Check out our November newsletter!
FAMILY FORUM
NOVEMBER 2020
JohnsonLGroup.com
720.452.2540
GETTING BACK TO AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AFTER HAVING 2 KIDS
M yles and I have two kids, ages 3 and 2, and they are a huge gift. They teach us, entertain us, challenge us, and bring more meaning to our lives. It has not been easy or peaceful, but we remind ourselves to cherish these times because our kids will not be young forever.
20 years straight.” Unless you are Dwayne Johnson, challenging workouts do not have to take hours — 30 minutes is plenty! Meanwhile, there is not always going to be a “perfect time” to work out. If there is a time that seems perfect, I have gone wrong somewhere. Most often, this means I waited too long to get started, so I have far less energy than had I started early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when I am the most energetic. When the opportunity to work out comes along, one thing that always motivates me is following other moms who are athletes and trainers. It is not that I believe other athletes don’t know what they’re doing. I just feel an emotional connection
One thing I have learned after having kids is that I cannot just expect to have leftover free time each
day to do whatever I want to do. I have to actually make time for the things that matter. That involves
choosing between doing what I feel like doing and doing what is best for me and my future. Maybe I am overthinking it, but I feel that prior to having kids, it
with athletes and trainers who have experienced motherhood. Two such people who inspire me are Erica Lugo and Melissa Alcantara.
was easy for me to work out and see results. My favorite activity was lifting for 30 minutes, then doing a high- intensity interval training (HIIT) treadmill sequence for another 15–30 minutes.
Lugo dropped 150 pounds in about a year, which she says would not have been possible without encouragement from her 3-year-old who asked her to play with him. She now owns and runs a fitness studio in Ohio. Alcantara dropped 40 pounds in 60 days after pregnancy, and she is now a renowned trainer in California. I love hearing stories like these, especially when they do not sugarcoat the difficulty of obtaining such drastic changes. If you are interested, check out the plethora of home workout apps and nutrition apps to see if any are a good fit (my current favorites are Sweat and Noom). And of course, YouTube has more options to count. Whatever your health and fitness goals are in the short and long term, I pray you create the motivation to achieve them!
Now as a mother, committing to a fitness routine feels much harder. For some reason, I often feel guilty about stepping away to work out, particularly when I feel zapped of energy (often). Despite Myles’s support, it is difficult to hold myself accountable. I am no therapist, but I believe this stems from my habit of saying no to myself when it comes to self-care. Although there are good reasons to put others first, there is also a cost. I have found that a lot of the dread comes from not wanting to spend the time and energy. If you saw the movie “Central Intelligence,” Dwayne Johnson shared the “one thing” he did to lose weight: “I worked out six hours a day … every day … for the last
–Genet Johnson
1
JohnsonLGroup.com
720.452.2540
IS ‘GLAMPING’ THE PERFECT WINTER GETAWAY?
CABIN FEVER HAS NEVER BEEN SO STYLISH
Step 1: Decide which kind of lodging you want. Glamping shelters come in all shapes and sizes depending on the level of comfort you desire on your trip. The most rugged glamping lodgings usually still include a wood-burning stove and a nice comfy bed, whether you opt for a log cabin or a specialized glamping tent (sometimes called a yurt). However, some of the more posh options include amenities like fresh linens, private bathrooms and showers, fully stocked kitchenettes, and even TVs. Step 2: Decide how you want to spend your time. Obviously, the point of glamping is to spend time in the great outdoors with winter activities, such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and other fun snow activities. However, glamping really shines during the frigid evenings. You can retreat indoors, throw some logs in the stove, prepare some hot cocoa or cider, and just watch the snowfall from your window. There’s no right or wrong way to glamp. All that matters is spending time in the wilderness with all the comforts of home — all while feeling refreshed and at peace. Get serious about physical activity. Aerobic exercises — like walking, jogging, running, cycling, and swimming — are great for clearing your mind and getting your body moving. Really, any exercise that gets the heart pumping and increases your respiratory rate will do. Research supports that aerobic exercise is a great alternative to meditation that yields many of the same benefits. Exercising outdoors or in nature — especially in new places — enhances these benefits. Because your surroundings are going to be unfamiliar, your mind is more focused, which can help if you’re searching for clarity. Stay mentally engaged. Many people achieve clarity, focus, and stress reduction through simple but engaging tasks, such as immersing themselves in an adult coloring book, doing brain teasers, or assembling LEGO sets, which proves they can be effective therapeutic tools or alternatives to meditation. The LEGO Company has actually been developing more products for adults with this sort of research in mind. But why LEGO products specifically? In addition to being objects you touch and push together, LEGO products come with clear, step-by- step instructions, which make them easy to put together and allow you to focus more on the task at hand. Even if you don’t complete the piece in one sitting, working on a project a few minutes a day can be a beneficial way to find a little clarity.
When COVID-19 struck the U.S., travel restrictions had people canceling their vacation plans left and right. This meant that many would-be vacationers had to find some getaways a little closer to home — namely, camping trips and their fancier cousin, glamping trips. If you haven’t heard of “glamping” before, it’s essentially glamorous camping. You have access to the beautiful, rugged outdoors as well as all the comforts of home. While traditional winter camping certainly wouldn’t be a relaxing getaway for most people, glamping during the winter months can give you access to the peace of the outdoors like you’ve never experienced before without so much as a shiver or sniffle. If you’ve decided to make glamping your go-to method of escape from the cabin fever that besets us all during the cold, dark winter days, you might be thinking: How can I make sure I have the best glamping experience possible? Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can apply to any glamping location to ensure that your time away from home is just as relaxing as that Caribbean cruise would have been.
Meditation is lauded for its health benefits and is often suggested as an effective way to clear the mind, organize thoughts, and reduce stress. Realistically, however, it’s not for everyone. In fact, some people don’t experience any benefits at all from meditating. In a recent study published in New Scientist about the effectiveness of meditation, researchers confirmed that some people do not benefit from meditation and that about 8% of people who try meditation experience an “unwanted effect,” such as an increase in anxiety. If you’re not interested in meditation, or it just doesn’t work for you, here are some alternative ways to clear your mind and reduce stress.
2
JohnsonLGroup.com
720.452.2540
This September, Carrie Ford-Coates joined us here at Johnson Law Group as a paralegal, and we are absolutely thrilled to have her. A few months ago, Carrie moved to the Denver area from Florida with her husband, David, and their daughter, Sofia, a courageous move in the middle of the pandemic. While she does miss the ocean — who can blame her? — Carrie and her family love hiking and driving through our mountain landscapes and other beautiful areas. Before she left Florida, Carrie had been working in real estate, and then, due to the pandemic, she was laid off. After the initial disappointment, Carrie and her husband saw this as an opportunity to finally move to Colorado, something they had been dreaming about for some time. Once they settled in here, Carrie began the process of applying for jobs. Only this time, she wasn’t looking for another real estate job, but one in her prior field of family law. Carrie’s passion for family law stems from her background in social work. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in social work, a fascinating and challenging field. Carrie’s degree helped prepare her for the organizational aspects of case management and the emotional aspects of assisting families in transition. Carrie then received paralegal training and later found her calling in family law in Florida after working as a family law paralegal there. On the benefits of her social work degree to her family law career, Carrie shares, “Family law is right for me because I enjoy talking to people and helping them in a tangible way when they are having difficulties. It also gives me room for the long-term growth I am looking for, both personally and professionally.” Carrie is a great addition to our team, and we are pleased to give her the chance to pursue family law once again.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." –Hebrews 11:1
Inspired by OnceUponAChef.com ZESTY ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE
Skip the can-shaped cranberry sauce this year and bring a jar of homemade sauce to Thanksgiving instead. This easy recipe can be made ahead of the big event and keeps for 10 days in the fridge.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed • 1/2 cup water • 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar • 12 oz fresh cranberries • 2 tsp orange zest • Salt to taste
Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, heat the orange juice, water, and sugar to a boil. Add other ingredients, then bring mixture back to boiling. 2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook gently for 10–12 minutes, until the cranberries burst. 3. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until serving.
3
JohnsonLGroup.com
720.452.2540
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
JohnsonLGroup.com 720.452.2540
13599 East 104th Avenue, Suite 300 • Commerce City, CO 80022
INSIDE
Making Time for Fitness in Motherhood
Is ‘Glamping’ the Perfect Winter Getaway?
Clear Your Mind in a Different Way
Spotlight on Carrie Ford-Coates
The Good News!
Zesty Orange Cranberry Sauce
Virtual Local Events
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN THIS MONTH!
Virtual Art & Sip When: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., now through Nov. 19 Where: Online Admission: $10 per class, plus optional supply kit fee Website: LongmontColorado.gov Enjoy an evening flexing your creative muscles by attending this virtual workshop! Whether you’re looking to paint with watercolors or acrylics or just want to create a holiday decoration, the Longmont Museum offers a variety of classes to fit any artist's needs. You can use your own artist supplies or reach out to purchase
2020 Virtual Turkey Trot Challenge When: Sunday, Nov. 1 at noon & Saturday,
Virtual events are all the rage as the weather gets colder and people continue to practice social distancing. Take a look at these three fun, safe events below. Virtual Advice & Answers When : Tuesdays, Nov. 17 and Dec. 15, 8–9:30 a.m. Where: Online Admission: Free! Website: bit.ly/30oHTd7 If you’re wondering how to get your business off the ground or looking for some expert advice for your new business, now is your chance. Through this event, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to a business attorney or expert through the University of Colorado Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative. You can ask any questions you might have regarding your business within the allotted 30 minutes. For any questions, contact Sharon Montini at Sharon.Montini@Colorado.edu.
Dec. 12 at 11:30 a.m. Where: Your choice Admission: $29–$39
Website: TheVirtualRunChallenge.com Have you been feeling down because races have been put on hold this year? Not to worry! With this Virtual Turkey Trot Challenge, you’ll be able to participate in a run on your own time and in your own way. This challenge consists of four separate
distances, two 3-mile challenges and two 2-mile challenges. Participants can complete the 10 miles at their own pace, whether that’s walking or running, indoors or outdoors, all at once or in smaller pieces. The choice is yours. All you have to do to possibly earn a medal is submit your results!
a custom supply kit from the museum. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy getting creative with a glass of your favorite drink, all from the comfort of your home.
4
JohnsonLGroup.com
720.452.2540
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online