Saturday, December 27, 2008
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Most years I refuse to make resolutions because I hate breaking them. I only make resolutions I can keep.
When I decided to quit smoking, it was not a New Year's Resolution, or for the "Great American Smoke-Out" . It was because one morning I woke up with a sore chest and started coughing up greyish-green phlegm. Then I looked in the mirror and saw all these little wrinkles and dark circles under my eyes. I said, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" I quit smoking with the help of the good old fashioned Tootsie Pop. That white stick sticking out of your mouth and the motion of taking it in and out of your mouth did the trick. Not to mention, there was a much better flavor and with a chocolate center bonus!!!
When I began my exercise and eating program to get healthy, it was not for the New Year. It was my personal new year, my birthday.
One New Year's Resolution that I made 7 years ago and have kept it to this day was to improve my dental health and hygiene. I now see my dentist every six months for check-ups and regular cleanings. I have never had a root-canal, thank God, but I came close which was the reason for the resolution. At my last appointment, the dentist told me I have excellent oral hygiene. And coming from my young adorably cute dentist, that was a wonderful compliment.
So make your resolutions in a practical, thoughtful way, and set goals realistic enough to keep. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
When I decided to quit smoking, it was not a New Year's Resolution, or for the "Great American Smoke-Out" . It was because one morning I woke up with a sore chest and started coughing up greyish-green phlegm. Then I looked in the mirror and saw all these little wrinkles and dark circles under my eyes. I said, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" I quit smoking with the help of the good old fashioned Tootsie Pop. That white stick sticking out of your mouth and the motion of taking it in and out of your mouth did the trick. Not to mention, there was a much better flavor and with a chocolate center bonus!!!
When I began my exercise and eating program to get healthy, it was not for the New Year. It was my personal new year, my birthday.
One New Year's Resolution that I made 7 years ago and have kept it to this day was to improve my dental health and hygiene. I now see my dentist every six months for check-ups and regular cleanings. I have never had a root-canal, thank God, but I came close which was the reason for the resolution. At my last appointment, the dentist told me I have excellent oral hygiene. And coming from my young adorably cute dentist, that was a wonderful compliment.
So make your resolutions in a practical, thoughtful way, and set goals realistic enough to keep. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
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A FAT GIRL'S GUIDE TO HEALTH
Five years ago I quit smoking. I always thought this was the hardest thing I had ever done. But taking care of yourself is hard. All of it is hard. There's garbage thrown at us daily with commercials for food and candy. Stress making us give in to temptation and stray from a healthy lifestyle. We all have challenges. Let me tell you about the ones I battle daily.
On the eve of my 51st birthday, I ate a pound of chocolate/peanut butter fudge. OOOOHHHH, how yummy it was! I had hidden it from my husband; it was mine; homemade by one of my girlfriends. But something happened to me that night. I became dizzy, nauseated, and emotional. Uh, oh, was I getting "sugar" as my family called it? Probably. I come from a long line of diabetics. My father, his mother, his sister, my cousin, and an aunt on my mother's side of the family. Speaking of my mother, she harps with every cookie or doughnut she has ever seen me put in my mouth, "Watch your sugar." or "I worry about your sugar".
My husband is a diabetic, so periodically I would check my blood glucose with his accucheck machine. Being a nurse, I know where the numbers should be. Although not horrible, non-fasting was in the 130's. I was on my way to becoming a diabetic.
So last year, October 1, 2007, I started the Fat Flush. The book, written by Anne Louise Gittleman, set me on a path to change my eating habits. It was very strict, but healthy. I lost 50 pounds in 8 months. Then I gained 10 back, that I still struggle to get back off. The important thing is that I am managing my diabetes without medication.
I am also managing my blood pressure without medication. I have been off medication for almost a year through diet and exercise. The doctor also wanted to put me on medication for my cholesterol, but I promised him and myself that I would get that down with diet and exercise, too. I hate to take pills and have found that the side effects of medication make you feel worse. So now I am on a mission to get the numbers down by April.
Diet and exercise- don't you get sick of hearing it? But it is the mantra of every doctor, nutritionist, and trainer for years, and it is true! You can't fight it! If you don't listen to your body, you'll be one of those fat ladies on disability riding a scooter-cart around Wal-mart. Take control! Prevent your problems!
Last but certainly not least in prevention of disease, I found help and support at my chiropractor's office. I was scared and skeptical at first. But chiropractic care has helped me so much! In the book, Setting Things Straight, John Madeira, D.C. explains how important it is to have a healthy, aligned spine. He also says the four worst thing you can put into your body are sugar, soda, trans fats, and things in the "white family " (white flour, white rice, white potatoes, white sugar) . He will teach you how the body can heal itself and how to boost your immune system.
So take control of your health. Look at your family history. Be pro-active in prevention of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, liver disease, and lung ailments. If you are healthy, happiness will follow. But that's another blog.....
On the eve of my 51st birthday, I ate a pound of chocolate/peanut butter fudge. OOOOHHHH, how yummy it was! I had hidden it from my husband; it was mine; homemade by one of my girlfriends. But something happened to me that night. I became dizzy, nauseated, and emotional. Uh, oh, was I getting "sugar" as my family called it? Probably. I come from a long line of diabetics. My father, his mother, his sister, my cousin, and an aunt on my mother's side of the family. Speaking of my mother, she harps with every cookie or doughnut she has ever seen me put in my mouth, "Watch your sugar." or "I worry about your sugar".
My husband is a diabetic, so periodically I would check my blood glucose with his accucheck machine. Being a nurse, I know where the numbers should be. Although not horrible, non-fasting was in the 130's. I was on my way to becoming a diabetic.
So last year, October 1, 2007, I started the Fat Flush. The book, written by Anne Louise Gittleman, set me on a path to change my eating habits. It was very strict, but healthy. I lost 50 pounds in 8 months. Then I gained 10 back, that I still struggle to get back off. The important thing is that I am managing my diabetes without medication.
I am also managing my blood pressure without medication. I have been off medication for almost a year through diet and exercise. The doctor also wanted to put me on medication for my cholesterol, but I promised him and myself that I would get that down with diet and exercise, too. I hate to take pills and have found that the side effects of medication make you feel worse. So now I am on a mission to get the numbers down by April.
Diet and exercise- don't you get sick of hearing it? But it is the mantra of every doctor, nutritionist, and trainer for years, and it is true! You can't fight it! If you don't listen to your body, you'll be one of those fat ladies on disability riding a scooter-cart around Wal-mart. Take control! Prevent your problems!
Last but certainly not least in prevention of disease, I found help and support at my chiropractor's office. I was scared and skeptical at first. But chiropractic care has helped me so much! In the book, Setting Things Straight, John Madeira, D.C. explains how important it is to have a healthy, aligned spine. He also says the four worst thing you can put into your body are sugar, soda, trans fats, and things in the "white family " (white flour, white rice, white potatoes, white sugar) . He will teach you how the body can heal itself and how to boost your immune system.
So take control of your health. Look at your family history. Be pro-active in prevention of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, liver disease, and lung ailments. If you are healthy, happiness will follow. But that's another blog.....
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A FAT GIRL'S GUIDE TO FITNESS
Like the earth, the sea, and the sands of time, everything is constantly in motion. And so our bodies should always be moving. No matter your size, just moving your body helps a host of ailments. When I was more sedentary, I had pain all the time. Even now, sitting or standing in one spot for any length of time causes stiffness and pain. Gentle stretches help. It's important for people with arthritis and other conditions to stay active.
One of my favorites is yoga. I can't miss my weekly yoga class. I also do yoga at home. Yoga refers to the traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the goal achieved by those disciplines, and to one of the 6 orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy [Wikipedia]. To me, yoga is just exercise. I keep my religion very separate from yoga.
I have a wonderful yoga instructor named Darlene. She emphasizes breathing and listening to your body; feeling the stretch without hurting yourself. When I first started yoga, I couldn't get my ass off the floor to do a bridge. My arms couldn't support myself to do "Down Dog". One year later, I can do them and much more. I still have limitations due to the boobs and the belly, and I still can't to a shoulder stand or "prayer twist" with the knee off the floor, but I FEEL GOOD! My flexibility and balance have greatly improved!
Yoga is only once or twice a week. My daily exercise is the walk. I have a treadmill in my home because we live in a mountainous area with no sidewalks. Every morning (5-6 days/week) I walk one mile on the treadmill. When I first started walking 2 years ago, I thought half a mile was enough and huffed and puffed my way through that. It took awhile to increase my speed and distance. Now I can walk one mile in 18 minutes. It's a great way to start the day. Weather permitting, I climb that mountain to get to the end of my street, usually in the evening. It's about half a mile up and back. I have 3 little dogs I take with me. THE WALK, as the Dog Whisperer calls it, is essential for a well-balanced dog. Let me tell you it is essential for a well-balanced human, too.
No matter what type of exercise you choose, do it, commit to it, and don't give up. The mental and physical health benefits will astound you!
One of my favorites is yoga. I can't miss my weekly yoga class. I also do yoga at home. Yoga refers to the traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India, to the goal achieved by those disciplines, and to one of the 6 orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy [Wikipedia]. To me, yoga is just exercise. I keep my religion very separate from yoga.
I have a wonderful yoga instructor named Darlene. She emphasizes breathing and listening to your body; feeling the stretch without hurting yourself. When I first started yoga, I couldn't get my ass off the floor to do a bridge. My arms couldn't support myself to do "Down Dog". One year later, I can do them and much more. I still have limitations due to the boobs and the belly, and I still can't to a shoulder stand or "prayer twist" with the knee off the floor, but I FEEL GOOD! My flexibility and balance have greatly improved!
Yoga is only once or twice a week. My daily exercise is the walk. I have a treadmill in my home because we live in a mountainous area with no sidewalks. Every morning (5-6 days/week) I walk one mile on the treadmill. When I first started walking 2 years ago, I thought half a mile was enough and huffed and puffed my way through that. It took awhile to increase my speed and distance. Now I can walk one mile in 18 minutes. It's a great way to start the day. Weather permitting, I climb that mountain to get to the end of my street, usually in the evening. It's about half a mile up and back. I have 3 little dogs I take with me. THE WALK, as the Dog Whisperer calls it, is essential for a well-balanced dog. Let me tell you it is essential for a well-balanced human, too.
No matter what type of exercise you choose, do it, commit to it, and don't give up. The mental and physical health benefits will astound you!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
A Fat Girl's Guide:
INTRODUCTION
52 years ago I was born of a young mother and a demanding father. I remember always trying to please. My family wasn't big on fitness, they were big on eating. My mother is Italian; my father Hungarian. There were always huge, fattening meals being served, if not at my house, then at one of the grandparents' homes. I was a 9 pound baby, a chubby little girl, in misses sizes as a teen, and a plus size adult. I've been on just about every diet and dietary supplement; I've been hypnotized, and I had my stomach stapled in 1983. As an adult, I have never been smaller than a size 18 (210 pounds). Right now I am a size 20. My heaviest was a size 28 (310 pounds)
I am a college graduate, have always worked full-time, raised 2 children into successful adulthood, buried a husband at age 45, and married again last year.
My health took a turn for the worst after the death of my first husband. I had hernia surgery 3 times; was on medication for high blood pressure, depression, and neuropathy of unknown origin in my legs; and was in constant pain.
I quit smoking at age 47 and thought that was the hardest thing I had ever done. When I turned 50, I started chiropractic care. I didn't believe in it at the time, but figured I had nothing to lose. Through chiropractic care and the loving support and help of my daughter, I started a diet and exercise program that has positively impacted my life. I only lost 50 pounds, and I will always struggle with my weight, but I have flexibility and awareness, and best of all, I am off all of my medications. This is a lifestyle change. It's not about the pounds. I know alot of thin people who are not healthy. It's about the blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol. It's about being pain free! It's about being able to move and breathe!
I am new to blogging, but to whoever reads this, I hope to give inspiration, hope, and the ability to love yourself. To look in the mirror and smile at yourself. To create a sense of style and find out who you are. To feel confident and proud of your life and accomplishments.
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