Hello New Life!

I am starting a new life today.  I have to.  I am 35 (almost 36), 30 pounds overweight, have high cholesterol, high triglycerides and am tired and moody. 

What happened to me?  I used to be so cute, happy, and fit!

Here is what happened-
3 kids, working full time, struggling with a stressful business that is bleeding us dry, running from place to place, not planning meals or planning meals for the kids and not myself, putting school, work, volunteering before myself.

This is what some moms do.  We try so hard to be everything to everyone that we run ourselves ragged and forget about what is important in life. 

My health, my husband's health, and my children's health is what is most important.  Everything else is not a priority.

The light bulb turned on at my oldest son's last doctor visit.  He is semi-active and has  just joined the swim team.  He practices 3-4 times a week and eats ok. 

The doctor is worried that he has gain 40 over the last 2 years.  He is not obese, but on the way if I don't help him. 

What did I do wrong?  I am failing him.  What example am I setting for him?  Both my husband and I are overweight, not too active, and eat terribly.  How can I expect him to be healthy if we are not?

So here I am.  I am changing my ways so that my children are healthier.  I am changing my ways so that my children are happier.  I am changing my ways so that I am healthy and alive to see my grandchildren and to live life to the fullest.

Today I am starting.  This is scary for me.  I know it will not be easy.  I have to change so much.  Becoming the person I am today involved years of letting myself go.
How do I start?

As a speech pathologist I am always setting goals for my students.  Here are mine:
Long Term Goals:
1.  More real foods in our diets.
2.  More exercise in our lives.
3.  Losing 30 pounds (my husband's and my personal goals)

The only way to achieve this is by short term goals.  I am going to focus on one change at a time.  I will stay motivated by seeing these little goals achieved. 
Short Term Goals
1.  Eating 1 fruit per day
2.  Drinking water each day
3.  Eating 1 vegetable per day.
4.  Being active for 1/2 per day ( I know it seems little, but I want it to be achievable)

Today's healthy change is offering fruit as snacks, before the kids are famished and looking to eat crap.

What are some changes that you have made to help yourself and your family become healthier? 

Tell me about your journey to a healthier family.

Drink Your FIJI!

Well Groove sisters, as you are well aware part of me "getting my Groove Back" is losing 30 pounds of baby weight (can I call it that after 3 years...?)

So I have begun to tweak my diet and have added some sessions at the gym. My problem is that I really hate drinking water... I think it goes back to my pregnancy days when I drank so much I could float away....

But you need to drink water to lose that bootie...

After some research, I found this article on the Diet Channel

The Top 4 Benefits of Drinking Water by Michelle Silence, MA

Everyone’s heard how important it is to drink enough water. Especially in the hot summer months. But is it really that necessary? Absolutely. This nutrient is vital to health in numerous ways, and the health benefits of drinking water
cannot be underestimated.


1. Drinking water enhances fat loss
Water is an essential nutrient. All chemical reactions in the body depend upon it. If you’re trying to lose weight, this can’t be ignored. You won’t be able to lose weight without water to flush out the by-products of fat breakdown. When there isn’t enough water to dilute the body’s waste products, kidney stones may form. When the kidneys aren’t working to their full potential, the liver must step in and help. Once this happens the liver can’t optimally perform its other important functions. As a result, burning fat has to wait.

2. Combat ailments by drinking more water
In many cases, fatigue, headaches and back pain may be caused by dehydration. If you suffer from an afternoon nod off, try drinking more water at lunch. If you or your children complain of frequent headaches, the amount of water you’re drinking could be responsible. And, muscle spasms are also caused by not being adequately hydrated.

3. Drinking water can reduce hunger
Experts say that hunger pangs are often misinterpreted cravings for water. Try drinking water before your regular meals and see if it helps you cut down on the amount of food you eat. It really works as an effective appetite suppressant. Avoid counting tea, coffee, sodas and juices in your fluid intake. Coffee and tea contain caffeine which has a diuretic effect and makes you lose water. Sodas and juices are too sweet—because the body must dilute them, they cause more dehydration.

4. Look younger - drinking water hydrates your skin
When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant. Water will keep the toxins flushed out and help you to cool off through perspiration. Muscles need to have enough water to make them look full too. Deprive yourself of water and you’ll see the difference in the mirror.

Are you dehydrated?
Just how do you know if you’re getting dehydrated? If you have a dry mouth, produce less urine, have very dark urine and/or feel dizzy or faint you probably need water, quick. Drink at least 8 glasses a day. Experts now recommend even more, up to 12 glasses a day. To be more precise, drink ½ ounce per pound of body weight. If you exercise or are very active increase the number to 2/3 ounce per pound. Try monitoring your water intake closely for the next month. When you drink enough, you’ll look and feel better.

On a recommendation I tried FIJI water and I love it. It actually tastes good!

Bye bye big butt, hello bathing suit... well now I am getting ahead of myself...

Happy Drinking!