Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tackling the Fitness Giant

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Reebok.


Reebok1

There is something a little different about my New Year's resolutions this year. Six days after all of the New Year's revelers have stumbled over the words of Auld Lang Syne and the calendar has flipped to 2011, I will be reaching a milestone of my own. The big 4-0! In past years, my resolutions involved exercising more and eating healthfully for the purpose of fitting into my old jeans or being beach-ready by the time summer rolled around. While those end goals are still at the back of my mind, my objectives are now coming from a different perspective.

Over the years, adjusting from the single life to the satisfying life of being a wife, mother to young boys, and a professional, I had several epiphanies. First, it is necessary to stay in shape simply for the purpose of keeping up with two boys. There is not a lot of sitting down and playing quietly in our house. On any single day, we may wrestle in the family room, shoot hoops in the driveway, practice game-winning touchdown throws, and pull a wagon around the neighborhood to collect glass bottles from 20 to 25 homes. Sitting still is not an option.

Reebok2

Second, I know that I want to be around for many years to come. My boys will be hitting milestones of their own, my husband and I have places in the world we want to explore and, someday, there will be grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to enjoy. I don't want to miss a moment of that. While exercise and healthful eating does not guarantee that I will live a long and healthy life, research shows that engaging in these habits can help ward off certain diseases and live with general good health.

Lastly, the frequency I exercise and the way I eat effects how I feel, the amount of patience I have, and how mentally sharp I am during the day. Believe me, there have been many times that I have fallen off the exercise wagon. The effect on my mental focus and my self-confidence is profound. It is a struggle to start up again, but the rewards are instantaneous and always positive.

So, what are my New Year's resolutions? My running partner and I are going to work on increasing our mileage, with the goal of running a half-marathon in the spring. With my increasing age (ahem) and the issues of decreasing bone-density, it is time to get serious about strength training. As for eating - well, that's a tougher one. You see, I am a food blogger, which means that I cook ALOT. Of course, that also means that I have more control over how I eat. I resolve to work in more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains - in snacks, as well as at mealtime.

Spinach Salad with Fuyu Persimmons, Jicama & Avocado with Miso Dressing Recipe

Along with the a regular exercise program, I am interested in trying some of those cute, comfy-looking shoes, such as Reebok EasyTones, that promise toning benefits. Really, who doesn't want to tighten their thighs and butt while just doing daily errands and running after the kids? To learn more about Reebok EasyTones, visit the Official site.

Whether or not I fit into my skinny jeans by the end of 2011, I am looking forward to claiming that I embraced turning 40 and enjoyed becoming strong and healthy, both mentally and physically.

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, please answer the following questions in the comment section:

"What are your physical and mental wellness resolutions for 2011?"

Please, no duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) Read the official rules for alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents aged 18 and older
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail, so please be sure that you leave an email address.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

For more chances to win, visit the Exclusive Offers section on the BlogHer round-up page.

This giveaway runs from January 4, 2011 to 5pm PST on January 16, 2011.

Visit the Official Rules.
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278 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 278 of 278
Scott said...

my tweet http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/26327734489710592
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com

loni broesch said...

physical is to complete P90x and mental is to take a vacation!

trippyjanet at hotmail dot com

Karen said...

Count me in again please :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Betty C said...

Tweet - http://twitter.com/willitara/status/26359886711361536

Erica best said...

i really want to get healthier i got a kinect for christmas and the active 2 and i love it.

purple_lover_04 at msn dot com

Erica best said...

i tweet http://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/26368025712132097

purple_lover_04 at msn dot com

Anonymous said...

More water and better sleep top my list.

spiersrp at gmail dot com

Valeen said...

I'm adding regularly scheduled exercise to my day! Every day! I've been kind of hit and miss in the past, and I want to really commit to a healthier lifestyle!

sweepyhead at gmail dot com

abitnerdy said...

I want to get fit, not necessarily lose weight, but be able to run a few miles without wanting to lay on the floor at the end of it lol*

I also want to do Yoga more, the meditation really does wonder.

Jenn S. said...

To be more active each day, drink more water and consume less sugar.

jas8929 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

To eat better, more intelligently

ladcraig said...

My physical goals are to exercise more regularly. My mental goal is to become a duck and let things roll of my back. :)

ladcraig at gmail dot com

ladcraig said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/ladcraig/status/26413187360366592

ladcraig at gmail dot com

sharonjo said...

I had pacemaker surgery last Fall and need to find safe upper body exercises for 2011! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

This year I will focus on cutting out starchy carbs and exercising outdoors more often.

pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/26418330671783937

pauleyd68 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Lexiquin said...

I celebrate a birthday this month, also; hope you had a wonderful celebration of your special day.
Probably what keeps me from doing physical exercise more is the amount of time I spend using the computer. I rationalize this by saying it's keeping my mind sharp. Who am I kidding?!? I love to walk and I know that strength training and conditioning is important (especially at my age). I'm already a grandmother and I'm considerably older than my husband (so, there's another incentive to be in good shape). Not that I was consistently active in the past, but I know that in the last 10 months, I've spent way too much time at the computer. I'll see if I can pull myself away...
Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy New Year!
aleq13@gmail.com

Lexiquin said...

Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/lexiquin/status/26425505884405760

Tammy said...

I will be drinking more water!

Deb said...

I wish I had tips to share, but this is one battle I have yet to win. I'm still trying to come fit and be consistent with an exercise program. I never give up though.

kakihara said...

My resolution is to get more sleep--I'm getting rid of cable so no more late nights up watching HBO.
kakihararocks@gmail.com

mail4rosey said...

Mine is to do my workout first thing in the morning. It controls my urge to splurge on junk as the day progresses, and makes me mentally aware of (and happy with myself) my goals being met little by little through persistence.

msurosey@yahoo.com

mail4rosey said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/26489153856217088

msurosey@yahoo.com

abitnerdy said...

Physically i want to get fit, not necessarily lose weight. and of course to eat better, I've always put off breakfast because of work or something else but so far this year I've made it a point to grab breakfast. It really does make a difference!

Thank you for the amazing pictures and for the opportunity. xoxo

abitnerdygirl[at]gmail[dot] com

Jennifer N. said...

My resolution is to eat healither, exercise more and get more sleep.

ayeeejen (at) yahoo (dot) com

Jennifer N. said...

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/ayeejen/status/26514992735977472

ayeeejen (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

Physically, I would like to lose about 30 pounds. This is my first year of really needing to resolve to do this and I'm kind of sad about it an disappointed in myself that I've slacked off so much.

Mentally, I want to make myself happy by doing more for others in 2011!

Unknown said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/briggszilla/status/26551275113938944

Claire said...

My resolutions are to walk more and to work on my personal style... if you look good you feel good! ;)

kaleidoscopequeen at gmail dot com

clynsg said...

I don't do resolutions, but I do need to get back to sticking with fruits and veggies as my snacks.

cgclynsg0 @ gmail dot com

April said...

I don't exercise at all and that is what I need to change. I already eat pretty well but my job is very sedentary and I need to move a bit more. I'm going to try and add some little thing every day that moves or strengthens or stretches my body.
april dot vrugtman at gmail dot com

bdiane34 said...

I plan to walk more this year
sweokgrl@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My physical wellness resolution for 2011 is to actively play with my kids everyday.... Where do they get all that energy? My mental resolution is to learn to not take myself to seriously and to just be "me" this year.

reejen(at)comcast(dot)net

bdiane34 said...

My tweet
sweokgrl@gmail.com
http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/26635570746761216

Unknown said...

I am focusing on exercising at least 30 minutes each day this year!

EclecticZebra said...

I have been walking daily and I am not going to let my new RA diagnosis define me!
no19034770 @yahoo.com

Deb K said...

I am eating healthier and playing the Wii until I can start walking.

deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I plan to exercise more, and to read something I enjoy every day! Thanks!

JD said...

walk more and tone up

jdmimi at gmail dot com

carolpie said...

I eat a low inflammation diet, exercise hard every day and am trying to have self discipline in every area.
spencer1953 at gmail dot com.

carolpie said...

I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/26679106833743872

Heather W said...

to drink more water
Lovefool827 (at) yahoo (dotcom)

demmi said...

mine are to laugh more and to start riding my bike again

Dee said...

I plan on making 2011 a healthier year by exercising three times a week (I joined a zumba class) and by getting more sleep (at least 7 hours each weeknight)!

deeg131 at gmail dot com

Dee said...

tweeted! http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/26694014786867201

deeg131 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

For physical, I hope to be more active, using my exercise bike more often. For mental, I plan on writing more - more book reviews, articles, etc.

dawn0124 said...

I will walk the dogs a mile a day.

Catharine said...

I want to get my blood pressure under control.

ceriehl at gmail dot com

Catharine said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/norcalgal52/status/26735052272439296

annemarie562000 said...

I plan to cut out a lot of the junk food and make more personal time for myself!

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

annemarie562000 said...

I tweeted.

http://twitter.com/#!/annemariez3/status/26737046634635264

annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

bless their hearts mom said...

we are cutting out fast food and becoming more active as a family

bless their hearts mom said...

http://twitter.com/#!/BTHM1/status/26747248943566848

my tweet

ShesAnAngel said...

I think my goals this year are pretty lofty being that I haven't done what I need to do for so long! I would like to get in a better position financially so that I can do what I want...and also to firm up of course, a daily goal of mine!

justine417@comcast.net

ShesAnAngel said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/ShesAnAngel417/status/26752051241295872

justine417@comcast.net

Denise S. said...

I plan on walking daily as soon as the weather gets better.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com

js22 said...

I plan to get more exercise by walking each morning, get enough sleep most nights, and continue looking for a job.
Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.

js22 said...

tweet: http://twitter.com/js22222222/status/26764298718027776
email in blogger profile.
js22 [at] yahoo [dot] com

esldiane@gmail.com said...

Ouch, I am not good at resolutions but I really, really want to get in better shape. I will continue to do my pilates, and try to walk more. I"ll more my heavy picture on the refridge and everytime I open it, that should motivate me.
Diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'm working with my doctor. I'm taking some meds and now starting yoga to try to help with the pain from the arthritis
janicecrespo@gmail.com

elango said...

I have been eating much healthier food and portions this year and I plan to start walking outside a lot more once the weather allows me to.

elango said...

Tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/elangomatt/statuses/26767333271805952

Anonymous said...

my resolution is to lose 15 lbs by summer using cardio

ardy22 at earthlink dot net

Anonymous said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/26775697695444994
ardy22 at earthlink dot net

guettel78 said...

I've stopped making huge ones that would take a long time to meet. Instead, I make a list of three things I have to do in the first week of January - this year, for example, I resolved to try one new recipe, write one friend I'd lost touch with, and try one new piece of equipment at the gym - and hope that I start the year off right and continue building on them the rest of the year. So, I guess for this year my goals would be to make more time to cook/eat with fresh, unique ingredients, to make for time for my friendships and relationships, and to try new things to keep life interesting on a daily basis!

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

guettel78 said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/guettel78/status/26783691439087616

gkaufmanss@yahoo.com

Amy delong said...

will be doing zumba classes and ea sports football training with hubby
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Sand said...

My resolution is letting go of the past. It can't be changed, get over it!

latishajean said...

I want to eat better and gain 5 pounds so I can feel better! great giveaway thank you!
tishajean@ charter.net

latishajean said...

Tweeted too
http://twitter.com/#!/latishajean/status/26789177316085760
tishajean@ charter.net

miriama said...

Physical: MOVE. Get up. Get out. Be more active.

Mental/emotional: BE NICE. Be kinder. Be more patient

Barbarawr said...

I'm going to be reasonable about eating healthily. No more swearing off hot dogs and fries forever. That doesn't work.

Email address is in blogger profile

Barbarawr said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/bsw529/status/26796757534908416

Email address is in blogger profile

Anonymous said...

I need to get more sleep, reduce my stress, meditate more, do more strength exercises, and eat more fruit.

penguinchick@comcast.net

slehan said...

I swim 3 times a week and try to walk as much as possible.
Thanks for the contest.

slehan said...

http://twitter.com/slehan/status/26798945275478016

ms-texas said...

i want to walk on my treadmill regularly!

debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com

ms-texas said...

i tweeted

http://twitter.com/bellows22/status/26829480622292993

debbiebellows[at]gmail[dot]com

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