Vegan Momma

While I was in the gym an acquaintance, observing me, told me, “If I were you I would eat anything I wanted!” I replied, I can eat anything I want however knowing the impact some of those choices can have on my overall health I choose not to abuse my body in that way. I smiled as I said it. I wanted to take any “sting” off saying something that strong. She got it and wasn’t offended.

That led to a long discussion about eating habits, fitness, emotional health, etc., She was naturally curious. The discussion ended with me picking up a client. That was about five years ago. Today she is off her medication and a slimmer version but still the same beautiful person I got to know.

A few weeks ago I picked up another client. She found me online. She surfed onto vegan momma and noticed my articles about fitness, nutrition, etc. She saw a link to my whole foods website and visited me there. Then she went to my alternative healing website. Interested with what she had read she contacted me via email. She wanted to know more and she wanted to know if I could help. I try to assist those who contact me through my websites. I receive emails daily from people looking for assistance. I enjoy helping others or at least pointing them in the right direction.

Anyway I sent her some information on the various topic. That took time. I didn’t think anything more about it a lot of people contact me for information about nutrition however most people never follow up. It can be frustrating especially if I put a lot of time into getting the information together that’s time I could have used devoting to something else. My time is valuable. I don’t have a lot of it.

Guess what? She emailed me a few days later. She had read all the information I had sent her. Yes, I even sent her a book. She wanted to know more. Do you know how many times I’ve physically sent people info and it just sits in their home collecting dust? Talk about frustrating. It won’t stop me from helping others because if what I do makes one person make a change then I think its worth it. I do have to admit the lazy attitudes and weak excuses I’ve heard from those I’ve followed up with after they intially contacted me gets frustrating.

The information I send takes a lot of time to compile. Naturally, it doesn’t feel good when I know it’s not being used. Her email was a great gift it showed me that she truly appreciated the information and is serious about making changes in her lifestyle. I hear all sorts of excuses as to why a person cannot do something. It gets old, but it doesn’t make my cynical. :-)

In her email, she told me about the changes she made, and she told me she needed help. I gave her links but that’s not what she wanted. She wants a coach she asked me to fill that role. For the amount of time, that would require I can’t do it for free so I told her I could do it, but I would have to charge her. I was direct with her and told her if she wasn’t serious about making a change in her lifestyle than she was wasting both of our time. I would not work with her. That didn’t sway her she still wanted me to help her. 

I’ve done this in the past much before my daughter was born. I had about four clients they all were serious about making changes. I really wasn’t planning on doing it this soon however I know she wants to make a change. She’s at the point where she is not hiding behind excuses. I’ve created a meal plan for her which she is following. It’s not vegetarian, but it’s extremely healthy. I’ve also suggested that she do some exercises. They are simple and she can perform them at home. She has my private number and I gave her times that she could call. I also follow up with her. It’s a pleasure working with her because she isn’t making excuses. She’s taking responsibilities for her actions and is determined to make a change. She will achieve her goals.

Although she might not know it, she has inspired me to do even more with my own goals. I always set goals for myself. I’ve accomplished many in my lifetime, and I know there are still more that I will eventually achieve. I don’t let obstacles stand in my way, and I don’t give up if things don’t happen quickly. This is the real world baby! Things don’t always go as planned.

Next:  How I Turned I Can’t Into I Can! 

[tags]goals, procrastination[/tags]

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I haven’t posted an exercise update in a little while but no worries I haven’t been slipping. I just haven’t had the time. As I worked out Monday on the arm curl machine I received a wonderful surprise. I jumped up 15 pounds about a week ago I wasn’t able to lift 70 pounds three times and now I was pulling the weight up without struggling. I banged out my 15 reps and took a breather. I was happy.

Exercise Is Important

I’m moving at an even faster pace with my work and personal life realizing how imperative it is now more than ever to stay on top I’m wisely making sure exercise is in that pile. It’s something that we all need to make time for. Although my daughter is only four years old she knows the importance of physical fitness I’ve taught her and she sees the benefits of mommy working out. I can keep up with her some of her friends parents cannot.

Their kids play with my daughter and me, and their parents sit and watch. A few of them have told me, “Opal I wish I could do what you do but I don’t have the time.” My reply, is “make that time!” Even when I worked outside of the home traveling constantly I realized the importance of working out, and I made sure I did it even if it meant working out at home for a few minutes or working out in the hotel room. You have only one body stop abusing it. People make excuses for everything what many fail to realize is they are hurting themselves, and perhaps those they care about.

Benefits of Exercise

• Exercise is a great stress reliever - numerous studies have been conducted on this topic. When my life becomes even busier I always make sure I get some type of exercise into my life.
• Exercise enhances your circulation
• Exercise keeps the lymph nodes moving - they lymphatic system supports every system in your body. Our bodies have more lymph fluid than blood. It cleanses our cells and takes away waste. Guess what, the lymph nodes only work when we are in motion. If you spend long hours at your desk or you follow a sedentary lifestyle. Unless you are physically unable to do so, it’s time you get off your butt and do something to get your lymph in motion. We all have excuses why we cannot do something. Quit making them.
• Exercise boosts my metabolism
• Exercise burns fat and builds muscle - I’m a big fan of interval training.
• Exercise improves your immune system - There have been a lot of studies conducted on this one also. It can stop common ailments in their tracks or it can make your recovery time from sickness a lot faster.

What Do I Eat

I don’t take any supplements. I eat a wide variety of whole foods (mainly raw.) I juice a lot, and make sure I get plenty of healthy greens into my daily intake. I make a lot of blended salads. Blended salads are exactly what they sound like salads added to the blender, with a little water, and blended. It’s a savory drink. I love it.

The more I continue to work out with D the more I’m trying to think of ways I can finally squeeze in a competition. Perhaps the reason I wasn’t able to get one in before was because I wasn’t trying hard enough? Sure, I’m one busy lady but I strongly believe almost anything is possible you just might need to be creative. There are a few people at my gym that are gearing up for competition. I can always tell based on the workouts they are doing, and I must admit I’m slightly envious I want that to be me. Eventually that will be I.

Now that I have a workout partner I’ll most likely start taking pictures again. It’s an excellent way to track my progress.

Yesterday I worked on back, abs, and calves and I did cardio. Today I’ll do 30 minutes of cardio and have a leg workout. My workouts are under an hour naturally when I work out with D they are longer since we both are working out.

Although I much prefer doing exercises outside the gym, I realize that I cannot always do this so I just do it. You don’t have to work out in the gym to get a good workout, but you do need to exercise. If you haven’t worked out in a while, I would suggest you follow up with your health care provider before starting any type of exercise routine. You don’t want to overdo it.

[tags]exercise, fitness, health[/tags]

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