Strengthen the Core

My son will soon have a college degree in Exercise Science.


He has learned so much these past two years about health and fitness, and he passes on some of what he has learned to us.


His main exercise mantra is to "Strengthen the Core".


When the muscles around the pelvis and trunk are in shape, they work together to get the most out of the rest of the exercises we do including walking and daily activities.


The back and spine also benefit as does one's posture.


And the best part about doing these exercises, it doesn't take any special equipment or gym memberships.


Several different ones can be found online, and they can be done right at home - no expenses required.


They will help to avoid back pain and muscle injuries.


And as one ages, these things happen much easier.


So when he walks by me exercising - I get the advice:


"Strengthen the core, Ma" - it is one of the best things you can do.


And, he is right - it does feel so much better with a sense of well being as I stretch and perform those "other" exercises.

Mexican Food with #CoronaRita

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Chili’s Grill & Bar for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is time to do some celebrating.

I have lost a third of the weight that I am aiming to loose, so it is time for a reward.

And I can't think of a better meal than one of the tasty Mexican ones at Chili's.

They have a new list of lighter choices on their menu, and that will fit right in with me right now.

The Sweet & Spicy Chicken sounds just perfect.

They serve grilled chicken with a glaze and onions and peppers along with rice and broccoli on the side.

Healthy with all the right veggies will keep this celebration just perfect for me.

And no celebration is complete without a special beverage to go along with it.

That is where the new CoronaRita at Chili's comes in.

Watching my calories, I may have to share it with my husband, but he won't argue with that.

This new drink is made with Corona beer and Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila.

The CoronaRita Margarita - perfect for any celebration.

And speaking of celebrations - Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner.

For many it marks the beginning of summer, and the CoronaRita is the drink that goes along with summer.

It is served in a frosty margarita glass with lots of ice.

The final touch is the little bottle of Corona beer turned upside down in the glass.

Check out that photo above - it is quite unique looking - so the taste must be just as unique too.

Have you been to Chili's and tried one of their new lighter choices meals?

I'm anxious to know how they taste and would love a recommendation.

If you have tried the new CoronaRita, I would love to hear what you think of that too.

Please remember that you must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly.

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Weight Going Down

I haven't minded visiting the scale the last few weeks.


Staying on track with how I am eating is beginning to pay off in the weight department.


So far, eight pounds have been dropped.


Actually seeing the scale go down makes it a bit easier to stick with what I am doing.


Being accountable for everything I eat, staying away from the wrong foods, and exercising seem to be the ticket for me.


The body feels better when it is taken care of correctly too!

Resistance

Man, it is not easy.


Resisting all the foods that cause us to gain weight.


Now, I do not have a big problem with the fats - too much of them will cause my gallbladder and stomach to act up so staying away from them is a given if I want to feel good.


But those carbs - they are hard to resist.


And it isn't the "good" carbs - it's the grains that I love.


Rice, wheat, oats, whole grain breads - they all turn to sugar then fat in my system.


And it is not that these foods are bad for us - we need them in our diets.


I have even been able to watch my sugar intake which is a giant step for me.


But those grains keep calling.


So, I will allow a bite once in a while, and a serving every now and then.


But it isn't easy.


"Just keep the weight loss goal" in mind is what I tell myself.


I know it will be worth it in the end.


 But it isn't easy :(

Month of May and Disabilities

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

What do the month of May and disabilities have to do with each other?

A lot, especially for those with disabilities who have dreams of being mobile and living an active life.

The month of May is National Mobility Awareness Month, which is being sponsored by the NMEDA.

And the new national spokesperson for disabilities, Mike Savicki, is working with NMEDA to help spread the awareness that those with disabilities can live active, mobile lifestyles.

There are over 18 million people in the US and Canada who have mobility issues, and six million of these people are veterans.

I didn't realize this, but the 2nd largest minority of people in the US are those with disabilities.

There are many people and organizations out there to help, and Mike is working to get the word out there to those who are in need.

Through online communities, there is an exciting contest going on during the month that will allow three lucky winners to receive a custom Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, designed exclusively for them.

Those who enter this contest are considered Local Heroes, and they must be someone with a disability, a caregiver, or a veteran.  These Local Heroes must be working to overcome their disability challenges.

They will tell their story, and the online community members will vote for their favorites.

The prizes will be given away on a popular national television station.

You can find all the info here: http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/ for submitting your story and voting for your favorite.

A Helping Hand for Hunger

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

Spring time is the time of year when the food bank donations suffer the most.

What should be a brighter time for many after a long winter becomes a darker time as they face the days ahead not knowing where their next meal will come from.

 Walmart has started the Fighting Hunger Together initiative, and they need our help to make it work.

According to the Department of Labor's recent report of the cities with the highest unemployment rate, the citizens of these communities are the ones who are suffering the most from hunger.

Over fifty million people are in this position and by partnering with Walmart we can help them.

Walmart hopes to generate forty-three million meals for these families.

Facebook is helping out too by allowing us to Vote to fight spring hunger with Walmart.

Between April 9 and April 30, we can go on Facebook and vote for the city that we feel is the most neediest.

The winning city will receive $1 million to help it's families.

The other twenty will each receive $50,000.

California has the most neediest, and El Centro needs our help the most.

We can also help by shopping in our local Walmart store.

They have products from ConAgra, General Mills, Kraft, and Kellogg's that will donating a part of their sales to this Hunger campaign with Walmart.

There are signs in each store so we know which products to purchase to help with these meals.

Be sure to check out Facebook and vote for the city you think is the neediest, and don't forget to tell your friends.

It's an easy way to help those in need, and it doesn't cost a cent!