Friday, January 14, 2011
As it turns out....
Only about half of a Chicken McNugget is actually chicken.... Read more about it here. And...I am DONE letting my kids have these, as a special treat. Disgusting!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday's Tip of the Day
Dealing with Snowmageddon
Here in Western PA, we are hearing about this "Winter event" that is about to hit our area. It happens every year. 13 snowflakes fall from the sky and everyone rushes to "Gian' Iggle" to buy the 36 roll mega pack of toilet paper in case they are trapped in the house until Spring. Milk and bread are gone from the shelves and people's Facebook statuses are in constant update mode. "I heard the kids will be off school all week ... Is this ever going to stop?... I love snow! (OMG! You swore!) ... Did you get your milk, bread, and toilet paper?
Since this was in the forefront of my mind, I decided today would be an appropriate day to discuss how you don't have to miss a workout just because it's too cold to go outside and the roads are too bad to risk a trip to the gym.
First of all, it's important to recognize that, as with anything in life, the more planning you do, the higher your success rate will be but there are times when the best laid plans get sidelined by something like a snow storm, sick child, or electricity outage. Lucky me - I have had the pleasure of experiencing all three of those this week alone.
When you realize that you have to workout at home, the possibilities are endless...
1. Put on the music and DANCE!
This is the easiest one and requires no equipment except something in which to play music. Whether it's your favorite playlist or the latest CD from Elmo, just move your body and get your heart pumping. You will burn some calories and you have the added bonus of some fun, quality time with your kids or pets, if they join you.
2. Do an Exercise video, DVD, or On Demand workout.
If given an hour I could give you a litany of workout DVD's and even some old VHS videos (yes, including Sweatin' to the Oldies - don't judge!) that I own. Though they do take up space, I find them to be quite helpful on those days when I can't get outside to run or to the gym for my usual routine. Now, it's not even necessary to own a bunch of workout videos because the On Demand feature of FiOS has such a huge selection of (Free!) workouts as well. Only have 10 minutes? Believe me, there will be a list of workouts for you to do!
3. Dust off your exercise equipment and use it.
I know some of you are using a treadmill or bike as an extra coat hanger. It's time to use that equipment for a better, healthier use. Even if you just spend 30 minutes or so walking on the treadmill, you are better off than you would be sitting on your rump, watching tv.
4. Invest in some workout gear.
There are a lot of home gym products on the market right now and many are very low cost. Try some hand weights, a medicine ball, resistance bands, or even a Shake weight (See SNL skit here - not for kids eyes).
5. Use your own body weight.
When you don't own any fancy equipment, you can still get in a workout using your own body weight with Yoga or Pilates moves. Not sure where to begin? Try the ABC's of Yoga or Pilates for Beginners.
As I have been writing, the snow hasn't stopped so I am off to take my own advice and get in a solid workout right in the comfort of my own home. Now, if I could just find my exercise ball....
Here in Western PA, we are hearing about this "Winter event" that is about to hit our area. It happens every year. 13 snowflakes fall from the sky and everyone rushes to "Gian' Iggle" to buy the 36 roll mega pack of toilet paper in case they are trapped in the house until Spring. Milk and bread are gone from the shelves and people's Facebook statuses are in constant update mode. "I heard the kids will be off school all week ... Is this ever going to stop?... I love snow! (OMG! You swore!) ... Did you get your milk, bread, and toilet paper?
Since this was in the forefront of my mind, I decided today would be an appropriate day to discuss how you don't have to miss a workout just because it's too cold to go outside and the roads are too bad to risk a trip to the gym.
First of all, it's important to recognize that, as with anything in life, the more planning you do, the higher your success rate will be but there are times when the best laid plans get sidelined by something like a snow storm, sick child, or electricity outage. Lucky me - I have had the pleasure of experiencing all three of those this week alone.
When you realize that you have to workout at home, the possibilities are endless...
1. Put on the music and DANCE!
This is the easiest one and requires no equipment except something in which to play music. Whether it's your favorite playlist or the latest CD from Elmo, just move your body and get your heart pumping. You will burn some calories and you have the added bonus of some fun, quality time with your kids or pets, if they join you.
2. Do an Exercise video, DVD, or On Demand workout.
If given an hour I could give you a litany of workout DVD's and even some old VHS videos (yes, including Sweatin' to the Oldies - don't judge!) that I own. Though they do take up space, I find them to be quite helpful on those days when I can't get outside to run or to the gym for my usual routine. Now, it's not even necessary to own a bunch of workout videos because the On Demand feature of FiOS has such a huge selection of (Free!) workouts as well. Only have 10 minutes? Believe me, there will be a list of workouts for you to do!
3. Dust off your exercise equipment and use it.
I know some of you are using a treadmill or bike as an extra coat hanger. It's time to use that equipment for a better, healthier use. Even if you just spend 30 minutes or so walking on the treadmill, you are better off than you would be sitting on your rump, watching tv.
4. Invest in some workout gear.
There are a lot of home gym products on the market right now and many are very low cost. Try some hand weights, a medicine ball, resistance bands, or even a Shake weight (See SNL skit here - not for kids eyes).
5. Use your own body weight.
When you don't own any fancy equipment, you can still get in a workout using your own body weight with Yoga or Pilates moves. Not sure where to begin? Try the ABC's of Yoga or Pilates for Beginners.
As I have been writing, the snow hasn't stopped so I am off to take my own advice and get in a solid workout right in the comfort of my own home. Now, if I could just find my exercise ball....
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Quote for the Week
Quick! Go grab a piece of paper!
Now, write down this quote and stick to somewhere that you will see it every morning. Take a moment when you see it, read it three times in your head and say it out loud at least once. Believe it because it is one of the most true statements I have heard in my entire life.
"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change." ~Bill Phillips
Now, write down this quote and stick to somewhere that you will see it every morning. Take a moment when you see it, read it three times in your head and say it out loud at least once. Believe it because it is one of the most true statements I have heard in my entire life.
"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change." ~Bill Phillips
Friday, January 7, 2011
PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT
I am really excited about the Fitness Challenge. We officially started on January 1st and today is the first week weigh in. Stats are coming in steadily and I am looking forward to announcing our top 3 for each category sometime this weekend. So, at the beginning, I promised some prizes but couldn't say what they would be until I knew how many participants we secured. Here is the prize breakdown:
MOST WEIGHT LOST:
The person who loses the highest percentage of weight during the contest will win a $50 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods. Even if you don't have one in your area, they have an online site as well.
MOST INCHES LOST:
The person who loses the largest number of total inches from their body will win a $50 gift card to Kohl's. Again, they have an online site so no worries if you don't live near one.
MOST MILES:
The person who logs the most miles during the contest period will win a $25 gift card to RunningWarehouse.com.
RANDOM DRAWING:
If you report your stats to me every week on time (prior to 9am on the Saturday after the Friday weigh in), you will be entered in a drawing to have your entry fee returned to you. This will be completely random and will be drawn by my 4 year old daughter (who is unbiased and no fair bribing her with treats...)
The small print items: You can only win one category. I will start with Weight Loss and if that person also wins the Inches category, I will move to the second highest inches lost etc until I get to the last prize. This gives everyone a fair shot at winning *something*. Please send any questions to me directly at motivationalmom@gmail.com.
The prizes will be mailed out via USPS. Receipt of prize is the sole responsibility of the winner. Motivational Mom (a.k.a. Maria Fruscello) assumes no responsibility or liability for any damages, losses, or injury resulting from the acceptance or use of any prize. All prizes are mailed out within 2 weeks of announcement of winner. Any prizes lost in transit or stolen are not the responsibility of the Motivational Mom (Maria Fruscello) and the winner assumes all liability and financial cost. I am in no way responsible for replacement of that prize.
MOST WEIGHT LOST:
The person who loses the highest percentage of weight during the contest will win a $50 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods. Even if you don't have one in your area, they have an online site as well.
MOST INCHES LOST:
The person who loses the largest number of total inches from their body will win a $50 gift card to Kohl's. Again, they have an online site so no worries if you don't live near one.
MOST MILES:
The person who logs the most miles during the contest period will win a $25 gift card to RunningWarehouse.com.
RANDOM DRAWING:
If you report your stats to me every week on time (prior to 9am on the Saturday after the Friday weigh in), you will be entered in a drawing to have your entry fee returned to you. This will be completely random and will be drawn by my 4 year old daughter (who is unbiased and no fair bribing her with treats...)
The small print items: You can only win one category. I will start with Weight Loss and if that person also wins the Inches category, I will move to the second highest inches lost etc until I get to the last prize. This gives everyone a fair shot at winning *something*. Please send any questions to me directly at motivationalmom@gmail.com.
The prizes will be mailed out via USPS. Receipt of prize is the sole responsibility of the winner. Motivational Mom (a.k.a. Maria Fruscello) assumes no responsibility or liability for any damages, losses, or injury resulting from the acceptance or use of any prize. All prizes are mailed out within 2 weeks of announcement of winner. Any prizes lost in transit or stolen are not the responsibility of the Motivational Mom (Maria Fruscello) and the winner assumes all liability and financial cost. I am in no way responsible for replacement of that prize.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Quote to Consider
"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain." ~Author Unknown
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tuesday's Tip of the Day
Read labels!
My husband and I have been using a program called Daily Plate on Livestrong.com to track our calories in and out as well as see the percentage of protein, carbs, and fat we consume each day. I am usually quite conscious when I do the grocery shopping to scan the labels. I don't want to eat a bunch of ingredients that I can't even pronounce (well, besides quinoa but who can remember how to say that one anyway...?) I typically shop the perimeter of the store and spend the majority of my time and money in the produce and meat sections.
A couple of weeks ago, I was at Giant Eagle and saw that frozen Honeysuckle turkey burgers were on sale. I didn't check the label because hey, it's a turkey burger...what could be bad about that, right? In my defense, I was also shopping with the 2 smallest kids and was in a bit of a hurry. Last night, we ate those turkey burgers. About an hour after dinner, while tracking his dinner on the computer, my husband commented that his fat percentage was higher than normal.We checked it out and the Honeysuckle turkey burgers had 17 grams of fat each (and he had 2 because he is trying to gain and get some extra protein to build muscle). That's 34 grams of fat from his main dish alone! Yikes!
I knew we had eaten turkey burgers in the past, so we quickly looked through our meals to see why we had never noticed this before. AHA! Last time, we had gotten Jennie O brand. *LOL* For those of you who watch "Biggest Loser" you probably saw all the product placement they do for this brand. It made me giggle when I realized that they were right - what a stark difference when it comes to their nutrition labels.
Honeysuckle brand
I don't intend for this post to be an ad for Jennie O (because you know they certainly aren't paying me...) but it is an "ad" for the importance of reading labels. When you go to the store next time, take a look at what you are putting into your body. And, try tracking for a bit to see if that helps you to target some problem areas. I didn't realize how much extra water weight I was carrying around until I started tracking and saw that my sodium was nearly double the recommended amount each day.
Good luck to all of you and have a healthy happy day!
My husband and I have been using a program called Daily Plate on Livestrong.com to track our calories in and out as well as see the percentage of protein, carbs, and fat we consume each day. I am usually quite conscious when I do the grocery shopping to scan the labels. I don't want to eat a bunch of ingredients that I can't even pronounce (well, besides quinoa but who can remember how to say that one anyway...?) I typically shop the perimeter of the store and spend the majority of my time and money in the produce and meat sections.
A couple of weeks ago, I was at Giant Eagle and saw that frozen Honeysuckle turkey burgers were on sale. I didn't check the label because hey, it's a turkey burger...what could be bad about that, right? In my defense, I was also shopping with the 2 smallest kids and was in a bit of a hurry. Last night, we ate those turkey burgers. About an hour after dinner, while tracking his dinner on the computer, my husband commented that his fat percentage was higher than normal.We checked it out and the Honeysuckle turkey burgers had 17 grams of fat each (and he had 2 because he is trying to gain and get some extra protein to build muscle). That's 34 grams of fat from his main dish alone! Yikes!
I knew we had eaten turkey burgers in the past, so we quickly looked through our meals to see why we had never noticed this before. AHA! Last time, we had gotten Jennie O brand. *LOL* For those of you who watch "Biggest Loser" you probably saw all the product placement they do for this brand. It made me giggle when I realized that they were right - what a stark difference when it comes to their nutrition labels.
Honeysuckle brand
- 240 calories
- 17 g fat
- 210 mg sodium
- 20 g protein
- 160 calories
- 8 g fat
- 80 mg sodium
- 22 g protein
I don't intend for this post to be an ad for Jennie O (because you know they certainly aren't paying me...) but it is an "ad" for the importance of reading labels. When you go to the store next time, take a look at what you are putting into your body. And, try tracking for a bit to see if that helps you to target some problem areas. I didn't realize how much extra water weight I was carrying around until I started tracking and saw that my sodium was nearly double the recommended amount each day.
Good luck to all of you and have a healthy happy day!
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