Rhythm and Blues

It seems to happen to me around this time every year…the proverbial winter blues.

It never fails, the once crisp white snow deteriorates into messy brown sludge; my car throws on its winter coat of salt; the jovial snowmen wilt into old age; and my spirits fall along with the mercury in the thermometer.

Often during these bitter months, my will power succumbs to the cold weather and my drive to work out pales in comparison to my desire to curl up on the couch under my fleece blanket.

Mother Nature has flexed her muscles this winter and I, until recently, was letting her win.

Last week, as I was debating whether or not I wanted to work out, I realized that I was fighting a losing battle with my self. I found myself justifying, quite successfully, skipping my workout that day. The sub-zero temperatures simply made it too cold to run outside; the gym is always packed on Mondays (on top of that, I couldn’t fathom the thought of another endless mile to no-where on the treadmill); and, I have done every work out DVD that I own so many times that I can repeat them from memory and, therefore, they can not possibly be doing me any good.

All good reasons, right? I thought so…until, I realized that I had used the same excuses to avoid working out every day that week. I knew from experience that I was on a very slippery slope. If I let myself off the hook every time it was cold outside, I knew that I would soon accept 60-degree temperatures as unbearable conditions and my only form of exercise would be in the form of laps from the couch to the refrigerator.

I needed something new and refreshing. Something to spice up my routine and get me out of this slump I had fallen into.

That afternoon, I decided that I would try out a series featured on FitTV called “All-Star Workouts”. The series rotates trainers and exercise routines. This was just what I needed! I wasn’t sure what the workout would be, but I knew it would be something new and the opportunity to complete it from the comfort and warmth of my home made it difficult to find any legitimate reasons to back out! As the hour approached, I actually found myself growing excited.

Finally, I was ready for my workout. Today’s feature… “Hip Hop Dance”. Let’s just say my excitement ended there. I had to double check to be sure I was on the right channel. Yes, I was about to work out hip hop style.

Now, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m that person who, when forced to showcase my dancing skills in public, breaks out the stereotypical 80’s dance moves (the sprinkler, shopping cart, etc.) to mask my lack of rhythmic skill. I am not the worst dancer, I can keep the beat, but I am certainly not going to win any dance contests!

How bad could this be? I could certainly catch on. At least I thought so until the instructor started going through a dance routine that, I swear, is featured in the latest Britney Spears video. How was this ever going to work?!

I started out very reserved, most likely out of complete embarrassment. Then it hit me…I was home, alone. After a few moments of reassuring myself that no one was watching and there were no hidden cameras filming this for You Tube, I let down my guard. I put everything I had into that workout. I was completely out of step and made up many of my own moves, but it was a good work out and, most importantly, I was having fun! I can’t tell you how hard I laughed at myself! The session lasted only an hour, but I remained positive and upbeat the rest of the day. I had worked out both my body and spirit.

I’m not sure that I will keep hip hop dance in regular rotation, but I now know that I have to incorporate and embrace new and different things into my exercise routine in order to keep me out the rut brought on by the winter blues.

Listen to your heart!

February is all about matters of the heart…and I’m not just talking about Valentine’s Day! February is “American Heart Month” and what better way to show your loved ones how much you care than by simply making better, more heart-healthy choices?

I mentioned in my last blog that I committed to my life-long resolution a little over 2 years ago. This was a decision that I made on my own and for my self. You see, you can not fully embrace the challenges and, many, temptations a life-style change like this brings unless the time is right, for you. I know this from my past diet disasters! Therefore, I try not to offer healthy eating or living advice unsolicited (at least, outside this blog). But, I can usually find something to contribute when asked!

With that disclaimer stated, I would like to tell you about of one of my very favorite people. I promised him when I started writing this blog that I wouldn’t tell stories about him without approval. Well, sometimes it’s easier to ask for forgiveness! And, I promise, not to mention any names.

About a year ago, my, nameless, boyfriend started talking about wanting to “tone up”. Secretly, I believe “tone up” is guy code for “lose weight”! So, for Christmas, we decided to give each other memberships to our local YMCA and started working out together at the gym.

After a year of regular workouts, however, he was still puzzled and, sincerely, frustrated as to why the pounds weren’t coming off. Then it happened…he actually asked for my help to figure out why. In his own, roundabout, way!

I politely mentioned that, although he had been very loyal to the gym, his diet staples of frozen pizzas, macaroni and cheese, and Oreo cookies, may have something to do with it.
Remember…I said I didn’t give unsolicited advice!

We had an honest discussion about what changes he was ready to make and how he could incorporate healthier options in his diet. On our next trip to the grocery store, he vowed to learn to read…nutrition labels, that is! As we made our way through the freezer section, and the frozen pizza was upon us, I stood back and waited as he started searching for the label. “That’s not bad?!” he exclaimed. I then reminded him that the nutrition facts were per serving, not for the entire pizza.

As he was intently calculating in his head the calories and fat grams for the whole pie, a gentleman approached us with a smile on his face. “Hard to believe, isn’t it?” he chuckled. The man explained that he and his wife started reading nutrition labels 11 years ago after he suffered a major heart attack. The experience made him realize that his health and life with his family were more important to him than the fatty foods he lived on for years. He was only in his forties when he had his “life changing” experience and wasn’t going to take his second chance for granted. We ran into him several times throughout the store and he always had a piece of advice or words of encouragement to offer. He was such a pleasure to meet!

My boyfriend didn’t say much about our conversations with the gentleman in the grocery store. I will tell you that, since then, he has started making an honest effort to watch his portions, add more fruits and vegetables, and has even switched to reduced-fat Oreos! Sometimes the small changes make all the difference…he has actually lost about 10 pounds!

You don’t have to eliminate all of your favorite foods to lead a healthy lifestyle; you just have to make smart decisions. You can have your pizza and eat it too!

The more thoughtfully you protect your heart, the less likely you’ll face the life-threatening challenges posed by heart disease. No matter what your age or where you feel you are in life, the best time to take action and get healthy is always right now.

Remember, your heart is in your hands!

"I look forward to sharing this journey with you"

The night after I made my New Year’s resolution to lose weight, I bravely decided to hit the gym. As I waited for an open treadmill (in my new matching workout wear), I was greeted with a rush of mixed emotions. First, complete fear. Let’s be honest, no one wants to be the one that goes flying off the back of the machine!

Next, as I looked around at the sea of new and unfamiliar faces, I was excited at the hope a new year brings; the promises that we all make to ourselves that, yes, this is the year that I am going to get healthy! This is the year that I am going to stop the “drive-thru”’s and start the work out’s. This is the year that I will finally drop those extra pounds that the bathroom scale rudely reminds me of every morning.

Then, as I was happily fantasizing of the new beach ready body I would soon achieve, I was slapped back to realty. The truth is, come February (maybe March, if we are really committed) the lines for the treadmill will disappear, the Valentines Day candy and the peanut butter Easter eggs that they mercilessly tease you with in January will become too tempting, and we will dejectedly postpone that New Year’s resolution…for next year.

New Year’s Eve is full of excitement, hope, and endless possibility. That, unfortunately, I realized is often the problem. We get so caught up in the romance of the evening, at the mystery of the unknown, and the dreams of fitting into our coveted “skinny jeans”, that we forget about all the hard work that we will have to put in to achieving that beach body. We overlook replacing French fries for carrot sticks, passing up the second trip to the buffet, and enduring the never ending workouts when all you want is to curl up with a good movie and a big bag of buttered popcorn.

The truth is, dropping those extra pounds and maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes more than a promise made (often after a glass of champagne) in a fleeting moment of celebration. It takes more than just a New Year’s resolution…it takes a life-long resolution.

It is easy to make a weight loss resolution, whether it comes on January 1st or July 1st. The hard work comes in the months, days, and long hours that follow. No matter when you make your resolution, the important thing is that you stay committed to the promise you made …the promise for a healthier you. Is there any better gift?!

I made my life-long resolution two years ago, without any bells and whistles. I decided it was time to take control of my life. It has not been easy and there are many days, even minutes, when I want to toss that resolution and pick up a doughnut (and sometimes, I do!). But, through the many challenges, I remember the promise I made to myself and my future and that is reason to celebrate!

I hope to use this blog to share with you my voyage to a healthier lifestyle. I will be honest about my successes and failures, offer insights and information that I find helpful, and, hopefully, provide encouragement to you as you begin your life-long resolution. I look forward to sharing this journey with you!