Death by Buffet

When we crossed the border from Canada over a year ago I decided I was going to write a book with this title. We travelled by RV, and my dad insisted on eating all the way home at every buffet he could find. I don't think I realized until then JUST how different Canadians eat than Americans. Our diet changed so slowly over the course of the seven years in Canada that I didn't even notice it. Then we came home. And let me tell you, I feel like crap. John feels like crap. We are DEFINATELY in need of a new plan of action. I drink too much coffee, I don't drink enough water, I still have 20 pounds of "baby" weight (from both babies) to lose, I'm tired all the time, I'm moody all the time, I don't feel like playing with the kids sometimes because I'm feeling so crappy. John is, how can I put it, hard to live with sometimes. I guarantee 98% of our issues stem from our poor health. And we have alot of reason to look into it: two children to take care of, 3 out of 4 parents are diabetic, have blood pressure problems, we have a history of cancer, kidney stones, gosh I could go on and on and on. And lets not forget quality of life in general.

I've been having health issues lately. I'm sure it has something to do with having two babies in 18 months, but regardless I went to the doctor last week. Disclaimer: I'm sorry, Stacy and DeSha, for lumping all doctors together in this next statement. I'm sure you would be a wonderful doctor for me, I wish we were closer to you. All doctors know how to do is treat your symptoms with drugs. THey are all too busy to really listen to you, or care about your actual problems. This is my very scientific observation over the last few years of neck problems, pregnancies, and general health issues. I have to ASK my doctor NOT to give my kids antibiotics if they don't REALLY need them.

I went last week with a list of things to ask him about and he treated me like a complaining child. I told him I felt like I was either pregnant again or something was wrong with me. Praise the Lord I'm not pregnant! But, that leaves the other alternative. His answer was "dizziness and nausea can be caused by lots of things. Sounds like you need to exercise more." Well, two seconds before that I had told him I was TRYING to exercise again and one of my issues was stemming from that.

Two nights later I was in the emergency room with low blood pressure and dehydration. Blood tests said nothing, so I don't know what's wrong. But, the point is, I need a change!

I had to write my undergraduate degree on a form the other day, and just writing it made me feel like a hypocrite "Fitness/Wellness Management". I am not managing my family's fitness or wellness very well. But it has become a spiritual issue for me as well. We are not taking care of the ONE body that God gave us. I only get ONE body, I only get ONE chance at life, and if I mess up my body in my 30's I will pay for it the rest of my life. This means my ministry will be less effective for the rest of my life. THis means my DIVING CALLING as a mother will be less effective. If we don't change the way we eat, the way we exercise, our basic habits of life, our children will grow up like us. They only get ONE childhood, and I want to help them form their future health NOW.

So, all this to say, we are changing things. I am reading alot, I am re-learning things, I am changing the way I cook, lowering the amount of coffee I drink, we're walking more, I joined a gym (and please don't let this be another time I just wasted money!), and I am DETERMINED to lose this baby weight. I'm sick of feeling like this. I'm sick of not fitting in my clothes, not liking who I see in the mirror.

I look forward to the changes I see in my family in the next few years. John and I have decided to pour alot of time and energy into making our family healthy. Physically, yes, but also Spiritually and financially. I turn 31 next month, and I've decided that by the time I turn 32 I will have lost the baby weight, and by my 35 birthday I will be in the best shape of my life. I've given myself plenty of time so that I don't beat myself up.

So, does anyone want to join me? I'm all for doing this with friends. We could start an email group, or blog our successes and progress. I would love to encourage others as I start this journey with my family.

I have internet!!!

In yet another new home, we have internet! I have been without for a month or so, and I have felt COMPLETELY disconnected from the world! You never realize how much you do on the internet until you don't have it. In my cyber-disconnected time I decided a few things. I am dropping my Myspace. I have no time to keep up several pages. I have a facebook because, apparently to be relavant to the generation we are working with you have to. I also am beginning a new webpage for Sadie and Jack because I need ONE place to upload pictures to, and I was off the other one so long that they dumped me! So, from now on I will have this blog, a facebook, and a kids webpage (which I will give the address of as soon as I'm finished with it). Jack is 8 months old now and I feel like I have gotten things under control enough to have a little bit of time to have a life again, so hopefully I will keep this up more than I have in our recent past! It's time for his breakfast, so I'll blog again soon. But for now, here are some pics of my kiddos.