DAY 122: (ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END...WELL NOT REALLY.)

Posted by Christina Deyo

(Christina Deyo, a producer for The Martha Stewart Show, decided to share her progress on the 30-day Body + Soul Challenge with daily diary entries. Here’s her latest entry:)

Today the Body + Soul Challenge is closing up shop, but not exactly. Our website will be on a brief hiatus until next season when we unveil our second annual Body + Soul Challenge, which promises to be bigger and better than ever. Our website will become more interactive and more helpful for all those trying to become healthier in both body and soul.

I have enjoyed sharing my day-to-day progress with all of you. When I started this, I wasn’t sure what to expect. And while I’ve put myself on a healthier lifestyle track, I am most grateful for all the friends I’ve made along the way. Thank you for your support, insight and motivating words.

While the website is on a brief hiatus, please don’t take this as an opportunity to put your healthy eating and living habits on hiatus. You’ve been given some helpful tools; now is the time to use them and make the most of them. In some ways this part of the Body + Soul Challenge will be the most challenging of all—because you won’t have the daily tips and advice from our experts. While this will be difficult—I for one—will not give up this obstacle. Luckily, the editors at Body + Soul also provided plenty of links to tips and resources to keep your busy in the meantime and Dr. Brent is standing by for health questions Body + Soul Challenge .

I will also continue doing what I started 122 days ago, sharing my progress on a website that my husband and I started last summer, www.3pluskids.com. It’s a website devoted to offering help/tips/advice for large families. (Now maybe ‘large’ will have two meanings!)  It’s a work in progress, so be patient with me. But please visit my website and continue to tell me about your progress. Starting next season on The Martha Stewart Show we’re going to want to share some success stories.  Log on and let me know what you think! 

Enjoy your summer; have a healthy and happy one. We’re in this together—and remember as someone once said (and I have no idea who it was), “WE MAY NOT HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER—BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL!”

Peace, love and healthy living!
XOXOXOXOX
Christina

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

TODAY'S SNACK: PEAR SLICES AND GOAT CHEESE

Posted by Sandy Gluck

• 1/2 medium pear, sliced (50 calories)
  
• 2/3 ounce fresh goat cheese (54 calories)
  

Serve pear slices topped with cheese.

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

DAY 120, 121: (TO BE RIGHT AND WRITE.)

Posted by Christina Deyo

(Christina Deyo, a producer for The Martha Stewart Show, decided to share her progress on the 30-day Body + Soul Challenge with daily diary entries. Here’s her latest entry:)

I have taken away so much from the Body and Soul Challenge. I’ve lost weight. I feel healthier about myself and I can run around more with my kids. But I think one of the most important things I have received from this challenge is the belief in myself. For the first time in a long time, I truly believe in myself. I believe I can meet any challenge head on—and conquer it. It may take awhile, but if I really want it, I know it can get done. For the first time in a long time I have confidence in myself. I have become my own number one fan. It wasn’t always that way. I can count many a times when I would hide in a corner, hoping not to be seen or heard. There is a new me and the Body and Soul Challenge has everything to do with that.

One of my long time goals was to write; I’ve always wanted to write a book. I have so many ideas and stories, but never was disciplined enough to sit down and write. My excuse was always my kids (yet it’s the kids that I always write about). Writing this diary has taught me discipline. In the past I’ve been told that I am a horrible writer. I’ve been told that I couldn’t convey thoughts properly; that my words never made sense. I am standing up against the critics to prove them wrong. I believe I can do this.

Do the same. What is it that you believe to be right? What is it that you always wanted to do, but were told you couldn’t? You can do it. Believe in yourself. Become your number one fan. Go ahead—ask yourself for your own autograph and sign it with conviction!  You’re great. You can do anything...and will.

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

STRESS-LESS TIP: SOOTHE AWAY ANXIETY.

Posted by Alanna Fincke

Ever been so frazzled that you feel as if you’re “not in your own skin?” Here’s a quick and easy technique inspired by Chinese medicine that counteracts that unnerving vibe by reconnecting you with your breath. The simple technique below will instill a sense of calm and help you feel more present within your body.

• Choose a comfortable place to sit, preferably away from other people. Sit up straight and keep feet flat on the floor. Imagine, and feel, your feet being rooted and connected to the earth.

• Place your hand on your chest. Place your other hand on your belly just below your navel.

• Begin taking slow, deep breaths; concentrate on your body expanding and contracting. Visualize your energy sinking lower and lower into your body. In doing so, you create more stability, becoming more centered and secure within yourself. Continue this breathing exercise for one to three minutes.

Question: What helps you to feel more grounded?

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

TODAY'S SNACK: STRAWBERRY-ORANGE SMOOTHIE

Posted by Sandy Gluck

Strawberry-Orange Smoothie (total calories 101)

• 1 cup sliced strawberries (46 calories)
• ½ cup orange juice (45 calories)
• 2 teaspoons nonfat dry milk (10 calories)
• 4 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree.

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

WEIGHT-CONTROL TIP: GET IN TUNE.

Posted by Alanna Fincke

Do you pay attention to when—and why—you eat? Many people don’t. Instead, we let emotions like sadness, anxiety, and boredom, dictate our eating habits. The result? We overeat or choose unhealthy snacks or junk food to soothe our woes. Today, end the cycle by 'tuning in.' Pay attention to your body and notice what triggers you to eat, and when it's motivated more by habit than hunger. Then, follow the simple tips below to retrain yourself to eat more inline with what your body truly needs.

Three Tips for 'Tuning In'

• Pay attention to your body's signals throughout the day. As mealtime approaches, close your eyes and notice how hungry you are. Eat when you're moderately hungry, not ravenous (when you may overeat).

• Try a healthy, filling side, like the Vegetable Salsa pictured above. During meals, tune in and notice your body again; stop eating when you're moderately full, not overstuffed. Eating slowly helps, since it takes the brain about 20 minutes to register fullness.

• Use the food journal you created last week to help identify your emotional eating triggers. Let the results guide you: Next time you’re stressed, try one of the quick relaxation techniques you’ve learned here to gain control.

Question: When are you most likely to overeat?

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

TODAY'S SNACK: PEANUT BUTTER AND CHEESE CRACKERS

Posted by Sandy Gluck

Peanut Butter and Cheese Crackers (total calories 102)

• 5 baked whole-wheat crackers (44 calories)
• 1 teaspoon peanut butter (30 calories)
• 1 tablespoon shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese (28 calories)

Spread crackers with peanut butter and sprinkle cheese over the top.

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

DAY 119: (LET THE PARTIES BEGIN.)

Posted by Christina Deyo

(Christina Deyo, a producer for The Martha Stewart Show, decided to share her progress on the 30-day Body + Soul Challenge with daily diary entries. Here’s her latest entry:)

This is one of the hardest times of the year for me to watch my weight. It’s party season in the Deyo household. Caroline received her first Holy Communion three weeks ago, followed by three communion parties: The May Crowning party was last week—all first Communicants wear their dress again, say the rosary, crown Mary, and then enjoy cupcakes, cookies etc. Last Sunday was the Communion Breakfast. This is an opportunity to wear your dress again and party with the entire class (since the class makes their communion on different days). I actually indulged in a bagel. It was only the second time I had a bagel since the challenge began. I probably could have chosen the fruit, but I just wasn’t “feeling” it. Due to all of these “shindigs” with Caroline, we haven’t been able to celebrate her birthday party with her class; so that will occur in about two or three weeks.

And there’s more partying to be done. My dad celebrates his 75th birthday on Memorial Day. My baby Rebecca turns two on Flag Day (June 14th). Since that’s the day before Father’s Day (another family celebration) we’ll celebrate my Dad and Rebecca’s party on May 26th. That’s not the end of it. July marks not only Independence Day celebrations, it is the month that Pauline turns six-years old. Shortly after that, Graceann turns 11-years old. It won’t be long before Halloween hits, as well as Thanksgiving, and Christmas. And then guess what? The whole cycle starts all over again next year. I guess the point is that there are always going to be parties, and celebrations—and most of them will involve food.  I think you just need to plan for each one accordingly. I know I won’t turn down a piece of cake (never met one I didn’t like). So leading up to each celebration, I’ll plan to be extra good to make up for the sweets. I’ll continue to find ways to motivate myself (maybe to look great in that new bathing suit—which I haven’t bought yet). Let’s continue to help one another. Let me know what works for you and I’ll do the same.  We’re in it together.

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

FITNESS TIP: TAKE IT OUTSIDE.

With summer’s warmer days on the way, why limit your workouts to your home or health club? While you might associate the great outdoors with running or cycling, other types of exercise—like yoga—are great al fresco choices, too. First, find a spot outdoors that you enjoy, whether under a tree in your yard or on the sandy shores at your local beach. Then, take a deep breath of fresh air, feel the sun on your shoulders and the earth below your feet, and try this earth-conscious pose below.

Grounding Balance

• Begin in Mountain pose bringing hands into prayer position.

• Visualize breathing in the energy around you and breathing out love.

• Reach your arms as high as you can, with heels planted and feet flat. Next, try reaching higher on the right side, then the left, three times on each side.

• Round down into a forward fold. Hold this pose for five breaths with soft knees, hands flat on the ground.

• Bend your legs a little, lowering your pelvis. Exhale as the knees bend; inhale and straighten. Do this three times.

• Roll up slowly.

• With a gentle backward bend, look up at the sky. Hold this pose for several breaths, then slowly return to Mountain pose.

Learn more ways to ground yourself through Outdoor Yoga.

Question: What are your favorite outdoor activities?

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.

TODAY'S SNACK: MAPLE COTTAGE CHEESE

Posted by Sandy Gluck

Maple Cottage Cheese  (approx 100 calories total)

• 1/2 cup lowfat (1%) cottage cheese (80 calories)
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup (18 calories) or agave nectar (20 calories)

Please leave a comment and we may contact you to appear on the show (your email will be kept confidential)! If you DO NOT want to be contacted, please email us at bodyandsoulchallenge@marthastewart.com.