Tina talked me and our friend Caron to do a Mud Run next month.
We've been running. We've been walking. We've been cutting wood.
We've been hanging from monkey bars wondering if... perhaps we could swing from one bar to the next. So far, for me, the answer has been no.
I'm not sure why I agreed to do this. Maybe it's because I'm going through a mid-life crisis? I'll be forty in 10 months you see.
But yes. I decided to do something that scares me.
View UFF DA mud run (public) in a larger map
Maybe I realized life is to short to sit on a couch? Maybe life is too short to be scared? Maybe I need an adventure. It looks like I got an adventure.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Monday, August 12, 2013
Friday, July 29, 2011
Looking Out for Each Other.
A week and a half ago, my doctor recommended me not drinking Diet Coke. I've loved my Diet Coke habit for the past awww ? 22 years? I knew with all the health issues in my family that I'd have to give up drinking pop, so when the gastroentoeolgist recommended I quit Diet Coke, I agreed.
The next day, I was going to buy a Diet Coke - to slowly taper off my habit. Ethan was with me..
"What are you doing?"
"I'm buying a Diet Coke."
"uh uh uh uhhhhh....." he shook his finger at me. He was insistant.
So, I bought some water instead - because sometimes I'm an idiot who buys water in plastic bottles.
Yesterday, Ethan stopped me as I was putting some garbage away.
"Bobbi ? When we go to Rochester, and I'm mad at you - could you not ask me to check my blood sugar?"
At first, I looked at him like he was crazy - because most of the time when he's owly it's because there's an issue with his blood sugar. But then, I got it. Sometimes, people need to be respected. Sometimes, he must be mad that his anger is only perceived as a blood sugar issue rather than something he might have a right to be angry for.
"Well, Ethan, I get it. Sometimes, you have a right to be angry. What do I do if I'm really worried about you? If there seems to be a reason you are angry with me, and it seems unreasonable, is it okay if I ask you if you think you should check your blood sugar?"
"Okay."
I guess he thought he won there.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Choosing What Matters
Of course, now that I'm pushing healthy on my kids. I notice all the candy everywhere - and how darn hard it is to find healthy things on the road. I pack a lot of snacks.
Our staples include -
Yogurt
apples
cheese strings
peanuts
carrots
celery
oranges
ham sandwiches
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Much to the kids' disappointment these are never included in my snack bag -
rice crispy bars
Little Debbie Snacks
Apple Pie
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Hershey Bars
Last night, Missi's youngest celebrated her fifth birthday. I made sure they saved their unhealthy snack for cake - they really thought I was cruel.
A lot of other parents probably think I'm crazy, but I think they are crazy. Really, pop tarts for breakfast? Really? Really?
I'm having trouble watching the junk food being stuffed into faces... and the excuses -
"Oh we're on vacation - one little treat doesn't matter." Down goes the super size Dairy Queeen Blizzard....
Oh dear.
I have to remember that I'm new at this - I'm a born-again-nutritionist. I have to have patience for those who aren't on the same page as me - and keep pushing my own family to choose what really matters.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Auntie Bobbi's Food Revolution -part 2
E was angry with me for many days after the diabetes appointments. My oldest was angry with me. Oh - I hadn't realized the love of Junk Food at my house until now. Mykayla- the littlest diabetic, just took whatever choices I gave her in stride. Mariah, Missi's middle daughter, cheered the changes.
"Now, we'll all eat like Grandpa Moe."
My dad watches everything he eats. He walks to work whether it's 100 degrees or -30. He buys me apples, oranges, and pears. My dad is a health food warrior in a world full of junk food slouches.
Once Mariah started cheering the revolution, Allison did too.
Ethan and Nat were not on board.
They snuck food and complained about me not so secretly behind my back.
"We're not even fat. Geez - why do we have to do this?"
I should have given them each a 12 minute time out - but I was too tired to remember how to parent.
That weekend, Jason and I took our girls to see Missi in Rochester. My mom, dad, Mark, and Mark's mom shuffled the kids between them as Mark worked at the Sherrif's office as a part-time deputy. Ethan's sugars ran extremely high over the weekend.
Turns out he had been sneaking cookies. A lot of cookies. And didn't give himself insulin to cover it. It took a while for him to admit to his sneaky ways as mom and dad worried about his sugars that were close to 600. Finally, he admitted he had goofed. Big time.
That Sunday night, Ethan spent the night at my house. We talked about what we had learned. He was ready to argue with me regarding junk food - I stopped him.
"Do you like yogurt?"
"Yes"
"Don't you like ham sandwiches?"
"Yes"
"You like oranges?"
"Uhhhh yeah?"
"You like string cheese and nuts?"
He nodded.
"Then, why are we fighting?
He didn't have an answer for me. So, I went on with my little speech.
"Your uncle doesn't think you should listen to Eminem, does he?"
Ethan started complaining about that..
I interrupted him. "How about Eminem be your guilty pleasure? He's low- carb- no -junk food. Since you've been listening to him, you still do everything I ask you to. I'll tell Nathan to leave you alone about Eminem - as long as you follow my rules on the junk food."
He agreed.
And you know what? We saw his doctor on Tuesday, the 7th. His blood sugars were everywhere - any where from 66 to 599 until the 5th. After that, His sugars evened out from 70 to 150.
We cheered. Of course, we told Dr. Sondrol about Auntie Bobbi's Food Revolution - and she cheered.
We don't have control over a lot of things in life. Ethan's and Mykayla's eating habits didn't give them diabetes. --- Missi had no control over her leukemia.
Since the 5th, Ethan's blood sugars have evened out so much that they only went slightly over 200 once.
We do have control over our nutrition. We can help our bodies out as much as possible - and I think I have at least one more person on board with me.
(My dad's name is Robert - I tried to start calling Mariah - "MOERIAH" and dad started calling her Moe -and she started calling him "Moe" - so now, Allison, Mariah, and Mykayla call my dad Moe. ha!)
"Now, we'll all eat like Grandpa Moe."
My dad watches everything he eats. He walks to work whether it's 100 degrees or -30. He buys me apples, oranges, and pears. My dad is a health food warrior in a world full of junk food slouches.
Once Mariah started cheering the revolution, Allison did too.
Ethan and Nat were not on board.
They snuck food and complained about me not so secretly behind my back.
"We're not even fat. Geez - why do we have to do this?"
I should have given them each a 12 minute time out - but I was too tired to remember how to parent.
That weekend, Jason and I took our girls to see Missi in Rochester. My mom, dad, Mark, and Mark's mom shuffled the kids between them as Mark worked at the Sherrif's office as a part-time deputy. Ethan's sugars ran extremely high over the weekend.
Turns out he had been sneaking cookies. A lot of cookies. And didn't give himself insulin to cover it. It took a while for him to admit to his sneaky ways as mom and dad worried about his sugars that were close to 600. Finally, he admitted he had goofed. Big time.
That Sunday night, Ethan spent the night at my house. We talked about what we had learned. He was ready to argue with me regarding junk food - I stopped him.
"Do you like yogurt?"
"Yes"
"Don't you like ham sandwiches?"
"Yes"
"You like oranges?"
"Uhhhh yeah?"
"You like string cheese and nuts?"
He nodded.
"Then, why are we fighting?
He didn't have an answer for me. So, I went on with my little speech.
"Your uncle doesn't think you should listen to Eminem, does he?"
Ethan started complaining about that..
I interrupted him. "How about Eminem be your guilty pleasure? He's low- carb- no -junk food. Since you've been listening to him, you still do everything I ask you to. I'll tell Nathan to leave you alone about Eminem - as long as you follow my rules on the junk food."
He agreed.
And you know what? We saw his doctor on Tuesday, the 7th. His blood sugars were everywhere - any where from 66 to 599 until the 5th. After that, His sugars evened out from 70 to 150.
We cheered. Of course, we told Dr. Sondrol about Auntie Bobbi's Food Revolution - and she cheered.
We don't have control over a lot of things in life. Ethan's and Mykayla's eating habits didn't give them diabetes. --- Missi had no control over her leukemia.
Since the 5th, Ethan's blood sugars have evened out so much that they only went slightly over 200 once.
(My dad's name is Robert - I tried to start calling Mariah - "MOERIAH" and dad started calling her Moe -and she started calling him "Moe" - so now, Allison, Mariah, and Mykayla call my dad Moe. ha!)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Auntie Bobbi's Food Revolution - part 1
I am in charge of feeding eight souls for the next how many months? Let's not think of that - let's think of the next week or six.
I had been changing our meals to include more vegetables and had been trying to have the kids choose healthier snacks. It hadn't been going as well as I had hoped.
Last week, I took my nephew to his diabetes appointments. Both kids see a diabetes educator, a nutritionist, and a pediatrition who specializes in diabetes. Both E and M have pumps. The diabetes center can download all of the information from each pump and see all of the glucose readings from the past two weeks. E's sugars were everywhere. There were so many highs and lows. It was depressing. I really thought I had been doing a good job regulating everything. Turns out that E is still a kid and needs to be reminded.
"Time for you to step up to the plate" Arlene, the educator told him. "You know you need to check your sugars more than this. What were you thinking? What are you eating?"
I took this as the perfect opportunity to bring up nutrition.
"We've always been told that they can eat anything any other kid eats, but I wonder of all the other kids are eating too much junk food. What do I do? "
"One junk food snack a day is it." She insisted.
"WHHHHHHHAAATTTT?" E shouted.
"You heard me. One. The rest need to be bananas, yogurt, sandwiches, cheese sticks - E - healthy food. All kids are eating too much junk - when we say you can eat like other kids - we mean other healthy kids."
"But I'm not even fat!!!!!" E was very angry.
I agreed with that - "No - you're not fat - but your food needs to better - I want the best for you."
We left the center with three goals.
1. We all would only eat one junk food snack a day.
2. E. would check his blood before eating and as soon as he felt a low coming on -- this means a little less than ten times a day.
3. We would check E and M at 1am. If they were above 120 and lower than 250, we could sleep the rest of the night worry free. Otherwise, we'd correct and check again accordingly.
This day began Auntie Bobbi's Food Revolution.
I had been changing our meals to include more vegetables and had been trying to have the kids choose healthier snacks. It hadn't been going as well as I had hoped.
Last week, I took my nephew to his diabetes appointments. Both kids see a diabetes educator, a nutritionist, and a pediatrition who specializes in diabetes. Both E and M have pumps. The diabetes center can download all of the information from each pump and see all of the glucose readings from the past two weeks. E's sugars were everywhere. There were so many highs and lows. It was depressing. I really thought I had been doing a good job regulating everything. Turns out that E is still a kid and needs to be reminded.
"Time for you to step up to the plate" Arlene, the educator told him. "You know you need to check your sugars more than this. What were you thinking? What are you eating?"
I took this as the perfect opportunity to bring up nutrition.
"We've always been told that they can eat anything any other kid eats, but I wonder of all the other kids are eating too much junk food. What do I do? "
"One junk food snack a day is it." She insisted.
"WHHHHHHHAAATTTT?" E shouted.
"You heard me. One. The rest need to be bananas, yogurt, sandwiches, cheese sticks - E - healthy food. All kids are eating too much junk - when we say you can eat like other kids - we mean other healthy kids."
"But I'm not even fat!!!!!" E was very angry.
I agreed with that - "No - you're not fat - but your food needs to better - I want the best for you."
We left the center with three goals.
1. We all would only eat one junk food snack a day.
2. E. would check his blood before eating and as soon as he felt a low coming on -- this means a little less than ten times a day.
3. We would check E and M at 1am. If they were above 120 and lower than 250, we could sleep the rest of the night worry free. Otherwise, we'd correct and check again accordingly.
This day began Auntie Bobbi's Food Revolution.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Cancer is a MoFo
Sorry about the swears.
The past few months, my family has taken various turns bringing mom to the doctor because of stomach issues. Mom knew something was seriously wrong. She didn't feel like they were taking her seriously. A few weeks ago, she called the doctor and insisted they gather all her records and transfer them to Mayo Clinic. That morning, they scheduled a CT Scan - she was admitted into the hospital on March 18th and given antibiotics by IV. They told her she had diverticulitis. On the 25th, they gave her another CT Scan. On the 26th, they told her they wanted to remove the part of the colon that was infected.
She wanted to be transferred to Mayo immediately. We helped her weigh the options as the doctor showed us all her CT scan reports. She realized she would have to have the surgery in either Rochester or Grand Forks or wherever she went. She met with the surgeon and asked him a bunch of questions and decided to stay in Grand Forks.
As standard procedure dictated, they biopsied her colon. A few days later, the results showed there was cancer.
From what we know, the prognosis is good. I can't help but think that it's still a bummer. Cancer really is a MoFo.
The past few months, my family has taken various turns bringing mom to the doctor because of stomach issues. Mom knew something was seriously wrong. She didn't feel like they were taking her seriously. A few weeks ago, she called the doctor and insisted they gather all her records and transfer them to Mayo Clinic. That morning, they scheduled a CT Scan - she was admitted into the hospital on March 18th and given antibiotics by IV. They told her she had diverticulitis. On the 25th, they gave her another CT Scan. On the 26th, they told her they wanted to remove the part of the colon that was infected.
She wanted to be transferred to Mayo immediately. We helped her weigh the options as the doctor showed us all her CT scan reports. She realized she would have to have the surgery in either Rochester or Grand Forks or wherever she went. She met with the surgeon and asked him a bunch of questions and decided to stay in Grand Forks.
As standard procedure dictated, they biopsied her colon. A few days later, the results showed there was cancer.
From what we know, the prognosis is good. I can't help but think that it's still a bummer. Cancer really is a MoFo.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Mindful Eating
OH bummer. My WiiFit balance board has informed me; "THAT'S OBESE!" For the past three months, I've been watching it. I mean - I'm cutting out foods with empty calories and reaching for food with more sustenance. And slowly, thirteen pounds have lost their way from my body and went somewhere else.
I'm angry. I hate the process of losing weight. It's painful - it makes me think about why I've gained weight and unsuccessful weight loss in the past. I hate that.
In high school, my weight bounced around a lot. I remember getting on the scale in ninth grade and being terrified that I weighed 138. I started dieting. I counted calories and exercised nonstop and wasn't successful. (Probably because I was supposed to weigh 138 lbs - based on my body frame)
I was obsessed with what I ate. My topics of conversation were calories, exercise, and weight. Yeah - really great stuff.
Eventually, a boy suggested I lose weight. I took to it. I lost a lot of weight. I threw up. I couldn't keep anything in my stomach. I was constantly sick. I didn't even know how to eat normal things anymore.
I'm not quite sure how I stopped myself. Maybe once that boy was removed from my life, everything went back to normal - back to somewhat healthy.
Now, I'm a mom. I have genetics. My babies were both born over ten pounds. I have type 2 diabetes to think about and avoid. I have high blood pressure and cholesterol to think about. These are not a problem now - but the reality strikes me every day when my WiiFit balance board announces; "That's Obese."
I really should mute that damn thing.
My weight had been creeping up on me - because I try not to think about what I'm eating. I don't want to count calories.And this is what is painful for me - trying to decide if I'm hungry - and what my body needs. And to be healthy, but slowly - because I don't want to be hungry.
I'm angry. I hate the process of losing weight. It's painful - it makes me think about why I've gained weight and unsuccessful weight loss in the past. I hate that.
In high school, my weight bounced around a lot. I remember getting on the scale in ninth grade and being terrified that I weighed 138. I started dieting. I counted calories and exercised nonstop and wasn't successful. (Probably because I was supposed to weigh 138 lbs - based on my body frame)
I was obsessed with what I ate. My topics of conversation were calories, exercise, and weight. Yeah - really great stuff.
Eventually, a boy suggested I lose weight. I took to it. I lost a lot of weight. I threw up. I couldn't keep anything in my stomach. I was constantly sick. I didn't even know how to eat normal things anymore.
I'm not quite sure how I stopped myself. Maybe once that boy was removed from my life, everything went back to normal - back to somewhat healthy.
Now, I'm a mom. I have genetics. My babies were both born over ten pounds. I have type 2 diabetes to think about and avoid. I have high blood pressure and cholesterol to think about. These are not a problem now - but the reality strikes me every day when my WiiFit balance board announces; "That's Obese."
I really should mute that damn thing.
My weight had been creeping up on me - because I try not to think about what I'm eating. I don't want to count calories.And this is what is painful for me - trying to decide if I'm hungry - and what my body needs. And to be healthy, but slowly - because I don't want to be hungry.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
On the Wii
Last year- Santa gave us a Wii. WII love it. We don't buy a lot of games or anything. It only seems to come out on rainy, snowy, or cold days. But that's why we bought it. A few times last summer, I commented on how I would like to get a Wii Fit. I forgot about it. I have a membership to the gym - ohhh yeah.
So this year, under the tree was a Wii Fit. Many critics have expressed doubt. But- I like it. It's a great way for someone like me who is snowed in to move. It's a great way to try and get my brain and body moving. Of course the girls love it too. Allison is fun to watch hula hooping... Natalie is too, but that's between you and me. Ok? shhhh...
One sort of cool sort of awful thing about my mii is that it is shaped according to my bmi. YIKES. That's not very flattering. Even my girls say, "Mom you're not that fat." Well thanks girls - sort of. There's no way of getting over the denial of being chubby than having your wii balance board saying "ouch" when you step on it. BRUTAL!
So this year, under the tree was a Wii Fit. Many critics have expressed doubt. But- I like it. It's a great way for someone like me who is snowed in to move. It's a great way to try and get my brain and body moving. Of course the girls love it too. Allison is fun to watch hula hooping... Natalie is too, but that's between you and me. Ok? shhhh...
One sort of cool sort of awful thing about my mii is that it is shaped according to my bmi. YIKES. That's not very flattering. Even my girls say, "Mom you're not that fat." Well thanks girls - sort of. There's no way of getting over the denial of being chubby than having your wii balance board saying "ouch" when you step on it. BRUTAL!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
My New Retainer.
Jason says that I talk like Sid the Sloth from Ice Age. Or a thirteen year old girl. He just can't make up his mind. In the mean time, I'm eating less. It's just a pain to be taking my retainer out for a quick bite to eat. I'm so lazy. I'd rather starve. It's about time.
Monday, September 15, 2008
It's just wacky...
It's been a while since I've blogged about my trusty physical therapist Krystle. Last month, I went to my last appointment. She graduated me. She said I'm cured. She also wrote a prescription for a retainer.
Last winter, I had my wisdom teeth removed. It looked like an easy deal. I decided to have my dentist remove them himself. I wanted to save some cash.
The first time I went in, I had my right side removed. My dentist whistles a lot. He sings as he works on my mouth. As he pulled my crazy tooth, the whistling stopped. He couldn't even hum a tune. I saw a small look of panic in his eyes. My dentist encountered a problem when one of my roots was wrapped around my jaw. He had to finish what he started. Afterwards, I ended up with an infection.
A month later, I had my left side removed. I ended up with another infection I can't even talk about. It was a nightmare. A creepy gross nightmare. Let's just say all the hygienists came and took a lookie inside my mouth. They had never seen anything like it.
Ever since, I've had TMJ... Chronic tension in my jaw. At first, I thought it would go away. I thought I talked too much.
Krystle noticed my funny jaw movements in our sessions. I told her about my wisdom teeth ordeal. She mentioned the retainer.
Today, in class one of my students called out;
"Hey what's up with your jaw? 'Cuz it's all wacky"
Last winter, I had my wisdom teeth removed. It looked like an easy deal. I decided to have my dentist remove them himself. I wanted to save some cash.
The first time I went in, I had my right side removed. My dentist whistles a lot. He sings as he works on my mouth. As he pulled my crazy tooth, the whistling stopped. He couldn't even hum a tune. I saw a small look of panic in his eyes. My dentist encountered a problem when one of my roots was wrapped around my jaw. He had to finish what he started. Afterwards, I ended up with an infection.
A month later, I had my left side removed. I ended up with another infection I can't even talk about. It was a nightmare. A creepy gross nightmare. Let's just say all the hygienists came and took a lookie inside my mouth. They had never seen anything like it.
Ever since, I've had TMJ... Chronic tension in my jaw. At first, I thought it would go away. I thought I talked too much.
Krystle noticed my funny jaw movements in our sessions. I told her about my wisdom teeth ordeal. She mentioned the retainer.
Today, in class one of my students called out;
"Hey what's up with your jaw? 'Cuz it's all wacky"
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Swimming Lessons
The girls have finished their swimming lessons. They got their "report cards." Allison was excited to see that she passed level three and moved into level four. She was thrilled. Allison is six. Allison has been swimming in the deep end on her own since the middle of last year. Allison knows how to dive. In case you don't realize this, Allison is an excellent swimmer. Sometimes when I visit with acquaintances at the pool and they see Allie go off the board. They stop the conversation and say;
"Bobbi, look!"
"Oh," I say, "she does that all the time."
"Without a life jacket?"
"She's been doing that for over a year now."
Maybe they forgot. I'm a swimmer too.
When Natalie got her report card, she took a peak and saw "Continue with level four." She was fine with it. A lot of her friends are still in level four. Natalie is an excellent swimmer too. I was proud of Natalie's reaction. Usually, she's so competitive.
I forgot something though.
After getting over her disappointment, she turned to Allison.
"Did you pass?"
I waited.
"Yes... Natalie, I'm going to be in level four with you next year. I'm so excited."
Again, Allison is six.
Well, Natalie is nine.
Natalie ran to the mini-van and closed the doors. Her little sister was in the same level as her. Her little sister who is three years younger.
I got into the mini-van and prepared myself.
"Natalie you are an excellent swimmer."
Her eyes were filled with tears.
"Natalie," I said, "We all have our special gifts. You are great swimmer, but you are an awesome writer."
She sniffed.
"Natalie, I like to write. When I read your writing, it amazes me."
"Really?" Sniff. Sniff.
"Really."
A smile crept to her face. "Am I the best writer in the family?"
"Yes... Natalie you are."
Then, from a forgotten corner in the back of the red mini-van, I heard from Allison;
"Aren't I a good writer? What about me?"
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Your Personal Legend....
."whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth." ...."And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." Paulo Coelho
There's this dad who sometimes visits with me at the pool. Whenever I ask him how he is, he always answers;
"Better now."
And then, you're almost obligated to say;
"I didn't know anything was wrong."
Then, he goes on how his wife doesn't appreciate him. How he's always with the kids. Blah blah blah blah..
If you are the type of person who likes to complain about life, and your life doesn't have any meaning.... Please step away from me.
There is nothing more annoying than someone who is deep, dark, and depressed because he doesn't know the meaning of life. There's drugs these days that work for that. I promise!
In the meantime, my life is full. I don't need to hear about your life being meaningless...
Do you know what your personal legend is? Is your personal legend to get a big screen t.v? I hope not. If that's your personal legend, it's time to get a new one. That personal legend might be the reason you feel life is meaningless.
What's a good personal legend you ask?
Well, first of all, you just may need to turn off the T.V.
You just may need to take some walks or bike rides or jogs or go rollerblading. Maybe you could explore the various scat in your backyard or the bike trail? Take a bird book or a flower book with you.
Actually play with your kids. Take them for a bike ride. Watch them play. Do your kids complain that they don't know the meaning of life? Na... They whine about ice cream... You know, the important things.
Playing is one of the best ways to find your personal legend. Climb a tree. Or, when no one's looking... climb the water tower.
I can't tell you what your personal legend is. Maybe your personal legend is to sail around the world like Bellhop and V. Or, maybe your personal legend is to build your own home in the middle of a beautiful forest like J. Bird.
Whatever it is... find it. It just makes life that much more rich and beautiful.
There's this dad who sometimes visits with me at the pool. Whenever I ask him how he is, he always answers;
"Better now."
And then, you're almost obligated to say;
"I didn't know anything was wrong."
Then, he goes on how his wife doesn't appreciate him. How he's always with the kids. Blah blah blah blah..
If you are the type of person who likes to complain about life, and your life doesn't have any meaning.... Please step away from me.
There is nothing more annoying than someone who is deep, dark, and depressed because he doesn't know the meaning of life. There's drugs these days that work for that. I promise!
In the meantime, my life is full. I don't need to hear about your life being meaningless...
Do you know what your personal legend is? Is your personal legend to get a big screen t.v? I hope not. If that's your personal legend, it's time to get a new one. That personal legend might be the reason you feel life is meaningless.
What's a good personal legend you ask?
Well, first of all, you just may need to turn off the T.V.
You just may need to take some walks or bike rides or jogs or go rollerblading. Maybe you could explore the various scat in your backyard or the bike trail? Take a bird book or a flower book with you.
Actually play with your kids. Take them for a bike ride. Watch them play. Do your kids complain that they don't know the meaning of life? Na... They whine about ice cream... You know, the important things.
Playing is one of the best ways to find your personal legend. Climb a tree. Or, when no one's looking... climb the water tower.
I can't tell you what your personal legend is. Maybe your personal legend is to sail around the world like Bellhop and V. Or, maybe your personal legend is to build your own home in the middle of a beautiful forest like J. Bird.
Whatever it is... find it. It just makes life that much more rich and beautiful.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Plastic- Sleep Soundly
For the past few weeks, I've had a lot on my mind. Plastic. I have a jumbo box of plastic out in the garage just waiting to go into to town to be recycled. Plastic from milk jugs. Plastic from pop (soda) bottles. Plastic from medicine containers. Plastic from laundry soap.
How green am I?
Not so much. It's embarrassing.
I've been re-using my water bottles. Then, one day, my mom told me to stop. "You know, reusing water bottles can cause cancer."
"What?"
That just sounded nuts to me. My mom is the queen of water bottles. She buys great big packs every week.
My theory is that the marketing departments at the Water Bottle Companies decided to scare the crap out of us all so we'd keep buying more of their product instead of reusing this inert product. Nothing better than scaring soccer moms to selling more of your crap, right?
I went home and researched. All the evidence I saw pointed out that plastic was safe.
I called my mom.
"Mom it's a hoax. You can reuse your water bottles."
"Yeah, but can you trust your girl's health to that?" Geez, she got me right where it hurts.
So, I took out the big guns. I asked my friend, Bellhop, who's dad is an oncologist. This is what he said:
"I think he tends to use polycarbonate bottles ("Nalgene") (i.e. Plastic) or aluminum flasks."
Then he went on to say that his wife (who is now an animator- how cool is that?) used to be environmental toxicologist, focusing on human health risk assessment.
Bellhop's answer?
"Per V's friend, no significant toxicity risk.
Sleep soundly :) "
I got my answer. At least, I can sleep soundly and perhaps a little more greenly.
How green am I?
Not so much. It's embarrassing.
I've been re-using my water bottles. Then, one day, my mom told me to stop. "You know, reusing water bottles can cause cancer."
"What?"
That just sounded nuts to me. My mom is the queen of water bottles. She buys great big packs every week.
My theory is that the marketing departments at the Water Bottle Companies decided to scare the crap out of us all so we'd keep buying more of their product instead of reusing this inert product. Nothing better than scaring soccer moms to selling more of your crap, right?
I went home and researched. All the evidence I saw pointed out that plastic was safe.
I called my mom.
"Mom it's a hoax. You can reuse your water bottles."
"Yeah, but can you trust your girl's health to that?" Geez, she got me right where it hurts.
So, I took out the big guns. I asked my friend, Bellhop, who's dad is an oncologist. This is what he said:
"I think he tends to use polycarbonate bottles ("Nalgene") (i.e. Plastic) or aluminum flasks."
Then he went on to say that his wife (who is now an animator- how cool is that?) used to be environmental toxicologist, focusing on human health risk assessment.
Bellhop's answer?
"Per V's friend, no significant toxicity risk.
Sleep soundly :) "
I got my answer. At least, I can sleep soundly and perhaps a little more greenly.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I Found My Left Inner Thigh.
After many weeks of working with the lovely Christel, I finally found my left inner thigh.
Now many of you are probably thinking; "Lovie, ummm... it's right there. It is somewhat noticeable."
Well, I have to admit you're right. It isn't exactly small. It's just my brain was ignoring it.
Huh?
On my last visit, Christel helped me find just where this muscle is. We tried many different exercises until I found at least two that would help me find this muscle.
I told Christel; "I think it's actually getting sore."
And that's a good thing.
I was actually sweating.
And that's a good thing, I think.
As I get more interested in working out, the less interested I am in eating junk. I know you probably don't believe me, but I'm not craving sugar 24/7. Sometimes, I only eat when I'm hungry.
Who is this masked bandit?
A lady who has found her inner thigh.
Now many of you are probably thinking; "Lovie, ummm... it's right there. It is somewhat noticeable."
Well, I have to admit you're right. It isn't exactly small. It's just my brain was ignoring it.
Huh?
On my last visit, Christel helped me find just where this muscle is. We tried many different exercises until I found at least two that would help me find this muscle.
I told Christel; "I think it's actually getting sore."
And that's a good thing.
I was actually sweating.
And that's a good thing, I think.
As I get more interested in working out, the less interested I am in eating junk. I know you probably don't believe me, but I'm not craving sugar 24/7. Sometimes, I only eat when I'm hungry.
Who is this masked bandit?
A lady who has found her inner thigh.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
motivation
People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing--that's why we recommend it daily.
- Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker
*********************************
And so, isn't this the perfect quote for a lady trying to strengthen her left hand err improve her health.
- Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker
*********************************
And so, isn't this the perfect quote for a lady trying to strengthen her left hand err improve her health.
Friday, June 20, 2008
My Left Hand
This week, I feel I'm making headway with the my left hand (AKA my health) . Tomorrow, I start with only one cup of coffee and nothing else. J. Bird told me he thought the coffee would be better all around than the Diet Coke. For once, I'm going to take his advice. He has an uneasy feeling about the chemicals in Diet Coke. And yup, tomorrow is the day. I will relish that one cup of coffee.
Christel would be so proud of me doing all of my exercises. This week, I've done my exercises 5 out of the 7 days. I rollerbladed. I walked. I swam. Of course, my swimming was the highlight of my week. Ironically, it did me in.
As I swam my laps, I thought about how strong I felt. My arms were getting a fabulous workout. I was finishing up my last laps when I noticed some boys swimming laps beside me.
"Hey, Bobbi." They called after me.
"Yes?"
"Can we race you?"
I gave them a sideways grin and nodded. What's a lady to do?
The first time, all three of us pushed off. I won by half the pool. Thus, they asked if they could push off and me not.
"OK"
Still, they lacked speed. SORRY, but a lady who drives a mini-van in sensible shoes beat them.
And then, the next two days, my muscles ached.
**********************************
I lovingly took a break.
And so, today, I did my PT. And went for two walks. And ate sensibly. I feel great.
When we ate lunch at Pizza Hut, I only drank half my Diet Coke.
It's going to be just fine
Christel would be so proud of me doing all of my exercises. This week, I've done my exercises 5 out of the 7 days. I rollerbladed. I walked. I swam. Of course, my swimming was the highlight of my week. Ironically, it did me in.
As I swam my laps, I thought about how strong I felt. My arms were getting a fabulous workout. I was finishing up my last laps when I noticed some boys swimming laps beside me.
"Hey, Bobbi." They called after me.
"Yes?"
"Can we race you?"
I gave them a sideways grin and nodded. What's a lady to do?
The first time, all three of us pushed off. I won by half the pool. Thus, they asked if they could push off and me not.
"OK"
Still, they lacked speed. SORRY, but a lady who drives a mini-van in sensible shoes beat them.
And then, the next two days, my muscles ached.
**********************************
I lovingly took a break.
And so, today, I did my PT. And went for two walks. And ate sensibly. I feel great.
When we ate lunch at Pizza Hut, I only drank half my Diet Coke.
It's going to be just fine
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Oh! Wagon
And so, I went to visit Christel. My physical therapist. My hero. And she gave me the go ahead to rollerblade! Hooray! She gave me some strengthening exercises as well as some suggestions for cardio:
1. Walk
2. Rollerblade
3. Swim- Crawl
I did get down to one Diet Coke and one cup of coffee each day. Although that one cup of coffee is super big. It could be considered a "Big Gulp." (That reminds me of my old college roommate whom I should write about sometime.)
Even though my caffeine consumption isn't so hot, it's better than it was. I'm not drinking a six cans of Diet Coke a day along with a half a pot of coffee.
Now, I have to decide. Will I let go of the Diet Coke? Or will I let go of the "Big Gulp" coffee. It's a big decision requiring lots of thought.
As most of you may know, I went back to school a year and a half ago. I finished out my Bachelors of Science in English Education. Now that I've taken care of my mind, I need to think of my body. Total Balance, right? That's what Christel says anyways. She's right.
I told her my life is like playing piano. I've figured out my melody - my right hand - my personal legend- my meaning to life- teaching. Now, I have to figure out my left- the harmony- my health.
1. Walk
2. Rollerblade
3. Swim- Crawl
I did get down to one Diet Coke and one cup of coffee each day. Although that one cup of coffee is super big. It could be considered a "Big Gulp." (That reminds me of my old college roommate whom I should write about sometime.)
Even though my caffeine consumption isn't so hot, it's better than it was. I'm not drinking a six cans of Diet Coke a day along with a half a pot of coffee.
Now, I have to decide. Will I let go of the Diet Coke? Or will I let go of the "Big Gulp" coffee. It's a big decision requiring lots of thought.
As most of you may know, I went back to school a year and a half ago. I finished out my Bachelors of Science in English Education. Now that I've taken care of my mind, I need to think of my body. Total Balance, right? That's what Christel says anyways. She's right.
I told her my life is like playing piano. I've figured out my melody - my right hand - my personal legend- my meaning to life- teaching. Now, I have to figure out my left- the harmony- my health.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Oh. The Wagon.
And so, my struggle to health is a struggle. And so, I'm down to about two Diet Cokes a day and about a quarter pot of coffee. Friday, I'm going down to one can of Diet Coke and one cup of coffee.
As one of my seventh grade students said;
"Good luck with that one."
I got my walking up to two miles in the morning and two miles in the afternoon. It sort of petered out because of my brother-in-law's wedding. Tonight, I walked three miles.
I'm still on the wagon. I did not fall off.
As one of my seventh grade students said;
"Good luck with that one."
I got my walking up to two miles in the morning and two miles in the afternoon. It sort of petered out because of my brother-in-law's wedding. Tonight, I walked three miles.
I'm still on the wagon. I did not fall off.
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