HAPPYWRITER7's SparkPeople Blog

20 Post - Workout Foods

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:59:08 EST

Friday Funny

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:06:29 EST

I hope you've had a good week!

A Long Overdue Blog Entry

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 17:12:46 EST

It feels like the first day of school. My last post was in August. I then had a relapse of my MS which rendered me unable to really walk in September. After a round of the powerful IV drugs I was able to amble around. In October, with weekly therapy I was able to get down the stairs again, but I haven't been able to go out without a cane though - something of a new life.
It's been an experience. Ive learned some things that I hope I don't forget.
I miss being a part of SP. I c...

Moving slowly is still moving!

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 08:08:56 EST

Never give up on your dreams - A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:56:25 EST

March 12, 2010
Dear God,
if it is your will, I would like to be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul one day. My mother used to love those books, it wouldve made her so proud. If you show me the way - please show me the way...

August 17, 2012

The box containing the Chicken Soup For The Soul series my story is featured in arrived today. Thank You Lord.

Are you a sticker stickler?

Fri, 3 Aug 2012 11:47:45 EST

Worth becoming one!

It only took 3 months

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 09:10:46 EST

This week I had a goal. Walk a combined total of 3.1 miles a 5k. A week with: a very hot and humid day, a drs appt featuring bad news and a yummilicious tomato tart did not damper the hope to reach my goal. This morning SP told me my weekly mileage total: 3.11.
I walked a 5k this week. Thank you Lord
Hopefully as my legs get stronger I will set the goal to 3.1 miles in a day.

It's the little things

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:33:52 EST

When I added up all of the small amounts of walking (stumbling) I was able to do this week it came to 2.41 miles - that's more than a 3k! And quite close to a 5k! I know to some people adding up would never count. It's a good thing Im not one of them. I was able to walk for 15mins today. It has cooled off nicely here for the day and my body is grateful.

I finished the poetry book! It was really heartening to see something that I wrote all of the words to, and put together all...

keep on going

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 08:01:48 EST

Have a great weekend!

Inspired by an arrow

Sat, 7 Jul 2012 09:21:39 EST

Photo courtesy of: http://its-all-in-the-words.tumblr.com

Enjoy your your weekend!

Going to feel like 105 today. Im just hoping to survive the weekend!

Sometimes, being sick ...sucks.

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:01:56 EST

I wrote this entire entry, and somehow it disappeared. Oh well, I was only able to walk 10 minutes on Monday and 15 on Tuesday, then by Wednesday my legs just were not having movement. My body has never been a fan of heat, but this year it has been unbeliveable. I dont know if I will finally bite the bullet and take the steroid drip. It really is difficult not being able to move as you'd like. Sometimes people do not understand nor appreciate their freedom. The scale says 13 lbs less tha...

Unexpected

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:45:07 EST

This morning - emergency oral surgery. Im surprised that Im up. The last time I had to have this done, I was a mess for two days.
This truly has been a year full of unexpected surprises, some good, some not so good. Walked for 20 minutes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. So happy. Can you believe that half of the year is almost done? My goal for this month was to walk the 5K - Ill have to take a rain check on that goal, but this upcoming week, Im going to try get that poem book idea...

Rebuilding

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:12:27 EST

Ive been sick for a number of weeks now. Despite the steroids, my flare up (perhaps relapse) didnt calm down, so Ive been not able to do much in terms of exercise at all. Fortunately or unfortunately, for the past 2 weeks or so, I also havent been able to eat much more than 700 calories a day.
This week, I was able to break 1000 calories per day, and so I began to walk little by little. First just 10 minutes, and by day three I increased to 15. Hopefully on Monday, I'll still be im...

Free Advice

Fri, 8 Jun 2012 06:36:02 EST

Have a great weekend!

What a bust...

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 20:04:48 EST

This week I haven't been able to eat more than 700 calories a day. Im not sure what is happening with my body - Im in a throes of a serious flare or something (seems like one continuous flare these days). I fear it's a relapse, but Neuro exams and CT scans say otherwise. I presented with a condition called hemifacial spasm. One of side of my face is so tight and swollen from the spasms it's hard to both see and eat anything. And because of our weather earlier in the week it was difficult ...

It's World MS Day! This has nothing to do with weight loss.

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:40:21 EST

Today is World MS Day. This day was created to bring to light the life altering illness of Multiple Sclerosis to many who wouldn’t otherwise be the least bit interested. If MS hadn't hit close to my home, I don’t know if I would have been interested. In December of 2004, my big toe became numb and thus my journey began. I was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on June 29, 2007. My diagnosis came within 5...

Never underestimate the power of sleep!

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:14:33 EST

I do not like to sleep. I never have. My mother used to tell me what a difficult time she had getting me to go to sleep as a baby, and I remember walking around our apt by myself while every one else slept when I was younger - that's when my father started calling me Nicodemus. When MS came to my life and fatigue made my body its home, I still didn’t care for sleep. I just *had* to sleep, no way around it (sometimes, I was afraid to sleep - thought I wouldn’t wake up). Unfortunately (f...

5.25 miles

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:14:30 EST

Is how much I walked this week. Sometimes wobbly, sometimes exhausted and always with rest in between, but with God's help, I did it. I don't think I would've been able to a few weeks ago - in any capacity.
Started writing an article on chair exercise.
Tried a peanut butter and pear on whole wheat sandwich this week. (surprisingly good)
Fighting with extraordinary fatigue
Oral surgery is in my near future.
Going to make a book of some of the poetry I wrote last mont...

A Home on Mother's Day and Another Flare

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:29:41 EST

It has been ten years since my mom died, but the longing to simply talk to her never goes away; it is a feeling I’ve come to live with, but on the Mother’s Day 11 years after she died everything still seems very lonely.
This was another not too great week for me, mostly because my symptoms have been acting up lately and today I could barely walk 30 minutes. This is when I find it easy to "relax", or give up because it seems so difficult when you have a body that's not trying to work ...

Firsts and Feelings of Foreboding

Fri, 4 May 2012 14:51:24 EST

Firsts
I went grocery shopping on the parameter of the store only
I walked 1.75 miles in 34 minutes
(first this year - last year at 34 minutes I'd walked over 2 miles, but it's not last year anymore - new year, new normal.
I did upper body work outs (seated) with my new 2lb weights
I completed writing 30 poems in 30 days for the first time in 5 years (April goal - met)

It's been a rough week. I felt distinctly different in my spirit this week - weaker, m...

Two Words: Chair Exercise

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:21:06 EST

If you thought you couldn't have a proper workout in a chair - I have some sore limbs that would love to converse with you! I actually have a difficult time of lifting my weak legs from a seated position, and I was going to start to feel down about that, but then I considered that every inch that I can lift them helps to build strength. I thank God for for those inches, and Lindy for telling me about chair marching! Which led me to the chair exercise group, which led me to the lifestyle ce...

Ulimate Goal Weight

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:51:12 EST

This week I choose to add a goal of walking a 5k and signed up for SP training. I was able to do it last year (with a rest). With God's help, I'll be able to do it again this year - no matter how slowly I go or even if I use a cane!

Source: http://onmyownwaytohappiness.tumblr.com/po
st/21031975097

Have a good weekend!

*Reminders

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:12:03 EST

Source: http://recoveryed.tumblr.com/post/20851751
422
Enjoy the weekend!
Don't be surprised if you see this photo on my blog again. These are things we should all remember.

2012/Failure/MS/Other Fitness Sites and Im really hoping to be back now

Mon, 9 Apr 2012 10:19:14 EST

I havent been very active on SP since about 2010. I was getting bored, I started seeing shifting attitudes, and started to have shifting attitudes of my own. It is extremely difficult losing weight and learning to love/accept yourself. I was so surprised how many times the attitudes fought each other. One side says of you love yourself you will lose weight, the other side says you need to love yourself no matter what.
I just thought it was time to take a little SP break - so I tried...

Goodbye 2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:55:34 EST

The way these years are just rushing by is somewhat stunning!

Just a few new things I tried this year:

Not worrying as much
Trusting God more
Writing for a Christian Women's Website
Vegetarianism
Kale Salad with homemade Orange Vinaigrette
Gardein Foods
"Meatloaf" made from Chickpeas & pinto beans (and I don't even like beans)
Carrot Souffle
Blessings by Laura Story
Becoming more than a good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst ...

Forks over Knives and I'm still alive!

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:22:16 EST

Since it has been hmm a very long time since I made an entry, I thought it would be a good time. My MS is still not settling down much, another round of steroids (the second since August). I'm surprised my doctor is still prescribing them, but I have to say, I'd rather the pill than an IV in my arm.

Last month, I made the decision to try a vegetarian diet. I watched Forks over Knives, and felt a little convicted. I grew up in a religion where a vegan lifestyle was embraced, and...

Irene is on her way

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:36:14 EST

They are shutting down the NYC transit system tomorrow at 12pm. It's never has been done before - a premandated shut down. It's a big deal here, the news is cutting in every half hour or so - it's little frightening. Just a little though.
Two significant things this week. I finished my prednisone course and I reached the 10 pounds lost mark. Predisone usually causes weight gain, so Im very thankful that I was able to still lose. I did start eating lots of vegetable sandwiches in con...

Holding steady...

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:43:24 EST

on the scale. This could be an unfortunate thing - or an Im glad the scale is not moving right thing. Personally, Im glad the scale is not moving right.

Dr put me on another round of steroids...
I mind that I might gain some weight, but Im looking forward to feeling at least ok for the next month of so. I might even be able to exercise a bit more. Ill be praying that I will be able to tolerate them again.

Slowly

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:53:44 EST

I have to say, just knowing that my plan was to be more aware about what I was eating helped a great deal.

I stuck to my no heavy food after 7, but my esophagus was still really slow in its motility. Going to try for a second week and if things don't improve, Ill increase it to only soft foods after 7. This is an important factor. When my esophagus is emptying slowly, going to sleep laying down is impossible... so is going to sleep at a 'decent' hour. Sleep has never been goo...

A decision I'll never regret

Wed, 4 May 2011 23:45:04 EST

On this date 3 years ago, I was hours from making one of the best decisions of my life. And even though right now Im not shedding pounds left and right - exercise is a part of my daily life. Never knew that would happen - calorie counting was an after thought still is sometimes, but not nearly as often as it used to be, I've made friends with yogurt, oatmeal and raisins. They were just acquaintances 3 years ago. Sometimes, I lose hope in humanity, but browsing around the pages of my Spark...

Historic Day!

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:55:12 EST

Walked and Hobbled
Today I am an MS Ninja

Disappointments and Delights

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:40:51 EST

Between the last Sunday in March and this Sunday the scale shows me a gain of 7 lbs (yup - 2 weeks).
Does the fact that my dr had to put me back on steroids last week aid in that gain? Im sure it does, but, it doesnt make me feel any better.
It still feels like failure - especially because around last year at this time I was so much closer to my goal, that was 3 steroid treatments and tighter eating rules ago though.
I don't wish to become stuck here in disppointment, I kn...

87.4

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:44:54 EST

The amount of miles I have walked thus far since the year began.
1 - the amount of pounds I've lost since the year began.
Hmm, is it frustrating? - yep at times it sure is. I've switched the food, tweaked the exercise, but not much on the scale to show for it,
BUT
I put on a pair of pants and proceeded to walk out of them last week - they were big, but hung on my hips in January, On Friday they wouldnt stay up.
I walked 2.3 miles yesterday. My legs were mess by t...

Shine On...

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:40:11 EST

Do not allow someone's inability to see past their darkness drag you from your light. Shine on.
Someone out there needs to see that light.
So shine on.
You possess a perspective than only you can convey.
Don't be discouraged - Shine on.
Someone needs YOUR light to shine on them.
Shine on.
Shine on.
Shine on.

No need to apply make up...

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:07:00 EST

Imagine how much money you can save if you allow your inner beauty to shine through

Is Public Television Important to you?

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:11:49 EST

Sesame Street, Mister Roger's Neighborhood, 321 Contact, Electric Company - those are all shows that came on PBS that I grew up with. To this very day I still watch shows like Arthur and Electric Company and Word World, part of it is the teacher in me that wants to stay current with the wholesome televsion that is still out there, so imagine my dismay on finding out that the House Eliminated Funding For Local Public Radio and Television Stations. What were they thinking? It's one of the go...

Great Motivational Poster

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:06:55 EST

This will soon be my Desktop. It is a motivational poster available at the website below, with a whole lot of other cool organizers. You can make it your desktop too, if you so desire.

www.lobotome.com/pages/poster.html

Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels...NOT

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:32:08 EST

The amount of people who use this as a personal mantra is - well lets just say I'm not one of them. If this is your personal mantra - you may not find this blog appealing, because to me it is not "thinspiration", nor is it encouragement, it's dangerous, for some it is actually a death sentence.

Have you realized that these are the things we send our kids out into the world with - and in turn they do *everything* possible to be and stay - thin, because we have told them, there is a...

Update - Short and Quick

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:51:43 EST

My year so far has been chock full of realization and revelation, if I weren't strapped in, I would've been tossed ages ago. I have developed Trigeminal Neuralgia which is quite possibly the most painful thing I've ever experienced. TN is actually nicknamed the "suicide disease" because sometimes people try to get rid of the pain (face & head) anyway they possibly can. Thank God I've only had 2 flares so far, and I have the meds to deal if it sneaks up on me again.
I've also had to...

One of the best gifts you can give a child

Thu, 6 Jan 2011 14:22:42 EST

I recently began following a blog encouring people to stop hating their bodies. At first glance it could be dismissed as young people just fooling around, but upon closer inspection I found something very curious. A young lady 5'7" and 97 pounds makes a post followed by another young lady 5'7" 240 pounds - yet their sentiments are identical: They hate their bodies. They both hate getting teased, they both hate feeling worthless, they both hate and are tired of being told they are not good...

This year, surprise yourself

Sat, 1 Jan 2011 09:01:08 EST

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

— Neil Gaiman

This is for you

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:11 EST

*exhausted*

Blessing in Disguise

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:15:59 EST

Just out of the blue it seems.
One day this week, someone wrote to ask me if I could share any WL tips with them. I was floored a bit because 1. No one has ever asked me that before and 2. I've barely lost any weight this year, I gained back about half of what I lost.
I remember when I first started sparking again, I wrote of list of the things I was doing and kept it on my Spark page for a while - that was almost 2 years ago. I made a "vision book" when I first started, and I k...

Thanks Spark Friends!

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 12:12:56 EST

Yesterday, I walked 10 blocks. 5 to the polling center and the 5 back home. By the time I got to my house, my legs were so weak, I couldn't climb the stairs - so I crawled.
Because I could do that.
I thank God, and I thank Spark people, because I wouldn't have even thought to walk to cast my vote - before SP. Before SP, I probably could have done it, but I wouldn't have. Yesterday, I just said I can ...

Sometimes I need a reminder

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:58:07 EST

Went to the dr today - gained 3 pounds since the last time I saw her in in April. Sad it is 3, but glad it's not 5. Encountered a woman who was upset that she only had female doctors. She was highly upset. It didn't seem like she thought her care wasn't top notch, just something in her world stopped spinning at the absence of a male dr in her life.
Got the flu shot and now have a raging aching arm :). Have to go back to disability drs in 2 weeks.