Today's service at church was very moving for me. In observance of Palm Sunday, my church decided to show a scene from The Passion of the Christ. It was the crucifixion scene where they were nailing Jesus to the cross and hanging Him to die. Even though I have seen that scene before, today it took on special meaning for me.
You see, today Sydney decided she wanted to go to "big church" with Mommy. Todd was working, so it was just the two of us, and we were running late to church. I figured I would let her go with me to "big church" rather than putting her in the nursery because I would get to the sanctuary quicker.
When they were getting ready to show the scene from The Passion, Pastor Rick told the parents that if they had small children with them they might want to take them out of the sanctuary because the scene might scare them. I decided to let Sydney stay, but I turned her toward me, put her head on my shoulder, and covered her ears (it was kind of loud for her little ears).
As I was holding my own child during the crucifixion scene, I couldn't help but think of how God must have felt when He saw HIS Child being nailed to the cross and being hung to die for our sins. As the nails were being driven into Jesus' hands and feet, I held Sydney tight, and tears streamed down my face. I had to ask myself if I could sacrifice MY child for someone else. In all honesty, I could not. I cannot even imagine what that would do to me. I thought about how God's heart must have broken to see His Son on the cross. To have a child suffer or even die is, in my opinion, the worst thing a parent could ever experience. To think that God WILLINGLY sent His Son to die for us is beyond my comprehension. I cannot imagine sacrificing my child for someone else!!
Another thing I thought about as I watched the scene from The Passion was how much Jesus loved us all. To be WILLING to die for someone else is the highest form of love ("Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13), and Jesus was WILLING to die for us. God did not force this on Him. It was his CHOICE. That just blows me away!! Jesus' love for us was so strong that He did not hesitate to lay down His life for us. Was it difficult? Sure!! But, He did it despite this. I am humbled and in awe of Jesus' love for us!!
The last thing I thought about as I watched the crucifixion scene was how my love for Sydney PALES in comparison to God's love for her. My love for her does not even begin to come close to God's love for her, and I just hope as Sydney gets older she will grow to realize and appreciate God's love and the sacrifice of His Son for her. I pray that she will develop a strong love for God in her heart and that she will accept Him as her Lord and Savior when the time is right. THAT would be the GREATEST thing I could ever hope for my precious daughter!!
(To see today's service, please go here)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Twelve Weeks (And More!) to Wellness
Well, I have begun my "12 Weeks to Wellness" program with Dr. Joshu (aka Dr. Jana). I met with her last Thursday, and she laid out my plan for me. For the "diet" portion of my plan, there will be 3 phases. The first phase will of course be the most strict, and then Phases 2 and 3 will gradually add back in some foods.
The purpose of Phase 1 is to remove inflammation and toxins from my body, stabilize my blood sugar, and reduce my food cravings (good luck on that one!). I will be pretty limited on the foods I can eat, and it will be tough. It's sort of like being on a low-carb diet- no processed foods, bread, starchy vegetables, legumes, or very sweet fruits. In addition, I will not be allowed to have dairy of any kind- no cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. Dairy causes a lot of inflammation in the body, so that is why I am not allowed to have it in Phase 1. I AM allowed to have lean meats (no pork, though), eggs, non-starchy vegetables, and some fruits (mainly berries and lemons/limes). I can also have some nuts, but no peanuts (apparently they cause a lot of inflammation, too). Oh, and I am not allowed to drink coffee. It's not due to the caffeine, but coffee causes inflammation as well. Luckily for me, I don't drink a lot of coffee, so I shouldn't have trouble giving that up for a while. I will be on Phase 1 for 8 weeks, and I am expecting it to be pretty hard. One GOOD thing is that I am allowed 3 "cheat" meals each week. Thank heaven! I think that's the only thing that will keep me sane while I am on Phase 1! Basically, during Phase 1 I will be "cleaning out" my body and getting rid of the "junk" in my system.
Phase 2 will replenish my body and begin to give it more of what it needs to be healthy. During Phase 2 I will gradually add some foods back into my diet. I will be allowed to have some dairy and more options with my fruits and veggies. Some very starchy fruits, veggies, and legumes will still be off-limits (potatoes, peas, lima beans, bananas, pineapple, dried fruits, etc.), but for the most part I will be able to eat a wide selection of fruits and veggies. I can't wait!! I will be on Phase 2 for 4 weeks.
Phase 3 will last forever. It will consist of eating whole foods (not processed junk) that is good for my body. I started doing this a few weeks ago when I was on the Daniel Fast, and I did feel a lot better physically. It's amazing how much better your body functions when you give it healthy food! I know that's commom sense, but it's often so much easier to grab a "convenience" food that is highly processed than it is to really THINK about what you are putting into your body. However, when you start really thinking about what you are eating, it's kind of disgusting. I mean, have you ever really LOOKED at the ingredients in most processed foods? You can't even pronounce half of them!! I'm just not sure I want to put that junk in my body on a continual basis!! Now, don't get me wrong. I will never be a "food angel," and there are going to be some times when I eat just plain ol' junk, but for the most part I want to put good, healthy foods in my body that will make me feel better physically and mentally.
In addition to the "diet" portion of 12 Weeks to Wellness (I don't really like to call it a "diet" because it's more of a healthy eating plan that's not just for losing weight- the weight loss is a nice bonus, though!), Dr. Jana prescribed several supplements for me to take. I won't bore you with the details of everything I am taking, but I am taking supplements to help clean out my body (I only take those for two weeks), get my digestive system back in order, regulate my blood sugar and cholesterol, and give me energy (PRAISE GOD- I NEED ENERGY!!). I am really looking forward to seeing how I feel taking these supplements! I have never known much about alternative medicine, so I am enjoying learning about natural ways to heal my body. I will be sure to let you know how the supplements work! I will only take some of them for a while, but a few I will probably take forever because they are just good additions to a healthy diet.
I will also see Dr. Jana for adjustments during 12 Weeks to Wellness (and afterward). She wants to see me twice a week for the first 8 weeks, but I am too poor for that! I will probably go once a week or once every other week. At $65 a pop, those adjustments really add up, and I am not made of money these days!!
My biggest challenge during 12 Weeks to Wellness will be thinking of creative things I can eat on Phase 1. Dr. Jana has a recipe book that I think will be very helpful for me, but overall I'm going to have to really put on my "thinking cap" to come up with ideas of what I can eat. Afterall, I can't eat a salad or chicken and veggies at every meal!! If you have any ideas of what I can eat, please pass them my way!!
I am looking forward to sharing my 12 Weeks to Wellness journey with you, and I hope that what I share can help you a little, too!!
The purpose of Phase 1 is to remove inflammation and toxins from my body, stabilize my blood sugar, and reduce my food cravings (good luck on that one!). I will be pretty limited on the foods I can eat, and it will be tough. It's sort of like being on a low-carb diet- no processed foods, bread, starchy vegetables, legumes, or very sweet fruits. In addition, I will not be allowed to have dairy of any kind- no cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. Dairy causes a lot of inflammation in the body, so that is why I am not allowed to have it in Phase 1. I AM allowed to have lean meats (no pork, though), eggs, non-starchy vegetables, and some fruits (mainly berries and lemons/limes). I can also have some nuts, but no peanuts (apparently they cause a lot of inflammation, too). Oh, and I am not allowed to drink coffee. It's not due to the caffeine, but coffee causes inflammation as well. Luckily for me, I don't drink a lot of coffee, so I shouldn't have trouble giving that up for a while. I will be on Phase 1 for 8 weeks, and I am expecting it to be pretty hard. One GOOD thing is that I am allowed 3 "cheat" meals each week. Thank heaven! I think that's the only thing that will keep me sane while I am on Phase 1! Basically, during Phase 1 I will be "cleaning out" my body and getting rid of the "junk" in my system.
Phase 2 will replenish my body and begin to give it more of what it needs to be healthy. During Phase 2 I will gradually add some foods back into my diet. I will be allowed to have some dairy and more options with my fruits and veggies. Some very starchy fruits, veggies, and legumes will still be off-limits (potatoes, peas, lima beans, bananas, pineapple, dried fruits, etc.), but for the most part I will be able to eat a wide selection of fruits and veggies. I can't wait!! I will be on Phase 2 for 4 weeks.
Phase 3 will last forever. It will consist of eating whole foods (not processed junk) that is good for my body. I started doing this a few weeks ago when I was on the Daniel Fast, and I did feel a lot better physically. It's amazing how much better your body functions when you give it healthy food! I know that's commom sense, but it's often so much easier to grab a "convenience" food that is highly processed than it is to really THINK about what you are putting into your body. However, when you start really thinking about what you are eating, it's kind of disgusting. I mean, have you ever really LOOKED at the ingredients in most processed foods? You can't even pronounce half of them!! I'm just not sure I want to put that junk in my body on a continual basis!! Now, don't get me wrong. I will never be a "food angel," and there are going to be some times when I eat just plain ol' junk, but for the most part I want to put good, healthy foods in my body that will make me feel better physically and mentally.
In addition to the "diet" portion of 12 Weeks to Wellness (I don't really like to call it a "diet" because it's more of a healthy eating plan that's not just for losing weight- the weight loss is a nice bonus, though!), Dr. Jana prescribed several supplements for me to take. I won't bore you with the details of everything I am taking, but I am taking supplements to help clean out my body (I only take those for two weeks), get my digestive system back in order, regulate my blood sugar and cholesterol, and give me energy (PRAISE GOD- I NEED ENERGY!!). I am really looking forward to seeing how I feel taking these supplements! I have never known much about alternative medicine, so I am enjoying learning about natural ways to heal my body. I will be sure to let you know how the supplements work! I will only take some of them for a while, but a few I will probably take forever because they are just good additions to a healthy diet.
I will also see Dr. Jana for adjustments during 12 Weeks to Wellness (and afterward). She wants to see me twice a week for the first 8 weeks, but I am too poor for that! I will probably go once a week or once every other week. At $65 a pop, those adjustments really add up, and I am not made of money these days!!
My biggest challenge during 12 Weeks to Wellness will be thinking of creative things I can eat on Phase 1. Dr. Jana has a recipe book that I think will be very helpful for me, but overall I'm going to have to really put on my "thinking cap" to come up with ideas of what I can eat. Afterall, I can't eat a salad or chicken and veggies at every meal!! If you have any ideas of what I can eat, please pass them my way!!
I am looking forward to sharing my 12 Weeks to Wellness journey with you, and I hope that what I share can help you a little, too!!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Fitness CAN Be Fun!!
Well, after the illness last week that forced me to hold off a bit on my plans to get healthy, I was finally able to try a Barre Sculpt class at Seren Motus last night! It was AWESOME!! I am definitely feeling some "good" pain in my muscles today!
Those of you who know me well know that exercise is not something I have ever been particularly fond of. I have had times in my life when I have exercised regularly, but I have never stuck with it for very long. It is very easy for me to get distracted and fall off the fitness bandwagon!! I have never found exercise to be FUN like a lot of other people think it is, and if I could be healthy without it, I probably would avoid it! Just being honest here!!
When I attended the Wellness Weekend a few weeks ago, I learned about some of the techniques used in the Barre Sculpt classes, and the process fascinated me. I thought, "Hey, this might be something I could ENJOY doing!!!" So, I decided to try it out and see what I thought about it. I was right! I DO think Barre Sculpt is something I could actually ENJOY doing!! During the class, we worked muscles in all areas of our bodies, and I left feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I am definitely feeling some pain today, but it's a good kind of pain, the kind that reminds me I did something GOOD for myself last night.
One of my favorite things about the Barre Sculpt class was that the instructors, Suzanne and Amy, focused on teaching us correct form so that the proper muscles would be worked. They also showed us ways to modify the exercises if we (ME!!) could not fully engage in the moves they were doing. They were supportive and encouraging, and they didn't make us (ME!!) feel silly if we could not do everything they were doing. Oftentimes, in exercise classes I have felt intimidated because my fitness level was not the same as the instuctor's, but I did not feel that way last night. I felt encouraged that I COULD do this and that with practice my level of ability would increase. The class was small, we were all ladies in the class, and we had bodies of all shapes and sizes. I didn't feel intimidated because I was not "skinny" or "buff" like some of the other women. I felt like I belonged and that this was something I could enjoy doing on a regular basis!!
Now, I will be honest and tell you that the Barre Sculpt classes are not cheap. In some ways I feel guilty about wanting to spend money on myself for these classes, but last night I had a sort of "epiphany" about it. Many of you know my husband smokes, and he spends A LOT of money on cigarettes each month. Last night on the way home from the class, I thought, "If Todd can spend $$ on something BAD for HIMself every month, I can spend $$ on something GOOD for MYself!!" Can I get an AMEN?!?!
I also feel a little guilty about taking time away from Sydney to attend the Barre Sculpt classes. When my Monday morning Bible study at church ends in a couple of months, I can participate in a Barre Sculpt class while Sydney is in school (Monday is my day off from work, and Sydney is in school). For other classes, however, I will need to take those in the evening, and that will take time away from Sydney. Since I work full-time, I am very aware of how precious my time with my daughter (and my hubby!) is. It's a little hard to think about taking time away from Sydney to participate in Barre Sculpt a couple of nights each week (I work on Sunday nights, too, so I am already away from her one night a week). However, I think it is important for me to be involved in fitness that I ENJOY in order to reach my health goals. I want so badly to be in better health, and I think I can be a better mommy to Sydney if I feel better about myself. Also, I think I would be setting a good example for her by involving myself in something that is good and healthy for my body. So, as long as I can coordinate my childcare for Sydney a couple of nights a week, I think I will pursue taking the Barre Sculpt classes several times a week!
If I am going to change my health for the better, I need to involve myself in healthy behaviors, and I think Barre Sculpt would be a great way to do that! I am looking forward to seeing how my body can get stronger and more healthy through regular exercise! I will share more about my fitness journey along the way so you can join me in my adventure!!
P.S. I visited Dr. Joshu on Monday, and I have a follow-up visit with her tomorrow. I will post more about that part of my journey to better health later this week!!
Those of you who know me well know that exercise is not something I have ever been particularly fond of. I have had times in my life when I have exercised regularly, but I have never stuck with it for very long. It is very easy for me to get distracted and fall off the fitness bandwagon!! I have never found exercise to be FUN like a lot of other people think it is, and if I could be healthy without it, I probably would avoid it! Just being honest here!!
When I attended the Wellness Weekend a few weeks ago, I learned about some of the techniques used in the Barre Sculpt classes, and the process fascinated me. I thought, "Hey, this might be something I could ENJOY doing!!!" So, I decided to try it out and see what I thought about it. I was right! I DO think Barre Sculpt is something I could actually ENJOY doing!! During the class, we worked muscles in all areas of our bodies, and I left feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. I am definitely feeling some pain today, but it's a good kind of pain, the kind that reminds me I did something GOOD for myself last night.
One of my favorite things about the Barre Sculpt class was that the instructors, Suzanne and Amy, focused on teaching us correct form so that the proper muscles would be worked. They also showed us ways to modify the exercises if we (ME!!) could not fully engage in the moves they were doing. They were supportive and encouraging, and they didn't make us (ME!!) feel silly if we could not do everything they were doing. Oftentimes, in exercise classes I have felt intimidated because my fitness level was not the same as the instuctor's, but I did not feel that way last night. I felt encouraged that I COULD do this and that with practice my level of ability would increase. The class was small, we were all ladies in the class, and we had bodies of all shapes and sizes. I didn't feel intimidated because I was not "skinny" or "buff" like some of the other women. I felt like I belonged and that this was something I could enjoy doing on a regular basis!!
Now, I will be honest and tell you that the Barre Sculpt classes are not cheap. In some ways I feel guilty about wanting to spend money on myself for these classes, but last night I had a sort of "epiphany" about it. Many of you know my husband smokes, and he spends A LOT of money on cigarettes each month. Last night on the way home from the class, I thought, "If Todd can spend $$ on something BAD for HIMself every month, I can spend $$ on something GOOD for MYself!!" Can I get an AMEN?!?!
I also feel a little guilty about taking time away from Sydney to attend the Barre Sculpt classes. When my Monday morning Bible study at church ends in a couple of months, I can participate in a Barre Sculpt class while Sydney is in school (Monday is my day off from work, and Sydney is in school). For other classes, however, I will need to take those in the evening, and that will take time away from Sydney. Since I work full-time, I am very aware of how precious my time with my daughter (and my hubby!) is. It's a little hard to think about taking time away from Sydney to participate in Barre Sculpt a couple of nights each week (I work on Sunday nights, too, so I am already away from her one night a week). However, I think it is important for me to be involved in fitness that I ENJOY in order to reach my health goals. I want so badly to be in better health, and I think I can be a better mommy to Sydney if I feel better about myself. Also, I think I would be setting a good example for her by involving myself in something that is good and healthy for my body. So, as long as I can coordinate my childcare for Sydney a couple of nights a week, I think I will pursue taking the Barre Sculpt classes several times a week!
If I am going to change my health for the better, I need to involve myself in healthy behaviors, and I think Barre Sculpt would be a great way to do that! I am looking forward to seeing how my body can get stronger and more healthy through regular exercise! I will share more about my fitness journey along the way so you can join me in my adventure!!
P.S. I visited Dr. Joshu on Monday, and I have a follow-up visit with her tomorrow. I will post more about that part of my journey to better health later this week!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A Discouraging Week
So, I'm having a bit of a bad week. First of all, we have all been sick with an upper-respiratory infection for the past few days. It started with Sydney getting sick last week, then I caught it over the weekend, and now Todd has it. We have been a sorry bunch!! For me, upper-respiratory infections have always hit me hard. I got so sick with one when I was in graduate school that my parents had to drive to Knoxville, pick me up, and bring me home to get well. I was in my 20's and could not physically take care of myself. Even my roommate was worried sick about me! For some reason, when I get an upper-respiratory infection, it knocks me out of commission for about a week. I am on Day 3 with this one, so I probably have several more days of sickness before I will start feeling like myself again.
So, this brings me to the second reason why I am having a bad week. I was all set to start my journey to better health this week when SICKNESS had to rear its ugly head and bring me down (or, could it be the DEVIL?!?!)!! Ironic, huh?? You see, I was going to try out my first Barre Sculpt class at Seren Motus yesterday, but it's a little hard to exercise when you feel like you can't breathe (plus, I had a temp. of about 102 and didn't think it would be a good idea to be around other people!). So, I am going to reschedule for next week and try the class when I am up to par. I also had an appointment to visit Dr. Joshu tomorrow to begin her 12 Weeks to Wellness program, but I rescheduled that for next week, too. Between Sydney and me being sick, I haven't been to work since last Wednesday, and I plan on going back tomorrow (Lord willing!). I didn't think it would be a good idea on my first day back to work to take a couple of hours out of my work day to go to my appointment with Dr. Joshu. So, I called and rescheduled my appointment for next Monday. I am pretty bummed that my plans for this week had to be changed, but I WILL prevail!!
I am reading a really good book this week that reiterates for me the importance of getting my health in order. It's called Fat Chance, and it was written my Julie Hadden, one of the Season 4 contestants on The Biggest Loser. It's a very candid look at Julie's life, how she struggled with her weight for so many years, and how she finally found the strength to overcome it. I can see some of myself in Julie. I am not as heavy as she was, but I am overweight never-the-less. I don't think it matters HOW MUCH weight you need to lose, only that you NEED to lose it. So, in that way I see myself in Julie. She was the type of person who put others' needs in front of her own just like so many other women do, and in the process of doing that she lost control of her own life. I sooooo get that!! There are so many times when I know I need to take the time to exercise, but I don't do it because I feel guilty for taking time away from Sydney. I am a working mom, so my time with my daughter is limited. Often, I would rather do something with her than exercise. She is almost 3, so I know as she gets older we can do physical things together a little easier, but when your children are very small there's only so much they can do with you! I know in my head that Sydney is not going to die if I take the time to exercise, and I also know that I need to do it so I can be the best mommy possible for her, but I must admit that my guilt often gets the better of me.
One thing that Julie talks about in her book is surrounding yourself with positive influences. You need people in your life who will support you on your journey to better health, and for me right now it's a little hard to find. I am getting ready to make some MAJOR changes in the way my family eats, and I know I am going to catch a lot of flack for that. Just the other day my mom was at the house, and she was giving me a hard time about the organic milk and tomatoes she saw in the fridge, along with my almond milk (which I LOVE, by the way!!). She was like, "What's with all that organic stuff in your fridge? Honey, you can't afford to be buying organic." Todd was sitting there, and he chimed in about the coconut oil I have been using to cook with. I walked out of the room, but I could still overhear my mom and Todd talking about how this organic stuff is all a lot of "hype." I will be the first to admit that I used to believe it was all a lot of "hype," too. However, the more I study about it, the more I am convinced that organic (at LEAST for fruits and veggies) is the way to go. I would rather pay more for my FOOD now than pay $$$$$$$ for the MEDICINE I will need later to keep myself healthy!! Can I get an AMEN?!?!
Listen, I KNOW my mom and my hubby mean well, but I have a feeling that I am going to travel this road to better health by myself a lot, and I am fine with that. My only hope is that as my family sees changes in me over time, they will support me more in what I am trying to do. It's not that they DON'T support me in my quest to lose weight and get healthy. They just might think some of my methods are a little "squirrely." But, I look at it this way: I am 38 years old, and when I look at my parents who are in their 60's I see what I DON'T want to be. Both of my parents are diabetic, my mom has high blood pressure, and my dad has cholesterol issues. Just last week my dad had some tests done on his heart, and the doctor didn't like what he saw. So, he put my dad on a stronger statin drug than he was already on. My parents are both on medication for diabetes and their other medical issues, but with each drug they take there is some sort of weird side effect for their bodies. I'm not saying that I will NEVER be on medication by the time I am their age if I change my health now, but I do think I stand a MUCH better chance of being more healthy THEN if I start taking care of myself more NOW. So, if it means I spend a little more on groceries, and I buy some things my family might not agree with, then so be it! I am fine with that!!
I guess I am just having one of those weeks when nothing seems to be working out right, and I am feeling a little discouraged. However, I think my sickness has been a good thing in one way. It has forced me to slow down a little for a few days, and I have had time to read some of Julie's book. I think the timing of reading her book has been really good for me. It has helped me keep things in perspective during this not-so-pleasant week. I will share more thoughts about the book as I continue reading it. Despite my unpleasant week, I will not let it get me down for long, so onward I press to better health! I look forward to sharing more of what I learn along the way with you!!
(Oh, and one more thing about Julie's book- she writes it from a CHRISTIAN perspective, so that's great, too!!)
So, this brings me to the second reason why I am having a bad week. I was all set to start my journey to better health this week when SICKNESS had to rear its ugly head and bring me down (or, could it be the DEVIL?!?!)!! Ironic, huh?? You see, I was going to try out my first Barre Sculpt class at Seren Motus yesterday, but it's a little hard to exercise when you feel like you can't breathe (plus, I had a temp. of about 102 and didn't think it would be a good idea to be around other people!). So, I am going to reschedule for next week and try the class when I am up to par. I also had an appointment to visit Dr. Joshu tomorrow to begin her 12 Weeks to Wellness program, but I rescheduled that for next week, too. Between Sydney and me being sick, I haven't been to work since last Wednesday, and I plan on going back tomorrow (Lord willing!). I didn't think it would be a good idea on my first day back to work to take a couple of hours out of my work day to go to my appointment with Dr. Joshu. So, I called and rescheduled my appointment for next Monday. I am pretty bummed that my plans for this week had to be changed, but I WILL prevail!!
I am reading a really good book this week that reiterates for me the importance of getting my health in order. It's called Fat Chance, and it was written my Julie Hadden, one of the Season 4 contestants on The Biggest Loser. It's a very candid look at Julie's life, how she struggled with her weight for so many years, and how she finally found the strength to overcome it. I can see some of myself in Julie. I am not as heavy as she was, but I am overweight never-the-less. I don't think it matters HOW MUCH weight you need to lose, only that you NEED to lose it. So, in that way I see myself in Julie. She was the type of person who put others' needs in front of her own just like so many other women do, and in the process of doing that she lost control of her own life. I sooooo get that!! There are so many times when I know I need to take the time to exercise, but I don't do it because I feel guilty for taking time away from Sydney. I am a working mom, so my time with my daughter is limited. Often, I would rather do something with her than exercise. She is almost 3, so I know as she gets older we can do physical things together a little easier, but when your children are very small there's only so much they can do with you! I know in my head that Sydney is not going to die if I take the time to exercise, and I also know that I need to do it so I can be the best mommy possible for her, but I must admit that my guilt often gets the better of me.
One thing that Julie talks about in her book is surrounding yourself with positive influences. You need people in your life who will support you on your journey to better health, and for me right now it's a little hard to find. I am getting ready to make some MAJOR changes in the way my family eats, and I know I am going to catch a lot of flack for that. Just the other day my mom was at the house, and she was giving me a hard time about the organic milk and tomatoes she saw in the fridge, along with my almond milk (which I LOVE, by the way!!). She was like, "What's with all that organic stuff in your fridge? Honey, you can't afford to be buying organic." Todd was sitting there, and he chimed in about the coconut oil I have been using to cook with. I walked out of the room, but I could still overhear my mom and Todd talking about how this organic stuff is all a lot of "hype." I will be the first to admit that I used to believe it was all a lot of "hype," too. However, the more I study about it, the more I am convinced that organic (at LEAST for fruits and veggies) is the way to go. I would rather pay more for my FOOD now than pay $$$$$$$ for the MEDICINE I will need later to keep myself healthy!! Can I get an AMEN?!?!
Listen, I KNOW my mom and my hubby mean well, but I have a feeling that I am going to travel this road to better health by myself a lot, and I am fine with that. My only hope is that as my family sees changes in me over time, they will support me more in what I am trying to do. It's not that they DON'T support me in my quest to lose weight and get healthy. They just might think some of my methods are a little "squirrely." But, I look at it this way: I am 38 years old, and when I look at my parents who are in their 60's I see what I DON'T want to be. Both of my parents are diabetic, my mom has high blood pressure, and my dad has cholesterol issues. Just last week my dad had some tests done on his heart, and the doctor didn't like what he saw. So, he put my dad on a stronger statin drug than he was already on. My parents are both on medication for diabetes and their other medical issues, but with each drug they take there is some sort of weird side effect for their bodies. I'm not saying that I will NEVER be on medication by the time I am their age if I change my health now, but I do think I stand a MUCH better chance of being more healthy THEN if I start taking care of myself more NOW. So, if it means I spend a little more on groceries, and I buy some things my family might not agree with, then so be it! I am fine with that!!
I guess I am just having one of those weeks when nothing seems to be working out right, and I am feeling a little discouraged. However, I think my sickness has been a good thing in one way. It has forced me to slow down a little for a few days, and I have had time to read some of Julie's book. I think the timing of reading her book has been really good for me. It has helped me keep things in perspective during this not-so-pleasant week. I will share more thoughts about the book as I continue reading it. Despite my unpleasant week, I will not let it get me down for long, so onward I press to better health! I look forward to sharing more of what I learn along the way with you!!
(Oh, and one more thing about Julie's book- she writes it from a CHRISTIAN perspective, so that's great, too!!)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Journey to Better Health
OK, you KNOW it's been too long since you have blogged when you look at your blog site and the background is still CHRISTMAS!! Ugh!! I promise to do better! Life's responsibilities just seem to always get in the way of my blogging! Oh, and a lot of times my life is just plain boring, and I don't have much to blog about. :)
Today I DO have something to blog about, and it's something that excites me! This past weekend I attended a Women's Wellness Weekend event in Franklin. It was organized by Calie Shackleford, creator of Broccoli Cupcake. The event centered around teaching women how to get healthy physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and it was AMAZING!! I plan to take the information I gathered from the event, and the resources I learned about, to focus on my health and FINALLY (Lord willing!) get my life in order. My plan is to have you participate in my journey via my blog (which means I WILL be blogging more often!).
About a month ago I went to a "traditional" physician (Internal Medicine Dr.) for a physical. Most specifically, I wanted to have my blood sugar and cholesterol/triglycerides checked. I told the doctor to give me the good, the bad, and the ugly so I would finally do what I needed to do to get my health in order. Overall my visit went well, but when I got my blood test results I was WHACKED upside my head with some of the numbers. My blood sugar was slightly high but not too bad. That can easily be remedied with changes in diet and exercise. My cholesterol/triglycerides were another matter entirely! My triglycerides have been high before, so I knew they could be this time, too. I didn't know HOW high they could be, though! Let's just say they were out of control!! I knew it was time to get my rear in gear (like I haven't said THAT a million times before!!)!!! The thing that frustrated me after my visit, though, was that the doctor just mailed the results with a letter that told me to work on diet and exercise (DUH!), take fish oil supplements, and come back in 3 to 6 months for more testing. Well, thank you very much!! I could have figured THAT out all on my own!!
After my blood test results came back, I knew I HAD to make some changes in my diet, so I decided to start with the Daniel Fast. I decided to do it for Lent and to jump full force into new eating habits. Basically, the diet consists of fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds, legumes, and whole grains (kind of like a vegan diet). You are not allowed to have meat, dairy, sweetners of any kind, refined/processed foods, etc. It's a great way to kick start healthy eating! I am almost two weeks into the diet, and while I have strayed every so often (I have had meat and dairy a few times), I have done pretty well. It's not something I would want to do forever, but it's been a good way for me to get rid of my cravings for sugar and junk food. The first few days were very hard, but by Day 5 I was feeling pretty good! I also gave up caffeine for Lent, and that has helped a lot, too. The Daniel Fast is supposed to last 21 days, but I am trying to stay on it for all of Lent. I may have meat from time to time, but my BIG things I am focusing on eliminating from my diet are sugar, caffeine, and just plain ol' JUNK for my body. I have lost about 6 lbs. so far, and I plan on losing a lot more!!
Now, here comes the next step in my plan to get HEALTHY! Around the time of my physcical, I saw a brochure at church about the Women's Wellness Weekend. It intrigued me, so I decided to attend. I knew I needed to lose weight and get more healthy, but I needed some resources and people in my life to help me accomplish my goals (not just some doctor sending me a letter in the mail telling me to eat better, exercise more, and take fish oil supplements!). Boy, am I glad I attended the Wellness Weekend!
At the Wellness Weekend event, there was a doctor named Jana Joshu. Dr. Joshu is a Chiropractor who specializes in Alternative Medicine. Now, before you go off on some tangent thinking she is some tree-hugging, granola eating, "voo doo" doctor, hear me out! Dr. Joshu specializes in bringing balance to her patients' health and well-being. She works with her patients on nutrition, lifestyle, and overall health. She has a program called "12 Weeks to Wellness" where she works with her patients in bringing about changes in nutrition, lifestyle, etc., and she gives them the tools they need in order to be successful. She is upfront about her 12 week program being hard, but she is confident in her ability to assist her patients in living better, more healthy, lives. I LIKE THAT! At the Wellness Weekend I signed up for an initial consultation with Dr. Joshu, and I look forward to learning more about her program!
Another step I am taking on my journey to better health is opening myself up to different forms of exercise. For me, exercise has NEVER been something I enjoy. For the most part, I LOATHE it. However, I know I have to make it an integral part of my life if I am going to succeed in getting and staying healthy. During one of the sessions at the Wellness Weekend, we learned about a form of exercise called Ruah. It's sort of like a cross between yoga and pilates (I am no expert in either area!), and I LOVED the session! I felt like my body really got a workout, but I wasn't hopping all around trying to keep up with some aerobics or zumba instructor. Ruah was hard and relaxing all at the same time, and I was fascinated by it! I decided to give it a try on a regular basis! I purchased the DVDs and can't wait for them to arrive!
One of the Ruah instructors, Suzanne Bowen, also owns a fitness studio in Franklin called Seren Motus. The classes at Seren Motus focus on Barre Sculpt, which from what I understand is a lot like Ruah, but it also uses a ballet barre. One of my friends who attended the Wellness Weekend with me has attended Suzanne's classes a few times, and she swears by them. Since I liked the Ruah session at the Wellness Weekend so much, I decided to try out the Barre Sculpt classes at Seren Motus. I'm sure I will be the chubbiest girl in the class, but I am determined to find something I LOVE for my exercise! I can always go for a walk outside or jump on my treadmill, but I want to try something NEW for a change. The classes aren't cheap, but I figure if I like them and stick to them, the changes in my health will be worth the price I pay for them!
I know I should have mentioned this FIRST, but the BEST thing about the Women's Wellness Weekend was that everything was taught from a Christian point-of-reference. We started the weekend learning about how important it is for our spiritual lives to be healthy, and how if our relationship with God isn't in order, our relationships with others will suffer. My spiritual life is another area I want to improve upon, so along my journey to wellness I will share about that, too. My plan on my journey is to blog along the way about what I learn and how I feel about everything, whether it be mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. So, join me on my journey! It's going to be HEALTHY!!
Today I DO have something to blog about, and it's something that excites me! This past weekend I attended a Women's Wellness Weekend event in Franklin. It was organized by Calie Shackleford, creator of Broccoli Cupcake. The event centered around teaching women how to get healthy physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, and it was AMAZING!! I plan to take the information I gathered from the event, and the resources I learned about, to focus on my health and FINALLY (Lord willing!) get my life in order. My plan is to have you participate in my journey via my blog (which means I WILL be blogging more often!).
About a month ago I went to a "traditional" physician (Internal Medicine Dr.) for a physical. Most specifically, I wanted to have my blood sugar and cholesterol/triglycerides checked. I told the doctor to give me the good, the bad, and the ugly so I would finally do what I needed to do to get my health in order. Overall my visit went well, but when I got my blood test results I was WHACKED upside my head with some of the numbers. My blood sugar was slightly high but not too bad. That can easily be remedied with changes in diet and exercise. My cholesterol/triglycerides were another matter entirely! My triglycerides have been high before, so I knew they could be this time, too. I didn't know HOW high they could be, though! Let's just say they were out of control!! I knew it was time to get my rear in gear (like I haven't said THAT a million times before!!)!!! The thing that frustrated me after my visit, though, was that the doctor just mailed the results with a letter that told me to work on diet and exercise (DUH!), take fish oil supplements, and come back in 3 to 6 months for more testing. Well, thank you very much!! I could have figured THAT out all on my own!!
After my blood test results came back, I knew I HAD to make some changes in my diet, so I decided to start with the Daniel Fast. I decided to do it for Lent and to jump full force into new eating habits. Basically, the diet consists of fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds, legumes, and whole grains (kind of like a vegan diet). You are not allowed to have meat, dairy, sweetners of any kind, refined/processed foods, etc. It's a great way to kick start healthy eating! I am almost two weeks into the diet, and while I have strayed every so often (I have had meat and dairy a few times), I have done pretty well. It's not something I would want to do forever, but it's been a good way for me to get rid of my cravings for sugar and junk food. The first few days were very hard, but by Day 5 I was feeling pretty good! I also gave up caffeine for Lent, and that has helped a lot, too. The Daniel Fast is supposed to last 21 days, but I am trying to stay on it for all of Lent. I may have meat from time to time, but my BIG things I am focusing on eliminating from my diet are sugar, caffeine, and just plain ol' JUNK for my body. I have lost about 6 lbs. so far, and I plan on losing a lot more!!
Now, here comes the next step in my plan to get HEALTHY! Around the time of my physcical, I saw a brochure at church about the Women's Wellness Weekend. It intrigued me, so I decided to attend. I knew I needed to lose weight and get more healthy, but I needed some resources and people in my life to help me accomplish my goals (not just some doctor sending me a letter in the mail telling me to eat better, exercise more, and take fish oil supplements!). Boy, am I glad I attended the Wellness Weekend!
At the Wellness Weekend event, there was a doctor named Jana Joshu. Dr. Joshu is a Chiropractor who specializes in Alternative Medicine. Now, before you go off on some tangent thinking she is some tree-hugging, granola eating, "voo doo" doctor, hear me out! Dr. Joshu specializes in bringing balance to her patients' health and well-being. She works with her patients on nutrition, lifestyle, and overall health. She has a program called "12 Weeks to Wellness" where she works with her patients in bringing about changes in nutrition, lifestyle, etc., and she gives them the tools they need in order to be successful. She is upfront about her 12 week program being hard, but she is confident in her ability to assist her patients in living better, more healthy, lives. I LIKE THAT! At the Wellness Weekend I signed up for an initial consultation with Dr. Joshu, and I look forward to learning more about her program!
Another step I am taking on my journey to better health is opening myself up to different forms of exercise. For me, exercise has NEVER been something I enjoy. For the most part, I LOATHE it. However, I know I have to make it an integral part of my life if I am going to succeed in getting and staying healthy. During one of the sessions at the Wellness Weekend, we learned about a form of exercise called Ruah. It's sort of like a cross between yoga and pilates (I am no expert in either area!), and I LOVED the session! I felt like my body really got a workout, but I wasn't hopping all around trying to keep up with some aerobics or zumba instructor. Ruah was hard and relaxing all at the same time, and I was fascinated by it! I decided to give it a try on a regular basis! I purchased the DVDs and can't wait for them to arrive!
One of the Ruah instructors, Suzanne Bowen, also owns a fitness studio in Franklin called Seren Motus. The classes at Seren Motus focus on Barre Sculpt, which from what I understand is a lot like Ruah, but it also uses a ballet barre. One of my friends who attended the Wellness Weekend with me has attended Suzanne's classes a few times, and she swears by them. Since I liked the Ruah session at the Wellness Weekend so much, I decided to try out the Barre Sculpt classes at Seren Motus. I'm sure I will be the chubbiest girl in the class, but I am determined to find something I LOVE for my exercise! I can always go for a walk outside or jump on my treadmill, but I want to try something NEW for a change. The classes aren't cheap, but I figure if I like them and stick to them, the changes in my health will be worth the price I pay for them!
I know I should have mentioned this FIRST, but the BEST thing about the Women's Wellness Weekend was that everything was taught from a Christian point-of-reference. We started the weekend learning about how important it is for our spiritual lives to be healthy, and how if our relationship with God isn't in order, our relationships with others will suffer. My spiritual life is another area I want to improve upon, so along my journey to wellness I will share about that, too. My plan on my journey is to blog along the way about what I learn and how I feel about everything, whether it be mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. So, join me on my journey! It's going to be HEALTHY!!
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