Learning How To Balance

Got a great workout in this evening!! Did a few things a lil different this evening - I jogged/walked around the lake, did bench step-ups (20 each leg), then did lunges up Windmill hill! That got the heart rate up!!! I love this town's park, lake and walking trails - it's so peaceful and pretty!   I'm still motivated to get into better shape!! There are so many benefits of exercise - other than the "high" you get from the exercise itself -  helps controls weight as odd as it sounds it boosts energy (so weird that by DOING more  you feel better and have MORE energy) helps you sleep reduces stress/anxiety boosts confidence sharpens your focus get more done need I go on..... probably not.   It has so many benefits - why don't we all exercise more?  I know it's hard...if it were easy everyone would be doing it!  The hardest part is getting started - as Nike says "JUST DO IT".  Don't think about - JUST DO IT!  If you think ab...

We made this last night - Dan even liked it!!  I thought it was really good and easy!  As usual I made some modifications.... I rarely fix a recipe exactly like it says.  More so out of convenience than anything.  This time I actually tried to write down everything I did different so we can make this dish again!   ☺ Weight Watchers Cheddar Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta added by Hope Vaillancourt/Just A Pinch Link to the original Here is the original recipe - my notes are below: Ingredients 1/2 lb whole wheat penne pasta 4 slice bacon, diced 1/2 Tbsp light butter 1 large chicken breast, boneless & skinless, cut into bite sized pieces 1 Tbsp all purpose flour 1/2 pkg ranch dressing mix ( 1/2 oz) 1 c fat free milk 1/2 c fat free shredded cheddar cheese salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. Cook pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water; drain, return to pot, and keep warm. 2. Meanwhile, cook ba...

After a night of not enough sleep - I read a Fitness Magazine  article about " The Link Between Weight and Sleep ".  Of course one night isn't going to make that much of a difference but I do know that after being up late or out late.... I'm certainly prone to hoover anything in sight the next day. Trying to narrow down what could be disrupting your sleep… do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. For me (last night) was a combo of thunderstorms and sore/tired muscles. But typically I do have trouble staying asleep…I wake up at what seems like the smallest thing.   Fitness Magazine says: T he Link Between Weight and Sleep….one word: hormones. When you’re sleep-deprived your fat tissue decreases its production of leptin, a hormone thought to suppress appetite. Leptin production peaks at night when you’re asleep. If you’re not getting enough shuteye, leptin production falls off. Sleep more, weigh less! Well kind of…. It certainly helps but gettin...

This looks like a great workout for the buns!!  Hope to try it this weekend!  Building muscle is just as important as getting in your cardio!!  

Recently a friend of mine started her blog back up again - her and her husband are doing a BeachBody program (Focus T25) and she has really motivated me to get this blog back up to semi-daily posts of useful info.... not just crafty stuff!  With this I hope to get some followers that I can help motivate - paying it forward so-to-speak! As I posted earlier I started a new You Tube workout video this week that I ♥ * ♥ * ♥!!! Jessica Smith is so motivating and she is a familiar with the struggles of weight loss and keeping it off.  She lost 40 lbs so she knows what we are all going thru!  Check out her website and her FREE workouts and get movin!!   Jessica Smith Website You Tube Channel

I absolutely LOVE this You Tube workout.... it's a kickboxing, cardio workout that is 35 mins and makes you sweat! It's by Jessica Smith - she works with Shape Magazine and does all kinds of fitness videos, articles, etc. She's very motivating and really gets you going!!  She has TONS of FREE videos and fitness tips too. Check it out, get healthy, keep moving!!