Beating Exercise Boredom

It is the middle of winter and in most places the weather has been cold for months.  If you are not someone who likes to exercise outdoors in the winter, you could be running dry on exercise options.  But keep going!  Consider these three ideas to beat exercise boredom and keep on track until winter thaws and the warm of spring arrives:

• Try a new exercise video.  Say the words “exercise video” and for many people images of Jane Fonda and leg warmers instantly appear.  But a quick web search will leave those images far behind.  Consider Budokon, a combination of martial arts, yoga, and meditation.  Or Yoga Booty Ballet – the name alone can bring about a smile.  The point is to do something different.  Even if you exercise mostly at the gym, an at-home video option is good to have on hand when you cannot make it to the gym and need a quick workout. 

  While some stores (such as Costco or Target) carry exercise videos and DVDs, you will find a greater selection online at sites such as www.gaiam.com, www.collagevideo.com, or www.amazon.com. 

• Make a small investment.  Home exercise equipment does not require an outlay of thousands of dollars.  For cardiovascular exercise, check into a Lateral Thigh Trainer or mini trampoline (such as the Urban Rebounder) – each has been sold online and in infomercials, costing less than $200.  For strength training equipment, consider a Bosu or balance disc – both help to work your muscles in unique ways, focusing on balance and core strength.   

• Get out of your gym comfort zone.  Do you tend to use the same treadmill (or other favorite) workout after workout?  If so, switch to something different.  Better yet, use a different machine each time you exercise.  You can also use different machines within the same workout.  For a 30-minute session, pick three machines and spend ten minutes on each.  The time goes by fast and your body appreciates the variety.  Also, if you use entirely machines for cardio, consider a class such as kickboxing or spinning.  Stuck on classes?  Try an elliptical trainer or walk uphill on a treadmill.  The switch will limit boredom not only from a mental standpoint, but a physical one too because our bodies respond better when we vary the exercise stimulus

Message From The President:

I am continually amazed and inspired at how our bodies respond to what we do, think, and eat – and don’t do, think, and eat.  Exercise versus sedentary living.  Relaxation and appreciation versus ongoing stress and dissatisfaction.  Eating intuitively and nourishing our bodies versus over-eating and mindless eating.  The choices we make every single day (actually, each moment) affect our heart – and overall – health. 

You need not strive for perfection, rather a flow between these variables.  This may mean that in times of excessive stress you find the will to exercise – and it helps to manage your stress.  It can also mean that when your schedule is tight and your exercise program is limited, you continue to honor your body with food choices that serve you – ones that help to keep up your energy and maintain your weight.  This flow is what keeps you on your game, so to speak.  It is how we each live a healthy lifestyle, day-in and day-out. 

    To your health,

     Amy Lundberg
     Aim For It, President

Everyday Healthy Gourmet

Italian Turkey and Spaghetti Squash Pie

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium raw spaghetti squash
1/2 pound lean ground turkey
2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion(s), chopped
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
29 oz canned diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tsp Italian seasoning, dried
6 oz fat-free ricotta cheese
1 large egg(s)
1 sprays cooking spray, nonstick
1/2 cup shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:  (serves 6)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Halve squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place squash, cut sides down, in a large baking dish and prick skin all over with a fork. Bake until tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook turkey, stirring occasionally, in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain, remove from skillet and set aside.

In same skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and stir-fry until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add cooked turkey and simmer, stirring often, until desired consistency, about 5 minutes.

Place ricotta cheese and egg in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.

Coat a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Remove squash from oven and increase oven temperature to 375ºF.

Using a fork, carefully rake stringy squash pulp from shell, separating it into strands that look like spaghetti. Arrange spaghetti squash strands in bottom and up sides of pie plate to form a crust.

Add ricotta cheese mixture and gently spread over squash. Pour tomato-turkey sauce over cheese mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before slicing into 6 pieces.

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