So my kats and kittens it has been a busy time this year and
it is hard to believe it is already May. HOLY GREEN GUACAMOLE! Time is just
slipping past me at juggernaut speed. So let me just briefly break it down for
you on what's been going on and a few things I have learned.
I started exercising. At first it was just slow walks around
the neighborhood as I tried to get my muscles to work properly. Now bear in
mind that in January I had to use a walker for a while because my right leg
became completely paralyzed for a few days. After that I found there were many
spots on my body that no longer had a good nerve connection. Either the muscle
was seized up or the muscles were unresponsive and/or painful. I still have
this in spots. I have a huge numb/painful to touch area on my right thigh, my
upper back/lower neck, and unfortunately a numb butt. I have no idea why
because I'm taking a huge break from any doctor's period.
Ya…I know. Not exactly the smartest thing I've done but I
got so tired of the medications, the visits and all the crap that I just
stopped everything in January. A strange thing happened. My body detoxed. I
began to feel better even with these painful areas. I no longer was bound by
the stupor and fog of medications. It felt pretty damn good and I'm not going
to lie…it still feels pretty awesome. I still have to take sleep and anxiety
medications (oh and my HRT patch) but for the first time in a long, long,
looooong time I don't have constant anxiety attacks. Depression? Yeah I still
have that and will have that my entire life. It's just something I deal with
and now I'm undertaking a very large endeavor in helping promote Depression
Awareness. It takes too many lives not to stand up to it. If we can boycott
products, people and businesses then we can take the time to help others. Did
you know that every 30 seconds someone, somewhere takes his/her own life? What
if you could change that? It's pretty easy and it starts with just asking,
"Hey…how are you doing?" And don't accept the typical response of
"Oh I'm okay" or "I'm good and you?" It's a secret language
that most people affected by Depressions speak. It comes from not wanting to be
a burden to someone else. Get them talking and you'll help yourself as well.
On to the next topic. Bought a Nutribullet and I can't say
enough good things about it. It beats a juicer. It beats a Ninja. It just
rocks. I will concede that it is pricy but instead of just squeezing the juice
out (which only gives you a fraction of the health impact) you get the pulp and
all. I will tell you that if you aren't careful you could wind up with a thick,
swampy mess that is hard to get down. I forced it down myself for about a week
and then decided I really needed to change up my recipe!
So what are the benefits of having a shake or even juicing?
It's pretty powerful. You get the full effect of a boatload of vitamins and
nutrients. It can help detox your body. It can clear up your skin. It can give
you energy. It can also help you sleep. It's all in the ingredients.
So my typical go to shake is this: 2/3 greens (I prefer
swiss chard or kale), fiber (such as flax seed) blueberries, raspberries, strawberries,
bananas or even apples (Pick which one you want because it adds in natural
sweetness. ***NOTE: If you live in an area where fresh veggies and fruit are
scarce…you can use frozen. Just look for ones that have no added ingredients.
You can use frozen spinach and drain it…same with fruit. Or I guess don't
unthaw all the way and you have a yummy cold smoothie. So far I have: greens,
fruit, fiber and now for the liquid. Pick what you want. I personally go for
almond milk. Love the stuff. I have a friend that uses tea. I've tried coconut
water. Then: blend or juice. Voila! An awesome substitute for a meal.
I have now replaced one meal a day. I gotta admit that I am
not a breakfast person. So I typically use the shake for lunch then have a
reasonable meal for dinner. If I have a non-shake lunch then I have a shake
dinner.
So what is the end result of all these months:
I can now do a 16 minute mile (Hey…that's pretty damn good
for a person who still has to put a hand to a rail at times and the fact that I
just suck at running.)
I regularly exercise daily. I use the treadmill and the
elliptical. If the weather is nice then we play disc golf and just get out and
stay busy.
I've learned not to think the treadmill is the same as just
walking while listening to Pharrel's "Happy" It was not a good lesson
because you can't NOT listen to the song and NOT dance around.
I've lost a whopping 60 pounds. I notice it in some clothes
but I still have an apple shape so my next step is going for tone and inches.
I'm still figuring that one out but…eh…I'll get it down. I also have a
love/hate with my scale. It never fails that on the days I feel best, have
worked out well etc…it shows a pound or three weight gain. I hate that rascally
thing! But as long as it keeps steadily decreasing (sometimes very slowly) then
I won't toss it out.
Last but not least…Katie's story is now sitting at almost
40,000 words. Synergy (formerly titled Pandora's Light is at an agent who is
seriously reviewing it, which makes me happy and yet very apprehensive.
Rejection letter suck but eh.)
So, yeah, I'm doing good but more importantly…how are you
doing?
