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Friday, February 22, 2013

our bodies…

 

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Just in case you were wondering, I’ve been sick.

It seems like right after I hit the “publish” button for my Tuesday post, I was visited by some pretty mean Flu germs that proceeded to wipe out my entire week. Yes, right when I’d thought I’d escaped the entire winter without getting sick.

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Today happens to be the first morning I can sit upright without my head pounding or my stomach feeling queasy, so I thought I do a quick post before I forget these grateful feelings I’m having about my healing body. Maybe you can relate.

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But for those of us who are blessed with robust health year-around, I think sickness is like childbirth.  The minute it’s over it vanishes from our minds. It’s as if the return of our energy somehow effects our memories and we instantly forget how bad it felt.

And I don’t want to forget. Because I’m humbled by the truth.

The worst part of having chills, and vomiting and a chronic throbbing in your head is how it robs you of the simplest joys in your life. When I was crashed on the couch with my stomach in tight knots, I couldn’t think of…

  • making breakfast for Michael
  • shopping for healthy foods for the family
  • reading anything
  • the smell and taste of coffee
  • the idea of creating something

and these are just the tiny things… My point is that everything that takes effort suddenly got pushed on the back burner while my illness took over. It won. It beat me. And not only did this make me feel tremendous compassion for all those people who are struggling right now with their health, my weak-fragile days made me focused on getting my body strong again.

So this is my post on physical fitness.

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How do you stay in shape?

On my regular days, I jog or walk with Stella 4-5 times a week. But I don’t lift weights which I definitely need, especially for my upper body strength. And I don’t feel muscular anymore.

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In my younger days, I used to love going to the gym, lifting weights and doing spin classes. And when I got married I was 106 pounds (I’m five feet two) and a runner. Only I haven’t felt that way in a long time.

I’m not talking about being thin. I’m talking about being strong.

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The irony is that I live in a house where fitness is a top priority. Both my boys keep a fairly disciplined regimen. Michaels rows on the Crew team which means three hours of daily exercise and lots of healthy food to keep his weight up.  And Patrick hits the gym daily for intense workouts that have totally altered his body over the last few years.

Nobody eats chips and desserts at my house anymore ..which make me feel lonely. (sigh)

I mean, my own 71 year old mother goes to her neighborhood gym five days a week, how much more motivation do I need?

 

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So these are a few things on my mind this morning.

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1. I’d like to focus on getting a stronger, more physically fit body, and say Hello to a few muscles again by using small weights and good old fashioned workouts. And yes, I still remember how.

2. I want to eat cleaner.  And in the process take off a few (eight would be great) pounds. I stumbled on this Pinterest board for the Clean Eating Magazine, and I’m curious to check out some recipes.

 

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I’m also including this image because Patrick tells me # 3 when he’s trying to help me. “Mom, it’s all about the diet,” he says. Only he doesn’t mean “dieting” he means being aware of proteins and carbs and fats and choosing good, healthy foods.

 

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 Pinterest-jamieeason

Lucky for me I love fruits and vegetables. (and sweets too)

I also found THIS blogger who has a motivational story I enjoyed. Truthfully, I think I liked her post because she’s the same height as me (a fellow shorty)

3. Give yoga a chance.  What happens is, when my time is crunched, I always choose cardio over yoga classes thinking my ‘heart’ needs it more.  And yet when I see something like THIS post, I feel as if I’m missing out on another world. With deeper benefits. Do you practice yoga?

Well, that it for now. I’m so grateful to be able sit here without that terrible migraine.

And the chills.

I think I’m getting better, although simply watching that girl do those oblique squats makes me want to lay down and take a nap.

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I can’t thank you enough for your comments and I’m going to be answering and catching up on my blog reading in the next few days.

Wishing you the blessing of good health!

xoxo

Leslie

 

I’m linking up here:

 

10 comments:

michele said...

so glad you feel better and are so motivated to take these next steps. i am also 5'2" so i understand what a difference just a few pounds makes. i too want to get more fit. people assume because i'm little (95 lbs) that i'm disciplined in the gym but i'm not. also i can tell you cellulite and flab are still present at this weight. it's so relative. a year ago, i weighed 87 lbs and struggled to gain whereas i weighed 118 pounds my senior year of high school! i blame hormones for everything these days!

best to you as you get stronger and feel the burn.

michele

Leslie's Garden said...

Oh Leslie! We are kindred spirits! I've been sick this week too! And I'm on Winter Break! What a drag to be sick when I have a whole week of work off. Today is the first day I've felt like getting out of my chair. I did a biggie - I cooked dinner:) I am struggling to find the motivation to start eating better. I keep telling myself to not say "diet", but life change. I could stand to lose at least 50 pounds. I too weighed 100 pounds when I got married at 31. I quit smoking 21 years ago, and just substituted food for cigarettes. Yikes!

Patty said...

I had what you have last week. I missed a whole week of work. I figure it's good for a nurse to get sick once in awhile so we can have empathy for those we serve. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better each day. I love your inspirational post about taking care of our bodies. I love yoga and desperately want to get back to it and walking.

Honeybee said...

I just found out about leslie sansone and I like her walking workout. Very suitable for overweight person like me. This kind of workout don't put pressure on the knee. I'm looking forward to do this everyday. Thanks for sharing those uplifting quotes. Share that one on my facebook page.

Visiting u from Aloha Friday,
-Honeybee
http://herweightlossdiary.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I'm glad you're feeling better. I just got it :-( I need to lose 15 but honestly I've given up after 3 years. I wish you success and hopefully u can motivate me!

Anonymous said...

Visit from Happy Friday Blog Hop.
Time to visit and follow.
would be great if you can visit and link up.
Have a great day.
Nan
www.blogshe.net

The Divorced Lady's Companion to Living in Italy said...

Sorry to hear you've caught the horrible flu. We have escaped so far and I think that's mainly because our house temp is low (too big to heat) and I fill them with vitamin C. I also think SLEEP is great for the immune system, and loads of greens. I exercise less at the moment because I'm so tied up with work, but telemark skiing is my trick. I also believe less in skinny than strong and toned!! xxcat

Lori said...

Glad that you are feeling better Leslie ~ nothing sucks more than that nasty flu bug! I am a label reader but need to eat healthier ~ this cooking challenge is kicking my already big butt so March will be the month of celery and lettuce! ha!

Debe said...

I am glad you are joining the living again! True that we take our health for granted! I have recently lost 30+ & am very happy. Eating healthy, very little sugar/carbs. I don't exercise like I should...used to practice Bikram but it took more time than I could devote. Thanks for this post & the link to the yoga post. I REALLY miss it & need to find another yoga practice. Keep feeling better!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you're feeling better Leslie.
Great, insightful post...as you know I do practice yoga...not sure it keeps flu away but it certainly keeps my mind calm and clear and my body flexible ;-)
I can't recommend it enough...
Have a good week.
Catherine
xx

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