Though movement has been at the upper reaches of my thoughts, it hasn't happened as much as I had hoped. Somehow daily pressures got in the way.
So, for more encouragement, here are some of the benefits as noted in Body by God, by Dr. Ben Lerner:
- improves heart function
- lowers blood pressure
- reduces body fat
- elevates bone mass
- decreases total and LDL cholesterol - the "bad" kind
- raises HDL cholesterol - the "good" kind
- raises energy level
- enhances and balances hormone production
- aids in the sleeping process
- increases stress tolerance
- eliminates toxins
- reduces depression
- controls or prevents diabetes - blood sugar issues
- decreases the risk of injury to the muscles, joints, and spine
That's an impressive list - 14 items, though the first two seem to be the same in my opinion. Well, still it is motivating.
I especially need the hormones to balance and some help with stress. Having more energy would be nice, as well as sleeping deeper. Oh, and, less body fat!! That goes without saying.
Well, the "proof is in the pudding". I'm out the door for a short walk and I'll report back. . .
I'm baaaack - and out of breath, though that is subsiding quickly. And, I confess, I was gone only 7 minutes and covered maybe as much a three blocks total. But, it was movement in the sunshine and not through too many snow paths.
And, I do feel more capable. Like maybe I can do this again soon. Maybe later today even. The dollar store is close enough, hmmmm, possibilities there.
Of course there isn't an instant way to know if all those internal processes mentioned above happened. I do feel a bit more energy even though my legs ache. But, they ache no matter what.
And, according to Dr. Lerner, it was 7 minutes of being healthy.
I'm reminded now of how the little things can add up. Once upon a time I herniated a disc in my back and was in a body cast. When that cast was coming off I was so weak. It was a big deal to just get a shower and while my muscles were warm to bend over once. Soon, very soon, I could do more and more stretching and bending.
I think our bodies work more on exponential curves than straight lines. Or so it seems. This is encouraging. It means my 7 minutes today could morph quickly into much more. We'll see. I'll keep u and me posted.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Binge central
It has been a month of binging. And a month of gaining weight. I now clock in at 229.2# and feel lucky to be that low!
Why the binge? Emotions, I think. And perhaps cause I tried to kill off Candida which made me nauseous and perversely that made me eat. I think most people don't eat when they feel sick to their stomach. I do; it stops the nausea. But I also eat too much and gain weight.
Emotions. As Geneen Roth says in Breaking Free from Emotional Eating, "Most of the time we eat in response to our minds. Most of the time we feed our bodies without consulting our bodies." For me that is too often true.
Well, now that the aftermath of a mostly alone Christmas is over and the darker days of winter and sugar days of Valentine's Day are done, it is time for me to "get a grip".
After pondering - My new theme is to focus on what I want: Eat well. Move well. Sleep well.
That has become my inner mantra and I'm resisting watering it down with 3 steps to... and weekly goal to.... Personally all those strategies make me want to rebel. Guess I'm contrary by nature as evidenced by being a fat hypothyroid and eating when nauseous.
And that contrary nature is what I get to work with.
The last half year has taught me the value of eating well. I think I still have much to learn about emotional eating and I'll explore some of that as it comes up.
Right now my thoughts are on what has often been the most missing for me - movement. My thoughts return to Dr. Ben Lerner's comments in Body by God. As I look back I find, "Inactivity causes you to live briefer, age faster, and grow larger." Well, that fits.
I also like, "So if you exercise for ten minutes, then for ten minutes you are actually healthy." I'll start there.
And, for today, I'll end there so that thought stays with me and motivates me:
How many minutes am I going to be healthy today?
Why the binge? Emotions, I think. And perhaps cause I tried to kill off Candida which made me nauseous and perversely that made me eat. I think most people don't eat when they feel sick to their stomach. I do; it stops the nausea. But I also eat too much and gain weight.
Emotions. As Geneen Roth says in Breaking Free from Emotional Eating, "Most of the time we eat in response to our minds. Most of the time we feed our bodies without consulting our bodies." For me that is too often true.
Well, now that the aftermath of a mostly alone Christmas is over and the darker days of winter and sugar days of Valentine's Day are done, it is time for me to "get a grip".
After pondering - My new theme is to focus on what I want: Eat well. Move well. Sleep well.
That has become my inner mantra and I'm resisting watering it down with 3 steps to... and weekly goal to.... Personally all those strategies make me want to rebel. Guess I'm contrary by nature as evidenced by being a fat hypothyroid and eating when nauseous.
And that contrary nature is what I get to work with.
The last half year has taught me the value of eating well. I think I still have much to learn about emotional eating and I'll explore some of that as it comes up.
Right now my thoughts are on what has often been the most missing for me - movement. My thoughts return to Dr. Ben Lerner's comments in Body by God. As I look back I find, "Inactivity causes you to live briefer, age faster, and grow larger." Well, that fits.
I also like, "So if you exercise for ten minutes, then for ten minutes you are actually healthy." I'll start there.
And, for today, I'll end there so that thought stays with me and motivates me:
How many minutes am I going to be healthy today?
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