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!

Back to the Gym

I am really excited that I get to go back to the gym and work out. Last Tuesday, we signed up for a new gym membership at the local gym right down the street from our apartment.

The gym is really nice and fully equipped with all kinds of exercise machines you can think of. They got a hot sauna, exercise rooms with free classes, even a hair salon. Most of all, they got a great daycare where I can leave my kiddos while I'm exercising.

So last Wednesday was the first day I went. Then yesterday, I met with a personal trainor named Christine. She was really nice and very helpful. I felt more motivated to get really fit. This morning, I woke up a little sore in the lower leg and hip area but it felt good. It made me remember back when I was in high school and tried to get into the girls' football team. My, I was very sore from the waist down right after a few football practice. I found out from our family doctor later that I could't play football because I had a mild anemia and I could get dizzy doing strenuous activities- including playing football. I was of course, very disappointed. I swear I was always feeling jealous whenever the team won and awarded football trophies. I could have been part of those victories. But oh well...

Anyway, I'm very excited about going back to the gym I couldn't help but write about it.