The Motivation You May Be Missing

I often hear people say they want to get started on a workout routine and just don't know where to start. My advice is.....just start today! If you say I'll start Monday, or I'll start tomorrow, often times we find a reason to not start that day and then we struggle to start. Let me tell you this--there will never be a perfect day to start unless that day is today. Here's some simple suggestions to get started on an easier foot:

Start by doing 25 push ups, sit ups and squats each evening before bed. After 2 weeks of that, move to doing 25 in the morning and 25 at night. This is a good one because it takes you about 10-15 minutes so you don't have the time excuse.

Start by going on a few leisurely runs. Don't plan how long or how far, just run to clear your head and enjoy the scenery. I like to find new trails or new neighborhoods to run in to change up the scenery. Sometimes that gives me the new kick to my workouts that I need.

Join a new fitness class. Many gyms offer classes that you can join....including ours! There's currently a boot camp going on in mornings or afternoons as well as a HIIT (high intensity interval training) in the mornings. Classes offer accountablity and a fun way to get moving. At our classes I offer exercise and nutrition tips and am available for questions.

Find a fun activity outside. My husband really enjoys playing tennis and basketball together and I recently started biking with my parents. Not only does that get you moving but it gives you an opportunity to work on a relationship with a spouse, friend or family member.

I encourage everyone to take advantage of these last few weeks of gorgeous weather before we can't play outside for a few months. Just get out and get moving!

--Emily

Two Book Reviews

I've been trying to take more time to just sit and relax lately. It seems like our family has been really busy (like most families) and I haven't had the time to just enjoy something I love--reading. I thought I'd share my book reviews with you. I read one book for fun, The Hunger Games, and one book for knowledge, The Five Love Languages for Children.

The Hunger Games was a very easy and fast read. (I started and finished it in the same day.) I was surprised that a lot of people recommended it to me based on what the Hunger Games actually are. I don't like any book where kids have the potential to get hurt, let alone killed. However, it was very intriguing concept and I think my brain thought, if I read fast enough, everything will turn out ok. I liked the main character as she was full of determination and I liked her quiet strength. The plot was well-written, so I guess I would say that I enjoyed the book overall. But somehow that seems like the wrong thing to say.  I want to see the movie and then I'll decide it I will read the other books.

I was given the book The Five Love Languages for Children as a gift and I really enjoyed it! I read this over the past month and thought it was written exactly towards my parenting style. The basic idea is that everyone (and I think dogs too), has 5 basic love languages and it's our job to figure out how to fill up our kids' love tanks. I was glad to learn what Ben's main love language is--quality time--and know that the things we do each day are really important to him. Will's main love language is still being determined since he is so young, but I think he tends to be a physical touch little man. The book is really easy to read, and gives quick & easy ideas to do for each love language. I read the main chapters one at a time so I had the ability to try each love language for a few days before moving on to the next. The book also addresses discipline, which is always a good reminder for parents, as well as love languages in marriage. My next book purchase is definitely going to be the original book, The Five Love Languages.

I'd love to know what you're reading or if you've read these books too! Leave me a comment below! And try to find some time this week to read "just for fun".

--Katie

August Newsletter

What's happening in August? Check it out and find at least one way to make yourself healthier this month.