We've all seen them as we stroll down the snacks aisle. While we're drooling over bags of Cheetos and tins of Pirouettes, we know we should be gravitating toward the "healthier" snacks. I'm not talking celery and carrots, here. (Although, they are good options!) I'm talking about those 100 calorie snack bags. Are they any good? Are they worth your money? Check out this story for the real deal: Sizing up the 100-calorie snacks.
It wasn't reviewed, but my personal favorite is the Nabisco 100-calorie Cheese Nips. Yum!

Posted by Katharyn at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you have read any of my past entries, you will know that I have been battling the same 10 lbs for the last 4 yrs. I have done Weight Watchers three times, ediets.com twice, a disgusting Diet-to-your-Door once and only ate about 3 meals because they were so bad.

I weigh 135. I weighed 127 before and after my first child, but I cannot get the last weight gain post-partum child #2 to go away despite all kinds of efforts. My friend is convinced that I am not eating enough! HAHAHA. I laugh every time I hear that one, but still, she is convinced.

As you know, I did Boot Camp for a month and I dieted that entire time (and yes, I took in enough calories, I didn't starve myself) and I didn't lose weight (didn't gain either). I am now running 4-5 times a week for 2-3 miles or at least 35 minutes and I am doing it with my heart rate in the right zone. I basically keep the heart rate up for an hour. No loss. I am also continuing squats, lunges and other calisthenics types of things. No Loss. No Loss. No Loss.

I would love to hear from anyone else who has this experience and if you overcame it....WHAT DID YOU DO? HELP!

At this point, I'm not even in it for the weight loss.....just great for my heart!

Posted by Johna at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Mindless eating. Are you guilty of such a thing? I know I am. But why? Ok, I can simply blame my sweet tooth for some of my dietary transgressions, but I was glad to learn that my lack of willpower isn’t always to blame.

I read in my recent edition of “Experience Life” magazine that most of the decisions we make about food happen without willpower ever getting involved. And we make an average 200 decisions a day! Dr. Brian Wansink, PhD, from Cornell University conducted numerous studies on food’s connection to human behavior. He claims 90 percent of our decisions are unconscious. Here are some examples from his book “Mindless Eating.”

We "think" we stop eating because we’re full when in fact our plate is empty. We "think" we’re hungry when we’re really tempted by donuts. Dr. Wansink’s advice on feeling satisfied? Eat from a smaller plate (make sure the plate is half covered in salad and vegetables) and sit next to a slow eater. Following these tips will shift your eating pattern; you won’t notice you’re eating fewer calories or try to compensate. Before long you’ve got the “mindless margin” on your side.

I’ll let you know how it works… as soon as I start eating again. I’m still recovering from my day-long Mothers Day munch-fest!
—Macie Jepson

Posted by Pam Harris at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ladies, if your stress level is anything like mine, you’re always looking for a quick fix. I was happy to learn one tension buster is an arm’s length away.
My “Working Mother” Magazine (which by the way, I’m just getting to after three weeks on my desk) suggests holding hands with our significant other! A new study found simply holding our husband’s hand can help reduce tension, for both of us.
Researchers at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville found that happily married women showed “greatly reduced activity in stress-responsive regions of their brain when they were holding their husband’s hand,” says study author James Coan.
I can relate to this study. Just yesterday my husband and I shared a rare hour together, running errands without our children. I usually can’t get him close to a mall. But there we were, with two free hands each. (We’re usually holding the girls’ hands) and it was nice when we automatically reached for each other. It was a small gesture that left me feeling more connected to him.
You might want to try it in the car, too. It’s a good example of affection that your children will remember long after they’re grown.

Posted by Katharyn at 06:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay, so I went off my running plan that I shared with you on Monday. I actually ran further! I ran 2.6 miles instead of the plan of 2 easy miles. It just felt right, so I did it. I really wanted to hit a 30 minute run and 2 miles was only going to be about 22 minutes. I also continued my 60 lunges, 40 squats, 30 step-ups and abs like Monday. I was so proud of myself. And then as usual I stepped on the scale this morning. .....

Nothing, nada....I still weight the same.

So, I had some enchiladas at Mia's for lunch to celebrate. :(

So, now instead of my "plan's" rest day today, I am going to run off the enchiladas tonight!!

Posted by Johna at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I haven't gotten my measurements done yet due to conflicting schedules, but I was thinking I am kind of afraid to see the results! What if I really haven't put a dent in my fat % or I haven't lost any inches? I am afraid it will just make me want to drop it! But, as Katharyn said below, it takes a while to take it off so I have to keep it going.

I am proud of the fact that I continued on my exercise routine on Monday (after resting by the pool at Westin Stonebriar all weekend with the kids!) I ran a solid 2 miles in 22 minutes - which is actually faster than I usually run. My usual jog pace is around 12 min, 30 sec miles, so I was buoyed by the fact that I have shortened that pace. And I was runnning hills, not flat roads. I also did 60 walking lunges, 40 squats and 20 step-ups and ab-work. It was about an hour workout.

I actually find that I have better, more focused runs when I DON'T use my ipod. I love music, but for some reason, I just can't get in a "zone" when I run with music. I think it is because I have so much trouble with my ear buds...i just can't keep 'em in my ears! I have tried ALL kinds and have spent a ton of $$ trying to find ones that work...but in the end, I just get a better run without music altogether.

I can't live completely without technology though and I absolutely LOVE my Garmin Forerunner 305. This is a GPS/heart monitor that keeps track of everything about your run. I can't run without it...helps me know my pace, my mileage, my heart rate, my calories burned, plus you can also download all of your data and upload it for analysis. It is awesome.

I have also been researching running routines and found this free runner's training guide at http://www.runnersworld.com . This particular configuration is based on me planning to train for a 5k over the next 16 weeks. You can customize it based on various criteria and it will give you your workouts for the week. I am going to try a 8 week plan....I was quite surprised that it didn't have me running everyday! That was kind of a relief.....but I might run a little anyway to burn some calories. This is my current dilemma -- am I resting enough? I feel good enough to go out and run everyday, but should I? I will be researching and letting you know!

Posted by Johna at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm so proud of Johna! She's such an inspiration to those of us whose 'get up and go'... got up and went! Way to go, sister!
I'm no "boot camper," but I have been trying to get out the door and walk. I don't mean saunter! I mean HOOF IT! Work up a sweat... but without the side stiches and shin splints associated with running or an intense aerobics routine.

Here are a few tips for those of us just getting started...
(And I say these things to myself as much as I do to anyone else!)

** Don't overdo it. You didn't gain weight overnight. You won't lose it in one workout.
** Get good shoes. If you don't have a good pair of tennies... Get 'em!
** Music helps you keep moving. Find a good rhythm that keeps your stride alive and your mood up.
** Remember to warm up AND cool down. Both are just as important as your core workout.
Speaking of music... If you happen to have an iPod, there are a few things you can download to help you get moving... and stay on course.

Some are free, some are not, but here are some we like:

** FREE: Prevention Magazine's Walking Programs: Interval Walks for All Levels
** $ Shape Magazine Walk ($7.99)
** $ Kathy Smith Lean Walk ($7.99)
** $ iMix: Excellent music to walk to (Disco! 9 songs... 99 cents each - except one that forces you to get the album. Grrr.)
** $ Dance Mix (several at $7.99)
** FREE: PODRUNNER: Exercise for running, spinning or any fast-paced workout
** FREE: ExerciseRadio.com
** FREE: fitPod.com fitMix Archives
** FREE: Workout on the Web - video podcasts how-tos
** FREE: My Free Trainer - podcast how-tos for working out with weights

It's funny that I'm blogging on this! I opened my Prevention magazine last month and found a page dedicated to getting us to "Download some inspiration."
Here are their picks:

** $ Cardio Coach ($1 and up)
** $ Trainer on Call ($20 a month)
** FREE - Walking Buddy

The advantage to the Prevention or other true "walking workouts" is that it's almost like having your own personal trainer along on your workout. Just when you're feeling out of breath and you don't think you can make it another block, a friendly voice comes on reminding you how to breathe, how to adjust your posture or just pumps you up. (I like that part!)
So... if you're committed in your mind to getting healthy and losing weight, this might be a way to actually get moving without risking injury, embarassment or disappointment.
Hey! It's just walking, right? Good luck!
(Wish me luck, too!)

PS- Do you have any motivating tips or favorite music downloads? Share them!

Posted by Katharyn at 04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Today was it. We ran a mile for time, did pushups and situps timed and I think everyone improved!

Here are my test stats:
9.14 Running / First time: 10.31 minutes for one mile
40 Push-ups for 1 minute: / First time:37
26 Sit-ups for 1 minute: / First time: 22 (i did these as basic crunches the first time and full situps the second time, so it was a bigger improvement than it sounds!

One girl shaved off about 3 minutes on her mile and one girl went from 40 situps to 53---WOW! I know a lot of girls are going to go back and do another month of Boot Camp. I liked it a lot, but 4:45a was about to kill me, so I am going to start going to 24 Hr fitness and trying to diversify my workouts to include some Yoga, sculpting and other classes. 24 hr fitness does have a boot camp class too, so I am going to try it a few times as well.

The real results will be available next week when we do our fat % and other measurements to see if we have improved anything. I know my weight is EXACTLY the same which in a way defeated my whole purpose of joining this class. So, my fat % better be lower or I will be very upset! I'll let you know Monday or Tuesday.

Posted by Johna at 09:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sad to say a sick child stymied my efforts to get to the workout. Tomorrow is the last day and it is our test day. We will be timed on running a mile, pushups and situps to see if we have improved since our first day. Then next week, we get measured.....i really have no idea what to expect but I'm gonna eat light all weekend....I can tell ya that!

Posted by Johna at 02:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I actually found myself saying "come on girls, let's do it faster!" We were running an obstacle course that included jumping jacks, high knee runs through rings, weaving through cones, hopscotch and jumping very short hurdles - we did it three times. I felt like I wasn't giving it my all and so I thought I'd encourage everyone in my group in the process. I'm still not sure if they 1) thought I was an idiot 2) thought I was overbearing 3) glad I pushed them 4) or could care less. Anyway, it made me go faster and it felt good. We also then did several sets of arm work - pushups, bicep curls, shoulder work and more. It was fun. We also had a circuit of lots of different upper body lifting. We only lift 3-5 lbs., but we do many reps that are timed, so it does work your arms and make you sore.

I had to leave early and missed the ab work, but I will make up for it.

Posted by Johna at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today was SOOO easy....maybe because I slept right through my alarm? Darn! I couldn't believe it, but I did it...I missed the 4:45a alarm and woke up too late to make it. Isn't that pathetic. I am going to make up for it and go to the gym later tonight though. That's it!

Posted by Johna at 01:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)