30-day Fitness Challenge - Day Twenty-Two

tip taken from webmd.com

Fitness Fact of the Day: Movement Melts Away Stress

As much as it may stress you out just to think about exercising, once you actually start working out, you'll experience less stress in every part of your life.

"Exercise produces a relaxation response that serves as a positive distraction," says Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. He says it also helps elevate your mood and keep depression at bay.

You're not the only person who will benefit from more happiness and less stress in your life. When you're less stressed, you're less irritable, Atkinson says -- and that could improve relationships with your partner, kids, and co-workers.

Is this true for you?  Has exercising helped you manage stress better?  

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was sweet.  Although, it WAS a Mother's Day.  My oldest daughter developed a fever on Saturday, kept it into Sunday and is staying home from school today.  So I was up with her throughout the night on Saturday night and early Sunday morning.  She was vomiting a bit, coughing like crazy, and other things I will spare you from reading.  

Once I got her settled early on Sunday morning, I got to stay in bed for a while, reading and drinking coffee, while Daddy took care of the house.  Then everyone piled onto our bed, even our Sickie, and I opened my presents.  I got adorable cards from my girls.  But one of the most special gifts I got was from my husband.  He wrote me a letter and bought me something I LOVE.  

I want to share the letter with you because it was special to me, but also because it's an encouragement.  Our husbands see what we do, even when they don't verbalize it.  Hubby is a very good encourager, but to see it all laid out in a letter was a blessing.  Here's what he wrote: 

May 9th, 2010

Mother's Day

Remarkable.  Visionary.  Inspiring. 

These are the words that describe the Mother that you are and have always been.  It astounds me how natural being a Mother is to you.  You know what to do in the face of a challenge, and you have a vision and can reason situations out to see how reactions now can have an impact on the tomorrow.  You have the ability to give consequences while still being compassionate.  They realize that even though they are being punished, it's for their actions and not for who they are. 

You genuinely love your daughters and enjoy being around them.  You find joy in their silliest moments. You hurt when they hurt.  You're proud when they are proud of their accomplishments.  You always want them to understand that their lives matter greatly in your life, and that without them you wouldn't be the same person.  Your goal is to instill in your daughters the definition of being a woman of confidence and a woman of God.  A woman of confidence in how God made her. 

I know few Mothers who are so invested in the lives of their daughters in a healthy way.  (My husband is a fourth grade teacher) It is an amazing thing to see.  You love Motherhood, even when it requires a lack of sleep, a change in plans, or some paint on the car.  Daily, you take things as they come and handle them with grace.  

Genuine.  Intelligent.  Selfless. 

These are the words that describe the Mother that you are and have always been.  It astounds me how natural being a Mother is to you. 

I consider it a true Blessing that the Lord has allowed me to watch as you go on this journey. 

I love you. 

J.  

This letter means a lot to me because these are some of the things I want to instill in our children.  I'm glad that he sees these things and has confidence in the Mother of his children.  

He also bought me this: 

Willow Tree Angel: Surrounded by Love

Hubby said that he chose this one because they all love me so much.  I am surrounded by their love.  

I hope you had a great Mother's Day.  Remember that what you do is important, even when you think no one else notices.    

What did your family do for you this Mother's Day?  

Thanks for stopping by,

30-Day Fitness Challenge - Day Twenty-One

10 more days to go!  How are you doing?  Are you keeping up with your exercise routine?  

This week we are going to start the last of our ten days of the fitness challenge talking about the Top Ten Fitness Facts taken from webmd.com.  

Fitness Fact of the Day: Exercise Boosts Brain Power

Not only does exercise improve your body, it helps your mental function, says certified trainer David Atkinson.

"Exercise increases energy levels and increases serotonin in the brain, which leads to improved mental clarity," says Atkinson, director of program development for Cooper Ventures, a division of the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas.

All that makes for a more productive day.

"It is clear that those who are active and who exercise are much more productive at work," says Todd A. Astorino, assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University-San Marcos.

Improved productivity not only makes you a better worker, it makes things better for everyone in the workplace (or home). 

Do you find this to be true?  Do you have more energy when you exercise?  Are you in a better mood?  What are some of the positive effects exercise has had for you over the past 21 days?   

30-Day Fitness Challenge - Day Twenty

Tip is from sparkspeople.com

TGIF!  Have a great weekend!

Tip of the Day: Exercising When You Travel

Like many things in life, it's difficult to create a fitness habit, but far too easy to break it. Missing a single workout can make you fall off the wagon for many days to follow, and when you're ready to get back into it, it becomes a struggle all over again. That's one of many reasons why it's a good idea to bring your fitness routine on the road with you: to be consistent. If you're traveling on business, a good workout can help you relax, maintain your sleep routine (which is often disrupted due to jet lag or travel), and reduce stress. If you're on vacation or holiday, working out each day may remind you to think twice before indulging in every rich food or drink that crosses your path (or at least help undo the extra calories people tend to take in while vacationing).

Personally, I exercise when I'm away from home. Now I don't go crazy or spend hours at the gym in lieu or enjoying myself (which is usually the point of a vacation anyway). But I try to do something active on most days, whether I'm at home or out of town. When I return home, I don't have to feel guilty for skipping exercise or struggle to get back into my routine. 

Here are a few ideas you can use yourself to exercise when you're away from home: 

• Take advantage of the hotel gym. It may be small, but it fulfills the need. 

• Pack your workout shoes. Go for a run or a walk. 

• Use resistance bands. These are lightweight, portable and easy to pack. You can get a full body workout in a hotel room! Jump ropes are also easy to pack and provide a great workout. 

• Buy a gym guest pass. It's a little pricey to do (usually around $10 per day at minimum), but worthwhile if it's the only option. Before you buy, find out if the gym you belong to is part of a national network that allows you to exercise at other locations (for free) when you travel. 

• Bring a DVD. This is a good option if you'll be staying with friends or family. But many hotels have DVD players at the front desk that you can check out and bring to your room. 

• Plan active pursuits. You can relax, explore the region and have an adventurous time with lots of vacation-worthy things like walking tours, canoeing, skiing and more. 

Packing workout clothes and planning workouts might not be easy as relaxing on the beach for a week, but fit people don't always take the easy way out. They make exercise a part their lives just as much as flossing or eating breakfast each day. 

Do you work out when you're on vacation or traveling? If not, come up with a portable fitness plan! Tell us what workout(s) you can turn to when away from home.

The Birds Are Here!

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about a nest I found on our patio.  I was checking them daily, waiting for those babies to hatch.  One day I found this:

 Little baby birds.  Their eyes aren't even open yet.  Look at the face of the one on the right.  You see his closed eyes and beak?  He looks like a grumpy old man.  

I climbed up on a chair, reached my hand as far as it would go, and shot some pictures.  I looked around and found Mama Bird watching everything I was doing: 

She was perched on our clothes line.  

Then, when no one was around, she fed her babes: 

Sweet, but gross.  

I know you are on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next installment of baby bird photos.  So be sure to check back.  I'll post them just for you!  

Thanks for stopping by, even if you are bored out of your mind,