Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

April 20, 2010

Don’t Assume

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 8:55 am

You know, there is a funny thing about losing a significant amount of weight that I’ve observed over the past year and a half, people tend to assume that you’ve either taken pills or had surgery. I often wonder if there will come a day when people stop asking me about weight loss pills that work, and actually ask me how I lost the amount of weight that I have. Granted, there have been some who actually asked, but most people assume and start asking questions based on their assumptions. One person even went as far as to tell several people that I had gastric bypass surgery. The funny thing is, if that person knew me, then they would have known that I would have had to be on my death bed for that to happen.

I am not a fan of the knife and being put to sleep under ANY circumstances that are non-emergency and I will avoid them like the plague. Don’t assume, just ask- I’ll be happy to tell you- really.

April 19, 2010

Makes You Wonder

Filed under: Food for Thought,Health/ Fitness,Public Service Announcement — gardener @ 11:48 pm

Have you ever thought about how some of the ‘great’ advances in medicine have turned out to be more of a problem than something good? I was thinking about that the other day and about how some of the weight loss medications over the years have ended up causing heart problems and weren’t quite the ‘magic solution’ that some people thought they were.

I was even reading an article about human growth hormone side effects. It seems that nothing is without a side effect these days. My friend Desere was given some medication last night at the hospital to stop the pain that she was having from gall stones. When she got home, she read the paper with the side effects and it said- This medication does not help with pain associated with kidney or gall stones. When she called the hospital about it, they said they’ve been giving that medication for years. Makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Lightbulb Moments

Filed under: Food for Thought,Health/ Fitness,Life — gardener @ 8:57 am

Yesterday I started reading this book called Women, Food and God and even though I’m only on chapter 2, I’ve really been able to see myself in so many of the points that have already been made.

I think about all the things I’ve learned, and about the precentages of the people who gain the weight back after losing significant amounts. I think about all the things that I’ve held back from because of my weight, or because I allowed my weight to be a crutch and a reason to doubt myself. It obviously wasn’t about the weight- but so much more. I’ve known that for a long time, but it’s interesting to see things from yet another perspective- and to see a lightbulb go off in my head.

I’ve got a lot to learn, but I am enjoying the journey- even on the days that I can’t run the marathon, but instead have to walk- the important thing is that you continue to move forward, regardless of the pace.

That forward movement isn’t until this date- or that date- it’s LIFE, and as long as I’m LIVING (REALLY LIVING) then I should be moving forward, even if it means taking baby steps, or sometimes taking one step forward after taking two back. Just move– stop living in the past– and live NOW!!

Hormones Shomones…

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life's Little Hiccups,Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 8:50 am

Remember a while back that I mentioned buying some Clearasil Gel stuff in hopes of sorting out these break out issues that I’ve been having? Well, I have been using it regularly for a while now- to the point that I probably have 1/3 of the bottle left, and I’m still not seeing any great results. Sometimes my face looks great, only to break out a week later. I have to say that it definitely is not the best acne treatment for me. Granted, I don’t technically have acne, but I’m having breakouts and they are never welcome- but especially UNWELCOME when I have a party to attend- like the one this past weekend. Yes, you got it- I had two spots on my face. I felt like a kid who woke up on prom day only to look in the mirror and find a huge spot on their face. That was me- only it was Marcel’s 25th anniversary gala and not the prom. I think I made it through without it being too traumatic though. Hormones- gotta love em.

April 7, 2010

RUN FORREST RUN

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 10:44 am

That’s how I felt today when I went to the beach- the way that Forrest Gump must have felt when he put on those pair of tennis shoes and started running. It felt good!!

I actually didn’t think I’d be able to run far, because as much time as I can spend on the elliptical, when it comes to running, you’re talking about the difference between apples and oranges. I wasn’t about to let that keep me from trying though, and I left Marcel in the dust  sand and took off.   Surprisingly, JJ followed and didn’t try to jump on me the way he usually does.   This time, with tennis ball in his mouth, he ran along beside me and was fantastic.   Looks like I had myself the perfect running partner.    I got tired, but I told myself I wasn’t going to stop until I reached a little further, and then I chose a piece of shoreline that I would run to and I did it-   TWICE!!    Granted, it wasn’t a mile, but it was probably a 1/4 mile and since I’m not really a runner (yet) I thought it was great and I was proud of myself.  

I’ve decided that I’m tired of living inside the box- so it’s time to step out.   All I can say is – Watch out!

The “Eyes” Have It.

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life,Shop til ya Drop,Things I Love — gardener @ 10:39 am

Not too long ago, mom and I were talking on the phone and she mentioned that she and dad had appointments to get their eyes checked and that it looked like they would both be getting new perscriptions for eyeglasses. She commented that she really wasn’t looking forward to the new prescription because last time she and dad both had to have new glasses, they ended up spending close to $400.00 for two pair. Since I don’t wear glasses, I almost choked when she quoted that price.

My first question to her was why they didn’t get them from Zenni. She asked me where it was located and I explained to her that it wasn’t a ‘store’ that she could visit, but instead it was a virtual store online and that she could get glasses for as low as $8.00. Her first thought was that it was some sort of gimmick, but I assured her that the only difference was is that Zenni doesn’t sell designer frames, but that the quality is as good as if not better than some of the designer frames out there.

I explained that by not having physical store locations, it allowed them to keep their overhead lower, which ultimately meant savings in the customers pockets. Mom was impressed and said that for those prices she and dad would be giving it a shot. I told her that she would need to make sure and ask the doctor to measure their right and left pupilary distance and write it down for them, and the rest would be easy-peasy. I also told her if she needed any help, she could always call on me, after all- that’s what great daughters are for.

April 5, 2010

Fork in the Road

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 7:55 am

Well, I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to start making some different choices and part of that means that I’ll be creating a new space to totally focus on health and weight loss. It’s about my journey to a healthier and “lighter” life, but also about realizing that as long as I believe in myself, I can do anything.

I’ll be sharing the link to the site as soon as it’s up and running, but in the meantime, I’ve come to the proverbial fork in the road. I have a choice- I can take the easy way out and do what’s least painful (in many ways), but that doesn’t come without it’s own set of risks, or I can take the road less traveled and beat a trail through the woods as I travel through uncharted areas and push myself to new limits.

You’re welcome to join me. It won’t be easy, and I won’t be sugar coating it, but it will be real, and I can assure you, not only will my life be changed, but if you join me and commit yourself 110%, so will yours.

The choice is yours.

March 25, 2010

I’m Feelin’ Good

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Things I Love — gardener @ 12:41 pm

I’ve been pretty proud of myself lately that I’ve been spending more and more time on the elliptical and I’ve felt so much better. I really forgot how much I’ve missed spending the time on it, and even though I’m not back to same resistance level I was at last year, I’ll be getting there soon. Marcel has talked about starting to use it himself, just to build up a fitness level but he’ll first have to get rid of the shingles.

Once the days start getting longer, I’ll start doing some interval running, but I’ll do that in the evenings after dinner and the elliptical and strength training during the day. I’m determined to get this 40 off by November.

Shocking Snack Discovery

Filed under: Food,Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 8:09 am

I’ve been a member of the SparkPeople website for several years and love it. (It’s free and if you haven’t signed up, then you should be.) Anyway, I receive several emails from them a day regarding health and nutrition. One of those emails usually compares to foods and shows which one is the better choice of the two.

I’ll admit, most of the time I don’t read them, simply because I don’t have time, and also because I rarely eat out so I don’t have to worry about those temptations, but this morning I clicked just out of curiosity to see what the challenge was.

The question posed was- Which is the better choice- a Snow Cone or Cotton Candy?

Now this was a no brainer for me. After all, I have been around long enough to know that cotton candy is nothing but spun sugar, and after all, the bulk of a snow cone is ice which has no calories.

Imagine my HUGE surprise when I saw that the cotton candy was the better choice. While NEITHER one of them are good choices, the fact is-

Cotton candy is lighter in weight and lighter on calories. A large (but lightweight) 1.5-ounce serving is worth approximately 175 calories and it’s completely fat-free! While Sno Cones are made of mostly ice (calorie-free), that syrup really adds up. The average Sno Cone weighs about 12 ounces (half of that is ice and half of that is high-sugar syrup) and packs 540 calories into a seemingly “light” dessert. Every squirt of that syrup contains up to 100 calories alone! If you want a sweet treat, don’t let that Sno Cone fool you–it’s only masquerading as a low-calorie food.

Can you believe that????? 540 calories in a Snow Cone????? I would have NEVER figured that one to be true.. but I learned not to be fooled by appearances, because as you can see- they can be deceiving.

March 23, 2010

Thinking Thin

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Inspiration — gardener @ 8:28 am

I’m a firm believer in the power of positive thinking and I decided that since I’ve lost a few pounds in the past week that I was going to start thinking ‘skinny’ and see what kind of difference it would mean. I don’t mean that I’m going to sit and think about being skinny while shoveling ice cream, candies and other sugary, fat laden goodies in my mouth, but instead I’m going to think thin while making conscious choices to eat well and excercise.

I’ve been really critical of myself in the past when I didn’t eat exactly the way I had planned or when I didn’t get that work out in, and I believe it produces negative results. I’m human and perfection is a myth and unattainable to all of us, so I’m giving myself a break and loving myself no matter what, and visualizing where I’d like to be for my own optiumum health- not just thinner, but with a low BMI and a happy, healthy heart.

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