50% done! Workout 50 of 2011 (Ripped in 30 level 1)

Woohoo!  I finally hit workout 50!  I swear the last 10 workouts have been tough to get done.  Thankfully, Monday is my last day before summer break so I will have plenty of time each day to fit in a workout without excuse.

I could be mad at myself because I've only worked out once a week for over a month, but instead, I'm going to pat myself on the back for doing at least 1 workout a week.  1 is better than none!  We should applaud ourselves, not beat ourselves down.  Positive reinforcement works much better than negative and prevents resentment.

So if you are like me and suffering from a spring slump, find something positive to focus on and try to get a workout in today like I did!

XOXO,

Sugar Savvy: A Very Likely Hero.... at Least, For Me

Diabetes is not a death sentence!  Read the story below about a man who is the oldest living person with type 1 diabetes.  He's had it for 85 years, diagnosed at age 5.  I too was diagnosed at age 5 and have now had it for 23 years.  I hope to have as much success with my care as this man.

Sugar Savvy: A Very Likely Hero.... at Least, For Me: "This man's story probably did not come across your radar this weekend, but it did mine. My mother-in-law brought him to my attention and t..."

XOXO,

Workout 49 of 2011 (Elliptical, abs, arms)

I took my own advice and squeezed in a workout before beginning the weekend festivities!  I did 20 minutes on the elliptical while reading the most recent issue of Shape on my Nook Color.

Then I did my favorite ab circuit from No More Trouble Zones,  some dead lifts with hammer curls and static lunges with tricep kickbacks.

XOXO,

Tip of the Week ~ Indulge the holidays!

As it is a holiday weekend, I know we are all thinking about BBQs and pool parties.  My advice?  ENJOY it!  Eat what you want, just don't go overboard.  Anticipate that you are going to eat unhealthy and maybe squeeze in a workout beforehand.  Rather than going into it thinking, "I can't have..." go into in thinking, "I can have..."  Give yourself the freedom to indulge.  It's a holiday!  As long as you don't eat like this all the time, you won't have to worry about becoming unhealthy or gaining weight.

I do not agree with diets that tell you to bring your own food to the holiday dinner.  Unless your doctor tells you it's a health risk to eat something, what is the harm of indulging on the holidays?  If you deprive yourself all the time, without an occasional treat, you may develop an unhealthy relationship with food.

So enjoy this weekend, eat some BBQ and don't feel guilty!  Then on Tuesday, stay away from the scale--because it probably won't be the number you want it to be--and get back on track with your diet and exercise.

XOXO,

Workout 48 of 2011 (elliptical and some ab moves)

Despite wrist pains from what I'm guessing is carpal tunnel, the fact that it's late, and that I had no motivation, I managed to get in a workout, and a good one at that!

I did 20 minutes on the elliptical--20 minutes, that flew by as I read 13 Little Blue Envelopes--and my favorite ab circuit from No More Trouble Zones (minus the pushups).  I'm glad I worked out and hope to get over this spring slump ASAP.  I just have to push through!

Today, I worried I'd struggle once again to feel motivated to exercise but two wonderful colleagues--Diana and Debi, if you are reading this, I'm talking about you--mentioned that they are committed to be fit with me and remembering our exchange is what really helped me to get on track and workout tonight!  So thank you!  Even committed people like myself need some external motivation sometimes too, and definitely some accountability--the number one reason I began sharing this blog.

XOXO,

Diabetes Tip ~ Just a spoonful of Sugar

Since I'm a type 1 diabetic, I have decided to throw in some diabetes tips in my blog as well.  I have 23 years of experience with the disease, so I will share what I've found to be helpful over the years.

My first tip deals with low bloodsugar.  There are obvious options like glucose tabs and juice but sometimes--like the middle of the night--I need a quick fix.  When in need, I remember Mary Poppin's. 

Just a spoonful of...

honey

jelly

jam

chocolate syrup

pancake syrup

frosting/icing

If you don't already know, your gums can easily and quickly absorb sugar.  So when I take a spoonful of these things, I squish and swish it around in my mouth to help my gums absorb faster.  I do the same with juice.

Unfortunately my ideas are not particularly healthy but they are quick and convenient, and when dealing with low bloodsugar, it's more important to raise the bloodsugar level than to be healthy.  I discovered each of these fixes in the middle of the night at someone else's house  over the years when I came unprepared for low bloodsugar to homes that were not used to accommodating diabetics beyond providing diet beverages.  Necessity is the mother of invention my friends!

XOXO,

Workout 47 of 2011 (Cardio and my favorite Jillian Ab circuit)

Kailee on our walk

This week, I was LAZY.  I did not feel inspired to workout and so I didn't.  Today I wanted to exercise but did not feel like doing my normal videos or like spending time on the elliptical (I do have plans for the elliptical on Tuesday night while watching the Biggest Loser Finale!).

So Kailee and I hit the neighborhood.  Baby girl would live outside if we let her so she LOVED being pushed around the neighborhood on her "bike" for 40 minutes.  We listened to some fun tunes along the way--including Kailee and Gavin's 2 faves, Justin Bieber's Baby and Jason Aldean's Don't you wanna stay.  It was hot and humid--making me leery of the summer to come.

After our lovely power-walk, I did half of my favorite ab circuit from Jillian Michaels' No More Trouble Zones.  Circuit 2 makes my abs burn for days--and it's only 6 minutes long!  However, today I only did each move once instead of repeating the circuit; my abs were too worn out from lack of use.

Workout quote of the week: "Tough times don't last. Tough people do." – Unknown

XOXO,