Greetings Wellness Friends! A lot has happened since I last blogged. I have embarked on a new adventure. I am enrolled in a nutrition program at Hawthorn University and I love it!
Hawthorn is an on-line holistic nutrition school. I just finished my 1st class and I learned so much. A required reading was a book by Douglas Margel, The Nutrient Dense Eating Plan. Talk about a holistic approach to dieting. I encourage you to pick up that book and read it! If you get a chance to read it, let me know what you think. His style is easily understandable and very informative! I really began to connect to my food and my journey.
I am also learning that every day is different. Every day is an opportunity to start again. Remember that, if you have a bad day, there is always tomorrow!
Today, I would like to share a true story with you. A friend of mine from work is on this amazing journey! Her name is Kay and she is in her early 60’s. She has been battling obesity for over 25 years. She is a tremendous nurse and a beautiful person, both inside and out.
Kay started dieting in May of this year (2011). She has lost almost 50lbs! I love to come into work every Monday because she always has a progress report for me! She has been losing, on the average, about 2lbs a week. While she has dieted before, this time it is different because she is making a lifestyle change. Watching this transformation before my eyes is so exciting. Every week, she glows just a little bit more. She is making plans to buy new cloths and throw the old ones away! I can tell she is committed to this new lifestyle she has created for herself.
Yes, it started out with a book called the The 17 Day Diet, I believe. She felt that the message was manageable. Kay explains that she knew she had to make a change in her life and her eating. As a nurse, she knew the right things to do like drinking water and cutting out refined carbohydrates, but she just wasn’t there yet. The book gave her that jump start to make a change. Basically, she cut out all sodas, she drinks water with lemon in the am, plain water and green tea. She has cut out all refined carbohydrates like cakes, cookies, and breads and has increased her intake of fruits and vegetables. It’s inspirational to hear her say, “I just don’t miss those foods anymore.”
While the weight loss is an obvious change, the energy she has is what amazes me. She truly has turned her life around. She comes into work week after week glowing more and more. Her spirit and her energy are so contagious that she is a “role model” for all of us.
I admire my friend Kay. Even though she is in her 60’s, you’d never know it. Her skin is soft with no wrinkles! She has always been a positive person, but her positive attitude has grown exponentially as she continues to shed those pounds. She has also admitted that her former pattern of eating probably had an addictive component. She knows that fact now and will take the appropriate steps to not fall back into those eating patterns.
I am so thankful to have Kay in my life and my work place. Her journey is such a joy to be a part of and I’m blessed to share her beautiful spirit week after week!
I have included in this posting a flyer on “Benefits of Honey” and “Wellness Cleanse.” I thought I would also include a health tip. Drink more water! In the morning, I drink a 16 oz. glass of water before I do anything else. That helps hydrate you at the beginning of the day. Let me know if you feel more energy with increased water intake! Also, try a squeeze of lemon in some warm water before you eat in the am, this helps get your stomach juices flowing for your meal.
Bye for now! E-mail with any questions: cporalsheldon@yahoo.com
a cup of chi 