HeatherKatsoulis.com

So, this week has really been full of insight from a number or resources.

I first watched What Would Jesus Buy, a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas.

Then, I read The City that Ended Hunger, an article about a city in Brazil recruited local farmers to help do something U.S. cities have yet to do: end hunger.

excerpt
‘“I knew we had so much hunger in the world,” Adriana said. “But what is so upsetting, what I didn’t know when I started this, is it’s so easy. It’s so easy to end it.”

Adriana’s words have stayed with me. They will forever. They hold perhaps Belo’s greatest lesson: that it is easy to end hunger if we are willing to break free of limiting frames and to see with new eyes—if we trust our hard-wired fellow feeling and act, no longer as mere voters or protesters, for or against government, but as problem-solving partners with government accountable to us.’

And today, I came across this video,

I am so into the slow food movement, new organic Victory Gardens, and just plain old slowing down in this culture.

Now, how can I make this my life’s work?

Maybe that’s not what was intended for Turbulence Training, but that’s what my body says do do while it acclimates… Wow, was I sore the past 2 days; apparently, there’s even a technical term for it: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, DOMS. Now you know.

I did keep stretching the past 2 days, and that felt great. And today I did the second workout. It seemed easier, but I think I should’ve used more weight. How do you figure out how much weight is the right amount for the type of exercise you’re doing when it’s all new to you? I’m guessing, since I’m new to this anyway, I’ll just keep adding weight as I go until it’s a bit difficult for me but still possible to complete the sets.

So, I forgot to mention that I had been to the gym with my husband for the first workout. Teaming up with a partner can help with motivation and confidence in new situation. That said, I went on my own today and felt pretty comfortable in the weight room with a few young, buff guys.

Why am I writing about all of this? I guess I just wanted to get the truth out. Starting a new exercise program, a bit older, as a mother (with a mother’s body changes), out of shape, overweight with little time in the day can be mentally and sometimes physically too much to even consider, not to mention succeed at. And often it’s the little things, that seem almost silly to us personally, that keep us from starting out, so I thought if I just wrote about all of my hang ups and how I got through them then maybe it could help.

Also, I would love for this to be collaborative, so please tell me about your experiences starting a new healthy lifestyle of any type in the comments. All are welcome, men, women, teens, with similar and different stories to tell…

So, I went back to the gym for my weight training

• when there were fewer people in the weight room,
• in more comfortable attire,
• and prepared for my workout.

I am following the Woman’s Bodysculpting workout from Turbulence Training; it’s quick and effective. I’m feeling a bit weak in the knees… and thighs, and calves, and arms. :) It isn’t easy, but it feels great.

I have been a member over at SparkPeople for years, and I am back to tracking my nutrition and fitness goals. I think they’re public – my member name is hlkljgk. Check SP out; they have some really great resources, and it’s all free.

Obviously, along with improving my exercising habits, I am changing my eating habits. I have been a vegetarian for 10 years or so, and I eat mainly natural and organic foods, but that doesn’t mean I have great eating habits. I tend to eat too fast, not chewing food well enough, and consequently overeating. So some of my other goals at SP remind me to slow down, eat more fresh produce, drink more water, reflect on my progress.

Motivation, for me, can come and go; luckily, my DH is a “Master of Change” and I get to reap the benefits of his profession. His Program Yourself Thin course is great for changing how I think about my body and weight loss.

  I should have listened to my husband sooner.

Ha! I even got the Nano. :D

Anywho, I’ll keep you posted.

“Want tips to keep your family healthy? Environmental Working Group, EWG, is partnering with Stonyfield Farm to spread the word about organics, $1 donation at a time.”

Please help them to get to $20k.

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