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Pool

Guest post from: Mohamed Simon

I think we are going to get TV service for this summer. With the kids and I being home all day, I am thinking it would be nice to be able to turn a show on for them and have a little break to cook dinner or fold some laundry or just sit down for thirty minutes! I went to http://www.Cabletvadvisor.com/ to try and find the best deal, because I do not want to spend a lot of money for this service! I am really counting down the days until summer. It is my favorite time of year. I love putting on our bathing suits first thing in the morning, packing and lunch in the cooler, and spending the whole day at the pool! I usually get a pretty good tan by just sitting on the steps of the pool while my kids play around me. Thankfully I have two friends in the neighborhood that will be taking their kids to the pool also! We get to talk and have adult conversation while our kids play! It is a great life.

Restarting my Hula Hoop Challenge

Well it has been a year now with this baby weight...so time to get back to moving.  I lost so much using my Wii before getting pregnant that I am going to use that quite a bit again.  Phew....I did the Wii fit hula hoop last night again for the first time in months.  I think I was actually getting a cramp in my side, but I continued.  I even did it twice...once to start my workout and once to end it. 

I also got a riser for my balance board.  That really helps intensify any step aerobics I do.  When I used to do the Wii fit step aerobics I didnt think it was much, but with the increased height it helps out.  I really love using it with the EAsports Active2 step aerobics...makes me sweat! 

So I have quite a few exergames that I love, so hopefully using these and some other workout dvds I have I can get feeling more comfortable and maybe fit back into some prepregnancy clothes by summer!

Some of my favorites I will be starting out with:
Wii fit
EAsports Active2
Gold Gym Cardio Boxing
Golds Gym Dance workout
New Mommy Makeover dvds
Leslie Sansone walking dvds
Biggest Loser 30 day dvd 

We finally got a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

I finally have my back saver!  I love having a newer van that is wheelchair accessible.  It has been great for all our trips we have had to take.  It was a little difficult to load lots of luggage, but I can deal with that seeing it is so helpful in so many ways. 

Besides the luxury of having the wheelchair tie downs I like the accessories it has in it.  The kids really love the built in DVD player.  That is a definite plus with little ones and long trips.  One thing I liked on the long trips was the automobile compass. It surely helped when I would take a detour and try to figure out which direction I was heading in. 

We recently had to put a new battery in it.  I know there are other things that we need too.  I recently bought a new steering wheel cover, but it did not fit.  So now I am on the search for steering wheel covers for girls.  I figure I might as well get a cute one seeing my husband barely ever drives it.  I know I would like some winter tires too.  If my husband was driving it we would have to get michael tires, so he could pretend he was a race car driver.  I am sure the kids would like riding with Michael Schumacher!  Although on the other hand, its a pretty bumpy ride having the back end raised up for the wheelchair ramp.  I bet they would actually love it, not just like it!  We would have to get some of Dad's music though ...which I could actually play now seeing I finally have a CD player. 

I know, get with the times Colleen.  We need the satellite radio or built in mp3 player.  It is funny how times change you.  Ten years ago I had no children and drove brand new cars.  Now I drive a mini van and it is 6 years old, but that is new to us and fits us well!  I wouldn't trade it for Michael Schumacher's Mercedes....OK maybe I would!

Saving Money

Guest post written by Geraldo Russo

Saving money is a high priority right now for us and that’s a good thing. We were getting a little out of control on the spending last year and it’s good we’re able to reign it back in so we can keep saving for the kids’ college funds and keep our rainy day fund up and running. I love my job as a teacher but it’s not like I make much money so it’s nice to be able to do what I love and feel like I’m still contributing in some way, you know? I think that my kids have gotten really into it, too…my son came home with a printout of some direct tv cable deals and my daughter’s been leafing through coupons with me on Sundays – it’s like they know we need to save! They’re only 12 and 13 so I’m surprised they even have a concept of money like they do but hey, if they can grasp it now while they’re young I feel like they’ll be in good shape for years to come.

Haven't done well keeping track of my workouts this week

I honestly do not remember what exactly I have done this week.  I know I did the hula hoop a few times...not every day like I want to though.  I also have done a couple Wii workouts using the Wii fit and the Golds Gym Cardio Workout.  I have gone for a few walks also, although they have been more in the evening than the mornings this week.  I have learned not to go after it gets dark, as we were warned there was a skunk somewhere near us last night...so we ran a little bit lol.  I have had someone staying with us most of this week, which means I have had company over for dinner most of the week and they like to cook a lot.  So Thursday I ate a bit too much, and Friday I know I ate too much and actually ate some chips.  Naughty Me!  Tried to do a lot better today.  Now I am off to look up some recipes for this coming week.

Hula Hoop challenge Day 7

This morning I went for another 4 mile walk.  My back still was a bit sore after even though I wore my regular sneakers...so maybe it is just due to weak lower stomach muscles since having baby. 

Today is Mamavation Monday and I want to follow the show tonight...but I need to get in my hula hoop challenge...so I will probably turn on the show...turn up the volume and do my 10 minute hula hoop.  I really want to get more workouts in, but I really gotta kick out my father in law...I hate exercising in front of others.  My kids and husband are really the only ones I dont mind, but even then I get a bit weirded out.

I WILL do my hula hoop tonight...so day #7 check!

Hula Hoop Challenge Day #5 and #6 ~Saturday rest day....Todays workout

After a lazy day yesterday, today I went the extra mile.  I have a few options for trails to walk here.  There is a fairly flat trail in which you can go miles and miles...I have no idea where it ends.  The trail is a bit different on the other side of the highway..which is what I normally walk.  It goes up "the ledge" and has a big hill to walk up.  When I do this trail I sometimes only go about 3 miles.  If I actually finish it out it is just under 4 miles...which is what I did this morning.  It took me about 70minutes, so not too fast, but I felt it.  I do think I need to wear my cross trainers instead of my exerwalks(toning shoes).  I think they are making my lower back sore about half way through.  So tomorrow I am gonna try the normal ones and see how I do. 

So I didnt do my wii fit super hula hoop yesterday...so day # 5 of challenge is a fail

I just did it tonight...so day #6 check!  I really want to do it and am hoping to get it in earlier in the day.  Tomorrow I am going to try to add 20 minutes of Gold's Gym Cardio boxing too.  I believe the weather is supposed to be pretty much like today so I should get my walk in too.

Hula Hoop Challenge Days 2-4 (Today's workout(and yesterday))

It's been  kind of quiet. My morning walk got rained out on Wednesday, and I ended up going back to bed. I then didn't get a lot done as baby Lauren was really fussy and wanted to be held. I realized I hadn't gotten any workouts in, so I hopped on the Wii and did my 10 minute hula hoop. I guess at least that is something.
Wii fit hula hoop challenge day #2.... Check

I also signed up for the LeanGreenYOU 6 week bootcamp. This will hopefully help me stay focused and learn how to eat and exercise to get fit and stay fit! I know I can do it...I have done it....it is just sticking with it!

Thursday I got in my morning walk for about an hour(which I am guessing was approximately 3 miles).  I brought Lauren along this time as she was starting to wake and I didnt want my hubby getting mad that he had to get up with her (God forbid lol).  We went over to our neighbors...the friend I am walking with...for dinner.  I planned on doing my hula hooping when I got home....but...yep here's that but.  I was rocking Lauren to sleep and I actually fell asleep too.  So Wii fit hula hoop challenge day #3...no check.

So it is now Friday....First day here of summer break.  My son is already whiney, and of course it was cloudy, rainy, and cold today.  This weather is crazy.  My friend and I decided to start out this month with walking every other morning so we don't burn out.  So we skipped today....and I am off to bed seeing we will most likely go at 5am tomorrow.  If it rains I think I will do my walking dvd instead.  I was kind of lazy today, then got busy in the evening, ate dinner late...but I actually did go and do some Wii fit.  At 9:30 I finally got moving.  I did my 10 minute hula hoop, the 5 minute step aerobics, and then 20 minutes of free steps.   Wii fit hula hoop challenge day #4 ...check!

Wii Fit 10 Minute Hula Hoop Challenge #WiiMoms

I started a challenge yesterday...pretty much with myself. I am challenging myself to do the 10 minute hula hoop on the Wii fit at least once every day for the next month. I am actually hoping to stick with it until Labor day. I set a goal to lose 25 pounds from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I lost 50 pounds before getting pregnant (unfortunately gained most of it back while pregnant). I owe a lot of that loss to using the Wii, especially the Wii fit. I swear the hula hooping really helps you lose all over. I can feel it from my toes all the way up to my jaw while I am doing it! So I am wanting to tone that stomach back up, and think this is the best way to do it! If anyone wants to join in the challenge...feel free to leave a comment here or over at WiiMoms.

Hula Hoop challenge day 1 ~Today's workout

Started off the morning with a 3 mile walk with my friend at 5:30am

Started my Wii fit 10 minute hula hoop challenge tonight. I am 100 points away from my top 10 scores...hoping to one day make it to 3500 spins.

I also did the 10 minute wii fit boxing tonight.

Does your TV need to be updated?

While I may sometimes veg out in front of the tv, I also use it for exercising.  I love my exergames and I need a decent TV to play them on.  We are looking at getting a new LCD TV for our family room. Right now the TV in there is about 15 years old!   Buying a new TV means I also need a new TV stand.   LCD TV stands  need to be sturdy when you are doing exercise or jumping around...I know I wouldn't want my new TV to fall onto the floor !  So I was checking them out and found some nice ones at CSNstores.com

I really like this style.  It has lots of room for the tv and all the extras that we have also.  We need room for the dvd player, dvds and of course my Wii and games!

disclosure:  I will be compensated by csn stores for this post. 

Gold's Gym Cardio Workout is a personal favorite

This is an older game, and inexpensive.....and if you like boxing games, then this is a must have. I think this is my favorite exergame out of the ones I own (Wii fit/plus, EAsports active personal trainer and more workouts, and Jillian Michaels).



This game works it all! You totally work your arms doing all kinds of different punches. It works your legs a lot because you are constantly doing the boxers stance, and then are doing step moves or squats when ducking. On top of this your core is always working, especially when you are twisting to throw punches and ducking. I feel like I burn the most calories using this game than any of my others! I haven't even really done too much of the other exercises on the game, because the shape boxing is so much fun. If you are looking for an inexpensive game to get a good workout this is the one!

blogger giveaways for Active Life Explorer for Wii

well my sister told me my nephew just loved this game so I figured I would try and find a couple giveaways for it to enter for our house...

http://shawnssharings.blogspot.com/2010/11/explore-lost-city-sweepstakes-and-win.html ends 12/9

http://www.robynsonlineworld.com/2010/11/active-life-explorer-for-wii-review.html  ends 12/10

http://www.bookieboo.com/profiles/blogs/active-life-explorer-for-wii ends 12/7

csnstores.com can help me get fit

Did you know you can find so many different things by going to CSN stores?  They offer things from cookware, to clocks, to extra tall bar stools, and even exercise equipment.  While trying to figure out my game plan for the new year and getting fit I have been checking out some of the things I can get from csnstores.com. 

While not wanting to spend tons of money you can find some health and fitness items from some of their many stores.  You can find things like the EatSmart Precision scale to resistance bands.

One thing I would like to get more of are some hand weights and dvds.  I think I could really use this Gaiam Strong knees dvd as I start using my Wii Active games again.  I know I have issues at times of my knees having a lot of pain and needing to really watch what exercises I do.  So I think this would be a great dvd to check out. 

disclosure:  I will be receiving the opportunity to do a review from csnstores.com for featuring them on my blog.