Makeover Mom

Are Your Legs Ready for Spring?

As the weather begins to warm, I reach for the shorts in my closet and fret.  When I was young I didn't want to wear shorts until I had a tan.  Now at 40 things are different.  Typically spider veins are hereditary, THANKS MOM and DAD!  But also, birthing three children, gaining too much wait during pregnancy, and varicose veins has left my legs looking like a cross country road map.  Some of you may be confused, but for many women my age you are well aware what I am talking about.  

Spider veins appear as red or purple thread-like vessels on the skin surface, and can occur on the face, neck, chest and legs. In the legs they can be found alone or in combination with varicose veins. They are not a health risk alone, but are often a cosmetic concern.

Spider veins occur when small capillaires dilate on the surface of the skin. There are larger veins called reticular or "feeder" veins that are the source for spider veins. Spider veins can worsen during times of hormonal shifts (ie; pregnancy or menopause) and with injury (ie; trauma or standing/sitting for long periods.  Oh, the joy of being a women!

For a few years I have been a patient of Dr. Laura Ellis in Asheville NC.  She has treated my veins and the treatment has been a success.  The treatment of spider veins is an on going process, in other words you can never be "cured" of spider veins.  Yesterday, I had another treatment of sclerotherapy.  This is where is doctor injects a solution into the trouble areas/veins.  This treatment is not for the faint of heart or if you have an aversion to needles.  You will have a lot of injected.  

The follow up care is wearing medical grade compression tights for two weeks post treatment, no exercise for 5 days and pain management with rest and elevation.  

If you have problems with varicose or spider veins, do not dispair.  There is a solution.   Below is the link to my doctor and her informational website.

Happy Spring!

http://lauraellismd.com/spider_vein_therapy.html#definition

Here is a before and after photo:  (not me, haha)

 

 

Water, Water and then More Water

Recently I was reminded of the "big tip" my trainer gave me when I was training for Mrs. NC and Mrs. America - DRINK WATER.  Of course I do drink water, but I admit I do not drink enough.  Mike Mauney, personal trainer Body by Mike, has trained thousands of women.  During my sessions with him we would train with weights, talk about health and discuss weight loss tips.  One of his biggest tips was drink at least 90 ounces of water a day.  How does that make you feel?  If you are like me that is A LOT of water.  My first thought was, "I will never get out of the bathroom."  But of course I listened!

I have to say it works.  Not only do you feel better when your body is hydrated, the water works to control food cravings.  Often we go to food to satisfy cravings, but many times our body is in need of water and not food.  I realized after I would drink water my cravings would subside.  Below I have posted a link to an article discussing water and food cravings.

http://www.weightlossplans.net/blog/10-tips-beating-your-food-cravings

So, on that note, I now tote around a gallon jug of water to insure I reach my water goal for the day.  My gallon jug does give me a little over the suggested 90 ounces, but it gives me accountability.  Good luck with all your hard work and do not quit!

How is Your Start?

Well we are five days into the new year.  I am sure all of you are excited about a fresh start.  Are you one of the millions hoping to lose weight this year?  Have you started a new eating plan or workout plan?  I remember making similar forecasts when I was struggling to drop 40lbs. It seemed like all the new diets books and fitness videos were released during this time.  Truth is they are!  Celebrities, publishers and weight loss systems rev up for this time of the year.  I was a victim of marketing and I purchased too many new books and gadgets searching for a quick solution to my weight.  

Finally, I realized none of the gimmicks work.  It is all about me and what will motivate me, hold me accountable and keep me focused to my goal.  Although I did use bits and pieces from all the diet books, it was not one particular resource that was the key.  We are all different and we all have different struggles with food and exercise.  Fortunately, I was able to tweak my food plan and began exercising five days a week.

The key for me was portion control and healthy choices. I added a lot of cardio to my day.  I drank 90 ounces of water a day.  I found a good mix of protein, grains (fiber), and veggies.  For me the ability to grab and go is key.  I realized if I would prepare snacks and small meals and have them on hand I was able to make better choices.  This included a lot of chopping, cutting and cooking after a trip to the grocery.  Plan, prepare and partner!

Plan:  Plan your food choices, shop smart the the grocery, plan your meals for an entire week (this will keep you from eating out)

Prepare:  chop, cut and cook after a trip to the grocery, make it easy to grab a healthy meal or snack

Partner:  find someone to partner with to hold you accountable and help you through

Keep on track, but make this a lifestyle change on a quick cure.  After all, real weight loss takes time.  It took me over two years to get to the size I wanted to be.  

My Year in Review

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” ― Dr. Seuss

2011 has proved to be a year full of change and excitement.  Here are the Top Ten life events looking back at this year in chronological order.

1.  Rhett starts off the year with a new job.  Scary, but God has walked with us every step of the way.

2. In February I was crowned Mrs. North Carolina America 2011.  A goal I set for myself several years ago and I am so blessed to have had this year to serve this great state and help the American Red Cross with CPR education.

3.  During the months of March and April I spent 16 days at the Greenbrier Resort competing at the Mrs. America pageant.

4. In May I began working with a local media group as Barbara Harwell.  A special thanks to the director for your confidence in me and the entire cast and crew.  Filming 120 episodes from May to September, we had a really busy summer.

5.  Began teaching Made to Crave and Radiance at Biltmore Baptist Church.  I also used this as an opportunity to change the way I look at food and exercise.  I fasted 15 days from sugar!  One of the hardest things I have ever done.  God was my strength.  If you have a New Year's resolution to lose weight, I encourage you to find a copy of Made to Crave.

6.  I stopped running!  For years I have been a runner.  Don't get me wrong, I love running, but after a session with my trainer for Mrs. America, Mike Mauney, he encourage me to stop.  It is a long story as to his reason why, but it worked.  Inbox me if you want details.

7. Read a lot of books this year thanks to my great book club.  A few of my favorites:  Same Kind of Different as Me, The Help and the Hunger Games trilogy.

8.  My oldest child made a BIG change.  She chose to switch schools in the 7th grade.  She changed from 7 years of private education to the largest public middle school in the county.  Thank you for all you prayers.

9.  Rhett and I celebrate 15 years of marriage.  I can't say everyday has been easy, but who said life was easy?  God has blessed me with a wonderful man to share this journey of life.

10.  Landing a principal role on a major motion picture and becoming eligible for my SAG card.  This has opened so many doors.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it.” ― Mother Teresa

I pray 2012 is a blessing for you.  Go out and make a change for you and the world.  Be a light in the darkest, hope to the hopeless and love to the unloved.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ― Anne Frank

 

 

 

Back but with more style

Good afternoon gals!  I hope all of you had a fabulous Christmas holiday.  I for one enjoyed myself way too much, therefore I hit the ground running and was quickly back to the gym.  Back to my regular weight training routine felt so nice today, but one other thing felt really nice too.

If you are like me I enjoy looking nice in every walk of life.  I enjoy dressing up for dinner out, going to the movies, lunch with the girls and even wearing cute clothes to the exercise.  I have long been a proponent for affordable workout clothes.  Why should I spend a lot of money for clothes I am going to get sweaty and smelly?  

Well ladies I have had a change of heart!  My husband gave me a workout tank and capri pants from Lululemon for Christmas.  Of course I would never spend $52 for a tank and $86 for a pair of workout pants, but Christmas gift giving allows others to treat us to something special.  As I opened them I was a little excited to have a new outfit, but was indifferent because of the lavish price tag.  

Today I decided to give my new tank a try.  Love at first try!  This thing is amazing.  The cut is perfect for a woman's body.  The design is super cute.  It lifts in all the right places.  I think it actually lifted my boobs up to where they once resided, haha.  The tank was a great length, not too short to where it shows what I do not wish others to see.  Not too tight to where it shows ever part of my body.  I was so impressed!  Now I can not wait to wear my capri pants.  I hope the pants live up to my now high expectations of Lululemon Athletica.  

My myth of athletic wear not being an investment has been debunked.  I may not have as many pieces in my wardrobe, but Lululemon is definitely worth the splurge.  You can purchase products online at:  http://shop.lululemon.com/home.jsp or if you live in Asheville there is a showroom at:  15A Broadway Street or http://www.lululemon.com/asheville/asheville

 

 

 

Back to School

Today marks my kids first day back in school. This is a really odd time of year for me. In one respect I am excited to have a little me time, but I miss my little guys when they are gone all day. Not to mention the relaxing days of summer are gone and we head into the craziness of school, homework and sports. For example today school 8-12, middle school cookout 12:15, birthday skate party 12:15, baseball 5:00 and dinner somewhere in there I hope. I pray we can all experience quality time together in the middle this chaotic schedule. Time is so precious! Sorry for the short post, but this is all time allows today - haha!

My Thoughts

Not sure how to put into words how I am feeling at the moment.  How can someone judge you about what you do, when they don't even understand it?  Can they read my mind and understand my intermost thoughts?  How can they criticize your actions without knowing your reasons?  How can these very same people question my faith?

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 

I stand firm in beliefs.  I choose to take the criticism with a grain of salt.  I know the true meaning behind my thoughts and actions regardless of what the world may think.  Is the way I feel close to my Savior wrong because others don't understand and choose to listen to the world.  My time with my God is my choice and sometimes I choose to communicate with my Savior in ways others may not understand. 

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

 

Pescetarian it is

As a weight training and fitness junkie, I have been encouraged to consume large amounts of protein to build muscle.  I have struggled for years with eating meat, not for any kind of ethical reasons, but I just don't like it.  Fitness experts would recommend someone of my body weight to commune around 42 grams of protein per day which is hard to achieve without meat protein.  I have decided to stop fighting this battle and I have chosen Pescetarianism.  

Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood and excludes other animals. In addition to fish and/or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically includes all of vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains,beans, eggs and dairy.

I have thought about this very carefully and I devised a plan to both reach my recommended protein for the day and eliminate my dislike for animal meat.  This plan is not for everyone, it is just my current preference.  Here is an example of what my new meal plan would look like on a typical day.

Breakfast:  2 egg whites and Chobani greek yogurt

Snack:  Protein shake, veggies and hummus 

Lunch:  Veggie wrap and side salad

Snack:  Wasa cracker with almond butter and greek yogurt 

Dinner:  Salmon, sweet potato and steamed veggies

Snack:  Protein shake - 2 hours before bed

I will keep you posted on how this plan is working.

Radiant

I have recently come to realize early rising and my middle of the night awakenings are not a sleep disorder, God has something to tell me.  I have come to use this time to pray and ponder on my life and my Lord.  This morning He woke me at 6:00am and so I began to lay in my bed, pray and reflect on my life.  God placed one thing on my heart, Radiant.

In the spring I was asked to teach a class at Biltmore Baptist Church based on the book Made to Crave.  Made to Crave teaches you to reverse the way the world thinks about weight loss.  It teaches you not to fill deprived and empty, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  It teaches how in God's word we are to focus on Him and not to get distracted by the thoughts of this world.  When it comes to weight loss or weight control, why don't we ask for God's help?  During this class we learned to pray and seek God to fill the void in your life you have filled with food.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, researchers have found we over eat for four reasons:  FLAB, frustration, loneliness, anger, and boredom.  I can say personally this is true for me.  Through our study we learned to replace all of these emotional triggers with God.  Have you asked God to walk along side you through this journey?  If you are struggling with weight, I beg you to ask your Heavenly Father to partner with you in this struggle today.  After all it can become a distraction, we can become so consumed in what the world tells us, we can loose sight of what God wants for us.

This summer I was asked to teach a follow up class to Made to Crave, Radiant.  Radiant, I love that word.  You know how some words in the English language sound so elegant and beautiful.  Radiant is one of those words for me.  Radiant:  emitting rays of light; shining; bright, bright with joy, hope.  Well back to where I started this morning at 6am.  I have really struggled with what to teach this fall.  I was feeling as if God was quiet.  Why was God not speaking to me, why would He not tell me what He wanted me to teach?  And then I realized it.  I had not spent time with Him.  I had not given Him the time to speak.  I had given myself time to blurt out all I needed for Him and I had forgotten to take time to be quiet and listen.  Today, I listened and today, He spoke.

Radiant:  bright, shining, joy, hope and rays of light.  We are Radiant!  We are God's radiant being here on earth.  We are His light sent here to give His love, joy and hope to those around us.  So, how does this relate to a class on weight loss, beauty and self image.  And then on the radio I hear Mercy Me's Beautiful.  Here are a few of the lyrics:  You're beautiful, You're beautiful, you are made for so much more than this, you are treasured, you are sacred, you are His, you are beautiful.  And then next was Mikeschair, Something Worth Dying For.  Here are a few lines from this song:  "Can't you see you're something beautiful, yeah you gotta believe, yeah you gotta believe."

I got it!  We are all beautiful in Your sight.  We are all your sacred treasures.  This painful world we live in has just corrupted us to think so much less of overselves.  We are God's, we are daughter's of the King.  Why should we live a life of defeat?  This is where Radiant kicks off.

Radiant:  a light, a joy, a hope and a beauty in God's eyes.  This is not to disregard the importance of weight loss and taking care of ourselves.  God gave us this one opportunity to impact others for His kingdom.  I feel we should be at our best, so we can serve Him better.  No, we will still talk in depth about weight loss, because it is a struggle for the majority of American women.  Will we still talk about beauty, how to dress for your body type, and other issues we as women struggle with "yes".  Yes we will talk about all of this, but from God's perspective.  It is about feeling good in the person God created you to be, not the person the world has turned you into.  

Radiant:  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5 

God has chosen to give me an earthly crown with radiant beautiful stones.  I choose to use this crown to be Radiant in God's eyes and to be the ray of light, joy and hope that God wants me to be.  I pray God continues to use me long after the sparkles in my crown fade.  

Season for Cucumbers

I love this time of year and I love visiting the WNC Farmer's Market to stock up on fresh fruit and veggies.  One of my favorite is cucumber and I have recently alternated a Southern Living recipe for Cucumber Salad.  I made a few substitutions and gave it a healthy twist.  

Here is my creation:

Cucumer Salad

5-6 medium cucumbers peeled and sliced
1 small yellow or vidalia onion sliced
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar (I use 2 packets of Truvia instead)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper or 2 Tbs dill (one of the other, I use pepper)
1 6oz plain non fat Greece yogurt 

Combine all of the above ingredients, refrigerate and marinate for at least an hour.