A Merry Life - The Pursuit of Healthy & Happy » Guest Posts

Workout etiquette; are you in the right?

Mary — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:22:46 +0000

I’ve gotten a lot of guest post emails lately. I normally don’t post them unless I’m away or too busy to write but this one from The Training Room caught my eye. Lately I’ve been noticing a bunch of people at my gym that do silly things that drive me crazy. I workout at a gym where they have to remind people to wear deodorant, so you can only imagine what else happens there. My biggest pet peeve though is unsolicited advice (see personal protocol below). The following guest post goes over some general guidelines for gym goers on what to do and not to do in the gym. There is such a thing as gym etiquette!

Workout etiquette; are you in the right?

For the first few months of the year gyms and health clubs up and down the country will be packed to the rafters with people clinging on to their healthy routines and resolutions. You might consider yourself an exercise aficionado or you may be one of those with just good intentions. Either way there are some important guidelines in terms of gym etiquette that you should always adhere to.
Whether unwritten rules or part of the “bible” for fitness fanatics undertaking their personal trainer qualifications, always be mindful and make sure you’re not in the wrong.

Clean up after yourself

This should always be rule number one. Imagine finally being able to get a spot on a machine in a packed gym only to sit down and find the seat covered in the sweat of the previous user. Always carry a sweat towel whenever you work out and remember to use it.

Share

Hogging the equipment is a sure fire way to frustrate all those other gym users around you. Everyone pays a membership fee and has a right to use the equipment – the gym isn’t simply tailored for your exact needs. At busy times many health clubs operate a policy of half an hour workouts on cardio machines like cross trainers and exercise bikes. If that’s the case stick to it; and don’t leave your towel on a piece of equipment expecting it still to be free when you get back.

Put things away

If you use some free weights put them away after you’ve used them. Think about your frustration when you want to use something and you have to search the entire gym floor to find it.

Personal Protocol

We all go to gyms and health clubs for the equipment. Otherwise we’d be pounding the pavement or heading down to our local park. But proper gym etiquette isn’t just about how you use the facilities. There’s also a personal protocol that you should always try and adhere to. Obvious things like keeping your mobile switched off and your iPod volume to a minimum are too often ignored, as is not sharing the water fountain.

However, one of the biggest problems is individuals offering unsolicited advice. Unless you’re a certified personal trainer, don’t go around correcting other people’s form without their permission. If anyone asks you for advice, don’t give it unless you’re absolutely sure. Any wrong suggestions could result in another person injuring themselves.

None of these should be news to anyone who’s ever stepped into a gym or health club; and if they are the culprit could be you. Step up your game. It’s better for everyone.

Want to become a personal trainer? Visit The Training Room for more information.

Workout etiquette; are you in the right? is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!

How Healthy Living Changed Jody’s Life

Mary — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:54:07 +0000

Can you believe I’m still posting guest posts I had for my wedding week? Me either! I am such a slacker but having a store of awesome posts comes in handy… like when you are getting a new puppy adjusted to it’s new life (yeah, I’m still tired). So I hope enjoy this post from Jody, my blogging friend and fellow strength training fan! Check out her blog Fit and Healthy At Any Age! Here’s Jody…

Mary gave me so many great topics to write about but I decided to write about why healthier living has changed my life. I am hoping to reach out to some of the younger people as well who think they have plenty of time & really don’t have to think about what happens when they get older. Heck, I have been there so I understand that train of thought!

A brief note about me – I will be 54 in November & lost my initial weight in high school… BUT I did put some back on & did many “wrong things” in my younger days. Learning & knowledge is key & ALWAYS learning. I still am!!!

So, I sat home one summer (besides my high school job) & lost 30-40 pounds (it’s hard to recall the exact amount but at least 30) by eating 3 healthy meals a day & a couple healthy snacks. I cut out all those sweets & chips & things I had loved to eat! This shows you right here how important food is to the equation – at least 75-80%! BUT, lest you think you can get away without exercise, think again! ;-) All studies show that a combination of eating healthier/better AND exercise lead to weight loss & LONG TERM MAINTENANCE. I will say that at least losing weight started to make me feel better about myself although I can tell you from experience that it does not solve all your negative thought problems. That has to come from within!

In college, between classes & work, yes, I did put back on a little weight, maybe 5-8 pounds which is a lot on a 5’1” short person! Once out of school & working, I joined a woman gym near my home at that time & then Family Fitness in 1982, which is now 24 Hour Fitness. I started doing some weights & aerobic classes, which were the big thing back then. I was eating healthier BUT also doing the stupid – cut the calories way back & avoid all fat! Learn from this – a big NOT GOOD!

Once I started exercising & “eating better”, one thing lead to another & I just kept trying new things & wanting to do more weights & other exercise feats. Studies do show that if you put the effort in to eat better & start looking & feeling better about yourself, it will lead to you sticking with it. I found this TRUE! I kept the weights but also started running in 5K races. Just another thing to try & challenge myself.

In my 30’s, I got into weights big time & kept the cardio as well. But I also started to learn how to eat better, more calories, the right combination of protein, carbs & fats and LEARNED that food is not the enemy. I was eating more (healthier & cleaner foods) but looking better & wearing smaller sizes. I competed in my first bodybuilding competition in my late 30’s!

Now in my 50’s, I can tell you that by starting young & learning the “right way for you” to do it when you are young will make it so much easier on you as you age. Our lives change, our bodies change, our priorities change. If you already have your weight under control & know how to manage healthy eating & exercise during the different/difficult times in your life, keeping it off as you age is going to be so much easier.

Let me tell you, come the 40’s, your body will want to attack you & having learned about your body early is going to make this time easier to deal with. You already know how to manage & maintain your weight so you can work from that point to handle the changing body & hormones. Yes, it is tough but without all my knowledge & learning from when I was younger, honestly, I would be SOL right now! ;-)

Take my advice, get on the healthy bandwagon early on & it is still NEVER TOO LATE! Plenty of bloggers have proved that to us! You are worth it & every person that comes into your life will now that. You will also be equipped to handle all the “craziness” that comes your way!

How Healthy Living Changed Jody’s Life is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!

Heather’s Tomato Basil Mozzarella Chicken Salad

Mary — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:59:51 +0000

Today’s guest post is from my high school friend Heather! She writes the blog: A Young Wife’s Tale. I really enjoy her blog because her daughter is ADORABLE and it’s fun to read real life friend’s blogs. She is also one of the craftiest friends I have as well as a fellow expat (living in London), which makes me love her even more. Today in her guest post she shares a yummy salad recipe along with a little bit of her life. Make sure you check out her blog: A Young Wife’s Tale

Hey everyone!

I’m Heather and this is my daughter Milo

I am so happy that Mary asked me to do a guest blog. I love reading about her journey to a healthy happy life and becoming a beautiful wife. I met Mary in high school and have always secretly wished I had her wit and always admired how fearless and independent she is. Now that we are thousands of miles apart, we are probably talking more than ever. I am so bummed to miss her wedding, but I can’t wait to see all the pictures.

So at first I didn’t know what I should write about. Then it hit me–I wanted to talk about my lunch! I know, exciting right?! Well, first a little disclaimer. I’m not on a diet. I’m not even really watching what I eat. (say what?!) Well, I just moved to London and am trying to enjoy all the tasty food since we are eating out a lot. Once we get settled into a house, I will reign my ravenous appetite in :) My goal as of late has been to eat fresh food. Period. I try to stay away from processed food and eat organic/local when I can.

On to the super duper delicious lunch…. Being in London, grocery shopping is a bit different. They do have grocery stores, but I don’t live very close to one right now and I don’t have a car here yet. I pretty much walk to take the tube everywhere. I wanted to show you my food–from the source. A couple of the pictures aren’t the best, but visualize… me with Milo in the carrier strapped on my front, the diaper bag strapped on my back, my grocery bag on my shoulder, DSLR in hand. Considering all those factors, I’d say they are awesome.

The ingredients you need:

Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh Basil

Lettuce Mix or Spinach

Mozzarella Cheese

Salt and Pepper

Chicken

Avocado

Olive oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Apple Cider vinegar

Either a lemon, lime, or orange

First we are off to the Butcher

There is a guy that works here who is extremely cheeky. It always makes my day to talk to him. He tells the other customers that Milo is his daughter :)

They have the tastiest meat pies. The beef and cheese is to die for!

I picked up Buffalo mozzarella and a Rotisserie chicken….because I’m lazy and because it’s the best rotisserie chicken I have ever tasted. Writing about it is making my mouth water.

Then it was on to Oliver’s WholeFoods store

I would have gone to the farmer’s market, but there wasn’t one open nearby today.

This one is great though. They have some amazing hummus. It’s spelled Houmous here–don’t even get me started on that one. I’ve been on a hummus and lamb kick lately.

I picked up some cherry tomatoes, an avocado, some mixed greens, and I should have picked up some basil, which I forgot. I have the worst memory ever…. I mean ever. I once stood up an old lady from my pottery class who invited me out to dinner. I forgot. True story. I know, I’m a horrible person.

Then I headed over to the local Bakery.

This place is dangerous…. They have cupcakes and pastries that are just asking to be eaten. So far I have resisted and stuck with the fresh bread. Not like that’s any better for me.

I have fallen in love with this rosemary, olive oil, and sea salt bread. So, being the kick person that I am, I picked it up. When I like something, I get on a kick. I will eat the same thing every day until I am so tired of it that I cant eat it again for 6 months. I don’t know why I’m like that. Maybe I’m just a little bit crazy….who are we kidding, a lot crazy

So that’s all I had to pick up. I already had the other ingredients. On to the prep.

Salad dressing: (Makes 1/2 cup)

1/6 cup Apple cider vinegar

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

Salt and pepper

Zest of a citrus fruit. (lemon, lime, orange)

1 Tablespoon-ish of the juice from the fruit.

Optional add-ins:

Crushed Garlic

Dill

Cayenne pepper

or whatever spice you like

I had actually made a video on how to make the salad–all Rachel Ray Style. Problem was, it took me longer to make the video than it actually takes me to make the salad. It takes me about 6 minutes to make the dressing and salad. So I think i will have to save the cooking videos for a more complicated recipe:) Salad making isn’t really an exact science. My philosophy is to add more of what you like and less of what you don’t. However, I know some people really like measurements. This is an estimate of what I used.

1.5 Cup Mixed greens

1/2 Avocado sliced

1.75 Oz of Mozzarella

1 cup Cherry tomatoes Halved

3/4 Cup Chicken diced

Pepper

(Minced Basil if you remember it :)

I added this up and it comes out to roughly 575cal. Some ways to reduce the number of calories: Use part skim mozzarella, Use Newman’s Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette, reduce the size (duh), use grilled chicken, or homemade Roasted Chicken seems to be slightly lower in calories.

Amazeballs!

This salad is so easy and perfect for when you are on the go. It’s great for taking to work for lunch and it doesn’t take you forever to make it in the morning. A great way to make this as a side salad is to just to do a tricolor salad of tomato, mozzarella, and avocado with pepper and balsamic drizzle. Its a super simple salad that any of your guests will love. For a little extra goodness, slice up some yummy bread like the one I got at the bakery and dip it in the leftover dressing…Mmmmm . I hope you enjoy!

Heather’s Tomato Basil Mozzarella Chicken Salad is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!

Bonding While Burning

Mary — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:45:35 +0000

I have a little collection of extra guest blog posts from the wedding that I ran out of time and desire to post, but they are so amazing I am going to share them through the next few weeks. I hope you enjoy, starting today with Brooke’s awesome post about a bike ride (oh things I love)!

Hi! I’m Brooke and I blog over at Brooke: Not On A Diet! You can catch me chatting about my adventures in calorie counting, not becoming a Bridezilla, and my love for one amazing guy I call B-Fry!

I’ve always been one to workout alone. I didn’t want anyone to judge me if I was horribly out of breath after running a block or anyone to see me in a downward dog. I wouldn’t even workout if B-Fry was home, I’d always do it when he was at work. I didn’t need him to see me barely do a pushup.

Then I got Betty, my bike. When I got her all I wanted to do is go on bike rides and since B-Fry had a bike too, we could go together. I still wasn’t too keen on sweating with B-Fry, but he had a bike rack and could take me places other than my two-mile route around town.

Our first big bike ride was awesome. We started out near the Mississippi River and rode along it for quite awhile until we arrived to a pretty park. Along that bike ride we had some pretty awesome conversations while riding and enjoying nature. Conversations we wouldn’t have had while sitting in from of the computer playing with our Sims family.

The most noteworthy ride was the bike ride with challenging hills. Now Betty is a one speeder with push back pedals, so she’s not built for hills. We went on a new path we didn’t know much about, hoping that it would be pretty flat. After riding for a couple of miles we encountered a ridiculous hill. Betty and I tried to make it up, but halfway up we couldn’t do any more, so off I hopped and up she was pushed. We weren’t thrilled with our situation, but we made it work. A few yards after that was another tiny hill, or so we thought. B-Fry and I started going down the other side, we realized that the grade of steepness was much worse on the other side. B-Fry quickly stated that going back up that was really going to suck. Talk about an understatement!

We rode about another mile before we stopped at a bench to rest bit. These are the times that I always pull out my camera and snap a pic of us. I want to remember that day and the conversations we had. This particular day was especially memorable.

After our obligatory picture and some rehydrating, we head back on the path towards the Jeep. We quickly find ourselves at the bottom of the dreaded hill. B-Fry looks at me and says, “You’ve got this.” I look at him and give a sigh. Betty and I start climbing the hill with B-Fry behind. I’m standing up and pedaling as hard as I can, my chest is burning, and I’m ready to hop off and walk Betty up the rest of the way. But then I hear B-Fry behind me, cheering me on. He tells me I can do it and that I’m almost there. Then before I know it, I’m at the top of that hill!

I know the only reason I made it up that hill was because I had B-Fry cheering me on. I didn’t want to give up because I didn’t want to disappoint him. If I had been alone I would have hopped off that bike and said, “Screw it.” But my cheerleader kept me going.

Sharing these bike rides with B-Fry are great. I feel like we continue to learn about each other while riding side by side. The occasional bike race is pretty fun too. J I’m slowly getting over my fear of exercising with anyone in a 10-mile radius. I’m learning that bonding while burning calories is much more fun!

What about you, are you a loner when it comes to working out? Or do you like your buddies?

Bonding While Burning is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!

Jen’s Favorites

Mary — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:15:17 +0000

Wedding week is over but I’m off enjoying being a newlywed and getting ready for the New Zealand move. I have a bunch of new guest posts lined up for this week so I hope you enjoy them!

Today’s post is from Jen, a prior fat girl. She is a fellow weight loss blogger who has completed her weight loss journey and continues to inspire in maintenance. She is also a really cool girl and friend!

While Mary & Kepa are off in love-land, I wanted to swing by, say hello and share some important links with you. While I could share some links from my blog {which is a good read}, I figured I’d share with you some links I think you should read from my favorite bloggers.

Ann (Twelve in Twelve): Ann is on her healthiness journey and had a pretty stellar 2010. For most of 2011, she has been struggling with a plateau and is now finding herself fighting through eating demons. Ann recently wrote a VERY VULNERABLE post caught people’s attention because Ann describes a moment a lot of us are familiar with yet rarely admit to ourselves, let alone others. (Click HERE to read her post)

Tony (The Anti-Jared): Tony recently stepped outside of his comfort zone and wrote about a very personal tragedy he and his wife faced a few months ago. It is something that unfortunately, is more often than a lot of people realize yet is something that so many can’t talk about. As Tony worked to process what had happened, he shared with his online community in a way he had never done before. (Click HERE to read his post)

Tara (A Life Changing Journey): Tara has been on quite a journey – I can’t even put into words what she has overcome. Tara recently wrote a post that stuck with me about “perfection.” It’s something I’ve been struggling with a lot, about the standards I hold for myself, the expectations I have. Tara’s post came exactly when I needed it. (Click HERE to read her post)

Elle (Another priorfatgirl): Elle continues to fight for her healthiness and is beginning to recognize just how far she’s come. Recently, Elle wrote a post called “Grocery Tips” and talks about how she has begun to recognize changes in her grocery habits. She says of her old shopping trips, “I felt like people were seeing those groceries and thinking “yeah right, chubbers. We know that’s not how you really eat.” (Click HERE to read her post)

And now… I’d like to talk about food. My favorite of all subjects. Here are some recipes I drool over:

Greek Chicken Pockets (Katie @ Dashing Dish)

Mini Deep Dish Pizza [healthified] (Katie @ Dashing Dish)

Fruity Baked Oatmeal with crunchy topping (Angela @ Oh She Glow

Chocolate Cake Batter Smoothie (Angela @ Oh She Glows)

Zucchini burgers (Beth @ Beth’s Journey)

Whew – that’s a whole lotta links I’ve shared! Now it’s your turn – leave a comment linking to someone else’s blog that left you inspired, moved, speechless or drooling! We’ll give Mary a lot of blog posts to read when she comes back! {Or who knows, maybe she’s reading them all now while she’s on vacation!}

One more link to share? A resource for ya’ll – a tool, a place to be connected with all us here in the healthiness on-line community. I’d love for you to swing by my blog and say hi, check out my journey, and join me as I continue to fight for healthiness. (Click HERE to read my blog!)

Jen’s Favorites is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!

Marriage is a powerful commitment.

Mary — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:15:08 +0000

Today’s guest post is from Tara, an inspirational weight loss achiever who also married a fellow blogger (I love that we had that similar story… love through blogging happens!). She is a great writer so I hope you enjoy her guest post which felt like the perfect thing to post the day before I marry Kepa!

Marriage is a powerful commitment.

Taking back your life is a powerful commitment.

Combine the two and your world will never be the same.

While Mary and Kepa are off getting married, I’ve been asked to do a guest post. Often times when
asked to take over another person’s blog for a day it can be daunting: What do I write about? Will what I say come across as insightful? Will they approve and post my words?

When Mary asked if I would guest blog over here at A Merry Life, I immediately said yes. Getting married is stressful business and anything I can do to help from across the world I will do. I know that they’ve been living together for some time but there is something about signing a legal document that solidifies what it means to “be together” and this is an exciting time for the both of them. The last thing Mary needs to worry about is her blog. In case you don’t know who I am let me give you a little synopsis before we get to the meat of this post.

My name is Tara.

I blog over at A Life Changing Journey. I am a weight loss blogger having lost over 110 pounds and like Mary, I married someone that has also lost a significant amount of weight. Meegan and I met back in 2010. Finding each other’s blogs sort of haphazardly we became close friends. I was married. She was not. When we had the opportunity to meet in person the sparks flew and before you could say “sign on the dotted line” we were coming together in ways never imagined.

I think there is some madness to weight loss people coming together.

Meegan and I talked about this as I was contemplating exactly what my guest blog post would look like. When I was married I was miserable. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the person I was with immensely. I was miserable with who I was. Morbidly obese, no life in front of me and so stuck in my dark hole I had no idea how to even begin to claw and scratch my way out. On some miraculous day back in December of 2009 I had decided enough was enough. It was then I began to embark on a journey nothing short of absolutely life changing and along the way met some incredible people (including and especially Meegan). She understood me. My struggles with food. My struggles with body image. More importantly my struggle to look in the mirror and learn to love who I was staring at. The person I was with at the time did not. They didn’t understand why I got up before the sun came up and ran to avoid the jeers of onlookers. They didn’t understand the tears I cried when I so badly wanted to order a large pizza and opted to eat clean for another day. They didn’t understand my love for the gym over time nor did they understand my need to step up to a starting line often just to prove to myself for the first time in my life that I can, I will and I did.

It took a long time for me to finally grasp the understanding that my marriage was no longer appropriate for my life. It took strength and courage and a whole lot of self love to leave what was comfortable and jump head first into what has now become the best decision of my life.

As Mary and Kipa come together in marriage, may they find what everyone in the world is constantly looking for: true love and understanding. May the need to explain the struggles in their individual life changing journeys cease as they know exactly what the other is trying to do. May the path traveled individually find the crossroad to traveling together and may that path be exciting, awesome and full of adventures. May you look down at the hands that have worked endlessly to bring you to a place of loving yourself and find them clasped so strongly to each other nothing can break the hold.

May you both never forget from where you came as you look to your future. What one can accomplish alone, is nothing compared to what is accomplished together. Hold hands. Laugh more often than not. May the struggles you encounter seem less daunting as you stand together. Above all: Live and Love. Individually and together.

That is what marriage is about.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Marriage is a powerful commitment. is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!

A Sh*tty Guest Post

Mary — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Today’s post is from JackSh*t, the world’s sh*ttiest weight loss blogger and biggest insulter to my mother. Just kidding. He is actually a hilarious blogger and super creative guy. And I’ve met him in person and can vouch for the fact that he is just as cool in real life as you would expect. I hope you enjoy the blog post from him!

Jack Sh*t is the chief idea mechanic behind the weight loss/healthy living site, Jack Sh*t, Gettin’ Fit. When not dispensing “health tips” and weight loss and/or dating advice, he’s busy in his workshop creating candy-corn sculptures of exotic animals which he sells at local flea markets, festivals and truck stops. A Google search of the term “Jack Sh*t: America’s Greatest Hero” produces zero results.

A Sh*tty Guest Post is a post from: A Merry Life! If you aren't reading it via RSS or on amerrylife.com it has been stolen!!