busy-related stories
Busy Moms - Find Time to Exercise
At CafeMom, a blogger posted about how she has no time to exercise. She said her doctor raised a questioning eyebrow but she swears that between work, kids and home commitments there is zero time left to exercise. I don't think there are too many moms who wouldn't sympathize with that; motherhood is a ridiculously busy game. But no time to exercise? I don't buy it.
Taking care of your health has to be a priority in your life. And if you're overwhelmed with other commitments, then it's time to reevaluate to see what can be adjusted or eliminated. Here are a few ideas:
- Family workouts. Choose exercise options that the whole family can do -- hiking, biking, or even a walk around the neighborhood.
- Child-friendly gyms. Find a gym with a child care facility. You can get your workout in while your kids are safe and close by.
- Skip the sidelines. If you attend your child's sporting practices, go for a jog or a brisk walk during the practice. You may be able to get some of the other kids' parents to join you, too.
- Listen to the tried and true. The standard pieces of advice -- get up a half hour early to exercise and work out during your lunch hour -- are often repeated because they really do work.
Has the January Rush Ended Yet?
I don't like going to the gym in January. Not because of the weather -- I live in Florida, so it's pretty warm. Not because of the holiday weight I might or might not need to work off -- it's just another challenge. My problem with the gym this time of year is how packed it is ... packed with all of the people who made a resolution to get fit and lose weight. People who will probably stop going by February and cancel their memberships by April.This is such a common occurrence that it has a name -- the January Rush. And over at Lemondrop, they're a little frustrated with it.
While I'm not a big fan of waiting in line to workout, I'm fortunate enough to have a flexible schedule, so this time of year, I just make sure to avoid going at peak times. And, I have to say that everyone's a gym newbie at one point, so try to have a little patience. You never know -- your next workout buddy might be the new girl trying to figure out the kayak machine!
Whether you're a gym newbie or a longtime devotee, you can find some great diet and weight-loss tips at America Takes It Off -- click on the badge below!
Fit Gifts for Busy Parents
Fitness may be one of the first things parents cut out of a busy schedule, but good health is important even when time is at a premium. Help the busy moms and dads in your life stay invested in their own personal health with these holiday fit gifts for busy parents on the go.
Daily Fit Tip - get fit quick
Pressed for time? Try one of these ideas for exercising when time is tight.
Getting your healthy groove back: Five tips
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My healthy habits have taken a bit of a vacation over the past couple of week. Ten days ago, I took a short trip to Vegas (which-- let's face it -- is not the kind of place that helps you stay motivated to eat well and exercise.) Then, this past week, I had out-of-town guests, complete with four birthdays to celebrate over the weekend -- one of them my own. But I'm not writing this to tell you about me -- I'm trying to offer you (and myself) some tips for getting back on track after falling off the health wagon.Here are five ways to revive your routine:
Design your own 15-minute workout
Running short on time? Try your best not to let a full schedule interfere with your workout. You should schedule your exercise time and give it high priority on your to-do list. Don't look at your workout as something you can take or leave at your convenience. The fact is that staying fit and healthy will help you manage the rest of your chores more effectively -- you'll have more energy to be on the go, go, go.But we all have those days where we just can't squeeze in a long workout routine. When there's just no way a real workout will work, try a quick 15-minute routine. AOL Health has a great 15-minute strength training routine. Or, if you'd rather, you can design your own workout.
- 10 minutes of cardio. Pick a convenient cardio activity that you can do almost anywhere and with minimal equipment. Walking, running, and jumping rope are all good options.
Six health mistakes women make
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss
Sometimes it's hard being a member of the fairer sex. We're busy. Really busy. In fact, a recent study found that women work a 15-hour day, no matter how many hours they actually put in at their jobs. So it's understandable that we may make a few mistakes throughout the day -- forget to pick up milk, send a child to school without her lunch money, leave the cat out all night. It's just going to happen.
But according to Prevention, women are also making big mistakes when it comes to health. But unlike forgetting to wash your daughter's soccer uniform, making mistakes about diet, fitness, and lifestyle can cost you more than inconvenience in the long run. If you're guilty of some of the following mistakes, take a closer look at where healthy habits rank on your list of priorities and see if you can't make a difference in your own personal health.
But according to Prevention, women are also making big mistakes when it comes to health. But unlike forgetting to wash your daughter's soccer uniform, making mistakes about diet, fitness, and lifestyle can cost you more than inconvenience in the long run. If you're guilty of some of the following mistakes, take a closer look at where healthy habits rank on your list of priorities and see if you can't make a difference in your own personal health.
Healthy snacks for busy moms
Healthy Kids, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
I'm forever leaving my house unprepared for the snack demands my little boys make when we're on the road. My intention is to always have a healthy snack and water in the car when we head out on errands, but more often than not, I forget to plan ahead. Not anymore. I'm borrowing some of these ideas from Family Circle magazine and from now on, I'm going to be the mom who can whip out a nutritious snack with a moment's notice. Here's some of what I plan to prepare.Soy Crisps: We don't do potato chips in our household but we might try soy chips. A huge 140-calorie portion contains only two grams of fat and nearly 10 grams of healthy soy protein.
String Cheese: We are fans of string cheese and really like the Sargento Lite brand. To keep this calcium-filled snack chilled on road trips longer than a few hours, I'll pack it in a mini cooler bag with a mini ice block.
How to eat on the run
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Ever feel like you're running on empty as you power through your hectic days? Likely, you do. And it's likely you find it difficult on your busy days to sit down and enjoy healthy meals and snacks. Parade magazine wants to help and offers these handy tips for eating on the run.About 75 percent of office workers eat at their desks two to three times per week. If you fit this profile, try these tricks: Stock the office fridge with low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers, hummus, natural peanut butter, and raw veggies. Take sandwiches to work or salads with canned tuna, salmon, lean meats, and skinless turkey. Microwave oatmeal, carry along some apples, and fill your desk candy jar with the soybean snack edamame.
While driving in the car, take along peanut butter sandwiches -- especially for the kids -- and fruit and veggies such as apples, oranges, bananas, and baby carrots.. Control your portions by using small plastic bags, and if you must swing through the drive through, opt for grilled over fried foods, chicken over burgers, salad over fries, and milk or water over soda. Other good-to-go snacks include: Energy bars high in fiber and low in fat and sugar, nuts, and dried fruit.
For more guidance on how to stick to your diet in the face of stress and chaos -- AOL Body calls this "regrouping" -- jump on aboard the America Takes It Off train.
The key to successful slimming? A marathon a week
For those of you who'd prefer to lose weight without having to partake in the pesky thing called fitness, here's a bit of news that might disappoint you: recent studies show that people who are successful at taking off--and keeping off--weight are those who do a fair amount of exercise. 60 to 90 minutes a day, to be exact. Or, to put it another way, those who walked the equivalent of a marathon a week.
I'm into fitness and even this number surprised me a bit -- really, who has 60 to 90 spare minutes every day of the week? I can manage to work in a hour a day three times a week and 30 minutes a day the rest of the week. I can't do any more than that and still keep my job and family happy, but I try to work in small bits of exercise where I can--by taking the stairs, walking to work and so on.
My point? 60 to 90 minutes is a lot, so try to find a compromise. But do know that fitness is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
I'm into fitness and even this number surprised me a bit -- really, who has 60 to 90 spare minutes every day of the week? I can manage to work in a hour a day three times a week and 30 minutes a day the rest of the week. I can't do any more than that and still keep my job and family happy, but I try to work in small bits of exercise where I can--by taking the stairs, walking to work and so on.
My point? 60 to 90 minutes is a lot, so try to find a compromise. But do know that fitness is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.
This holiday season, make exercise a priority
Healthy Events, Fitness, Motivation
The holidays are a wonderful, magical time, but they're also chalk-full of stress, hurrying and general business. With everything going on, it can seem impossible to get some time to yourself, and your workout routine tends to go to the dogs. But with all the goodies you're probably eating, it's more important than ever to maintain a healthy routine. Courtesy of Glee Magazine, here are some tips for keeping fit during the festive season:
- When you shop, plan to walk a lot. Park as far away form the entrance as you can, and park on the opposite end from the store you plan on going too. And a walk around the outside couldn't hurt either.
- Write gym visits and fitness classes into you schedules and to-do-lists.
- Forget cookie exchange -- why not exchange fitness DVDs? Then you're motivated to try some new workouts, and it doesn't matter how bad the weather is.
- Cut down your own Christmas tree. A spend some quality family time together doing activities like sledding, skating and skiing.
Workplace Fitness: Exercise for busy people
Do you fall into the category of "a busy person?" Who doesn't these days? One of my favorite motivational quotes is That's totally true, and what it really means is that if you want to make time to exercise and be healthy you totally can -- you have to just make it happen. No excuses. It's easier said than done, however, so having a good plan of attack is key.
What time of day are you going to workout? Statistically most people work out in the morning (about 44%) and next up is a tie between "anytime you can" and evenings (28% each). Afternoons came in last at only 10%. Any time during the day that works for you is fine and there is no right or wrong. What's important is that you try to stick to your plan as much as possible -- leaving it to chance that you'll magically find time during the day is not a good idea.
What time of day are you going to workout? Statistically most people work out in the morning (about 44%) and next up is a tie between "anytime you can" and evenings (28% each). Afternoons came in last at only 10%. Any time during the day that works for you is fine and there is no right or wrong. What's important is that you try to stick to your plan as much as possible -- leaving it to chance that you'll magically find time during the day is not a good idea.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Workout Pills and Tight Schedules
Womens Health, Ask Fitz!, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Men's Health
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hey Fitz, I have heard a lot lately about pre-workout and workout pills. What is your opinion of these types of supplements? Jake
A. Thanks for asking Jake. My answer is this. THOSE PILLS ARE CRAP! GARBAGE! TRASH! SNAKE OIL! People don't need pills to work out. Pre-workout. Post-workout. Whatever. People need to eat a well balanced diet full of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, calcium and water. For the general population, I think a daily multi-vitamin is a nice insurance policy. Just in case for example, one doesn't consume a full dose of vitamin C for the day.
"Pre-workout pill" sounds like a useless product for the consumer and a great way for greedy jerks to take the money of the hopeful and desperate. DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY ON THIS NONSENSE! Fitz
Q. Fitz I've been trying to gain just a better overall toned body for this upcoming school year. But you know how crazy days can get with classes, homework, and work. Do you have a workout for my whole body that can help give me the great body I ? I have a tight schedule like mine, but still want maximum results! Thanks Jessica
Quick and healthy snacks for folks on the go
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Fast food restaurants and snacks like chips and cheese puffs are popular for a reason. In part because -- and let's face it -- most of us think they taste fantastic. But these fatty foods with very little nutritional value are also favored by millions because they're quick, easy and satisfying for people who have too much going on in their lives to sit down to three square meals a day.Just because you're busy though, doesn't give you an excuse to eat garbage. If you're in a hurry, why not try some of the following snacks that are full of nutrients we all need.
- Nuts, seeds, dried fruit and cereal provide your body with iron, which is essential for supplying oxygen to red blood cells .
- Grab a handful of peanuts, walnuts or sunflower seeds (or use avocado as a sandwich spread) to increase your consumption of heart-healthy folate.
- A lot of people think they should stay away from cheese, but the truth is the tasty, quick and simple snack is full of calcium, which is great for strong bones and teeth.
- We all know why fiber is important -- it prevents the risk of some cancers as well as the risk of constipation -- so up your fiber intake by snacking on fruits and veggies or by eating a high-fiber cereal for breakfast (some fiber cereals also taste good when added to a cup of yogurt).
Slow down every now and then
People of the new millennium are masters of multi-tasking, but this stressful, hectic, frantic lifestyle can take a toll on our health. A lack of sleep, a lack of physical activity and lack of proper, sit-down meals leaves us ... well ... lacking in health. So for the sake of your body, slow down every now and then.
The folks at eDiets concur -- it's important to do nothing every now and then. According to a study by Harvard University found that 60 to 90 percent of visits to the doctor are stress-related. Yikes! Relaxation can do wonders for you -- it helps calm your mind, and it helps your body recover from stress too.
So here's a challenge. For just a few hours a week -- an afternoon, an evening, you pick -- make a plan to do nothing ... and stick to it.
The folks at eDiets concur -- it's important to do nothing every now and then. According to a study by Harvard University found that 60 to 90 percent of visits to the doctor are stress-related. Yikes! Relaxation can do wonders for you -- it helps calm your mind, and it helps your body recover from stress too.
So here's a challenge. For just a few hours a week -- an afternoon, an evening, you pick -- make a plan to do nothing ... and stick to it.
