40 Days of Fitness: Days 34 & 33

So I’m taking the 40 Days of Fitness challenge and have been doing some form of fitness activity each day. Yesterday was busy and it was 1:00 am (which was actually today, but details!) before I got to my fitness activity. So I did about 10 minutes of static squats against the wall. It burned so that is a good sign. I intended to do Dr. Oz’s 7-Minute Workout yesterday, but didn’t get to it until today. I must say I was a bit skeptical, even after I watched the video. But tonight I did the exercises (at 7:30 pm, not 1:00 am!) and it is a good workout. Heavy breathing, heart rate up, muscles fatigued (ok, maybe I’m just out of shape). But I like the workout (it is yoga-based) and I can’t really ever say I didn’t have time to do a 7-Minute Workout, so I think I will add it to my basket of fitness tips to keep. Try it out too!

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Pumpkin Pie Recipe

I LOVE pumpkin pie. I only recently made a pie using an actual pumpkin, in other words, not canned pumpkin. Who knew it was so easy. I used this recipe by Rebecca Wood and it was incredibly delicious. According to my husband, it was the best pumpkin pie he has ever eaten! So I thought I better share it with you. Enjoy!

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40 (actually 36) days of fitness: Day 35

Day 35 (counting backwards): All I could fit into my schedule yesterday was 100 crunches and 10 minutes of yoga. And it was at 11:45 pm last night! But I did it! Still, I am proud of myself for doing something – anything – to keep me on track for 40 Days of Fitness. Anything is better than nothing, right?! I seem to recall a link to a 7-Minute Workout in the Livestrong blogpost. I’ll check that out and maybe do that today, on Day 34. It’s looking like I am on track for another near-midnight fitness routine. Sigh…

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40 Days of Fitness: A Great Idea at Livestrong.com

I am a goal-oriented person. I like to achieve. I am able to accomplish work projects, and DIY home projects, and personal projects by setting a goal and a deadline. It works great for me. I am not so great at keeping up with a fitness routine when life gets really busy (it always seems really busy these days). So when I saw this challenge at Livestrong.com, I knew it was perfect for me. It is a 40-day (well, at this point, a 36-day) challenge to do at least one fitness-related thing each remaining day of 2012. Here is the heart of the challenge:

Thanksgiving marked 40 days left in 2012, and I want to make them 40  Days of Fitness. Rather than fall apart in the home stretch like most  people, we can fight back. How?

By making one healthy choice every day.

That choice could be to work out, or it could be to stand by the veggie tray  instead of the cookie tray at a holiday party. Maybe you’ll be able to get in a  long run, ride, or gym session, or maybe all you have time for is Dr.  Oz’s 7-minute workout. Or perhaps your healthy choice will be to relax with  a massage or gentle yoga routine to de-stress from holiday shopping madness.  What you do will change from day-to-day. But throughout these 40 Days of  Fitness, we’ll commit to making our own health a priority -no matter how hectic  things get.

Why is this so important during these last 36 days of 2012? You already know, of course, but here it is, laid out specifically:

[S]tudies show that the average American gains about a  pound to a  pound-and-a-half during the period from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. With  parties and family events tying up our time, keeping us out of the gym and often  in front of cookie trays, we tend to eat more–and move less–during this time  of year than at any other period.

Worse yet: Most of us never  lose that extra weight. It accumulates over time. Multiply that  pound-and-a-half a year by 20 years and you’re 30 pounds overweight.

Emily & Samantha

So I started today. I power-walked/hiked a local trail with my dogs this morning. It was only a 20 minute trek but it would have made me sweat if it wasn’t 30 degrees outside. And now I’m drinking a cup of detox tea while I tell you about it.

I’d like to say that I’ll blog every day about my next 35 days, but life is busy right now (just like for everybody else), so I’ll keep you updated as time allows. I hope you will join me and Brian Sabin (the creator of this challenge) on our Days of Fitness! Let me know what you are doing!

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“Healthier” Chicken Pot Pie

As I look at the nearly five inches of snow outside my window (it’s not even winter yet!), I am thinking about warm, yummy, comfort food. And I saw these recipes at the Eating Well blogs for “healthier” (it’s all relative) chicken pot pie. I think I’ll try the biscuit-topped recipe first, assuming we don’t lose our power again (like last week during Superstorm Sandy).

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Upcoming Event: Healthy Eating for Lawyers (& Other Busy People)

I am a panelist for this upcoming event: Healthy Eating Tips for Busy Lawyers on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the New York City Bar Association. Because the seminar is being sponsored by the bar association, it is geared toward lawyers. However, you don’t have to be a lawyer to attend and the information will be useful for anyone who is busy and trying to eat healthy despite a hectic schedule. The cost is $15 for bar association members and $25 for non-members.

I will be discussing the Ten Principles of a Healthy Diet. My co-panelists will also have great information to share.

Find all the details and register here.

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Free E-Book from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition

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The Greatest Exercise of All

In his book The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, Tom Monte states that humans were built to walk. Walking is a wonderful exercise that doesn’t feel like work and is free. A half hour’s worth of walking conditions the entire body by exercising the muscles, heart, and respiratory and circulatory systems. It also provides perspective while you walk off tension, or can provide time to catch up with a friend or partner if she or he is walking with you.

Have you been hesitating in starting a new exercise regime? No need. Just go for a thirty minute walk, every day if possible. Make it the first step in your new attitude toward exercise.

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Staying Healthy: 10 Tips for Traveling

Here’s the intro to a blog post I wrote for Attorney At Work. It is helpful information for anyone who travels, whether frequently or ocassionally.

Poor sleep patterns, dreadful diets, inactivity and tight schedules. It won’t come as a shock to learn that business travel can be really bad for your health. In fact, the the risks increase as travel increases, making frequent travelers the most vulnerable. But even traveling infrequently—one night per month—can have negative effects, too. So what to do if you must travel for work, or work away from home for an extended period of time? See Jamie Spannhake’s 10 great tips to keep you healthy on the road …

Read the full post here.

If you found this information helpful and would like to work with a health coach to improve yourself and your life, contact me today at jamie@spannhake.com. Learn more about my health coaching services here.

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Time for Some R&R

We are going on vacation today to next Thursday, so I won’t be around for blogging. I’m not taking my computer and have decided to be (mostly) disconnected during our time away. It’s only sun and fun for me and my family. This time for rest and relaxation will also be a time of rejuvenation. As I’ve said before, it is important for us to remember to find time for downtime. Here’s some of my favorite posts on the benefits of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation:

The Importance of Quieting Your Mind

Remember to Rest

The Importance of Sleep

Remember the Importance of Rest

Stillness is Important to Good Health

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