Who is Perfect?

I like every other person out there have felt insecure about my figure.  I have always been a very petite person.  Growing up, I was muscular with little to no fat on my body.  When I wasn't running round outside or playing some other active game like king of the mountain I was doing gymnastics, cheerleading, track or some other activity.  I never had to worry about what I ate.  Never had to worry about gaining weight either because I was burning so much off.

Even in college, I never had to worry about calorie intake because as a cheerleader, you ran it off.  We had regular workouts.  We had scheduled weights, running and of course practices.  I always had scheduled workouts for me and never had to really work at keeping a figure.  Not to mention at football and basketball games, you were always moving!  Post college however is a very different sort.

I have been out of college now for almost 5-1/2 years.  To most who know me or see me, they see the same old Catie who never has to worry about what she eats and she is always thin.  Well that is not always what I see.  I know that I have been blessed with a nice figure but that doesn't mean it's not without things I would love to work on.  I would love to have the energy to go to the gym to tone up.

This past year with working full-time and going to school, it was near impossible for me to workout.  I was putting in 16+ hour days and I cannot say my body didn't suffer.  Trying to eat healthy became harder and more of a discipline.  Reaching for a bag of chips was easier than packing an apple.  There are some days now where I get home and the LAST thing I want to do is go to the gym.  My joints hurt, I am tired, my stomach is upset, I have to do laundry and the dishes…..and this is just me!!  My stress level has been so elevated that I just don't want to add on any more….you know there are the usual excuses.

I have come to terms that certain outfits of mine are just not fitting like they used to fit.  I have a little belly on me.  My arms are a little flabbier.  My thighs are still Thunder Thighs.  I still have my curves….yet I feel curvier than I used to be.  That makes me rethink what I wear as I want to be modest.  I find myself reaching for clothing articles that help you suck it in and hold it together verse just look cute and carefree.  Why can't I accept that I am not where I was 10+ years ago and I shouldn't expect my body to be either?  Why is it so hard to want to maintain this youthful built, relatively stress free, and care about getting rid of the jello giggler arms I have?

It just gets frustrating and I need to remind myself no one is perfect.  I need to be realistic with myself.  I also need to be honest.  No body is ever going to be what we desire it to be.  As we get older, aging and gravity take its toll.  We should accept that fact with grace and appreciation…not with bitterness and disgust.  Yes, there are things I can do to prevent this from happening and I am mindful of that too.  If I want to be fit, I need to make the time to workout.  I need to continue to do my calf raises while brushing my teeth.  I need to me mindful of not sitting for too long on the couch and work those muscle.  I need to do that for me and my health.

Although I am discouraged about my figure, I am reminded that no one goes without struggles or frustrations. I found a really wonderful video that I would like to encourage you to watch.  I think it simply demonstrates our natural reactions to a less perfect design.  Keep in mind, we all have expectations to shape and form, but nothing is perfect remember?  http://devour.com/video/who-is-perfect/.

Lastly, this blog made me pleasantly smile.  It made me happy to know and see this mother desires her daughter to know what is important in life and that is not about working yourself to death just simply to get the "perfect body".  This is much of what my parents instilled in me and my siblings.  We strived for healthiness not perfection.  The important thing is to live life as it should be lived and that is NOT focused on what we aren't.  http://wellfesto.com/2013/11/19/10-things-i-want-my-daughter-to-know-about-working-out/.

So, who is perfect?  Nobody….thank goodness!  :-)

Catie

Getting Back Into Exercise After Cancer Part 1

Each day in both my professional and personal life I get questions about exercise, cancer, and exercise post cancer and during active treatment.  Not only does cancer change your body, but the surgery, chemo, and radiation you have change it as well. So where do you start after months or maybe even years of losing your normal work out routine?  Where do you start if you've never had a work out routine? How do you deal with the neuropathy? How do you deal with the weakness of muscles?  The lack of energy and motivation? How do you even start to have a somewhat normal life?

Cancer changes your whole body and one of the biggest side effects is exhaustion. A lot of times people feel defeated, especially when they were super active before the cancer.  I'm here to tell you that it is perfectly OK to feel defeated.  It is ok to be angry. And you know the perfect place to start getting back in an exercise routine? Start by expressing your feelings about the cancer and how it changed your life.

I could tell you all the benefits of exercise in this first post, but I won't. What I am going to tell you is two things.

1. Get out a journal and write down every feeling you have towards the cancer that overtook your body and changed your life and body forever. Be honest. Recognize the battles you are facing. Truly let your emotions out.

2. Start by taking a walk each day to start to process everything and get your body moving a little.  I don't care if your walk is 3 minutes long. If you walked, it is a start.

Don't try and conquer the world in one day, this will be a process, but I promise you, the benefits will be with it!

You my friend, are a warrior!

Staying Healthy While Traveling

In less than two weeks I will be hopping on a jet plane on my way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a family vacation. Words cannot express how excited I am to spend time together with my family and to have a whole week away from work! I love my patients, but everyone needs a break every once and a while. Yesterday my mom called me and said "can we be healthy this vacation?" How many of us like to let go on vacation? I'd say likely everyone. I'd also say that quite a few people worry about sticking to their diet or health plan while on vacation. I've been there and will be there. 

To help you (and myself) out, here are some key pointers for staying healthy while traveling:

Photo by Leslie Nicole

1. When possible, get a condo so that you can make your own meals. You will spend a little extra on where you are staying, but a lot less on meals! 

2. Pack snacks for the car/flights. Apples, oranges, carrot sticks, healthy snack bars, nuts, etc. are great for traveling with. Opt to by water and keep away from sugar filled drinks. Make sure you stay hydrated! I know it is not fun to keep stopping on a road trip or to go in the small tiny airplane bathroom, but your body does need water! And when you stop at fast food, choose wisely :-).

3. When you do eat out, be conscious about what you are eating. Allow yourself that one cheat night, but don't keep cheating. Be aware of how much alcohol you are consuming and remember that alcohol temporarily turns the liver into what is called a "fatty liver" which slows down your metabolism. Slow down on the free bread or chips and salsa.

4. Make it a goal to be active for at least a half hour each day. Even if it is just a walk down the beach, just get your blood pumping!

5. Have healthy snacks around like broccoli and hummus, carrots and gauc, healthy protein powder, greek yogurt not packed with sugar, nuts, etc. so that when you have the munchies you have something healthy to grab!

6. Don't get over hungry. Plan your meals out and eat around your normal times. Also, research ahead of time restaurants where you will eat.

7. RELAX. Let your rest and the stress hormones come down to normal levels!

Happy summer travels everyone!

- Erica