Monday

One Year

Today marks one year since my dad passed away.  It's been a tough year...one where I've learned a lot about myself.   I've been reflecting a lot lately on a few things:

a) How fast a year in our lives speeds by us
b) What have I done with myself and my life this past year?
c) Would my dad be proud of me right now?

A year = a blink of time.  If we aren't careful, we'll just let it pass by without any meaning or without doing anything significant for ourselves or others.  How many times have you said, "I'll start tomorrow" and then you turn around 365 days later and 365 times of telling yourself that and nothing has changed?  What a waste.

If I could tell my dad a few things about this past year, I'd tell him that I'm taking care of myself and my family.  He'd be happy to know that I've grown my business in several ways and that I'm having fun with it.  My dad would be excited that I am still learning every day (he was a long-time educator) and trying new things.

Before I let you in on lessons that my dad taught me in life, I'll pose the question to you-- "What have you done this past year?"  "What do you want to have accomplished one year from now?"  It will be here before you know it, so get going.

Lessons from my father:

- Be kind and caring
- Serve others
- Be a giving person
- Have patience
- Learn from your mistakes
- If you fall, get back up
- Experience life
- Love learning
- Laugh a lot
- Have fun (without much money)
- Go new places and try new things
- It doesn't matter what other people think of you
- Live up to your potential and help others do the same
- Believe in God and know that Jesus loves you

What I would add for you all:
-Take care of yourself.  You get one body and one life
-Believe in yourself and your abilities
-Just keep going....even when it's been a tough year.


Thanks, Dad.  I try to make you proud every day.  I miss you a lot.

Friday

Meal Planning

I had a nutrition client ask me today how I meal plan.  Specifically, she wanted to know how I keep track of recipes, what meals I want to make for the week, and how to keep it all straight while at the grocery store.  I'm a busy gal....so is she....actually, so aren't we all!  So, how do I juggle it?

It's no secret.  I'm a planner by nature. I have all kinds of lists and plans going on in my head at all times.  Most of the time, I have to write it down somewhere, or I forget it. So, in terms of my menu choices for the week, I have a piece of paper taped to the inside of my cupboard that lists supper options.  (My main focus is supper, because a lot of times for lunch I'll eat leftovers, a protein shake, or a can of tuna with vegetables. Breakfast varies....that's another post for another day.)

I start with my main dish, usually a meat or fish option.  Then, I choose a few sides- usually cooked vegetables or a salad filled with vegetables.  I will also put fruit on the table because I know my kids will eat it.  Our meals are basic, simple, and yummy.  I need it to be non-complex for the sake of time.  I use my crock pot a lot!  I have a lot of cookbooks and cooking magazines, as well as a few cooking websites that I like (Food Network, Mariahealth.blogspot.com, Cooking Light to name a few).  Occasionally, I peruse these to find new ideas if I feel we are in a recipe rut.

My menu changes a bit seasonally.  In the spring and summer, we grill more and experiment more with cold salads.  In the colder months, I make more homemade soup.  Honestly, on busy days all through the year, I do have the temptation to hit the drive through or grab-n-go options.  BUT, I remember that it won't help me reach my goals, it won't necessarily taste good, and it can cost a lot!  I'd rather plan ahead, prep ahead, and know that I can get a healthy home-cooked meal on the table for my family.

PLAN.  And take the time to plan.

Sunday

A testimony to life

I know and work with some pretty extraordinary people....how lucky is that?!  Recently, I wrote about my friend Lanse who has overcome some big odds to make healthy changes in his life and experience success.  Now, I'm sharing a new testimony from my client Kathy who is not only lucky to be alive, but who also has one of the most positive attitudes toward life that I've ever seen!  Kathy could easily have given up long ago with a dire prognosis, but chose to get out of bed every day and fight for her life....a quality life and a healthy life.  I want to mention that she's in her 50s, but has the tenacity of a twenty year old!  I won't go into detail on her health without her permission, but will ask her to be a guest contributor so she can share her story.  

"I started working with Kara in January to help tone up my muscles, lose weight and continue building bone strength. She was very thorough to understand my health needs and help set short and long term goals. The short ones I knew I could do but the long term were a stretch. They were my goals and it depended on how hard I wanted to work. My biggest doubt was doing a push-up, but she knew the steps my body needed to build up to those. On a good day I can do 30-T push-ups! Some are at an elevated angle but they are all plank-style. (No Knees!) My last visit before returning home for a visit I did 17-T plank-style out of 20, on the floor!! 

The challenge to increase vegetable intake was also the catalyst to pay better attention to my nutrition. It became the second focus of the program, it made sense to give myself a better chance at success. During this time Kara was there every appointment to meet me physically with what my body could manage that day. It all came together and today, March 20th, my pant size has dropped from a bulging 12 to a zipped up 8.  I am happy to have a record of my beginning and end measurements. The reference of success on paper is proof but the sense of accomplishment and positive energy I have is the reward. We can commit to do something great for ourself but we don't have to do it alone. I will continue what I have learned."


Keep going, Kathy!!  You inspire me!