Reading this article from Women's Health has really made me stop and think do I really love all of me.  Well, as long as I do not look at a picture of me then maybe.  I get what the Plus-Size model is saying in this article and it is extremely difficult to accomplish.  We are inundated with beautiful actresses on tv, ads in magazines, etc. that we are held up to.  Well, guess what - most of us lead entirely different lives too as we do not have the luxury of personal chef's, personal trainers every day, etc.  So, we have to remember to love ourselves and be gentle with ourselves.  Am I happy with myself?  The answer is No but I am learning to love who I am while still working on me because of physical drawbacks vs. looks.  I want to be able to be active with my grandchildren and get up and do things without aching or being out of breath.  The other thing that helps is now we are able to find plus size clothing that is not basically a sack.  The average size woman is not a size 2 or even a 10 anymore.  The last article I saw (which was a few years ago), the average size woman was a size 14.  The average size woman has a few womanly curves and good for them!  If they are healthy then who cares.  Recognize that  skinny does not equate to healthy.  

Remember women - love thyself!  All of You!  I believe that once we stop the self loathing and internal battle we let ourselves be free to heal ourselves, whether that be physically or emotionally.  Love to all and to thyself!  

https://www.womenshealth.gov/blog/every-inch

I started reading Overeater's Anonymous today and it started making me think about my life balance.  Mainly because in lieu of overeating, I think I have replaced it with Snap Jewelry (both buying & selling).  I find that is taking up a great deal of my spare time due to sitting at weekend events to sell and also selling it online.   I have a full time job that is 40+ hours per week and I do some traveling for my job as well.  I recognize that I am the type of person that likes to stay busy but want a more relaxed and on my time schedule.  I want to get back into playing my piano, having time to make my crafts to give away as those give me much more enjoyment out of life.  

I also believe that finding that joy in my life and not in food is very much what Overeaters Anonymous is trying to teach us as well.  Therefore to find that joy I need to find that balance.  I hope you find yours as well!  

Unfortunately, my first marriage fits this pretty much to a tee except I did not deal with physical abuse.  My ex did play the mind games and was darn good at it!  Fortunately, I had a ton of great family support when we split that helped me from falling prey and going back again and again.  I did not seek professional assistance (counseling) and managed to get stronger day by day.  Additionally, after getting out for a period of time I could see the relationship for what it was and each day I became a little bit stronger.  

It takes time and your best bet is to get away - far away from that person and surround yourself with lots of support from family and friends to help keep you strong.  For some, counseling is also necessary and depending on the level of the relationship you may need authorities to get involved as well.  I am not going to lie - it was not easy and at times I wanted to go back especially since we had kids together.  But, in the end it was better for all of us to not be in this relationship that sucked the life out of me.  

Below is a link that shares the signs of relationship addiction and tips for getting out of it.  I would say, based upon my experience, it is pretty accurate and if you take the tips to heart they can help if you want the help!  

https://www.powerofpositivity.com/10-signs-relationship-addiction/

My hope is that by me opening up that I can help someone else out there.  Self Defense can also include mental and not just physical.  

As a woman that has raised three children as a single parent while working and going to school; I can relate to mental exhaustion at times.  Even today, with my kids all grown and college completed there are still days where I just want to curl up in a ball and think about absolutely nothing.  Which occasionally is probably not a bad idea - to let the body and mind reboot if you will.

However, as we all know life goes on.  The sun comes up again the next day and it is time to tackle yet another day.  I would say now that most days are good.  I work for a great company and my stress level has dropped immensely with finding the right company / job.  

Additionally, I have found other outlets as well - I love photography (just taking off and driving around and taking pictures of whatever catches my eye is sure bliss for me).  Also, I have started selling and making Convertible "Snap" Jewelry and this is my outlet to get out amongst people.  My day job I work from home (except when traveling for work) so I do miss the people interaction as I am an extrovert.    

But there are many other options and advice out there for your Mental Health.  The above works for me but may not work for you.  Everyone has their own personal release and you need to find out what yours is for your mental health!  After all, we are much better mothers, co-workers, grandmothers, sisters, etc. when we are not so stressed.

Here is a link to find additional information on Women's Mental Health - Enjoy!  
taking-care-mental-health

As a woman, we quite often need reminders to take care of ourselves!  We are so accustomed to taking care of everyone else that we forget to take of our mind and body.  So, here is a link to a site for Women's Health with some great tips (by age group)!

https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/by-age

I urge each and every woman to go review their checklist for better health and start implementing those activities today.  I am by no means there on mine yet but working on them.  Pick one and start working on that goal!  

​Take care of yourself Women!  

Well, I got on the scale beginning of this week and stuck my tongue out at it.  Honestly, I knew it would be bad but decided to get on it and get started trying to work on me.  I am trying to do this differently and think about this differently this time.  

I am trying to make some small healthy lifestyle changes that will over time result in weight loss but not really focus on weight loss this time around.  My focus is shifting from my weight to just being healthier.  I want to be able to stand for periods of time without my back hurting, I want to be able to go for walks and not become out of breath, fit into those tiny ... little airplane seats :) and be able to go outside and play with and enjoy my grandchildren.  So, I started just plugging different foods into my calorie counter just to see what certain things are - maybe a meal so it gives me an idea.  I used to sit there and count calories, etc. but feel so deprived on that and it drives me crazy.  So, instead just doing an occasional check on how I am really doing.  So, the first check at beginning of week was a large frozen Mocha from McDonalds and all I can say is "wow" no wonder I have been gaining weight!  So, this week I have been focusing on eating breakfast at home and making coffee at home to take with me to work. 

I also have my dog with me now and we have been going for walks when I get off from work.  Granted they are short walks but it is a start.  Additionally, the last two nights I have done some toning with bands and my exercise ball. 

Finally, I am making sure that I am taking my medicine and daily vitamin like I am supposed to every single day!   I am hoping in the end the healthier lifestyle will help me get off of some of my medicines. 

So here is to never giving up on yourself and your health.  The struggle is real but one day at a time and we can make those positive changes. 

My husband is truly a blessing and I am so grateful for him.  I can very much see us in this article below.  He is the introvert and I am of course - the extrovert.  He is fine with spending a quiet evening at home while I have to be busy (at least doing something if I am not outside of the house).  So, he truly keeps me grounded from the "let's just watch a movie on Netflix together at home" to  our deep conversations we have.  I love to be around people (even if it is just my family) and hanging out - cooking or going shopping together, etc.  He is perfectly happy staying at home while I go out with a freind or go shopping with my daughter.  We do have our time together too outside of the house - such as date night on Friday nights, etc.  But, my point is he understands me and let's me go and do while I understand him and let him stay at home too.  If you can find that compromise, it can be a wonderful relationship! 

http://www.lifehack.org/495769/3-reasons-why-an-introvert-and-an-extrovert-can-make-the-best-couple?ref=mail&mtype=daily_newsletter&mid=20161201&uid=1110649&hash=82756f7775717f6d7a7371787f604f4e4c73796d75783a6f7b79&action=click

Whether it be with your spouse, significant other or a really good friend the FDA has come up with some great health tips.

I do not smoke and rarely drink so those two do not really apply to me but the other tips are some fantastic tips.  It is certainly much easier to stick to a work out if you have someone doing it with you - makes you accountable for missing the work outs.  I think that is probably one of my biggest challenges.  By time I get home from work, I talk myself out of it a lot of times because I am tired and do not feel like it but if I had someone to go with me on a regular basis that would make a huge difference.  I have a very dear friend that her and I talk frequently and honestly about our health and where we are at in our quest to become not just fit but healthy.  I know people that are skinny and not necessarily healthy so yes, there is a difference and the guide below is a good place to start. 

I signed up for e-mail alerts from Womenshealth.org as they come out with some great tips and encourage my women friends to sign up as well.  Or, keep up with those great tips here as I will post about them from time to time on here as well.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/blog/5-ways-build-up.html

Well, I love apples - especially in the fall but looks like I need to start eating more of this delicious fruit every day!  Or, as my daughter told me - add diced up apples and cinnamon stick to water for a tasty drink too.

https://www.verywell.com/does-an-apple-a-day-keepthe-weight-away-1087904?utm_term=&utm_campaign=livinghealthy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=7128938&utm_source=cn_nl

Well, I made it through with the intermittent fasting which I found to be doable.  I am now starting with my shakeology for breakfast.  Shakeology has a lot more nutrients than normal protein drinks do and it does help me tremendously with my cravings.  You can check out shakeology here -  http://www.shakeology.com /?ICID=BOD_SHAKE_SHKSUPERRESULTS_BANNER.   My drink of choice this morning was one chocolate shakeology, 1/2 banana, 1 T. peanut butter, 1/2 C. Almond Milk & 1/2 C. of water with a few ice cubes. 

I will be doing low carb along with the shakeology.  I will allow myself carbs at my noon meal but try to keep my carbs very low for afternoon snack and evening meal.  How about you?  What are you trying to improve your health and fitness and how is it going?

If you are interested in Shakeology let me know and I can help you out.  I am not trying to make a living with Shakeology therefore, I can help you out with the cost if you want to give it a try.