TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY 10 DAYS AND COUNTING

30 WAYS TO OUTSMART TEMPTATION...For the month of July I am going to share ways to avoid or outsmart temptations. Today's tip is...Take a deep breath. When you're stressed or anxious, instead of reaching for a bag of chips, focus on your breathing. A few slow, steady breaths through the nose can calm frazzled nerves. Add a mantra" Inhale peace, exhale tension. I wish I had know this a couple of hours when I wanted and ate that chocolate pudding cup. It was sugar free but still 60 calories.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOLEANE...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JOLEANE,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY...THE LAST DAY OF JUNE

MOVE AND SHAKE! Be as active as you can each day. Dance to the car radio, fidget at your desk, and get up as often as you can. By using these tips, you'll become fitter, healthier and slimmer.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

WORK IN THE YARD. Rake, mow, and fertilize your lawn without labor-saving devices like leaf blowers or riding mowers. Enjoy the slow pace, quiet scenery and clean air that manual yard work offers. We don't have any lawn so I am off the hook here but I do enjoy early morning walks that I hope to start in a week or so.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

HANG-DRY YOUR LAUNDRY. It might take a little longer, but bending, reaching, pinning and later folding your laundry by hand adds some much-needed activity to your day while conserving electricity. I have a wooden rack I could set out in the back for some things but I just don't like the roughness of clothes dried on the lines outside. My delicate skin just can't take it. Yeah right!

WEIGH INS FOR THIRD WEEK OF JUNE

I AM SITTING HERE TRYING TO KEEP BUSY WHILE WAITING FOR THE GUY TO COME OUT AND UNLOCK MY CAR. Yes both sets of keys are locked in the car AGAIN!!! At least this time the car is in the garage. I can't believe I did that. It was just a month or so ago I did it and now here we go again. It takes the guy about 30 seconds to do it and it cost 40 BUCKS! Oh well I had a chance to think and read some of the blog and discovered that I didn't put last week's weigh in on so here they are:
Liisa up.2 pound
Sarah up 1/2 pound
Becky down 1 1/2 pounds
Yvonne the same
Elizabeth the same
Joleane the same.
I think we are all stilling doing great simply because we are still trying and that is a great thing. So keep up the great work and we will see you in just 2 weeks. Hard to believe.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS. Games like tag, hide-and-seek, and red rover will really get your heart pumping. You can also involve your pet in chasing, fetching and running games. I think this is a great tip for those of you with children. The only one I can chase is Calvin and he is so slow it is easy to catch him and then when I do I am not sure what to do next...it's an age thing I guess.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

CHOOSE THE LONG ROUTE. Instead of making a beeline to your destination in the mall, office, or grocery store, take the long way. Those extra steps will add up over the course each day. I have been trying to do this more and more lately and it is really fun to take the long way around everything.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

WEAR YOUR BABY...It's easier to push a stroller, but using a sling or baby carrier will help you build more muscle and burn more calories than walking alone. Today's styles are hands-free, allowing you to multitask. Very interesting tip. Doesn't pertain to me but interesting none the less.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

WASH YOUR CAR BY HAND...Get the whole family involved with spraying, scrubbing, rinsing, drying, and waxing. You'll save money, use a little elbow grease, and get some vitamin D from the sun to boot. Although this is a great idea, so many people are out of work right now that it just seems un-American and selfish to deprive those young men who work at the local car wash from earning a living.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

PACE YOURSELF. When on the phone, for example, get up and get moving around your home or office instead of sitting still. Talk about multitasking. I think this is a great idea.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

OVERHAUL DATE NIGHT!!! The cliche` dinner-and-a-movie gets old. Next time, try miniature golf, bowling,ice skating, hiking, dancing, or other fun activities that keep you on your feet. That makes sense to younger couples but at my age I love eating out, no messy clean up and renting a movie works for us. We really are getting old.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

WALK THE DOG. Fences and doggy doors let Fido outside without supervision, but you could both use some more exercise. Schedule a morning and evening walk and get healthy together. We have no pets so I can't really relate to this.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

HAND-DELIVER MESSAGES. Instead of emailing your co-worker or neighbor, walk down the hall or street and talk in person. This active way of communicating also helps build relationships. Good thought but how many of us email our neighbors?

RESULTS FOR SECOND WEEK OF JUNE

I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT TO POST THESE NUMBERS...SORRY!
Liisa lost 2.6 pounds
Sarah lost another 2 pounds
Yvonne lost 1/2 pound
Elizabeth and Joleane stayed the same
Becky added a pound and a half while
Eileen added a pound.
Let's keep going we are really just starting.
Great work everyone just for sticking with it.

OKAY THIS IS A GREAT ARTICLE FOR REVIEW...WE ALL NEED THIS ONE FROM TIME TO TIME

I LOVE THIS ARTICLE...PAY ATTENTION TO NUMBERS 1,8, AND 10. THEY ARE MY PERSONAL FAVORITES.
Top 10 Strategies for Success
Use These Ideas to Meet Your Goals
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer

1. Start Small
Quite possibly the biggest mistake people make is pushing the accelerator too soon. You can’t lose 20 pounds in a week. But you can lose one. Taking small bites and chewing slowly have as much to do with goal achievement as they do with your mom’s dinner table scolding.

2. Get It On Paper
Whether setting your first goals, tracking daily progress, or sharing your deepest thoughts with a journal, writing things down crystallizes your ideas, exposes underlying fears, and paints an accurate picture of real life.

3. Focus On Everyday Habits
The building blocks of a healthy lifestyle are forged in the smallest of actions you take every day and every week. Healthy choices can become as natural as brushing your teeth or locking the front door. Build one habit, one action at a time.

4. Always See Your Goal
Goals need attention. They need to be seen and heard and thought of often if they ever hope to come true. So surround yourself with as many reminders as possible.

5. Be Consistent
Imagine a plane taking off. In the beginning, a lot of energy is spent to simply get moving down the runway. But as speed and momentum take over, the plane is pulled forward and up into the sky, faster and further by the second. Consistent action, no matter how small, has more power than you ever imagined.

6. Never Stop Learning
A healthy lifestyle is a process—a journey more than a destination. You can always learn more about nutrition, fitness, and even yourself that can help you be just a little bit better tomorrow.

7. Come Out of Seclusion
Has anyone ever achieved anything of real value all alone? Probably not many. Most receive some form of help from other people. Support, information, a sense of shared experience, encouragement, advice, and a well-timed pep talk are all invaluable as you set off on your adventure.

8. Allow For Setbacks
Accept the fact right now that you will make mistakes, and that it can be a positive thing. We are usually harder on ourselves that we are on anyone else we know. Be your own #1 fan. That means being supportive (instead of critical) when you stumble, and enjoying your wins (rather than ignoring your accomplishments) when you succeed.

9. Trust Your Plan
You’ll have up weeks and down weeks, and frustrating weeks that make no sense at all. The tools and strategies you’re learning will help you build a plan that makes a healthier lifestyle almost inevitable. If you consistently make the right choices and build healthy habits, weight loss is literally just a matter of time.

10. Have Fun!!!
Who says getting healthy has to be a chore, a burden to be endured or suffered through? Probably a very unhappy person, that’s who. This is an exciting adventure of self-discovery and building a meaningful life. Enjoy the ride!

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

WORK OUT AT YOUR DESK. Being deskbound doesn't mean you have to sit still. Experiment with some office-appropriate exercises, including stretches, wall pushups, chair dips and more. I have no idea what any of these are. I guess you have to look on line to learn more. Good luck.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

RIDE YOUR BICYCLE. Forty percent of trips made by car are less than two miles. Conserve resources and get a workout by combining errands with exercise. Bike to the post office, drug store, or office whenever possible. I am sorry but I just don't think car drivers are ready to see someone my size riding down the street on a bike.

DO YOU NEED A LITTLE MOTIVATION? I DO...

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS THAT I AM GETTING NOWHERE ON THIS DIET AND EXERCISE PROGRAM. I mean to lose half a pound a week when others are losing 2 or 3 or 4 pounds gets me down sometimes I must admit it. I found this article and it has given me some food for thought. Maybe it will help you too.

9 Hidden Reasons to Stay Motivated
Ways to Rediscover Your Drive-- By Zach Van Hart, Staff Writer
Everyone tells us to stay motivated. Our friends, our co-workers, our relatives say to keep going, don’t quit. Sometimes, though, you ask, "Why? Why try my hardest when it ends in disappointment? Why go through something when it’s going to hurt? Why?"

Because it’s going to be different this time! Because you can’t accomplish anything that you give up on. Disappointments and failures happen to everyone. The difference between those who reach their goals and those who don’t is staying motivated. If you’re motivated, you’ll keep going. If you keep going, eventually you’ll reach your goal.

Need more reasons? Here are 9 of our ‘hidden’ reasons to stay motivated. Use one or all of them to keep the fire burning inside you.

1. Confidence
How did it feel after that first jog around the block? Or when you finally walked the stairs at work without losing your breath? The more you accomplish, the more you’ll believe in yourself.

2. Fit into that dress
It’s been hanging up in your closet for two years. All it takes is for you to go that extra mile and stay on track. Before you know it, those two years will be ancient history.

3. Make the week easier
Ever felt like a week was taking forever? It feels like Friday, but it’s only Tuesday? This happens when you’re not working towards anything. When you have a goal in mind, you’ll want to cook that healthy dinner or go to the gym. The week will not only go faster, but be more enjoyable.

4. Gives you purpose
Every once in a while, we need a good reason to get out of bed. Eat the healthy breakfast that’s going to jump start your day, go for your morning jog, or walk to the driveway and grab the newspaper. When you’re motivated, you have a reason to do what you do.

5. For your kids
And your grandkids. And their kids, too. The healthier you are, the longer you’ll be around to watch your kids grow and to spoil your grandchildren. They’ll want you to be around as long as possible; consider this just another present.

6. Power of momentum
It’s a scientific fact – something in motion tends to stay in motion. Momentum builds quickly and can lead to great results. Suddenly, you’re not only working for the goal, but also to keep your streak alive. Even more reason to reach your goals.

7. The ‘wow’ effect
Picture this: Walking into a restaurant, you run into someone from high school, and their eyes light up. They gasp, "Wow, you look great!" By sticking with your goals, this can happen. Watch the "wows" add up.

8. Spread the spark
When friends and family see how hard you’re working, they’ll wonder how they can reach their own goals. Guess who they’re going to look to for help? By staying motivated, you’ll not only help yourself, but others too.

9. Keep gaining experience
The more you do, the more you will learn and understand. You’ll discover which tactics work best for you and which ones don’t. It’s like weeding out the garden - not the most enjoyable job in the world, but when you’re done, all that’s left are beautiful flowers. Keeping sticking with it and soon it will be all flowers for you.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

DRESS FOR COMFORT...When you are comfortable you are more likely to walk further and stay active than if you are wearing stuffy clothes or painful shoes. Go casual at work, whenever possible and on your own time. This makes perfect sense to me.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

SHAKE IT! Create a playlist of songs that you just can't sit still to, and let loose! Dancing is a great way to get fit - even if you're just grooving in the privacy of your own home. My CD from Liisa is in the car and if the car is going so is that CD. I can see my self dancing to it but I love hearing it. The songs just make me feel happy when I listen to them.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

DO IT YOURSELF! Hiring painters, housekeepers, and other laborers may save time, but doing repairs and maintenance yourself saves money, increases activity, and instills a sense of pride. I wish I had the money to hire repairmen. If it is going to be done around here it is just Calvin and I who do the work, when we get around to it.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

TUNE IN TO YOUR BODY...When watching TV, think of other activities you can do instead of lounging, such as marching in place or riding your exercise bike. Try a few pushups, crunches and squats during the commercial breaks too. I love to record a couple of TV shows when I go to bed and then the next day while I am watching them see how much house work or whatever I can get done during commercials. I can deep clean a bathroom during 1 one hour show. If I miss a little no big deal just rewind it or skip it. I love to watch TV but not without doing something else at the same time. I sew, craft, clean and I can even getting bread dough mixed up between shows.

THIS ONE IS PROBABLY JUST FOR ME...A REMINDER FOR ALL OF US!

Easy Ways to Eat 5 Fruits & Veggies Each Day
Tricks for Healthy Treats-- By Laura Bofinger, Staff Writer
"Eat your fruits and vegetables." We've heard it all of our lives. If only it were so simple.

Our bodies crave fruits and vegetables more than just about any other food because we tend to get far fewer of them than we need. We often think we'd survive just fine on 2-3 servings a day – or less. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the USDA both recommend at least 5 servings per day! What you’re missing could be the difference between just surviving and all out thriving.

With just a little thought and a tiny bit of effort in snack preparation, you can make these nutritious foods more convenient and accessible.

Tips and Tricks

• Add fruit to your cereal, oatmeal, waffles or pancakes at breakfast.
• Create your own yogurt flavors with plain yogurt and different combinations of fresh fruit.
• Snack on raw vegetables or fruits instead of chips or pretzels. Keep sugar snap peas, raisins or carrot sticks in your car, your office or your backpack.
• Use chunky salsa instead of thick, creamy snack dips.
• Drink 100% juice instead of addictive coffee, tea, or soda.
• Going out to lunch? Take a trip to the grocery salad bar. Use lots of dark green leaves and other vegetables instead of piling on all of the extras like eggs, bacon and cheese.
• Add frozen veggies to any pasta dish. It's an easy way to get in another serving of the good stuff.
• Keep fruits and vegetables in line of sight. Grapes, oranges, bananas, and apples make a colorful bowl arrangement on the table. If you see them, you will eat them.
• Dried fruit is just as portable as potato chips -- and less messy. It tastes especially good when added to basic trail mix.
• When cooking vegetables, makes 2-3 times more than you need and immdiately store the extra away for tomorrow. It'll save you time later on.
• Add your own beans and vegetables (tomatoes, spinach, peppers, cabbage) to canned and quick-serve soups.
• If you must have pizza, load on extra veggies and pineapple instead of fatty meats and extra cheese.
• Try berries, melons or dates for a naturally sweet dessert rather than the usual candy bar, cookie, or ice cream sandwich.
• Frozen fruit and veggies are nearly as healthy as the fresh stuff, and only take minutes to prepare.
• Combine fruit with your main meal courses. Raisins, apples and tangerine slices add sweet, crunchy variety to a salad. Apples complement pork, pineapple is great with fish, and orange slices are perfect with chicken.
Besides being packed full of nutrients, fruits and vegetables can also be quite filling. They may even ward off any empty calorie snacking that might follow! Don’t be discouraged by the recommended 5 servings a day. The guide below shows that one serving is less than what you might think.

One serving equals:
1 medium piece of fruit
1/2 cup fruit (raw, canned, or frozen)
1/2 cup cooked vegetables (canned or frozen)
1 cup raw vegetables
1/4 cup dried fruit
4-6 oz. of 100% juice (serving size depends on the type of juice)
1/2 cup cooked peas or beans

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

ACT LIKE A KID. Who says you have to be young to play? Find a sport or other activity and join a league or class. When it's fun, it doesn't seem like exercise. Schedule a little playtime each day, just for you. Start today and enjoy your weekend.

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

WALK THIS WAY. Take and evening walk with your family each night. Use this quality time to chat, catch up, and grow closer as you burn calories and improve your fitness levels. I think this is a great idea. Calvin and I have tried walking together but it doesn't work for us. He walks to fast for me and his walks are shorter in time. So starting in July a lady down the street has asked to join me as she wants to lose some weight too. My walking has to wait till July when I get this lovely boot off for good.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

CULTIVATE A GARDEN. Planting, watering, pruning and caring for a garden relieves stress, beautifies your home and increases your daily activity. This we do. Calvin likes to plant all kinds of thing and even though my main jobs are to start the seeds inside and then water twice a day the other work is done by him. My main concern is my pumpkin patch. Last year we grew 7 extra large pumpkins and the grandchildren living in Oregon each got one. I was quite pleased at how well they did last year. It was lots of fun. Try it.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

PLAN AN ACTIVE VACATION. Schedule a trip around activities that you can't do anywhere else-whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, scuba diving, walking tours, canoeing and more. I think this up coming campout and party fit into this tip just perfectly. I can't wait to see everyone again.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

TAKE THE STAIRS. Skip the elevators, escalators and other "people movers" and move your own body. You'll burn calories and avoid lines in airports, malls, and offices.
NOW this tip I agree with 100%. There is just something about taking the stairs that makes you feel good. In this town we have no malls, airports or offices that have anything like elevators, or escalators to use so it is easy around here but I do enjoy taking the stairs at dad's in Myrtle Point.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

CARRY MORE WEIGHT...At the store, use baskets and a little muscle, instead of the assistance of a shopping cart. Carry your own bags and unload the car yourself to build strength and independence.
Okay this one makes no sense to me at all. Shopping carts were invented to assist me in my shopping. It cost the stores big money to provide them and it would be just plain rude not to use them. Besides we go shopping just once a week and there is no way I could carry all that stuff even with one of those sissy baskets the stores sometimes provide. No I will keep my cart and build up muscles just pushing that thing around.

A PERSONAL NOTE...OR BEANS, BEANS, THE MUSICAL FRUIT

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, As I have said before I should to eat more veggies but don't. I have been thinking a lot about mom's baked beans. Calvin loves beans and would love to have some at the picnic. I did send an email to all my sisters as you may remember and no one had mom's recipe. I have been looking on line and in all kinds of cook books but nothing. Then I got out the Betty Crocker cookbook and found a recipe like what I remember mom's tasting like. It is very hard to fix a recipe just going by what the taste in your mind tells you. It has been 40 years since I tasted mom's beans last but I knew in my mind what I wanted them to taste like. I remember mom soaking the beans over night so I did that yesterday. I remember her boiling the beans for just a minute or two and then letting them simmer while she started her laundry and other housework. I remember mom not adding onions so I too left them out and I remember mom adding extra brown sugar so I did too. The last thing mom always did was tip up the ketchup bottle and squirt ketchup till she felt like stopping. I did too. That was fun but very tricky. I then added water to cover everything in the pot. I then put the beans in the oven and waited. GUESS WHAT???? THEY TASTED JUST LIKE MOM'S. It was so cool. I even made cornbread like mom to go with the beans. Needless to say Calvin is thrilled. We will have this meal more often. I am going to make some for the picnic and now I am on the hunt for a bean pot like mom had. Haven't seen any around but I am going to start looking. I will just settle for making them in the dutch oven for the campout. I guess what I am trying to say is that even if you don't like veggies or fruit there are many ways to eat healthy and enjoy it. Some times it just takes a trip down memory lane.

TIP OF THE DAY - SUNDAY

MAKE TIME FOR MORNING FITNESS...Spend just 5-10 minutes doing pushups, lunges,jumping jacks and stretches before you shower. You'll strengthen your muscles and feel more energized each morning.

TIP OF THE DAY - SATURDAY

FOLLOW A RECIPE...Cooking more meals at home keeps you on your feet and burns more calories than picking up the phone to order takeout. Plus, homemade food is usually healthier. This is good advice for me, but I just follow a basic recipe then I add what ever I am in the mood to add. I make whole wheat bread, 2 loaves every week but it never tastes the same. I add oatmeal, or broccoli, or peanuts or carrots or whatever and it is really good. It is also fun to see what it is going to taste like and what color it turns out. I think the purpose of the tip is NO TAKEOUT...Cook at home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY DEAR,
HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR,
IF I HAD ONE WISH THEN IT WOULD BE...
A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM ME!
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND A GREAT BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

TIP OF THE DAY - FRIDAY

WEAR A PEDOMETER. This handy tool counts your steps and motivates you to get active. Aim for at least 10,000 steps daily, that's about 5 miles, the activity level for good health. Remember when you buy one you get what you pay for. I bought one at Bi-mart for about $4.00 and it was worth just that. It worked part time and was a piece of nothing.

TIP OF THE DAY - THURSDAY

HIDE THE REMOTE...Remember the days before remote controls? Remote controlled TVs, radios, garage doors and even windows. Pretend they haven't been invented and use your muscles to do the work yourself.
I DON'T THINK SO...I couldn't get in the garage or house without that garage door opener. I haven't seen the garage door key for years, and get up and change the channels on the TV? I don't even know where those buttons are. But a good tip for other people.

TIP OF THE DAY - WEDNESDAY

ANOTHER ONE I CAN DO...DRIVE AWAY FROM THE DRIVE-THRU. Whether you're at the bank, pharmacy, or fast food joint, you already spend enough time in your car. park and run inside to complete your errands instead of waiting in the line of cars.
This is such an easy thing to do for all of us and sometimes going inside is much faster too.

TIP OF THE DAY - TUESDAY

OKAY THIS TIP I CAN AGREE WITH AND I TRY TO DO...
Park further away. You'll add extra steps to your day and save time by walking
briskly (and not waiting for a closer spot). In a shopping center (mall), park once and walk to and from your car between stores.

MAY'S WEIGH IN RESULTS

THANK GOODNESS A NEW MONTH AND A NEW DETERMINATION IS STARTING TODAY.
May was a month of ups and downs for all of us. I am so glad another new month is starting today. Here's how we did.
Liisa lost .8 pounds last week for a total for May of a 4.2 pounds lost.
Sarah added a 3 pound gain last week for a total for May of a 3 1/2 pounds gain. Let's remember the stress and everything that is going on in Sarah's life and brain. I can't imagine all the studying she is doing and hard long hours she is putting in. I am impressed that she didn't gain more. She certainly could have.
Becky stayed the same last week for a total loss of 1 pound last month.
Eileen gained 1 pound last week for a total of 3 pounds lost in May.
Joleane stayed the same last week and ends the month of May where she started.
Elizabeth stayed the same last week which gives her a 1 pound loss for May.
Yvonne lost 2 pounds this past week for a total May loss of 3 1/2 pounds.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND IT WILL COME OFF. SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE.

TIP OF THE DAY - MONDAY

SPARKPEOPLE DOES ANOTHER 30 TIP SHEET...30 DAYS TO AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLE:
I am not sure I agree with all 30 of these tips but will do them each day just to give you some "food" for thought. I of course DO NOT agree with day one:
"Be your own dishwasher. Washing a few dishes by hand will keep you on your feet and active. You'll burn more calories, save water, and electricity, and have clean dishes in a matter of minutes." I get plenty of exercise just rinsing the dishes off and bending up and down to put them in the dishwasher. And I like rinse and hold if there is not enough for a full load.