Health & Wellness by Lexa's Journal

My mission in life is to not merely survive, but to thrive: and do so with passion, compassion, humor, and style. – Maya Angelou

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An eternal optimist, always wearing a smile. Must haves: sunshine, fitness (jogging, weight training, & CrossFit), reading, good food, writing, music, and fun with family and friends.

  • Secretariat… a must see!

    If you’ve now or ever experienced self-doubt about your ability to pursue a dream, please do yourself a huge favor and watch the movie, Secretariat. 

    This movie is a must see!  The movie is based upon a true story and reinforces my personal sentiments.  If you believe in something strong enough, regardless of the naysayers’, including close family and close friends, that it is okay to carefully proceed full steam ahead.

    I’m a firm believer in “leaving my own footprints in the sand,” and urge my children to do the same.  I am delighted that my 22-year-old is following her dream of becoming a filmmaker and editor. While I may not always be happy with some of her choices, I realize that she has to create her own path.  And more
    importantly, with regards to her career, she’ll never have to say, “I wonder if…” or “I’ve always wanted to…” because she’s confident in her ability and passionate enough about her dreams to pursue them.

    Although my husband and I have always encouraged her to follow her passion, others have not. A friend and former high school classmate of my daughter and her parents once mocked her for her career choice. Yet, unbeknownst to them. their daughter was and still may be miserable chasing a career dictated by family tradition.  I can only shake my head and think about the sadness that will evolve from that situation.

    Responsible parents encourage their children to be independent thinkers.  We stir our children to never give up—keep trying—always do their best.  However, when it comes to our own personal goals and dreams, how many of us give up on them?  Yes, parenting may require personal and/or professional sacrifices, but at what cost?

    To achieve happiness in our lives, I believe that we must also grow and evolve spiritually within ourselves.  Not only as mom, as wife, or as worker, but as a woman. To truly live a full life, we have to continue to seek and maintain balance between family time and our own personal time…reserved just for us.

    I like this definition of life that I found on dictionary.com:

    “the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.”

    I believe that life is not stagnant; it is constant and should involve a continuous process of growth. Growth stems from a changing environment and adaptation to the changes, whether positive or negative.  Ultimately, the outcome is determined by God or whatever higher spiritual being is your belief.  However, we must first believe enough in ourselves and have the faith and confidence to pursue our dreams.  By doing so, we will feel accomplished, we discover a different level of happiness, we become empowered, and we also become fantastic role models for our children.

    Set aside some me time and enjoy the movie, Secretariat. Oh, you might want to have a few tissues
    handy… just in case.  :0)

    Think Forward

  • Random thought

    While sitting my foot starting itching ridiculously! The itch brought back childhood memories. Mom and her sisters had many sayings or old wives tales to suggest future events. You know, “if your nose itches, someone is talking about you.” “If you drop a fork on the floor, someone is coming to your house hungry.” If your hand itches, you’re going to come into money;” I should be wealthy by now. Anyway you get the point. I don’t know where these sayings come from. Is it geographical—such as a southern thing, is it a generational thing, or something else. In any case, I remember them all too well.

    Back to the itchy foot! As a kid, mom often said that if your foot itches, either “you” or “someone”is going to die. Kids tend to take adult words literally and I did. I don’t remember my age, but I distinctly remember crying myself to sleep one night. My foot itched and all I could think about is what happens when a foot itches.

    I took those words to heart and thought my last day on earth had arrived. Did I think to talk to my parents? No. Why not? I have no idea. I just remember crying myself to sleep because the bottom of my foot itched. Us parents really have to be more aware of what we say in front of our kids. They are listening–even when we think they are not.

  • Biking was cool!

     2,031 is the number of calories that I burned while riding my bike yesterday.  How cool is that!! Who knew?  I certainly didn’t realize that I could burn that many calories by riding a bike. It’s probably one of the best kept secrets amongst serious cyclists.

    While my foot is still resting, I realize that too many more days of reading, writing, and floating in the pool,  consuming endless calories (beer & frozen margaritas) can’t be good for my body, I’m forced to try something different.

    I hopped on my bike and took off.  Bobbing my head and singing along to my favorite tunes, I really got into the ride.   About half way through my 21 mile ride, I started thinking about buying a helmet and a better bike.  Oh yeah, and a seat too.  Other than my hamstrings and quadriceps vastly burning, my rear end was the only other body part feeling discomfort.  Yup. I think I can work cycling into my running routine.

    As I previously commented, if I hadn’t been injured, I would not have tried the bike, so  I’m glad that I gave it a chance.  Though, I’m certain that when I roll out of bed, I’m going to really feel it (soreness).  Probably even more so, because after I got off the bike, I  stretched then moved on to do lunges in the backyard.  I can get crazy like that!  Once warmed up, I don’t want to stop.  Definitely a self-proclaimed exercise addict.

    So I am committing to trying to add new activities to my exercise routine.  I have the nerve to call it a “routine” when mostly all I do is run.  It’s not like I don’t know that I need to switch up, it’s just that I get such a high from running.  Runners are addicted to the endorphin rush.

    Anyway today I’ll probably ride again— I have to see if I can improve yesterdays time.  Lol!  Then maybe the next day, I’ll use the elipitcal machine…    Not sure yet!

  • A visit from the tooth fairy

     

    Recently my eight year old was visited by the tooth fairy.  In exchange for his tooth; he received $5.00.

    The next morning our son mentioned the tooth fairy’s visit.  “What am I supposed to do with $5.00?  I can’t buy anything with $5.00” he commented to his dad. He spoke earnestly and respectfully. He then
    took the $5.00 bill and placed it on the night stand in our bedroom.

    When my son came down stairs for breakfast, I asked him how much money should the tooth fairy have left.  “$20.00!!” was his reply.

    At the risks of sounding like my mother, “when I was growing
    up, I would have been lucky to get $.50!”  “These kids today are so darn ungrateful… blah… blah.. blah…”   As a kid, I probably would have gotten popped in the mouth for such honesty.  However, I’ve since learned to recognize these moments as learning opportunities for me and my children and not opportunities to berate them.

    Although the thought of a tooth fairy leaving $20 in our home is hysterical and unrealistic, I managed to contain my laughter until later.

    Since time did not permit for any in-depth conversation that morning, I reserved a discussion for later that afternoon.

    After school I asked my son about the $5.00.  He recounted a completely different story, in his favor or course, from the one that my husband told.  He’s a smart kid and realized the impact of
    his actions. Before I could respond to his version of the story he says the following:

    “Mom, I realize that I could
    use the $5.00 to buy some orange tic tacs. The last time I was at the store, the lady (cashier) told me that next time I could buy them for $2.  I changed my mind, tell dad that I want my$5.00 back. “

    My instincts told me that he’d be back looking for the money, so before I left the house that morning, I moved the money.  When my son came home in the afternoon, he immediately went to get the money, but it was gone.  I’m so glad!  Lol!

    I learned a few things from this incident.

    1. The tooth fairy is a wakeup call for me to better
      teach my son about the value of a dollar.
    2. A visit to Five Below or the dollar store with
      my son will show him how much he really can buy with $5.00.
    3. My son initially turned down the $5 because he
      had a specific toy that he wanted to buy. He knew the toy costs more than $5, so he was disappointed that he still didn’t have enough money to buy it.  He’s
      still learning about saving money to buy what he wants.
    4. To continue to strive to teach my son about
      gratitude and that giving is far more rewarding than receiving.
    5. As a parent, I need to continue to laugh and to see
      humor in the challenges of raising a child.

    I’m not sure what will happen if the tooth fairy returns. If she returns, she’ll probably leave even less money.  Honestly, I thought $5 was too much money or am I just old fashion?  Can anyone out there enlighten me?  What is the going rate for the tooth fairy in 2011?

  • Plantar fasciitis has me down

    It’s been nearly two weeks since I’ve gone for a run and I’m going nuts!  I just don’t know how much longer I can do this. 

    Plantar fasciitis has placed my running addiction on hold.  I’m hating every minute of it!  This is the time of year when I can run more often and for longer distances.  Tomorrow…that’s what I said yesterday, I’m going to engage in another form of physical fitness.  I need to do more strength training and have no excuses. I have a cool fitness ball that’s just sitting in the garage collecting dust.  I have free weights, an elliptical machine, and a stationary bike, but I shun them all in the summer months–shame on me!

    You know what they say, “everything happens for a reason.”   Perhaps not being able to run is my body’s way of saying, that it (my body) needs work in other areas.  It’s true too.  In October, I plan to run the Atlantic City Marathon. At the least, I will run the half marathon, but wanted to take a shot at the full marathon.  My hams and quads need strength training for the run and I’ve been putting it off but I have no excuse now.  Okay so maybe tonight…  actually, when I finish this post, I’m going to rinse the dust off of my fitness ball and do something (interactive) with it.   

    Tomorrow I am going to hop on my bike and ride a few miles; hopefully the ride will tentatively replace the 8-10 mile run.

  • >My St. Maarten favorites

    >Yesterday I returned from St. Maarten. I thought I’d share a few of my favorite moments on the island.

    My absolute favorite place to hang out…  tropical beaches!

     

    This picture will come in handy during the bitter cold winter season.
    Strawberry & Guava berry drink (virgin or with “spirits”) is refreshing!
    Nope!  I don’t know this guy.  Inebriation prevented him from making it to his room.  He got off of  the elevator on our floor and this is where he landed.  I could not resist taking  his picture.
    My girlfriend was relentless in getting us to dine at this marvelous restaurant.  Why?  Because Oprah said so!   No disappointment here…  The food was sensational and left my taste buds wanting more.
    My hotel was located near the Princess Juliana Int’l Airport and  we were very close to this beach. Last week the beach was featured on yahoo as one of the top 10 dangerous beaches.  I am amazed at the fools who stand at the foot of the airport at take off.  They are literaly blown into the sand by the power of the planes exhausts. 

     

    This sign rests near the ocean at Orient Beach (French side of the Island).  Great advertisement– great beverage choice while laying on the beach
    I took this shot while sitting outside a restaurant…  wondering what it’s called?
    Can you say ambiance?  The outdoor waiting area at the Big Fish.  Gorgeous- right?

     

    Dinner plate at The Big Fish.   Almost every object  in the restaurant is white, including the cool rectangular plates  that dinner is served on. 
    At dusk, The Big Fish sign  is illuminated!