Get Grossed Out – Then Get Serious

203lbs all in one place

I’m taking one for the team here. I’m putting myself out on the line to get more readers and perhaps motivate someone, even if that someone is me. In Roominations’ version of the Biggest Loser, I am using my own profile to inspire me to lose weight in 2010.

I’ll turn 51 next week and I, like many Americans, have to lose a little weight. OK, OK a little is a relative term, let’s get precise. If I can get from 203lbs to 175lbs I will feel much better. This is my New Year’s Resolution for 2010 and I’m committed to achieving it.

This picture might gross you out. It is the wallpaper on my phone and I use as a personal reminder not to reach for that jelly donut and instead to press on for another 5 minutes on the bike. Caution, a smile, ROFL, (roll on floor laughing) or nausea may result from viewing this photo for too long.

A couple of years ago, cycling was a great form of exercise for me. That was about 40 pounds and two years ago. Because I live in Minnesota, I need to bring that workout inside for half the year. I am fine with putting my road bike on a trainer, but I’ll readily admit the better way is to go with an exercise bike machine. There is nothing like the kind of workout and metrics you get from a good machine. The performance measurements are essential if you are working toward a goal. Plus the resistance and programming for hills and speed is something stationary trainers can’t provide. Those increments of victory and increased levels of programming will put you in better shape to start the outdoor season from the first signs of Spring.

Sports Unlimited, an online retailer of all kinds of sports equipment, has an excellent quick guide to purchasing Exercise Bikes

Don Ball of Sports Unlimited says, “A recumbent bike is an excellent choice for people, particularly for those who don’t ride on a regular basis.  Recumbent bikes take pressure off of the spine and reduce the possibility of your back bothering you while you ride. The fact that this bike converts to a rowing machine is awesome.  It has long been determined that rowing uses more muscle groups than any other single form of exercising, and it even works the abs.  This bike is affordable and provides some variety for the workout.  Generally the mental aspect of workouts is the toughest part.  Combine this with some dumbbells, and you can have a great workout in your home with little space requirements.  Resistance training, some form of weights or bands, is as important as aerobic such as bike, rower, treadmill, or elliptical workouts.”

Stamina recumbent bike

Sports Unlimited has a great deal on the Stamina Conversion II recumbent exercise bike/rowing machine, number 15-9003A.

Ball also has seen purchases of exercise equipment pick up at this time of year, even into January as people get serious about changing their lifestyle. Sports Unlimited uses Manna Distribution for high-speed, white-glove delivery, so your equipment will get to you fast and you are excited to get your program underway.

Give Your Spouse a Good Night’s Sleep for Christmas and Beyond

As we continue to pursue a holiday season full of practical gifts a mattress has so many wonderful benefits.

1. It’s a gift that keeps on giving long after the holidays


A gift built for two

2. You use it everyday
3. Immediate relief from some common back pains and even restless sleep
4. Mutual benefits by taking care of two people with one present (yeah ok I’m a little selfish so at least I admit it)

Plenty of choices in mattresses these days– the major one between foam and inner spring. In general, inner spring mattresses are the traditional foundation for sleeping. They tend to be less in price and come in a wide variety of prices with the primary differences being the fillings and tops layers. There is also usually a box spring to be purchased.

Sixty-one percent of consumers on SleepLiketheDead.com say their inner spring mattresses are comfortable compared to 81% of memory foam mattresses owners.

On the foam side there are considerations for those with allergies and potentially those who are significantly overweight. Foam, however has grown tremendously in popularly since coming to the US from Europe. Tempur-Pedic is a leader in memory foam mattresses and has a wonderful holiday gift guide and mattress selection on its website

A couple of excellent review sites for mattress products include Consumer Research and The Mattress Reports

Believe me, if you need a mattress, it’s a better practical holiday gift idea than what my wife needs: snow tires. Yeah, try convincing your spouse that giving them snow tires is a great gift! Wish me luck.

Furniture Through the Chimney This Year?

Dana French, respected researcher and writer from Furniture Today, releases the latest survey on furniture buying trends in the print edition of Furniture Today Magazine. In the exclusive survey done in collaboration with HGTV, one of the findings was how consumers look for quality when buying furniture. These home items are more often than not viewed as an investment with an eye toward longevity. More of the details of this survey at Furniture Today.

Consumers are becoming more comfortable with online purchases of furniture. U.S. Department of Commerce statistics and comScore show furniture and bedding’s 2008 online sales at about $4.6 billion or 3.5% of all e-commerce retail sales.

Shopping the world you’ll find the unique and eye-popping accents for your home. Here are a couple I found intriguing. Those Scandinavians sure have a way with design like this OPPO chair from Blastation.

Dazzle your guests, or make them dizzy with this coffee table that doubles as an optical illusion

Coffee table that & optical illusion all in one

http://www.opulentitems.com/

These above examples I picked up from the Furniture Store Blog

Here are a couple of excellent resources for great furniture values with high-speed, white-glove delivery by Manna.

Bassett Furniture

Advance Furniture