Posts made in November, 2008

Get fit motivation- a pic of me

Posted by Dad on Nov 30, 2008 in health | 0 comments

Yes, that’s me up there. I apologize. I know. Not the best chest you’ve seen by far.  I hope you weren’t eating when you opened the page. LOL.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m now 40 and well into my midlife crisis. Rather than a shiny new Cobra I’m focusing on undoing years of neglect and getting myself fit.  Yes, we all make these resolutions come January 1. I’ve done them a bunch of times.  By March I’m back to my old ways of using “life” as an excuse for why I’m not sticking with my workout plan or eating better.  Well, my friend, no more.

I’m making a lifestyle change.  I’m going to work on motivation and planning.  For planning, I’m relying on the wonderful iPhone app called Calorie Tracker from LiveStrong.com.  I can’t recommend it enough.

It lets you search a huge database of foods and restaurants to select what you eat.  This lets you keep track of the calories you’re eating in a day.  The end result is that you can quickly see how much that extra helping of pudding is going to cost you in terms of calories.

What’s more, you can enter the exercise you do and it calculates the calories you’ve burned.  These burned calories add to the food calories that you can eat that day.  Then, just keep using it and you’ll be able to track your trends visually.

So, I’m motivating myself by posting up a pic of me today.  I will update the pic in a couple of months to show you that I’ve progressed. (fingers crossed)

All the best

P.S. A shout out and a challenge to my friends over in Blog to Fit, lets see a current “before” pic of you guys!

Decisions, decisions

Posted by Dad on Nov 29, 2008 in Family | 0 comments

The weekend has turned wet here in the Smoky Mountains. Ninty percent chance of rain for the next two days.  I’ve got at least a 14-15 hour drive back home I need to do and I have to work on Monday. The CPA Mom and I are debating whether we leave today and make it home tonight or tomorrow morning or leave tomorrow and get home very late Sunday.

The practical side of me is telling me to pack it up today and hit the road.  It’s going to be slow going with the slick roads. We would get home in time to unpack and relax a bit before bedtime. I would be able to start my Monday more relaxed and ready for the week’s challenges.

My more creative, caring side is squarely on my kids’ side arguing that we need to savor the weekend up here in the mountains even though it’s raining. Enjoy your vacation, Dad! Savor every last moment as too soon you will be back to work and full of stress again. The kids don’t have school on Monday so we can get home late Sunday and they can sleep in.

Just another difficult decision parents need to struggle with- be practical or please your kids (and, your more free-spirited self).  Here’s hoping your weekend is filled with easier decisions.

All the best

Move! Post-Thanksgiving workout

Posted by Dad on Nov 28, 2008 in health | 0 comments

Welcome to the otherwise of Thanksgiving. The dreaded day after or black Friday to some of you. Whether you plan to work, lounge or go shopping, don’t forget to get back to your fitness routine.

I’m up on a mountain so I’m going to jog for a bit.

All the best

Be present this Thanksgiving

Posted by Dad on Nov 27, 2008 in Celebrating Life | 0 comments

“I was so busy that it was all a blur!”

Try to end today, Thanksgiving Day, without uttering those words.

Today is not about the food or the football, although those things are part of what makes today special.  Today is about being thankful for everything you have.  Today is about being mindful of our blessings no matter how small. Take the time to be present today and savor the moments.

Here are some tips to help you be in the moment:

1. Every hour or so, stop what you’re doing and take a five minute walk around your house.  Take a few deep breadths and focus on your five senses. Try to go one by one thinking about each one. What smells come to you? Look at the beauty of your family and friends? How do your clothes feel?
2. Smile, smile, smile. Smiling makes you and everyone around you happy.
3. Remember what’s important and spend time with those you love.

Here’s to wishing you all the best this Thanksgiving Day.

Traveling 8 hours in car + kids

Posted by Dad on Nov 26, 2008 in The Blog | 0 comments

I’m on the road for Thanksgiving. The great American tradition. Eight hours in a car with the kids. The car is not big enough. Wish me luck.

All the best