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myThankful Heart

11/26/2013

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I think we all have varying degrees of being thankful and various things we deem "worthy" of being thankful for. I believe absolutely everything -- the good, the bad and the ugly are worthy of thanks in some capacity.  Living and learning from the parts of life where you are in the "valley" can truly equip you for the climb up to that mountain top if you take the lesson, behold the growth and keep moving forward. 

Small every day things are worthy of thanks. For me, it is the BASICS -- the ability to get up in the morning, the ability to hug my child, to be strong enough to exercise the way I do at 45 years old, to have a devoted husband, to feel loved by so many, to feel I make a difference -- I do not take these things for granted.  I am thankful for them.  I live with an acute awareness of my blessings. I live with a thankful and open heart.  I do not focus on the negative, hold grudges, sweat the small stuff nor live with regret because I refuse to waste my life on these things. Why is this so "easy" for me? 

I had a front row seat as I watched cancer drain the life out of my mother and my mother in-law and it forever changed my view on LIFE especially since I battle the same disease. However, in all of "this" I've have never said or thought "Why me?" "Poor me" nor felt hopeless. I guess that is called FAITH.  I have always been laser focused on moving forward.  Without a struggle I could not claim a victory.  And with each victory there is ACUTE appreciation and gratitude for what I have overcome and what life has to offer having little to do with material things.  

I savor, I relish, I enjoy, and I cherish each and every day.  I take nothing for granted.  I am eternally thankful for my health; my family and a life I live grounded in faith, gratitude, awareness and appreciation.  This is what cancer did FOR me -- it gave me an acute awareness of my TRUE blessings. 

Why run those races when I have knee problems?  Why do fitness competitions when the odds may be against me?  Why not "let up" with my workouts?   My answer is simple and always the same, "I do "this" because I CAN."  When I say, "I can," I mean it in the most literal form. It is not that I am extraordinary; it is that I am capable.  This is what I am thankful for. 


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myShape Magazine Arriving in Mailboxes

11/21/2013

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I dedicate my first national magazine feature to my mother who passed in 2008 and my father who passed in 1984. This one is for you, Mom and Dad!

From the first notice the Shape magazine was released via snail mail this morning, I've been emotional, weepy all day which I did not expect! This is such a culmination of SO much for me...

For my on-line peeps... Thank you for your encouragement and uplifting spirit. I want you to KNOW I am you. I struggle to keep everything together at times and I am far from perfect, and I work each and every day to be the best ME I can be.

I feel blessed to be able to share my story with the world in hopes that I can help others see the impossible is truly possible where there is WILL.

As my Dad used to say "Where there is a will, there is ALWAYS a way."

I have made my way, Mom and Dad.
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myBreakfast on the Go

11/20/2013

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What do I eat when I am whipping up breakfast like a short order cook for my guys?  The fact is not everyone in my household is down with clean eating. They eat a typical breakfast -- eggs, sausage, toast on most days, but I've made small changes that make the old breakfast standards a wee bit healthier.  I cook with coconut oil vs. butter.  I switched from white bread to Ezekiel bread for toast, turkey vs. pork, and when they have pancakes I make buckwheat ones vs. using prepackaged ones.   These are small, healthy changes for them and they don't feel like "dieting" is rammed down their throats. However, my breakfast staples are quite different. They are 1) steel cut oats and scrambled eggs and 2) nutritionally packed smoothie that is veggie-based vs sugary fruit.  I typically eat/drink my breakfast while getting them out the door. 

mySteelcut Oats

Do you know how long it takes to soften up a steel cut oat?  A very LONG time -- it is not a quick breakfast unless you make it beforehand which is what I do.  I make enough for 3-4 servings.  When I'm not preparing for a fitness show, I eat one whole egg scrambled and when it is show time, I switch to egg whites. The oat recipe does not change.
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I season my oats with stevia and a lot of cinnamon.  A little bit of liquid stevia goes a long ways so don't over do it.
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Finished tasty product.  I eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup with 1 scrambled egg 2-3 days a week.

mySmoothie

Smoothies are a VERY personal thing and there are thousands of variables and items that can make up a great one.  Smoothie talk is like religion -- don't go there because you are not likely to agree! My point is that I have created on that works for ME.  People drink their Shakeologies, their Isagenix, and the list goes on and on which is great for them -- just not for me.  My logic is: if it comes in "flavors" vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, etc., it has "compounds" and artificial sweeteners which I try to avoid.  I use unflavored whey, unflavored yogurt, my liquid is WATER, etc. I typically drink smoothies 2-3 days a week as Meal #1 on the days I workout early and heavy food in my belly just doesn't work.  So this combination is done with my workout in mind.  The other days I have steel cut oats with a scrambled egg or a scrambled egg and Ezekiel toast. 
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YUMMY!
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myMust-have to myMidsection

11/18/2013

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Check out my "unfiltered" YouTube video as I prepare for my Monday -- it shares one of my tricks to keep my midsection sucked in while I workout.  It helps to stabilize and support my back during weight lifting and also helps promote water & fat loss during workouts. Starting a new week and a new day. The results come from hard work, but I figure this can't hurt!  I am having a motivated Monday to get back on track with training.   


 I am a work in progress! 
yourQuestion: Do find you don't tighten your abs as much or that it makes you more conscious therefore reminding you to tighten your abs?

myAnswer: For one, I don't wear this every workout, only when I workout at home so 50% of the time its core activation and with that [habit] it makes it more innate for me to keep my core engaged with all exercise. Personally, I like the pressure as a little reminder to keep things extra tight. I love the support it gives my back when I go heavy on weights and off course I love seeing how flat my belly is when I'm done and all the water that comes pouring out while I use it and when I take them off. May not be for everyone, but As I said, in the video, I've been using these for YEARS!  I remember when there was A LOT more to wrap when I was over 200lbs.  

yourQuestion: Is there a reason you use two?
myAnswer: I use two because I have a long torso and I want EVERYTHING covered from boob crease to my hip - upper & lower abs. If I used one, I'd have to choose which area I wanted the coverage. Also, IF someone is overweight with a large midsection (which I used to have), one just doesn't provide the coverage. It will curl and not keep everything under wraps. I know!
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Don't What if Your Life Away! 

11/14/2013

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What if you left one bite behind at each meal, ate less sugar, didn't go back for seconds? What if you bought a cheap piece of exercise equipment to make it easier to exercise at home instead of an expensive handbag? What if you drank more water, less alcohol or gave up soda? What if you stepped outside your comfort zone and signed up for that new exercise class that's been intriguing you? What if you really could fit back into those jeans from college that are in that bottom drawer, looked great in a bathing suit, didn't have to squeeze into your jeans? What if you took the stairs instead of the elevator, parked as far away as you could from your destination to ensure you get in those extra steps? What if you traded your iPad, iPhone, iChat, emailing or TV time for exercising time? What if today is the day you say, Damn it, I'm making some changes for ME?" Do it!

Small consistent changes can have a big impact on improved health. I lost my first 20lbs by doing 2 things - committing to walking on the treadmill for 1 hour DAILY [no matter what] and no alcohol during the week. Poof 20lbs gone in 3 months with very few changes.

Start small, make it a habit, and build from there and add more things that will keep you moving toward your goals. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. I am proof of that.

Get out of the "What if" lane in life and get in the "When I" and "I know I am important" lane and start working on YOU.



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myMeal Planning - Turkey Burgers & Stuffed Peppers

11/12/2013

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When I do not plan ahead for my week's meals, I can pretty much guarantee I will not eat as healthy nor in regular intervals.  Sad, but true. I eat what is easily available. That means grabbing unhealthy snacks from the pantry or maybe even doing a drive through just because I'm hungry and I'm doing what I need to do while on the go; however, when I plan ahead for the week my whole mindset is completely different.  I eat with with the sole purpose of fueling the body, I eat at regular intervals and my choices are typically healthy and balanced.  So what gives?  If I know I eat better and healthier when I plan properly, why don't I do it ALL THE TIME?  I'm human and sometimes life gets in the way and it just doesn't happen and I fly by the seat of my pants.  It is just a reality of life sometimes. This week I was determined to have healthy, tasty options available.

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 What works for me with planning for the week? 
Keep it simple.  Do you typically cook like a chef in a 5-star restaurant?  Now is not the time to start. Simple recipes with a few ingredients makes planning easier to adhere to.
Be creative and don't restrict yourself to cumbersome/fancy recipes.  Think of things YOU like and put them together. 
Come up with at least 2 different options from the same ingredients.  You will appreciate this small variance as the week progresses and it will prevent food boredom.
Keep it savory, but mind the sodium.  When food tastes good, you are satisfied longer, but sodium water logs the body.
Make the food easy to eat on the go.  Think zip lock bags, think driving in the car, think no fuss.
Chock in as many veggies in as you can.  Fact is that I'm not a huge veggie lover, but if it is ALREADY in my meat, it goes down pretty easy.


Turkey Burgers and Stuffed Peppers with Turkey

Ingredients:
Ground Turkey
Spinach
Pepper trio (red, yellow, orange)
Red onion
Garlic powder
Cayanne Pepper
Worchesher Sauce (in burgers only)
Typical Meals Combos:
Turkey Burger, cucumber slices balsamic & feta chz
Stuffed Pepper with steamed brussell sprouts
Turkey Burger with whole wheat pita, salsa, avocado
Stuffed Pepper w/ brown rice

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myBalanced Body for ME

11/7/2013

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Mine are still under wraps, but I hope they look this good! No need to whisper, wonder or question "whether I did have a boob job or not" -- it is evident and I am not hiding what I feel I have earned for ME.  No more pads, no more drooping, not more bra gap, no more lifting and tucking them in... You'll know me when you see me, I'll be the one with the cleavage and walking with an arched back to show off my new assets. :-)

However, I was not prepared for how anxious I felt about my breast augmentation.  As the day approached I got more and more nervous.  The night before I didn't sleep a wink. I've done "this" [other surgeries] 10 other times. What gives?  You see, for me, the name of the game for my past surgeries has been about life preservation.  I am a veteran when it comes to preparing for, executing and healing from surgery.  This was different -- it was my FIRST surgery I didn't NEED.  Why put myself through this unnecessarily? Why put something in my body that theoretically does not belong when I have fought long and hard over the years to remove foreign items  [cancer] from my body?  Hmmmmm.... good questions, Libby... 

The answer became crystal clear. My body has been beholden to cancer and its treatments [surgeries, scans, chemo] for almost 10 years when I would never know when or if I would need another resection [to remove cancerous masses] so elective surgeries were out of the question if I needed a surgery to save my life. In September 2013, I received my 5-year cancer remission news and  I finally felt my body was really MY body and not that of a cancer patient. I now could make my own decision about a surgery and a surgery that was for ME and it came in the form of a breast augmentation.

I'm not advocating augmentations since it is a very personal decision and controversial for some, but I don't think it is something to be ashamed of.  The fact is 1 out 4 women have been augmented.  I've never had low self-esteem or suffered from poor body image, but I am super excited to have a BALANCED, symmetrical body as a result of a lot of gym time and now this augmentation. I am thankful the procedure is behind me.  Still young in recovery, but so far I am happy [I think my hubby is even happier] with the new ENHANCED me. 


I am boobilious! :-)

 


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unSuspecting Wigging Out

11/3/2013

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Over the years, I've been asked often about recommendations for local wig stores as friends and/or their family members go through chemo.  Who knew that I'd be a "resource" in this capacity?  Today, I got that request again and it brings to the forefront how prevalent cancer is in today's society and sadly amongst many I know. I have gladly shared my whole experience and think it is worth sharing the high points with you.



1. Give thought to whom will see you bald.  Your husband, your children, your family members, your friends... It is a VERY personal decision, but thought should be given. I debated whether my young son would see me bald or not thinking it would "affect" him or he'd be fearful of me without hair. My sister pointed out that our thoughts of our very own mother had not changed when we saw her bald from her chemo which was the truth.  She was my mother and hair or not, she was STILL my mother and I STILL loved her.  When my son saw me the first time without hair he didn't even react because I was still MOMMY.
2. Cut your hair before it starts to fall out.  Having hair short will minimize the physical and emotional mess. Within two days of my cutting my hair short, I was completely bald.  I remember being in the bathroom combing out clumps of my hair and my husband appeared out of nowhere wondering where I was.  There I sat sobbing about my hair coming out.  He said lovingly, "It's just hair.  It'll grow back.  You are still pretty."  Your wedding day doesn't prepare one for this moment, but he said exactly what I needed to hear.
3. Buy your wig before hair starts to fall out. A seamless transition between your hair and a wig helps your psyche.
4. Buy a couple of wigs so you don't look out of place in the grocery store if your wig is too dolled up for your gym clothes or your hair is to casual for a night out on the town.  I had 3 wigs -- everyday wig, casual going out wig and a fancy wig.
5.  Buy a wig with the re-growth of hair in mind.  You will have to transition from bald to new hair growth so a short wig helps with this transition were your appearance isn't a sharp contrast.
6.  Do NOT shop for a wig alone.  I did and I regretted it. It was so emotional as I watched other women buying wigs for "special" occasions like weddings or birthday parties and I was wondering if I was going to live. 
7. Be bold with the wig.  Use it as an opportunity to change your hair style from straight to curly or vice verse or go blonde or brunette as a complete change.
8.  Enjoy wearing the wig knowing that one day (soon) you'll be washing, blow drying, curling, flat ironing, dying your own hair.  Wigs make getting ready EASY.
9. Using insurance is not a must.  Personally, I thought it was ridiculous to spend hundreds of dollars on a wig that I viewed to be temporary.  Getting wigs via insurance leaves you with few choices. I bought 3 wigs out of pocket for the price of one insurance funded wig and I was happy with my choices.
10.  Transitioning from the wig can be hard has you reveal new growth.  I did it when I had "peach" fuzz and it was my personal badge of surviving chemo.  Sure I got some stares, but I didn't care. 
My hair doesn't define me, my LIFE does!

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