What motivates you to exercise - and continue to do so?

I came across a news bit on NewPublicHealth.org that shared a new University of Michigan study suggesting that overweight men and women respond differently to exercise advertisements - and perhaps have different motivations for starting and maintaining exercise:
"Men and women respond differently to exercise advertisements"

This got me thinking about my own motivations to exercise and what keeps me going.  As I began and adjusted to being an MPH Student this year, exercise was one of the things that was dumped by the wayside.  This summer - and hopefully this extend to next year - I've tried to develop a do-able regimen that is tailored to my motivation level (= low) and needs.  So I exercise as time permits at least a few days a week and don't over-extend myself by keeping to a strict time commitment.  It also helps that I read while on the stationary bike - not good to do two things at once, but it sure helps me to stay on it!  When classes start again in August, I'll probably be reading and biking then, too (might even help me to stay awake and retain the info better!...ya think??).

I've also found that the well-being feelings I get after exercising (those endorphins, yea!) really help to keep me going.  And I always feel trimmer and tend to drink more water (another issue of mine), too!  I think as long as I focus on the positive benefits and keep having a positive outlook on it all, maintenance for the future will be better...we shall see!

Going back to the title of my post - what motivates you to exercise and, most importantly, maintain it?  Please share!

The BFD (Breakfast for Dinner)

On the occasional Saturday or Sunday evening, sometimes we just want something soft, sweet, and comforting - pancakes!  (Sure, we could do the whole 'morning pancakes' thing...but always found ourselves napping in a carb stupor afterwards, zzzzz!  Which is, evidently, less of a problem when done as BFDs.)

Here, our fridge contents lent themselves for some extras on these particular pancakes:  Namely, rum and banana slices (a bit bananas foster-esque, I suppose).  And yes, we usually serve them alongside lite sausage links and omelettes that Julia Child may not give the 2 thumbs up - but perhaps at least a slight nod!  (The vigorous pan-shaking and 60-seconds just leave me a bit scrambled...{pun unintended}).

 

What are your BFDs like (or even BFBs - would it just be Bs in this case?? - or BFLs if you'd prefer...)? 

Bike Helmets - To wear or not to wear?

For me, wearing a bike helmet is a no brainer (pun...not intended).  Particularly if I'm riding on roads, moderately difficult trails, and the like.  However, I admit if the ride is short or deemed relatively safe/leisurely, I'll forgo the helmet (as does my partner who is a more advanced rider).

This recent blog post from NewPublicHealth.org got me thinking of all the reasons folks don't wear helmets:
"Is Avoiding Injury Reason Enough to Compel Riders to Wear Bike Helmets?"

Come to think of it, I've noticed this particularly on greenways and neighborhood streets (usually among the adults or older kids)...But the main reason I wear a helmet is due to my lack of experience (and general clumsiness) with bike riding.  And I have certainly fallen a few times, though body armor could've helped a bit (especially the time I tumbled off the trail and onto rocks...:o/).

One of the commenters noted that some reasons folks may not wear a helmet is due to comfort, the seriousness/duration of the ride, and the extent to which it would mess up hair.

In my mind, I feel like society has normalized helmet-wearing (like cigarette non-smoking)...which is, apparently, a bit more optimistic than what's the reality out there!

What reasons do you choose - or you think might be why folks choose - not to wear a bike helmet?  Do you feel any guilt when not wearing one??...anxiety or nervousness?...

Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs)

I came across this news article from PublicHealthNewsWire.org (sponsored by APHA, American Public Health Association) via NewPublicHealth on my blogroll about some of the actions being taken to reduce sugar sweetened beverage consumption (e.g., sodas, fruit juices).

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed banning the sale of large SSBs in some public places (this was several weeks ago).  Recently, there was a National Soda Summit to address this issue - which is the primary topic of the news article:
‘National Soda Summit’ held to reduce soft drink intake, improve public’s health

I do think this is such an important topic, and something so pervasive and difficult to stop in our society.  I think we've normalized - and maybe even put on a pedestal for some drinks - these processed, 'easy' beverages.  Some purport health benefits, some tout the 'bandwagon effect,' the cool factor...
 For instance, my extended family on my partner's side treat Fresca as a 'special drink,' and I remember that Cheerwine was the IT beverage when I was younger because it was harder to find than some other drinks.

These stats were given in the article:
"Jacobsen said that intake of Pepsi-Cola beverages has dropped 46 percent since 1998 and 31 percent for Coca-Cola products, while Americans have doubled their water consumption during time span."

It's nice to see improvement in numbers, but I'd also like to see ways in which we help folks make the transition or reduction of SSBs to water consumption.  I know that I have trouble staying hydrated and water is rather...dull and flavorless (which is what we expect 'good' water to be!), so what are low/no-calorie, low/no sweetened ways of making water palatable?
Is it creative advertising, carbonated water, having more lemons/limes around?  What are your thoughts of decreasing SSBs and/or increasing water consumption?

Sushi!

I made a list of cooking/food goals for the summer - things I would try to make homemade (all about self-sufficiency within reason/sanity!).  One was making sushi.

Actually, the idea came to me from a sartorial blog who shared that she liked to make sushi when having friends/guests over - for the Wow factor, relatively low cost, and low effort to make large quantities.

I bought some special supplies/ingredients from my local Asian grocery:  wasabi, bamboo mat, nori/seaweed wraps, canned eel, 'sushi vinegar' (rice vinegar + sugar?).  And sub-ed the white sticky rice for brown sticky rice (shhh!).

Eel rolls (my partner's favorite...modified with imitation crabmeat here):

Panko-crusted and -fried California rolls (slightly warm and crispy - afterwards, I made all my sushi rolls this way!):

Pre-rolling (cucumber, avocado, imitation crabmeat, cream cheese, canned eel, black sesame seeds, green onions):

 

All in all, a proud food moment for me...Very exciting!

Backyard Landscaping Project - The Results!

A few quick pictures of my recent landscaping project (new homeowner initiation?) - finally done, but anticipating continual touch-ups with shifty rocks!  And no, I'm not planning another yard project until...next summer (much to the joyousness of my muscles).

BEFORE:

DURING (a.k.a. "a hot mess"):

AFTER:

 

Eye Health Tips

Just a quick post sharing some tips for healthy vision/eyes from the National Eye Institute (of the National Institutes of Health, or NIH).  A bit of an unsexy topic, I admit, but one of those physical exams that are often not really part of those health exams - but should be.

Several years back, my optometrist found some benign spots in the back of one of my eyes - what they colloquially term "paw prints."  A bit like freckles, they caused a bit of a scare - and ended up being harmless for the time being - but good to know in case future check-ups find that these spots have changed.

Noodles and Spaghetti

I've been busy with a recent landscaping/gardening project in the backyard of our new house, so posts have been slow...but it's almost done and I'll share some pictures soon!

Until then, here's a short compilation of my noodley dishes...almost always eaten with chopsticks - even the Italian/American spaghetti in tomato sauce!  (Because why not??)

Spaghetti in meat sauce:

  

Sweet and sour noodles with pineapple:

Panko-crusted tofu in an orange stir-fry sauce: