Thursday, January 29, 2009

Exercise, Eat right, Die anyway...

So far, the diet and exercise is going great. Well, I should say the exercise is going great. I’m usually better at working out then sticking to a diet. But, I’ve made a goal to work out 8 times a week and my first week I completed 7. I’ve had many people ask me what I do and how I can fit in all those workouts in one week. Well, it takes some creativity, support and a lot of patience from my family. I say creativity because on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s I lift weights downstairs with Kaman. It’s kind of hard to stay focused when you have your 2 year old climbing on you, driving his cars into your foot (while trying to stay in a very painful lunge), and having a marble or toy fly past your head. Needless to say, I enjoy my workouts at the gym more. But I love the Cathe Friedrick (cathe.com) workout tapes so I’m trying to work through them at home.

For those of you that want to know what workouts I do, here’s my routine….

Monday – Spin class (9:00am)
Tuesday – Upper body w/ weights/abs (10:00am)
Run/Walk 4 miles (anytime I can find before dinner)
Wednesday – Kickboxing class/abs (9:00am)
Thursday – Lower body w/ weights (10:00am)
Run/walk 4 miles (anytime)
Friday – Boot camp class/abs (9:30am)
Saturday – Kickboxing class/abs (10:30am)

The workouts are fun for me, but it’s the eating that I struggle with.

If anyone has suggestions on what foods worked for them, I would love to hear it. I’m far from a nutritionist and I hate spending a lot of time on cooking, so it has to be something fast or something I can make ahead and then heat up fast.

What works for you?

Monday, January 19, 2009

What are your new years resolutions?

Each new year we have a tradition in our family that has carried over from when I was a child, making and checking off our new years resolutions. What my family has done since I was little, and what we now do, is write some goals we would like to accomplish that year and then we write a goal or two for what we think our family members should work on. Growing up I remember some of the goals my siblings wrote for me were not very nice and something I wasn't even going to consider working on. But it was interesting to see what each family member thought we should work on. We also write down the weight of each person, the height and the age. Last year some of the goals Danielle had for herself was to keep her room clean, wake up earlier for school, listen in class more and practice soccer more each day. Ashley's goals included, working on A,B,C's, learn to read, help Danielle clean their room and try not to whine. Some of the goals we had for Kaman were to scribble more but not on the walls (Ashley's suggestion), play with me (Danielle's suggestion), learn more words (Mom's suggestion). I had a few goals for myself as well, wash dishes after every meal, finish laundry in one day, and have a mommy/daughter day set aside. Duane's goals included, go to bed earlier, read more, and learn something new. For the most part we did a good job this last year. We'll have to see how we do for 2009.

One of my top goals this year is to lose those last 10-15 pounds. I've made a goal to work out 6 days a week, & I'm hoping some of those days to squeeze in a second workout. I've lost weight before and know I can do it. But the first step for me is mentally preparing myself. As soon as I know I can do it then it will happen. Then I focus on the exercise and as soon as I am in my routine I work on the eating part. Eating, for me, is the hardest because I am a picky eater and I love to eat what I want. It takes a lot of focus at first, but then I just get into the groove and it works. It's always that first month that takes the most work, but sticking to it is how I reach my goal.

One of my favorite quotes that helps me get mentally charged is...

If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't!
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It's almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost;
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind!

If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself
Before you'll ever win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the person who thinks he can!



I honestly believe that if I know I can accomplish something, and I truly believe it, it will happen.

Friday, January 9, 2009

We need a new home....

Don't worry, we, the Howell family, are not in need of a new home, but my used furniture is. And I know this is tacky, but I'm going to use my blog as advertising for some furniture I am selling. I'm just thinking of all of you out there that read my blog and need used, but well taken care of, furniture. I'm nice like that. :)

Anyway, we are selling them on www.ksl.com.

Click on the name to go to the page.

Black Entertainment Center $450 OBO SOLD!!



3-piece Entertainment Center $250 OBO


Light Wood Baby Crib $100 & Jungle Safari baby bedding $100



If you are interested, we can deliver, too. Leave a comment, e-mail me or Duane or call Duane's cell or home phone.