I was reading some stuff online, and I come across these tips. I thought maybe someone could use them. Also, take a little time and check out some of the sites over on the side. There are some that are very helpful.
1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

Weekend

So, how was everyone's weekend? Mine was ok. I watched the draft while I worked out Saturday. I was pretty much pleased with the Atlanta Falcon's choice, since they couldn't trade up for Calvin Johnson. I think the Miami Dolphins were absolutely stupid for not getting Brady. I'm also a huge New England fan, have been since I was in diapers, so I'm stoked about them trading for Randy Moss.

Saturday, I went with some college friends to Carrabas. It was prom night, boy did I feel old. I'm so glad I'm done with school. I did not eat too healthy, I must admit, but I worked out hard earlier. Yesterday, I done nothing except watch a little of the race. Ok, Everyone have a wonderful monday.

Squats

Yesterday I worked out with this guy that does wide squats. First of all, squats are not my favorite exercise. I realize that they're one of the best weight-lifting exercises, but I still hate them. Well, this guy is incredibly strong, so I looked like a fool trying to lift with him; I got throught it though. He, however, wanted to do the wide stance squats, which I've never done. It felt like I was trying to do a split before I even squatted. It absolutely killed my inner thighs and my butt. And with this guy, you can't cheat and just go half way down, oh no. Your butt has to almost touch the freakin floor. He's a lunatic I tell ya. On my last heavy set, I think I tore my whole insides loose from whatever it is that they're suppose to be attached, but, this morning, I can tell it done some good. For you guys who loves working legs and haven't tried this craziness, you should try it. It works inner thighs really really good.

Cancer

I didn't have a great weekend and Monday. My fiance's grandfather, who has cancer, was put back in the hospital early Sunday morning; So I spent Sunday and Monday there. Yesterday, all evening, his son-in-law and I fought with him all day to keep him on the bed, from pulling is cather out, from pulling his IV out, and from yanking his oxygen out. He is completely out of his mind at this point. It's awful to see him in this condition. All of the family is ready to see him stop suffering. He's only 63 though. He had a daughter, my fiance's mother, to die of cancer when she was just 24, and now, when he sees Necole, he thinks it's his daughter, Teri. It was so sad. Yesterday he was talking out of his head to Necole. His wife ask if he knew who she was, and he replied, "Yeah Virginia, that's our daughter." He's fighting so hard for every breath. I've seen cancer take two lives before, but I've never seen anyone hold on and fight like this. They say you can tell about a man's character by how he treats his friends and family; well, if you could see the many friends that are at the hospital now, and knew how he felt about his family, you know what a great man he is. You guys just remember him and his family during these last few hours.

Faith and Health

Yesterday I read a post over on Metamorphose's blog that really interested me and got me to thinking. She mentioned her faith, how blogging has helped her faith, and how her faith has influenced her weight-loss and health. I agree that a person's faith,I'm a Baptist, influences everything about a person, either positively or negatively. I mean, if a person believes in nothing, what reason does that person have to live a healthy, profitable life, right? I heard a story yesterday that made me cringe. I was working out with an RN at our ER. He was telling me about a kid, 21 yrs old, that come in just a couple of nights ago with his right hand cut off. The RN said his family looked like they was from some kind of strict, religious sect. None of his family was panicing. The boy was clinching a Bible in his left hand and repeating over and over the verse about cutting off your hands or feet if they cause you to sin. This right handed kid had cut his own right hand off, and would not accept anykind of pain medication. He said he deserved to feel the pain. It was a clean cut, so, against the boy's will, they reattached the hand. I'm not sure if the surgery took though. The first thought that crossed my mind was, "this boy is crazy," but it disturbes me how some people are actually so grounded in tradition and religion that they interpret everything literally. True Christianity teaches that Grace covers sin. Anyway, I thought that was horrible that a kid would be taught that in order for him to overcome his "sin", he would have to do something that extreme.

OK, I've got to get to work so I can buy some gas for the weekend. That's enough to make a man cry. I have "faith" that it'll come down though. In the meantime, check out some of the other bloggers I've linked to and some of the other links on my site. Maybe you'll find something interesting.

FINALLY

I was finally able to return to the gym after 2 weeks. I'm paying today though. I am so sore. I surprised that I had lost 3lbs since I had last visited the gym. I think it's because I've been cautious of what I've eaten knowing I would not have time to workout. Losing weight is mostly about what you eat. If you're truly serious about losing weight, all you have to do is eat healthy and moderately. When you start feeling full, just stop eating. Whatever you do, don't go back for seconds. Eating just because it taste good will definitely not help you lose weight.

By the way, I'm soo happy Sanjiah is finally off AI. I was really starting to wonder about the people voting. There is hope for America after all.

Moving

Yesterday, I help my sister move 200 miles to Charleston, SC. It was quite a workout. She moved, bed, dresser and all, to the second floor of a apartment. I almost busted my right knee, and it's really sore this morning; other than that, we got through it relatively injury free. It was quite an accomplishment for me and my petite sister. I did tell her not to plan to move again though.

I still haven't been able to get in the gym. Sat. night, we had a terrible storm come through our county. I'm work with the fire and rescue here; so I was out all Sat. night clearing road and getting people out of there houses to safety. It was a very long night, and I still haven't caught up on my sleep. No one died though, just a lot of cars and houses totalled.

Lastly, my heart goes out to the victims and their families at VT. What a terrible tragedy! My prayers and thoughts are with VT.

Routine interruption

I've been so busy with work and tee ball for the past week that I haven't been about to go to the gym. I can definitely tell it. I feel sluggish; however, I have been walking a little at night, doing push-ups, sit-up and crunches. There are things that I can do in order to stay active. I've tried to be extremely careful with my eating this week since I haven't been able to exercise as much as usual. I'm ready to get back into my normal routine. Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

Hunter

I've never mention my family on this blog, and I'm not going to talk about them today, except one. Around Christmas, my aunt adopted a baby, Hunter. At first, we were worried about the baby's health because of his mother's condition. When the mother went into labor, she was so high, she couldn't push or do whatever women are supposed to do when they have babies. Little Hunter come very close to dying, and then, they had to treat him for withdrawals. We weren't sure how this would affect him later on in life, but my aunt can't have children and she fell in love with Hunter. The first month he spent at home, he was very quiet. He wasn't very active; I know most babies aren't, but he was less than normal. I wish everyone could see him now. He's less than a year old and can run. Not only walk, but run. He can talk, some you can't understand, but some you can. Hunter is one of the most loving child, and one of the most beautiful baby boys, I've ever seen. I'm not sure about everyone's religious beliefs, and I'm not imposing mine on anyone, but Hunter is definitely a miracle baby. Lots of love and prayer helped this baby boy not only survive his birth, but be an intelligent and beautiful babe. We can't be sure if his mother's drug problem will cause problems for him later on, but we have faith that his health, both mentally and physically, will not be hurt. If I had a way on this computer that was made right after the Civil War to post pictures, I have him on here. I know you guys would think he is adorable.

Happy Monday

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. It was absolutely too cold. We could hardly stand to hide the eggs for the children. The wind was awful Saturday. I did get a new Honda Civic Friday. I love it. 40 miles per gallon is great.

I didn't have time for much exercise this weekend, nor did I watch my eating closely; however, we all have those weekends every now and then. It was too cold and the wind was blowing too hard for a run or bike ride. Other than that, I had a pretty good Easter weekend. Everyone have a wonderful Monday.

Blank

I sitting here, and I can't think of anything to write about. I couldn't workout out yesterday, because I left work and went straight to Church. I ate pizza yesterday and cereal last night. It's a beautiful day outside, and I'm stuck in an office. I have off tomorrow, though. That's wonderful. My fiance's whole family has been sick, so I've been keeping my distance from them. I think sometimes physical sickness can be a bit mental. If everyone around you feels bad, I think sometimes we just think we feel bad also. Yesterday I was on the phone with Necole, and I caught myself saying, "I don't feel really good." When I got off the phone, I realize that I really felt fine. Probably just me, and I'm just rambling now; so, I probably won't have a chance to logon this weekend. You guys have a wonderful weekend.

First Practice!

I had teeball practice with the kids for the first time yesterday evening. They're so cute and funny. The age group is 5-6; so we're pitching them 3, and if they haven't hit one, we then put the ball on the tee. It was't that bad yesterday, because I only had 7 show up. There was 4 sick with the virus. When I was hitting the ball to them in the field, one second they would be looking at me, and then, once I hit the ball, they'd be looking at a bird flying in the outfield. It's all I can do to keep them in their assigned positions. Cute and hilarious, but also frustrating. There's this one little girl, tiny little cutie, who can throw the ball better than the boys. I mean, she throws it on a line. I put her at third base, and she threw it all the way to first base. If my first baseman could catch, we might be able to get a few out this season.

GAS PRICES!!!

WOW. As soon as a little relief comes, gas prices shoot right back up. I've got to do something. With my truck getting only about 15/16 m/g, and me driving 30 miles one way to work, I've got to get something with better gas mileage. Yesterday I looked at a Nissan Sentra. They get like 35 miles to the gallon. I've always had a truck, but I don't care what I get as long as I can get at least 30 m/g. That's like a dream. I know that has nothing to do with health or exercising, but if I can't get something better on gas, I'll have to drop my gym membership to pay to go back and to to work. Ok, ya'll have a wonderful day.

Good start...

Well, April's off to a good start. I went to a Easter Cantata yesterday morning. It was good. No one really "fooled" me yesterday as I was on my guard all day. I didn't really have time for a lot of exercise this weekend; I couldn't get to the gym. I just done a few curls, sit-ups and push-ups at home. I've been suckered into coaching another teeball team this year(5-6 year olds); so that'll take up my Tuesday and Thursday nights at the gym for the next couple of months. It can be fun, but also very aggrevating. Thirteen 5 and 6 year olds on one field, how do you hold their attention. They're constantly playing in the dirt, trying to catch bugs, or wrestling with on another. It's cute for awhile, but then it becomes annoying. Anyway, I've got to get this Monday morning started. Hope you all have a wonderful Monday.