Preventing Osteoporosis...

Frankly speaking, osteoporosis is one of the few things I worry about.  However, I was recently struck by reality seeing someone I know showing signs.  Why does it take a noticeable incident to cause awareness of a potential health problem?


What do we know about prevention before the damage is done?
-EXERCISE - hard and every day!  Participate in weight bearing exercise.
-Eat dairy or take calcium supplements - (Gotta go take my calcium and Vitamin D...)
-Eat our green leafy vegetables
-AVOID cola (including diet cola!)

We mustn't assume it will never happen to us!  Better to ere on the conservative side than deal with the broken bones and curved spine in our later year!

#osteoporosis #bonehealth #takingcareofourselves

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is just a quick update post...Lots going on with just regular life...

However, I have been spending time getting ready to teach my Turbo Kick class!  I have also been drinking water as I mentioned in a previous post and continually increase my intake.  I love it and think it is actually really easy.  I have gotten up to about 1.5 liters but my goal is about 2 liters a day.  Some say to get up to 3-4 liters (whew).  I'm not ready to aim that high yet.

Also, I have been reading a lot about eating to create alkaline ph balance and stumbled upon a blog called www.alkalinesisters.com which has amazing information on juice fasting (or "feasting" as they call it) and also has amazing food photos!  I am truly impressed and immediately pulled out my juicer and made home made carrot juice which truly surpassed the taste of the grocery store variety!  Much sweeter and frothier!  Yum.

Happy Valentine's Day!  

Vitamins and Supplements

Is it just me or do other people dread taking vitamins?  They get stuck in your throat, make you gag, nauseous and burp up Vitamin B taste...YUCK.   A few years ago I put myself on a regimen of a daily multi-vitamin, calcium, Vitamin D and baby aspirin.   I would diligently take my vitamins after lunch with some carrot/orange juice blend (which helped disguise the taste of the vitamins and gave me an extra bit of carotene!)  As time moved on, I found myself never re-filling my little pill boxes except for the baby aspirin which are chewable.   Honestly, I haven't felt any different but it always provides that added insurance of any unintended deficiencies in my diet.

Yesterday, I decided that I had better start up again because I realized that my skin is very pale due to the winter months and I could probably use an increase in Vitamin D.  So with that I proceeded to get my Vitamin D capsule stuck in my throat.  Oh well.  I will try again today. 

BTW, I know omega oil is a really good one to take but I am REALLY afraid of that one.  What do you do to tolerate vitamins and what do you recommend?

Is the vegan diet calling my name?

Happy Saturday!  I have had an interesting week.  I met a girl who found out she had leukemia 7 months ago and decided to wait to have chemo and changed to a vegan diet and is now cancer free!!  See emailed me a bunch of info about healthy foods to avoid cancer (most of which I have heard before but its good to put it into practice!)  I also found out an friend from college had stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma and endured chemo and is now changing her diet.   I myself haven't exactly been tracking my food intake, but I have been eating pretty clean/healthy (lentil soup, salad with homemade dressing, papaya, etc!). 

I have always been a meat eater and my family is too.  I am on a quest to find out what vegans feed their family (as it is, I modify my daughters food to her liking).   Any advice is appreciated!

I have also been invited to take a RIPPED class so I excited to do that tomorrow!  

Planning to like the view.

I have ten extra pounds on my 5'1" frame that serve absolutely no purpose, other than to prove to the world that I have over-indulged and under-exercised.  These pounds, realistically cover my whole body, but predominately take up residence in

Water, water everywhere

This is a great time of year because everyone is talking about health and fitness!  Yesterday on the Today show, I saw an interview with an author (don't remember the book or name...sorry!) who was talking about the importance of drinking "enough" water.  Of course the number was 8 glasses.  Many years ago someone told me that it is easy to drink 8 glasses if you have one upon waking, one before and after each meal and one before bed.  It sounded so easy, but to really put the effort forth when you don't feel thirsty is very difficult, in my opinion.

Regardless, I am attempting to drink more than I have been.  Overall, I thoroughly agree that a satiated thirst will decrease your appetite (it's easy to think you are hungry when you really are just thirsty!).  I frequently have the desire to eat although I am technically not hungry and I think it is truly because my body is craving fluid.   Water also makes your skin look better and younger and it will flush toxins out of your body!!  Hello...the positives of drinking more water far exceed the negatives.  The main negative is having to go to the bathroom all the time!

OK, so yesterday I managed about 4 glasses and I was quite proud!  I also had more fruits and vegetables which allow your body to assimilate more water!  We'll see how I do today and going forward.  Feeling a little thirsty...gotta go drink some water!  Happy Friday!
 

New Year

New Year's Day is one of my favorites of the year!  I love the feeling of having a new start and the pressure of Christmas is over.  It's a day to remember the past year and look forward to the promise of a new one!

For me, 2012 had some good and bad parts.  As for the good, I got a wonderful job and continued my love of Turbo Kick.  I also got to visit special family in Canada over the summer.  Overall, I think I grew as a person becoming less afraid of myself.

As for the bad, I lost my only sister to breast cancer.   It's a very difficult thing to talk about.  She was one of my best friends and supporters.  She was a wonderfully giving person and always so fun to be around.  It has been a tremendous loss to me and our families. 

My focus on diet and exercise has to do with my family history of cancer.  Up until my 40's I regarded diet and exercise mostly as a way to look good.  Now I know it is sooo much more than that.  It is a necessary means to keep yourself healthy and free of disease and feeling good.  I have come across so many blogs that focus on eating disorders, it breaks my heart.   I wish that I had had a better understanding and appreciation for health and what it means to be healthy when I was younger.   It is easy to take it for granted until you have it threatened.  Furthermore, changing long held habit is very hard and I know that from personal experience. 

I certainly am not an expert in health and fitness.  This is my quest and my journey to continually work to improve my choices and maintain my health.

Here's hoping 2013 be a wonderful year!