You know how you hit control, alt, delete to reset your computer? Well, this weekend the universe conspired to let me do just that. I have been going at such a crazy packed pace that I could feel the stress in my body building up.
We had another very full weekend planned for yesterday and today, but things happened and we ended up cancelling everything and just staying home together. We have slept, walked, slept, watched a movie and slept some more. It feels like I/we (Allen and I) hit our own control, alt, delete. I feels like I am positioned well to jump back into the proverbial deep end.
Try it yourself. It may help bring peace, calm and focus. We need all three of those as we travel our healthy journey through life, don't we?
One more thought this morning that I would like to put out there.......in an article about Tom Hanks and a movie he made about the ship captain who was held hostage by Somalia pirates......the author wrote this......the man who was captured and held hostage is called a hero. He does not like that label. He said it is simple, nothing is over until you give up. And he was not willing to give up.
That comment landed in my brain and made me think hard about my healthy journey. Sometimes it feels like I am being held hostage by the need to continually focus on shedding weight. But, you know what? I am not ever giving up either. I will continue to strive towards a healthy and healthier me as I move through this world because I am worth it. Are you with me??????
Desire to reset the physical computer. Dedication to continued focus. Discipline to cancel everything when it is necessary.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Hello, Off Cycle!
Sorry for my erratic posting. The last few weekends and the next couple of upcoming weekends are so full of activity, that I find myself not making time on the computer. I hope you will forgive my lapses.
Just a few quickies tonight......
1. I was in Phoenix airport yesterday. I ate at a restaurant called Chelsea's Kitchen and had the best fish tacos ever. I know if it hard to believe...airport and best of anything in the same sentence. Still, if you ever find your self there and are hungry, I highly recommend it. They served it with an awesome kale slaw....super good choices, especially for an airport meal!!!
2. I had a great discussion with my doctor recently about why it is so damn hard to shed weight and keep it off. She says that all the most recent research is pointing to the truth that calorie restriction is the only and best way. She says that since she has entered her 50's, she has to stay at 1,200 calories or she gains. So, it isn't that this is shocking news, it is just that it is so challenging to socialize away from plentiful food. I eat right and do lots of great exercise. I just need to eat less food (most of the time anyway). So, I am going to go back to calorie counting to get used to 1,200 a day to shed my pounds that have crept back. Then get used to it as the norm!
Desire to travel to a lower body mass. Dedication to love myself enough to eat less food. Discipline to count everything until it becomes the norm.
Just a few quickies tonight......
1. I was in Phoenix airport yesterday. I ate at a restaurant called Chelsea's Kitchen and had the best fish tacos ever. I know if it hard to believe...airport and best of anything in the same sentence. Still, if you ever find your self there and are hungry, I highly recommend it. They served it with an awesome kale slaw....super good choices, especially for an airport meal!!!
2. I had a great discussion with my doctor recently about why it is so damn hard to shed weight and keep it off. She says that all the most recent research is pointing to the truth that calorie restriction is the only and best way. She says that since she has entered her 50's, she has to stay at 1,200 calories or she gains. So, it isn't that this is shocking news, it is just that it is so challenging to socialize away from plentiful food. I eat right and do lots of great exercise. I just need to eat less food (most of the time anyway). So, I am going to go back to calorie counting to get used to 1,200 a day to shed my pounds that have crept back. Then get used to it as the norm!
Desire to travel to a lower body mass. Dedication to love myself enough to eat less food. Discipline to count everything until it becomes the norm.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Save Time in a Bottle
Over the past month, we have been to 3 weddings, culminating with my godson's wedding on O'ahu on Saturday. All 3 couples are very different, all 3 couples are joyously happy. It has been a true pleasure to share their happiness.
Allen and I were married 26 years ago, this September 12th. My parents were married 62 years ago this September 8th. We are celebrating together and are saying that we are celebrating 88 years of marriage!
Of course, it is a big number to say, and yet it is so thought provoking, to see the alpha and the omega of marriage; the people just starting out and folks like my parents who are at the other end of the spectrum. We humbly sit somewhere in between.
As I reflect on my healthy journey, I am convinced that those of us who are blessed with a positive life partner probably have an easier time with our healthy journey. Allen has loved me through thick and thin (literally) and everything in between. For his love, I am eternally grateful. Everyday.
But love and support comes in lots of flavors. I know many amazing people who are supported by family and friends, but are not in a committed partner relationship. It doesn't matter where it comes from - friends, family, lovers, co-workers, etc. I think what matters along this journey is connecting with meaningful people in our lives to share the healthy journey, to seek support on the healthy journey, to praise us and help us course correct.
So, whether you are involved with someone who supports you fro 2 years, 26 years or 62 years, or somewhere in between, pause and reflect on what a difference it makes to have those special people with you on your healthy journey. This ride we are on, called life, goes by so damn fast. Try to savor the moments and enjoy the journey.
Desire to travel the journey with others. Dedication to appreciate the "others". Discipline to listen when they share.
Allen and I were married 26 years ago, this September 12th. My parents were married 62 years ago this September 8th. We are celebrating together and are saying that we are celebrating 88 years of marriage!
Of course, it is a big number to say, and yet it is so thought provoking, to see the alpha and the omega of marriage; the people just starting out and folks like my parents who are at the other end of the spectrum. We humbly sit somewhere in between.
As I reflect on my healthy journey, I am convinced that those of us who are blessed with a positive life partner probably have an easier time with our healthy journey. Allen has loved me through thick and thin (literally) and everything in between. For his love, I am eternally grateful. Everyday.
But love and support comes in lots of flavors. I know many amazing people who are supported by family and friends, but are not in a committed partner relationship. It doesn't matter where it comes from - friends, family, lovers, co-workers, etc. I think what matters along this journey is connecting with meaningful people in our lives to share the healthy journey, to seek support on the healthy journey, to praise us and help us course correct.
So, whether you are involved with someone who supports you fro 2 years, 26 years or 62 years, or somewhere in between, pause and reflect on what a difference it makes to have those special people with you on your healthy journey. This ride we are on, called life, goes by so damn fast. Try to savor the moments and enjoy the journey.
Desire to travel the journey with others. Dedication to appreciate the "others". Discipline to listen when they share.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Summer Tomatoes - YUM-O!
A dear friend of mine, Nancy, gave me another bag of delicious home grown summer tomatoes today. They are juicy, sweet, colorful (shades of red, yellow, purple...) and unbelievably flavorful! They should have a different name than the tomatoes sold in the grocery store. My parents are also growing tomatoes this year and we have had some of theirs too!
Today for lunch I washed the little baby tomatoes and tossed them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped swiss chard and spinach. I had a big ol' pile of that for lunch followed by a piece of a Santa Claus melon. Ask your grocer if they have a Santa Claus melon for sale. Allen came home with it. I had never heard of it. It was one of the best tasting things I have ever put in my mouth!!!
BTW, I just completed my well woman annual exam. I had everything poked, prodded and measured. My blood chemistry continues to be at optimum levels. If you are a woman, I will pass this tidbit along: my gynecologist says that the new gold standard is to test all women for HPV. If your test is negative (and mine was) then he said I can go 5 years before I have to have a pap smear again! Let's hear it for 5 years in between paps!!! Woo-hoo!
I hope you are going to your annual physicals. I know it isn't necessarily fun, but it is so important to stay on top of your health!
Desire to scarf down summer fruits and veges. Dedication to your annual physical. Discipline to schedule the appointment and go.
Today for lunch I washed the little baby tomatoes and tossed them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped swiss chard and spinach. I had a big ol' pile of that for lunch followed by a piece of a Santa Claus melon. Ask your grocer if they have a Santa Claus melon for sale. Allen came home with it. I had never heard of it. It was one of the best tasting things I have ever put in my mouth!!!
BTW, I just completed my well woman annual exam. I had everything poked, prodded and measured. My blood chemistry continues to be at optimum levels. If you are a woman, I will pass this tidbit along: my gynecologist says that the new gold standard is to test all women for HPV. If your test is negative (and mine was) then he said I can go 5 years before I have to have a pap smear again! Let's hear it for 5 years in between paps!!! Woo-hoo!
I hope you are going to your annual physicals. I know it isn't necessarily fun, but it is so important to stay on top of your health!
Desire to scarf down summer fruits and veges. Dedication to your annual physical. Discipline to schedule the appointment and go.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
"The Plan"
How many of you have heard about The Plan? A friend just told me about it today. I did a search and saw that Dr. Oz featured it on his show recently. This link should get you to his site to watch all about it. http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/anti-diet-plan-weight-loss?video=16175
It is compelling because a nutrition practitioner claims to have found the secret to weight loss. Apparently, many of us struggling to lose weight and keep it off are simply making food choices that are wrong for us.
The cleanse phase of The Plan is only 3 days and then you slowly and systematically add back foods and carefully monitor how your body reacts to the foods. It is based on our body having an inflammatory response to some foods that causes us to gain weight, even healthy foods like beans, broccoli, salmon, eggs and many more foods.
I am intrigued. I am going to buy the book, read it and give it a try. If any of you have tried this and have an opinion on this "new theory", I would love to hear from you!
Desire to check out The Plan. Dedication to seek out the information. Discipline to invest the 20 days to try it!
It is compelling because a nutrition practitioner claims to have found the secret to weight loss. Apparently, many of us struggling to lose weight and keep it off are simply making food choices that are wrong for us.
The cleanse phase of The Plan is only 3 days and then you slowly and systematically add back foods and carefully monitor how your body reacts to the foods. It is based on our body having an inflammatory response to some foods that causes us to gain weight, even healthy foods like beans, broccoli, salmon, eggs and many more foods.
I am intrigued. I am going to buy the book, read it and give it a try. If any of you have tried this and have an opinion on this "new theory", I would love to hear from you!
Desire to check out The Plan. Dedication to seek out the information. Discipline to invest the 20 days to try it!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Shhhhh, Did You Hear That?
Of course you didn't hear that because I am referring to the absence of sound, the peace, the quiet......pure bliss!
I am struck by how beautiful it is to sit in my kitchen and listen to the rustle of a soft breeze blowing through the trees in the back yard. It is such a glorious sound, and yet, one that I/we don't often pause to enjoy.
Our lives are so filled up with activity, errands, to-do's, going here and going there, and yet, on this beautiful Sunday morning, I am absolutely filled with happiness just sitting and enjoying the stillness. OK, I know you are thinking.....but, Patty, you are typing a post to your blog! Yes, you are correct, and still, it is quiet all around me. :-)
Did you know that the whole purpose of yoga practice is to learn how to quiet your mind? The asanas, or postures, are actually intended to help you focus in the moment, to go inside to the vast reality that is our inner self. When we are able to be in stillness, just be, we can begin to connect with the higher power that is inside of all of us. It is not religious, but it is spiritual.
So, for the rest of today, I am going to be as still as I can be. OK, OK, I am going to swim laps later on this evening :-), but up until then, I will enjoy as much quiet as I can. I am excited to see what I will learn from my inner self today.
Desire to know more about me. Dedication to peace and calm. Discipline to be still.
I am struck by how beautiful it is to sit in my kitchen and listen to the rustle of a soft breeze blowing through the trees in the back yard. It is such a glorious sound, and yet, one that I/we don't often pause to enjoy.
Our lives are so filled up with activity, errands, to-do's, going here and going there, and yet, on this beautiful Sunday morning, I am absolutely filled with happiness just sitting and enjoying the stillness. OK, I know you are thinking.....but, Patty, you are typing a post to your blog! Yes, you are correct, and still, it is quiet all around me. :-)
Did you know that the whole purpose of yoga practice is to learn how to quiet your mind? The asanas, or postures, are actually intended to help you focus in the moment, to go inside to the vast reality that is our inner self. When we are able to be in stillness, just be, we can begin to connect with the higher power that is inside of all of us. It is not religious, but it is spiritual.
So, for the rest of today, I am going to be as still as I can be. OK, OK, I am going to swim laps later on this evening :-), but up until then, I will enjoy as much quiet as I can. I am excited to see what I will learn from my inner self today.
Desire to know more about me. Dedication to peace and calm. Discipline to be still.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Family, Family and More Family
Here we are at the end of another week filled with family and fun. I have managed to keep up with my work schedule, my workouts and family visits every evening! I am exhausted and happy and looking forward to next week when all I have to do is go to work and work out!
We have one more big day of family. Tomorrow we are hosting my Dad's 85th birthday party. I am so grateful that we are close enough, emotionally and geographically, to share this day with him, Mom, sis, brother and girlfriend, nephew and girlfriend and mother-in-law plus her husband.
So, I am going to keep this super brief 'cuz I know you will understand when I say that I have much to do to prepare for the party tomorrow.
I hope you are enjoying a fun summer week filled with family, fun and health!
Desire to hold family close. Dedication to enjoy summer. Discipline to keep it healthy.
We have one more big day of family. Tomorrow we are hosting my Dad's 85th birthday party. I am so grateful that we are close enough, emotionally and geographically, to share this day with him, Mom, sis, brother and girlfriend, nephew and girlfriend and mother-in-law plus her husband.
So, I am going to keep this super brief 'cuz I know you will understand when I say that I have much to do to prepare for the party tomorrow.
I hope you are enjoying a fun summer week filled with family, fun and health!
Desire to hold family close. Dedication to enjoy summer. Discipline to keep it healthy.
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