It's Raining Love...and FIT TIP (#122)

One week ago today I was:
--tweaking my PowerPoint presentation
--fine-tuning opening and closing remarks
--organizing packet information, etc. etc. etc.

then:
--new business cards arrived
--new bio page **thanks Kendal & Cliff** was delivered

And it hit me...
the cards and bio page tell a lot about me. But, there is plenty they don't say. Like the fact that I have such a huge support system. Mr. R, mom, siblings, kids & spouses, and some super **super** close friends. And then...

as I headed out on Tuesday, I received text messages and phone calls...full of love and support. I knew many prayers had been offered on my behalf. I felt them. I felt calm. I felt blessed beyond words. Not only for this new opportunity, but for people who love and care about me.

Everything went so well. Better than I had even hoped and/or dreamed.



FIT TIP (#122): Action!
Act the way you want to feel.



Words for the Week
{1.31.2011}
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them on the tablets of your heart.
Proverbs 3:3

Bangle Times Two...and FIT TIP (#121)

I am smitten...
with my vintage bangles!
They are petite and therefore hinged, for easy **on/off** maneuvering.

I found the black one at one of my favorite local shops.
It was a steal of a deal. And I wear black a lot.
Handy!

A few months later I came across the cream bakelite beauty while visiting one of my favorite spots **with Mr. R** in Texas.

It was love at first sight and the proprietor insisted I try it on.
It was NOT a steal of a deal. Mr. R surprised me with it.
Sweet and sweet!


Same trip, different shopand Mr. R insisted I also needed these.
**I have a mild obsession with animal print**



FIT TIP (#121): Staying Social
What are friends for? Longevity, it seems.
Harvard University studies show that staying social:
---slows memory loss
---reduces stress
---cuts risk of disease by
lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.



Words for the Week
{1.24.2011}
"What counts in making a happy relationship is not how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility."

Slowing Down, Taking Notice

Just returned from walking my dog.
Milo is small. Hanging with him slows me down...
which is good. I notice things that I might not otherwise.
Take today, for instance...

the FOR SALE sign at Corvette Man's house is gone. **that was fast**
His belongings are being packed up as I type.
Leaving the neighborhood. Good luck to you, Corvette Man.
Your beautiful, bright car...I mean smile, will be missed.

I'm not even a "car" person. But, it is a thing of shiny, red beauty.

Opportunity, Oatmeal and...FIT TIP (#120)

About 6 weeks ago I was presented with an amazing opportunity.
I accepted.
I have since stepped out of my **working girl** comfort zone. Way out.
Now I am seriously considering turning one of the guest rooms
**the very one I was considering turning into a fitness room**
into a home office.

I adore this memo/bulletin board...



...and these accessories.



Simply love this light fixture & chair.



Ahhh...rug love! And, I already have this desk.



Or I could just do this with the closet. **and still bring in the fitness equipment**




FIT TIP (#120): The Heart-Smart Whole Grain
An easy way to significantly lower your cholesterol is to eat whole-grain oatmeal daily. The fiber in oatmeal forms a gel that slows down your body's absorption of cholesterol.

Remember...choose one that's low in sugar (one gram per serving), such as Quaker Weight Control Instant Oatmeal.

Also...to satisfy your sweet tooth, top the oatmeal with a handful of antioxidant-heavy blueberries.

Bonus...people who eat oatmeal for breakfast tend to stay full all morning and consume less at lunch, due in part to the protein and fiber.



Words for the Week
{1.17.2011}
peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

New Baby, New Word...and FIT TIP (#119)

My second son has a second son!Holden was born on January 3rd, Gavin's 2nd birthday!
Love you, Rachel & Jordan and your two precious chunk-a-lunks!

My word for

is INTENTIONAL

-adjective
1. done with intention or on purpose; intended.
2. of or pertaining to intention or purpose.

-Synonyms
considered
intended
voluntary
advised
planned

-Antonym
accidental

I like that the opposite of the word I am choosing to focus on in this new year is ACCIDENTAL.

I do not want to live life accidentally.
For example, I do not want to accidentally eat 500 too many calories a day. If I eat 500 extra calories, it will be an intentional choice. Considered. Planned.

Now, with that being said, I do believe in spontaneity...you know what they say about it being the spice of life, etc. I believe in spice! I just don't believe in living spontaneously day to day. You know, BALANCE. **as in my 2010 word**

Welcome 2011. I look forward to you!



FIT TIP (#119): Spray Calories Away
Avoid a heavy hand with cooking oil. Use a sprayer like Misto (misto.com) or an olive or canola oil spray from Pam. A two-second spritz is roughly one-half teaspoon of oil...100 calories fewer than the 3 teaspoons that could end up in your frying pan.


Words for the Week
{1.10.2011}

I've Been Asked...and FIT TIP (#118)

Recently I've been asked...
**I know what some of you are thinking, wink wink**
three things by people who read my blog.

Just in case you may be interested, I've decided to share the questions and answers. **in no particular order**

Question #1: What is my word for 2011?
Answer #1: BALANCE was my word for 2009 and I loved it so much that I wanted to keep it for 2010, and so I did. I focused on BALANCE **for two years** in various areas of my life...and it did make a difference. Thank you, BALANCE!
I am choosing a new word for 2011. I have it narrowed down to 2, and when I decide **in the next few days** I will share. I like the idea of putting it "out there"...silly, huh?

Question #2: How come I don't share recipes anymore?
Answer #2: Bottom line, I don't cook that much these days. Does that sound pitiful? Because it's not!
"Someone" feeds me...almost daily. Sometimes we eat out **okay, we eat out a lot** and sometimes we eat in, BUT he cooks way more than I do. How amazing is that? Very!

Question #3: I just decided to save this one for another day, another post. It's loaded...and personal, and my palms just became sweaty.
Answer #3: Soon.



FIT TIP (#118): Instant Benefits
Within minutes of launching into your workout, changes in the body are seen. Your heart rate increases, and blood is delivered to your muscles. You start burning calories for fuel. And you get an almost immediate mood boost.



Words for the Week
{1.3.2011}
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." -Thoreau

Ramping Up Resolve...and FIT TIP (#117)

Just read a timely and inspirational article. It had me at the first sentence:

If you want to eat well or save money but keep falling off the wagon, take heart; You can strengthen self-discipline, just like a muscle.

I fell in love right then and there. Food for thought while thinking about a new year...you know, resolutions/goals. I decided to share a condensed version of the article.

Statement: "I wish I could resist splurges."
Strategy: Shop on a low-stress day. The greater the number of difficult decisions you make, the less willpower you'll have. For example, a morning spent hatching a complex plan at work, is likely to weaken your resolve when it comes to those pricey pumps.
Road Test: If you must run errands when life is nutty, use lists to simplify decision making.

Statement: "I wish I could stay on task."
Strategy: Fuel up to focus. People who eat before a self-control challenge perform better. A breakfast composed of protein and complex carbs, which break down slowly to provide several hours of energy, gives you mental stamina to say no to distractions.
Road Test: Eating a couple of eggs and whole-wheat toast helps with consistency--no fidgety fits and starts.

Statement: "I wish I could maintain a workout routine."
FIT TIP (#117) WILL **to the** POWER
Strategy: Pursuing too many acts of willpower at once makes it tougher to succeed. Better to introduce one new behavior at a time and keep it up for a couple of weeks, so it becomes ingrained, requiring less conscious effort.
Road Test: For two weeks, postpone other healthy initiatives and focus on an exercise program, which gets easier. Soon you've incorporated workouts into your schedule and it's almost a hassle to skip it.
That's not willpower; it's a habit!

Happy New Year, friends!



Words for the Week
{12.27.2010}
"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." -Benjamin Franklin

Fa La La La Facts...and FIT TIP (#116)

Tinsel Time Truths:

1. My **half-priced** Hope is on display **above**.

2. Christmas is **only** 5 days away AND...


3. I do not have to step foot into another store between now and then. **I am ready!** BUT...

4. I will be stepping into a few more stores, for "extras". That's how I roll. **year after year**


5. I watched "White Christmas" yesterday. **a seasonal must, for me** Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen dance the DWTS pros under the table!

6. I have been singing "Sisters, Sisters" for the past 24 hours. **thank you, Rosemary Clooney and W.C. cast** Also fact, I have 4 awesome sisters, and we may sing that song now and then...maybe.


7. Various holiday parties are fun. A lot of fun, BUT

8. Intimate celebrations are the best!

Final Win-It Tip **from top athletes**
for Fitness Strategy 2011

FIT TIP (#116): R&R
Athletes build rest into their schedules to avoid burnout and injury.
There's training and then there's over training. The former moves you forward toward your goal; the latter sets you back and potentially sidelines you.

You can't expect to live at your peak when you're exhausted, TRY:
working in micro breathers to do something mindless throughout the day. Taking brief mental holidays during the day means you're less likely to turn to unhealthy activities **Cheetos and junk TV** later.




Words for the Week
{12.20.2010}
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." Charles Dickens