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WILDFLOWER-'s Recent Blog Entries
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Saturday, August 14, 2010
Greetings Spark Friends -
It's been a busy couple months. Have you ever got caught up in a whirlwind of life activity and all of a sudden you look up and 3 months have past? I've been wanting to write a blog for a while now - and there just hasn't been time.
About a month ago my sister had brain surgery for Arnold Chiari Syndrome. She is doing MUCH better now. The surgery was a success and she is starting to feel the benefits of having it done. She is still recovering, but she's doing great. This was stressful for me, not only because someone I love was going under a knife but because I have this genetic birth defect too and could one day need a similar surgery. So yeah - there's been a lot of thinking, soul searching, and stress going on but there's also been hope, achievement and progress too.
This same sister is a massage therapist. She works out of a co-op of alternative therapists. One of her fellow therapist is also an acupuncturist. She came to the hospital to offer my sister acupuncture as a way to get relief from the pain of the surgery. Long story short I ended up hiring this very nice lady to perform acupuncture on me for my Bell's Palsy. Yes, I'll have had Bell's Palsy for one year on August 31st. It's ridiculous. So I decided I needed to try something and Bev (the acupuncturist) said "Oh yeah .. Bell's Palsy is no problem to cure with acupuncture". I was skeptical, but figured at this point I have nothing to lose.
If you ever get the opportunity to try acupuncture I would highly recommend it. I've had 4 treatments over the past month and there is marked improvement in my facial muscles. I'm starting to be able to taste foods on the left side of my mouth. Everyone has commented on how my eye looks better, that my speech is better... I'm feeling really good about this. And really it's a trip feeling chi energy zoom through your body during the treatment. It's such a unique sensation - I recommend it to everyone. It's relaxing and exciting all at once. Finally I'm really starting to see the light at the end of the Bell's Palsy tunnel, hopefully just a few more treatments and I'll be at least 90% back to normal.
And finally - my weight ...
My friends - I have gone from 287 pounds to 174 pounds in 17 months time. I have lost 39% of my total body weight. I have gone from a size 28 Women's Plus size to size 14. The last time I wore a size 14, I was in high school some 26 years ago. Wow. Am I really that old? :)
My doctor wanted me under 180 pounds, check. I've gotten off the anti-depressants, check. I've inspired several friends, co-workers and loved ones to lose weight & think about what they are eating, check.
I have proved to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to. Even through the Bell's Palsy and the knowledge of the Chiari I have lost weight and reached my goals. If I can do this --- anyone can do this. I have another blog in my mind for my recipe for weight loss success that I hope to write sooner than later. I want to record this, in case I ever slip up and gain... although really - I just don't see that happening. I'm so much more aware now of food, food choices, the importance of exercise and now I weigh myself daily just to keep an eye on things ... it's amazing what you can do with a little bit of know how.
Thank you again to all my terrific Sparkfriends! Truly you are the reason why this all works. Knowing I'm not alone in my struggle to lose weight and that there are other supportive, caring people has really helped get me through some of those rougher days.
I'm going to continue to try to lose that last 10 pounds... I've got to spend more time strength training and firming up a bit more. I'm still eating a reduced calorie diet so the weight should start to come off again. I've actually gained and lost the same 4 pounds over the past two months -- it's time to re-focus on me and get rid of these last 10.
Thanks for reading .. and always remember:
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up!!! 
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
The Good Observations ...
Today, while taking a walk on my lunch break, the sunshine was shining brightly. My shadow walked with me - and what a skinny shadow I now have. Wow. I'm currently 2 pounds away from being in the "normal" range on the BMI chart. I'm so close I can taste it. But I'm simply amazed at how my LG t-shirt doesn't grip around my waist. I'm amazed at how my body feels. And I'm still stunned that I've been able to lose 110 pounds - even while dealing with Bells Palsy for the better part of 9 months. That feels pretty good. These last couple pounds are taking there good ole time coming off. And I'm ok with that. I'm thinner & healthier than I have ever been.
The Disturbing Observations...
I drive 16 miles to get to work every morning. Of those 16 miles - 5 are on the freeway. Today I counted the number of drive thru restaurants I pass every day. In 11 miles of travel I pass a total of 30 drive thrus. And people want to know why obesity is a problem. Unbelievable.
I've also recently seen the movie Food Inc. It's changed the way I shop. It's very disturbing to me how our food industry is so messed up. And really - it's all centered around the fast food industry. Not only are they every where but what they've done to our food is disturbing, disgusting and horrifying. Animals being packed on top of each other. Antibiotics being used to the point that the human handlers have developed allergies to all antibiotics. The modification of animals - is just not right. And what I really want to know is what is "natural flavors"? Really. The next package of meat you buy - read the ingredients. I use to buy a lot of ground turkey. I thought I was getting ground turkey. Turns out the package includes "natural flavoring". What the hell is that??? Why can't I buy my own "natural flavor" to add to my recipes??
So now I'm buying a LOT more organic items. I spent more than $3 for a dozen free range, organic eggs yesterday. And was happy to pay it. I've bought organic tofu too. And I'm going to eat more fish - while you have to be careful about mercury & other chemicals in fish - it some how feels like a safer choice than the meat.
Here's to getting healthier my Sparkfriends!! Every day is a challenge -- and that's what makes the journey fun!
Remember -- Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
1. What did you eat for breakfast?
Kashi Go Lean, sprinkled with added cinnamon and 2% milk
2. How much water do you drink a day?
60 oz of Green Tea, 20 oz coffee, and usually 40 - 50 oz water
3. What is your least favorite "healthy" food?
Legumes - I try & try but I can't get past the texture of black beans, kidney beans and the like.
I know they are good for you - but ... *ack*
4. What is your favorite fruit?
This week - blueberries
5. What is your favorite vegetable?
I can't pick one - asparagus, tomato, and lately I can't get enough cucumbers
6. How many calories do you burn a week?
1800 is my goal.
7. How many calories do you eat a day?
1300-1500
8. What are your favorite healthy snacks?
Skinny Cow Chocolate Ice Cream Cone
9. What do you usually eat for lunch?
I try to make different types of salads using a variety of veggies. This week a fav is chopped cucumber, onion, plain greek yogurt, dill weed, garlic & tuna all mixed in big bowl with a side of high fiber whole grain crackers. YUM!
10. What is usually for dinner?
Tofu Stir Fry, Turkey Burgers and broiled chicken breast with sweet potato & asparagus are house favorites
11. What is your favorite body part to strength train?
my core
12. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
my arms
13. What is your least favorite exercise?
push ups
14. What is your favorite exercise?
walking
15. What is your "bad" food cravings?
Anything frozen from Starbucks or Wendy's Chocolate Frostys ... evil... pure evil.
16. What is your go to workout song?
While I LOVE music - I don't really use music while working out. Unless you count the background music on the Wii -- which ... is really just background noise.
17. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
Yes. I'm a big user of Fish Oil not only for it's heart & metabolic advantages but I've learned that it really helps stabilize my moods. I also take a B-Vitamin supplement as it's suppose to help the nerve damage that's brought on by my Bells Palsy.
18. How often do you eat out?
Maybe once or twice a week.
19. Do you eat fast food?
Only occasionally. I really, really try to avoid it. Not only is the food generally crap - the fast food industry is directly responsible for our crappy food industry which is really terrifying once you start learning about where our food comes from. I try not to support fast food with my money -- but *sigh* sometimes it's unavoidable.
20. How do you stay motivated?
I'm a Taurus. I'm stubborn. When I get a thought in my head I never stop till I get to my goal. Simply seeing so many obese people at the stores or on the streets is enough to remind me that that is not a healthy way to be. And I want to be healthy.
21. Who is your biggest supporter?
My boyfriend and without a doubt my Sparkfriends! This place rocks! And without the support of others who are trying to do the same thing as myself - I don't know if I would have been as successful.
22. How much weight have you lost?
One Hundred and Ten Pounds. So far ;)
23. How did you determine your goal weight?
Originally I picked a number in the middle of the BMI chart to shoot for. Since then I've talked to my doctor to determine a healthy range for me to be in.
24. Do you have a gym membership?
Nope
25. How often do you work out?
4-6 days a week, depending on what's going on.
26. How did you find Spark?
A Google search for a calorie tracker brought me here.
27. How much sleep do you get a night?
At least 6 hours, but I love to get closer to 8 when possible.
28. Are you a morning or night workout person?
I'm lucky to be able to lift a coffee mug to my mouth in the morning .. I'm seriously an evening exercise person.
29. Do you have a "cheat" day?
I generally give myself a "cheat" meal once every week to 10 days. I've only taken 2 full days off the program in the past 16 months. Both were holidays and ... I just said no to counting & measuring. Everyone deserves a break now and again.
30. Do you drink soda?
Not really. I've never been a big soda drinker.
31. Do you drink alcohol? How much?
I'm a seriously cheap date - two glasses of wine and I threaten to get nekkid. So -- no - I only drink occasionally - usually for a wedding or other social function.
32. What is your favorite thing about Spark?
Tracking of food and workouts, my friends, the resources
33. What do you not like about your body? What do you love about your body?
Right now I'm not happy with the left side of my face - it's still effected by the Bells Palsy. But other than that my belly could still shrink a bit - but I'm starting to like my arms (the bat wings have disappeared) and my boyfriend is really enjoying the curves of my hips to my waist.
34. Do you have a workout buddy?
My boyfriend enjoys going on walks with me. But the rest of it I do on my own without a buddy.
35. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to this Healthy Lifestyle?
I've gotten off the anti-depressants. The reaction of my loved ones has been pretty good too. But really I'm loving how my body is feeling. Like a well oiled machine -- I really didn't know how bad I was feeling - until I lost all this weight and feel great! Every day I'm noticing a change in my body or an ability I didn't know I had -- I love the adventure of it all.
Enjoy my Sparkfriends! You guys ROCK!!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
I did not know Chief Mankiller personally, but she has touched my soul. I listened to an interview with her on NPR's Fresh Air program and I had to learn more. Chief Mankiller was the first female Cherokee Chief. The following is a link to a recent news article about her life and death from cancer:
www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=1
2263808
The following are quotes from Chief Mankiller that I wanted to share and remember. Truly words of wisdom ...
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“Optimistic, hopeful people view barriers and obstacles as problems to be solved and not as the reason to give up or turn back,” she said. “Positive people never, ever give up.”
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“The happiest people I’ve ever met, regardless of their profession, their social standing, or their economic status, are people that are fully engaged in the world around them. The most fulfilled people are those who get up every morning and stand for something larger than themselves. They are people who care about others, people who will extend a helping hand to someone in need or will speak up about an injustice when they see it,” Wilma said.
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In a 1993 interview on Fresh Air, Mankiller described how a 1979 car accident that nearly killed her completely changed the way she viewed her own life. She says that accident helped her adopt the Cherokee approach to life.
"I think the Cherokee approach to life is being able to continually move forward with kind of a good mind and not focus on the negative things in your life and the negative things you see around you, but focus on the positive things and try to look at the larger picture and keep moving forward," Mankiller explained. "[It] also taught me to look at the larger things in life rather than focusing on small things, and it's also awfully, awfully hard to rattle me after having faced my own mortality ... so the things I learned from those experiences actually enabled me to lead. Without those experiences, I don't think I would have been able to lead. I think I would have gotten caught up in a lot of nonsensical things."
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In an e-mail statement in early March, Mankiller wrote,
"…I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another. I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them. On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences…"
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www.npr.org/templates/story/story.ph
p?storyId=125668640
www.ktul.com/news/stories/0410/72294
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Member Comments About This Blog Post:
maintaining your loss over this stressful and busy few months! I am in the same boat as you with the last 10 pounds and the ping-pong game with about 3 pounds over the past month or two. But I feel like I am more aware of the little food "sneaking" I was starting to fall into, which was certainly contributing, and am back on track this week to knock them out for good! I too need to focus on toning and such too. Even with this last 10 pounds, my thighs and abs will need more help! 
I read this week that the three most important produce items to buy organic are apples, bell peppers and peaches.
