Real-Life Healthy Life Makeover: Julie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, I have been long gone.  I had a little mental breakdown and had to be built back up!  Sorry for being out of the picture for so long but I tell you my mother's death had a profound affect upon me, my life, my marriage and my relationship with my children.  I was running around with a wonderful facade but falling apart inside.  I never really greived because I was so freaking busy and had to keep up fronts.  Oh well, all that came to a head in April and I got the help I needed.  Anyway, to make a long story short, I some great tools and resources that have allowed me to make baby steps in the right direction mentally and physically!

 

Number one must read...."Mindfulness in Plain English" by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana - helps in all aspects of my life

Number two must read..."How To Practice The Way to a Meaningful Life" by his Holiness the Dalai Lama

Number three.....learn and practice meditation if only 10 - 20 minutes per day....clears the mind

Number four....TURN THE TV OFF....I repeat, turn off the tv....wastes time, unwanted garbage in the subconscious of the mind, read instead

Number five...All things in moderation......eating, clothing, and shelter.  Scale it all back, tiny bits daily.....frees up the mind.

 

My favorite new quote to live by  "CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD" ....Norman Vincent Peale on attitude

 

Practice kindness daily and bear minimum, bring no harm to others.  Living like this will enhance your life tremendously and move your spirit graciously.  I feel so much better about so much in my life.  I am grateful for a wonderful husband, two beautiful, smart children and an abudnace of family, friends and a great job to boot. 

 

I'll be in touch, this is only an extension of my daily journaling.

 

Peace and love,

 

Julie

Hey Friends....never did get back to update March and my gosh we are rolling right into April.  Boy do I have a lot to update you on.  Our little French girl is gone.  While she was here, we were so busy.  She swears she gained weight while staying with us.  She kept telling me that she was big!  Jooo-lee, I am big she kept saying.  It probably had something to do with the white cheddar cheetos that she loved.  They totally did not have those in Marseille!  Anyway, my precious, little darling girl will be traveling to stay with her family for three weeks soon.  What a great experience and opportunity for my girl, but boy will I miss her.

 

As for exercise, health and fitness, I am on a roll.  I need to be after all of the festivities of the new year.  I chubbed up to say the least.  I am back at Weight Watchers and I am glad to say I have dropped 7.4 lbs. so far.  I am really sticking to the program with the hopes of achieving the weight this year that I did not last year.  I am so over the excuses, whining, crying and complaining.  I am just shutting up and taking it one day at a time and making it happen.  Bottomline, I just got to restrain myself from eating everything I see.  It is really amazing how little you need to survive and thrive.  Choosing high fiber, low calorie and lean protein is the answer.  Just doing it consistenty is the key.  So just SHUT UP and DO IT.

 

As for moving, I have moved to my stationary, recumbent bicycle in my bedroom.  I average five cardio workouts a week at a minimum of 30 minutes each.  That just goes back to what I learned last year with RLHL and Dr. Roizen.  Again, SHUT UP and DO IT, NO EXCUSES.  By the way, it is 11:07 PM and I just got off my bike.  Watched the TiVo'ed Ellen from today and rode for 40 minutes at 80rpm or higher.  Actually got in 10 miles and burned over 350 calories so it said.  Also did a 10 minute cool down. 

 

Tennis begins after spring break and I am looking forward to playing twice a week.  For spring break, I am heading down to the Bahamas.  I am looking forward to some serious relaxation, reading and daily fitness.  We are heading south of the tourist traps in Nassau to some off the beaten path.  I will get to hike, snorkel and spend some quality time with the family.  Not a lot of crappy food to be found, so hopefully I will weigh in less at WW once I get back.  Hopefully this Monday,  I will be down a total of 10 lbs. for this month and that will be a good thing!

 

Anyway, look for updates to the site, new playlists and links to other newsletters and stuff.  I will add pixs once I return.  Maybe by July 4th, I will have the string bikini picture ready to post!  Just joking, just motivation!

 

Peace,

 

Julie

As February draws to an end....it is all good around here.  I have been riding my stationary bicycle daily for 35 - 45 minutes at least 3-4 times per week.  I have also grown addicted to 30 - 35 minute yoga and pilates tapes.  I usually do the tapes right after I complete my riding.  I love riding because I watch tivo-ed Ellen Degeneres shows and find myself speeding right through my workout.  I also ride an interval training program that burns between 350 - 500 calories per session depending on how long I go.  The videos I enjoy most include Mari Winsor's ring workout, The Firm's Yoga, The Firm's Pilates, Gaiam's Resistance Ring, and Gaiam's Pilates Weight Loss.  I love doing those tapes and I love that my bicycle is in my bedroom vs. being in the basement.  Generally I am working out in the basement only when I am doing laundry.  I will not hit my goal of working out 22 of 28 days this month, but I will have 17 of 28 under my belt by Wednesday.  I also use my resistance band and cord to enhance my weight bearing workouts.

 

Right now, our family is hosting a French exchange student and that has been enlightening.  She eats small portions of food and very wholesome foods.  She likes many veggies, fruits and lean proteins.  Hhhmmm.....something I should be doing as well.  I have not seen her eat any processed foods at all.  She thinks our portions are big and is not even interested in candy and stuff like that!  I will continue to be observant of her habits to see what else good I can pick up. 

 

I guess that is about it.  I am reviewing and establishing goals for March.  I will have a new playlist to share.  Hope all is well and I will be in touch.

 

Peace,

 

Julie

Today is the annual ice skating party that is a fund raiser for my children's school.  It is 2 hours and I am sure I can get two, 15 minute bursts of skating in to account for my 30 minutes.  I would also like to get 30 minutes in on the treadmill or bike, but I may run out of time.  After the party we are hosting a party for about 7-8 families.  It should be fun.  I have already planned what I am eating for the day, so I should be good.  I will not drink any alcohol though but will fake people out with my diet tonic water and light cranberry juice.  I have to wake up feeling good tomorrow.  I have another busy day of going to mass, teaching Sunday School and doing laundry.  Then Monday will be here just like the weekend did not happen.

 

By the way, I just got the Smash Fat Diet book.  I am going to read it.  It looks short and simple.  If I see any helpful hints, I'll let you know.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Julie