Sarah the Blogger

I can't believe its been six months since I started the Start Making Choices activity plan, and sharing my journey with you on this blog. It's been a great experience. However, it's time for me to move on. Next week, you'll be introduced to a new blogger who's ready to start her journey. I'm really excited for her, and I'm sure she'll enjoy sharing her experience with you as much as I did. 

Looking back on my first posts,  I was pretty hopefully when I started this program. As a working mom with two children, I used to think I didn't have the time for a lot of activity. But, I was determined to make a change.

One of my goals was to increase my endurance by getting back into jogging, and ultimately run a 5K race. Well, I ended up running a 10K instead! I also wanted to start a strength training program. Although I had some weeks when skipped the weights, I can say I feel more toned and confident about the appearance of my body than I did in January.

I also learned living an active lifestyle doesn't mean you have to belong to a gym, attend aerobics classes, or work with a personal trainer. It means taking a walk around the neighborhood, playing outside with the kids, or enjoying a bike ride on a Sunday afternoon.

I hope you continue to live an active lifestyle. Although I won't be here to talk about mine anymore, I'm definitely going to "keep on keeping on." Take care!

I'm writing this week's post from sunny Florida. My family is on vacation and enjoying every minute of it. Since we got here, we've spent most days relaxing at beach. I have to confess, the most intense activity I've had is dragging a lounge chair through the sand. Well, that's not all... I also attempted some arm circles and leg kicks at the pool.

But, I'm not going to let this whole vacation go by without any activity. I did pack my workout clothes and running shoes, and it's time I got them out of the suitcase. There is no gym here, so I'll have to exercise outside. With four days left, here's what activity I'm planning to do:

1. Go for a jog. It gets so hot here during the day, so I'll have to do this in the early morning or right around sunset.
   
2. Ride a bike. Our complex does offer bikes to use for free, and the bike path goes for a pretty long distance. The next time we need to go to the local grocery store, I'll volunteer to bike there. The total trip is 6 miles.
3. Play tennis. I don't play tennis regularly, but I have in the past. Actually, my husband and I can get pretty competitive, so it could get ugly.
   
4. Take a long walk on the beach. I'll probably ditch the running shoes and walk barefoot. Pushing through the sand will make the walk a little bit harder, but with the sea by my side, I'm sure it will be enjoyable.
   

I'm not going to stress myself out too much if I can't get everything in--this is my vacation, of course. Either way, I'll return next week refreshed and ready to get back to my regular routine.  Like I've said in the past, sometimes a break does a body good.

Something at the gym caught my eye the other day. It looked like an exercise ball, only it was cut in half. I found out it was a BOSU ball. You can use it to help sculpt your abs, legs, and upper body. Plus, it can be used as part of your cardio routine. You can bounce on the top, run in place, or use it as your "step" in step aerobics. It seemed pretty cool. Then it got me thinking... what gadget will they think of next?

I've definitely seen my share of fitness gadget infomercials. When my kids were infants, I'd be up late at night watching a lot of them. And, I admit, I was tempted to pick up the phone and call once or twice. One was for Winsor Pilates. Daisy Fuentes was the spokesperson, and hearing her talk about how Winsor Pilates helped sculpt and define her body like never before, had my post-baby body convinced I had to get it. Luckily, I must have decided to sleep on it instead of finding my credit card, because I never bought it. Another one is the Ab Slide. Again, luckily I didn't buy it, but after having a baby, I was very tempted to.

However, I'd be lying if I said I never gave in to the promises of fitness gadgets and videos. Here are the ones I did own in my life:

• The ThighMaster--Oh yes, Suzanne Somers and the ThighMaster! I can't believe I owned this. I remember using this a lot, but I never really felt results. 
  
• The Ab Roller--This product seems so silly now. It basically helps you perform an ab crunch. All I remember it doing was just taking up a lot of space in the closet.
  
• TaeBo videos--I enjoyed kickboxing, so I thought I'd like Billy Blanks' intense TaeBo workout. It was alright. But, I found him annoying.
• Skating thingamabob--I can't remember what this thing was called. But, basically it was a board you'd place on the ground, and booties you'd slip over your shoes. Then you would skate back-and-forth in place. Obviously, it was pretty forgettable.

What fitness gadgets have you owned? Which ones do you swear by? I don't think all fitness gadgets and videos are bad. Some can definitely refresh your activity routine. Just as long as you use it!