The Thing about Marriage Vows

The thing about marriage vows is that we say them on our wedding day, but which couples are able to actually live out and obey their vows?  A colleague of mine recently shared that she and her husband were able to experience all that they had vowed during the first month of their marriage! I can relate for many reasons.  But none other than the sickness and health vow. You see, today marks year TEN that The Hubs has been living with...

It Lasted Only 12 Days

I tried.  And I was doing really well.  I was eating lots of fruits and vegetables. In between meals, when I felt hungry, I would reach for a fruit or nuts instead of junk. I was doing well.  Even when there was bad food around me, I held strong and resolved to say "no." And it worked. I was determined.

I discovered a few things these last 12 days.  One.  I was over-eating way too much. Two. I don't have to have dessert and I can go without it. I did it for 12 days, and I survived. Three.  Eating less made me feel lighter, and I had more energy. Compared to over eating which made me feel lazy and sluggish.  I'm so glad I was able to do this for 12 days. I love what it feels like to eat healthier and it beats how I used to feel.

But then.  Thursday night came. I went to a meeting at my church and they had these irresistible pistachio macaroons, and I wanted to try them. Have you ever had them? They are delicious! Also, my mom is in town and she made one of my favorite dishes...stew peas...plus another favorite. Her pound cake! These I could not turn down.

And yes, this is a setback.  A minor one. I won't eat like this every day. I'll be eating healthier most of the time. Maybe I'll just take a little break.  Every 12 days.

Day 3 Food Diary

Well.  I'm hanging in there!

For breakfast I had a boiled egg and some fruit.  For lunch, grilled chicken and assorted vegetables.  I ate a Larabar later in the afternoon when I got super hungry.  For dinner, I made a huge salad with romaine lettuce, boiled eggs, carrots, broccoli, avocado, raisins, and sliced almonds.  It was delicious especially with blue cheese dressing! And yes, that's not the healthiest dressing, but I was so hungry by dinnertime, and didn't feel like going the extra mile to whip up some boring healthy salad dressing!

I sound grumpy, don't I? LOL.  I do feel tired and sort of miserable...especially because I'm still hungry!  I'm hoping I'll adjust to this eating plan soon, and won't feel so hungry all the time.  I've also been experiencing some slight headaches, but not sure if that's all related.

I'm calling it a night and hoping I can at least dream about cake tonight.  Just kidding!

Still Hungry on Day Two

It's day two of my 30 day eating plan, and one thing's for sure. Since I've been eating lighter, I don't really feel full after any meal. Before, I suppose I was loading up on all the heavy stuff...rice, pasta, potatoes, etc....and honestly, I always ate a little bit more even when I felt full. And even after feeling full, it seems I always had room for dessert.  Now I find I'm eating less and not feeling as full. I guess it makes sense.  Who wants to eat more lettuce when eating French fries or cake tastes so much better!!!  Right??? And that's precisely why I'm choosing to change my habits. 

I've got to re-train my brain that making healthier choices is the better way to go. I'll be the first one to admit that I don't think I could eat this way for the rest of my life. Once the 30 days are up, I'm sure I'll be incorporating other not so healthy foods into my diet, but I hope the portions will be much less than I've had in the past and all in moderation. Or who knows! Maybe I'll never have cake again! LOL! Who am I kidding!

Today I ate a banana and other fruits for breakfast. For lunch I had tuna on romaine lettuce with an apple. The Hubs grilled today, so I had a hot dog and a hamburger with onions and peppers sans the bread.  Eating with my family today was hard.  There was mac and cheese and potato chips which were very tempting, but I stayed strong.  Inevitably, there will be more temptations, but I just have to remain focus and determined. 

What's been helping with the hunger pangs? Grabbing a handful of almonds here and there have helped to subdue my hunger along with drinking lots of water. Also staying active! I've found riding my bike or playing basketball outside with Buddy Roller and The Hubs have kept my mind off of food!

So far it hasn't been too torturous, but I have also been in a very controlled environment at home these last two days. What worries me is returning to school tomorrow. Long days and hunger pangs mean I need to be prepared and have my arsenal of healthy foods available and ready!

Feeling Hungry on Day One

In an effort to have some accountability, I've decided to share some of my 30 day journey of eating healthier. Remember my plan consists of only three food groups.  Fruits. Meats. And vegetables.  First of all, you should never decide to start any new eating plan without first going to the grocery store and stocking up on all the necessary food items. I was so gung-ho about starting this challenge that I just decided to do it this morning...with absolutely no planning. And after my two mile run...I found myself starving with not that many options of food to eat! I ate an orange and some tuna and was starving  for most of the morning. I stopped at Panera Bread for a chicken salad and apple before heading to the grocery store to get my food items for the week.

Three things were clear to me on this first day of my journey. One, hardly anything I picked up was in a box or processed which means I got mostly healthy foods. Two, eating healthier costs a little bit more.  And that's okay. And three, cooking healthier is actually faster than the other meals I'm used to preparing. I was excited to try out some quick and easy recipes for my first dinner eating the right way.  Tonight's dinner was simple, yet it had a ton of flavor. I grilled some scallops, asparagus, carrots and yellow peppers in a savory lemon butter sauce. I also marinated some chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper for about 20 minutes before grilling them. Dinner, which was surprisingly delicious, was finished off with a very sweet and juicy navel orange followed by a Larabar only because I just didn't feel quite full.  I'm sure it's because I have this really bad habit of trying to complete any meal with something sinfully sweet.  That's a main reason I want to do this challenge. I need to stop my bad eating habits.

The first bite of my Larabar was really bad and my first thought was no way I'm eating that! But...after swallowing, it really wasn't that bad, and it helped to satisfy my urge of wanting something more. Larabars are made with fruit and nut, so it's perfect to eat when I feel I need a little something extra.  And they're going to help me get through these next 29 days.

Day one. Check. I'm feeling pretty good. I hope the next few days will go well. I'll keep you posted!

If I Am What I Eat...

If I am what I eat, and that's true, then I don't like the images of what I've been feeding myself. Picture this.  Carrot cake, any cake, doughnuts, brownies, ice-cream, M&Ms, Doritos, and the list goes on. And on.

I've been dreaming of a healthier me for a while now. I want to be healthier. Eat healthier. Be healthier. I want to be in the best shape of my life. I want a body with toned muscles and definition and abs that are rock solid. Okay maybe that's a stretch LOL!  But I know what I don't want.  I don't want a body that's soft and bulgy.  I want to look and feel good.

It's easier said than done.

When I think of all the things I'm putting into my body, I can't possibly reach my goal eating this way.  If I want to accomplish these goals and live a longer healthier life...things have to change. I have to do it for me, but I also have to do it for my family. I'm my son's role model, and he sees me eating all this unhealthy stuff, then he may very well adopt my very bad habits. I can't be responsible for that! I know this takes commitment and discipline. Motivation and determination.  It makes me think of all the people who've cut either meat or sugar from their diet. Why can't I be just as committed?

I'm running the Peachtree Road Race in July. I'm hoping this annual Atlanta tradition will jump start my healthier routine because I have to train and prepare for it. I mean it's the largest 10K in the world! Even though I ran a half marathon eons ago BK (before kid), running a 5K would be a little challenge, but since the Peachtree is twice as long as a 5K...this girl better get moving!

So. Starting today I am what I eat, but in a good way. That means all fruits, veggies and meat. No sugars. No junk. I'm challenging myself to do this for 30 days.  And please understand that I don't believe in diets and weight loss fads. I do believe in eating healthy and exercising, but I do need to go without the unhealthy stuff for a month to re-train my mind and body how to do it the right way.  I will also be running three times a week and incorporating many other activities into my life...riding my bike with my family or playing a game of basketball with the neighborhood kids.

I can do it. I know it, but I need accountability. So writing about it makes this challenge that more real and that more doable. I can't wait to see the results. But more importantly, I'm excited to be a healthier me!

A First Time for Everything

I had heard only two things about this procedure. One, it doesn't take a lot of time, and two, it's more uncomfortable than painful. So other than that, I didn't have any expectations this morning when I went for my first ever mammogram.

As expected, I was in and out of there in no time. First, I had to complete some paperwork.

Next, I was taken to a very clean and welcoming waiting area which almost reminded me of being at a spa.

Then I was handed a very warm and soft hospital gown. Why so warm? I thought.  Probably because I had to wipe my underarms with a very cold disposable wipe! I was warned not to wear deodorant the morning of the procedure...but who can leave the house without deodorant! Those wipes were frigid; I was thankful for that warm gown!  I was told to undress from the waist up, and I was given a locker and key to store my clothes and possessions. 

Then I entered the room where I was to have my first mammogram when I spotted this contraption. The one that was to hold and smash for breasts so that the technician could get pictures of my tissues to screen for cancerous cells.  The middle part that you see in the above photo would later be placed down over my breast, pushing down on me like when you are forcing more clothes into a suitcase that is packed beyond its limit.  I would have to maneuver my body in weird angles so that I would be in the right position for my X-rays.  I was told to breathe out and then breathe in, holding my breath for 10 seconds as the machine pushed down further on me. That part, I admit, was painful, but it only lasted about 10 seconds each of the four times it was done. I think someone should really consider designing a whole new, better contraption...one that actually molds to your breast without clamping down and causing such discomfort.

All in all, I totally agree with what I was told to expect about this procedure. It didn't take a long time, and it was more uncomfortable than painful. After all, I was able to smile for my camera after it was all over!



I did feel a little sore later today, but not a big deal, and nothing a couple Tylenol couldn't fix. The bottom line is this...the discomfort and the time spent getting a mammogram today were well worth it.  If early detection is key, then I want to do all I can to be proactive and stay healthy.

Every Scar Tells a Story

Every scar tells a story.

I'm sure you have a story to tell about each of your scars, whether big or small.  They're etched forever on your body like an ugly tattoo you wish you had never gotten. I have a few. Like the time I learned how to ride a bicycle. I was almost a teenager, and the bike fell against my leg, the pedal scraping my skin every other inch, from the knee on my left foot to the bottom of my ankle, until the bike hit the ground. Although faint, those scars aren't going anywhere, a constant reminder of that day many, many years ago.

One of my most recent scars, on my right knee, happened just this past summer. I was in Connecticut visiting my mom, and I was running to snap a cute photo of Buddy Roller when I slipped and fell flat on my rump. It happened so fast, I started laughing at myself, and then the pain came. Ouch! I hadn't had a fall like that in a loooooong time. That fall also left a scar but it's been fading over time, and I suspect I won't see it for much longer.

But then there are those scars that may never go away.  They are in places you can't hide or easily cover. They are just there, whether you like them or not, to always remind you of something...a lesson, a tragedy, or something else...

I have a student who has one of those scars. It's on her face, along her left cheek and close to her eye.  She is one of the sweetest students I have ever had. She always tries to help me in class, and she is very diligent and smart.  Some days she tries to cover her scar with her hair. But it's not possible. I am curious about how she got it, but so far I'm afraid to ask. Some things you just don't ask for fear of hurting someone or reminding them of something they would rather forget.

But then again, there are some people who just can't help themselves. They ask the questions that you are thinking but will never have the courage to say out loud.  They go there and ask those kinds of questions. I know because I've been witness to it many times.  The Hubs has something on his arm, we'll call it a blessing scar, and it's hard to miss. It takes up the length of his left arm and it has drawn quite the number of stares and even some double-takes over the years. And inevitably, some curious stranger will ask, "What happened to your arm!" In the beginning I could tell The Hubs was really uncomfortable with answering this question.  So much so that he invested in a couple of arm sleeves.  Over time though, I think he got used to the inquiry, and sometimes if he felt like it, he would answer. Other times, he would be pretty vague about his response.  These days, there's no need to cover up his arm.

The truth is, his scar is most definitely a reminder of a blessing, and an answer to many years of prayers.  After enduring several years on dialysis and then receiving a kidney transplant, the scar on his arm is a reminder that there is hope and a very bright light at the end of that sometimes dark, dark tunnel.

Every scar tells a story.

What story does your scar tell?