Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.
Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.
Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn't snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.
Links
Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Fitness Blog
With a belly full of hot cocoa and cookies, I'm
planning my New Year's diet makeover and I still have a houseful of chocolate I
need to consume. Have any of you ever been on a diet? If you’re like most women
the answer is probably, “I start a new one every morning!”
One study found that 86% of women want to lose weight.
(i) Really? 86% of us are not happy with our shape? With 66% of Americans
overweight (ii), it does make sense that many are struggling to lose those
extra pounds. Of course we want to be healthy, but do we really have to be
perfect?
If we can drop the desire to look perfect we can take
charge of our health and love the body we're in. The really cool thing about
embracing your shape and unique beauty is if you feel good about yourself it
will be easier to improve your health and lose weight.
Here are a few ideas to help:
1. Bury the scale under your laundry pile - try to
focus more on how your clothes are fitting and how you feel. If you want a
true indicator of improvement try a fat percentage test or measure yourself
regularly.
2. Lift weights in front of a mirror (it’s okay to do
this in a sports bra, at least if you’re in your bedroom without your teenagers
laughing at you). Watch how your muscles contract and realize that you are a
strong, beautiful woman.
3. Don't compare yourself - Everyone has their own
strengths. It might be easy for your friend to stay thin, but maybe she
couldn't lift her 95-pound ten-year old and carry him to the doctor when he
broke his arm (that was a proud moment). Try to compliment and be happy for
other people instead of letting that darn jealousy take over. Looking for the
best in others will help you feel better about yourself too.
4. Exercise - whenever you allow negativity to creep
in, go on a walk or bike ride, turn on some music and dance, drop and do twenty
pushups, try some yoga moves. Make yourself move. The endorphins will start
dancing with you and you really will feel better. (iii)
5. Fake it until you make it. I know this seems, well,
fake. But I promise if you put a smile on your face and pretend you love your
body, you can change your attitude and eventually the smile will feel more
natural than the frown.
6. Be grateful for the health you've got. Whenever I'm
on a run and want to quit I tell myself, "Some people would give anything
to be able to run and they can't." Focus on the blessings of being able to
move, breathe, and serve your family, neighbors, and those in need with your
healthy body.
7. Write down the things you love about your body. If
you get a bit depressed about the dimples on your thighs (please tell me
someone else has those too) focus instead on how toned your calves look or the
fact that your biceps are really responding to all those curls.
I'd love to hear what all of you do to love your body.
Please share in the comments.
Thanks,
Cami
i. Addressing Body Image in Eating Disorder Treatment
Author: Meghan Vivo
Date: 3/11/2009
An Interview with Anna Treacy, MPH, NCHES
ii. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm
iii. The Most Important Exercise Tip By Robin Lloyd, Special to LiveScience
http://www.livescience.com/health/060530_exercise_good.html
Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.
With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.
Cassidy Christensen wants to run.
Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.
This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.
Purchase
Blog Tour Giveaway!
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash from Author Cami Checketts
3 Sets of iFrogz Earbuds & Armbands
Ends 1/31/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule
December 27th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - Tour Kick Off
Blkosiner's Book Blog - Tens List
Pandora Poikilos - Peace from Pieces - Interview
Min Reads and Reviews - Review
December 28th
Bookworm Lisa - Review & Excerpt
The Bunny's Review - Excerpt & Tens List
Reviewing Shelf - Review
December 29th
Musings From An Addicted Reader - Review & Tens List
Mom with a Kindle - Excerpt
Janet Kay Jensen - Interview
A Storybook World - Interview
December 30th
The Book Diva's Reads - Review
Lovely Reads - Guest Post or Tens List
Blooming with Books - Review & Interview
December 31st
Books, Books, the Magical Fruit - Interview
StoreyBook Reviews - Review
January 1st
Happy New Years!
January 2nd
Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews - Character Interview & Excerpt
Rachael Anderson - Review & Exceprt
January 3rd
Book Blast - Multiple Blogs
January 4th
Getting Your Read On - Review & Excerpt
Cuzinlogic - Review & Interview
Gamila's Book Review - Review
Clean Romance Reviews - Spotlight
January 5th
Four Sisters and a Book - Review
icefairy's Treasure Chest - Excerpt
Easy Writer - Excerpt
January 6th
My Devotional Thoughts - Review & Guest Post
Why Not? Because I Said So - Guest Post & Review
Rachel Ann Nunes - Interview
January 7th
Debbie's Inkspection - Review
Charity's Writing Journey - Review
January 8th
Literary Time Out - Review of Dying to Run
Promiscuous Diva - Guest Post or Tens List
Sarah Ballance - Tens List
January 9th
Rachelle's Writing Spot - Guest Post
My Book A Day - Review
We All Make Mistakes in Books - Review
January 10th
Oh the Books You'll Read - Review
Bibliophilia, Please - Guest Post or Tens List
LDS & Lovin' It - Guest Post & Review
January 11th
Kaisy Daisy's Corner - Review
KatrinaDoes - Review
Christian Book Notes - Review
January 12th
Up All Night Reviews - Guest Post & Excerpt
Pieces of Whimsy - Review & Excerpt
January 13th
A Diary of a Book Addict - Review & Guest Post
Jen’s Blog of Random Thoughts - Review
January 14th
I Love to Read and Review Books :) - Review & Tens List
Crazy Four Books - Review
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf - Review
January 15th
Book Worm Brandy - Review
Sweeping the USA - Excerpt
January 16th
The Book Bug - Review of Dying to Run & Excerpt
Book Broads - Review & Guest Post
January 17th
Hardcover Feedback - Review & Tens List
Fly High - Excerpt
Guerilla Wordfare - Guest Post
January 18th
Beck Valley Books - Excerpt
Charity's Writing Journey - Tens List
January 19th
Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf - Review
Bookhounds - Interview or Guest Post
Book Journey - Review
January 20th
Snifferwalk - Tens List
Book Flame - Guest Post
January 21st
Vonnie's Reading Corner - Review
My Life. One Story at a Time. - Guest Post & Review
January 22nd
Magical Manuscripts - Review
The Book Mark Blog - Review
Scribbler's Sojourn - Guest Post
January 23rd
Seaside Book Nook - Excerpt
I'd Rather Be Reading At The Beach - Guest Post
Taking Time for Mommy - Review
January 24th
Mom Loves 2 Read - Review & Excerpt
LovLivLife Reviews - Guest Post
MK McClintock - Tens List
January 25th
Vampandstuff - Excerpt
Tristi Pinkston - Spotlight
Socrates' Book Review Blog - Guest Post & Review
Libby's Library - Review
I remind myself that I am a grown woman, and shouldn't have the same body I did when I was a pre-teen girl (with ridiculously skinny thighs).
ReplyDeleteThat's so true, Beth! I think if I could just be happy with myself now, someday I'll look back and wish for the body I have now.
DeleteThanks,
Cami
I have three kids and sometimes it's a struggle to see past the body I now have and not get stuck on the image of myself when I was in top shape. It helps to see my husband look at me with the same look he did when we first met and before we had kids. I can get down on myself, but knowing he doesn't see my insecurities puts a smile on my face
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful! It's a blessing to have a great husband.
DeleteThanks,
Cami