I look forward to holidays every year with all the decorations, shopping, and goodies. Then of course there's being with the family, running here and there, and tasting all the Christmas treats, and before you know it I’ve gained 10 pounds I didn't have before!
This New Year, Electronic Arts Inc. and TwitterMoms have teamed up to bring us a fun contest to win prizes and help you and I melt off the holiday pounds! 5 entries will be randomly selected to win a copy of EA SPORTS Active™ Personal Trainer – the highest rated Wii™ fitness product to date for use on the Nintendo Wii system! So, there you have it. My motivation to write my 10 ways to get fit after the holidays, and one of the reasons that I've decided to enter their give-away. I really need to win this to help me shed these pounds I have to lose for my health. Did you know being overweight you risk your life to diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure, high cholestrol, and others? Well, I have most of those, and I take nine different medications each day, three times a day. It's no picnic and I'm fed up. I want to stick around to play with my grandchildren, and dance at their weddings. So, let me try this.
Okay, holidays are over and so is the holiday cookies, candy, pies, and other such holiday treats. My daughter told me about this fantastic give away, and I've come to the decision that this is what I want to do. This is what I need to do. I've come up with "10 ways to get fit after the holidays", and this is number one:
1. Place your left hand on the end of the table and then the right. Now "PUSH"! Yes, you need to finish your meal and get up from that table. You don't need to linger. Lingering only brings temptation to finish what you've left on your plate or pick at the few morsels that's left in that bowl. When we were little our parents use to yell at us to finish what's on your plate. Okay, that's when you were LITTLE. You needed to grow tall. Now, we're still growing, but we're growing wide!
2. Try eating a plain salad before supper (or with table spoon of light dressing), with a full glass of water. It'll give you that full feeling. Also, when you're making your plate if you usually take three heaping spoons of whatever cut it down by one spoon, and start taking smaller portions. Oh yes, and don't forget to drink that full glass of water before every meal. I've also been having less meat and more fish or skinless chicken, but I make sure there is red meat in my diet at the very least once a week. I've been trying a portion of the meat factor whether it be meat, chicken or fish ( I stay away from pork), and taking a extra spoon of vegetable instead of potato or noodles/rice. I also do not fry with oil. I use the spray, and only use oil when it's absolutely necessary.
3. I have found that eating things that are white have a tendency to put weight on me, so I've limited the white in-take. I've been on a no white diet before and it worked fine for me. It's when I went off of it... uh-oh. Also, if you're a pop drinker did you ever look to see how many calories were in one can of soda. Yes, 150 in comparison to diet soda which is 0. Now what would you like to drink? Bread is my weakness, so I've switched to the 35 calories a slice bread in comparison to the 80 or 60 calorie a slice. I've also become a calorie counter.
4. Now, let's pay attention to what we're doing in the home. If you've bent over to get something do it twice. Add a little extra exercise. In the morning when I go into the kitchen to get my coffee I need to pass through my front-room, so I stop at our couch (or maybe a chair if you're couch isn't available), I put my hands on top with my feet about five steps back or whatever is comfortable for you, and I do at the very least ten push ups. I may not be able to do it from the floor due to a bad back, but these are simple and I'm exercising. WOO HOO.
5. Instead of sending your child out for the mail or your husband ladies, put your shoes on and take that walk out in front to get that mail, stand up tall and maybe walk to the backyard first and then to the front of the house to get it. Take a few extra steps. If you're mailbox is too close for that short walk, I'm sure you can find a way to take a brisk walk up and down the driveway or out in front of your home. It doesn't have to be a long walk, just walk.
6. Okay, now let's go shopping. Let's first park further away from the store, so we can walk a little. Now shopping. Instead of buying your usual butter let's try low-fat. In fact, there are many different things that's low fat like salad dressings or mayo.
7. Instead of drinking that whole milk let's try 2% or better yet how about some skim milk. Come on I know you like milk, and you don't have to give it up totally, but let's try it so we can get back into those jeans we use to wear before the Christmas cookies and pudding.
8. Speaking of milk how about instead of eating those cupcakes during Desperate Housewives let's try a half a bowl of cereal. No, no, no, not the kids cereal. How about some Special K or plain Cheerios? Check the calories on the side of the box & compare it to your kids sugary cereal, and if cereal doesn't do it for you try some fruit.
9. Okay, time to get ready for bed. How about we run downstairs to throw a load of clothes in the machine so all we have to do is push buttons tomorrow morning. (Okay, that was one flight of stairs). Now, how about 10 more of those push-ups off the couch/chair. Don't forget to sturdy that chair up against something. Okay, that's enough for tonight. You've done good. Pat yourself on the back.
10. Last, but not least. I have a exercise for you to do in the car. You're driving along let's tighten those butt cheeks. Tighten and count to ten, release. Tighten and count to ten release. Let's start out with ten times, and gradually build up to more. Also, we can even try suck in that gut - hold, count to ten, release. Suck it in, hold, count to ten and release. Start out with ten and gradually increase.
Always remember if something hurts "DON'T DO IT". A therapist told me that. You'll only pay for it later. In the beginning start out small and gradually build later. These are just items I've heard over the years.
I don't claim to be a health or exercise expert. They're things I've tried and they've worked. Good luck and oh just one more thing, don't weigh yourself every day or even every couple of days; once a week is more than enough.
Don't forget to check with your doctor first before you start any sort of routine that is out of the ordinary.
Well, that's it my friends. If I hear of any new ideas I'll let you know. Now go weigh yourself and make a note and chart it once a week and let's see what happens. Oh, and if you hear of anything let me know. GOOD LUCK! And here's to a New Year's resolution I hope we all keep! To a long and healthier life, cheers!
Hi, all you animal lovers! 
"Come on NaNee, dishes later. We want to open presents".
My oldest daughter with her oldest & her youngest. Such cuties!
My oldest son and his family made themselves at home. Boy, this family just keeps growing & growing. My youngest daughter and family could not make it due to her husband's mother had past away unfortunately on 12.23.09, may she R.I.P. She's in our prayers.
Youngest son, and is oldest baby, and the rest of the crew hiding some where. Hope you all had a good time, and there's so many more pics I'd love to show them all, but we'd be here all night. LOL Soooooooo, a very Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! 
HEY, I SAID GOOD NIGHT!!! 
Ahh, that's it LIGHTS OUT! ho ho ho
Well, I gave my dad a granddaughter years ago, and she was his new toy I must admit, and Grandpa was hers. They were always together. 
Grandpa's new toy today. Some of you call her NightOwlMama.
My two oldest children they stuck together like glue, and still are to this day, and just one more pic I'd like to share is my very first grandchild and myself. I was so proud of him then, and I'm still so proud of him now. (You can see him now in a blog or two ago with my oldest son).
Then of course there's Christmas present.
This is my grandson the computer whiz and my oldest son who owns a board-up business; a couple of my two favorite boys.
This was taken in Alberta, Canada in a back yard...Very cool!
The Bishop's Wife. Yes, that's it. That's the one...I think, but then again.... NO, NO, NO that's not the one. Silly me. How could I have been so silly of course I know my VERY FAVORITE Christmas movie. It's.... it's... none other than... the one and only...
That's my Mama. She was definitely a cutie. From the day she tried to ride a bike or looking like she just stepped out of Vogue back in the 40's. What a special lady she was. She loved attention and everyone loved her. She was definitely 
everybody's Sweetheart. 
To her grandson... 
to her granddaughter and daughter and more.
Christmas won't be the same without you. Love you Mom.
