MOMPROVEMENT

Weight Loss for Moms

Posted by momprovement on September 4, 2008  |  No Comments

Time to Lose Weight

Well, it’s that time again.  Time to try to start to lose all that baby fat again!  I said I would lose weight when my baby was one and I stopped nursing, but, well, life happens, and here it is, my baby is 19 months and I still haven’t started losing weight, that is until today.

Sure, we can all come up with reasons why later would be better, but the truth is, there is no better time to start than right now.

The Starting Point:

Here’s my situation:

• Current weight: 176

• Current height 5 foot 2 inches (I actually don’t expect this to change!)

• Current health status:  I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being great, I’m actually about a 5.  I feel fine on a day to day basis, no major health issues, but I don’t really have much energy at all, and with 3 kids, I need to whip myself in to shape, not just to look good to my husband (who loves me like I am!) and not just to look good in my skinny jeans, but to have the energy to keep up with my kids.

• Current health plan:  I am in the process of giving up drinking Coke, (I say soda, some say pop, actually what I drink is really Coke, the full strength stuff in a 44 ounce styrofoam cup!) and I want to cut out high fructose corn syrup (more on this in a later post).  I am looking into various diet possibilities, and will let you know when I pick one!

• Current exercise plan:  I am going to start walking 3 days a week, and I just borrowed my sisters copy of “Core Rhythms” that I will start using.  Look for my review of that exercise DVD once I get started!

Well, that’s it for today!  That’s where I am now!  Sorry, no picture!  I’ll post it once I can see a difference between by “before” and “after”!

Dogs Make Great Family Pets

Posted by momprovement on September 3, 2008  |  No Comments

Dogs have long been known as “man’s best friend”; they are social animals who see the humans around them as their pack and they become strongly attached to those humans.  A dog can be a lot of fun and a great addition to your family, but a dog can also be a lot of work.

Things to Think About In Deciding If a Dog Is the Right Pet for your Family:

Dogs are social and do best when not left alone.  If you are not going to keep the dog inside then consider getting two dogs so that they can keep each other company.  You will need to plan on spending plenty of time with the dogs so that the dog will feel like it is part of the family.

Socialization takes at least one half hour every morning and about one hour every evening.  The younger the dog, the more time needed.

Dogs love routing – same time, same place.

Dogs are a long-term commitment – with many breeds living twenty years or more.  Be sure you are ready for such a relationship before you commit to having a dog join your family.

Dog Breeds and your Family Pet

If you have decided that a dog is the right pet for you then you need to decide which dog breed you will bring into your family.  Every breed has different needs and typical personalities, but like people, every dog within each breed is unique.  Before you take a dog home, spend some time playing, petting, and getting to know that particular dog.  See how it responds to you and your family.  See if there is a trail period so that the dog can come home and meet the whole family and live a day in the new atmosphere.  Do whatever you can to ensure that the dog you choose is a good fit for you and that you are a good fit for the dog.

The Beagle is a small, friendly dog that needs companionship from human or from other dogs.  It is a pack animal.  It is gentle, tolerant, and typically good with children.  It can be loud – often prone to barking and howling.  The short, smooth coat is easy to maintain.

The Collie was made famous by the television show “Lassie”, and is a dog of grace, speed and strength.  Most often the collie is an intelligent dog that is willing to please.  It makes a gentle friend and is great with children.  Although it is a breed that is wary of strangers, the natural inclination to be friendly keeps it from being the best watchdog.  The smooth-coated collie does not need much grooming.  It needs room to run and plenty of shade and is not recommended for apartment living.

The Greyhound is a wonderful pet and makes a great indoor companion.  Although it is used in racing, it is gentle and quiet – preferring to nap.  It is not a high-energy dog, but does need social interaction (with family or other dogs) to avoid becoming timid.  The breed is loyal and friendly but can be extremely sensitive.  Grooming is easy, mostly because of the short coat.  The skin on the greyhound is thin and so it is sensitive to cold.  It can also have troubles with digestion, so the greyhound should be fed several small meals over the course of the day as opposed to one large meal.

There are many things to consider when you are thinking about bringing a dog into your family, and one of the most important is the long-term commitment to the animal.  Dogs are social animals and they will bond with their family.  Breaking that bond can be harmful to the pet.  Take some time to really think about the long-term place a dog will have in your family before bringing one home.

How to Find Your Pet

Posted by momprovement on September 3, 2008  |  No Comments

Once you’ve decided which pet is right for you and your family, there are many places you can go to find or purchase your pet. Almost every town now has a pet store located in it (or very nearby). Many counties and cities have an animal shelter (either supported by the government or the Humane Society). And you can find breeders for almost anything you want with a quick flip through the papers or a few clicks on the keyboard.

Adopt a Pet

Most people who have ever adopted from the shelter will tell you that the best pets come from there. The price is right (usually the cost of shots) and the choices are extremely varied. Even better, it is almost as if the animals KNOW you’ve saved their lives, so often the bond between animal and owner is strong.

Although the shelters are full of older animals, this should not be a deterrent from adoption. Older animals can be trained by using lots of patience. They may even turn out to be easier to train because of the desire to please their new family.

Purchase a Pet from a Breeder

Breeders are another good choice for finding the right animal for your home. Be sure that you check out the breeder’s credentials before entering into an agreement. The breeder should be licensed through local government agencies and the animal’s heritage should be traceable on paper to ensure that inbreeding is not occurring.

Working with a breeder can be the most expensive option when it comes to choosing your pet, but it should give you the best picture into the animal’s qualities. You should have a chance to view at least one of the parents at the breeding facilities and see the animal interact with its siblings.

Purchase a Pet from a Pet Store

Pet stores can be a good place to purchase some animals, but it is a good idea to make sure you look into the acquiring practices of the different stores to ensure that you get the best animal possible. It is also important that pet stores be willing to work with you and not pressure you into making a quick decision about a pet. The employees should be knowledgeable about the animals. If there is a doubt, then you will be better off just walking away.

Purchasing a Pet off the Internet

The internet may be a great way to find information, but it is not recommended as a way to buy your pets. Instead, use the internet to find reputable breeders or dealers in your area and then visit the locations before making a purchase. The same holds true for the classified section of the paper or magazines for your region. While you may find some good deals, do you really want to take a risk when you are dealing with your children’s pets?

Most Important Thing In Finding Your Pet

There are many different ways to find your new pet. Each has its benefits and its downfalls. The most important factor in them all is to meet the animal and see if it will be a good fit for your home.

Pets, Pets, and More Pets!

Posted by momprovement on September 3, 2008  |  No Comments

Well, for many, school has started, and along with the books and friends, there comes the inevitable classroom pet. Which only makes your kids want a pet of their own even more! I’ll be spending some time over the next week or so discussing different kinds of pets, ways to take care of pets, and more! Simply look for the “Pets” tag and happy housebreaking!