What an interesting process this liver cleanse has been. I started the cleanse back on the 19th and didn't notice anything the first few days but then really was fatigued beyond belief for a good four days. Following this were signs of sickness, headaches and sore throat. Unfortunately that led to my news yesterday of strep throat. Ugh. Major setback. Let's not forget the skin breakout I have seen on my face too, good grief, not really that bad but I am not used to having that happen in general.
So, now that I had to start my antibiotic this morning for the strep throat, I called the company for the cleanse to see if I should discontinue it. They said it would not be harmful to continue the cleanse, but that the cleanse would be more beneficial if I stopped now and continued after the antibiotic is done. Such a drag. I don't have time for weakness! In all seriousness I feel bad in terms of having a sore throat and being a little tired but I had every intention of exercising tonight since I wasn't up for it the last four days. A friend told me this should wait a little longer, so I decided maybe that is true. Sometimes I feel better, or think I feel better than what my body is actually ready for. So tonight I will rest. I want to be productive but instead, I am doing the bath, read a book and tea evening. Tomorrow, it is into work for more mandatory overtime. That is not part of my wellness program! But job stability and overtime pay is certainly not on my list of complaints.
So what have I learned from this experience...well, not to take my health for granted. When I went into the cleanse, I felt fantastic. I was feeling perfectly unstoppable. But the detox cleanse is pulling toxins out, and inevitably will be breaking you down. So instead of taking it for granted, I should have braced myself better by eating perfectly and taking my multi vitamin every day, and for sure getting better sleep. In addition, I learned from my friend who gave me the cleanse that there are two very important things with this type of cleanse....the first, of course is a lot of water, lots. I knew that part, but the second, she reminded me of is that it is really important to get sufficient amounts of fiber in your diet during those days. The toxins are actually absorbed by the fiber and get pulled out of your system more efficiently that way. I had not been doing that the first week and I am certain this was one of my downfalls.
So when I am done with the life sucking antibiotics that I must take, I will give myself a day or two inbetween and then I put my game face on go in for the finish of the detox cleanse. I am ready, bring it on!! You evil toxins can't bring me down! Well, apparently they already did, but it won't happen again hopefully. Well, that is all for now, gotta get better.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
One Girl's Treasure...
One girl's treasure is another's trash, or vice versa, or whatever. I received a gift in the mail from my dear friend the other day, and I was ecstatic. Not everyone would appreciate it but I sure do. She sent me a 30 day cleanse kit. You take the three different bottles and 30 drops of each in a glass of water which you drink throughout the day. This cleanse ultimately puts your body in a cleaning mode and eliminates toxins and other waste from your organs so that everything is a bit more functional and clean, if you will. I feel so fortunate and lucky that I have a friend that works at whole foods and can link me in to such a treat. These are the things that are important to me, so I treasure it. I haven't felt incredibly different just yet. I have been on the cleanse treatment for about 7 days and the small things that I have noticed are my skin having more blemishes and also this weekend feeling extra tire, a lot more tired, than usual. They do say that you will feel worse before you feel better. So I am sure these are symptoms that the cleanse is doing its job.
After my 30 day cleanse is done, I plan to execute my next gallbladder cleanse. I dread it, honestly. But I know it is a good thing and a necessary thing, and in all reality it isn't that bad, but I have to let go of my routine of productivity and freedom for that night and following morning and that is very hard for me to do. What? Go a night with going to bed early and not utilizing every second with my to do list? Maddening!! But taking care of myself has to be first or none of the rest will ever work, so sacrifice I must. The other uneasy thing is that I have to start my training schedule for my next half marathon in about a week and a half. It will be sketchy to drop that for two days for the cleanse and then try to jump back, but it won't be as damaging since it will be at the very beginning of training, where it is pretty light stuff anyway. I feel guilty that I have done so little running over the past few months but I have a couple things in my favor - the first is that I am lucky enough to be able to pick it up really easily even after all of that time off. I don't know why that is, but that is one of the things I have going for me. The other day I ran a mile just because I had that little bit of time to spare so I jumped on the treadmill and did it, and didn't even think about it. I am not fast, that is for sure. But people tell me all the time they can't even do a mile without stopping and it really doesn't register with me, because I am so conditioned to do long distances.
Well, time is up, until next time.
After my 30 day cleanse is done, I plan to execute my next gallbladder cleanse. I dread it, honestly. But I know it is a good thing and a necessary thing, and in all reality it isn't that bad, but I have to let go of my routine of productivity and freedom for that night and following morning and that is very hard for me to do. What? Go a night with going to bed early and not utilizing every second with my to do list? Maddening!! But taking care of myself has to be first or none of the rest will ever work, so sacrifice I must. The other uneasy thing is that I have to start my training schedule for my next half marathon in about a week and a half. It will be sketchy to drop that for two days for the cleanse and then try to jump back, but it won't be as damaging since it will be at the very beginning of training, where it is pretty light stuff anyway. I feel guilty that I have done so little running over the past few months but I have a couple things in my favor - the first is that I am lucky enough to be able to pick it up really easily even after all of that time off. I don't know why that is, but that is one of the things I have going for me. The other day I ran a mile just because I had that little bit of time to spare so I jumped on the treadmill and did it, and didn't even think about it. I am not fast, that is for sure. But people tell me all the time they can't even do a mile without stopping and it really doesn't register with me, because I am so conditioned to do long distances.
Well, time is up, until next time.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Quote Time
"The only one that can stop you from getting there is you. Whether it be in business, fitness or life in general. It is never too late to be what you might have been."
-Unknown
-Unknown
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Posture Thursday
Going back to the name of this blog defines what I felt today. Cubicle. Felt glued to the chair and seemed to mold my existence right into the desk top and keyboard. By nature, everything about this type of job is not physically healthy! I know this, but so do millions of other americans that have to make a living. I am glad we are busy at work again - job stability is a happy place. But yet for hours on end we find ourselves not moving anything other than a slight twist of our wrists here and there and the constant bouncing of our fingertips as we scan page after page...our eyes glued to the illuminating screens. Its no wonder around 4p.m. we all gaze up dazed and confused, our entire sensory essence frozen and stiff.
Man, imagine this scene day after day and year after year in addition to natural aging physical constraints. Yeah. Exercise and eating is so super important. I remember the days of feeling unstoppable. I remember in my early 20's feeling just about as good as you can possibly feel. Waking up on a Saturday, going out to breakfast with friends filled with greasy omellettes, hashbrowns, or whatever filled our desire, topped with numerous cups of coffee. Within the hour we could go on a 4 hour hike on nothing more than a nalgene of water and a luna bar. Potentially, we could come back and go tubing in the creek, a bike ride to the park and stop at home for some dinner. After than, a night at the bars. Get about 6 hours of sleep and do it again. So much energy and no aching. I didn't have a car for several years - I remember waking up, riding my bike 2 miles to work, working a full day, then riding my bike 5 miles to the community college campus for my class and then by 9pm. throwing my head lamp on my head and riding home. I did it all the time, and it was no problem at all.
We are capable of so much more than we give credit for. To this day, I still find myself challenging myself a bit, just to see. I think that is why I have a hang up with these half marathons. I just want to test myself...can I still do it... and can I do it a few minutes faster this time... and what if I throw in a little bit different training this time...but it is all while living a very full and busy life - which is ok because we need that forced break in which we can exert that energy and push ourselves in a different way...otherwise I would still be at that desk hunched over, probably with neck spasms and back aches. I learned very quickly and intensely the value of ones spine and back at the ripe age of 18 years old. Falling through a roof and crushing my lumbar vertebrae was a rude awakening. I wore a brace for just under 3 months and that is a long time for an 18 year old who wants to do everything including prom and a backpacking trip (both of which I ended up doing, I am proud to say) but losing use on any level of your core body is rough. And I don't want to. This month, part of my goal was to step up the strength training just a bit. Granted I have only light hand weights but it is really how you use them that matters. I have been doing them 2-3 times per week for about 2 1/2 weeks and I can definitely tell a difference. It is true what they say, it dramatically effects your posture - I absolutely just feel better. I am really hoping to get the running in gear by the beginning of february but I am struggling with the idea of the time constraints it puts on you...but I want to do it.
Anyways, I really like the way it feels to improve strength training a little bit and it is a fact that it helps to protect you against injury as you get older - especially someone like me who is sitting at work for so many hours and could probably be an easy target for pulling a muscle while doing household chores if I didn't stay active on some level.
Well, tomorrow is friday, better get a good night's sleep to take on the day and hopefully end it with a pleasant run on the treadmill after bree goes to sleep.
Man, imagine this scene day after day and year after year in addition to natural aging physical constraints. Yeah. Exercise and eating is so super important. I remember the days of feeling unstoppable. I remember in my early 20's feeling just about as good as you can possibly feel. Waking up on a Saturday, going out to breakfast with friends filled with greasy omellettes, hashbrowns, or whatever filled our desire, topped with numerous cups of coffee. Within the hour we could go on a 4 hour hike on nothing more than a nalgene of water and a luna bar. Potentially, we could come back and go tubing in the creek, a bike ride to the park and stop at home for some dinner. After than, a night at the bars. Get about 6 hours of sleep and do it again. So much energy and no aching. I didn't have a car for several years - I remember waking up, riding my bike 2 miles to work, working a full day, then riding my bike 5 miles to the community college campus for my class and then by 9pm. throwing my head lamp on my head and riding home. I did it all the time, and it was no problem at all.
We are capable of so much more than we give credit for. To this day, I still find myself challenging myself a bit, just to see. I think that is why I have a hang up with these half marathons. I just want to test myself...can I still do it... and can I do it a few minutes faster this time... and what if I throw in a little bit different training this time...but it is all while living a very full and busy life - which is ok because we need that forced break in which we can exert that energy and push ourselves in a different way...otherwise I would still be at that desk hunched over, probably with neck spasms and back aches. I learned very quickly and intensely the value of ones spine and back at the ripe age of 18 years old. Falling through a roof and crushing my lumbar vertebrae was a rude awakening. I wore a brace for just under 3 months and that is a long time for an 18 year old who wants to do everything including prom and a backpacking trip (both of which I ended up doing, I am proud to say) but losing use on any level of your core body is rough. And I don't want to. This month, part of my goal was to step up the strength training just a bit. Granted I have only light hand weights but it is really how you use them that matters. I have been doing them 2-3 times per week for about 2 1/2 weeks and I can definitely tell a difference. It is true what they say, it dramatically effects your posture - I absolutely just feel better. I am really hoping to get the running in gear by the beginning of february but I am struggling with the idea of the time constraints it puts on you...but I want to do it.
Anyways, I really like the way it feels to improve strength training a little bit and it is a fact that it helps to protect you against injury as you get older - especially someone like me who is sitting at work for so many hours and could probably be an easy target for pulling a muscle while doing household chores if I didn't stay active on some level.
Well, tomorrow is friday, better get a good night's sleep to take on the day and hopefully end it with a pleasant run on the treadmill after bree goes to sleep.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Back for 2009
Happiness is. I have taken some time to sit back over the holidays and think..probably think way too much, but all the same it is important to take time and evaluate. This forum is only for one aspect of those thoughts or I might very well be sitting here for weeks trying to display all of those thoughts. No matter, really. But what I really was able to zero in on was, what is happiness today and what is happiness tomorrow.
Happiness today...is reading stories to my 3 year old daughter and she wants to read them over and over again. It is us giggling hysterically giving eachother raspberries on each other's cheeks for 20 minutes straight. It is that unfiltered block of time where we are nothing but happy with each other. That is my happiness today. Happiness tomorrow for me will be all the things that I do today that will make her say things tomorrow. I thought about what I would want her to be able to say. I hope she will be able to say things like - "my mom was the one I wanted there when anything good or bad happened" "my mom is easy to talk to about anything in the world" " my mom taught me to think critically and question things first" "my mom showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to" " my mom taught me not to give up or to place blame, but to reach within and to succeed" "my mom is healthy and strong and we do everything together"....
Whatever it is she will be able to take from these years to come, it will all derive from our health. Our health gives us the energy, the attitude, the confidence and the drive to begin our days, our chores, our play. It might not matter if I can't take her to the grand canyon or do extravagent things...it does matter that I can go sledding with her, keep up running down the trail, have the energy to chase her down as she coasts down a hill on her bike - or just work a full day, make healthy meal choices, play games and lay in bed and read books and give raspberry kisses at the end of the night.
She is the reason sad is not an option and she is the entire reason that I have any grasp of what it means to truly understand what it is like to love someone so much you would give anything for them. I am grateful for that and I believe it makes me whole. My give back, my return of thanks, needs to be to take as good of care of myself no matter what, so that I can be there for her.
Originally I had set out to do yoga and pilates several times a week during my winter "layoff" from running. However, as good as an idea as that was, once a runner always a runner. It is my treadmill and my turbo jam workout tapes that I cannot break away from. I suppose, if it makes me feel good, I should just go with it. So, the turbo jam tapes are excellent, chalene johnson is my hero. She just knows how to do a workout and you always feel like you have done something. There is nothing more irritating to me than to spend 40 minutes on an activity and not be able to feel as though I put enough into it. I never feel that way with her workouts. So there it is, I set up a schedule on my calendar to mix those work outs up through out each week. Some use light hand weights and others are just aerobic and flexibility. Flexibility is key, especially as a runner because runners are infamous for having tighter hamstrings and muscles with less flexibility, so if I can manage to sneak in even one yoga per week it would be honorable.
The running has been just far and few between since the big race in october but the mileage will need to start increasing in february if I want training to start on the right foot. Let's hope in the mean time that muscle toning will take place.
Happiness today...is reading stories to my 3 year old daughter and she wants to read them over and over again. It is us giggling hysterically giving eachother raspberries on each other's cheeks for 20 minutes straight. It is that unfiltered block of time where we are nothing but happy with each other. That is my happiness today. Happiness tomorrow for me will be all the things that I do today that will make her say things tomorrow. I thought about what I would want her to be able to say. I hope she will be able to say things like - "my mom was the one I wanted there when anything good or bad happened" "my mom is easy to talk to about anything in the world" " my mom taught me to think critically and question things first" "my mom showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to" " my mom taught me not to give up or to place blame, but to reach within and to succeed" "my mom is healthy and strong and we do everything together"....
Whatever it is she will be able to take from these years to come, it will all derive from our health. Our health gives us the energy, the attitude, the confidence and the drive to begin our days, our chores, our play. It might not matter if I can't take her to the grand canyon or do extravagent things...it does matter that I can go sledding with her, keep up running down the trail, have the energy to chase her down as she coasts down a hill on her bike - or just work a full day, make healthy meal choices, play games and lay in bed and read books and give raspberry kisses at the end of the night.
She is the reason sad is not an option and she is the entire reason that I have any grasp of what it means to truly understand what it is like to love someone so much you would give anything for them. I am grateful for that and I believe it makes me whole. My give back, my return of thanks, needs to be to take as good of care of myself no matter what, so that I can be there for her.
Originally I had set out to do yoga and pilates several times a week during my winter "layoff" from running. However, as good as an idea as that was, once a runner always a runner. It is my treadmill and my turbo jam workout tapes that I cannot break away from. I suppose, if it makes me feel good, I should just go with it. So, the turbo jam tapes are excellent, chalene johnson is my hero. She just knows how to do a workout and you always feel like you have done something. There is nothing more irritating to me than to spend 40 minutes on an activity and not be able to feel as though I put enough into it. I never feel that way with her workouts. So there it is, I set up a schedule on my calendar to mix those work outs up through out each week. Some use light hand weights and others are just aerobic and flexibility. Flexibility is key, especially as a runner because runners are infamous for having tighter hamstrings and muscles with less flexibility, so if I can manage to sneak in even one yoga per week it would be honorable.
The running has been just far and few between since the big race in october but the mileage will need to start increasing in february if I want training to start on the right foot. Let's hope in the mean time that muscle toning will take place.
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