Jackson Free Press

Christi Vivar
"This is the perfect place to go bike riding," I thought, when my husband and I went to survey the new neighborhood we would be moving into. And apparently he thought the same thing because before I could say anything to him, he declared to me that we would most definitely spend the summer riding bikes. I've been trying to find some type of physical activity with which to bond with my husband as he has no desire to practice martial arts (with me), and because of my asthma, I can't keep up with him for long while jogging. I have fond childhood memories of riding bikes with my brother and two cousins, and I'm glad that I will be able to more memories now with my husband. I'm sure this won't be a trend but something we will continue to do no matter where we move next.

Lacey McLaughlin
There is no such thing as a "normal" week at the JFP, and this can make it hard to find time to get into a workout routine.

For the goal of losing 10 pounds, I've starting running again and for those days that I can't squeeze in a workout, I've been more conscious about what I eat . I find that I am too busy to plan meals and I wait until I'm starving to figure out what to eat. At that point, I'm more likely to make unhealthy choices.

Two weeks ago, I meditated for the first time at the Jackson Zen Dojo. I was concerned that my Attention Deficit Disorder and chronic impatience would make staring at a wall for half an hour tortuous. But I went into it without any expectations and it was a great way to refocus my mind and energy.

ShaWanda Jacome
I've been turning the TV off earlier in the evenings. With this extra time, I've been getting things ready for the next day, spending time with the family and reading. I've been going to bed a little earlier on some nights.

I have been struggling with exercise. I have a hard time finding an type of exercise that I enjoy. I'm not a big fan of the outdoors (Mississippi summer weather and mosquitoes are not my favorites) and it's hard to fit it into my schedule.

I love music so I know aerobic classes would probably be my best bet. I'm going to stick with in-home DVDs. And with DVDs I can fit it into my schedule when it's most convenient for me.

Todd Stauffer
For the past few months I've been loving the time spent either on the elliptical at the gym or on the bicycle that I've recently dusted off, adjusted a bit and started riding around the neighborhood. After an hour or so of cardio mixed with hard work for my leg muscles, I'm ready to enjoy a long, quiet evening and a good night's sleep. There's only one problem—I generally only get that exercise one (sometimes two) nights per week!

Here's the deal—up at 7:45 a.m. to get to work by about 8:30 a.m. Coffee, shower, dressed ... occasionally a bowl of cereal; mostly not. Once at the office, more coffee, maybe a pastry and more coffee. By late lunch, I'm starving, although the food is often decent.

Back in the office? Coffee until I feel guilty about it, then I'll finally switch to water late in the day. Head to the bank drive-through by 6 p.m., then it's generally back to the office until at least 8 p.m. Then, three nights a week we're out on the town. The other two nights are generally Monday night (home after enough pages are done; quick dinner, try to get to bed) and Friday night—often dinner out with friends or dinner in with a movie. Saturday—back in the office most days.

Sundays? A day of rest—and exercise!

So, what does the Road to Wellness hold for me? Four more days of exercise. I can't hit every weeknight, but I've got to build the discipline to either get up and on the street in the morning for a walk (which means up by 7:15 a.m.—not easy for a devout night owl) and/or more nights in the gym, even if it means getting work done an hour earlier each evening.

Latasha Willis
I've come to the conclusion that instead of the five goals I listed, I should have just had one goal: Improve my short-term memory. Why? Because I keep forgetting my goals! My brain is on autopilot most days, thinking about obligations for work, school or church, so two or three days will go by before I realize that I haven't done something. I think that I may have to post a checklist on my mirror to remind me of what I am supposed to be doing. I'm distracted on a regular basis, so I hope I don't overlook the checklist!

Kristin Brenemen
Through some trial and error over the years I have discovered that sugar is the enemy. Sugar is in everything we eat, and it's hard to avoid. Everything has sugar, high fructose corn syrup, cane juice, dextrose, sucrose, glucose, maltose—the many guises lurk in everything from breakfast foods to dinner entree ingredients. Read a couple of nutrition labels if you don't believe me.

Step one of the Road to Wellness: Avoiding sugar again. Not going so well in this first week or so. Someone set a trap in the office this morning with delicious red velvet cupcakes (complete with patriotic American flags poking out of the tops of each).

I only ate half of one. Don't judge me. Maybe tomorrow I'll do better.

Ashley Jackson
Starting on a new wellness program can be difficult in the beginning. Other than forgetting exactly what I was planning to change, I have been in the process of moving into a new house. That's been a long tiring process and has made it difficult to eat balanced meals, go to the gym and yoga. My new (and possibly haunted) house is much closer to my workout facilities. On a positive note, my arms, legs, and abs have been getting a fantastic work out from moving heavy boxes up the stairs.