This past weekend I attended the Mr. and Ms. Olympia. Despite the fact that I was sick the entire weekend and the expo was subpar, I came away with a new energy for my workouts. The past few months I have had only moderate intensity, my poundage progression has been non-existent, and my bodybuilding progress has been non-existent as well. The fact that my routines were clearly not working, did not register with me that I needed to make some changes..........not until this past weekend that is. So, instead of continuing my current pattern, I am going to try a new program.
This morning I felt like a kid again. I trained back, and as many of you know, this is my favorite bodypart to train. I went heavy on bb rows, db rows, low pulley rows, and finished with heavy lat pulldowns to the front.
Let me just tell you that training failures can be valuable learning experiences. If you approach your training failures and setbacks with a positive attitude, you can use them to improve your chance of success.
Use your gym time wisely. Train hard and smart. Use exercises suited for you. Strive to add poundage to your lifts. Use a balanced program that includes, not only weights, but also cardio and stretching. Eat like a champ and sleep well. Don't undermine your training by cutting corners or persisting with exercises, routines, or methods that don't help you!
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Good afternoon! Here is a shout out to Stephanie. She wants you all to know she is my number one fan!!
Today I am going to teach you something short and saweet about the term, "whole-grain".
In order to learn the full benefit of eating whole grains, I decided that I should make some whole grain bread at home. Ha, Not really. I cannot tell a lie.....I do not bake. I just make believe cook. It can be just as fulfilling as the real thing, but not quite as messy. So, I checked at the local Hy-Vee for whole grain. However, when I went to the grocery store, I could only find flour labelled 'whole wheat'.
"Whole-grain" means that all parts of the grain (germ, endosperm, and bran) are present. Wheat is one type of grain. So, "whole-wheat flour" is absolutely a whole-grain product. You can make whole-grain bread using whole-wheat flour or a combination of whole-grain flours, such as oat, spelt, kamut, rice, rye, or buckwheat.
I found out there can be some challenges with baking whole-grain breads at home. Breads made with 100% whole-wheat (or whole-grain) flour can be somewhat coarse and heavy. They don't keep very well. Many bakers like to mix in some refined flour to lighten the texture while still getting the benefit of whole grains. Or, look for King Arthur's White Whole Wheat Flour.
"White flour" usually refers to flour that has had the germ and bran removed--which is not a whole-grain flour. But the King Arthur's White Whole Wheat is a 100% whole-wheat flour that's milled from a different strain of wheat (called "white wheat"). White wheat is lighter in texture. When you bake with it, the result is more like a combination of regular whole wheat and refined white flour....but it's still 100% whole grain.
Now that all my blogger buddies are experts on this whole grain stuff, you can all bake me some bread!
Today I am going to teach you something short and saweet about the term, "whole-grain".
In order to learn the full benefit of eating whole grains, I decided that I should make some whole grain bread at home. Ha, Not really. I cannot tell a lie.....I do not bake. I just make believe cook. It can be just as fulfilling as the real thing, but not quite as messy. So, I checked at the local Hy-Vee for whole grain. However, when I went to the grocery store, I could only find flour labelled 'whole wheat'.
"Whole-grain" means that all parts of the grain (germ, endosperm, and bran) are present. Wheat is one type of grain. So, "whole-wheat flour" is absolutely a whole-grain product. You can make whole-grain bread using whole-wheat flour or a combination of whole-grain flours, such as oat, spelt, kamut, rice, rye, or buckwheat.
I found out there can be some challenges with baking whole-grain breads at home. Breads made with 100% whole-wheat (or whole-grain) flour can be somewhat coarse and heavy. They don't keep very well. Many bakers like to mix in some refined flour to lighten the texture while still getting the benefit of whole grains. Or, look for King Arthur's White Whole Wheat Flour.
"White flour" usually refers to flour that has had the germ and bran removed--which is not a whole-grain flour. But the King Arthur's White Whole Wheat is a 100% whole-wheat flour that's milled from a different strain of wheat (called "white wheat"). White wheat is lighter in texture. When you bake with it, the result is more like a combination of regular whole wheat and refined white flour....but it's still 100% whole grain.
Now that all my blogger buddies are experts on this whole grain stuff, you can all bake me some bread!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Hi there blogger buddies! I hope everyone has had a great weekend!
As many of you know, I have been involved in mission work over the years........the most recent was my involvement with ChildVoice International. ChildVoice International is a group that was set up to help the child mothers of Northern Uganda. For many of the child mothers of northern Uganda, there was no hope before ChildVoice International. They experienced rejection, pain, hunger, and fear for themselves and their children.
These young women were abducted as children by the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel force that has waged a 22 year civil war in northern Uganda. They were beaten, raped, abused and enslaved. When they finally escaped the rebels, they didn't have homes, villages or families to return to because of the war. And now they were mothers, responsible for their own children when they were as young as 14 years old.
Today, 30 child mothers and their 43 children are living in a sanctuary, ChildVoice residential program in Lukodi. Here they have beds to sleep in, clothing to wear, three meals a day - something they have not experienced in a long time if ever. They are continuing their education which had stopped abruptly when they were abducted. ChildVoice has been helping the mothers learn vocational training and they are also receiving counseling which gives them hope for the future. Their children are in early childhood development classes to help them grow and thrive so they heal as well.
Many more child mothers and their children are waiting for the future ChildVoice International can provide with your help. Conrad Mandsager, the founder of Childvoice International and his brother, Dr. Neil Mandsagger, have been struggling financially to keep ChildVoice afloat. I was called to go on a mission this past summer. I was influenced by the lives of these people. I saw that they are being taught the love of God, and they are feeding their body and soul for the Glory of God.
I want to help the people of Northern Uganda with tools to educate their young people, food to nourish their mind, and the Word to fill their spirits. ChildVoice wishes to plant the seed of love for Christ.
I understand that there are many organizations out there for you to support, but I am asking you to help support ChildVoice International. I was there personally. I saw these moms and their children. I saw the good works they are learning and the hopes they have of being productive on their own. I also saw that they were putting Christ at the center in their teachings.
If anyone has ideas regarding fundraising or would like to donate to this organization, please contact me at Ironladydoc@aol.com. Won't you join us in our mission. Your donation will help our vision become reality and will make you an integral part of change for a better future in our world. We need your support and your prayers and thank you in advance.
I look for forward to hearing from you!
-your Ironladydoc
As many of you know, I have been involved in mission work over the years........the most recent was my involvement with ChildVoice International. ChildVoice International is a group that was set up to help the child mothers of Northern Uganda. For many of the child mothers of northern Uganda, there was no hope before ChildVoice International. They experienced rejection, pain, hunger, and fear for themselves and their children.
These young women were abducted as children by the Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel force that has waged a 22 year civil war in northern Uganda. They were beaten, raped, abused and enslaved. When they finally escaped the rebels, they didn't have homes, villages or families to return to because of the war. And now they were mothers, responsible for their own children when they were as young as 14 years old.
Today, 30 child mothers and their 43 children are living in a sanctuary, ChildVoice residential program in Lukodi. Here they have beds to sleep in, clothing to wear, three meals a day - something they have not experienced in a long time if ever. They are continuing their education which had stopped abruptly when they were abducted. ChildVoice has been helping the mothers learn vocational training and they are also receiving counseling which gives them hope for the future. Their children are in early childhood development classes to help them grow and thrive so they heal as well.
Many more child mothers and their children are waiting for the future ChildVoice International can provide with your help. Conrad Mandsager, the founder of Childvoice International and his brother, Dr. Neil Mandsagger, have been struggling financially to keep ChildVoice afloat. I was called to go on a mission this past summer. I was influenced by the lives of these people. I saw that they are being taught the love of God, and they are feeding their body and soul for the Glory of God.
I want to help the people of Northern Uganda with tools to educate their young people, food to nourish their mind, and the Word to fill their spirits. ChildVoice wishes to plant the seed of love for Christ.
I understand that there are many organizations out there for you to support, but I am asking you to help support ChildVoice International. I was there personally. I saw these moms and their children. I saw the good works they are learning and the hopes they have of being productive on their own. I also saw that they were putting Christ at the center in their teachings.
If anyone has ideas regarding fundraising or would like to donate to this organization, please contact me at Ironladydoc@aol.com. Won't you join us in our mission. Your donation will help our vision become reality and will make you an integral part of change for a better future in our world. We need your support and your prayers and thank you in advance.
I look for forward to hearing from you!
-your Ironladydoc
Friday, September 19, 2008
Today is a big day for me.........I just reached Oprah Winfrey status according to one of my patients. She was fearful I will become so famous that I move away and start my own TV series or take the place of Dr. OZ. To be honest, Oprah has been trying to get me on her daytime program for quite some time. The title of the series would be "Day to Day with Dr. J" a health series to include exercise and nutrition. I have declined due to my current patient load. Oprah was discouraged, but very respectful!
Ok, so I cannot tell a lie...........No Oprah offers, but it's true about my current patient load.
For more on Dr. J, check out the following link.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809190369
Ok, so I cannot tell a lie...........No Oprah offers, but it's true about my current patient load.
For more on Dr. J, check out the following link.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809190369
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Recently I have been having a lot of questions regarding meal planning and how much protein that needs to be consumed at each meal.
Let me first state that exercise is a must. To get lean and defined, exercise must be done regularly. To strip away fat and increase your muscle definition, do some type of resistance exercise (i.e. weight training) at least 4 times per week along with cardiovascular training (e.g. jogging or cycling). Always perform your cardio AFTER your weight training session or simply split the two routines up in your day.
Ok, now we are ready to explore the meal planning. You've probably been reading that multiple small meals divided through the day is the best for health and weight loss. I advocate 5-6 small meals a day. Grazing rather than gorging boosts your metabolic rate, reduces hunger by stabilizing blood sugar levels, and keeps your energy levels high. The easiest way to do this is to prepare all your meals for the day and bring them along with you. It takes some planning time, but once you get used to it, you won't ever worry about what to eat at your next meal.
When planning each meal, include a protein source in each meal. Protein will help your metabolism because it has a high "thermic effect of food" (roughly double that of carbohydrates and fat). Raising the amount of protein you eat daily will increase your TEF by 21 calories. Protein should comprise about thirty-five percent of your total calories (most people eat 15 percent).
An easy and simplifed way of calculating grams of protein, carbs, and fats, is to consume 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight if working out regularly, 3/4 gram of carbs per pound of bodyweight, and 1/2 gram healthy fats per pound of bodyweight. For example, a 150 pound person will eat 150 g of protein each day in divided meals, 112 g of carbs per day in divided meals, and 75 grams of healthy fats each day in divided meals.
As mentioned above, this is a very simplistic approach to meal planning. It is used as a general guideline. For more individualistic approach, I suggest a nutrtionist, and lots of reading to increase your knowledge base.
Train Hard and Eat Smart
-Your IronLadyDoc
Let me first state that exercise is a must. To get lean and defined, exercise must be done regularly. To strip away fat and increase your muscle definition, do some type of resistance exercise (i.e. weight training) at least 4 times per week along with cardiovascular training (e.g. jogging or cycling). Always perform your cardio AFTER your weight training session or simply split the two routines up in your day.
Ok, now we are ready to explore the meal planning. You've probably been reading that multiple small meals divided through the day is the best for health and weight loss. I advocate 5-6 small meals a day. Grazing rather than gorging boosts your metabolic rate, reduces hunger by stabilizing blood sugar levels, and keeps your energy levels high. The easiest way to do this is to prepare all your meals for the day and bring them along with you. It takes some planning time, but once you get used to it, you won't ever worry about what to eat at your next meal.
When planning each meal, include a protein source in each meal. Protein will help your metabolism because it has a high "thermic effect of food" (roughly double that of carbohydrates and fat). Raising the amount of protein you eat daily will increase your TEF by 21 calories. Protein should comprise about thirty-five percent of your total calories (most people eat 15 percent).
An easy and simplifed way of calculating grams of protein, carbs, and fats, is to consume 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight if working out regularly, 3/4 gram of carbs per pound of bodyweight, and 1/2 gram healthy fats per pound of bodyweight. For example, a 150 pound person will eat 150 g of protein each day in divided meals, 112 g of carbs per day in divided meals, and 75 grams of healthy fats each day in divided meals.
As mentioned above, this is a very simplistic approach to meal planning. It is used as a general guideline. For more individualistic approach, I suggest a nutrtionist, and lots of reading to increase your knowledge base.
Train Hard and Eat Smart
-Your IronLadyDoc
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Everyone begins a fitness plan with one goal in mind....RESULTS. And most likely, they want those results YESTERDAY! So, what if there was a way you could accelerate your results? Here's where post workout nutrition comes into play. Post workout meals are important no matter what a persons' goals are......whether it is to lose weight, gain mass, or simply maintain your current body weight. What you choose to eat (or not to eat) will determine how quickly your body recovers after a workout. Failure to eat the right food after exercise — or worse — skipping the post-exercise meal altogether can harm your body.
Right after a workout, your body is in need of nutrients. Your muscles need carbohydrates to replace their drained fuel sources (muscle glycogen) and they need protein to begin the repairing and rebuilding process. This repair and recovery process will improve the condition of your muscles and in return will boost your metabolism.
The sooner you eat, the sooner the recovery process can begin because your muscles are like sponges, ready to absorb everything you feed them, which is why you need to focus on the timing and the quality of this meal. This timing is referred to by many as the "window of opportunity". Your goal is to eat something within the first 30-60 minutes after your workout. The better the nutrients you provide, the better the recovery.
So what do you eat? The best post workout meal option is a liquid source. This is most ideal because a drink can be processed and utilized by your body much faster than eating a whole food meal that takes time to digest. Mix 30 grams of whey protein powder with 60 grams of easily digestible carbs such as orange juice or gatorade.
Finding the time to eat is one challenge, but embracing the mindset that it is okay to fill your body with food after workout is yet another challenge we must overcome.
It is very common for women to skip this post workout meal due to a combination of false beliefs..
- eat less, weigh less
- post workout is when we feel the "lightest"
However, this is the most important time TO put food into your body. This isn't going to sabotage weight-loss efforts. If anything, it will allow you to be more productive in your exercise, which in the long term is going to help you with your weight-loss efforts.
Take your fat loss plan to the next level be ensuring you have the right type of post workout meal within 30-60 minutes after your workout. If you want results, you have to pay attention to nutrient timing.
Right after a workout, your body is in need of nutrients. Your muscles need carbohydrates to replace their drained fuel sources (muscle glycogen) and they need protein to begin the repairing and rebuilding process. This repair and recovery process will improve the condition of your muscles and in return will boost your metabolism.
The sooner you eat, the sooner the recovery process can begin because your muscles are like sponges, ready to absorb everything you feed them, which is why you need to focus on the timing and the quality of this meal. This timing is referred to by many as the "window of opportunity". Your goal is to eat something within the first 30-60 minutes after your workout. The better the nutrients you provide, the better the recovery.
So what do you eat? The best post workout meal option is a liquid source. This is most ideal because a drink can be processed and utilized by your body much faster than eating a whole food meal that takes time to digest. Mix 30 grams of whey protein powder with 60 grams of easily digestible carbs such as orange juice or gatorade.
Finding the time to eat is one challenge, but embracing the mindset that it is okay to fill your body with food after workout is yet another challenge we must overcome.
It is very common for women to skip this post workout meal due to a combination of false beliefs..
- eat less, weigh less
- post workout is when we feel the "lightest"
However, this is the most important time TO put food into your body. This isn't going to sabotage weight-loss efforts. If anything, it will allow you to be more productive in your exercise, which in the long term is going to help you with your weight-loss efforts.
Take your fat loss plan to the next level be ensuring you have the right type of post workout meal within 30-60 minutes after your workout. If you want results, you have to pay attention to nutrient timing.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
I don't like the rain. I LOVE the rain. Today, I have felt teased all day. This morning I woke to a light misty rain falling..........just enough to get my truck dirty, but then it simply tapered off and now we have this overcast sky that looks like it could break open at any minute. The breeze is gentle, but the air is thick. It is very humid today.
Do you feel the rain cominig? The air gets cool, the wind picks up, and then "here comes the rain!" Tears from heaven coming from the sky. Do you like the way the rain sounds when it splashes off things, the way it hits the windows at night when you are sleeping, or the way it comes streaming down your gutters? Do you like the smell of rain or how clean and fresh everything becomes because of the rain?
I have always wondered why people don't like the rain. They actually get upset over a few light drops of water tearing from the sky. It's comical, people will hop in the shower and spray themselves in the face with hot or cold water but they won't stand out in a light drizzle. I, on the other hand would pass on the shower and have no problem standing out in the rain. I understand it can seem bothersome at times. When you feel there's so much to do, or you are all dressed up and your hair is dazzling, and then........bam, it rains. That can be a real pisser, but guess what, you won't melt, and you will dry. And just remember, everyone else is probably going to have a bad hair day just like you!
Whether you like the rain or not, it is a necessity. Lots of people depend on the rain.....farmers, gardeners, and those without running water at all. Imagine how they love the rain!
Next time it rains, take a moment to enjoy the sound. It is really very calming. Consider all that grows with those little tears from heaven!
I think I just heard thunder! It is going to rain!
Do you feel the rain cominig? The air gets cool, the wind picks up, and then "here comes the rain!" Tears from heaven coming from the sky. Do you like the way the rain sounds when it splashes off things, the way it hits the windows at night when you are sleeping, or the way it comes streaming down your gutters? Do you like the smell of rain or how clean and fresh everything becomes because of the rain?
I have always wondered why people don't like the rain. They actually get upset over a few light drops of water tearing from the sky. It's comical, people will hop in the shower and spray themselves in the face with hot or cold water but they won't stand out in a light drizzle. I, on the other hand would pass on the shower and have no problem standing out in the rain. I understand it can seem bothersome at times. When you feel there's so much to do, or you are all dressed up and your hair is dazzling, and then........bam, it rains. That can be a real pisser, but guess what, you won't melt, and you will dry. And just remember, everyone else is probably going to have a bad hair day just like you!
Whether you like the rain or not, it is a necessity. Lots of people depend on the rain.....farmers, gardeners, and those without running water at all. Imagine how they love the rain!
Next time it rains, take a moment to enjoy the sound. It is really very calming. Consider all that grows with those little tears from heaven!
I think I just heard thunder! It is going to rain!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
You say it's your birthday???? Have you ever thought about the word, "Birthday"? Let's have a little review session. Birthday is actually the name given to the date of the anniversary of a person's birth. Betcha didn't know that one!
Birthdays are most commonly celebrated more for the children than for the adults, unless it is a milestone birthday such as 21, 30, 40 or 50........or if you are like me and enjoy every single birthday!!!!
At childrens parties (and mine!) balloons and streamers are hung up and lots of friends are invited to the party. There are ALWAYS presents, cakes and ice cream.
As tradition has it, the birthday person usually has a cake topped with candles......one for each year and they must try to blow them out in one breath. If successful their secret wish will come true. Sometimes the person having the birthday chooses to do something really fun like: bowling, going to a movie, going out for sushi, shopping, or even going to chuckeeecheese. Why there, I am not sure, but I heard that you can be really messy and they clean up after you!
So, this big cake is made and set before the guest of honor. The candles are put on top based on how old you are and then everyone sings the "happy birthday" song. At the end of the song, the birthday person is supposed to make a wish and without telling anyone what it is, he or she blows out the candles. If they blow them all out with one blow, their birthday wishes will come true. So where did that birthday song come from? It was written by two American sisters in 1893, and has been translated into several languages around the world.
One more tidbit.........back in the day, some children received birthday "spankings", which were originally based on superstition, but are now more of a birthday prank or a joke. Are you telling me that my five year old birthday spankings were a prank? NO WAY! I won't believe it. I still have the pictures and I believe history when they say that spankings were given for each year of the birthday child's life. Beyond that number, a child received another spanking to grow on, one to live on, one to eat on, one to be happy, and yet another spanking to get married on. I never got that last one!!!
Why all the history? I just want to tell my two friends, Jennifer Becker and Sheri Hofhuis, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Jen's birthday is tomorrow and Sheri's is on September 11. I love you guys and hope you have a super spectacular anniversary birthday shinding full of fun, balloons, streamers, cake, ice cream, friends, family, and lots of spankings to grow on, live on, eat on, get married on, and have precious little babies on!
Birthdays are most commonly celebrated more for the children than for the adults, unless it is a milestone birthday such as 21, 30, 40 or 50........or if you are like me and enjoy every single birthday!!!!
At childrens parties (and mine!) balloons and streamers are hung up and lots of friends are invited to the party. There are ALWAYS presents, cakes and ice cream.
As tradition has it, the birthday person usually has a cake topped with candles......one for each year and they must try to blow them out in one breath. If successful their secret wish will come true. Sometimes the person having the birthday chooses to do something really fun like: bowling, going to a movie, going out for sushi, shopping, or even going to chuckeeecheese. Why there, I am not sure, but I heard that you can be really messy and they clean up after you!
So, this big cake is made and set before the guest of honor. The candles are put on top based on how old you are and then everyone sings the "happy birthday" song. At the end of the song, the birthday person is supposed to make a wish and without telling anyone what it is, he or she blows out the candles. If they blow them all out with one blow, their birthday wishes will come true. So where did that birthday song come from? It was written by two American sisters in 1893, and has been translated into several languages around the world.
One more tidbit.........back in the day, some children received birthday "spankings", which were originally based on superstition, but are now more of a birthday prank or a joke. Are you telling me that my five year old birthday spankings were a prank? NO WAY! I won't believe it. I still have the pictures and I believe history when they say that spankings were given for each year of the birthday child's life. Beyond that number, a child received another spanking to grow on, one to live on, one to eat on, one to be happy, and yet another spanking to get married on. I never got that last one!!!
Why all the history? I just want to tell my two friends, Jennifer Becker and Sheri Hofhuis, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Jen's birthday is tomorrow and Sheri's is on September 11. I love you guys and hope you have a super spectacular anniversary birthday shinding full of fun, balloons, streamers, cake, ice cream, friends, family, and lots of spankings to grow on, live on, eat on, get married on, and have precious little babies on!
Monday, September 01, 2008
Back in 1986, I bought this old '72 Ford LTD. I payed cash for it.......$750. She was a "cream puff" as my dad would say. I drove that thing through my first year of residency (1997). I loved that car. It was simple, straight-forward, no nonsense. There were no onboard computers, no electric windows, no navigation system (not that I couldn't have used one of those a time or two driving back and forth to college). I always tried to find a faster, easier route from Waverly to Spencer. Truth is, by the time I got back on the main roads after being lost, I didn't save a minute of time.
And then there is my dad telling me to check the oil, make sure you have water in the radiator, and don't travel if you are tired? Well, I might have overlooked a few of his comments more than once! Like the time, I was singing along to my favorite Bruce Springsteen song while the breeze was blowing in through the window, my hair blowing like a tumble weed, the lining on the roof of the car sagging down because the air was getting up underneath and causing a parachute like effect. Don't laugh, this is all true. Then, oh man, I hadn't driven far enough nor long enough before this black smoke was coming out from under the hood. I got out and went around to the front of the car. I stood there looking down, like an idiot, immobile. I was struck by the fact that I didn't really want to have a look. I knew it had been a long time since I looked under the hood. And, I am not sure I wanted to the information lying at the end of the dipstick.
I had to have a look. This could not go on. I found the oil dipstick, pulled it out with dread.........whew, a cold shiver fell over me. It looked ok. I sighed, but next was the radiator. I heard my dad's voice, "Malea, don't forget to check the water level in the radiator". Oh good grief, Malea, just loosen up the cap and see what damage has been done. Yea, that was it. I peered into the DARK, black hole and could just barely see the water level line. Good thing I stopped when I did. You know the people who don't stop....They drive with a fire coming out from under their hood untill they get to the next town! Luckily, I had some water bottles in my car. My dad kept gallon jugs of water in my trunk for fear that this very thing would happen to me on the road! My dad is so smart!
We do this with our internal life as well. Something comes up to cause us to realize it has been a long time since we had a look under the hood. We eat poorly for years and years only to find that our cholesterol is elevated, we are on the verge of diabetes, and our BMI reads.........."Obese". Over the years I have learned a valuble lesson: pay now, or pay MORE later. It's true in every aspect of our life. "I don't want to exercise. I just want to coast along." It's usually too late when we find ourselves in the ICU after a major heart surgery. So, what's the deal here? I will tell you what is really going on here...........WE do not want to be inconvenienced. Whether it is the water level in my radiator or the health of your heart, we don't want the information that we already sense could be bad or worse yet, don't want the disruption that it could bring. WE would rather avoid it altogether.........until my car shuts down, or you have your first MI.
The truth is, we all need to make a little shift in life. We all need to cultivate a willingness to go wherever it is we need to go to face life........especially when it comes to the internal issues. I love my old Ford LTD, but it is nothing compared to your health. There is no getting to it later. We don't get to it later. It simply goes away. Now is the time.........check under your hood!
And then there is my dad telling me to check the oil, make sure you have water in the radiator, and don't travel if you are tired? Well, I might have overlooked a few of his comments more than once! Like the time, I was singing along to my favorite Bruce Springsteen song while the breeze was blowing in through the window, my hair blowing like a tumble weed, the lining on the roof of the car sagging down because the air was getting up underneath and causing a parachute like effect. Don't laugh, this is all true. Then, oh man, I hadn't driven far enough nor long enough before this black smoke was coming out from under the hood. I got out and went around to the front of the car. I stood there looking down, like an idiot, immobile. I was struck by the fact that I didn't really want to have a look. I knew it had been a long time since I looked under the hood. And, I am not sure I wanted to the information lying at the end of the dipstick.
I had to have a look. This could not go on. I found the oil dipstick, pulled it out with dread.........whew, a cold shiver fell over me. It looked ok. I sighed, but next was the radiator. I heard my dad's voice, "Malea, don't forget to check the water level in the radiator". Oh good grief, Malea, just loosen up the cap and see what damage has been done. Yea, that was it. I peered into the DARK, black hole and could just barely see the water level line. Good thing I stopped when I did. You know the people who don't stop....They drive with a fire coming out from under their hood untill they get to the next town! Luckily, I had some water bottles in my car. My dad kept gallon jugs of water in my trunk for fear that this very thing would happen to me on the road! My dad is so smart!
We do this with our internal life as well. Something comes up to cause us to realize it has been a long time since we had a look under the hood. We eat poorly for years and years only to find that our cholesterol is elevated, we are on the verge of diabetes, and our BMI reads.........."Obese". Over the years I have learned a valuble lesson: pay now, or pay MORE later. It's true in every aspect of our life. "I don't want to exercise. I just want to coast along." It's usually too late when we find ourselves in the ICU after a major heart surgery. So, what's the deal here? I will tell you what is really going on here...........WE do not want to be inconvenienced. Whether it is the water level in my radiator or the health of your heart, we don't want the information that we already sense could be bad or worse yet, don't want the disruption that it could bring. WE would rather avoid it altogether.........until my car shuts down, or you have your first MI.
The truth is, we all need to make a little shift in life. We all need to cultivate a willingness to go wherever it is we need to go to face life........especially when it comes to the internal issues. I love my old Ford LTD, but it is nothing compared to your health. There is no getting to it later. We don't get to it later. It simply goes away. Now is the time.........check under your hood!
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