I like Costco on a Wednesday morning. It’s not crowded and I can stop and read the labels on everything without some pushy person trying to mow me over with their overfilled shopping cart. The only drawback is when I get home and Ken isn’t there to say “it’s ok honey, I’ll bring in the groceries…you chill” But I like to make a game of it now after reading how Nan over at Running from the Pudge turned chores like carrying a lot of stuff from one place to another into a Biggest Loser type challenge for herself by pretending she was racing against the clock. So thats what I did today.
- Step 1. Arrive home
- Step 2. Open the door and get thoroughly greeted by Sadie and Max
- Step 3. Open trunk
- Step 4. Tell Sadie and Max to get OUT of the trunk
- Step 5. Start grabbing as much as you can carry and rush to the kitchen with it while stepping around the obstacle course…that would be Sadie and Max who have spotted their bag of treats and have started doing back flips in front of me in hopes of sampling said treats.
- Step 6. Repeat until trunk/boot is empty.
There, wasn’t that easy? The groceries are all in the house now and you’ve completed a little workout. Now its time to relax.
They say that getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for weight loss and sometimes my mind is racing and I have a hard time falling asleep. I heard something the other day on the radio that really helped me sleep last night. It said that if you can slow your breathing to 10 breaths per minute for 10 minutes it will make you relaxed and help you sleep. You simply need to inhale for 3 seconds and exhale for 3 seconds for 10 minutes. I tried this last night before bed, I haven’t slept so soundly in ages.
I am soooooo trying that sleeping technique!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHey, that sounds like a great sleeping technique!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would survive the grocery race though - I live on the third floor!
I could probably make getting home after work a race, though. "How fast can I make it from the downstairs door to the upstairs door? Without being unstable or killing myself, preferably."
I wonder if the breathing technique is related to yoga or pilates - both of those emphasize proper breathing to relax and calm the mind.
Ooh, I should totally try that breathing... I've been having trouble sleeping lately!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can just imagine you racing to get all the groceries in the house, that's a good idea. My husband usually makes me carry everything while he cleans out the fridge so we can find a place for everything. Not sure who has the better deal on that one. ;)
Thanks again for the breathing idea!
Sleep is so important when it comes to weight loss! Sleep plays a major role in the release of human growth hormone, which is so important when you're trying to add lean muscle mass.
ReplyDeleteAbout 6-months ago I started focusing on getting 8 hours sleep per night, and it made a tremendous difference!
Susan
www.catapultfitnessblog.com
Thanks for the sleeping tip; I'll be sure to try it out next time I can't get to sleep.
ReplyDeleteAlso I like your little game! I love grocery shopping. And I lug my groceries up the five flights of stairs to my condo too because it makes me feel like I've really EARNED those groceries:)
man I friggin hate the costco :)
ReplyDeleteI love the shopping and dont even mind the cash outlay since its all such a deal (wink) but I caint stand the unpack.
I'll try to pretend it's a workout next time----but I cant promise I wont b*tch up a storm whilst working out.
:)
M.
My husband and I do the grocery shopping together and, without fail, we both agree every week that we HATE grocery shopping and all the carrying in and unloading...yada-yada-yada! We agreed that if we could just settle on a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, a nice salad for lunch, and a simple dinner that we would be richer, thinner, and have to carry far fewer bags! But that will never happen! And our grocery buddy is our dog who definitely recognizes carry-out boxes and dog biscuits when he sees them!
ReplyDeleteI felt calmer just reading about that breathing technique!
ReplyDeletedefinitely will have to try that! I am the worst at being able to fall asleep. even though I can be completely exhausted, my mind isnt and its so hard to shut it up. Im trying that technique tonight!
ReplyDeleteI do a similar breathing technique. Lately, I've been adding in a "Let" on the inhale and "go" on the exhale. It really helps!
ReplyDeleteWas it hard to count it out? I think the concentration would keep me awake! Ha just kidding.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Nan great? Games and new words (I hope your August brings you a shload of good things too ;)