Walking With Friends!

Today, I was happy to walk with two great friends, and we not only got our exercise, but we shared our hearts.
Walking has never been my exercise of choice, but when I walk with a friend, it becomes a joy; more than that, it doesn't feel like exercise!

If you are having a hard time getting going with an exercise program, consider walking with friends, or joining a class.  It definitely helps to have someone to be accountable to. Today, if I had been alone, I would have gone home to rest on the couch. I was so sleepy.  But having committed to my friends, I went out and we walked about 40 minutes at a nice clip.

Tonight, I am not only happy because I had a good work out, but my heart is happy because I connected with two lovely young women.  We were made for companionship.

I am praying for you if you are reading this blog.  I pray you not only get healthy, but that you make a new friend this month.

Heavy Metal Fan?

Recently I discovered that I have a heavy toxicity of heavy metals.  It has been been causing me extreme fatigue and memory loss.  A friend mentioned to me that eating Cilantro helps in Chelation therapy.  Intrigued, I did a search for more info and found this website. http://www.healthy-journey.com/chelation-therapy-food-and-supplements

Check it out. It is loaded with information to improve your health.  If you have amalgam fillings in your teeth, or drink sodas from a can, or use antiperspirant, you may have this issue.  One of the other unhappy side effects is difficulty with weight loss.  The body stores heavy metals in our fat to protect us from them. Then when you try to lose weight the body holds on to the fat because when you break down the fat they metals dump into your system.  Wow! God made our bodies smart!

I feel better about my weight problem knowing this.  I am going to include the foods recommended( in the article from the above website) into my diet and I will report to you how it goes.  I truly expect a shift in my weight.

Sadly, heavy metals are found in high concentrations in fish.  Be sure to do your homework about where the worst problems are.  I have heard that China and India are two of the worst water polluters. I am no longer buying fish imported from those countries.

And...sniff, sniff, sniff...I am giving up my Hanson diet Ginger Ale....sniff, sniff, sniff.....

Five Great Reasons to Exercise Today!

Here are just a few good reasons to get out and move today:

Exercise helps stabilize blood pressure.

Exercise helps release endorphins, which make you happy.

Exercise stimulates your immune system.

Exercise builds muscle and strengthens your bones.

Exercise can help you sleep better and improves your brain.

Think on these things today, and let yourself look forward to getting active.

Okay, Anna Marie, hit the ground and give me twenty!!

Thirsty? Stop in for a drink of living water!: Rejoice with Me, Somebody!!!

Thirsty? Stop in for a drink of living water!: Rejoice with Me, Somebody!!!: Sometimes, when I get into "keeping-up-with-current-events-overload" I am tempted to fear for our future... but God always brings me back t...

Gardening: A Fresh Approach to Fitness!

My son once told me that I keep plants alive, just enough to torture them, so my close friends would wonder at my enthusiasm for gardening as a fitness routine!  But I must say, anything that gets you breathing hard and sweating has got to be good for you! (Hmmm...)

With the terrible drought we have been in here in San Antonio and Austin, TX, you might wonder why I would even bother to think about gardening as a form of exercise, but it has become a super challenge.

First, there is hauling the soaker hose around the yard, which takes a good 5 to ten minutes per move.  Then, pulling up the dead bushes, mulching the dead stuff and turning the dirt over and over to let the sun bake away the weeds, has got to burn calories I know not of!

Finally, I need to figure out the calories burned from raking all the dead grass.  It has to be the equivalent of running a mile!

My next project is going to have to be installing a new sidewalk.  I tripped over the concrete walk that has buckled in the drought. Hurt my knee.  I am imagining a sidewalk with gravel and stepping stones. What do you think?  I was thinking it would be fun to get my son and grandchildren to help me make  the stepping stones.  Seems like they would be kind of funky and artistic.  Plus, the energy expended stirring the cement would be a boon.

Now as to planting...I can only imagine a cactus garden...sadly, even the cactus are dying here in central Texas, but planting them and not getting stuck with stickers could be an extra calorie burn...imagine the fear...ahhh! It has to raise the adrenaline! 

I am excited about my new yard.  I think I will take before and after pictures.  Our yard is so decimated from the plumbing tunnel that was dug under our house, and the drought. I lost several lovely plants.  I am especially sad for the loss of my trumpet vine. It had been in the ground for over three years and had finally bloomed.  Sigh.  If anyone has any suggestions for plants let me know.  I am open to all ideas.

Let me just close with keep moving! Some is better than none.  Think of eating things you grow.  Herbs and veggies are fun to grow.  Don't forget the sit ups and push ups. Thanks for visiting!

Day 22.

Well, I am truly glad I decided to have my fast monitored by my health care provider. I was so discouraged, because I had not lost any weight. I went in and they did some tests and woot, woot! The body fat has decreased and the interstitial fluid in my cells has improved! So, no matter what the scales are saying, I am getting better!

This blog post is to encourage those of you on a weight loss or gain program to have yourself checked out by your doctor.  It is so heartening.  

Onward and upward! Some is better than none! I will be hitting the track soon!

Day 16

Woo Hoo! Things are moving along!  I think it is prophetic.  I am getting pamphlets in the mail for 5k and 10k fun runs.  That hasn't happened in over ten years.  I haven't even signed up with a runner's list anywhere.

This morning, my two oldest grand-kids and I went for a one hour and twenty minute walk.  We carried bags and picked up trash, found feathers and other treasures for folk art projects, and I taught them how to "walk like a dog." ( Click here to read how to walk like a dog!)

This afternoon I am going swimming, and my stamina is astounding me!  The fast is coming along.  I think I am going to take a break from water and eat some more kale and a little piece of fish.

Even thought the scale is stuck, this morning my darling grand-daughter said, "Grandma, your arms are getting skinny!"

 LOL!  Wish it could be my butt!

Keep it going!  Some is better than none!   Blessings!

Day 14

Today was a really good day. Even though I did not get out and walk or swim, I was full of energy and very busy...in a good way!  I remember that I had made a commitment to situps and pushups.  I have not been doing that. So, when I get through with this little blog, I am gonna "hit the ground and give me ten!"

I am always amazed at the response of people to me when I fast.  Yesterday at least ten people told me I was glowing!  What is that?  I can only think it is the Glory of God. There is a closeness that we get to God when we fast.  Apparently, this even happens when we are not fasting for spiritual reasons only, but for physical reasons.  I'll take it!

Anyway, I hope y'all are keeping it up!  Some is better than none!  This weekend, my plan is to swim and walk with my grand-dog every day.  And, I will add the situps and pushups. I may even jump on my re-bounder.  That is a great way to exercise!  Planning on continuing on with my fast. I have not lost a lot of weight, but I am feeling better than I have in a long time!


Keep going! Don't give up!!!! We are doing this!!