Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 13: "Staying on Top of Your Health"

Yesterday, we found out that my Grandma Halliday was admitted to the hospital because she has pneumonia in both lungs. (Way worse than me). They gave her antibiotics and she was responding, but then the next day (today) the doctor said that she would get worn out working too hard so they put her on a ventilator. We are grateful for modern medicine, but we are also grateful that we have the chance to rely on the Lord more.

Staying on top of your health is a hard thing. It is like maintenance in a car. You have to constantly keep up on it so things don't break. Often times we forget how important our health is when we are healthy. We figure we will always be healthy, but then when we get sick, we remember how important our health really is.
I think that rest and taking breaks has really helped me to get better. I've also been eating healthier. We had most of the sweet potato and cauliflower soup tonight. Then some cottage cheese and fruit cocktail (in honor of my grandma, but for Thanksgiving we put it on sherbet and then put Sprite on it- not as healthy). It was really good. Of course we had the chocolate milk that Ryan had bought last night for 99 cents. :)

Even drinking water each day is a big thing. It wasn't until the end of the day when a headache was forming that I realized I had not had enough water. It truly is important to stay on top of things. It's like when I was talking about my teeth. I need to floss, brush, and use mouth wash each night. Retainers every now and then to keep straight teeth.

This especially pertains to spiritual and emotional health as well. We should be reading our scriptures each day and praying to our Heavenly Father. Emotional health - we need a release. A time to laugh and just let something go. It has been an emotional roller coaster the last few days. I had to take two girls to Skills which is in school time out. Then I had to deal with some girls that possibly wrote very bad things on the bathroom stall. It just takes a lot out of me to deal with things like that. It's hard to help be someone else's moral compass, but I still love my job.

I'm glad that my grandma is getting the help that she needs from the doctors and from family. I am grateful for family members that were able to also give her a priesthood blessing. She needs help from the Lord as well. I am grateful that we have the chance to pray for her as well. She is a hard working lady and she just needs to rest and relax. Get better Grandma! We love you so much!

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 12: "Emotional Stress"

I learned that emotional stress can cause you to have a very tiring day. I dealt with two girls today at school that were having problems. One would not do her work and would come in late when I sent her to go do her work. So I sent her down to skills. She was planning on doing the Science Fair the next day and I told her that she had to have everything done or she could not go. She got about 16 things done of the 33 missing assignments she had, so she was valiantly trying. She had that night to get it all done.

Then, I had another girl that did not listen when I asked the class to come back in from recess (they had gotten red in the lunch room. They have a system of green, yellow, red for behavior so they were practicing correct behavior during lunch). She didn't listen to me or the friend I sent after her so I took her down for behavior. That one was full on crying and being upset that she didn't hear me. I explained that she heard what her friend said and decided not to listen, so she had to deal with the consequences.

I was so tired when I got home. I actually want to lay down at 7:00. It did not help when my mom text me and told me my grandma was in the hospital with pneumonia. I totally understand now why we need to take a break from things and laugh. I can look back on my day and laugh a little now (not about my grandma), but the other situations. I realize now how important it is to have spiritual strength during that time as well. Spiritual and Emotional well-being are very tightly linked to each other. I need to work on that. Personal Progress would help with that.

I am grateful that I have knowledge of the gospel and it helps me to rely on the Lord more and more each day because we can't do it on our own. We need that extra help and push to keep going each day.

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 11: "Good Healthy Fun"

Tonight for Young Women's we combined with the Young Men. We were going to go bowling, which is a normal activity, but we added a little bit of a twist. Stephanie, the second counselor, had the idea of drawing UNO cards before we bowled to tell us how we were going to bowl. Some of them were pretty hard such as bowling backwards; with your opposite hand; granny style; your choice; regular; slow; awesome approach; skip approach; awesome stance; etc.

It was so much fun and it was a little easy twist on a very common game. Yes, we may have looked a little bit silly, but we had fun and the Young Men and Women loved it! It was so much fun for them. We only have two girls in our program that are active, but they are so much fun. There are about 5 active Young Men and it was good to learn about their personalities. These youth are so strong and a great example of good that is still in the world. They are so clean, innocent, and just want to do what is right.

It was so fun to go and play as a kid again. My nickname that night was the "Great Turkey". (I was hoping it would be some luck for me to get 3 strikes in a row. Now 3 strikes, but I did get one strike and I think it was while bowling backwards. (I just threw it in between my legs). We did get to bowl regularly on our second turn, so we got a chance to redeem ourselves.

It's good to remember to let loose and have fun. I'm glad that even though I had a lot to do, I got the chance to go out and have some fun. That can be the best for your body. Also being around youth. They are so wonderful and fun to be around. It makes me remember that I have one of the best jobs in the world. It may be very trying at times, but it is very rewarding.

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 10: "Detox" (Bath)

I have done this bath before, but I like it more and more each time. The hotter the water, the more relaxing it feels. I tried putting in ginger with the epsom salts and baking soda. It felt wonderful. The one problem is that I need to really drink A LOT of water for the next couple of days or I get a massive headache. That is probably why it's a good detox. It makes you drink more water.

I'm so grateful that I had this to come home to rather than treats. It was such a crazy day at work. I got to eat most of my breakfast (3/4 of my oatmeal) and then 2 spoonfuls of my soup for lunch. I told Ryan that he needed to hide the treats so that I would not be tempted and to have something good ready for dinner so I didn't just eat whatever. I don't know if this was healthy, but it was healthier than the pizza I would've ordered if there wasn't something there. He got me an XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito (Chicken) from Taco Bell. It hit the spot and it filled me up along with the V8 Fusion (Pomegranate and Blueberry).

Here is the link for the detox bath if you want to try it. Comment if you have one that you like as well and would like to share!

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 9: "Food for the Soul"

In order to keep my body in good condition, I also need to take care of my soul. I need to be better about the spiritual side of my body. I need to remember to read my scriptures daily, meditate/ponder, pray, and serve others. I need to remember to think of more than just myself. I need to make my home a place where the spirit can dwell. Only allow in things that are good, virtuous, and beautiful.

It is important to create an environment that is soothing for the soul. When the soul is at peace, the body can be at it's best. It is important to remember to take care of my spirit. It is what can help me to overcome the natural man. The natural man can be what wants to take over and make choices that may not be so smart, but the spirit can override that. I'm grateful for the opportunity we have each month to realign our spiritual side with our bodies through fasting. It helps us to remember that we are in control and can make wise decisions.

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 8: "Listening to your Body"

I know that my lung is normal and I am over the worst of it. However, I still feel that there is something lodged in my lung trying to get out. I'm sorry, I know that sounds pretty gross, but it still hurts on my left side when I move.

I woke up this morning with it higher up, so I know that it is trying to get out. We were fasting today, so I didn't take Mucinex yet, but I will later on. I just really want it to go away. I felt like I needed to lie down most of the day. It felt better when I lied down. I could get up for awhile, but it would hurt after awhile. I'm glad that I went to get an x-ray because I know that it is nothing serious. I just need to listen to my body better. I need to understand what is happening to it.

I know that I still need to relax and not stress out. I am listening to my body more. I still need to work on being more efficient. I started my new lists today. I combined the A, B, C, D list with the subjects list and how long it takes to do each one. We'll see how it works out.

Listening to your body can be hard. I really don't want to be a wimp and think of every little thing that goes wrong, but I do need to take care of my body. It is important since I am the only one who can really decide what I need and at what time. I hope that this does go away and I can start working out again. I feel like my body is needing that to. There is moderation in all things and I'd like to get back to working out soon.

Healthy Body Image Challenge Day 7: "Eating Healthy"

Is there a way to eat healthy when out with friends or family? Such as going out to eat. I know that there are a lot of places that offer lower calorie options, but what about when eating at a family function? Or at a place where those lower calorie options are not there?

I guess I could just plan on not worrying about it. When it's a celebration, just relax. If I really want to watch it, then it's all about proportions. I don't need to eat everything in sight. I can eat lots of different things, but in smaller proportions. It's just hard when there are so many great things.

Eating out is the same way. Buffets are the worst! I guess I just need to be better during the rest of the week. I need to watch what I eat the other times so that it can really be a celebration when I go out with family or friends.

So really it comes to healthy eating the rest of the time. I guess that is not too bad because I have more control over what I eat at home. In the end, it's all up to me. That can be the hardest part. :) Good thing Ryan is a good protector and supporter of healthy eating. It helps me to stay closer to my goals.