Operation "Life Balance"--week one

It has been one full week of following the new diet/life routine. I had been slowly studying and implementing little things for about 3 weeks previous, but I finally felt that life was in a place that I could "really start."

Diet: I am usually one to balk at anyone suggesting a specific diet for me to follow. It is restrictive, boring, and usually so weird! but this one from my Core Balance/hormone balancing program is actually fairly easy to follow, with lots of yummy recipes. I'll admit there have been a couple of things I didn't want to try--fish and kalamata olives, for example; the fish was just ok ( I survived) but I enjoyed the olives!--and one that I won't try--lamb chops. The fact that I am alone most of the day, with kids in school and Dave out of town, makes it a lot easier than it would be if I had to either convice my family to eat as I am or make two of every meal.

I have added or changed a couple of things: I am subsituting one of my suggested snacks with at least one Isalean Shake, and instead of the vitamins that Women to Women sent, I am sticking with the Isagenix Daily Essentials because they are very similar--pharmaceutical grade, same vitamins with minor doseage difference--and I know that they make a difference for me. (I gave the others to my daughter to try) I do take the hormone balancer from Women to Women, however, and I can really feel the positive effects of that.

So far, I think I am feeling better. The hardest part for me right now is keeping on a good schedule. Some days I am everywhere except home, so it's hard to prepare and eat a meal at a scheduled time. I haven't been tempted much (except for today, which I will talk about later.)

Routine: School could not have started at a better time! A new school year has a way of bringing freshness to life routines. I am taking more classes than I ever have as a "mom who goes to college," and finding an organized routine is scary to me, tho I know it is the ever most important part of making this work. I felt more calm about this at the beginning of the week than I do now, after starting the online portion of my schedule. There is a lot of homework! Throw in exercise, housework, after-school kid chauffeuring, church calling, two home based businesses...(after attending both conventions this month, I decided that I need to at least try my hand at Isagenix but I can't let go of Heritage Makers. I believe strongly in both companines!) This part of balancing will definitely be a work in progress for me. For now I plan to just do one thing each day toward each thing...as long as I keep going forward, I won't fall backward, right?

Sleep, Relaxation and Enjoyment: I am exhausted enough at the end of the day that I have been able to get to bed before midnight. That is an improvement! School for me is enjoyable, so I consider that part of my enjoyment journey, but because it also adds stress, I need to keep my perspective with it. I also am taking a voice lesson to add to my enjoyment. This is something I look forward to once every two weeks. :) I have started a list of to-do's in this area, too. Taking some kind of dance class, whether it's zumba or whatever, is on that list. Scares me to death, but someday I will do it.

Family Balance: It's easy for me to become self absorbed in a personal journey and isolate myself from family. One thing I noticed is that when Dave comes home it is easier to 'give in" on my routine, and especially my diet, so I have decided that I will stick to it the best I can but allow myself balance in this regard as well. I ate popcorn at the movie last night...and a donut today because the neighbor brought them and I decided to join the kids.) Balance in ALL THINGS, right? ;)

I have so many thoughts all week long that I tell myself to remember to blog about, but of course I can't remember them now. I will make it a point to either make notes or blog more often. I hope my thoughts make sense. :)

I feel like it has been a successful first week! I have a long way to go...

Operation "Life Balance"-getting started

After going through a few months of just not feeling good--mentally, physically, or emotionally--I have decided to do something about it!

The first step was to figure out what was going on with my thyroid. I have taken thyroid meds for 15 years and have been fine! But I think it was May when I started feeling depressed, having extreme fatigue, gaining weight (10 lbs in 12 DAYS. NOT okay!) The only thing I had changed was that I was taking Isagenix' new "PRODUCT B" (which I will explain later.) Long story short, I am still in experimental mode with my meds and am kind of frustrated with doctors in general. I turned to researching natural thyroid support and found a website called Women to Women (www.womentowomen.com) which specializes in helping women with hormones and thyroid and similar issues.

I started a 90 day program with them, which not only includes diet and vitamins, but also life balance. SLEEP is very important, I am learning (I have heard this, but have been too stubborn to really believe it, cuz less sleep means more accomplished, right?) as well as meditation, relaxation, finding ways to enjoy life...all of these need to be a part of a balanced and healthy life. Easier said than done, but I'm going to give it a shot. I NEED TO, and my family needs me to as well.

I will keep you posted with a weekly (minimum) report. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to share. I can use all the help I can get! Maybe we can help each other...?