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A brand new year is just around the corner, and with a new year comes a new list of goals and resolutions that people make. It's a good time for starting over or trying something new.

But do people still follow resolutions? One of the most common that I see is to 'lose weight' or 'eat better'. Both are difficult to accomplish without some planning and support.

Personally, I decided to make a list of goals for myself this year (one of them includes learning how to cook rack of lamb!) and will try to accomplish those goals. 

One of my biggest goals is to be better at managing my time. Because really, my time is no longer my own - it primarily belongs to my children and their schedules. Finding a balance between them and the things I need to accomplish can be difficult, but I will work on it. I think I already am off to a good start - I now have a More Time Moms Family Organizer for the wall! It includes a monthly calendar with large spaces for writing and stickers to flag really important days (like show and tell which I really can't forget!)

There are a lot of great calendar options out there, including this one from Wyman publishing for your office:

I know that many people have a Blackberry to help them keep track of their time, I don't yet and I know some people are old fashioned and prefer to write notes done. For those of us who need to carry a small planner around in our purse or car, I like the prettiness of this small monthly planner:

Sometimes I not only need to remember dates but websites, thoughts, ideas or milestones with the kids. To do that, I have note pads lying all over the house, but mostly these notes are on scrap pieces of paper or sticky notes.  What I really need are pretty, neat looking notebooks like these ones from Ecojot:

Are you making any resolutions this year?  And better yet, do you think you can follow them?  How are you ensuring you keep yourself on track?

Image sources: BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Wyman Publishing

 

What we eat is very important. This is not about eating perfectly but about making an effort to truly watch and know what it is that I am putting into my body. Preservatives, artificial sweeteners, refined flour and sugar are some things that I have tried to purge from our diet. Whole grains, such as Buy Canadian First member Noasap  and their Manitoba grown wild rice, are a staple in the house now. We have also added beans to our diet as well as Buy Canadian First member True North Salmon' s products to our table. The basic rules we try to stand by is to buy Canadian, local foods first and to steer clear of processed products.   

Eating and sleeping. Breakfast is so very, very important, as it has likely been over eight hours since you have last eaten! Your body is waking and needing fuel for the day. To keep a body's metabolism running smoothly it is said that eating food, not skipping meals, is best. So I eat three meals and two to three small snacks a day. Since school has let out for Summer session I am no longer up in the wee hours snacking as I write papers. This small change, in conjunction with a lot more sleep, has resulted in a five pound weight loss in three weeks! Eat well and often and sleep well, it works!

Add fitness into your daily routine. No, I do not mean to run a few miles every morning, unless you wish to. What I am talking about is taking fitness opportunities on top of your regular fitness schedule. Chase your children through the park, climb the monkey bars, go for a family bike ride, take the stairs or walk to the store and carry your groceries home. Take every opportunity to add activity into your days. (I would love to get these bicycle bells from Buy Canadian first member, Dringdring, one for each of my girls, for our family rides!).

For me, Summertime may be the easiest time of year to lose weight, even with the temptation of milkshakes, iced tea and other cold beverages and the end of the day s'mores treats. It's just too hot to eat as much. Here in Manitoba, as I bask in the seventy percent humidity and the thirty above weather, I know that the true test will be in the Fall, with the cool weather and my nose buried in my textbooks once again. Until then, I will happily apply my own tips and tricks and take advantage of the beautiful weather!

What helps you stick to your fitness goals?

 Image credit Buy Canadian First members Noasap, True North Salmon and Dring Dring

Ohh boy! Great boot camp classes in Southern Manitoba ! Today, I don't dare sneeze so that my ribs don't ache after this last kickboxing class. No, I wasn't kicked. I am just feeling my oblique muscles. Of all the routines, the kickboxing class is one of my favourites! It's fun, the pace is great and I can always remember to keep my core strong, which makes the exercises easier and improves balance, even my paltry balance.

I have yet to treat myself to some new workout gear. I usually just wear old sweats and a t-shirt. The funniest thing is that I am wearing my son's runners from when he was thirteen...he's eighteen now. So, maybe it's time to treat myself to new workout wear! This is my wish list; the Noelle jacket (bamboo blend), the bamboo Yoga pant  and the Doleman shirt , all from Key Lime Canada. How lovely it would be to wear all this soft comfortable bamboo while I simultaneously thank and curse my boot camp instructor as she exclaims, "and let's pulse for 10, 9, 8..." (Pulses are smaller movements in quick succession; it's easier to pulse if you smile.)

I love the results that the boot camps have given me but there is the issue of sore muscles. The soreness that usually occurs a day or two after your workout is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS and is a result of microscopic tears in your muscles repairing themselves. Some people swear by hopping into a cold shower right after a workout to reduce the swelling and even bypass the effects of DOMS all together. I would rather cuddle up to Buy Canadian First member Cryopak Flexible Hot (or cold) Compress  a few days after the workout. I adore the heat and feel relaxed and comfortable.

All is going really well this year regarding my fitness resolutions and frankly, I am really proud of myself!

How are your fitness goals coming along?

 Images: Buy Canadian First members Key Lime Canada and Cryopak 

There are still a few weeks of glorious Summer left to enjoy, but, I know that I will once again have to face another Canadian  Winter down the road. I like to line up new classes and activities for myself at this time of the year. I think that is because the day after Labour Day always seems like New Year's Day. It's a back-to-school feeling that I'll never lose! It also takes my mind off the sad fact that another beautiful Canadian  Summer is almost over. Here are some of the "New Year's"resolutions that I am making for this September. 

 CG Hart Gym Bag

Just for fun, this Fall I am going to attempt a 5K run! Now, I'm not a runner, by any means, but I found a smartphone app called "Couch to 5K" that promises to get me running, using baby steps! I can do baby steps, no problem! You can find several apps to help you get off the couch. Just search in your smartphone store and choose the one that you think is best for you. If you don't have a smart phone, or would just rather use your computer, the Cool Running  site has some cool running tips, tricks and articles to get you started. You can print out a 5K running plan, keep a log and meet lots of other former couch potatoes, too!

 Barbo Ballerina Slipper 

 After watching So You Think You Can Dance Canada,  all Summer, I think that I want to dance! Don't tell my husband, but I've been browsing the brochures that come out at this time of year, offering every sort of dance class imaginable! Dance classes are a great way to sneak exercise into your life! But what to choose? Tap, Ballet, Latin, Ballroom, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Break or Whacking all look good! Maybe it will be just a matter of taking what is available on my chosen night. Will my husband dance to my tune? I'll let you know!

 Chapters-!ndigo 

 Another activity that I am planning this Fall is to learn how to use a stylus and tablet to create digital art. I am going to do this with a book, called "Digital Expressions" by Susan Tuttle, that I got from Chapters. It was on sale and it comes with a CD! There are all sorts of books that come with CDs now, on every sort of topic. I think that the CD will take the book to another dimension and make it seem more like a workshop! Can't wait to start!

Speaking of books, don't forget to read Stacey Kazmir's  blog post this coming Monday, where she reviews "Bitten" and gives you a chance to win it! 

 Are you making any "New Year's" resolutions this Fall? 

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members. 

Fortunately, Spring's better weather also means that my bike is coming out of Winter storage. My favourite form of transportation is also a great way to stay in shape! The challenge for me, though, (and most of us Canadians fated to experience four seasons), is that I don't use my bike enough in the Winter to get any sort of real exercise from it. That's why the ideal solution seems to be two-part: a stationary bike for rainy days and winter and an outdoor bike for blue skies and sunny days. No excuses then!

Especially if you are not the type who enjoys joining a gym or paying expensive membership fees, having exercise equipment at home is a sensible, and ultimately money-saving way, to stay in shape all year round. Buy Canadian First member, Ontario's Bodyguard Fitness has award-winning stationary bikes and a wide assortment of other exercise equipment to meet your indoor exercising needs. My friend, Joanie, for example, is not into bicycles but swears by her treadmill while my husband prefers an elliptical trainer . Bodyguard Fitness offers much more than just equipment. Their online support , for example, is invaluable and a great way to stay motivated while you are getting and (hopefully) staying in shape!

 

Once the weather is good, though, there is no excuse not to bring out the road bike! You may want to take a look at the "perfect" bicycles at Guru Bikes to get in the mood! "Hand-crafted" and "high-tech", the bikes should come with adoption certificates! Each one is custom built, just outside Montreal, Quebec, to the specifications of the person who will be riding it, which can only mean one thing ... one sweet ride!

If you are really out of shape, the BionX  energy management system sounds like a great excuse buster! Designed and manufactured in Quebec, the unit provides battery-powered assistance as needed, so you can still enjoy and benefit from pedalling, while not overextending yourself too soon  after a long winter! What fun!

Hey! Don't forget your titan carbon helmet from Quebec-based Louis Garneau!

Spring is in the air! Are you feeling motivated to start a new fitness program...again?

Image sources: BuyCanadianFirst.ca

There are some people that always seem to have all their ducks in a row and seem perpetually organized, but those of us who are not need a little help. Here are some great ideas how to become and stay organized this winter and ever after:

1) First things first, before you can organize you must purge; clothes that don't fit, items in your home you don't like, broken items you will never fix and items you never use. Get yourself into your closets, living spaces,  basements, attics, and nooks with the intent to rid yourself of excess junk. Be sure to donate all the items that can be reused. Once this is complete you can then continue to purge as items become torn, broken and unwanted. Do double duty during regular everyday tasks; while doing laundry look for clothes that need mending or recycling into quilts or rags and during a toy clean up keep an eye out for broken toys.  This trick will also apply to emotional  baggage like unhappy letters and tokens that keep your psyche prisoner and thoughtful albeit unwanted gift from friends and family.

3) Young children may be too small to use hangers but hooks are a great idea and easy for small hands to use. Place on the wall within reach and your kids will hang their coats and bags up. The "Rail Riders and Hangers-On " Coat Rack from Buy Canadian First Member City and North Custom Design is perfect. This large sturdy piece has enough room for coats, snow pants, bags mittens, scarves and tuques.

4) Seasonal items can be a bit of a hassle, leaving your summer and winter clothes and shoes all in one closet can create a big mess especially with a few children in the house. The Canadian-made Omni box by Kis are a great way to store your winter or summer gear off season. Made of recyclable  number 5 plastic these boxes will keep your items safe from moisture and bugs and can be stored neatly away in your basement or garage. Check out a review of the Omni Box from Mother by Nature and the boxes can be bought at Canadian Tire .

5) Preplanned 5 day outfits. Take the guess work out of getting dressed by having the whole family make a five day wardrobe. The time, energy and hassle saved is priceless.

Being organized takes some effort and constant diligence initially but once the habit is formed then it'll be like breathing. Get the family on board and watch how much extra time you'll have for the fun stuff like tobogganing or just some guilt free well needed lounging on those cold late-winter nights.

What are your favourite tips to get your house organized?

Image sources: Judith Head to Toe, lifeinfozone.com, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Canadian Tire

Ah, sweet summertime, children running about all day playing in the sprinklers, skipping rope in the front street, street hockey in the back lane... what? What do you mean whose children am I talking about? Is the scene in your house more like a bunch of sloths sprawled across your floors and sofas, loafing around watching TV and playing video games? As a child I was playing outside in my neighbourhood rather than watching television or playing my Atari (!) system. Perhaps it is the 24/7 availability of children's programming, state of the art game systems, mind blowing graphics, busy parents, lazy parents, safety issues and whatever else but kids are less active these days and it shows with a growing rate of obesity and diabetes in children. In fact type 2 diabetes was once considered an illness for the aging is now affecting children and young adults at an alarming rate, see some statistics and information here.  

Here are some great items that are also made in Canada that will get the kids and their parents playing, creating and having fun!

• Test your slow pitch arm with Pro-Am Sand Bag Game from Buy Canadian First member Bojeux
• Boogie all day long with Bobs and Lolo available from member Organically Hatched
• Hone your putting skills or your slap shot with great products from our member DOM Sports
• Gather all the kids and have a neighborhood baseball game using Combat Youth Baseball Bat - B2YB  from member Combat Sports.

For more fantastic summer ideas be sure to check out these creative and talented Canadian bloggers too:

Outdoor Activities 

• How to play hopscotch by  Quiet Fish
• Butterfly Feeder by Our Big Earth
• Can Stilts from Hudsonny

In the Kitchen

• Rhubarb Juice Concentrate from Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash
• Popcorn Ball from FiveForty  
• Perfect Lemonade from Canadian Parent

Arts and Craft

• Stenciled T-Shirts from RikRak
• Secret Fold Note Book from My Hand Bound Books
• Cornstarch Clay Activity from High On craft

There is no excuse Canada to not get kids and grown-ups in motion! Be sure to inquire into the summer activities at your local community centers, parks and pools. Seek adventure and have fun!

PS: In case you still run out of ideas here are hundreds more from author, illustrator and guerilla artist Keri Smith