Exercise Motivation

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CafeWell for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We all could use a bit of help when it comes to finding motivation to exercise.

Many programs start out promising, but soon begin to lag as time goes by.

Then it becomes too easy to find reasons for not doing any exercises, today, or tomorrow, or the day after.

Before you know it, back to where you were before you started the program.

Well, CafeWell has a new way of helping members become and stay motivated.

Using the power of social networking, they create health challenges that users share online.

Family members, friends, and co-workers can all participate to get rewarded for living a healthy lifestyle.

Joining is easy and free and you can even be anonymous if you so desire.

CafeWell is now joining with large health plans, such as Altius, to provide their members with some motivating health programs.

One program, Reach for the Peaks, has their members using Cafewell in a wireless pedometer program that encourages them to get active and stay active.

This program has rewards and prizes for it's members which makes it fun.

CafeWell offers free advice, tips and motivation from Olympic athletes, as well as Health and Wellness experts and Diet and Nutrition experts.

This support system helps keep members active too.

Here is what one user has to say about the Reach for the Peaks program:

 "I never thought I was competitive before.  Now I am counting steps and enjoying seeing them add up.  My husband was actually teasing me a little and telling me that I was competitive after all... It has been fun to encourage each other to get more steps in each day.  It is also fun to see the medals add up.  I don't know whose idea it was to get this program started, but it was a great one.  I sure hope everyone else is enjoying this health competition to get healthy."

Sounds like a great way to get and stay active to me! 

Low Calorie Fish

The fish has been on sale these last few weeks at the market.


I believe it is for the Lent season that they are having these sales - especially on Wednesdays and Fridays with the one day or in store deals.


We have eaten more of it these last few weeks than we have all year.


Usually the Cod or Haddock is the variety on sale, but last week they had a different kind.


The Pollock was on sale for $1.99 a pound.


We didn't know if we were going to like it, so we only bought a pound.


We thought it was delicious, and when we went back the next day to get some more, it was gone, of course.


Besides how good the Cod has been tasting, I am really impressed with the calorie and fat counts.


A four ounce serving only has 140 calories and 1 gram of fat.


 Add a salad and a small baked potato, and you have a great meal with very minimal calories.


And even the reward of low-fat frozen yogurt for a snack in the evening comes in under the calorie count for the day.


We will take advantage of it for as long as they have these great sales!

Being Accountable

It is paying off.


Being accountable for all that I eat is working.


I have lost two pounds over the last couple of weeks by using my calorie and exercise counter in my smartphone.


The first week or so I put everything in with no regard to what I was eating.


I was learning the servings and seeing how everything added up.


Then I started to pay attention to what I ate.


And pay attention to all the food contents - the fats, sugars, and carbs as well as the calories.


And when you are honestly accountable for everything that you eat - quantity and serving size, you begin to see results.


I like that if you want something with a bit more calories than usual, then you just do more exercise to offset it.


The calories burned while working out are taken into account in the calculations the program makes.


It makes you accountable for the food you eat as well as gets you motivating to do some exercise.


It a very positive thing, and it really works!

Sick House

We are a couple of sickos now.


It has been a couple of years since we have come down with colds, but they are making up for it with this version we now have.


Mine was really slow coming on, and it is now in it's second week of hanging on - it just won't shake.


My husband started getting it this past weekend - it hit him much faster than it did me.


My son doesn't even want to come through the front door any more.


We just reassured him that it was too late for that kind of thinking since we are most contagious before we even come down with the symptoms.


I am just happy to see we had some frozen turkey soup still in the freezer.


Hopefully it is the medicine we need to feel better.


I am certainly willing to give it a try - it will go down real nicely on the throat and the steam will help the sinuses.


Hoping it will all be over with soon - just in time to welcome in Spring!

A Family Racing Event

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Spartan Race for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Spring time is just around the corner, and it will soon be nice enough to get outside and exercise - especially in the New England area where we are ready for the good weather.

And there is a new exercise routine that has been gaining popularity lately.

It is called, Spartan Race, and it offers exercise for the whole family.

There are levels for every age and level of fitness, from the beginner to the experienced.

It is designed to get families or individuals off the couch and becoming involved with each other and their communities.

The plan involves a 45 day workout with weekly newsletters and inspiring blogs to help to keep the encouragement going.

After the training period, participants are ready to tackle these world leading obstacle courses that are designed for all the different levels of fitness.

Mud and trail racing is the name of the game for this competition.

Just like the tough Spartan conquerors of Ancient Greece, participants need to be tough to get through this obstacle course.

Races range from three miles to over forty miles, and 99.9 percent of the people who enter these races finish them.

Fun and endurance are what keep the participants coming back - over 300,000 will participate in these races this year.

They sell out fast, so signing up early is recommended.  Check them out and see what they can offer you and your family.

The FAQ page will help answer many of your questions.