Are You Strapped For Time?

Often times find yourself w/out enough time to exercise? I mean a good cardio workout. One that will make you sweat.

Jump. Yep, that's right. Jump! Jump rope, skip rope. To start out jump for 1-3 minutes then step touch for one minute. Then jump rope again.

Do you get the rope tangled up in your feet and ankles or does it hit your head a lot? Me too! So I cut off the rope and just hold the handles. :-) Hey, it works!!! 15-20 minutes later, you are done. You may need a shower, but you are done.

Warm up first. I do some calf raises, a few squats, quad, calf and ham stretches. To cool down, I walk around or step touch for a few minutes then stretch again.

Another fun thing to do is 'Skip it'. You can pick these things up in the summer activity toy section at Walmart. It is a flexible stick about a couple of feet long. There is a circle on one end that you slip your foot through and it gently stays around your ankle. The other end has a counter weight ball. Once you have the "Skip It" around your ankle, using your foot and ankle, you swing the ball around. With the 'free' foot you 'skip' over the flexible stick being brought around by the ball. Be sure to swap legs from time to time. This is really fun to do.

Two similar ways to get a wonderful cardio workout.

Blessings,
Missy

MSG, Migraines and General Health

Other wise known as Monosodium Glutamate. I have discovered is one of the main triggers to my migraines.

I may or may not have shared with you before, but I have severe migraines. Ocular Migraines, Cluster Migraines, Sinus Headaches and Migraines that will last for days. An MRI showed I have something called White Matter Disorder. There is a lot of white matter around the grey matter in my brain. Neurologists know little about this other than the people who have this disorder have Migraines, motion sickness, occasionally being off balance and a few other things in all common.

I have found several triggers. Sun, can't do anything about that. Scents/smells, I try to limit my exposure to those. Stress will sometime bother me, but most of the time it does not. And of course, hormones. For Ocular Migraines the weather and barometric pressure plays a big part. Cannot control that. If I eat something with MSG, the weather changes causing an ocular headache or if there is any other type trigger with when I ingest MSG, I am in for days of a migraine.

I get warning auras, sometimes 24 hours in advance. This always helps and I can prepare myself.

I have been on a neuro medicine for 1 1/2 years as a preventive. My Neuro and I want to start tapering me off the medication. But since taking the meds, it has made a difference in the quality of my life. The script does not completely get rid of headaches, but they are less occurring and more manageable.

Months ago, I read an article in my AFAA (Aerobic Fitness Association of America) American Fitness magazine about MSG. The different ailments and woes that MSG can cause for those who are sensitive to it. And how it is in general unhealthy to most people. I started making an effort to read labels and exclude MSG in our diet.

Guess what? My headaches decreased! I would even get auras, an ocular head ache in one eye and it would move to the other eye and then it was gone.

In fact, when I took MSG out of our diet, I rarely needed more than an a couple of aspirin, if even that. In other words, my headaches were fewer and fewer, very mild and only lasted a few minutes. Many times, went away on their own. At first, I did not fully realize the decrease in migraines was because of taking MSG out of our diet. Then one day we went to one of our favorite deli's and I got my favorite deli sandwich in all the world. I had a 4 day migraine that started in the parking lot when leaving the deli. It was horrible!!!! The sandwich meats were full of MSG's and all kinds of sulfates.

Now my whole family read labels to help me out. My family love me so much. They do not want me to have these headaches. The ones that put me to bed and cause me to have an upset stomach. They will even speak up at a restaurant asking about MSG use in cooking the food if I do not.

My neurologist has decreased the dosage of my script by 50%. Even told me I can 'experiment' now if I want. I am on a safe dosage to do that.

Hidden MSG~
Reading labels is not enough. No it is not. FDA does not require products to list MSG on a package as MSG or Monosodumium Glutamate. A "Healthy Snack" will be full of hidden MSG. FDA allows manufactures to list the ingredients of MSG instead of MSG or Monosodumium Glutamate. Sun Chips is an example. There may be only one or two ingredients of MSG in the product, but if you are sensitive & allergic to it, you are still going to have a reaction.

Here are a few ingredients to look for in all lables:

• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
• Hydrolyzed Protein: (plant, vegetable, any kind)
• Sodium or Calcium Caseinate
• Autolyzed Yeast, Yeast Extract
• Yeast Food, Yeast Nutrient
• Textured Protein
• Glutamic Acid
• Monopotassium Glutamate
• Gelatin

I took the above off another MSG/Migraine Research site. I question the Gelatin. Some of the yeast I question as well. If you do a Google search, you will find different research papers. Most of them have at 6 of the above ingredients in common as hidden MSG triggers. Including "Healthy Snacks" and foods. I have found whey protein and wheat on lists as MSG ingredients and Migraine triggers. These do not seem to be an issue with me.

I have looked at other research concerning MSG and foods to avoid and it almost reads like it is for someone with celiac disease instead of an intolerance to MSG. I suppose to a degree, many people have to go by a trial and error.

MSG and ingredients that make up MSG are used in inexpensive foods to: preserve, enhance flavor, tenderize, etc. They are in all prepackaged bakery mixes, prepackaged foods, most canned meats and soups. Dales Steak Sauce (a southern delight) is full of it. :-( So are most package salad dressings.

How do you avoid MSG? Read labels. Eat fresh fruits and veggies. Never assume a 'Healthy Snack' is w/out the preservatives. Read the labels. Cook from scratch.

Here is a link to an interesting study that tells more about MSG and explains not only how it effects migraines, but other issues that people may suffer from, including obesity.

I hope that you will find it helpful. MSG & Migraines

God Bless. I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer!

Edited to add this.... MSG & Hypothyroidism. I just happen to be hypothyroid....

Boot Camp

I was in a Boot Camp Certification Workshop all day today. It was really good. I was a little worried when I got the material a few months ago. But the certifying instructor was fantastic. She added so much more than what was in the material. This was the first time she has taught the certification course, but she has been teaching Boot Camp for a while and Kick Boxing for years. Really knew what she was doing, talking about, modifications, etc.

Occasionally I will sub a Boot Camp class so I needed the certification. But I really wanted the training to incorporate in the classes that I already teach to increase variety for the participants.

Has anyone tried The Firm Wave or T-Bow? Both look like a lot of fun, but pricey.

I have been terribly busy and have not been able to post as much as I would love to.

I hope that everyone is doing well, staying on track, staying focused to "finish the race." The Greeks and Romans loved sports for entertainment. Paul used many athletic metaphors in his letters. In his letters, he was encouraging the churches to steadfastly finish the race. Stay strong, discipline themselves like an athlete. The race is the task that God has for you, Christian, the task He has for you to do while on this earth. And that task will increase His Kingdom and Glorify Him.

What you do to make yourself healthier, should also be for the Glory of God. Without Him we can do nothing. Our strength and desire comes though Him!

Have a Blessed Lord's Day,
Love,
Melissa

Congratulations Nina!!!

Nina has lost 15 lbs! And she is now working out at a gym.... Y'all have to go read about it on her blog. What an evangelistic opportunity for them! Pray for her and Michael as they serve the Lord in Portugal. God is good and His timing is perfect! Go read Nina's post today and Nina, congratulations!

Congratulations Dani Joy!

I just want to take a moment to congratulate Dani Joy on losing 10 lbs! Yes! 10 lbs! She was faithful and committed. Made a plan, stuck to that plan. Asked God for strength. She follows this blog along with several others. She was "disciplined to finish the race..."

Congratulations Dani Joy! We are proud of you! Go by her blog and say "Hi"!

Love,
Melissa

More on Supplements

There are two great supplements that everyone should keep and use on a regular basis. Both can be found at any health food store.

• Barley Green- No special brand, just the kind with plain green powder made from pure barley grass. No additives. Some brands add kelp, rice, etc. You do not need all that. Just get the plain kind. Now it is not all that tasty. I mix a little with watered down organic or natural apple juice, hold my nose and swollow. A great nutrition supplememt and colon cleanser.
  
• Refrigerated Multidolphilus- (I think I spelled that wrong) I use Solaray brand. This keeps the intestinal floral balanced. Increases your immune system, etc. It is like eating a ton of plain notfat yogurt without the bad taste.

There are different recommendations for these supplements. For the Multidolophilus, one in the morning and one in the evening on and empty stomach for 2-4 weeks. After that, one or two on an empty stomach once or twice a week is all you will need. BTW, you may catch a stomach virus, but will not be symptomatic. Just a tad gasy and a little temp. You are still contagious! According to my Doctor....

Barley Green needs to be taken once a day. Juicers like to mix it with their juice. I am not a juicer. You do have to build up to it. A 1/4 teaspoon for a few days and build up to a full dose. Otherwise it will clean you out very fast. You do not want that either! LOL!

Today's Tip:
Barley Green and Refridgerated Multidolophilus. Two great supplements for your immune system and overall health.


1 Cor 6:
19.Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own ?
20For you have been bought with a price : therefore glorify God in your body.

Our bodies are not our own, but God's. We need to take care of it as best as we can for His purpose for the time He has us remaining on earth.

God Bless,
Love,
Melissa

Supplements

I bet everyone has been waiting with anticipation for this post! It seems like everyone wants me to endorse a magic pill that will make all the years of over eating and lack of exercise melt off of their bodies.

I am sorry. I do wish that there was one out there. There are a couple of great holistic supplements out there that work, but only if you are hypothyroid and still have at least part of your thyroid. People with a Hypothyroid condition have other chemical issues going on in their bodies. They can count every calorie, rarely eat sweets, fried foods, etc... Exercise and do everything right and at best maintain or worse gain. I know some who hardly have an appetite they have learned to eat so little. They simply have such a low metabolism. And... they are also on thyroid medications. They have learned to live with it and move on as a part of life.

Now, onto supplements, what this post is all about. :-)

I encourage a Multi Vitamin and Mineral every day. If you have had a Hysterectomy, make sure it is WITHOUT Iron. Also, if you are post menopausal, you may not need iron. Please check with your Dr.

If you are still having monthlies, you will need a Multi with Iron.

Whey Protein- While I am a carnivore, I cannot eat tons and tons of meat. B/c of weight lifting (I lift 12-30 lbs dumbbells in each hand) I need the extra complete protein. If you lift weights, you need the complete protein as well. You will not get the complete protein with a spoon full of peanut butter. I know, it tastes good, but it does not cut it and the calories are not a good trade off. I use Whey powder as a supplement. I can make a fruit smoothie, mix it with coffee, or just mix it with water, hold my nose and turn it up and drink it. I usually have one mid morning with a piece of fruit. The carbs & vitamin C in the fruit helps aid and speed the protein to the muscles. There is a delicious smoothie recipe in the archive sidebar as well.

Soy Protein- Because of thyroid issues, I cannot have soy. However, if you do not have any thyroid issues or family history of thyroid issues it is an excellent source of protein.

These supplements you can get at any health food store, drug store or online. At this time, I am not endorsing any particular brand or kind.

There are a lot of "Magic Pills" out there that will shrink your waist, get rid of cellulite, excess body fat, etc. No, I have not tried any of them. I do not believe in gimmicks. Only in discipline and some work. God did not design our bodies to be sedentary and to take in a lot of calories. He probably did not design them to take in the types of calories that you can purchase in today's supermarkets and restaurants either. He designed them for work and eating good healthy foods prepared as closely to the 'tree' or 'plant' as possible. That means raw to lightly steamed for fruits and veggies. And the Old Testament is full of instruction for preparing grains and meats. For meat, I think grilling is best with minimal seasoning.

Remember, God loves you and wants you strong and healthy to do the work He has for you to do. Let Him use you for His glory! and His honor!

Todays Tip:
Take a daily Multi Vitamin and Mineral Supplement.

* Ephesians 1:12-17 NAS
* In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
* who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
* For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,
* do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers ;
* that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.