Where to begin?

I love to help you become healthier! Reply with questions, and if I cannot answer them, I will find someone who can!

So many people get stuck with the ultimate question when it comes to healthy habits: "Where to begin?" A healthy lifestyle can be overwhelming. The changes that are necessary to get to a healthy lifestyle can be even more overwhelming. So where should we begin?

First of all, start small. If you try to change it all overnight, you will get burned out, frustrated, and feel like success will never come. Your healthy lifestyle is realistic, and attainable. It will take dedication and some hard work, but you can get there! I promise you that you will feel better and have more energy when you keep working, one step at a time!

Step one: Find one thing that you can stick to - such as a calorie limit, or drinking more water. Make that one thing a habit - this takes 3 weeks of consistency.

Step two: Pick a new thing to focus on, and repeat the process in step one.

Step three: repeat step two, etc.

I think you get the point. You need to start small. Pick the one thing that you feel is a big step, but is attainable. Once you have changed that habit, you will find that you can continue down the road to a healthier you.

~ Cathi

Are you eating a balanced diet?

I love to help you become healthier! Reply with questions, and if I cannot answer them, I will find someone who can!

How can you determine if you are eating a balanced diet? There is so much information bombarding us constantly about what we should or should not eat. The truth is, it comes back to the basics. The food pyramid is based on science and data that is updated and revised constantly. This has been the main source of information on a balanced diet for many years. There are additional food pyramids for specific ethnic groups and ages. You can use this website to track what you are eating, and see where you might be deficient.

Did you know the food pyramid now includes exercise? That's right! You need exercise every day. For most people, this is just a simple walk for 20-30 minutes. Find something you can enjoy that will get your heart beating between 100-120 beats per minute for 20-30 minutes. This will increase your energy, promote emotional health, and improve your overall health!

Questions or comments, please reply! I will be sure to get back with you by the end of the week.
~ Cathi ~

New blg, new Ideas

I love to help you become healthier! Reply with questions, and if I cannot answer them, I will find someone who can!

I am starting something new. I have been using this blog as my "journal", but I would really like to share what I am learning. I have a lot of ideas and tips for anyone willing to work on their health. I am a nutrition major, and I am still working on trying to be healthier. This is not just a weight-loss blog; it is also for anyone who wants to manage their weight to not gain. It is for anyone willing to try to eat healthier and try new ideas for healthy lifestyles. Follow the blog to get frequent tips and updates!

I look forward to helping you in any way that I can! To a healthier you!!

Exhausted and excited

I have been working for the past 3 hours on my school work. My goal was to finish everything so that I could have Sunday off. I have met my goal. Now I have excitement to be blessed with. My sister is coming on Monday! This is precisely why I wanted my homework done. Now I can enjoy her and her family for the week. I am so blessed by her willingness to come and be with us for the week. I am loved an blessed!

Things kids say

Kids have a way of saying things that you want to remember forever. I will watch my kids sometimes, just hoping the memory will stick forever. For example, yesterday Kassandra was playing with 2 stuffed animals, and her leapfrog math desk. Apparently the math desk was a laptop for a doctor. Mr. Mouse was there to see the doctor (Kassandra) and they were arguing over whether his sister could have the same name as her or not. It was so cute. She was just playing so well by herself, and I wanted to grab the video camera, but I knew she would stop.

The cutest one lately was this: Kassandra was trying to determine which barrette she wanted in her hair that day. Thanks to my Mom, she has many choices! = ) So, she lined up 15 different barrettes and asked which one I thought she should wear. I picked one, and she pulled it out of the line up, and set it aside. We did this two more times. At this point she looked at me while pointing to the 3 who were facing the original line-up, and told me, "This is the audience". "Ok," I said. I was not sure what they were watching, but I did not argue. She then picked up one of the other barrettes and said, "I want to be an audient, I want to be an audient! Pick me!" It was hysterical! She has figured out that you add "s" to make a word plural. So apparently when you are watching something alone, or you want to join a group, you are an "audient". It is only when there is more than one that you have an "audients". = )

Kids say the cutest things! I will be posting more soon!

Back to work again

I have had two blissful weeks off now. I am back to work Wednesday, with 3 classes this term instead of the typical 2. If it goes well, I will continue to do that so I can finish my degree in a little over a year, instead of nearly 2 years. I am hoping and praying that works. I need a shorter goal to shoot for than 2 years - that is too far off and I am afraid I will lose my drive and focus. Right now I am maintaining a 4.0, which is something I am very proud of. However, I am afraid that will start to slip if I become discouraged. I need to stay focused. This is a goal that I do not want to let go of again. Still, there are so many things to do. All of my "if only's" are getting me nowhere, so I tread on. I continue working and doing all I can, hoping it will get me where I want to be. I strive to be content where I am, and that is sometimes difficult. Am I alone in this? I don't think so. I see people all around me who are hurting, and wanting something more. I yearn for God to move in a powerful way. I desire to feel Him and see Him and hear Him speak. I crave His presence. Lord, fall on me!

In need of some parenting advice

We have a 4-year old daughter, named Kassandra. Kassandra has been a challenge since she was probably 6 months old. The biggest challenge we have yet to tackle is putting things in her mouth. Yes, she is really 4. Yes, she really does still put things in her mouth. Now that we have that cleared up, I need some ideas. We have tried giving her lemon juice, hot sauce, or vinegar when she puts something in her mouth that does not belong there. She will still chew on toys, destroy bouncy balls, eat crayons and markers, along with a variety of other things. Before today I had called poison control three times for things she had eaten. Today I called them two more times. It seems that we have bad days and good days, like any child I suppose. Obviously the putting "nasty stuff" in her mouth is not getting the point across. We have sent her to bed, put her in time out, and spanked (I know this is controversial). So, any ideas that you may have are greatly appreciated! We have always watched her closely, but watching her 24 hours a day is not possible. Do you have any great thoughts to share? If so, please reply! I welcome your thoughts and ideas.

~ Cathi ~