RE: healthy living

[Jo Ann]

 wiininkwe
hey fivegonefishing...wish you the best with the pericarditis and prednisone...i can t take it cuz i get physically mean...also know what ya mean with the tight clothes and asthma...i have a tendency when i panic to try and get my pants off...so i can gasp more air...unfortunately...more than once i was in a public place [&:]...but i only get this bad when it hits me out of the blue and my rescue inhaler has quite kicked in yet... i can t use my car heater most of the time in winter cuz i can t tolerate car/truck exhaust so i am cold alot....
 
 find someone who can make you jeans and shorts out of light weight denim with elastic waist bands.  i wear spandex all summer cuz i am afraid to where jeans with the non-elastic waists in summer.

[wiininkwe]

 wiininkwe
Elastic is my friend!!!    Over the last several years, if it hadn t been for elastic I would have had to stay home in an old robe and sloppy socks.  LOL   But yes, along with my tendency to be  apple  shaped anyway,  it was just too hard to get in and out of jeans with regular closures on them.  I ve been wearing lots of loosefitting jumpers and shapeless dressed with little jackets, too.   Hopefully, those days will be behind me soon.
   But I do understand what you mean about keeping your hands and mouth busy,  I had a really hard time with early mornings.  I used to get up and have a cup of coffee and read for a bit before the rest of the family woke up.  (the only time of the day I had to myself)  When I quit smoking, I found out that I couldn t read, no concentration, that lasted for quite a while.   Also, while I drank my coffee, my hand had a tendency to slide over to my right, searching on the table top.  I realised that I was looking for my cigs, so I started holding my coffee cup in my right hand so it was other wise occupied.   I also had trouble in the car.  I was used to getting in, putting on my seat belt, adjusting the mirrors, lighting a cig and then turn the key.   Without the cig, it seemed like I was missing a step.  I actually asked my DH (who is at this moment keeping his hands and mouth busy with a bowl of peanuts in the shell) to do as much of the driving as possible for almost a full month.     Make arrangements to cover all those bases, you ll have to make a major change in your habits for a short while.    I also ate things like dry cheerios in a little bowl while watching tv (one at a time).   Funny thing is, I don t remember being real crabby or anything, but DH says " trust me, I was there, and you were."    So, be prepared for that, and apologise ahead of time to those around you.   You don t have to announce that you re quitting, just maybe say,  " I m out of cigs, and don t want to buy any more right now."   or something.  Most people will be helpful, unless they re afraid that if you quit it will show them up.  Stay away from those kind of friends for a while.
   I m really making use of the PUR water pitcher that my DD got me for Christmas, drinking lots of water.   Have to do some grocery shopping later today, and get myself plenty of good stuff.  
 T
 []

[Jo Ann]

 wiininkwe
omg toni...i ate cheerios too...but the thing i did most was chew drinking straws and those coffe straw things....but i liked the drinking straws best...that way it was calorie free.  and it used my hands as well!!!

[fivegonefishing]

 wiininkwe
Smoking is still a tough one for me, even reading this post I have to take a few real deep cleansing breathes to get over the urge.  I was about 12 when I started and smoked over a pack a day of Player?s Light until my first born came along 13 years later.  I managed to stay off until the boys came, 3 years later, it was either take up smoking or vodka, I chose smoking.  
 
 Finally, I realized I had chronic pericarditis which is like arthritis of the heart and very painful (I?d rather give birth to twins!) but I still didn?t quit until one of my son?s spent 3 nights in the hospital due to an asthma attack.  Even though I never smoked in the house or van with the kids, the time and effort and finally health issues out weighed my addiction.
 
 I chew gum all the time and feel like I?ll always be an ex-smoker but my kids mean the world to me and I?ve made a vow to myself; I quit both times for them and I owe it to them, and myself, not to start again.  I know I won?t.  Plus, I when I started smoking the second time I was kind of hoping I?d loose some of the weight I gained when I quit, I didn?t, instead I just gained even more with I quit again!
 
 I think I?ve finally decided to loose the weight as well, I had tried several times to quit smoking but until I made my mind up, nothing worked.  I?m kind of feeling the same way about the weight.  I?ve tried countless times to loose but never accomplished much.  I had even joined WW over a year ago, lost 30 but gained back 40 when I gave up.  My mind is set, I want to feel like I use to and I want my kids to see how I use to be.  
 
 Tammy
 

[NightOwl]

 wiininkwe
Tammy, I know you can do this!  For one thing, in the case of the smoking AND the weight, you make it clear that you realize it is not just a matter of " quit smoking"  and  " diet"  but in both cases what is called a WOL (Way of Life.)  
 
 You can come here every day if you want and kvetch about falling off the wagon or  crow about a triumph you want to brag about, and we will cheer you, either way!
 
 You already know that not smoking does some really important things for you like help with the athsma and spare your cardiovascular system..  Losing weight does some other important things for you healthwise both physically and mentally so you already know YOU ARE GOING TO BE A WINNER ALL THE WAY AROUND.  You already know you can lose wight--you ve done it before.  the difference is that this time you will keep it off, and we ll help you.
 
 You are going to win--one day at a time and we will be doing it, too.  And  just think, when we begin  04, we will all be able to say to ourselves and to each other:
 
                                 
 LOOK HOW FAR I HAVE COME SINCE A YEAR AGO AT THIS TIME!!                                        

[fivegonefishing]

 wiininkwe
I need some advice...I haven t been able to find away to get off my lazy butt and increase my level of activity, which is pretty low, other than chasing three kids around the house.  
 
 I use to be on the swim, volleyball, softball and soccer teams and now it s tough to even consider doing half of what I use to do.  One of my obsticles is my dh s shift work; I can t committ to a weekly program.
 
 Any suggestions or stradegies?
 
 TIA, Tammy[]

[NightOwl]

 fivegonefishing
Tammy, did you ever hear the adage: " Dance like no one is watching ?  I found that when  I couldnt get to any other source of exercise, putting on some good tapes or CD s with a beat really got me moving.  You can do this with your kids around and they might even join you  (Of course, they might also tell friends and neighbors that Mommy has gone nuts, but that will just  make you sound all the more interesting[])
 
  Anyhow, the dance thing is nice because you can invent your own moves and set your own pace.  The great thing about it for me was that it lifted my mood until I would sometimes get high as a kite with all those endorphins racing around in my bloodstream.  
 
 (AND--THINK ABOUT IT--HAVE  YOU EVER SEEN ANY FAT DANCERS?) Even a few minutes of sustained dancing will let you know you have been EXERCISING pretty actively.
 
 Get a tape of the music from Dirty Dancing--that is what I use.  If anyone can stand still while  playing " Love Man"  or  " Do You Love Me Now That I can Dance?"    they  are either deaf or very old or dead.   Just thinking about it makes me want to jump to my feet and move!
 
 Advantages of this kind of exercise aside from the above are that it takes no special equipment, no special clothing, can be done at home, and you can fit it into your schedule at your own convenience even when you have even  10 or 15 minutes. (If you are interrupted, it is easy to go back to and  it will help limber you up and use a lot of muscles you may not often use.
 
 It may sound crazy, but it is wortha try.    
 
 

[bncampin2]

 fivegonefishing
Nightowl
  Dancing---What a Great Idea!!!
    Simple, convenient, and never depends on the weather. Sounds like something anyone (who needs to increase exercising) can do. I know I need to exercise more yet I always found an excuse, gym too expensive, no time to go, uncomfortable in a group, don t want to go alone etc., etc. But your suggestion is not only simple but sounds like Fun[]
    I am really proud of those who are making a real effort toward a more healthy lifestyle. Every # lost and every cig not smoked is a Positive move in the right direction. You should be Proud of Yourself. Concentrate on the Good things you do and don t beat yourself up or dwell on the slipups. YES! YOU CAN DO IT.
    Quitting Smoking is a Major Positive step.  I know when I quit 12 yrs ago it was a constant " mind game" . I remember cleansing breaths.  I also would play this mental game whenever the urge came---I could always tell when I was pregnant cause a cigarette would make me sooo nauseated that I could never smoke when I was pg.--So whenever I had that urge to smoke, I would take a cleansing breath and remember that horrible nauseated feeling---urge gone. That really helped me get thru.
    My DH struggles with weight and since we found out he has extensive coronary artery disease (had stent placed this summer) we needed to make major WOL changes. Trying to eat low-fat, low cholesterol, low salt and decrease calories-- what a challenge. One of his doctors told him that as well as weight loss, he wanted him to increase exercise(walk, walk, walk) as that has a profound benefit on cardiovascular health. Why does that seem so hard to do??  Our work schedules are day and night so that presents a real challenge in meals, exercising etc.  
    It helps to know others are struggling with all of this also. Whenever you read that someone else has lost some weight, exercised more or quit smoking, you know you are not in this alone and if they can do it so can you.  We are really here for each other.[]

[fivegonefishing]

 fivegonefishing
NightOwl, that is a great suggestion thanks.  I have actually caught myself doing that the odd time and just thought boy, am I loosing it or what [] but I think you re right.
 
 bncampin2, this thread was very inspirational and I can see it s heading in the same direction.[]
 
 Tammy

[Tim5055]

 fivegonefishing

 

ORIGINAL:  fivegonefishing
 
 I need some advice...I haven t been able to find away to get off my lazy butt and increase my level of activity, which is pretty low, other than chasing three kids around the house.  
 
 I use to be on the swim, volleyball, softball and soccer teams and now it s tough to even consider doing half of what I use to do.  One of my obsticles is my dh s shift work; I can t committ to a weekly program.
 
 Any suggestions or stradegies?
 
 TIA, Tammy[]
 

 
 OK,  I ll tell you what I am doing.
 
 Just before Christmas I had a physical and the doctor told me that if I don t change my ways severe health problems were just around the corner.  Unfortunatly diabetes, excess weight and high blood pressure run in the family. I guess it took a little shock to get me going[&:]
 
 Diet
 I have become a convert to the Adkins diet.  Many people are down on it because they feel all you eat is meat, but all I can say is you have to read the book to understand.  yes for a couple of weeks the food you eat is limited, but things open up after that.  The key thing is that Adkins does not like refined sugar and flour.
 
 After about 6 weeks I am down over 20 pounds and my energy has increased as my desire to eat has decreased.  Additionally my fasting blood sugar dropped from 111 (over normal) to 89 (mid range of normal).
 
 All I can say is if you try it, read the book and stick to it.  It is not something you can do part time.
 
 Exercise
 Take it slow!  If all you can do at first is walk around the block, do it.  Natasha is happy now because most days she now gets over a 2 mile walk!  
 
 Little things count
 [ul]
 

• Skip the elevator, use the stairs

 
• Park at the far end of the lot and walk into work or the store

 
• Aviod any other energy saving devices if possible
[/ul]
 
 OK, I m off my soapbox now, but will be happy to answer any questions asked.

[NightOwl]

 fivegonefishing
Tim, I am SO IMPRESSED with your determination.  These health problems also run in my family and I dont want to have a stroke at age 73 like my Gram, so I am trying to stick to a WOL that is wiser and healthier just as you are.
 
 Did you see that the  Society of American Cardiologists were FORCED to admit at their  national meeting in December that the Atkins diet was NOT invented by the devil, but that it works and makes good sense?  They had FINALLY  done a REAL double-blind study involving  the Atkins program and found people lost more weight and KEPT it off and did NOT ruin their arteries or drop dead of massive MI s  [] (They wouldnt believe Atkins  figures and he had been begging them to do their own study for 30 years)
 
 Remember BaltimoreBayside (Dan) from the old board ? He lost a lot of weight on his own version of Atkins, and his blood stats went down, too!
 
 
 Toni lost 35 pounds on a low-carb diet between August and November.  And I also find it works for me when I combine it with exercise.  But I have a lot of friends who have had great success with Weight Watchers, too.  It doesnt matter  HOW people do it just so they do it.[]

[Tim5055]

 fivegonefishing
I just found this and thought it fit in
 
 America s Fattest Cities
 
 Houston Bloats to the Top for Third Year
 By  Daniel DeNoon  
 Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD
 on Friday, January 03, 2003
 WebMD Medical News
 
 Jan. 3, 2003 -- Houston is the couch potato capital of the U.S. and Honolulu is the fittest city, say the editors of Men s Fitness magazine.
 
 The " America s Fattest City"  award goes to Houston for the third year, uh, running. The ratings are based on a major city s score in several categories such as fruit/vegetable consumption, sports participation, smoking, drinking, air quality, and percentage of overweight/sedentary residents.
 
 " Given the region s climate (hot and humid), air quality (abysmal), and relative lack of outdoor recreation, staying active presents a Texas-sized challenge,"  the magazine states. " And with its love of junk food, Houston is a vastrodome of bad nutrition."  
 
 If you don t live in Houston, don t let out your belt just yet. The annual ratings are meant as a wake-up call to stop what the CDC calls a national epidemic of obesity. Two in every three Americans have a serious weight problem.
 
 Here s the magazine s list of America s 10 fattest cities:
 
 
 Houston
 Chicago
 Detroit
 Philadelphia
 St. Louis
 Cleveland
 Atlanta
 Columbus, Ohio
 Dallas
 Charlotte, N.C.
 
 And its list of the 10 fittest cities:
 
 
 Honolulu
 Seattle
 San Francisco
 Colorado Springs, Col.
 San Diego
 Portland, Ore.
 Denver
 Virginia Beach, Va.
 Tucson, Ariz.
 Sacramento, Calif.
 

[cyclone]

 fivegonefishing
Has anyone seen the latest issue of Readers  Digest and their new plan " Change One"  (I think that s what it s called).  It actually looks similar to other plans out there, but without the counting/journaling.  Basically, it s making healthy choices and controlling portion size.  Might be worth checking into, at any rate.  I m really glad to see this thread " continuing" .  The encouragement and ideas are such a major part of any weight loss program.  (I hate to use the words lose weight, as I certainly don t want to find it again once it s lost!)  So, together, we can all deal with this new way of life!

[fivegonefishing]

 fivegonefishing
I have had good sucess so far on Weight Watchers and am using as a tool change my WOL.  I just purchased another 3 month worth of meetings.  Everytime I turn around, there is a News story about our society getting larger and larger.  No wonder!  
 
 Bear with me for a minute, the basic theory behind WW is you can eat what you want, just make sure it s in a range of points (good healthy choices).  By  looking at the calories and fat content of any food, you can determine it s points value.  Your points range is determined by your weight, I get to eat around 30 points a day.
 
 Now, on another website, there are restaurant listings and that has really opened my eyes!  One famous hamburger joint, for a burger and fries is 22 pts; another restaurant it s 34pts; and at another, a 2 peice chicken and fry combo is 22 pts.  No wonder we are a larger society, if everything we are eating is so full of fat in the fisrt place.  On of my big problems was, I would eat at those places all the time, once in a while I m sure is ok but not 5 times a week.  OK, I ll get off my soap box now.

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
really seem to have a good mix of people on this thread with various health problems or challenges, and several ways of looking at the ways to solve them.  I think it s especially important and impressive that we are seeing our men take an active part in this, as maybe during another era, it wouldn t seem " manly"  to worry about weight, or smoking or other bad habits.    I m learning something new, and exciting about making good choices everytime I read this thread, thanks for all the help, everyone.
 
 T
 []