I Am In Love

Over the years I have tried everything to organize the comings and goings of me and my family. After having children something happened to my memory. I lovingly call it my "mommy mind".  My mind randomly chooses appointments or engagements to forget. I have no control over this phenomena to the disbelief of those who are left waiting for me. Talking with other moms, I have discovered that it is something many of us have in common. In an attempt to keep my appointments I tried wall calendars, pocket calendars, cell phone calendars, desk calendars and color coded calendars. I have to admit that even my, big as they come Chip and Dale calendar, did not give me the motivation to look at it (I know...hard to believe right? :)

I have finally found the answer! I love cozi.com. It is a website that allows families to share a single calendar. We share a family password and each family member can access the information using their own email addresses. The website emails me our weekly calendar of events each Sunday night and allows me to email To Do Lists to my children or hubby. Everyone has their own color so the calendar is easy to read and use.

There is also a grocery tab where you can type grocery lists and you have the option of separating the items by store. I love this since I buy some things from Costco and others from the local supermarket or farmers market.

The journal was a feature I did not expect to use. That is, until my 5 year old says or does something so cute and funny...sometimes even humiliating, that I have to write it down to remember :) For example, I was in the grocery store one day with my 3 and 4 year old little boys. My 3 year old insisted on sticking his arm out as people went by and letting them run into his arm. As much as I talked to him about, he would not stop. I was relieved when we finally made it into the check-out line with little harm done. As we progressed forward, to my absolute horror, I saw my son with both hands reached out in front of him grab the lady's rear end in front of us. I was not fast enough to stop it. The lady, expecting to see a pervert, turned around with flames in her eyes. When she saw who had grabbed her rear she said, "Oh, what a cute boy!" I was so relieved that I was able to will my tears back into my tear ducts and somehow move on. Years later that story makes us laugh and laugh. Everyone can use a good laugh as often as we can get one!

The best part of cozi...I can send myself reminders so I don't forget important events or appointments. The website is free to use and I got the app for my iphone so I can take it all with me. Check it out. Don't miss this gem. You will love it!

Getting fit one blog at a time

How Much Exercise Do I Need

When I was growing up the answer was simply 30-minutes of exercise 5 days a week. In more recent years obesity is up, general good health is down, childhood obesity is on the rise. With all these factors taken into account the exercise recommendations have also changes.

In order to lose weight the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) recommends 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day. As you read this please do not faint or decide it just can't be done. It can be done. The exercise does not need to be done in one session, although it can be done that way. You can break it up into manageable sessions. For example, 30 minutes morning, at lunch and at night or a morning and evening session of 45 minutes. You can even do numerous 10 minute sessions if your lifestyle calls for it.

Message of the day is to ramp up your exercise time. Get it up to the recommended amount. If you are already at your healthy weight you can get by with 60 minutes of exercise. Remember from the last post that it should be something you enjoy.

Happy exercising!!

Getting Active

In my years as a fitness trainer I have been asked over and over "How can I stick to my fitness plan?" The answer sounds so simple. Do what you love to do!

Some of you know exactly what type of exercise you love to participate in and which type of exercise you prefer to skip. Inevitably I get someone who says that they are running as the main part of their aerobic workout even though they dislike it soooo much. It doesn't take long before they quit altogether. Life is short and with so many options out there we do not need to waste time doing something we don't like doing. Short and sweet...if you don't enjoy it, don't do it.

For those of you who aren't sure what you love to do, start experimenting with different types of exercise and see what you enjoy. Figure out what you like and get to it. You are more likely to be successful if you enjoy what you are doing...I find that not only works with fitness, but in many aspects of life from social situations to work.

I participate in many different types of exercise and recreation. For example, last week I did 4 mountain bike rides, went telemark skiing, played volleyball in a women's city league, and went for a run on the treadmill. I loved every minute of it and can't wait to do more!

Here are some activities to consider trying: aerobics, spin class, zumba class, running, eliptical machine, walking, running stairs, mountain biking, hiking, playing a sport, skiing, weight lifting, cycling, snowshoeing, climbing gyms and canyoneering.

Your challenge: Find what it is you love to do for exercise and fitness.

The time has arrived

I need to get serious and get rid of my last 20 "baby pounds". My husband laughs everytime I say that. He tells me that I can't count them as baby pounds anymore now that my baby is almost 4 :) "Well, technically he is my baby".

I am a certified personal trainer. I have always had a love for fitness and recreation and a desire to share that with others to inspire them to reach their goals. I have found on many occasions that others inspire me to do more and be better.

This blog represents a platform for me to be able to share my love for fitness and to provide useful information to others. Please leave comments and questions.