here's to the new year!

Finally buckled

Well, my health has continued in a downward spiral. Everything seems to be building upon each other so I have finally buckled and made a doctor appointment with an internist down here.

Why is it such a big deal? Well, when you have as many "complicated" problems as I do, each time you go to a new doctor they run a slew of tests. It is such a process that I hate going through. But, it has gotten to the point where my anxiety is at a high and it needs to be done. It is especially hard when you go to a doctor that isn't thorough and caring and every time you go they have to re-read your chart trying to remember you and your problems. Hopefully I have found a doctor that won't be like that. If I don't feel good about her, I'm walking out. Really.

Dan is so busy and I hate having to rely on his so much. This has to get taken care of. Could use your prayers!

Non-healthy sleeping habits

The last couple of weeks I have not been sleeping well at night. I find myself laying in bed (thinking, usually) for hours on end. YET, I am so stinkin' tired ALL the time. What is my deal? I feel like it's a vicious cycle that I can't pull myself out of. Any ideas?

(FYI, I have been stressed with a lot of things lately so I know that contributes to it. I lay awake thinking of things I need to do but usually get up and write them down so I can get it out of my mind. I think about my young women and my yw calling a lot too. A lot. Yes, I have also tried getting up and out of bed. Yes, I have also tried reading and such. Yes, I have tried sleeping pills. They usually work but I don't want to depend on them.)

Re-vamp

I made this blog intending just to lose weight. However, now I realize that there is so much more to being healthy than just being "skinny". A truly healthy person is fit physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This will now be my journey getting to a healthier, happier me.

Sometimes I will focus on the emotional aspect as I go through trials there. Other times I will look at the emotional/mental part of my life. And, all the while, I hope to improve my eating habits and look for fun, new ways to lose weight and get in shape!

Having a good day yourself? Having a bad day? Let's break it down to the roots and focus on getting healthy, all around, together!

Favorite Breakfast Right Now

Honestly, very good. DAN even likes it. (Thanks for the recipe, Amber.)

about 1/4 c. vanilla yogurt
handful frozen strawberries
a scoop of chocolate protein powder (I use slim fast)
a few ice cubes
milk (just to the consistency you want)

I like it thick, so I don't use much milk. But really, this is very good. The first sip tastes a little like slim fast, but from then on out---it really tastes like a regular milkshake/smoothie.

Long time coming

I'm trying to get back on track. Don't know quite how yet....but I am working towards it.

After being shut in most of the summer and just getting off a delicious diet of cruise cuisine, I'm definitely feeling the aftermath. Suggestions?

Mermaid or Whale?

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said, “THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?”

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman in the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends - dolphins, sea lions, curious humans. They have an active sex life, and they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with all their sea friends. They play and swim in the seas of the world, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea, and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone and everything in the world.

Mermaids, on the other hand, don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of psychoanalysts due to identity crisis.. Fish or human? They wouldn’t have sex lives because stories tell that they kill men who get close to them. Besides, how could they have sex? Just look at them...where is IT? Therefore, they wouldn’t have kids either. And what man would want to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.

We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a piece of chocolate with my friends, and a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver. With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads. When there is no more room in our heads, the information and wisdom distribute out to the rest of our bodies.

So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror, I will think, “Good grief, just look how smart I am!”