BURNING CALORIES WHILE DOIN' THE HANKY PANKY
Most of us are waiting for the nice weather to come so we can get back to regular walks. Well, while the rainy season is with us you might want to try a little more hanky panky with your spouse.

I found the following on the net and just had to share.

Activity group: Motivational context

Afire with passion 85 calories

Because there’s nothing on TV 37 calories

Out of guilt 55 calories

Out of curiosity 73 calories

Like it was some major emergency 911 calories

To gather information 411 calories

TOO FUNNY isn't it
Wendy's Articles
Finding A Balance Between Work and Life


Recently, my local newspaper ran an article that made recommendations on how to balance work and life. I would like to share some of their recommendations with you and also offer some added thoughts that apply to those of us who work from home.

Whether you work outside of your home or from your home, finding that balance between work and home is key to being productive, stress free and enjoying life in general.

At Work: Schedule brief breaks throughout your day. Set the following day’s priorities before leaving, shut down your e-mail program and only respond to your messages once or twice a day. Protect private time by making a clear distinction between work and the rest of your life.

Now, if you work from home, many of us cannot put in a straight eight hour day. Often we have family obligations and then might be able to work for a couple of hours. We may be home schooling in the afternoon or having craft time with our young one’s, tending to supper, off to soccer and then if there is enough energy left in us when evening arrives, it is back to work.

So scheduling for us certainly is a challenge. Our breaks might be that drive in the car. I like to take a cup of coffee on my morning or afternoon drive. Sitting at soccer practice is a great time for me to edit or write a short article. We really do need to be creative!

At home: Create a buffer between work life and home life by relaxing before slipping into a new responsibility. Prioritize and share chores. Learn to let go of some responsibilities. Exercise, even if it is for 15 minutes or so.

I really like the suggestion, to relax a little before slipping into a new responsibility or putting on a new hat which is what I like to call it. For me, creating a buffer between work, home or family responsibilities means to focus on the task at hand.

While working, I do not fret over the dirty dishes or the laundry and while cleaning the house, I do not worry about what I should be getting done on my computer. This leave my mind clear, focussed and productive, the job gets done much faster.
In our community: Learn to make choices and learn to say "no". Both are difficult to do but a must. When we work from home, others seem to think we have all kinds of time. It took me many years to learn to say "no" and more importantly, feel okay with it.

Pick one or two activities that you want to be a part of and don’t feel bad about the rest. As women, we are quite capable of doing it all, but that doesn’t mean we have to. If you really don’t have time for any outside activities, I beg of you not to feel guilty about that.

Exercise: I have saved the topic of exercise for last because the need for exercise in our lives is so important that I really wanted to give it the attention it deserves. Exercise will .....

- help you focus
- help you relax
- increase your circulation
- will supply you with increased energy
- shape and tone your muscles
- have you feeling better about yourself
- have you feeling sexier!

When you feel good about yourself your confidence will increase and you will find that you will excel in your work and have more energy to juggle your many responsibilities. As one who can not function in jammies, I find that even the way I dress makes a difference. As a stay at home mom, the frumpy look is too easy to keep.
E-mail me to find out more information on my exercise classes held in the Brantford area or to workout with me one on one via skype.

Self care, or self management, means taking a proactive role in treatment and maintaining a good quality of life. Here are some ways you can manage RA symptoms (along with recommended medication) and promote overall health.

Anti-inflammatory Diet and Healthy Eating
While there is no specific “diet” for RA, researchers have identified certain foods that are rich in antioxidants and can help control and reduce inflammation. Many of them are part of the so-called Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fish, vegetables, fruits and olive oil, among other healthy foods. It’s also important to eliminate or significantly reduce processed and fast foods that fuel inflammation.

Balancing Activity with Rest
Rest is important when RA is active and joints feel painful, swollen or stiff. Rest helps reduce inflammation and fatigue that can come with a flare. Taking breaks throughout the day conserves energy and protects joints.

Physical Activity
For people with RA, exercise is so beneficial it’s considered a main part of RA treatment. The exercise program should emphasize low-impact aerobics, muscle strengthening and flexibility. The program should be tailored to fitness level and capabilities, and take into account any joint damage that exists. A physical therapist can help to design an exercise program.

Heat and Cold Therapies
Heat treatments, such as heat pads or warm baths, tend to work best for soothing stiff joints and tired muscles. Cold is best for acute pain. It can numb painful areas and reduce inflammation.

Topical Treatments
These treatments are applied directly to the skin over the painful muscle or joint. They may be creams or patches. Depending on the type used, it may contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), salicylates or capsaicin, which help reduce pain.

Natural and Alternative Therapies
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, guided imagery and visualization can help train painful muscles to relax. Research shows massage can help reduce arthritis pain, improve joint function and ease stress and anxiety. Acupuncture may also be helpful. This involves inserting fine needles into the body along special points called “meridians” to relieve pain. Those who fear needles might consider acupressure, which involves applying pressure, instead of needles, at those points.

Supplements
Studies have shown that turmeric and omega-3 fish oil supplements may help with rheumatoid arthritis pain and morning stiffness. However, talk with a doctor before taking any supplement to discuss side effects and potential interactions.

Positive Attitude and Support System
Many studies have demonstrated that resilience, an ability to “bounce back,“ encourages a positive outlook. Having a network of friends, family members and co-workers can help provide emotional support. It can help a patient with RA cope with life changes and pain.