Summer Fitness Challenge

Ok, I know I've been horrible ABSENT for the last few months. I apologize again for that! I've been making new writing friends on my Other Blog. Things are moving along very nicely with my novel though. As a matter of fact, I should finish my revisions (5 pages a day--50 left) by the end of next week. Then I will take a mandatory break and wait for the rejections to roll in before starting a new project in the fall. Well, I'm sure I'll keep dabling in little stories, but I won't start serious outlining of another novel until September.

Sorry, I'm wondering off and typing my stream of thought. Let's get back on track with THIS blog and the next fitness project for me and you--if you wish to join me.

I have been running twice since the CM 1/2. Both were good runs and I'm ready to keep things moving. With only 2 weeks of Seminary left, I plan to sleep in until 6am and then run before it gets too hot outside during the summer. But, I think I need some more motivation. Something to keep me excited and moving forward. Something not requiring $$.

The men at church are starting a fitness challenge this weekend and it sounds REALLY fun! When I asked Nathan why the wives were not invited to participate he looked at me and replied.

"There was no way we were going to suggest any of you needed to join us."

I laughed because it is so true. I'm always asking him to encourage me, but everytime he does I get mad at him. Poor men, can't win even when they do what we ask.

So...I want to start our own Summer Fitness Challenge. We will have a private Google Doc to share (you can ask to be invited in the comments section) to record weight, and some other things. Here is what the men are doing.

Bragging Rights for:

• Fastest 5K
• Most improved 5K time
• Most push ups in a minute
• Most pounds lost
• Greatest percentage of weight lost

I think we should add:

• Biggest drop in pant size
• Most inches lost

What do you think? Here are the rules--everything will be recorded on our Google Doc (you can sign in with a fake name if that makes you  more comfortable).

1. We start on May 31st (Memorial Day) because it will be hard to start, but hanging out at the pool parties on this day will motivate us to set our goals.
2. On this day, find a tread mill, set the incline to 1 and run 3.2 miles as fast as you can. This will be our baseline for the most improved at the end.
3. Also, have someone time you doing push ups for 1 minute so we can see the improvement at the end.
4. Measure your waist, thighs, and upper arm--record.
5. Weigh yourself--record.
6. If you blog--advertise it and let's make this a great big party!

Everyone can choose their own form of exercise, but blog about it. Share it with us in case we want to join you in your challenge of choice. You choose your food choices as well. I recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor and ask them what your specific calorie needs are and then work to meet them--not exceed them. If you recorded your calories for a day, I think you would be shocked!

Do you have suggestions on how we can run this? Should we have real prizes at the end? What should they be? Are you willing to chip in to get prizes?

I'm setting up the Google Doc now. If you wish to join the challenge From May 31st to August 31st, simply post below that you want to join and I will send you an invite to the google doc. You may need to email me your email if I don't know you personally. My email is forloveoffood@hotmail.com

Easy Ways to cut Calories

Here are a few easy changes you can make to save 100 calories per meal. All of this information comes from Fitness Magazine February 2010.

Cut 100 Calories
Breakfast--

1. * Use skim milk
2. * Eat a bowl of high-fiber cereal and you'll consume fewer calories all day
3. * Bacon NOT sausage (??? really? I do the turkey sausage, so is turkey bacon even better?)
4. * Yeast doughnut instead of a denser cake one

Lunch--

1. * Use 1 tablespoon mayo and 1 tablespoon low-fat cottage cheese to make tuna salad
2. * Choose BBQ sauce instead of honey mustard
3. * Skip the cheese on your burger
4. * Drink the 12 ounce child soda instead of the adult 21 ounce soda (think of what you will cut if you drink water instead, plus you'll save some change)
5. * Toss your salad with the dressing instead of pouring it on. You will use half as much.
6. * Skip the crackers and cheese on your chili

Dinner--

1. * Making meatballs? Mix half the amount of ground beef the recipe calls for with half as much cooked brown rice. Porcupine Meatballs
2. * Instead of 2 slices medium pepperoni pan pizza, choose thin-crust
3. * Fajitas? Fill one flour tortilla, eat it and then eat the rest of the filling with a fork (about 100 calories saved per tortilla)
4. * Substitute black beans for refried and hold the side of Mexican rice (saves about 250 calories)
5. * Opt for broccoli chicken over sweet-and-sour, and for steamed brown rice, not fried (save about 250 calories)

Now that you are saving some calories, to speed up the weight loss, turn up the number of calories you burn.
* Burn 50 calories by taking a 20-minute walk at lunch
* Burn 125 calories by shoveling the driveway for 20 minutes (and I did it for an hour!)
* Burn 250 calories by spending two hours making dinners for the whole week. (This is such a win win situation on so many levels!)

Family Physical Fitness Award

We have started a new program in our family to help use all get more physical activity in our day. Nathan and I decided that we need to encourage some of our children just a little bit more to exercise and eat smaller portions so they can maintain a healthy balance. The great thing is that our church has a program in the Family Home Evening manual called the Physical Fitness Award Program.

Last night we talked about it and printed off charts for everyone. We are going to do fun activities for every 50 points, and when we reach each "medal" level we are going to do something really special. For instance, we have to earn 200 points to get the Bronze medal and that will take awhile, somewhere close to December, and we are going to go skiing! Yes! I've never been skiing and I am really excited about it. We earn points for things like--running, biking, swimming (all day at the pool is only 1 point though because they are playing more than swimming), 30 minutes of pilates, and so on.

Nathan thinks the kids should get 1 point per mile they run, but I think it should be harder than that. So I'm only going to take a point for every 2 miles. So far I've only earned 2 points, I need to get a move on!

Be A Smarter Eater

This was a wonderful article that I found at Runner's World Magazine Online (yes, I go there almost every day!) I've added my thoughts and my "pats on the back" in red. Some of these things I've been doing for the last year and it feels good to know that I am doing some things right.

20 simple swaps that will cut fat and calories from your diet, boost nutrition, and make you a better runner. By Liz Applegate Ph.D.

1. SWAP IN: Omega-3 eggs SWAP OUT: Standard eggs
The Omega-3 fats in these enhanced eggs boost immunity, protect against Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and cancer, and may lessen symptoms of depression. (Haven't tried this or even noticed it. I'll check out how feasible it is financially for a family of 6 and let you know.)

2. SWAP IN Dark beer SWAP OUT Light beer
Darker brews may have a few more calories per bottle than lighter versions, but in general they have far more antioxidants from the wheat and other grains used to make them. Limit your consumption to one or two servings per occasion. (Not a problem since I don't drink beer period. Think of all the calories I've been saving!)

3. SWAP IN: Olive-oil dressing SWAP OUT: Creamy dressing
Top your salad with an olive-oil dressing instead of creamy blue cheese or ranch and save about 90 calories per two tablespoons. A reduced-fat olive-oil dressing saves a whopping 120 calories per serving. (Wow! I like my Ranch and Honey Mustard. I have been using lower fat versions of these and an occasional vinaigrette. Maybe I should pay more attention. I guess a salad isn't always the healthy choice.)

4. SWAP IN: Mustard, low-sodium soy sauce, salsa SWAP OUT: Ketchup and mayonnaise
Condiments like mayonnaise and ketchup add unwanted calories and sodium to your foods. Minimize calories while adding flavor and nutrition with mustard (ground style) and salsa, which contain antioxidants, and low-sodium soy sauce. (I have naturally moved away from mayo as I've been striving to eat healthier and ketchup usually goes with my cheap fast kid friendly fatty foods that I have also been avoiding. So this one is going well too.)

5. SWAP IN: Organic fat-free milk SWAP OUT: 2% milk
Eight ounces of fat-free milk saves you more than 30 calories and four grams of fat over two-percent milk. Organic milk can help you avoid trace amounts of chemicals and hormones. (I don't know if I'll go organic, but I have been working my family towards fat-free milk. We are comfortably at 1% now, and I count that as a small miracle!)

6. SWAP IN: Kefir SWAP OUT: Yogurt
Yogurt is a great source of calcium but often comes with lots of sugar and without healthy live bacteria. Try Kefir, a low-fat liquid yogurt with extra live cultures to boost immunity. (what? Never heard of it)

7. SWAP IN: Pomegranate or cranberry juice and club soda SWAP OUT: Sugary fruit drinks
Try club soda mixed 1:1 with a 100-percent fruit juice like pomegranate or cranberry--both of which are loaded with the powerful cancer fighters anthocyanidins--to save 50 calories per serving over a sugary fruit drink. (I love cranberry juices. There is a really good pomegranate cranberry and a blueberry cranberry that my family really like. Just make sure it is 100% juice not fruit cocktail. Unfortunately, I still buy the kids kool aid pouches for their lunches. Mmm, maybe I should think that one over a bit more over the summer.)

8. SWAP IN: Natural peanut butter and fruit spread SWAP OUT: Standard peanut butter and jelly
Look for a "natural-style" peanut butter that has ground peanuts, salt, and nothing more. Pair it with a real fruit spread that lists fruit as the first ingredient with no added sugar (corn syrup, sucrose, or high-fructose corn syrup). (Did I post on here about the Smuckers Natural peanut butter? I love it! I love the flavor and texture. It does have more calories and if I remember correctly, more fat, but it is the natural healthy kind that your body needs for muscles and brain function. :) You should really give it a try.)

9. SWAP IN: Roasted chicken SWAP OUT: Deli meats
Buy a roasted chicken or turkey breast from the deli (without the skin) and use it instead of high-fat pastrami, salami, and other deli meats. If you store it in the meat/cheese drawer, it will stay fresh for one week.

10. SWAP IN: Part-skim mozzarella or feta cheese SWAP OUT: Brie or cheddar
Brie and cheddar are loaded with saturated fat and calories. Make the switch to feta cheese or part-skim mozzarella and save about 30 calories and five grams of fat per ounce. (I've been doing this for the last 3 years! Good for me! There is going to be lots of back patting because we all need validation sometimes.)

11. SWAP IN: Trans-fat-free spread SWAP OUT: Butter
Butter has seven grams of saturated fat per tablespoon, while margarine contains trans fats. Still, use a trans-fat-free spread sparingly since it has some fat and calories. (This one is hard because I need real butter for all my baking needs. I figure if I am doing good on most of these the butter won't kill me. Love my butter!)

12. SWAP IN: Sweet potatoes or red-skin potatoes SWAP OUT: White potatoes
Potatoes with colorful flesh and skins contain more antioxidants than their pale counterparts. Select small potatoes to control portion size, and eat the skin for extra fiber. (I've also been doing this for the last 3 years because I like the red potatoes taste and texture better. Recently I've tried substituting the sweet potatoes for at least one or two potato sides a month. We don't have potatoes every week so that is pretty good.)

13. SWAP IN: Whole-grain pasta SWAP OUT: Refined pasta
Fresh whole-grain pasta contains more health-boosting antioxidants and fiber (to fill you up) than refined versions. (The first time I tried this I thought it was awful! But the second time it was a little better. So, if you try this just know it might be an acquired taste.)

14. SWAP IN: Berries, kiwi, melon SWAP OUT: Green grapes
All fruits are great, but when you're watching your weight it pays to eat fruits that are lower in calories and higher in fiber. (good to know!)

15. SWAP IN: Canadian bacon SWAP OUT: Bacon
Compared with traditional bacon, Canadian bacon has twice the protein and half the fat per serving. (South Beach has ruined Canadian bacon for us for a while. When we tried to do that it was what was on the menu every morning for breakfast. The smell of it turns our stomachs now. We have swapped bacon out for the turkey sausage. That is really yummy and a better choice as well.)

16. SWAP IN: Ground turkey SWAP OUT: Ground beef
Cut 10 to 20 grams of fat per three-ounce serving by substituting ground turkey (white meat) for ground beef. (Just watch because even ground turkey comes in different fat %. The price is pretty comparable as well. We do about 1/2 and 1/2. I use the turkey until they complain and then I buy the leanest ground beef that I can for a while.)

17. SWAP IN: Baby romaine lettuce and spinach SWAP OUT: Iceberg lettuce
Iceberg lettuce offers little nutrition, while young romaine and spinach leaves are rich in carotenes and other phytochemicals. (I've always preferred the deep green leafy lettuces. I think most people who try them do. *wink*)

18. SWAP IN: Snow peas, peppers, radishes SWAP OUT: Carrots and celery
Carrots and celery are a good start, but add peppers for vitamin C, snow peas for the electrolyte potassium, and radishes, which contain compounds that protect muscles. (well we love bell peppers, can't say I've tried radishes in years but I do like snow peas.)

19. SWAP IN: Whole-grain bread SWAP OUT: White bread
Whole-grain has more antioxidants and fiber (three to four grams per one-ounce slice) than its white counterpart. (Almost 12 years of whole-grain breads. My kids don't even eat the white because it is too "mushy". I have a grinder and make my own whenever I can. I wish I could get in the routine of always making my own. It would save money and one sandwich would actually fill us up. That is the best part of home made whole grain bread. It fills you up faster so you don't eat as many calories.)

20. SWAP IN: Low-carb tortillas SWAP OUT: White-flour tortillas
White-flour tortillas pack 150 calories and zero fiber. Low-carb versions offer eight grams of fiber for just 90 calories. (I really need to start doing this because my family should own stock in tortillas! This will be my new goal to work on.)

Be a better runner by strengthening your core.

Sorry that I am just passing along another article, but I've been traveling a lot the last 2 weeks. We will get to some recipes again soon...I hope! Anyway, this article is great and it is what I am currently working on. In case you haven't noticed, I don't do so well if I try and fix everything all at once. So, I pick one area to work on and then add on new elements as I go. I have the "drink 8 glasses of water" down, as well as the portion control. I'm still working on getting enough sleep, but with four kids that may not happen for a long time. So, on to the next part, adding some strength training that will help me run better and longer in a more enjoyable way.

How to Get Ripped Abs. By John Hanc
Published in Runner’s World Magazine 1/10/2008
Go Here to read the full article. This one is condensed

I wish my abs looked this good. Do you think she has carried and given birth to four children?

“Core improves efficiency and endurance as it lowers injury risk. The secret is stability. That's because core strength is the primary force that controls motion in the hips and spine when you run. Think back to when you were learning to ride a bike. You'd wobble and maybe fall until your dad or mom placed a hand on your back. When you run, your core acts as that steadying hand. The stronger the muscles, the more stable your center--and the more efficient your running will be.

“This is precisely why nearly every top runner busts through some core moves. But there is no industry standard. Routines run the gamut from old-school to cutting-edge. Brian Sell, who finished third in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in November, grunts through 150 sit-ups a day. Tollefson does exercises typical of gym classes: planks and curls. And Shayne Culpepper, a 2004 Olympian at 5000 meters, performs Pilates.

“And then there's the routine followed by Team Running USA. In 2006, strength and conditioning coach Dennis Kline of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse overhauled the squad's ab workout, creating a regimen that targets not just the abdominals but also the back, hips, and glutes (see the exercises in this workout by going here). The program combines static exercises that improve overall strength and muscular endurance with dynamic moves that teach the core and legs to work together. "We're mimicking the running motion," says Kline. "So we use some exercises that engage the core while using the legs."

Extend Yourself: Double your endurance in six weeks.

I had a really good week last week. I didn't run as much as I wanted but I truly felt like a runner. How is that you might ask? Well, as I was driving from place to place (often in the rain) I would find myself thinking, "It is the perfect temperature for a good run. I wish I was out for a run." Even in the rain! Unfortunately my busy schedule made it hard to get out. I did go for several bike rides during the week to get in some exercise.

This morning I woke up early and got a quick 2.5 miles in. It isn't as far as I want to be going, but I had to be home to get the kids off to school. Just a few days and I can take longer in the morning to run. It was a good run. I kept an even pace (even up hills) and worked on my breathing. My legs felt good and strong and I didn't experience any pain or soreness.

About mile 2 I picked up the pace and did two all out sprint segments. I've noticed that I run more efficiently at an all out sprint. Weird huh? My gait smooths out, my shoulders stop bouncing around and everything just works better. Unfortunately, my endurance at that fast pace is about 20 seconds. :) So, I want to work on that. Here is an article from last months Runner's World Magazine (which I LOVE by the way) I always find my motivation strengthened when I read what all of these amazing people are accomplishing. I find myself saying, "I can do that!"

Extend Yourself
By Jeff Galloway
From the June 2009 issue of Runner's World-- View online Here (Online there is another distance chart for the six week time period. It takes you from 4 miles in week one to 7 miles in week six.)

Imagine running twice as far as you do now. Mission impossible? It's easier than you think. And there's good reason to try. Adding more miles can boost your stamina, help manage weight, and help you get more comfortable on the road. Here's how.

Shoot For Three
A three-day running week is the best way to run more and stay injury-free. When you rest before and after a running day, your muscles feel fresher and you'll have more energy to go farther.

Make Every Mile Count
Giving each run a purpose will help you keep up your routine without getting stale. Designate one day for a "maintenance" run (an easy-paced run that helps maintain fitness), another day to run long, and a third day for speed play (aka "fartlek"). On this run, set out at your usual pace, and pick up the tempo when you feel ready. You might accelerate to a landmark you see ahead, like a tree. Then jog to recover. Take off again when you're ready.

Slow Down
On your long run, slow the pace from the start to cut your chances of getting exhausted—or hurt. Your pace should be about three minutes per mile slower than it is on a maintenance run. So if you usually run a 10-minute mile, aim for a 13-minute pace when you run long. Take a one-minute walk break every one to three minutes.

A neat calorie burner site

Ok, I'm not going to continue posting everything I put in my mouth. If you really want to see you can check out the My Fitness Pal site and add me as a friend. I will post my daily calorie total and fat total though. I still have to keep some level of visible accountability for a little longer.

I also found this great site where you put in your weight and how long you exercised and then it fills in this huge chart of calories burned. All you have to do is browse through the list for the exercise you did. It's great because you can see what exercise burns more calories for the same amount of time. For instance, running at my normal 10minute mile pace for 30 minutes, I burn 394 calories. But if I just walk that same amount of time I only burn 197 calories. Amazing!

Yesterdays counts:
Calories Consumed:1509
Calories Burned in exercise: 279
Fat:45

How to Start becoming a runner

When other runners hear that I'm 85, their eyes get big and their mouths open wide and they say, "You're my hero." --Margaret Davis, who entered her first marathon at age 79.
She's my hero too.

Ok, so how do you become a runner if you have never run a day in your life? RunnersWorld.com has a great chart at the back of my activity book that is easy enough for anyone to accomplish. It starts with walking. Hey we do that everyday! Depending on your current activity level you may be able to skip a few of these stages. This first level of training is to get to a 5k level. I find that I do better if I actually find a race I want to participate in and plunk some money down. :) It works for me. So find a local 5k race for the fall, pay for it and then hit the road to prepare. You won't regret it, I promise!

**Week 1--Walk for 20 minutes, 4 days out of the week.
**Week 2--Walk for 30 minutes, 4 days out of the week.
**Week 3 (Stage 1)--Run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Repeat sequence 5 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 4 (Stage 2)--Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat sequence 5 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 5 (Stage 3)--Run 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes. Repeat sequence 4 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 6 (Stage 4)--Run 7 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat sequence 3 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 7 (Stage 5)--Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat sequence 3 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 8 (Stage 6)--Run 9 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat sequence 2 times then run another 8 minutes. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 9 (Stage 7)--Run 9 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Repeat sequence 3 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 10 (Stage 8)--Run 13 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat sequence 2 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week.
**Week 11-12 (Stage 9--Double Stage, meaning 2 week stage)--Run 14 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Repeat sequence 2 times. Do this on 4 days out of the week for 2 weeks.
**Week 13-14 (Stage 10--Double Stage, meaning 2 week stage)--Run 30 minutes. Do this on 4 days out of the week.

Becoming a Picky Eater

Ok, so I don't know if I mentioned much about this new site I joined -----> foodbuzz. I've been making friends who love food and most have food blogs as well. It is a place to share recipes and ideas. One of my new "friends" (I am still working on actually getting to know these people with great blogs) has a blog called The Picky Eater. I was reading her latest post today and discovered why it why it is so hard for me to lose weight. I am NOT a picky eater. I will eat just about anything that looks and smells good that does not contain fish. :)

Her last post was the first in a possible series on how to become a picky eater. Be a Picky Eater--Eat Slowly!(Calorie Cutting Tip). So head over and check it out.

Menus and Goals

I have been so busy this month that I have barely cooked for my family. Everything has been quick and easy stand-bys that I know will turn out and be eaten. Hopefully things will slow down a bit after April. I'll go from 5 major projects to 3 projects (none of those include cooking, cleaning and being a mom, so that lets you know how crazy it has been the last two months!)

Anyhow, here is the menu for the next bit of time. (Links coming for some of these this afternoon)

1. Hawaiian haystacks
2. Pepper steak with rice and green beans
3. Taco pinwheels and chicken enchiladas
4. Pizza on the grill
5. Cheesy shell lasagna
6. Home made chicken nuggets
7. Cook out with friends—burgers, hot dogs, layered Mexican appetizer , Oriental slaw salad
8. Beef kabobs and grilled vegetables
9. Baked potato bar
10. Fajitas

Last week I posted about my goal to drink all 8 glasses of water each day. I feel like that is going well and I am doing it. This week I am adding the next layer of becoming a happier healthier person. This week my goal is to turn off the TV and get to bed by 10:30pm each night. I have been staying up way too late just watching random shows because I need time to veg. But then I lay in bed and have a hard time going to sleep and I am tired in the morning.

Here are a few tips I found online:

For a good night’s sleep, try these simple techniques:
* Establish a regular bedtime and bedtime routine, even on weekends.
* Avoid eating for 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you have to have a snack, try warm milk and avoid protein, sugar and excess fats which stimulate.
* Avoid caffeine, sodas with excess sugar and alcohol from at least mid-afternoon onward
* Make sure your bedroom is comfortable with a mattress, pillow and bedding that fits your needs
* Avoid working or reading in your bedroom and make it as dark as possible.
* Get as much exercise as possible but early in the day
* Take a warm, relaxing bath before bed time

I also reading somewhere (I couldn't find the source again) that you should turn off your computer and TV at least an hour before you go to bed because they are so stimulating that it is hard to go to sleep right after watching TV.

9 ways to get happy in the next 30 minutes

by Jay Gosney from Real Simple Magazine.

In the next half hour, tackle as many of the following suggestions as possible. Not only will these tasks themselves increase your happiness, but the mere fact that you've achieved some concrete goals will boost your mood.

1. Raise your activity level to pump up your energy. If you're on the phone, stand up and pace. Walk to a coworker's office instead of sending an e-mail. Put more energy into your voice. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. Even better...

2. Take a walk outside. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning. Find the best walking workout for your exercise style.

3. Reach out. Send an e-mail to a friend you haven't seen in a while, or reach out to someone new. Having close bonds with other people is one of the most important keys to happiness. When you act in a friendly way, not only will others feel more friendly toward you, but you'll also strengthen your feelings of friendliness for other people.

4. Rid yourself of a nagging task. Deal with that insurance problem, purchase something you need, or make that long-postponed appointment with the dentist. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a rush of elation.

5. Create a more serene environment. Outer order contributes to inner peace, so spend some time organizing bills and tackling the piles in the kitchen. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizable dent. Set the timer for 10 minutes and see what you can do. In that time, take a quick look around the house and see how to get organized using everyday items.

6. Do a good deed. Introduce two people by e-mail, take a minute to pass along useful information, or deliver some gratifying praise. In fact, you can also...

7. Save someone's life. Sign up to be an organ donor, and remember to tell your family about your decision. Do good, feel good―it really works!

8. Act happy. Fake it 'til you feel it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile boosts your mood. And if you're smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable. There's no need to walk around in a constant state of worry. After all, what's the worst that can happen if you bounce a check or leave wet clothes in the dryer?

9. Learn something new. Think of a subject that you wish you knew more about and spend 15 minutes on the Internet reading about it, or go to a bookstore and buy a book about it. But be honest! Pick a topic that really interests you, not something you think you "should" or "need to" learn about.

Water Goal for April

I have a group of friends that share a goal to live healthier. We encourage each other to keep trying to exercise more, reach a healthy weight, and stay positive about the good things we are doing. All the rainy, gray weather has really pulled us down a bit and most of us are fluctuating between a 4 pound range. We are just stuck.

In talking with what everyone is or is not doing at this time I found some common threads and we are setting some new goals. These are simple goals that we can all achieve. We are giving ourselves a full month for each goal so that it will become part of our lives. Here is the first goal for the rest of April just in case you want to join us!

I will drink my 8 full glasses of water each day before I indulge in a junk food or treat.

We aren't cutting out the junk, there is just a stipulation on it that will help us be healthier. :)