Tag / lifestyle choice

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.

LifeinBonitaSprings.com_Spider_Web

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.

HGM_Happy_New_You_2013

(Taken by my 5 yr old at Busch Gardens)

Happy New Year and Healthy 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

Holiday Stresses… NOT a must.

With Christmas approaching quickly, so do the stresses of the season.

I can’t help but remember the best advice that I kept and used during my (2nd & final) wedding, "If its not there (other than the groom and the official) you don’t need it!" 

Don’t stress the little things. Heck, don’t stress the big ones… Five years from now, will it really matter that the turkey wasn’t ready until an hour past dinner time? 

Laugh now, and know you will be laughing years from now as well. Family, friends, and the Reason for this Season are much more important than what time dinner is served, if the perfect gift didn’t arrive until 3 days later, or if you served the mashed potatoes in the pan instead of a fancy bowl.

Take time to Relax, Breathe, Hug, Talk, and just keep it simple!

20121208_175038

Here are some additional suggestions from a fellow blogger.

When we don’t have family in the area, we take our baby girl to the beach, or a theme park to make memories of our own. We make new traditions. (I do still take time to bake bread, make noodles, and cookies, but I don’t stress about when they will be finished, just that we make them…and we make them year round rather than try to force it all into 25 days.)

I’ll be making a comforter for a friend’s son this year, and I will be visiting a local “bead shop” for some other gifts for nieces. (hope you aren’t reading this) Smile

We are simplifying, buying and supporting local businesses, and focusing more on why we celebrate rather than on “what we got”.

Merry Christmas!  I pray your Holiday season will be stress free and full of new, and old, cherished memories.

by tessbrennan

I Have a Favor to Ask of You-Kindness to Yourself

When you have a favor to ask a friend, how do you approach them?

If you would like your friend or a stranger to do something for you, how do you ask?

(Even in the case of my closest friends) I, personally, am nice to them. I know that by treating someone with kindness, they are more likely to cooperate with me, to help me achieve my task. (That’s not to say it’s the only time I’m nice to them – Julie Hollingsworth) Smile

Why then? When we want our bodies, or our minds, to do something for ourselves do we insist on being mean, and rude, and hurtful?

arguing

Do we think that by calling ourselves stupid, ignorant, goofy, wrong, or other mean names that it will actually convince ourselves to maintain the behavior we are trying to attain?  Would it work if you were calling someone else those words?  (Probably not for long.)

I know many a person who has sabotaged their own success by such negative talk.

Try instead to use a kinder approach with yourself.  “I slipped up, yes, and now I will remember to do the way I want it done the next time.” It doesn’t matter if its weight loss, healthier eating, exercising, or changing careers.

My friends at Integrative Mindfulness and Shift and Wake Up do an excellent job and teaching others to be kind to themselves, and I have been amazed at myself and those around me in the things we have accomplished once we began being nicer to ourselves.

So, do me a favor. Be kind to yourself, be patient, and treat yourself as you would treat anyone else you would like to do you a favor.

by tessbrennan

I want to Feel Good Fast

A few tips on how to begin to Feel Good Fast.

In today’s society, everyone wants everything FAST! NOW! IMMEDIATELY! LIKE YESTERDAY!

If your goal is to Feel Good Fast there are a few things you can do to begin getting there.  Here are a few tips.

  1. Focus on what is good.  No matter how tiny the detail. Focus on SEEING what is GOOD.  Allow yourself to let the not-so-good pass away.
  2. Think about what you are putting into your mouth before you put it there. 
    • dirty hands – wash them, its cold and flu season
    • junk food – there are better fast food options
    • soda pop – water, herbal teas, even A cup of coffee is better
  3. Think about Moving. Move your body, begin making a conscious decision to take the stairs one floor rather than the elevator.  Park 2 spaces farther from the store. Walk to the mailbox and back TWICE.   Just get moving.  Add a bit more to your daily grind, and make it a pleasant choice – NOT a requirement. 
  4. Invite friends to join you in the journey.
  5. Be patient, you didn’t get to the place you are over night, it takes time to get out of shape and develop degenerative diseases, and time to get that health back.
  6. Ask for help. We are here to support you through:
    • Support Groups
    • Education
    • Personal Consultations
    • Resources

Power of 7

Contact me for additional information on how you, too, can begin to Feel Good Fast

by tessbrennan

Boost that Metabolism!

Wanting to boost that metabolism? 

Need metabolism boost.

Here is an article that I found that has some good tips.

5 Tips to Speed your metabolism

In addition, I would like to add that my sources say:

  • Your first 16 ounces of water should be consumed first thing in the morning, and should be room temperature. 
  • Always pick a protein before/with a carb.  This prevents the blood sugar from spiking and quickly dropping – prevents cravings of more carbs 2 hours later.
  • If you choose to use a Calcium supplement to up your calcium, look for one with a guarantee and that is lead free. (literally)
  • Many Fish Oil supplements have been shown to contain heavy metals. Choose a supplier with a reputable reputation.
  • Soda pop depletes the calcium stores in your body, if you are looking to boost your metabolism by adding calcium, perhaps cutting back on ALL the Soda could help double the impact.

Have a Great Day!  Contact me when you are ready to Feel Good Fast and we will help you get on track.

by tessbrennan

Want to get healthy, not sure where to start.

When I started trying to get healthier, I wasn’t sure where to start. I tried diets of all types and yo-yo’d for years, but without a road map of where I was going, it was a futile attempt.  Lose weight, pack it back on plus some more.

Today, I want to share some resources that could help.

1. Decide WHY you want to get healthier, why EXACTLY and WRITE
IT DOWN!

2. Journal what you eat and drink, EVERYTHING, for a week.

a. Keep a written journal of everything you put in your mouth.

b. Use an app like http://myfitnesspal.com I really like this one to use on my phone AND my laptop… whichever I choose. (I also use the Shaklee 180 app that comes with my maintenance program.)

c. The average American over-consumes 300 calories a day. It isn’t
until we begin to pay very close attention to what we consume that
we realize where our challenges lie. (Many times this is from Drinks) This does NOT mean to substitute with “sugar free” options. Artificial sweeteners add a whole new set of problems.

3. Begin to move – the options here are limitless.

a.  I did it with walking, lots of walking. Park and walk the whole
outdoor mall, walk around the block, walk a 5K event, walk if
you haven’t “moved” with purpose in ages, simply begin small
walk to the mailbox and back, do it twice if you can.

b.  Join a gym, a lot of my friends have done this, I prefer to spend
my dollars elsewhere.

c.  Hire a personal trainer.  Get specific advice that works for YOU.

d.  Pick a cause & work toward an event. (I have done 60 mile walks)

4. Choose healthier options that taste GREAT!

a.  Knock out all artificial sweeteners, colors, & flavors.

b.  Look for new recipes, or do what I do, make healthier substitutions
for some of the ingredients.

c. Pick 1 thing and do it till you’ve got it down, then pick something
else to master.

IMG-20111030-00286
Starting line for day 3 of the 2011 Tampa 3-day, 60-mile walk for Breast Cancer.

For more suggestions or a personal consultation to get you started on your own, personal map for improved health, contact me.

by tessbrennan

Candy–1 step at a time!

I am so excited about a new find, introduced to me by my friend, Shirley Koritnik.  An option for candy that my daughter can have safely, (corn allergy) and that I can feel good about (no artificial ingredients) as an occasional treat for her.

UNREAL CANDY

Meet UnReal!  WOW… Here you can see what its made of and who is eating it. 

Tom Brady + Gisele Bundchen + Matt Damon + John Legend + Jack Dorsey + Mark Hyman = UnJunked!

 

Now, when you feel the need for a sweet snack, you have an option that doesn’t contain all of the artificial schtuff.  You have a choice! UNREAL!

Dr. Mark Hyman has written an excellent blog article on this as well, you can find it here.

We vote, every day with our $$’s.  Vote today for something that is VERY UnReal!

Make it a GREAT Day! 

Oh, almost forgot… places we can find it in SW Florida…  Walgreens, CVS, Michael’s, Staples, and very soon…TARGET!   I can hardly wait!!!!

by tessbrennan

Apricots–A great addition to any diet

Thought to be the “apple” eaten by Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden, this power fruit is an amazing source of nutrition!

Healthy Apricots

When we choose to eat things we should make those calories count!  These little gems benefit the heart, muscles, nerve tissues, and the skin. 

Apricots can boost the critical levels of minerals that often decline as women pass through menopause. 

PLUS! These power fruits only contain 17 calories and no cholesterol per WHOLE apricot. 

Grab an apricot and enjoy your day.  Simple choices pay big dividends when we are talking about attention to prevention and our personal health.

Contact me for additional information on how simple choices could begin benefitting your own health!