Health

Finding my Discipline…

May 9, 2018 By kelly 2 Comments

Since spring is known as a good time for cleaning, I guess it’s time to knock the cobwebs off the ole blog again, friends.

For quite some time now, I have just not been happy with my body because I just didn’t feel or look like I wanted to. Given life circumstances in the last few years, excuses came fluidly as to why I wasn’t making healthier choices for myself. I would halfheartedly attempt to “be good” and then fall back into ways that I knew weren’t the best for me, but, frankly, they were easy and comfortable. I was letting food be a comfort, a vice, a crutch…just not good things for me. And, I just didn’t feel like me. I wasn’t getting out of the rut, so it was this cyclical thing of feeling disgusted with myself and perpetuating the issue.

A couple of friends mentioned various forms of “intermittent fasting” and I kept hearing about bone broth being a gut healer. So, I started to get interested in that and did some research including asking said friends how they did it, etc. Two of the friends I talked to did somewhat different methods, but both were HAPPY with the results. I decided to give it a try and, basically, made my own plan according to what I discovered as I researched intermittent fasting.

One month ago today, I put all the excuses and bad habits aside and I went all in on intermittent fasting. Basically, for me, this means that I limit my meals to between 12p-7p each day. Before each meal, I take organic/raw apple cider vinegar and drink a cup of organic bone broth. Then, I eat two healthy meals per day. This took some getting used to because I am, and have always been, a breakfast lovin’ girl. I still cook breakfast for my family every day, but, at least for now, I’m not having breakfast. The first several days, my body was like “Hold up! What is going on here?!” But, it only took less than a week and I got used it. Anyone who knows me knows I love my coffee, so I do still have that in the mornings. I add just a TEENSY bit of half/half and some organic stevia as not to “break the fast.” I can have water, tea or coffee in the mornings, but just nothing that will break the fast. What I’ve been doing on my plan is having LOTS of salads and having lean protein and veggies. For my two meals a day, I’m trying to eat as clean and healthy as possible. I’m not super strict, but I’m basically avoiding starches, carbs, sugars, most grains, all alcohol, and limiting dairy. Essentially, I’m just taking away the things that, really…I don’t even NEED in my diet. And, I couldn’t be happier with how it’s working for me!

This is a very personal thing, but I no longer weigh myself. I found years ago that the scale went beyond motivating into almost an obsession. I made a decision that I needed to focus more on how I feel and how my clothes fit me as opposed to a number on a scale. I’m now one month into this plan and I cannot say how much weight I’ve lost, even though I know I’ve dropped some pounds, but I can say that my clothes fit so much better and I’m into the size I usually wear and not a size up. I’ve also been able to buy cute new spring/summer clothes in my former size. Also, I haven’t had to take any sort of antacid or reflux medication in a month’s time!! MORE THAN THAT…I feel amazing! My energy has picked up and I just feel BETTER. It is hard to put into words, but I just feel like me again. I don’t feel sluggish or blah, I don’t dread getting dressed because I’m not sure what fits…it’s blowing my mind, really! I am all about non-scale victories, personally, and the successes I’m having on this plan are tremendous for me!

I know this plan isn’t for everyone, but it’s been a game-changer for me. Not only did I finally find my MOTIVATION, but I’ve also found my DISCIPLINE when it comes to sticking to it. Early on, I will admit, it was challenging for me. My body WANTED breakfast. But, I dug down and reminded myself that this body has fat to burn for fuel and I would not cave before 12’noon. I’ve also battled cravings like crazy. For some reason, the cravings tend to come on strong in the evenings. I mean…y’all, I even DREAM about food! This tells me I am battling an unhealthy fixation with junk, no joke. Not to pat myself on the back too much, but it’s seriously taken some “want to” and some sheer determination to stick to this, but I’m very PROUD of how far I’ve come with it. Going beyond motivated into disciplined has really helped me to get to a place where I feel WAY better than I have in quite some time!

Now that I’m at the one month mark, I’m considering adding a healthy breakfast back into my day at some point. With the weather warming up (HOORAY!!), I know I’ll need to walk/exercise in the mornings and I want to properly fuel my body for that. And, I really don’t believe that intermittent fasting is a lifestyle that I could attain long term. BUT…healthy eating IS something I can do long term. That’s not to say I won’t have a treat now and then. That’s not to say that this southern girl won’t have a biscuit every so often. Let’s be honest, I’m not bypassing the goodies 24/7 for life. BUT, my hope and desire is that I’m breaking bad food habits and that the norm for me will be healthier/cleaner eating and continuing to feel better as a result.

To be honest, I wasn’t even sure if I should write or post this, but then I thought about how I can’t possibly be the only one who has struggled with body image and dealt with food being a crutch in my life. So, I’m sharing not because I think this is the “one size fits all” plan for the whole world, but because it’s worked so well for me. The two sayings above have been strong motivators for me too. I honestly want to print them and post them in my house as constant reminders. Going forward, I don’t want to fall back into constant bad habits and I want to keep excuses swept aside for the betterment of myself.

If, like me, you’re looking for a change and/or a starting point for something to help you feel better and this interests you, please feel free to reach out to me and I’ll share what’s been working for me. I am, by far, not even remotely an expert. I just know that this has legitimately been the best thing I’ve done for myself in awhile and if I can help anyone else, I am happy to do so. I believe we all deserve to feel good about ourselves and this has been a boost to get me to a better place in a lot of ways.

Happy Wednesday, y’all…

Kelly

The Haps…

February 7, 2016 By kelly Leave a Comment

Okay…dumb blog title, but I’m cutting myself some slack because I couldn’t think of anything more creative at the time I sat down to finally update.

So, some good things are happening around here lately…

Mickey and I rocked out and completed our first Whole 30! We haven’t gone off the wagon yet, either. He’s had a little piece of candy Macey saved for him, but only ONE, and we have both tried a little reintro of cheese, but we are mostly sticking to plan. Last Tuesday (February 2nd) was Day 30 and I’m so proud of us for making it all the way and beyond! I cannot say enough about how beneficial this has been for both of us. W30 isn’t supposed to be about weight loss, but I’ll say that’s a nice little perk. Besides that, we’ve both had an upswing in overall energy, clearer skin, far less snoring (not me!), no headaches in weeks, and MORE. Also, a big shout out to Mickey because he not only did all of this, but he went so far as to cut his caffeine habit completely which, frankly, is a serious accomplishment. I’ll be perfectly honest and say that it’s not the easiest thing to start, but once you’re rolling it gets easier. The keys, I really believe, are to be over prepared with your food and recipes and to have good support.
One of my 2016 goals was to experience some firsts this year and I’ve done some of that already. In January, I attended my first volunteer leadership conference with my job. Sure, it was work, but it was AMAZING and was a first for me! Just last week I had another first in that I treated myself to a salon hair cut and color and went with some purple highlights. LOVE it and so glad I took a chance on that first. Firsts can be totally fun. I’m digging this firsts thing.
I’m also working on my goal of being more intentional this year. I’m not just saying “Hey, let’s get together sometime”, but I’m saying “Hey, let’s have brunch. How’s Thursday?” It doesn’t always work out, but putting the intentions into action have been good and have given me some good family and friend time already this year, with more in the works.
I recently read Nobody’s Cuter Than You: A Memoir About the Beauty of Friendship by Melanie Shankle and looooooved it. It was just what I needed to read and I highly recommend it for friends. Seriously, get yourself a copy of this book today if you haven’t ready it already — it is just THAT good. I have honestly never read Melanie’s blog* but I probably should since I enjoyed her book so much. And I’ll pick up others of her’s too! (*Sorry, Melanie, if you ever randomly stumble upon this blog…which won’t happen, but…just in case. Gotta have my manners in place.)
We recently had a little family retreat to a cabin in the mountains in North Georgia. It was a sweet little cabin, just perfect for us, and secluded. Ahhh!! We had plans to maybe hike or make a bonfire or all sorts of things, but the main thing we did was have some R&R which, honestly, was just right. We also went to see the band I am They in concert which was great!! If you haven’t given them a listen yet, let me recommend them too.

So, that’s the basics of what’s going on around here lately. Plus, I mean, work and school, trying to keep up with laundry and housekeeping (and failing like crazy), while maintaining what little shred of normalcy we can muster. In other words…life is good.

Best,
Kelly

Just a few pics this time.

A side view of my new ‘do. Can you see the purple?
purple

The view from the front door of the cabin:

cabin_view

Mickey and me before the I am They concert:
honey

Our girls before the concert:
girlies

Reclaiming January.

January 10, 2016 By kelly Leave a Comment

I’ve realized that if I’m going to write on this blog and share stories and such, there is a degree of transparency that I have to be willing to submit to in the process. While I’m not talking about delving into the deep of “total TMI” situations, I do mean that I feel that it’s good sometimes to share thoughts and experiences because, you never know, someone out there might benefit from knowing someone else has been through the same. The possibility may even be remote, but I was thinking about this today. I want to be as transparent as I can be on this blog mainly because I want to keep it real and I want to connect with people on that kind of level.

So, if I’m just being honest, January isn’t my favorite month ever. I just don’t dig it, generally speaking. It’s stinkin’ cold (which I don’t like), the joy of the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Years) has passed, there’s very little football, usually, for our teams, and January has been a time of loss in our families. For three Januarys in a row (2003-2005), we lost Mickey’s Grandma Lois, then his Grandpa Vic, and then his good friend Brian. Needless to say, in 2006 we didn’t want to answer the phone much in January. Not being fearful, mind you, but just not wanting to face another loss. That next loss didn’t come until last year, but it was a big one for me because my beloved Pop passed away on the 22nd of January. As I have said before, and I’m likely to say over and over again, I miss him every day. So…January is really not a month I tend to look forward to even with the turning of the calendar for a year and all.

I wouldn’t say that I suffer from seasonal affective disorder at all, but I do know that I most certainly get the winter blues. Typically, in January I will just feel a significant decrease in energy, I’m more tired, my motivation lacks, and what I really want to do is sleep and eat. I sort of feel like Eeyore. (No offense to the adorable gray donkey, but we can all agree that he’s not the happiest of sorts.) I have tried taking supplements to combat it, but it didn’t really seem to do a lot. I even asked for, and GOT, a sun lamp for my desk to try to help it this year.

Last Monday, I was feeling it again. It was the first day of Whole 30, but it was also just a day when the winter funk was on me like a heavy blanket. I did start using my sun lamp on my desk at work, but it was flippin’ cold because the building heat had apparently been OFF over the weekend. I basically felt like a human popsicle all day and I just didn’t feel like ME, besides. Then, a rassafrassin’ headache settled in on me and had me awake at 2:30am on Tuesday and, just…UGH. Seriously. Stink!! On Whole 30, you’re encouraged not to take any OTC meds, but, listen – it had to happen. Diffused oils weren’t cutting it and it hurt to so much as move my head AND I wasn’t able to sleep due to the pain. Enter a decongestant tab and some ibuprofen. AHH! I went back to sleep after being awake more than an hour and, just being real here, I was a total negative nelly (which is not like me) thinking there would be no way I’d be getting up on time or able to go to work the next morning. Guess what? The alarm went off and I was fine. Significantly reduced headache and I didn’t feel like a truck hit me. I did pop a couple more meds throughout that day, but I didn’t feel horrid. I also kept with the Whole 30 plan, of course, and I also continued to use my sun lamp during the day. Okay…fast forward a couple of days…by Thursday I could NOT believe how good I was feeling! I’m feeling THIS GOOD IN JANUARY?! WOO HOO!!! This is awesome!

If I gain no other benefits whatsoever from Whole 30, just feeling this much better, in general, is amazing!! In addition to having more energy, I’ve also gotten rid of some post gallbladder surgery issues I had been having for weeks! I am just amazed!! In seven days of being on this program, I’ve already seen incredible results. I’m not talking about a scale – heavens no, I avoid those jokers like the plague. I feel a resurgence. I feel like the me I want to be. I’ve reclaimed January! And, that is pretty stinkin’ cool!

Kelly

Two Days into Whole 30…

January 5, 2016 By kelly Leave a Comment

Well, here I am…two days into the Whole 30 plan. And, I’m making it. Barely. No, I’m mostly just kidding around when I say that. It’s really not that bad, but, then again, I’m only two days, six meals, into this thing. For me, when I do any change in eating, the key for my success or failure is getting past day three. Seriously. I have gotten to day three in other plans before, sailed through and had success. I’ve also gotten to day three and fallen head first off other wagons. It’s make it or break it time. In other words, tomorrow is key. And, to that end, I’m preparing myself to steel my will, double down my resolve and continue to make it happen. I’ve done my meal prep, so at least I’m ready. That’s usually a deal breaker right there. I get behind, don’t have what I NEED to eat and…bam…I’m shame spiraling into QuitsVille. Not this time. Nope. I’m going to stick to it. Please wish me luck!

So, let me back up a little and talk about how I got here in the first place. I’ve been hearing about The Whole 30 for awhile now and have heard all along that yes, it’s challenging, but it’s worth sticking with to get results. And, frankly, I need a reboot. I won’t go into lots of detail at this point, but, well, a lot happened in the last year and I’m a stress eater PLUS I have a mouth full of sweet teeth AND carbs are delicious. Like I recently read on FB, “It’s all fun and games until your jeans don’t fit anymore.” Ahem. I’m not one to weigh myself because I get obsessive about it and the number drives me crazy. So, I honest to goodness, I have no earthly clue what I weigh right now and I’m okay with that. Ever since I gave up the scale, I have reminded myself that the number I am concerned about is the one on the tag in my jeans. In other words, as long as they fit well, I’m good. Well, right now, some do and some — not so much. Besides that, I’m prone to the winter blahs and I need an uplift in energy. Basically, it came down to the fact that I really felt like I needed a reboot. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to challenge myself. Surprisingly enough, I got Mickey on board too. So, we’re both doing it and we’re both determined to succeed. Yes, it’s challenging, but it’s not impossible. There are way harder things out there and I know it. I don’t even have to go into a list to say that people HAVE to do things every day that are unbelievably hard – they don’t even have a choice. So, I won’t begin to say what I’m doing is hard. Challenging? Sure. Any hardcore change, even for “just” a month, will have challenges. But, this isn’t hard. Hard is a word reserved for other things, not this. This, I can do. I may have stupid sugar withdrawal headaches and I may get the worst case of the grumps ever, but that’s temporary. Better things are to come and I am pushing forward to THOSE THINGS. Bring on the “tiger blood” and the better sleep. I’ll sludge through some headache mess for a better feeling ME. Oh yes…I sure will!

So, back to day two. It’s been a little bit on the BLAH side at times, but I find that my energy level tonight is elevated from what it normally would be at this time of day. I woke up with a wretched headache in the middle of the night last night, despite defusing my trusty oils, and I was MISERABLE, so I did cave and take some meds. That helped me rest which I needed. I had a dull headache most of the rest of the day, so I hydrated like it was my job. I also found that eating helped my headache subside. I know I’m not out of the woods as far as the “icks” from sugar detox go, but I’m seeing that it’s not insurmountable. (And, when I read this blog entry from Whole 30, I see the crazies are probably AHEAD of me for a few days yet. ACK! But, the pay off should be more than worth it!) What I know for sure is this — succeeding at something difficult will feel ten thousand times better than quitting when the going gets tough. I can hang tough. VIRTUAL FIST BUMP, PEOPLE!!

So, that’s where I am today. Two days down, 28 to go. It seems a long way off now, I’ll be honest, but the time is going to pass anyway, so I might as well be doing something to make me feel better. Plus, I have Mickey doing this too AND I have the support of friends also on the journey. If you’re on the journey too, I’d love to hear from you. To me, the keys are determination, preparation and dedication. I’m bringing it! Whole 30 or bust!

Blessings,
Kelly

fun_games

Go Beyond Awareness

September 30, 2014 By kelly Leave a Comment

So, today is September 30. Which, can we just take a second and reflect on how quickly September passed by us? Or was that just me? Seriously, September got up out in a hurry. Whew! The girls had a (glorious) week long break from school in mid-September, so that surely contributed to the swiftness of the days ticking off, I’m sure. Anyway. It’s almost gone now, only hours left. And, thus will end “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” for 2014. BUT, it doesn’t have to stop here, y’all. Awareness is okay, but it’s really not enough. Let’s help by going beyond aware and doing more. How? Well, I’m of limited knowledge, admittedly, but I do know of some ways to help and I’m glad to share info about some amazing pediatric cancer support non-profits that I know of and know to be fully on the level with all that they do.

First of all, some stats from ACCO.org:

Childhood Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the US.
Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.
In the US, among children from birth to age 19, more than 15,780 cases of cancer are diagnosed each year.
Every 40 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer in the US.
The most common type of cancer in children is Leukemia.
One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they are 20 years old.

Sobering, right? I mean, really — it just socks me in the gut every time I read those statistics. And, those are just SOME of the stats. These statistics also don’t show the amazing faces and lives that go along with pediatric cancer. Those kids are beyond precious and more needs to be done for them.

Another stat that really gets to me is that less than 5% of all federal cancer research funding goes into pediatric cancer research. LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT. That’s just not okay, in my opinion. These kids need research funded for a cure. This lack of federal funding is a big motivating factor for me, personally, to feel compelled to donate to non-profit agencies that help pediatric cancer patients and their families and also help to provide much needed research money. Some of the organizations I recommend for you to check out AND donate to are:

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

CURE Childhood Cancer

Curing Kids Cancer

Rally Foundation

St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Also, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has a Stop Childhood Cancer Alliance page with links to other charitable organizations that aid in the fight against childhood cancers.

Let me say this too, EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. It really does. Whether you have ten bucks or a million, the money helps. This is a lesson that we’ve been teaching our own girls as we encourage them to donate, as well. They have chosen to donate to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Georgia Chapter and have seen firsthand that even kids can donate and every bit is for the good for those that need it.

So, please — let’s don’t just be aware. Let’s be active. Odds are, you know a child that’s been affected by cancer. Maybe it’s your own child. Or maybe, like me, you’ve known and loved many that have had to be valiant warriors against horrible cancers at young ages. I don’t think any of us will go through this life not knowing a pediatric cancer patient. The statistics are staggering and I just really feel strongly that we can all pull together to help make a positive difference. If you feel lead, and I hope you do, please make a donation to one of the non-profits I listed. And, hey, if you feel further lead, do it regularly. Get involved with these agencies. Let’s get behind these kids and their families and show them that they are not in this alone. Let’s beat this cancer beast down. TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP FIND A CURE!