2 weeks in & lovin' this site

LadyOfOceanBreeze

hi everyone,

it's been fun being involved with MFP these past 2 weeks and i must say that this website has helped me to stay focused and the members have helped me to realize that there are lots of ppl looking to improve their lives through better food choices and exercise.

i live in a community where we have 2 swimming pools and enjoy a newly renovated fitness center. most days when i visit the center i am there alone. i often wonder what the rest of the more than 100 neighbors are up to! i also attend a college course entitled, "exercise science", which has been very enlightening with regards to the value of heart rate monitoring and how important it is for strengthening the heart muscle.

i have learned that water is key during all cardio efforts and should be taken at room temperature for best results. this way the body does not have to work to warm up the water as it contacts the stomach. they recommend a liter for every 20 minutes or so of strenuous effort. this is assuming you are perspiring of course! (haha doesn't everyone)?

i feel great today, having been sticking mostly to a diet of wild caught fish, free range chicken, fresh raw vegatables, fresh fruits, dark chocolate (stress relief), raw nutmeats and green tea, for the past 2 weeks. i am also using organic dairy products limited to organic eggs either poached or boiled & nonfat plain yogurt in my smoothies. i try to buy my produce from local growers and i eat small to medium portions, 5-6 times a day.

i have been doing some form of exercise at least 5 times a week, even if it's only walking. my dilemma started the day after the superbowl when my lower back went out on me. i continued to go to work and college and went to my first ever chiropractic appointments. i was given digital x-rays and the prognosis was grim. i was informed that i was suffering from "subluxations" of the spinal column, please see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebral_subluxation

therefore i would need appointments at the rate of 3 per week for 90 days, 2 per week for the next 90 days and once per week for the balance up to 12 months total treated. well, i decided to go for a grand total of 4 treatments and done. i used ice every 2 hours for the first couple of weeks (almost religiously) lol, and pampered myself with nice hot baths, jacuzzis and lots of rest. the only exercise i allowed myself, doctors orders, and got lots of rest, using a special pillow under my neck and trying to keep onn my back with knees raised during sleep. i did the entire healing process without prescription meds. after a total of 2 months i was back to "normal" and since have learned to walk with much better posture, sitting tall in chairs and when driving and wow!!! what a difference. key i believe here is to be cognisant of your CORE.

i was really slouching. i saw a whole new view of my kitchen stove when i first remembered to stand up straight lol! my head was pitching so far forward that i was literally giving myself headaches! my neck was sore all the time and my shoulders were in knots. i have learned to RELAX and BREATH and am feeling so much better since i started my new posture plan, in fact, i feel like i have a new body (yoga helps too).

while i was "resting" my spine, i was treating myself to lots of movie nights and ice cream, helped ease the "pain" haha... i put on about 12 pounds between the holidays and the health issues. so, here i am, working it off with alittle help from my friends here on MFP!!! i am not satisfied to work hard to drop the 12, i am going to go for a total of 22 pounds, getting back to the weight where i feel the best and look my best in clothes! can't wait to say, "I DID IT"!!! and i wish the same to ALL:))

anewattitude

I'm glad you have improved your back issues. I have problems with my neck and was also getting headaches as a result.

Hope you continue to feel better and best of luck!

shortstuff42

Great for helping me keep track of my intake and goals. Glad you found it! Loving it too!