Fit Stanley and Weekly Report

Well, from the reporting, I know that Fit Stanley is in good hands with Jeff, Marie and family, and I know they have some great plans for him.  I hope we get to read all about his first adventure soon! 

Thanks to those who reported in this week.  I realize that I need to summarize the reports for you all, so you know what's going on with everyone and you'll be able to cast a more informed vote when that day comes at the end of the year.

So, Erin Hinckley and David Haight reported that they both had pretty darn good weeks.  Erin feels like she's in "exercise mode" and hopes to keep that rolling!  David lost some weight this week, made some good dietary choices and, between walking and some painting, stayed active!  Marie's stomach bug ensured that her eating stayed under control, but she hopes to do better with exercising this week.  Mom and Jenny were a little less enthusiastic about their weeks, but both of them put their efforts in.  Jenny managed to fit a couple workouts in and Mom's plan is to ramp up the exercise a little now that she's feeling a little more energetic.  My week was slightly above average. Exercising was a little tricky since I hurt my foot, but I modified and was able to get some great workouts in; just not as many as I'd hoped. Keith has been extending some of his bike rides home from work when he has time and he also included a few upper-body strengthening workouts this week.

Keep reporting in - good or bad - it'll help keep you on track!

I'm sorry for not getting an April Challenge issued!  I got distracted by getting the Fit Stanley project underway and time just slipped away.  But I've got a good idea for May, so the next challenge is coming soon!

And, finally, Erin also revealed that she was one of the marchers that I need to award points to, so anyone else that marched let me know, I'll still award you your points!

Here's to a healthy, productive week!

Eggplant Parm - A Meatless Recipe

I know many of you, Jenny especially, are looking for healthy and/or meatless recipes, so I thought I'd share one that I've tried.  I think this is yummy.  I don't know that I've ever had real Eggplant Parmigiana, so I can't directly compare, but Keith has and he says he likes this lightened-up version.  My girls ate it fine, but I wouldn't say they loved it.  It's probably more appealing to the over-10 crowd.

EGGPLANT PARM

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant
• 1/2 cup egg whites (about 4 large egg whites)
• 1 cup Fiber One bran cereal (original); ground to a breadcrumb-like consistency in the blender
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce w/ Italian flavoring (I've just used jarred spaghetti sauce, like Prego)
• 1 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat grated parmesan-style topping
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• Optional: dried Italian seasonings (basil, oregano, etc.)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice ends off of eggplant, and cut it lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips (I cut mine into rounds). Use a paper towel to blot eggplant slices on both sides (to remove excess moisture). Spray a large baking pan with nonstick spray. Season crumbs with garlic powder, salt, pepper and, if you like, additional seasonings. Coat eggplant slices on both sides -- first with egg whites, and then with Fiber One crumbs. Place slices flat on the baking pan, and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Then, flip slices over and bake until browned on both sides (about 10 minutes longer). Remove pan from oven, but leave oven on. Spread 1/4 cup of sauce over the bottom of an 8" X 8" baking dish sprayed lightly with nonstick spray. Arrange half of the baked eggplant slices evenly over the sauce. Continue to layer ingredients evenly in this order: sauce (1/4 cup), mozzarella and parm topping (half of each), sauce (1/4 cup), eggplant (remaining slices), sauce (1/4 cup), and cheeses (remaining amounts). Cover dish with foil and return to the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until heated throughout. Allow to cool slightly, and then cut into quarters. Enjoy! MAKES 4 SERVINGS 

Serving Size: 1 generous portion (1/4th of recipe)

Calories: 170
Fat: 2.5g
Sodium: 872mg
Carbs: 29g
Fiber: 13g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 15g

If you try it, let us all know what you think!

FIT STANLEY!

This is Rock holding Fit Stanley.
He's the son of one of my Boot Campers.  Tough kid.

Meet Fit Stanley.  He’s coming for a visit very soon.  He’s ready for an active adventure (or just a routine workout) with you and your family.

Here’s his story:

Hans, Franz and Richard Simmons found Stanley in the garage.  Stanley’s mirror had fallen on top of him as he stood in front of it flexing his muscles.  Stanley was as flat as a whole-grain, gluten-free tortilla.  Stanley went to the doctor where he was declared, “flat, but still fit.”

Stanley liked being flat.  When he dropped a dumbbell on his foot, it didn’t hurt because it was already flat.  When he rode his bike, he had no wind drag because he was very aerodynamic.

But what Stanley liked most about being flat, was fitting into an envelope and being sent to his friends and family to join in on their fitness adventures.

He hopes to go places and do things he’s never done before this year with the Taylor family.  Help Fit Stanley stay in “shape” by including him in some of your fitness endeavors this year.  It can be a creative new activity or just part of your regular routine.  He likes it all!  Just don’t let him sit around for long and get dusty.  He gets really cranky.

Fit Stanley has already been on several outings with the Johnson family and he’s ready for more!

When you receive him follow the instructions and pass him along!



Backyard hopscotch.

More hopping than scotching for Zoey.

He just kept smiling the whole time.

Fit Stanley accompanying me to Boot Camp at the park.
 I was doing uphill lunges with a 10-lb. medicine ball but with him it was, like, 10.00000000000001 lbs!
Yeah, thanks Stanley!

Mixed Bag

Well, thanks to the Weekly Progress Report surveys I know how several of you did this week.  And, as I expected, it was quite a mixed bag of results!  I'm glad to hear of the good stuff going on out there and I appreciate those with a less-than-stellar week still letting me know what's going on.

Remember, it's about progress, not perfection.  So don't let the poopy-licious days/weeks/months get ya down.  If you can bounce back... or even just slowly ease yourself back... from some rough days/weeks and make the next week even a little healthier, then you're making progress!

Just a bit of advice based on some of the comments I received:  When your time/energy/mood is not conducive to exercise or working on your fitness goals, try to at least spend a few minutes breathing deep, thinking calm thoughts and stretching a bit.  It doesn't take much time or energy and, holy cow, does it make you feel a ton better!  Try it next time you haven't been able to do anything else "healthy-ish" and hopefully it will help get you back on track when you're willing and able.

And don't give up those great family traditions that might include some not-so-healthy elements.  Those are important family feel-good times.  They usually only happen every once in a while and we just need to enjoy them and get back to our normal, healthier lifestyles ASAP!

And, I was afraid this would happen - someone reported their points without telling me who it was!  So I can't award those 4 points you earned, my friend, until you identify yourself!

Let's make it a good week!

Good General Conference Advice To Help Us Overcome Lazy

Imagine that!  We got some amazing counsel from our leaders at General Conference.  Glad I listened!  One particular concept stood out to me because, while it applies to our eternal spiritual salvation, it can be totally applied to our physical health and happiness, as well.

Elder Neil L. Anderson said, "Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it even comparable to a lengthy marathon. It is a life-long migration toward a more celestial world."

Can't that totally be said about our journey to optimal health and happiness:  It is a life-long migration toward a more healthful, un-lazy lifestyle.

I also extracted these thoughts from a few of his later comments:  Not every day is our best performance.  We'll have our ups and downs over the weeks/months/years (physically, emotionally, spiritually) but it's the consistancy of our efforts - both large and small - that gets us to our ultimate goals.

So, that being said:  make the small effort to stay focused on your Golden Sneaker goals by filling out the Weekly Progress Report survey!  I can't wait to see how many of you made the effort to march!

I also can't wait to introduce the next phase of our Golden Sneaker Challenge very soon.  Let's just say Fit Stanley is a name with whom you will soon become familiar.  He's coming to visit each one of you!

Stay tuned....

Marching On....

So is anyone remembering to march?!

I admit,  I've only done so twice - it's an easy one to forget about!  My wonderful, supportive husband (albeit reluctant at times) has also earned two points.  The first time, I got a call from him Monday night.  It was a little odd because I was at home working on the computer and he was in our bedroom, so when I answered, I asked, "what are you doing?!"  He answered, "marching."  Isn't he fantastic?!  He'd just read the challenge on the blog and got right on it!  And then, this morning, he had taken Zoey to her dance class when I needed to call him.  There was kind of a pause after he answered and he explained that he'd had to go around the corner to start marching because he didn't want any of the other parents to think he was weird. 

Thank you, Sweetie, for overcoming Lazy!

It makes me think that just maybe I should call each one of you and remind you to march during our entire conversation so everyone will get at least one point!  I wouldn't make it a short conversation, either.  I'd drone on and on about all the cute little things my girls are doing and the plot twists of the latest book I'm reading.  Heehee.

Siguen adelante, mi familia... March on, march on...

Forward... March!

March Challenge:

Stand up and march in place during 1 or more phone calls each day until the end of the month.

I would like to challenge you to do this during ALL calls, but I'll be pleased if you do it during at least 1 call a day.

You get 1 point for every day that you march in place during at least 1 phone call until the end of the month.  So keep track of how many days you have a marching phone call and let me know.  Counting today (Monday) you can earn up to 6 points!

I already marched today!  Actually I only left a voice mail, but from the moment I dialed the number until the end of my message, I was marching!  I only felt a little silly.

But more than anything, I felt PROUD that I'm Overcoming Lazy! 

By the way, this will really help those of you keeping track of your steps with a pedometer!