Well, no I'm not stressed out, but someone very close to me is.
How is your day going? Are you stressed? Tired? Totally done?
Take a minute, sit still, and breathe. Seriously. Taking a minute to yourself and gathering your focus on something as simple as your breath is a huge help to calm your nerves and de-stress.
Now, focus on something you can do to further your recovery: can you take a walk? Can you call a good friend? Maybe you can go take a kick boxing class....preferably the one you actually put gloves on for!
It has been proven that exercise is an amazing antidote to temporarily reduce the effects of stress. Regular exercise can help reduce the health related consequences of stress.
So if you are at work and you feel as if you are going to "lose it", walk up and down the stairs or go outside for a brisk walk. You may feel better equiped to deal with the situation upon your return.
Have a healthy day!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
I am leaving you today with a joke.
Laughing is a great way to train your abs, so I hope you get a good laugh out of this joke my sister Gigi sent me.
Have a healthy day!
Please note: This is ONLY a joke! Not intended as fitness advice! (Disclaimers are funny sometimes, aren't they)
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system . Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake? A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up! < /FONT>
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc. &a mp;n bsp;
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more ve getables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle? A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intent ion of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride"
AND......For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies. 1. The Japanese eat very little fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.4. The Italians drink a lot of red wineand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. CONCLUSIONEat and drink what you like.Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Laughing is a great way to train your abs, so I hope you get a good laugh out of this joke my sister Gigi sent me.
Have a healthy day!
Please note: This is ONLY a joke! Not intended as fitness advice! (Disclaimers are funny sometimes, aren't they)
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system . Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake? A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up! < /FONT>
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc. &a mp;n bsp;
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more ve getables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle? A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intent ion of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride"
AND......For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies. 1. The Japanese eat very little fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.4. The Italians drink a lot of red wineand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. CONCLUSIONEat and drink what you like.Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Friday, September 14, 2007
See, Even The Experts Agree
The Harvard Medical Newsletter today reported that in order to achieve a healthier, fitter you, you must add weight training to your workout.
But don't take my word for it, see for yourself: http://clicks.health.harvard.edu/dm?id=60D81F4AF42FDCD9E1990163302E8A86778F9F64377ED311
There are so many positive reasons to weight train...in addition to the vanity motivators. Let's face it, even if you are lean you may not be fit. If you cannot walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing, then chances are you could benefit from weight training. And let's face it, if your posture is closer to a question mark than an exclamation point, you could use a little weight training...unless the Hunchback look has come into fashion and I didn't notice.
What is most important about weight training is proper form and technique. You can take classes at your local gym, hire a trainer or buy a quality video to help you with this. No matter what you budget, there is an option available for you.
So take a quick gander at the article and let me know what you think. You only have your health and well being to lose.
Have a healthy day.
But don't take my word for it, see for yourself: http://clicks.health.harvard.edu/dm?id=60D81F4AF42FDCD9E1990163302E8A86778F9F64377ED311
There are so many positive reasons to weight train...in addition to the vanity motivators. Let's face it, even if you are lean you may not be fit. If you cannot walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing, then chances are you could benefit from weight training. And let's face it, if your posture is closer to a question mark than an exclamation point, you could use a little weight training...unless the Hunchback look has come into fashion and I didn't notice.
What is most important about weight training is proper form and technique. You can take classes at your local gym, hire a trainer or buy a quality video to help you with this. No matter what you budget, there is an option available for you.
So take a quick gander at the article and let me know what you think. You only have your health and well being to lose.
Have a healthy day.
Monday, September 10, 2007
A Spoon Full Of Sugar
Did you know that being overweight can cost you more? Yesterday's Associated Press reported that some companies are now determining your health insurance premiums based on your life style. You can see the entire article here:
http://health.yahoo.com/news/179186;_ylt=AhdePsYxTu9oOftCkCVGUQqmxbAB
In a nutshell, employers are beginning to feel the burden of the obesity epidemic in their pockets, and they have found a solution: if you weigh more you pay more. Obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the determining factors in how much someone would pay for their share of employer based health benefits.
Luckily, there are bonuses too. Some employers are offering bonuses to employees who practice healthy lifestyles and reduce health risk factors or maintain good health.
So here is the question: Is it fair? Well, let's look at it this way, do you like paying higher premiums for car insurance when you have a spotless driving record, but you neighbor is averaging 1.2 fender benders a year? Doesn't your car insurance policy reward you with a lower rate for your abilities? Is that fair?
We are now living in an era when health insurance is becoming a luxury item. The burden placed upon health insurance costs over the next 15 years are going to sky rocket because of the obesity epidemic we as a nation are facing. So I have to say yes, yes it does seem fair that I would pay less for insurance than someone who eats at McDonald's 3-4 times a week if they are truly basing the premium difference on PROVEN CONTROLLABLE side effects of living an unhealthy or high risk life style.
And please don't blame it on your Thyroid, I have Hoshimoto's Disease and have been treating my hypothyroid disorder since 1996...though THAT disorder is probably going to be protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act....so you will be fine.
Have a healthy day.
http://health.yahoo.com/news/179186;_ylt=AhdePsYxTu9oOftCkCVGUQqmxbAB
In a nutshell, employers are beginning to feel the burden of the obesity epidemic in their pockets, and they have found a solution: if you weigh more you pay more. Obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the determining factors in how much someone would pay for their share of employer based health benefits.
Luckily, there are bonuses too. Some employers are offering bonuses to employees who practice healthy lifestyles and reduce health risk factors or maintain good health.
So here is the question: Is it fair? Well, let's look at it this way, do you like paying higher premiums for car insurance when you have a spotless driving record, but you neighbor is averaging 1.2 fender benders a year? Doesn't your car insurance policy reward you with a lower rate for your abilities? Is that fair?
We are now living in an era when health insurance is becoming a luxury item. The burden placed upon health insurance costs over the next 15 years are going to sky rocket because of the obesity epidemic we as a nation are facing. So I have to say yes, yes it does seem fair that I would pay less for insurance than someone who eats at McDonald's 3-4 times a week if they are truly basing the premium difference on PROVEN CONTROLLABLE side effects of living an unhealthy or high risk life style.
And please don't blame it on your Thyroid, I have Hoshimoto's Disease and have been treating my hypothyroid disorder since 1996...though THAT disorder is probably going to be protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act....so you will be fine.
Have a healthy day.
A Spoon Full Of Sugar
Did you know that being overweight can cost you more? Yesterday's Associated Press reported that some companies are now determining your health insurance premiums based on your life style. You can see the entire article here:
http://health.yahoo.com/news/179186;_ylt=AhdePsYxTu9oOftCkCVGUQqmxbAB
In a nutshell, employers are beginning to feel the burden of the obesity epidemic in their pockets, and they have found a solution: if you weigh more you pay more. Obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the determining factors in how much someone would pay for their share of employer based health benefits.
Luckily, there are bonuses too. Some employers are offering bonuses to employees who practice healthy lifestyles and reduce health risk factors or maintain good health.
So here is the question: Is it fair? Well, let's look at it this way, do you like paying higher premiums for car insurance when you have a spotless driving record, but you neighbor is averaging 1.2 fender benders a year? Doesn't your car insurance policy reward you with a lower rate for your abilities? Is that fair?
We are now living in an era when health insurance is becoming a luxury item. The burden placed upon health insurance costs over the next 15 years are going to sky rocket because of the obesity epidemic we as a nation are facing. So I have to say yes, yes it does seem fair that I would pay less for insurance than someone who eats at McDonald's 3-4 times a week. If they are truly basing the premium difference on PROVEN CONTROLLABLE side effects of living an unhealthy or high risk life style.
And please don't blame it on your Thyroid, I have Hoshimoto's Disease and have been treating my hypothyroid disorder since 1996...though THAT disorder is probably going to be protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act....so you will be fine.
Have a healthy day.
http://health.yahoo.com/news/179186;_ylt=AhdePsYxTu9oOftCkCVGUQqmxbAB
In a nutshell, employers are beginning to feel the burden of the obesity epidemic in their pockets, and they have found a solution: if you weigh more you pay more. Obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are some of the determining factors in how much someone would pay for their share of employer based health benefits.
Luckily, there are bonuses too. Some employers are offering bonuses to employees who practice healthy lifestyles and reduce health risk factors or maintain good health.
So here is the question: Is it fair? Well, let's look at it this way, do you like paying higher premiums for car insurance when you have a spotless driving record, but you neighbor is averaging 1.2 fender benders a year? Doesn't your car insurance policy reward you with a lower rate for your abilities? Is that fair?
We are now living in an era when health insurance is becoming a luxury item. The burden placed upon health insurance costs over the next 15 years are going to sky rocket because of the obesity epidemic we as a nation are facing. So I have to say yes, yes it does seem fair that I would pay less for insurance than someone who eats at McDonald's 3-4 times a week. If they are truly basing the premium difference on PROVEN CONTROLLABLE side effects of living an unhealthy or high risk life style.
And please don't blame it on your Thyroid, I have Hoshimoto's Disease and have been treating my hypothyroid disorder since 1996...though THAT disorder is probably going to be protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act....so you will be fine.
Have a healthy day.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Key To Health
Continuing on my healthy lifestyle blog from yesterday, I found a report from the Harvard Medical School Newsletter promoting the virtues of exercise as a critical component to health and longevity. You can read the article for yourself: http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_062107.htm
But here is a quick quote from their June 21, 2007 newsletter:
When you are sick, you do not feel good, you do not want to get out in the world and live life to the fullest. When we are sick life has to slow down until we are better....and some of these illnesses take months or years to recover from, if you can recover at all.
Find time for fitness and exercise, there are more reasons to do it everyday.
What is your motivation?
Have a healthy day!
But here is a quick quote from their June 21, 2007 newsletter:
"In a nutshell, exercise can:
-reduce your chances of getting heart disease. For those who already have heart disease, exercise reduces the chances of dying from it.
-lower your risk of developing hypertension and diabetes.
-reduce your risk for colon cancer and some other forms of cancer.
-improve your mood and mental functioning.
-keep your bones strong and joints healthy.
-help you maintain a healthy weight.
-help you maintain your independence well into your later years."
When you are sick, you do not feel good, you do not want to get out in the world and live life to the fullest. When we are sick life has to slow down until we are better....and some of these illnesses take months or years to recover from, if you can recover at all.
Find time for fitness and exercise, there are more reasons to do it everyday.
What is your motivation?
Have a healthy day!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Health Insurance Headache
WOW!!!
I just got off the phone after applying for medical insurance, and WOW...they ask a ton of questions. All I can say in response to the questions is: THANK GOODNESS I WORKOUT AND LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!
The questions about past medical history are intense, and it gave me a reason to pause and be thankful. I am thankful I am healthy, and I am thankful I am able to get coverage. If it were not for my current insurance being extremely weak, I would not have taken the time to get new insurance in the first place....so I guess I am also thankful for the terrible, horrible, painful cold I had over a month ago which let me see how bad my insurance was. In a nut shell, it covered ZERO! So onward and upward.
Insurance is meant to be there so you can use it if you need it, but so many people are needing it, and needing it more often. Over the next 15 years, obesity and obesity related illnesses are going to strain our health care system in a way never seen before. It is a simple fact: as you get fat you get ill, and not in one or two small ways, but in multiple system and functions. The joints start to ache, your respiration and circulation are compromised, the hormonal and pituitary systems go out of balance, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart disease increase in relation to your body fat percentage. There are almost no positive side effects, if any, to being over weight....but there are many negative ones.
So why not focus in feeling good! Feel good about moving more. Feel good about eating healthy. Feel good about getting enough rest balanced with enough activity....start to focus on feeling good and how living a healthy lifestlye can be amazing! You can refer back to my video blog for more about this, it is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVaaUadhuk
Curvy Girl Fitness is about ACCEPTING your body, it's size and shape, and then learning to love it and treat it with respect. Respecting your body includes feeding it healthy foods, moving regularly and avoiding unhealthy behaviors. Curvy Girl Fitness is about loving yourself and wanting to live a better, healthier life in the body you were blessed with, not using it as an excuse for gluttony and sloth.
Remember: if you do not make time for health now, you will have to take time for illness in the future.
Do something healthy...one thing.....everyday, then you will be on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Who likes to be sick? Not I.
Have a healthy day!
I just got off the phone after applying for medical insurance, and WOW...they ask a ton of questions. All I can say in response to the questions is: THANK GOODNESS I WORKOUT AND LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE!
The questions about past medical history are intense, and it gave me a reason to pause and be thankful. I am thankful I am healthy, and I am thankful I am able to get coverage. If it were not for my current insurance being extremely weak, I would not have taken the time to get new insurance in the first place....so I guess I am also thankful for the terrible, horrible, painful cold I had over a month ago which let me see how bad my insurance was. In a nut shell, it covered ZERO! So onward and upward.
Insurance is meant to be there so you can use it if you need it, but so many people are needing it, and needing it more often. Over the next 15 years, obesity and obesity related illnesses are going to strain our health care system in a way never seen before. It is a simple fact: as you get fat you get ill, and not in one or two small ways, but in multiple system and functions. The joints start to ache, your respiration and circulation are compromised, the hormonal and pituitary systems go out of balance, blood pressure, cholesterol levels and heart disease increase in relation to your body fat percentage. There are almost no positive side effects, if any, to being over weight....but there are many negative ones.
So why not focus in feeling good! Feel good about moving more. Feel good about eating healthy. Feel good about getting enough rest balanced with enough activity....start to focus on feeling good and how living a healthy lifestlye can be amazing! You can refer back to my video blog for more about this, it is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVaaUadhuk
Curvy Girl Fitness is about ACCEPTING your body, it's size and shape, and then learning to love it and treat it with respect. Respecting your body includes feeding it healthy foods, moving regularly and avoiding unhealthy behaviors. Curvy Girl Fitness is about loving yourself and wanting to live a better, healthier life in the body you were blessed with, not using it as an excuse for gluttony and sloth.
Remember: if you do not make time for health now, you will have to take time for illness in the future.
Do something healthy...one thing.....everyday, then you will be on your way to a healthy lifestyle. Who likes to be sick? Not I.
Have a healthy day!
Monday, September 3, 2007
(Wo)man's Best Friend
I had to say goodbye on Friday to one of my best friends, my nine year old Boxer, Porter. He had been sick for the past month and the time had come not to let him suffer any further. So now I am suffering....it is amazing to me how much I am grieving the loss of my favorite dog. These amazing creatures never hold a conversation with you, but somehow they get right to your heart and soul and literally become one of your best friends.
Porter was a rescue dog, adopted from a local shelter, and I can not believe how lucky I was to have had him in my family.
Dogs add so much to your life: they can be an incredible workout partner, always ready for a run or a walk. Dogs can cheer you up when you are feeling down or lonely (how many times I went out on a bad date, just to come home and find my two boyfriends waiting at the door for me). Dogs can offer you safety by barking or growling when you need to be alerted.
But the most important thing a dog can give you is unconditional love. My dogs never cared if I left them for 2 minutes, 2 hours or 2 days, when I got home they were always there to greet me, wagging their tails waiting to say hi. And isn't that what we all are searching for in this life: someone to love us unconditionally? Well it turns out to not be a myth after all..... :-)
To my dog Porter: I love you, and Preston and I miss you. Thank you for being the world's greatest dog. Thank you for being my dog....you were one of a kind.
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