Juice Fever

I've noticed an big increase in interest in juicers lately.  In fact, I just read an article in the Wall Street Journal about juicing this morning.  Check it out here.  It seems like many of you are making good on your 2013 resolution to eat more fresh fruits and veggies.  Good job!  If you're interested in finding out more, check out the film Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.  (No, I have not done a juice fast!)  The man featured in the movie's website is Reboot with Joe.  You can find a number of juice recipes there.

I have a juicer that I admittedly don't use as much as I should, but when I do get it out, my kids and I really enjoy the process and the fruits (and veg) of our labor.  I have an Omega Juicer (model 8003).  I purchased it because I heard it had a heavy duty motor that would last a really long time.  I wish the feeding tube was a bit wider so I didn't have to cut up my produce into narrow strips, but other than that, it works great.

My favorite book of juice recipes is The Juicing Bible 2nd ed. by Pat Crocker.  It has an extensive listing of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs and their uses and benefits.  It also lists conditions that can be helped by certain juices.  (I did not see any recipes recommended for "mom of 3 boys", but it has everything else imaginable.) The rest of the book is full of juice and smoothie recipes.

Happy juicing!!

 

Must-haves for Baby and Mama

Okay, so there's nothing you actually HAVE to have, but these items have been very helpful to our family during those precious early years of our boys' lives.  Most of the items have been recommended to me by other moms.  I spent hours picking their brains about all things baby.

Favorite Baby Books:

• The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp (great ideas for sleep and soothing a fussy baby)
• The Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg (the basics of her technique and an overview of scheduling/baby routine)
• The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems by Tracy Hogg (if you like her techniques, this book offers very specific advice for most sleep/eating/scheduling problems)
• The Vaccine Book by Sears (we follow his alternate shot schedule)

For a Good Night's Sleep:

• Swaddling blankets - The Miracle Blanket or Aden and Anias swaddling blankets
• White Noise - You can easily use a radio tuned to static or a fan.  Our little guys liked white noise so much for sleeping that we invested in a white noise machine by Marpac similar to this one.  We now own two.

Nursing Items:

• Bamboobies - yes, an incredibly embarrassing name, but these are great breast pads that don't show through your shirt.
• Nursing Cover - like the ones from Baby au Lait or the Modest Mom

For Your Mental Health:

I've loved being involved in my local Mothers of Preschoolers group (MOPS).  It's for any mom of a newborn through preschool age.  Childcare is usually provided on-site.  It's great to be able to get out a couple of times a month and talk with other mamas.  

Our Home Birth

  I'm sorry if this post is a bit foggy.  I wanted to write about our home birth before I forget the details!  Our sweet Joey is about 2 weeks old now, so it's time I got crackin', right?
  Just a little background information to start: our first two boys were born in the hospital and nurse midwives attended both births.  Our oldest son was born in a German hospital, which was an interesting and good experience.  Our second sweet boy was born here in the States.  It was also a fairly good experience, however I absolutely felt like the nurses were rushing my labor along.  I was told to walk for two hours to dilate more, otherwise I'd be sent home.  (Traveling by car to the hospital is one of the most stressful parts of the birth for me, so I took them seriously and did as I was told.)  I did indeed keep "on schedule", but I was extremely tired out by the time my son was born.
  I started out my 3rd pregnancy under the care of the same hospital and a nurse midwife, but started seriously considering a home birth about 2 months before Joey was due.  I had read a number of books about home birth, watched some great documentaries about our modern obstetrical practices, and have three friends who have had great outcomes with home births.  When I researched even more, I found out that the data does support the fact that in a low-risk pregnancy, home birth attended by an experienced midwife is just as safe and sometimes safer than a hospital birth.
  I started talking to my husband about it and showed him some of the statistics.  He told me he'd think and pray on it.  After a week or so and many conversations later, he agreed that we should attempt a home birth, even though our insurance wouldn't cover any of the cost.  We found an excellent midwife, Yolanda Visser, who runs Birth Song Midwifery in Grand Rapids.  She's attended well over 2,400 births, and she's an absolute champion as a midwife, in my opinion.
  Because I had come so far in my pregnancy under the hospital system, I continued to see the nurse midwife, so that if I needed to be transferred to the hospital or if I was told late in pregnancy that I was not a good candidate anymore for home birth, that there would be no issue of "continuity of care".  The nurse midwife knew I was considering a home birth, and she had agreed that I would be a good candidate for it.  At her request, because of hospital and insurance issues, I was never able to tell her outright that I was planning a home birth.  
  I was very pleased with my prenatal care with Yolanda.  My appointments were usually an hour long, and she spent a lot of time making sure my nutrition was on track.  She switched my prenatal vitamins to a food-based vitamin and added fish oil, evening primrose oil, and raspberry leaf tea to my daily regimen.  She treated me like a human being with a normal life situation on my hands, instead of someone who was ill.  I really appreciated that.
  When the day finally came, I was more than ready to not be pregnant anymore!  Contractions started around 4:30 am, but I didn't feel like the baby was dropping much.  I was in contact with Yolanda all day by phone, as she monitored my progress.  I had been cleaning most of the day to get ready to show our house, which is for sale.  We actually left the house and went out to dinner while I was having contractions so that the house could be shown.  (Why waste a clean house, right?!).  By the time we got home and put the older boys to bed, I thought it was time for Yolanda to start making her way to our house.  The baby was dropping and the contractions were coming faster and harder.  Around that time, we also called our moms to come and be at the house in case our boys woke up.
  By the time Yolanda arrived at 11pm, my contractions were coming one on top of another.  I attribute the brevity of my active labor time (4 hours) to the raspberry leaf tea and being on my feet all day.  Man-oh-man, I somehow thought labor at home would be easier, but it was still extremely intense.   Going through contractions on my hands and knees on the floor worked the best for me this time around.  There's no way in the world you'd ever find me on a hospital room floor, but at home I could choose to be wherever I wanted.  My husband was a huge help to me during my labor.  He was incredibly supportive and encouraging.  I asked him later if this birth was different for him than the first two, and he said he felt more involved in the process at home.  He was very pleased with the whole experience.
  By 11:30 my water had broken, and it was time to push.  At 11:47pm, Joseph took his first breath and let out a tremendous yell.  I had been praying before he was born that he'd let us know right away that he was healthy and well.  That prayer was answered!  He is by far our loudest screamer (which is a feat if you know my oldest son).
  Within a few minutes, we invited our moms into the room.  It was a really special time for both of them.  My mom has since told me that it's one of the highlights of her life.  We all saw Joey's newborn examination as Yolanda told us each factor she was looking for.  It was interesting for me to watch because for the other two births, the boys were always taken away to be weighed and checked.  Mr. Joey was 9 pounds at birth!  We were shocked at his size!  In keeping with his enthusiasm for eating, he latched on almost immediately and started nursing.
  A few minutes later, my husband got our boys up to meet their brother.  Our oldest son had been so insanely excited about the whole pregnancy; we knew it would be a great moment for him.  He said "hi" and immediately leaned over and hugged him.  Our 2-year-old son surprised us by taking delight in his new baby brother.  We attribute most of this to his meeting Joey right away and in the comfort of our home.  My husband and I didn't leave for the hospital and then come back a few days later with a new sibling, which we knew would have greatly bothered our sensitive little guy.
  Yolanda stayed with us for about an hour and then left us with our newest addition!  It was wonderful to go to sleep in our own bed, without nurses coming in and waking us up many times.  When I woke up very early in the morning, I just went downstairs and got myself a drink and some fruit.  How nice to not have to wait for the hospital's cafeteria to open!  Later on, we enjoyed a feast prepared by my mom and just hung out as a family.  It was a wonderful experience for all of us, thank God!  We had prayed earnestly for a healthy labor, deliver, and baby, and He answered all of our prayers.

Psalm 139:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ For you created my inmost being;^(A)
    you knit me together^(B) in my mother’s womb.^(C)
14 I praise you^(D) because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,^(E)
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made^(F) in the secret place,
    when I was woven together^(G) in the depths of the earth.^(H)

Welcome to the clan!

 Newborn exam

9 pounds!

Blogging Flunky!

Wow,  it's been a really long time since I've posted anything.  I wish I had more time to post cool projects, fun ideas, etc, but life has been extremely busy lately!  With 2 crazy sons running around and one due in a little over a month, our life has shifted to "survival mode" for now.  Here are our goals for the next few weeks!

1. Keep the house in a semi-clean state
2. Feed children : )
3. Finish our first year of homeschool
4. End strong on some volunteer opportunities that I'll need to throttle back on for the next few months
5. Finish out the month with my personal training clients.  Exercising with them is my sanity-saving adult time!
6. Start packing for our upcoming move (whenever that will be!)
7. Keep teaching my kids to be kind to one another and to let them know that they are absolutely loved and cherished, no matter how many babies come along.

So am I excused from not faithfully blogging lately?  

What does your survival mode look like?  I'd love to hear from you!

Fabulous Mess

 The other day my kids were being wild and crazy.  We had 30 minutes until lunchtime and I was about at my wits end with them.  I realized that they were being a hand full not because they're naughty, but because they were bored.  I put on some music, grabbed some finger paints, and their moods (and mine) improved immensely!

Putting my 2-year-old in his highchair and taping the paper down to the tray helped contain the mess.  

3 Little Men

When my husband and I announced that our 3rd baby was a boy, some people thought that we would be disappointed.  This picture illustrates why I'm so excited to add another brother to our clan.  I hope these bubbas will be best friends (when they're not fighting, of course : )

Setting the Tone

Visit http://womenlivingwell.org/
to see more posts like this : )

 Sometimes we mamas feel like because we're at home a lot, we don't influence many people.  The truth is, we have a huge amount of influence in our homes (and many other places). What attitudes and behaviors can we put on to help create a positive, happy home atmosphere?

•                Proverbs 14:1 - "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."  We can seek God's wisdom for molding us into the women he wants us to be each day by studying His Word.  How does the Proverbs 31 woman build her house?  How do the foolish women in mentioned in Proverbs tear theirs down? 

•                James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."  Ask God for wisdom at the beginning of each day!  When your toddler drops his cup on the floor for the 6th time in 1 hour, ask God for wisdom and a good attitude.  If your preschooler comes down with a bad case of "sassy mouth", ask God for wisdom before you respond to him/her.  If you're feeling bored, tired, or blue today, ask God for wisdom and strength to carry you through the day.

•                God has given you a tremendous responsibility to teach your children.  Deuteronomy 11: 18-20 says "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates".  We have a limited amount of time with our wee ones.  God tells us to use every opportunity to teach them His precepts. 

•                Life doesn't always go the way we want it to, does it?  A flat tire, a lost job, a broken relationship...all of these things can weigh us down and make it challenging for us to help make home a happy place.  Matthew 11:28-30 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  We can bring our burdens to God through Jesus our Savior.  Set your troubles down at His feet and trust that He will guide you daily.  Life may be rough at times, but you are not walking alone.  You are walking with the King of Kings!

•                Speaking of not walking alone, you have sisters in Christ here to help you!  Don't try to "do life" by yourself.  One of the reasons God gave us the body of Christ is so that we could encourage each other and bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)!  Call your girlfriend, mom, or a wise woman in your church and ask her for encouragement.  Ask for prayer.  Ask for practical advice.  Hopefully at the end of your conversation you'll be laughing at the day's foibles.  

•                Life is short...We've all heard this, haven't we?  How many mature women have told you that your kids will "grow up so fast"?  Let's face it, when babies are screaming, dinner is burning (or not started), and you're running on empty, some of those hours can seem endless.  What if we purposed to use our time - the swift moving, the slow moving, the fabulous and the horrendous - to love God, to love our families and those around us, and to bring glory to the One who saved us?  Proverbs 90:12 "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  

• What if we, by applying God's wisdom, giving and receiving encouragement, and trusting God to lead us through this life and into the next, could positively affect our home life and the world at large?  Wouldn't it be amazing to hear the words from Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her"?  At the end of life, how dearly we want to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23) when we have been good stewards over what God has blessed us with!

Simplify Your 2012

Tips and Tricks to Simplify 2012   Maybe it's the craziness of the holidays that causes us to crave simplicity and streamlining in January!  Maybe the new year makes us ready for a fresh start.  Perhaps we just get cabin fever because we live Michigan during the long wintertime.  Whatever the reason, here are some ideas to simplify your daily life.  Thanks to all who contributed ideas!  You are all such intelligent, resourceful women! Use a shoe organizer on back of kids' doors to organize and allow them to see small toys or barbies etc. It is great to organize mittens and hats also. - Marie F. I love baskets for organizing from the office & van to the kitchen & bathroom. My favorite is the divided basket usually used for utensils & plates. In the van, I have it between the driver & passenger seats with cds/ DVDs, drink, sunglasses, etc. In the bathroom cupboard, extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairspray, etc. In the office, pens, pencils, markers, tape, stapler, etc. - Teri R. Always start a party (or every day if possible) with an empty dishwasher so you can load as you need to.  It also makes cleanup go much more quickly! - Kate W. Create a car kit by stocking your car's trunk for winter-weather emergencies.  Include a compact shovel, ice scraper, flashlight, sand or cat litter, flares, a heavy blanket, and warm clothing. - Martha Stewart Prep as much as possible for meals in advance (cut up vegetables on Sunday, plan meals). - Sue F. Use liquid dish washing soap to remove grease stains on clothes. - Wanda D  4 steps to throwing a great party: 1.  Choose a party theme that you can work with.  2. Delegate tasks to save time.  3. Create unique and entertaining activities for guests.  4. Provide music and food that everyone will like. - www.eHow.com I pack lunches and school snacks the night before. I also get back packs, clothes and anything else needed for school the night before. When it is time to get ready, the kids eat, dress themselves with picked out clothing and grab their backpacks/lunches that are ready to go. Makes my mornings 100% easier. Especially with 5 kids. - Aimee B. Labeled tubs for toys makes clean-up easy with little ones. We also have a rule that toys live on a certain floor to prevent mom from always running around looking for that certain item (especially with toddlers who can't get everything themselves). - Sue F. Stress wise, try not to worry what other people think of your kids' behavior . There will always be people who disapprove and who knows why. They don't know your kids or what kind of day they or you have had. I always regret it when I put others opinions of me above my kids. - Kendra D. Don't throw away bananas that are getting overripe.  Put them in the freezer and use them later in smoothies and banana bread. - Kate W. Teach [kids] at young ages to do things themselves. [My school-age girls] pick their clothes, hair, teeth, breakfast, school bags, lunches, etc. - Lydia M. How to get wax out of a votive holder: Place the votive holder in a freezer. Leave it in place for at least an hour.  Remove the votive holder from the freezer. Turn it upside down, and hit the bottom hard with the palm of your hand several times. If the wax does not pop out, use a spoon or butter knife to pry around the edges until it comes loose.  Wash the votive holder in warm, soapy water, and dry it with a soft cloth. - www.eHow.com Choose volunteer work carefully and say no! That is the hardest. - Sue F.  The best thing I ever did when I was working was hire a cleaning person (instead of date nights, we used our cleaning lady to save our marriage). When I am off [from work], I hire a junior high student to play with the girls while I clean. That way, I can get it mostly done in a day and it is much more cost-effective. - Sue F. If you haven't worn it in the past 2 months GET RID OF IT. If you don't use it, GET RID OF IT. No matter how cute it is IF YOU DON'T USE IT, GET RID OF IT. - Joanna R.

What's Your "Mom Personality Type"?

This is totally scientific, yet totally made up.  Do you see yourself or your friends in any of these?  

The Domestic Diva:

• A combination of Martha Stewart (love ya, Martha) and Betty Crocker, this gal excels in household management.
• Why she's an awesome friend:  She'll bring one lip-smacking dish to your next potluck.

The Sassy Stylista:

• She's dressed in the latest trends with each hair in place as she trots through the grocery store (in heels, of course!).
• Why she's an awesome friend: She can gently nudge you toward updating your style and can help you get ready for a date night with your hubby.

The Fitness Fanatic:

• No kidding, this gal uses her jogging stroller for actual jogging!  Drop and give her 20!
• Why she's an awesome friend:  She can prove to you that women with kids really CAN make time for exercise.

The Crazy Committee Chic:

• PTA?  She's all over it.  Church choir?  Please, she practically runs it!  This mom is involved in seemingly everything and brings a snack along for the team too!
• Why she's an awesome friend:  If you lost your kid's soccer practice schedule or you want to know what's going on in the community, she's got her finger on the pulse of it all.

Pleasantly Plugged-in

• Adorned in her Bluetooth, smart phone, iPad, and every other imaginable device to stay connected, you can't miss this tech-savvy lady.  
• Why she's an awesome friend:  You'll get a text, Facebook message, email and tweet on your birthday for sure (her smart phone reminded her to).

Comfortably Casual

• This gal can laugh at the disasters of the day and still make time to finger paint.
• Why she's an awesome friend:  Kids screaming, pot boiling over, dog barking at the back door, and she can still focus on you and your latest parenting quandary.

Each of us is a unique blend of loads of interesting characteristics.  Don't we serve an amazing Creator?  May we all learn to appreciate each other's strengths and lovingly accommodate temporary weaknesses.  We all have a part to play in the body of Christ.

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."  (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV)

Unfinished Business

Finish it. Never cancel. Never quit. Don't leave things undone. These were mottos I used to live by. If I joined a club, I stuck with it. If I started a book, I finished it. Projects were followed through to completion. I like wrapping things up in a neat bow and checking it off my to-do list, can you tell?

When I had my first baby, I realized that my life is destined to be a series of yet-to-be-finished tasks. Breakfast dishes get half-way done and then one of my kids falls down. Move on. As I'm folding laundry, I have about 2 pairs of socks matched up, and someone needs help going potty. Move on. The books on my nightstand are lucky to be picked up once a week. Read two pages and fall asleep with the light on. I am not cut out for this incompletion, but I'm learning to live with it.

There is freedom in this stage of mothering young children. Clubs, hobbies, and sometimes even friendships that aren't necessarily worthy of my complete attention can be let go or put on hold for a less crazy time of life. That book I've been wanting to finish can wait, but my sweet babies can't. As every wise mother who as "been there, done that" has informed me, time is speeding by faster than I realize. Before I know it, those little ones who depend on me for nearly everything will fly the nest. So for now, I'm giving myself permission to leave certain things partially done or not even started so that when this stage of motherhood is complete, I can know that I did all I could to love and nurture these little ones in my care. After that, maybe I'll finish that book and take a nap!

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Why Photo Editing Rocks

I love my camera because I can take pictures of little vignettes that I've worked on without seeing what else is going on around it. Cropping or strategically taking photos makes my life seem more calm and organized.

This is the reality of home life with two young kiddos. A Lego here, a beloved bunny there, it's a beautiful mess. If you have young kids in your house (or messy not-so-young family members), I'd encourage you to enjoy the season of life, whatever it is. Someday you won't need to photoshop your house, but for now, just go with it!

Finish Line

January is cool. Don't get me wrong. Tweaking old habits, employing a new regimen, and starting fresh are a good wake-up from the ruts we all fall into. What about a month to celebrate finishing things, though?

I am a champion "starter". I like to research, plan, list, and get going, but I'm not always so great at following through to the finish. Either that, or it takes me forever to get there!

Part of that comes from being the mama to small kids. I can hardly finish putting the breakfast dishes away before whining (theirs, not mine!), requests, something lost, and/or a dirty diaper diverts my 'flow'. Under these conditions, finishing a book seems like a monumental task! Plus, let's be honest, starting something is usually more fun than the in-between execution of the plan.

I am resolving, however, to finish something in February! Maybe one of the 5 books I have sitting on my night stand! For now, I'm going to focus on finishing a chapter of one of them, shoot, maybe even just a page. Baby steps, right?

What do you want to complete? How are you going to get there? Can the project be broken up into smaller portions so you can have mini-victories along the way? Meet you at the finish line!

Manic Monday

Are your Mondays a little too crazy for your liking? Here are a few tips to help you ease into the week:

• Work on your weekly goals, schedule, menu and grocery list over the weekend so when Monday starts, you're organized and ready to go.
• Make oatmeal in your slow cooker overnight. Monday morning, you'll have a hot breakfast waiting for you when you get up.
• Put coffee and water in your coffee pot the night before.
• Set out any items you may need for the day on Sunday night, like your workout clothes, kids' backpacks, etc.
• If possible, empty your dishwasher Sunday night.
• Pack your lunch and your kiddos' lunches in advance.

Ready, set, go! Have a great week!

Have a great sanity saving tip? Please share in the comments section!

Pictured above is the Maribel Tabletop Clock. Cute, eh?

Christmas Ain't for Sissies

Thanks for one of my favorite gifts, Mom! Love it!

Christmas is wonderful, joyous, and full of fun, but let's face it, it ain't for sissies. Our presents have been opened. The wrapping paper has been collected and thrown out. We've enjoyed multiple feasts, parties, and holiday merrymaking. And now.....we're tired!

I want you to know that even though you may feel that much of the planning, execution, and follow-through that went into your holiday went unnoticed, I know you worked hard. Here's to you, my dear sisters! Let me thank you for all your tremendous holiday efforts.

• For the two loads of laundry you did on Christmas (one in the wee hours of the morning when your preschooler yelled out "help! I have pee pee on me!" and the other so that your family could wear their awesome new clothes to church tomorrow), thank you.
• For the 5,000 times you loaded and unloaded the dishwasher in the past two days, thank you.
• For the lists made, grocery shopping endured, and unloading of groceries, thank you.
• For the abuse you've put your oven through in the past weeks, baking, roasting, sputtering and spattering, thank you.
• For the thought you put in to the "perfect" gifts, the wrapping, the sending, all so your immediate family members can say "your welcome" when thanked for a gift they've never seen, purchased or even imagined, thank you.
• For the creativity and care you put into making your home into a North Pole wonderland, thank you.
• For attending and hosting parties for folks you vaguely know, thank you.
• For answering endless questions about baby Jesus, reindeer, St. Nick, and the movie Cars, thank you.
• For stuffing a few veggies in your fridge that's currently overflowing with yummy/unhealthy holiday fare, thank you.
• For accurately informing your children of the answer to, "how much longer 'till Christmas?", thank you.
• For scavenging a family pic where everyone is sort of smiling, uploading it, ordering your photo card, addressing, stamping, and sending out your cards, thank you.
• For teaching your child the words to "Away in a Manger" so he can stare blankly at the church congregation during childrens' choir, thank you.
• For the sugar addiction you will need to break yourself and your children of, thank you.
• For making the call to the Radio Flyer company (who goes on Christmas vacation quite early, by the way) when you've assembled a rockin' read wagon only to find that the last screw hole won't line up right, thank you. (Thanks to to my wonderful hubby for drilling a new hole. Worked like a charm!)
• For keeping track of which family members you still need to call, call back, or screen calls from, thank you.
• For rarely being seen in pics because you're the one taking them, thanks. (This is a good thing in my case, because I don't need photographic evidence of my mismatched pj-wearing, gnarly hair-sporting, Christmas morning 'look'.)

For all you've done, and for all you do each and every day, let me be one of many to say THANK YOU!

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

(Proverbs 31: 27-31)

Fit and Fabulous from Now On

We all love to make New Year’s resolutions, don’t we? Something about that “magic” date keeps us striving to start fresh. I challenge you to make a seemingly odd resolution. This year, resolve that NEXT year you won’t make that “start exercising, eat right, dust off the treadmill, etc” promise. Why? Because starting this minute, you will make your health and fitness a priority. I’m writing about a life-long change, not a month-long attempt followed by an 11-month lapse. You see, in 2012 you will have already spent a year developing healthy habits, so you won’t need to make that empty “start taking better care of myself” vow. You CAN do this! You WILL! You MUST!

As an American Council on Exercise Certified Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer, please let me give you some specifics and encouragement…

Why?

· Cardiovascular exercise burns calories and strengthens your heart.

· Weight training not only builds your muscle mass but it increases your bone density. Maybe you’re not at a point in your life where this seems important, but strong bones and muscles increase your quality of life down the road. Who doesn’t want that?

· Increasing the amount of muscle you have in your body increases the amount of calories you burn all the time. Wouldn’t you like to burn more calories even when you’re just hanging out?

· Conquering a challenging workout makes you a more confident person.

· Exercise can create endorphins which boost your mood even on the greyest winter day.

You may already know most of these things, and I could go on and on, but you get it, right? Exercising is necessary to keep you healthy, strong, and focused.

How do I start?

* Obtain clearance from your doctor if you’ve had an injury or change in health since your last visit.

* If you have a special health concern, consider hiring a personal trainer, even if for only a few sessions.They are trained to develop a safe, effective program in light of your specific needs.

* Find a form of exercise that is right for you. Consider what types of activities you enjoy.

o Did you love dancing in your youth? Try an aerobics class with a dance emphasis, for example, a salsa class or a hip-hop aerobics class.

o Were you the star of your karate class? Try kickboxing.

o Is a good walk just what you need to clear you mind? Walking is an excellent form of exercise for almost anyone.

o Find a pool, a track, or a weight room.

o Use your home as your gym with a few pairs of weights and some workout videos.

o Keep trying until you find one or many things that you enjoy doing.

How can I increase my chances of success?

· Make it a habit – keep at it until fitness becomes second nature. You wouldn’t go a day without brushing your teeth, right? Thinking of your new healthy lifestyle as a necessity will keep you on track.

· Put it on your schedule – mark out a time 3-6 days/week for your workout. Put it on your to-do list. Write yourself a Post-it note reminder. Whatever it takes, do it!

· Organize yourself – set your clothes and shoes out the night before and put them on as soon as you get up. That way you’ll make it a priority. If you’re going to the gym, pack your bags in advance. See my tips below for what to bring…

· Make it a priority – it’s easy to procrastinate. There may be dirty dishes in the sink, the phone may be ringing, and you may want to check your email. Don’t give into temptation! Go work out!

· Remember how great you felt after your last workout – this will motivate you even on those days when you’re not feeling overly motivated. You’ll feel great afterwards, so get to it!

· Think about how your efforts are improving your life and the lives of your loved ones – keeping your body healthy will make all your daily activities easier. You’ll chase your kids in the yard without becoming overly winded. You’ll lift your dog into the car without breaking a sweat. You’ll bend over to pick something up off the floor without your muscles screaming out in inflexibility.

· Don’t feel guilty for taking time out for yourself – you maintain your house, your car, care for your children, grandchildren, and/or pets. Why wouldn’t you take care of one of your most important assets: you!

· Start even if you don’t feel like it – go to the gym or put in your workout DVD and devote at least 10 minutes. By that time, you’ll almost always feel like continuing.

One tote for the locker room, one for class and one for my kiddos' gear.

What should I bring to the gym?

• Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and invest in a good sports bra
• Supportive fitness shoes. If you can’t remember when you purchased your shoes, you’re probably overdue for a new pair.
• Water
• A mat or towel for floor work
• A lock for your locker
• Shower gear
• Gloves for weightlifting (if you use them)
• Any medication you might need, for example, your inhaler if you’re asthmatic
• Toys or snacks for your kids, if they’re coming with you

I use my Willow House Shop and Go Totes (pictured above) to keep myself organized. They’re easy to clean, easy to keep track of (they come in three different designs), and too darn cute for words!