Week Four!

I'm VERY impressed with everyones motivation to keep up with the exercise. You guys are awesome! I must admit, with the late nights trying to finish up projects, and busy days trying to fit it all in, ( not to mention being 30 weeks pregnant) it gets easier and easier to justify skipping out on the exercise for the day. But if I can just squeeze in at least 30 minutes I feel SO much better. This week, with the kids home, and if you are like me, still trying to finish up shopping and projects before Christmas, this might be the most challenging week yet. Do what you can, don't be too hard on yourself if you just can't squeeze it in.

So how did everyone do with last weeks challenge? Anyone fall in love with a new form of exercise? Let me know if you got the bonus in for last week in addition to your workouts. This week is usually the week when all the sweets and treats start flooding in everywhere around you. No, I wouldn't dare challenge you not to eat any of them. I think you should eat your favorites. But let those be the key words; "your favorites." Don't waste the calories on anything less than what you absolutely love! When friends, neighbors, or co-workers bring by those treats, thank them, of course, but then put them OUT OF SITE! If you leave the goodies on the counter where you will pass by them and see them all the time, they will be calling out to you, "eat me, eat me!" And chances are, you probably will, even if they aren't your favorites. Put them out when family or friends come by to share, but when they are gone, put the sweets back in the pantry, or in a drawer, or anywhere BUT the kitchen counter!

So I thought for this weeks bonus challenge, I would challenge you to get in your five servings of fruits and veggies per day. Make yourself a deal; If you eat your 5 a day, then go ahead and justify eating a few of "your favorites." But make sure you are getting the calories your body needs first! Then hopefully, you will eat less of those empty calories, right? That is the idea anyway. A serving of fruit or vegetables is approximately 1/2 cup or a single piece of fruit like an apple or and orange, or 1 cup of greens like spinach or leafy vegetables. I am going to post a recipe that I tried out a couple weeks ago that I LOVED!: Black Bean-Chicken Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette. I thought it would be a refreshing change from all the rich foods this week. Check it out on the recipe tab.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, spending time with family and loved ones, I am looking forward to it. Merry Christmas.

Week Three!

Everybody still going strong? Whew! It's a busy month! I think my house is messier in December than any other month, sadly. Laundry is piled high, but gotta get that workout in! Ha!

So how did you do with the water challenge? Be sure to let me know how many workouts you got in plus the bonus challenge if you were able to get in all 64 oz. everyday last week. (A week is considered to be Mon.-Sun.) The challenge for this week is going to be to try a different kind of workout. Crosstraining helps prevent injuries and burnout in your workouts. Have you ever thought you were in good shape because you maybe run 4 to 5 times a week, but then go snow skiing for the first time for the season? Yeah, I think you might know what I'm talking about. You work your mucscles in a different way than they are used to, and then they respond differently. Here is an exerpt from an ACE fitness article:

Cross training is a great way to condition different muscle groups, develop a new set of skills, and reduce boredom that creeps in after months of the same exercise routines. Cross training also allows you the ability to vary the stress placed on specific muscles or even your cardiovascular system. After months of the same movements your body becomes extremely efficient performing those movements, and while that is great for competition, it limits the amount of overall fitness you possess and reduces the actual conditioning you get while training; rather than continuing to improve, you simply maintain a certain level of fitness. Cross training is also necessary to reduce the risk of injury from repetitive strain or overuse.

So, for a bonus entry this week, I challenge you to try a different type of workout at least once. Maybe a yoga or pilates workout, a water aerobic class, a spin class, a different cardio machine, or an ever popular zumba class. If you are a gym rat, maybe a walk/run outside might be refreshing. Anything that gets you to move in way that your body isn't already used to. If you don't have a gym membership, you can rent exercise videos from the library, go skiing or snowboarding, try snow shoeing, or a hike in the hills. If you need some help on deciding what to do, just let me know, I'd be happy to help. Good luck and I'd love to hear what new workout you tried and how you liked it next week. (PS, it doesn't have to be something you've NEVER done, just maybe something you haven't done in a long time or wouldn't typically do.)

Have a great week and lets hope for some more snow!!!!!

Hi everyone! It's been a very busy weekend for me, so sorry about the late post. Get me your numbers asap. Some of you have said you were not able to leave a comment on the blog for whatever reason. I am not very blog savvy, so any way you want to get me the message is fine with me (facebook, e-mail: fitditts@msn.com, or comment on the blog).

Looks like we got some die hards this year. I love it! You guys are doing great. This week, I thought I would give you all an extra push and an opportunity to get in a bonus entry. So here is a bonus challenge for the week: Drink at least 64oz of water everyday. It is so important to get enough water for several reasons. To name a few: Helps our body absorb and transport nutrients, regulates body temperature, detoxifies your body, helps your metabolism, moisturizes the air in your lungs, and these are just a few reasons. Water is the BEST choice of fliuid, so lets just simplify it and say for this challenge a minimum daily intake of 64 oz of WATER! If you do it everyday, then you will get ONE bonus entry.

Have a great week and enjoy the season!

Week One: How did you do? With all the Thanksgiving feast preparations, cold weather, kids home from school, holiday shopping, football games, and travelling for some, getting in a workout may have been pretty challenging. If there's a will, there's a way, right? You CAN do it! Make it a priority, schedule it into your day, you will feel so much better. Remember you need to report back to me each Sunday your weekly total for days you worked out. Challenge started Monday, Nov. 22nd. You can leave a comment at the end of this post, or send me a message via FB or e-mail (fitditts@msn.com). Also, if you are exercising outside, you might want to read an article I posted on my last entry regarding exercising in the cold. Have a great week!

Brrrrrr......Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!!! With highs in the teens and low 20's this week, makes exercising outside pretty challenging. If you are one who insists on keeping your workouts outdoors, here is an article with some tips for exercising in cold weather.

Exercising in the Cold - Sports & Exercising Outdoors - FitFacts - American Council On Exercise(ACE)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you enjoy your turkey day.

Challenge starts Monday! Remember, if you haven't gotten me your $10 sign-up fee, you can still be a part of the challenge. Just get it to me ASAP so your workouts will count toward winning some cash! FYI, 100% of ALL the entry fees goes toward the winning pot, so the more people participating the bigger the pot! Encourage your friends and family to join the challenge! So far, I have received $10 from:
Laura Stark
Rick Davis
Tami Davis
Tara Cole
Jessica Call
Kim Hill
Jeremy Johnson
Lisa Johnson
Dee Paternoster
Rhonda Coltrin
Becky Nordtvedt
Malia Kesler
Michelle Kent
Aaron Dittman
Tammy Hawkins
Pyper Dittman

Stacie Webster

Crysty Covino

Christine Dilbeck

Erin Brown

Jennifer Fonnesbeck

Jan Dittman

Katie Quinn

Gigi Gabrinetti

Chris Dilbeck

Erin Brown

Stephanie Simpson

Kari Christiansen

Pyper Morgan

If there is anyone I have missed, please let me know ASAP. And I know there are several of you that are still planning doing the contest, just get me your $10 as soon as you can! At the end of the contest, we will have a raffle drawing (location TBA) and any of you are welcome to come and join in on the drawing. I will think of something fun, if you have any ideas, let me know.

One more week until the challenge officially begins! So far we have nearly 40 people who are joining the challenge. Yea! However, I have only received a handful of entry fees, so remember to get me your $10 entry fee by next Sunday and keep spreading the word, get your friends and relatives involved! You can mail your cash or check to: 304 N. Pinedale Way, Eagle, ID 83616. If you are a Y member, feel free to put in my mailbox downstairs. If you are sending a check, I won't be cashing it until probably a week before the raffle drawing. If you would like me to cash it sooner, just let me know.

Also, I posted another yummy recipe on the holiday recipe page: Sour Cream-Raspberry Swirl Loaf. Check it out. It can be frozen up to two months and would make a great friends and neighbors gift.