I have been laughing so hard reading Three Kid Circus and all of the exercise exploits of bloggers everywhere! All stories about ridiculous exercise purchases and because I have a sense of humor, and some extra pounds, I can't resist sharing my own list!
Let's start with the big seller: Ab Roller. Yup. 5 minute a day for 30 days people. Nothing to it! Then it became a chair for my one year old. But then we had to get rid of it because she fell over!
The ORIGINAL Step. Not to be confused with the "Un-original Step" on the market. I actually used this for a while and managed to actually lose inches and pounds. BUT, lest you think this is not funny...these are the video's I purchased in order to use my Step:
* Denise Austin Need I say more?
* I purchased Buns of Steel along with ABS of Steel!! Didn't we all want buns of steel? Be honest.
* The ever so popular Jane Fonda Step video. Her hair was so effing PERFECT!
* I had a Karen Voight tape that kicked my ASS. I so wanted to have legs like hers. Except that mine are about 6 inches shorter and no amount of exercise was going to fix that particular problem.
* And worst of all....a Cher step tape!! AAAAKKK Cher in all her black lace glory. And me right along with her. Ouch. That one hurts!
I have a yoga mat and a set of yoga blocks in the back of my closet somewhere. I think my son used them once for a matchbox car ramp.
And a really cool set of mini-hula hoops for my arms! Oh - I mean, Pilates Body Circles! WHAT was I thinking?
Me and Billy? We're TIGHT. He's always encouraging me. I love that about him. Always reminding me to "Feel the Burn" and "Don't give up". Uh huh. Yeah. Right. Thanks Billy.
I've had a Diamondback 300 Elliptical Machine taking up space in my home for about 4 years now. I try to use it, but it kind of makes a squeaking noise which really just makes me want to scream...so dusting it has become my priority!
So as you can see, I'm dedicated to being fit. I have the receipts to prove it! But I know that I would totally use the Wii Fit - I had so much fun trying it out and isn't that what all the experts say?
You know, that if you're having fun you will stick with it????
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Are you Prepared?
I thought I was. But as it turns out, I wasn't. Not even close.
I've lived in California my whole life and I suppose that has something to do with my very nonchalant attitude about earthquake preparedness. I've had sort of a "Earthquakes happen...we will be fine..." kind of laziness. That sounds so wrong - I live here - shouldn't I be more concerned? You would think so, but I've been fortunate to live here 43 years and never be affected by an earthquake...physically or emotionally. However, I have friends who were devastated by the Northridge quake back in 1994 - so much so they they sought counseling for months after. But for me, for my family...lucky...really lucky.
So when I was asked "Are you Prepared?" I decided I'd better take time for a serious look at my answer. At the California Governor's Conference on Women I was introduced to the "We..." concept. As women, we empower, we honor, we lead, we communicate, we prepare...and we postpone. Well ok, I postponed. Until now.
I downloaded the Family Disaster Plan from the California Volunteers website and got started. The form itself is easy to fill out - you probably know the information my heart if you have any kids! I know I've filled out emergency forms en masse for years now! But I started to scratch my head when I was asked to fill out the section on resources. Resources? Where? Who? I've never had to call anyone for help. Wow. How lucky am I? So a few clicks around the internet and I've located my local Office of Emergency Services and my local Red Cross.
Then I began the task of itemizing emergency supplies. I browsed the list and was dismayed to discover that while I have a lot of these items, they are ALL OVER my house and garage! In an emergency, wouldn't I want to have access to my daughter's daily medication and some fresh water for her to take it with? And wouldn't I want to have a pair of glasses for her to wear instead of contacts? These items only scratch the surface! So I purchased a large plastic container and began to fill it.
One week later I have managed to consolidate all of my supplies and put them in one central location. And I filled a backpack with supply essentials for my car as well. I emailed the Family Disaster Plan to my sister-in-law in Texas and printed one for us. And the key here people: I TOLD my family where they could find all of it. Because as moms we very often assume that we don't need to tell everyone everything. We assume we'll be there to take care of things as we planned. Unfortunately in an emergency you may not have that luxury and you must prepare for that as well.
So I talked to the kids about what to do in an emergency - where to go - who to call. I talked to my hubby about the possibilities of us being separated during an emergency and how we should communicate via our out of state contact. While we take for granted the many sunny beautiful days here in California we often forget the very real possibility of a large and devastating earthquake. I am glad that I can now answer the question "Are you prepared?" with a resounding "YES!"
There are so many resources out there. We need to use them. And while you may not live in California and earthquakes are the last thing on your mind, you should consider where you live and the potential for an emergency of your own. Be smart, be responsible and be prepared!
**Edited to add: Wow. There is a scary irony that I posted my thoughts and experience of earthquake preparedness on the day THIS happened. I have the chills.
I've lived in California my whole life and I suppose that has something to do with my very nonchalant attitude about earthquake preparedness. I've had sort of a "Earthquakes happen...we will be fine..." kind of laziness. That sounds so wrong - I live here - shouldn't I be more concerned? You would think so, but I've been fortunate to live here 43 years and never be affected by an earthquake...physically or emotionally. However, I have friends who were devastated by the Northridge quake back in 1994 - so much so they they sought counseling for months after. But for me, for my family...lucky...really lucky.
So when I was asked "Are you Prepared?" I decided I'd better take time for a serious look at my answer. At the California Governor's Conference on Women I was introduced to the "We..." concept. As women, we empower, we honor, we lead, we communicate, we prepare...and we postpone. Well ok, I postponed. Until now.
I downloaded the Family Disaster Plan from the California Volunteers website and got started. The form itself is easy to fill out - you probably know the information my heart if you have any kids! I know I've filled out emergency forms en masse for years now! But I started to scratch my head when I was asked to fill out the section on resources. Resources? Where? Who? I've never had to call anyone for help. Wow. How lucky am I? So a few clicks around the internet and I've located my local Office of Emergency Services and my local Red Cross.
Then I began the task of itemizing emergency supplies. I browsed the list and was dismayed to discover that while I have a lot of these items, they are ALL OVER my house and garage! In an emergency, wouldn't I want to have access to my daughter's daily medication and some fresh water for her to take it with? And wouldn't I want to have a pair of glasses for her to wear instead of contacts? These items only scratch the surface! So I purchased a large plastic container and began to fill it.
One week later I have managed to consolidate all of my supplies and put them in one central location. And I filled a backpack with supply essentials for my car as well. I emailed the Family Disaster Plan to my sister-in-law in Texas and printed one for us. And the key here people: I TOLD my family where they could find all of it. Because as moms we very often assume that we don't need to tell everyone everything. We assume we'll be there to take care of things as we planned. Unfortunately in an emergency you may not have that luxury and you must prepare for that as well.
So I talked to the kids about what to do in an emergency - where to go - who to call. I talked to my hubby about the possibilities of us being separated during an emergency and how we should communicate via our out of state contact. While we take for granted the many sunny beautiful days here in California we often forget the very real possibility of a large and devastating earthquake. I am glad that I can now answer the question "Are you prepared?" with a resounding "YES!"
There are so many resources out there. We need to use them. And while you may not live in California and earthquakes are the last thing on your mind, you should consider where you live and the potential for an emergency of your own. Be smart, be responsible and be prepared!
**Edited to add: Wow. There is a scary irony that I posted my thoughts and experience of earthquake preparedness on the day THIS happened. I have the chills.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wii Fit Birthday Party
.
Actually, the fact that it was my birthday has absolutely nothing to do with the Wii Fit Party that I was invited to! But it would be a great idea to throw a 40-something woman a Wii Fit Birthday Party, so you keep it in mind when the Wii Fit system's are available to the public!
Until then, I'll give you the SKiiNNY on the Wii Fit!
Side note: My family does not own a Wii system. Yet. I say yet, because I'm feeling the pull of this gaming system pretty strong! It helps to have friends who own them and rave about them...and let you play them! And a 10 year old son who loves to play Wii anywhere at all is also a motivating factor. The down side...finding one that we can buy! Apparently they sell out the day they arrive at stores, so we're going to have to get more savvy trying to locate one...
ANYWAY.
My dear friend and Nintendo Ambassador, Tracey, asked me if I'd be interested in attending a Wii Fit Party at her house on the evening of my birthday. I was lucky enough to attend the Wii Party back in 2006 at Tracey's, so I knew this would be a party I didn't want to miss. The hubby and I spent my birthday day together, shared some cake with the kids after school, drove one kid to swim practice and then I headed to Tracey's to find out what Wii Fit was all about!
In a nutshell? It was SO MUCH FUN! MUST HAVE ONE!
Details? Nintendo has thought of everything. BMI index, Wii Fit Age, tracking, balancing, aerobics, yoga and strength training. I tried it all...well, ok, I didn't venture into the yoga section, but I did sit and focus on my balance and posture for 3 minutes - my candle didn't even waver - I am EXPERT!
I tried ski-jumping and had some beginner's luck - my two jumps totalled 384 feet (meters?) which gave me first place! I stunk it up on the downhill skiing. I tried over and over again to figure out how get the speed right without crashing into the gates, but always, my head hung low. The boxing was tricky even on the beginner level, but it didn't take too long to get the hang of it.
The balancing games were good and I was so-so at the table top, the penguin on the iceberg and floating down the river in a bubble. I loved the hula-hoop exercise, but I sure hope Tracey didn't take a picture of me doing that! The tight rope was hysterical - the Mii Person I was using was actually created for one of the cute, young, SLIM and FIT girls who were showing us how to use the system...so when I took a few tiny steps on the tight rope, it sent the Mii person flying up in the air! After re-booting and trying again with the same results, we realized that OH - I weigh MORE than the cute Mii girl! My tiny little steps were shooting her small body into the sky! It was really funny. Good thing I had a sense of humor on my birthday isn't it? It was a little hard to take when my Mii body expanded like a balloon when I did the BMI test, but that was also pretty funny!!!
The hostesses were gracious and helpful and provided yummy treats for the 10 of us: fruit smoothie shots, ka-bobs, hummus and pita. Tracey even brought in one piece of very UN-fit chocolate cake with a candle and the ladies sang Happy Birthday to me! Thank you Tracey! It was a great time and I look forward to getting a Wii for the family and getting Wii Fit with them!
Actually, the fact that it was my birthday has absolutely nothing to do with the Wii Fit Party that I was invited to! But it would be a great idea to throw a 40-something woman a Wii Fit Birthday Party, so you keep it in mind when the Wii Fit system's are available to the public!
Until then, I'll give you the SKiiNNY on the Wii Fit!
Side note: My family does not own a Wii system. Yet. I say yet, because I'm feeling the pull of this gaming system pretty strong! It helps to have friends who own them and rave about them...and let you play them! And a 10 year old son who loves to play Wii anywhere at all is also a motivating factor. The down side...finding one that we can buy! Apparently they sell out the day they arrive at stores, so we're going to have to get more savvy trying to locate one...
ANYWAY.
My dear friend and Nintendo Ambassador, Tracey, asked me if I'd be interested in attending a Wii Fit Party at her house on the evening of my birthday. I was lucky enough to attend the Wii Party back in 2006 at Tracey's, so I knew this would be a party I didn't want to miss. The hubby and I spent my birthday day together, shared some cake with the kids after school, drove one kid to swim practice and then I headed to Tracey's to find out what Wii Fit was all about!
In a nutshell? It was SO MUCH FUN! MUST HAVE ONE!
Details? Nintendo has thought of everything. BMI index, Wii Fit Age, tracking, balancing, aerobics, yoga and strength training. I tried it all...well, ok, I didn't venture into the yoga section, but I did sit and focus on my balance and posture for 3 minutes - my candle didn't even waver - I am EXPERT!
I tried ski-jumping and had some beginner's luck - my two jumps totalled 384 feet (meters?) which gave me first place! I stunk it up on the downhill skiing. I tried over and over again to figure out how get the speed right without crashing into the gates, but always, my head hung low. The boxing was tricky even on the beginner level, but it didn't take too long to get the hang of it.
The balancing games were good and I was so-so at the table top, the penguin on the iceberg and floating down the river in a bubble. I loved the hula-hoop exercise, but I sure hope Tracey didn't take a picture of me doing that! The tight rope was hysterical - the Mii Person I was using was actually created for one of the cute, young, SLIM and FIT girls who were showing us how to use the system...so when I took a few tiny steps on the tight rope, it sent the Mii person flying up in the air! After re-booting and trying again with the same results, we realized that OH - I weigh MORE than the cute Mii girl! My tiny little steps were shooting her small body into the sky! It was really funny. Good thing I had a sense of humor on my birthday isn't it? It was a little hard to take when my Mii body expanded like a balloon when I did the BMI test, but that was also pretty funny!!!
The hostesses were gracious and helpful and provided yummy treats for the 10 of us: fruit smoothie shots, ka-bobs, hummus and pita. Tracey even brought in one piece of very UN-fit chocolate cake with a candle and the ladies sang Happy Birthday to me! Thank you Tracey! It was a great time and I look forward to getting a Wii for the family and getting Wii Fit with them!
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