Heavy WHIPPED cream for today

Mark 12:31

 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 

There is no commandment greater than these

All this encouragement about getting healthy and having true wellness means nothing to those who hear it until they are "ready" to really listen. 

He that hath an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit saith...  

Revelations 2:17

Can you hear me N O W ?   

I know, I know....I really am like  the preacher on who takes to the road to spread the "good word".  

Why, because I have not only have seen but have experienced what it "feels" like to live a healthier life.

My testimony:

Last year I had a wake up call... I really, really  had enough.... 

I wanted an answer.  

Why couldn't I lose the extra 20 pounds that I had put on over a 10 year period. (wow, 2 pounds a year.... just crept up on me).  I tried the lemon water detox diet,  I tried the powder drinks, the low carb diets.... starvation.  Always tried these diets when I had a function or vacation that I wanted to "look good" for.  But, seldom a significant success and it was down right unpleasant, painful at times and riddled with guilt.  I really, really struggled with the exercise thing.  Always an excuse why I didn't exercise.  I bought machines, had Gym Memberships...  I got disgusted that I'd practically starve and not lose weight.  It was my metabolism, maybe a thyroid problem... menopause... 

I  always found excuses why I couldn't lose weight.

 I recognized the level of my health was going down hill (I did say I was aging, yep) 

 Waking up with aches and pains (ya know how your feet feel stiff and tingling when you get out of bed in the morning), I had mood swings of sadness, depression type symptoms; restlessness, insomnia.  I developed symptoms dizziness, nausea... muscle aches.  Ok, as a nurse I had the list of diagnosis ready to go; menopause, fibromyalgia, depression... maybe ..... well, dare I go into the sundry list of medical diagnosis that my symptoms could indicate.  

Again, excuses why I didn't feel well.

This was MY trigger:  Being only 50 something I still had about 40 years left (my  grandparents  and  Aunts and Uncles  and parents all lived or are living well in their 80's). 

 I was in NO WAY going to live the next 40 years feeling like I was 90 years old.  

I was filled with guilt when counseling my patients on health issues like the importance of  " eating healthy and  exercise".  

Being overweight was not enough of a motivator to eat healthy and exercise. 

              It was the quality of my life that was my motivator.

Something in me said.... there was something deeper that I needed to take hold of and accept.  Something deeper that contributed to me being overweight.  Something deeper that robbed me of my joy and wellness.  Something much deeper that impacted my overall health. Something deeper inside me that STOPPED me FROM taking care of me.  

Stopped me from loving myself enough to get well, lose weight and be happy.

I  have discovered through my blogging that the 

"imbalance"  

of my Physical, Mental, and Spiritual being 

was the deeper problem.

I discovered why in the past decade I ran and hid from looking deep inside me for me. 

I thought I did, but obviously the symptoms I had said "I didn't and I hadn't done a good job over the years".  "It" crept up on me as it does to everyone.  

Exposing that which we hide  inside our souls

places a great responsibility 

not only to accept 

what we find 

but to act on it.

My analogy:

I would be (and has been) like opening up that closet door (or garage for some people) that you just throw stuff into that you 

don't know what to do with or 

don't want to deal with or 

don't have the time and energy to deal with.  

Each time you walk past or need to throw something in to this room you...  just shake your head and say "ahhhh, what a big mess" and slam it back closed.  

It makes you sick to think you have all that junk that has accumulated and needs to be dealt with.  

So, you make an excuse and say... ahhhh I do it another time when I have the time and energy.  This room is inside our your home that you live in.... it's taking up room.... it's impacting your whole house.

I believe this is the reality of why as people grow older they emotionally, spiritually and physically get 

"out of whack", out of B A L A N C E.  It's the closet in their soul that's needs attention.

They (me too)  have develop all sorts of reasons and excuses  to have un-forgiveness in their hearts 

hang on to bitterness, become critical, "stuck in their ways".  A closest in their soul full of this ... Crap!

These emotional cancers spread to their physical beings as illness, migraines, backaches, diseases IBS, Ulcers... ETC.

Then they develop symptoms of depression.... like irritability, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, burst of anger... Their eating habits and lifestyle choices reflect this also: smoking, drinking... over indulging on foods.

Imbalance of the 

physical, mental and spiritual being 

is what causes 

all these ailments, symptoms and lack of wellness and health.

The scripture I used here is about loving our neighbors as ourself.  The truth is that God calls us to LOVE OURSELVES.  Not a sick, self serving, selfish type love. 

It's a love that says we are a child of a Living God.  The God who created all things for HIS pleasure.  He created us - HIS TEMPLE- to dwell in.   He asked us to LOVE WHAT HE CREATED and care for it, nurture it....strive to be the best and use what he gave us to honor HIM. 

When we don't take care of ourselves.  

When we allow our souls to be like a closet or garage full of stuff and junk.... we dishonor ourselves.  

Our weight (over weight) is a SYMPTOM of an un-balanced life.  

It truly is a sign that we have NO  love for ourselves.  

Hard to say out loud but soooo very, very true.

My Prayer for 2011

• Is the passion to say... I want to be healthy... full of life, joy and love... and take action!

• Is to wake up in the morning with a smile on my face and a song in my heart feeling GREAT!  

• Is to face each day knowing I can tackle any challenge that comes my way.  

• Is to end each day in victory.... putting my head on the pillow and hearing in my heart ......

"Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 14:21

The new year starts tomorrow  

Won't you join me in 2011 

In this journey for Health and Wellness 

thru balancing ourselves

Physically, Mentally and Spiritually? 

Ciao and Happy New Year 

PS

As a nurse I can't help but look at everyone as if I'm Assessing them for health issues.  No judgement just a part of the culture of being a Nurse

Get a SMACK for choosing BAD SNACKS

Loving this book:  "I can do this!" Diet by Don Colbert, MD


He speaks from a solid foundation of the Physical, Psychological and Spiritual components related to weight "weight loss and maintenance".

such a cool picture.... oh the memories !
I had a similar long "Housecoat" and  the same fluffy slippers.

Excerpt from Book(with my added notes):
If your like most people, when you skip a meal, you probably end up compounding the situation by heading to the nearest vending machine, convenience store, fast-food restaurant, or candy dish (freezer for Ice Cream!)  In an effort to quickly feel "better and pacify your hunger",  (I say it's appetite Not hunger you're seeking to satisfy).... you'll down chips bagels, or doughnuts - anything with lots of calories (sugars and fats).

The majority of those who lose weight and keep it off 

are the ones who do not skip meals, especially breakfast. 

A study from the University of Colorado found that 

78% of those who lost weight and 
maintained their weight loss 

ate breakfast every day.

So when you are planning your strategy this NEW YEAR (resolution)... if you find a diet that doesn't suggest  Three Meals a day and THREE SNACKS (all healthy choices)....
WATCH out.

You may lose weight quickly but not in a healthy way, 

nor will you keep it off in the future.  JUST A THOUGHT.

I'll blog later about why snacks influence the Serotonin levels thus providing "comfort".

                        Be mindful today when you reach for "something to eat"

Most people NEVER go into a store to buy clothing without LOOKING at the Price.
Yet, most people  sit down and unconsciously consume thousands of calories in a single meal without considering the "Price" they are paying with their health.

Ignorance is NOT bliss but flat out stupidity when it comes to how many calories/carbs/fats are in a food you shove "mindlessly into your mouth"

There, I said it!

High calories, High Fat, Fried foods/snacks, ....... AHHH those poor Arteries don't have a chance. (whats the matter with you... it's not just about shortening your life span... it's about the quality of life you live while you're alive)

I've been saying during this past year of blogging... this is a "spiritual warfare" issue.
This is a psychological battle too!  This is not just a eat less, exercise more blog!  I keep screaming (to those willing to read my blog) 

Balance is the answer to having optimal health and wellness.

Choose wisely today.... throw away temptation -  Fill your home, car, purse.... with Healthy choices.  (clean out the Refrigerator and Pantry before the first of the year)

• Did you know that after the age of 35 people lose 5-7 lbs of muscles every 10 years?
• Did you know that a person metabolism decreased by 5% every 10 years. 
• Did you know that muscle cells burns about 70 x's more calories than fat cells?
• Did you know that every time you hop on and off another diet you typically lose valuable muscle and regain more fat when you start to gain the weight back?

Now... there you go making up another excuse why you have extra pounds!   Crying about your metabolism being the problem.

Well hellooooo there!
YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR METABOLISM!  you can make it better or make it worse with your lifestyle choices.

I'm trying to encourage you to think about these facts as a means to develop a better plan to lose the extra weight..... increase your muscles and LIVE a healthier life!

ok, ok.... O K
I've said it... now I have to live it.

Ciao and Salute to a  Healthier NEW YEAR!


PS
it's not that my blog is all about weight loss, but it goes hand in hand with living a Healthier Life.  A life of good health is the treasure we should all seek. As a Registered Nurse in Internal Medicine/Family Practice, I see first hand the epidemic and destruction of  my patients being " overweight/obese".  80% of illness are self inflicted due to a self indulgent lifestyle with a lack of respect for one's body. 
DO IT FOR LIFE!

"Do I Love me?" or "I don't Care"

If you were scheduled for a colonoscopy or a fasting lab test tomorrow... would you be able to not eat after 8 PM?   Would it take "will power"?




No,  you'd do it because it needed to be done. 


So, why does it take will power to NOT eat after 8 pm at night?  Don't you know it "needs to be done" for your health.


You must know that you're NOT eating because your body is requiring nutrition after 8 pm... it's not hunger anyway... your just....


You're just MINDLESSLY eating and probably eating sweets, ice cream, snacks....

Yes,  you're being watched!

So.... Stop it!

Look in the mirror and ask yourself  "AM I WORTHY OF LOVE?"

"Do I love me?"    

If the answer's are yes and you still want a bowl of ice cream...

then.... say to yourself.  

I love me... I want to take care of myself....

 but I..... just don't care!

Eat it... feel guilty.... get fat and cry when you  try to squeeze on your jeans.

When you're ready to stop hurting yourself,  when your ready to care about your health.... get on board with me and lets

 BALANCE  our life  together

That's what I'm doing in my blogging almost every day.

Ciao!

I'm writing this because I'm headed to the kitchen and it's 8:38 pm!
Preach it Sister!

Are you hungry. Or is it your Appetite that needs a chocolate Brownie?

Continuation on yesterdays blog

Hunger vs appetite

Hunger is a physiological response that is triggered when your blood sugar falls below a certain level after a meal

Appetite is  said to be "The hunger of the mind"

Hunger can be satisfied by food but   appetites are seldom satisfied.

So here is ONE reason I believe that diets fail : the battle of ones appetite

Here is a simple way to look at this

When you sit at a restaurant perusing a menu, 

 do you seek out food to satisfy your hunger or your appetite ?

How much thought do you give when choosing a restaurant?

Hummmm?

Again, I say that "appetite is the hunger of your mind"

Until we are honest with ourselves about our relationship with food we will be at war with our very basic decision to lose weight

Weight problems can be very complex! and not as simple as saying -
Eat less, exercise more, and you'll lose weight

If you've been reading my blog this past year, you know I have a theme
balance your physical, psychological, and spiritual being

There are psychological,physical and spiritual areas to explore when dealing with excessive weight issues

I'm on it!

Well that's all for now since I'm sitting in a hotel trying to blog on my ipad ... In the dark

That's another topic

Ciao
To your health and wellness

The Seven Habits

Today at the book store I picked up a copy of
  Dr. Colbert's "I can do this Diet"

I have a few other books of his that I think are worthy reading. And since I respect this author's writings... I perused his book and felt it valuable enough to purchase.  

If you know me... you know 

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN DIETS.

Get Smart and ANSWER THE PHONE
and then LISTEN
NO DIETS!!!! 

Ok (allora)  So, I'll probably blog on this for the next week (or however long it takes to read.... AHH no way, I'm going to finish it in the next few days!!!!)

I love the introduction he used in this book:

"Come Fly with DreamFlight... because we get out there at least 5% of the time"

Would you choose to fly on an airlines that had this kind of motto?
Yet every day, dieters embark on a new diet with the same success rate.  Reports are between 2-5% success rate in keeping off the weight for good.  


He reports that the low rate of success is do to the fact that it's difficult for people to stick to the guidelines of a diet for months, years and even decades.


In the second chapter, Dr. Colbert is right in there with what I keep harping on

"Change the habits!"  

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) at the Brown Medical School track and investigated why certain people succeed in controlling their weight long term while others do not.

Using Stephen Covey's ideas, Dr. Colbert provides 7 Habits using the underlying principles of successful models to imitate.
  

Habit #1: Modify your food intake

Habit #2: Increase your activity level

Habit #3: Eat breakfast every day

Habit #4: Monitor your weight regularly

Habit #5: Stay consistent with your eating

Habit #6: Control your portion size and your environment

Habit #7: Be accountable

This is a good kick start to 2011.   Developing these HABITS!  A habit is formed in 21 days.  I need to work on #6!  So when I'm at my Mom's and see the Cannoli's.... or sit to visit... I'm not "mindlessly" eating something... just to eat. 

Now, as I have said so many times in my blog, 

It is all about BALANCE to truly obtain true Health and Wellness.   

Balancing our physical, mental and spiritual being.  

Habits are  like "gears"  in our Health

Habits provide "motion" to our being, taking us in any given direction. 

  

Good Habits provide the motion for Health and Wellness

Bad Habits cause nothing but conflict, illness, strife and eventually.... death.

There are "habits" that are physical behaviors

There are Mental Habits we  perform without even thinking about it

There are spiritual Habits  we have or  that we lack!

So when we think of "changing our lifestyle" to alter our health and wellness, 

THINK HABITS.  It is OUR HABITS that need to change.

This new year is going to be amazing  I AM CONFESSING THIS!  I am holding on to promises in God's Word.  

I see it,  I feel it,  I speak it, I hear it (quiet voice in my head) and I know it in my heart.

I know it in my heart because 

I see it,  

I feel it,  

I speak it, 

I hear it, 

I SAY IT!

dog gone it!

Ok, that is enough for today.  

Ciao

Salute to your Health and Wellness in 2011!

PS :  the number 7 is the Perfect number!

plus a week is 7 days

Habits are formed in 3 weeks (3 x 7)  hummmmm

References: 

"I can do this Diet"

http://www.drcolbert.com/product_info.php?products_id=350

"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective  People".

https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits.php

Recipe for a "Delightful" Life

It's ALL THERE! IN HIS WORD

just waiting for you to "wake" up out of your sugar high

Stop chasing the wind and start Listening and Waiting 

upon your Creator who wants you to live in 

Health and Wellness 

He is the Answer  
Be a WiseMan and Seek HIM

Psalm 37

 ¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil 

   or be envious of those who do wrong; 

² for like the grass they will soon wither, 

   like green plants they will soon die away.

 ³ Trust in the LORD and do good; 

   dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 

⁴ Take delight in the LORD, 

   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD; 

   trust in him and he will do this: 

⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, 

   your vindication like the noonday sun.

 ⁷ Be still before the LORD 

   and wait patiently for him; 

do not fret when people succeed in their ways, 

   when they carry out their wicked schemes.

 ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; 

   do not fret—it leads only to evil. 

⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed, 

   but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

 ¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more; 

   though you look for them, they will not be found. 

¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land 

   and enjoy peace and prosperity.

Merry Christmas!  Buon Natale!

Santa's Waist or Stop wasting your life on COOKIES

Ok,  Santa's waist line indicates he is at risk for the following health problems.

 http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/tools.htm

• type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar)
• high blood pressure
• heart disease and stroke
• some types of cancer
• sleep apnea (when breathing stops for short periods during sleep)
• osteoarthritis (wearing away of the joints)
• gallbladder disease
• liver disease
• irregular menstrual periods  (oops!  Not Santa... but Mrs. Claus)

Stop kidding yourself.   

Give yourself a gift this Christmas  

" the desire to be healthy"

If you really, truly believed that eating that piece of candy (See's Candy box that's being passed around at work) would harm your body, you hopefully wouldn't eat it.

But, oh no... we kid ourselves and say... it's only one piece.   

But, that's not really true.  It's  really "one more piece".

If you were at the proper weight, could do 25 push ups without losing your breath, had your cholesterol level within normal limits.... then you could have "just one".

But... if you are in the ranks of the 66% of adults who are overweight in this country then... 

YOU'VE HAD YOUR ONE PIECE!   

Start early this year.  Instead of waiting until January 1st, 2011...... Start now by saying "NO" to the one piece of Candy... a piece of pie....  "a" cookie.

Splurge and delight yourself in pleasing your body 

 do something  your body is "dying" to have.... 

a Healthy life! 

Ok, I too have no "will power" 

 but we all do have "GOD's POWER" to say NO.

Therefore, speak a scripture to gain strength....

MY VERSION: "greater is He that is in me, than He that is in that piece of Candy!"

1 John 4:4  

 ⁴ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them,

 because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

It really does work.  Dig deep into your soul and ask the "trillion dollar question"

Why am I trying to satisfy myself with the emptiness of food... 

when I have Jesus to satisfy my very being! 

The gift this Christmas is the gift you give yourself

Health and Wellness

Ciao!  To your Health and Wellness 

            this Christmas Season