Last year I meet a woman that would help me see that settling when it came to my health was not OK. I was feeling good enough. I wasn’t in pain, or in huge discomfort, it’s really nothing… or was it? At a certain age you just get a “mummy tummy” right? WRONG!
I Didn’t Realize I
Didn’t need to Feel
This Way
As I started getting older my body started changing. My periods started getting heavier, my acne wasn’t clearing up ( I was still buying acne cream), my body was starting to melt (the skin from having babies was starting to migrate downwards), my stomach had a bloat that distended on a regular basis. I just thought it was part of being a woman. And then I met Dr. Georgia Parousis, she told me I didn’t have to settle and that things could be different.
I was intrigued, by not convinced. Dr. Parousis told me my bloating was probably due to dietary concerns and intolerances. My adult acne was my body trying to get rid of toxins. So I decided to make some changes and it WORKED! Dr. Parousis suggested bloodwork (IgG Food Sensitive Test) to look for food sensitivities. I was shocked to see how many I had.
- Egg whites
- Barley
- Gliadin (a component of gluten)
- Malt
- Dairy
- Corn
- Potatoes
- Peas
It was all the fun stuff, I enjoyed eating. I had to restrict all of these foods and they would be gradually brought back into my diet. It was hard, especially before the holiday season. But I did it. I tried new products and new recipes. I couldn’t believe the difference in how I felt. I had realized that I was not at my healthiest for many years, if at all. The bloating went away, my my skin cleared up. I learned to listen to my body and pay attention to what is was telling me. I continue to limit all of these items and if I over do it, my body definitely lets me know. I feel amazing and healthy.
Learn more about Dr. Parousis : https://www.instagram.com/drgeorgiand/ info@drgeorgiand.com
Another Chance to Raise the Bar on my Health
I clearly needed to hear this message again. My body had been changing, my jeans didn’t fit so I just bought a bigger size. I felt better, not fantastic. But I was getting older, my body was changing, it was all just part of the process… right? WRONG!
In May of this year I won a contest on Instagram. I won a fitness and nutrition plan. I was active, I looked good, did I really need this? I put my self-doubt and anxiety aside and contacted my new trainer: https://www.instagram.com/darrinrobinson_fitover40life/?hl=en
I was not in the best shape of my life, I didn’t want to contact him. I just kept thinking I wasn’t fit enough to contact him to work on my fitness level…. Ummm does that make sense? Nope! But anxious thoughts are never rational. So I contacted him and within a few days Darrin and I connected on ZOOM for our first meeting. With our first meeting I knew Darrin had the knowledge and experience I needed to make the necessary changes in my life. I was in shock for a few days. He was real with me, he gave me the facts. I learned that I really had a lot of misinformation. I really wasn’t a healthy as I thought I was. I just picked up information from random sources and just basically did what I felt was healthy. The reality was I had a lot to learn.
What I learned from Darrin:
- Eating smaller portions more often is better (I would be hungry most of the day and snack on unhealthy snacks or whatever I could get my hands on. When I did eat I ate portion sizes that were too big and lots of carbs)
- Carbs are in more food than just BREAD: WHO KNEW? I did not!
- Weight lifting will change your body
- Weighing your food is necessary to really know how much you are eating (this was a pain at first, but it helped me understand portion sizes)
- Planning and meal preparation is a must (I started making large amounts of chicken, fish, lean ground meat etc. for me and my family)
- Body positivity is important, but not at the expense of your health
- The scale is not as important as your body composition, muscle weighs more than fat
- Balance is important. A hardcore diet and training lifestyle isn’t necessary (Darrin used to live this way, and now he finds balance as he is an avid foodie and restaurant lover)
Learn more about Darrin: https://timetoemerge.com/
Figure Out
What Works Best
For You
I workout three times a week at home. Darrin created a workout I could do at home with equipment I already have. I haven’t missed a workout yet. The key is enjoying your workout. I love lifting weights. I workout in the morning. It starts my day off in a positive way. I have more energy and less excuses in the morning. When I workout later on in the day I lack the energy and motivation to do it. I’m a morning person, so I know I’ll follow through with a morning workout. I make sure I put my workouts into my schedule. Leg days are harder, but I try to focus on how good I feel afterwards. The results have motivated me to keep going, I feel strong and fit. It’s so encouraging!
Day one of my workout June 3 2020
You Deserve MORE
Life is too short to settle for good enough. Your health contributes to your over all happiness and contentment in life. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Ask for help. Stay consistent. Life is about balance and there is a process to it all.
I’ve learned that change is scary at first. It’s hard to follow through at times. When you fall off the wagon, just get back up. Everyday is a new chance to start over. Having the right people in your corner makes all the difference in your success.
So today is the day to make change. You got this!
