Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Bust stress!
Stress is part of an unhealthy lifestyle. But it's also something that can be pretty tough to avoid. Luckily, we've got some AHA stress-busting tips and facts:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/Stress-Management_UCM_001082_SubHomePage.jsp
And some actions we can take to manage stress:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/TakeActiontoControlStress/Take-Action-To-Control-Stress_UCM_001402_Article.jsp
Ladies, know the warning signs!
Many of you may remember the Elizabeth Banks piece on women and warning signs from our luncheon. It's worth watching again:
View the Heart Attack Warning Signs in Women:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Heart-Attack-Symptoms-in-Women_UCM_436448_Article.jsp
View the Stroke Warning Signs Quiz:
http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/StrokeWarningSignsQuiz/Stroke-Warning-Signs-Quiz_UCM_308584_Article.jsp
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Measure Shmeasure!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
OH EM GEE
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Yoga Joy!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
It wasn't a dream!
Week 5: Weight Control For Your Heart
Know Your Calories. Find out your recommended number of daily calories. To start losing weight, you'll need to reduce your food intake by 250-500 calories per day.
Set a Weight Goal. If you are overweight, a good goal is to lose 5-10% of your body weight. A safe rate for weight loss is ½ to 2 pounds per week.
Stay Balanced; Calories in = Calories out. Weight is a matter of energy balance. To keep your weight the same, your calories in must equal the calories your body uses. To lose weight, you have to either increase your calories out, reduce the calories you consume, or both.
Get Active! Move more. All movement burns calories. Increase the intensity of what you already do. You burn about the same number of calories per mile walking or jogging. But you burn them faster if you pick up the pace.
Don’t “reward” a workout with food. Go for a walk to help you fight non-hunger urges to eat. Keep track of your physical activity! Here is a log you can use.
Eat Healthy! Watch your portions. Try pre-portioned meals and snacks. Don’t drink your calories. Reach for water first. Pay attention to hunger. Eat before you get too hungry; stop eating before you feel full. Keep track of your eating!
Did You Know?A number of risk factors for heart disease and stroke can be addressed by improving your physical fitness – no matter what your size. Focus on making healthy food and physical activity choices. For substantial health benefits do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. It's important to remember that a healthy weight doesn't necessarily mean your heart is healthy.
Don't Fall for Traps and Trip-Ups - Traps and trip-ups include emotions, situations, places, or even people that influence you to get off track. You've got to recognize and address these triggers for less healthy choices. For example, you may have a cookie-eating weakness when you get stressed, or avoid physical activity because you're too tired after work.
Once you've discovered your traps and trip-ups you should plan how to avoid them. Remember, even if you can't control your situation, you can control your choices. And the more healthy choices you make, the more likely you'll achieve your A Better U Course For Success!
Think about the goals you have worked toward in your weekly Course for Success. What barriers have you discovered? What has worked to help you overcome them?
Check In With Your Choices – Stop Emotional Eating - Many women let their emotions get in their way of their choices. Here are suggestions for avoiding this common trap:
Recognize how your mood affects your food. Stress, sadness, boredom, and even happiness can lead to unwanted calories and weight gain. Just a handful of potato chips every day can add about 1,000 calories per week. That could make you gain 4-pound in three months and 16-pounds in a year! Some women, on the other hand, lose their appetite and have poor nutrition during emotional times. It is important to know how your moods influence your food so you can make healthier choices.
Use healthy coping skills. After you understand your emotional eating patterns, develop an action plan. Think of ways to cope with emotions that don't involve food. For example, if you've had an intense day at work or you've been juggling carpools for your kids, avoid flopping down on the couch and flipping the remote control while eating your favorite chips at night. Instead, give yourself a 15-minute timeout and take a walk, do some stretching exercises or call a friend for support. Chances are you'll feel better and will have forgotten about those chips that were calling your name.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I'm so proud that our American Heart Association has SO much nutrition information available for all of us. Much like you BetterU ladies, I am working really hard to have a "better relationship" with food...and our resources REALLY help. Check out our nutrition center.
AHA Nutrition Tips
Where you can "Meet the Fats"...some are good for us...some, not so much!
Learn how to use AHA's Heart-Check Program when grocery shopping...find foods put through rigorous science before they can meet our approval.
And my favorite when I just don't know what to cook...our recipe center...
Plus there's tons more. Happy browsing! Hope you have a heart healthy remainder of the week.
We are so proud of each of you!!!
-April Dawn
Going Green!
Monday, March 18, 2013
I will NOT have any of these Brownies
Day care is having a bake sale tomorrow and I said we would bring something. As you are my witness, I will not eat any of these Brownies.
I swear.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Doesn't get any better......
Friday, March 15, 2013
Friday night yoga
Nice to see Carol for Friday night's Cardio Yoga! Here she is with the instructor, Mary Anne. Also, Carol got a quick lesson from Carla on the treadmill. Carol is just racking up those challenge points.
I be moooving like Jagger!
Keeping the Whole Family Healthy
Here's nutrition tips for keeping the entire family healthy! Hope you've all had a terrific week...keep those updates coming. We're with you, and we love watching your journey unfold!
-April Dawn
Thursday, March 14, 2013
I RAN A MILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loving this!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Had a good day
Monday at 5:45 am
I got up and was at W2L to do the first floor routine of the week. I have noticed I can do Jacob's Ladder for a minute before I need a rest. My weights can probably go up some too. Clothes are feeling looser and I am sleeping very well. My son does not feel quite as heavy and I know he's not losing weight.
Will work on that mile run tomorrow.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Yoga today!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Waking up refreshed
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can change in your life--or help a smoker you love to change. We have an entire site dedicated to kicking butts:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/QuitSmoking/Quit-Smoking_UCM_001085_SubHomePage.jsp
Covering my "Assets"
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Avoid the Salty Six!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Mushroom Strudel
For a get together with friends today, I made the recipe on page 12 of the Recipes for the Heart book. I will let you know how it tastes.
Did the routine this morning
Do you know where this quote is posted?
I made it to W2L this morning to do my exercises. I have improved on that Jacob's Ladder device so that's a great sign.