Just Do It- really is a good philosophy

It crossed my mind this morning, why am I having shoulder pain now?  Right now I need to be on the computer a lot to help John with business stuff.  But fingers poised at keyboard level is what hurts most.  What is God trying to tell me?

I think it is to be mindful.  Not just throw myself into everything with hard work and elbow grease. But be thoughtful.

Also, it is teaching me humility and kindness. I am reading the Steve Jobs biography and the man was an egotistical maniac. A genius, but a maniac perfectionist. When he got very very sick with cancer and almost died his friends and comrades thought it would mellow him. His first day back at Apple he went on a major rant and tore into people, many of which he had not seen for 6 months while ill.  Humm.

With my pain I am so frustrated. I have SO MUCH TO DO, both for HOODZ (hubby's business), home, and also growing Happier at Home Petsitting, which we are trying to do for extra income. (It is also my personal love).

I have to stop, take care of me, stretch, calm my mind. I am reading The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawerence. Wonderful, wonderful book. More quotes on that later.  It was writtten in the 1600's but applies to today and Steve Jobs could have found it helpful as he practiced his Eastern meditation..

Anyway.. "Just do it".  I find though I am limited I still need to keep going. I saw my dad get sidelined with various malaides and he quit moving.  Before too long he had atrophied in both mind and body.  My brother and I tried to get him to at least walk to the mailbox every day. He didn't.

So, I am going to Just Do It.  I walk Buddy every morning, even though I am stiff. I get up from the computer every hour or so, put on The Temptations or Stevie Wonder and dance as I clean up the kitchen.  I may do it more slowly, but I am still just doing it. And trying really really really hard to enjoy the moments along the way.

My Molehill Just Turned into a Mountain

OK. I have done this before... gained some weight, gotten a bit out of shape. Then had a talkin' to with myself, made a plan and tackled it.  Sometime was successful, sometimes not, but I knew the enemy.  Time (making time to workout have healthy food around) and habits (eating on the run, when happy/sad/frustrated). These were big enough 'molehills' to tackle.. but now I have a super challenge.

Things seem to be stacked against me this go round.  Here is why:

• I am now 52 and in the throes of menopause.  I have major hot flashes and I know that menopause also slows metabolism and causes mid-section gain.  I would say 80% of women may age have subcomed to this.. just be observation.
• I have a job where I am working with my husband a lot.  Now I love my husband, but of course after 29 years of marriage (and 31 years of relationship) I would say he is the thing that can cause me the most frustration.  And for me frustration = mindless eating.
• I contracted a pinched nerve last month, thought I got it cured but now it is back.  I never had physcial pain before (other than childbirth which was over in a matter of hours) but this is chornic and very painful!  I found yesterday when I was out of pain pill, the Rx was closed and I was in such pain I turned to FOOD!  Argh!  
• I turn to food for any difficulty... fatigue, frustration, irritation, fear and now pain.
• I have to be careful with exercise. So even more that means the key to success is a healthy diet. 

So, how I am going to actually do this with things stacked against me?  And this ouch factor?

 I know this, I really do not like excuses.  I don't like to fail. Also I know that it really is now or never with getting this weight off. I will feel so much better and it will help my shoulder and my energy.  I don't want to 'give up'. But it is harder then when I was 20 or 30 or ever 40.  

Before when I had a challenge I just worked harder. Exercised more, pushed harder. Now I can't. I have to take care of myself.  I think I aggravated this shoulder again doing Yoga last Thursday. YOGA! I was doing the sun salutations with planks to strengthen my shoulder.  I cannot do that again. If I diganosed this right, that means no more push ups, planks, sun salutations or (sniff sniff) Downward Dogs again ever.

This is a new phase in my life, a phase where I have to baby myself, really care for myself.  It is going to be 90% diet.  Excersie will be aerobics and careful stretching and strength building.

Would love any hints and/or encouragement!

What I'm Eating Today- Banana Walnut "Ice Cream"

I took a delicious nap today and woke up with a hankering for something sweet. I love this recipe.  You just freeze any super ripe bananas you have, sliced.  Then when frozen put them in a blender with some walnuts.
I like the small personal blender by Hamilton Beach I bought for about $10. Very good... really tastes like ice cream but super healthy.

DAY ONE: Studies Prove: Blogging Daily will Increase Your LIfespan by 7.4 years.

I just made that up, but it must be true. Just the blogging I have done so far is sparking creating flashes in me and I am smiling as I type.  Wow, we can tie ourselves up in knots living today, can't we?  Try it, just blog and see if you don't live longer.

Ok, here is Day One:




Woke up.  Ah, Saturday.
30 min. power walk with Buddy.  He is getting much better at not lunging at other dogs. Sweetie but a bit nervous. Good dog.

15 min sniff-walk with double dachunds

Pet sit, 15 min slower walk with clients.

30 minute Yoga with Esther- (10 day challenge)  Love, love her.  Lovely lady, love her accent and I combine her yoga with my spirituality.  Did 10 sun saluatations in a row, not hard. I think I may go for 20 next time, plus her detox video and some sit ups and back strenghneing on my balance ball.

Buddy did some Downward Dogs with me, and Bosco stuck his tongue in my eye when I was on the floor, eyes closed, in a complex stretch.   Perils of exercise at home.  Just means he loves me...

What Am I Eating Today?: Cindy's Salmon Salad Delight

What Am I Eating Today?

 I needed something I could make up in advance and just grab out of the fridge when hunger hit.  So, here is my latest creation. This literally takes 5 minutes to prepare and ingredients can be kept on hand.

Cindy's Salmon Salad Delight:

1 can Red Salmon drained (not pink, red is better.. yum)
Canned Garbanzo Beans drained and rinsed
Canned Beans  other (kidney, red, black, whatever you like) drained and rinsed
Chopped steamed Brocolli (I like fresh over frozen)
Chopped onion
Chopped almonds (add nice crunch)
Dried cranberries (adds nice sweetness surprise in some bites)
Bit of olive oil and rice wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
Sprinkle a little flaxseed on top for added nutty taste and crunch (optional)
(Well, everything is optional in this recipe really.. except the salmon or I would have to change the name)

Add proportions of your choice, toss and store in fridge.

Very healthy and sastifying. Great over greens and with fruit.

Enjoy!

What's goin' on.. tell me, what's goin on....

What will happen in the next 100 days:

First, let's look at the calendar.  Need to count up the days, hang on.
Ok, my 100 days ends September 3rd.  Starts today, May 26th.  Got it.

Ooh.. this is good. Between now and then, this is what I know will be happening, but I am sure I will have some unanticipated surprises, too.

Going to visit my mom and brother for her birthday with family.
Working really really really hard on my husbands, well our, business.
Lots of computer time.  So will need to keep that healthy.
My son will turn 22.
I will turn 49.99 plus tax.
Lots of petsitting as summer gets in swing.
Hot, humid weather.
Not spending ANY money as we are in a budget freeze.  So have to get my rewards very cheaply.  (i.e. no shopping...)

Looking ahead, how I can be successful by September 3rd with life happening. Gotta think about that.

Now, what I will commit to.

Lots of water.
Excercise every day. Power walk Buddy 30 min.
Cool down while taking dachshunds on their 10 min sniff-fest.
30 min of yoga or other strength and flexibilty building
Prayer, meditation time every day
Mindfulness
Postiive reading
Friendships, fun and laughter

Now for diet:

Healthy diet. I will post later on how I came to this list, but it is based on research and perceived allergies I have:

No wheat
No sugar
No processed food
No dairy
Organic when possible
No red meat
Little poultry

Now for the Yesses, things I want to be sure to include. Luckily I love most of this stuff!

Fish 4-6 servings/week

Salmon

Tuna

Love nuts!

Walnuts, almonds, some pecans

Fruit fruit fruit!
Bananas
Blueberries
Strawberries
Everything I can find in season and organic when possible

Vegges galore, but especially

Brocolli

Califlour

Squash

Tomatos

Carrots, etc...

Avocados... oh, just love them. I can cut one open and make a quick meal out of it with just a spoon!

(Get in theseCarotene foods)

Sweet potato

Carrots

 kale

Butternut suqash

Turnip greens

Pumpkin

Mustard greens

Cantaloupe

Sweet red pepper

Spinach

Make sure to get...Vit D foods:

Sunflower seeds

Eggs

Pumpkin seeks

Walnuts

Flaxseed

Olive Oil

Coconut milk

Gluten free bread (have a great recipe, occasionally)

And so it begins...

I stole the title from my first post of this blog directly from my dear friend, Leonie.... on her 100 Days Blog.
Leonie and I have been through a lot together, homeschool our 9 boys (mine plus yours, Leonie!) for the past 10 years or so.

We have shared about homeschooling, unschooling, our Catholic faith, raising boys, raising husbands (lol) and much else.  Leonie always inspires me. Anyway, check out her blog and if you read mine, know that she inspired me.

Ok, why am I blogging this?  I am at a crossroads and I want to write it down as I go. During my years of living and learning at home with our sons, I journalled a lot. It was really helpful to me to get down my thoughts, helped me grow.  I have not journalled in long time, and what  a perfect time to start.

So, follow me on my 100 days of fitness.. I hope you will.  More later about my plans for these 100 days, and what got me here and where I hope to go.

If someone were to ask for a picture I think best represented me, this would be it.  This is a fit me, and now I am about 15 pounds heavier. It is not all about weight with me,  but about feeling fit, heathly, mindful.  I love to be active, thus I love my dogs and our little petsitting business. I love to exercise, be out about, but also have quiet time, reading, learning, creating. So, here I am with Buddy (L) and Bosco.  Ralphie our other dachshund is probably taking a nap somewhere.  I won't  put up any 'before' pictures.. but look for some 'afters' down the pike...

Bon Voyage!