Self-Adjustment...and FIT TIP (#112)

Just a little to the left, right?
Right. No, left.

Sometimes it's necessary to take things into your own hands...

...even if you are being closely supervised!

Just rediscovered this pic of Stone from last Thanksgiving, and it cracks me up. The guys were installing a doggy-door and Stone couldn't resist the toolbox.

**my personal** FITNESS STRATEGY for 2011:
borrowing win-it tactics from top athletes to improve FITNESS ...and other areas that might require toughness, diligence, and grace under pressure.

**starting with** FIT TIP (#112): Strategize
Winning athletes don't go into practice, let alone competition, without a plan.
Breaking down a large goal into smaller, doable steps is the key to an athlete's success in:
--remaining focused
--marking progress
--staying motivated

Try this: Make your first steps so easy that you can't fail. This will give you the momentum and sense of achievement you need to keep going.



Words for the Week
{11.22.2010}
"Reflect on your PRESENT blessings of which every man has many, not on your PAST misfortunes, of which all men have some." -Charles Dickens

Close, but No...and FIT TIP (#111)

In celebration of Mr. R's birthday
we cheered for the Suns from awesome seats.

The game was as close as we were but,
we lost to the Spurs **my favorite NBA team to cheer against!** by a bucket. **remember this?**

Got very close to Manu Ginobili **of the Spurs** a few times.
And even closer to having a **celeb** crush on him. He was so dang sweet **to us Suns fans**.

Then a week passed...and I'm over him.

The Spurs are still my most favorite team to cheer against. Followed closely by the Lakers, whom we beat in their home on Sunday. Woot-woot!



FIT TIP (#111): Chasing the Blues
#1--Practice Daily Acts of Gratitude--Everyday, pause and list 3 things and 3 people to whom you are grateful. **one of my November goals...love starting my day this way**

#2--Look at Your Present Through the Eyes of Your Future--

#3--Be Happy in Spite of Unhappy Events--When we're young and emotionally immature, we're happy because of what goes right. When we grow older and more mature, we can learn to be happy in spite of what goes wrong.

#4--Try a Power Thank You--Unexpressed gratitude is a terrible thing to waste.



Words for the Week
{11.15.2010}
"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live." -Jackie Windspear

Fit Tip (#110) First...and Skinny Flinny!

First today...FIT TIP (#110)
GRATITUDE CHASES BLUES AWAY

People who feel gratitude have better lives than those who dwell on disappointments.
**according to a survey of psychotherapists**
People with the best lives **and least regrets** not only feel grateful, but express their gratitude to those individuals to whom they are thankful.

In fact, it is impossible to feel grateful and bitter at the same moment. It is also impossible to express sincere heartfelt gratitude to another person and not feel like a good person yourself.

Four **easy & fun** CHASING TIPS coming soon.


And now...a few words on Men & **super** Skinny Jeans. Why?


Come on guys...unless you are one of these brothers...
you really shouldn't. Really.

I have been **patiently** waiting for this trend/fad to run it's course
and be done already. Please!

I feel **super** confident stating that my sons
**including, and probably especially, my son-in-law...not pictured**
have not and will not be actively participating in this **super** Skinny Jean trend/fad.

Although, I can **possibly** picture Jordan **on the left in above picture** wearing this less Skinny version. **much better...don't you think?**
And that may have something to do with a pair of Skinny Wranglers that he rocked for about 4 hours his junior year in high school...in Texas.

Or, it may have something to do with seeing him in similar jeans recently.
Not sure.
**He sometimes reads this...maybe I'll finally get a comment from him.**

And if the Look of **super** Skinny Jeans isn't reason enough to STOP, maybe this is--

Reports the Wall Street Journal:

Doug Black has found himself in a tight squeeze more times than he cares to remember. One day, he got caught in the rain without an umbrella and was unable to run. When his colleagues sat in a circle, the 23-year-old English teacher from Portland, Ore., couldn't cross his legs. And when he tried to jaywalk, while in Beijing for work, he couldn't hop the median divider with his friends. “I had to walk half a mile down the street on my own to use the crosswalk,” he says.
This poor fellow has obviously never seen the episode of “Friends” where Ross’s skintight pants left him trapped in a bathroom because he couldn't get them back on. That can happen to you, too, buddy.
Yet, guy wearers of skinny jeans seem to remain manfans as they clearly have little issue with the emasculating styles, high price, and sacrifice for fashion over comfort. Assures Doug Black, “Discomfort comes with the territory.”

P.S. My daughter & daughters-in-law look fantastic in their Skinny Jeans!!!

Grace & Gratitude...and FIT TIP (#109)

for November I aspire

to live each day with more
love, grace and gratitude.


"Happiness cannot be traveled to,
owned, earned,
worn or consumed.

Happiness is the spiritual experience
of living every minute
with
love, grace and gratitude."
--Denis Waitley


For these 30 days **of November**
first thing in the morning
**before I get out of bed**
I think of 3 things & 3 people
I'm grateful for.
My heart swells immediately and
stays full all day long.

Counting blessings...awesome day-starter!

FIT TIP (#109): Chill Out
For a natural energy drink, blend grape, acai, or pomegranate juice with crushed ice. Nutrients are absorbed into your system faster via a beverage that's cold versus one at room temperature.

Words for the Week
{11.8.2010}
"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." -William Arthur Ward

Going, Going, Gone...and FIT TIP (#108)

October is almost a memory.
Started off with an enjoyable journey
to visit this sweetie and meet her new brother.



Ended with a handful of fun, FUN Halloween gatherings/parties!
**and trying to avoid Mr. R's creepy teeth**


FIT TIP (#108): Yes to Seafood
Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, is important to your LONGEVITY and HEALTH because this kind of fat (also found in olive and canola oils) is associated with lower heart risks.


Words for the Week
{11.1.2010}
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." -Marietta McCarty

Not the Queen...and FIT TIP (#107)

This sign may be in my home **during October** AND
I really do love this time of year, BUT it's not true.
**that would be sister #3!**


I decided to go a little SPOOKY this year.
Here's a peek...










I can't believe it's almost time to trade my SCARY house guests for PILGRIMS, TURKEYS, and PUMPKINS without faces!


FIT TIP (#107): Breathe Through Your Nose
Inhaling & exhaling through your nose, rather than your mouth, helps:
~~stabilize your heart rate AND
~~increase your endurance
The result? You work out longer and burn more calories.
It may feel unnatural at first; it takes about 6 to 8 workouts to perfect.



Words for the Week
{10.25.2010}
"There's a luggage limit for every passenger on a flight. The same rules apply to your life, you must eliminate some baggage before you can fly." -Rosalind Johnson

What Do You Think?...and FIT TIP (#106)

Came across a few things
that have me smiling today.


Laughing out loud at this...
even though I only agree with one of the three. **wink, wink**


Now this...
I'm in total agreement with.


FIT TIP (#106): All Tricked Out
**Thanks to my good friend Jamie, who admitted to doing this very thing and it really does work!**
While exercising...
...just when you think you can't do:
~one more lap
~10 more minutes
~another set **or rep**
~etc. etc.
Trick yourself into it. ex: I'll hang in there until...
~this song is over
~I get to the corner
~I count to ten
~etc. etc.
Before you know it, you not only hit your goal, but it's become a mind thing, and you keep going! I use this constantly, with clients and myself. I consider this a secret weapon. Try it, if you haven't!


Words for the Week
{10.18.2010}
we do not remember days...we remember moments. -cesare pavese

Texas Times...and FIT TIP (#105)

Three generations of chicks.
I recently spent an incredible **and entertaining** week
with my favorite Texans **in their east Texas town**

This kid never stops. Never.
While out riding his bike **thus the helmet** he came upon a climbing opportunity.
This picture is for uncles Tanner & Jordan **who are climbers of rock**

Nothing like a "companion" bath
at the end of a busy day.

Seven full days of fun...non-stop.
If only the flight home had been non-stop. Oh wait...
then there wouldn't have been my last post :)

FIT TIP (#105): Play Favorites
Work with only one arm or one leg at a time when strength training. This way, while you're resting one side of your body you'll keep the other side going strong. Your heart will also have to keep pumping hard through your entire workout, which means that you'll actually burn more calories.

Words for the Week:
{10.11.2010}
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway."-John Wayne