what does exercise do for me? so are we talking mentally, physically, what? well for me, i mainly continue to work out for many reasons. first, i dont even want to think about what my body would look like if i didnt. i know a couple of things- when i was pregnant with my son, i was put on rest- pelvic rest for the whole thing and on and off bed rest. so after like week 7- no exercise for me. that was ridiculously hard for me to grasp- working out is what keeps me sane and healthy and not fat! so i was terrified to feel what 8 months of sedentary lifestyle would feel like. so 65 or 70 pounds later (i weighed more than my husband who is about 10 inches taller than me at the end of my pregnancy), i found out. i, quicker than i thought, fell into a sluggish lifestyle- it became easier and easier not to work out. and along with that, i noticed my eating habits got worse. great combo! i felt worse about myself than i ever had. well day 1 after getting the OK to resume excercise i did. i really did. i lost 40 pounds in like 4 months. but then i got pregnant again. oh man was i scared! i still had about 30 extra pounds on me to start this one. but luckily, i could keep working out throughout, and i managed to only gain like 25 pounds. but after that pregnancy, there i was again having to lose a bunch of LBs. but i did. in fact, after that baby girl, i got down to a lower weight than ever- about 104 pounds. that was a bit extreme. but it wasnt intentional to lose that much. it truly just dropped right off- well with running about 5 miles a day 6-7 times a week. getting back into running was really hard- if youve ever run with excess weight- man it sucks! you feel every jiggle, wiggle, and bounce! but it is what works to shed pounds, so i kept going, and going, and going! i really fell back in love with running. it helped me to feel better about my body- i couldnt believe how quickly my body responded to my hard work. and every day it got easier and less and less jiggling! running also was my respit from hectic work and kids and husband and all the stresses we have. many people dont understand that running and yoga and meditation have a lot in common. once you get your stride, running is a very rythmic exercise. the pounding of your feet, your breath, its all very rythmic and calming. not to mention the hormones that get released into the brain a bit into your run. these "feel good" happy hormones elevate your mood and reduce stress. this is often what runners refer to as "runners high". and theyre not kidding- many a run i have hit my stride and literally sighed as i felt the calm wash over me. a lot of people view running as hard, and let me tell you, it is sometimes! but there is nothing, i mean nothing, like that feeling. and that is what gets me out there- day after day- to RUN.
"dont ask me why i run. ask yourself why you dont."

theres been a few articles in the news about supplements not having an effect on health, and in some cases, actually hurting your health. i have these intuitive long standing beliefs about supplements and popping vitamins and minerals. the thing is, they are all synthetic and processed versions of what they claim to be. they make for some very expensive pee- as said on "the chew" today. the best place and most ideal place to get these nutrients if from your food. so stop looking for that magic pill and focus on eating whole, real, and nutritious foods. its really all you need.

well its been a long time. i have to say i am becoming very discouraged in my work. i began to feel the same way when i was doing sex ed. i feel like poeple dont really want to chcnge their bad habits if it entails work. my goal is not to change the world, its to change a life. we have one go around here and i feel like we should embrace it to the fullest- and that means mentally physically, and sexually. you CANNOT get even close to your potential in any of these areas without your health. my mom reminded me the other day of one of my favorite guys from grad school- maslow- and hos famous heiarchy of needs. the basic premise is that if your primal needs arent met, like food, health, and shelter, you will not be able to climb the heiarchy. upper levels like self-esteem, loving and belonging, and finally, self-actualiztion, cannot be achieved. i have been fat and thin, an unhealthy smoker, and a healthy vegetarian at a healthy weight. and i can tell you life is so ridiculously much better when you feel good inside and you feel good about your outsides too. i mean lets not ignore the fact that we all want to look good. life just somehow is more enjoyable when you feel and look your best. you can get up in the morning and throw anything on and feel ok- as opposed to an hour in front of the mirror trying to find something you'll not be too embarassed in. ive been there. its not fun. at all. everyones looking for that magic pill or answer to get to that place of feeling and looking their best. the thing is that doesnt exist. it takes hard work- mentally and physically to get there. and its so much better when you do knowing you did it on your own. it really is- so heres the answer- actually there is magic- i think its magic- its so overlooked anymore- the simplicity of the answer- its exercise your body and feed it well. no jenny craig or weight watchers needed. no diet pills or zumba. just MOVE and feed your body like the temple that it is. even my 90 year old grandpa has fallen for the gimic- i mean at 90? geez- thats how powerful these big advertisers have become. he wont eat anything but his pre-packaged frozen processed jenny craig food. really? really? even at 90 they can get into your head and make you believe their food is best? it really infuriates me! i had him over the other day and he refused my fresh and organic grapes and cheese b/c he had to get home for his frozen processed lunch and how good he's being on his diet. so ridiclous i dont even know where to start! you should NEVER EVER pass up fresh and esp. organic fruits and veggies! NEVER! that is the basis for health- and to be so brainwashed to think his diet food is better is just beyond. so i feel like i am fighting a losing battle- and mostly on my own. sure there are some that have tried to brake through- my beloved dr.weil and dr.oz i love too. i just wish more people would blindly follow people like them as opposed to weight watchers, jenny craig, and all the diet pill commercials. so the question ive been asking myself lately is how can i help? how can i make a difference? how can i penetrate this bubble of big business and taking advantage of people? i dont know the answer yet. i just keep plugging along slowly and hope that even just one person will listen and feel the joy of good health and well-being.