It's that time of year again!

The holiday season can be a stressful time, adding extra challenges with the stress of finances, the stress of family, the stress of the food and extra treats, and the list goes on.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is direct your attention elsewhere. Going for a short walk, reducing caffeine intake and drinking plenty of water also can help.

Remember, KEEP IT SIMPLE!
1. Stay Rested – Get enough sleep at night, and take naps if necessary.
2. Just Breathe – Breathe in through your nose for a count of three; exhale through your mouth for a count of three.
3. Don’t Strive for Perfection – Strive for “good enough” instead of stressing over perfection.

Seriously? What are we doing to our children?

What is happening to our children when a third of them are so unhealthy they can't join the military?
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/04/One-third-of-US-youth-unfit-for-military/UPI-98691257317594/

The military isn't the only thing out there...but this just continues to fuel the subject of an obesity crisis as quoted in the article. It's time we started being the role models we should be!

Our Own Worst Critic

I’ve done it.  I’m sure you’ve done it.  What is it?  Well how about talking to yourself in a way you would never consider talking to your best friend.  It seems like all of us that struggle with weight loss have done it at some point.  Told ourselves a story about how we aren’t good enough, or how we don’t look a certain way or how everything will be perfect when…Get real.  Stop telling yourself these kinds of stories.  Tell yourself good stories, positive stories.  Stories about loving yourself how you are.  Stories about how you are a wonderful person, how you are making positive changes in your life. Stories that make you feel good not bad.  Even subtle stories have the ability to make or break us.  Stop the negative subtle…shoot for positive subtle and work your way up from there!

Are You the Driver of Change...Or is It Driving You?

All of us are subject to change.  It's one of the laws of nature.  Some change we drive...some change drives us.  I find it difficult to deal with change I didn't initiate.  But, much of the time that unsought change benefits me as much or more than change I bring into my life.

How a person deals with change can say a lot about them.  Most days I'm afraid my dealings with change probably don't have very nice things to say about me.  Change is just one of those stressors in life we have little control over.  I'm not telling you to "embrace change"...not being of a hugger and all. But, learn to be patient with yourself and realize this just might not be the time to fight.

We've all heard how to deal with stress.  I need to hear it as much as anyone, so I'm going to tell you again.

• Breathe
• Exercise - Especially when you don't feel like it.
• Eat right - Whatever that might mean for you.  For me, it means no wheat, very little sugar and carbs, and plenty of protein and good fats.
• Get an appropriate amount of sleep - Too much is just as bad as too little.
• Find things or people or places that bring joy and happiness into your life.
• And, finally, learn to love yourself, accept yourself, and strive for reasonable expectations in your self-growth.

So, it this post about change or stress? For me this year, they've pretty much been one and the same.  I'm thinking a few of you might be able to relate.  

I'm grateful for where I am, but look forward to moving on...even if that means more change and in the process more stress!

Copied from Sunny's other blog: freshandfeisty.blogspot.com

Another Runner

Okay, I told you all I don't run for anything. Well, apparently someone got the running genes (hah get it jeans, pants...anyway)in our family. Mandy competed in the River Run (I think that's what it's called) in Coquille this morning and got 3rd place in her age group. Kudos to you 'couz!

Special Olympics Torch Run

Well, I'm sure Rachel didn't intend for me to put this picture up but I manage the blog so here it is! Rachel ran 3 miles on Wednesday as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Oregon! Apparently her calves still hurt today. Have I mentioned I don't run for anything? Congratulations 'couz!

The Liquid Diet...It's Not What You Think

How much food do you take in without even realizing it? Most of us would be amazed and shocked to find out how many calories and how much fat are in a lot of our favorite drinks. When trying to lose weight, sometimes we focus so much on what we are eating that we forget about what we are drinking. Here are a few examples for you to keep in mind:

• Grape soda- 12 oz = 160 calories

• Orange cream soda- 12 oz = 189 calories

• Cola- 1 cup = 136 calories and 9 teaspoons of sugar

• Champagne- 1 cup = 200 calories

• Eggnog-1 cup = 343 calories

• Sweetened lemonade- 6oz = 395 calories

Your local Seattle-based coffee shop, to remain unnamed, has at least 10 drinks with over 500 calories and ranging from 17-29 grams of fat in each one. That is just crazy to use that many of your daily calories and fat on a drink!! They have several dozen other drinks that range from 200-500 calories also.

Dairy Queen's large chocolate milkshake has 1140 calories and 33 grams of fat or how about a large chocolate malt with 1320 calories and 35 grams of fat. The ONLY thing on their entire menu that has more calories is the large cookie dough blizzard. Even the small chocolate shake has 560 calories and 15 grams of fat. They do havea medium mister misty with 290 calories and no fat.

And for those of us looking forward to some nice weather, a barbeque and a little margarita keep in mind, a 6 oz margarita has 168 calories. But let's get real, ones you order in the restaurant are probably 3x as big. That means, you are "spending" a whopping 504 calories for one drink. Ummm, reality check, if you're on say a 1500 calorie diet....that was an entire meal!