Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Find Some Summer Joy!


While I realize we aren’t still in the season of raising children there is still something magical about school letting out and the beginning of summer. I want you to think about some things you loved about summer as a child. Are there any that would still bring you joy?

-       Go to a local farmer’s market and buy some fresh produce- perhaps something you don’t usually cook
-       Sit on the porch and watch a summer thunder storm
-       Eat a popsicle, ice-cream cone, or snow cone (even better if you buy it from the ice-cream man) or drink a Slurpee
-       Walk barefoot in the grass
-       Have a tall glass of lemonade (Chick ‘filet sells their yummy diet lemonade by the gallon)
-       Go for a swim at the beach, lake, community pool, private pool
-       Sleep in
-       Lay somewhere cozy and read a good book
-       Roller skate or roller blade
-       Go for a bike ride
-       Go to the library and pick up a good book or audio book and begin!
-       Build a sand castle
-       Go on a picnic
-       Make the best ice cream sandwich ever (on your sugar day of course) I like gourmet ice-cream and home made cookies
-       Wash your car
-       Grab a blanket spread it out on the grass and cloud watch
-       Make a cute card and mail it to a friend
-       Take a nap under a shade tree (have a hammock? Even better!)
-       Play with water balloons
-       Soak in the bathtub with bubbles or essential oils added
-       Bury someone in the sand
-       Take at least one lovely photo each day
-       Go fishing
-       Swap a favorite book with a friend and read it (yes my summer memories are largely centered on reading!)
-       Sketch your pet
-       Paint your toe nails
-       Buy a new cute pair of flip flops
-       Watch the sunset
-       Grill (or get hubby to do it) your dinner
-       Go on a swing
-       Skip stones at a lake
-       Go to this summer’s blockbuster movie
-       Give your pet a bath outside
-       Go to a baseball game
-       Hula hoop (yes they still sell those)
-       Create some sidewalk chalk art
-       Organize your summer sandals and clothes

I know this challenge is a bit of an echo of last week’s but I guess I want to end our round of Wellness competition reminding you that there is joy in life THAT IS NOT EDIBLE. I think one of the reasons many of us comfort or self-medicate with food is that life is so rushed and pressure filled and stressful. It can seem much faster and easier to grab a chocolate muffin than to organize another method of quick joy getting. But I honestly believe that if we reach out for some of the joys of our childhood and fit them into our busy lives we can fill our souls so that we don’t feel a hunger there that can lead to unhealthy habits.

YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK IS TWO PART. FIRST, TO FIND ONE SUMMER JOY TO PARTICIPATE IN EACH DAY THIS WEEK TO EARN YOUR DAILY BONUS POINTS . It does not have to be something from this list, but find some way each day to fit some summer joy into your day.  THE SECOND THING YOU NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO EARN YOUR 35 BONUS POINTS FOR THE WEEK IS TO MAKE YOUR SUMMER PLAN FOR EXERCISE. EXERCISE DOES NOT END WHEN OUR COMPETITION ENDS SO MAKE A PLAN FOR YOUR ENTIRE SUMMER. DECIDE HOW YOU WILL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE THROUGH THE SUMMER MONTHS (take into account the change in weather, possible changes in your responsibilities or schedule etc.) AND POST IT ON THIS BLOG OR E-MAIL IT TO ME. 

Happy Summer ladies!
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13 comments:

  1. I have ordered a new step DVD, I can walk in the park of an evening with Dave or if it gets too hot I can go to the gym. I also will play my trusty Wii Bowling and stretch. Lots of work to do in the yard and garden!!!!

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  2. My plan this summer is to keep up with the program, by tracking my own stuff on a blank print out of the spreadsheets.
    As far as "playing", I plan to do more bike riding (favorite childhood activity!). I also plan to spend many days at the zoo, World's of Fun (local amusement park) and just playing outside with my girls. Also continuing with my walking (either outside or the gym). And of course, many days at the neighborhood pool!

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  3. Every year it makes me happy when my neighbor, a school teacher, is out for the summer. We have been walking together for about 20 years. I am not exaggerating. So, my summer plan is built around our morning walks and therapeutic talks. We do have a couple trips planned and that's where it gets a little tricky. Walking should always be an option and my husband is a good sport about going with me. I will also be doing yard work and gardening. I am hoping to do better at keeping weight off between challenges! Thank you, Sandee, for organizing us and keeping us on track!

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  4. I plan to continue my walks, and get out bike riding more. I figure it will be easier to be outside with less rain, and I can go earlier in the morning or in the evening when things cool down again.

    Jean

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  5. I have been doing this weight loss/healthy living thing for about 5 months now. I've exercised 6 out of 7 days since January 11th. It's becoming a habit. It's working, so I'm not going to change a thing. It ain't broke.....I'm not going to try to fix it! So having said that, I plan on continuing to walk and do tae bo for 60 minutes at least 6 out of 7 days this summer. I plan on continuing to track on myfitnesspal.com!

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  6. I love being outside during the summer and plan to do different outdoor activities for exercise. I enjoy swimming laps, doing yard work, going for walks, and playing tennis with my husband. I will definitely keep using myfitnesspal.com too.

    Amy Averett

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  7. I am going to keep doing what I have been doing, which is going for walks, bike rides, hikes, etc with my kids. When exercise is fun, I don't mind doing it.

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  8. My partner Natalie and I have decided to continue to be accountable to each other and come up with some sort of reward when we reach a goal. Hopefully we'll get there by sticking with the calorie counting and still exercising 6 days a week.

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  9. My Partner Stephenie and I will continue to encourage each other daily with better exercise choices, as well as making better food choices. I again have enjoyed this challenge with everyone and all the many new ideas given to me to think outside the box with fitness.

    Tanya

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  10. Michelle and I are continuing the exercise part (and other parts) of the challenge through the rest of the summer and being accountable to each other. We both have indoor options (elliptical, workout cds) as well as many outdoor options. I have it on my schedule (as well as my kids' schedules) this summer to exercise together every morning. We go on walks, play basketball, or play soccer in the back yard. I'm glad I can set a good example and share healthy living with them. Michelle and I also plan to get together to exercise several times over the summer. Thank you Sandee for putting together this challenge! It has been a lot of fun and quite challenging and VERY helpful to get me on the right track again.

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    1. During the summer I do a lot of yardwork, gardening, pruning, mowing, etc. so I stay pretty active. Also I have my son's dog for the summer and that requires a walk every night. But I plan on going to the gym 3-4 times a week to work out on the eliptical. I have found that to work the best for me for losing weight. I also love, love to hike in the nearby mountains and want to do that at least once a week with a friend. If my vote counts, I would prefer to start another competition sooner than later--middle of July? I'm in.

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  11. Signed up with a personal trainer with 6 other women and we start tonight. Great way to keep myself on track through the summer. Thanks for all your hard work!

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  12. I am so excited for all of your summer plans. I wish you all lived locally so I could have you over for a pool party. Enjoy and modify your behavior as needed but remember not to lose focus. Wellness and healthy living are building blocks for a happy life!

    P.S. I am going to be dog walking, swimming at the community pool, and hope to go paddle boarding!

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