Stretch YOURSELF - Just DO IT

Stretch yourself   W  H  Y?

The primary purpose of stretching is to make the muscles longer to provide a greater range of motion at the joint, or joints, over which the muscle crosses. Stretching can, in fact, has the opposite effect of warming-up, by promoting relaxation instead of increased activity. The Purpose of Stretching Web Link

Think of that! The benefit of Stretching is RELAXATION!

Like when your neck and shoulders are tense almost to the point they hurt.  You  shrug your shoulders and rotate you head from side to side.... may be stretch your arms over your head... all in attempts to loosen and relax the tense muscles.

You have to STRETCH Muscles to RELAX  Muscles









Let's get down to it.  

PHYSICAL

SPIRITUALLY

MENTALLY

I just explained why PHYSICALLY we need to Stretch !!!  Apply this to your SPIRITUAL BEING.   Oh, That's right.... we would never on our own attempt to "stretch our Spiritual being", No need.   

God made the provision that our DAILY LIFE attempts to Stretch us spiritually.

We face challenges and stressors with our health,  with Family, Friends, Work, Finances  and Life in General....

"NO, I won't get out of BED..... I'm not ready to face the DAY "
what your really saying is "I CAN'T FACE LIFE"

Instead of stretching ourselves Spiritually, by lifting high our thoughts towards heaven and stretching our being to reach out for our Creator, we shrivel up in a corner, retracted and Afraid. 


So why all the resistance to "stretching" ourselves spiritually?  

why do we do that when, IT is GOOD FOR US!  

It will Strengthen our spiritual walk, 

 Through stretching spiritually our hearts will less likely be "broken" and well less likely be " emotionally fragile" because we are more flexible and strong.

 when Life's insults, drama and heartache's come our way 
(whether we attempt to doge it.... it's mostly smacks us in the face on a daily basis). 

MENTALLY stretching our selves?  THAT my dear friend is something we attempt to avoid!
We turn on the BOOB TUBE and use the "excuse"  I just want to relax and take my mind off things.  Really?   Do you know your mind is still engaged and working while watching TV?
The difference is that you've given your mind to be directed and influenced by whatever is on the TV.  Maybe, you choose stimulating shows, informative shows.... whatever.  But the Point is
how are you "STRETCHING" your mind .... challenging your thinking?  Ahhhh think about it, cause I am.

Could it be because you're NOT in SHAPE to HANDLE LIFE??????

Point of today's blog.... Stretching our bodies is  all about moving our muscles slightly beyond their comfort level.  Becoming more F L E X I B LE 


Stretching our self physically, MENTALLY, and SPIRITUALLY too! will make us more Flexible in life to handle what comes our way!

Optimal HEALTH and WELLNESS in our lives "demands" us to not resist   

STRETCHING ourselves  daily .....  

PHYSICAL

SPIRITUALLY

MENTALLY

God Bless you today in your pursuit for Health and Wellness

"God is faithful, 

and he will not let you be tested (STRETCHED) 

beyond your strength 

but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" 

1 Corinthians 10:13

CIAO and SALUTE! 

I want it NOW or Jumping off the Train

STORY:

You have purchase a  train ticket for the destination:

The "Land of Health and Wellness"!

You invest in work out clothes,  gym equipment or better yet, a gym membership.
As well as  Health and Diet books, expensive vitamins, ....etc etc etc

Your ready.... "tomorrow" you get on board to the "land of Health and Wellness".

Let's just say, YOU  DO get on board.  (that's a miracle in it self since most of us put off boarding that train for days, and days, and days.....)

 You're doing great 
(for the first few hours of this trip.... hahaha! Maybe even a few days ).  


Your excited, pump up at getting to your destination.

But wait.... you look out the window and see a landscape full of  See's Lollipop Trees, and Marshmallow clouds
....  
Over stuffed lounge chairs by a stream... A BIG FAT TV in the Sky with your favorite Show... 



Your favorite Fast Food Restaurant! 

(whatever.... make up your own picture of what your weaknesses are) 

YOU JUMP OFF THE TRAIN 

in your delirious "I need" 

"self gratification" 

desires

Ouch!  You got the picture.

How difficult is it to get back on that train?

Especially since..... "hey stupid" you didn't jump off near the next train stop. And you wonder why it's so hard to get back on "the Track".

You got it!  

Our self serving, need for  instant gratification, 

never say no to yourself 

L I F E 

You see the "cookie, candy, ice cream" and or  You see the "Rest, no effort, relax... I deserve it attitude"

and after months of carefully choosing to "stay on the train" jump off just for a lousy,
not even that good  "moment of pleasure".

Ahhh....the price we pay for acting like Veruca 

( from Willy Wonka) 

 impulsive  behavior.

Wanting every thing N O W ! 

This blog was started and developed to discover W H Y  I  am reluctant to
"Get on the Train" and  Stay on the "TRAIN" . ("Train" of thought!)

It isn't any wonder why people who "exercise and diet" with others or in a group, or with a trainer/coach are more successful.  You NEED that support to keep you focused and engaged with GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION.... staying on the Train.

That's it!  It just hit me (epiphany).

B A L A N C E

I AM my own support and coach and cheer leader
I CAN  do it when I decided I WILL do it.

Get it :  I "WILL" to do it.  It is my Will 

My "will" 

is

my MIND 

in sync with my SPIRIT 

in sync with my BODY.  
*****
When it's out of sync
  we are "unhealthy"
un-balanced
unsuccessful
fearful
sad
Living in defeat
*****
so.... Reverse that:
When it is in Sync
we are "Healthy"
successful
Loving
Joyful
Living in  "accomplishments"

So, when I jump off the Train (as I have this past week) I need to ask question and then seek the Answer.

WHAT is out of sync?   for me ..... If I eat a box of cookies 

(which I did and knew  it was not a healthy choice)

Why didn't I have the MIND to say NO? 

Why didn't I have the SPIRIT to say NO?

Why did my BODY (appetite) Say YES?

One of these Three is Not being feed/exercised/challenged/nurtured :

1. Body 

2. Mind 

3. Spirit

OR Two of the Three 


OR all three are being neglected

So, I have my ticket and I'm headed for the Train Station.  


I'm getting on board tomorrow morning: whooo hoo, TOOT TOOT!  BYE   the Whistle is blowing! 

I KNOW WHERE I WANT TO GO!  The land of Health and Wellness

I know that I have to fortify  

 my MIND and SPIRIT 

Which will direct my BODY (actions) 

to make the right choices tomorrow.

James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 ***************

Blogging HELPS me!  (I see the difference when I am not blogging)


It helps Because it Reinforces my thinking!  It's more than just  thoughts.

It's my thinking in Black and White (ok, I like color too).

It's me Thinking, Typing, Reading what I know I need and WANT to do. REINFORCING!

Tomorrow, I will wake up and FEED my Spirit 

(a plate full of thanksgiving and praise)

To my Creator and God

before I feed my face.  

Tomorrow, I will wake up and FEED my MIND 

(a plate full of the powerful words of God ... Bible) 

to Strength and Focus my thoughts.  

"my train of thoughts for the day".

Tomorrow, I will tell my BODY  what my Mind and Spirit wants it to do!

This will bring me into BALANCE and cause me to be in sync!  


So my actions match my thoughts, and my Spirit controls my Being and I will Stay on the  TRAIN!

Ciao and Salute! to Your Health and Wellness. 

HUG Yourself....

Give Yourself a Hug

There is a scientific explanation for the seemingly magical qualities of a hug that researchers uncovered. Each time we hug, we increase the level of oxytocin in the blood.

A daily dose of oxytocin from hugging can help protect us from heart disease.

 Give Yourself a Hug

               

Rhomboid Rattling and Posturing

The rhomboids are the very thin muscles located in your upper back between the shoulder blades. Since the rhomboids connect the shoulder blade (or scapula) to the spinal column, the relatively small muscles are responsible for a heavy burden that includes pulling your shoulders back for correct posture. 

Weakness or tightness (or both) in the rhomboids 

not only causes bad posture, but also eventually leads to  back pain.

Daily stretching is the first step for stronger, looser rhomboids and eventually a healthier, stronger and potentially pain free back. 

One simple stretch entails holding your left tricep with your right hand and pulling your left arm across the front of your body so, in effect, you hug yourself. Repeat the stretch on the opposite side. If you want a dynamic stretch for the rhomboids try swinging your arms open and closed and try to touch your shoulder blades with your fingers each time you make the closing motion (THAT WOULD BE A HUG!)

Keeping in "synch"   with my "soap box preaching" on 

BALANCING our lives 

Physically, Mentally & Spiritually...

 You answer these questions:

Do you enjoy giving hugs?

Do you enjoy receiving hugs?

Hummmmm......  Question number 3

     Have you ever given a hug to some one who feels like a "Mannequin"?

Hugging can be quiet intimate.... so when someone resist a hug there is a message! 

But the "Therapy of a Hug" is so complex and deep and profound.

                    If you need a hug (and I bet you do!)  

GIVE YOURSELF A HUG.

I know it sounds weird, but try it.   Really hug yourself and tell yourself  "I care about me"

wow..... do you?  Do you really care about yourself?  

Then take a moment to think about all the "good things" you do for YOURSELF.  

Like....  Eating healthy life giving foods (or not)

Like....  Walking or Exercising or indulge in a sport activity OUTSIDE in the Sunshine! 

 

Like..... Telling yourself  Positive affirmations throughout the day  complimenting yourself in your accomplishments, giving yourself a BREAK when you mess up!  Forgiving yourself ... 

SAY three nice things about yourself.... Come on you can think of 3 things!

Seriously,  you should be your best friend and your own cheerleader! 

It's ok.... HUG YOURSELF!   (ok, really don't do it in public... seriously, that's weird)

But Try it... You may do it more often when your sad or 

WANTING TO EAT CHIPS AT  11 o'clock at NIGHT!   

Stop and Say... 

"it's ok, I don't want to eat...I just need a hug... and I'm going to give myself one".

Ok,  GOOD NIGHT... it's now 11:48 pm  the Chips are gone and I'm going to bed.

CIAO! and Salute....To Your Health and Wellness

PS

a picture worth a million words

1

Give all your worries and cares to God for,                    he cares about you! 1 Peter 5:7

  
 

What to eat for Breakfast or Shut your mouth and Open your Heart

It has occurred to me, if we gave as much attention and time to feeding our SOUL as we do our face.... HOW healthy would we be! 


So, tomorrow when your eye's struggle to open...


Open your mouth and confess words of gratitude  (heck, you woke up)


Slip out of your bed on to the floor on your knees and PRAY for your DAY!

Then fix yourself a big bowl of the Word of God

 (yes, silly the Bible!) 

and ingested His words so you will obtain 

strength, faith, hope and purpose for the day.

THEN you can FEED YOUR FACE  

(I suggested a bowl of Oatmeal with sprinkled  chia seed, flax seed, chopped  Dates or Banana's,  a little Almond Butter .... a touch of Honey and Cinnamon) .... Of course I like a dollop of Whip Cream too!

 Next time you reach for a "snack" 

 Make it a "Snack for your Mind & Soul"

 example: 

"Reading" something uplifting as a snack 

or 

Having a "Song" for a snack... 

or 

Reaching for someone to "Hug" as a snack....    

 How about a "snack" for your soul of... 

Calling or someone texting and giving them a word of encouragement or a compliment... WOW

 ALL  CALORIE FREE! 

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes, O Lord, my strength and my salvation This scripture is in contrast to waking up "grumpy" and "complaining".    YOU set the TONE for the day with your attitude!  It's your choice to wear a smile or Frown. YOU choose what to feed your body so you can have a fighting chance to have a successful day. A g a i n,      L e t     m e       r e p e a t... Feed your SOUL                The word of God, Prayer  & Praises Feed your BODY   Nutritious Foods full of Fiber,Vitamins &   Minerals Feed your MIND                 Positive affirmations and words  BALANCE is what "HEALTH" is all about...                                 Body, Mind and Spirit Ciao (this blog is dedicated to my hunger for "Health and Wellness"  & Living a full joyful life that is contagious. CATCH IT!

Sugar makes you Fat NOT sweet

"Sugar" Hangover?

So, you say that you don't eat Sugar.  

Ok, for the next 24 hrs read the labels of everything you put in your mouth and then Add up the Grams of Sugar! 

 It will knock your socks off when you see all the "HIDDEN" sugar in your food  

Please, GO to this Web site by Jorge Cruise who interviews Dr. Northrup about Women over 40's and SUGAR! How SUGAR interrupts Hormone balance and increases imbalance in the Body. Also,  talks about Cardiovascular disease, Migranes, BONE LOSS (Listen, very informative)


 Click on this link: Amazing Interview with Dr. Northrup about Women over 40!

One teaspoon of granulated white sugar is close to four grams. If you buy a bottle of cola with 44 grams of sugar, you would divide 44 by 4, which is equal to 11 teaspoons of sugar. That's a lot of sugar. 

It’s true.  You can have mild symptoms of a hangover by eating too much sugar. 

Here are some of the symptoms of sugar hangover:

• Fuzzy thinking or foggy mind
• Fatigue or sleepiness after meals
• Gas, bloating or extended stomach after meals
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Skin problems
• Allergy symptoms
• Emotional - Mood swings like emotional highs and then lows (anger, sadness, lack of will power, depression, etc.)

Many of them are actually similar to how you might feel after too much alcohol. And there’s a reason for that...

Too much alcohol, just like too much sugar, affects your kidneys, liver, stomach and small intestines, which explains some of what is happening in your body. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal disturbances and disruption of sleep are some of the results.

Currently, the average American is (often unknowingly) consuming approximately ½ cup of sugar per day.  (Read the label of food's you eat for grams of Sugar)

And that’s simply too much for the human body to digest effectively.

Here’s what happens in your body after you eat too much sugar or processed foods²:

• Refined sugars enter your bloodstream.
• Blood sugar levels rise.
• Your pancreas is pressured to release insulin (a hormone that helps sugars get into your cells).
• The insulin helps to use up the sugar rapidly, so blood sugar crashes.
• Your body goes into a sugar low or hypoglycemia.
• More hormones are released to deal with the sugar low and return your body to a balanced state. This actually causes a stress response in your body.
• These hormones squeeze sugar from your liver, sending blood sugar back up.

Too much sugar causes your body to go on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs…and your moods often follow.

 Also, sugar is often combined with grains or protein in processed foods and desserts. This creates a slimy substance that coats your intestinal walls. Remember this if you are tempted to eat these so-called “protein” bars!

Eating Sugar won't make you sweeter. JUST FAT

 So when you wake up feeling achey, grumpy, tired.... down in the dumps:

Think, just think what you ate the day before.  


Think,  just think where you "spiritually" (what did or did you not ingest  spiritually the day before).  


Think, just think what did you do yesterday that exercised your Heart, Lungs, Muscles.


Think, just think what are the thoughts and words coming from your mind, heart and MOUTH?  Positive?  Uplifting?  or Negative Nelly and  Self Condemnation? 

BALANCE yourself!  

Phyically

Spiritually

Mentally 

Salute and Ciao and take care of your self