30-Day Self-Care Challenge – Day 6

Aug 6th, 2008

Anybody out there have bad knees?  I read something today that I think you’ll find useful.  I get the Denise Austin Morning Stretch enewsletter, (just started) and I like it.  I know that she looks like the blonde, cute, cheerleader type so some people don’t take her seriously, but I think she’s quite good–I like her stuff.  So here’s what she has to say about avoiding osteoarthritis and joint pain.

Here’s another benefit to eating right and exercising regularly — you’re cutting your risk of arthritis! Experts found that extra weight can lead to osteoarthritis by wearing away the cartilage that cushions your joints, causing the ends of your bones to rub against each other. The damage occurs gradually, often becoming noticeable between the ages of 40 and 60.

If you’re not yet affected, losing extra pounds while maintaining good nutrition and starting a regular exercise program can protect you by dropping your risk of osteoarthritis from 60 percent down to as low as 12 percent!

Even if you’re already experiencing painful joints, it’s not too late! You’ll still benefit (and avoid further damage) by shaping up! Choose exercises that are easy on the joints, such as water aerobics, a spin on an exercise bike, or time on an elliptical trainer. After all, you don’t want to be sidelined during the prime of your life by joint pain — you want to be kicking up your heels instead!

You’ve heard me say before that delay is increasingly expensive.  Get fit and drop the weight before you have joint pain–don’t delay.  And I’ll have you know, I’m taking my own advice.  I’ve lost 5 pounds and am feeling quite smug (and disciplined).  I guess this is the after-effect of writing about discipline for 30 days.

30-Day Self-Care Challenge – Day 5

Aug 5th, 2008

Since I’ve gotten a dog (Toby), I walk more.  Don’t get me wrong–I walk plenty.  But now that I have a dog again, I’m walk him twice a day–the miles can really add up. 

It’s fun walking along the Kansas river (Kaw) looking at wildlife.  The other day I saw two red fox.  This morning I saw three blue herons fishing in the river.  And tonight when I got home, a big fat toad was waiting for us on the deck.  Toby didn’t even notice it!

Walking is a fabulous way to stay strong and lean.  It’s also a great way to destress.  And if you feel tired, a short walk will energize you. 

Have you heard the one about the fat dog?

If your dog is fat, you’re not getting enough exercise.

Dogs need exercise too to maintain their health and a healthy weight.  If you have a dog but aren’t walking it much, why not start this new routine?  Put the leash by the door and at a specified time, just head out the door.  If your dog pulls on the leash or is difficult to walk for any other reason, consider taking a dog obedience class–it’s the smartest thing I ever did as a pet owner. 

Any walkers out there?  Anybody walk their dog?

30 Day Self-Care Challenge – Day 4

Aug 4th, 2008

Hello fellow self-care travelers.  It’s quite a path we’re on!

I don’t know if it’s about planetary alignment or what, but a lot of people I know are starting to take better care of themselves.  Including me!

In fact, I was eager to write several times this weekend, but because I was so focused on my own self-care journey, I didn’t turn on my computer.  Unplugging from technology is one challenging self-care strategy for many of us!  Can you do it?  I was unplugged for 2 days. 

Let me tell you how I prepared for my healthy living plan.

• I got inspired by reading the Mars & Venus Diet and Exercise Solution–mostly because of the promise of positively affecting my brain chemistry.
• I drew up a detailed plan for putting his 9-day program in place.
• I bought all of the ingredients (food and a few supplements).
• I cleaned my kitchen (including the refrigerator).  Because we all know, if your refrigerator is a wreck, your diet probably is too.
• I went through all of my vitamins and supplements and threw out any that were beyond the expiration date, had a thick layer of dust on the bottle, or just didn’t resonate with me for one reason or another (like I couldn’t remember why I thought I needed to supplement with Folic acid). 
• I weighed and measured myself to set the baseline.
• I made a chart for writing notes about my energy, emotional state, and various other things experienced while doing the program.  In other words, I wanted to train myself to become more aware of my body and of my emotions, and I wanted to see what positive benefits I was getting for my effort.  Tracking changes and noticing benefits are two big motivators.
• I scheduled time off from other responsibilities so I could focus on my plan.
• I allowed myself to feel whatever I was feeling and to take cues from my body for how to best take care of myself.

It was like I was on a retreat.  It was all about me and my self-care.  Can you plan a long weekend to create your self-care plan? 

I can write a lot more about each of the items listed.  If any are of particular interest, write a comment below and I’ll say more about it. 

30-Day Self-Care Challenge – Day 3

Aug 3rd, 2008

I have a lot to tell you about self-care…but I’m going to practice good self-care and go to bed.  I have an early morning.  I’ll spill the beans about my totally awesome self-care weekend when I get a minute on Monday. 

What have you done for your self-care lately?

Pop a Pill Instead of Exercise?

Aug 2nd, 2008

Have you heard the news about the scientific discovery of the pill that will replace the need to exercise?  Call me old fashioned, but common–pop a pill instead of exercise?  I’d call that the lazy pill. 

How about we just find a way to put ourselves in a tube and not have to eat or move or think?  We could just watch TV, search the Internet, and do this all with our minds–we wouldn’t even have to sit up.  Sound good?  Not to me!  It sounds awful. 

The only thing interesting about this pill is that it’s always interesting to push the edge of what we know and what we can do.  Still, as far as being preposterous, this one is right up there–even topping Olestra.  I can just see the cautionary note:  Eat all the fat you, and take the exercise pill, but don’t get too far from a bathroom  

Want to read the story?  go here

30-Day Self-Care Challenge – Day 1

Aug 1st, 2008

Starting August 1, check back regularly for self-care hints, tips, and stories.

If you’re not familiar with the term, self-care is about how well you take care of yourself (and your family).

Here are several elements of self-care that we will be talking about in this 30-Day Self-Care Challenge:

• Getting enough sleep.
• Eating health enhancing foods.
• Getting enough exercise.
• Doing preventative self-checks.
• Getting age-appropriate preventive screening tests.
• Visiting a health care professional when you can’t solve a health problem on your own–when it’s too serious for self-care.
• Having positive self-talk.
• Minimizing or eliminating smoking and excessive drinking or other drug use.
• Taking care of your body and relaxing with a massage, pedicure, hot bath, etc.
• Taking time out just for you, just because.
• Balancing time alone and time with others.
• Balancing work and play.
• Having a positive self-image (or working towards it).
• Telling the truth (to yourself and to others).
• Acknowledging your innate gifts and talents.
• Being grateful for all that you are, all that you give, and all that you receive.
• Feeding your spirit.

So are you in?  Want to get serious about your self-care?  Subscribe by clicking the red button and you’ll get daily (or almost daily) inspiration to stay on track.  And feel free to write a comment at the comment link below!