Open the Refrigerator or Open your Mind

Knowledge is power.

Sir Francis Bacon, Religious Meditations, Of Heresies, 1597 English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 - 1626

Thank you Sir Francis Bacon.... but I say Knowledge  is this.....

Hummmm.......

Let me put this in a picture: Our Mind is like a refrigerator full of food (knowledge)  

Until WE OPEN UP the refrigerator (our mind)

and take out the food (knowledge)

and make it a part of us by digesting it (action)

IT IS NOTHING.

Knowledge is only power when we USE IT!

Take the knowledge about Healthy Foods

Take the knowledge about Exercise

Take the knowledge about Stress reducers

Take the knowledge about "positive thinking"

Take the knowledge about Healthy lifestyle choices

Take the knowledge about the Word of God

Prepare it in a way 

that you can "ingest"(put it to action)

it on a daily basis  

Use it or lose it

I thought of this when reading my current book Dr. Colbert's 

"I can do this" diet. (it's not a diet!).

It's amazing the information we have available.... or can easily obtain.

I cherish the scientific approach to weight problems.

In the chapters on Understanding Weight Gain and Loss 

there is information on the "many" reasons 

people gain weight and have difficulty with weight loss.

"CAN DO" points to remember (page 53)

1. Muscles cells burn about 70 x's more calories than fat cells, which is why they are so crucial for maintaing weight loss
2. Skipping meals or going for more than twelve hours without eating lowers your metabolic rate by about 40%
3. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate
4. A sluggish metabolic rate is usually caused by crash diets, yo-yo diets, overeating, skipping meals and choosing the wrong foods.
5. Chronic stress lowers the metabolic rate and programs the body to store fat.
6. Aging usually is associated with hormonal imbalance, muscle loss, and a lower metabolic rate.
7. Aging usually is associated with hormonal imbalance, muscle loss and a lower metabolic rate
8. Many medications lower the metabolic rate

These are NOT EXCUSES 

but area's to explore so they can be addressed when seeking 

OPTIMAL HEALTH and WELLNESS.

 87 years old when she completed the 1999 London Marathon

So you have bad knees?  How about no legs?

When patients tell me about "reasons" why they can't exercise... It's difficult for me to not call them out.  It's not "reasons" it's "excuses".  

And they are not always valid excuses.


Excuses are sometimes rooted deep in our unconscious mind or spirit (that's why we need to balance our lives ( PMS )


One of the Points today:  
Muscles increase metabolism!  So increase your muscle mass by exercising.

YOU CAN DO IT!  

See your self doing it

Say to yourself "I can do this"

Believe that you can do it

THEN you WILL DO IT

Sometimes it's not the fat in your belly that is the problem... it's the fat in your head.   


Use your brains

Use your knowledge



GET HEALTHIER THIS YEAR!


Ciao


Salute! to your Health and Wellness

PMS: Physically (see)

Mentally (say)

Spiritually (believe)

 

 

The Beginning and the END

                                                          Day ONE

Day one of Month One

Day ONE of Month ONE of year 2011

THE BEGINNING AND THE END

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.... or otherwise known as

Today I made  choices will have an affect on the rest of my life

What I choose today determined what I have tomorrow

mock me if you want but this is a truth

Last night I knew I had several days of NO exercise.  I had all the excuses (I'm sure there are more, but these are the TOP 5 excuses people have to not exercise)

1. I don’t have time to exercise.  

2. There is no gym close to my house

3. I don’t know how to exercise
 

4. I have no energy to exercise
 

5. I have no one to work out with

Then I watched an old movie (oh, I love old classics)  

My Six Loves is a 1963 comedy film starring Debbie Reynolds as a Broadway star who takes a vacation and finds herself responsible for six abandoned children

As I was watching.... a women  in her 50's was doing exercises on the floor of her bedroom.

WoW,  it hit me.

Stop with the excuses ya pudding head. 

 I have a floor too!  

So I got on the floor (carpeted) and did some exercises and stretches while watching the rest of the Movie.

The consequences of excuses to not exercise =    poor health and a fat BUTT. 

My choice today impacts my life tomorrow!  

This morning... again... up hill battle in my mind.  I woke up late ( new years eve celebration) and started in on the excuses why I couldn't go for a  walk / pseudo jog.

So, I began chanting over and over "I'll feel better", "I'll feel better,  I'll feel better"... yes of course out loud I said this (I'm ok with being strange). 

 Over and Over I heard these words. (telling myself out loud that I'd feel better if I went walking)

  Soon I was putting on my workout pants and top, throwing my hair into pic tails, putting on my hat and sunglasses... grabbing my tennis shoes and socks.... hooking up my iPod and I WAS OFF!

It was true and I knew it.... an almost euphoric feeling of freedom as I hit the pavement in the sunshine.  Listening to my  work out songs of Spiritual Inspiration and secular songs 

(Gabe Dixon Band: "Find my Way" and songs from Mamma Mia) that are so up beat and fantastic.  

Walking almost makes me feel disconnected from what's happening around me 

(yes, I have to be careful to not get hit by a car when crossing the stree

t).  

Walking re-focuses me... centers me.... captivates and inspires me.  I walk, pray... sing (no... not out loud... yet very very very tempted to sing out loud). Occasionally, I breakout into a jog... attempting to build up until I can jog for longer periods of time (a goal).  

Today... I had a thought while walking.... about people believing in themselves.  

Believing they are a masterpiece!  Created by a Loving God. Beautiful Creations that need to be respected and Cared for.  It's just that....

Some people are a little like a  masterpiece of Picasso, some of Monet and some of Da Vinci!  

yikes some  people seem to be a masterpiece of 

Salvador Dali`

  I saw them on my walk today.....

 Just kidding, but maybe not.  Truth is..... we are all masterpieces of GOD and there is beauty in all of his creation.

Why do I fight myself and make excuses to not do this  incredibly, wonderful thing for myself everyday!  Don't I like myself?  Don't I think I'm worthy... am I trying to punish myself... 

I know that I'm not a lazy person.  I know that I'm smart enough to know the benefits and consequences of not exercising.  WHY IS IT SO HARD TO JUST DO IT!!!!

AGAIN, I remind myself in this blog.... 

it is a Spiritual battle... 

it is a battle of my mind...

it is a battle of my physical being.  

I have to fight it on ALL three levels.  

When I only try to deal on a physical level or mental level..... to eat right and exercise.... I seldom succeed.  

When I fight using my spirit, mind and body (all three)....  

I WIN every stinking time

A TRIPLE BRAIDED CORD CAN NOT BE BROKEN!   

 ...........A triple braided cord can not be broken  Ecclesiastes 4-12

I have got to remind myself daily: BALANCE!  (that's why I blog!)

Keep centered and focused about the need to balance:

Me, Myself and I

Physical, Mental and Spiritual (PMS)

Losing Weight: 
A battle that needs to be fought not only with your
WILL POWER (mental) but the POWER OF GOD in YOU (spiritual).
Vitamins, minerals, nutrients, exercise...(physical)

TIPS:
Drink 8 glasses of water a day
Feed your mind, body and spirit everyday 15 minutes each day


Ciao
Salute! To your Health and Wellness in the coming year


ps
apply this powerful principle to any challenge you face:

SEE IT in your Mind

Say it out loud over and over again

Believe it in your Heart (faith as a mustard seed)

ACT on it

 

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!