Walking Weather

Today was the perfect weather for a nice, brisk walk. Well... so it's more like a waddle. But it still counts as exercise!

The air was crisp and cool, but not so cold that I needed gloves. I just wore a light jacket to keep of the chill of the wind, plus a pair of sweatpants. The sun was shining brightly, and a lot of folks around the neighborhood were working in their garages.

Spring is definitely in the air! I'm really looking forward to ditching my baggy sweatpants, however. I bought them two sizes too large so I could fit into them during pregnancy, but they make me feel fat all over (instead of just fat in the tummy).

Swollen

Cut today's walk down to 35 minutes, and felt pretty good afterwards. So far, no signs of pains or aches. I do have some seriously swollen feet, however.

Other than that, though, spent most of the day sitting in a chair. Most of the time spent with my mother is spent sitting by her bed, holding her hand, etc. I don't get a lot of activity when I'm at my parents' house.

As for my diet, it was pretty decent today. I resisted the urge to eat a mini lemon pie, a slice of coconut cake, and a huge container of French fries. And I'm planning a meal of stir-fry veggies, tofu and brown rice for later this evening. So overall, my diet is going ok today.

Sore!

Ok... I guess I am still in the "athlete" mindset instead of the "pregnant" mindset. I went for a walk yesterday--a slow ambling stroll, really--and felt pretty good. So I kept walking for longer than usual. My total time was about an hour, which is still less than I used to do back during my "fit" days.

The result? My legs were sore, my ankles were swollen, and my feet hurt! I keep forgetting that I'm out of shape and carrying an extra 20+ pounds! Not to mention I'm walking funny these days--it's more of a waddle--so my weight is distributed differently on my hips, legs, knees and feet.

Speaking of knees... I've been having some serious knee pain lately. I've had knee pain in the past--usually when I've been running too much. I assume this new pain is a result of my extra weight and strange gait. I just hope it doesn't affect my future fitness activities (post-baby).

Ready To Walk

I visit my sick mother every day. She spends some days mostly sleeping or napping--or with other visitors--but at least I'm there to give Dad a helping hand. However, because these visits are time-consuming, it's not always easy to find time to exercise.

Then I had a revelation! Why not take a walk while Mom naps?

My parents live on a great road for walking. Although there are no sidewalks, the road is rural, safe, and relatively flat (so I can see oncoming cars).

So I packed up a bag with a pair of capris (good for warmer and cooler days), a tee-shirt, a sports bra, my old running shoes, some athletic socks, and a sweatshirt. They're my most basic pieces--nothing fancy or moisture-wicking--but they'll get the job done in a pinch. I keep the bag in my car all the time so it's ready to grab whenever I have a free hour.

The only thing I'm missing is my iPod. But maybe that's a good thing. Since the road is fairly rural, it's probably a good idea for me to keep my ears open (for dogs, animals, cars, etc.). And this will give me a chance to really enjoy nature, especially during this beautiful Spring season. Perhaps it will help clear my mind and lower my stress levels.

Sleep!

Many experts agree that adequate sleep is important for maintaining our health. Unfortunately, my sleep has been both sporadic and restless. I chalk it up to a few different reasons:

Pregnancy: It's harder for me to find a comfortable position these days. I prop myself up with lots of pillows (right now Hubby and I have ten on our bed!), but sometimes I just can't get comfortable! Moreover, I find myself waking every hour to use the bathroom. My bladder has become the size of a peanut, I think.

My mother: Her terminal illness and daily care is starting to take an emotional toll on me. I tend to have a crying jag most nights--usually shortly after I get into bed, perhaps because my mind is clear to think about her. And I also dream about her a lot, too, which interferes with my rest.

Reading: Around the time my mom took a turn for the worst, I started reading books in bed before turning in for the night. Big mistake. I've always wrestled with insomnia, and for many years followed the standard sleeping rule: Use the bed for sleeping only. As soon as I started reading in bed, I found it much harder to fall asleep at night, which means I get fewer hours of rest.

I've been trying to follow Steve Pavlina's guidelines for How to Become an Early Riser, but I just don't have the discipline to do it. Nonetheless, I'm going to keep trying. I need to do something to get my sleeping schedule back on track.

A Second Mortgage

Hubby and I currently have a mortgage on our home. With Baby on the way, we've been seriously considering another home purchase. We need something bigger, with more rooms and more space.

However, rather than selling our current home and buying the next one, we're thinking about keeping our current home and renting it to tenants. This means we'd need a second mortgage.

Home Mortgage is one of the better loans from a financial perspective. The interest is tax-deductible, and it tends to be low (compared to, say, auto loans or personal loans). Getting a second mortgage won't necessarily be easy, however, and it will certainly put a strain on our budget.

So far we haven't yet found the "right" house. But if (when) we do, we're going to need to seriously consider applying for a second mortgage.

Join a Gym?

Since Hubby and I have a decent home gym set-up, we've never really considered joining an actual fitness facility. However, this pregnancy has made me reconsider a gym membership. Specifically, I am considering the YMCA.

Here are the pros and cons:

PROS

• Extra facilities that I could use right now, such as a swimming pool
• Extra facilities and services that we might use in the future, such as racquetball courts and babysitting
• Special events--such as Mom's Day--that may help me connect with other mothers
  

CONS

• Cost is $600+ annual fee, plus $100 sign-up fee
• The nearest YMCA facility is a 15-20 minute drive... just far enough away to be inconvenient
  

At one time swimming was my main source of exercise, and I really enjoyed it. I found it to be almost meditative in nature. But at that time, the pool was conveniently located close to my job. I'm not sure that I'll make a special trip into town just to swim.

So right now it's still a possible consideration. But as my pregnant belly gets bigger, I have a feeling that a nice, soothing swim will sound like a great way to stay fit.

Inexpensive Glasses

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I started wearing glasses when I was about thirteen years old. I don't need them desperately. (Strangely enough, the first time I took my driver's license eye exam I failed without my glasses. When I went to get my license renewed, I passed.) However, I do wear them when I'm driving in unfamiliar cities or late at night, since they do improve my vision. I also sometimes wear them when watching TV.

I'd probably wear them more often if I could find a pair that really looked good on my face. I have a twofold problem: My face is very round (so round glasses only make it look rounder) and my nose is pretty much typical-Asian flat (so I have to have little nose-pieces to keep them up). On top of that, I tend to be rough on glasses, and wire frames are often too delicate for me. Believe me, finding plastic frames with nose-pieces can be difficult--and pricey.

I hate the expense of glasses. The last time I went for an exam plus two pairs, it cost me a whopping $500! That's ridiculous! However, I just discovered http://www.ZenniOptical.com, which sells prescription eyeglasses at a discount rate. In fact, they sell single lens glasses for just $8! The frames aren't designer, but they are solid and basic, which is the only thing I need.

So check out the $ 8 Zenni Optical Rx Eyeglasses if you're looking for a great bargain on glasses!

Spring In My Step!

Okay... so Spring isn't here quite yet. But the recent weather makes it feel like it is! And that means it's a great time to get out and walk.

After my most recent walk, I experienced some calf and heel pain. I suppose it's partially due to the fact that I haven't been doing any exercise lately, so all my muscles are tight and sore from underuse. Some of the pain may also be because I'm carrying an extra 20 pounds on my body... it's my heaviest weight ever, and I'm starting to feel it in my muscles and joints.

For my walk today, I took it easy and stuck with a "strolling" pace. It's hard for a Type A personality such as myself to deliberately slow my steps, but I kept reminding myself that it was for the best. I also made a conscious effort to stretch both before and after my walk.

I'm really enjoying this great weather! I hope it lasts, since I dread the idea of bringing my walks to the treadmill.

Reviews For Gamblers

In the past, Hubby and I have enjoyed relaxing with a few buddies over a friendly poker table. The evenings typically include a deck of cards, a box of poker chips, some snacks, and plenty of beer. And although we've never been anything other than casual players, we do enjoy a good card game.

Admittedly, most of our poker games are more about socializing and less about gambling. Our interest in cards hasn't yet caused us to spend time at an online casino. But if we were to explore this option for poker, we'd probably first want to read reviews about various casino websites.

Fortunately, sites like Online Casino List offer lots of information about online casinos, including a list of best online casinos and casinos with the best bonuses.

Hubby's always been a bit of a gambler. He spent a few hours in the casino when we went on our cruise. But, so far, he hasn't yet explored the world of online casinos. If he ever does, I certainly hope he takes the time to review some of the websites first.

Too Much Weight

I had a doctor's appointment today. They weighed me, checked Baby, checked my blood pressure, etc. I knew I'd packed on a few pounds since my last visit, so I asked the doc about my weight gain.

He told me the straight-up truth. According to him, I've gained more weight than they like to see at this stage. Ugh! Talk about bad news!

Of course, I didn't really need him to tell me this. All I had to do was look at my puffy face and expanding rear-end to know that my weight gain was getting out of control. But it was still kind of hard news to hear.

So, obviously, I need to do something about this. I need to cut-up my "license to eat sugar" and return to healthier eating habits. It won't be easy, but it's definitely something I need to do.

On the plus side, eating healthy now will make it easier to lose weight after Baby arrives.

Puffy Face

So I admit it. I've been slacking a bit on my nutrition since becoming pregnant. Through the nausea of the first trimester, I could only stomach "white" foods like breads and rice and cereals. In the second trimester, I've found myself craving sweets--doughnuts and ice cream and cookies. These are foods I (usually) rarely eat.

Today I peered at my reflection in the mirror, and saw a big, puffy face staring back at me. I almost didn't recognize myself! I've definitely packed on some extra pounds.

Since I want this pregnancy to be as healthy as possible, I know I must commit to returning to my normally healthy diet. I have to say "no" to the cookies and "yes" to the veggies. It won't be easy--I've grown fond of my midnight snacks of Oreos and ice cream bars--but it's something I need to do.

Ease Your Money Stress

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These days, I try to be a good steward of my money. But in the not-so-distant past, I was drowning in a pool of debt. Unable to make even the minimum payments, I wasn't sure how I was ever going to be able to pay my creditors.

Fortunately, my boss offered me a raise and my (financially responsible) fiancé gave me a loan. Between those two fortuitous events, I was able to pay off my creditors and get my finances back on track.

At that time, however, it might have been useful to know that credit was available to me. Apparently, bad credit cards are designed for folks who have poor credit. These types of cards help consumers rebuild their credit history and start repairing their financial reputation.

To find out more about these credit cards, check out BadCreditOffers.com.

Exercise!

Thank goodness! For the first time in weeks--or has it been months?--I finally took a walk! I feel great!

It was a sunny but cold day today... but I didn't mind. I just bundled up, strapped on my iPod and went traipsing through my neighborhood. It felt great to get out and breathe some fresh air, even if my walk was fairly short (compared to pre-pregnancy exercise sessions).

I'd been taking it easy because of a minor pregnancy complication. But I hadn't seen any signs of the complication, and my body was feeling pretty good. Plus, my doc hadn't suggested bed rest, so I figured a short walk would be okay.

One reason I was anxious to walk is because a vicious bout of the flu is being passed around my family right now. Hubby was down with it a few days ago. The last thing I want to do is get sick, and I know exercise can help give my immune system a boost.

I'm so glad I got some exercise today! As long as everything stays okay with my pregnancy, I'm going to try and ease into an every-other-day habit. Now's a great time, too, since Spring is on the way!

Finding Insurance

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In the past, Hubby and I kept our insurance levels at the bare minimum. Essentially, we purchased just enough to cover our belongings, and we generally chose higher deductibles so we could lower our premiums. It seemed to be the wisest financial choice, since both of us are skilled professionals with income.

However, now that we have Baby on the way, we've had to rethink our position on insurance. Since this is our first child, we really have no idea what type of financial impact this "new addition" will have on our life. As a result, we both want to make sure that we have adequate insurance coverage in the event of an emergency, disaster or other damaging event.

And we're not the type of folks to blindly go with the first insurance company that offers us their business. Instead, we prefer to browse around and shop for price quotes to ensure that we get a good deal. Fortunately, there are plenty of insurance websites that can help us find the right coverage for the right price. Car Insurance, life insurance, homeowners insurance and health insurance are just a few of the different types of insurance that can be researched online.

Hubby and I haven't yet made any final decisions about the new insurance coverage we will need. But by researching different types of insurance with online insurance websites, we're confident that we'll be able to choose an insurance plan that meets our new and growing needs.

Fighting Disease With Diet

My mom's long and painful struggle with cancer has really made me take a long, hard look at my own life.

We've all heard stories of people who "pointlessly" lived the "perfect" healthy life. They ate healthy foods, exercised regularly, didn't smoke, didn't drink excessively, and didn't do drugs. Yet they still ended up with fill-in-the-disease-here and died too young.

And we've also heard stories about very old people who lived extremely unhealthy lives. They ate nothing but potato chips and candy bars, they were sedentary couch potatoes, and they smoked 2 packs of cigs a day. And they also lived to be 90+ years old without a single major illness.

But health experts say that those people are the exception, not the rule.

So what's the truth? Is it all just a game of chance? Does living healthy really make a difference in the final outcome?

I've always believed that life is pretty much a craps shoot. But I've also believed that it's important to play the odds. By this I mean that healthy living doesn't guarantee a healthy life... but it does put the odds in your favor.

And to a certain extent... it's all about achieving some kind of balance between the "ideal" and the "realistic."

Or am I just deluding myself... and it's all just a matter of spinning the roulette wheel and hoping for the lucky number?

Seafood Awareness

What did one oyster say to another?

We're still friends, even if you are a little cracked.

I know… I know… terrible joke. I never claimed to be the next Steven Wright.

But ever since I've started eating seafood again, I've been focusing more on the quality of my seafood. Although I think this type of food is generally healthy, there are some warnings associated with many different types of seafood.

Fortunately, websites like BeOysterAware.com help me learn more about the issues surrounding seafood, such as the risks and cautions associated with eating oysters.

BeOysterAware.com is a great place to learn about Gulf oysters as well as find new recipes for preparing and serving these mollusks. So check it out if you're looking for loads of information about oysters.