Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

As I mentioned earlier in the month- I recommitted myself to my program of making healthy choices, exercising and getting the rest of this weight off. For the most part, I’ve been doing exactly what I need to be doing, with the exception of the work-outs. I’ve started strength training again, something I hadn’t been doing consistently this year, so I’m happy about that, but my time on the elliptical has dwindled. I knew that had to change, but I also knew it has been too warm to do a full work out at my regular time frame and resistance levels, so I decided to change things up a bit. I know the body likes that anyway- so today I started really pushing myself to do shorter, but more intense work outs, and let me tell you- after the first one, I was ‘pooped’. It also goes to show that I can do much more than I have been doing, so hopefully it will get me on the right track to getting the rest of this weight off.

I’ve also decided NO FOOD at ALL after 9 and no carbs after dinner. That may be difficult to keep together, but I’m determined to do it and see where it takes me. Weight loss and fitness is not a straight line process. As we grow and change, and as our bodies change so do our needs, which mean we have to be ready and willing to make changes, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.

I’ll let you know how it works for me.

This morning I was watching the news, and heard some news that really surprised me. A new study shows that more than 70% of American children have lower levels of Vitamin D than they should have, which increases their chances of heart and bone disease.

The cause, based on the study is poor diet and lack of sunshine.

I never remember hearing things like this when I was a child- Why? Because we couldn’t wait to get home from school, get our homework done and get outside. Even in the sweltering heat of the summer months, we came inside to grab something to drink and/or eat and out we went again. Times have obviously changed.

It saddens me when I think about so many children today who would rather sit at the computer, watch television or play video games instead of spend any time outside, and what saddens me even more than that, is the parents who would rather use these items as a glorified ‘high-tech’ babysitter so they can do whatever it is they do during the day.

There needs to be some sort of balance, a balance that is set by the parents, not the children, since we all know, if given their choice- many (notice I said many and not all) children would prefer to stay inside and ‘do their thing’.

I am concerned that if this trend continues, the amount of overweight children in this country will continue to rise, along with the number of diseases that have started showing up in children.

The cycle can be broken. Are YOU doing all that you can?

I’d love to hear your feelings on this subject.

Do you remember that song in the 80’s by Rick Springfield that said, “We all need, the human touch?“. I loved that song back in the day and now every time I see Human Touch Massage Chairs, I can’t help but think of that song.

Have you ever actually sat in one? Let me be the first to tell you, it’s the next best things to a real massage, and it seems to melt all my troubles away, not to mention the stresses of everyday life, or even the tense muscles that I often find myself having from working out.

For a long time, I spent so much time taking care of everyone else, that ‘me’ time fell to the wayside. That showed in many aspects of my life, and sadly I’m not the only one who falls into this category. About a year and a half ago, I decided to start thinking about ‘me’, which included becoming healthier, both mentally and physically, and NOT feeling guilty about it. During this journey, I’ve found that massage chairs are not only a delicious way to relax, but it also increases blood and oxygen circulation, which benefits vital organs. It’s not just an indulgence, but an indulgence with benefits.

Have you ever tried one? What has your experience been? I always feel so rejuvinated afterwards, and ready to take on the world.

Yesterday I started reading Jillian Michaels new book called, “Master Your Metabolism”, and so far I’m loving it. Granted, I’m only about a 1/3 of the way through it, but already there are SO many things that I’m relating to, and I’m curious to see how this plan is going to help not only my metabolism, but my hormone levels.

The book even says that hormones being out of whack can cause break-outs, which I was happy to read, because I’ve been considering acne treatments to get rid of these occasional break-outs I’ve been having. I definitely don’t think someone my age should be having them, so I’m curious to see what the book is going to offer that will possibly help with this little issue. Plus, once I get things in sync with my body, I may actually be able to drop the rest of this weight easier than it has been the last couple of months.

I’m learning so much and can’t wait to learn more and apply it to my life.

Ever have those days when you feel exausted even when you’ve done nothing to get exausted from? That’s me today! I haven’t done anything much at all today other than resting but yet I feel exausted. I keep telling myself it’s this cold I have, and it’s taking a toll, but I don’t do ‘sick’ very well. This morning I was practically jumping up and down because I was feeling much better- now, is another story.

I’ve been taking Zycam, and it seems to be helping, but obviously I’m expecting big things. I just want this stuff to be OVAHHH. I know- whine, whine, whine. That’s how I feel.