Finding Balance: Update Healthwise, Home

I am LOVING Momzoo's weekly schedule (having a specific focus in the home each day). Even though I have had to modify it slightly to fit my schedule and to play 'catch up' with household chores, I am getting more done and I am happier and feeling more balance in this area!

Regarding finding balance healthwise-I am eating less, trying to stop when I am full. Since I cannot use my treadmill here yet (that room is being used for storage right now), and since I do not want to go to a fitness center or walk along our road, I plan on using my sibling's recumbent bike and strength training equipment when I stay at their home twice weekly to watch dad while they are out of town. I did use it for about 10 minutes while over there earlier this week, but need to adjust it to my height:)

Progress on my other goals:

1. Ascertain the last date of labwork, bone scan, physical; take online health assessment (all regular screening done, 2004 + 2005; health assessment done).

2. Increase my steps to a minimum of 2,500 a day (see I told you my steps/day were BAD). If I remember correctly 2,000 steps=1 mile, but I will check on that. I'd like to see it at 5,000 steps but I can always work up to that and I don't want to set myself up for failure...baby steps, baby steps:) Research online programs for both weight loss and fitness through our health insurance (have not been tracking my steps since posting but will start that again soon. Have been researching online programs).

3. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruit I eat. Decrease the amount of sugar I am eating. Possibly eat more frequent, smaller meals as I have a problem with hypoglycemia and tend to go for the high carb foods when I feel hypoglycemic. Watch portion size (not much change in amount of veggies and fruit yet but have cut down on refined sugar and portion size. Need to increase consumption of water--as always).

4. Resist the urge to procrastinate. Be consistent! (trying).

Be blessed, Aimee

Photo: Oh does this room look different now---it will definitely be a major project for me to turn it into a craft/fitness room. Baby steps, baby steps...

Finding Balance: Healthwise

The other day I signed up to access my medical record online.

Imagine my shock when I found out that it had been decades since I had tests that are considered vital for women's health.

Now because I have my health concerns addressed through two different health systems

(one private pay, one through our health insurance), I am not sure that this information is 100% accurate--but still I believe that it has been way too long since I have had a physical. No, I KNOW it has been.

I would have to confess, that with everything going on around me that in spite of my DH's not too subtle urging for me to go to the doctor, I have been putting this part of living in balance at the bottom of my priority list; it is time for this to change...

Another step in finding balance for me will have to be in the area of weight loss.
By the usual standards I am not a lot overweight (or maybe I am)--about 20 pounds or so--but my knees, feet and back are feeling the extra strain.
I know what to do about it--I know what it takes to lose these pounds. I know it will be a matter of choosing long term goals and gratification (better health, more energy) over instant gratification (sugar, high calorie foods). I know these things--so how much longer will I put it off? 6 months? 1 year? Things will only get worse; the time is now. And -- for me it is a matter of stewardship and obedience to God also.

Another area which must be addressed is fitness. Awhile back Patty, http://www.morningramble.blogspot.com/ addressed the use of a pedometer and how few are steps are daily as compared to those who work the land without the help of modern technology (the Amish). My sibling had an extra pedometer so I tried it out and was shocked, shocked, shocked at how few steps I take in a day...MUCH less than I did when we were tracking our steps through a program at work.
This got me to thinking---my sedentary lifestyle is only going to get worse if I don't take active steps to change NOW.
Relaxation is important, but we were made to be active--and if I want to keep healthy enough to travel to such beautiful places as these, I need to not put this aspect of living a healthy, balanced life off any longer.

So what will my next steps in this area be (let's say for the next week).
1. Ascertain the last date of labwork, bone scan, physical; take online health assessment.
2. Increase my steps to a minimum of 2,500 a day (see I told you my steps/day were BAD). If I remember correctly 2,000 steps=1 mile, but I will check on that. I'd like to see it at 5,000 steps but I can always work up to that and I don't want to set myself up for failure...baby steps, baby steps:) Research online programs for both weight loss and fitness through our health insurance.
3. Increase the amount of vegetables and fruit I eat. Decrease the amount of sugar I am eating.
Possibly eat more frequent, smaller meals as I have a problem with hypoglycemia and tend to go for the high carb foods when I feel hypoglycemic. Watch portion size.
4. Resist the urge to procrastinate. Be consistent!

Any suggestions?
What works for you?
Have you blogged about matters of fitness and health?
Feel free to leave a link to your blog if you'd like.
Be blessed,
Aimee

Word on Wednesday:
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Zechariah 4:6 KJV

This is the verse that came to mind recently as I was praying about a matter that was troubling me greatly. I tend to try to do things in my strength, especially in areas I feel strongly about.

I think God is letting me know that I need to realize it is not by my might or human power that this matter will be taken care of, but by His. I pray that I can 'rest' in this WORD and rely on Him.

Photos: Lee Wooden Park near Jewell, Nestucca River area (near Beaver).

Finding Balance: At Home

For awhile now, I have had the growing sense of being out of balance--

as if I had wondered off the path I should be on.

When I was working, outside the home, my day had more of a pattern, more of a rhythm to it.

I had a huge amount of responsibility and I knew,

almost unconsciously what had to be done,

how it had to be done

and when it had to be done.

I worked 4 days a week and had 3 off;

it was a great work schedule.

And I was grateful to my employers for allowing me to have it.

But I missed being home--

so finally, after much prayer and my DH's agreement,

I left my job.

It was the right decision and I don't regret it!

I LOVE being home--

I love being free to talk and text with family and friends

when there is a need or just a desire to.

But, on the other hand,

I also left behind my innate sense of discipline as regards to work,

and that has left me increasingly stressed and unhappy.

I hope that makes sense.

Despite the many challenges I have in my life right now,

I just cannot put it off any longer---
I need to regain a more disciplined life again--

at home, because that is my work now.

Yes, I can and will still have freedom to stop and chat,

photograph a pretty scene, travel, smell the roses, etc;

but I think, no I know,

I will appreciate these things even more if I develop more discipline at home.

And this is where fellow blogger, Momzoo (Aimee) comes in.

I have been following her for quite awhile now and have found,

over these years that

I appreciate her honesty and kindness,

the genuine love she has for her family and country,

her down to earth manner

and her willingness to share her God-given gifts of cooking

and other homemaking skills with others...

Recently she posted her weekly schedule

and it fit SO well with my life and was SO simple,

that I knew this was the answer I was seeking...

and I began to have some hope again in regards to taming my beast (this house).

So...I have begun to follow her schedule,

albeit with a few modifications

due to the challenges I am dealing with right now

(staying twice weekly at my sib's home,

when they are out of town,

to watch my elderly father;

dealing with our house issues;

some fear/anxiety over certain circumstances in my life right now;

playing catch up).

I hope that soon I will be living a more balanced and

a more disciplined life

at least as far as work is concerned:)

Next task: Finding balance health wise.

Blessings, Aimee

Note: I know I've already thanked you Aimee (momzoo) on your blog

but I truly am grateful for your transparency and honesty and want to do it again here :)

Photo: peaceful sunset at Neskowin.

Autumn Leaves

The trees

obey the call of the Creator to put on their autumn display.

And I

respond in grateful admiration.

Thank you God for the beautiful season of autumn.

Blessings, Aimee