Biggest Loser Minnesota Challenge

2 DAYS REMAINING!!

The Live Wright Team is at 86 pounds of weight loss to date!  This has been a fun challenge and a great way to keep track of your daily habits, I know it's made me think about how many glasses of water I'm drinking each day and how much physical activity I'm getting!  Being part of a team gives you a sense of responsiblity for what you are doing and accountability!  Just because the challenge ends on the 15th doesn't mean you can't still get a group together to continue to challenge yourself.  Maybe you have some co-workers that are trying to get their 10,000 steps in each day, you can start a lunch hour walking group, or maybe you want to train for a walk/run together.  Want to make sure to keep up those healthy eating habits? Start a healthy recipe exchange with friends or co-workers and try out some new dishes!  There are lots of ways to keep the healthy habits going and having others involved in your goals helps keep you motivated and aware of your goals and how you can reach them, with a little help from your friends! 

If you prefer to accomplish your goals solo, you can find lots of helpful tools online that can help you track your calories eaten, burned, and will help you log your activity.  Journaling your food intake and activity is another helpful way of holding yourself responsible and it can be eye-opening when you realize how much you are "snacking"  throughout the day, and how much or how little activity you are getting during the week. 

One other fun way to look at activity level is to record how often you are physically active, and record how much screen time you are getting...this include both TV & Computer...this one is usually a pretty scary high number!!  Now, if you want to balance your screen time and physcial activity time, and can't miss American Idol, try spending some of that TV time doing some sit-ups or lifting some free weights. During commericals do jumping jacks, jump rope, jog in place, etc. 

If you feel like your computer is a permanent extension of your hands, make a conscious effort to monitor the amount of time you are in front of your computer and take breaks, your eyes will thank you!!  Follow the rule of 20.  Every 20 minutes look away from your computer screen for 20 seconds at something that is 20 feet away. Set an alarm, there are some online alarm clocks you can use!

If you are glued to an office chair, staring at a computer screen all day, make sure to take breaks to stand up stretch and look away from your computer screen.  Taking small breaks can help you feel more refreshed and will allow you to be more productive! 

Take your lunch break....AWAY from your computer!  With deadlines, hectic schedules, and lots to do in little time we often find ourselves eating our lunch at our desk, still typing away on the computer.  This is not giving your body the break it needs from sitting in front of the computer and it also makes you less mindful of what and how much you are eating, which tends to lead to overeating. 

There are lots of helpful hints out there for maximizing your health while still performing well at your job, it doesn't have to be one or the other.  Many times we are too busy with work to take time for ourselves, but if we can incorporate those "good for you" things into our daily routines we'll fit in a little activity and healthy eating without even realizing it! 

Keep checking the blog for additional tips on fitting healthy behaviors into our everyday life!