Exercises for the Couch Potato

Yesterday, I was flipping through some fitness magazines trying to find something new for my workout.  I came across 3 exercise using the couch.  There is a push up, tricep dip, and bridge.


The Couch Potato Push Up is decline push up.  It is like the picture below, except your feet are on the couch.  A decline push up definitely works the chest!

The Couch Potato Tricep Dip is just like a regular tricep dip except you use the arm of the couch.

The Couch Potato Bridge, again, is like the standard bridge, except that your feet are up on the couch.   I have not tried this one yet, but I will let you know how it works out!

Photo Credits: Here, Here, and Here

Sunday--- A Day of Reflection---11-27-2011

Photo Credit

Who is the "cast" in your life? 

My cast includes: 6 kids, a husband, wonderful extended family, not-so-wonderful extended family, and awesome in-laws.  It does include some wonderful friends, some of who doubles as both family and friends. 

Why I am Thankful this Thanksgiving

The Girls!  They are Crazy, Sweet, and lots of FUN!  This is their "Holy Shizballs" pose!

Pookie!  He is also crazy, silly and lots of fun.  He is the oldest of 6, and a wonderful big brother.

My Sweet Doodle!  He is a handful most of the time, but I would not trade it for anything.

Boo-Boo Baby!  2 years old and into EVERYTHING.  He is cute and sweet.

Nugget and Gran!  My last baby and my wonderful Gran.  My Gran is one of the best women I know.  She is a wonderful mom for, not only her own children, but for me as well.  Nugget is my tail gate.  He is the caboose of this massive train.

The Hubby!  He is the wonderful man who took on me.  That is a courageous feat!

These are a few of the things for which I am most thankful!

Thanksgiving Dinner

And what is Thanksgiving Dinner without some kind of dessert?   It would be an abomination. 

Shape magazine listed the best and worse pies to eat and ways to cut some of the calories in our favorites.

Here is a list of a few of my favorites:

Pecan Pie: 500+ calories.  I have recently developed a pecan allergy, so I have to cross this one off my list.  Sorry Pecans, you will live in my heart forever!


Apple Pie: 400+ calories (more if you add ice cream). 

Pumpkin Pie: 300+ calories ---This is my Thanksgiving FAVORITE!  Shape suggested switching to the fat-free sweetened condensed milk.  That is something I have done for a long time.  You can not tell the difference-REALLY! 

Photo Credit: Her Circle

Chocolate, Tea, or Maybe a Shrink???

Everyone needs something to keep the sane.  For me, it is TEA!  I have a very hectic life.  So once or twice a day, I need to sit back, and relax.  A nice cup of tea is always relaxing and puts me in a better mood quickly.

The tea pot and cup are from Walt Disney World. 

Sunday--- A Day of Reflection---11-20-2011

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the one you did do."~~~Mark Twain




Life is not short, but it does go by quickly.  Do what you want.  Don't listen when people say that you can't do it.  Most of all, HAVE NO REGRETS!

No Excuse

That's right, I said it!  If you want to get fit, lose weight, have more energy, get healthier, etc, it is on...Guess Who???  Yep!  YOU!!!!

Look, I know that it is hard to find time to exercise, but if you are really ready to make that change, YOU WILL DO IT!  Me, I get up very early.  I enjoy that hour or so of alone time.  I work out while  I watch the show that I dvr'ed the night before.  It wakes me up, get my blood flowing, gives me energy to face the day.  If you are ready to make that change in your life, you will find the time to schedule your work out.  Some people prefer afternoons or evenings.   You can start small.  Start with getting up 15 minutes earlier and using that time to do a small work out. 

I know that some people find it hard to change their diets dramatically...so, do it a little at a time.  You can start by changing the sodas into water.  You can even start smaller.  If you drink 3 sodas per day, drop it to 2.

Every small step helps.  Do have a physical before starting any kind of exercise program.

P.S. I am not sure where this pic comes from, so you know, let me know.  I would love to give the photo credit.

Sunday--- A Day of Reflection---11-13-2011

Bill Cosby said that he did not know the key to success, but that the key to failure is trying to please everyone.  

As the mother of 6, I could not agree with him more.  I took me a long time to realize that I could not please everyone no matter how hard I tried.  Eventually, I quit trying to please everyone and doing what I thought was best for me and MY family.  I stopped caring what anyone else thought of me.  I started being the best Mel that I could possibly be.  And do you know what?  I am better and happier for it!

(Me and Thing 5)

Epictetus Said...

Nature (God or who-what-ever) has given us one tongue and two ears.  Hearing/listening is what we all need to do more.  We need to listen to others as well as to ourselves.  I, sometimes, wonder if people actually listen to their OWN words...That includes me.  Listen to your family and friends.  You can learn and grow from listening to other people.  And more importantly, sometimes, your friends and family just need someone to listen to them.  They don't want/need advice or feedback; they just need to vent or a shoulder to cry on. 

Mel's "thing" to work on this week is LISTENING. 

Just Reading This Recipe Added Inches to My Waist

This is the pumpkin caramel cheesecake from Pillsbury.

So, here I am being a good wife and mother and planning our Thanksgiving menu and I came across this recipe.  I want this as one of my Thanksgiving Desserts, but we have one MAJOR PROBLEM:  My husband hates both cheesecake and pumpkin!  I know that that is usually not a problem, but I would eat his share!  And a big NO THANK YOU to that! 

Prehistoric Diet Plan

While I normally do not watch Dr. Oz, I had no choice on Friday.  I was laid up in a hospital bed, and Dr. Oz was what was on the TV.  On his show, he had 3 ladies do this prehistoric diet while locked in a zoo for-I don't know- like 2 days or something.  Now that I am back on my feet, I decided to look into this diet plan.  It is (in my opinion) a vegetarian/vegan style diet.  I was going to do this post and tell you all that I was going to try this diet for 2 weeks.  BUT, as I was reading the comments, several people mentioned Robb Wolf.  I think I am going to be doing a little more research.

I have a healthy diet, but I want to have a healthier one, and I am still trying to lose some weight.  Exercise is good, but as we all know, exercise is not the only key! 

I will post more on this topic very soon.  Have a good day!