Changing things up

Well, I have now lost 62 pounds.  According to the charts I've come across, I am either at my ideal weight of 165 pounds (calculations according to a diabetic book that takes your age into account), or 10 pounds away from the high end of normal, 20 pounds away from the high end or 36 pounds away from my ideal weight.  I can't see losing another 36 pounds.  I just can't.

The weight loss is slower now, having lost only 2 pounds in the last month, but I would suppose that standing around with a spoon in one hand and the whole carton of Bryers Oreo Cookie Blast Cocolate Ice Cream may have had something to do with it.  Yeah, been in rebellion.

My schedule has changed now that Seminary is over and I have to find new times to exercise.  I used to do weights during the Seminary hour and swam when I took Buddy to work at 11 am.  Now, I am so not going to get up at 5:00 in the morning if I don't have to, so I think Patrick and I will go to the gym whenever I wake up in the morning, which is about 5:30 am, whether I want to or not.  Today we went in for Patrick's Hip Hop class time.

I think I am going to change what I do, or rather, add something else to my cardio.  I have been swimming for cardio, but today, I did a circuit (alternating cardio sequence, weight sequence).  To warm up, I walked  on a treadmill for a couple of minutes, got on the Wave machine, walked the track, then got down to business on the leg press, walked around the track, got on the leg press, walked, chest press, then added these...gadgets that simulate jumping rope.  They are handles with a light weight ball dangling that gives you the workout of jumping rope, but without tripping yourself up.  I liked it.  I can't do impact anything, so I raised up and down on my toes, or alternated that with shallow squats.  Worked well for me.

So, maybe, if I leave the carton of Bryers Oreo Cookie Blast Chocolate Ice Cream in the freezer, I might lose another 2 pounds in the next month.

pegging people

You see the regulars at the gym, the ones who are there at the same time you are.  There's the lady who snorkles in the lap lanes, the lady who uses webbed gloves when she swims, the young guy who swims like he was raised by dolphins, the gentleman who walks the lanes, the man I call "the General" who does....something..bobs, burbbles the water, swims a little, and uses a water barbell in his work out.  Then there's me, the lady who wears the fuschia swim skirt over her swimwear.

She forgot her swim skirt today and considered for a second not swimming.  ACK!  I felt totally naked and exposed when I walked out there.  Maybe the people who have me pegged as the lady with the fucschia swim skirt didn't recognize me.

Notes to self:

• Kudos for swimming anyway.
• You are swimming stronger. Good for you
• No one ran off screaming when you entered the pool area
• You are still eating very well.
• Are you going to eat any Hormel Turkey Pepperoni today?

Dance Like No One is Watching

There's a lady who comes in to the pool at the gym who's lost 140 pounds with 70 to go.  She's got the folds of skin just hanging on her legs.  She dresses in a pair of shorts and a zip up swim jacket.  Her make-up is perfect, which includes bright red lip stick.  She walks to the equipment wall and gets a few things, a noodle, then slowly walks to the stairs to enter the pool.

We chatted once, months ago, when she showed her i-pod encased in a water-proof arm band and a pair of waterproof ear buds.  But other than that, she's kinda quiet, keeps to herself, seems like a reserved business office manager-type.

I love it when she comes while I am there, because once she is in that water, a whole different person emerges.  She cranks her ipod and starts to dance in the water.  And she SINGS!! along to her music. And there she is, in the pool, dancing her stuff around, singing along with passion--eyes closed, mouth wide open, singing and posing as she holds the note.
She does this like no one is watching.  But we are.  We are.  Smiling.

maintaining

I am maintaining at 53 pound loss, but feeling hungry after eating, wanting more.  Not that I need more as I get to eat plenty, but maybe I burn a lot.  I felt like I was eating absolutely everything one day, and prayed about it, talking it over with Heavenly Father.  He was like, "let's take a look at this..when you 'over eat' what is it you're eating?  Berries, nuts....that's the easy stuff to burn."  He told me that I was doing remarkably well, as when most people with diabetes binge, it's on junk food.  Oh.  Okay.

I am down to a size 14, and 16 slim.

Still doing weights in the morning, and swimming later.  I was directed by the Lord to tone down the intensity, yet again, because I was not feeling good, as I should.  I have a tendency to work out hard, intense, and go heavy.  Heavy weight was aggravating my old snow shoveling injury, so I had to go to free weights, lighter weight and less intense.  Okay.....
Notes to self:

• Kudos for listening to the direction given
• Kudos for still swimming and doing weights
• Kudos for "bingeing" on berries and not junk
• Kudos for having to take in your clothes
• and Kudos for snacking on a few slices of Hormel turkey pepperoni

Becoming a Big GIrl Now

This week I have started swimming without my floatation belt.  I was concerned that I was doing myself a fitness disservice by relying on a crutch.  So, like a big girl, I left it off and swam for 10 minutes without it. I am  afraid of the water, mind you, so this is a big deal.  After 10 minutes, I put it on and finished my swim.  Since then, I have  been swimming for 20 minutes without the belt.  It takes a few minutes to get my swimming rhythm going, but I get it.

As of today, I have lost 48 pounds.  I weighed in at 179.6 this morning.  If I am .2 under a whole number, I count it down.  Sounds better that way.  *;-.)

People ask me if I get tired of eating Grilled Chicken Salad for lunch every day.  Hola?  What is there to get tired of? My salad is not your run of the mill drab Iceberg Lettuce with tomato wedge salad.   I dress it up pretty.  I use multiple lettuces, such as Butter, Romaine, Red Leaf, and then I add half a bag of Spring Mix lettuce.  Sometimes I add fresh Cilantro.  Then I add peeled Cucumbers, shredded carrots or pre-cut Matchstix carrots, and always, always, always, Cherub tomatoes.  When you are limited in what you can eat (well, limited to that which is healthy and good for you, like in the Word of Wisdom) you go for the good stuff.

I read somewhere that diabetics can eat 3 cups of Salad.  Okay. I like that.  I bought 3-cup containers since I am out at the lunch hour 5 days a week.  I fill the container with my general salad mix, 3 ounces of grilled chicken (grilled with different things), 5 olives (green or black), 4-5 yellow "sunshine" tomatoes, and about 1 1/2 Tbl of sunflower seeds.  I sprinkle it all with my herbed vinegar, and Olive juice.  Other times I sprinkle it with the vinegar and a few TBL of Cucumber Salsa--Hot cha-cha!  What's to get tired of?  (when I don't have the salsa, I have sprinkled on Salsa Verde from a jar, or garlic, lime juice, olive juice and vinegar).  What is there to get tired of?
When I transfer this whole thing onto a dinner plate, it literally fills the plate.  I am shocked at how much is there, but I gladly eat it all (and I lose weight).

Ingredients:
Butter lettuce (bagged)
Romaine lettuce
Red Leaf lettuce
Spring Mix (or 50/50 spring and spinach)
Cucumbers
Grated carrot or match sticks
Cherub Tomatoes

3 ounces (cooked)  grilled chicken (I weigh it.)  As a rule, 3 ounces can be 1/2 of a large boneless chicken breast.  I slice them in half, horizontally, so there is the top and bottom.

Add what suits you.  I add
5 olives of choice
4-5 yellow cherry tomatoes
1 1/2 Tbl Sunflower seeds
2 Tbl herbed Cider vinegar ( Cider vinegar is known to lower blood sugar)

sometimes I add
2 Tbl Olive Juice

Other times I add about 4 big spoonfuls of   Cucumber Salsa.

Other times I add the vinegar, olive juice, garlic and garlic juice and lime juice.

At the moment, the Lord does not allow me to use store bought salad dressings and home made creamy dressings are a rarity, so I get creative with what I have.  He wants me on a low fat diet and Low Glycemic Load foods (mostly a rating of 7 and under.  ) Glycemic Load is the effect a food has on your blood sugar.

Notes to self:

• Keep looking for more interesting ways to dress your salad
• try something new in it
• Kudos for swimming without the floatation belt
• Kudos for keeping it up
• Kudos for listening to the Lord for direction and following it.
• Chicken has a Glycemic load of 0
• and so does a few slices of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni 

burnout?

I have now lost 45 pounds, am a size 16, but wearing 18-20s still.  I swim still for 30 minutes, but felt the need to step it up and add weight training.  So, while Patrick is at 6 am seminary, I go to the gym and get on the weights.  I had forgotten how much I really liked it.  It's different for me this time though, because my knees complain about leg work.  Working around that problem by doing leg exercises that work the muscles I want without hurting my knees and back.  

Today I feel pretty dog-gone good.

I picked up a magazine put out by Reader's Digest, "reverse Diabetes," because it had some interesting things to consider, and a way for me to be able to enjoy pizza without my body freaking out.

It contained a section titled "Are You burned out?" with a little T-F quiz.  I took it and answered true to 4 of the six questions:

• Yes, my diabetes is taking up too much of my mental and physical energy every day.
• Yes I feel exhausted or fatigued by the effort it takes to manage diabetes
• Yes, I feel like diabetes controls my life.
• Yes, I feel overwhelmed by my diabetes
• No I am not failing with my diabetes regimen
• No, I am, indeed, motivated to keep up with my diabetes plan because if I don't, well, I just can't cope with how I feel with high blood sugar (I am not on any medication)

This section recommends to define yourself as a person first.  We are to look for the good in ourselves, the positive things.  Diabetes is not who we are, but like nearsightedness, it must be accounted for.

So, I have to list the good things about myself that have nothing to do with diabetes, but I have listed the good things that have come about,

Notes to self:

• Heavenly Father is helping me through this
• He guides me in my food choices (among other things)
• I hear His guidance and understand
• He's made promises
• He will help me to control my blood sugar
• We will manage my diabetes
• He, personally, is bringing me to a place where my body is responding to and producing insulin.
• He is my doctor and my dietician
• He tells me if I need just a Cinnamon pill, or if I should take the Vinegar pill.
• He put me on an herbal Pancreas Formula, 1/3 the recommended dosage, and then told me when to stop taking it.
• He is in control
• He is getting my body to work right
• My blood pressure is down.
• I have lost 45 pounds
• I swim 5 days a week now.  
• Heavenly Father makes sure I have a lane to swim in when I go to the gym. (I didn't used to when I first started learning to do it)
• I am doing weights again, remembering how much I love this.
• My abdominal muscles beg for more
• I am not afraid of the scale anymore
• Going back to the old ways is not an option
• I have discovered how wonderful almonds taste and I can eat lots of them without gaining weight.
• I can eat Grilled Chicken Salad as often as I want
• I get to eat olives without guilt.
• I sleep better
• I don't feel "zing"-y anymore when I go to bed.  
• I don't feel the internal personal earthquake when I go to bed, anymore.
• I can eat a cookie once in a while
• I can eat a small piece of coconut cake once in a while.
• I am learning to substitute the foods that bother me with things that don't.
• I have learned how wonderful whole grains  taste in Banana bread.
• I'm not eating the foods that make me hungry after  I've eaten.
• I can snack of a few pieces of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni

Swimming Through a Monsoon

I can share a lane at the pool.  Fine.  But there are people who don't share a lane well with others, such as the two girls who jumped in to share my lane the other day. The two of them shared the one side, sort of one side, as they kept swimming right down the middle of the lane.  Doesn't work well for me.  When the next lane over cleared, I jumped the rope.

Then there is the man who can't gracefully share a POOL with others.  He slings water  EVERYWHERE and if you happen to be swimming in the next lane over (or anywhere where within 100 feet) you will experience the monsoon effect and ensuing tsunami. He nearly drowned me yesterday.  

I have now lost 43 pounds.

On the Verge of Losin’ It

I am on the edge…..I am on the verge of breaking 190 lbs.  I can almost feel it gone.  I am down to 191 lbs.

Breaking 200 pounds was a big deal.  Hitting 200 pounds on the nose was a big deal.  When the excitement was new, when I pronounced having lost 27 pounds, my teenage son asked me how much I weighed at that time.  NEVER ask a woman her weight, her age or her dress size.  I laughed hysterically when I told him, shoulders shrunk in, that “I weigh 200 lbs

I couldn’t stop laughing because I still weighed pretty high.

But now I am on the verge of losing it.

Today I swam for 30 minutes and loved every back stroke. 

I am having difficulty with dehydration, though.  Water sports and baths dehydrate you (that’s what the wrinkling of the hands is about).  I can drink a quart of water during and after, and still it doesn’t make a difference.  Must be a diabetic thing going on.  I have been asking Heavenly Father to help me with this dehydration problem/high blood sugar problem.  He informed me that it stems from missing 2 days of exercise over the weekend and missing 3 days the week before.  Okay.  I won’t miss.

So He is counseling me on what I can eat and when.  “No you may not have any spaghetti.  You may have the turkey meatballs with a little bit of sauce and salad.”

Notes to self:

• Remember to counsel with the Lord in all my doings, including EVERY time you eat.
• Kudos for swimming again and keeping up with exercise every day this week
• Remember to drink LOTS of water
• Kudos for your clothes getting too big
• This high  blood sugar with pass
• You have been promised in a blessing that your health will be restored.
• Heavenly Father is your doctor ,knows what He’s doing and knows what your blood sugar is doing.
• No decent looking Hormel Turkey Pepperoni on the shelf  *;-.)

Today

I am still in recovery from the 55 minute swim.  It sure caught up to me.  I am swimming for only 25 minutes to recover!!

55 Glorious minutes

Today I swam for 55 glorious minutes.  I watch the clock as I swim, taking note of how much time is passing.  It's easy now.

I also watch for my markers, the flags at either end of the lap swimming lanes, so I don't konk my  head on the side of the pool again.  *;-.)

Since my swim clothes (shorts, top and a tank shirt) have been getting too big, I wanted some real swim wear (something modest), but on clearance since I'm losing weight.  Didn't want to put a lot of money into something that will fall off me in the pool in 2 months.  I prayed about it, and that day found on clearance a pair of boy cut bottoms for $3, a swim skirt for $3, swim shorts for $5 and a long top for $7.  My sport bras fit me again so I can wear it under the top (everything seems to be an extreme cleavage shower anymore).

notes to self:
1. Kudos for swimming for 55 minutes.
2. Kudos for being able to swim for 55 minutes
3.  Kudos for being dedicated
4. Kudos for resisting your binge urges (I want everything I love!!) and turning to your Heavenly Father to help you through them.
5.  No Hormel Turkey Pepperoni for days!  What's up with that?!

Long time no see

Knowing how to lose it and actually making yourself do it can be two entirely different things.
I've now had to be compelled.
After warnings from the Lord and His good counsel, I've had to be compelled.  But in this compulsion, I am being blessed.

I have been ignoring symptoms of diabetes for a couple of  years now and in mid-october, I was hit hard.  My pancreas had had enough of the fact that I am a carb junkie.

After mighty prayer and being totally willing to listen to the Lord, we are working on managing my glucose levels.  I was allowed to eat small amounts of only certain things.  Some days, I figure I was eating @ 900 calories, at best.  Everything made my sugar level go up. Including lettuce.  Didn't matter.  I was having to drink apple cider vinegar 3 times a day to get the levels down (it has tested out to lower blood sugar levels in obese women up to 42%).  I went back to the gym.

What is happening is that, the Lord is letting me know what I can eat and how much, until I can learn what I need to know from books.  For instance, He wants me to read labels.  So I say to Him, "according to this box of Whole Wheat Saltines, I am allowed 7 crackers for 1 serving.  Can I have that?" and He says, "You may have 5."

As things stand, I am allowed apples (small), grilled chicken in a home made marinade (sparse on the processed foods), I am allowed salad.  They glory of it all is that I LOVE  my grilled chicken salad.  I make home made soups, but have to take my soup out before we add rice or noodles (certain carbohydrates I am not yet allowed, as I have realized I am also being treated for Candida--massive yeast overgrowth throughout the body)  I can weigh out 2 ounces of home made noodles and put it in my soup after they have cooked in the big pot.  If we  have pizza, I am allowed 1 slice and a salad. *;-.(   I LOVE pizza.

I am exercising at the gym.  I was going upstairs to the machines and free weights, but it started aggravating my old snow shoveling injury, so now I am in the pool, doing water aerobics and have graduated to swimming back stroke (with a floatation belt since I am literally related to Mount Rushmore~~I sink like a boulder) for 30 minutes.

Though I am experiencing this adversity, I am being blessed.  I really do not miss all the things I can't eat right now  ( except for pizza).  I am not hungry.  I have lost 34 pounds.  20 of which have been since  mid-october.  Today is December 1.  The Lord wants this weight off fast.  I did have a plateau in mid-November, but it's going again.

2 weeks ago, my blood pressure was 120/80.  Yesterday is was 117/63.  Today I weigh 193.6 lbs.  Most of my clothes are too big.

Kudos to me for:
1. having the faith to listen to the direction of the Lord.  He is my doctor.  He is my dietician
2. exercising and loving it
3. asking the Lord what I can eat when I am not sure
4.  following His direction ( I do not want to feel bad any more for eating bad things)
5. keeping consumption of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni to a minimum

Grilled Chicken Salad
boneless chicken breast marinated for a few minutes in a mixture of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Herbed Vinegar, garlic and Italian spices, salt and pepper.

1.  grill chicken of a George Foreman-type grill
2. cut chicken into bite sized pieces to your liking
3  Add it to salad greens of your choice--skip the Iceberg lettuce as there is very little nutritional value
4.  Add yellow tomatoes for fun, green olives, black olives croutons and sunflower seeds.  '
5.  I usually pour 2 TBL of Herbed Vinegar (home made) and 2 Table Spoons of Green olive juice. (yes, sodium, sodium, but my blood pressure is okay).  Sometimes I pour a little home made dressing on.

normally what I'll eat for breakfast is:
A  2 eggs and 1 slice of double fiber whole wheat toast, buttered, cut in half. One half is sprinkled with Saigon Cinnamon and the other half covered with 1 tsp of my home made Peach Strawberry Vanilla Jam.

B  1/3 cup gOatmeal, sprinkled with 1 TBL Wheat Germ, 1 TBL Milled Flax seed. 2 TBL chopped pecans.  I add some boiling water, then 1 tsp of my Peach Strawberry Vanilla jam and leave it to sit for a few minutes to saturate the gOatmeal.  I add Saigon Cinnamon and enjoy a tasty breakfast.

I can eat graham crackers for a snack.  I can eat almonds (they are wonderfully sweet).  I can eat apple sauce.

I usually have Grilled Chicken Salad for lunch.  Leftover soups are out of the question since the broth has had time "starch up" overnight.

Dinner is soups or chicken  chilli (1 cup) or chicken with some vegetables.  I'll give more details later.

ta ta for nah

Potty Mouth

Okay, so, I just casually stepped on the scale this morning and I was UP a pound. What’s ….um..UP… with that?  I feel better, I feel minusculey (I know that’s not a word) thinner, actually, I feel MUCHO thinner, tho I’m really NOT.  I feel it.  I just FEEL IT.

Stupid scale (going to clean the toilet now for potty mouth) This must be why I never bought a new one after Buddy threw  it down the stairs when he was a toddler.  What was I thinking when I bought a new one?

Gearing up for the gym today.

notes to self:

• remember what the Personal Trainer told you a LOOOOONG time ago.  The number on the scale means nothing.  Gauge by how you feel and how your clothes fit
• stupid scale (yes, yes, getting the toilet bowl brush) 
• thank you, Katie for remodeling my equipment.

keepin’ on keepin’ on

Having to take Patrick to Dominos at 11 every day works really well for me, as I now have a reason to go to the gym.  (I won’t make trips into town just for me)

I’ve been every day this week and will go for the next 2 days.  I’ve gone upstairs to the machine room, got on the Wave machine, which simulates roller blading for me, then I get on the rowing machine.  Then on to the weights. Monday I went down to the pool for some water aerobics also.

Tell me this tho, who steps on the scale AFTER working out in the POOL?  Who gets on the scale still feeling waterlogged AND with wet hair?  Who does that to themselves?  I do.  <shudder>

Today, instead of going upstairs, I got in the pool for water aerobics, swam a few laps doing the back stroke, water walked and some resistance with noodles.

Hosed my mom with my noodle.  You dunk the noodle in the water to fill it, then blow into the hole.  She’s been threatening me, but I got her.

The chlorine level was off the charts today, I could tell, because just being in the pool room made my eyes burn.  I think it was in the whirlpool because it was way worse with the churning action.  I had to get out.  I am still feeling it.

Notes to self:

• kudos for still going and loving it.
• kudos for finding what  you like
• kudos for doing some laps. 
• You want to be able to do more
• kudos just for the sake of getting them.
• Why have you not eaten any Hormel Turkey Pepperoni in a few days?  What’s up with that?

Day 3--Going upstairs

I was going to have big day today, so I decided to take it easier at the gym.  I went upstairs, got on the Wave machine, which kind of simulates rollerblading and then got on the rowing machine, which had, like, zero resistance.  I went for endurance then.  Cooled down on the track and did some free weights.

Went to Toad Suck Park “beach” area with some friends, which was a lot of walking, especially since I had to go back to the car and go to the store because I forgot the matches for the fire.  We were roasting BIG marshmallows on the fire.  It was really loads of fun.

 Notes to self

• Kudos for taking it easier at the gym when you  had a big day planned
• kudos for planning a fun day with friends
• kudos for having fun
• kudos for going to the store for matches for the fire
• kudos for being able to eat only 1 of those big marshmallows.
• BUT you have not yet had your daily allotment of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni.  What’s up with that?

After Day 2

Been to the gym 2 days in a row.  I worked out a little too hard, but I got over it with a good 2 1/2 hour hap.

I am feeling the areas I am weak--my neck and lower back.  I’ve got old injuries and my people also get hit with arthritis in these areas.

I swam 2 laps doing the back stroke, and amazingly, I am doing it in a straight line now.  I also did water aerobics, water walking, and resistance training. 

Today, I may go upstairs to the stationary exercise area and free weights.  Might get on the rowing machine.  But I like the water so much.  We’ll see when I get there.

Going Back to the Gym

 

Well, I’m back to the gym.  Now that Patrick is working from 11-1 pm Monday through Friday, I have a reason to go back into town.  I hate driving in and out of town repeatedly and I just couldn’t make myself do it anymore just for myself. 

My mom has a membership to the same gym now, loves the pool, so she and I went together for the first time today.  I did water aerobics, swam a lap, water walked, did some resistance water training (weight training in the water), and sat in the hot tub.

It was great. 

I met a woman who came into the water to do her own thing too.  She brings her water-proof
i-Pod wrist set up, gets her space in the pool, closes her eyes and dances her heart out, singing all the way with a passion. She’s lost 140 lbs so far.  Has 70 to go, she said.  Hoo-Rah

• Kudos for going back to the gym
• watch out for your mom
• she’s threatened to hose you with the noodle
• try not to beat her over the head with your own noodle
• what is up with Hormel?  They’ve stopped making their regular-sized Turkey Pepperoni and have replaced it with minis.  It’s like eating slices of rubber tubing with a slight flavor.  I must write to them.

Row, row, row your dream boat

Many years ago, I had a friend who moved to the Hawaiian Islands with the family she was Nanny for.  She lived on the small island of Kauai.  Both parents were home by 4:00 in the afternoon, which left her free to choose which beach she wanted to relax on.

The day came when she discovered rowing teams. 

They raced between the islands  through Shark infested waters.  Her momma, who lived in Maryland, was not pleased, but my friend loved it.  She also got a firm and tight upper body. 

Being one who HATES stationary exercise, I mentioned before that, with the knee injury I’m battling, I CAN use Mary’s rowing machine that she bought at a Flea Market for $20.  I plug into my MP3 player, turn on the fan, close my eyes and dream of rowing with my old friend. Between the Islands. In Shark infested waters.  There’s a nice breeze.

Note to self

• good job
• dream on
• maybe a package of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni will float by.

I Have Something to Say

 Katie on the Rowing Machine

Mary bought a rowing machine from Saint Joe the other day and it is going over very well.  Even I, with my knee injury, can use it. Yippie!!

Yes, I am still nibbling on a couple pieces of

at a time. 

My knee injury has been getting better over time, as I can walk through Wal Mart instead of ride the little driving cart.  I have not replenished the chocolate at my headboard. I sleep better when I take a Reishi Mushroom capsule at night,  but I still dream weird dreams.

note to self

• great news that you can use the rowing machine
• yippie that your knee injury is getting better
• kudos for sleeping better
• liking the weird dreams
• kudos for not replenishing the chocolate and
• only nibbling on the Hormel Turkey Pepperoni

…but there was no mention of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni

I read an interesting article in the May 2010 issue of Yoga Journal about the healing power of yoga and mediation.   

Neuroscientist Sat Bir Khalsa, of Harvard University, has received a grant to study the effects and health benefits of yoga, seeking a cure for what ails America (also seeking it to be insurance reimbursable and as a prescription on a doctor’s pad).  He has practiced yoga for 35 years and is convinced that early practice of yoga, starting as children or teens, prevents disease later in life.

He is currently conducting a study about teens, believing that if 40-50 year olds who struggle with insomnia had started practicing yoga and meditation in their youth, they wouldn’t be suffering sleepless nights.  If people with type 2 diabetes and obesity had learned yoga in high school, their health outcomes might have been different. 

“A recent study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that people who practiced yoga were more likely to eat mindfully—that is, to be aware of why they ate and to stop eating when full.  In fact, the increased body awareness learned through yoga had a greater effect on the participants’ weight than did the exercise aspect of the exercise.”

Khalsa did a 12-week study with high schoolers, offering yoga in place of regular P.E., with the regular PE class being the control group.  One of the things they taught along with the postures was “witness consciousness”, or nonjudgmental awareness, and encouraged bringing the mind back to the present.  The Yoga group reported less anger, less fatigue and more resilience than the control group.  They used the yoga strategies to combat stress.  They used the breathing patterns to go to sleep, used them on the athletic field (but not to sleep on the athletic field) and before a test.

Yoga beat gym class when it came to staying fit and beating stress, Khalsa notes.  “As yoga focuses on the integration of breathing, the development of mindfulness, and concentration, it far exceeds regular exercise as a full experience and a way to reduce the stress response.  The effect is immediate, and the capacity to generate the feeling of relaxation on a regular basis increases after weeks and months of practice.  That can’t help but benefit us as we face the challenges and health conditions that crop up in later years.”

Note to self

• He mentions nothing of the benefit of Hormel Turkey Pepperoni on the mind and body. I must contact him.
• Kudos for getting into Yoga.
• Follow the advice of bringing the mind back to the present when it wanders to places it really doesn’t need to be going.
• Yippie, this will help me become more body aware when eating.  Excellent.
• You could berate yourself for not doing it regularly over the past 12 years when you quit teaching aerobics due to sports injuries.
• Don’t.  Bring your mind to the present.

I want to dance

Have you considered dancing for exercise?  Just turn on the music and dance like no one is watching?

I think I shall find a dance partner

Blue Footed Boobys