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Two weeks ago I brought up the idea of kindness as far as our political views. I received many comments on this subject. I felt sad regarding the polarization of people that some considered friends or family. Last evening we were having dinner with two of our dearest friends, the discussion came up. They were really trying to help me understand the emotions people are experiencing. I definitely heard what they were saying. I trust them emotionally, so it felt like a good conversation. I know I am safe talking to these two men and they only wanted to help me, which they did. To me, it still boils down to people, friends, family, etc. We have been in difficult times before, similar, but not nearly as extreme. The amount of vitriol that is consuming our basic conversations scares me. People wish that the President would die. I can't believe what I am hearing! Wishing death on a person notwithstanding a President? Are you willing to risk your own health carrying so much hatred? I am not. But the idea that bothers me the most is this, are we going to turn our backs on people that we have loved or at least cared for over politics? Are we at the point as humans that if we were in a hospital, very ill, that we would ask the person caring for us "what is your party affiliation" before they are allowed to touch us? The police coming to help you in your home? If your relative or long-term friend was seriously ill, would you not stand beside them and leave politics out of it? Think of the wasted time and hurt. I care for my dear friends and family too much to do that. These are thoughts that I think we all need to consider before the distance grows even greater. Over an election, though I understand it is the consequences of the said election)? I choose to believe that this will be over in 2 to 4 years. I do not plan to ruin my health over the outcome of the 2024 election. No matter what your party affiliation is, how you are treated over the next four years, I plan to be there for my friends and family. Possibly the mission is accomplished. These are just thoughts to contemplate.
In the short time that we are on this planet, we are exposed to many feelings about the way our lives has developed. On a good day, we stop to reflect. As we age, the changes can be overwhelming or ignored. One moment we are 4 years old, the next moment we are 60. It is what has occurred during this time that creates the peacefulness that we all desire. It is my belief that we all want to have the knowledge that any mistakes we have made, we have grown past and forgiven ourselves. The reflection, hopefully will include forgiveness of those that have hurt us. At this point in our lives, we should unburden ourselves and move forward to a life that we create out of goodness and peacefulness. In my opinion, we have no other choice. We need people to stand up to happiness, gratitude and not be soured by all the grief on this planet. You have a choice, sweet or sour, it is that simple. Most of my friends have agreed to be happy and I am grateful for their wishes. I will honor them by being the best friend I can be toward them, and to hopefully make their life richer by knowing me. What is your choice?
As we have all witnessed the devastating tragedy in So Cal, I can't help but reflect on life. After an incredible holiday season where I felt immense joy and gratitude, the reality that it could all crumble within a day is staggering. We all think of death, at least occasionally, but to see everything you have built flame up within a few minutes is impossible to comprehend. It is a sober reminder of the gift of life and those that we love. It is not about things, it is the people that are in our lives that make it so precious. Of course, I am sitting in a warm house, just had dinner and as far as I know at this minute, I do not have have any potential risks. I didn't just watch my life evaporate in front of me. I can't change that for those people, unfortunately. But what I can do is to not take advantage of the time I share with others in a given day. I can remind myself how precious this life experience is and live each day with joy and contentment and to not focus on materialism, but living, and breathing in hallelujah moments. Maybe each moment should be that way as anyone reading this is alive and unscathed by fire. We pray for safety for those still in the line of fire and more importantly that they have the strength to move forward with the insurmountable steps they have to take. Blessings to them all.
As many of us are still reeling from the grief of the most recent school shooting, we have to ask ourselves how and why is this still allowed to continue to happen in this country? I literally wanted to vomit when I heard of the newest event as I just had the most incredible time with my 3 munchkins, 3, 6, and 8. I am quickly reminded that no matter how hard life is, there are these beautiful humans willing to share their lives with us. I am even more blessed by a 13 year old in Boise that I love dearly. They can't understand it, but neither can we. So here are 4 mini-people, a 3 year old plus 6, 8 and a 13 year olds that are directly affected by evil. Is this the best that we can do for them, living in fear of what if? I think in writing this post it is cathartic for me in a strange way, but mostly I want to remind people that there are avenues for kids to release their feelings after these tragedies. Firstly, with their parents. If you are unsure how to address this subject, the school usually has a counselor available to help guide you. If the feelings are deeper and need to be explored more, most medical plans have the availability of counseling services. Age appropriate discussions are a really good idea, of course. But how do we know what to say to guide them? One source, A Kids Book About School Shootings, Crystal Woodman Miller. Another for adults, This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp. There are many other books about the subject on Amazon so consider looking into it a bit further. There have been 50 people killed or injured in K-12 school shootings across the US in 2024.* Fifty! Obviously the problem is not going away. Put pressure on your politicians, let them know, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. As important, be safe and protect your children, *USA Today
No matter where you are on this continent, death rears its' ugly head in many ways. It is never timely, generally not chosen, sometimes predictable, but the pain is the same for those left behind. We lose someone that we love or cared about, and that is the definition of loss. James and I had the privilege today of going to a beautiful ceremony at a Catholic Church in a tiny community. We did not know the woman, she was 53 years old, far too young to die suddenly. She was stoic and did not complain about her aches and pains and with 11 other people living in the home, personal time to think about oneself was probably at a minimum. We know her husband, a very hard worker in our development and one of the kindest hearts you would ever meet. He collected our community trash and did construction. We would leave him wrapped up clothes as there were 11 people in his home. There was always a sweet exchange. The point is his loss. We attended today to honor him and his family and to take part in this beautiful ceremony. It was very modest. His pickup truck actually held the casket and 6 pallbearers. Behind the truck was a walking processional through this tiny village of all the people that loved her and/or wanted to share in the grief. The simplicity of the funeral was fairly stark, but people turned to greet us, shook our hands, and proved that we could all bond together, no matter what race, color or language. We were all there for the family and our only goal was support. I share this with you as it was the kind of experience people should have, simple love and community at its finest hour.
Recently I have had a few requests to publish thoughts on "who are we" plus, how do we build self esteem even as adults. They are one in the same to me because if our self esteem is low, we are not sure where we fit in this world. There is so much pressure on people now a days that people don't even have time to think about self esteem, let alone, who they are. Everyone is busy with schedules, obligations, making money, children and other family obligations and don't forget "keeping up with the Jones's. This has happened to everyone, unless you have already checked out. Why is it that we allow this to happen? When did we give up on ourselves? Self esteem is defined as "confidence in one's own worth or abilities, self respect". Self esteem begins as a child with just the right parents, environment, sleep patterns, food and exercise. It requires a community of people, hopefully a family, that nourishes the individual. It means they have to have all these factors in alignment. How often does that happen? So as adults we question the world, our place in the world. Do we measure up compared to Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok? Those are not even measurements that we should consider comparing ourselves to. Who are we in the surroundings in which we live? Do we have friends that can depend upon us? Are we loyal? Are we available in a crisis? Do we take the time to listen to people that need us? Are we GOOD people? Do our pets love us and can depend on us? Do we nurture our own children to compliment the world and not just take from it? Are we encouraging our children to protect young, old, pets and other peers? Do we teach "do no harm" plus respect. If you can say that you do these things then I believe you should be proud of yourself as a human being. Self respect comes from knowing that you do these things and you do no harm in this crazy world. I ask you to consider these factors and if you get most of them then you are an outstanding human being. Please respect yourself and go forward with pride. There isn't much more than that in life except being the best that you can be and taking care of yourself to be ready to help others. That is how you build self respect. * Would love to hear your thoughts on this article in the comment section.
Another way to look at this is do you look at the glass half full or full? Do you see life through a disappointing lens? It would be easy to do but I am inviting you to turn this around. How old are you? How old are you mentally notice I didn't say feel? I just read that many of us will be octogenarians. Actually it is predicted that by 2040 the will be 14.4 million of us. See how I include myself in that figure, lol? That number has doubled since 2020. We must be doing something right. As we age there are some people that just want to "get it over with", others like me who plan to hit that new number, and some in the middle. But why not prepare your mind for what is yet to come. A very good friend of mine is taking a difficult computer class just to to stay sharp and keep learning. We go on adventures and laugh all day and admit we are so lucky. Stop thinking about medical for a day, think about what it would take to add the kind of desire you need to age happily and gracefully. Write a letter to yourself and see where the stalemate is. Do you need new friends? Do you need to be around a more youthful energy? Do you need to take a class to stimulate all that grey matter in your brain, do you just need to dance? Come on people, shake it up, find your joy and don't think about disappointments as much as finding your inner child. It is in there and you might journal, talk to a trusted friend OR go to counseling. Probably not going to get it from your husband unless you are married to someone decades younger. But remember, you can be a teacher to him.
Despite having a beautiful vacation with my grandkids, there have been quite a few challenges that my friends' are going through, which certainly affects anyone that cares/loves them. It allows one to step up for them, but it also gives you a chance to ponder our own vulnerability. The people that are experiencing these challenges, which are major, are kind loving people that you wouldn't wish any harm. Why do we have to go through painful chapters? That is the question I pose for myself and all of us. Also, how do we survive major life challenges and come out the other side? I think it is important to frequently survey our own lives, not just the new cars, trips, nice house, but what we can offer others. I frequently talk about watching out for others, but do we do it? Do we do it before there is a tragedy? Do we have any skill at helping them, a plan. You might ask, well, how am I to know what to do before it happens? I think it is important to leave time in your life for emergency care. If we are booked so tight in the day, how do we stay connected so that person can feel your availability. Example-a friend tonight emailed me with the worst news I have heard in a long time. Life altering, family altering, etc. I know what to do to help her. In my heart, I know how I can give her the most that I have, which might not be enough, but at least I am trying and she will know it. If I am not the only person stepping up, which I am sure I won't be as she is a beautiful person, then a community of love will help get her through this. It won't make the incidence go away, but she will feel the support and know she is not alone and has help. It is always easier to just ignore the situation and think that others will step up, but to know you actually did something, that is the rewaard. One day we will all need someone strong to be our "backbone", and I ask you to consider whether or not you are up to the challenge. THAT is being human.
For many women/men who are tired of the drudgery of meal planning, I have a solution. I came across it accidentally, and I am thrilled. I have been in a cooking phase, as you know, planning to do every recipe in a 200-recipe cookbook. I may need to abandon that idea temporarily. I actually love to cook and love to have people over for dinner parties. I was drawing a blank and got the bright idea of turning to AI-Chat. I requested a 5 course Italian dinner complete with a grocery list and 3 seconds later it was in front of me. Amazed as I was, I talked to some other women who use AI to plan all their meals for the week complete with grocery list. I am in heaven. Give it a try and if nothing else just be entertained with how simple your life could be.
A recent study by the NIH has produced a possible link between the 700 species of bacteria in the mouth, causing periodontal disease and Alzheimer's. Gum disease results from the infection of the oral tissues holding teeth in place. Bleeding gums, loose teeth and even tooth loss are the main effects of this disease. Bacteria and inflammatory molecules can travel to the brain. Previous lab studies have suggested that this is one mechanism influencing the cascade of events that lead to dementia. A study of people over 65 with Alzheimer's diagnosis and death showed oral bacterium P.gingivalis and others to increase these risks A long-term study follow-up is suggesting that the oral infection may have preceded the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. More studies are needed before conclusions are drawn. This is another reason for self care of your teeth including dentist visits twice a year, judicious oral care, brushing twice a day and flossing regularly. Watch for bleeding gums, pain, and foul breath. **Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2020
January has ended and I am wondering how you did with the five Challenges. #1 no alcohol during the month. I found it a little hard to be honest. Most of my friends that did it felt the same way. I probably had 3 glasses in 30 days, but now what I notice is that I don't think of it at the end of the day. I am very satisfied if I mix mineral water with orange juice, in a wine glass, of course. I think I will try this again after Valentines Day til mid March. I think it was good for me. I miss red wines to be honest, but I value my liver. #2 Challenge. Two meals per week with no ultra-processed foods. Easy, at least the easiest of the 5. None of us want cancer, Alzheimer's, etc. People, we have to get this type of food out of our diets. Try really hard. Challenge #3 Easy most weeks. I am a gym rat plus love to walk, but I know that is not true for everyone. Please start. I don't want to sound preachy but it can be life alternating or at least life preserving. Again, 1440 minutes in a day, your body needs 30. This should be easy. Challenge #4. Be Creative. This was fun for me. I found 2 projects, tiling and decided to try to get done in the month. What I learned about this Challenge was it slowed me down to have a planned task, to create something really pretty and relax. Try it! It doesn't have to be expensive, etc. I challenge you to try and find a creative passion. James always tiles floors, bathrooms, etc. I have watched him do so many times that I knew I could, hopefully. I jumped into to two projects, one, a mural in my shower another I outlines our roof top patio with the most beautiful tile and it brought everything to life I plan to do more. Don't be afraid, JUST DO IT! Challenge #5 Be Kind. It shouldn't even be a subject to consider, we should all be kind, but we aren't. Just read the news. Kindness brings more kindness. This world is in a dark spot right now and we CAN make it better. Keep reaching out to family, friends, strangers and do one thing per day out of kindness. More is appreciated. Please don't lose track of kindness. Thank you for participating in these Challenges. Personally I am going to do them all again February 15 til March 15. Join me?
Fifth and final Challenge for this New Year. Kindness We live in a world that kindness seems to have escaped far too many of its' inhabitants. I am not privy to the exact reasons, but sociologists tell us that the factors contributing to "unkindness" are numerous. Stress? We have had it all our lives. Why do we feel it more now or do we really? We let stress rule our lives. Do we watch the negativity in the news? Are we anti-Trump? Are our jobs more difficult? Do we plan too many activities in a chaotic world for us and our families? Money? Illness? Unhealthy diet? Yes, probably too much sugar has increased our anxiousness. Ultra-processed foods? Absolutely? Isolation? Are you withdrawing from family, friends and society? If you have not noticed, we actually need others in our lives. One of the most important reasons is without other human contact we are told that we increase our risk of Alzheimer's. Past experiences and learned behavior from your own negative experiences? Trust issues? Again, previous experiences with trust that failed. Reliability? You have your own experiences with other people that you were not able to rely on, maybe repeatedly. There are numerous reasons and that being said, Challenge #5 is to reach out for 30 days and bestow kindness on another person. It might be minimal, ie opening a door for someone, medium, checking on a neighbor, or even to invite someone out for dinner because they need a friend, riskier. The whole idea is reaching out with an open heart. Daily. Thirty days. As you conclude the month, evaluate how it affected you.
I think we get stuck sometimes in a daily routine and forget to think outside the box. We are not just 9-5 people, eat, sleep, repeat, we are creative creatures. If you think you aren't then there is a good chance you need this blog post. Everyone has an artistic side. It is a matter of how far suppressed it is. As you all know, James and I have renovated way too many houses. I have learned a huge amount just by watching him do things I had never done before. Then it hit me, I can do this! He has worked with tile a lot. I have been afraid of losing fingers, so I stayed away from tile saws. Then one day I found a tile store and a kit with a pattern to assemble. No saws. I felt empowered and thought, I can do this! I could feel him doing an eye roll which made me want to do it even more. I hauled everything upstairs to a rooftop patio, laid out the design, plotted it on the wall, with a little help plotting, and started my creation. Even I was shocked. It came out very nice, messy but nice. Of course, I did the clean up! The whole idea is not to let negative thoughts control you, or let others tell you that you can't do something. You can do just about anything, even brain surgery. It might take 12 years of schooling, but the point is, don't be ruled by obstacles and negative thoughts. If you rally after reading this, please send me your creations. I would love to see them and will post them to encourage others. Seeing is believing! Challenge #4 This takes time and planning, not even a lot of money. We all have creative sides that need to bought out in the open. The thing that I noticed was it calming me down. I tend to be a little hyper and these projects that I did really helped. Challenge #5 This SHOULD be easy, kindness I mean, but many have lost the art. In these unpredictable times all we have is people, friends, family, etc, we need to treasure these relationships and be open to more. This is one of the qualities that mark us as good humans. Try! Lastly, thank you for doing the Challenges. Carry these ideas forward and make you and the world a better place. Blessings!
How are you doing on the Challenges? Maybe you have already veered away, but I am here to get you back on track. Challenge #1 No alcohol for 30 days. Myself, I gave in one time with a small glass of wine midpoint, BUT, I am back on track and it is easier than I thought to get back. You? Challenge#2 Two meals per week with no ultraprocessed foods. This should be pretty easy. Think of the money you will save, ie chicken breast and salad or homemade soup. Challenge #3 The "E" word. Exercise. Notoriously the hardest for people to start if it wasn't already part of their lives. Remember, 1440 minutes in a day, you only need 20. Don't give up on yourself. Everything I have listed helps you fend off cancer, heart disease and Alzheimers per the studies,
Of course if you know me at all, I had to include the "E" word on a New Years' Challenge, so that is #3. There is no expectation of marathons, becoming Arnold Schwartzenegger, etc, but let's start with walking 20 minutes every other day. Again, there are 1440 minutes in a day, that means you still have 1420 minutes left for other responsibilities and pleasures. Walking is the simplest, most effective way to start an exercise routine. It requires shoes that are in decent condition, meaning not over 6 months old, and probably bought at a running/walking store, plus good sox. This is a minimum of what you need. Then as you begin to enjoy it, pick out a cute pair of tights or shorts to prove to your neighbors that you are "in it to win it". The benefits of walking include a peaceful mind, stress reduction, cardiac conditioning, boosted immune function and increased cognitive function. There is no down side, but as always, consult your Health Care Provider if you have not been an exerciser to make sure it is ok to start a fitness regimen. Set a goal of one month with this new plan. You are welcome to do more, but commit to 30 days. Track your exercise on a calendar of some sort with pride. As this is the 3rd Challenge, don't disregard the other 2. The whole idea is to acquire new habits that are healthy. If you lose focus, as I did, meaning I had a glass of wine at day 17, then just restart. We are only human, but the ultimate goal is to improve your health. Remember, if you have a dog, he or she needs exercise too, as all the things listed for you are good for him/her. I wish everyone good luck. Old habits are hard to break and new ones can be difficult, but if the intention is to get healthier this year, you are on the right path. Good luck!
How are you doing on Challenge #1? Even if you are like me, I only have approximately 4 ounces of wine 5 nights per week. But I have to say, I miss it. I think it is the ritual at the end of a day. As much as completion of chores, responsibilities, etc. it is a nice time to sit with my husband and review the day. But I can't ignore the science and the medical reports that are out there, of which I receive daily. Certain things I have learned throughout life have proven to be only theory, but this seems factually driven. We see health issues and Alzheimer's numbers rapidly increasing which are linked to alcohol, so I chose to pay attention. My new 6 pm drink is mineral water and guess what? I still get to sit and review the day with James. Challenge, #2 As I am afraid I will lose you if I mention the E word, exercise, lol, the next Challenge is to prepare two meals this week without packaged/processed foods. Not hard, but focusing on it can be difficult. It might be chicken with a salad and homemade dressing or homemade soup. Just twice a week, not just this week but for one month. Your food bills should go down, but your health should improve. Good luck. Trying to sustain a healthy lifestyle can be difficult at first, but I believe, for me, it is worth the Challenge. Good luck! Barb
This is a new series on the beauty of challenging ourselves as the New Year opens. I am sure that most of us have already forgotten our resolutions, so let's change the word "resolutions" to CHALLENGE. It is a much more upbeat way to look at something we know we need to do. The series will offer weekly ideas to create a positive spin on something that might be difficult, but you know you need to do it. The first challenge is to stop any alcohol for one month, none, nada. This might be more difficult than you think after coming off of the holidays. If it is difficult, it is probably something that you know you needed to do. Alcohol is attached to cancer, heart disease, obesity, DUIs, etc. It is a well documented cause of cancer for about 100,000 cases per year and 20,000 deaths. Two drinks per day raises the risk for women and men. Alcohol specifically causes 7 different cancers, breast and colon being the most common. Unless you have lived in a vacuum, you know these facts, so let's move forward with the Challenge. Challenge #1 No alcohol for one month. Start tomorrow, don't put it off. You will see the benefits of clarity, increased energy, weight loss and just the knowledge that you are taking care of your body. (You only have one) PS I am doing this myself with 2 friends. Nice to do with someone.
Christmas is right around the corner and with that comes the chaos that we all seem to enjoy, until exhaustion hits Christmas Eve at midnight. People are so tired that they can barely function, yet the excitement of Christmas carries us through the next day. Unfortunately many have to go back to work the next day. Remember, the weekend is nearby, lol. During Christmas we should take stock of how crazy we want the next years' holidays to be. We are creatures of habit and we DO love the thrill, but not the exhaustion. Since childhood we all had exciting expectations of the holidays, the presents, the cookies, family and friends visiting, and it has left us all with a incredible illusion of the holiday. Maybe it will snow! Actually it is not all about the toys, etc. It has a different meaning for each of us. I have the fondest memories of holidays mostly centered around family. I am a Christian so the holiday is historically important to me on a spiritual level. Not every one has the same belief. It is my responsibility to respect everyone's beliefs. But it is generally a time to take pause and have gratitude. As we approach the conclusion of this year, we have a chance to count our blessings. There are lots of things wrong with the world, but if we can just reflect on what we have control over. Ourselves. Change starts from within, and it is the power of the beautiful people in this country to improve ourselves and our country. My desire is fueled by my beliefs, my sweet husband, grandkids, family, friends and giving back to the beautiful community we live in. Make a promise to yourself, your family and friends that you are willing to be the best human possible. Find out what your greatness is. This is how we start. Merry Christmas to all of you. I am taking a break to enjoy the holidays and look forward to restarting January 1. Blessings, Barb
I write this with hesitancy as we are living through a divisive time and it is affecting all of us. We seem to have forgotten our commonality, thus, One Heart, Two Lungs. We are turning on one another with such vehemence that feels unprecedented. James reminds me that there have been equally disturbing times, but I personally don't remember this level ever. With 9/11 we turned toward each other with kindness, gratitude, patriotism and almost a new found love of one another. A respect that we were all in this together. Those days seem so distant and now we burn mail boxes, rip political signs out of each others yards, and people are scorned for wearing a hat or a t-shirt with their party affiliation and worse yet, and relationships have been destroyed. What are we teaching our children? Why is it so important to alienate friends, family, etc to prove that you are right? Of course this is a critical year. The most critical that I remember. We are all afraid of the things coming true that each candidate espouses, but aren't we united enough in our communities to withstand whatever does happen? Do we need to turn against one another and create more hatred? We are seeing enough of that on tv with the candidates. So, please look inward. Think about the stress on your body, your spirit, your family, friends and colleagues. Is it worth it to put all those things at risk to be right? Remember, One Heart, Two Lungs. No matter who wins, that does not change. We are all only human.
I am very pleased to announce that my Sister-In-Law, Linda Murphy would like to share her very successful program called Women's Empowerment Series out of Belmont, North Carolina. Please read her introduction to this group below. *My name is Linda Murphy. I am a co-founder with my business partner, Amber Verna for our Women's Empowerment Series. Our mission is to bring like-minded and like-hearted women together for growth, community and creating new friendships. We have been thrilled with the scope of our series, as we launched our 3rd season this past September, 2024. We have monthly meetings, highlighting speakers for each gathering. Being among these women has been very powerful for all as we interact with everyone leaving our meetings feeling uplifted by the topics of our speakers, and being in the company of other awesome women. Our focus this season has been highlighting "tools for our empowerment toolkit". My video on our WE You Tube channel talk about many of the personal tools I have accrued throughout my quest to figure out who I am as I experience my own life's journey. Perhaps you will find these tools to be a helpful addition to your personal tool kit as you move forward on your life's pathway. *Please find the link to WE YOU TUBE channel below. https://youtube.com@womensempowerment.belmontnc *the link was long, couldn't highlight. Please look it up on You Tube.
I have never received as many comments as I did with the article re "88 Touches Per Day To Remain Human". I loved it because it made people stop and think. Maybe they felt a little embarrassed as they started taking toll of their own touches. It did me, feel embarrassed, when I read the article 10 years ago. Remember, this is not necessarily intimate touch. Maybe it is just a touch on a shoulder when greeting someone, comforting someone when they are upset, experiencing a loss, or maybe it is a high 5 out of joy. Some have suggested it is because of Covid, maybe a bit. The article was written ten years ago, so I am suggesting that even then it was an issue and I believe if we are honest with ourselves, you will be a bit embarrassed at how little you touch daily. I was. So lets' create a new image of ourselves, one that is more personable, one that when you walk down the street your eyes don't avoid the other person, one that is willing to comfort a friend, one that can touch a shoulder or do a high 5 out of joy. Try it, then check in with yourself in one month. I believe we will all feel better.
I didn't make this up, but I read this idea 10 years ago in an article. I recently revisited this thought as we were going through a particularly busy time in our lives. I realized that we were no where near that number. Have we forgotten how important touch is? Maybe. We as a civilization are so busy almost every minute of the day that we ignore the basics. Busy is different for each person, work, kids, family, home, projects, computer time, etc. Remember though how good it feels when you are truly hugged. Remember when you sit down and pet your fur baby for a bit, the love that they exude. So my challenge to all of us is to remember to touch one another more. It can just be a gentle touch, nothing more. Be conscientious about it and see how many touches you DO partake in, then start doubling it. Enjoy!
This morning I was driving into town and passing a bus stop with a shelter. There were two men, both elderly. One of the men was literally propping the other up because he had tipped over. The temp at 9 am was 100 degrees. I quickly went to the store, less than a half a block from them, to get water. As I pulled up, the bus came to take them to their destination. I felt relief for them. Idea. What if during these immensely hot days we carried water bottles and looked for vulnerable older people to give it to them? The heat can cause sunstroke so rapidly in this age group, and even someone younger. Reach out to those in need. It will feel good.
Today I realized something that made me sad. I was in and out of stores as I was painting and needing a few supplies. I realized I needed some sustenance, lol, AKA food. It was 107 degrees so I only thought about ice cream, right? As I walked into the grocery I noticed that no one looked up, no smiles, etc. I realize it is 107 and there is not a lot of joy in this kind of day, but no one even made eye contact, no smiles, etc. Now, I am a person that needs smiles. I am part time in SMA where almost EVERYONE smiles and says Hola or Buen Dias. I love it. BUT, I am trying to adapt to California again. I was sad, but doing ok, until I rounded the corner to get my much needed frosty treat. I paused to let a woman pass sitting in her cart. I smiled and she looked up and called me a scumbag. What????? Now, I had a little paint on my shorts, but definitely not a scumbag. What has happened to people? I thought about it a bit. I have been blessed to travel to 7 states and one country since May. (We promised to help James' brother build a sunroom so we took off on our adventure to North Carolina). All across the country people smiled, waved, or said hello. I even went for walks in our guests' neighborhood and not one person ignored me, even kids said hello. What is up California? We are supposed to teach our children to be friendly, kind and warm, let alone us being that way. What happened? Don't we realize that we are teachers and human beings? So I am inviting all of you to start a movement. Maybe you don't want to say HOLA, but maybe a smile, maybe a pleasant gesture and God forbid, eye contact. We are creating isolation, adding to mental health issues and just not being nice if we ignore one another. A smile never hurts! Please think about this and let's create a movement! PS It is two days later and I am rereading this note looking for errors, etc. The last two days since I wrote this article, I went to the park for my morning walks. The park is supposed to be a happy place. Ten people in two days, and not even any eye contact. Come on California, you are better than this. I hope.
I have given into wearing those slip on shoes you buy during the summer then throw away. I am not sure if they are rubber or plastic, but they get so dirty, especially in the desert. I looked at them and said, they are almost brand new but they are grey. So, I searched for an answer and it was so easy! (Picture shows blue though) Renew them with Armourall Tire Cleaner. Brand new!! Took two minutes and perfect! Sometimes things are just easy and cheap!
When is the last time you did something "off the cuff". Are you retired? Think no one would enjoy it? Too tired? What if you threw a party, a theme party? Was at a friends tonite and had a great idea. It won't happen until the first of October, but what a great idea to just have fun. It will take some planning, but so what? We are not so old that we can't think of fun ideas to bring people together to have a good time. The idea of the party will be a Mexican party, complete with dress that is whatever you want it to be, but everyone has to speak Spanish. Yikes! I will make paella, sangrias, sopapillas, etc, etc. The women will probably be glitzy and the men will be debonair, but the idea is to have fun. Think of it as a pre-holiday party to start the season. What could you think of for a party? Or a gathering? Past a book club, or a morning walk in the park? Let's all have some fun this season and use your creative juices to bring life back into your existence. You can be the one that perks everyone up! Try it!
I am an ex-Roundup person for years. I thought I would share my weed control concoction. One gallon white vinegar 2 Tblsp dish soap (everyone loves Dawn, but it can be any soap) 1 c salt I have a one gallon vinegar jug that I write the recipe on and save it. This works. A little slower than traditional weed killers, but I feel much better not poisoning the ground and definitely feel more conscious. Plus, it is cheap!
This is short! We have had very serious rain storms, complete with the heaviest lightning I have ever seen. Brilliant, in fact. I had unplugged computers, tvs, etc thinking how smart I am, lol. Last night I did not and apparently lightning came to visit again. I got up this morning to turn on You Tube music and it appeared dead. I was starting to think about budgeting for a new tv. THEN I got the brilliant idea to unplug and re-plug, duh! It was fine. Two lessons for me. Unplug at night during this season, #2, unplug and re-plug if not working.. I am sure you all know this, but just a reminder from someone who THINKS she is fairly intelligent, lol.
The word bored comes up frequently as I talk to people, especially retired people. I am blessed that that word is not in my dictionary, but it is in a lot of peoples' vocabulary. An example is my husband. He is a brilliant man, highly educated and I think that may be part of it. He gets bored. When you look at life on certain levels, you may not be looking at the smaller things that are possible. He made a job change 11 years ago and it was the best thing in the world for him. He has since then become a Marriage and Family Therapist, but his hobby was renovating homes. (Guess who got drug into that, lol?) We are done with that phase, thank God. I was never bored with anything as his hobby became mine and there are only so many hours in a day. But much to the exclusion of my hobbies, we muddled through it and I am grateful at this time as we live where we live. BUT, the point is how do we define our hobbies/goals from our partners? How do we find fulfillment in life separately? Book clubs, garden clubs, take up running, pick a 10 k to run, write a book, volunteer, redo landscaping, start swimming, start a dinner club, etc. Do something, but do it with passion.
I found mites on my very established Philodendron. Ugh! But thanks to my horticulturist, Sis, she shared her wisdom which is nontoxic. Here it is: Wash both sides of all the leaves. Use Ivory liquid dish soap or Murphys oil soap. Those are the only two safe soaps to use. Clean the outside of the pot with a very damp rag or towel that you lay over the dirt in the pot. Submerge the pot into a tub of water briefly. Mites don't like water or humidity. You can use a spray bottle with 3 cups water and a few drops of Ivory. As you clean you will barely see the spray on the leaves, in other words, a light spray. Keep this spray around for any eggs that might hatch within a week.
Some experts think of microbiomes, a collection of microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and their genes that naturally live in our bodies, as a hidden organ because it is so important in the function of our immune system to decrease chronic inflammation. Studies conclude that your gut communicates with your brain through pathways in the gut brain axis. Changes in the microbiome have been linked with mood and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety though it is not clear yet exactly how this works. It is important to increase the fiber in our diet as a first step. There are two types of fiber: insoluble, which helps you feel full and encourages regular bowel movements. Some examples include bran flakes, brown rice, quinoa, corn, oats, popcorn and nuts and seeds. Soluble fiber helps to lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Some examples are beans, carrots, avocados, fruits, flax seeds, sweet potatoes, etc. It is important to concentrate on both. We need approximately 14 grams of fiber per 1000 calories that we ingest. If you have trouble eating enough fiber, you can take OTC fiber supplements in the form of powder, capsules and now even chewable fiber. What about fermented foods? They contain pre and probiotics. Many fermented foods undergo lacto- fermentation in which natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food. This helps to remove simple sugars and create good bacteria, ie Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. In addition to probiotics, fermented foods may contain enzymes, B vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. A reminder, it is all about balance in our diet, but we can easily tip the scale a bit toward healthier food and avoid all the fast food and processed foods. For more articles re; health: https:/www.health.harvard.edu
Just a quick idea but a good one. Had to make a French apple pie for a gathering, and realized I didn't have my usual deep dish pie plate. I decided to use a 10 inch cheesecake pan instead. I crossed my fingers as I was afraid the juice of the apples might run out, nope! I made the crust a bit more stiff to be able to mold it into a deeper pan. It came out great, held its shape, surprise, surprise, and I loved it. It was elegant in appearance and super easy to cut. Whew, a disaster averted.
I have a good friend who is so clever. She could be PINTEREST on her own. Send me your projects, ideas and cleverness and I will post it.
Of course you are! You are working full time, kids schedules are so difficult to keep up with, and didn't you have a brief vision about going to the gym to work out? Wake up from that dream. What can we do about dinner after late night soccer practice? Don't drive to fast food. It is cold, unloved and horrifically fatty for kids and adults. And don't forget the spread as we talked about on another post. You know the one from sitting too much. Ideas. Pick a night. Let's do Sunday night after Sunday dinner. Take a whole chicken, clean it, 3 minutes. Put it in a crock pot with a ceramic liner that you could put in the refrigerator. Put seasonings on it, 30 seconds, a little chicken broth or water in the base, 1/2 inch, add cut up potatoes, washed and cut in eighths, 2 minutes. The secret is to put it in the refrigerator with the keys to your car so you won't forget to put in heating unit of the crock pot in the morning. 5:30 minutes. When you come home there will be a wonderful aroma of chicken/potatoes and it will automatically create a sensory vision of home and peacefulness. When the troops arrive, have chilled applesauce, 30 seconds to put on table, and cut up some cucumbers for the table, 60 seconds. We are talking 7 minutes. You would wait in line at McDonalds that long. One more thing. I suggest everyone leaves phones in their bedroom and we talk, no tv. The engagement of the family fills a social need plus sets a really nice standard for the kids to open up about their day. Expect a little dissent regarding this new plan, but that is ok, you are tough! Good luck!
Quick idea for all of you that feel too rushed. On your day off, ie Saturday, rinse some pinto beans, set over night. When you get up in the morning, 1 lb pinto beans, one medium onion, 4 oz spicey chorizo, 3 tsp cumin, salt to taste, 8 c water. Cook all day, don't eat it! Save for the day you work, While this is cooking, cook 2 c brown rice, in 2 c water, 2 c chicken broth, 40 minutes. Don't eat it! Save it for the day you return to work and make burrito bowls, burritos, tacos, taco salad. The idea is to have food prepared to you don't have to go eat fast food. Nutritious and can be disguised over 2 meals easy. Under $7!
New hairdo? New makeup? New body? New music? New environment? Time to move to new city? State? Country? Just because we are at a new stage of our lives doesn't mean that we wither. Right? Change your music to something that vitalizes you, move those hips, feel sexy again. Come on ladies, shake up your world. Try a new hairdresser, go to Ulta for a makeover, grab a friend with a different taste in clothes that you, join a gym and get a trainer, Move? Well, that is a little harder, but have you ever explored life in another country? Well, I have and did. Watch for our Category, Life in Mexico. I have met so many expats who have done just that. In two weeks I will share their stories. Adios mi amigas!!
What does the word "bored" mean? The feeling of weariness because one in unoccupied or lacks interest in ones' current activity. If you are bored, it is time to expand your world. There is a transition that people navigate when they change from working, etc. It is not the end of the world, it is a beginning. Try and think about all the things you wanted to do when you were so obligated. I used to think about going for a run when I didn't have time, reading a book, gardening, alcohol ink projects or trying a new recipe. Have you thought of a book club? A womens' group? Starting a women's' group? Baking for a neighbor? Going for a hike with a friend? A long awaited home project? And last but not least, getting in shape, maybe for the first time ever. We don't have to approach senior years being frumpy. Surprise yourself and others and get in great shape. Your heart and thighs will love it. Join a gym, meet new people. These are basic ideas but they work. Being a little neurotic, I have a schedule that I have in writing to make sure that I do all the things I want to do because when I worked 12-13 hour days as a nurse I felt sad and a little jealous of women who had time to do those things. But then I found out that a lot of them weren't taking care of themselves and in a strange way, I felt better. It is something that women "just don't do" for themselves, well, maybe a select few. I challenge you today to be one of the "select" few and then knock that word out of your vocabulary. The CHALLENGE is on!
One of my readers shared a quick post with me. If you have pets, ie a cat, and propane stoves, it is easy for them to rub against the knobs to accidentally turn them on. Yikes! She was smelling propane and checked the knobs and one was slightly turned on releasing a small amount of gas. Very lucky that she has a good nose and detected the odor. Now, she shared, when she leaves the house she takes the knobs off. Very smart! Thank you Sis.
Volunteering is a thought worth considering. I've explored a few options myself, but I believe it's important to consider certain factors before committing. It is a beautiful idea and your heart is in the right place, but maybe slow down a bit before making a choice as to commit yourself yet again. Did you just retire? Were you working full time and life was just so obligated in every direction? Are you tired? Do you actually need a refresh and a time out in order to think straight? I did. I jumped into volunteering and unfortunately, the person I was trying to help was running a demanding business and had an ill infant. She seemed exhausted. Unfortunately, she was a tyrant toward customers and her staff. It took me a few weeks to realize that this was not good and was not going to change anytime soon. So, I quit because it was not good for my soul. There are many good organizations that need help. I know your heart is in the right place but stop and think about yourself first. If you are just retiring you have spent your whole life on a schedule, balancing life and probably coming in second place. Come in first place now. Go for walks, exercise, read, cook, get reacquainted with your home and your friends. Clear your mind. You have time now. Refresh yourself and your spirit taking at least 6 months post-retirement to see and feel what YOU need before reaching out to help others. You will be more grounded and ready to serve the many people that need your help. Just a thought.
In conjunction with our first Challenge, no alcohol for one month, I would like to give more facts to back up the claim that it is not good for you. One important fact, if you have been drinking heavily for a long time, don't just stop. Consult your health Care Provider first. Per Helio, https://www.helio.com, an alcohol drink ie a 5 oz glass of wine, a 12 oz beer or 1.5 ounce of 80 proof liquor as they all contain ethanol. The National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and human Services lists alcoholic beverages as a known carcinogen. The cancers include head and neck cancer, esophageal, liver, breast and Colorectal cancer. Why does that happen? Alcohol metabolizes ethanol to acetaldehyde which is a toxic chemical and can damage the DNA and proteins. Interestingly, it also increases blood levels of estrogen. Alcoholic beverages may also contain a variety of carcinogenic contaminants that are introduced during fermentation and production such as nitrosamines, asbestos fibers, phenols and hydrocarbons. The exact mechanism is not clearly understood at this time. The point is there are healthier alternatives. These disease wreak havoc on your life so why not listen to the facts. **National Cancer Institute, Alcohol and Cancer Risk
My husband and I were discussing mayonnaise in various containers today. He said they are all in glass containers. I said, oh no they aren't. We had a show down in the grocery mayo aisle. We were each 50% correct, half are, half aren't. But even the ones that were in the glass had lots of preservatives. Let's try a recipe with minimal preservatives. Eight minutes and plastic free. 1 large egg at room temperature 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, and yes, there are some in glass containers 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice 1 cup, 240 ml, neutral oil, ie canola, grapeseed, or light olive oil Salt to taste Optional-a pinch of sugar or garlic Combine in mixing bowl or blender, add the egg, mustard and vinegar, or lemon juice. Blend constantly. Slowly drizzle in the oil, gradually while blending. While it starts to thicken add salt. Stores one week. Possibly consider lime juice instead of lemon. One more tip-I used a mixer as it was easier to scrape contents out, blenders are deep. Yes, a little more trouble, 8 minutes. BUT as I have pointed out numerous times, there are 1440 minutes in a day. Your brain is worth it.
Yes, I have decided to take a stand on my brain health preferring microplastic free. During the next few weeks, I am going to entice you to give up plastic containers with homemade recipes that you can put in glass containers. They won't be as easy to squeeze, etc but definitely safer, with reusable containers without BPAs, phthalates or PFAs. Immediately there will be two benefits, one, the chemicals listed above won't be in your body as "forever chemicals" and mimicking our human hormones. Secondly, the earth will be a cleaner place. Plastics are wreaking havoc on humans, plant and animal health and causing immense problems in our ecosystem. We hear this frequently, but are we really listening? Do we really stop and care about ourselves and the ecosystem? I hope so. I, for one am taking a stand. The best way to inspire you is to provide you with easy recipes that take an hour or less per week (with the right containers). These two take less than 20 minutes together. I started this past weekend with pancake syrup. I like waffles 3 times per year or so and found my pantry void of pancake syrup. I looked for a quick recipe, made it and found it much better than the name brands on the shelf. My first concoction: Pancake syrup Ingredients: * 1 cup brown sugar * 1 cup water *1 tsp maple extract *1 Tbsp butter Instructions: Combine water, and sugar in a saucepan on medium heat. Use a whisk to stir til sugar dissolves. Bring to a low boil, happens quickly, then reduce heat and simmer 5-7 minutes. It will thicken slightly after it sits for a few minutes with the heat off. Add the maple extract (or use vanilla if maple not available). Let cool slightly. You can store in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks. *You can substitute sugar-free sweeteners in same amount, one cup. Ketchup, Homemade Ingredients: *1 can tomato paste, 6 0z *1/2 cup white vinegar *1/4 cup water *1/4 cup brown sugar or your favorite sugar substitute *1 Tbsp white sugar *3/4 tsp salt *1/2 tsp onion powder *1/4 tsp ground cloves *1/8 tsp allspice, my favorite spice *pinch of cayenne pepper Instructions: Mix ingredients in a medium saucepan, low heat, combine all ingredients, stirring until blended well. Over medium heat, stir occasionally and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes. If you want it slightly thicker, simmer 3-5 more minutes. Cool to room temp. Pour into a clean jar and keep in the refrigerator 3 weeks. Tip-Mark on the back of the jar the date for ultimate freshness. You can make both of these in 20 minutes. More to come! Grocery list for these recipes: brown sugar, maple extract, butter, 6 oz can tomato paste, vinegar, white sugar, salt, allspice, onion powder, cloves, cayenne powder. 1 These are items I already had in the spice drawer. Easy! Enjoy and be proud of yourself for taking the first step to improving your brain.
THIS is the woman, my friend, who took on losing her weight to become healthy. There were a few health scares to prompt her, but she accepted the CHALLENGE and lost the weight. If you check the previous posts, it outlines her story with a dedication to helping others. Need a role model? Need some encouragement? I am sure Rox will be there for you. I couldn't be more proud of her! The previous picture I took cropped her head off, lol. Only I could chop off her head, lol. I am celebrating her journey with only this picture for todays blog. Roxie, you are my AMAZING FRIEND.
CONGRATULATIONS Rox!!!! When Roxie decided to start this journey, I asked if she would consider journaling on my blog. She immediately said yes. "If it will help other people, I will do it". That is who she is. Update on my path to health. Well, It has been almost a year since I started taking Mounjaro. I would like to say I am at my goal, but I have about 15 more pounds to go. I feel so much better, so much faster on my feet. I was hoping to report a 100 pounds loss, but I am 3 pounds shy of this goal. I am still taking the Mounjaro, I am at 12.5 mg/ the max you can take is 15.0. I have NOT had any real major issues with this. There have been some bloating feelings at times. Nothing I couldn't live with. I began my journey at my last hope for life. I was ready to give up. I was thinking more about how to get out of this world than how to stay in it. There are still issues, personal issues from childhood trauma, that I am dealing with, and that is why I was carrying this weight. I was hiding behind it. I no longer have this to hide behind. I am dealing with the trauma and lack of self-love along with anxiety, panic and fear. One thing at a time. At least I have chosen to live, and I am putting one foot in front of the other. I WILL NOT GIVE UP.... Barb has helped me so very much, during my low points she always feels my pain. I don't even have to call or email. SHE SENSES my need for a kind heart. Thank you, Barb, for holding my hand and literally my heart in your hands. Thank you for always being there to love me, even though I still don't know how to love myself. There is a smile, but behind this smile is SOOOO MUCHHH pain and fear. But I refuse to let this beat me. Here is my Before and After pictures, I figure I am close enough to my goal to say HURRRAHHHHHH.. Love to all of you and thank you for caring enough to actually send me loving caring hopes for a better tomorrow. I am getting closer and closer to getting there. Love to you all. Roxie
That's my girl!!!! Huge congratulations to Rox for her accomplishments and her willingness to be vulnerable and in the spotlight. I believe Rox would do anything to help others. That is who she is. I have known Rox for 5 years. I have seen her struggles, and have learned so much about perseverance from her. Rox is disciplined, goal oriented and besides that, a wonderful human being and friend. I am amazingly proud of her! 97 lbs! Congratulations Rox. You are a superstar! *You can access all the posts from Rox in this section. Scroll down through all the posts in Fitness from the beginning.
I am rewriting this particular post because apparently it was lengthy and overshadowed a previous posts. I am going to divide into 10a, 10b, 10c. Thank you for bearing with me. This is such an important post. "Wishing Everyone Love, Happiness & Joy! Well, it is now 8 to 9 months into my Zepbound. Journey. I can honestly tell you that this medication absolutely, without a doubt, changes the way you view food. Your intestines are slowed down so much, but the most important part to me is that it triggers something in your brain that makes you not think about food. The medication balances your blood sugar in a way that you feel fine and you don't really get hungry. I have noticed that if you don't make yourself eat, you really start to deplete your energy and start to drag. I am still learning how to manage this. I truly don't want to eat, but it is necessary. If I go too long, I feel it physically. I have started to make sure to take my vitamins religiously. I am drinking protein drinks, eating low fat yogurt and healthy foods. Snacking really isn't in the cards. If I feel the need, I reach for yogurt with some fruits. The most frustrating thing about the Zepbound is the fact that it slows your intestines so much I feel bloated and it's rather painful for many days. The natural course of the in and out happens happens after 4 days of discomfort and then you are ok for a couple of weeks until you take another shot. After that the bloating starts again and sometimes it drives you crazy. I can stick a tiny ball behind my back just to put pressure on my intestines to keep them active enough until the bubbles move a little. Lord, I want to scream at times. But I hurt far more packing around to 80 lbs before I started. The trade off is worth it. to be continued 10b
I need to start exercising as I see I am starting to lose muscle. I began this journey, as you know, around February weighing in at 253. I was given a sample dose for a month and lost 11 lbs. I then had to wait until April for the medication to be approved. Technically though, since February 2024 I began my journey at a whopping, painful 254. I am 5'6' and it wasn't comfortable at all to carry that weight. Today I weight 169 lbs. I am going to try and get to 145 lbs and that will be fine. I know I have about 15-20 lbs of loose skin hanging off of me. It is very uncomfortable and annoying If I can keep the weight off and maintain for 6 months, hopefully the insurance will approve my surgery for skin removal. When I hold my arms out I measure 4-5 inches of loose skin hanging off of each arm. This is really pulling on my shoulders and my neck. My stomach has about 3 lbs of loose skin. My inner legs, Lord help me, I think I have easily 10 lbs of loose flab swaying back and forth. When I walk I can feel the pull on my hips. I am concerned about this as it is not good for my joints. It is like having a 10 lb bag of liquid hanging on the inside of your legs. Try walking with this and see what happens. When you walk it moves with you, and when you stop, it swings back and forth. You have a constant pull on your hips. My back has about 7 lbs of loose skin. Sometimes I reach around my body and pull forward just to get relief from all the heaviness that is hanging around. I know this is graphic, but this is reality. I share this with you because I hope that if you are contemplating this journey it will help you with what to expect. There are obstacles, it is not easy, but it is worth it.
Third installment of #10c Now comes the hard part for me. I am a survivor from childhood trauma. I won't go into this but suffice it to say I intentionally carried this weight for over 60 years to HIDE MYSELF. I have been working very hard on my past, but it is still very much inside the child within. I am in full panic mode at times, as this new identity is sometimes more painful than carrying the weight. That child that is so damn scared wants to run away, but there is nowhere to hide anymore. People see me. I still dress to hide myself. I still have trouble making face contact. I still shrug my shoulders to hide myself. I am truly scared. BUT, I am a survivor and I will prevail. A very good friend of mine said, if not now, when? It is time. It is time to face my fears. and to feel the joy in life. It is time to be me and to walk proudly. I have a long journey ahead of me and I ask for your prayers. I have so much past trauma. I was 35 years old when I actually realized I was going to survive mentally and hold up in one piece. Also at 35, I managed to stay within my body and feeling emotions, living the emotions and getting up the next day remembering what I experienced. I KNEW then I was going to make it. I was 35 years old when I came home from work, greeted at the front door partner. I walked in and other people were standing around. Chris gently hugged me and said come on in and sit down. We need to share something with you. I sat down and they began to tell me that my father, who was running his whole life in and out of our lives, "very chaotic" and extremely dyfuntional, continued to tell me that he shot his girlfriend then turned the gun on himself. I was able to feel this pain without becoming dissociated. I felt this grief as I stood there. I knew then I was going to survive. I went to bed in this grief and I woke up feeling the same grief. I stayed in my body. for the very first time in my life. I knew then I was going to survive. Don't ever give up and please don't judge anyone. It you see someone is heavy, you NEED to know there is a history. It isn't by chance. There are deep seated issues and you might just smile or give them a hug. Love you guys, stay tuned. I will be taking a picture in the next update. I want to share the amazing transition in my life. *As you can tell this is a deep seated, difficult feeling to share. I admit Roxie beyond words. Maybe more than ever because of her willingness to share this with strangers. Well, maybe not strangers. Hopefully you have been reading her diary.
Today, I am still 5'6", ha ha, because I refuse to say 5'5" because of gravity, AND I am weighing in at 188 lbs. Yes! You are seeing this right. I have lost 65 lbs in 5 months i have gone from a size 24/26 big momma pull up jeans, to a 14-16 zip up jeans. I can actually go into any store now and purchase NORMAL clothes. I am seeing bones I never thought I had, and I am seeing AN AWFUL LOT OF SKIN I DIDN'T HAVE. I have skin hanging everywhere. I probably have about 15 lbs of lose skin, so in reality I am likely weighing at 173 lbs. Dr. Yusufzai has made a referral to a Plastic Surgeon. He isn't very hopeful that my insurance will cover the removal, but I do have chronic pain that I have been treated for many years. The loose skin pulls terribly on my joints, shoulders, legs and stomach, actually everywhere. I hope that this doctor finds it in his heart to fight for me and to write this up in a way that it is medically indicated. Stay tuned, keep your fingers crossed for this old girl. Pray for me and send good energy in hopes that I can get this approved. I would love nothing more than to be free of this burden. Realistically though, I would take this skin anytime over the burden of the excess weight. Love to you all and when I hit my ultimate goal and hopefully the skin removed, I will take a picture of myself before and after and shock the living daylights out of you. If the visual does not encourage you to try this medication, I don't know what would. Also, FYI, my son started this medication at 353 lbs, 6'4" and in two weeks was down to 327 lbs. **Thanks Roxie. This is an amazing testimonial. Very appreciated!
I am re-entering this post because the last half of her article was transcribed over another part, but only on phones. This will be in two parts as it is too important to miss. Just to get you up to speed, I started on Zepbound, Mounjaro, late April 2024 starting out at 2.5 mgm, then 5 then 7.5. I am now at a 10 mgm dosage. The 10 mgm is pretty strong and I can feel some irritability in my intestines. It feels like they are bloated, and I can feel the pressure under my ribs when I lean to the side. It has been bothersome for the last 3-4 weeks, but I am pushing through. Not painful, just extremely annoying. BUT, what I can tell you is the weight I was carrying was WAY more irritable than these gassy bowels. Funny is the bloating is internal . It just sort of moved from area to area, it doesn't release, it just comes and goes on its' own. Maybe if I drank more water this would subside. I just have a difficult time drinking water, I just don't like it. So, on that note, beginning late April of this year, I began this journey weighing 253 lbs at 5'6". My knees were about to give out. My entire body was hurting, my blood pressure was starting to get elevated again, my legs were swelling. I was just a mess. I looked horrible, I felt even worse. I could barely walk, and had ZERO self esteem. I was counting the days to leave this dimension and move on. I was not focusing on anything but getting through the next day and wondering how many of those I still had. It was a bitter fight to be here for my loved ones and wanting to leave as quickly as I could. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Yusufzai!! He walked in with a kind smile, but at the end of our hellos and medical talk, he simply looked down at me and said ROXIE, you must get the weight off. He walked out and came back in with the box of Mounjaro shots. I hadn't heard of this before.. He said I want you to take this. I am giving it to you free. It may make you feel a little sick to your stomach, but it will help you lose some of this weight. You have no CHOICE in what needs to be done. I took the box with me, at which point I began my transformation of a life time. to be continued Part 2- Saturday, October 19th
Strange name. Conjures up all sorts of thoughts. It literally means that we are never satisfied with our bodies. We decide to go on a diet as we often do, we are successful, lose the weight, but still see ourselves as not good enough, not thin enough. It is an interesting discussion and one that should make us pause. What is "good enough"? We are currently watching all the stars, etc lose a lot of weight, get down to 23 -25 inch waists, removing ribs to give a more accentuated waist. Who is that for? Do we need to be that small? With that comes all sorts of risks, one being osteoporosis. How much is too much? I have to admit, I am a little tired of seeing 50 plus year old stars half naked on FB, Newsbreak, etc. Aren't there things that are more important in life that to prance around half naked at that age? Who is that for? I watch my good friend Roxie losing all this weight for the right reason. She wants to be healthy and lower her risk of serious health issues. That seems to be the right reason and I am so proud of her. She is my new hero. But to be 50 plus and want to basically dress as seductively as possible, why? Do you need that for your ego? Sorry, this has bugged for me for a long time, but it seems to be an epidemic. Your thoughts are appreciated. We should all be the best that we can be, but can't we keep our clothes on? My last question is what do our kids think of a mom that is half naked?
As we approach cold and flu season, a recent article in Helio states using saline nasal drops in young children shortens symptoms and reduces transmission of the virus to family members. The study is from England where they used the drops for 3-4 times per day for 5 days. Good news. Recent dentist appointment? When was your last appointment? Ideally within 6 months per the recommendation of the ADA. Our gums can harbor Streptoccoccus Mutans which can collect in the valves of the heart and cause heart disease. Don't take chances with your teeth or your gums. Buy a toothbrush that times out after 2 minutes, at least twice a day, plus flossing once per day, recommended by the American Dental Association.. The recommendations are not just for beautiful teeth, but a beautiful heart.
This is good news for some, not others. Eighty percent of french fries come from fast food restaurants. The suppliers that make french fries are actually cutting jobs because of decreased demand. Good job everyone! Maybe next? Less cholesterol med demand.
As we approach the "dark time" of the year, we need to reevaluate our commitment to our health. We spend approximately 6 months of the year indoors making the availability of time seem less. But it is not! You still have 24 hours per day, that doesn't change, it is all about how you use it. Stop and think about your biggest obstacles. Family, well maybe, but there are 1440 minutes in a day. You are a role model for your family so find an exercise that includes them. There are so many exercise videos, too numerous to list here, but it is great laugh therapy to exercise with your family. Of course they won't want to, but figure out a reward system that will entice them. It doesn't have to be every night, possibly Monday, Wednesday, Friday and a long walk on Sunday. One hundred fifty minutes is suggested per week. (Reminder, there are 10,080 minutes in a week) Walking with your partner, a friend or children is invigorating, the fresh air I mean. Talk with your briskly walking partner, enough that you are slightly winded. Introduce your family to a gym, ie Planet Fitness, there are family memberships. We put our kids in so many activities, maybe consider a gym in place of another activity as it is available all year. Hide their phones, lol. If you are retired, get out early and start your day working on your serotonin. Calories used? I have never believed the sport watches, machines, etc. There is no way i can really expend 700 calories in an hour. But, if you exercise without thinking of calories and maintain a healthy range of calories for your height and age, you will lose weight or maintain if that is your goal. We can all make excuses, right? But I can tell you from experience that when a heart attack occurs in someone not taking care of themselves, they quickly begin listening to the Health Care providers advice to exercise. Why wait? Prevention is the key. Ideas: Weights-ladies, spend the money and get your own set. It feels cool to buy weights, like watch ME get strong! But you have to use them. We aren't trying to look like Arnie, just defined. Start with 5 lbs, or just cans of soup, curls, 10 each side, gradually increase to 20 to 30. Put your elbows at your waist, 90 degrees, and go from center to lateral. Great for posture. Side dips, hand/weight eventually drawn to lateral knee. Start slow. No hurry, but start. If health issues, check with your doctor. Walk daily, don't start with old shoes, the soles dehydrate on the shelves and you don't want to walk in worn out shoes. You want to avoid foot pain and shin splints. Start with 15 minutes per day if you are really out of shape, work up to 30-40 minutes per day. Gyms-Planet Fitness, Crunch, etc Reasonably priced with trainers. You don't have to commit to a trainer, but at least get started with one and follow up with them periodically, or enjoy the incredible information they have with regular visits. Don't be intimidated by their bodies, they, too started somewhere. Exercise Videos-Check You Tube for your favorite type, aerobic, toning, weights. etc Get a smart watch so you can become pleasantly neurotic about your steps. Home program-wall pushups, planks, etc Look online for the one that fits you the best. Swimming-start slow. Biking is also great but start slow. Need inspiration: Ernestine Shepard, www.ErnestinShepard.com 82 year old body builder, started in her 50s. fyi in 2019 she beat off an intruder entering her home. You go girl! I am committed to exercise and have been since I was 28 years old. Long time. I can guarantee it will make a difference in your life.
Sarcopenia What is Sarcopenia? It is a multifactorial disease that causes muscle loss and a decline in the muscle function or strength. It is brought on by a combination of factors. Aging Physical inactivity-remember, use it or lose it. Nutritional deficiencies-most people as they age do not eat enough protein Chronic illness Other factors include obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, insulin resistance, and neurological decline. Can it be reversed? Yes, a healthy diet and reasonable diet can reverse sarcopenia. Symptoms-Falling, muscle weakness, slow walking, muscle wasting and tires easily with daily activities. Treatment-there is no medicine, you have to take this one on by yourself. Obviously you need to intake more protein, fish oil, amino acids, Omega 3 supplements and Vitamin D. Strength training, strength training, strength training. Let's talk diet because I am not talking about a 12 oz Ribeye every night. How much protein do you need per day to build muscle? There are very different amounts suggested, but AARP suggests 20-30 grams of protein per meal with an additional 12-15 grams per snack to build muscle. One site recommended 30-35 grams of protein 2 hours after your workout, maybe dinner so as not to increase your calories too much. Harvard suggests your weight, multiply by .36. Example, 125 lb times .36= 45 grams per day. Maybe a protein shake? There are 8 grams of protein in an ounce of chicken, an egg, an ounce of cheese, etc. Read labels, keep a food diary, know what you are eating. It doesn't take long to get to know the ins and outs of protein counting. Generally when you increase your protein, you stabilize your blood sugar, your energy is heightened and there is an overall improvement in your health. Make good choices though. Ideas-chickpeas, jerky, cheese, nuts, edamame, tuna, greek yogurt, peanut butter, eggs, cottage cheese and protein shakes.
This is where I came to a dead end. Doc said you must get this weight off and left me with no alternatives. Here is how it started: Sultan Sanjar Ysufzai, MD 2/15/2024 This wonderful man, who happens to be one of the most incredible Doctors I have ever had, took a chance on me and let me begin Zepbound. My insurance declined it so I was not allowed to get the medicine. Three times, my Doctor fought for me, wrote letters, and followed up over and over until finally I was APPROVED. This was the darkest moment regarding the weight. I WAS AT THE POINT OF NO RETURN, IT WAS NOW OR NEVER. On 2/15/2024 I was given another chance. Here are my stats.on 2/15/2024. B/P 120/60, pulse 74 Ht 5'6" Weight 253 lbs On 2/15/2024 we began seeking approval for the minimal dose of Zepbound .25 mgm initially. After a little over 2 months I FINALLY, FINALLY received approval. "Good morning, your medication was approved" on 4/05/2024. On 4/6/2024 I finally began my first injection at the lowest dose, slowly increasing periodically. Today, 7/30/2024, Doctor allowed me to increase to 1 mgm, the mid point. I am well on my way to making positive changes. Today, 7/30/2024 my follow up stats are: B/P 90/60 Pulse 80 Ht 5'6'' weight 212 lbs I will begin the increased dose of 1 mgm beginning August 2. My goal is 165 lbs and then figure out what to do with the extra skin. In these 3 months I have lost 41 lbs. and for the first time ever I have hope that I can meet my goal. My B/P has decreased from 120/60 to 90/60. Doc has reassured me that this B/P is good as long as I am not dizzy. I don't have a big appetite, but when I do eat, I chose healthy foods. I feel more like moving, even if I am tired. When I break the 200 lb mark I will buy some new clothes. If you are thinking about taking this journey, I hope that by sharing my progress with you, that it will give you more courage to take the next step. I have lost 41 lbs in just over 3 months. Praise God and all the wonderful souls on this earthly plain that have offered to help and support my uphill battle. Love to all, Roxie
"Ok, so an update. This is technically month 4, of being Zepbound, AKA Mounjaro. I started out at 2.5 mgm and increased two times. I am on now at 7.5. There are three more increases that will likely be needed to maintain my weight loss. I can report that it is truly starting to work. I went into my thyroid doctors appointment today as a 6 month follow up. She nicely looked at me and said I see you are taking Zepbound, are you still taking the medicine? I answered yes and she asked how I was doing? I told her there are minimal to no side effects. Before I could answer her, she looked TOTALLY SHOCKED and quickly looked over at me and said, OH MY GOODNESS! She then proceeded to tell me I had lost 40 lbs since the last time she saw me. I was shocked. THAT FELT SOO GOOD. She went on to tell me to make sure I was exercising as if there was no med in my system. I was recently fitted for a special knee brace which I picked up today. I am so excited that I will be able to walk daily as that really hits the weight where it counts. Truly looking forward to getting healthy, stronger and living a life of joy and a positive outlook for the future of which I have not had for quite some time. Until next time, stay blessed and I wish you nothing but happiness and good health". Roxie **I know this lady and she is filled with determination and kindness. Anyone that would like to contact her through me, feel free. Encouragement is always the best. You go girl!!
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Physical Guidelines for Americans, a balanced exercise plan includes: *At least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination of the two every week. (During moderate activity such as a brisk walk, you can talk, but not sing, during vigorous activity such as running, you can't say more than a few words without catching your breath.) *Strength training sessions twice a week for all major muscle groups. *Balance exercises if you are an older adult at risk for falling. Adding core work You don't need to be sporting six pack abs or to be ready for advanced Pilates during the day, but adding a few core exercises to your usual routine takes just a few minutes: *Start slowly and gradually challenge yourself. Aim to to do core exercises two to three times a week. Start with basic exercises. Once that becomes easier advance to a more difficult set and add more reps. *Sprinkle in core work throughout the day. Look for opportunities to do short bursts of exercises or stretches a few times per day, like before a meal. As always, start slowly, then increase the reps. *Tack core work into your strengthening exercises. Start twice a week and advance the reps, and possibly increase the days. Check out You tube, 15 min Standing Abs Shred or You Tube, Best Core Exercises ***As always, any exercise plans should be discussed with your provider before you start.
My journey continues, and I am still moving in the right direction. It feels really good getting some of this weight off. My knees, while still very much bone on bone, thank me with every pound I take off of their job. I am going to get re-fitted for a new knee brace as the one I am using is TOO BIGGGG!!! Yippee!! I truly feel that I am just getting started and that I need to increase the Mounjaro one more notch. I am at .05 mg. This is a strong medication on the stomach , so you would want to titrate it FOR SURE!! From my experience, I would say take it at least two months before increasing the dose. I have noticed "angry intestines" on occasion, and it is usually after the day taking the new titrated dose. So GO SLOW and steady. I have a long way to go, but at least I keep heading in the right direction. I am about 25 lbs away from breaking the 200 mark. When I reach 199, I am going to go buy myself a new outfit. I wish the best for everyone and I hope by me sharing my journey and struggles that in some small way it may help light your fire. Then you too can get to make the changes you deserve. Thank you CR for revealing your privacy and sharing your thoughts with us. I have known you and love you as a good friend for a long time. I am so proud of you! There are no words. Barb
I was recently at a party and one of the people there, who was a bit younger, came over to talk to our little group as she said the other group was only talking about cataracts, illness, etc. She found it dismal. I reassured her we weren't and we all laughed. But I wonder if that fills a lot of conversations in "older peoples' dialogues at gatherings. Even I, as a medical person steer away from that at parties, anywhere else it is fine. But what I really wonder is why it preoccupies so much of our retirement life? Is it possible that we are not living a healthy enough life to either slow the slow demise of our bodies, or are we just giving in to the process? If we concentrate on failing health, then we just accept it. I once read that about age 40 opthamologists will tell you that you will eventually get cataracts, so it is the power of the suggestion that creates them. I sort of doubt that, but if we just expect arthritis, etc to take over our body without doing anything preventative, then what is that about. There is enough research out there that suggests wearing sunglasses helps to prevent cataracts. Other evidence supports wearing a spf to prevent skin changes of aging and skin cancers. Enough water keeps our kidneys strong. High fiber diets help prevent colon cancer. But we continue to go outside with no spf, eat the ungodly food on the dry goods shelf that is filled with preservatives, and fake foods, and get dehydrated with the heat without fluid replacement to tax our kidneys. I am positive that you do some of these things. Plus, look at the average American , overweight and no exercise. We are just sitting ducks for disease. So my challenge to you is to drink 2 liters of water per day. Put a 2 liter bottle in the refrigerator, fill it up, and you have to drink it. Carry it with you when you run errands. No energy drinks. Start the morning with a high fiber cereal with fruit. Have an orange later. Eat a salad for dinner or a big portion of broccoli. When you are brushing your teeth, take a second more and apply spf, repeat both at noon. When it cools down in the evening, go for a 20 minute walk, then advance to 30 minutes. There are 1440 minutes in an day, you can't afford 30 for exercise to improve your health? These are simple things that take moments in your life. Following the Kardashians on tv, or watching Price is Right maybe a priority, but your health is much more important. Please adjust these simple things so you can be a healthier and happier.
There is a wisdom and confidence that we achieve as we age. The Indians call it "sage". Some women are fortunate and just have it from a young age, but for most it is an achievement when we realize we have much to offer others and possibly help this world. The games of youth are over, the knowledge we have gives us a knowing that others will rely on. Really important to believe this. But the years of "knowing" also bring forth the wear and tear on our face and bodies. But, how much do you want to let that affect you? What control do you have over this process. None? No, there is a lot you can do and if you are reading this as a young woman, please take note of this post. First, of course, is to build a foundation of emotional and physical health. I briefly touch on this as we all know what we are supposed to do. Watch the fats in your diet, exercise a minimum of 100 minutes a week, wear sunscreen, take a multivitamin, vit d3, keep the stress down to a minimum and for sure, BE HAPPY!! As we age, our forehead expands, ears get a bit longer as the cartilage grows, ugh, and the tips of the nose may droop. To add to all the happy news the fat volume decreases in your face, and goes to the other end of your body, and of course the dreaded wrinkles. The wrinkles between the eyes and forehead are call expression lines. Other folds deepen due to the decrease in fat. Finer wrinkles are due to sun damage, smoking, (I hope not), and natural degeneration. Enough dreary news. WHAT CAN YOU DO? The gracefully aging face is a beautiful thing. It is not to be hidden or to be ashamed. Your face celebrates your years on this planet, your joys, your sadness and challenges. But not everyone feels that way, so let's look at nonsurgical alternatives. Sun protection: A lot of the damage comes from the UVA part of the light so you need UVA and UVB protection, at least spf 35, if very fair, a 50. Apply every 2 hours, especially if swimming or sweating. Wear a wide brimmed hat, similar to the Kentucky Derby Styleor at least a baseball cap. Creams: Moisturizers soothe dry skin, but get one with glycerin, applying liberally. They help to bind water to the skin for hydration. If you are home, apply 2-3 times per day including your lips. Also, remember put the straws down. They not only an ecological disaster, but also create the lip wrinkles. Several prescription creams, Avita, Avage, Renova and Retin-A are known to reduce wrinkles, and "liver spots". These products contain retinoids, a form of Vit. A that seem to increase collagen, but not fat. Apply at night and let them work there magic. Botulinum toxin injections: these immobilize the muscles that form expression lines so the skin smooths out. They don't treat the deeper wrinkles. Dermal fillers: The most common cosmetic procedure performed in the US. Expensive and definitely a term limit as to how long they will last. Generally 3-6 months for Botox. There are new ones coming out almost weekly that project over a year. Laser treatment: Expensive. They are used for everything from brown spots to full facial resurfacing. The uppermost layers of the skin are stripped away to work at a deeper level in the dermis which stimulates outer inflammation, which leads to collagen formation. One other thought, there are a great deal of tutorials on You Tube on how to apply makeup to enhance your natural beauty. I suggest you look at those if you want to refresh your look. I am always amazed when I click on to one. An example is an Oprah transformation with the right makeup. You want to be your best, of course, but possibly explore some alternatives as to how you define your BEST. The confidence in yourself can come in many ways that don't cost money. Love yourself, be a good person, love your family, start exercising, change your hair, and look up makeup tutorials. Remember, beauty is truly from within. As I write this post, I ask myself
"This month the injections were increased to .05 mgm and I noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference in not wanting to eat. The desire is simply not there like it was. I am noticing a big difference in the fluid retention as my legs are getting smaller, and it is becoming easier to walk. My energy level is so much better, but I can still tell that I am not at my highest potential. I am going to ask Doc if we can increase another step. There are 4 more levels in the medication. I don't think I am going to need more more increase in the strength, but I know there is room for improvement. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that this is a MAGIC PILL for anyone who has thrown their hands up and said I CAN'T, because with this, you don't even have to try . It does it for you. It simply changes the way you think about food, and your desire is more to EAT TO LIVE instead of LIVE TO EAT. Please, please, if you are on the fence and are afraid to take the step, you can use this as a tool to get healthy again. I give thanks every day that I was given this chance. God speed to all of you and may the loving light, surround you , guide and comfort you every moment of the day. Next update: I am going to step on the scale and see how much I have lost in 3 months. I am guessing about 15 lbs. It should be more as I haven't been perfect in my choices of what I put in my mouth. As I see gradual reductions in size and struggle, this weight will be easier to drop as I am more and more active and HAPPY!! Thank you CR for your ability to help us all see how difficult this journey is for you. Dieting is never easy that is why the word DIE is in it. Your words are teaching us and making it very realistic. YOU CAN DO THIS!
"Update on Mounjaro #4. Month three. My dosage was increased last week to .5 mgm. I have noticed a significant difference in the effectiveness. However, I can feel a bit more angry stomach at times. But, this is a side effect that I am ok with as it truly takes your desire to eat away. I can't get over how it truly stabilizes your blood sugar. To go day after day without bottoming out is truly an incredible feeling. I am walking more and have lost a few more pounds and have noticed I am not retaining as much water in my ankles and feet. My walks are getting longer and I am getting slowly stronger. I am starting to get flickers of my life back in my heart. I am getting a second chance at a life and feel my zest for life. It feels like a second chance at a life that was totally gone. Onward and upward. Be blessed and know how much I appreciate your support.
"The last three weeks were not as good as the first 6. I have still managed to lose a total of 10 lbs. since I started Mounjaro/Zepbound. Even though the weight loss is small, it has an impact on my mobility. I noticed that I wasn't feeling the same intensity the last few weeks as I did when I first started the medication and the weight loss slowed down. I called my amazing doctor and discussed this. He agreed that I probably plateaued as I was taking the lowest possible dose, .25 mg. He increased me to .5 mg. I started the .5 mg today, 5/17/2024. I pray this will do the trick and refocus my mind to get past the hurdle. Once I lose another 10 lbs. I can start exercising regularly which is going to not only speed up the weight loss, but my overall quality of life. My hope is that by the end of the month I will be able to report an additional 10 lb. loss. I will be paying close attention to how I feel now that I have increased the dosage. My journey to health continues. Wish me luck. If you are thinking about taking Mounjar/Zepbound to improve your health, realize that it will give you a new lease on life. I strongly encourage you to take the leap. I have ZERO regrets and look forward to a much happier, healthier, active future. I can ABSOLUTELY tell you that this medication has increased my focus, improved my energy and balanced my highs and lows during the day. To me it is a miracle drug. Blessings. Til next time. May you put Zep in your STEP, TOO!!"
How do you define the FIT part of your health? Is it walking? If so how many minutes, how many times per week? I think most people who are not used to exercise can start with walking, so lets' get you prepared. We are starting at an elementary level as it shouldn't be overwhelming. I am assuming you are newly retired or newly thinking that it is time to get busy. If you have not exercised and you are now signing up for Social Security, check with your doctor regarding any restrictions on your health. I will provide a few checkpoints. a. Check with your Physician for clearance, let him know you are just starting with walking, possibly start 15 minutes three times per week. We will increase as tolerated. b. What to wear? Loose clothes, temperature appropriate. c. Shoes? This is an area where I have strong convictions. Good shoes, not the $40 special at a shoe store. I believe in good shoes, strong support and for your first pair go to a running store and get fitted. Sounds expensive? Yes, but if a pair of shoes cost $120 once a year and your foot is analyzed by staff at a reputable running store, they will watch you walk, check your heel strike, etc. This is how you avoid shin splints, plantar fasciitis, etc. d. Phone, yes! You never know when you might need help, get lost, etc. Put it in your fanny pack, carry it, etc. Invaluable. e. Water? Of course. Think of a bottle of water as a dumbbell, weights! f. Come back with a smile, a serotonin high and the rest of your day will be calm and less chance of cognitive issues. g. Go for it!
RC's story "The last few weeks were not as good as the first 6.I have still managed to lose a total of 10punds since I started Mounjar. Even though the weight loss is small, it has an impact on my mobility. I noticed that I wasn't feelingthe same intensitythe last few weeks as I did when I first started the medicationand the weight loss really slowed down. So, I called my amazing doctorand discussed this. He agree that I probably plateauedas I was taking the lowest possible dose which is .25. He had now increased it to .50. I started the new amount May 17. I pray this will do the trick and help to refocus my mind and body to get past this hurdle. Once I lose another 10 lbs, I can start walking regularly and it will speed up not only the weight loss but improve the quality of my life.
This brave diary is from a beautiful friend of mine, will call her CR, who has decided to become healthy. I am just writing this out for her so it goes in the right category. This is not just medical, she wants to change her life. I am over the top excited that she trusted us and this platform as she wants to help others. ****** If you don't mind I would like to share with you an experience I am having since I have started taking Zepboound. I have struggled my entire life with weight, it has been a way of protecting myself on so many levels. The problem is when you get older you slow down and the bad habits start piling up. The heart issues, the knee issues, the mental anguish of wishing you could still do things like you used to. Compounded with the "Damn, I am fat and can't move and getting older and simply don't really want to go on like this. I TRULY was at my last breath when I visited my doctor for my knee that was hurting me so badly and said, "ummmmm you have got to get this weight off". He has known me for so many years and knows my past history with abuse and such, so he knew I needed help in this area. I have had so many personal issues plaguing me that I would NEVER stick to a strict diet long enough to lose the necessary weight as quickly as was needed. Without a word he walked out of the room, came back with a box in his hand. He said " I want you to take this". He went on to tell me that it had been approved for weight loss and that it had AMAZING results. He told me it could cause a little upset stomach but that I should start losing weight pretty quickly. I have only been on this for 5 weeks and have already lost 10 lbs. I can honestly tell you that I haven't been great at sticking to the best food choices, so as I see more and more results, I am sure I will feel more like walking and then choose better foods. It should get easier and won't feel like such a burden. I am on the lowest dose, 0.25. I think it is best to stay there for 2 months, then adjust. I am very sensitive to medications so I was a little worried about taking it. The all-in-one shot is THE EASIEST ever to do. YOU DON'T EVEN FEEL THE NEEDLE going in. In 5 seconds it is done. It takes the urge to eat COMPLETELY away. There are days I go without eating enough simply because I am not hungry. It has also stabilized by blood sugar which was previously high and low. I am extremely GRATEFUL and hopeful to finally get healthy for the first time in a long time. It also helps the mental part of wanting to eat. These are all new feelings for me. I absolutely encourage anyone that is in the position of feeling hopeless to take that step. I have ZERO regrets. Stay tuned as I start to lose more weight. I will update you on my progress. I hope this blurb helps others as I am absolutely convinced this treatment will work. ****** I read this over and over before I printed this post.. What a brave soul she is. To be this vulnerable with me is one thing, but to open her heart to share the pain and the promise of a new life makes my heart swell. Thank you my friend. You are a blessing to all of us. 5/6/2024
This is where I want the community to be involved. What are your ideas of health, fitness. I have been dedicated to exercise and a healthy lifestyle for 40 years, but there are lots of you out there that are either beginning or have ideas to share. My hero is Ernestine Shepherd, 80 year old body builder. Follow on Instagram, shepherdernestine. Inspirational!!
Of course you knew I would start a new year with an article on fitness and health. And I agree, there are so many people who do the same, share knowledge about fitness, etc. This will be a bit different. I chose to look at the body as a whole unit, as the mind body connection. Some basic questions as we start. 1.) Is your spirit content? Have you acquired a life energy that is peaceful with a kind view of the world? Are you feeling in turmoil most of the time? 2.) Are you putting good food into your body? Think of your car, you don't want to put regular gas in your car if your car requires premium? Your body does require premium. 3.) Do you socialize? Simple, either yes or no. I am not referring to work, I am speaking of friendships and family? 4.) Do you exercise? I am sure you have seen my prior posts with this number, but here is is again: there are 1440 minutes in a day. Your body needs minimum 30 of those 1440 minutes. Too tired? Of course, after a long day, but the gift you give yourself in those 30 minutes is immeasurable Four questions, that's all. A quick assessment of your life. I would like for you to ponder the answers to these questions. We all feel a bit overwhelmed with news, etc, try turning it off for a month during this month to clear your head. The whole month of January I will offer articles on health, recipes, and hopefully some deeper articles to help you look at life a little differently. As I close this post, consider, if not now, when?