The Six Week Exercise Program

We have all been there at one time or another. We get a bee in our bonnet to try and lose weight. We become fitness nuts and go out and buy equipment and become totally involved in this, our latest fad. The first few weeks are fine, we motivate ourselves to try and exercise each and every day. We are proud at the initial weight lose and the feeling of euphoria we feel at the end of the exercise session. A few more weeks and we TRY to get in at least 3 sessions a week. Finally, at the end of 6 weeks, we have become disillusioned with the slower rate of weight loss, and the next thing you know, we have a great exercise machine and no motivation to use it.
Does this sound familiar? It sure does with me. I have been down this road several times in the past and it is a depressing road indeed. Aside from the wasted money and time, it also soured me on trying an exercise regime in the future. In order to overcome this dilemma, I needed to have something to motivate me to not only begin again, but to make sure that I stuck with it for longer then six weeks. I needed to make sure that this was not another fad, but an actual lifestyle change.This was a stickler for me, as I'm sure it is for most people.

My motivation was my enormous weight and size and the fact that I was on the verge of having Type 2 Diabetes. I was 278 pounds and had a 57 inch waist. I now weigh 237 pounds and have a 43 inch waist. Yes, it is a big improvement, but I'm not finished yet. Hopefully, you can find something to motivate you besides a potential health problem.Here are some of the things that I have tried:

• Set aside a specific time of day to workout. Give yourself about a 2 hour window for this.


• Reward your self when you are done. A cup of coffee, a cold glass of diet soda, etc.


• Concentrate on one exercise at a time. Don't look forward to the number of sets and reps you need to complete before you are done. This can be depressing. Complete each set and then move on to the next.


• Vary your workout routine. Don't do the same exercises in the same order.


• If you're having a tough workout, just remember that you are actually DOING something.


• If you have to short yourself on some reps because you are just too sore, don't get discouraged; your muscles undoubtedly need rest. This is good.


• Instead of doing your entire routine, just do some stretching exercises. The important thing is that you do some sort of physical activity during your "workout Time."


• Look forward to your reward and go to your "Happy Place."


• Just remember: if it was easy, everyone would do it.

Remember why you are doing this: To look better, feel better, have more energy (yes, it sounds crazy, but you actually do have more energy after a workout), and live longer.
Are you doing this for yourself only, or for your partner (or potential partner)? Think of them and how proud they are of you. They WILL NOTICE the changes in your body and in your attitude.
After 5 or 6 weeks, give yourself a break for a week. Your muscles will thank you and you will help avoid the dreaded Weight Loss Plateau.
I hope this has given you some ideas to try. It is not easy, but I know that you can make exercise a part of your lifestyle and not just a 6 week fad.

http://www.sideroad.com/Fitness/avoid-exercise-burnout.html
Weight Loss Program Reviews
http://exercise.about.com/od/plateausmotivation/f/notmotivated.htm

Coming Soon: Tips on purchasing Quality exercise equipment.

How to End a Career in One Easy Step

I see myself standing in a lecture hall and giving a lecture to 75 eager freshmen. Fast forward 1 hour and I am at my desk giving advice to a Graduate Student. Fast forward 12 years and I'm a stay at home dad homeschooling my children, sitting on a chair and helping my 11 year old with geometry. Quite a lifestyle change, isn't it? What happened? How did this picture change? Well, I'll tell you in one word: Politics.
When I began graduate school in the History Department, I was seen as a rising star. The Chairman of the Department became my advisor, and he assured me that he would help me on the way to becoming a college professor. He helped me pick my courses, advised me on which languages to take (in order to get a PhD, you must be able to perform research in at least 3 different languages), and he even helped me get an internship at the State Museum. Yes, things were going great. I was working 30 hours a week, going to my internship for 20 hours, all the while attending night classes.
My typical day began at 6:30 am when I got ready and went to work. In the afternoon, I would walk over to the museum and work there for 4-5 hours. I would then go to my class from 7:00-10:00. I usually didn't get back to my dorm room until 10:30 each night. I was very busy, but very happy. My advisor was even discussing the best Universities for obtaining my PhD. Then one day, it all went away.
While in his office one afternoon, we were talking and I let slip out that I was thinking of taking my degrees and going into business. I explained that many of the large corporations have a Staff Historian who also acts as a Personnel Officer. I was excited because I would still be able to perform research and teach. My advisor turned to me and told me that he would not allow me to throw away my degrees on a career in business.
Needless to say, all talk and assistance with regards to my future ceased. My advisor began to throw roadblocks in my way and since he was also the Chairman of the Department, my other professors would not help me. I was alone. I still took my courses and continued to get good grades, but I knew that he would live up to his word and stop me. In the end, he did.
In order to get a Masters, you need to write a thesis. This thesis needs to be original research on a subject to be approved by my advisor AND the Department Chair. Well, he approved my topic, but wouldn't let me write the thesis.
I was stopped dead in my tracks. Two years were essentially thrown away. Why? Because I wanted to go in a career path my advisor did not agree with. I had never come across anything like this during my undergraduate career and was totally blindsided by the consequences of my statement. In one unguarded moment, speaking to someone I thought I trusted, I threw my entire career away.
Please, no violins, this was my own fault. I was a naive 22 year old who took everyone at face value. There are many times, such as now, when I look back and wonder what my life would have been like. Being able to take my kids to work and let them watch as I gave my lectures. Being able to teach and advise my students. Being able to to make my kids proud of what their dad does for a living. Oh well, such is life.
I'd better go, my daughter needs help in geometry.

Profit Lance, is it for Real?

I have been looking into the Profit Lance (PL) program for several months now and I have to say that I am impressed with what I have seen, or should I say, not seen. I have surfed the web looking for any negative comments about the system, yet I have not come across any so far. Is this because the system really works, or is it because the founders of this program are so powerful that they can smoother any negative comments.

I tend to shy away from most conspiracy theories, so I elect to believe that this system really works. If this were just a "get rich quick" system, I would not have looked into it any further. However, it markets itself in a very different way: by saying you WON'T make money right away. The system actually tells its potential customers that they will have to READ, STUDY, and WORK for the system to do any good. It seems to me, that this is a tutorial program rather then a step-by-step to riches program.

I have been looking for a finance system that will actually TEACH me what I need to know. A system that will show me how to work the "nuts and bolts" of the Internet. From the comments I have read, the PL system takes you under their wing, so to speak, through theory and practical exercises. Once you become proficient, they encourage you to strike out on your own, yet they are always there to give you advice and support.

If this is for real, I think I may "take the plunge" and try the system. If there is anyone out there that has heard of this system, please let me know in the comments section.

***After further research, I have come across additional information about the Profit Lance system. Please take a look at another article I wrote and if you have any additional questions, please comment back to me and I will try and answer any questions you may have.

More Profit Lance Info

Next time: The Six Week Exercise Program

Learn To Earn

Using Painter's Tape

When I decided to paint our living room as part of a home improvement project, I purchased some Blue Safe-Release Painters Tape from 3M. I researched the product and was really impressed by the safe release feature. I methodically taped-off all the rooms and proceeded to cut-in and paint the house. When I went to remove the tape several days later, I noticed that there was a significant amount of bleed-through. This meant we had to go back and cut-in all over again. Instead of saving time, it actually took us twice as long.

After catching a Home Improvement show on T.V. I discovered what went wrong: When using this tape you must remove it as soon as you finish painting the area (while the paint is still wet). You must also use caution and brush from the tape to the wall, not the wall to the tape. If you brush upwards toward the tape, some paint will leak through underneath.

It would have been very helpful to know this BEFORE I used this product.
If used properly, this product does work; however, if you do not know its secrets....look out.
Any questions, please let me know in the comments.
Happy painting!

Why You Need to Add Strength Training to Your Workout

Don't you just love counting calories? I know, I hate it too, but it is an important part of any lifestyle devoted to staying fit. Dieting is only part of the equation when trying to lose weight. You must also adhere to some sort of exercise program, which includes both weight training and cardio workouts. Why must I do both? Well, you CAN get away with doing only one or the other, but if you REALLY want to lose weight, and lose it quickly, you need to include both in your weight loss regimen.

Remember when you were in the fifth grade and you started doing word problems in math? Do you recall the problem: which weighed more, a pound of feathers or a pound of iron? The answer is that they both weigh the same. Yes, it's a trick question , but one that I bring up for a reason. There is another trick question on the fitness horizon which deals with muscle and fat. Which weighs more, a pound of muscle or a pound of fat? Well, the answer is the same as in the feather and iron question, they both weigh the same. This question should address density, not weight.
A pound of muscle is much more dense then a pound of fat. This means that it takes up less space, is much more concentrated in the space it occupies, and it looks better. For example, if you take 5 pounds of fat and 5 pounds of muscle and place them side by side, you will notice that the fat, as compared to the muscle, takes up a great deal of space. Imagine this on your body. That extra 5 pounds of fat could easily add 1-2 inches, if not more, to your waistline.

Now, I brought all this up to help explain a point. It takes your body more energy to maintain your muscle mass, than it does fat mass. Why is this important? When your body expends energy, we call that CALORIES. This means that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn.

As you begin your weight training routine, you will begin to lose fat but you will also begin to build muscle. As you weigh yourself, you will start to notice that some days you have actually gained weight. Don't be alarmed, this is only natural. Yes, you will be losing fat, but you will also be gaining muscle mass. This extra muscle mass will not only look good on you, but it will also help to burn even more calories to help you get rid of the fat. My advice, start with the two largest muscle masses: the legs (quadriceps) and the upper back (trapezius).

The magic number is 3500. That is the number of calories that you need to burn in order to lose 1 pound. This is done by using a combination of REDUCING your caloric intake and INCREASING the amount of calories you expend each day. Since the body uses more calories to maintain your muscle mass, you will continue to expend calories hours after your workout has finished. After all, isn't that the goal anyway?

The Best Tool for Losing Fat And Building Muscle

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Herb Infused Vinegars

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Herb Flavored Vinegars

Diet is Just Die with a T

Have you ever noticed that when you have something, you really don't want it, but if you don't have something, that is what you want? I've noticed that dieting is alot like this. They didn't name it DIE with a T for nothing.
Today I took my kids to take a State Education Exam. They had just recently moved the offices, so I was not familiar with the area. When I drove up to drop them off, guess what building it was located behind? Anyone? Anyone at all? Well, much to my surprise, it was located behind a Chicago Connection Pizza Restaurant. Now, if your not from Idaho, you may not be familiar with this place. Just let me say that they have the best pizza I have ever tasted!! If you like deep dish pizza just oozing with cheese and grease, then this is your place.
Now, I haven't had one of these pizzas for over 2 years and I have to tell you, I was drooling like crazy. Let me put it this way, to get in the car you would have needed a life preserver. Now, if this wasn't bad enough, there was a Jack in the Box right next door. OK, I've had it. I have a credit card and a free hour and I want to go CRAZY! Does keeping fit have to be so hard?
I can't tell you how much I wanted to pig-out. So I won't. Let's just say that when I have to take them back in 2 weeks for the remainder of their exams, I'll be leaving the credit cards at home. Why tempt fate, right?

Spring has Sprung

Spring is in the air and that means it's time, once again, to begin the outdoor ritual of: The Mowing of the Lawn. Although it conjures visions of woe and dread, it is something that must be acknowledged, nigh, embraced. However, before you can begin a new year of this annual ritual, you must first be sure that your lawn trimming device is in good working order. Proper lawn care begins in the garage. I am assuming that, as seasoned lawn manicurists, you properly winterized your mower. No? Did you remove the gas and drain the oil? No? Well, here is your chance to redeem yourself in the eyes of Lawn Maintenance Engineers everywhere.
Before tackling the jungle that is your lawn, let's take a few moments to make sure that your mower is healthy and happy. First, make sure that the mower is nice and clean. We don't want last years' weeds infecting this years' lawn. Second, let's get that blade sharpened. Nothing makes a lawn look worse, then to have it torn instead of cut. Third, change the oil. Forth, change ALL the filters: gas and air. Fifth, change the spark plug and make sure it is gaped properly. This will save gas and help extend the life of your $200+ investment. Finally, make sure that your deck is at the proper height (2 and 1/2 to 3 inches).

Now, you are ready to don your Pith Helmet and journey forth into the jungle that is your lawn.

Crab Fishing Marathon

There are several TV shows that I like to watch. However, there are only two that I really look forward to seeing. One is Ghost Hunters and the other is The Deadliest Catch. When this show first aired, I didn't think they could make a show on crab fishing and actually make it interesting. Well, I was wrong. The Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel is one of the most interesting shows on television.

I never realized how dangerous it was to fish for crabs. To have to endure 18+ hour days in horrible conditions, is something I wouldn't relish. Yes, the money is good, but you really have to work your butt off to earn it. It takes a special type of person to do a job like this. It not only takes intelligence and strength, but skill and dedication. To come back year after year, you must be truly dedicated.

Right now, they are running a marathon of the series. If you have the time, try to check it out.

This show not only provides first class entertainment, but is informative as well. You get an up close and personal view of what it is really like to fish for crabs. If you like Reality TV, then watch this show. Watch it once and you will be hooked.

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/deadliestcatch/deadliestcatch.html

Pokemon Anonymous

What is it with Pokemon? All I ever hear about is this cartoon. When I was growing up, the cartoons we watched on television were Bugs Bunny and Scooby Do. Everyone loved these cartoons, but it wasn't an International phenomenon. Parenting can be difficult enough these days, without having to do homework on the latest cartoon craze.
When this first started, I figured it would go the way of the Power Rangers and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But it hasn't gone away. It just keeps getting stronger. All my children ever talk about is Pokemon and what one can do to another. I can't get them to memorize a history text, but they can quote me chapter and verse on the latest gaming strategy. Does anyone else have this problem? Should we parents get together and take a Pokemon 101 course?

Well, I have to go now. My daughter just asked me a question and I need to get my
Pokemon-English Translator to figure out what she said.

Wait for Weight

For those that are serious about losing weight, there is one thing that you must do: Start! Yes, it is a simple word, yet it conjures up many terrifying images. To start means that you must continue. It means that you have made a commitment to something. It means that you may experience disappointment. I answer YES to all. You will have to make a commitment to continue working out, even if you are tired. You will need to continue, even if you are sore. You will need to continue, even if you just don't feel like it. It requires a change in your attitude and in your lifestyle. It requires a commitment to losing the weight.

Each time I don't feel like working out, I imagine the way I used to look. I imagine going through the rest of my life with Diabetes. Try doing it for an improved self image. Try doing it for your partner. You can do it! It's only 30 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week. Instead of watching TV, workout with the TV on. Hey, everybody has an ipod, listen to it while you exercise.

Now, I know that many of you have very busy schedules and you just don't have the time to devote to exercise. Well, if you have the time to think about wanting to lose weight, you have taken the first step. Next, you need to ask yourself, how serious are you about losing the weight?

If you are serious, then you need to try and find 30 minutes within your day to devote to changing your life for the better. Think of it this way: you are not losing 30 minutes, you are adding precious moments to your life.

Try waking-up 30 minutes earlier. How about spending part of your lunch hour taking a walk? Go to the Mall and power-walk (Most Malls open early for people to power-walk). Don't go it alone, get your family to walk or bike with you.

There will be times when you just want to quit. I know, I've been there. I just went ahead and did my routine anyway and you know what, I felt better. The soreness will disappear as you workout. The fatigue will fade as you exercise. When you are done, and I know that this is hard to believe, you will have more energy.

Go ahead, take the plunge, you will be glad you did.


choosing-weight-loss-buddy

type-2-diabetes

Squirrels,Cats, and Lawn Mowers

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Chicken with Rice

Here is an easy recipe that your family is sure to love.

Chicken with Rice.

What you'll need:

• 4 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup of uncooked rice
• 1 sliced white or yellow onion
• 6-7 sliced mushrooms
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, sliced not crushed
• 1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup
• 1 can of Cream of Celery soup
• 1 can Chicken with Rice soup
• 1 packet of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix
• 1 stick of unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

First, coat a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan well with butter.

Spread evenly in the following order:

• 1 cup of uncooked rice
• 1/2 cup of the unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• the chicken breasts
• 1 sliced onion
• the mushrooms
• the garlic

In a separate bowl mix 1 can of the following

• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Cream of Celery Soup
• Chicken with Rice Soup

Add 1 and 1/2 cups of water to the soups and mix thoroughly. Pour evenly over the chicken to cover the entire dish. Add 1 packet of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix.

Cover with foil and cook at 325 degrees for 2 and 1/2 hours. (or 2 hours at 350)

Serve with Parmesan cheese

Potatoes Gone Wild

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This post has re-written WITH PICTURES as German Potato Salad. Please click through and let me know how your salad turns out. I'm sure you and everyone who tries it will love it :-)

Potatos, Potatoes

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Singing Those Nap Time Blues

You wait all day for that magical time of day- Nap Time, and when you finally out your bundle of joy in the crib and sneak out of the room for your glorious "Parent Retreat," you hear WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Parenting can be fun, can't it?? Well, I have to tell you that this has happened to me as well and I discovered a way to make nap time quiet time again.

When our first child became old enough to stand in the crib, I soon became acquainted with the Nap Time Blues. After making sure she was fed, burped, and changed, I would place her in the crib and say "nappy time, sleep well." I would then creep out of the room and go into our bedroom. As soon as a stepped out of her sight, the crying would begin. I would sigh and go out to see what was wrong, and miraculously, the crying would stop and a smile would appear on her face.

Well, remember this was my first child and I was learning here, so I would make sure everything was "high and dry" put her back in the crib and leave the room. Sure enough, the crying started all over again. Question: what to do?? She is fed, she is burped, she is clean (fresh diaper). I decided to try an experiment: The next day I set-up a small mirror in our hallway so I could see her from the bedroom, but she wouldn't be able to see me. I made sure that the baby monitor was working and then I was set to go.

The next day after lunch and playtime, it was soon time for her nap. I again, made sure that she was burped and changed and then I placed her in the crib, went through the usual routine and left the room. Sure enough, the crying started as soon as I was out of sight. However, this time I did something different: I didn't go out. I stayed in the room and watched what she was doing. Do you know what?? She was standing at the head of the crib and staring at our bedroom door and crying. Then she would stop and wait. When I didn't come out, she would cry again for a few minutes....all the time staring at our door.

I have to tell you that this is one of the hardest things I had to do. I waited for 15 minutes before I went out and checked on her. I knew everything was fine; she just wanted me out there with her. After 15 minutes, I went out and checked to make sure everything was fine, and then went back to my room......the process repeated, but this time after about 10 minutes, she stopped crying and started playing in her crib. About 10 minutes later, she was sleeping.

This cycle went on for about a week, and then she would just fuss a little, then play, and then fall asleep. As far as I can imagine, and I am no physchologist, this was just a sort of control issue. She was trying to establish control over me. If she knew that EVERYTIME she cried, I would come running, think of the power she held!

Now, I am not saying you should ignore your child when she cries. I am saying that when you have conditions such as the ones I have just described, you should not let the child control you. Remember, YOU are the parent. YOU are the one in control, NOT the other way around. You need to teach your child that you will respond when they need help, but you will not be at their beck-and-call. It's like the Cry Wolf syndrome. Teaching and instructing children starts from day one. They are not stupid. As you can see, from 3 months, my daughter was trying to see how much power she had. She was TESTING me. At 3 months!

Now, if you are having nap time problems such as I have described, then try what I did. It only took me a week to settle the issue. For others, it may take a little longer. Yes, I know it is a very difficult thing to have to stand there and listen to your child cry like that, But if you KNOW that there is nothing wrong, you should try and stick it out for NO MORE THAN 15 minutes, before checking. Then repeat the procedure.

Hopefully you too can turn Nap Time into Quiet Time. Both you and your child will get the rest they need.

Next time: some recipes

Bedtime for Baby

OK, let's get down to business.

A friend of ours had their first child several years before we did. They believed in the "Family Bed" system. This is the system that has you sleep in the same bed as your children. Although this sounds good in theory, it is a recipe for disaster. When their child reached 6 years old, they moved her to her own room. I guess I should say they TRIED to move her to her own room; What followed was YEARS of tantrums.

When my wife had our first child, we lived in a 1 bedroom apartment. We had decided that we did not want our baby to sleep in the same room with us, so we set-up the crib and changing area in the dining room. We did not want to share our room, because we didn't want our child to develop a need to be with someone in order to fall asleep. If your child develops this dependency, then later down the road when you try to move them into a room of their own, you are going to have major problems. I can guarantee you will have a nightly visitor and nightly temper tantrums until you cave in, or they fall asleep from exhaustion. Unless you like to endure hours of screaming, as our friend did, then you need to give your infant their own space.

I know that this is hard, especially if this is your first child. You want to be with them all the time, but you need to give them their space AND you need to have your own space as well. You and your wife need to have time to yourselves, even if there is only a door or a wall separating you from your baby.

There will be times when your child will need to sleep with you, and that's OK. I'm not saying you should never let them sleep with you, I am saying that you should not make it a permanent thing. I remember that for the first month, I stayed-up at night and watched TV in the living room, so I could keep an eye on my daughter. This also allowed my wife to be able to get a few precious hours of sleep before having to feed her again. I didn't have to do this, since we had a baby moniter, but it gave me a sense that I was actually helping my wife.

Once we were both comfortable and our daughter fell into a type of routine, we both slept in our bedroom and our daughter slept in her crib in the dining room.

Next time: Singing those Nap Time Blues.