Looking Into Fitness

I was driving by my local recreation center today and read the big neon sign ad about spinning and yoga classes. Hmmm, it got me thinking. So I went online to see if they offer any night time or weekend schedule for those classes that I might be able to get into. The good news is that they do have a few that will.

One of my immediate fitness goals is to really lose this darn bulge around my tummy. So I've been doing my at-home yoga moves and cardio dancing whenever I get the chance. Spinning, I heard, is a big fat burner so I'm quite excited about enrolling in this class.

Let's see how it goes. How about you? What kind of activities do you do to keep yourself physically fit?

Health and Weight Matters

Lately, I have been reading a lot on health and weight matters. This morning I went to WebMD and saw this really helpful article on surprising reasons why we gain weight. As always, common causes include lack of sleep, stress, and improper diet and physical inactivity. With life becoming more and more hectic, I have to look in deeper into these things and try to make changes everyday. Even small steps count. Like, I used to stay up really late. Now I give myself a cut-off time. Right after I put the kids to sleep at night, I do my usual chores- clean the kitchen, read a few emails, check my blogs, then call it a night. I know the computer can be really addicting especially on days when I know I am home all day with the kids. But I have started setting limits for myself on my daily presence online. It's tough, my friends. But I gotta start somewhere.

Then the gym. Ugh, if I could only go at least three times a week. Hmm, maybe twice is good enough. Better than nothing. I know some of my friends rely on weight loss pills to take the extra pounds off quick. I won't deny trying those before. But as hectic my life had become, I find that taking pills religiously on a daily basis is a real tough challenge for me. So I kinda gave up on that idea for now.

For my food intake, I've started going to MyPyramid.gov for the recommended daily allowance and healthy ideas on food. They even have stuff there for my kids that are really helpful.

Any other ideas on making positive changes on health and losing/maintaining weight? Please share!

Goin' Back to the Gym

Last week, I started going back to the gym. I signed up at the Clark Hatch Fitness Gym close to our house so I can try and go there at least 4 times a week. I also signed up to get a few sessions with a personal trainer so I have a little program/exercise routine to follow even when I get back to the U.S.

So far it's going great. I was happy to know I'm not obese- just need fitness (according to the body fat measurement the trainer did on me). I am 110 lbs right now and my goal is to lose 20 lbs! My real problem is my upper body (abs and arms). My lower body still looks okay. I had to control my diet too- for some reason since I was pregnant with Gabriel three years ago, I doubled my usual meal portions. I eat like a pig.

Every time I eat now, I have to make a mental note on my meal portions and remind myself about my fitness goals. Wish me luck, friends! :)