Shame on us America. We have allowed Victoria’s Secret to dictate what is an attractive image of women. This occurred to me the other night when a commercial (for the Victoria’s Secret 2011 Holiday clothing line) came on at about 9:30 pm. (a time when many teenagers are watching TV). We are so inundated with sexual images that most of us don’t even recognize them immediately. When this ad began, it took me a second or two before I fully opened my eyes to what I was seeing. But when I came to my senses, I watched the end of the “holiday” commercial and was disgusted by the barely-clad women slinking around in lingerie saying, “Tell me you love me“, “Delight me” in an obviously sexually-intended manner. Why is this on prime time?! [Read more…]
Search Results for: Me vs Victorias secret
Me vs. Victoria’s Secret
Five Secrets to Life-Long Weight Loss
In the end, gimmicks are not effective for long term weight loss. Tried and true, these “secrets” are actually simple common sense.
My friend and physical therapist, Alan Tyson, gave me this excellent article. It is right on the money.Weight loss always seems to be at the forefront of goals for the new year and there is ample talk about ways to take off those excess pounds. But keeping it off is the real prize. While many have success for a while with their weight loss plan, often, over time, the pounds creep back. The real question isn’t really an annual one…it is a forever question… How do we keep the weight off — today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our life? Not even everyone with “lucky genes” can stay slim for a lifetime without the help of a few basic strategies. I trust Alan’s judgment because he works with elite athletes and with weekend warriors alike, and his focus is prevention through strength and nutrition. Let me know what you think of the article, and check in later this week for a look at someone who lost 20 pounds a few years ago, and has kept it off. I will talk to her about what she feels is the “secret” to her success.
Five Secrets to Life-Long Weight Loss [Read more…]
Looking Back on 9 Kid Fitness in 2011
Finishing up our first year at 9 Kid Fitness, I want to thank all of you who have visited our site, contributed with comments, and just checked in with us via Facebook and Twitter. Launching last March, my hope was to engage with others who are trying to make fitness a priority in their very busy lives. Thank you for being a part of the 9 Kid Fitness community, and I hope that we will continue to find support and encouragement from each other in 2012! Today I would like to look back over the last year and highlight nine of the most visited posts at 9 Kid Fitness:
1. Me vs. Victoria’s Secret I take on the image of women that Vicoria’s Secret portrays in their holiday commercials (among other things).
2. When I Run I Feel His Pleasure Many of us Feel God’s presence when we run, and in this post I talk about how it felt for me. [Read more…]
About Whitney
9 Kids. . . Charlie, Mary Kate, Thomas, Peter, Annie, Grace, John, C.C. and Sam. I’m Whitney Hetzel – their Mom. Over the 23 years that I’ve been having babies, chasing toddlers, stressing about teenagers, missing my college students and now worrying about my kids who are out of college and on to jobs (one flying jets at Oceana Naval Air Station in VA), several things have always remained constants in my life: my faith, my family and health and fitness.
Like all moms, I’m busy. A wife, mother, homeschooler, and writer… my life can be stressful. It moves fast. It is filled with much joy, and many challenges, as well. I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my life. To live my life to its fullest – as a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter and a friend – I have to keep two things front and center: I have to keep focused on my faith and I have to keep physically fit. I have to pray. I have to exercise regularly. I have to get enough rest. I have to eat right. I have to know when to push hard and when to back off. I have to practice moderation and balance. When I get these things right, everything seems to run a little more smoothly. I have more patience and a better outlook on things. When I don’t…well, it isn’t pretty. I try to get these things right…but it doesn’t always happen.
Since 9 Kid Fitness is about how to stay fit as a busy mom, I’ll tell you a bit about my fitness background. I’ve always enjoyed working out. Over the years, how I exercise has evolved, but fitness has always been a part of my life. I grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois. I have two sisters, Elizabeth and Susan (my twin). Growing up, Susan and I swam, played tennis and ran. I ran through my college years to stay fit. During my twenties I got more serious about running. At times I over did things. I got injured. I learned about backing off. I ran before, during and after pregnancies. I did some cycling and competed in a few triathlons. In my thirties I started mixing in more strength training. I kept running before, during and after my pregnancies. I still over did things once and awhile, but less than I did during my twenties. I ran a couple of marathons. Didn’t break any records but was happy with solid efforts (3:21 PR).
As I entered my forties I ran smarter. I still ran before, during and after my last pregnancy at the age of 42. But, running has evolved from my primary form of exercise to my primary form of social exercise. I run with friends. I run with my husband, James. I run with my kids. We bought two dogs after I was bit while running. The point was to run with them. It never really amounted to much running though, so I don’t run with my dogs. I now do more strength training. I started taking barre classes. I eat better (well, sometimes). I stretch (a little) and I’m trying to work on my posture and on my balance.
I’ve learned a lot over the years. I’ve learned about what works and what doesn’t work. I’ve learned about the things that everyone talks about – cardio, strength, flexibility. I’ve also learned about the things that no one wants to talk about – such as pelvic floor issues like incontinence (the dirty little secret of the mommy world). I’m not an exercise physiologist. I’m not a physical therapist. I’m not even a certified personal trainer. What I am is a mother of 9 kids who has figured out how to make fitness a priority in what is an incredibly busy life. Through all the craziness, fitness has been my friend, my ally and my secret weapon. I continue to make it a priority. I have to. And I love it.
I want to learn from you. I hope 9 Kid Fitness can develop into a community of people encouraging each other to reach higher levels of fitness. I hope that we can become healthier and happier together.
Let’s begin the journey. Remember, if I can do it, you can do it.
Three Vegetables You Need to be Eating
Don’t judge these great veggies by any pre-concieved notions you might have…
Kale, Yams, and Beets…if you aren’t eating these veggies on a regular basis, you should be. According to Alan Tyson, physical therapist, athletic trainer, and certified strength and conditioning specialist, if you are an athlete or just want to perform at your best, these veggies should be on your A-List.
We all know that eating vegetables is a good thing to do. But not all vegetables are created equal. The more colorful the veggie, the more significant the nutritional potency (Vitamin C and E, carotenoids, polyphenols, etc.). When we eat a variety of green, yellow, and red vegetables we receive the maximum benefit that vegetables have to offer. Vegetables’ potent qualities are reflected in studies of populations with primary plant-based diets. Over time, people in these cultures are far less likely to be obese; they enjoy a longer lifespan; and they have a decreased risk of developing a number of chronic diseases. The general admonishment to “eat more veggies” is perfectly legitimate, but if you’re looking for a more concrete recommendation, the following are the reasons Alan Tyson says we should really get to know these three great veggies: [Read more…]
Modern Technology and Sleep Deprivation: You Might Want to READ THIS!
Born to Row…the Intimate Details of My Love Affair
Dedication Miles, Running with a Purpose, and Throwing Caution to the Wind
This time, though, I realized that one of the reasons I enjoyed reading his book so much was the intriguing people he wrote about. They are not like most of us, who, while we all may be a little nuts, are definitely more sane than crazy. The characters (real in every way) in McDougalls’s book are definitely not afraid of pushing themselves and living on the edge…the closer to it the better. These are people who run for long distances (way longer than 26.2 miles) for the fun of it…literally. FOR THE FUN OF IT! I guess we can all live a little vicariously through these wild runners who seem to throw caution to the wind.
[Read more…]
9 Tips to Drink 8 a Day…
Here are some tips from SparkPeople for getting those 8 a day…
As many of you know, drinking water is not my favorite thing to do. I recently saw this article from SparkPeople about tips for getting those eight glasses a day. I tweeked their 12 tips to make it nine (not just because I like the number nine…also because sometimes fewer is better). What are some of your strategies to get enough water…?
9 Tips to Drink 8 a Day [Read more…]
From 5K to Marathon in a Year!
At 65, he started running and accomplished a marathon in a year…and so much more!
I saw this post on SparkPeople and thought I would repost it here for my 9 Kid Fitness readers…Great story!
From 5K to Marathon in One Year
On December 3, 2011 I ran my first race, a 5K in Orlando, FL. I had just turned 65. This was after 10 weeks of training, which started quite innocently as a way to lose a few pounds. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would try to do a 5K. Fast forward just about one year, and I have completed my 1st Marathon. The Savannah Rock N Roll Marathon, on November 3, 2012. [Read more…]
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