Articles:
Fun Healthy Spins of Childhood Recipes
A Hop, Skip and a Jump Rope Championship
Have you checked out Lynn Deming’s blog and podcast with thoughts on Playing Out instead of Working Out?
Playing Chinese Jump Rope: More than just a game
Podcast: Playing Out instead of Working Out
Youtube: Project Playground (Initiatives to increase activity and community)
Instagram: @LynnDeming
Twitter: @LynnDeming
Spotify
Playlists for you to share:
Lynn Deming’s Morning Dance Party (Let’s get this party started!)
Lynn Deming’s Doing the Dishes Disco Ball
Lynn Deming’s Cooking Dinner Jam
Lynn Deming’s Dancing through the Mall
Book: Life on the Playground (Ideas and Tips on how to incorporate silliness, fun and overall health into everyday life)
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Devil's Advocate
Healthy living experts from around the country weigh in on the new upstart in the health world, Lynn Deming. Her outrageous claims that being healthy doesn’t have to be a chore and that we shouldn’t have to spend hours each week exercising at a gym and that using common sense for healthy eating have sparked a backlash against her “childhood fun lifestyle” . Here’s what some of the experts have to say about her.
Wanda Workout: Who does she think she is? We all know that in today’s world the only way to truly get healthy is to create a workout plan and schedule time each day to go to the gym. Working out for at least 90 minutes each day, doing specific workouts that include cardio and weights is a must. She doesn’t even call it exercise or working out--she calls is play and activity. She thinks it should be fun and silly. She looks like a fool talking about playing kickball with her friends, dancing around her house and through stores, she definitely does not give this the serious consideration that being healthy needs.
Neil Nutrition: She is irresponsible, she obviously doesn’t know about the importance of making proper dietary choices. Without getting blood tests how can she determine the optimal nutrition plan that takes all the life variances into account so people can make the necessary changes needed to be healthy. She even states that having ice cream, or other junk food as a treat once in awhile is ok. Does she know what that does to the body? It totally messes with the delicate balance of how nutrients react in the body, people need to stick to a regimented diet.
Eddie Exerciser: She rides her bicycle on the streets (and to get ice cream, nonetheless), and she recommends dancing while you are doing chores around your house as “activity”. She has no set plan of action. It’s so unhealthy and uncontrolled. She rides, walks, works out outside where there are cars and other distractions. It is such a polluted environment. And she doesn’t check her heart rate and other vitals, how does she know if she is reaching the burn or exercising hard enough? And jumping rope while singing songs--what is she, 5? People need to have regimented classes so they can optimize their output potential. This is a workout not recess!
Dolly Dieter: What does she think she’s doing? She should be counting calories, and tracking the amount of fat/protein/carb ratios. I can’t even believe that she eats carbs, sugar, dairy or gluten and thinks that for the average person that these are ok in moderation. Don’t even get me started on the alcohol or chocolate. This moderation crap she preaches is for the birds! Obviously, she is just not disciplined enough to be blogging about healthy food and exercise, she doesn’t offer or endorse any sort of “program” that will provide the structure that people need to make wise choices.
So there you have it, 4 experts weigh in on this new upstart in the health industry, she has no degree, or certification to be talking about living healthy. She is a quack and will lead many people into obesity and unhealthy habits.
Wanda Workout: Who does she think she is? We all know that in today’s world the only way to truly get healthy is to create a workout plan and schedule time each day to go to the gym. Working out for at least 90 minutes each day, doing specific workouts that include cardio and weights is a must. She doesn’t even call it exercise or working out--she calls is play and activity. She thinks it should be fun and silly. She looks like a fool talking about playing kickball with her friends, dancing around her house and through stores, she definitely does not give this the serious consideration that being healthy needs.
Neil Nutrition: She is irresponsible, she obviously doesn’t know about the importance of making proper dietary choices. Without getting blood tests how can she determine the optimal nutrition plan that takes all the life variances into account so people can make the necessary changes needed to be healthy. She even states that having ice cream, or other junk food as a treat once in awhile is ok. Does she know what that does to the body? It totally messes with the delicate balance of how nutrients react in the body, people need to stick to a regimented diet.
Eddie Exerciser: She rides her bicycle on the streets (and to get ice cream, nonetheless), and she recommends dancing while you are doing chores around your house as “activity”. She has no set plan of action. It’s so unhealthy and uncontrolled. She rides, walks, works out outside where there are cars and other distractions. It is such a polluted environment. And she doesn’t check her heart rate and other vitals, how does she know if she is reaching the burn or exercising hard enough? And jumping rope while singing songs--what is she, 5? People need to have regimented classes so they can optimize their output potential. This is a workout not recess!
Dolly Dieter: What does she think she’s doing? She should be counting calories, and tracking the amount of fat/protein/carb ratios. I can’t even believe that she eats carbs, sugar, dairy or gluten and thinks that for the average person that these are ok in moderation. Don’t even get me started on the alcohol or chocolate. This moderation crap she preaches is for the birds! Obviously, she is just not disciplined enough to be blogging about healthy food and exercise, she doesn’t offer or endorse any sort of “program” that will provide the structure that people need to make wise choices.
So there you have it, 4 experts weigh in on this new upstart in the health industry, she has no degree, or certification to be talking about living healthy. She is a quack and will lead many people into obesity and unhealthy habits.
Time to Play
At the other side of the green I could see the boy jumping up and down in victory. They high fived and went on their way laughing and chatting as they went. You could see the happiness and fun bubbling within them. It was simply a race to have a race, just to have fun. It wasn’t a “workout” or “exercise”.
And then I thought, when does activity go from joy and fun to accomplishment and responsibility? From playing to working out?
While you can sometimes see some happiness and fun within people who are “working out”, the joy often comes at the end, at having accomplished something--that they did something stressful and made it out the other side.
As an adult it seems as activity is to be tolerated for health and body image purposes instead of being active just for the fun of it. We proclaim to be living for the journey, but that doesn’t seem to include our health journey we live for the accomplishment.
I think it’s time to break free and have fun! It’s time to play! And while I know I will probably fall once or twice (or 50 times, as I am ever the graceful athlete) and as long as I don't break a hip, I will get up, brush myself off and start racing across the green!
When is the last time you had actual fun and joy in an activity? Let me know in the comments or on twitter #timetoplay
Sunday, July 22, 2018
About the Author
Lynn Deming is a light-hearted, heavy bodied, health seeker, passionate in what she calls “moving from screen time to LIFE time.”
She grew up in a coastal town in Connecticut during an era where during summers your parents kicked you out of the house in the morning, let you in briefly for lunch, and didn’t let you back in until the street lights came on. She ran around outside playing games with the neighborhood kids and pool hopped from one friend’s house to another’s, when hungry she snacked on watermelon, cherries, peaches and other fresh treats, and then relaxed by reading books lying under the tree in her backyard. It was a fun, well balanced, healthy time.
But all that changed in third grade was when she was signed up for an aerobics class because she was perceived as pudgy by her parents. This began her life of obsessing over food, hating the deprivation most diets implemented, and spending too much of her precious time away from her family and life at the gym. Many times real life would get in the way and she would drop out of dieting and going to the gym and as her kids grew older family time became screen time.
In 2018 she decided there had to be a better way, and she became passionate about finding healthy food and activities that don’t include fad diets or hours spent at a gym. Join her in the journey to transform her couch potato life into to the fun, well balanced, healthy time of childhood. She will be on the search for healthy, real food; fun, real life activities; and for the only diet worth going on--an all chocolate diet that would make her thin and live forever without any disease.
Apparently a Healthy Life equals a Healthy Wi... errr, Mind.
I was exhausted, had a headache, and felt nauseous. I felt the butterflies flying through my chest, my thoughts scattered every which way and focus eluded me. And I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet. My eyes opened in recognition that my nemesis, anxiety had come to visit.
I usually deal with anxiety by immersing myself into some binge-worthy show (or The Real Housewives or some other reality show spawned by Bravo -- don’t judge me), eating chocolate and hiding from the world. But this time, I decided that I was all done with that and needed new coping strategies as these were also the same activities I enjoyed on girls night (and nights my husband worked late, and nights I spent with my daughter, and … hmmm I think I see a trend ) and I realized I needed to do something new and out of my comfort zone.
So I grabbed my iPhone, put the question to the world (well at least to my small twitterverse) and while waiting for the replies searched the Mayo Clinic and Webmd to find out what they recommended (Meds, Yoga, Meditation, Journaling, huh--no chocolate??) .
The twitterverse quickly answered me with meditation (and with the meditation app headspace), a Ted Talk with new way to view and handle stress, just embracing it and being cranky and more. Thank you TwitterPeeps, the ideas were great and even more awesome is knowing I am not alone!!
I called in sick to work, watched the Ted Talk, forced myself out of bed, tried out some yoga (a story for another day) and meditation, and then put on my sneakers and headphones and went for a long walk. I did some chores so I felt as though I accomplished something, and started a journal (also recommended by the Mayo Clinic) to track where my head and emotions are on a more day to day basis.
I will confess I did scarf down some chocolate ice cream (1 cup--but oh so worth it!) while watching tv that night, but that is a far cry from mainlining straight chocolate into my system! While I don’t feel 100%, I do feel better and now have some great ideas to handle it all.
Sharing is caring, so share what ways you use to cope with anxiety and stress.
I usually deal with anxiety by immersing myself into some binge-worthy show (or The Real Housewives or some other reality show spawned by Bravo -- don’t judge me), eating chocolate and hiding from the world. But this time, I decided that I was all done with that and needed new coping strategies as these were also the same activities I enjoyed on girls night (and nights my husband worked late, and nights I spent with my daughter, and … hmmm I think I see a trend ) and I realized I needed to do something new and out of my comfort zone.
So I grabbed my iPhone, put the question to the world (well at least to my small twitterverse) and while waiting for the replies searched the Mayo Clinic and Webmd to find out what they recommended (Meds, Yoga, Meditation, Journaling, huh--no chocolate??) .
The twitterverse quickly answered me with meditation (and with the meditation app headspace), a Ted Talk with new way to view and handle stress, just embracing it and being cranky and more. Thank you TwitterPeeps, the ideas were great and even more awesome is knowing I am not alone!!
I called in sick to work, watched the Ted Talk, forced myself out of bed, tried out some yoga (a story for another day) and meditation, and then put on my sneakers and headphones and went for a long walk. I did some chores so I felt as though I accomplished something, and started a journal (also recommended by the Mayo Clinic) to track where my head and emotions are on a more day to day basis.
I will confess I did scarf down some chocolate ice cream (1 cup--but oh so worth it!) while watching tv that night, but that is a far cry from mainlining straight chocolate into my system! While I don’t feel 100%, I do feel better and now have some great ideas to handle it all.
Sharing is caring, so share what ways you use to cope with anxiety and stress.
My Resume
Lynn Deming
Experience
Diets
I have come to realize that I hate worrying, counting, and obsessing over food, and even more, that I hate deprivation. I also realized there is no magic pill and I have to listen to my body, monitor portions, find healthy, tasty food, and continue my search for an all chocolate diet that would make me thin and live forever without any disease.
Low Fat
1975-1984
1975-1984
- Ate the fat free, chemical laden meals and snacks that my mom provided
- Lost zero weight (and it didn’t even taste all that great)
Yeast Free Diet
1992-1994
- Went on for health reasons which it helped alleviate, and lost 10 lbs.
- Combed over ingredients on food labels to ensure no “forbidden” foods were listed.
- Researched and cooked foods without sugar, yeast, and other tasty and fun ingredients.
Weight Watchers
1994-1996; 1999-2004
- Researched and cooked foods allowed the Weight Watchers Universe.
- Counted points like there was no tomorrow.
- Lost all of my pregnancy weight each time.
- Gained it all right back and more as soon as off program.
Low carb/Modified Keto
On and off 2014-2017
- Researched and cooked foods allowed the Low Carb Universe.
- Lost weight, and then gained weight when I would go off course.
Exercise
While all of these were excellent activities for being in shape, they took me away from my life and family for hours at a time. I am now currently on a mission to find activities I can do throughout my day and life. I can tell you my number one exercise -- it’s laughing! More ideas to come!
Dance (Jazz, Ballet, Tap)
1970-1972; 1979-1982; 1990-1993
Aerobics
1975
Jazzercize
1989
Creative Health and Fitness
Member
1995-1997
Treadmill #2 at Planet Fitness
2005-2007
Zumba
2010-2012
Treadmill #5 at Fitness Edge
2012-2015
Education
The College of Self Help
B.S. in Health Fads
1975-2017
Thousands of Hours:
- pouring over magazines and on the internet written by “experts” telling me how to be healthy and thin
- reading and cooking from “healthy” fad cookbooks and magazine
- watching perfect and perky women teach in exercise videos and in gyms across the area
Master’s Program: Listening to My Inner Voice.
2-17-Present
Hoping to finish it within the next year or so and use this as the main thesis for my “Rest of my Life Dissertation”.
Skills
Reading Labels on Food Products (beginner level, still need a Chemistry Degree to decipher most of the ingredients).
Sauteeing, Baking, Roasting, Grilling, Blending, Mixing, Chopping, Slicing, Dicing, Mincing, and pretty much anything you can do to food.
Breathing deep breaths when under stress, Stretching without breaking to reach the top shelf in my kitchen, Walking that extra mile (ok, so maybe ½ mile) when my car breaks down, Bike riding to the train (when said car breaks down), Swimming while towing a kayak (when the kayak decides to flip), Leaping over medium sized piles of laundry to get to the washer.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Why this beat
Originally posted this as a page instead of as a post, now I have moved it:
Most of my life has been spent dieting and different exercise programs, yet none of these have led me to being healthy or to staying at a healthy weight. And I don’t think I am alone.
I hate deprivation and I love food. So what’s a girl to do? Especially in this world where there are 500 diets being promoted everywhere we look. Eat this, don’t eat that, eat at this time but not at this time, I’ve known many people who have even had forms of gastric bypass surgery to lose weight.
I’m tired taking time out of my already busy day to go to a gym and spend and hour or two every day working out and taking classes. Even just a few hours a week spent concentrating on “exercise” does not sound fun to me, and at my age I’m tired of not having fun!
I am not an expert in any way shape or form in the fields of nutrition or exercise, but I do know I want to change my life--walking more, moving more, eating better--without stopping living, or putting my life on pause.
Most of my life has been spent dieting and different exercise programs, yet none of these have led me to being healthy or to staying at a healthy weight. And I don’t think I am alone.
I hate deprivation and I love food. So what’s a girl to do? Especially in this world where there are 500 diets being promoted everywhere we look. Eat this, don’t eat that, eat at this time but not at this time, I’ve known many people who have even had forms of gastric bypass surgery to lose weight.
I’m tired taking time out of my already busy day to go to a gym and spend and hour or two every day working out and taking classes. Even just a few hours a week spent concentrating on “exercise” does not sound fun to me, and at my age I’m tired of not having fun!
I am not an expert in any way shape or form in the fields of nutrition or exercise, but I do know I want to change my life--walking more, moving more, eating better--without stopping living, or putting my life on pause.
Autobiography
I posted this on a page instead of as a post, so I'm now moving it here:
I am older than Methuselah so please excuse me if my autobiography is a bit longer than most.
I grew up in a coastal town in Connecticut during an era where during summers your parents kicked you out of the house in the morning, let you in briefly for lunch, and didn’t let you back in until the street lights came on. Dad was a very logical engineer who was a bit of a workaholic and during the weekends was busy with working around the house or at church. Mom was a stay at home mom who was very emotional, a bit needy, and wanted things her way. I have two older brothers who ensured I was not spoiled because I was the youngest and a girl. Basically, I grew up in a functionally dysfunctional family like most of America.
I was never the athletic type (though I did sign up for little league and was assigned to the outfield where I spent the games daydreaming and looking for butterflies and bees). In third grade my mother felt I was too pudgy (I wasn’t) so she signed me (not us) up for an aerobics class. So there I was the lone 9 year old accompanied by one of my mom’s friends in a room full of middle aged heavy set women who were all groaning and moaning while following the overly peppy & cheerful teacher strut her stuff on stage. Thus began my love and hate for my body, health, and activity.
After graduating high school, I went onto a state college without much internal direction of where I wanted my life to go. Mom pushed for me to go into teaching, and dad kept his opinions or lack thereof to himself. I rebelled (one of my few acts of) and ended up in graphic design and printing because it sounded interesting and one of my best friends majored in it. I also began to show symptoms of depression and anxiety, but this was during a time when mental illness was not something you acknowledged. So when I did acknowledge it, everybody told me I was fine. Plus, I was high functioning and able to hide it deep down inside.
I met a boy (ok, maybe several but only one is pertinent to the story at this point) and fell in love, got engaged and then married (I’m skipping a lot of interesting stories, maybe someday I will come back to them) got a job in the production department of a local academic publisher. Marriage didn’t seem much different then dating other than we were living together, but then I got pregnant, we bought a house and soon I found myself raising 2 kids (my husband and my son) and then 5 years later I was raising 3 kids (my husband, my son, and my daughter).
I changed jobs going into marketing at a local company and then 8 years later found a fantastic job as an Interactive Marketing Coordinator which I loved. Not only was it interesting and fun work, but great co-workers, and flex time as I needed.
When my daughter was in kindergarden it came to my attention that my husband was spending about $400 a month of much needed money on drugs, and that I was also in denial of his drinking habit. Fast forward 8 long years of lots and lots of therapy, AA, rehab, fights, tears, apologies, and much unneeded and unwanted drama, to where I finally stood my ground and ended our marriage. Cut to 1 year later where he OD'd, became physically and mentally impaired, and went to live with his parents in Florida so they could take care of him.
Brightside: Taking care of 2 children is much easier than 3 especially when one was your drug addicted husband! Also, social security disability always pays child support on time!
I, then, went about my life going on anti-depressents to take the edge off the depression and anxiey. I enjoyed friendships, my children, my family, and my life. I started dating, never with the intention of getting married again, I was done with marriage. I didn’t need it, had the kids and had the house. Been there done that. I met several nice men and some real jerks, but I always got a funny story to entertain my girlfriends. I also kept a list of my learnings from dating of what a healthy for me relationship would be like.
Then one night a half hour coffee date ended up lasting 4 hours long. Somehow it seems the stars aligned and I came across my soul mate (which is very weird as I didn’t and kinda still don’t believe in that stuff). 2 and ⅔ years later we became engaged, 3 months later we got married and here we are living the dream.
I still struggle with my depression and anxiety and continue taking medication, and while he doesn’t fully understand mental illness, he is extremely supportive. He will notify me when I seem “off”, provide extra space, hugs, communication when I need them and tell me I am crazy when I am indeed crazy. He provides me a space where I can relax, be imperfect, be a bit irresponsible and enjoy life to its fullest. He keeps me active and healthy with walks, hikes, kayaking, traveling, gardening, and doing things around our house. We go to plays, movies, museums, hockey games, and so much more, wherever our eclectic desires take us. Ok, that is our marriage 70% of the time, the other part is spent being cranky, arguing about kids, being annoyed, and the other real marriage (and real love) crap.
I am older than Methuselah so please excuse me if my autobiography is a bit longer than most.
I grew up in a coastal town in Connecticut during an era where during summers your parents kicked you out of the house in the morning, let you in briefly for lunch, and didn’t let you back in until the street lights came on. Dad was a very logical engineer who was a bit of a workaholic and during the weekends was busy with working around the house or at church. Mom was a stay at home mom who was very emotional, a bit needy, and wanted things her way. I have two older brothers who ensured I was not spoiled because I was the youngest and a girl. Basically, I grew up in a functionally dysfunctional family like most of America.
I was never the athletic type (though I did sign up for little league and was assigned to the outfield where I spent the games daydreaming and looking for butterflies and bees). In third grade my mother felt I was too pudgy (I wasn’t) so she signed me (not us) up for an aerobics class. So there I was the lone 9 year old accompanied by one of my mom’s friends in a room full of middle aged heavy set women who were all groaning and moaning while following the overly peppy & cheerful teacher strut her stuff on stage. Thus began my love and hate for my body, health, and activity.
After graduating high school, I went onto a state college without much internal direction of where I wanted my life to go. Mom pushed for me to go into teaching, and dad kept his opinions or lack thereof to himself. I rebelled (one of my few acts of) and ended up in graphic design and printing because it sounded interesting and one of my best friends majored in it. I also began to show symptoms of depression and anxiety, but this was during a time when mental illness was not something you acknowledged. So when I did acknowledge it, everybody told me I was fine. Plus, I was high functioning and able to hide it deep down inside.
I met a boy (ok, maybe several but only one is pertinent to the story at this point) and fell in love, got engaged and then married (I’m skipping a lot of interesting stories, maybe someday I will come back to them) got a job in the production department of a local academic publisher. Marriage didn’t seem much different then dating other than we were living together, but then I got pregnant, we bought a house and soon I found myself raising 2 kids (my husband and my son) and then 5 years later I was raising 3 kids (my husband, my son, and my daughter).
I changed jobs going into marketing at a local company and then 8 years later found a fantastic job as an Interactive Marketing Coordinator which I loved. Not only was it interesting and fun work, but great co-workers, and flex time as I needed.
When my daughter was in kindergarden it came to my attention that my husband was spending about $400 a month of much needed money on drugs, and that I was also in denial of his drinking habit. Fast forward 8 long years of lots and lots of therapy, AA, rehab, fights, tears, apologies, and much unneeded and unwanted drama, to where I finally stood my ground and ended our marriage. Cut to 1 year later where he OD'd, became physically and mentally impaired, and went to live with his parents in Florida so they could take care of him.
Brightside: Taking care of 2 children is much easier than 3 especially when one was your drug addicted husband! Also, social security disability always pays child support on time!
I, then, went about my life going on anti-depressents to take the edge off the depression and anxiey. I enjoyed friendships, my children, my family, and my life. I started dating, never with the intention of getting married again, I was done with marriage. I didn’t need it, had the kids and had the house. Been there done that. I met several nice men and some real jerks, but I always got a funny story to entertain my girlfriends. I also kept a list of my learnings from dating of what a healthy for me relationship would be like.
Then one night a half hour coffee date ended up lasting 4 hours long. Somehow it seems the stars aligned and I came across my soul mate (which is very weird as I didn’t and kinda still don’t believe in that stuff). 2 and ⅔ years later we became engaged, 3 months later we got married and here we are living the dream.
I still struggle with my depression and anxiety and continue taking medication, and while he doesn’t fully understand mental illness, he is extremely supportive. He will notify me when I seem “off”, provide extra space, hugs, communication when I need them and tell me I am crazy when I am indeed crazy. He provides me a space where I can relax, be imperfect, be a bit irresponsible and enjoy life to its fullest. He keeps me active and healthy with walks, hikes, kayaking, traveling, gardening, and doing things around our house. We go to plays, movies, museums, hockey games, and so much more, wherever our eclectic desires take us. Ok, that is our marriage 70% of the time, the other part is spent being cranky, arguing about kids, being annoyed, and the other real marriage (and real love) crap.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Sample
This was a blog post that I had written for a photography blog I had last year:
I commute to work by train everyday. In the mornings the commute is usually crowded and filled with conversation. There are a few women with whom I have become friendly and we can get a bit boisterous on our 20 minute ride, chatting. laughing, and calling to others we know on the train.
I commute to work by train everyday. In the mornings the commute is usually crowded and filled with conversation. There are a few women with whom I have become friendly and we can get a bit boisterous on our 20 minute ride, chatting. laughing, and calling to others we know on the train.
But in the evenings the train seems quite empty and silent. The morning women take different trains home and I notice that many of the people around me are tired, quiet, and introspective.
We all just slip into our seats and watch the darkness arrive.
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