Category / Feel Good Fast

by tessbrennan

What you wear CAN make a difference. Sparkle Skirts

Comfort when walking or working out is very important. If you aren’t comfortable you can spend more time worrying and thinking about how your clothes fit (or don’t) than on muscle control and technique.

I do A LOT of walking, on purpose.  Smile  I have walked in a lot of different attire, including tutus, and other inappropriate clothing for working out.

I understand the discomfort of shorts riding up between my legs, wedgies, pulling them up repeatedly so they would not fall off, and just being annoyed by the fit.

Healthy Knees

Attractive, yes. Functional, not so much – annoyed for 60 miles in a tutu…

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Again, cute, however… these skirts lasted only 20 miles.

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Comfortable, functional, useful, AWESOME.  This is one of my Sparkle Skirts.  I cannot begin to tell you how much I LOVE this skirt. 

A friend of mine recently asked me about my Sparkle Skirt. I didn’t realize how much I liked it until I started telling her about it.  Here is how the conversation went.

Sparkle_Skirts_dialog

It appears I was having some issues typing, but you get the gist.

I highly recommend these American made gems.  Functionality, appearance, comfort all A+++.

I am also excited at the spread of sizing.  0-3X and on occasion they will accept special orders for 4X.  Everyone deserves the right to look good, feel good, and be comfortable when working to improve their health and Feel Good Fast. 

Thank you, Sparkle Skirts!  And I do wish I could wear them to work! That would give me good reason to walk the 2 miles rather than drive them!!!

If you would like information on local walking events or healthy support groups, contact me!

This last photo is an inspiration to me.

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Just for the fun of it.  These two men, wore these skirts, 60 miles at a time for 14 60-mile walks in 2012!  They are living by example!  They were fascinating to talk with.  Walking for a wife.

(No, these men are not wearing sparkle skirts.)

by tessbrennan

A Walk in the Park… Three Oaks.

Sunday, try as fate may, I was determined to get a walk in.  My back muscles were tight and hurting, I was drained and tired, and didn’t feel like getting off my duff.

Personal experience, with my body has taught me that if I didn’t get up and go do something about the sore muscles I would feel worse on Monday and the pain and exhaustion would get worse.

So, off I went on my walk. My baby girl wasn’t feeling well so I didn’t want to get too far from home, but I did want to get 3-5 miles in.  I headed to Three Oaks Park, I hadn’t walked there in quite a while.

The improvements they have made to the walking trail are fabulous!  They have markings telling you how far you have gone, which direction to keep going so you know how far you are walking, and a loop that is a little more than 1.25 miles! 

20130203_174409Small arrows point you in the correct direction to keep on the measured route.  Very easy to see and very clearly marked.  Only one area had enough pine needles on the trail to make looking for the markings difficult.  VERY well marked path.

 

I dubbed my Sunday walk the “Day of the Squirrels” I must have seen a hundred of them, sometimes 3 at a time just sitting on the path looking at me until I was almost upon them, then they would scatter to the nearby trees. 

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What I really like about this park, besides the walking path, is that there are SO MANY different things for people to do.  Even saw a couple little girls playing in the sprinklers as the maintenance team was working on the system.

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A friend recently told me that the squirrel is a sign of big changes ahead.  After seeing so many of the little critters all at once causes me great excitement to see what is ahead!

If you would like more information on local walking locations, please, contact me.

Happy Walking!

by tessbrennan

Guest Speaker for Feel Good Fast February Support Group

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Chris Green will be the guest speaker at the February Support Group meeting to be held Thursday, February 21, 2013.

Biography_Dr_Green

I speak from experience when I say, Dr. Green is an excellent practitioner.  He works diligently to get you back on the road to recovery, moving pain free and loving life in the shortest time period possible. 

He too, wants us to Feel Good Fast!

We will also include tips to muscle relaxation, a healthy recipe, tips to Feel Good Fast and an Action item to work on for the next month.

Remember, that your support doesn’t end at this once a month meeting, but also includes the private Facebook support page as well.

We are here, as a TEAM to get you onto the road to better health and more life in your years!

Contact me for more information on the support group meeting OR the private support page on Facebook.

 

by tessbrennan

Where do you like to walk?

We are four weeks into the new year.  Better health and continued healthy living, as well as sharing it with others is my continued resolution for 2013.  In doing such, I am looking for new places to walk with my friends and family.

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My goal is to compile a list of all the places to walk in the SW Florida area so when you are ready to try something new, you can click here and find somewhere new to try.

Contact me, here or on Facebook at Feel Good Fast and let me know where your favorite place to take a stroll or an aggressive walk and why you like that location and I will add it to our database!

Thank you!  Make it a GREAT Weekend.

PS: you can join us with the Feel Good Fast Walking team at the Moving Toward a Cure for Brain Tumors walk at Lakes Park tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM! Just Look around me.  I’ll be there in a black sparkle skirt and a couple of Team Mates.

Feel_Good_Fast_Heather_N_TessFeelGoodFastJpgFeel_Good_Fast_Cecelia_N_Tess

by tessbrennan

My 2012 Resolution and the Straight Line

My 2012 Resolution was to read the Bible. The entire Bible. I had tried this before and failed, beat myself up, and given up.  This time was different.

I got a reading plan from my friend Camille, that she was using to read through her Bible, and I followed that program.

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It wasn’t always easy, and I didn’t complete the task in 2012.  It took me an additional 12 days to complete it, but I DID IT! 

My challenges were the same for this goal, as they have been for any other goal I’ve worked for.  There was a time commitment, I needed to be consistent, and I needed to commit to the goal. 

I did very well, only fell behind a couple of times, then caught up…until… October 26th.  On October 26th I stopped reading and got out of the habit, and found it excruciatingly difficult to find the time, to find the desire to complete it.  I fell a month behind and then began the usual.

Healthy Grease Monkey - Goal Straight Line 

I am so happy that I finally STOPPED, beating myself up, laying blame and guilt on myself, and just got back on that “line” toward my goal. Its been the same for any goal for me – weight loss, training for an event, eating healthy. 

I get into a great routine, its going well, then “life” happens and interrupts the routine and instead of just going back to the line I get stuck in the circle of Guilt, Blame & Shame until that goal is all but out of sight.

So, MY 2012 RESOLUTION IS COMPLETE!!!

2013 Resolutions:

  • Enroll a team for at least 1 walk/run event per month.
  • Invite those striving for better health to join me on those events.
  • Celebrate the victories, no matter how small.
  • Get over the stumbles, get back on the line, and achieve.
  • Assist others in attaining better health.
by tessbrennan

Are spider webs causing you joint and muscle pain?

As I rounded the corner to 42, I noticed more aches and pains in my daily dealings.  I also noticed times when there were more aches and times when there were fewer.  It has occurred to me that these aches and pains are a direct correlation to my activity levels and my diet.

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When I exercise regularly (that’s walking for me) my muscles and joints in my legs, back, arms and neck don’t hurt as much.  When I take my supplements and choose wise culinary options, I feel GREAT!

However, just as a spider web is built one strand at a time, so do the tight, sore muscles and joints in my body. When I don’t provide the nutrition my body needs its ability to run properly is compromised.

When I don’t get out there and walk or exercise from home in some way for days at a time, each day the aches and pains increase in number and intensity.

So, how do I unravel that web of pain and discomfort. I begin with gently stretching and adding some activity. I recommit to healthful eating. Rather than just eating for the moment, I make the effort to choose more fiber, higher quality protein and foods that support my health. I also opt for a massage from my trusted LMT at Serenity Healing Studio or Dr. Green, my Chiropractor for an adjustment.

Just because I abused my body and avoided healthy choices for years, doesn’t mean I can’t make a difference in my body’s ability to perform today.

Feel Good Fast -Power of 7

Please contact me for more information on how you can begin to unravel that spider web of tight muscles, and aches and pains.

Thank you to Chris Griffith and Life in Bonita Spring for the photo at the top of the page.

by tessbrennan

Get “Ripped” for the New Year! (How about you get healthy)

Since we’ve been home more over the holidays, we’ve had the boob tube on more than normal.  I’ve been amused at some of the… well a lot of the commercials.

“Get Ripped” “Drop 16 dress sizes in 16 DAYS!” “Look like me just by taking this magic pill”

It IS the New Year – at least at midnight it will be. It is another chance for a NEW start and a healthy new you!

I’ve noticed one thing missing from all these ads. How to stay there.  All these companies are offering magic pills, tools, foods, machines and the like to help you LOSE the weight, to get into better shape and such however… None of them offer maintenance to stay there.

I want to offer you the opportunity to not only begin to shed some pounds, if that is what you need, but also the chance to KEEP it off for the long term. 

When we say “Feel Good Fast” it’s a relative term. Relative to how fast you want to get there and how long you want to STAY there. I’ve been there done that– lost and gained, and finally, almost 6 years ago lost and maintained that loss. I’ve lost the prescriptions, the weight, the depression, the asthma, and the need to yo-yo diet repeatedly!

We’ve got the vehicle, if you have the drive.

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(Taken by my 5 yr old at Busch Gardens)

Happy New Year and Healthy New You!

by tessbrennan

Resolutions: A Healthy, Happy, New You!–January Calendar

It’s almost 2013 and time to begin making your New Year’s Resolutions. 

The Healthy Grease Monkey wants to be sure this is a resolution you can keep.  Here are a couple of excellent opportunities to kick start your Healthy New You in 2013.

 

Support Group Kick Off January 17, 2013 6:30-8:30

Feel Good Fast Walking Banner

Take the first step to a healthier happier you!
Join us for this healthy lifestyle presentation and make a plan for 2013.

Feel like you’ve been there before and given up?

What if…

  • This time you begin by telling yourself “I’m worth it” & “I can choose differently this time.”
  • You weren’t alone this time.
  • You had a team of supporters.
  • Little victories mattered. 

We are here to support you as part of the Feel Good Fast Movement.

This event kicks off our monthly support group meetings.
$5 donation to be paid at the door.

 

Walk for Health & a Cure January 26, 2013 10:00 AM

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Literally, walk for your own health and the health of others.  My grandfather died days before my 13th birthday of his fourth brain tumor.  Here is an opportunity to improve my own life while raising funds to support others as well.

Join our Team, Feel Good Fast, just click on the photo for a link to the event information and details.

  • 1 mile walk or 5K walk/run
  • Entry groups for children
  • $20 entry fee increases after January 12 to $25
  • Walk with others who want to Feel Good Fast in the New Year!

I will keep my ear to the ground for more exciting opportunities to attain and maintain a Healthy, Happy New You.

by tessbrennan

Water alternatives–how to drink tasty water

I run into people all the time who tell me I don’t like water. I have to ask:

  • Why?
  • What is it about the water you don’t like?
  • What water are you drinking?
  • Do you know what is or is not in your water?
  • What do you drink instead?

We’ve all heard that we shouldn’t drink soda-pop. Or diet soda-pop. How about why not to drink “energy” drinks. (Because people are dying from drinking them?)

I would rather focus on what you CAN drink.

  1. Begin with Cool, Clear, PURE water. Bottled water is much less regulated than the tap, however we know from many reports, the tap frequently misses the mark as well.  An answer:Get_Clean_Water
  2. Add a little “spice” (I recently heard something that resonated with me. God made fruit juice so we would eat the fruit.)
    1. Sliced strawberries & lemon
    2. A few, fresh spearmint leaves
    3. Sliced cucumbers
    4. A splash of your favorite (no sugar added) fruit juiceFruit_infused_water
  3. or Add a straw of Energy Tea with Nothing artificial and only 5 calories.Energy_Tea

    1. Never more than 2 straws in a day.
    2. This product uses natural extracts of EGCG to boost your metabolism and your energy levels.

So, there you have it.  3 different ways to “like your water” and drink it too!

Contact me for more ideas and ways to begin to Feel Good Fast, improve your health and increase your energy!

by tessbrennan

Red, Red Wine…

It’s all about health! Red wine has had a lot of press lately for having healthful benefits.  The Mediterranean diet is mentioned over and over again in many journal articles, studies, and blogs.

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Today, I even received a blog from Oasis of Hope Hospital, a facility with 50 years of successful, alternative treatments for cancers, also touting the benefits of red wine and resveratrol.  If you can take the time to read it, it is full of some really good information. 

 

“The equivalent of one to two small drinks per day of any kind of alcohol is associated with decreased health risks compared with nondrinkers, while higher amounts result in an increase risk of heart disease and stroke. These observations have tended to characterize light drinking as protective. The protection has been demonstrated in various population groups for both sexes and all ages.”

They also state,

“You may be wondering why this is so. Researchers say that up to two servings (240-280 ml) of red wine a day inhibits oxidation of bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), thus helping to prevent atherosclerosis. It also increases antioxidant capacity and plasma levels of good cholesterol, or light-density lipoprotein.”

I do drink red wine, but not that much of it, or very often. Instead, I opt for a teaspoon of Resveratrol tonic called VIVIX. This allows me to have the equivalent of 10 glasses of red wine a day…WITHOUT THE HANGOVER.  ALL THE HEALTH, NONE OF THE HANGOVER. Smile

Vivix

Contact me for more information on Resveratrol or VIVIX.