Beelieve You Can! A Healthier Me

6 Weeks Weight Loss Update

2011-07-19T08:36:00.002-07:00

It's going slower, but that is fine, at least the scales are going down and not up! My six weeks total weight loss is.... 35 lbs! The first two weeks it was 25 lbs. So the last four weeks it was 10 lbs. At first I was upset, but then I thought hey, the doctors didn't even think I could loose anything because I cannot do any weight bearing exercises (including walking) due to my bad knee. So 2 1/2 lbs a week is great! Just what we're suppose to loose!

I begin Physical Therapy today. They will show me exercises I can do without bearing weight and most of all stretches. My fibromyalgia is really bad. I will also have water therapy in the pool. I love that! I wish I could live in water! So pray about the therapy. We have to find the right balance that will help me and yet not hinder my fibromyalgia, arthritis, knees etc...

It still is not a difficult diet. I enjoy the variety of foods you get with Nutrisystem. I even have a difficult time getting in all the food I am to eat!

I really appreciate all your prayers. I know I can do all through through Christ who give me strength. Philippians 4:13.

Two Week Weight Loss Update

2011-07-19T08:07:00.001-07:00

I have been on Nutrisystem for two weeks now. So far I am doing great on the program. For me this program words so far. As I mentioned before I do not feel hungry or deprived on this program.

Since Monday, June 20th I have lost..... drum roll please...... 25 lbs!

I have to tell you something funny. As many of you know, I don't hold back on what I share so here we go. Before I started the program I had bought new undies and clothes because the summer clothes from last year were too small. Well yesterday as I was putting on my "big girl panties" from before the weight loss I noticed that the waist band no longer is around my waist - it goes all the way up to under my bra! Ha -ha! I started laughing and I called Jim in to see and he said I look like one of those old men that wear their pants up high to their boobs! Real sexy huh? I then went into my closet to the section "too small" and I can wear some of last years clothes!!! When I came into the living room Jim said," wow, I have not seen you wear that since last year!" He is my biggest cheerleader. He's a keeper.

Keep praying for me to become a Healthier Me!

Four Week Weight Loss Update

2011-07-04T08:01:00.002-07:00

I cannot believe it has been four weeks since I have started on my quest for a Healthier Me. The first two weeks I had lost 25 lbs. The next two weeks I have lost 4 1/2 lbs. I was a little disappointed this morning when I weighed myself. My weight loss goal was reach 30 lbs lost. I know, I know - I must praise the Lord for each pound lost. Especially since my doctors would be pleased with 2 lbs a month since I am mostly sedentary due to my bad knee. I am to stay off the knee/leg as much as possible and do exercises for the top half of the body. When the doctors feel I have lost enough weight I will most likely have knee replacement surgery.

Anyway... my weight loss for 4 weeks is 29 1/2 lbs! Please continue to pray for me as I continue on my journey of a Healthier Me. I continue to enjoy being on the Nutrisystem weight loss plan. I do not feel deprived or hungry. On Saturday I had mom and Heather and family over for an early 4th of July picnic. I was able to eat most of the food. The biggest challenge I thought I would have was not eating mom's chocolate chip cake. I did very well - while they ate cake I ate Nutrisystem's ice cream sandwich. I could have had a choice of other great tasting desserts from Nutrisystem but I chose ice cream. Today, July 4th Jim and I will go over to my cousin David's home for a picnic. I will take a hot dog for him to grill and I am bringing a veggie tray and fruit. We'll have a good time of fellowship together as we continue to plan our family reunion picnic on August 27th.

As we all celebrate the fourth of July with family picnics and fireworks, may we not forget to take time out of our special day to thank the Lord our God for allowing us to live in the greatest country in the world. May we never forget that the freedoms that we have came at a cost - the shed blood of those who gave their all...their lives so we can continue to have the freedoms we still have in America. And may we also be thankful for the One who shed His blood so that we can have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God Bless America and God Bless You.

I Can Do It!

2011-06-15T07:58:00.002-07:00

All right - I have not fallen off the face of the map or gone over a cliff. I'm still here and I am back! I took a break from blogging for a while.

I was getting quite discouraged with my life. What I mean is that I was giving into my poor health and thinking that this was how I am going to be for the rest of my life so I might as well give up and give into my situation. Not a good thing to do I might say!

So, at end of May, after a good "scolding" from the Lord, I picked myself up and brushed off the cobwebs from my defeated heart and decided it is time to really change my life for the better! I decided I needed to BEeLieve I CAN!

"I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians4:13

It is not in MY strength that I can do all things - but Christ's!

I have a lot of things that need changing - improvement - but I CAN!

I had gained all my weight I had lost a couple of years ago and then some. I became the heaviest I had EVER been! Part of the weight gain was the food I was eating - part was my medicines and doctors mistakes. Yes, my doctor last year misread my thyroid test results and instead of increasing my thyroid medication he decrease it quite a bit. So mid May I started taking the right dosage of thyroid medication and a drug to help lower my sugar. I also started looking into diet plans. I have been on "tons" of them over the years. One in particular has caught my eye over the years but I kept saying no because of the cost. Well after further examination of the diet plan along with much prayer along with discussing it with my hubby, I choose to try this diet. We looked over our budget and found that we were spending almost this much in going out to eat each month! So with much peace and contentment I took the big step of faith and joined Nutrisystem. I started the plan on June 6th and as of today - June 15th I have lost - drum roll please - 16.8 lbs! Yes people - that is not a typo! This is the first diet plan that does not feel like a diet or that I am depriving myself of anything! Now I realize that when you weigh as much as I do, one will loose quit a bit in the first month due to the change of eating habits. I know that eventually the weight loss will slow down - but I love the plan. I is working for me and that is what is important.

As I loose I know I will be able to walk more and exercise. I also know that the weight loss will not repair the damage I have already done to my knees and eventually I will need to have surgery on them. I know that some of my health issues will not go away entirely - unless God intervenes - but with the weight off I will be able to manage my health better.

I have a LONG way to go with my weight loss. It may take a few years to get it all off, but then again it took years to put it on!

I have an "army" of health and other issues - BUT..... as the verse at the top of my blog says -

"In Your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." Psalm 18:29

I greatly appreciate all of your prayers and encouragement.

My Quest For A Healthier Me

2011-01-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older, but doesn’t it feel like the days and years pass by awfully quick? I was just getting used to writing 2010 and now we have to write 2011! I remember when I was a child and even a teenager I thought the days and years went by too slow. Jim and I were talking the other day about when we were younger we thought people our ages were old. I was teasing Jim that he is pushing 60 and he said he no longer thinks that is old anymore. Isn’t it funny how as we get older we don’t think we are that old, but then we talk with someone in a younger generation and they will say, “You’re that old?” Mark Twain once said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” I have an Amish kitchen wall hanging that says, “Vee Get Too Soon Oldt, und Too Late Schmardt!” Isn’t that so true? Although, I am waiting to get “schmardt!”

This year I am continuing my pursuit on becoming a “healthier me”. I need your continued prayers - not only prayers regarding my chronic health issues, but included in that I need to lose weight so I will become healthier. The doctors say it is a “catch 22”, my age, chronic health and obesity work against each other. Between the health issues, medications, and now the breakdown of my knees, they all make it extremely difficult to lose weight. Difficult – but not impossible! “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27 (NKJV).

I continue to believe that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV). As the bible verse says on my blog, “In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.” Psalm 18:29 (NLT). There is an army of health issues and years of negative thinking that is trying to destroy me, but I must keep on believing that with my God I can crush these armies that are trying to destroy me and scale any wall of doubt and destruction that the enemy throws at me.

We serve an awesome God who knows exactly what we need and when we need it; I know that He will bring along mighty prayer warriors who will not only pray for me, but will also encourage me as I continue on my quest for “A Healthier Me”.

God bless you and your family in 2011. I know He has might plans for us all.

2010-11-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

In April, 2010 I wrote the following prayer request:

http://beelieve-ahealthierme.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-need-of-prayer-for-healthier-me.html

The request is still the same today.

I realize I must transform my mind every day. I need to have the mind of Christ. His will for me is to be a healthier me.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Please continue to pray for me. My health has been in a decline again, But just as He has done for me for the past 20 plus years, I will improve once again. God is faithful and just.

In Need of Prayer For A Healthier Me

2010-04-12T09:45:00.003-07:00

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed. Don’t let me lust for evil things; don’t let me participate in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do evil. Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they reprove me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” Psalm 141:3-5

Ever since we moved to Pennsylvania I have not followed my healthy lifestyle change I made 16 months ago. I have made excuses of not being able to afford fresh healthy food. Though that is true in part, I realize that this is mostly an excuse. I head to the refrig, or cupboard when I am bored, depressed, and not hungry. I have not always made healthy choices.

Here is my new cry out to God rephrasing the above scripture.

“Take control of what I eat, O Lord, and keep my lips sealed. Don’t’ let me lust for food or earthly desires; don’t let me participate in gluttonous acts. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who try to woo me to participate in unhealthy lifestyles. Let those who are godly give me wise counsel and may I not get offended when they reprove me and hold me accountable; for it is soothing and healthy medicine for my body, soul and spirit.“ Paraphrased Psalm 141:3-5

I realize that these changes will not happen overnight. I must allow God to change me from the inside out. My doctors say I have a lot against me, but even they say it is not impossible to be a healthier me. They tell me not to look at the BIG picture, 200 lbs to lose… but to look at it as eating and living healthier. In so doing I will feel better both emotionally and physically. I know it is possible because I did it the first 7 months of 2009. I felt better back then. Since I have been here I have slowly been going back to my “old” eating habits. In return I am in more pain, gained 25 lbs of the 55 lbs I had lost, and I am so weary all the time my strength is spent on just existing!

So here I am today, asking for prayer warriors and accountability partners for myself. When I look at the big picture it seems impossible, but I know that NOTHING is impossible with God!! Praise the Lord. If you are willing to be one or both of these requests today, please let me know. When you contact me, please state if I can email you, instant chat, or even phone you when I am in need of prayer and encouragement. Follow this blog if you wish as well.

I know that I am not alone in this battle, but sometimes I feel I am. God bless you all for your encouragement and prayers.

We're Finally HOME!

2009-07-10T10:32:00.007-07:00

After 47 days and almost 5,000 miles. Jim and I are finally home in very HOT Phoenix, AZ!

Our motor home is not home though. We left it in Albuquerque, NM to hopefully get fixed. We had spent 2 days in Albuquerque driving and sitting around in the hot car or runny the AC while the shop works on the RV. Every evening we would bring the RV to the KOA so we could sleep. It was just too much for Jim and I let alone our two dogs and cat so yesterday morning we loaded the car with the animals and some of our belongings and headed home. We arrived yesterday afternoon and wished we were still back east in the 70 plus degree temps! Oh my, we had forgotten just how hot it gets in Phoenix!

Heather and family met us at our apartment to help unload the car and visit with one another. It was so good to see our kids once again! Travis is getting so tall!!

Jim and I had not had a shower since Monday and we just wanted to jump in the shower to get all the dirt and sweat off, and low and behold there was not water in our complex until about 6:00pm!! So later on we finally had our showers and felt so much better!

This morning, I woke up around 6:00 a.m. and decided to stay up so we could go out to eat and get some groceries before it reached triple digits and too hot to go out! Right now we are having to get used to the heat again. Jim just said, "I will hate to see our electric bell next month." Why? because we have it set at 72 right now!

Pray that the mechanic can find out why the RV does not want to run properly and it does not cost an arm, leg and a few necessary organs! If it costs too much we will need to get rid of it. Either way, Jim will still need to return sometime next week to get the rest of our things. Hopefully it will be to pick up the RV.

We will have some exciting news to share with you all next week. So until then keep praying!

Thank you again for all your love, prayers, and encouragement you have all sent our way.

God bless.

Hard To Stay on Track - But Won't Give Up!

2009-06-13T17:39:00.003-07:00

This past week has been extremely difficult again trying to stay on track. My mother continues to make food that I cannot eat and if I don't eat what she makes she gets all upset. Then my sister was here too and we went out to eat a couple of times at a "home style" cooking restaurant and also a tea room. Many of the foods that are not good for me. Especially my IBS. Today I bought some things I can eat and will make at my moms for the three of us. She is not too thrilled, but I told her I wanted to cook for her too. Hopefully she will like what I make.

I have been able to take walks in between the rainy days. If it's a rainy day then we walk inside a mall or store. Otherwise we enjoy the beautiful scenery as we walk around my mom's or our campground.

I appreciate your prayers and encouragement to stay focused. Thank you so much.

Fitness Friday Update

2009-06-05T06:11:00.004-07:00

I have not posted in a couple of weeks.

I am still on vacation. It is very hard to stay on "track" while at my mother's. I am watching my portion control. I am walking, almost every day. Unfortunately, we have had rain for three days now. I did have my mom take me to a mall yesterday for me to walk. My IBS has been acting up because I am not able to eat organic foods. I have been doing the cooking the past three days which has helped.

The walk has been about a 1/3 of a mile... half of which is uphill. I could walk further I believe if it were not for my right hip and left foot. Pray I can find a pedometer (is that what it's called?) so I can measure my walks.

I am praying this rain stops soon or maybe we should build an ark! LOL! I'm a little tired of the rain and dampness.

For other participants please click here.

I'm Doing The Happy Dance!

2009-05-22T14:21:00.002-07:00

I may have been on a weight loss stand still, but my body is changing for the better! I had an excellent visit with my endonconologist. My labs were practically perfect! Six months ago I was still on diabetic medicine - three months ago I was taken off the med for a trial run. Today I was told that because of my diet/ lifestyle changes I no longer have to take diabetic medication!!! A year ago my cholesterol was 245. Three months ago it was 200. Today... 187!!! And my good cholesterol is raising!

I am just deficient in Calcium and Vitamin D. So I just have to take extra calcium and D.

I have been off of all pain meds, muscle relaxers and sleeping pills for over a year now. Diet, exercise, over the counter pain meds, and herbs are helping me with my pain.

Also, my heart medication is down to half a pill twice a day! The doctor said that more weight loss and they may be gone too!

I still have my chronic illnesses, but they are not as severer as they used to be.

So, I'm not too discouraged that my weight loss is slowing down, because my body has been adjusting to the lifestyle changes.

So I will continue on, the doctor is proud of my progress and weight loss! I am doing the happy dance!!!

Thank you so much for your continued encouragement and prayers.

God bless you.

Great Dining Out Guides

2009-05-21T10:58:00.007-07:00

To view other posts click here http://godspeakstoday.blogspot.com/2009/05/fitness-friday-here-comes-sun.html

Whether you are going on vacation like, or just wanting to go out to eat, here are a few sites that might help you decide where to go and what to order.

Want to Watch Calories When Dining Out?Tips for Eating Smart

Watching calories while eating out? The good news is in today's restaurants you have plenty of options! Here are a few tips from the National Restaurant Association on how to make the most of your dining-out experience.By Sheila Weiss, R.D. to continue with this article please click here: http://www.restaurant.org/dineout/nutrition.cfm

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http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/learnmore/default.asp

http://www.dwlz.com/restaurants.html

http://www.fastfoodbook.com/

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Healthy Fast Food
Guide to Making the Healthiest Fast Food Choices

To continue with this article click here:http://www.helpguide.org/life/fast_food_nutrition.htm

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Nutritional information from popular fast food restaurants
Burger King (PDF)
McDonald’s (PDF) – no specific information
Wendy’s (PDF)
KFC (PDF)
Taco Bell (PDF) – particularly hard to read
Panera (PDF) – 7 pages - hard to read
Chipotle (PDF)
Au Bon Pain
Food With Integrity – More information on how Chipotle is working to improve their food qu

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Fast FoodNutrition Pages
McDonald's
Wendy's
Taco Bell
Subway
Burger King
Pizza Hut
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Arby's
Jack in the Box
Starbucks

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More Resources• American Dietetic Association• American Heart Association diet and nutrition information• FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition• Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network• Fruits and Veggies More Matters promoting fruits and vegetables• Healthy Dining Finder• International Food Information Council• Nutrition.gov• Shaping America's Health• USDA and its Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Busy Weeks Ahead - But I am Prepared!

2009-05-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the month is more than half gone? Soon school will be out for the summer and everyone will take their family vacations and before you know it school will be back in session!

This will be a very busy couple of weeks. This evening my hubby will be announcing each of the 450+ graduates from the high school he teaches. The last day for students is this Thursday, and Friday will be the teacher's final day. Tomorrow, Tuesday we will celebrate our daughter Heather's 33 rd birthday ( a few days early). Yes, I am that old! LOL.. Wednesday Heather will have a medical test done. Thursday and Friday Jim and I will load up our 25 year old motor home travel across country to Pennsylvania to visit my mother and other family members. Please pray for travelling mercies.

We are excited about seeing family, though we are sad that we will not see my step father Chris this side of heaven. We will probably spend a few weeks with my mother and a week with my sister in NC, and then who knows where we will go. We plan on being gone about 8 weeks. We could get homesick and choose to come home early... hummm..... not sure about that one! LOL... I will miss Heather, Travis and Karl too (they will apartment sit for us)! But it will nice for hubby and I to get away by ourselves (along with our two dogs and one cat). Yes, we will travel across country with 3 animals!

I am not sure how much time I will have to visit with everyone since we do not know if we will have Internet connection everywhere we go. I will try to post and keep everyone updated on our whereabouts. Maybe something like "Where in the country is Michele & Jim"! LOL I might even journal about the difficulties or maybe not, of making healthy choices while on the road and visiting family. Pray for me, as I am adamant on sticking with my lifestyle changes. I like that better than DIET! That's what it really is: Lifestyle Change!

Besides making of list of things to pack and take along with us, I been busy with a few other things that I think would be helpful as one prepares to go on vacation.

1) I am looking up restaurant and fast food nutritional healthy choices. We'll see if restaurants are really concerned about America's health! This will help Jim and I as we travel so we know where we can stop and eat if I don't feel like cooking after a long day's trip.

2) I also contacted my Health insurance company requesting an in-network pharmacy that I can use to get my refills. Now I have the name and address of the pharmacy I will use.

3) I also asked the insurance company for an in-network hospital and general physician just in case one of us gets ill. Also the insurance gave us the website to view other doctors etc for other states that would be considered in-network. So now we have a list of hospitals and doctors we can use and only pay our regular co-pay amount. Hopefully we will not need to use this list, but just in case we have it handy.

4) I made an updated list of all medications and over the counter meds and vitamins. I also updated my family history and doctor list. This way I have them handy in my purse in case of emergency.

5) We updated our contact lists and have those as well.

6) We backed up our home computer and will take the "drives" with our laptops. This way we will have all pertinent information handy.

I hope some of the things I listed were helpful. I just thought I would share some things that most people don't think about when they leave on vacation.

If you have some neat ideas or suggestions for regarding preparations and travel please share them with us. I would love to know if I am missing something important!

Blessings !

Is It Stess?

2009-05-15T00:02:00.001-07:00

It has been a difficult couple of weeks for several reasons. Maybe it's the stress of my step father's death a week ago and I am concerned for my 86 year old mother's well being. Maybe it's because I have less than 10 days to get everything ready to leave for 6 weeks or more to travel back east with hubby and animals to visit mom and family. Maybe it's the financial needs or employment concerns regarding my hubby. Maybe it's also knowing that when we return we will most likely be moving again to a less expensive apartment to help with our financial needs. And maybe it's that my fibromyalgia has been in a flare again. Well... whatever it may be, there is added stress, and with that stress I have been in a weight loss stand still for four weeks. Well I can now say that the scales have moved! But the wrong direction!!! Hummm is it the edema that has built up this past week or is it the extra calories I took in this week? Maybe both! Either way, I will not get discouraged. I will persevere! I know I can do this! I BEElieve I Can!!

Pray for me as I get back on track with my weight loss program.

Welcome - Introduction to a Healthier Me!

2009-05-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog for a healthier me! This website will mostly be used for health related issues, especially concerning my journey to a healthier me. Please be patient, my blog is a work in progress - just like me!

I will share my thoughts and challenges as I focus on changing my eating habits, activity level, and become an all around healthier person, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Why should I care about being healthy? I Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you much honor God with your body.” (NLT)

What is God's desire for us? 3 John 2, NIV. "I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you."

Below is a list of areas the Lord wants me to diligently work on:

1) To enjoy a healthy life I must have balance in my days and also rest - "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work." Exodus 20:8-10, NLT

2) Better attitude -“A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick." Proverbs 17:22, TLB

3) Trust God completely for everything and better prayer life & quiet time - Philippians 4:6-7, TLB. "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."

4) Eat Healthy - Fruits, grains, nuts, and legumes. Genesis 1:29 NIV. "Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Immediately after the flood, when little if any vegetation remained the Lord added - Genesis 9:2-4, TLB. "All wild animals and birds and fish will be afraid of you, God told him; 'for I have placed them in your power, and they are yours to use for food, in addition to grain and vegetables. But never eat animals unless their life-blood has been drained off."

5) Exercise self-control in our dietary habits & exercise so body is fit as His temple -I Corinthians 10:31, “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. “

6) Challenge myself to learn something new or go outside of my “comfort zone” – To be open to God’s leading as well. – “... may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;” Colossians 1:9 - 11

I will share my journey, heart, challenges, discouragement, and encouragement. I pray that you will hold me accountable as well as encourage and pray for me along my journey to a Healthier ME!

God Bless You! To return to my main blog, Beelieve You Can! Michele's Morsels please click here

Health Trackers

2009-05-13T08:01:00.001-07:00

Health Trackers is an easy-to-use tool can help you reach any health goal you set your mind to. Log and track your daily health habits and get personalized, in-depth analysis of all of your health weight loss and fitness goals.

With My Health Trackers, you can:
Create a personal food journal to track calories, fat, protein, fiber, vitamins, and more
Log your workouts and daily activities to see how many calories you burned
Enter your weight loss goal and track your progress daily
Watch your waist, hip, and thigh measurements change as you lose weight
Get detailed nutritional information on thousands of foods
Track your mood, stress, and energy levels
Monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and more
Track whatever YOU want, such as sleep, caffeine intake, and headachesBegin your transformation to a healthier life now

To read more on Health Tracker or Start Your Own, go here:http://www.prevention.com/cda/healthtracker.do?&fdpath=oi%2FFitDay%2FHome.html%3F_a_Date%3D1242086400.%26_a_rdata%3DFitWrapper%26_a_rurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.prevention.com%253A80%252Fcda%252Fhealthtracker.do%253F&rdata=FitWrapper&rpagename=Home&rpagecategory=Home

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day - May 12th

2009-05-12T13:53:00.001-07:00

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.

Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they were pulled or overworked. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, and it shows up in people of all ages. A conservative estimate of its prevalence is 2% of the general population, but it may be as high as 3-5%.

To help your family and friends relate to your fibromyalgia symptoms, have them think back to the last time they had a bad flu. Every muscle in their body shouted out in pain. In addition, they felt devoid of energy as though someone had unplugged their power supply. While the severity of symptoms fluctuates from person to person, fibromyalgia may resemble a post-viral state. This similarity is the reason experts believe that fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may actually be the same condition. Gulf War syndrome also overlaps with FMS/CFS.

Common symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome:

To continue with this article please click here

Workout for Weight Loss Plateau

2009-05-12T07:53:00.002-07:00

Workout for Weight Loss Plateau
Start Your Fat-Burning Engines

Our expert helps five frustrated women beat a plateau and slim down for good

By Ann Hettinger , Ann Hettinger a freelance health writer and adjunct professor of magazine journalism at Syracuse University.

The facts are simple: To look fit and firm at any age, you have to strength-train, says Wayne Westcott, PhD, senior fitness research director at the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, MA. Women lose about 1/2 pound of muscle a year, beginning as early as in their 20s. But that's not inevitable. According to two studies Westcott conducted over 15 years of more than 2,800 women and men, on average, you can gain 3 pounds of muscle, lose 2 inches around your waist, and drop 4 pounds of fat- -without dieting--in 10 weeks by strength-training at least twice a week. Plus, new muscle revs metabolism. "A 3-pound muscle gain increases metabolism by about 7%, which translates to burning roughly 100 more calories a day," explains Westcott. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.
To continue with the article go here: http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/start-your-fat-burning-engines/b3e9adab7684b110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/fitness/body.by.design/strength.weight.training/0/0/1

Exercise As Part of a Chronic Fatigue Syndrom & Fibromyalgia Treatment Regimen

2009-05-11T08:45:00.003-07:00

Feeling Better vs. Feeling Worse
By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com
Updated: January 19, 2009

When you have fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), it's common for well-meaning people to tell you something like, "If you'd just exercise more, you'd feel better."

Certainly, exercise is important to anyone who wants to be healthy, but it poses special problems for anyone with these conditions. Even moderate exertion can make you feel worse, so it can be very tempting to give up exercise altogether.

The irony here is that even though exercise can make you feel worse short term, the lack of it can make your symptoms more severe long term, as well as inviting more health problems. The key is moderation and pacing. Numerous studies demonstrate that even small amounts of exercise, as little as 6 minutes per day, can lessen pain and fatigue.
To continue with this article please go to http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs/a/exercise.htm

Fitness Friday 2

2009-05-08T07:53:00.003-07:00

Your assignment this week is twofold. Ready?

Part 1: Tell us how you sneak exercise in when you can't "get to the gym" or "the treadmill is broken" or whatever. What do you do at work/around the house/etc. to move more?

Unfortunately living in the city of Phoenix, AZ we have quite a few "bad ozone" days when they urge people with asthma to stay inside. So on the days I cannot get out to walk or swim I try to walk around in our little apartment, or walk in place while watching TV.

Part 2: Let us know how your week went. Let us know your goals for next week. Not your long-term goals, just your goals for next week.:

This week has been very stressful due to my step father passing away. So I did not loose any weight. But I did not gain either... yeah!

My goal for next week... walk or swim at least 5 days next week. Loose 2 lbs. Get back to writing my food journal and log everything.

Want to share with us too? go to Family Revised blog by clicking here

The Healthiest Walking Workout

2009-05-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

Flatten abs, rev energy, and stabilize blood sugar with our easy, exclusive routine
By Camille Noe Pagan , Camille Noe Pagan is a New York-based freelance writer.

There's no question that walking is great for everyone: It dramatically boosts energy levels, fights fat, and protects your heart. But if you have high blood sugar, or if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, walking can be a lifesaver.

"Walking is one of the best types of 'medicine' we have to help prevent diabetes, or reduce its severity and potential complications--such as heart attack and stroke--if you already have it," says JoAnn Manson, MD, DrPH, chief of the division of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Women who did at least 30 minutes daily of moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, slashed their risk of diabetes by 30%, found the Harvard Nurses' Health Study.
To continue with this great walking workout article please click here:

http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/the-healthiest-walking-workout/f19bf7d959a30210VgnVCM10000013281eac____/fitness/walking/walking.programs?cm_mmc=Walk%20Off%20Weight-_-5062009-_-Fitness-_-The%20Healthiest%20Walking%20Workout&print=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fcda%2Farticle%2Fthe-healthiest-walking-workout%2Ff19bf7d959a30210VgnVCM10000013281eac____%2Ffitness%2Fwalking%2Fwalking.programs%3Fcm_mmc%3DWalk%2520Off%2520Weight-_-5062009-_-Fitness-_-The%2520Healthiest%2520Walking%2520Workout

Hop over to Sandy at God Speaks for Fitness Friday Gal, and Debbie at Heart Choices to read about the importance of stretching; and Sarah at All Pain No Gain is writing a great post on working out from home and also wrapping up her 12-week accountability group. You need to check out her story and her photos! So inspiring.

To return to my main blog, Beelieve You Can! Michele's Morsels please click here.