The Miracles Fitness Blog
Aug 7th, 2012 by Jen
Ok, I ad
mit it. My garden makes me happy. It’s little and I’m a novice but it makes me happy!
We tried onions this year, and I thought I would show you how they turned out. I’m glad they made it through this heat and drought. Some of my other veggies aren’t fairing all that well.
They have been a great addition to salads, tacos, and whatever else is cooking. What have you been adding to your meals from your garden or the farmer’s market lately?
Jul 27th, 2012 by Jen
I can’t believe this, but tomorrow is the 1-year anniversary of our Fit4Miracles launch. We started out on July 28, 2011, with the Aha Moment and Plan of Action series, and then we were off! It has been fun to get some of my thoughts and experiences down on “paper.” I look back and realize I have learned a lot and tried new things, and I met people along the way who shared some of the same successes and struggles.
I thought it would be fun to share some of the most-read posts (the numbers don’t lie, people) and take a little walk down Fit4Miracles Lane. From Valentines, guest posts, tug of wars, horses, and boxing, it seems that my trials with the trainers are on top!
Here’s a few of your favorites:
Feelin’ A Little Like Elaine: Who knew I could get Tyler to do the Elaine dance?! I think some other people broke out their dance moves at Miracles, too!
New Challenges: Discovering Your Strengths: One of my FAVORITE things I did over the past year and a half was learn to box a little bit with Ben, one of our former trainers. You liked his take on it!
My Own Words Used Against Me and The Tug of War Continues: Some of my tug-of-wars with Tyler, who I have been training with this last year, were your favorite, too (I think because some of you can relate!).
Some other popular posts were a little more personal:
A Valentine: Wallyball, Sweat, and a Cute Guy: Aw, gee, shucks . . . what can a girl say? Sometimes you just have to write mushy stuff. : )
Vacation: You Did Not Just Say the Fitness Center was Closed!: I’ve learned that sometimes things don’t go your way (and it’s not easy) when it comes to fitness! Remember how I used baked beans and Ragu, all under the gaze of a stuffed-deer head named Bullwinkle? Yikes.
And just recently the horses and their comic relief. That was a great new (and hilarious) experience.
It has been a great ride. I hope the next year provides just as much material. From the start we have wanted it to be a place where people can sit down, drink their coffee (or green tea!), and just relate and relax. I hope its been a little bit of that. Thanks as always for following along.
Any thoughts? What were your favorites?
Don’t forget to “Like” Fit4Miracles on Facebook!
Jul 16th, 2012 by Jen
“Get it together, Mom!” my oldest son yelled back at me.
I could not control my laughing. I really had lost it. We were in the middle of the beautiful Rocky Mountains and I had a case of the belly laughs.
Who knew horses could be so funny? If I were honest this post should be called “Poop, Pee, and Gas: Horseback Riding in the Rockies.” It never occurred to me that the bodily functions of Apache, Rojo, Patches, and Gambler would be front and center stage on our horseback riding excursion, but of course, that’s what my kids remember most and talk about every time we discuss the trip.
The horses provided quite the comedy as we trekked through streams, over bridges, and across ledges. Between all the laughter were unbelievable views and a complete sense of history as our guide retold stories of Teddy Roosevelt and his friends dining in tuxedoes out under the majestic evergreens now called Tuxedo Park.
The laughter began again after the first time our guide asked us to trot. I had never done that before and was seriously bouncing all over the place and almost crying I was laughing so hard. Again, my son instructed me, “Mom, use the stirrups and straighten your legs a little!” So for the next 4 times it wasn’t as bad but still produced quite a bit of laughter.
So for 2 hours we got to enjoy the beautiful, majestic creation. I was glad that I had tried it. Check off another new experience! I can’t wait to be on a horse again . . . even it provides as much “comic relief” as Patches, my trusty Rocky Mountain friend.
On a housekeeping note, come “Like” Fit4Miracles on facebook to receive information about each new post. Miracles Fitness does not e-mail notifications for every post. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/Fit4Miracles
Jul 13th, 2012 by Jen
I recently told you that we were Colorado bound again. Right after school ended we packed up our trusty Windstar (the good ole girl has 150,000 miles on her) and traveled West with our 5 kiddos to Rocky Mountain National Park. For me, this was a highly anticipated event. I had over a year of my fitness journey behind me, and I was ready to be in the mountains again! Ready to hike, think, and take it all in while making memories with my family. Something about the mountains just makes me feel more “me.” What would I learn about myself this time around?
On our first day at Estes Park we stopped at the Visitor’s Center and checked in at our lodging, YMCA of the Rockies. My husband is the King of Brochures and Activity Offerings so pretty quickly we began discussing the activities we wanted to fit into our 4-night stay. We knew we would do some of our favorite hikes and added some new ones to our list, and then we began narrowing down some choices of new things to do: fly fishing, horseback riding, zip line, etc.
Fly fishing I really wanted to do, but it would have taken more time and not all of the kids could participate.
Zip-lining I had attempted the year before but couldn’t even muster up the courage to get out of the van once I saw the tall “telephone” pole I’d have to climb up (No, thank you, I’ll just stay on the ground!).
Horseback riding seemed to be the final consensus. I really wanted to do it, but I had never ridden a horse before and was nervous. It also cost a little more than I would spend (because I’m cheap. . .uh . . frugal), too.
So . . . here’s a Let’s Get Real moment-I kind of threw a little fit. It went something like this:
Me: So it looks like the kids want to go horseback riding. That would be fun. How much is it? $12 per person?
My Hubby: No, it’s more than that. It’s $– per person.
Me: NOPE! We’re not doing it then! Too expensive!
And my big-fat mouth and I stomped walked out of the room. Not quite the supportive, fun mom/wife, huh?
Needless to say, I was wrong and apologized. I think it was the cost that set me off, but I also think it was fear. I liked to TALK about going horseback riding, but to actually DO it was another thing. I could say I wanted to have more COURAGE in my life, but to actuallly put it into ACTION was something all together different! My husband in his wisdom and patience knows this about me and quietly went ahead with the horseback riding plans.
We rode the next morning, and it was truly an experience I will never forget (more on that soon). But I won’t just remember it because of the horses; it brought to light my fear and my attitude. As I rode with the kids through the valleys and ledges of Rocky Mountain National Park, I realized my “cheapness” and my fear almost kept them from experiencing that moment. If I had to wait 30-some years to ride a horse, did I want my kids to do the same? Of course not! Did I want them to be wise with their money and be able to decipher when it’s okay to spend it? Of course! Did I want them to be afraid of experiencing new things? No!
Once again Colorado had a way of helping me learn more about myself, even the things I may not have chosen to learn. I am hoping that next time when an opportunity arises I will be slower to speak and ready for the adventure.
On a housekeeping note, come “Like” Fit4Miracles on facebook to receive information about each new post. Miracles Fitness does not e-mail notifications for every post. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/Fit4Miracles
Guess it’s kind of obvious-I love the taste of fresh, garden tomatoes! They are one of my favorite parts of summer. Thanks to my Dad’s garden, which is a few weeks ahead of mine, I got to bring home a bag full of these ruby-red ladies. I’m dreaming of BLTs, soup, and plain ole tomato goodness all by itself!
What are you doing with your tomatoes this summer?
Jun 11th, 2012 by Jen
Just wanted to share some happy news! On Friday Miracles Fitness had the groundbreaking ceremony for the new West Lafayette location. The last five years have been full of ups and downs; I am proud of Dan, his staff, and the Miracles Rehab team for their service to the community and their clients! Thanks to Mayor Dennis for coming, and thanks to JP Video Productions for this great video:
Jun 4th, 2012 by Jen
It’s a common problem. You’ve been on a diet for weeks and aren’t losing weight like you thought you would.
It may be because you’re consuming more calories than you think.
Keep reading to discover seven sneaky habits that may be sabotaging your weight loss efforts.
Mistake #1: Forgetting Liquid Calories
It’s easy to forget that the things you drink have calories – some more than you’d think. In fact, some beverages have more calories than an entire plate of food.
It is estimated that around 20 percent of your daily calories come from what you drink. So as you drink your juice with breakfast, rehydrate with a sports drink at the gym, or drink a glass of wine at dinner, think about the calories you’re adding.
For calories’ sake, it’s best to avoid all sweetened sodas, sweetened or flavored coffee drinks, sweetened tea, and smoothies. Replace these high-calorie drinks with water, skim milk, and unsweetened herbal tea. Because while they taste great, liquids generally don’t satisfy hunger, so they are just empty calories.
Mistake #2 Meal Skipping
Many dieters think they’ll cut their calorie intake by skipping a meal, usually breakfast.
But this is a mistake.
Research has shown that those who skip breakfast actually weigh more than those who eat three meals a day. Skipping a meal usually causes you to eat more calories during the day because you will end up eating even more food later in the day because you’re so hungry.
So aim to eat three (or more) meals a day. A healthy breakfast that will keep you feeling full all morning contains protein and fiber. An example would be whole-wheat toast and an egg.
Mistake #3: Oversized Portions
Just because restaurants load your plate with a mountain of food doesn’t mean you should eat that much at home for a normal meal.
Remember that your stomach, like your heart, is the size of your fist. Don’t think you could fit much food into your fist? You’re right. And contrary to what mama taught you as a child, you don’t have to eat all the food in front of you.
To eat a little less, use smaller plates and eat slower so you know when you’re full. Also, remember that portion control also applies to healthy foods, as they, too, contain calories.
Mistake #4: Too Many Extras
A salad is a healthy, low calorie option. At least until you add dressing, bacon, cheese, and croutons.
These add extra calories fast.
One tablespoon of dressing contains 75 to 100 calories. With that in mind, it’s no wonder grilled-chicken salads at a fast-food restaurant can have more calories than a hamburger.
Mistake #5: Blaming Your Genes
Many people give up on dieting or think there’s no hope when it comes to meeting their goal weight because of their genes.
Just like you may share your father’s hair color or your mother’s eye color, there is a small chance you also share your parent’s body type. However, this is no excuse for doing nothing about trying to lose weight.
Stick to your diet and exercise plan and you should definitely see results.
Mistake #6: Eating Without Thinking
It happens to everyone. You’re tired after a long day and you just want to veg in front of the television or read a good book. Unfortunately, mindlessly eating is often involved. You may think that since it’s not on a plate it doesn’t matter, but every bite you take counts.
When it comes to a successful diet, make rules for appropriate times to eat. And don’t always feel the need to eat when relaxing. Try sipping on water or tea, chewing gum, or simply don’t put anything in your mouth.
Mistake #7: Eliminating All Treats
Dieters often become overzealous in their plan and completely rid the house of all the food they enjoy, whether chips, sweets, snacks, or any high calorie food.
This commitment may last a few days until you can’t tolerate it any longer and you overindulge on what you deprived yourself of.
A better plan is to allow yourself a treat every once in a while.
Remember that everyone makes mistakes, but be smart and don’t let these common pitfalls keep your from meeting your weight loss goal!
Reach your fitness potential faster by coupling your good diet with a challenging exercise program. I’m here to motivate, instruct and encourage you to reach your goal.
Call or email today to get started on a fitness program that will truly improve your quality of life.
Tags: Diet/Nutrition
May 30th, 2012 by Jen
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since this blog was discussed, envisioned, planned out, and executed. We were headed to Colorado, and on the long drive I asked my husband how I could help him and his busines. His answer was, “You could write the blog.”
At that point I had a lot of thoughts and emotions running through my head. It had been a life-changing 5 months. I had an aha moment in January and began a journey back to myself. The idea of writing a blog and sharing my personal story and thoughts was scary to me, but I knew that it could be helpful for me as well. I wanted to help my husband in this hard work of keeping a small business going, and I wondered if stepping out of my comfort zone might be good for me.
And so the long drive consisted of many long talks (when the kiddos were quiet) of what I would write about and what I would share. I came home a week later and began writing up a storm, storing away posts and planning for their future launch. It was good to get my swirling thoughts on “paper.”
I learned after several posts that it wasn’t just about me. Many other people had had similar experiences, and many of us had had the same struggles. It was a community. While comments now have slowed down, those initial comments brought tears to my eyes. It felt like I was just writing for a big void, but when comments came back it made it so real.
We head for Colorado again soon, and I look forward to the chance to be with just my family and the memories that we will make. I look forward to taking time and reflecting over the year. I wonder what the time there will inspire. What will the long drive produce? What ideas will come forward?
Colorado has a way of doing that.
I’ll end with part of a Colorado post from last year:
On day 2 of our cabin stay, I had a couple of hours to myself while the kids were swimming and the baby (he’s 2, but he’s my baby) was napping. I decided to do some circuit training. I didn’t have weights or anything so I used a jar of Ragu and a can of baked beans for my bicep blasters. I was just hoping no one could see through the window! I used the back deck for my walking lunges and the stairs for box jumps. I did push-ups, reverse lunges, leg lifts, ab work, etc. all under the gaze of a big, stuffed deer head, affectionately called Bullwinkle by previous visitors.
I kind of surprised myself. I know it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, but 5 months before, I never would have done any of those things. Work-out? On vacation? Outside? Where people can see me? No way! But this experience showed me evidence of five months of hard work and a real change in myself. The confidence, change, and commitment that I had paraded around in my head as a theme were becoming a reality. It felt good. There under the Rocky Mountains it felt good to take the time to reflect and to be thankful and to feel strong.
May 23rd, 2012 by Jen
1. Walking lunges the length of Goodwill
2. Broad Jumps outside the windows of a chi-chi-poo-poo salon
3. Jogging in front of Medical Offices
4. Split Squats on the bench while holding back tears of frustration and the super-strong urge to quit
5. Running a quarter mile uphill at who-knows-what-kind-of-I-don’t-want-to-do speeds
6. Step-ups on the wall in front of a busy Chinese restaurant
7. Box jumps in my own private work-outs
8. Inch Worms and the World’s Greatest Stretch
9. Boxing while being filmed
10. Bicep blasting baked beans while on vacation
I’m sure there are many more! I have done a lot of crazy things in the last year that I never thought I would do. While some were super hard, I am thankful for each one. It’s been worth the challenge.
May 20th, 2012 by Jen
I don’t know if you have ever seen the episode of Seinfeld when Elaine dances. Oh, my! She thinks she is a great dancer (it’s a crazy concoction of arm flaps and knee jerks), and the whole room is laughing at her.
Well, the other day Tyler, my trainer, headed for the backdoor of Miracles and started jogging down the back alley.
“We’re doing this?” I asked. You might remember our running tug-of-war in a previous post.
“Yep, let’s go!’
While I am not really a runner, I was up for something different. I have been working at getting my shoulders better: having them scraped, rehab, stretching, not lifting heavy weights with my arms (I’m under strict orders of no more military presses), but I recently got the green light to start lifting a little bit. Tyler had also been helping me in our sessions, which were quite limited to shoulder rehab and legs. So needless to say, I was game when Tyler headed out into the back alley.
It’s extremely pitiful to admit that I hadn’t run in the daylight since college most likely. I’ve run a few times with my dog, but only at night. Undercover. So I have to admit it was kind of fun. A little bit liberating.
We didn’t run long, (too much lasagna for me before my 7:00 pm training-can a girl get some notice so she doesn’t have seconds?!), but on our way back I told Tyler that I felt like Elaine from Seinfeld when I ran. Of course, he then proceeded to run with a nice flop and jerk the whole way back to Miracles. AGH, why do I even speak?
It was quite funny, and I would much rather be laughing than crying during a work-out! Even if I do sort of feel like Elaine.
Hi and welcome to Fit4Miracles! I'm Jen, and I'm your host here. As a wife and mom of 5 kiddos, 2 years ago I had enough and embarked on a journey of better health and fitness. You'll find my "aha" moment here along with fitness triumphs and struggles, work-out ideas, recipes, books that I'm reading, and more. I know many of you are on your own journey; I'd love for you to join me.
Grab a cup of tea and explore; I'm glad you are here!
