Walking With Wellness Wednesday

The word aerobics came about when the gym instructors got together and said, "If we're going to charge $10 an hour, we can't call it jumping up and down." ~Rita Rudner

Thank you all for your sharing some of your physical activity tips last week. So, now that we are two months into 2012—how are you doing with increasing your physical activity? Remember when you are increasing your physical activity…every minute counts.
  

Here is some interesting information from the CDC on physical activity to help motivate you:

1. Only a few lifestyle choices have as large an impact on your health as physical activity. People who are physically active for about 7 hours a week have a 40 percent lower risk of dying early than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week.

2. You don't have to do high amounts of activity or vigorous-intensity activity to reduce your risk of premature death. You can put yourself at lower risk of dying early by doing at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

I have a story to share with you that has been a great motivator for me. Last week my brother took me out for lunch. He politely told me that I looked good. (Brothers can be so sweet, can’t they?) Anyways, I shared with him that despite working out, I haven't been very successful in my attempt at weight loss. To my amazement, he replied, “Kim, who cares if you have only lost a pound. You are here and alive—that is celebration!” Thanks, bro!

My weekly wellness challenge to you all—Move your body for ten minutes every day this week!

Go. Celebrate LIFE!!

Time2Live Tuesday

On Tuesdays, you can find me blogging at Time2Live.

Walking With Wellness Wednesday

The current recommendations for physical activity is at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

As many of you know, the past month I have been increasing my physical activity.  Due to the fatigue from my cancer journey, I have had to make slow, yet steady changes to my lifestyle.  In the past, I typically would last maybe one or two days with a routine.  I would then be to tired or sore to make it to day 3.  This time, I have listened more to my body. 

Here are just a few tips that have helped me succeed this time:

1--Rest.  I find I don't have the energy to exercise if I don't get enough sleep at night.  Also, I give myself a day off when I start to feel "run down."

2--Make every movement count.  When time didn't permit a trip to the gym, I added extra activity throughout my day.  Some examples:  I marched in place while waiting for the microwave to heat up my lunch.  I did toe raises while standing at the printer.  I did a few squats when I went to the bathroom. 

3--When I was in the "don't care" mood and didn't want to exercise--I gave myself permission to stop after 5 minutes.  Typically, the 5 minutes would lead to 30...just getting started is soooo hard to do.

4--I plan my work out times according to my weekly schedule.  I write the times in PEN in my calender.

So, you would think with this healthy living, I would lose some weight...nahhhh...at least not yet!  But I do feel better and have a lot more energy.  (Can't you tell...with all my blog updates and posting?)

Q.  Do you struggle with getting enough physical activity?  If you have some physical activity tips, please share them.

Time2Live and Hope Lives Now!

Today I am posting at my new site:

Time2Live

and I have posted some special prayer requests, along with an update on

HopeLivesNow!

If you are interested in receiving updates from either of these blogs, please put your email address in the widget.

Blessings on your day!

Since I am up waiting for my teenage daughter to come home, I thought I would participate in this week's 5 minute Friday.

If you remember:
On Fridays we just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.  Our instructions are to write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

This weeks word is:

Delight

Ready. Set. Go

Yesterday morning I woke up with a very heavy heart and tears.  The day before I had learned of a coworkers mother passing away from breast cancer this past weekend.  That makes 4 breast cancer "sisters" deaths in less than 10 days.  I believed I mentioned in my last blog post...cancer sucks!  What was especially challenging for me with this latest death was I read her caringbridge journal.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer the same month, same year as I.  Than in January (only a few weeks ago) it was discovered that her cancer had metastasized to her brain.  She received radiation treatment for a few weeks to no avail.  It has been a long time since I fear has gripped me so tightly. 

So, I sent some prayer requests to a few friends and claimed some scripture...praying for God's peace to replace the fear that was squeezing tighter and tighter.  What a delight to be able to share that God answered the prayers....and once again, peace and trust have replaced the fear.

Some other delights that bless me:

The blessing of living in a free country!

The blessing of life!

The blessing of family and friends!

The blessing of sitting on my couch in my nice warm house on a Friday evening writing a blog post.

The delight of finally losing a pound after exercising on a routine basis this last month.

Time's up....have a delightful weekend!

3 years ago....

Oh, blogger friends, last weekend I started a notebook with all my thoughts on what I wanted to share with you....but time hasn't permitted me the luxury of sharing my words.  The words will have to wait, for tonight, I have a video that I would like to share with you. 

In memory of Susan, who passed away this week.

Now, you may wonder, why am I sharing this video with us?  Maybe it is because Feb 11, 2009 I started chemotherapy, so I am feeling a bit melancholy...maybe because I think Susan did an awesome job on sharing how challenging being bra-less is for women...maybe because my heart aches tonight for the sons and husband, this woman left behind....maybe because cancer ticks me off!! 

If you would like to read more about Susan and her courageous journey, here is a link to her blog: Toddler Planet.