Hump Day Humor

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Year in Review

Today is supposed to be "nutritional education" day, but hey, this is my blog, and I can change my mind. Ha! So, I am.

I want to reflect over this past year...put things into perspective...see where I have been and where I am headed.

Wow...what a year it has been.

• This was the year that I turned 40 and did so in the best shape of my life.

• This is the year that my brother had the first of two brain surgeries, and I had the privilege of watching him show more strength than I've ever seen a person have.

• This is the year that I became closer to my brother than I ever have been.

• This is the year that I saw my mom with a strength that I didn't know she had.

• This is the year that I made enough money via my online home business to help me pay for my brother's medical bills.

• This is the year that Beachbody proved to be such a blessing...I'm still amazed.

• This is the year that ties had to be cut...baggage let go...painful as it was...turned out to be a blessing also.

• This is the year that my son turned 7.

• This is the year of my 17th wedding anniversary.

• This is the year that I made connections for life.

• This is the year that my husband's business took a turn for the worst due to the economy, and my husband went active duty so that I could stay home.

• This is the year that I gained back weight due to the stress of my brother's situation.
  

So, what will 2009 bring? I only know, at this point, that it definitely brings my brother's second surgery and my husband's deployment. I also know that it brings me getting back into shape...won't be as hard as the first time. I will also experience major growth in my coaching business (still have thousands of dollars of my brother's medical bills to pay.)

I am a very strong woman, probably stronger than most folks. I have good coping skills (usually) and terrific insight into situations. I possess an intuition to see the big picture. I have the ability to see things for what they are and make decisions that I can own up to and stand behind. I have no regrets.

I will go into 2009 strong and brave. I will emerge at the end of 2009 an even stronger person!!!!

God Bless!

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Prayer Request Update

Brian is doing better after taking a Benedryl. He is home now. Thank you for the prayers! I am so thankful for prayer warriors!

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Prayer Request

My brother, Brian, is on his way to the ER as I type this. It sounds like he may be having an allergic reaction to something...throat is swelling closed. I would greatly appreciate prayer!!!! Thank you!!!!

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I Need A Silent Night

Please take the time to listen to this song. It spoke VOLUMES to me...when I could hear it through my tears!!!!

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Merry Christmas to All!!!!!

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Brian's Brain Update

Quick update to not make you wait...

Dr V's (neurosurgeon) office called Mom today. He is aware of everything that Brian is currently experiencing. His scheduler will call on Monday to schedule a doc appt with Brian with the intent of moving the surgery up sooner. I'm guessing potentially the end of January or beginning of February. I'd like to ask for continued prayers.

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Fighting Type 2 Diabetes

As a long-time registered nurse and certified nutrition consultant, I am very proud to work with an innovative company that has a relationship with the American Diabetes Association to help fight Type 2 Diabetes. If you, or someone you know, suffers from this disease, there is help! Please contact me to get started.

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God is Good!

I am sitting here this am, in AMAZEMENT of God.

Our water pump stopped working last night. Because we are dependent on it, this means we do not have ANY water...for showers, toilets, basics. Ugh!

It is only 9am, and we now have 2 men out here, from 2 totally different churches, looking at the issue.

Shortly, Keith is leaving to help another family, from still a different church, with moving some furniture.

I am amazed at how God assembles a body of believers who intersect in their lives and help each other!!!!! I feel so blessed right now!

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Wallowing like a pig

The past few days have been a bit dark for me, but I woke up today with a different outlook. Yesterday, I had a friend tell me that it is ok to take some time to "wallow in the mud," to go ahead and feel the yuckiness of the situations.

So, I did. I wallowed in the cool, dark mud for a while. Then, out of the blue, I had some closure on a situation that had been weighing on me. On top of that, I spoke with my brother about everything going on.

HE had to console ME! HE had to tell ME not to worry...that everything would work out.

Yea, huge wake up call with that one.

I woke up this am and decided that it was time for me to put on my big girl panties and deal with the situations head on. Wallowing isn't going to change anything, other than make me feel sorry for myself. I'll take it as it comes. Deal with whatever as I have to. Allow myself to feel the feelings. Become STRONG.

Will I have another pity party at some point? I'd be lying if I said no, but isn't mud supposed to be good for your skin? Ha...at least I'll have a great complexion as a result!

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Birds of a Feather Flock Together

...but that doesn't mean that parents and children should share the mentality of little exercise and high-fat foods.

Our children are increasingly overweight, and it runs in the family according to HealthDay News. Believe it or not, it's not related to genetics. It has a lot to do with how families spend their time together. Overweight parents tend to do less physical activity with their kids. This can lead to overweight children.

Skipping meals are also a culprit because it leads to overeating. The study found that more normal weight parents gave their children three square meals a day AND spent quality, ACTIVE time with their children.

This study is important because, as parents, we shape our children. We influence how they will raise their children. It is our responsibility to teach our children how to be fit and healthy.

Who knows...maybe the teaching will rub back off on us.

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Brian's Brain Update

Brian is feeling awful. Pressure in the head is driving him crazy. He wants to believe that it's from something other than the tumor, but nothing else is showing up wrong. The neurosurgeon believes it's from the residual tumor.

Mom has put a call into him at Tampa to discuss everything. I'm really hoping that a surgery date is set. I don't see how this can go on until June. My stomach is in knots. I feel like I'm in a dark place right now, waiting to emerge with the necessary strength that I will need to get through this and to support my family at the same time.

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Pearl in an Oyster

I'm having a rough night.

Many of you know that my brother is facing another brain surgery in June...possibly sooner. It is stressful enough to think about going through that again. It has literally taken me the past 6 months to start to feel semi-normal from the first surgery in June of this year.

I found out this past weekend that my husband, who is in the National Guard, is being deployed next summer to somewhere overseas. We don't know where yet. He came home with the initial schedule today. We thought he was starting the deployment in July. The schedule, however, starts the mobilization in June. Oh my goodness!!!!!! How am I supposed to be with my brother during this surgery AND have my husband deploying at the same time...all while maintaining a sense of normalcy for my child?!?!?!?!?

Needless to say...I lost it this evening. Perhaps I simply needed to. I don't have the answers...and I am used to having them. This is one of those situations where I have no choice but to give it all to God. I can't do this on my own. I feel very much like that an oyster with a huge piece of sand in it. I know that God will take these situations and make pearls from them, but at this very moment, I don't see how.

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Almost Two-Thirds of Americans Meet Exercise Guidelines

Such is the title of an article published on Dec 4th, 2008.

I have a really hard time believing that this is true because the obesity rates in America continue to increase...now reaching from the adult population to our children.

The 2010 guidelines by the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services call for adults to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity five days per week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days a week. The current 2008 guidelines call for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. Based on a survey, 2/3 of Americans meet the 2008 guidelines.

How I hope that is true! I don't buy it, however. I think it's an inflated number of what people "think" they do. If it were correct, wouldn't we see the obesity rates decrease? Perhaps people are getting physical activity, but their diet is so unhealthy, it doesn't matter? I don't know the answer. I only know what I see when I go into the mall or any other public place.

I want people to get in shape. I want people to eat healthy. If you want the same thing for yourself, but you don't know where to start, PLEASE contact me!!!! I can help you get started in the right direction.

http://www.GoFitCoach.com

My true nature sucks...sort of

I have always been a helper. Always. You need someone to volunteer? Put me down. It's my nature.

I became a registered nurse because I love to help people. I specifically became a hospice nurse because I was helping people during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. When my husband's unit was deployed to Afghanistan, I became the Family Readiness Coordinator for the unit. When the unit lost a soldier overseas, I became a liaison between the family and the social services. I became an online fitness coach because I understand the struggles that people have with food and exercise. I suppose if I could be one of Santa's elves, I'd do that too.

I love to help people. Unfortunately, while it is a great character trait, it is also a lousy one. Here is why: I am guilty of losing myself as I put others before me. Until I am smacked in the face (not literally, sorry friend) I tend to continue to give and give. I just give and give until there is nothing left...and people are willing to take and take without reciprocation. Granted, not all people, but some are leaches...looking to take what they can get.

I am blessed to have a friend who recognized this in me recently and told me that I actually don't owe anyone anything. Huh? I don't? For real? I can simply stop giving? Wow, that concept is so foreign to me.

This brought me real clarity. I give because I choose to give. However, if I continue to give of myself...to my detriment...it is my own fault too. I can actually change my mind!!! I'm allowed!!! I can do so without explanation or guilt. How flipping LIBERATING is that!?!?!?!?!?

and so I end with...

My true nature sucks...sort of. Nah, no it doesn't! I rock!

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ChaLEAN Extreme lowdown:

"Should" be available here on Dec 12th. Of course, the date is subject to change.

Now that I have learned more about this program, I am even MORE EXCITED about it!!!!!! It is going to ROCK!!!!!! I CANNOT wait!!!!!!!!!

Last night, I watched a 30 min video made by Chalene that explained so much. The program is a strength training program split into (3) 4-week phases: Burn, Push, and Lean...5 different workouts for each phase. It's meant to deliver results every 30 days.

This program is for both men and women. This program is for EVERYONE, REGARDLESS of how much weight you have to lose!!!! Very exciting!!!

The cardio piece is "boot camp" type drills, but you can substitute TJ or another cardio program.

Big difference than any other programs in Beachbody: there is an audio Extreme Motivation CD with positive messages from Chalene. Listen to it all the time.

The guidebook has each exercise broken down with photos to help guide you. Explains all the phases. The food guide includes all the recipes used, including pictures. Recipes are simple to make.

This program (made with a physician) will:
-increase lean muscle mass
-help you lose up to 60% of your body fat
-increase your metabolism so that you burn fat even while sleeping.

Different Phases:
Burn-start lifting weights to jump-start your metabolism.
Push-learn how to lift heavy to build the muscle to burn fat.
Lean-once the foundation has been built, bring in new routines to melt the fat off your body

Spread the word...this program is going to be AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Prayer Request

Quick background: Oct 07, my 35 yr old brother was diagnosed with a massive benign brain tumor that he has probably had for 15-20 years. In June, he had brain surgery to remove 50%. During surgery, he suffered a brainstem stroke and had to under go months of rehab to learn to walk again and use his right arm. I'm very very proud of him!

He will need a second surgery to remove another 20-30% of the tumor. The rest will be stunted with radiation. We were thinking April, May for the surgery.

As I write this, Brian is headed to the ER. He has been experiencing an increased pressure in his head for the past week. We thought it was sinus, but it is really bugging him now and more in the temple area. He is going to have a CT or MRI done. He is already scheduled to see the neurosurgeon in Tampa on Tues. We may be looking at the next surgery much sooner than anticipated.

We need prayer for health, comfort, and strength. Thank you!

Excuse me while I climb up

Pardon me, but I am climbing on my soapbox this am. I'm supposed to review a health/fitness article today, but I'll make it up next week or so.

I was thinking this morning about responsibility. It absolutely baffles me that society, as a whole, is moving in the direction of not taking responsibility for its actions. On the mioptic level, people don't take responsibility for their own decisions or actions and wonder why things turn out as they do.

Huh? Am I missing a piece of the puzzle? Did I not get the order from the Executive Office that we no longer have to be responsible for our own choices?

Who I am responsible for and to? I'm responsible to my God. I'm responsible for myself. I'm responsible for my child until he turns 18. Other than that, I'm not responsible for actions taken by others.

I own my decisions. Thankfully, I know who I am and what I stand for. I have worked hard since I was 15 years old. I've earned everything I have. No apologies will be given. No compromise will be done. This bizarre notion that people are owed something...whether from the government or other sources...doesn't compute for me. If I "share" or "give" something, it's of my own volition. If I don't, again...my choice.

People, WAKE UP! Take responsibility for yourselves! If you don't like the outcome, change your response. Look within for change...not for someone to give you something. Hard work will get you ahead, not handouts.

Leave the Baggage Behind You

Baggage. One definition is "superfluous or burdensome practices, regulations, ideas, or traits." This definition includes people and past experiences.

Baggage does "nothin' for nobody." Sometimes baggage leaves on its own via attrition. This is always the best way, but it's not always an option. Sometimes you have to make the conscious decision to get rid of it on your own. In order to do that, you have to be willing to look at the situation with a clear mind and make good decisions. Sometimes these decisions won't be popular with people around you, but you have to be ok with that.

I have recommended many times the book "The Success Principles." It is truly life-changing. It has helped me see some situations for what they are. Whether good or bad, in the long run it's good. I have been able to rid some baggage via hard decisions and others via attrition. I am blessed to be surrounded by some of the most supportive people that I could know. I am blessed to have a wonderful family and some very very good friends.

With the end of the year in sight, I challenge you to do the same thing. What is not working in your life? Is it a situation? Is it a person? Is it negative self-talk? Is it turning to food for comfort? Whatever your baggage may be, take a long, hard look at it. What can you do to rid yourself of it?

Be prepared. It may be a painful process. I can promise, however, in the long run, it will be the most liberating thing you can do for yourself!

Leave your baggage on the street corner! Let someone else take it if they choose! Or just let it be swept away with the trash! Just don't take it back home with you.