Life Style Changes

Suzee I had forgotten that St John's Wort can interfere with medicines so, if anyone is taking any other medication, they should ask their doctor if it will interfere. I always tell anyone, even the dentist, that i take it. That did not stop a doctor, about 8 years ago, giving me a medication that said NOT to be taken with St John's Wort. Needless to say, the medication went and the St John's Wort stayed! Thanks for the reminder Suzee. Big hugs to you.

 

crzyjoyce, I was just reading again your post that says at one time you had your house and most areas of you life organized...it is true for me, as well. I wasn't necessarily taught in the same way as you, bur learned watching my mother, who was always striving to have everything exactly right - a way to please her parents. This was all done with an unspoken understanding and expectation that there was a "right and only way" to do things. Ugh. That way of thinking has been very detrimental to her in her life, and I have learned by watching and carry that into my life, too. If someone could have taken a snapshot of my car, my desk, my laundry pile, etc...and shown me the future. Even just a few years ago I would have not believed it.

pnp, I never got out of my pajamas yesterday, so you are not alone. I did not go to work either (blinding headache), and so I am back to "catch up" again today. Trying hard not to let it discourage me but to just pick back up and carry on with the day. I hope you are feeling better and had a better time of it yesterday!

Brooke, I can't wait until you have used some stars! Yay! I will try to add one of my own today. My goal is just another 10-15 minutes or so of some activity.

farmerumf, great suggestions for working activity into your day without it being "exercise" necessarily! I do the same thing with parking. It works out well, because I dislike the crowds and people circling for a spot anyway.

Spots, thank you for your Mozart pic. I had a great laugh at it! One of my worst feelings is being guilty about procrastinating. We all need to give ourselves a break sometimes.

Suzee, it is nice to see you and I send you all my best wishes for navigating through your treatment. I wish I could take St. John's Wort, I do think it would help me. But I am one of those it does not agree so much with. You are right about the perspective other's stories give us - phew! I often look around at myself/ my life and think, "these are good problems to have."

Good luck to everyone today! I am off to work (it is pouring rain here), and will do my best for some light exercise. Already having to take deep breaths about how full the weekend is but I am sure once I get into the swing of it, it will be just great.

 

Well, failed miserably yesterday . Such simple goals, yet couldn't meet them. I started off strong, called the insurance company for our yearly dance, only to find out I don't have to partner up for another month . So I get a reprieve from that dreaded hokey pokey until mid November, but I can tell already it's going to be another tooth pull, as they hadn't received the exception form from husband's doctor yet, who was supposed to send it last week . Then called to refill his prescriptions, only to find out only 1 of 6 were sent to the pharmacy; thankfully it was the most important one. So am waiting for a call back from the refill nurse, who you can never just talk to, you have to leave a voicemail, and then they will absolutely positively call back within 24 hours. Yeah right. Called yesterday morning about 9, still waiting, 24 hours later. She never calls back , ever. Not like it might effect someone's life or anything . Sorry, ranting. I did try to work in the bathroom, and got it partially done, but not completely, so today I want to finish that, plus I have to hem some uniform pants for my dearly beloved. As for my 15 minute exercise, well, I'd like to blame it on not feeling well (husband's coworker was kind enough to pass on a bug that his kids gave him, right now in the not-really-sick-but-feel-like-garbage stage) or my poor hurt knee or sore back, but reality is, I just didn't feel like it, and I blew it off . So, there's my accountability confession. Now I think I'm going to finish my coffee and do a little cuckoo breeding, then will go finish the bathroom.

heidels, I hope your headache is better, I know exactly how debilitating those can be. The only thing that gets rid of that kind of headache for me is Excedrin Migraine, and even then not all the time. My mom used to give me a scalp massage when I got bad headaches, which as a teen wasn't that often, but with adulthood became all too frequent. They not only felt wonderful, but they helped to open up the blood vessels and get the blood moving, which helped ease the pain of the headaches. So I'll give you a virtual massage . Maybe you can get someone to give you a real one, tho, get two benefits for one low price , lol.

Brooke, I guess I probably read elsewhere about your Crohn's, but my memory is like Swiss cheese, so of course I didn't remember . We have friends whose youngest daughter has Crohn's, I know it's been a real struggle for her most of her life (she's in her early 30s). I feel for all you who suffer that, and will pray for a good day for you with no pain, and for all of you who fight a daily battle with chronic pain.

 

My goal for today was to clear the old tree branches from our Donkey Yard. We had a tree taken down earlier in the year. Now all the small branches are cut up and a bonfire is taking shape down in our field over the stream. I spent over an hour with loppers cutting it into smallish bits to make the bonfire base. Gosh my arms will ache tomorrow but it is a job done. Yesterday I cut down a lot of hedging roses which were getting out of hand. These will be taken to the bonfire to dry off. Good sort of exercise for my back.

Spots - I don't believe you failed miserably! We all deserve days when we don't get things done. I had been intending to do the bonfire work for a month or more but some days I realise it just will not happen. I agree, waiting for someone to call back is sooooo frustrating. That coffee seems like a good idea. Big hugs.

 

heidels - I have 2 stars on my calendar!!!!...need 1 more over the weekend to reach my goal of walking 3 times this week!!!! Who knew,...something from 3rd grade would still excite me (past middle age)!!! Don't worry about pj days...had one myself on Tues....but then hit the ground running the rest of the week! I agree with spots, Excedrin migraine is a miracle...just be sure to eat a little something before...so not to irritate tummy!

spots - I know the insurance dance quite well too! Geez, I really hate it sometimes! The doc's prescribe meds we need, but then we have to fight insurance co's to get them!!! It took me 8-9 months to get this new med for my arthritus!!! I'm so sorry about your friend's daughter also having crohns...I also contracted it when I was 30...but it took me years to figure out what it was! No one is a failure here....ever!!! Especially someone as nice and caring as you! If we have a bad day....forget it....next day...get up and try again. This is how i deal with all my ailments and RL......like Scarlet said "I'll worry about that tomorrow"....maybe this is why I have such a bad case of procrastination! LOL.........but my to-do list is helping. It is wonderful to cross things off....plus it helps me mentally & emotionally to not have jobs, chores hanging over my head.

farmerumf - You are always amazing me how much hard physical labor you do!!!.....and that you have a "donkey yard"!!! Maybe you'll get the best skips when they are avail for breeding in Oct.!!! LOL

 

Brooke - we used to have 3 donkeys, hence the name! No more donkeys. Of course, over here we have Gardens, not Yards! English yards are usually in farms and are concrete areas where Animals gather. So I have a front garden (which you would call a 'yard'), 2 yards, one at the back of our property and one 'donkey' yard and lots of land. Yes it is tiring and a lot that I enthusiastically cleared over the past few year, is overgrown again. We manage what we can. It keeps me busy and fit (ish) but my back tells me when to stop. When I was younger, I was not so wise, and did not stop when I should. Now I do an hour or so and stop! Other than the ride on mower, I always use hand tools. Clippers, shears, loppers. I don't like noisy tools to use.
I am sorry to report I have not done any walking but there is always another day. If I don't do it in the morning, there are too many mosquitoes and gnats around. Even the flies are biting this year. I am very jealous of your stars Brooke.
I even think I have lost a very small amount of weight.
I have started cutting out a lot of wheat products and buy gluten free bread and cereal. This seems to make me feel better, but it might be wishful thinking!
Spots - I did not understand about the American way of medicine. Over here, we have our National Health Service, and the doctor will prescribe medicines (providing they are appoved by NICE), and we pick them up straight away from the Pharmacy which is beside the Doctor's surgery. There is a small charge, although for pensioners and young people, everything is free. If that Pharmacy happens to have run out (a very rare occurence) then we can take the prescription to the local Chemist's pharmay to be filled out.

 

I just stumbled over this thread and wanted to let you know how brave you are.
Being able to talk/write about so personal issues is great. You are an inspiration. And you can and should be proud of the things you do accomplish every day.

I love all the little tips and tricks you have gathered together.

One question do I have, what is St. John's wort?

 

Hi Dienstag, I'll throw my two cents in but someone who is actually taking it can probably share better or more info than I. St. John's Wort is a medicinal herb made from a flowering plant. It is often put into pill/supplement form and taken to treat mood and depression. It can also treat a bunch of other stuff too, energy levels, headaches, etc. Some people use the oil topically for skin issues too. I do think it depends on where you are from as to what forms it can be sold in. Because it does react negatively with some other medications, and for some people is not agreeable for other reasons(side effects), you have to be careful when taking it. And should always check with one's doctor first.

Brooke I am jealous of your stars! oooh! I have goose eggs on the board for the last few days. I will try to catch up the week after next! I will do a little race to see if I can catch up (it's okay if I'm the only one racing, it helps motivate me)! Isn't it funny how silly it seems but also how it actually works and is kinda fun and exciting. When one month is done I tack the new month after, then sometimes looking back and see the months together. Just when I'm feeling down like I can't do anything right. Then I can see at least one thing I did right. Ha!

farmerumf, hey, feeling any good changes in the body is reason for celebration! Whoo! Honestly the care of your property sounds positively exhausting to me, I don't know how you do it. I really admire it so much when people can keep up with that stuff. I always want to, but never do. I know some gardeners in awesome shape just from gardening. So funny about the donkeys. My dad had a donkey when I was growing up. I cannot remember his name. He was in the same paddock as the horses, but he didn't mind. He ran the show in there. He was full of personality, just a hoot! I agree with Brooke, the mere fact that you have a Donkey yard is cause for at least 25% better skips during Donkey breeding!

spots, you are so sweet to offer me a virtual scalp massage! That sounds amazing!! I will sweet talk my husband for one next time. He is the best and I know he will do it. I do also sometimes take Excederin Migraine. It does depend on how fast I catch it. If I don't get there soon enough, it's too late and even it won't save me. But it does work a lot of the time, and thank you for the reminder. Sometimes I just forget. So thank you for thinking of me and the advice - I don't know if there would be much kindness left in me after all that insurance business you have go through. I definitely don't think you failed, I think you should count all of your perseverance as a big V for victory, my goodness! It's pathetic and ridiculous what we go through with healthcare here. Just a big cultural fail. Gah. I hold out hope that we can fix our system someday, preferably in our lifetime.

So the last few days, I found myself mostly buried under a pile of homework this weekend and then, had a family member pass away on Saturday. It was expected and so not a shock, although I am very saddened and will be with family a lot these coming weeks. Because of work and school, I am downgrading my goals for the week - lol! From something each day to just 2 exercises sessions of any kind. That I think is really the best I can do for this week, and that is okay.

 

I would love to be able to respond to each of you as you have done in your posts but find myself unable to do so. I have not been online much due to family obligations and the resulting pain. You are all so busy but are managing to still work on your individual goals. That is great! It is good to learn how to balance all of life's demands. I like heidels' practical approach with knowing limits of time and energy and readjusting goals for this week and most importantly, being okay with it. No guilt nor feelings of failure.

spots - dear spots...you attempted those difficult tasks and did not procrastinate. It is not a failure on your part that you will have to call again. You refer to it as a dance. At least it is exercise and you are burning calories. I do wish you all the very best in getting the appropriate medication for hubby. I truly understand how challenging it is as we have faced it here too. Not a prescription but a surgery.

farmerumf- well done on all the yard work and the weight loss! My mom had miniature and small standard donkeys and I really enjoyed them a lot. I wish we owned some land (more than our yard) but realistically I would not be able to take care of it.

I have not done much walking this last week. I did not feel well at the beginning of the week and the rest of the time was filled with appointments, blacktopping the driveway (about did me in!), birthday celebrations, care of my mom's and sister's animals (7 total) while sister's hubby is in ICU, trip to the hospital to lend support, and some housework. I have to work on feeling inadequate. Those errands/tasks for most people can be done without a second thought but for me are major events that result in a lot of fatigue and pain. I chose to not walk in order to be able to do those things with and for family. Unfortunately, I am now battling with feeling useless and inadequate as I just cannot keep up. While I was supporting one sister, I learned another sister needs some help that I now find myself too tired and in too much pain to offer.

I have to remind myself often to not take a 'guilt trip' because I really want and need to save my vacation time for a destination somewhere much better!

Hugs and best wishes that you have the best day you can and be proud of yourself for sticking to your goals.

 

heidels - I am so very sorry for your loss...whether expected or not, I'm sure it is tough. My prayers for you and your family. Thanks for you star idea...I just love looking at them glisten on my calendar!

pnp - Aargh! I wish I could pray or wave my fairy wand to take away your pain! Don't ever worry about not achieving a ninny goal of walking. With all that you have going on(and it is A Lot) you have had very full days. The least of your worries should be taking a walk. I will pray for your sisters, brother in law and especially you! Keep your chin up sweetie.

I have also had some struggles lately...the pain & cramps were so bad...I couldn't even farm most of yesterday. I had to call in sick for work(which I hate to do) and spent most of the day in bed. On the bright side, since not eating helps with tummy trouble...I have lost 2 lbs. I know what it feels like to always be behind on the things "I want" to do. But today is another day, I'm making another to-do list and trying again. That's the best I can do.

 

I read this thread as I get time, I've had little at home time lately. pulled a double shift Sunday ( caring for an elderly lady) then yesterday on my regular shift as I was helping her she fell and caught herself with her elbow in my back... today my back is way out of place, feels like possible slipped disc. would love to respond to each of you personally but am finding that to be a daunting task.
So far today I have broken up bar bait and placed in more than 6 places the mice have over run us here! These nasty little rodents are very brazen, they have run across the back of the stove while I was standing there cooking! We've had rain almost continuously for 3 days until today, tomorrow another storm is supposed to come through, I think the mice decided the house is better than the fields, drier anyhow.
I've tackled hubby's laundry today, usually it is a weekly chore, but with the rain.. everything comes home muddy.
Also cleaned stove, and started dishes. will need to get back to it shortly.
I do not remember who, but I think someone was trying to find an alternative to ST Johns Wort..Hyland's has a product called ignatia amar, used for treating grief and emotional upset... it does work. I have had no side effects. Calms Forte also may help. (did I tell you I prefer homeopathics and natural remedies ?) lol
I don't know much about crohns, I do know however there are a great many people with digestive disorders, alot of which are caused by our garbage diets of fast food, highly processed foods and the pesticides/ antibiotics in the food chain. I've known for years that my body lacks enzymes to break down certain foods, for the most part I have avoided those foods... but I found that papaya will allow me to eat nearly anything I want and not have digestive upset. I know pineapple is loaded with good enzymes too ( too bad I am extremely allergic to it). Ok i think I'm rambling now.. I have no idea why I felt compelled to share that info but I hope it helps someone.
Lists... giggle I write tons of lists and half the time walk out the door without them.
time for a giggle for all of you... I had a can of hairspray sitting on my desk, didn't realize it was gone and when I moved my chair heard this hissing noise. picture if you will I'm sittin here trying to figure out what the heck is hissing... then the smell hits me! Sure hope it didn't spray all over the wheel if so my chair could be crippled. lol

 

Pnp, I laughed so hard at this! It is so perfect! I am going to keep that in mind the next time I start packing my guilt luggage.

It makes me think of something a friend said once that stuck with me and also made me laugh, about pity parties. She said, "Sometimes you just have to drive sloooowly past the pity party. Maybe see that the lights are on, you know? But that's it. Whatever you do, do not park the car and go inside."


Anyway I just saw that guilt trip and had to share I thought it was great. Back to work now and then school tonight and will pop in again in the next few days, hope everyone is humming along okay. Seems it's been an extra challenging week across the board.

 

Deinstag St John's Wort - extract Hypericum. The tablets are a herbal medicine which can be bought over the counter here in England but one should always consult a Doctor as it can alter the effect of some medicines. I don't take anything else, just St John's Wort.

heidels - it is not big deal having lots of work to do outside, bad back permitting, as it is something I enjoy. I am definitely a country girl. As for 'awesome shape' I can but dream!
Donkeys make good companions for horses. We miss ours but they were hard work, picking up their poo twice a day, although they did keep the grass down.
I am also sorry for your loss of a family member.

crzyjoyce - Mice in the kitchen - yuk. Are you not able to have a cat - they just love them. We have mice in our loft (mouse traps needed) and they also live in the walls. Our poor cat Tilly had a mouse the other day, then there was a hissing noise, and we looked out just in time to see a stray who hangs around, running off with her mouse.
I had visions of the hairspray sending you into orbit!

Brooke - I do hope you are feeling better now. When I write my lists I put even the smallest jobs down so that I can cross off lots of stuff as I do it.

Progress for the last couple of days. We had a load of logs delivered yesterday which I spent 2 hours stacking in our log store. Another load on order which should see us through the winter. Today I finished moving the small branches from the Donkey yard down to the bonfire, broke my ratchet loppers. They are stong plastic but I think they degrade after a while as it is the second pair in 20 years I have broken. I also did some work in the green house potting on some plants I had rooted. However I did not finish the ironing or go for a walk. Oh well, it will be done tomorrow. Outside work is more important whilst the weather is good.

 

heidels thank you for your fast answer.

I am sorry for your loss. Even expected, it hurts and pulls (kind of) the carpet under the feet away. Stay strong. My heart goes out to you and your family.

 

I am more of a cat person, however our Boxer would maul a Cat, not that she's mean just loves to chase and play and her play knows no limits. Hubby actually has been talking about getting a cat, til I remind him how Mysti goes so nuts over any kind of animal, or even people that come over... good possibility of being licked to death by this dog.

 

Well, I have procrastinated long enough - time to post here. I have tried to keep up with this thread and have been meaning to join in but as the posts increased, I felt unable to reply to each poster individually. Please forgive me.

I think that you are all remarkable, with all obstacles placed before you, you continue to pass on your limitless kindness, enthusiasm and encouragement - and none of you fail - ever! I would give you all 365 gold stars so that you would always be ahead of your targets!

I have continued with my health kick - eating less (same food but about half the quantity) and more exercise. The only thing that stops me is ME! I am by nature lazy and though I do have a dodgy knee which is painful and sometimes gives out, it is nowhere like any of the problems I have read about here. I will be having explorative treatment next month so should find out soon if there is anything that can be done or if it is arthritis and I will have to put up with it until replacement surgery - much later on!

But I digress, I have made an effort to walk more, do a half hour on an exercise bike (has to be the morning or I find another reason not to do it) and, when I am not working, an hour gardening.

We have a large garden and I spend that hour weeding, just going round and round - my garden has never been so weed free! In the past, I weeded, left if for a month (or more) and then weeded but it always looked like a jungle very quickly - this year, it has remained tidy and when I weed, it is easier. The only problem with that is I have to find something else a bit more energetic to keep the exercise momentum going! So I rake up pine cones, pine needles or leaves - that gets the body moving a bit!

I nearly forgot to say, since July I have lost 7 kgs (think that is about one stone) so all the work is paying off. I have not lost this much in a very long time so that is my motivation - it is also something I can say to those doctors who keep saying "if you lose a little weight, you will see a big difference" - yeah, still waiting or should that be weighting?

I like lists too and one of the biggest items on that list was to sort out all the cupboards in the garage, tidy up and organise things. I have finished that task and am extremely pleased with the result. It means I now have a few spaces to put things from the (very small) house out there. I still have a major job on my list which I am dreading as it is something I must do on my knees - polishing the wood floors in three bedrooms! It is not only my knees that stops me, I really hate that job! But one day, after my surgery and when the mood takes me, I will attack those floors with my polish!

In the meantime, thank you for sharing all your life challenges, your advice and your optimistic take on everything life throws at you! Kudos!

 

2 thumbs up for loosing so much weight illy.
Hopefully your knee can get better with a treatment without surgery.
I could share some weed from my garden with you. But I did some this morning. Now my peppers can get more sun and we more peppers.

What helped me about 2 years ago was taking flax seeds. They need to be grinded and you can take up to 4 tea spoons of them. But you have to make sure to drink extra liquits. (gets really hard stool other wise) Best take them in your drink or yogurt and drink a cup or glass of something right away. Start with one spoon and add later. It can make gas. A lot, if you start with to much. So I am not sure if this is some thing to try, if you already have tummy problems. (And the seeds don't taste very well).
Sadly I got half of what I lost back last year. It's just the lack of exercise. The thing is, I don't like it. So each year I do a couple of weeks some DVD and then stop.
Maybe the stars might help with sticking to some Kind of moving.

 

Hi illy Welcome to the lifestyle changers group!....loved your post!!! Congrats on your weight loss!! I'm also still " weighting" for more weight to come off! Your garden sounds amazing!!! When I was younger....couldn't wait to spring out of bed to run to my garden and weed, dead-head and see what my little darlings(flowers) had done since the day before! Now the bending over is too much....I miss it. My son has made me some "raised" planter beds and the rest of my flowers are in pots.

Just reading this thread each day motivates me to keep at it.......my mantra is.....eat less and move more!

 

Hi all, Yesterday was a do nothing day. very rare for me, but when the body says nope not doing it what can you do? Spent the whole day so dizzy it wasn't funny. No clue what that was about, hubby thinks I haven't been getting enough sleep and he is probably right. I refuse to guilt trip myself, others in my family guilt trip me so I never have the need to do it to myself. haha yeah right huh?
So far today I have gotten youngest up and off to school, made a pot of coffee, and harvested crops. I do have to wash my laundry today, back to work tomorrow, I'm not pushing myself after my mishap Monday with my back, muscle relaxers, anti- inflamatory and heat therapy until it is better. I know my limits and listen to my body... makes for a really trashy looking house right now but eventually I will get it under control. I hope and pray you all have a wonderful day, as pain free as possible. group hug!

 

Congrats illy! You are doing a great job of balancing both healthy eating and exercising!

Dienstag - thanks for the flax seed tip. I take flaxseed oil (comes in a capsule) but will try the seeds in yogurt.

Brooke - always good to see you! I, too, have flowers in pots but really do not have enough room in the house to keep them all over winter. I repotted my peace lily today as it just had gotten too big for its pot. It sits in the kitchen on a plant stand and must really like its place since it has grown so much.

joyce - I hope you feel better soon. Muscle relaxers make me dizzy, sleepy, loopy...don't like them but sometimes have to take them to get the spasms to stop.

My mantra today is: work a few minutes, sit for more than a few minutes, work a few, sit for more than a few. My rest breaks have to be longer than my work sessions but so far today those small tasks are adding up to getting something done.

My dear sweet daughter recognized I was at my limits but not through with the task. She took over without me saying anything, told me to go sit down, brought me a drink and made me feel so cared for (and proud). She has really grown up a lot in her social/emotional development this last year or so. Yesterday, I was putting her on the preschool bus and today she is going to college...How did that happen? ps, I am off topic....

Hmmm, let's see if I can get back on topic. Sitting burns more calories than lying down so I am 'exercising' by sitting at my computer rather than lying on the couch.