Again my husband's school was running on a two-hour delay. At 4:46 am this was the current state of the outdoors.
January is a month of resolutions. The time when "The Resolvers", as my brother and I have named them, are making their best efforts to lose weight, go to the gym more, join a gym, and make other health conscious decisions. However, it is usually by this time in the month that reality, and old habits tend to creep back into practice. The willingness to do and wanting to make a change loses out over to complacency and making excuses. even though the weather is COLD-BEYOND COLD outside that doesn't mean it is my opportunity to not eat well, not treat my body the way it should be treated. I should and do find a way everyday to move and be active. Especially when dealing with joint issues or health issues.
Making life changes is not easy and is best achieved when done in steps. Making and taking those steps isn't going to always be fun glamorous, or as fabulous as many of those 90 day challenge infomercials would make it seem. But, I assure you that once you start to make positive changes and the toxins are being removed from your body, it will thank you. The thank you will be seen by you and others, felt at first by a little soreness and later in an improved mental state and also it can greatly help to alleviate symptoms of inflammation.
During this time I would highly recommend that anyone consult with their physicians and nutritionists. Make sure that you are going to embark on a program that will work with your current treatment plan.
Our bodies are our vehicles, we have them for our whole lives and we need to keep them in the best possible condition. We provide routine maintenance by going for check ups at our physicians, dentitsts getting cleanings and x-rays, getting yearly flu shots and making sure our Rx for eyeglasses is up to date. Food is the fuel for our machines. Bad fuel, just like in a car or engine, will result in an unwanted or an unwelcome outcome. Our bodies immediately respond to the fuel that we feed them. They respond in visible ways and also in ways that we cannot see.
As illustrated in the graphic above there are also longer term effects that are a direct result of what we put into our bodies. When dealing with joint issues and conditions like arthritis, bursitis, and even in some cases (not me personally) gout, the main underlying symptom to be addressed is inflammation.
The following graphics show foods that are known to cause inflammation and those that can be introduced into a diet to help reduce or eliminate inflammation. *PLEASE NOTE* This does in no way mean that you will be cured of all that ails you and be pain free by eating multiple servings of nuts and other listed foods. You must adhere to the serving guidelines and any that your healthcare providers recommend if you are managing any health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
I will say that you CAN and WILL be healthier by eliminating fast foods, foods fried in heavy animal fats and oils from your diet. I have been hard pressed to find data that says that there will be any negative repercussions for eliminating that immediately from your diet.
Being a healthy and clean eater doesn't mean that you can never go out, be social or enjoy the occasional indulgence. Restaraunts and fast food chains are making changes in their menus and offering alternatives so that you can go out and enjoy a meal along side friends who want to have that triple decker 1800 calorie 50 fat gram burger and large fries.Every one of them offers bottled water instead of soda. Even traditionally junk food only chains like Dunkin Donuts has been offering item after item for their healthier patrons. The key to everything is MODERATION.
I am married to a Type II Diabetic. He is a very active person and we both share the same ideals and philosphies about food and eating. That helps a lot. Having support at home helps. We also don't really buy or have "temptation items" on hand so it is very easy to not become a person who sits and eats chips. If we do have treats or chips and things in the house I try to exercise portion control and use a small bowl. I fill my bowl or put my portion into a paper towel and when it is gone, I am done.
Mental Exercises are just as important when changing eating habits and taking on a healthy lifestyle change. Learning about yourself and the reasons why we eat is HUGE! I tell myself A LOT-I am not hungry I am just BORED. That is a trigger for me to drink a glass of water and engage my brain in another way.
As of Christmas 2013, thanks to my mother I have been using my NutriNBullet faithfully to create delicious raw and dairy free food extraction smoothies. The NutriBullet is not a juicer because it uses the whole food and pulverizes it into a smooth drinkable concoction. I use my NutriBullet for breakfast , and I have a cup of coffee. I make a "NutriBlast" for my lunch and take it to work. I have found that since I am using a whole organic banana, lots of organic spinach,and frozen wild blueberries as my base i am always full and very satisfied with the taste.
I have made a few other "Blasts" using apples, pears, some strictly all green, added protein powders. I am enjoying them a lot and finding that this little machine is very easy to use, clean and lives up to the claims on the infomercials and those demonstrations on the home shopping cable networks. I also like the fact that using this machine means I am getting extra servings of vegetables and fruits very easily and getting the whole food.
Starting slow and starting with what you already like is the best first step to take. Do your research and consider all of the facts. Ask Questions-Keep asking and engage in conversations with people in the business of health, nutrition, and fitness. I would also suggest utilizing social media to "meet up" or "chat" with people in similar situations to create a support system and more importantly an accountability system. Having a time and a place where you can share your achievements, challenges, and ask questions about one another's experiences.
COUNTDOWN TO SURGERY: 1 WEEK
~DRIVE SLOW~
**Disclaimer: Information included in this post is based on my findings and experiences. Before starting any new diet or exercise routine consult with your physician or health professionals.**
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