exercise | I Choose Joy!

2013 Goals and Resolutions: Do Hard Things

January 9, 2013 By genamayo 3 Comments

Do Hard Things!

It’s my “word” of the year. :) I haven’t read the book Do Hard Things yet, but heard the young men speak about it on the radio. It’s a goal for all of us to follow–to live our lives for Christ and graciously do the hard things He has called us to.

Here are my goals and resolutions for this year. I have to be honest and tell you that I’ve already changed my mind about some of them since last week!

1. My big goal for this year is to get back to my “wedding” weight. It’s been a few years, but I’m ready to make it happen. I need to lose 19 pounds, 2 sizes.

One way I hope to accomplish this is by joining the T-Tapp 60 Day Challenge, which starts on January 20. I’m going to do a 4-day Boot Camp of Basic Workout Plus (started it yesterday) and then do that workout or Step Away the Inches at least every other day. On the off days, I’ll do Hoe-Downs and OIP/HF (those exercises are found on the DVD included with Fit and Fabulous book.)

After the Challenge is over I’ll learn the T-Tapp Total Workout and Ladybug Workout, which I’ve had for a while but have never tried. I plan to eat less fast food, desserts, and doughnuts and eat more salads, fruit, and veggies as well as drink 75 ounces of water daily.

If you want to join me in the 60-Day Challenge,–see it listed in the 2nd column on the T-Tapp website– there is still time to order a DVD or book. Also, next Tuesday will be Deep Discount Tuesday–I don’t know what the special will be, but I’ll let you know as soon as I find out! And if you don’t know what T-Tapp is, check out What Is T-Tapp!

2. Stay more on top of the Cleaning and Organizing of my house, using the Motivated Moms Planner. I’ve already been using it for a week and have really liked the easy way it tells me what to do each day! I also want to look at my Pinterest Boards to get some more great ideas! I absolutely love this post over at Confessions of a Homeschooler and would like to try to set up our upstairs schoolroom and our basement craft room to be more learning-friendly and organized!

3. Read the Bible daily. I was going to read through the Bible, but that’s too big a goal for this year. I’ll read through a book at a time, starting with 1 Corinthians. And I pray that the Lord will grow me this year; I long to be more like Him–more patient, more kind, more loving. . .

4. Learn how to use my new camera and Photoshop Elements. Improve the photos here on the blog. Fix my blog header and make a blog button.

5. Sew my oldest daughter’s quilt (finally!) and make dresses for the four girls. I have all the material for the quilt, but need to decide what to do for the girls. I have lots more I’d love to sew, but I’m not going to stress if I can’t get to it this year.

6. Teach the kids two songs with parts (performance ready). We’ll work on singing at least twice a week. It has always been a dream for my husband and me for our family to sing together!

I’ll post updates on how things are going. Let me know about your goals, too!

(Post contains affiliate links.)

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge, Organization, Sewing, T Tapp Tagged With: cleaning house, exercise, Motivated Moms Planner, organization, Photoshop Elements, sewing, T-Tapp

Curves– Get a Free Consultation

December 28, 2012 By genamayo Leave a Comment

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More details:

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Filed Under: Other Tagged With: Curves, exercise, Fitness

Fitness Challenge #1 Wrap-Up

November 12, 2012 By genamayo Leave a Comment

Today ends the 6-week fitness challenge. I did not do all I hoped for as far as exercising goes, so I didn’t reach my goal. But I’m not giving up! I did lose 2 pounds and 2 1/4 inches. For the next 7 weeks, I’m going to be careful what I eat and exercise when I can (try to do 3 full T-Tapp work-outs a week). Then, I’ll start up a new Fitness Challenge on New Year’s Day! Please plan to join me!

If you missed it, be sure to read my review about the balance cushion I tried out last week.

And here’s a free magazine for you: Enjoy the December issue of Eating Well magazine (digital). No strings attached. You’ll never receive a bill. This free issue is yours, compliments of JudysHealthySnacks.com.It’s a food magazine with high journalistic standards, impeccable nutrition credentials and has one of the most respected recipe-development teams ever assembled.

(Contains affiliate links)

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp

Review of Exertools DynaDisc Balance Cushion

November 10, 2012 By genamayo 1 Comment

I’m excited to review an exercise product today: Exertool’s DynaDisc Balance Cushion.

When it arrived, there were no instructions with it, so I did what anyone would do–Check YouTube! I found all kinds of different ways to use it.

The exercise I’ve done the most this week is one to strengthen the back while sitting on a chair:

Here are a few for beginners. I tried some of these this week.

These next three are for advanced users. There is no way I could do these yet!

This next one is great for my boys–tossing a ball while balancing on the disc:

I was grateful that I also received a hand pump. I’ve adjusted the air pressure different ways to see what works the best. And I found a video which told me how to pump it up!

Inflation:

So, here’s my review. I like this balance disc and will keep it and continue using it. I’d like to gain more balance and continue activating more muscles than I usually do. My kids will be using it as well. They love walking by it and testing out their balance. I love that it’s inexpensive (less than $30) and takes up practically no space. I’ve been keeping it on my computer chair! I can see how using a balance disc is similar to T-Tapp’s focus on the T-Tapp stance–you’re activating far more muscles using the stance or by balancing on the cushion. There are some balance exercises on the TappCore DVD which I haven’t tried yet. I did use the balance cushion with 3 other TappCore exercises, though: Butterflies, Chest Press, and Shoulders. It was hard–I’ll have to keep working on it.

There is a YouTube channel from ExerTools so you can see how some other products may be used. Be sure to check out the Exertools website. I can see a lot of great uses for Homeschool P.E. there!

Linked to

(I received a Balance Cushion and hand pump from ExerTools in exchange for this thoughtful and honest review. Post contains affiliate links.)

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge Tagged With: Balance cushion, exercise, T-Tapp, TappCore

I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 6

November 5, 2012 By genamayo Leave a Comment

This is the last week of the challenge! Can I do 4 work-outs this week? I sure hope so! Last week I did two–one should count for double since it was at the T-Tapp clinic. I was so sore the next day! The clinic was great, though, and I’m once again thrilled that I use this incredible mind-body work-out. One way I could describe it is that most exercise is mindless. You just try to work your body in a certain way (aerobics, running, walking) for a set amount of time. T-Tapp uses very deliberate movements. Form is extremely important, and it requires a great deal of concentration. You get more done in less time because you work 5-7 muscle groups with every exercise. (See the T-Tapp website for more info!)
One thing we talked quite a bit about last week was the soon-to-be-released exercise DVD called Senior Fit. I’m so excited about it! Finally, there will be a great way for older people to work out that is created just for them with their special needs in mind! Teresa Tapp has spent years working on it.

Well, for our last week I want you to join me in making healthy choices this week!

Here’s a recap of our our 6-week fitness challenge: Are you ready to lose some inches and get healthier before the holidays? I am! My goal is (was) to lose 1-2 sizes by November 12.

We’re going to keep each other accountable and encourage each other to keep at it by linking up here each Monday. I know I need the challenge spirit to keep me motivated. Exercising is not my favorite thing to do! Link up your blog post telling us how you did the previous week. I’ll share how I did, as well as highlighting a few of you!

If you don’t have a blog, no problem! Just leave a comment here each Monday telling us how you did.

(Also, if you missed the start date, join in with us at any time!)

The rules:

1. Choose any exercise program and do it 4 times each week for 6 weeks (starting Monday October 1 and ending Monday November 12.). Examples of an exercise program are a DVD, gym, class, a 30-minute walk, etc. I’ll be doing T-Tapp, of course! I want the most benefits for the least amount of time invested. (Notice, I didn’t say the least amount of effort.)

2. Link up your blog posts each Monday with a report on what and how you did during the previous week (how many work-outs, any inches or pounds lost, benefits to your health). If you don’t have a blog, just leave a comment.

3. Bonus–Add a new healthy habit each week, such as drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables, getting 10,000 steps with a pedometer, etc.

4. Please follow I Choose Joy! (see sidebar) so that I can remind you to come back here each week to link up your update. Also, please leave a link back here so others can join us! I’ll be posting on my Facebook page throughout the weeks to keep us all motivated — so be sure to Like I Choose Joy! (link in sidebar).

Linked to

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Filed Under: Fitness Challenge, T Tapp Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp

I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 5

October 29, 2012 By genamayo Leave a Comment

I had high hopes for this fitness challenge, but it seems that going into high drive and losing a size or two wasn’t meant to be at this time. Although I have “exercised” sometimes 4 times a week for the last month, I haven’t done 4 full work-outs a week. I haven’t done enough to make a change. I have not lost a single pound or inch in the last month. But at least I haven’t gained any!

Here’s what I know I’ll need to do:

–Full work-outs at least every other day

–Change my eating habits (I eat way too much sugar/desserts and love to get fast food 1-2 times a week.)

So, am I able to make that a priority right now? No, I’m not. I’m still very sleep-deprived. I’m trying to transition my 4-month-old into her own bed (out of mine) but it hasn’t happened yet. So, I’m up with her about 4-5 times a night nursing. The other 7 kids are very demanding right now and require quite a bit of my time, so mornings are hard to fit a work-out in. Lately, I’ve been doing my exercising in the evenings, but if I get too tired or it gets crazy around here, it doesn’t happen.

I checked my BMI and found out that I am in “normal” range. Size 10 isn’t too bad for the present. I still want to get down 20 more pounds and into size 6, but I’m not going to stress about it right now. The saddest part is that I still can’t wear my rings–and it’s been a year!

So, here’s my new goal: I will exercise as much as possible every week. I will eat more sensibly. But if I stay at the same weight until January, that’s OK. I’ll revisit my Fitness Challenge then!

Here’s a recap of our our 6-week fitness challenge: Are you ready to lose some inches and get healthier before the holidays? I am! My goal is (was) to lose 1-2 sizes by November 12.

If you don’t have a blog, no problem! Just leave a comment here each Monday telling us how you did.

(Also, if you missed the start date, join in with us at any time!)

The rules:

3. Bonus–Add a new healthy habit each week, such as drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables, getting 10,000 steps with a pedometer, etc.

(contains affiliate links)

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp

I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 4

October 22, 2012 By genamayo Leave a Comment

We had a wonderful 50th Birthday party for my husband last night! I surprised him with having several of his family members do some performances for him. I love that so much of our family is musical! Four of my kids recited poems as well; they work on their public speaking each week at our ICC class. And I sang the 2 songs that I sang at our wedding reception (“Embraceable You” and “Misty”) with my oldest son accompanying on his saxophone! Such fun!

Well, with all that I did not exercise this weekend, so I only did 3 days last week. This week will be four!

Next week I’ll be going to my first ever T-Tapp event led by a lovely lady whom I’ve known through blogging for years. This will be my first blog friend to meet in person! She’ll be working on correcting our form in the Basic Workout Plus, so I’m really looking forward to that. Here is Trisch’s blog, T-Tapp Website, and her seven daughters’ website.

Here’s a recap of our our 6-week fitness challenge: Are you ready to lose some inches and get healthier before the holidays? I am! My goal is to lose 1-2 sizes by November 12.

If you don’t have a blog, no problem! Just leave a comment here each Monday telling us how you did.

(Also, if you missed the start date, join in with us at any time!)

The rules:

3. Bonus–Add a new healthy habit each week, such as drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables, getting 10,000 steps with a pedometer, etc.

5. I’ll have a couple of prizes to give away at the end of the challenge!

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp

I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 3

October 15, 2012 By genamayo Leave a Comment

Well, I did exercise 4 times last week–but not 4 full work-outs. On the days that I was still feeling the effects of my cold, I made myself at least do one or two T-Tapp moves (hoe-downs, OIP/HF ). This week: 4 full work-outs!

I’ve plateaued (is that how you spell that word?) on losing inches, so it’s a bit discouraging right now. Whenever I go through these times, I love to watch Charlotte Siems’ video to get inspired once again.

So, here’s the word of the week: CONSISTENCY!!!

Here’s a recap of our our 6-week fitness challenge: Are you ready to lose some inches and get healthier before the holidays? I am! My goal is to lose 1-2 sizes by November 12.

If you don’t have a blog, no problem! Just leave a comment here each Monday telling us how you did.

(Also, if you missed the start date, join in with us at any time!)

The rules:

3. Bonus–Add a new healthy habit each week, such as drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables, getting 10,000 steps with a pedometer, etc.

5. I’ll have a couple of prizes to give away at the end of the challenge!

Link up (or leave a comment below) to let us know how your week went!

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge, T Tapp Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp

I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 2

October 8, 2012 By genamayo 2 Comments

How did you do last week? Did you exercise 4 times? I didn’t. Yes, it’s true. The first week of the challenge, and I already didn’t reach the goal, I got sick with a bad cold on Friday and missed a couple of days, so, from now on I will concentrate on getting more workouts in during the earlier part of the week!

One thing I did do was take a couple of long walks. It was very enjoyable to get outside and walk in the beautiful fall weather. The first walk was with my oldest daughter, and the second with my husband.

I did one T-Tapp workout and want to definitely do more next week when I’m well from this nasty cold.

I’ve been posting different tips, questions, etc. at my Facebook page. Please join us there!

Here’s a recap of our our 6-week fitness challenge: Are you ready to lose some inches and get healthier before the holidays? I am! My goal is to lose 1-2 sizes by November 12.

If you don’t have a blog, no problem! Just leave a comment here each Monday telling us how you did.

(Also, if you missed the start date, join in with us at any time!)

The rules:

1. Choose any exercise program and do it 4 times each week for 6 weeks (starting Monday October 1 and ending Monday November 12.). Examples of an exercise program are a DVD, gym, class, a 30-minute walk, etc. I’ll be doing T-Tapp, of course! I want the most benefits for the least amount of time invested. :) (Notice, I didn’t say the least amount of effort.)

3. Bonus–Add a new healthy habit each week, such as drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables, getting 10,000 steps with a pedometer, etc.

5. I’ll have a couple of prizes to give away at the end of the challenge!

Link up (or leave a comment below) to let us know how your first week went!

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge, T Tapp Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp

I Choose Joy! 6-Week Fitness Challenge #1, Week 1

October 1, 2012 By genamayo 3 Comments

Today we start our 6-week fitness challenge! Are you ready to lose some inches and get healthier before the holidays? I am! My goal is to lose 1-2 sizes by November 12.

If you don’t have a blog, no problem! Just leave a comment here each Monday telling us how you did.

(Also, if you missed the start date, join in with us at any time!)

The rules:

1. Choose any exercise program and do it 4 times each week for 6 weeks (starting Monday October 1 and ending Monday November 12.). Examples of an exercise program are a DVD, gym, class, a 30-minute walk, etc. I’ll be doing T-Tapp, of course! I want the most benefits for the least amount of time invested. :) (Notice, I didn’t say the least amount of effort.)

3. Bonus–Add a new healthy habit each week, such as drinking more water, eating more fresh vegetables, getting 10,000 steps with a pedometer, etc.

5. I’ll have a couple of prizes to give away at the end of the challenge!

Link up (or leave a comment below) to get started!

Linked to Christian Mommy Blogger.

Filed Under: Fitness Challenge Tagged With: exercise, Fitness Challenge, T-Tapp