Confession.......I really don't like exercise.
I really don't. But, I've done enough of it to know that I feel really good after I do it. So, I look at it as one of those necessary things that you dread doing, but once you get going, you do get into it a bit and although maybe never "enjoy" it, you get a good sense of accomplishment that you did it. I also have found that the more often you do it, the easier it gets. So the only stumbling block I have to conquer is the part where I actually commit to doing my chosen exercise every day.
Pilates: I took a Pilates class....twice....2 years apart. What I learned about Pilates is that it is hard, it hurts .....and it works incredibly. I went to a class with a couple of friends a couple of years ago. The class was at 6:30 am, so I surprised them both by actually showing up. I couldn't do a third of the moves, but I tried my best ( I can get really competitive) and after the hour, my body was actually shaking as I walked to my car. Just after that one class, I felt my abs tighten and my posture was straighter....it felt great. I felt like a ballerina....tummy in, shoulders down, gliding along.......but, I never went back. .....it was hard and it hurt, so finding reasons ( excuses) was easy. But I'm glad I took that class because now I KNOW that it works.
So, I'm adding some Pilates into my routine, but I'm going to ease my way into it. I hate the traditional ab exercises where you have to lie on your back. It bothers my neck and I get lightheaded. So I was happy to find this video of Pilates Ab exercises....standing.
I really don't. But, I've done enough of it to know that I feel really good after I do it. So, I look at it as one of those necessary things that you dread doing, but once you get going, you do get into it a bit and although maybe never "enjoy" it, you get a good sense of accomplishment that you did it. I also have found that the more often you do it, the easier it gets. So the only stumbling block I have to conquer is the part where I actually commit to doing my chosen exercise every day.
Pilates: I took a Pilates class....twice....2 years apart. What I learned about Pilates is that it is hard, it hurts .....and it works incredibly. I went to a class with a couple of friends a couple of years ago. The class was at 6:30 am, so I surprised them both by actually showing up. I couldn't do a third of the moves, but I tried my best ( I can get really competitive) and after the hour, my body was actually shaking as I walked to my car. Just after that one class, I felt my abs tighten and my posture was straighter....it felt great. I felt like a ballerina....tummy in, shoulders down, gliding along.......but, I never went back. .....it was hard and it hurt, so finding reasons ( excuses) was easy. But I'm glad I took that class because now I KNOW that it works.
So, I'm adding some Pilates into my routine, but I'm going to ease my way into it. I hate the traditional ab exercises where you have to lie on your back. It bothers my neck and I get lightheaded. So I was happy to find this video of Pilates Ab exercises....standing.
Recipe of the Day
Here's a great way to enjoy those summer fruits!Banana-Berry Smoothie
Makes 3 servings, 1 cup each
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups orange juice
1 ripe medium banana, peeled and sliced
1 cup frozen blueberries, blackberries or raspberries
½ cup silken tofu
2 ice cubes, crushed (see Tip)
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
Instructions
Combine orange juice, banana, berries, tofu and crushed ice in a blender; cover and blend until smooth and frothy. Sweeten with sugar, if desired. Serve immediately.
Tips
Tip: An easy way to crush ice is to place cubes in a heavy-duty plastic bag and break them with a rolling pin.
Nutrition Information
Per serving: 135 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol;
27 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 19 mg sodium; 376 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (93% daily value).
