Bonus Challenge

Okay, I have to throw an extra Thanksgiving challenge out there.  If you do something active with your family over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, you earn a point.

Go for a walk, play some football, do a Wii dance competition... whatever it takes to get you moving as a family.

I know us Johnsons will earn our points down here in Vegas.  I'm planning a Golden Sneaker challenge for us - similar to what we did on the beach this summer... only more Thanksgiving-themed and less beachy.

Anyway, don't just gobble, gobble this weekend... get moving and earn your extra point!

Celestial Stretching

Anyone stretching out there?  I've only taken the time to do it once so far (after I tell everyone how easy it is to fit in even several times a day!  Sigh.)  But, even doing it that once has benefitted me for days.  Sometimes my neck starts to get so stiff, that I fear another "neck episode," but these stretches really help loosen it back up!

And I know that Mom is!  I don't think it's inappropriate at all to stretch in the Celestial room.  In fact, it's certainly a prime location to do the "thankfulness" part of the challenge. 

And the thing I focused on during my little stretch the other day was how thankful I was for my family.  I know it's a little routine to declare gratitude on that topic, but it is one of my greatest blessings, so I take every opportunity I can to make sure that Heavenly Father has no doubt how grateful I am for my wonderful, incredible, awesome family.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm Thankful for November's Challenge!

We’ve been working all year to try to combat our hard-heartedness with exercise and now let’s focus on improving our stiff-neckedness with stretching! 

It became evident from talking with several of you this summer that most of us have tight and painful neck issues.  I think poor stress-management runs rampant in our family!  So this challenge is designed to help with the emotional/spiritual side of reducing stress while dealing with the physical ramifications of such strain.

 November Challenge:

Do the following neck stretch and chest stretch at least 1x/ day till the end of the month.

Start by aiming your nose toward your arm pit like you're trying to smell it.  I am quoting the physical therapist's very instructions to me.  He says with that descrption, it'll be memorable.

Keeping ear close to shoulder, start to turn head to look away....

Keep looking away from your smelly arm pit until you're looking forward with your ear still close to your shoulder.
Repeat on the other side.  And try not to look as grumpy as I do.

Find a doorway or a corner and stretch away.  Hold for 10-20 seconds.  And breathe.

That’s the challenge but you don’t have to have a perfect performance to benefit.  You earn 1 point for every day that you do both stretches at least one time.  I recommend doing these stretches 2-3 times a day, but you’ll get the point for doing them at least once.  Sorry, no points for the extra effort, just the added health benefits!

Plan ahead and pick a time when you’ll do it.  For example, when you take your lunch break, plan on taking a few minutes to do the stretches.  Or, first thing in the morning after you potty.  Or at night after you brush your teeth…  Set a timer or alarm if you need to, in order to remind yourself.

Okay, now the mental/spiritual side.  While your stretching for a few minutes, do a little mini-meditation/prayer and think about what you have to be thankful for in your life.  Think about a few of your blessings and even take a moment to thank Heavenly Father for those blessings. Lay aside any stressful thoughts for those few moments and get your Zen on! 

Appropriate for Thanksgiving, right?!  Plus, it’ll help us all manage the upcoming stress of Christmas, I hope!

Music

Now you know why you used to wake up to Seseme Street, Herb Alpert or Charlie McCoy. Dad was getting revved up to do his exercises. He doesn't listen to those anymore but he always has some music on when he exercises. I hate to admit this, but I didn't recognize most of those songs you mentioned. Sigh! I'm telling my age.

Love, Mom

Ms. Bossy Pants

Keith and I each earned one more point by doing the paper plate workout.  I have to say that my bossy trainer mode has, indeed, kicked in this last month.  Two weeks ago I started a weekly boot camp at the park with some gals from the ward and I've also been meeting up with a friend - and former client - once a week who has been wanting to start exercising again. 

For me, it's almost impossible to promote health and fitness to others without it benefitting myself as well.  It's like I don't want to be left out of the fun!  Because fitness IS fun, people!!!

wow, Ashlee

I think you just passed me in points. Way to go! Just keep looking over your shoulder cause I'll be there. I asked Sharon to take it easy on me for the rest of the year but she had no sympathy for me. She just said if she went easy on me then it wouldn't be a challenge. I think I'm running out of steam.

Love, Gram