General Discussion Board

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

LadyMagic — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:17:45 GMT

You are all inspirations to me.

I want to work out more than I do. Or at least differently. Besides wanting to lose a little lower tummy and tone the thighs, I am in early stages of osteoporosis. Going for walks with my walker is not enough. I have to do more weight resistant exercises. I can't work out the way a lot of you can because of my physical challenges particularly with my spine, back and joints. So I'm creative. I try to turn my housework into exercise. Also I'll soon be ordering a special DVD so I can do sit - down Tai Chi. It really works. (Hmmm, a future review.) I also try to eat healthier and watch food combinations so I burn up the calories more effectively.

I want to get some new clothes AFTER losing a couple of pounds. I still intend to have a few treats though for the holidays.

You all have such positive input and good ideas! Thanks again for inspiring me.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

cmohr80 — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:00:30 GMT

That is a great way to donate! We do something similar. I have my son pick things out of his toy box every few months that he doesn't play with any more and I take out the clothes that don't fit him anymore and sell them online, what doesn't sell, we donate and get one of those tax slips. The money we make and the tax deductions that we get back goes towards new clothes and toys for him, and we do the same for each of us. It's a great way to clean out clutter and make up some funds, too!

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

vivasuzi — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:20:14 GMT

mystic that's impressive! Most people GAIN weight after surgery. I think you deserve to indulge :) I don't plan on starving during the actual holidays at all, I love to eat on Thanksgiving and Christmas! But I plan to cut back now to prepare :)

loblolly that is a great idea for donating some things that you no longer use and cleaning and exercising at the same time! Thanks for sharing :)

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

loblolly — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:29:21 GMT

Here is an idea that is fun for everyone. With the start of the holiday season this is a sure fire way to get the whole family involved in the accidential exercise. State there is no room for new things, the closets, cabnets, under the bed are overcrowded. Then ask where can you put the new gifts? This will work if you have older kids. As the family clean and get rid of unwanted items DONATE the items. My teens accidently exercise lifting and loading boxes with the hope that they will have enough gift money to fill the empty spaces.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

mysticstarfish — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:23:09 GMT

Let's not and say we did! Since I had my ankle surgery in August, I have lost 26 pounds...I have no intentions of starving through the holidays but I will be careful.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

cmohr80 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:21:30 GMT

Great Idea! Thanks!

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

vivasuzi — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:19:08 GMT

You can make some exercise with your kid :) Kids love running around, so make a game where you can both run around somehow! Better yet, let your kid come up with the game, because then it will definitely be creative and have variety :)

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

cmohr80 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:15:30 GMT

I'm on board! I could stand to lose some poundage. The problem is that I don't have a regular eating schedule but when I do eat, I pick the wrong foods to eat. Then, I hate to exercise; cleaning and keeping up after a preschooler is enough exercise for me. I get so bored with exercise routines, especially if there's no variety in it! So, I need to plan, schedule and organize a diet and exercise. I guess I need to break out and reread "The YOU Diet Book" and use that guide to plan.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

vivasuzi — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:02:51 GMT

I liked pilates for a little bit, but yoga and pilates are too slow for me! I get bored. I have tried some exercise tapes that combined pilates/yoga with cardio and I like those a lot.

I just gotta dedicate myself to do at least 1 video every other day. I don't want to be round :)

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

DUISparky — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:19:51 GMT

I'm in shape.

Round is a shape.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

Jo — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:21:12 GMT

I am putting my gym membership on hold and going to Yoga 4 times a week. It is safer for me i.e. my husband at 61 is still trying to get stronger so he's lifting heavier weights. He hurt his back yesterday. I've had two frozen shoulders so I'm going back to Yoga only.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

Jolie — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:23:38 GMT

I like pilates. It is a huge stress reliever for me. The holidays can be so stressful that it is great to pop in a 30 minute pilates DVD and have a little time to myself and also relieve stress!

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

krislynn — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:56:33 GMT

Speaking of organizing, we have plans to do that in all the rooms (closets, drawers, cabinets,....) after Christmas.

How about shopping! I get a lot of accidental exercise when I go grocery shopping! I am either go to this aisle to that aisle looking for something and looking for great deals. Even Christmas shopping! Searching for that perfect gift will wear you out.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

vivasuzi — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:26:39 GMT

Wow you've got the exercise thing down! I don't have any kids or pets, just a husband who's easy to keep up with b/c there's only a few places in the house he ever is :)

Here's some more ideas for accidental exercise:

Holiday Decorations can take a lot of exercise if you want it to! Do a real good job, take your time, and put a lot of effort into getting it all done in a few hours. You'll be warn out by the end of it but you'll fee great!

Reorganize something in your house. Winter is great time for organizing. You're stuck in the house for the most part, so why not reorganize? If you got cabinets that are a mess, or maybe it's just your DVDs that are out of order, spend the winter organzing and you'll get a lot of accidental exercise :)

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

krislynn — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:51:07 GMT

Like you on Friday, my accidental DAILY exercise is my 14-month old. He is all over the house and loves to hide from me. My dogs keep me active too. I walk them twice a day for 30 minutes each time. If the weather is not good, I throw a tennis ball down the hall or chase them in the house.

If I have any energy left in me, I do yoga everyday or at least every other day.

Let's get in shape before the holidays!

vivasuzi — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:56:35 GMT

The best time to exercise is NOW! You know why? Once you start cooking for Thanksgiving, or having holiday work parties, or going out with friends for the Holidays, it will be impossible to exercise yet easy to eat!

So who among you plans to kick it up a notch in the coming weeks? I got some accidental exercise this weekend. First I was chasing my nephew around all night Friday - once we set him down he was OFF like a rocket! Saturday we did yard work and got a good hour and a half of exercise raking leaves.

I take advantage of accidental exercise in November and December and really milk it out doing more than normal because accidental exercise is the easiest kind of exercise :) You get something accomplished while you exercise! So this season, what are your suggestions or tips for getting some exercise? It's easy to get stuck on the couch once the cold weather hits. Share your tips :)