Fiber

     It is starting to get really cold here at nights. Okay so for here 32 is not really cold but it sure feels that way. Hard to believe that in a month we will be hoping to reach 32 during the day. One thing I am not looking forward to is the bundling up of the kids. Takes me 15 mins to find snow gear and get it on them; so that they can head out and play for 5 mins; and it will take me another 15 mins to get them back out of all their gear, hang everything up and make the hot chocolate.

     My morning routine consist of getting ready for work, double checking kids backpacks and then having breakfast with Holly. I love reading about her daily adventures. Her life always seems so exciting. I often sit and wonder if it really is or if she is just a better writer then me. :) I am sure it's both. This morning she wrote about feeling like Fred Flinstone when she runs. I love the analogy even though if she is Fred then my short 5' 2' legs and size 8 1/2 feet make me Barney (maybe Rubble, maybe purple dinosaur). I find myself making daily characacher's of myself. I hate my big feet, my short body, flat hair, long fingers, teenage ache. By the time I am done I am left with a bad self image, instead of how I want to feel... 
     My morning routine consist of getting ready for work, double checking kids backpacks and then having breakfast with Holly. I love reading about her daily adventures. Her life always seems so exciting. I often sit and wonder if it really is or if she is just a better writer then me. :) I am sure it's both. This morning she wrote about feeling like Fred Flinstone when she runs. I love the analogy even though if she is Fred then my short 5' 2' legs and size 8 1/2 feet make me Barney (maybe Rubble, maybe purple dinosaur). I find myself making daily characacher's of myself. I hate my big feet, my short body, flat hair, long fingers, teenage ache. By the time I am done I am left with a bad self image, instead of how I want to feel... 

     To help with this bad self image I have been working out. I am not dropping a TON of weight yet but I am working on it. I have been hitting the gyms a couple times a week and really pushing myself while I am there. It is one thing to go it is another to actually put in the effort. A couple days ago my husband suggest that I start taking fiber so I jumped on the fiber bandwagon and have been drinking my fiber every morning and trying to remember every night. I read up on it and a woman my age should be getting 25 grams of fiber a day. Let's talk a little TMI; are you pooping your banana a day? Dr. Oz says it takes 20 hours to push out what you eat. Without enough water and fiber it can take up to 100 hours which is bad because your food is essentially rotting in your belly. You should poop a banana; shape and texture a day at least but no more than 4 a day. 

     Okay that's enough.. I am off to work. Until next time; happy pooping ;) 

 

Which Cardio Exercise Burns the Most Calories?

I found this article online. I am trying to figure out which cardio program will help me jump start my workout. Below are the top 10 cardio exercises which burn the most calories in 30 minutes.

1. Step Aerobics - one of the most favorite cardio exercises preferred by women. Step Aerobics mainly target your legs, hips and glutes, and can burn approx. 400 calories in 30 minutes.
2. Bicycling - stationary or outdoors is a great cardio exercises, depending on resistance and speed can but 250 to 500 calories in 30 minutes.
3. Swimming - like cross-country skiing is an excellent cardio exercises as it is a full body exercises. Swimming is a great cross-training for other cardio activities. Doing the breast stroke can burn approx. 400 calories in 30 minutes.
4. Racquetball - side to side sprinting makes racquetball and excellent cardio exercises. A 145-lb person burns over 400 calories in 30 minutes.
5. Rock Climbing - is not only a cardio exercises, but also uses arm and leg strength and power. Rock Climbing can burn up to 380 calories in 30 minutes.
6. Cross-Country Skiing - whether on a machine or outdoors on snow, is an incredible cardio exercises as it involves both upper and lower body. A 145 lb person can burn approx 330 calories in 30 minutes.
7. Running - Running is an excellent cardio exercises because all you need is a pair of quality running shoes. Running burns serious calories. A 145 LB person can easily burn 300 calories in 30 minutes.
8. Elliptical Trainer - is an excellent cardio exercises and a great way to build endurance. A 145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.
9. Rowing - is both a cardio exercises as well as giving your arms an incredible workout. 145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.
10. Walking - Brisk walking is a less strenuous form of cardio exercises. Walking can burn up to 180 calories in 30 minutes. Sprinting, adding hills or an incline can increase amount of calories burned.

For the real high intensity cardio people out there who love the H.I.I.T training (HighIntensity Interval Training), below are the top three cardio exercise which will provide amazing results!

1. Jumping Rope - This is one of the simplest, yet most effective exercises one can do. In just 15 to 20 minutes, jumping rope will give you an unparalleled total body workout. Jumping rope is ideal for cardiovascular endurance and enhances performance in virtually any sport - tennis, basketball, football, skiing, volleyball and more. This simple exercise is also great for eye-hand coordination, lateral movement, foot and hand speed and agility.
2. Sprinting - Sprinting not only burns HUGE amounts of calories while sprinting, it also keeps your metabolism flying for days after. Sprinting combined with running / jogging can bring amazing results
3. Spinning - These high-intensity workouts to music simulate a challenging bike ride, complete with hills, valleys and varying speeds, all dictated by the group instructor.

Trader

It's starting to get cold here in Northern Michigan. We have seen snow several times but nothing sticking; which is a good thing. I am not looking forward to snow gear.. It takes mom 15 mins to get kids into snow gear, for them to play outside for 5 minutes; then another 10 minutes getting gear off, hung up to dry and the hot chocolate made. I really hate winter...

Over the weekend a good family friend competed in the Iceman Race. The Bell's Beer Iceman trail consists of paved roads, dirt roads, two tracks (majority of course, abandoned railroad beds and the world famous Vasa Nordic Ski Trail. It's 30 miles long. Race is done no matter the temperature or winter conditions. Friday night we got a sitter and stayed overnight in Traverse City so that Saturday morning we could attending the opening event and see Greg off. Even though he is crazy it was so cool to see him start and finish. He completed the race in 2:48. It still amazes me. That is just crazy to think of riding a bike in the cold 32' temp through the mud, snow, rough wooded terrain 30 miles.

It got me thinking one that I am pretty out of shape but two how much I enjoy competing in my small 5K races. I am not a runner and not sure I want to be but I really enjoy the feeling you get from finishing. Maybe I will consider running/walking another one this spring.

I have started working out again. I started back up a couple weeks ago. I decided to challenge myself to lose 10 pounds by Thanksgiving. This wasn't going to be that hard until I hit a plateau or what felt like one. I did a two pound gain that I held onto for 3 weeks and really discouraged me.I am 5.6 pounds away still and have less then 3 weeks to drop and unless I have a wonderful week this week not going to happen. I am trying not to get discouraged and have been trying to mix up the workout and increase the time and speed. I switched over to the elliptical a week ago and hoping that will help my Saturday weigh in. I would love to see 2 down this week. I feel like a trader though - I have always believed in walking to lose weight and have had success but.... I need to mix it up.

We are planning to take the girls to Chicago over Valentines Day weekend and I would love to be down in the lower 160's or even see the 150's by then but I am 16 pounds away from 159 so we will see. There is time; 15 weeks but three food holidays to get through. Baby steps.