Posts Tagged thankful

No Blog Storm Here

So My Guy says, “Jeez I thought you’d be blogging up a storm by now…” Meaning, I got my laptop fixed, and he knows it’s super-comfy for me to type on. I think he expected the posts to be flying out of my head. That’s the problem sometimes with blogging; with HAVINGa blog. You are expected to put out stuff regularly and even if you’re having an off day, someone, somewhere is waiting on your words. He’s right though. I should have posted a bit more regularly than I have as of late. I *should* be doing alot of things more regularly to be honest (exercise, Christmas prep, etc).  As I’m trying to write this now, I’m staring blindly at the TV. PBS is on, advertising Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughn compilations…I’m not interested but I am strangely attracted to the screen and what’s going on…Seems to always be a distraction around if you want it, doesn’t there? Right now,  my contacts are all squishy in my left eye…it’s really bothering me, but I continue to squint at the TV, blinking furiously and cursing the damn lenses…and still stressing about ‘what to blog about.’

But really what else is there to do tonight, really? It’s after 9 pm, lunches are made for tomorrow, the dinner dishes are done, freshly baked cookies cooling (yes really, I am a Domestic Goddess at times…I did bake tonight…)…But it’s not all perfect. There is laundry piling up in the hamper, the bathroom could probably use a clean…the Boys litter box a scoop or two…but vegging the couch next to My Guy seems to the “right” spot for me now. The Sweet Spot to be.

Life is good. Indulge in a distraction or two.

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It’s Better with Someone…

Don't do it alone...

So I’ve given myself an hour to write tonight…I’m not 100% comfortable still in my ‘writing’ area but it’s shaping up slowly. A work in progress if you will…

I mentioned I’ve gained some weight back lately and My Guy and I decided to work together more vigorously at getting out and working up a sweat. (mind out of the gutter please!) Just knowing I have his support makes a world of difference. I don’t know if the average person, like my co-workers for example, can tell I’ve gained weight but I certainly can and that’s the issue. I’m not totally happy in this body in it’s current shape- so I need to fix that. It’s so much better to have a support system, and have that person you can go out and do things with. If you’re struggling to lose weight, or to even start on a fitness regime- grab a buddy. I can’t stress how hard it is to do this on your own…

When I lost over 50 lbs several years ago, at the beginning of my journey…I started alone. I had just left a relationship, moved to a new neighborhood and was depressed at the recent changes in my life. I felt I had nobody to ask to help me, and so I struggled through alone. I won’t lie…it was hard. Looking back I feel pride I did it yes…but I remember alot of loneliness during that time. There were people I could have asked but I didn’t want to ‘burden’ anyone. I know now, a true friend would NEVER think it a burden to help someone on a path to being more happy and healthy.

Having My Guy to come home to, and walk with or run with just gives me that added little kick-in-the-butt I need. After all, us BOTH getting out and moving only makes our relationship stronger….right?

I’m back to marking on my calendar with a funky little sticker, when I do get out and get my heart racing and blood flowing. I suggested this a few years back when I needed any little thing to keep me going…and I still stick to it. Looking at the calendar covered in smiley faces and seeing my effort laid right out in front of me really makes me feel good. Life is short and we gotta take care of the little things that make us feel GOOD. Plain and simple…

Grab a buddy, get out, get moving and feel how good it can be. Remember baby steps and go at your OWN PACE…

Love CM

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Back to Reality…almost.

When I say almost I mean, I’m not due back until Monday August 16th at the clinic. Phew. I need time to rest after my vacation ‘home’ to the Island. As you can see from my previous post it was alot of hard work shuttling between swimming holes and cold beers, sun-tanning and late nights. We got back last night, had some settling in to do and needed to lavish a weeks worth of attention to My Boys who actually didn’t seem to notice someone else had been looking after them and I was now HOME. Sigh.

One thing I did when I was back home, that I’ve missed in my life here…is get outside and appreciate what nature has to offer. I think I forgot to stop and appreciate where I do live, and it took a trip for me to stop and take in all the smells and sights of just being outside. I may be biased, but the air sure feels a helluva lot cleaner back home, the water just that much clearer and pure…the mountains that surrounded my parents house literally took my breath away.

We vowed to get off our butts once we got back and get out and GET MOVING more…to feel as alive as we felt there….here. I may live in the city, and probably always will, but my heart will always be in the small town I grew up in, and I value that way of life. My goals this fall are simple: get more active, continue to eat well and conquer what ails me- NATURALLY. I have an amazing support system in My Guy and I have treasured friends who constantly motivate me to embrace each day. I’m lucky. I’m truly lucky to have my entire life before me and to be in control of how I approach it. I’m happy I’m not alone in facing it and thankful for the little things.

I wanted to end this post by acknowledging a few things I’m thankful for:

- I’m thankful I had a good friend who watched over My Boys while I got to go home. Knowing that they were taken care of and happy, made all the difference.

- I’m thankful I had this time to visit with my parents. I miss them very much.

- I’m thankful My Guy got to experience my home-town memories and see the place (and people) that made me who I am…

- I’m thankful I have a car that could take me home without any worries!

A few snapshots of my vacation, to sum it up for you…

Here's the slug we named The Great Canadian Leopard Slug...

The best shoes to wear in a river...can walk with ease!

Our version of that Corona Commercial, but with Stella.

The Deep Hole. One of the swimming holes of my youth.

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Time to Give Thanks and Rant about Fiber. Again.

Getting enough fiber in my diet is going to get the best of me! I swear. This is a full time job! OK, all kidding aside I made a list of fruits that offer the MOST fiber per serving…

- Apple (with skin of course)

- Bananas

- Berries (any and all)

- Pear (apparently this is the BIG TICKET winner at 5-6 grams per fruit)

- Kiwi

- Fresh figs

- Oranges

Of course there are more but this is a pretty good start. It’s amazing to me to find out how many women I know who are having serious digestive issues. This can encompass everything from lactose intolerance to gluten allergies to constipation. I don’t know if we’re all just talking about it more, or is this a sign of how we’re living now? Are we all sacrificing our health for convenience maybe? I’ve said it before in my blogs, I can be a little lazy when it comes to fruit. I love the stuff, don’t get me wrong, I just find it high maintenance at times. If someone were to prepare me a fruit plate I’d be all over it…but alas, nobody does that for me. Yet. I’m sure if I asked My Guy he would do this…he’s nice like that…but I digress.

I have some serious things I need to change in my life and eating better, more consistently must be a top priority. I’ve let things slide this year- 2010. I can’t say why exactly, what changed and what made me become just a tad less conscious about how much fresh fruit and veg I’m really eating. Whatever it is, it has to change. All these recent trips to the doctor, and my always churning tummy causing me pain, has made me stop and think- and be a little scared too.

We’ve got one body. One. This is it and it has to last us well into our ‘golden years’. It makes sense we look after it, no?

So I need to give some thanks to the universe for putting me where I am today…a HUGE thank you to Melissa over at Sugar Filled Emotions because she is faithfully writing the little things she is thankful for and it’s keeping me grounded. Big hug to you!

I’m thankful the sun came out finally and I can bask in it’s glory and smell the flowers…I’m thankful My Guy walks beside me each day proving harmony can exist between two people…I’m thankful my mom has fiddle camp with the girls to keep her happy…I’m thankful I can afford to eat good fresh food and my water is clean…I’m thankful finally for having free health care because I know it’s a luxury many people don’t have.

Love Chere Michelle

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Balance…how precious it is.

Photo by Mark Vanderkam, of Kent Avery's Sculptures

Today I got out and walked along our city’s lovely and treasured Sea Wall at Stanley Park. I used to live STEPS from this oasis and I enjoyed all it had to offer daily. I just couldn’t get enough. Today I finally made it back down there and was instantly flooded with all the wonderful feelings the Park itself evokes and the West End…

It made me stop and think of how blessed I am and what I’m thankful for. While this post may not deal specifically with nutrition, weight loss or some new fitness craze- it does deal with emotional well being and how crucial that is to OVERALL health. As I walked in the sun my My Guy, I tilted my face to the sun, took a deep cleansing breath and counted out some things I was thankful for in my life…

I’m thankful I have a yoga class to ground me every week and give me the space and time to let go and breathe…

I’m thankful for My Guy and his support and love for who I am…

I’m thankful my parents are both healthy and trying to live as simply as they can…

I’m thankful I live in Vancouver, in Canada; where we have riches some people only dream about…and I am thankful I don’t take these riches for granted…

I’m thankful My Boys are both with me…

I’m thankful we have free health care and I can spend the time to find out what’s troubling my tummy and not have to worry that I can’t afford it, or help isn’t there…

I’m thankful there is food in my cupboards…and soy milk in my fridge…

I’m thankful that I can walk out my door, down to the beach and be greeted with the balancing rock sculptures of Stanley Park, as in the picture above (by Kent Avery), and be reminded how truly important BALANCE in our daily lives is.

What are you thankful for?

Love Chere Michelle

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