Alternative Exercises for Those Who Don't Like Running

I recently came across this blog called "Quick To Fit". It's got a lot of articles about staying in shape, and most of them are not for hard-core olympian-level athletes, if you catch my drift.

For instance, here's a list of alternative exercises for those who don't like running...

* Going for a brisk walk
* Swimming at the local club
* Doing a workout video
* Playing basketball
* Rowing machine
* Hiking on local trails
* Spin classes
* Stationary bike
* Roller Blading
* Cross country skiing
* Mountain bike riding
* Elliptical machine
* Treadmill
* Jumping rope
* Circuit training
* Ultimate frisbee
* Step Aerobics
* Handball/Racquetball
* Rock climbing
* Kickboxing

Personally, I think Dad would be a natural fit for rock climbing and kickboxing. But seriously, it just goes to show how there really are tons of different things you can do.

Surviving Superbowl Sunday...

I came across this terrific article in the NY Times yesterday that everyone should definitely read. It basically notes how the serving sizes listed on food labels are completely out of touch with how people actually eat, and that the FDA is seeking to rectify the problem.

Since it's Superbowl Sunday and one of the most blatant stuff-your-faces days of the year, we should all keep in mind serving sizes. Like the article says, only about six (SIX!) tostitos chips counts as a full serving with over 100 calories. And that's without any toppings or dippy stuff.

If you're gonna be sitting on the couch all day watching the game (and hours of pre-game), everyone should make a platter of cut up raw veggies - carrots, celery, broccoli, grape tomatos, etc., and if you really need a dip, make sure it's of the low-fat, low-calorie variety.

Substituting this in place of potato chips and nachos will alone probably save you several hundred calories today.

So everybody have fun, but let's all try to put in some conscious effort this afternoon... after all, if we make sure our diets survive Superbowl Sunday, then everything else will seem that much more achievable too.

How Your Diet Can Survive Thanksgiving...

From http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55869 (so none of you bustas can charge me with copyright infringement)...

Dressing, pumpkin pie, sweet potato casserole ... the annual Thanksgiving bounty is something we all look forward to. But if you can't afford the traditional holiday weight gain, this time of the year can leave you running scared. With a few simple changes to your usual approach, you can enjoy the feast without wrapping yourself in those extra pounds.

Thanksgiving is the official start of the holiday party season, and restrictive diets can make this time of the year grueling. But it's also the time when most of us gain an extra 1-3 pounds that, unfortunately, tend to become permanent baggage.

The Power of the Plan

You can feast on the food, but this year arm yourself with a plan that will help whittle down the usual 3,500-calorie meal to a more reasonable indulgence. Think ahead to Jan. 1 when you will delight in seeing the needle on the scale right where you left it in November.

Choose a few of the useful weight control-tips below to help you maintain your weight while still enjoying the good cheer and delicious food on Thanksgiving day and the rest of the holiday season.

Preparing for the Big Day

• Wear a tight-fitting outfit. This will make you less likely to overeat because it becomes too uncomfortable.
  
  
• Don't arrive starving. Eat before the big feast. A small healthful meal with lots of fiber (oatmeal, whole-grain sandwich, salad with beans) keeps you feeling full until dinner.
  
  
• Make time for exercise every day, especially on Thanksgiving Day.
  
  
• Establish some ground rules in advance of the meal that allow you to indulge but not pig out -- for example, only one sliver of dessert.
  
  
• Buddy up with someone who is also trying to keep his or her weight in check.
  
  
• Keep a food journal and write down everything that you eat. This is an incredibly powerful tool, especially when you are tempted to overeat.
  
  
• Start a new family tradition. Take a bike ride, go for a hike, or play tennis Thanksgiving morning.
  

Ready, Set, Go

• Enjoy higher-calorie food in smaller portions.
  
  
• Don't eat food just because it is there. Save your calories for the foods you love.
  
  
• Distance yourself from the hors d'oeuvre table.
  
  
• Munch on fresh fruits and veggies instead of high fat appetizers.
  
  
• Scan the buffet and carefully choose the foods you love. If they are high in calories like the gravy, just take a smaller portion. Take larger portions of the simply prepared foods such as baked sweet potatoes, steamed vegetables, and skinless white meat of turkey.
  
  
• Limit yourself to one plate of food, no second helpings.
  
  
• Eat slowly and savor every bite. Give the food a chance to let you feel the satisfying feeling of fullness.
  
  
• Eat what you like, just eat a little less of it.
  

Desserts, Desserts, and More Desserts

• Enjoy a small serving of dessert. Choose pumpkin over pecan pie and save a few hundred calories. Eat just the filling to take in fewer additional calories and limit trans fats.
  

Cheers

• If you drink alcohol, save those calories for a glass of wine with the meal.
  
  
• Skip the high-calorie, high-fat eggnog this year.
  

When You're Done

• At the end of the meal, drink a glass of water and push away from the table to help you realize that you are full.
  
  
• Follow the large meal with a leisurely walk.
  

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Wii Exercise Tips

So I was googling looking for articles on Wii weight loss tips. What I found was just tons of articles and blogs of how it helps people lose weight. I even was reading something of how one guy started it to get in shape because they have bad feet and its hard for them to walk at times. So that person was able to do 30 minutes of wii playing rockband and wii sports everyday and was down 30lbs, w the same diet they always have. Factor that with weight watchers and u guys will be in good shape.

I also saw somewhere this website. http://traineo.com/ . It's totally free and helps tracks all of ur exercising, including wii, and setting up goals and everything else. I think it's worth checking out and signing up for. Give it a shot, it sounds pretty good.

All-Natural Very-Veggie Chili Recipe (in a Crockpot)

By request. Not only is this super-healthy, but you can store it in the fridge or freezer to always have a healthy alternative ready-to-eat. Plus, there's no fancy cooking instructions needed for a crock-pot. You just throw all of the ingredients in there and turn the sucker on. End of story.

(Simply double all of the ingredients, if you want to make a lot. That's what I always do.)


Ingredients:

* 1 onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped
* 2 carrots, grated or sliced thin
* 1 1/2 cup corn
* 1 zucchini, diced
* 2 cans kidney beans
* 2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
* 1 tsp cumin
* 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
* dash cayenne pepper
* dash hot sauce (optional)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot or slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Tips To Stay Fit During Extreme Weather Seasons

1. Schedule your exercise as if it were an important meeting or appointment. Identify available time slots each week for physical activity. If you plan on exercising four times a week, schedule in at least five "exercise appointments." If circumstances prevent exercise one day, you've got a back-up exercise day just in case.

2. If you live where it is cold during the winter, embrace the snowy days and plan activities that you just can't do in other parts of the country! Exercise doesn't have to be limited to a gym. Shoveling your walk way (or helping a neighbor shovel theirs) can be a great form of exercise. (If you are over age 40 and/or have heart problems, consult your physician before attempting to shovel snow.) Just get out and play! Go snow-shoeing. Go sledding. Inquire about public skating hours at a nearby ice rink. Buy an inexpensive pair of ice skates from a local sporting goods store, or a used pair from a thrift store.

3. Spend as much time outdoors as possible. Check the weather reports first, but during the warmer winter days (40°F and above) and the cooler summer days (below 90°F), plan to take long walks outdoors while the weather is mild. Walk to work, park your car farther away, or get off the bus a few stops early and enjoy a brisk walk before and after work to increase your daily steps.

4. Hit the mall for exercise. You won't have to spend a dime! Most malls open early (before the stores open) and allow "mall-walkers" to do laps around the length of the mall in the comfort of the indoors.

5. Discover the free or low-cost fitness centers located near your home or workplace. Ask about year round or month-to-month membership that would allow you to have a place to exercise during the extreme weather months. Many fitness centers offer group discounts. So gather a group of friends, family members, or co-workers and join together! There may be a YMCA near you.

6. Make an exercise "date." Find a friend, family member or co-worker and make plans to go to the gym, an exercise class or participate in a sport on a weekly basis. Sharing an exercise routine with a partner will help keep both of you motivated - and have fun together!

7. Try something new. Sign up for a yoga or Pilates class. Try a kick-boxing or a martial arts class. Buy or rent a fitness video. Go bowling, country line dancing, or learn to dance. Salsa, hip hop, ballroom, even belly dancing classes are a great way to burn calories and have fun at the same time.

8. Be creative during bad weather. If you watch television for an hour each day, try to get up and do sit-ups, jumping jacks or jump rope during each commercial break. This could add up to almost 20 minutes of exercise! For an even better workout, try marching or dancing in place for an entire 30 minute program!

9. Sneak a little exercise into your daily routine. Make chores your chance to be active. Put some music on while you're doing housework and keep up with the beat. Do a lap around the perimeter of the grocery store before starting your shopping. Always take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. Park as far away from the entrance as (safely) possible. Get up and walk to a co-worker's desk instead of calling or emailing. Move every chance you get!

10. When exercising or playing outdoors, remember these hints: Dress in layers, wear sunglasses or a visor to shield eyes from sun, and wear sunscreen to prevent sun damage. In warm climates, stop in shade to take breaks as needed, and always carry water to drink before, during and after exercise. When it's cold, protect your hands with gloves or mittens. Wear a hat or a cap because most body heat is lost through your neck and head. Warm up slowly and drink plenty of fluids. You can get dehydrated in the winter, too.

The only way to stay physically fit all year round is to make exercise a priority. Think creatively and make a plan to stay active all year long. Remember that there are 1,440 minutes in a day, so do your best to devote at least 30 of them to exercise.

10 Minute Sitr Fry Chicken

1 Tbs. light olive oil

1/2 onion

2 garlic cloves

1 Tbs. chicken bouillon granules

1 lb. mixed stir fry vegetables

10 ounces cooked chicken breast

1 cup Carrot Sticks

2 Tbs. Oriental stir-fry sauce

To make this a really quick-to-prepare recipe, choose your ingredients carefully. Here are some helpful hints: look for chopped onions in the produce section; you'll need 1/2 cup of chopped onion. The produce section also often has carrot match sticks in a bag; you'll need 1 cup. Also look for peeled garlic cloves; all you have to do is mince or chop. Find frozen mixed stir-fry vegetables in the freezer case; choose a variety without added sauce. In the meat case, you'll find already-cooked chicken, often with the word short-cut in front of it; this often comes in several flavors.

Heat oil in nonstick pan over medium high heat with chopped onions, minced garlic, chicken bouillon granules, frozen vegetables and 2 tablespoons water. Add stir-fry sauce (it doesn't have to be Oriental, just a fat-free favorite of yours), chicken and carrot match sticks. Sauti briefly until all are heated through. Carrot match sticks should still be crisp, lending a great texture to this easy dish.

Serves 2

Calories 388, Fat 11.1g, 26% Calories from Fat, Cholesterol 109mg, Protein 47.4g, Carbohydrates 21.9g, Fiber 5.5g, Sodium 1831mg, Calcium 26.4mg.