'm writing my daily MITs, I keep a separate list of errands that need to be run. If I don't write it down, it's quite often forgotten.

2. Grouping errands - I generally group by geographic area. Folks with kids might group errands that can be run with or without the young-'uns, or those that need to be done before school or after school, etc.

3. Map out your route - This will help with using your time most effectively. No point in showing up at the post office before it opens. Unless, of course, you're using the automated postal center. If I have many errands to run, I list them in the desired order on an index card and clip it to my visor.

4. Use the off-hours - When possible, run errands when other people aren't running theirs. This means avoiding Saturday and Sunday, weekdays around noon, and the hours just after normal business hours. When I worked at a paying j-o-b, I took my lunch hour at 11:00 a.m., partially because I ate breakfast at 6:00 and was usually starving by 11:00, but also because if I had any errands to take care of, I could get them done before the crowds of folks who ran their errands at noon.

4. Create an errand command center - For me, this is a copper tub near the back door into which I place things that need to go with me when I leave the house. Mail for the post office, items to be returned to a store, gym bag, and so on. The idea is that I'll grab it as I rush out the door, but I'll admit that I frequently remember only when I'm clipping my "map" to my visor (See #3). Then I have to turn off the car motor, get out of the car, and go back into the house. So pitiful. I'm working on it.

5. Prepare for waiting - I almost always have a book and/or a notebook with me. Both are great ways to use any waiting time wisely or indulgently. I sometimes read blog posts on my iPhone, but that's not the wisest way for me to do it, since my iPhone keyboarding skills are pathetic.

6. Prepare for hunger - Sometimes errands run past the allotted time and mealtime creeps up on you. It's best to have a healthy snack on hand (fruit, nuts, granola bar) to avoid finding yourself wolfing down an Jumbo Burger with Jumbo Fries and Jumbo Shake from the nearest drive through.

7. Reward success - When I'm particularly efficient, I give myself a tangible "well done!" It might be something as simple as a stop at the library or a bookstore, or maybe a few minutes spent sitting in the sunshine reading and drinking a frosty Diet Coke.

And that's the extent of my errand running knowledge. If you have any tips to share, please do!

Makeover Monday Redux: Handbag Re-do

2009-11-02T06:26:00.003-06:00

Greetings from New Mexico (again)! I've made the turn east and am headed for home, where I will probably land on Tuesday or Wednesday. Photos have been updated through San Francisco. (linked)

This week's Makeover Monday post is once again revisiting a topic from last year. This revisit is inspired by the sore shoulder I've acquired from carrying around a purse/tote bag crammed with...stuff. I've done so well on keeping an organized handbag, until this trip. Now, it's all a jumble of papers, maps, brochures, and...stuff. Time for a re-do, for sure.

If your handbag (wallet, gym bag, briefcase, etc.) could use a makeover, check out this post (linked) for some handy tips!

I've missed you all so much! My reader is at 623 unread posts, so I know what I'll be doing while I'm catching up laundry. :)

Be well...and have an awesome week!

Makeover Monday Redux: Pucker Up!

2009-10-26T04:11:00.003-05:00

Greetings from the giddy traveler! And profuse apologies for not updating more frequently. This has been a whirlwind couple of weeks with lots of miles and even more smiles. So far I've visited Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. I am living in a state of bliss. Fatigued bliss, but bliss nonetheless.

Some of you may remember one of my earliest posts on this blog on the reasons why I wanted to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. I'm happy to report that I can check another one off the list:

To travel to San Francisco and ride a bike uphill with my friend

On Saturday, my friend Morgan and I, along with two other dear friends, bicycled across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito, CA. There aren't enough words to describe how awesome I felt being able to complete that ride. It wasn't always elegant, but I made it!

Morgan has also taken me on bike rides to the Castro District and the Haight-Ashbury area. While she's been careful to avoid the truly horrific hills, there have been some tough spots for this Delta-dwelling gal. I've truly been thankful for all the squats and lunges I did this past summer. :)

As you might expect, I've also been doing LOTS of walking. Six hours one day in Venice, CA, five hours my first day here in San Franciso, and two hours today before our bike ride. I'm so grateful for being fit enough to do it and even more importantly, to enjoy it.

One negative of all this outdoor activity has been some serious chapped lips. First there were the desert winds, and then the beach winds in LA. The strong winds and cool temps on the Golden Gate Bridge certainly didn't help. That's why this Monday's re-visit is a January 2009 post with tips on treating chapped lips (linked). Hope you enjoy it.

I don't know when things will be back to normal here. Thank you for hanging in with me while I indulge myself in this joyous journey!

P.S.
I've updated photos through L.A. I'll update with San Francisco when my computer starts behaving properly.

Makeover Monday Redux: On Sleeping

2009-10-19T03:22:00.006-05:00

Greetings from Las Vegas, where I have just spent five laugh-filled days with a fun and lively group of friends. The calories have been empty,the exercise mostly of the laugh-until-you-pee variety, and the sleep non-existent--pretty much the opposite of my normal life. But as they say, what goes on in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. Our gathering is officially over, and I'm looking forward to getting back to normal.

As I did last week, I'm "recirculating" a previous Makeover Monday post. To Sleep, Perchance to be Fit focused on the importance of establishing a sleep routine to benefit your sleep routine . Given that I've had 20 hours sleep in 5 days, it seems especially topical. :)

As posted on June 18, 2008:

By now, most of are aware of the studies that show a correlation between getting proper sleep and successful weight loss. I don't know about you, but I took to my bed for a week after I first read about it. Nothing happened. Apparently it works best in conjunction with proper diet and exercise. (There's always #$@&$ fine print, isn't there?)

When I first started reading about this notion of sleep as a weight loss aid (and if you haven't read up on it, click on the link in the previous paragraph—it's interesting!), I decided to add improved sleep habits to my fitness repertoire, at least on weekdays. No more getting started on some writing project at 10:00 p.m., no laundry at 11:00 p.m., no midnight chats with friends—oh wait, I still do that on occasion. (West coast friends, you know…)

It's not as easy as setting an alarm to go to sleep. I can't just stop in the middle of an email, get in bed, and fall asleep within minutes. Unless, of course, I haven't been getting proper amounts of sleep for the previous days, and then I've been known to fall asleep on the way TO the bed.

No, for me it's a transitional thing. My mind and body need time to adjust to the new event. First, we were up and moving around for 16-17 hours, now we're going to be still and horizontal for 7 or 8 hours. I have to go through the routine of shutting down all my systems, so to speak, and getting ready for bed. A bedtime routine does that for me.

I've sought out various tips and tricks over the past months, and I'll share some of them here, just in case they may be helpful to anyone else who needs to improve their sleep habits.

- Take a warm bath just before bedtime. The drop in body temperature may send a message to your brain that sleep is needed. Using aromatherapy products (I like lavender anything!) via bath oils or scented candles will improve the effects. This is also a good time to brush your teeth, moisturize, wonder if you have any clean clothes for the next day, etc. All signals to your mind and body that bedtime is imminent.

- Complete some gentle stretches, breathing exercises, or meditation to calm your mind and body. My favorite is to breathe slowly, counting backward from 60, inhaling on the even numbers and exhaling on the odd numbers. (I 'm usually asleep before I reach 30. *g*)

- Going against some popular weight loss advice, I find that a light snack close to bedtime helps me sleep better. A couple of slices of cold pizza and a short beer
will usually have me snoozing—gotcha! I'm kidding, of course. I usually have a small piece of low-fat cheese or a container of Dannon Light n' Fit yogurt (vanilla, if you were wondering). I think the reason I've made a habit of dairy or soy products as a bedtime snack is that they contain tryptophan which can make you feel quite sleepy. (Think about the glass of warm milk concept.) I don't drink hot tea, but I have it on good authority that a pre-bedtime cuppa is also a wonder worker.

- Avoid activities that stimulate the brain or body just before bedtime: email, computer games, physical exercise, caffeine, horror or action movies, spicy foods, etc. (You'll note the absence of sex on the list of stimulants to avoid. It is, of course, an exception. So go forth and stimulate with glee.)

- Go to bed at the same time every night. This is easier for those of us who don't have kids, I think. And don't care if there are dirty dishes in the sink and/or a load of laundry still to be done.

- If you've done all of these things and sleep still doesn't happen, it's best to get up and go into another room until you're ready to try again. Reading a book or listening to soft music might just help! (I would suggest reading my past blog entries as a sleep inducer, but getting on the computer isn't advisable as a pre-bedtime activity.*g*)

Establishing a bedtime routine that promotes deep, restful sleep isn't accomplished with a snap of the fingers. It takes a little practice. But it's well worth the effort! We'll be more mentally and physically alert, and better able to withstand the temptation to choose the wrong foods or tank the exercise in favor of the sofa.

How do you ensure you're getting proper rest? Do you have a bedtime ritual? Feel free to share….

And back to the present...I've taken few photos of Las Vegas, but I hope to get a few tomorrow. On Tuesday, it's on to Marina Del Rey, CA and then San Francisco later in the week. Photos will follow in the days ahead.

Needless to say, my RSS feeds are a teensy bit backed up. I apologize. I hope you're all doing well, and I'm very much looking forward to catching up with your worlds!
(photo by striatic)
~

Western Tour: The First Four Days

2009-10-14T07:57:00.003-05:00

Four days, 1700 miles, 4 bananas, 4 yogurt parfaits, 3 apples, and 1 chocolate-dipped pretzel later....

You know, I've always been sympathetic to the Native American community, but until now, I never really understood the whole "sacredness of the land" thing. I get it now. The southwestern U.S. is truly a magical, amazing area.

My favorite place so far was Albuquerque's Old Town area. Lots of shops and restaurants, but also a large plaza to sit and people-watch. (It's also the locale of the choco-pretzel mentioned earlier.)

This is another favorite place and also a favorite memory. I actually rode up in this tram, which is something I never would've done before weight loss, for fear that other passengers might get off the car when they saw my size or the tram operators would've said I was too much of a risk. (The things we worry about!) Getting on the tram wasn't easy after weight loss, given the height and the slenderness of the cables holding the thing up, but I was determined to give it a whirl.
The view of Albuquerque was worth it. The sense of accomplishment was, as they say, priceless.

Eating has been in check, but well, let's just say it's also been luxurious. :) Very little "official" exercise, but hours of walking and stair climbing. I did try yesterday, but the tiny hotel fitness center was packed. As I post this, I'm heading to today's hotel fitness center (I have to, it's next to the breakfast area), and then more walking today at Hoover Dam and Las Vegas!

I have a few photos posted here.

Hope you're all having a spectacular week!

Makeover Monday Redux: Heads, We Win!

2009-10-12T10:03:00.003-05:00

Just like the Hollywood set when they take a vacation, I'm airing a re-run this week. I was prompted to do it when my stylist suggested I increase my scalp massage to improve the blood flow to my scalp and improve the hair regrowth necessary after my bout of alopecia. I remembered posting about scalp massage before and figured there's no time like the present to share the info again.

From June 8, 2008: Heads, We Win!

A few weeks ago, our Monday Makeover focused on feet. This week we'll move all the way up to the tippy tops of our heads and pay a little special attention to our scalps.

I don't know about you folks, but my scalp hasn't seen so much sunshine and sweat in years and years. Working up said sweat six days a week means that I'm shampooing and conditioning more than ever. Plus, having lost a significant amount of weight, my hair has "thinned" (my stylist's term), which is not unexpected and not irreversible. Between the exercise and the weight loss, my scalp must be very confused. It deserves a good pampering.

Massage is a good place to start with the scalp TLC. It stimulates blood flow which will help feed the hair follicles. This will help to prevent and fight thinning such as I've experienced and reestablish the natural development of healthy hair. Not to mention that it's very calming and relaxing.

Scalp massage is easy AND you can do it yourself, even while shampooing if you wish:

1. Starting on your forehead, move the pads of your fingers in a
circular motion all along the arteries in the front, side, and back of the head.
2. Take a moment to continue those circular movements along the tendons on
the back of the neck. Ahhhhh.
3. Work your circles back up toward the top of the head.
4. Continue the pattern for about five minutes.

To be most effective, scalp massage should be done twice daily, morning and evening. (Oh goodie, a new habit to build!)

More kindnesses for your scalp:
Avoid using blow dryers too close to your scalp and hair. Too much heat isn't good for either one.

Avoid getting hair products (conditioners, styling gels and sprays) directly on the scalp as this can clog your hair follicles.

As with your skin, avoid over-exposing your hair and scalp to the wind and sun.

After swimming, shampoo your hair as soon as possible to remove any chlorine residue. Chlorine is extremely damaging to the hair and scalp.

Avoid tight hats and caps as they contribute to poor circulation, depriving the hair of proper nutrition.

Speaking of nutrition, avoid "crash and fad" diets. (As if I needed to tell you all that.) Proper nutrition is a key factor for healthy hair and skin.

~

And that's that! Not a lot of work but a pretty nice payoff. Your scalp and your hair will thank you for it.

I hope you all have a healthy, happy week!

~

The Tippy Toe Tour: The Western Edition

2009-10-07T16:29:00.005-05:00

I apologize for my absence here and on your blogs. I'm frantically clicking away on a travel to-do list as I plan my next great adventure: a 30 day road trip out west. I've never had the opportunity to do anything like this before, and I probably shouldn't be doing it now. But I'm doing it anyway.

Here are the definite destinations:
Albuquerque, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Las Vegas, NV
Marina Del Ray, CA
San Francisco, CA

Most of those are sight-seeing stops, but I'll be visiting friends in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Much fun (and chocolate) will be had!

I still haven't finalized the return trip. Probable destinations:
Palm Springs, CA
Tucson, AZ
Las Cruces, NM
Fredericksburg, TX
Austin, TX (Miz, I'll let you know)
and then home.

Should I win a big jackpot in Vegas, any/all plans may change. Given that I have about $30 in my gambling fun, I'm not counting on it.

As you might expect, I'm slightly-to-moderately worried about weight gain. Since I know Las Vegas will be a food-centric experience (two buffets, an Italian restaurant, and homemade toffee on the agenda and those are just the events I know about), my plan is to avoid too much splurging on the trip out and to make sure I get in at least 30 minutes of good exercise every day. That won't be a problem in Santa Fe, Marina Del Rey, and San Francisco, but I'll have to be mindful in the other cities.

I'm going to violate one of my vacation rules, I think, and carry my exercise/food logging notebook with me. Usually, I don't bother logging when I'm on vacation, but with this one covering such a long period of time, I'm going to start out with the log. I do NOT plan to be obsessive about it, though. I'd rather gain 5 pounds--heck, 20 pounds!--than miss fun and meaningful experiences because I was in the room doing push-ups!

If nothing else, this will be a good experiment in moderation and balance. Unless, of course, it descends into some sort of adventure in gluttony and sloth. But I kind of doubt that will happen.

The adventure begins on Saturday! I'll be checking in as time allows and will hopefully have photos to share. (I heard the collective groan.) Consider yourselves warned! :)

Makeover Monday: Use This, Not That

2009-10-05T04:23:00.001-05:00

While my interest in cooking remains in the not to mildly range, I've been collecting tips on how to make home-cooked dishes healthier and to reduce the calories involved, where possible. Most of the general guidelines I've learned are probably common knowledge among you cooking types, and I'll hope you'll share the results of your experiences with us in the comments. I share my notes here, primarily to get them recorded in one central place for my own future experimentation.

Sugar - Many recipes can tolerate a sugar reduction of 1/3 to 1/2. As I understand it, for cookies and cakes and such, you can replace the sugar you're omitting with nonfat dry milk to preserve the richness. Not only would that reduce calories, it would add protein, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and other vitamins and minerals. Or you could double the amount of vanilla to increase the sweet taste without adding calories. Dried fruits (raisins, dates, or apricots) are also good choices to replace the omitted sugar.

Flour - You can add fiber to recipes by replacing 1/4 to 1/2 of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, oat bran, or ground oatmeal.

Fat - Apparently, many recipes are still quite tasty even if 1/3 of the fat is eliminated. For substitution, an equal amount of applesauce or plain, non-fat yogurt can be used. This will create extra moisture, so any liquids called for may need to be reduced. For flavorful fat substitutions , try substituting pureed prunes, pureed pumpkin, or grated zucchini for the omitted fat. You can also substitute 2 egg whites for 1 whole egg to reduce saturated fat.

Salt - While some recipes (yeast breads, rolls) need salt for texture and taste, other recipes can have the salt omitted or reduced substantially, and replaced with herbs and spices.

Obviously, these are just a few of the basics, and I'm sure there's sometimes a trade-off in taste or consistency. I'm sure there's also a lot of "tinkering" that goes on to find the right combination. I hear this is fun. :)

In cooking, as in life, there are all sorts of exchanges and trades that can be made. Cook's Thesaurus has an impressive list of substitutions. Fabulous Foods has some great suggestions for reducing fat content of recipes. HeartHealthyLiving magazine has an online slide show with good substitutions for common ingredients. And perhaps the most ambitious of all, VegetarianTimes has an awesome list of substitutions for meat ingredients.

With that, I'll pass the microphones to you all. Have you tried any of the substitutions described here? Do you have any other substitutions to share? Altered recipes you think the rest of us need to know about?

I'm looking forward to trying new, healthier recipes this winter. I'll never make "foodie" status, but it should be fun playing around with favorite older recipes. It will be my mission in life to come up with a healthier version of Rotel Cheese Dip. Holiday parties just aren't the same without it. :)

WINNERS - DVD & Book Giveaway

2009-10-02T07:52:00.003-05:00

Network woes this a.m., but with luck this will get through...

The random number generator has spoken and we have our two winners:

For the Just My Size Yoga DVD*, the winner is Nartzit,

For Megan Garcia's book, MegaYoga*, the winner is Hanlie!

Thank you both for entering, and if you'll email me (cammysaid[at]gmail[dot]com) with your shipping particulars, I'll get your packages out ASAP.

Thanks to all who played!

In the Beginning (Giveaway Post)

2009-09-30T17:50:00.008-05:00

(Disclosure: Contains a couple of my shiny new Amazon Associate links. Yeppers, I'm an Amazonian now. I figured I linked there all the time anyway, I might as well try to earn a couple of dollars a year. But no pressure on you guys. I've read your blogs and know that most of you are as broke as I am. I'm just hoping some millionaire on a shopping spree stops by here. Okay, enough yammering--on to the post!)

I'm in a nostalgic mood today. Maybe it's because of this week's Makeover Monday topic (for those of you who skipped a day or are perhaps having a senior moment, it was about taking the first step), or maybe it's because I'm approaching the one-year mark at goal weight. Or maybe I'm just bored.

Anyway, I was remembering back to my first steps at getting on the exercise bandwagon. These were definitely tippy-toe steps. I started by walking on the treadmill 20-30 minutes (and quite slowly, I might add) several times per week. And that was it.

I did that for a while, and then I stopped. Started again and stopped. And then again. The clue bus finally stopped in front of me, and I realized I was bored. I needed something extra.

Enter yoga. A dear friend had completely transformed her life (body, mind, and career) with yoga and was living proof that it did indeed improve flexibility, increase strength, and reduce stress. I decided to give it a try and ordered a couple of DVDs via Netflix.

FAIL. Falle. Versagen Sie. 失敗します échouer.

No matter which language you use, it wasn't good. (Although it doesn't seem so bad in Japanese.)

The problem was that the DVD instructors kept telling me to do things my body just couldn't do. It wasn't a matter of flexibility; the problem was my size. A girl with 100 extra pounds mostly around her midsection doesn't go easily into child's pose.

Frustrated, I gave up on yoga. Soon after, I quit walking too. Woe, woe is me.

I'm not sure where I heard about Megan Garcia and the Just My Size Yoga DVD*, but I'll forever be grateful for finding it. This DVD is made for people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. The moves have been modified to allow room for our extra bits. And if the moves are still troublesome, there's a whole segment devoted to even more alternate methods.

But it's not just the modified poses that made this DVD so precious to me. The fact that the teacher is the aforementioned Megan Garcia, a plus-sized model who is completely, serenely, comfortable in her body, made me want to practice for the right reasons. Not to "be skinny", but to feel truly good about myself and what I was doing. I was on my way!

Later, I found MegaYoga*, Megan Garcia's book, which presents many more yoga poses with modifications for "curvy women." This is my yoga bible. The pictures and text combine to make the moves easily understandable and executable. Well, most of them. There's this pose called Eagle that I'm about to wave the white flag on. For now, anyway.

To commemorate and celebrate my first steps toward fitness (over two years ago now!), we have two giveaway opportunities: a copy of the DVD or a copy of the book. You may enter for one or the other, or both. Just let know in the comments if you're interested. Sharing any yoga tips you might have will gain you extra appreciation, but will not increase your chances of winning.

Anyone on the planet may enter, as long as you have a shipping address. I'll mention that the DVD is region 1 format, which is normally US or Canada. If you have a region free DVD player and live somewhere other than the US or Canada, feel free to throw your name into the hat for the DVD as well.

Drawings will be Friday, October 2, at 6 a.m. (central U.S.)

*I've included my spiffy new Amazon associate links here, but the DVD price appears to have doubled since I bought this one several months ago. I suppose that's because they're in such short supply. Netflix and Blockbuster both have copies for rent. Your local library might also be a good resource. If you asked me nicely, I might even loan you my copy. :)

Makeover Monday: The Longest Stride

2009-09-28T08:17:00.000-05:00

I'm in a strange-but-neat place these days. Having lost my excess weight and my job in such a relatively short time span has left me wide open for chasing new adventures. I'm feeling bold and confident and excited...and scared "spit-less", as we say in polite company. I'm learning new things every day, about myself and the world around me. Now, poised for flight, I'm faced with a simple and inescapable truth: Beginnings are hard. So hard that it sometimes seems preferable to stick right where you are. Taking the first step toward any goal or dream is exciting, but it can also cause feelings of fear, uncertainty, and/or dread, among others. Or maybe it's just me.

"The first step you take is the longest stride."
Nickelback, If Today Was Your Last Day

So how do we get ourselves to the point of taking that first step, not with a sense of doom or dread, but with a sense of excitement and anticipation?

1. Identify clearly the goal/dream you are pursuing. Although he gets on my last nerve much of the time, Dr. Phil got it right when he advised, "You have to name it to claim it." (Life Strategies, 1999) Know exactly what it is you want, this object of your desire. Visualize it. Write it down. Be as specific as possible.

2. Breathe it. Quality management guru Peter F. Drucker said, "Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans." If we don't fully commit ourselves to a thing, we'll do it when it's convenient or easy or the third Tuesday of every other month.

3. Define small steps. C'mon, you knew I was going to work this in here somewhere, especially when it fits so beautifully! Many of us know that we're more likely to get to the top of the mountain via a series of small stepping stones, as opposed to trying to climb over a boulder.

4. Expect difficulties. Be prepared for roadblocks and obstacles, many of which you will create for yourself. Knowing how to harness your strengths and overcome your weaknesses will help see you through the rough spots.

5. Take the first step. You're ready for it!

It doesn't matter whether your goal is to become more fit, write a book, start a business, remodel your house (these all sound very familiar to me), or {insert your goal here}, taking some time to define the goal, commit to it, identify stepping stones to achieve it, and anticipate the roadblocks before you take the first step, will help you get off to a strong start!

As always, your thoughts, comments, and ideas are welcome!