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Health

Hula Hooping, My New Best Friend?

It’s a little hard to admit, but I’ve started something that only children and circus performers do for fun. Or at least I thought until one of my friends told me she watches TV while doing it for hours on end. (I’m still a bit skeptical about that, though.)

It’s hula hooping.

There, I said it. Now the whole world knows it. I have purchased a hula hoop and spent hours figuring out how to keep it up on my hips while I watch episodes of Sex and the City. (I like to think I’m a Carrie, but that’s a blog post for another day.) It started by watching many, many, many Youtube videos. See exhibit A:

I have to say, it’s not as easy as it seems at first, but once I got the hang of it, I couldn’t stop. It’s silly, but after about 15 minutes, my abs start to feel it and so do my hips. I’m not saying I’m burning a crazy amount of calories, but it’s better than sitting on my floor munching on cookies while watching TV.

If I wasn’t embarrassed to be seen on video, I’d show off my skills.

July 1, 2013 by Roni

Health

First Hike of 2013

The weather was beautiful, the dog was excited to go, and we were ready to scale the mountain. Nothing better than the first hike of the season.

One of my best ladies and I took the pup out this weekend to get some fresh air, and I’m so glad we did. Not only did we figure out that we need to do more fun outdoor activities this summer, but I realized I need to work on myself a bit more. It was exhausting getting to the top of Mount Major. Gotta love the view though, it was well worth sweating the whole way up and down the trails.

We took a harder trail, both of us scaling up on our hands and knees at one point to get up the rocks. The dog, on the other hand, was like a flash of lightning flying up the trail. I swear, she is part mountain lion or something. She’s so speedy.

We’ve also decided we’re going to do some research to hike some more this summer. So if anyone has any suggestions for NH area mountains to scale, let me know!

May 18, 2013 by Roni

Fitness, Health

I’m Not A Machine: Eating Healthy Has Its Limits

I’m proud of my progress so far this year. I’ve lost a significant amount of weight, especially for my height. A grand total of 20 pounds (give or take the day) since the beginning of the year. I’m only 5’4″. Most of this is in part of eating healthy.

I need to keep telling myself that this is an accomplishment, because not everyone has been supportive. In every life situation, there will be haters. Don’t let them get you down. For the most part, people have been really great, but there are a few that have made me feel like my progress has been not a great accomplishment. The reason I say this is that it takes a lot to not only start a journey like this, but to continue it through the doubt. There will be moments when weight won’t come off, when people are jealous and make you feel down, and then there will be times that you gain back the weight. It’s ok. It’s part of the process.

And I don’t want anyone to think that I’m always eating healthy and I’m a machine. I do my best, but I’m not perfect. I’m human like everyone else. It’s the small choices that make a difference, though.

Like when I craved a cookie the other night. It’s 140 calories for a Soft Bake Milk Chocolate Cookie from Pepperidge Farm. That’s a lot of calories for one cookie, but I wanted it. I’m not going to deny myself some sugar, but in the process, I’m going to try to add a healthy choice in the mix. Instead of having two cookies, which totally could have happened, I forced myself to eat some broccoli to fill my stomach and halt any additional cravings. Broccoli is low in calories, filling, and full of vitamins.

See, I need sugar just as much as the next person. Those cravings can’t be hidden forever, but they can be dwindled. I’ve been a savory eater my entire life, but sometimes I want some chocolate. I just don’t want to over do it. So the next time you’re craving a box of Thin Mints, take a moment to think about it. How about just one cookie to quell that cravings, and then eat something nutritious to supplement more of those cookies?

May 8, 2013 by Roni

Health

First 5K of the Summer

First 5K of the summer down! At least two more to go, and more pending if I get my act together.

You see, a few months ago one of my friends said we should do a 5K together, specifically, the one for the local children’s museum. Of course, I said yes. For many reasons. One because I think it’s smart to support your local organizations, two because I have already one 5K under my belt from last year, and three because it’s a positive step toward my 365 miles in 2013 year goal. It’s an easy 3 miles in one day.

So I signed up.

And we practiced the race path a few times. A rough uphill start, a loop through a mini development, and a really quick downhill slope at the end. It was rough the first few times. We pushed ourselves to make it through. We were down to only taking two mini walking breaks.

Then came race day. We were ready for that hill. . . we stood at the finish line with our bibs neatly pinned to our shirts . . . the race started and . . . and . . .

. . . we went an entirely different way toward what we thought was the loop. Learning curve: check with the race organizers to see what way is the right way. We were only off on the first part, to be fair. And it was a difference of a lesser incline to start. Actually not bad.

And! We did a 33:14 time with a less than 11 minute pace! Shaved off three minutes from the first 5K I ever did. So excited. We celebrated with Bloody Marys. Well deserved I like to think.

Two more 5Ks signed up for and I’m ready to shave more time off them!

May 4, 2013 by Roni

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