Day 61 – A Wrapup of 61 Days To Better Health

DAY 61 – On November 1st we started 61 Days To Better Health, and today is our final post.  I’ve enjoyed taking this journey towards better health with you.  I hope you’ve found these posts helpful, and that you are on a road to better health.

Here is a look back at some of the issues we have addressed over the last 61 Days To Better Health…

Nutrition:

• Say “No” to empty calories.
• Don’t forget the salt, the pepper and the flaxseed.
• Are you drinking enough water?
• Eating Healthy, The Green Way
• You Are What You Eat
• Benefits of Peppermint
• Lemon water can increase your metabolism and help you lose weight.
• Eat soup and lose weight.
• Low glycemic diets.

Fitness:

• 5 Winter Workout Ideas
• Take a walk in the sun
• Green fitness
• Curb emotional eating with yoga.
• The health benefits of sex.

Lifestyle:

• Turn off the TV
• Laugh your way to better health.
• Tips for getting a better night sleep.
• Choose Happiness
• Buy Organic
• Lose weight with a friend.
• Have fun and enjoy life.

Check out all of the 61 Days To Better Health posts…

• Days 1 - 10

• Days 11 - 20

• Days 21 - 30

• Days 31 - 40

• Days 41 - 50

• Days 51 - 60

• Wrapping Up 61 Days To Better Health

Thanks for joining me in 61 Days To Better Health…Tomorrow we begin our 2009 Good Health-a-Thon.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

61 Days To Better Health — Days 1 – 10

Here is a link to days 1 – 10.

61 Days To Better Health — Days 11 – 20

Here is a link to days 11 – 20.

61 Days To Better Health — Days 21 – 30

Here is a link to days 21 – 30.

61 Days To Better Health — Days 31 – 40

Here is a link to days 31 – 40.

61 Days To Better Health — Days 41 – 50

This link will take you to days 41 – 50.

61 Days To Better Health — Days 51 – 60-

Use this link to go to days 51 – 60.

Weight Loss Tip: Smart Snacking While Dieting

Weight Loss Tip: Smart Snacking While Dieting

One of the biggest problems we face when we are on a diet, is the feeling of deprivation. We feel deprived, and we want to eat the “junk” foods that aren’t part of our healthy diet. Believe it or not, the best way to stay on your diet at this point, is to give in to your desire to cheat.

The key to cheating on your diet, is to cheat using strict portion control. Have your cake. Have your cookies. Have your candy. Have your chips. You can have what you desire, but only one serving. I know it sounds hard, but if you get in the habit, it will become second nature.

Even though this is a total no-brainer, most of us (including myself) don’t actually do it.

Dawn from Life at the Moment…

Have you ever sat down to have a few chips and the next thing you know, the bag is 3/4 gone? Or started eating some Thin Mint cookies and ended up eating the whole role? No matter what you’re eating, look at the label first. Figure out how much equals 1 serving and how many calories are in 1 serving. Put 1 serving worth on a plate or in a bowl, seal the bag/box, and put it back in the cupboard. Stop after 1 serving. If you do this all the time, you’ll train yourself to eat more appropriate portions, and you’ll be more aware of how much you’re eating when you snack.

Also See:

• Overeating During The Holidays
• Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
• Believe In Yourself: Set Realistic Dieting & Fitness Goals

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan, Capessa Health, Women4Hope

Green Fitness

You don’t need to get a gym membership in order to stay fit. Electrically powered exercise machines in your home and fitness centers require large amounts of energy to operate and are not eco-friendly.

So what are some better options?

If you want to get in shape, the eco-way, get outside and experience nature while you workout.

You can walk, bike, or jog through the park (or your neighborhood) once or twice a week. Not only will you get great health benefits, but there is also a sense of peace that you acquire from being in a natural setting. Breathe in the fresh air, feel the wind on your face, and the sun on your skin. You don’t receive any of that with a gym membership.

But what if outdoor exercise isn’t an option for you? You could create a little home gym without using equipment that requires electricity. Here are a few ideas…

• Dumbells
• Jump ropes
• Resistance bands
• Self-powered cardio machines; like bikes and rowing machines.

What are some of your eco-friendly fitness tips?

Reducing Election Day Stress and Anxiety

Day 4 – Reducing election day stress and anxiety – From BlogHer’s 61 Days To Better Health

By now, if you are like me, your election stress level is through the roof. But, it’s time to let go of your stress. Once you have placed your vote, the outcome is out of your hands (let’s face it, it was never in our hands). So, why worry about something that you will not be able to change? Regardless of the outcome, you will wake-up tomorrow morning, and your life will go on as it always has.

So, I want you to try something. Right now, as you read this brief post, I want you to slowly take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out. OK, that was good, but you know you can do better.

Now, do it again. Take a very slow and deep breath in. And now exhale…slowly. Do you feel a little better now? It’s amazing what getting a little more oxygen into our bodies can do for us, and how quickly it happens.

Let’s take it one step farther. This time, slowly breathe in peace, love, hope, and anything that makes you feel calm. Now, slowly release your breath, exhaling your fears, worries, and stress. If you’re alone, close your eyes while you do this. Take another minute or two, and breathe a few more times, slowly and deeply. Visualizing yourself breathing in the good, and exhaling the negative.

Better, now?

If possible, go do something else that makes you feel more calm and relaxed. Have a cup of herbal tea, take a bubble bath, turn off the television, read a book, take a walk outside, call a friend, hug your kids. If you feel the stress creeping back in, simply let it go.

This is something you can (and should) do often. Each day, try to become more conscious of your breathing. You will probably notice that you are taking very shallow breaths most of the time. To combat that…Make an effort to take some deep, slow, and purposeful breaths each day. You will be doing your body good, and your mind, too.

Contributing Editor BlogHer Health & Wellness Catherine Morgan
Also at Catherine-Morgan.com, Capessa Health & Fitness