Fitness Fridays Health Club #1 - Grand Opening!

[Bengalz]

What an excellent place to start any week!!

I must be honest in that I am not into any formal type of exercise regime. However, I do stay in shape by being active with such things as walking, hiking and gardening. Oh, there's also that thing call housework - running up and down 3 flights of stairs every weekend hauling laundry and a vacumn cleaner helps.

Probably the best exercise is hiking. I am fortunate to live in BC where there are so many phenomenal hikes to go on - any level or length of time. Also, close to my home there are several trails that we walk regularly including a beach trail right along the Pacific Ocean. Not to exercise this way would be too sad.

Diet? Well, my husband and I are both in our normal weight range and pretty healthy so we generally eat anything we want. I do however, try to keep us on a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables to go with the steak or the chicken or the roast beef.

We do indulge in junk foods every now and then but generally try to stick with the good stuff. We both have a passion for chocolate - especially DARK chocolate. Lots of good reasons to keep that one IN the diet plan.

Another form of exercise (and diet control) is a forced one - my job!! It keeps me busy and out of mischief for most of the week.

Another thing I would like to mention is that getting enough sleep makes all the difference for me. When I'm tired, I tend to be a lot lazier and don't take as much care in going for a walk (example) or preparing a good meal.

Thanks for getting this discussion going Christa. I look forward to hearing about other people's experiences and thoughts about how to stay fit and healthy.

Cheers, Betty

[My Peanuts]

Just checking in. I had a bad weekend. I was active, but I didn't go to the gym. I'm going tonight. I'm planning on making a schedule soon. That way it will be easier to stick to it.

[christa]

I'm getting ready to go work out with hubby . . . he is off today so we're going to work out together.

I changed my routine this past weekend, so I am looking forward to that change . . . hopefully I will see some real improvement! Shock my muscles!!!

Today is ARM DAY! Biceps & triceps . . . Love arm day! And then cardio of course!

Hope you all find time for a workout today!!!

[RobiLee]

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I had stopped at our local Dairy Mart for hubby and while I was in there I was certain I was getting myself a big huge candy bar. I didn't do it!! I remembered that the local farmer's market was just down the road so I said NO CHOCOLATE and went and bought myself some fresh peaches instead. This is a big deal to me...lol.

No walking yet today. Hopefully I will get that in this evening. I'm off to have myself a peach now .

Have a good day everyone!

[Dorothy39]

Ok, This thread is HOT!!!

Sign me up, I will keep checking the up-dates every Monday.

Good Job!!!! Great Motivational Thread.

(Wish I could exercise and post at the same time!!)

[finn's mom]

This is a great idea! I'm drinking nothing but water today... I need to do it every day, but, it's never easy for me. I try to only drink soda when I eat out... but, I need to cut that out, too. I'm on a bit of a workout routine, so, hopefully I'll see some changes within a month or two! Good luck, everyone!

[christa]

Ok, This thread is HOT!!!

Sign me up, I will keep checking the up-dates every Monday.

No no . . . Check EVERY DAY!!!

I hope that this thread stays active all week long . . . I just plan to restart a new thread so the current thread doesn't go for an eternity.

I had started a thread about 2 weeks ago and it was 150 posts long in no time! That's why we're starting this new format . . . opening our fitness club, so to speak.

So come often, update often & enjoy!!!

[buckner]

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I had stopped at our local Dairy Mart for hubby and while I was in there I was certain I was getting myself a big huge candy bar. I didn't do it!! I remembered that the local farmer's market was just down the road so I said NO CHOCOLATE and went and bought myself some fresh peaches instead. This is a big deal to me...lol.

Woohoo!!! That IS a big deal.. I'm so proud of you for resisting the temptation! ... and then to eat peaches instead, what a GREAT idea for anyone!! WOOOOOT, GO ROBIN!!!!!!!


Lets see, I was sick all weekend, but I did manage to eat "okay". Not much exercise outside of work, but my job keeps me on my feet at all hours.

For this week, I'm going to write out a menu for each meal (breakfast is pretty much already covered though..) along with an exercising schedule. Walking or running is the only thing I can manage, as I don't belong to a gym or have any equipment, but walking helps tremendously! And because I have severe asthma, I'm unable to run long distances... as of right now. I'm training myself to push myself and get into the routine of running.

Next week, I'll be on a mission trip doing hardcore manual labor all week, 8 hours a day, except Wednesday. Basically, in a nut shell, we fix houses for those less fortunate - yes, we pay $400 a person to go fix OTHER people's houses. It's a neat experience, and I have such a blast in so many ways... but that'll be my exercise for the week! I just have to remember to eat. I've been on 3 - the first one I didn't want to eat AT all, the second I ate like a horse, and the third I barely ate. When you're out in the sun working hard, you lose your appetite for some reason.. so eating will be key for me next week.

I'm going to go scrounge up all of my collected recipes and I'll be back! It may be later tonight until I get to post them because I have to leave for work in an hour.. but I'll post them!!! Promise! Any requests?? Any specific type of food someone wants? I've got a ton.

Weee, I'm so excited for this thread! Have a GREAT day, everyone!!!

[Rachel]

I'm going to go scrounge up all of my collected recipes and I'll be back! It may be later tonight until I get to post them because I have to leave for work in an hour.. but I'll post them!!! Promise! Any requests?? Any specific type of food someone wants? I've got a ton.

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

Robi, I want to congratulate you for resisting that candy bar. Being a chocolate addict, I know how difficult that is. You almost have to *detox* off of candy and sweets. After 3 or 4 days, it should get easier. I had peaches with my cereal for breakfast. Yum Also cut up a whole watermelon and that's in the Fridge for when I want *something* really fast.

[Flatcoatluver]

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I have to work from 7:30-12:00 then from 2:30 to 7:30, so I am very active because it’s running, and feeding dogs and a lot of cleaning. Then on Thursday I am packing and cleaning the truck for a week vacation. Then Friday we are off for a week till Saturday the 15th. Everyday I will be swimming and jogging with Zoey.

[Dorothy39]

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

Robi, I want to congratulate you for resisting that candy bar. Being a chocolate addict, I know how difficult that is. You almost have to *detox* off of candy and sweets. After 3 or 4 days, it should get easier. I had peaches with my cereal for breakfast. Yum Also cut up a whole watermelon and that's in the Fridge for when I want *something* really fast.

These are great choice for me as well. I get sick of salads. I don't have a weight problem, but, I am entering mid life and I must take stock in what I put into my self. The above menu, (recipes) sound great.

[buckner]

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

The most simple thing I can think of is stir-fry or fajitas. Really, there is no recipe to this crazy madness. I drizzle a little bit of EVOO in a big pain, let it heat up, and then toss is a ton of chopped/julienned veggies. I always use green peppers (or any colour I have) and onions, and sometimes will add cabbage, cauli, broccoli, carrots, or spinach. I'll add anything I have on hand, actually. If I'm doing a stir-fry type of thing, I'll put it with some whole wheat or brown rice. If I'm doing fajitas, I'll throw it in some whole wheat or veggie tortilla shells and gobble it up! You can also add any kind of meat (chicken, turkey, lean steak, shrimp, crab, etc...), it's all wonderful!

Okay, that's what I thought of off of the top of my head. Let me go look through my recipes!

[buckner]

I'd be interested in a recipe that: consists vegetables, is not too complicated, and is fairly quick to fix. I eat a lot of salads but that's gets old after awhile. My husband cooks shredded cabbage, chopped onions
and green peppers, chopped canned tomatoes, and corn. I really like this combination. When we reheat leftovers I have it over cooked potatoes. That's what we are having for dinner tonight.

Do you like mushrooms?


Portobello Burgers

4 large Portobello mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, sliced into very thin slivers
1 tsp. fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp. dried, (optional)
1 tsp. fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried, (optional )
1 1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1. Preheat broiler or grill.

2. Wipe mushrooms with damp cloth. Remove stems. With paring knife, make slits in tops of caps. Stuff slivers of garlic and herbs (if using) into slits.

3. In small bowl, whisk together oil and vinegar with salt and pepper to taste. Brush mushrooms with oil mixture. Place mushrooms, cap-side down, on pan and broil or grill until soft and brown, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Makes 4 servings.

I wouldn't go to the trouble of thyme or rosemary, but you do what you want! Slap this sucker on a whole wheat bun, and you've got yourself a tasty "burger!"

[christa]

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I had stopped at our local Dairy Mart for hubby and while I was in there I was certain I was getting myself a big huge candy bar. I didn't do it!! I remembered that the local farmer's market was just down the road so I said NO CHOCOLATE and went and bought myself some fresh peaches instead. This is a big deal to me...lol.

Robin, yet another hurdle that you've overcome! Those temptations are going to come up and you've just got to find ways to overcome them, and looks like you're making the right decisions!!! Awesome job! You make me so proud!!!

[Toby's my baby]

Wow this sounds great!! It's really hard to eat healthy for me, because I do not like veggies at all. I can not eat them, I throw up. The only things I eat are green beans, corn, and potatoes. Its really sad. I tried really hard to eat a salad about a month ago, and I could hardly do it. I REALLY REALLY wish I liked healthy food, because I would eat it.

I'm not over weight though, from not eatting "the best" I weight like...115-120?? and I'm 5'5 1/2". I LOVE to work out, I'd have to say that is my favorite thing to do..seriously Basketball, riding horses (doesn't sound like a work out, but trust me, it is) and running are my 3 favorite things. I USED to run 2 miles a day, but kinda dropped that... I guess this thread has motivated me, I'm gonna try and start running again! If it doesn't rain, I'm gonna go run 2 miles after we eat dinner. . I'm proud of myself

Anybody got any good snacks/ meals for me? It might be hard, since I don't like a lot of veggies.....