Journaling for Success

Last week I attended a great conference in Omaha focused specifically on adult weight management. Weight management is similar to a balance scale that involves give and take to make it just right! I learned a lot of great new tips and strategies to help my patients and participants of STRIVE 2 Survive succeed with their weight management goals.

One main key to success is evaluating your readiness to make lifestyle changes and how you are going to do it. This is always easier said than done, so a great way to start off is by making a list or brainstorming areas in your life that could use improvement and ways you are willing to make these changes. A food and exercise log is a great way to do this. It can be hard copy or done electronically. A favorite internet site of mine for food journaling is www.Livestrong.com and check out the “My Plate” section. 

-Kelsey

New Equipment

New piece of equipment for exercising…a Spinner bike.  This simulates more closely your outdoor bike, as far as mechanics.  You can work on form, “the spinning” technique for riding outdoors.  You can change the resistance on it to help simulate hills as well.  Makes for a nice change of pace, and you can really get a good workout with this.

Here Sarah is using it.  Notice on the back of her T-shirt.   We had these made when we did the Rock N Roll marathon and half marathon in Phoenix a couple years ago…”Success…A Journey, not a Destination”.  Keep this in mind when you are working out, or struggle at times trying to stay committed to your exercise.  Hang in there!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1300

Reality versus Fantasy

As if the weather has not been bad enough, we start getting more snow here today.  Combination of rain and snow, BIG snowflakes.  Sarah and I said “Enough” and we went outside anyway and went running, going for a 6 mile run.  Now, this is the type of scenery we had to look at during this run, but that did not stop us from actually having another image in our head to focus on during this run…That image is the following…

…pretending we were back in Mexico, running along their trail, among the palmtrees, feeling the sun shining, and not having rain and snow pelting your face.  Sometimes, you need to focus on the good things that you did, to help get through some of the bad things.  The weather here is definitely one of the bad things that just “keeps on going”.   So…put your head down, keep focusing, concentrating, get moving, and keep on going!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1283

A Place of Solitude

A favorite spot of mine to think…A quiet place, in amongst the trees, overlooking the lake.  On calm days is a great escape to think about the everyday things in life, what to concentrate on, and what is important.  The good thing about this now is this picture brings me back to those moments, and there is no snow or ice to look at.  Only nature, and all the answers it can provide.  Looking forward to spending time doing this again, hopefully soon…

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1278

Winter Blues

Anybody else getting really tired of Winter?  Everywhere you go, people are talking about the weather, and how it is getting them down.  The weather is getting us all down!  When we get “down”, then everything else seems to slip too, especially our efforts to take care of ourselves.  This is a time when you have to dig down deep to stay motivated with your goals, to stay focused on what is important, in the face of all of these outside challenges.  I think it is time to focus on some motivational points to help keep our focus.   Here is a view of one of the lakes out in the Black Hills this past summer.  It is easy to just get lost in your thoughts when out looking/walking/hiking in something this nice and peaceful.  Stay tuned as I concentrate on some other views/aspects/pictures to help get us, and me, through these weather challenges right now…

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1276

Spring Desire

We are all waiting anxiously for Spring to come.  Here Buddy just keeps staring out the window watching the snow melt.  He can’t wait to be able to be outside on a regular basis again, without the snow and ice.  Hopefully now we won’t all be have to be worrying about flooding now.  We just got done going for a walk, and he was bouncing all over the place ready to go.  Now, that is what a training partner will do for you.  They help keep you going, keep you motivated, and help get you out the door even when other things need to be done.  Thanks Buddy for helping me realize what things are important in life!  Here’s to looking forward to  good weather, and a great Spring!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1268