Today I read something that was disturbing to me. Guess what city in the nation gets the fewest mammograms? SALT LAKE CITY!!!! I am very disappointed in us. I want every single one of you to call your mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends and make sure they know the importance of having this procedure performed. Talk to your doctor about when you should begin getting mammograms yourself too. Don't assume you are too young. One of my very best friends had one last month and she is in her 20's. Due to my family history I will begin next year when I turn 30. SPREAD THE WORD!

Act Like A Kid Challenge

The idea presented is that the more energy you expend, the more energy you will retain in the long run. Ever notice how kids can play and play and play and play all day and come bedtime they still want to run around like superheros? I propose an idea to mimic the children in your lives. Jump across the lines in the parking lot, ride the shopping cart like a goofy teenager, play on the monkey bars (probably not during recess-you may get questioned), make up a silly dance or run around like some type of animal. I believe it will not only give you an energy boost ,but will also boost your mood. So let's all try NOT to act our ages this week.

New Kids on The Block are aiding in the fight against breast cancer by donating ALL of the profit from these tank tops to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

The Road Not Taken Challenge

We have created a society in which we are pressured to do as much as we can in the least amount of time. Well, take a break from that frame of mind. At the grocery store, or the mall etc. park in a stall far from the doors. The extra walking will be good for you. Rather than hopping on the elevator/escalator walk up those flights of stairs. Weight bearing steps will build musculoskeletal strength. These are a couple of easy things to do to make a positive change in your lifestyle. If you have any to add, PLEASE COMMENT! There are over 200 hits on this site but only a few comments. Come on dudes! I need your feedback if this is going to work. I have so much to learn from all of you so please share!

Burpie exercises

oh, burpies! Everyone's favorite!! Start in a standing position and then squat down so that your hands are placed on the floor. Then kick your legs back so they are behind you and you are in the 'up' position of a push up.

Then once again bring your legs back under you (you will then be in a squat position again) and spring up as high as you can into a full jump, followed by returning once again into your squat position so you are ready to kick your legs back to complete the second rep.

Continue these actions in a fluid motion until you have completed all 20 reps.

These help with arms, thighs, legs, abs and butts!

Pink in the Rink

If you are looking for a fun night out full of fun, excitement and lots of hitting it is time for the Grizzlies PINK IN THE RINK game. A portion of ticket sales go toward breast cancer research. Our kids love it because the ice is sprayed pink and the Grizzlies wear pink jerseys. Face off is next Friday, November 7th at 7:00 pm. See you there!

Challenge of keepin' it real.

We are all different shapes and sizes and that is what makes us all so fabulous. As women we put so much pressure on ourselves to look a certain way and sometimes that "way" is unhealthy and unrealistic. We should all strive to be as HEALTHY as possible but remember that everyone's healthy will look different.

I love my cute little size 0 friends but I will never be able to share jeans with them. My body is simply not built to be a size zero and I am fine with that.

Don't focus too much on the number staring back at you from the scale. Sure losing pounds can make you feel good, but looking fabulous in your jeans can make you feel even better. A pound of muscle takes up less space than a pound of fat so focus more on shaping your body, not just losing it.

As we get older things are going to get droopier and softer and that is just part of life. Sure we can eat better and exercise but genetics are going to fight us and those droopy boobs and saggy butt may be there to stay. If you have had kids you also know how everything gets stretched out and soft. It is hard to lose baby weight, but don't put a rush on it. Especially of you are nursing. Talk with a doctor, trainer, or nutrition specialist in regard to your personal needs. Think of how hard your body worked to carry that baby and go through labor/delivery. We need to be forgiving to our bodies for putting on extra weight.
You don't have to have gone through pregnancy to appreciate your body. Think about how you kept it up late during college and all the caffeine, chocolate, burgers and whatever else you have put into your body and it is still working for you. Think about what your body CAN do and then push yourself to do more.

Also, don't stress about clothing sizes. I have clothes in my closet ranging from a 1 to a 10. What does that say about manufacturers? They all have their own idea of what a certain size should be. So, once again don't let a number run your life.

We only get one body and it is important to treat it right. What we do now with them has definite effects on them later in life. For example, if you are in or beyond your late twenties, your body has finished growing. You need to get your daily calcium intake and perform weight bearing exercises to keep the bone mass you have going strong.
Ultimately, just be comfortable in your own skin and make sure your weight loss/fitness/nutrition goals are realistic.
We can do it!!!

The "Write" Stuff Challenge

This week's challenge is to write down everything you consume. It is fascinating to me how much more aware you are when you see what you've eaten on paper. You don't even have to break it down into calories(although it is even more eye-opening). Just try keeping a little notebook handy and keep track. Once you have the evidence on paper you can see where you need to make changes.

Love it product.

These bacon crumbles are tasty and I am someone who doesn't particularly like bacon. I usually put them on salads or mix them in with steamed veggies. They are a great way to add some flavor to healthy foods without adding a lot of fat/calories. Plus, my guys are more likely to eat vegetables if they have a little more flavor.

Lunges with a Twist

I am all about getting the most done in the least amount of time. Lunges are awesome for getting all those lower body muscles, and today I learned a way to target your obliques (muffin top area) too. Hold a weight (5-10 pounds is a great place to start) in front of your chest and as you do your lunges rotate to the side. Make sure you only twist with your upper body and hold your shoulders back. Bad posture = OUCH!

Water Challenge

As I mentioned in the previous post, this week's challenge is drinking the recommended 64 oz. of water daily.
Water is essential to our bodies because they are predominantly made up of water. Every day your body has to replace 2 1/2 quarts of water. Water aids in digestion, food absorption, temperature and blood circulation regulation. Water also carries nutrients and oxygen to cells. It aids in the removal of toxins and wastes. Water in our bodies cushions our joints and protects tissues and organs. Thus, it is vital we make sure to replenish our bodies with this essential fluid to feel, look and work our best.
I like to drink through a straw because I drink more. I also have a friend who makes drinking water a personal challenge. She tries to drink one 8 oz. bottle per hour at work. She sits it on her desk where she can see it. Liz, I am talking about you so if I botched the way you do it please let me know.
My sis-in-law puts flavored drink mix in her water to make it more appetizing.
Any other ideas? Please comment.

Why this Blog? Why Now?

I have always been interested in exercise and nutrition. I even studied exercise and sport science at the University of Utah and absolutely LOVED it.

As women in this society we tend to put our health last. We take care of our co-workers, our parents, our husbands and our children and have little energy left over to do the things we should to take care of ourselves. Now I am not saying we are all martyrs. I am just saying that I know how hard it is to find time and energy to exercise. Even for someone like me who LOVES to get her sweat on. Women are social people and I thought what better way to keep myself healthy than to share ideas with my friends on ways to be happy and healthy. I don't want to come off as someone who knows it all, because that is definitely NOT the case. The whole purpose of this blog is to be a place we can share ideas and tips with each other. If you have an idea, an exercise, a healthy recipe, a great workout song, etc. PLEASE SHARE! Even if you found a great moisturizer, let us all know.

The fact that it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month gave me the extra "push" to get this blog launched. Now, obviously cancer doesn't discriminate. Even healthy, athletic people get cancer (Hello Lance Armstrong). But, why not try to live healthier in hopes it will help us stay around a little longer?

I have a few ideas for this Blog that I hope will make it fun. First of all, I will post a weekly challenge that I hope you will all join me in doing. For example, the first challenge will be drinking 64 oz. of water each day. If you have any tricks or suggestions on how you get your h2o requirements, leave a comment.
I will also post a weekly recipe. I will try to use one that I have actually tried. Again, please share any yummy nutritious recipes.
In addition, I would like to share a favorite weekly product. It could be anything from new running shoes to some awesome lotion someone happened to find. Once again please share. I really want this Blog to be about more than just ME.
Finally, let me know if you are interested in being listed as a blogger for the cure.