Someone has recently told me that my blog inspires them. That got me thinking…what inspires me? Well, there is quite a list. The first thing on my list is my daughter. Her name is Andrea and she is almost two. These past two years have not been easy for her. She was born more than three months early and weight about a pound and a half. After what was probably a medical error prior to heart surgery, she required a trach, a breathing tube that is placed in her neck. After 144 long days, she got to come home! She is such a fighter! Andrea has been very sick a few times, but always pulls through. I figure, if she can fight as hard as she has, so can I.
I also have a seven year old son, Nathan. I want to be healthy for my kids. We are a Disney loving family. We like to go a few times a year. I want to be able to keep up with them for many years to come.
On a smaller, more fun scale, the race really inspires me. Even though my kids are the most important thing in the world to me, I need a specific event to work toward. I needed a specific date to count down to. I love Disney, and I love being a princess, so this event is perfect for me. When I am in the middle of a tough workout, I think of the race and how incredible it will feel to cross that finish line and get my medal.
What inspires you? What are the big things and the little. Is it what you are working toward? Is it what you are leaving behind? Please comment below and let me know. I would love to hear from you.
A dream is a wish your heart makes......
--Amy
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I have a few extra princess bands! If you want one, follow me and comment below. I will send you one as a thank you!
I read somewhere that in 1970 the size of a 7 Eleven big gulp was 12 ounces. Now, the size of a big gulp is 44 ounces! Now, my numbers might not exact, but we all know that portion control has gotten out of control here in America. At McDonalds, the size of a typical kids meal now is what the size of an adult meal was forty years ago. Most dishes at the Olive Garden contain about three servings of pasta. As we all know, I could go on and on….
Portion Control is very important, whether you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. I have a few quick and easy ways for you to keep your portions in check on the go, using simple, everyday objects to visualize the correct portion.
One cup (pasta, rice, cereal): about the size of your fist.
Half cup (veggies, juice, salads): about the size of a tennis ball
3 ounces (meats, fish): about the size of your palm, with out fingers
1 ounces (meats, cheese): about the size you’re entire thumb
Something I have been doing lately to ensure portion control is using a simple kitchen food scale. A cheap food scale can be bought off the shelf at the big box stores. When I got home and started using it…wow! I was surprised! I was doing a good job at visualizing portion size of meat and pasta, but not cereal. I really enjoy a bowl of cereal as an evening snack. The milk is good for muscle recovery after a hard workout and the whole grain in the cereal is heart healthy. When I put my typical bowl of cereal on the scales, wow! I was eating about double the amount of cereal as the portion on the box. I plan to use my food scale every day to continue in my training efforts.
What have your experiences been with portion control? What do you do to ensure proper portions?
A dream is a wish your heart makes......
--Amy
If you have enjoyed what you read, please click to the right to follow me!
I have a few extra princess bands! If you want one, follow me and comment below. I will send you one as a thank you!
Since my first spin class was such a success, I decided it was time to try it again! Today I went to an evening class with a different instructor, Scott. The class had a different feel, but was still great. Scott is an older man, but is in great shape.
We started the class with a quick warm up and we were off! Unlike Mary’s levels, Scott told the class to work at a percentage based on our maximum effort. For example, he would yell “eighty”, meaning he wanted the class to work hard, at eighty percent of our possible effort. I prefer Scott’s percentage system to Mary’s levels.
While I much preferred Mary’s music choices to Scott’s, I enjoyed how Scott incorporated the songs into the exercise he had us doing. For instance, when we were listening to as fast song, Scott had us doing intervals of seventy percent to one hundred percent. During the slow songs, we went at a slower pace and had time to recuperate. I also enjoyed Scott’s little arm dances and bike push ups when they fit well into the songs. Scott was a very motivational instructor and I will be taking his class again.
What I learned from my second spin class is to keep trying things, even if you think you already know the outcome. This was proven to me twice this week. The first time was when I did not enjoy my first Zumba class. I gave it a try again, and found a better fit for me. I would not have known about a better fitting instructor if I had not tried again. The second time was trying a different spin class, even though I already found a class and instructor I enjoyed. Now, I have two different classes/instructors to choose from and enjoy.
Things to try over again can include activities, gyms, and foods. Keep trying new things and trying things over again you have in the past. You may find something that works for you.
A dream is a wish your heart makes......
--Amy
If you have enjoyed what you read, please click to the right to follow me!
I have a few extra princess bands! If you want one, follow me and comment below. I will send you one as a thank you!
Someone has recently told me that my blog inspires them. That got me thinking…what inspires me? Well, there is quite a list. The first thing on my list is my daughter. Her name is Andrea and she is almost two. These past two years have not been easy for her. She was born more than three months early and weight about a pound and a half. After what was probably a medical error prior to heart surgery, she required a trach, a breathing tube that is placed in her neck. After 144 long days, she got to come home! She is such a fighter! Andrea has been very sick a few times, but always pulls through. I figure, if she can fight as hard as she has, so can I. 
