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myMiddle Ageism - Aging Gracefully

5/16/2014

Never say, Never… My 46th birthday is next week and I just washed the grays out of my hair. I am not afraid of aging; however, I do want to try to look the best I can as a middle aged woman. (Did I just say that?! YES – middle aged! Gasp…) I want to head toward 50 in a youthful way. I want to be sexy without exuding sex. This is a tall order, right? I think not – with with a little bit of “help.”
Aging has caused me to revisit a few of my “nevers”… You know… the things I vowed to never do when I was a young taunt 20 something. It is easy to judge and say NEVER when you don’t have cause or a need for change or even if you have a perfectionist vision of your ownness. Personally, the affects of aging changed my view.
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When my hair was long, flowing down to the middle of my back and at times a tangled mess and hard to comb, I couldn’t fathom why someone would want to add more of the stuff by using hair extensions or wearing a wig. Today, with thinning hair (from side affects from chemo), I get it and really enjoy using clip-in extensions from time to time. They make me feel like a superstar in a flash.

Much of my life, I could go bra-less and no one could tell because my girls did look that good. Why would I even consider a boob job or a lift? That’s just crazy talk. Weight loss, breastfeeding and aging made my perky headlights sag, but my new implants fill the space that fat and milk used to take up. I love them and feel like they are mine. Well, they are – I paid for them.

Knock on wood, I was blessed with good skin and complexion. Who needs more than soap and water? Why even consider the craziness of magic creams or putting foreign juices underneath to look 20 again? This is beyond CRAZY, right? Well, I got 7 botox lil pricks that erased the only wrinkles I had on my face (my forehead). Today, I look 37 years old not 20 and couldn’t be happier.

What is my point? Do what makes YOU happy. I’m not trying to reverse aging. I feel honored to be “in it”. I want to be the best version of me I can be – healthy, fit and not look bad for edging toward 50.

I have never had a poor body image even when I was overweight I still thought I looked sexy. I am not a seeker of approval trying to fix something someone else has pointed out. I am not looking for self perfection or a distorted view of whom I used to be in the mirror. I take care of myself and I want to look like I take care of myself as I ride into middle age. Simple.

Own YOU and do what makes you feel good and look good -- just don’t go crazy.

Boobs, Dye, Botox, Extensions rock!

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myMindset to Losing Weight

12/9/2013

1 Comment

Having cycled on and off diets for most of my adult life, when I set out to lose weight this time around I knew I had to approach things differently. Otherwise, it would be another dieting cycle added to the host of other unsuccessful attempts. I went in with a different approach:

Make changes I could LIVE with
Find a reason to lose weight not tied to a number on the scale
Make it a lifestyle not a diet
Find willpower

Do this for YOU because YOU want it.

I knew I would not be successful if I made sweeping changes with my diet because in the past it would backfire once I started to reintroduce those yummy forbidden foods. I felt if I could have treats or things I loved from time to time, I would be more successful and I could actually live with it. [I still have to live. I want to be happy. I don't want to feel deprived.] Knowing I would allow treats and alcohol, I put parameters around when and what I could have early in my plan and started exercising!

During my active weight loss period, these things and mindsets kept me on track:

1)   Track calories. There are plenty of smart phone apps and computer programs out there, but I liked myfitnesspal because I could scan barcodes from food packaging and it gives daily nutritional (carbs, fats, protein) breakouts/ratio. I tracked everything that went into my mouth including gum, tasting while cooking, etc. for true accountability. You’d be surprised how mindless eating adds calories.

2)   Commit to daily exercise and keep track. Find an exercise plan you enjoy and something you are truly able to do. Don't set yourself up by planning to go to the gym 2-3 days a week when you KNOW in the past that has not worked. Find something you can really, REALLY do. Know that you don't need a gym membership. You can get in a great workout AT HOME. There are plenty of DVDs and programs on the internet you can use to get started. Make a commitment and STICK with exercising no matter what. I walked on the treadmill 1-hr daily and lost my first 20lbs in 3 months without any other exercise. Afterwards, I introduced weights. Start slow and build. Write down what you do each day – how much time, repetitions, distance, weight, calories burned and work to improve – go further in same time, burn more calories, etc. Keep moving no matter what. Writing things down will ENSURE accountability and improvement across the board. I also noticed when I exercised consistently I had a DESIRE to eat better because I didn’t want to sabotage my own workouts.

3)   Do not drink alcohol during the week. I could have it Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday, but not all three days. No beer, no white wine, no drinks with mixers, juice or soda. Drink alcohol = MUST workout that day. My go-to is red wine or white liquor with club soda and fresh lime.

4)   Do not drink calories. I drink close to a gallon of water daily. I do not drink soda, juice, bottled teas, etc. Luckily, I've never been a fan of these items. I stick with black coffee, flavored teas without sweeteners and my beloved water. Like food, water is ESSENTIAL.

5)   Adopt new food mantra. Must come from a momma or come from the ground. Our bodies know what to do with REAL food/fats that are devoid of chemicals and processed components. I do not eat diet meals. I do not eat 100 calories packets, etc. I make and eat real food. When I eat processed food I feel arthritic, puffy and hungover without a speck of alcohol.

6)   Set goals NOT related to your weight or size. Find a fitness goal to take the focus off the scale. It will help increase commitment to exercise and give you something to work toward. Pick a walk, a race, find a monthly fitness challenge in your community or on the internet that you can print and do in your living room, etc. -- something else to work toward. When you finish, find another one! Setting goals has been the BIGGEST part of my success. I always strive to do better than the last time so races keep me pushing forward for better times.

7)   Stay motivated. Align yourself with people whom will keep you inspired. Be-friending people on social media sites can help keep you motivated. Other people's workout posted motivated me to KEEP moving and they continue to motivate me today. No matter how uncomfortable you might be, SHARE what you are doing. This will actually help to keep you accountable to those following you. Remember why you started!

8)   Try something NEW! Change workouts to prevent boredom. Find a new workout whether it is a DVD program, a website, class at the gym, new running program, etc. Keep your body guessing AND your MIND engaged in the process so that it is exciting and enjoyable.

Today, I still follow these rules with the exception of daily calorie counting.

Consistency with my workouts and setting and achieving my goals were the two BIG things for me. Keep moving and be working toward SOMETHING whether it is big or small. I did not set out to lose nearly 70lbs. I didn’t set out to run my first half marathon. I didn’t set out to compete in my first fitness competition. I didn’t set out to be in a national magazine. I didn’t set out to reinvent myself. I set out to IMPROVE myself. You can do it to! Remember, I am YOU!

1 Comment

myBreakfast on the Go

11/20/2013

1 Comment

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.

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.

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.

YUMMY!

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Surreal News - Shape Magazine Feature

9/13/2013

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Friday the 13th I'm on top of the world today… What happens when you get an email from a national magazine that they want to run your story?! A whole gamut of emotions… I got that notice today that I will be featured in December 2013 Shape magazine as a “Success Story” where they will highlight my body transformation after my many life’s challenges – dealing with my mother’s lung and breast cancer and ultimately death while dealing with my own ovarian related cancer issues (chemo, surgeries), weight gain and my road by to health.

And, this was the same day, I picked up my race packet for my SECOND half marathon.

I’m stilling pinching myself.

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Cancer-Free atLast

9/10/2013

1 Comment

Since 2004, I have dealt the ups and downs of ovarian cancer and the unknowns associated with the results of CT scans. Naturally, I always wish for the all clear, but until the results are available, I wait, I pray and I worry. Today, I got the best news anyone who has or has had cancer… the news of a full remission – cancer-free.

For nearly 10 years, I have waited and prayed for this day.

I now go to the 5-year plan for scans, but will continue to be watchful and in tuned with my body and its changes.

1 Comment

myMiddle Ageism - Aging Gracefully

myMindset to Losing Weight

Do this for YOU because YOU want it.

myBreakfast on the Go

mySteelcut Oats

mySmoothie

Surreal News - Shape Magazine Feature

Cancer-Free atLast

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