Tag / lifestyle choice

by tessbrennan

Building a Health Community-Supporting Each Other

There’s no need to attempt to do it alone!

Things are more fun when we share the experience with others.

We tend to continue doing things we enjoy and find support in challenges through others who are like minded.

For this reason, we have begun building communities of people working toward a common goal of improving their personal health, and committed to sharing that experience and supporting each other throughout the transition. And ITS WORKING!

Feel_Good_Fast_-_Teamwork_support

I currently have local teams building, who meet once a week. For quality control we have a limited number of spaces for this new community of support, teamwork, and coaching.

I also have a private community of people from all over the United States who work together, some are friends and some are new acquaintances, all are committed to building each other and themselves up through community and commitment.

The 5 pairs of shoes above represent five women in 3 different states who are currently on this journey. Contact me if you would like additional information or want to be connected with other like minded individuals.

Looking for improved health? Looking for increased energy? Looking for others who are finding it?  Check us out!

by tessbrennan

Migraines, Pharmaceuticals, & Fat–Gone

In 2001 I moved from Indiana to Florida and took a high school teaching job.  I was taking five pharmaceuticals for asthma and depression (and side effects from the Rx). 

On November 4th I attained a migraine.  I say attained because it stayed with me, in differing degrees, until February of 2002. I went to the family physician who had no answers, then to the neurologist who did MRI’s and scans to be sure there wasn’t any brain tumors. Eventually he added another drug to my protocol. It took another month or so after starting the meds until we got them at the “right level” so I wouldn’t have as many side effects.

In the days and years that followed I would get occasional migraines and headaches that were excruciating, until I made some personal changes in my life.

I began by making a few healthier choices daily.  Food based supplements, healthier food options, and eliminated many of the toxins in our home. (None of the nasty, strong smelling cleaners with poisons.)

As a result of conscious choices, and an excellent source of nutrition, I began losing weight, healthfully.  (By weight I don’t mean a number on a scale – I mean that my clothes fit better and my measurements decreased.)

A side benefit of the fat being gone was that I was able to wean off the anti-depressants, the asthma medications, the meds for the side effects, and the daily migraine pill.

My depression eased way off and I found other ways to keep it in check, like cognitive therapy.  It wasn’t for almost a year that I realized I just wasn’t getting headaches any more, AND… I had a new, thinner me with increased energy and a zest for life!

It never occurred to me that I could help my body by feeding it “good food”.  In agriculture, when a plant has a symptom we give it “food” to fix the nitrogen or other deficiencies.  When our car doesn’t run right, we listen to the symptoms, and repair what is wrong… we don’t feed it crappy gas, then expect it to run smoothly.

I am so happy to be able to share with others, what has worked for me.  Contact me for more information.

by tessbrennan

UPDATE: I’m a mom, I don’t have time for Cancer!

Its been a couple of weeks since I introduced you to my friend Franny, so I wanted to give you an update.

Franny_and_Family

I received a message from Franny yesterday, that made me smile and spurred me on, to keep on walking through the night at the Relay for Life.  I want to share this message with you.

So, I am not sure what has caused me to be "not me" but I took both kids with me to sign my son up for t-ball, go INSIDE the bank, and walk/shop around Wal-mart for a long time. I actually shopped for necessities like toothpaste and toothbrushes and nail polish remover….that means I have the energy to paint my own nails!!!!!!! For the past year or more, I have dreaded doing ANYTHING with two kids and I was too tired to browse while shopping. I just went in, got out, and then it took me the whole day just to put all the stuff away. Or I would make my hubby shop!!! Tess, I have put make up on the past two days!!!!!!

After my nap today, I had to ask Franny, what has changed to cause this increase in energy.  I am aware of her efforts to “move more” as she has started walking regularly, either outside or on a treadmill, so I asked her.

How many days have you been exercising? When did you begin supplementing your nutrition? When did you begin noticing these differences?

I started the vitamins on the night of 4/2/13 and the smoothie on 4/3/12. Well, I don’t know. I did walk the week before I started using but not as long or intense. But I definitely know for a fact that it was Wednesday when my husband was impressed with what I did around the house that day.

I am so happy Franny is feeling better!  I look forward to working with her and following her progress.

This is not the first time I have seen others respond to the food based supplements so quickly.  Results depend on the individual, their mindset, their attention to prevention, and their consistency.

If you would like more information on how this system can work for you or someone you know, contact me.

by tessbrennan

Improving Your Health–One Small Step at a Time.

I have many friends and clients who have decided it is time to improve their health, they are ready to make the commitment and work toward gaining more life in their years!

Many times, when people begin making a change for the better, they feel they need to change EVERYTHING all at once.  This sets anyone up for failure.  It is much better to move one solid step at a time.  While out taking a “Mindful Walk” this afternoon, I had some thoughts about this.

I know, that through my own actions, (and some I remember of my father in years passed) that I have been know to jump right into “changing” everything for the better, all at once.  Jumping into a vigorous exercise routine or running straight from my long stint of couch sitting (by long stint I mean months or years).  Finding that a day or two later I am so sore I can hardly move.

How about when we try changing everything in our diet all at once, only to find it “too difficult” to continue on the path we attempted to lay out in front of us.

Friends, learn from my mistakes!  Take this journey, ONE. SOLID. STEP. AT A TIME!  This is a journey for a lifetime! We are here to begin making healthier choices and working smarter toward our life so that we can see a MAINTAINED improvement over the long run, not just for a week or two. 

Take it easy, lets talk and work on a plan that works for and WITH you rather than against you.  Its what I do.

For more information contact me.  Make it a great day!

by tessbrennan

Interview with Franny–Making time for health.

I talked with Franny this week and asked her a few questions about what she is looking for in her quest to heal and gain better health. 

I was somewhat amazed that many of the things that stand in the way of her feeling better are very similar to things that try to stand in my way at times.  Showing me, we are all humans in the same mix, working to make things better.

Franny_Head_Shot

Here’s our interview:

What do you want to create in your life, health-wise? What is your goal?

I want to create a healthier me. I want to loose 70 lbs.

Great! Once accomplished, what will loosing 70 pounds and a healthier you do for you?

Live life more! Get more energy, reduce my risk risk of diabetes, bring back the spontaneous me!

What has been your resistance to this point?

A) Being a mom. I am tired when I wake up (that is getting better since I started my thyroid replacement pill). 

B) Having a husband who is not home. So I do a lot of the housework, cooking, school stuff, animal duties, etc.

C) Spending 98% of my day in the kitchen (it is where the dishwasher, stove, computer/office, & laundry room are located). This causes me to eat mindlessly.

D) Health issues that would improve if I lost the weight.

If it wasn’t  for the cancer thing, being overweight would be my only health problem.

Why is it important to you to create this in your life?

Create a healthier me? Because I want to do things with my kids, look younger than my husband, weigh less than my husband (lol), fit into cute clothes!

I do nothing for me. That has to change.

What amazed me about our interview was the fact that it sounded so familiar.  How many other moms out there are facing similar issues?

We will continue to follow Franny on her journey to better health.  Our goal is to give others the encouragement to make the move to better health as well. 

If you would like information on sponsoring Franny and her recovery, getting healthy yourself, or assisting a friend in need, as we are with Franny, contact me.  (tess@healthygreasemonkey.com)

You can do it, we can help support you!

by tessbrennan

Good Nutrition? Where do I begin?

Something I typically take for granted was brought to my attention today.  What is good nutrition? Where do I begin?

Beforechoosing_foodsTess_after

I really take healthy choices for granted. I didn’t always. It wasn’t until after I had my daughter and decided I wanted to have the energy and the ability to play with her and participate in her life that I became conscious of what choices could improve my health. (Being an “older” mom can do that to ya.)

Today, I had a new dad ask me this question.  He wants to be healthier for many reasons, but one that stuck out in my mind and I could really relate to was – to be around for my child.

A good place to begin is by journaling, knocking out sweetened drinks, and avoiding refined carbohydrates. (sugar, white flour, breads, cookies, that sort of thing)

Eliminate Sweetened drinks and Artificial Sweeteners, a common source of the Average American’s 300 calories of overconsumption.

Drink Water! – Plenty of it.

Be sensible, walk a little, dance a little, HAVE FUN! I don’t believe you have to join a gym and “do the circuits” twice a day to improve your health. I lost all my weight & gained my better health and have maintained it for 6 years now, by walking and choosing healthier options to eat.

Find Support!  Find a friend, a family member, a support group, or a coach to work with to support you and help keep you on track.  Its always more fun when you aren’t doing it alone!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE EVERYTHING all at once to gain health. Steady, gradual movements toward a healthier lifestyle, healthier, more beneficial choices can have TREMENDOUS benefits.

I love what I do, how I feel and the energy to support others. I am driven to help others find this same love! Contact me for more information.

by tessbrennan

That Which does not Kill Us…. (or does it?)

Its been a rough couple of weeks for me.  The cancer card seems to be falling all around me.  We buried a friends wife a week ago. A sorority sister was diagnosed this week. A niece is fund raising for her friend who has been diagnosed. My heart aches for my friends, family members, and even strangers who are dealing with heart ache and pain from these killer diseases.

I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on for years.  Ever since I knocked off the extra weight, and the need for my six pharmaceutical meds, I’ve been researching how to make a difference. How to help myself and others avoid these killers.

Leading_killers_in_America_-_Healthy_Grease_Monkey

Today, I began reading Jamie McManus, M.D.’s “Your Personal Guide to Wellness. What your Doctor Doesn’t Have Time to Tell You.”  Off of the pages screamed another statistic… 

The personal risk for developing major diseases and severe health problems is 20% genetics and 80% lifestyle.”  ~Dr. Jamie McManus

This comment is one that spurs me on to keep heading down this path. I truly believe that each one of us can add life to our years and years to our life through daily decisions.

Looking forward to what more this book with scream out to me as well as the other titles that arrived in the mail today!  I see an information rich few weeks ahead for myself! (Never stop learning)

If you would like more information on how your personal lifestyle choices and personal habits can have GREAT benefits for your life, contact me.

by tessbrennan

Making Eating healthier Easier NOT more Difficult.

Bonita Springs-20111124-00427

 

I came across this article today, 10 Secrets to Cooking Healthier .  I thought it was a really good piece and wanted to elaborate on it a bit more.

  1. Use smart fats – We hear it everywhere – EVOO is your best option
  2. Go unrefined (whole grain vs processed) – This is actually one of our biggest sources of “sugars” in our diets.  We need the FIBER not the sugars.
  3. Eat more fruits and veggies – Find ways to sneak these in.  Prepare enough that you can snack for a couple of days on them. Buy them from local growers and they will stay fresh longer and maintain more of the nutrients than those purchased in the supermarket or super store.
  4. Its not all about meat – we’ve begun eating more legumes for our proteins.  The majority of our “meat” is chicken or turkey & fish with an occasional steak night for my “mainstream hubby”.
  5. Choose low-fat dairy – We choose Soy milk or Almond milk over cow’s and limit our dairy intake due to the hormones fed to the grocery store source herds.
  6. Keep portions reasonable – This one is really easy. When we eat a steak, my hubby & 6 year old split the big ole monster rather than eating one each.  when eating out, ask for your to go boxes up front, put half or more of your meal in the container and take your time enjoying the tasty food  you’ve just ordered. Most places now offer steamed veggies like brocolocoloccoli or carrots or green beans.
  7. Use sweeteners judiciously – steer clear of artificial sweeteners, they have side effects, move toward the more natural options and use them much less. (See #9)
  8. Keep an eye on sodium – When you begin making your own foods from whole sources, this becomes much easier since most things we buy in the store ready made are LOADED with the stuff!
  9. Go for flavor – We like adding sliced strawberries & lemon to our water for a tasty treat.  Fruit infused water is one of the special things our 6 year old likes since she can’t have other flavored drinks. (I’ll be adding an article soon on bold flavors with metabolism boosting properties.)
  10. Be Mindful and Enjoy  (healthy can be convenient when we think ahead) When we take the time to really enjoy what we have to eat instead of inhaling it like a vacuum cleaner many positive things happen in our bodies. A favorite book of mine on this topic is Eating with Fierce Kindness.

 

For more information, please feel free to contact me, or stop by our Facebook pages, The Healthy Grease Monkey or Feel Good Fast.

by tessbrennan

I’m Wide Awake– to the Healthy Choices I Make

While walking the other day, this song came onto my player.  I’d been thinking a lot about my health, my choices, the food I eat, and the health of my family as well.

This caused me to think entirely differently about this song. I liked it before, but now, it could almost be the theme song to my life.

What follows are Katy’s lyrics in black and my thoughts while walking in GREEN.

Wish I’d known then what I know now…

Katy Perry – Wide Awake Lyrics
LYRICS:

I’m wide awake (and healthier now)
I’m wide awake (and know better now)
I’m wide awake (and feel better now)
Yeah, I was in the dark (I was overweight, undernourished, and lacked energy)
I was falling hard (I was on 6 different prescriptions)
With an open heart (Thought it was my only option)
I’m wide awake (I make conscious choices now)
How did I read the stars so wrong?

I’m wide awake
And now it’s clear to me
That everything you see
Ain’t always what it seems (I didn’t know any other way)
I’m wide awake                 (my choices have had positive effects)
Yeah, I was dreaming for so long

[Pre-Chorus]
I wish I knew then  (I was over 200 pounds)
What I know now (My daily choices can be simple and easy)
Wouldn’t dive in   (No longer eat McD’s)
Wouldn’t bow down  (Ate whatever ‘tatsted’ good)
Gravity hurts   (The consequences were horrible)
You made it so sweet (Fast food, Sodas, Chips, Junk food)
‘Til I woke up on (Hit 200 pounds)
On the concrete (Realized where I had ended up)

[Chorus]
Falling from cloud 9  (Depression set in)
Crashing from the high  (Difficulties conceiving)
I’m letting go tonight   (Began to see a new way of eating/living)
Yeah, I’m falling from cloud 9 (Saw myself for what I was/the weight I was)
I’m wide awake   (I can make better choices)
Not losing any sleep (I need my sleep)
I picked up every piece  (Stopped being a victim)
And landed on my feet  (Better decisions made quick differences)

I’m wide awake     (Feeling fine and full of energy)
Need nothing to complete myself, no   (Have been able to drop the Rx)
I’m wide awake  (Happy, full of energy, loving)
Yeah, I am born again  (I see how it benefits me)
Out of the lion’s den  (No more cravings)
I don’t have to pretend    (Its real)
And it’s too late      (Its really never too late)
The story’s over now, the end (I’ve made a new story)

[Pre-Chorus]
I wish I knew then (Side effects)
What I know now  (Side benefits)
Wouldn’t dive in  (Didn’t know my options)
Wouldn’t bow down (Just did as they said)
Gravity hurts   (Depression, sadness, daily migraines)
You made it so sweet (Take this pill)
‘Til I woke up on (More side effect – more pills)
On the concrete (Damn!)

[Chorus]
Falling from cloud 9 (it was out of the blue)
I’m crashing from the high
I’m letting go tonight (yeah, I’m letting you go)
I’m falling from cloud 9
I’m wide awake  (No longer need the Rx)
Thunder rumbling (Energy to keep going)
Castles crumbling (Realizing the need for alternatives)
I’m wide awake (Researching, discovering, healing)
I am trying to hold on (It can’t be this easy)
I’m wide awake  (Amazing results – health)
God knows that I tried (And I still am)
Seeing the bright side  (I see it now!)
I’m wide awake   (Better choices, more research)
But I’m not blind anymore…  (choosing health)
I’m wide awake   (Able to choose)
I’m wide awake   (Able to enjoy)

[Chorus]
Yeah, I’m falling from cloud 9 (it was out of the blue)
I’m crashing from the high
You know I’m letting go tonight (yeah, I’m letting you go)
I’m falling from cloud 9
I’m wide awake  (fruits & veggies by my side)
I’m wide awake (options without side effects)
I’m wide awake  (teaching my child my ways)
I’m wide awake (feeling good and alive)
I’m wide awake  (ready to share with others)

Let me know if you’ve ever felt this way. Contact me for more information.  ~Tess

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.