Early to RISE!!!

I can't tell you the last time I woke up at 4:30 am to start the day...(didn't know people actually got up at that ungodly time). However, I took my sister to the airport, actually passed some cars!! On the way home, I noticed people RUNNING & WALKING at the track where I walk.. (did they just stay up all night or what!!??) So I ran back to the house grabbed a second cup of coffee and a water and put on my running shoes and I was on my way!!! Walked a little over 3 miles, the heat had yet to set in so the weather was pleasant....this might be the "start of something big"!!! A new part of the day that has been reserved for occasional early morning flights or worse an early morning call about a death...other than that my body doesn't normally function at that hour....
And since then, I had a healthy breakfast, washed some clothes, took my car to be serviced, ran to the bank, and am now on my way to pamper myself with a manicure and pedicure...all be 11am!!! WOW, this could change my whole life..I could get so much more accomplished every day..I could go to sleep by 10 PM, wake up feeling regenerated and ready to tackle the day...
This could be life altering!!! NAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think so!!!! LOL

I am procrastinating this morning; enjoying some quiet/leisurely time, starring at the treadmill and other equipment, knowing I need to put on my tennis shoes and just get started.
Why is changing your lifestyle and habits so difficult!! What makes some people driven to the point of obsession while others like me go in spurts of commitment. But I do notice the more consistent I am in regard to exercise, the more I don't want to miss it. However if circumstances prevent it, I don't beat myself up or feel guilty.
For those of you who can't remember the last time you exercised, start out slow and find something you enjoy doing....
For me, I have found that I do enjoy the treadmill. I turn on the TV, then I start out slowly and build up to a good pace. This past week I started trying short sprints to get my heart rate up....(walk a couple of minutes, then do a 30 second to a minute sprint)...
I also just purchased a recumbent bike. Can't use the standard ones as I wouldn't be able to walk the next day with my hip/lower back issues.
Because I spend basically 3 hours in the car to commute back to our family business, then sit several hours at a desk I am trying to remind myself to MOVE more often, even if it's just taking a short break, walking outside about the building, getting out of the chair and doing some stretches. I am thinking about taking some weights to my office, taking a few minutes to work on my upper body etc.
I am finding also that exercise doesn't have to be an hour and a half of commitment every morning....you can also do it in small increments during the day and if you then add it all up, you have devoted an hour or so that you thought you couldn't spare in the day.
(I have to admit, being able to run, even for a few minutes creates a high and you start to feel really good about yourself.)
Sometimes we are overwhelmed at the thought of exercise; we don't want to go to the gym because we are NOT fit, we are overweight and we feel that we have to lose some weight before we walk through that door at the gym as everyone there is FIT..(WRONG!!!)..but if it makes you feel better, start at home for a few weeks. I did start at the gym with a trainer last year and for about the first week was self-conscious; but once I got over the initial feeling, I really enjoyed it and found that my trainer pushed me beyond what I imagined I could actually do...Having a trainer is a great gift you can give yourself especially if you are a novice at working out. Even if you have one for a day each week. They can design your workout program for the other days. And yes, if you give up eating out a night or all those daily "Starbucks" you can afford it. It's all about priorities.
Speaking of workouts, it's that time of the day for me!!!!

Food Choices when you Travel!!!

Sorry I haven't posted, been out of town for a family funeral!! I found it very difficult to stay on track with healthy eating, however it's all about making the best choices that you can. For instance the entire family went out to eat..the choices were several pasta dishes, burgers, steaks, sushi etc. So I chose the sushi although I had not been eating white rice, but at least I felt like it was the healthy choice. At a luncheon after the funeral, there were cold cuts, so I opted to make a sandwich out of Romaine leaves rather than bread. But Alas, I could NOT resist the cheesecake for dessert. I rationalized that I had walked on the treadmill that morning, did a few sprints so surely I burned up enough calories to break even.

I was also staying away from Dairy, but I cannot drink black coffee so it was either the chemicals in the non-dairy creamer or "REAL" cream...I opted for the cream.

Breakfast was the most difficult, either carb laden foods like bagels, cereals granolas or eggs/bacon etc....so I chose the protein and had an omelet.

I have yet to get on my scale but as long as I broke even on the trip, I am happy...We returned last night so this morning, it was as though my body was craving my protein shakes...so I am back on track once again....

Normally, I wouldn't be as conscious of my choices when I travel, but because I have been doing a 21 day cleanse, I hated to partake of several of the foods that I was avoiding. On the cleanse, you eliminate all dairy, eggs, strawberries, grapefruits, dried fruits, beef, pork, soy, any processed foods and grains and the "night shade" vegetables...(the cleans helps rid your body of foods that cause mucus or inflamation which in turn cause disease)..I had made it for 13 days without cheating and my body felt wonderful!!! After a few days, I could really appreciate the taste fresh vegetables and fruits. But I am not going to beat myself up; rather, I will get back on track today...Life without EVER getting to enjoy a piece of cheesecake would be a sad life indeed!!! LOL Until the next blog!!! Again, thanks for the emails.......Blessings to you today!!

Turning the Corner

After a week of reducing the dosage on Crestor and Metoprolol I then stopped taking both meds. When I woke up one morning about 4 days ago, it was like someone flipped a switch and I was happy...I got on the treadmill and and even added some minute long sprints to my walk...(Keep in mind, this is a woman who just a few weeks prior was huffing and puffing just to finish a lap at the track)...I felt light-hearted and thought to myself..........SHE IS BACK!!!!! So I do believe one of the side effects I was experiencing was slight depression and lethargy. Even my family noticed I was different.....As this week has progressed I noticed that I don't have any body aches, I haven't had a moment of fatigue or falling asleep in the middle of the day (another side effect), the shortness or breath is diminishing and I now feel like there isn't anything that I can't tackle. Wow, I had forgotten how great feeling good can be!!! I catch myself just smiling for no reason!!!!


I was pondering today and wondered how I would be a year or five years from now if I was still taking these meds. I don't even want to think about who I would be or what I would look like.


I agreed to have my cholesterol checked every 6 weeks for the coming year so I will keep you posted. My goal is to be around the 200 range so I have about 100 points to play with right now. If any of you are on Statins and experience short term memory loss, forgetfulness, inform your doctor immediately. I was beginning to notice that I was grasping for words quite frequently or would have a thought in my head and it would just disappear. It will be interesting to see if over time, those incidents cease. Also, I was just reading that when first going off the Statins you should increase your CoQ10 supplements to about 400-500mg a day.


So that takes care of the meds issue for awhile......and btw, I did go back on HORMONES a few months ago, however next on my list is the "saliva test" to determine my levels and make any adjustments. ... I learned that hormones control over 350 functions in our bodies so to perform at peak levels they need to be adjusted at times.


As I always mention, please do not take it upon yourself to change or stop taking your medications. Just pay attention to your body. When you know something is not right, then talk to your physician. Many people would not be alive or able to function without prescription drugs so I am not against them..My unsolicited advice would be to find a physician that will take the time to listen to your concerns and will work with you. Your time in a doctor's office is limited so be prepared. I always have a list so I don't forget. And do some homework and research. And be open to complementary medicine.


So now my daily meds consist of hormones, low dose aspirin, synthroid, lots of Omega Fish Oil, CoQ10 and an awesome liquid multi vitamin. If you are not presently taking a high quality multi vitamin, then we need to talk!!. I can recommend a great one that I tell all my friends about which is also listed in the Physicians Desk Reference Book ..http://shopgbg.com/yourdrinktogoodhealth...Remember the apple you eat today is not the same apple you consumed 20 years ago..it has 30% less nutrients.


Speaking of nutrients, I have also embarked on a 21 day cleanprogram...Today is my 13th day and I can't wait to share the changes I am experiencing...I have decided that this next year is all about getting healthy; body, mind and spirit; reinforcing the foundation of ME as I believe that God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives and he gave us this amazing intricate body and we have a responsiblity to take care and nourish our body and minds. When our body suffers, so does our mind and our spirit. And then we cannot reach the potential that our Creator has planned for us!!!

And we also need some time for rest!! With that said, I intend to "rest" for the night!!!

Thanks to so many of you who have emailed me with your stories. We are NOT alone!!!

Goodnight, A

The Spiral Continues

I just received a message from an old high school friend...Her story sounds like mine, going off hormones, gaining 50 pounds, ending up on BP meds, she has added heart issues, but refused to take statins because of all the negative side effects!! YOU GO GIRLFRIEND, you were much smarter than I was at the time....So once I read her story, I couldn't wait till tomorrow to post again!!! I am NOT alone in this struggle.....

So to continue the rest of my story in 2009; I am on several meds, but am fatigued, some shortness of breath, I am disguested with the weight and somewhere in my mind I feel like it's my last chance for a lifestyle change....So I decide to try Jenny Craig.......food isn't that bad, basically portion control plus I like the fact that you don't have to worry about cooking, just open the freezer and choose...

Results: 6 weeks of eating processed frozen food Weight Loss 1 pound YES ONE POUND!!!!!! AND I DID NOT CHEAT...And it wasn't just JCraig...tried a couple weeks on Weight Watchers, DID NOT LOSE.......So a consultation with my sister/fitness nutrtionist....,her take on it - way too many complex carbs for a woman in the menopause stages (peri, post or menopausal) and for some reason MY BODY HOLDS ON TO CARBS FROM GRAINS, RICE, POTATOES etc..no matter if it's minimal portions....my body HATES COMPLEX CARBS!!!

NEXT ; hired a personal trainer 3-4 mornings per week.....DAY 1 - lasted maybe 5 min on the treadmill and was exhausted/could not breath etc. After one year of cardio, lifting weights, and experimenting with every diet known to man, I did feel much better, I looked healthier, slept better but alas!!!! My enemy the scale only showed about a FIVE yes 5 pound loss!!!

I was taking tons of pharm grade supplements, antioxidants etc...and ordered just about every weight loss product on the market......I read everything I could on nutrition, weight loss for women over 40 and really began to educate myself on eating healthy..I had already pretty much eliminated all processed foods, ate very limited dairy and also eliminated wheat/glutton 90% of the time...and I have to tell you, if you are over 40 take a day or two and eliminate those food and let me know if you feel significantly different........

I became involved with a wellness company with a great weight loss program and and I did lose a little more weight...and for a brief period had more energy etc....however my "YOUNGER" girlfriends/clients that I put on the system were losing lots of weight without major lifestyle changes...(One gal in her 30's lost more than 40 pounds to my 5)......I am beginning to resent you ladies under 40!!! Enjoy it while you can!!! (Again, this is another story for another day...I tried to reduce my calories too much by doing my shakes with water instead of almond milk etc and found that those 40 calories in the shake could not sustain me for several hours, so lesson learned...My smoothies now keep me full for 4 hours)

So again I have a plan; my cholesterol is consistenly going down...now under 200...which at the time I thought was great!!! (we will have another conversation on cholesterol/statins) I was taking about 25 supplements a day, ,.....but still rather fatigued, and was starting to be a little depressed and couldn't figure out why.... then in Dec I had a car wreck and couldn't workout for awhile.....

Fast forward to February of 09...I am falling asleep during the day, even worse when commuting to my family business about 1 1/2 hours away, I have to constantly pull over and shut my eyes for ten minutes...I sit in a chair: I am out like a light!!!! I feel myself sinking lower and lower, no energy, no zest for life...The crowning blow: I am in Kohl's purchasing a small appliance (Food Network Griller/panini maker) so I can cook healthier...yet on the walk to the register, I have to stop 3 times as I am completely out of breath...something is wrong with this picture..I keep thinking it must be my blockages; perhaps they are worse so I rush home and call my cardiologist...first available appt in 3 weeks......I might be dead in three weeks...so I call my internist, they work me in the next day!! And it just so happens that his office brings in a crew to do all the heart tests, ultrsounds, thalium stress etc on Fridays...So I have them all....however when I go in that morning my heart rate is below 50....and during the stress test, they could not get it up very high. And my doc asked why my cardiologist has me on Metopropolol; and he says we need to wait and see my tests but he is Not so sure that my shortness of breath and fatigue weren't caused by this medication...and he suggests for now, we cut the dosage in half.

By the end of the week I do notice a difference. Just two weeks prior when walking at our local track I was gasping for breath and could barely make it a mile....I build up to two miles not up to par yet, but it's a beginning!!!

Back to the doctor for test results!!! Every test was perfect, in fact I DO NOT HAVE blockages...so I have reversed the start of Carotid Artery Disease (it's the Omegas!!!)

My cholesterol is around 100......good new!!!???? Not so sure, now that I just finished reading the book on Statins......So I tell my doctor I do not want to take Statins any longer, our bodies need cholesterol especially the brain....So we cut the dosage of Crestor in half for 5 days, and now I no longer take a statin and my physician agrees (contrary to most) that the 200 range is very good!!!

So that brings us up to date on my health status.......I don't claim to have a medical degree, or any degree in the health field, but I try to be an informed patient now.....just remember no one cares more about the state of your health than YOU........so take some time to educate yourself...question your physician and if you think something is NOT quite right with your body, it's NOT, so persue it.........Above you will see the book that I just read about Statins, the first few pages are a little technical, but read on......I learned so much and was experiencing many of the side effects...I was fortunate enough to avoid the really dangerous ones....Will continue with my saga and share what I am doing today for my quest to good health!!! Blessings to all!!!

My Downhill Health Spiral

I am a few years in to this journey to better health so you need to know where I started to appreciate where I am now. About 3 years ago because of the HRT (hormone replacement therapy) scare, I stopped taking hormones. (had a hysterectomy in my early 30's)...it was a gradual process but my health began to change...I started gaining weight, experienced more minor aches and pains and began to get very fatigued began to feel my age (currently 58). And it got progressively worse till finally at the insistence of one of my sisters, I made an appt with my internist. I was shocked to discover my BP was 198/115 so I was immediately put on strong BP meds...she also heard something she didn't like which led me to a cardiologist. Results: Carotid Artery Disease (small blockages)...Cholesterol 300...DEAD thyroid....non-existent hormones...and an unexplained cough that worsened when lying down. I felt like an "old" person with all the doctor appointments...Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, Internist, Ear,Nose and Throat specialist, lung specialist, and tests tests tests.
Thus began the saga of prescription drugs...During this time I took the "REAL AGE" test on line and it confirmed how I felt....My body's age was now 84!!!!!!! I was officially OLD!!! And I had to do something to STOP this premature aging!!!!
So as of two years ago, I began taking Diovan HCT (for High BP), Metopropolol (to lower my heart rate) Crestor (for cholesterol) Low Dose Aspirin regimen, back on the Premarin too.
When on cholesterol lowering drugs many physicians do not inform us, however my doctor did talk to me about the need to supplement with CoQ10 as the stain will deplete your body of this enzyme which in turn causes all the muscle aches people experience on these drugs....I was already taking a high quality Omega 3 fish oil supplement and increased the dosage to 8 per day....
So ok, I was taking all these pills, now I had to do something to get myself back into shape...which is when the Real Journey began.....

I don't want to put you on overload, so let's continue this tomorrow........

Welcome

I have decided to launch this blog. My writing will encompass the following topics:

• My personal health journey
• Travails of weight loss for a middle-aged woman
• Nutrition / health products

Please join me as I share the tales of my journey!

My sister has a blog too.