Bev's BLOB Blog

Well I lost another .5 pound. That makes my total for March 9.5 pounds, so I'm right on target with my mini goal of losing 10 pounds/month. Now if I could just get healthy enough to start exercising again!

Motivational Quote

It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life we get nothing save by effort.

- Theodore Roosevelt
1858-1919; US 26th President

Healthy Living Quote of the Day:

Aim at the sun and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.

- Joel Hawes

FITNESS TIP OF THE DAY: Take a new attitude about exercising. Try doing it for enjoyment rather than for physical improvement. Feel the sun on your face, and take note of how good it feels to expand your lungs with each breath. Slow down your pace and enjoy the pattern of your breathing. Note how exercise makes you feel confident and in control. Remember exercise is medicine....not only does it treat symptoms, but it can heal and prevent as well!

Joanne Bednar

FITNESS TIP OF THE DAY:

Aerobic exercise does very little to burn fat DURING the exercise itself, and it only stimulates a slight increase in muscle. However, it has TREMENDOUS effects on the metabolism of fat, on heat production (which uses calories), on fat cells, and on every other aspect of fat chemistry in the body. So stop worrying about how many calories you burn during an exercise session! It is more important that you are exercising to change the way your body handles fat.

Joanne Bednar

I'm still doing well with my diet, and holding fairly steady at the same weight. Still unable to exercise with this bronchitis. I'm hoping tomorrow to get back to normal exercise routine! One good thing though! Yesterday, I was able to fit into some size 14 slacks! Been a long time for that!

CROSS-TRAINING

The use of more than one activity in your workout schedule is called cross-training--a combination of activities, such as jogging and cycling. Many people find this type of training less monotonous and more enjoyable. On days when jogging becomes "the same old, same old," a ride on a bicycle through a different neighborhood may be the answer to keeping you motivated. During inclement weather, a swim at an indoor pool may refresh your fitness program.

Cross-training also helps to reduce "overuse" injuries. This type of training strengthens a variety of muscles, reducing the tendency for stress injuries such as tendinitis, shin splints, and runner's knee. Also, if you can't do one of your activities because of an injury, you may be able to do another of your activities. For example, a knee injury may keep you from jogging but not from swimming.

Cross-training allows for overall fitness. All of the health-related components should be included in a fitness program: flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition. A cross-training session of stretching, water aerobics, and weight-lifting exercises would meet all five of the requirements.
tip via Elizabeth Thornberry

TIP OF THE DAY: Remember to breathe correctly with your resistance training sessions. Beginners often hold their breath while lifting, which may raise your blood pressure...and you might even faint if you strain too hard. Get in the habit of inhaling deeply with the beginning of each movement and exhaling completely at it's completion. When lifting heavy weights it is beneficial to exhale on the exertion part of the movement, and then inhale as you return the weight.

tip via Joanne Bednar

UGGGHHH! Still sick, so not working out. Hope to attempt some yoga and weights today. I'd never be able to do any cardio, as if I move around much I get major hack attack! I've stayed pretty much OP with one exception (some ice cream last night). I'm now down a total of 27.5 pounds!! I've decided coughing up ones' lungs must be a great aerobic workout!