Just for the HEALTH of it!™

Week SIX

You have come this far…don’t quit now!!

I get it.  WALL SITS were horrendous!!  But think of what it did for you!  Have you noticed that you have had to steer clear of restaurants these past few weeks?!  Resisting Fast Food, making home cooked meals, now eliminating processed foods!  My wallet didn’t take a hit…but I have been BUSY!!!  Making meals at home takes time…and the amount of DISHES!!??  I have dish pan hands!  I spent more time in the kitchen prepping, cooking, and then cleaning!  I never sat down…which was probably a GREAT thing!  Was wonderful eating as a family and enjoying GOOD food!  And gratitude really makes you feel better about life and what life brings you! 

When I look around…people genuinely appear HAPPY!  I commend you!  Only 3 more weeks to go!

Planks

This week’s torture is doing a PLANK! Sounds pretty simple (kind of like the wall sits) until you ACTUALLY do it!

Try to hold it as LONG as you CAN!  Then each day increase it by 5 seconds!  Your body will shake, but you will be working all the muscle groups in your abdomen.  Capturing muscles in you back.  Generating a stronger core!

Watch this VIDEO that demonstrates the proper PLANK!  Only take a FEW minutes a day!  Find a comfortable location and GO! No need for fancy equipment!  No need to shower-maybe a second application of deodorant!

 Make sure you have good form and good technique to prevent lower back pain and strengthen you core!

Home Cooked Meals

Let’s go back to the way DINNER is supposed to be enjoyed…family eating at that thing called a “kitchen table.”

                    http://dailyhealthpost.com/eating-home-vs-eating-out-reasons-cook-own-meals/

Benefits of eating a HOME COOKED MEALS:

1. Healthy Choices-You can control the PORTION SIZE, the amount of salt, the amount of FAT and oil.

2. Cost Advantages-Eating healthy meals at home can cut your food budget dramatically. When you consider that a healthy and satisfying meal can be prepared for less than $30 for 4, it is difficult to imagine that a run through a drive thru for the same cost is the best option.

3. Celebrate with FAMILY and Friends!! Make the kitchen the center of your home where food, family and friendships are celebrated. The meal will spur creativity, fellowship, and healthy eating practices.

4. Because you are preparing the meal-you know what is in it! If you go out to a restaurant-they do not have to disclose ingredients, calories, fat, or additives in your meal.   You also have the choice of eliminating cooking in oil, adding only a dash or no salt. You could also sprinkle some extras-like chia seeds or flax seeds to add some protein and good cholesterol. And probably less calories while eating at home! When I go to a restaurant, sometimes it is hard to find healthy options.

5. TIME SAVING-You think it is faster to order take out? It is actually NOT! According to a recent study published in the Nutrition Journal, the average American spends only 20-30 minutes preparing dinner each evening. You can prepare healthy, tasty meals at home, quickly, with a little forethought and preparation.

Share some of your recipes this week for bonus points!  HECK-share a meal with your buddy!!

Humor

We have all heard, “Laughter is the best medicine!”  So laugh it up! LOL! ROFL!! LMAO!!

Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

Creating Opportunities to Laugh:

• Watch a funny movie or TV show.
• Go to a comedy club.
• Read the funny pages.
• Seek out funny people.
• Share a good joke or a funny story.
• Check out your bookstore’s humor section.
• Host game night with friends.
• Play with a pet.
• Go to a “laughter yoga” class.
• Goof around with children.
• Do something silly.
• Make time for fun activities (e.g. bowling, miniature golfing, karaoke).

            http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm

I think in our line of work, having a sense of humor is a MUST!  We can’t take EVERYTHING so seriously or we would CRACK!  Not a day goes by that I don’t have a laugh!!

So SMILE!  You’ll feel better!  Giggle…it’s contagious!

I can’t wait to hear some jokes.  See people being silly.

I HAVE to SHARE the latest video that made me almost pee my pants!  I swear someone from Bellin made this video because it was so similar to our life!  I apologize in advance if some of this is offensive but if you have a sense of humor you will find this FUNNY!