Staying Healthy

Thank goodness for second chances

jacquelinejohnson — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:39:23 +0000

In my last post I talked about starting my exercise program. And yes, I was off to a good start…however, then came the 4th of July, and add to that our family reunion. Do I need say more? Not…other than thank goodness for second chances. Only this time there wll not be any holidays or special events in the near future that can distract me from my task, that being exercising. So I’ll be starting again very soon. I’ll keep you posted.

BTW-Our family reunion was fabulous. I just love our time together. This time we were in Hotlanta, GA as they call it. That’s Atlanta for those who may not be familiar with this term. Good food, great family, and just plain fun. My Atlanta family said the temperature there had been in the nineties most of the week before we got there the 4th of July weekend. But it didn’t get much above the mid eighties while we were there, and that really wasn’t bad, considering were talking about the south. We had a wonderful time, and even the road trip there and back was good. But now I”m back home, and while it’s good to be home, I have to get back into the swing of things-like my exercise routine. But I really enjoyed my time in Atlanta. That southern hospitality is unmatched. I felt so comfortable there. It’s a real nice place to visit. I hope to go back some day.

Started My Exercise Routine

jacquelinejohnson — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:06:14 +0000

Have you ever started a new exercise routine? How did you go about it? Just jump in and get going? But there are some things we should do first, right? I asked those questions because I was just wondering what other people did when beginning an exercise routine. For me, first I sat and watched the whole walking tape all the way to the end. Actually, I looked at all three of the exercise tapes I had accumulated, and decided on the walking one. But I watched each one all the way through, noting that the warm-up exercises in some of them were vigorous enough to be the exercise itself in my opinion. By the time I was done, I was completely out of the notion to exercise. I felt tired, like I had just done the exercises instead of watched the tapes. I mean really, it was like whewww! boy oh boy, let me sit down, I need to rest. Isn’t that just hilarious? I mean I hadn’t even broke a sweat.

Anyway, after viewing each one of the tapes I decided on the walking/jog tape, since it seemed just as effective as the others which included floor crunches. I did not want to do any kind of workout that required floor crunches. I just don’t think the risk of strain on the back and neck is worth it. Especially, when there are other exercises just as effective, and you get to stand when you do them. But would walking be one of them?Is it one of the other exercises that can have the effect of a stomach crunch?

The answer is a resounding YES! Absolutely! When I finished the thirty minute walk/jog tape I felt like I had just worked out. I could feel the burn overall, including in my stomach muscles, my back, my legs, all over my body. Nothing hurt, but I could tell my muscles had had a good workout, and that was exactly what I wanted- a good workout without hurting or extreme soreness. And boy did I break a sweat! The best part of all, I could exercise my stomach muscles without floor crunches, and still get that burn that lets you know it’s working. Now, that’s what I’m talking about.

So far I’ve only had a few sessions, but I have a feeling that this routine will work out just fine for me. I can be a little undisciplined at times, though, so I will have to make a conscious effort to maintain this routine long enough for it to become a habit. Then, it will be easier.

Later on I may add another aspect of exercise to my routine, maybe resistance or weights, but that’s way down the line, if at all. I don’t want to get to far ahead of myself, so for now I”ll focus on the walking.

Until next time don’t forget to spray your vitamins!

I Decided On An Exercise Routine Today

jacquelinejohnson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:45:56 +0000

Yay!!! I am so excited! I’ve decided to revisit a previous exercise video I already have. Uh-oh, hmmm, maybe that’s not exactly like starting “anew” huh? But it IS a start, right? See the video is a walking video by a well-known fitness guru. I’ve had it for several years now. In fact, I had the whole series up until about two or three years ago when I gave it to my oldest daughter who lives out west. Later on I decided I wanted to start walking again, so I purchased another video by the same guru. Then it seems I got so busy, I didn’t get around to using it more than once or twice, so it has sat in the T.V. entertainment center drawer for years, along with several other tapes I’d purchase at the time trying to find the right one for exercising.

But this video takes you through a walk and jog routine in thirty minutes. It is very easy to do, and can be done right from home. For some this is the ideal way to exercise, but for others exercising outdoors, or in a gym setting works better. I personally prefer to exercise at home. I find it more convenient, and you don’t need any special equipment, just comfortable, lightweight clothing, and a good form of foot support. But we all do what works best for us, right?

When I used the first set of tapes, I found that they were very effective. I used them everyday for over a year, I think it was. Then when the job I had at the time ended, I was so use the morning routine I had while working, I stopped exercising when I stopped working. That was over six years ago, and although I have worked since then, I could never seem to get back into the routine, even though I tried. Umm, yep, you’re right, that means I haven’t exercised in more than six years. I’m not proud of it. Geez. Talk about a sedentary life, sheeeesh! -lol

But I look forward to this experience. I feel I am having good results from my spray vitamins, and I am eating a lot more salads nowadays. That is what I mean by eating healthy. I’m eating more fruits and veggies, I’ve cut done on sweets, and am working on lowering my fat intake, but I could sure use more ideas on how to do that. I’d love to hear from you on any tips or recipe ideas you may have on reduced or fat-free foods that taste good. I’d especially like to learn more about ways to add taste to salads without adding fat. Any suggestions? Please feel free to leave a comment.

Until next time keep spraying your vitamins!

Exercise and spraying for my health

jacquelinejohnson — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:04:26 +0000

Hello everyone. Well, I am enjoying my spray vitamins. I feel better, and the convenience of the spray bottle is fantastic. I haven’t started my exercises, yet, but until I do I am just doing stretches. Not really any specific form, just moves like reaching, leaning to the left then stretch, lean to right and stretch. Things like that. It feels really good to my joints and limb muscles, and for me it helps relieve stress, at least a little.

As far as exercising goes, I think I’ll start a walking program. I have to get some good walking shoes first, though. Many years ago I started a walking program, but I did not have the right shoes. My ankles swelled up so bad, I couldn’t put shoes on for nearly three weeks. It was strange, because my feet didn’t hurt, but they were so badly swollen that I had to keep them elevated. Needless to say, I learned my lesson about having the right shoes from that. And actually, that was why I stopped walking for exercise. I learned that there is a difference between walking for exercise in regular tennis shoes, and walking shoes, even if the tennis shoes are new, as was my case. So now I know. Invest in a good pair of walking shoes, or for me, choose another form of excercise.

But, I’m still kind of leaning towards walking. There are some easily measureable distances near my house that I can walk. I think I’ll start out walking one block, then two, then build gradually by adding more blocks as I am ready. I live in the midwest, so the weather is so nice now, that I can probably walk in the morning or early evening and still get a good walk in.

But for now, I’ll keep doing the stretches, eating healthily, and spraying my vitamins.

BTW-If you are doing something to stay healthy, leave a comment and let others know what’s working for you. We can encourage each other!

Did I get the multi-vitamin spray? Yes!!

jacquelinejohnson — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:13:35 +0000

Well, here’s an update. I ordered the multi-vitamin spray, and have been using it now for almost a month, and I feel great. It is just as I thought it would be, and I was very impressed with the service. I received my shipment just a few days under the ten day turnaround the company had promised when I placed the order, and it was nicely packaged in a protective envelope.

I opened it immediately, and read everything that was written on the labels and envelope to be sure I understood how to use the product. I took my first spray by mouth, and I have been spraying daily ever since. Now I can take my calcium along with my omega-3 tablets, and spray my multi’s to complete my vitamin regimen.

I really feel like I am taking better care of myself now that I am taking a multi-vitamin. The spray is very easy to use, and it taste good. In fact, all I have to do is pull the bottle from my purse, and give it a really good shake to stir those wonderful nutrients up, then spray under my tongue. It’s so easy, and I barely taste the liquid, I think it’s because it doesn’t seem to have an after-taste. I am very satisified with this product.

My next venture for staying healthy will be to start an exercise program. I haven’t decided what I’ll be doing, yet, but I’ll journal my decision soon.

If You Have Difficulty Swallowing Vitamin Tablets

jacquelinejohnson — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:33:36 +0000

Generally speaking, we can get most of the nutrients we need from the foods we eat. But, if for some reason we are not eating as we should, we may need to take a nutritional supplement. Some people take vitamin tablets or gel/caps to help meet this need. But there may be many others who may prefer to take their vitamins in a liquid form for several reasons, including difficulty-swallowing tablets, better absorption rates in liquid form, or just preference.

Personally, I’m always concerned about whether or not I’m getting enough vitamins and minerals, especially those found in fruits and vegetables. Like many people, my diet does not always include a daily serving of fruits and vegetables. This is mainly because my teeth are very sensitive to the cold, so eating fresh fruit or vegetables raw or right out of the refrigerator can be very uncomfortable for me, sometimes even painful. If I want to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, I have to let them warm to room temperature first, otherwise it may hurt my teeth when I bite or chew them.

To help meet my nutritional requirements, I take a calcium supplement, as well as an omega-3 supplement, but I would like to take a multi-vitamin, too. However, the other problem I have is I dislike swallowing pills. Whether it’s taking a pain reliever, or even prescription medicine, I just don’t like to swallow pills or tablets. If I absolutely must to take a tablet or pill, at times I really have to force myself to do it. But when I do the pill or tablet will hurt going down, or feel like it’s stuck in my throat, and won’t go the rest of the way down no matter how much water I drink with it. It’s very uncomfortable, and sometimes scary. So by the time I take my calcium and omega-3, I simply don’t want to have to swallow another pill or tablet.

This really concerned me when it came to taking my vitamins. And that is exactly why I am so excited about this new concept in taking vitamins I just learned about. It’s in liquid form, and it’s a multi-vitamin spray. How great is that? Now I can take my multi-vitamin by mouth, just by spraying! I absolutely love this idea, because I can add a good quality, great tasting multi-vitamin supplement to my vitamin regimen, but I don’t have to swallow another pill or tablet. And, the convenience of a pocket/purse size bottle is an added plus.

The best part of all–it’s a spray!