Well… I’ll be honest. There is not a lot to say about how week 2 went because I wasn’t really committed this week. It was a very stressful week with a lot going on. Here’s what progress I did have, though…
Exercise
I didn’t hit my goal of 6.5mi for the treadmill this week and only worked out two days. On Tuesday, I jogged/walked 1.5mi on the treadmill for about a half-hour. On Wednesday, I went to the gym with my cousin and participated in a full hour-long step class at the gym. It was the first step class that I had ever taken, so I didn’t know a lot of the moves and really didn’t keep up with it, but I did what I could and I was still dripping with sweat and beat by the end of the class. Would I do step again? Probably not, but I was happy that I gave it a try. I was looking forward to going to a spinning or Zumba class at the end of this week, but other things came up that had me busy and my cousin wasn’t feeling well anyway.
I am going to make it a point to print out free guest passes for local gyms so I can give them a try a few days next week and perhaps decide which one I might want to be a member of. I’m also going to make a conscious effort to get back into a treadmill routine for Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week.
Diet
Aside from yesterday and today, which were the only two days that I really “splurged”, I really didn’t overdo it too much this week. Admittedly, I wasn’t counting or watching every single calorie that I consumed, but I still tried to eat healthy – everything in moderation.
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Most of us don’t know what it is like to have a disability. I got a tiny glimpse into what it might be like to have one when I had surgery in December. Walking 15ft from the couch to the kitchen was a struggle as was doing other physical tasks, and there were times where I simply couldn’t move because it was a painful struggle and I had to resort to asking for assistance. Fortunately, I am now recovered from the surgery and my struggle only lasted brief amount of time, but there are others out there who cannot say the same thing.
It is natural that disabilities have different effects on different people because no two people are created exactly alike. If you are a disabled person and require special equiptment to be mobile, why settle for something generic, sold through the internet or a catalog, when you can have personalized service and something that will suit your exact needs?
This is where NMEDA can help.
NMEDA is a non-profit trade association who has a goal to educate consumers on how to buy products from a NMEDA qualified dealer. NMEDA does not sell anything directly; the participating members of NMEDA are the ones who sell the handicap vans and vehicle modifications for people with disabilities. These members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program (QAP), the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry.
There are certified NMEDA dealers nationwide and you can find out if there is one near you by going to their website and typing in your zipcode in the box on the home page under “Find a dealer nearest you.” There are about 5-6 dealers in a 50 mile radius from me, including one that is just 10 miles away.
Today is Women’s Equality Day, a day which commemorates the signing of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 and recognizes the continued struggles women face. Even after the passing of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote (Women’s Suffrage), there were still some U.S. states that refused to favor the amendment as late as 1984. Women all over the world still struggle to be recognized and treated as equals to this day.
If you are a blogger who is looking to spread awareness about this event and other events, feel free to click on the above picture to visit Bloggersunite.org, sign up as a participant, and post about this on your blog.
If you are not a blogger, there are still ways for you to spread awareness! It might be as simple as telling your family and friends about the historical significance of this day, or reminding people of the importance of voting and encouraging them to vote in upcoming elections. You could also volunteer your time at a local poll during an election, donate money to help out women’s causes, or volunteer at an event relating to women’s causes or at a local women’s shelter. See below for some resources about these topics.
Learn About Women in History
History.com – The Fight for Women’s Suffrage -Information about the fight for Women’s Suffrage in the U.S.
The National Women’s History Project – Founded in 1980 and aims to “recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women.”
Womenshistorymonth.org – Women’s History Month is celebrated in March.
Get Involved with Women’s Issues
USA.gov – Information about how to volunteer your time during an election.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Volunteer or donate and spread breast cancer awareness.
Sheltersforwomen.org – Resources for temporary housing for women in need.
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.
I don’t think I’ve asked recently, but how is everyone’s summer going? Take any good vacations? Personally, I haven’t taken a long, 4 night or more vacation in ages, mainly because of money and other issues like work or other commitments, but I love day trips, 2-3 day trips, and weekend trips! I took a few day trips to the beach this summer, but my last weekend trip where we stayed two nights or more was to Atlantic City a few months ago. Steve and I might be looking to go back sometime in September for a weekend stay, or maybe we’ll go to D.C.; I haven’t been there in almost a year and it is a great place to walk around with something different to see and do every time.
For those like me who like to take little trips here and there, you should be excited to know that the Hampton Inn hotel chain is offering a new contest called the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes! With this contest, there is no purchase necessary and the grand prize is big: You can win an entire hotel for a weekend (100 rooms for 2 nights)! WOW! That would be enough rooms for your friends, your family, your neighbors, your family friends… basically everyone you know! 100 runner-up prizes are also being given away – weekend stays given away daily for the winner and three of their friends – so there is a good chance to win something.
The contest is open to residents of the 50 US, DC, Canada (excluding Quebec), UK, and Mexico. Hurry up and enter because the contest ends on 9/4/2010!! Official rules and the entry form can be found on the Hampton Inn website.
I’m now into week 2 of my diet. While I have made some changes last week, I find that it is very tempting to fall back into old habits. I’m definitely monitoring what and when I eat, and still trying to keep everything in moderation… but it is more difficult than I remember it being!! 
Sunday
Brunch: Coffee w/ half-and-half, homemade potato pancakes w/ sour cream
Snack: Handful of butter toffee cashews, diet pepsi
Dinner: Cheese stuffed baby peppers w/ sour cream sauce; potato pancakes; iced tea cocktail (1.5oz Makers Mark in iced black tea sweetened with cane sugar and lemon)
Dessert: Homemade rice pudding made with 1% milk and half-and-half
Miscellaneous: 1 bottle of diet green tea
Monday
Breakfast: Coffee w/ half-and-half, yogurt
Snack: 24 pretzels (120 calories)
Lunch: Veggie “chicken” patty w/ ketchup (no bread), green salad w/ oil and vinegar, roasted veggies
Snack: 100 calorie pack of shortbread cookies, iced tea
Dinner: Homemade rice and beans, bottle of water
Dessert: Pear cobbler with frozen vanilla-almond yogurt
As you can see… this past weekend there were some bumps in the road, but today I have been trying to get back on track with my diet and exercise. I went on the treadmill for a half-hour this morning and walked/jogged 1.5 miles (6 laps) at a rate of 2.6-3.5mph with an incline of 3-4. My goal for the week is still 6.5 miles and I am going to try to work out tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, and maybe Saturday morning to fulfill it. I was also asked if I wanted to go to a couple of workout classes this week, so we’ll see how that goes; if I do go to them, I will probably still walk, but at a slower pace than I have been.
General | 
August 29, 2010 5:43 pm | 
No Comments 
