little by little

While the saga of my whooping cough continues, and I'm still coughing... the extreme heat of July is behind us, and I've been walking some every day. It's been WONDERFUL to be able to be outside in the fresh air, rather than cooped up inside with the air conditioning on. Been raining for much of the last 24 hours, so no gardening, but that is my next hope. Next week I hope to settle back into gardening as well. It's amazing what fresh air and hard work does for you spirit and body. Feeling muscles again - feeling more energetic - and sleeping better. Good stuff!

refreshed

This has been a record-setting summer for heat, and worst drought in DECADES. I realized this week, that my plans of taking lots of walks throughout the days was stopped dead in the tracks - as it was normally too hot and humid to even go outside after 9am.

But today we got a break. Temps in the upper 70s, normal humidity, and a nice breeze. A perfect summer day. So I enjoyed the morning on the deck with my coffee and book, took a nice walk with my buddy C, and then worked in the garden a bit. Felt GREAT to be out doors and ACTIVE.

Additionally - stopped by the farmer's market, as well as picked from my own gardens - so my kitchen is LOADED with good veggies. Had fresh beets for lunch - and have eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and cukes for tonight.

So the kitchen is stocked with good foods, and I'm being active. It's GOOD to be in charge of your decisions in life!

Time to go to a friends - and I think I'll walk. Get another 20 minutes in each way. I'll have well over an hour in today. And it feels GREAT.

Inspiration

Posted some pictures from a trip back in January 1992 this morning for a friend looking to travel. While I was 3 months pregnant, I was definitely at my healthiest, lifting weights, swimming, etc., the peak of my physical health. Looking at those pictures was such an inspiration.

That is the ME who is hidden under this extra weight. I love being physical. I love exercising. It's so hard for me now, at this weight, that I've forgotten that feeling. I started to feel it earlier this year when I was doing an hour a day on the elliptical, and then I got sick.

So I need to do something with this picture. I am the one on the right. We are at the top of Iguazu Falls, on the Argentine side.

This was at a time in my life when I didn't even THINK about being healthy, I just was. I'd gone into college at 230 lbs., and after three and a half years, looked like THIS - even at 3 months pregnant. I was physically active every day, ate a well rounded healthy diet, just because that's how I lived my life. I hadn't even been trying to lose weight, it just happened, as I started being physical and realizing how much I enjoyed it.

So THIS is my inspiration folks. She is waiting to come back. She is ready!

Fueling my body.....

I think our society has gotten away from the need for food, to a want for food. I often eat for no reason at all, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone...

boredom

anger

depression

nervous

There are so many reasons. And none of them are the RIGHT one! We need to look at food as the fuel our bodies NEED. With every bite, what are I adding to my daily needs? Is it balanced? What is missing?

We've all read that people who journal what they eat lose weight. I'd like to put a different twist on it. Start with a log of what our bodies need - in particular vitamins, fiber, protein, etc., and then log to see that I'm getting what I need.

Now I'm a foodie, so this doesn't mean I won't be cooking amazing food. But with each meal, I want to make sure that I am adding essential fuel to my body - through whole grains, veggies, etc.

Today's breakfast - 2 cups of assorted fresh fruit, consisting of blueberries, apple, and pineapple. I'll look them up - and see what each is strong in, so I can mentally "marke them off the list" for the day.

I'm going to work up a way to log this... make it my goal to find amazing foods - and combine them in the right way - to ensure my body is fueled for LIFE!

the HEAT~!

Oh, the heat. We would never believe that today is only May 27th. High temperature today - a whopping predicted 93 degrees. Broke down and put in the A/C. But I'm not letting it stop me completely. Every half hour or so, I head back out to be physical. I weeded my small herb garden. Hung two loads of laundry out, and even did light weeding on the white rock. I am determined to keep being physical as much as possible, ALL summer long! Baby steps!

frustration

Had a heart to heart with the DH last night. About how frustrated I am with my health. Not being able to be my normal self has been so humbling for me. I get absolutely worn out - and cannot stay ahead of yard work, gardens, house, and family. I'm trying, but it's SO hard.

But I'm doing my mini walks. And the miles are adding up. Today I'm gardening, so my walk will have to wait. But it will happen! Staying as active as possible, without forcing a bad cough. I'm trying. Frustrated, but trying to stay grounded and focused!

cough cough

I am SO tired of being sick. Two days short of TWO MONTHS of this. Just when I think I've gotten to a point where I can start driving again, I have another synchope episode and realize it's too dangerous.

I'm tired of not being myself. I can't go 100 miles an hour all the time. I can't do three things at once. I'm behind on housework, gardening, work, everything. And it drives me crazy when my body just starts to shut down. I hate how much I have to sleep.

I know this is all healing, and hidden in here somewhere is a lesson from God.

I still get to be frustrated, right?