Exercise, Exercise, Come On Everybody Do Your Exercise!!!

EVERYBODY needs to exercise. I don't care whether you are 5 or 95, you need to get moving.

Yep, it is much easier for those five-year-olds, but you are never to old to do some kind of exercise. Right now, I have found that water aerobics works well for me. I have problems with a Morton's Neuroma in my left foot, so walking and running are off limits. But, jumping and running in the water, where there is less pressure on my foot works great.

Here is the news though...like any other exercise you have to WORK at it. Some of the ladies in my class just get in the nice warm pool and float around and chat. It drives me tea totally CRAZY!! They are chubby and so out of shape and they really need to be moving, but that is not the only problem. Their constant gossiping and chatting makes it hard for those of us who are serious about our exercise to focus.

I must admit that today, after putting up with it for several minutes, I finally began to turn around and stare at them (giving them the evil eye) hoping they would get the message...sigh, don't know if they ever did. I am there to exercise and to produce those marvelous endorphins that help me get through the rest of the week.
I would love to have a couple of minutes to address the class one day to explain how important this one hour three times a week is for some of us.

This is my only relief from my caregiving duties. I not only need the exercise to help with my weight loss, but to help with my mental status! It needs to be a "stress free" environment!

I can actually feel the difference after a good workout...mentally as well as physically. It is important for you to encourage your children to MOVE also.
Too many children nowadays sit in front of the computer, television or X-Box and don't exercise at all. They have eliminated physical education in many school systems throughout the United States. Many children don't even get to go out for "recess" any more! Wonder why childhood obesity is on the upswing? Well, just take a look at school lunches and add in the fact there is NO exercise, and .... well you see the results everywhere!

Find out what kind of exercise works for you. Perhaps tennis, or hiking or just walking in your neighborhood. How about joining your children or grandchildren in an outdoor game like hide and seek? Whatever it is, GET MOVING! You will feel better and look better too!

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Here is a neat home made dressing my husband just loves on his salad...so much better for you than the bottled stuff!

1 Ripe Haas Avocado, chopped
1 Ripe Tomato, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh or bottled key lime is perfect)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Chop all vegetables in small dice...add lime juice and vinegar and mix thoroughly. The ripe avocado (this is a healthy fat) makes this mixture creamy.
If you like you can puree the avocado, but I haven't found this to be necessary.

A couple of tablespoons of this atop your usual green salad and voila! It's great and healthy for you, and much fewer calories than your average salad dressing.

WORK IT PEOPLE...and I will see less of you tomorrow!!!

Working It! Water Aerobics

Okay, enough of lolly gagging around...I've got to Move It, Move It! Especially if I want to shed the next 27 pounds. My goal is still to be at goal weight by Thanksgiving. That is going to take some serious movement.

So, first thing this morning I headed for The Cantrell Center, in Warner Robins, Georgia. They have a great heated (really doesn't need that heat right now!) pool, and Donna is a fantastic instructor for Water Aerobics.

Now if you are laughing and thinking that water aerobics can't be all that difficult, then you need to come with me some time. Of course you can just kinda lay back and watch and waddle, but if you really DO IT for one hour, you can burn a bunch of calories and firm up some of that flab at the same time.

Today is the first day of my three day a week exercise program to get the rest of this weight off for good! Water aerobics is great because it doesn't stress the joints like running or jogging. You don't sweat! LOL, and somehow it is just more relaxing than the boring treadmill or machines. The music is upbeat and makes you want to keep moving to the beat. Check out a Wellness Center in your town. I think you will find this is an inexpensive and healthy way to get that body back into shape.

I am going to give you a recipe today that you can either make the fattening way, or the "slimmed down" way. Either way, believe me it is absolutely delicious (and no one can tell the difference which is which).

SUMMER STRAWBERRY TRIFLE

THIS PICTURE actually depicts three of my favorite trifles, and I will share those other recipes at another time.

1 Large Box Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (you can use fat free/sugar free)
16 ounces Cool Whip (again, can use fat free/sugar free)
2 pound cakes (can use angel food instead) cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 Pound container strawberries, cut up (save a few for garnish)
1 cup sugar (or Splenda or Truvia)
1 can Whipped Cream

Cut up and macerate strawberries overnight in refrigerator in sugar or artificial sweetener.

1. Mix Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix with Cool whip and set aside.
2. Cover bottom of clear bowl with cubes of cake
3. Spoon 1/3 of Strawberries over cake
4. Spoon and spread pudding mixture over the strawberries (you will not that
the mixture has obtained a kind of cheesecake texture)
5. Repeat layers until bowl is full.
6. Top with whipped cream and a few strawberries you have set aside for garnish

This trifle will serve 15 hungry people....and you will get rave reviews! Not only is is pretty to look at, but it is delicious to eat, and simple to make!

Other favorites of mine include a Mocha Crunch Trifle, and a Caramel Apple one.