Muffins with Mom – The Fitness Protection Program – A Struggle with Weight Loss

 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Mothers will tell you the truth. They will protect you from hurt, harm,  and danger, but they will speak the unfiltered truth, just like an honest child. And that’s why I decided to create my very own Fitness Protection Program. There are no warranties, no guarantees, but protection of my sanity is covered.

You may not have this problem, but I have been trying to lose weight since 2020 B.C. (Beginning of COVID). I exercise, but I have yet to find the balance between exercise and eating the right foods. In my closet, any clothing with elastic waistbands is the new sexy. After an exhilarating workout one day, I decided to go to the dark side (non-stretchy clothes).

I pulled on a pair of jeans, sucked in my stomach, and firmly snatched the waistband together and secured the button. They fit snuggly, but not uncomfortable. I slid a t-shirt over my head, topped it with a jean jacket, and tucked my feet into stylish, yet practical boots. Off I went about my day.

I stopped by to visit mom, wearing my snazzy outfit. I slid my bulky winter coat off with the grace of a model, struck a pose and batted my short eyelashes at my mom. She said, “that’s cute outfit. It would look even better if you had on a pair of dark jeans. What happened to those dark jeans you used to have?”

“I can’t fit them. I now select my clothes based on weather…whether I can fit them.”

And that’s when I decided I needed a fitness protection program. I would workout in secret, protecting others from the sight of me struggling; sparing them the sounds of grunts and groans. This was also a way of protecting me from my inner critic telling me, you don’t have to exercise if you don’t feel like it. You can do it later.

My Fitness Protection Program includes making healthy food choices, exercising regularly, and rewarding myself along the way. A key component of this program is to be kind to yourself. There will be days that you are more successful than others. Take it in stride and remember that everyday is a new day. As one of my friends says, it’s you against you. No need to base your success on anyone else.

Create a reward system for yourself. I mentioned this in a previous blog post, me and a few friends created a Workout Jar.  The idea  is to pay yourself $1 each time you workout. After 90 days treat yourself using the funds from your jar. One friend took this challenge a step further, she adds .50 cents each time she makes a healthy food choice.

Are you working to shed unwanted pounds? You may need the Fitness Protection Program. Design a routine that works for you, create your own rules, and make it fun. Remember, you are never alone on this journey. When you feel a struggle coming on, find a way to laugh through it.

 

Fun Friday – National Fun at Work Day – 5 Activity Ideas for Celebrating

 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

It’s National Fun at Work Day, celebrated each year on January 28^th. Get your work done but have fun. It is possible to do both. This holiday encourages employees to relax and enjoy themselves. The goal is to “boost employee engagement and job satisfaction.”

There are still businesses working from home or have hybrid work schedules, due to the pandemic. If you fit this description or even if you don’t, consider holding a virtual fun day. Keep in mind that the idea is to have fun. Here are 5 activity ideas for celebrating National Fun at Work Day.

1.      Scavenger Hunt – this is a good activity to get people moving. If you do this activity in person, divide players into teams and hand out a list of clues. If your event is virtual, players race to retrieve items one at a time.

2.      Bingo – you can create a bingo card based on hobbies, interests, or other fun information about employees, or keep it generic. Disclaimer: be sure information used is not hurtful or will cause embarrassment to anyone. Ask permission before using personal information.

Below are a few ideas for your ingo card

-Speaks more than one language

-Has a tattoo

-Met a celebrity

-Has been on TV

-Has 5 siblings

-Can sing the theme song to the old TV show The Brady Bunch.

     3.  Online trivia – organize teams and let the fun begin.

     4.  Murder Mysteries – you can search online for mysteries to solve. Set the atmosphere by asking participants to dress in costumes or have props.

     5.  Talent Show – recruit acts, have an emcee, and make it a competition with fun prizes. Think outside the box, prizes don’t have to be anything expensive. Perhaps the winner receives a special parking spot for a month, or a free lunch courtesy of their supervisor. You get the idea.        

These ideas were adapted from the article 26 National Fun at Work Day Ideas, Games, andActivities for 2022.

What would you add to the list of ideas for celebrating National Fun at Work Day? If you’re not able to make this an event at work today, schedule it for a Friday in the near future. Afterall, this even is all about encouraging employees to take time to relax, engage with each other, and make the workplace a little more fun.

Wacky Wednesday – National Big Wig Day

 

Photo Credit: Nationalbigwigday.com

National Big Wig Day is coming (January 28^th). Do you know what it’s all about? Let me tell you; it's celebrated the last Frday in January. This day was created by Patty Sharkey in 2016. After having post-holiday blues, she went through her collection of wigs, took a selfie, and posted it on Facebook with the caption Happy National Big Wig Day.

It wasn’t long before Patty’s idea spread. Her friends in several states hosted fundraiser parties where 75% of the proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society. National Big Wig Day is a day anyone can celebrate. You are the big wig of your life.

Regardless of titles we can all make a difference and improve the lives of others with this celebration. Join the fun by grabbing a big wig, take a selfie, and post it on
social media with the hashtag National Big Wig Day. Raise money for your favorite charity.

How will you celebrate National Big Wig Day?

 

Monday Musings – National Belly Laugh Day – 3 Ways to Celebrate

 

National Belly Laugh Day - Go forward and laugh

Laughter is one thing that is common among all people. Celebrate the joy of laughter on National Belly Laugh Day (today, January 24^th). The purpose of this day is to remind people about the many benefits of laughter, and to encourage laughter in the lives of others.

Are you ready to engage in laughter? Here are 3 ways to celebrate Belly Laugh Day.

1.      Watch a funny movie

2.      Tweet something funny and use the hashtag #BellyLaughDay

3.      Engage in laughter therapy – call a few friends and reminisce on a fun time together.

Here are 3 fun facts about laughter that I just learned.

1.      “Most laughter is not about humor, it’s about relationships with people. We are 30 times more likely to laugh in a social situation than when we are alone (without the presence of TV, books, etc.).”

2.      “Laughter usually follows comments in conversations rather than intentional jokes.”

3.      “Laughter tends to occur in short bursts of vowel-like sounds such as “ha-ha,” “ho-ho,” or “he-he,” which are repeated every fifth of a second.”

Fun facts rea from the website deliveringhappiness.com.

When you’re feeling blue, laughter can lift your spirits. Think of a time when you had a good laugh. Replay that scene in your mind, what was happening, who was there? Is there something funny that your kids have done or your pet?

My kids have provided me with many occasions to part my lips to sigh, scream, and laugh. There was an occasion when my son was about 5 years old, he burst into the bathroom just as I stepped out of the shower. I screamed and he ran out laughing and I heard him tell his brother, “I saw mommy’s bra hanging down.”

It was not mommy’s bra hanging down. I’ll tell more about this in an upcoming Comedy Showcase (Zoom) on January 31^st at 7pm EST. Details forthcoming.

If you liked this story teaser, check out my eBook Laughter H.E.L.P.S., available on Amazon.

Remember to sprinkle each day with laughter.

Fun Friday - Stories to make you smile

Photo Credit: YouTube

Smile, it increases your face value. Get the weekend started with a few chuckles. Today is a repeat post from several years ago, byt worth sharing again. These are not my own stories, but ones I found around the web.

The child and his mother

A curious child asked his mother, “Mommy, why are your hairs turning grey?”

The mother tried to use this occasion to teach her child: “It is because of you dear. Every bad action of yours will turn one of my hairs grey.”

The child replied innocently: “Now I know why grandmother only has grey hairs on her head.”

 

Wrong email address

A couple were going on vacation, but the wife was on a business trip. So the husband went to the destination first and his wife would meet him the next day. When he reached the hotel he decided to send his wife a quick email.

Unfortunately, when typing the address, he mistyped a letter and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away the day before.

When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream and fell to the floor in a dead faint.

At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this on the screen:

Dearest Wife,

Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.

P.S. Sure is hot down here.

 

For more stories similar to the two above click here.

 

Out of the mouths of babes

A small boy is sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later…”Da-ad…

“What?”

“I’m thirsty. Can you bring me a drink of water?”

“No, you had your chance. Lights Out.”

Five minutes later: “Da-aaaad…”

“What?”

“I’m THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??”

“I told you NO! If you ask again, I’ll have to spank you!!”

Five minutes later…”Daaaa-aaad.”

“What!”

“When you come to spank me, can you bring me a drink of water?

 

For more things kids say, click here.

Have you heard any funny stories lately? Wishing you a w

Wacky Wednesday – National Popcorn Day - 3 Fun Facts

 

Buttered, salted, caramel, there are a variety of popcorn types to please your palate. National Popcorn Day is celebrated on January 19^th. What is your favorite way to enjoy popcorn?

As a young child, I would watch my grandfather make popcorn in a skillet. He would first cook a few sausage patties, they he put between two slices of bread to create a sandwich for himself. The grease from the sausage still in the skillet, my grandfather added kernels of popcorn.

A few minutes later my brother and I had a bowl of seasoned popcorn. It had a hint of spice from the sausage grease. Our friends from down the street would sit on the front porch with us and indulge in the tasty treat.

There was even a time when a couple of friends got together and said, “let’s create our own store.” We put our coins together and bought candy from the corner store, and we sold popcorn that my grandfather made. We put the popcorn in brown paper lunch bags and sold it for .25 cents.

When my sons were younger we frequently had family movie nights. Our snack of choice was buttery microwave popcorn, and the occasional kettle corn for me. Today, you can find me with a jumbo bag of Skinny Pop popcorn.

Just for fun I looked up fun facts about popcorn. Here are a few that I found interesting:

1.      Popcorn has more iron than eggs and spinach. It also has more fiber than potato chips.

2.      Americans eat about 17 billion quarts of popcorn each year.

3.      Most of the popcorn eaten around the world is grown in the united States.   

    Fun facts were adapted from holidayscalendaar.com.

For National Popcorn Day, take a trip down memory lane. Think about a fond memory you had that was related to popcorn. Grab a bag of your favorite popcorn already made or grab a bag of kernels and pop your own. Relax and enjoy.

Motivational Monday – A Day of Remembrance – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

 

Phtoto Credit: sentinel-echo.com

Today is a day of remembrance. This is the day set aside to honor civil rights activist Martin Luther King jr. His birthday became a national holiday in 1986. Dr. King believed in community service, empowerment, and non-violence. Today, many honor Dr. King’s life and his accomplishments as an influential leader.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speech was I Have a Dream. What is your dream? Is your dream on hold? Make today a day that you reflect and remember that dream you may have tucked away. Believe that you can make it happen.

“There is something to say about believing in your dreams. And having the support and courage to go after them. You can do anything you put your mind to.”  - Serena Williams

As you reflect on your dreams and the accomplishments of Dr. King, here are 3 ways you can observe this national holiday.

1.      Participate in a service event in your community – check local churches, your library, and your parks & recreation department for event.

2.      Visit a museum to explore the work of civil rights leaders.

3.      Remember Dr. King’s message of kindness and respect for others.

(above three points adapted from everydaypower.com)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr had a dream, Serena Williams had a dream, and you have a dream. Reflect. Remember, and go after your dream.

 

Wellness Wednesday – National Hot Tea Day – 3 Ways to Observe

 

Did you know that tea originated in China, and has “become the second most popular beverage in the world after water (someevents.com)?” National Tea Day is observed on January 12^th each year and was established by The Tea Council of the U.S.A. in 2016.

Experts say that tea energizes, relaxes, and detoxifies. Here are 3 Ways to observe National Hot Tea Day.

1.      Visit your favorite tea place.

2.      Have a tea party – get out your good china that you rarely use and steep a cup of your favorite flavored tea. Your tea party could be virtual or with a few close friends.

3.      Make a recipe that requires tea – Better Homes & Garden has an article titled 10 Surprising Things to Do with Tea. There was one recipe I found interesting that told how to make Chocolate Bark.

Maybe you’re a tea lover or a sometimes tea drinker, National Tea Day can be an opportunity to try something new.

How will you observe National Hot Tea Day?

Motivational Monday – The Happiness List

 

Photo Credit: 81metalart.com

If you were asked to create a Happiness List, what would be on your list? Well, that’s what I’m asking you to do, make a list of seven things that make you happy.

I’ve heard friends complain about ho hum days of winter due to the lack of sunny days. This time of year, we can all use an extra dose of happiness. Creating a list of things that make you happy and implementing them often, can help weave joy into those blue days.

Below is a list of 5 suggested things to include on your Happiness List. If you come up with more than seven, that’s even better.

1.      Get Outdoors – if you follow my blog, you’ve probably herd me say this before, but it’s worth repeating. Get outside everyday or as often as you can. It it’s cold outside, bundle up, and take a walk to the mailbox, your backyard, or the end of your street. If you’re feeling motivated, take a 20-minute walk through your neighborhood. Take a different route that you would normally; relax and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.

2.      Read a good book – read something just for fun.

3.    Talk with a friend – spending time chatting with a friend can lift your spirits and your friends.

4.      Laugh  - this one is self-explanatory. How can you be sad if you’re laughing? Engage in the things that you find funny or that make you chuckle.

5.      Do Nothing – chisel a little time in your day to do nothing. Unplug from social media, close your laptop, and silence your phone. Visualize what doing nothing looks like for you, then go do it. As I write this, I realize that “doing nothing” is not totally “doing nothing.” Rather, it means doing something you find relaxing. Maybe you like completing a crossword puzzle, a word search, or curling up on the sofa with a snack to watch a movie.

Beat the winter blues by creating a Happiness List. What will you include on your list?

Motivational Monday – What is your prescription for Self-care? -3 Tips to stay motivated

 

"Exercise not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude, and your mood."

What are your intensions for the new year? Write yourself a prescription for self-care and add this to your list of things to focus on in the coming year. One of the things that I include in self-care is to schedule time for fitness. Some days are more productive than others.

Having a fitness routine helps me to have energy for other aspects of my daily routine. Each person’s routine will look different. In order to experience success, you have to start with what works for you. Trust me, I’ve learned this through trial and error.

If you are beginning (or beginning again) a fitness routine, here are 3 tips to help you stay motivated:

1.      Get an accountability partner – do you have a friend who exercises regularly or is beginning regimen as you are? Set goals together or periodically check-in with each other with words of encouragement. Send her a text message saying, “you got this.”

2.      Challenge yourself – set fun goals for yourself. Each time to reach the goal set another. For example – “I will workout 3 times this week, 30 minutes each time. My reward will be 30 minutes of uninterrupted Me Time.” Set your reward as something that is not monetary. A monetary reward is covered in tip #3.

3.      Create a Workout Tip Jar – a friend saw this idea on social media and shared it with our group of ladies who workout together (virtually now). The idea behind the tip jar is that you reward yourself for exercising. You add $1 to the jar each time you workout. Once you reach $100, celebrate by treating yourself to something new.

Since I am not a licensed practitioner, the only prescription that I can write for you is one of encouragement. Here’s what it looks like:

·         Get Plenty of rest – so you have energy to exercise.

·         Drink water  - because our bodies need water.

·         Practice gratitude – you’ve heard it said before, but when we practice gratitude regularly, it makes us feel better. Being grateful makes it easier to express joy in difficult situations.

What tips would you suggest in helping someone stay motivated with their self-care routine? Share your prescription for self-care.