My Gazelle -- The Buy of the Year

Last week I found a listing in craigslist for a Tony Little Gazelle. I had read some positive comments in SparkPeople and got excited by the price being asked ($30 for an item that is selling for $189 at Wal-Mart). The kids and I took it home on Saturday and I began using it immediately. What a great workout machine! Although Tony Little's infomercials have raised a few eye brows and are nothing less than tacky, I think the machine actually does a great job of giving you a fantastic workout. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to view of the possible workouts you can do on the machine. So far, 5-10 minutes is all I need to break into a nice sweat and feel my heart rate reach a nice level -- all with little impact to my joints. Although my right knee is feeling a lot better, I still experience minor discomfort on it. I strongly recommend getting your hands on one of these machines, especially if you can get an awesome deal on a used unit like I did.

10 Tips to Keep from Overeating at a Party

10 Tips to Keep from Overeating at a Party

Temptations abound at parties, but celebration doesn't have to mean overindulgence.

Mercury Found in Corn Syrup, Other Products

In the News: Mercury Found in Corn Syrup

Mercury, which is a toxin that can have debilitating effects on the nervous system, has been found in almost half of tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup, according to two new U.S. studies cited in a USA Today article. In addition, mercury "was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where high-fructose corn syrup is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient."

Storing up for the winters of life

SparkPeople - Storing up for the winters of life

One of Aesop's most famous fables is about an encounter between a grasshopper and some ants. All summer long the ants had been toiling away, saving up grain for the long winter. All the while the grasshopper merrily--yet foolishly--squandered his time without a care in the world, without making any provisions for the cold season to come. When winter came, the grasshopper found himself starving and begged the ants for food. They replied, "If you were foolish enough to sing all the summer, you must dance supper-less to bed in the winter." While leisure time is important for rejuvenating an overworked mind, idleness is just a step away from foolishness. Think about the future that you deeply desire for yourself and your family. Chart and take wise steps towards it. There's nothing wrong with stopping to smell the roses, as long as you keep moving along the path.

The value of friendship

SparkPeople - The value of friendship

We all have a handful of acquaintances--those people with whom we work or see at the store and casually say hello to and move on. But a friend is someone you confide in, bring over for an afternoon cup of coffee, invite to your wedding, or cry with when a loved one passes away. You just feel a sense of safety with a friend. Don't wait until a rainy day to express how much a good friend means to you. Often we are unaware of how much we mean to others until they speak up, and likewise we never know how much another person might truly need to hear such affirmations. An approving, cheerful word of encouragement can thrill a heart. Be sure to always say kind words before you part, show sympathy during hard times and affection during wonderful ones. Life would not be the same without positive friendships. Express your gratitude to someone today who has made a difference in your world!

Wake Up to the Importance of Exercise

Wake Up to the Importance of Exercise

You stayed up late last night to finish a project, woke up groggy only to realize that you’d slept through the alarm clock, skipped breakfast, then almost fell asleep in the middle of an important morning meeting. It’s now mid-afternoon and, as you’re having yet another cup of coffee to stifle yet another yawn, you realize you’re seemingly sleep walking through your days.

Portion Control

Portion Control Article (full of great information)

Question: Is it possible to eat meals consisting entirely of healthy foods, such as carrots, fish, apples and whole wheat bread, and continue to gain weight?

Answer: Yes, because you can still eat too much, even if everything is good for you.

This was the theme of "Super Size Me" by Morgan Spurlock and something I see as a major problem in our society.

The Importance of Setting Medium-Term Goals

Here is a nice article about setting goals — it is short and to the point and has great information:

The Importance of Setting Medium-Term Goals

Overweight Kids: The Sad Result of a Fast Society

It seems everything has to be fast: fast foods, fast cars … fast everything. The food industry has to turn animals around quickly, and so do farmers with crops. Some of this "rush to market" process has come to hunt us by causing kids to be overweight. As parents, we are also rushed for time, so we choose to feed our kids fast food (not just restaurant fast food) that is not necessarily healthy.

Here is more information on what to do to prevent or try to solve this problem: Expert Solutions: Overweight Kids

6 Ways to Exercise Like a Fitness Pro

Here are some awesome tips for you!

6 Ways to Exercise Like a Fitness Pro

Inauguration Day

Yesterday was an interesting day. The school district (and just about everything else) was closed due to "snow." We did get a few flurries and something like a mini-trace of the white stuff stuck to the ground for a few hours. It was good enough for the kids to go crazy for a few minutes -- then the cold got the better of their enthusiasm and they came in from the cold, asking for hot cocoa.

It did give us the chance to watch the inauguration ceremony and celebration. OK, honestly, the kids were bored but I forced them to endure the swearing in and the inaugural speech.

Needless to say, it was a historical event of proportions we can only begin to imagine. However, being the simple person I am, and considering the economical climate of our world, I would have liked the Obama team to tone down some of the celebration and set the example of how to be more fiscally responsible. I can only imagine what this whole week of celebrations cost. Millions, I would imagine. A friend of mine called this the coronation, not inauguration, as it looked more like the old-time celebrations that monarchies used to insist on at the change of power. If this is the kind of change we can expect from the Obama administration, then we are in for a rough ride. I hope this is not the case. I hope Mr. Obama will set the tone of moderation and modesty that we need from our leader. The excesses of the past got us into trouble -- it is time for all of us to change, not just the middle class and those near or at poverty levels. President Obama and his whole team need to show responsible behavior and attitude. The millions spent on celebrations can be better used to feed the hungry, save people from losing their homes, and find cures for cancer.

Friends

From an email:

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
But ... Only Friends ...
Keep You Going!

Moe's Nutritional Information

If you are a fan of Moe's food, then you may be interested in this link:

Moe's Nutritional Information

The nice thing about this page is that it is interactive: add and subtract ingredients to get a more accurate calorie and carb count. Nice job by Moe's restaurants!

Every step DOES count!

Add Steps to Subtract Pounds

The researchers conclude that setting your goals in steps (rather than minutes) may be the best way to increase your overall activity.

I have personally experienced the power of adding steps. It makes you want to do things like park at the far end of the parking lot so that you can add some more steps to your daily count. It really works!

Two for the price of one!

Here is a great story of a couple that achieved success together: SparkPeople: Sucess Stories: Matt & Denise

Bella and Tara — What is our excuse?

Elephant and Dog story: Bella and Tara (CBS)

The realities of weight loss

[outrageous advertisement] claims are readily rebuked by anyone who’s tried to lose five, 10, or 100 pounds. Losing weight ain’t that easy. It’s not in a pill, it doesn’t (usually) happen in 30 days, and judging from the myriad plans out there, there is no one diet that works for everyone.

9 Cold, Hard Weight Loss Truths

Is Evening Eating Destroying Your Weight Loss Efforts?

Great article and helpful:

Is Evening Eating Destroying Your Weight Loss Efforts?

Insomnia Can Hinder Your Weight Loss

This is why the experts tell us that 6-8 hours of sleep daily is necessary for good health.

Insomnia Can Hinder Your Weight Loss

It is all relative -- about eating out

Here is an eye-opener for you:

What Do 300-Calorie Meals Really Look Like?

It really makes you wonder about going out for a meal!