Yey! I am finally in my new home and hooked up to the internet. Next week I will rent a truck to bring in the last of my furniture. In the meantime, I have been getting my home and myself together. I have found new ways to sweat too.
I have lived in apartment complexes and trailer parks all my life so fixing yards, mowing lawns, and painting walls was not something I grew up doing. This is my first home and I am excited about all the possibilities. I am doubly excited because I get a great workout cutting shrubs, painting walls, vacuuming 4+ rooms, and fixing other stuff around the house.
Since I am also on vacation, I have found new ways to occupy my time. I have chosen not to move…my mouth, that is. In the past, summer was a season for eating and being a couch potato. I would gain at least 15 pounds every summer. Not so this summer, I have actually lost some weight. My willingness to keep my body moving and my excitement at the future of keeps me from opening my mouth so freely.
Do not think it has been easy. I have struggled to keep myself from reaching for en extra serving. I’ve also had to leave food on my plate when my stomach already felt full. A few weeks ago, I read the Japanese have an expression concerning healthy eating habits: Hara hachi bu. Hara hachi bu means “Eat until 80% full” (literally, stomach 80%). This is excellent advice and it is something I have been trying to apply every time I sit down to eat. Read more about this at http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2007/06/one-secret-to-a.html.
Finally, I have been finding creative ways to burn calories here and there. I found a great site that shows 50 ways to burn 50 calories. I started doing some of them to get my home ready. Things like vacuuming for 18 minutes, rearranging the living room furniture for 7 minutes, walking around the neighborhood to see what the neighbor’s yards look like for 10 minutes, and preparing and cooking dinner for 20 minutes all burn about 50 calories. Read the rest of the ideas at http://health.msn.com/dietfitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100165121.
My summer vacation ends in 4 weeks and then I'm back to my daily routine. In the meantime, I’ll be trying out new ways to burn calories.
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At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
Dear Dr. Mieres:
About the only time I can find to walk is during my lunch break. Is it better to eat prior to or following a vigerous walk?
Thank you,
Ruth
Dr. Mieres,
I saw you on TV several months ago and while the face has changed some, the name surely was very familiar. I finally found out that you are a native of Trinidad and just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and the great job you are doing.
I believe we attended the same high school in Curepe, Trinidad, SAGHS.
Keep up the good work.
Denise Baptiste formerly Charles
(Math Teacher/College Instructor)
Dr. Mieres,
I saw you on TV several months ago and while the face has changed some, the name surely was very familiar. I finally found out that you are a native of Trinidad and just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you and the great job you are doing.
I believe we attended the same high school in Curepe, Trinidad, SAGHS.
Keep up the good work.
Denise Baptiste formerly Charles
(Math Teacher/College Instructor)
Comments
Jul 17 | Vernita said …
Hello Zulema,
Your home is beautiful! Congratulations!
~Vernita
Jul 19 | Katie said …
What a lovely home, Zulema. I'm so happy for you. Great job on finding new, fun and creative ways to burn calories. I think I'll try some of those tonight!
Jul 25 | MARIANNE said …
THANKS FOR THE WEB SITES THAT WERE INCLUDED IN YOUR HOME SWEET HOME STORY....I FOUND IT VERY HELPFUL ALSO. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES.
IT GIVES ME HOPE AND INPIRATION TO LOOK OUT FOR MYSELF AND MY HEART.......
Aug 14 | MILICENT said …
I AM PROUD OF YOU AND I KNOW HOW IT FEELS
TO WANT YOUR OWN HOUSE I AM LOOKING TO BUY NEXT YEAR . ALSO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
ON LOOSING WEIGHT I WILL PUT FORWARD A BETTER EFFORT IN LOOSING MY WEIGHT WITH YOU
IT WAS NICE READING YOUR STORY TAKE CARE
Aug 16 | m.gail said …
Your home is beautiful may it be blessed.Thank you for sharing the web sites. I have just joined an they will be very helpful to me
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