Travel? That's Stretching It.

Looking at the snow outside, you wouldn't know that the Spring travel season
has already begun for
travel writers like me.
My top priority while I'm on the road is to maintain
the healthy lifestyle I started January 15 by making responsible food choices (with a back-up plan if I'm stuck with a fixed menu) and by continuing a daily exercise regimen.

My plan is to structure a fitness routine using the GoFit Ultimate Pro Gym, which I have just now ordered. According to the product description, this go anywhere, train anytime home gym comes complete with its own personal trainer on DVD to help build size and strength, or to increase muscle definition. (I'll take Door No. 2, Alex.)

The key to the ProGym is supposedly the ability to add or subtract seven levels of resistance using different combinations of the tube strengths. (Here's a three-minute video showing how exercise tubes work.)

The ProGym contains two handles, three resistance tubes, two ankle straps, one door anchor, an exercise wall chart a 25-minute workout on DVD. The best part is the whole thing (including the mesh storage bag) weights only one pound. Perfect to stuff into my suitcase.

Want one for around $30? GoFit Ultimate ProGym with DVD

Here's a single Xertube for about $10: SPRI ES503R Xertube Resistance Band With Door Attachment and Exercise Charts (Purple, Very Heavy)

Any other suggestions how to "stay on plan" while traveling?

Walk to Work

An exercise machine that allows workers to multitask may be the silliest (or smartest?) invention since the executive toy. (Read more...)

Count me in as one journalist who would definitely use it to help make computer time more active!

Until then, I'll continue the exercise routine I'm following as part of The BestLife program:

* Six power walks per week, at an average speed of 2.2 miles in 30 minutes. (Fitness scientists estimate walking at this pace burns almost as many calories as jogging at about the same speed - 202 vs. 223 per hour.)

* Three strength training sessions per week.

Puma Power for Flat-footed Athletes

I seriously considered posting a "Non-Scale Victory" badge last week when I finally, yea verily, finally found a pair of running shoes that not only fit my flat feet but also provide adequate support for my left ankle, which is fraught with two steel plates and 10 pins.

Honestly, I almost hollered "Hallelujah!" in the store when I tried on this Puma Women's Cell Flexion shoe. It was so comfortable, in fact, I would have bought TWO pair, had they had a second pair in my size.

The good news is that although the shoes are listed for $100 on the Puma Store web site, I bought the gold and white version at
T. J. Maxx for $39. Tonight, I found the silver and blue style on sale for $39 on this Finish Line site.

This sort of serendipitous good fortune, my friends, does my heart good.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't Tread on Me!

"It's a full size professional treadmill with a programmable digital keyboard," the gentleman told me in answer to my telephone inquiry about the $100 treadmill he advertised for sale in today's classifieds. "Because I do four miles a day, I've ordered an updated model, complete with music and a fan. But I think you'll be extremely pleased with this one."

What a steal! I thought, as DH and I drove to the seller's house, less than five minutes away. And what a happy coincidence that he has exactly what I'm looking for.

Once we arrived to look at the machine, DH's attitude did a 180. "Where are you going to put this? I'm telling you, it's too big for our house."

Despite DH's moaning while he and the seller hoisted the monster onto a dolly, I handed over five 20's. Once outside, the treadmill was too large to fit into the bed of our Sporttrac without the guys having to lift it over the cargo rack. They agreed to hold off until DH could round up a buddy with a larger truck bed. The seller kept my $100 and we came home.

Once back to the house, DH went into uncharacteristic designer mode. "You actually think that thing will actually fit in the guest room?? I beg to differ. Just look." He was right. It would have taken up most of the available path around the bed where folks actually sleep probably 14 nights a year.

But THEN, he just kept going and going and going. "Have you ever in your life exercised or worked out for more than a few weeks at a time? I guarantee you, even if we could get that thing in here, it would just sit. And I'm not hauling it in here just for guests to have to wiggle around when they come over. Not gonna do it."

So we hopped back into the truck, returned the owner's manual and retrieved my $100.

Then he started up again. "I'm not trying to be difficult or critical. I just know how these things work. If you want to come up to the office, I'll pay the $5 a month to get you into the workout room."

I'm so sure I want to drive 15 minutes to walk through his office bullpen sans makeup on my way to the workout room, then walk back through his office after I'm all sweaty for the 15 minute drive home.

What I wanted to do was get a treadmill so that I could walk while I watch Joyce Meyer every morning at 7:30, then put my makeup on while I listen to Creflo Dollar at 8. Don't get me wrong; I'm an early riser who offices at home, so I can adjust my schedule to what works best for me.

DH insists that walking on a treadmill won't do anything for me, anyway. (Some folks disagree.) "You've got to run, and I know you're not going to do that," he added. "If you want to do some sort of aerobic exercise inside the house while you watch your TV preachers, you can get an exercise step or a wooden block for that matter and step up and down for 30 minutes to get a better workout than you would have gotten on a treadmill."

So the ball's back in my court. I'll let you know how I decide to become more active.

How do you get moving at home? Any suggestions how to get started indoors while it's sub-freezing outdoors?

Get Moving!

Okay, I have no idea how many steps a day I walk, which seems to be a requirement for logging daily progress on Phase I of Bob Greene's BestLife program.

Solution: a pedometer. Yep, I looked at the one on the Bestlife site, but as an Amazon Prime member, I get two-day shipping free, or overnight shipping for only $3.99.

I also decided I need a
food scale, since I obviously have no idea what a four-ounce portion of chicken looks like.

Two items, two days,
plus free shipping.
Deal of the day.

Now get moving!