WOW - Happy 2016!!

What a difference a month makes!You've heard the saying SH$T happens?

Yes, it does and it happened to me!

I had a stroke...right side...affected my left!

How Does a Stroke Occur?

There are two types of stroke.

• Ischemic stroke is similar to a heart attack, except it occurs in the blood vessels of the brain. Clots can form in the brain's blood vessels, in blood vessels leading to the brain, or even in blood vessels elsewhere in the body and then travel to the brain. These clots block blood flow to the brain's cells. Ischemic stroke can also occur when too much plaque (fatty deposits and cholesterol) clogs the brain's blood vessels. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic.
• Hemorrhagic (heh-more-raj-ik) strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures. The result is blood seeping into the brain tissue, causing damage to brain cells. The most common causes of hemorrhagic stroke are high blood pressure and brain aneurysms. An aneurysm is a weakness or thinness in the blood vessel wall

My stroke was an Ischemic stroke.  I was driving home from spending the morning with some friends at a Facebook business training,  My arm felt like it as moving strange but I had no pain.  Then as I got closer to home I kept driving into the left lane.  I thought "wow, I really need to get my car in for an alignment".  Seriously, that's all I thought!  Then I took my left hand off the wheel and the car straightened out.  Good to go, made it home, couldn't open the car door, I couldn't make my left hand touch the car door handle.  WHAT WAS GOING ON?  Reached across with my right and made it in the house.  Up the stairs to a mirror...did all the stroke things I knew to look at in the mirror.  Looked fine I thought, no droop, I could stick my tongue out and smile.  Good, back downstairs - the hard way...fell down the stairs, my left leg was not there.  Grabbed the cell and called my husband...he came home - asked if we should go to the ER.  YES, I said, I was struggling to talk.  I stood up, fell backwards in to our coffee table.  He said, "maybe we need an ambulance?"  I shook my head...I was so blessed that the EMT recognized my symptoms immediately and took me to the best hospital for a stroke.  I was in the ER, Ct Scan done and was able to get the "clot buster" miracle drug called  'tPA".  That was Monday.  Tuesday an MRI showed I had signs of mini strokes - TIA's they call them.  REALLY? How did I not know?

So what are the symptoms of a stroke:

What Are the Symptoms of Stroke?

The most common symptoms of a stroke are:

• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
• Loss of vision or dimming (like a curtain falling) in one or both eyes
• Loss of speech, difficulty talking, or understanding what others are saying
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• Loss of balance or unstable walking, usually combined with another symptom

So did I do something that DAY to cause it...NO....like all disease it is a layer of things.  I wasn't always healthy.  Didn't always workout.  Used to not eat well.  Was clinically obese.  AND smoked. And although I no longer smoke - I struggle with the addiction still.   All things that contributed even though right then I was at a good weight, I ate clean, worked out 3-5 days a week.  Even my DR was perplexed.  Moral of the story.  Because I am in much better health now, I am recovering well.  I taught an exercise class 8 weeks after!  Get your health moved up to PRIORITY level!  and know what to do if something like his happens

LEARN  F - Face drooping

              A - arm weakness

              S - speech difficulty

              T - time to call 911  

********************************************************************************************************

Here's my favorite healing SMOOTHIE

1 cup Almond Milk or water

1/2 large green or red apple, chopped (or pear)
1/2 cup packed baby spinach
1 cup plain Greek yogurt ( or scoop of a good clean protein powder)
2 TBS ground flax seeds
1/4 Cup Blueberries (or Pineapple)
1/2 a small to medium Avocado
Ice cubes

Directions

1. In a blender, combine milk, apple, spinach and other ingredients (as called for); purée until smooth. Pour into glass; serve immediately.

Do you feel like you would "GO BROKE"

 BUYING ORGANIC FOOD?

Organic food has become very popular with mom's and  grandma's all over. But finding your way in the  the myriad of organic food labels, benefits, and claims can be confusing. SO the question is - Is organic food really healthier? Do GMOs and pesticides lead to  cancer and other diseases? What does  the label mean? Are Farmer's really being hurt by this.  This guide can help you make better choices about which organic foods are healthier for you and better for the environment, and how you can afford to incorporate more organic food into your diet.

This article gives some good points.  And if you have never watched the movie/documentary  FOOD,INC...it's on Netflix or Amazon.   Or the documentary : Genetic Roulettte, watch a bit here.  So the questions still remains - will you GO BROKE only eating organic?  And the answer could be YES!  It's pretty strange overall in our society when it is cheaper to buy a burger and fries and soda, than a salad!  Even when you know that salad is not organic...so I can see why people are confused.  

What's a Mom to do?  Are there certain things we should always eat organic...yep!  Are the some things that may not matter?  Can you allocate your food budget and prepare healthier meals overall while choosing organic produce?  What are some tips for that?

Go ahead and grab this freebie booklet answering some of those questions.  And let me know if I can support Non-GMO or Organic choices for you.  AND be ready to FEEL awesome, once you clean some of that "junk" out of your system!

Get yours here!

I need this....gratitude awareness! Do you?

Want to know a simple secret to happiness?

Gratitude.

Yes, it’s really that simple.

It is very beneficial to write down the things in your life for which you are grateful.  It can be as simple as a beautiful flower you saw on a walk or as profound as the love you have for your family. It can instantly put you in a new state of happiness and awareness of all your blessings.  When you do this on a day that is particularly trying, it actually has the power to change the direction of your entire day!

There is nothing more powerful to change your perspective than to be grateful. Life is always presenting challenges and ups and downs. We are constantly living with a challenge, getting past a challenge or starting a challenge.  Our character and strength have continuous opportunities to grow.

Sometimes it is hard to understand why we have these challenges. Some examples might be:

·       Why does my friend have cancer?

·       Why do small children become sick and suffer?

·       Why is that customer so difficult to deal with?

Regardless of the scope or size of the challenge, there is always one thing challenges have in common: the opportunity to grow. No matter how bad things are in our lives, there is always a reason to be grateful. By focusing on our purpose and blessings, we are able to put the negativity in its place.  When the negative becomes our sole focus that is what we will find, and we will become self involved and swallowed up by the problems.

By focusing on what is good and right in our life, the bad things recede and become smaller and we experience an opportunity for growth.

 Thoughts of gratitude:

Be Thankful

    Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,

    If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

    Be thankful when you don’t know something

    For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

    Be thankful for the difficult times.

    During those times you grow.

    Be thankful for your limitations

    Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

    Be thankful for each new challenge

    Because it will build your strength and character.

    Be thankful for your mistakes

    They will teach you valuable lessons.

    Be thankful when you’re tired and weary

    Because it means you’ve made a difference.

    It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

    A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are

    also thankful for the setbacks.

    GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

    Find a way to be thankful for your troubles

    and they can become your blessings.

    ~ Author Unknown ~

Gratitude list for the day….

I am grateful for abundance today…

the sunshine

bright ideas

a loving spouse

little hugs and BIG good mornings

opportunities

friends

I’d love to hear how gratitude shifted a negative or bad day for you? Share with me below!  AND write in your journal daily with your gratitude every evening!

Have an amazing day!

In health,

Cheryl Love

Imagine Fit ©2015

Dieting & Weight Loss – 14 Secrets to Move the Scale for Good

Well hello!  SO I am finally getting into the swing of things after the prep and completion of a joyous event!  YES, a joyous event...my oldest son married!  And wow, did we have some great food choices for the rehearsal, the wedding, the day after...from dinner items to cupcakes to a cook out!  And I was very mindful, well mostly, of what I was choosing and walked a bunch!  There were about 54 steps up and down from the one area of he lodge to the upper level!  Aren't they great together!

But you know we live in a funny society.  We look up to the slim, thin, skinny and we dole out mountains of processed snack, junk and fast foods.  We sit around and watch television instead of getting up and walking to the park or grocery store.  Or we "play" on the Internet! NOTE:  there was no TV watching or Internet surfing for me this past weekend! Except for posting pictures!

It seems like it is a constant obsession to try to get fit and healthy, yet all the time we keep reverting back to the food and entertainment forms that are so prevalent. Every single family get together, every holiday, every celebration is centered on food and drink.  Most of the time gluttonous food and drink! Do you see that in your family?

So, when we start to become unhappy with the way we look (no one associates their illness or sluggishness with food) we start cutting calories.  Every New Year the diet industry pulls out all the advertising plugs, because every New Year we resolve to lose all the weight we put on the years before.  Diet pills, replacement shakes, artificial sweeteners, surgeries, magazines and fad diets.  The problem is, these things all make our problem worse.  We may lose weight quickly at first but we lose muscle at the same time and then gain back all fat, which is not so good. 

Then we are minus the muscle and plus more fat.

If you want to lose weight and keep it off, look to people who have successfully done it.  You will notice that they did not use diet pills, meal replacement shakes or fad diets. Here are my quick best tips to lose - get healthier and keep it off!

14 Proven ways to lose weight for good:

1. Eat breakfast
2. Eat all day long
3. Drink more water
4. Eat at home
5. Eat whole foods
6. Reduce stress
7. Get a good night’s sleep
8. Get moving
9. Keep a journal
10. Eat some good, high quality protein
11. Take a vitamin supplement
12. Eat more vegetables
13. Give up the “c”‘s
14. Do a kitchen makeover and get the unhealthy foods that tempt you out of your house.

This is what you eat!

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Small amounts of high quality protein
• Small amounts of healthy fat (coconut oil, avocado)

  

What do you think of skipping the fad diets?  Relying on the "newest" and "quickest" way to lose!  JUST Start eating healthy!  Add in simple things to increase veggies first!

If you want to lose weight, eat more green vegetables and less simple carbohydrates.  Give up the “C”‘s - cakes, cookies, candy and chips!  Once those are out of your house and your life you WILL notice a difference on the scale!  Or rely on Mindful Eating!  You can read more here in this e-book:  Mindful Eating - Practicing Mindful Eating not only transforms your health, but your relationship with the foods you ingest, as well. Happy eating!

 So...Quit going to McDonalds and Burger King or any other fast food places...and then come back and leave a comment (will probably take 24 hours) about how good you feel! AND if you do eat out often...what are some tips for that?                   Coming soon....

This is not a normal BLOG post! 

 It's a gift! 

  From me to you!  

Yes I have some amazing fans!  

AND I hit a milestone this week! 

 Well, a milestone for the Facebook world! 

  IMAGINE FIT business page hit 1K LIKES! 

 So to celebrate and thank everyone for their support...let's do this Challenge! 

 JUST CLICK HERE TO REGISTER !

WOW, have your cupboards looked like this?  Mine have!  Do they still?  If you are my friend, and you follow me...I hope not! But seriously, I know many still rely on these quick fixes.  Are they all bad?  No, probably not (ok - yeah mostly) BUT what is worse is they can lead you down the path of addiction - to what?  Maybe sugar, maybe just convenience, maybe to some additives in them!  I challenge you to clean them up.  

And what can help!  Learning more about food addiction!  That's a start!  

As a health coach, one thing I love about this industry is the connections and friendships I have made.  And the fact that we are a very diverse group.  We each have a passion for our niche!  And many of us specialize in one thing or another!  My friend Angela - she specializes in food addiction.  If you want to know more about that...join her for a FREE educational webinar on June 16th at 5PM PST/8PM EST  Just click here and register!  Or copy and paste this link into your browser.  

https://eo248.isrefer.com/go/ffa/cplove/

I am so excited for Angela - webinars are my scary place!  Can't wait to see all the great info she brings to you! Once you watch...let me know!  

register here!

For more information about Health Coaching - what it is, how I can support your healthy changes...visit me at Imagine Fit!

Here's a hint that you may have a food addiction!  Take this quiz!

Am I a Food Addict?

---

To find out, answer the following questions as honestly as you can. 

1. Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't? 
2. Do you think about food or your weight constantly? 
3. Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success? 
4. Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging? 
5. Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people? 
6. Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight? 
7. Do you eat large quantities of food at one time (binge)?

Click here for the full quiz...Am I A Food Addict?

Thanks for your support and can't wait to hear what you learn on this webinar...share your "aha" moments here!

Cheryl Love

INHC/AADP

I LOVE CHERRIES!  

AND they are in season....expensive as all get out!  But in Season! And I am in heaven! 

 I have already bought them twice!  What about you?

With a short peak season (May to July), high susceptibility 

to disease and short shelf life after harvest, cherry season

comes and goes very quickly!

From an article by Dr. Mercola:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/02/health-benefits-cherries.aspx*

8 Top Health Benefits of Cherries

Tart cherries are also used to make juice concentrates that may offer some unique health benefits. Some of the most notable health effects of cherries include…

•  Antioxidant Protection
•  Cancer-Preventive Compounds
•  Reduce Inflammation and Your Risk of Gout
•  Support Healthy Sleep (Melatonin)
•  Arthritis Pain Relief
•  Reduce Belly Fat
•  Reduce Post-Exercise Muscle Pain
•  Lower Risk of Stroke

• Be sure to click the link above for all the details!*

Cherries make me think of summer!  And summer reminds me that it is a new season and lots of great seasonal foods are available.  Thinking of seasonal foods leads me to a seasonal cleanse/detox.  A way to GET READY FOR SUMMER NOW !

So why do I feel a seasonal cleanse/detox is a good thing?  Imagine if you lived in a very small space.  What would it be like if you could only remove 20% of the trash you brought in?  What would it feel like to be in that space after a week?  What about a month? A season? Now imagine a year!  How does it feel to be in that space now?  This is how your cells feel when they cannot release waste.

Detoxing your cells will improve your ability to absorb nutrients.  "Like all those good things from cherries" It also can stabilize and improve energy. Detoxing also supports the elimination of waste that can cause weight gain and that  waste can also cause cravings.  SO....when your body does not eliminate well it becomes toxic and acidic, your blood and your cells slow down.  Your body slows down and breaks down!

GET SUMMER READY NOW is my signature summer program!  Just 14 Days to a Summer Glow!  Real food, real results!  Let's get rid of the winter and spring junk now and maybe throw in a loss of a little more junk!  Just do it!