Muppet's Healthy Holidays

[muppet]

Well, what do you think. Healthy holidays??? Can it be done?
I know this is not the time to try and diet. But I've never tried to diet. I've always tried to make smarter and better choices and to develop good habits that will result in better health and weight loss.
I've just moved to a new house -- a new town -- what a great time to establish some new habits...
But I don't want to make too big of a deal out of that. It's too much like a New Year's resolution. Any time is a good time to start trying to make better decisions. I don't believe people should wait for New Year's, or to get on TBL, or for when the weather gets nice.... It should just be second nature to us. That is what I want. I want to want and need to eat right and exercise, because I feel so much better when I do. And I don't mean I feel good, because I'm proud of what I accomplished. That's part of it, but the real plus to me is how much better I feel physically. I sleep better too.
I was watching the Discovery Health channel last night. They had this Dr. Oz on. It looks like he does a lot of health and diet related shows. One I watched was called You, on a Diet. It was very interesting and followed different people through a 10 week period of taking care of themselves. The results were wonderful -- not jaw-dropping dramatic like on TBL, but REAL. He also showed a young lady a healthy human heart and an enlarged one. He showed the damage hardened arteries because of too much fat and cholesterol do. She could see it, and feel it and the differences she saw was enough to motivate her to prevent these things from happening to her. I found it eye-opening as well.
It's just so important to take care of ourselves. Not for vanity, although it does feel good to look your best. We will age so much better. It's so sad to me to see people who are only about 50 years old, and are already heading down the slope to poor health and frailty because they don't or won't take care of themselves.
On that note -- I did get out for a hike today. I had fun exploring the new trails. I am going to miss my bike trail though! I don't know if I will ever feel as comfortable riding along the roads here, even though some are lightly traveled. But I'm sure I will adapt.
Spoiler alert!
I am really liking this season of TBL. Everyone who has gone home has continued and done so well. Such amazing results!
Neil is probably my least favorite, just because of what he did a few weeks ago.
I understand why Isabeau did what she did. I think I would have felt the same way about Amy, but strategically it would have been smarter to vote off B.
OK folks, (or just Missy), that's it for me. I'm outta here!
Carol

[Missy]

Glad to hear you're going to try to get in and post every now and then. I just miss things the way they used to be when I felt like I could come here and get the "lift" I needed to keep going.

Are you liking your new place so far? Was it a big adjustment or pretty easy to settle in?

I will tell you that I'm glad you are still trying to get out for some exercise and keeping up with the healthy food choices. I think people need to be realistic when it comes to daily life because you are going to have cravings and if you don't satisfy them in one way or another, most would fall off the wagon and give up completely. I think it's very important to allow yourself to cheat every now and then, which is what a lot of the trainers recommended to me. I find it helps me a great deal.

[muppet]

We are going to check out the YMCA tonight. I'm excited and a little nervous. I've always avoided joining gyms, but Y's are different because they have stuff for the whole family. I don't know if a regular family membership will allow me to use the equipment or if I'll have to pay extra fees. I will find out tonight. If we do join and I'm able to use the treadmills, ellipticals, etc.. I will be so nervous and self-conscious at first. I hope that doesn't stop me from using this facility.
Gotta go for now!

[Missy]

I felt the same way when I first joined...it's a little nerve-racking when you're not sure about all the equipment etc....but once you're there for awhile, you notice that most people don't pay any attention to what you're doing. Everyone has a common interest...which is getting in shape/being more in shape..etc. I have met a lot of really helpful and friendly people. It has been a positive experience for me overall.

Anyways...good luck tonight!

[muppet]

Well, we joined the Y today. I get orientation on Monday, to show me how to use all the machines. I'm very glad about this, because I have never used machines like these before. I know they are going to seem like great fun at first. My daughter got into a tumbling class too. She's been taking gymnastics for the past 6 years, and they initially told me all tumbling classes were full. But when we told them her skills, they think she will be fine in the more advanced class that wasn't full. I'm very happy about this. She really loves gymnastics, and while they don't have a full gymnastics program here, the tumbling should be enough to keep her challenged and having fun.
I suppose I should get after unpacking some more boxes. Ugh!

[muppet]

I've done better today -- not perfect but much better. I don't know why, but yesterday was awful. I completely lost control and just ate whatever I felt like eating. I felt so gross too. Maybe that's a big reason why today is better.
The kids and I are going out for pizza (uh oh!) and a movie. We're seeing "Bee movie". It looks cute.
I don't know what I'm going to do at the pizza place. Maybe a salad, or maybe just get a healthier kind of pizza, like ham and pineapple and enjoy a modest amount. I know I can never stick to any type of diet where I could never ever have pizza, but I also know that it can't be a regular thing. I also know that there isn't anything wrong with pizza, and it's really not that bad unless you load it up with a lot of fatty meats.
And avoiding the popcorn at the movie is really not a problem for me. Even when I let myself enjoy it, I only eat a little, and since we are eating before the movie, I should be able to resist with no problem. I'll still have to get some for the kids.

[muppet]

At this moment in time, I love the Y! I love the machines. How nice to have a variety instead of always doing the same thing.
My daughter got into the tumbling class and they are all having fun playing racket ball, even though they don't know what they're doing.
Thanksgiving tomorrow and then we are making the trip to Nebraska on Friday to see my family. We'll miss the Thanksgiving dinner there, but that's OK -- we'll get it here with my in-laws. The only reason we're making the trip ( 4 hours, each way) is because my sister is visiting from Texas.
I am determined to eat better today. Yesterday I cooked and baked up a storm for my oldest son, who is home from college. He eats and INCREDIBLE amount of food. But I have to remember that I don't have to try and keep up with him!
It feels really good to be working out again. I did the elliptical today, and loved it. So smooth!
I haven't watched all of TBL yet. I had to record it, but couldn't stay awake long enough last night to watch it too. I did see the makeovers, and they all look great!

[Rocky]

How was pizza night? Another easy way to make it more health wise is getting a thin crust, and it's equally as delicious. That's what I usually do. I just saw the Bee Movie with my 2 nephews and quite enjoyed it. I was probably laughing more than they were.

I really enjoy the Y, I have a membership at a gym, but I also bought 10 sessions at the Y just for the classes they have. They are so much fun and HARD work. It definitely looks like a great place to spend time with your family. Glad you are enjoying it!!!

[muppet]

We had a nice holiday weekend. But I ate way too much! You know how it goes -- you get together with people and you go out to eat....
Honestly, some of those restaurants really did not have any healthy choices.
But what's done is done. Today is better. I got a good workout in this morning.
It's amazing how I seem to stay busy, even though I'm not working. My husband is working nights for now, so I do things with him in the mornings and early afternoons, then I have a few hours till the kids come home. It just seems like we always have something we need to go and do. And now there's Christmas shopping to be done!
I really wanted to get guitar hero III for the Wii, for my kids, but there are none in stock anywhere. I just checked online too -- the only ones you can get are on Amazon, for $100 more than the list price.
My kids told me they wanted this game, and I just told them that I've been looking, but I'm not going to run myself ragged, or pay more than what it's worth. They understand and don't care it they get it after Christmas.
The 'Santa' thing was great fun, but it's kind of a relief now that they know what's what.
Well, now I must resume taxi service for my kids! Later!

[muppet]

I weighed myself this morning, and low and behold, I have gained. But I think with some consistent sensible eating and exercise I should be able to get back to normal soon, and then slowly but surely lose more for good!

Exercise today was 10 minute warm up on the bike, 30 minute on the elliptical and a half mile walk for a cool down. No weights today.