God's Blessings For Your Life.

I have been studying very hard about health and healing and what that means for me. In my next up coming post (coming soon) I will be giving you some tips and encouraging words for whatever it is that you are going through. And we are all going through something. This post may be changing directions just so slightly. I can't deny that I am a Christian, a child of God. As God moves in my life and shows me new ways to live I want to be able to share that with my readers. My wonderful Pastor has been working with me on studying a great book. I want to be give you what he has given me and continue to strive for excellence in my life and through this blog. Matthew 14:14 says: "Jesus went out and saw a great multitude, was moved by compassion for them, and healed their sick." He is moved by compassion for you each day as you are his children. He will heal you now. He will move, open and close all doors in your life. All you have to do is ask: "Anything you ask in My Name that I will do, that the Father be glorified through the Son, if you ask anything, I will do it."

Be strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. Be Blessed and I can't wait to share more........

Fall / New Years Eve Resolution

I have been thinking for several days now what I could possibly write for my next article. I haven’t had the most wonderful summer in terms of working out due to my “back issues”, (which I have to stop using that as an excuse).  So how can I sit here and tell you to give it your all when I was restricted and/or getting lazy?  The more I slacked the easier the slacking became.  The thoughts of Burger King became stronger. Only twice all summer did I hit my favorite fast food place, but still not what I need to feed my goal weight.  And many more things eaten in between, that love to hang out at my waste line. So, as I forced myself onto the elliptical and finished my workout just minutes ago, it came to me what to write you all.  I love my Oxygen magazine, which I have shared in previous articles. I want to quote the publishers article from the October issue. (Please, please, please, I beg of you to subscribe to this magazine. Just when you start to give up on your workouts, BLAM, there is another magazine in your mailbox. (Click on the Oxygen magazine on the right under Amazon.com and get your first mag and check it out. Then simply send in your subscription card and you are on your way.)

The publisher, Robert Kennedy, was telling a story of a woman he met at a fitness conference. She told him he was too “aggressive” in his articles.  That she hated and loved his writings.  I agree, with the loving them part. So I have taken a quick excerpt from his last publishing:

“Okay, let’s face it. Summer’s virtually history and once again you didn’t do it, did you? What am I talking about? Why I am so mean? Let’s take you back to last January 1st.  Remember the promise you made to yourself? The one about making this your best year ever? Ok, so you did exercise and you did watch your food intake but it wasn’t enough to really change your body, was it?  You planned for a level of fitness and physique that was not achieved. True, everything has to start with intent but the follow-through has to be solid.  So today on, lets streamline our efforts.  Forget the mere tweaking of the diets; forget our hit and miss workouts (miss more often than hit), let’s recommit to making not just a little change, but let’s go for the new paradigm, an amazingly explosive, eye-boggling change. It’s not New Years, but it’s our resolution NOW. I will do it with you.  Let’s make it happen. No excuses.”

I am in the same boat you are. Summers almost over, as I start to put out the fall décor. I look back and say where did it go and what did I do? Not as much as I had hoped. So let’s start that weight training 3-4 times per week, 3-4 cardio sessions a week, and eat clean 24/7. (That’s my hard one). As I eat healthier than most Americans today, it isn’t enough for my goals and my body. Make sure you prepare your meals the evening before or earlier in the week. My personal problem is running out the door with not enough or not the right thing, because it was easy.  But healthy can be easy too if you just simply plan.  Purchase a box of protein bars if you need something to grab out the door for a breakfast or meal in the car. I will try and post, quick easy recipes, from various books to help you. Please remember this blog magazine is just as much for me as for you. It helps keep me on track as I feel committed to you and I hope you feel the same to me. If you would like to send before and after photos of your fitness journey, please do so at anytime. I would love to see your progress. taylorhappyheart(at)gmail(dot)com.

As always, Blessings

Water: H2O
How much do we need water and how much water do we need? Thus is the question:

Without water the toxins in your body will not be flushed out. Your laundry would not be rinsed of soap and dirt without water providing the final rinse or spin cycle. It is possible to survive weeks without food but possibly only one day without water. Our bodies are made up of 70% water. If you do not replace water in your body, you will be dehydrated, your metabolism will slow, and toxins will build in your system. Your muscles can become tight and stressed, as they are 75% water. As soon as you feel the need to stretch or your aching everywhere, remember to flush your system with water.

“The correct daily amount of water intake is approximately one ounce of water per pound of scale weight.” (taken from The Eat-Clean Diet book). Yes, that’s a lot, but I have confidence in you. You can do it.

Check the color of your urine. It will be dark yellow if you are dehydrated. Once your body is releasing pale yellow to clear fluids, only then are you well hydrated. Don’t wait until your thirsty to drink water. At this point, it’s too late. Most of us will experience headaches due to thirst. Try downing the water before taking that aspirin. Our bodies are always telling us what we need if we just learn to listen. Don’t be afraid to carry that bottle of water with you wherever you go. If you must carry one in your purse, use the half size bottle to relieve that unnecessary stress on your back of a heavy purse. I still use my backpack purse on a daily basis making carrying water less heavy. You will notice the need to use the restroom a lot at first but once your body adjusts to the water intake it won’t be as often. Your body is always in dehydration mode trying to hold onto water causing extra weight through water gain. Once you continue to drink your water to hydration, you will release the water gain, thus causing you to frequent the bathroom. But who doesn’t want to loose weight just by drinking water? Sounds easy to me.
Check out these symptoms and see which one fits you. Then drink lots of water and see how great you feel.
Signs of Dehydration (quoted from The Eat Clean Diet)
*Fatigue
*Lethargy
*Irritability
*Headache
*Blurred Vision
*Flushed Skin (Water will increase the healthy look of skin and diminish wrinkles)
*Lack of Mental Clarity
*Constipation
*Back Pain
*Excess Weight
*High Cholesterol
*Cellulite
*Water Retention

So grab a bottle you like and make it your best friend. Figure out how many times you need to refill it and make that your new goal. Remember to leave your comments, and as always, if I like what I hear, you will receive a free gift. And sign up for a free subscription to be automatically notified when there is a new post.

God Bless, Taylor