So all good things must come to an end and so must this, my time with the Guinea Pig Training Program. Hubby and I have decided to finish a week early. This week will be week fifteen of sixteen and we won’t be completing the last week.
We’ve both been training solidly now for four months straight and we’re feeling that it’s time for a little break. Now normally, I don’t train for that long a period without taking a break but everything was travelling along well and I really didn’t feel the need. Until now, that is. So it’s important that we listen to our bodies and it’s needs. I guess you could say that I’m being more intuitive and letting my body dictate how long a period I want to train.
We’re taking a week off from our training and work for that matter. I’ve flown hubby’s parents down to spend some time with him and we’re going to spend our time with them.
We’ve both thoroughly enjoyed the program. The things that we’ve noticed and seen improvements in are:
★ Continued improvement in strength
★ Greater range of movement
★ Increased flexibility
★ Injury and ailment decreased
A lot was gained from a functional strength training program. More than I’d expected, so I was pleasantly surprised along the way on a number of different occasions. Once the experiment is completed I’ll be able to talk more publicly about it but until then it’s still cloak and dagger stuff.
I attempted to pick up my Vibram® FiveFingers® last week but unfortunately the store was closed. So back I’ll go this week. I already have a plan for the next training program. I’ve got half of it prepared and organised. The rest is still being worked on but I’ll post about that in a fornight’s time.
As I keep saying, if I want different I have to be prepared to do different.
Being organised and having good time management skills doesn’t necessarily come natural to everyone. Some, like myself need a little extra help. That’s where Awesome Note comes into play and has become my new best friend. It’s an iPhone Application I’ve only recently discovered and downloaded. It combines things to do lists with notes and I’m a fan of both. It won Best App in 2009 so it ticks all my boxes. What more can you ask for. I’m such a sucker for gadgets and gizmos, always haven been especially when they make my life easier.
We all live extremely busy lives, what with family, work and social commitments. It becomes increasingly difficult to get everything done we need and want to do in just 24 hours. We’re human, we get distracted and sometimes we forget things. That’s where something like Awesome Note can definitely comes in handy.
The night before, I sit down and review my existing things to do list and make any adjustments ready for the following day. I’ve also set it up so that the things to do repeat every day, that makes it more user friendly. I just have to start at the top of the list and tick them off as the day progresses.
It also makes me feel accountable. As you’ll see on the left, it also displays the number of outstanding tasks on the actual application. For me, that’s a constant reminder that I’ve sent myself daily tasks that I need to get done.
So it’s so far so good. Like anything new it just takes some getting used to and a little tweaking here and there.
“Chinese herbal medicine is part of a larger healing system called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbs are prescribed to restore balance to the opposing forces of energy, Yin and Yang. Disorders that may be treated include digestive problems, eczema and psoriasis, fatigue, gynaecological disorders and stress.”
A lot can be said for alternative medicines. In my personal experience I’ve had more success with alternative medicines than with western medicines. There’s always other options and I’m glad that I continue to look for them where my health’s concerned. Here’s something I found I thought I’d share with you. “The underlying principles of TCM are very different from traditional Western notions about health, illness and the workings of the body. Chinese herbs are prescribed to normalise imbalanced energy, or Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), that runs through invisible meridians in the body. Whether or not the philosophy is believed, studies have shown Chinese herbal medicines to be successful in treating a range of disorders, particularly gynaecological and gastrointestinal disorders.” ~ Better Health Channel Victoria I mean, did you know that more than three million Australians visit Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) every year, I didn’t until today. So they’re obviously doing something right, right.
Just look at love for example. We all know that it exists, but how do you prove it? You can’t. It’s not a physical object that you can test or study. But we all know it exists. There’s no right or wrong way here there’s just options. I’m not ignorant like some sceptics out there so I endeavour to keep and open mind and live by the policy that I’ll try anything once (within reason of course).
Our skin is our largest organ, so it’s important that we look after it. Each day I’m experiencing less and less itching and it isn’t as noticeably dry either. It’s healing up slowly and there hasn’t been as many new outbreaks which is a blessing.
So I’ll stick with the Chinese Herbs & Acupuncture and let it run its course. I’ll update again a little further down the track of this process.
If you missed my first post, here is the link: Chinese Herbs Part I
The Healthy Chef AKA Teresa Cutter is the author of one of my cook books “The 80/20 Diet” and I’ve just noticed has recently updated her website. So while I was checking it out I also found some great pdf files you’re might also be interested in. After all, we can never have enough healthy recipes right.
★ Breakfast
★ Lunch
★ Dinner
★ Sweet Stuff
I’ve personally cooked a number of different recipes from her cook book and it’s one that I often pull out and use. Teresa’s also a former figure competitor, although back then it was called body sculpting. When I sent her my book to get personally autographed, she sent it back with photos of herself from her competition days. I don’t know any other author who would do that, do you. So obviously, I think pretty highly of this lady and rightly so.
You’ll all remember the flourless chocolate cakes that I made last year, there were positively delicious. You’ll find that recipe in the “Sweet Stuff” listed above. I also love the Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Miso Soup & Egyptian Lamb Date Salad. So delicious and more importantly so healthy.
What healthy cook books do you have in your kitchen at home?
