One of my husband's favorite movies is the Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Once again, we watched it this year and for whatever reason, I thought more about its message the past few days than I ever have in past years.
The basic message focuses on the impact you have made on people that you have encountered in your life. What would their life be like if you weren't around? How many people have you affected? How many people have affected your life?
I started thinking about where I am and the steps that I took in my life that got me here. I believe everything happens for a reason, and things in our past happened in order to bring us where we are now. We can create our future, good or bad, based on our thoughts and actions, yet if we sit around and do nothing, we won't have much control.
I thought about when I moved to New Jersey in 1993. I left family and friends in Massachusetts, but moved to start a "new" life. Though it wasn't a great career move as I had three jobs in three years, it was in New Jersey that I met my Chiropractor, Dr. Jon. He was the one who influenced me, who told me about chiropractic and motivated me to change careers and go back to school. Fourteen years later, here I am in Kennesaw, Georgia with my own Chiropractic office, loving my office and patients, and happily married. What if those things hadn't happened? What if I never moved to NJ? What if I never listened to Dr. Jon, and what if I stayed in NJ? Where would I be now? Who would be your Chiropractor?
It made me think of one friend in particular, who encouraged her friend to bring her 8-month old son in to my office to get adjusted. After months of re-curring ear infections, this mom was frustrated and "tried" chiropractic. Five years later, that little boy is free of ear infections, getting adjusted still, very healthy, and his life is changed. What if that mom never made the decision to try chiropractic? What if her friend never told her about my office?
What if, what if, what if? Who are the people you have touched? Who has touched you? Is there anyone who caused you to make certain decisions, that forever changed your life? How many people have you influenced in your life? Remember, you are here for a reason and people come in and out of our lives for reasons, and we are all meant to be here. Think of the people in your life who are where they are because of you, and how much of an impact you have made. Keep on being positive!
Thank you for being part of my life (and for reading this!). Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sticky and Sweet
I figure with a title like that I am bound to get some attention, and have people read this! However, that is the title of Madonna's 2008 concert tour, which I went to at Philips Arena last Monday night.
Twenty years ago when I was living in Southern California, Madonna played outside at the California Angels (now Anaheim Angels) baseball stadium. I wanted to go to the concert, but I was a poor college student and didn't want to spend the money, so I passed. Later on, I regretted it, so this past spring when I found out she was coming to Atlanta, I jumped on the opportunity and bought tickets.
After a 30-minute warm-up by a disco DJ, we sat around for an hour until she finally showed up on stage a little after 9:30pm. It was really one of the most incredible concerts I have ever been to....unbelieveable video production, lights, entertainment, and of course dancing. She danced around the stage (even jumped rope to one song) for two hours, singing a mix of old and new songs.
At one point during the performance, when they were showing videos of her close up on stage, I was thinking how strange it seemed that grown adults were singing and cheering on a 50-year old, scantily dressed woman. She had tiny outfits on, and she is 50 years old. However, close up videos on her showed amazing definition in her arms, and after a 2-hour show, I thought about how hard a work-out that was. Yes she snuck off stage a few times to change her outfit, but aside from that, she danced around the stage a lot. It was impressive....especially since she is doing a "workout" like that several times a week as she tours around the world.
However, Madonna has always paid attention to her health, and includes chiropractic care as part of her lifestyle. In fact, she has her own Chiropractor on tour with her, making sure she is able to perform at her best for each performance. Yes, she does have the time and money to hire people to help keep her healthy, but it is her choice to do that.
So, what choices are you making? Are you exercising regularly? Are you eating well? Are you getting adjusted regularly? How do you want to look and feel at age 50? I know I see 50+ year old people who have never paid much attention to health, they take drugs for problems and think that they are staying healthy because of that. Health is about the body functioning as optimally as possible, as long as possible. You aren't healthy because you take high blood pressure meds, or cholesterol meds, or other drugs. Health is about optimal function, gained through daily exercise, fruits and vegetables, organic foods, positive thought, and a properly functioning nervous system.
Are you doing all those things to stay healthy? Which one or more do you have to work on? Remember, good health isn't good luck or good genes.... it's about good decisions.
Twenty years ago when I was living in Southern California, Madonna played outside at the California Angels (now Anaheim Angels) baseball stadium. I wanted to go to the concert, but I was a poor college student and didn't want to spend the money, so I passed. Later on, I regretted it, so this past spring when I found out she was coming to Atlanta, I jumped on the opportunity and bought tickets.
After a 30-minute warm-up by a disco DJ, we sat around for an hour until she finally showed up on stage a little after 9:30pm. It was really one of the most incredible concerts I have ever been to....unbelieveable video production, lights, entertainment, and of course dancing. She danced around the stage (even jumped rope to one song) for two hours, singing a mix of old and new songs.
At one point during the performance, when they were showing videos of her close up on stage, I was thinking how strange it seemed that grown adults were singing and cheering on a 50-year old, scantily dressed woman. She had tiny outfits on, and she is 50 years old. However, close up videos on her showed amazing definition in her arms, and after a 2-hour show, I thought about how hard a work-out that was. Yes she snuck off stage a few times to change her outfit, but aside from that, she danced around the stage a lot. It was impressive....especially since she is doing a "workout" like that several times a week as she tours around the world.
However, Madonna has always paid attention to her health, and includes chiropractic care as part of her lifestyle. In fact, she has her own Chiropractor on tour with her, making sure she is able to perform at her best for each performance. Yes, she does have the time and money to hire people to help keep her healthy, but it is her choice to do that.
So, what choices are you making? Are you exercising regularly? Are you eating well? Are you getting adjusted regularly? How do you want to look and feel at age 50? I know I see 50+ year old people who have never paid much attention to health, they take drugs for problems and think that they are staying healthy because of that. Health is about the body functioning as optimally as possible, as long as possible. You aren't healthy because you take high blood pressure meds, or cholesterol meds, or other drugs. Health is about optimal function, gained through daily exercise, fruits and vegetables, organic foods, positive thought, and a properly functioning nervous system.
Are you doing all those things to stay healthy? Which one or more do you have to work on? Remember, good health isn't good luck or good genes.... it's about good decisions.
Monday, November 17, 2008
San Antonio Rock 'n Roll marathon race report
Well there is something to be said about experience and nutrition! Both played a pretty big role in my marathon on Sunday, and I’m very excited that I finished in under 3:50 and qualified for Boston (3:48:03). This is my third time qualifying, and each time I have snuck in just under the qualifying time….but I guess that really doesn’t matter. This was my first marathon in 8 years, but if you count the Ironman in 2004, it was the first one in 4 years (but for me, you can’t really “race” a marathon after biking 112 miles).
I chose San Antonio mostly because it was a flat course, and because I’ve never been there before, so why not, right? My training was pretty much on target from the start, I did 5 long runs of 20 miles in training, so I felt good prior to the race. I actually ran less weekly mileage for this marathon than any in the past, which sort of scared me, but then again, my aging legs probably needed the rest. I did bike more however, so I’m sure that helped.
So, the race….the start was about 3 miles from the finish line, so they had to bus us to the starting area, and it was a chilly 41 degrees. However, that is perfect marathon weather, as it did warm up to 60 by the time it was over. No clouds, no wind, just perfect. That is what I was wanting, and it happened!
There were 30,000 runners, with 10,000 of them doing the marathon and the rest doing the half. We were on the same course for 10+ miles, and though it was crowded, it didn’t affect my running at all. I listened to my friend Angie, who told me to start slower than I initially wanted, so I did. After a quick bathroom break at the 5 mile mark (the only stop on the course, yeah!), I jumped back on the course and the 3:45 pace group was right there. So, I decided to stick with them to see if they could get me in on time.
In 5 of my prior marathons, I’ve always gone out fast, built some “cushion” room, and would fall apart around mile 18-20, and then totally struggle to finish. I sort of expected that this time, since that has been my experience. At the halfway point today, my time was 1:53 which had me a little nervous. This marathon pace team wasn’t on target (that’s a 3:47 pace), and judging by my past marathons and my breakdowns at the end, I didn’t have much cushion to fall back on. But, I felt pretty good, so I just kept telling myself to go.
This is where I think nutrition was huge! In my prior marathons, I’d just drink water, and take a gel pack towards the end. This time, past Ironman and recent racing experience has taught me to consume calories during the run, something I’ve really never done before in marathons (which really explains my prior breakdowns!!!). So, I wore my race belt with Sustained Energy mixture in thick concentration, and drank it at 5 points during the race. I have to believe this helped, as I really never brokedown, never hit “the wall”. I had one mile that was over a 9min pace (the potty break mile), and other than that, all my miles were pretty steady. The last three miles were about 15 seconds slower than what I was averaging during the prior 23, and that is such a huge accomplishment for me.
Of my 7 marathons, this wasn’t my fastest, but I definitely feel it was my best all-around race. There was no falling apart at the end, no moaning that I’ll never do another one. I’m still in shocked that I felt so good during the race, that I was steady and never really hit the wall. Maybe my past experience helped a lot. In addition, I was thinking about Angie’s comments (regret/embarrassment lasts forever, and pain is only temporary), and Keith’s comments about the race starting at mile 20. I wanted to qualify for Boston so badly, and didn’t want to have regrets later on, so I kept those two people in mind throughout the race. Thanks for your encouragement!
OK, other race highlights……did I mention it was flat? There was one decent climb around mile 5, and a few other small hills, but nothing major. If this had been Boston, I doubt I would have been able to stay steady, not with those hills, but this was nice and flat and encouraged good running. We did run by the Alamo, plus a few historic Missions in San Antonio, and through two wealthy neighborhoods with beautiful houses. There were bands throughout the course, as well as lots of cheerleading teams, so that is always great to have them to encourage you on.
After the race, Matt & I had lunch at the Riverwalk (very cool place in the city), took a nap, and had a post race massage. Now it’s time to rest up, head back to Atlanta, and decide whether or not I want to run Boston in 2009, 2010, or at all. Retiring (again) from marathons on a positive note sounds like a good idea. We’ll see. Thanks for reading this far!!
I chose San Antonio mostly because it was a flat course, and because I’ve never been there before, so why not, right? My training was pretty much on target from the start, I did 5 long runs of 20 miles in training, so I felt good prior to the race. I actually ran less weekly mileage for this marathon than any in the past, which sort of scared me, but then again, my aging legs probably needed the rest. I did bike more however, so I’m sure that helped.
So, the race….the start was about 3 miles from the finish line, so they had to bus us to the starting area, and it was a chilly 41 degrees. However, that is perfect marathon weather, as it did warm up to 60 by the time it was over. No clouds, no wind, just perfect. That is what I was wanting, and it happened!
There were 30,000 runners, with 10,000 of them doing the marathon and the rest doing the half. We were on the same course for 10+ miles, and though it was crowded, it didn’t affect my running at all. I listened to my friend Angie, who told me to start slower than I initially wanted, so I did. After a quick bathroom break at the 5 mile mark (the only stop on the course, yeah!), I jumped back on the course and the 3:45 pace group was right there. So, I decided to stick with them to see if they could get me in on time.
In 5 of my prior marathons, I’ve always gone out fast, built some “cushion” room, and would fall apart around mile 18-20, and then totally struggle to finish. I sort of expected that this time, since that has been my experience. At the halfway point today, my time was 1:53 which had me a little nervous. This marathon pace team wasn’t on target (that’s a 3:47 pace), and judging by my past marathons and my breakdowns at the end, I didn’t have much cushion to fall back on. But, I felt pretty good, so I just kept telling myself to go.
This is where I think nutrition was huge! In my prior marathons, I’d just drink water, and take a gel pack towards the end. This time, past Ironman and recent racing experience has taught me to consume calories during the run, something I’ve really never done before in marathons (which really explains my prior breakdowns!!!). So, I wore my race belt with Sustained Energy mixture in thick concentration, and drank it at 5 points during the race. I have to believe this helped, as I really never brokedown, never hit “the wall”. I had one mile that was over a 9min pace (the potty break mile), and other than that, all my miles were pretty steady. The last three miles were about 15 seconds slower than what I was averaging during the prior 23, and that is such a huge accomplishment for me.
Of my 7 marathons, this wasn’t my fastest, but I definitely feel it was my best all-around race. There was no falling apart at the end, no moaning that I’ll never do another one. I’m still in shocked that I felt so good during the race, that I was steady and never really hit the wall. Maybe my past experience helped a lot. In addition, I was thinking about Angie’s comments (regret/embarrassment lasts forever, and pain is only temporary), and Keith’s comments about the race starting at mile 20. I wanted to qualify for Boston so badly, and didn’t want to have regrets later on, so I kept those two people in mind throughout the race. Thanks for your encouragement!
OK, other race highlights……did I mention it was flat? There was one decent climb around mile 5, and a few other small hills, but nothing major. If this had been Boston, I doubt I would have been able to stay steady, not with those hills, but this was nice and flat and encouraged good running. We did run by the Alamo, plus a few historic Missions in San Antonio, and through two wealthy neighborhoods with beautiful houses. There were bands throughout the course, as well as lots of cheerleading teams, so that is always great to have them to encourage you on.
After the race, Matt & I had lunch at the Riverwalk (very cool place in the city), took a nap, and had a post race massage. Now it’s time to rest up, head back to Atlanta, and decide whether or not I want to run Boston in 2009, 2010, or at all. Retiring (again) from marathons on a positive note sounds like a good idea. We’ll see. Thanks for reading this far!!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
I hate to cook!
You would think that as much as I talk about the importance of proper nutrition, that I would spend more time preparing my meals, however, that is not the case. When I get home late at night, the last thing I want to do is cook, so usually my husband prepares the meals (after all, he likes to so that is good!).
On Thursday's, since it is my day off and I have more time, I either like to attempt to cook or just go out to dinner. So last Thursday, I found a recipe that said "Prep time 6 minutes, cook time 15 minutes" .... cool that is my idea of cooking! I bought the necessary food and about 3o minutes before we planned to eat, I went into the kitchen to start cooking. I start prepping, then notice the next step in the recipe was to "marinate 1 hour". AHH! Why don't they tell me the prep time is 1:06 then!!! My husband wisely tells me that I have to read the whole recipe first, and my simple reply is "this is the reason I hate to cook".
Needless to say, the fish only marinated 30 minutes or so and the dinner surprisingly came out fine. This was despite the fact that I had my laptop in the kitchen, and every free minute I had I went to the computer to work on something. I'm just not a patient person and I don't like to waste time, so whenever I cook I'm usually multi-tasking, which is a good way to burn food. It's the ADD in me, unable to do nothing for even just a few minutes. To me, cooking is stressful and I'd rather be doing something else.
I'd rather go out to dinner or have someone else cook for me (a personal chef sounds like a good idea, but that costs too much money). I've been told to get a crock pot. I actually had one, but gave it away because I never used it! So, my promise to myself is to buy another crock pot and start focusing on preparing meals more often.
Eating right is all about preparation. I do know that when I go grocery shopping on Sunday and buy food for the week, I eat much better at lunch and for dinner. I have fruit and nuts to snack on, and healthy foods for lunch. I have food at home that we can have for dinner. If I don't go shopping on Sunday, I'm rushing out at lunch trying to figure out what to eat, which isn't smart nor healthy.
So my new positive affirmation that I am adding to my morning routine is.... "I love to cook!". If affirmations do work, maybe someday I will truly start to enjoy cooking. As for now, it's time to go shopping. Or...should we just go out to dinner tonight?
On Thursday's, since it is my day off and I have more time, I either like to attempt to cook or just go out to dinner. So last Thursday, I found a recipe that said "Prep time 6 minutes, cook time 15 minutes" .... cool that is my idea of cooking! I bought the necessary food and about 3o minutes before we planned to eat, I went into the kitchen to start cooking. I start prepping, then notice the next step in the recipe was to "marinate 1 hour". AHH! Why don't they tell me the prep time is 1:06 then!!! My husband wisely tells me that I have to read the whole recipe first, and my simple reply is "this is the reason I hate to cook".
Needless to say, the fish only marinated 30 minutes or so and the dinner surprisingly came out fine. This was despite the fact that I had my laptop in the kitchen, and every free minute I had I went to the computer to work on something. I'm just not a patient person and I don't like to waste time, so whenever I cook I'm usually multi-tasking, which is a good way to burn food. It's the ADD in me, unable to do nothing for even just a few minutes. To me, cooking is stressful and I'd rather be doing something else.
I'd rather go out to dinner or have someone else cook for me (a personal chef sounds like a good idea, but that costs too much money). I've been told to get a crock pot. I actually had one, but gave it away because I never used it! So, my promise to myself is to buy another crock pot and start focusing on preparing meals more often.
Eating right is all about preparation. I do know that when I go grocery shopping on Sunday and buy food for the week, I eat much better at lunch and for dinner. I have fruit and nuts to snack on, and healthy foods for lunch. I have food at home that we can have for dinner. If I don't go shopping on Sunday, I'm rushing out at lunch trying to figure out what to eat, which isn't smart nor healthy.
So my new positive affirmation that I am adding to my morning routine is.... "I love to cook!". If affirmations do work, maybe someday I will truly start to enjoy cooking. As for now, it's time to go shopping. Or...should we just go out to dinner tonight?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
What causes illness?
What causes illness? What causes disease? Are some people just born to be sick while other people spend their entire lives being healthy? I don’t think so.
Understanding the cause of illness allows us to reach and maintain an optimal state of health. Think of it this way … Germs are seeds and our bodies are the soil. Many people mistakenly believe the cause of disease is from the seed, or the germ. However, if the ‘germ theory of disease’ were correct, there would be no one living to believe it. There are agents of disease surrounding us all of the time. Viruses and bacteria are everywhere we go and on everything we touch, but they cannot affect us unless we are susceptible. They can only affect us if our immune system is not strong enough to fight it off and adapt to the environment.
As long as our body (or the soil) is attuned to the natural flow of life and has a strong resistance, optimal health is the only thing that can occur. As Claude Bernard says, “Illnesses hover constantly above us, their seeds blown by the wind, but they do not set in the terrain unless the terrain is ready to receive them.”
Chiropractic is a science that uses the natural, innate power of the body to achieve and maintain optimal health. When our body is in line with the natural flow of life, we express it at our fullest potential. When interferences occur, our health becomes hindered and our body is more susceptible to disease.
Vertebral subluxations are a common interference in the nerve system. Subluxations impair normal nerve flow, thus weakening the body’s immune system, making us susceptible to disease. Chiropractors correct subluxations, restoring and maintaining the true health we deserve to enjoy. Germs are a part of the disease process however, they are not the direct cause of disease. It is the body’s susceptibility to germs that is the cause of disease.
We are all born with the natural, innate ability to be healthy and fight disease. We need to keep our “soil” healthy and strong with regular chiropractic care to increase the body’s ability to ward off disease.
The chiropractic model of health and wellness focuses on YOU and is centered on the philosophy that the human body, being knit together in a wonderful way, will heal itself given the right opportunity and circumstances. Correcting blockage in the nerve system can interfere with your ability to express your maximum health potential.
To those in my office, thank you for choosing to live the "Chiropractic Lifestyle". I commend you for taking charge of your health and the health of those you love!
Understanding the cause of illness allows us to reach and maintain an optimal state of health. Think of it this way … Germs are seeds and our bodies are the soil. Many people mistakenly believe the cause of disease is from the seed, or the germ. However, if the ‘germ theory of disease’ were correct, there would be no one living to believe it. There are agents of disease surrounding us all of the time. Viruses and bacteria are everywhere we go and on everything we touch, but they cannot affect us unless we are susceptible. They can only affect us if our immune system is not strong enough to fight it off and adapt to the environment.
As long as our body (or the soil) is attuned to the natural flow of life and has a strong resistance, optimal health is the only thing that can occur. As Claude Bernard says, “Illnesses hover constantly above us, their seeds blown by the wind, but they do not set in the terrain unless the terrain is ready to receive them.”
Chiropractic is a science that uses the natural, innate power of the body to achieve and maintain optimal health. When our body is in line with the natural flow of life, we express it at our fullest potential. When interferences occur, our health becomes hindered and our body is more susceptible to disease.
Vertebral subluxations are a common interference in the nerve system. Subluxations impair normal nerve flow, thus weakening the body’s immune system, making us susceptible to disease. Chiropractors correct subluxations, restoring and maintaining the true health we deserve to enjoy. Germs are a part of the disease process however, they are not the direct cause of disease. It is the body’s susceptibility to germs that is the cause of disease.
We are all born with the natural, innate ability to be healthy and fight disease. We need to keep our “soil” healthy and strong with regular chiropractic care to increase the body’s ability to ward off disease.
The chiropractic model of health and wellness focuses on YOU and is centered on the philosophy that the human body, being knit together in a wonderful way, will heal itself given the right opportunity and circumstances. Correcting blockage in the nerve system can interfere with your ability to express your maximum health potential.
To those in my office, thank you for choosing to live the "Chiropractic Lifestyle". I commend you for taking charge of your health and the health of those you love!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
My Dad
This past week marked the one year mark of my father passing away, and its hard to believe that a year has already gone by. He passed away last year after falling ill over the summer, and then went downhill in a matter of two weeks. It was a sad time for my family, as can be expected.
My father and I were never very close. It is sad to think about that, as I never was "Daddy's little girl" and we really didn't share much. We rarely spoke, as every time I called home he'd put my mother on the phone. When I went home, we spent time together, but never alone. In between those visits and phone calls, I'll have to admit I didn't think about him much.
However, I have thought of my dad more this past year than I did the previous five years combined. It seems so strange, as he really was never a part of my life, but I found myself thinking of him so much these past 12 months, and definitely more this past week. On Monday night at 8pm, I thought of my call to my sister one year earlier when I heard the words that he died. I thought of him on so many occasions this past year, it doesn't seem to make sense to me. I hear that is normal though.
Maybe I'm wondering why we never had a good relationship, why it was always strained. Maybe I am wishing he was more loving, or happier, or not as angry. A daughter is supposed to have a great relationship with her dad, but it certainly wasn't with us. I know he loved me and our family, but he didn't always show it. I see dad's in my office just loving their daughter's, and I hope that continues for you all. For those of you who don't, maybe that should change, so there is no regret later on. I wish he and I had a better relationship, and though I'm thankful for what he did bring to me, I always longed for more.
Life is too short to have strained relationships, and not to make the most of the life you are given. For those of you who have poor relationships with others, work to patch those. If your health has suffered lately, work to regain it. You only have one life, one body, one chance, so make the most of it. You'll be happy you did.
My father and I were never very close. It is sad to think about that, as I never was "Daddy's little girl" and we really didn't share much. We rarely spoke, as every time I called home he'd put my mother on the phone. When I went home, we spent time together, but never alone. In between those visits and phone calls, I'll have to admit I didn't think about him much.
However, I have thought of my dad more this past year than I did the previous five years combined. It seems so strange, as he really was never a part of my life, but I found myself thinking of him so much these past 12 months, and definitely more this past week. On Monday night at 8pm, I thought of my call to my sister one year earlier when I heard the words that he died. I thought of him on so many occasions this past year, it doesn't seem to make sense to me. I hear that is normal though.
Maybe I'm wondering why we never had a good relationship, why it was always strained. Maybe I am wishing he was more loving, or happier, or not as angry. A daughter is supposed to have a great relationship with her dad, but it certainly wasn't with us. I know he loved me and our family, but he didn't always show it. I see dad's in my office just loving their daughter's, and I hope that continues for you all. For those of you who don't, maybe that should change, so there is no regret later on. I wish he and I had a better relationship, and though I'm thankful for what he did bring to me, I always longed for more.
Life is too short to have strained relationships, and not to make the most of the life you are given. For those of you who have poor relationships with others, work to patch those. If your health has suffered lately, work to regain it. You only have one life, one body, one chance, so make the most of it. You'll be happy you did.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Marathons, Massages & Chiropractic
As many of you know, I am currently training for the San Antonio Rock 'n Roll marathon in November. With just 8 weeks to go, my running has increased significantly as I prepare for the race. My goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which means finishing this one in under 3 hours and 50 minutes, so I am working hard to hopefully achieve that goal.
Every other week I am now doing my long runs, and increasing the time of the run by about 15 minutes each month. It started as a 90-minute run, then crept up to the three-hour runs I am doing now. I am going to cap it at 3:15, then will cut back as I taper three weeks before the race. Though I have been running for more than 25 years now (wow!!!) and have done six marathons, the experience is so helpful, but my legs feel it. I'm in that 40-44 year old age group now, and I have to pay closer attention to recovery.
Thus, I have been getting massages at my office every other week, after my long runs. They have become a critical part of my training, as I do not think I would feel as good as I do if I weren't getting massaged. In addition, I am getting adjusted every week or every other week. Both the massages and adjustments are helping my body stay uninjured, flexible, and healthy enough to keep on training.
As I was getting massaged today, I was thinking about all the people out there, especially athletes, who do not get massaged. I just don't get it. It is so beneficial in many ways and I am very thankful to CJ and Ashley who are both working on me (no, not at the same time....but alternating weeks). Adjustments keep my spine in alignment, free of nerve interference, and massage helps flush out the tight spots and the toxins, both allowing me to keep on running. I'm honestly amazed I feel as good as I do.
If chiropractic or massage is not on your program of health, you should add them. I wouldn't be as competitive as I am without regular massages and regular adjustments. Power on!
Every other week I am now doing my long runs, and increasing the time of the run by about 15 minutes each month. It started as a 90-minute run, then crept up to the three-hour runs I am doing now. I am going to cap it at 3:15, then will cut back as I taper three weeks before the race. Though I have been running for more than 25 years now (wow!!!) and have done six marathons, the experience is so helpful, but my legs feel it. I'm in that 40-44 year old age group now, and I have to pay closer attention to recovery.
Thus, I have been getting massages at my office every other week, after my long runs. They have become a critical part of my training, as I do not think I would feel as good as I do if I weren't getting massaged. In addition, I am getting adjusted every week or every other week. Both the massages and adjustments are helping my body stay uninjured, flexible, and healthy enough to keep on training.
As I was getting massaged today, I was thinking about all the people out there, especially athletes, who do not get massaged. I just don't get it. It is so beneficial in many ways and I am very thankful to CJ and Ashley who are both working on me (no, not at the same time....but alternating weeks). Adjustments keep my spine in alignment, free of nerve interference, and massage helps flush out the tight spots and the toxins, both allowing me to keep on running. I'm honestly amazed I feel as good as I do.
If chiropractic or massage is not on your program of health, you should add them. I wouldn't be as competitive as I am without regular massages and regular adjustments. Power on!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Closed on Thursday's
Some of you have asked why I am closed on Thursdays, and just the other day I was reminded as to why I am. Though there are several reasons, one seems to stand out more than others.
I wanted to go to REI, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Best Buy … all on Barrett Parkway. Because of my schedule, I decided to go on Saturday, thinking it wouldn’t be too bad. They are all near each other, “I can just zip over after work and be out of there quickly” I thought. Boy was I wrong! The traffic was unreal, I had a hard time finding a parking space at REI, and it took about 10 minutes just to drive across the street to get to Best Buy. Unfortunately, they did not have what I needed, so I had to go to Radio Shack at the mall. So, I deal with the traffic and get to the mall, only to find out that Radio Shack is no longer in the mall. AAHH! So, I went to Sears, since I was right there, I thought maybe they’d have what I needed. Well, they didn’t, but luckily the sales man was nice and told me to go to Radio Shack. I didn’t want to tell him that was what I had tried to do, yet fortunately he told me they moved to the intersection of Hwy 41 and Barrett Pkwy. Great I thought, now I can get this wire that I so badly needed (and yes, I needed it before Sunday morning), but err….that meant getting back on Barrett Parkway again!
So, I did and slowly made my way to Radio Shack, got my wire, and went home. I truly think I spent more time in my car than I did in any of the stores during that adventure. That moment further confirmed why I am closed on Thursday’s…. so I can run my errands on those days, when traffic is much less, thus less stress. On Thursday’s, I can go to the post office, the bank, get my hair cut, shopping, or whatever else I need to do and I don’t have to worry about weekend traffic.
Lately, another nice thing about being closed on Thursday’s is that I can do my “long run”. As many of you know, I am training for a marathon and part of the training is long training runs. So, today I went out and ran for three hours….yup, a leisurely 3-hour jog on a Thursday morning (at Kennesaw Mountain). As long as that may seem, it does feel good once it is over, and will help me prepare for this race.
So, in case anyone wondered why I am closed on Thursday’s, to me those are two great reasons.
I wanted to go to REI, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Best Buy … all on Barrett Parkway. Because of my schedule, I decided to go on Saturday, thinking it wouldn’t be too bad. They are all near each other, “I can just zip over after work and be out of there quickly” I thought. Boy was I wrong! The traffic was unreal, I had a hard time finding a parking space at REI, and it took about 10 minutes just to drive across the street to get to Best Buy. Unfortunately, they did not have what I needed, so I had to go to Radio Shack at the mall. So, I deal with the traffic and get to the mall, only to find out that Radio Shack is no longer in the mall. AAHH! So, I went to Sears, since I was right there, I thought maybe they’d have what I needed. Well, they didn’t, but luckily the sales man was nice and told me to go to Radio Shack. I didn’t want to tell him that was what I had tried to do, yet fortunately he told me they moved to the intersection of Hwy 41 and Barrett Pkwy. Great I thought, now I can get this wire that I so badly needed (and yes, I needed it before Sunday morning), but err….that meant getting back on Barrett Parkway again!
So, I did and slowly made my way to Radio Shack, got my wire, and went home. I truly think I spent more time in my car than I did in any of the stores during that adventure. That moment further confirmed why I am closed on Thursday’s…. so I can run my errands on those days, when traffic is much less, thus less stress. On Thursday’s, I can go to the post office, the bank, get my hair cut, shopping, or whatever else I need to do and I don’t have to worry about weekend traffic.
Lately, another nice thing about being closed on Thursday’s is that I can do my “long run”. As many of you know, I am training for a marathon and part of the training is long training runs. So, today I went out and ran for three hours….yup, a leisurely 3-hour jog on a Thursday morning (at Kennesaw Mountain). As long as that may seem, it does feel good once it is over, and will help me prepare for this race.
So, in case anyone wondered why I am closed on Thursday’s, to me those are two great reasons.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Challenged Child
This weekend I attended a seminar called “The Challenged Child” and it covered children who were handicapped, had Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Muscular Dystrophy, Torticollis, Shaken Baby Syndrome, and more. Most of the content of the seminar discussed what each is, potential causes, and then ways that chiropractic care, nutrition, horse therapy, and other “alternative” things can help these children.
It’s always amazing to me to realize how much nutrition plays a role, especially in Autism. Certainly we talked about the Mercury/Vaccination - Autism link, yet focused on how changing a child’s diet can have profound effects on the child’s behavior. Studies show that children with Autism have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, lower amino acids, higher glutamine, and fatty acid deficiency. DAN! -- Defeat Autism Now – (www.autism.com) is an organization dedicated to research on the causes of Autism and ways it can be treated. I had never spent much time on their website until this weekend, when I discovered it was full of fantastic information. If you know a child with Autism, I highly recommend you visit this site, tell their parents about it, and become more knowledgeable.
According to researchers, Autism is treatable and can be reversible. I know I have taken care of several Autisic children, and have seen positive changes in their behavior. Add to that, a significant change in diet, and I believe that a child with Autism can be helped significantly. There are several DAN doctors in this area, including one Naturopath that I highly recommend. Look into the vaccination & Autism link, get children on a gluten-free diet, get them adjusted, do the research yourself, and become more informed. These children can be helped. Ask me about it, and please don’t give up.
And yes, I also learned more great things about taking care of children with CP, MD, and torticollis!
It’s always amazing to me to realize how much nutrition plays a role, especially in Autism. Certainly we talked about the Mercury/Vaccination - Autism link, yet focused on how changing a child’s diet can have profound effects on the child’s behavior. Studies show that children with Autism have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, lower amino acids, higher glutamine, and fatty acid deficiency. DAN! -- Defeat Autism Now – (www.autism.com) is an organization dedicated to research on the causes of Autism and ways it can be treated. I had never spent much time on their website until this weekend, when I discovered it was full of fantastic information. If you know a child with Autism, I highly recommend you visit this site, tell their parents about it, and become more knowledgeable.
According to researchers, Autism is treatable and can be reversible. I know I have taken care of several Autisic children, and have seen positive changes in their behavior. Add to that, a significant change in diet, and I believe that a child with Autism can be helped significantly. There are several DAN doctors in this area, including one Naturopath that I highly recommend. Look into the vaccination & Autism link, get children on a gluten-free diet, get them adjusted, do the research yourself, and become more informed. These children can be helped. Ask me about it, and please don’t give up.
And yes, I also learned more great things about taking care of children with CP, MD, and torticollis!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Acworth Women's Triathlon
Today I raced in the Acworth Women's Sprint Triathlon, my third triathlon this season. With over 500 participants, the race brings in women from all around the area, many of which are first-time triathletes. It is a great opportunity for women to get out there and race and not feel pressure from the men (sorry guys), which can be intimidating, especially if you have never done a race before.
I was very excited about the race, because I finished 2nd overall Master's (which is basically anyone over 40 years old), and 22nd overall. I raced well, and what probably "won" me the 2nd place award was my transition times, which is when you go from the swim to the bike, and then the bike to the run. My times in the 3 sports were all good, yet I think it was getting out of the transition area before other women in my age group is what helped me a lot. Usually my transitions slow me down, but not this time, so that was exciting (though I didn't know my transitions were fast until after the race when I saw the results).
I know I "passed" people in transition, yet the most satisying one was a woman I passed at about the 1.5 mile mark on the run (a 3.7 mile run all together). She was the only one to pass me on the bike and I worked hard to catch her, and then had to keep on running hard so she wouldn't catch me. I was very tired as I finished, and heard lots of people calling my name as I was running down the finish chute, but I was too tired to look and say hi.
Sometimes I wonder why I push myself and what motivates me, but I guess it is just the competitive spirit within me. Winning awards is extra motivation and certainly nice, and usually pushes me to work harder. I like racing because it gives me something to aim for, a goal, and an extra reason to stay in shape. Next up is a triathon in September, so until then.....
What motivates you? I encourage you to find something you like, whether its running, triathlon, tennis, yoga or whatever it is, and get involved, participate, and have fun. It can bring rewards to everyone who does it, in some way or another. Enjoy!
I was very excited about the race, because I finished 2nd overall Master's (which is basically anyone over 40 years old), and 22nd overall. I raced well, and what probably "won" me the 2nd place award was my transition times, which is when you go from the swim to the bike, and then the bike to the run. My times in the 3 sports were all good, yet I think it was getting out of the transition area before other women in my age group is what helped me a lot. Usually my transitions slow me down, but not this time, so that was exciting (though I didn't know my transitions were fast until after the race when I saw the results).
I know I "passed" people in transition, yet the most satisying one was a woman I passed at about the 1.5 mile mark on the run (a 3.7 mile run all together). She was the only one to pass me on the bike and I worked hard to catch her, and then had to keep on running hard so she wouldn't catch me. I was very tired as I finished, and heard lots of people calling my name as I was running down the finish chute, but I was too tired to look and say hi.
Sometimes I wonder why I push myself and what motivates me, but I guess it is just the competitive spirit within me. Winning awards is extra motivation and certainly nice, and usually pushes me to work harder. I like racing because it gives me something to aim for, a goal, and an extra reason to stay in shape. Next up is a triathon in September, so until then.....
What motivates you? I encourage you to find something you like, whether its running, triathlon, tennis, yoga or whatever it is, and get involved, participate, and have fun. It can bring rewards to everyone who does it, in some way or another. Enjoy!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Skip Caray
This morning I read in the newspaper that long-time Atlanta Braves announcer Skip Caray died yesterday. He was only 68 years old. Anytime someone dies, it is sad, though it seems especially worse when someone leaves us at a young age. No, 68 isn't "young" by many standards, but he certainly should have had many years ahead of him. I personally want to live to 100 (at least), which is 32 more years than Skip had.
Back in the late 90's and 2000-2001, I worked at a lot of Braves games and saw Skip in the press box. He was a large man, probably close to 80 pounds overweight, and though he had lost a lot of weight in recent years, the health problems that built up from that time finally caught up to him. The article said he was "battling diabetes, congestive heart failure, an irregular heartbeat and reduced kidney and liver functions". These are symptoms of someone who isn't living a healthy lifestyle, and his body just couldn't handle the extra weight he carried around.
He left behind children and grandchildren, all of whom now must go on without him. Children now without their grandfather, taken from them at too young an age. It just makes me so sad, and wonder...could this have been prevented? My belief of course, is yes. We'll never know the stress he experienced from his job or life in general, but when I see someone that overweight, I know his body has to work extra hard to function. That internal stress caused things to break down.
I wish I could encourage everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, to not be overweight, to exercise daily, to eat healthy, and to get adjusted. Who knows how much longer Skip would have lived if he did these things, though I believe his life would have been better.
So, anyone out there who is overweight, not eating well, not exercising, not getting adjusted, PLEASE make a serious effort to change. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your family, your kids, your grandchildren. It can make a difference in your life. I just wish Skip had done that, he will be missed.
Back in the late 90's and 2000-2001, I worked at a lot of Braves games and saw Skip in the press box. He was a large man, probably close to 80 pounds overweight, and though he had lost a lot of weight in recent years, the health problems that built up from that time finally caught up to him. The article said he was "battling diabetes, congestive heart failure, an irregular heartbeat and reduced kidney and liver functions". These are symptoms of someone who isn't living a healthy lifestyle, and his body just couldn't handle the extra weight he carried around.
He left behind children and grandchildren, all of whom now must go on without him. Children now without their grandfather, taken from them at too young an age. It just makes me so sad, and wonder...could this have been prevented? My belief of course, is yes. We'll never know the stress he experienced from his job or life in general, but when I see someone that overweight, I know his body has to work extra hard to function. That internal stress caused things to break down.
I wish I could encourage everyone to live a healthy lifestyle, to not be overweight, to exercise daily, to eat healthy, and to get adjusted. Who knows how much longer Skip would have lived if he did these things, though I believe his life would have been better.
So, anyone out there who is overweight, not eating well, not exercising, not getting adjusted, PLEASE make a serious effort to change. If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your family, your kids, your grandchildren. It can make a difference in your life. I just wish Skip had done that, he will be missed.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
August 3, 2008 "Personal Section"
July marked the two-year anniversary of my bike accident and I am happy to say I am all healed up. Just a recap (sorry to those who already know this), but in 2006 I was hit by a motorcycle while biking in the mountains of North Georgia. I broke 3 bones, was all scraped up, and missed almost five months of practice. Last year I had surgery on my wrist after it just wasn't healing the way it should, and I think I can comfortably say I am doing better. I will never be back to 100%, but at least I can do most things these days without pain. Even a few months ago it still hurt to adjust, it hurt to do some yoga moves, it hurt to climb out of a pool, but not anymore.
Thus, it took 2 years for my wrist to heal ... so everyone should keep that in mind, especially when experiencing neck pain, low back pain, leg pain, or whatever. The body takes time and needs time to heal. Inside all of us is an incredible inborn intelligence, that allows us to heal and regulate, called our innate intelligence. We don't have to tell our body how to make our heart beat, or breathe, or digest food, or heal broken bones, our innate, inborn intelligence does all that. If it is not working properly, then symptoms begin, as healing and regulation slows down or doesn’t work as efficiently. Chiropractic adjustments can help by "turning on" that innate intelligence to function at a higher, more proper level, so healing can begin. That is what true health is all about.
Is your body functioning at its best? Are you getting regular adjustments to ensure that it is? Is your nervous system free of interference? We utilize high-tech computer scanning at our office to assess the health of your nervous system so we can help you. It is my goal to help others and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle, one free of nervous system interference. If you know anyone who hasn’t been checked at our office, please send them our way.
Thus, it took 2 years for my wrist to heal ... so everyone should keep that in mind, especially when experiencing neck pain, low back pain, leg pain, or whatever. The body takes time and needs time to heal. Inside all of us is an incredible inborn intelligence, that allows us to heal and regulate, called our innate intelligence. We don't have to tell our body how to make our heart beat, or breathe, or digest food, or heal broken bones, our innate, inborn intelligence does all that. If it is not working properly, then symptoms begin, as healing and regulation slows down or doesn’t work as efficiently. Chiropractic adjustments can help by "turning on" that innate intelligence to function at a higher, more proper level, so healing can begin. That is what true health is all about.
Is your body functioning at its best? Are you getting regular adjustments to ensure that it is? Is your nervous system free of interference? We utilize high-tech computer scanning at our office to assess the health of your nervous system so we can help you. It is my goal to help others and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle, one free of nervous system interference. If you know anyone who hasn’t been checked at our office, please send them our way.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
July 2008 "Personal Section"
On Sunday I participated in a sprint triathlon, my first triathlon in two years….the first since my bad bike crash in July 2006. I chose this race as my first one back since it was a sprint race, plus it was an all-women race (632 participated). I didn’t feel nervous, though I didn’t sleep well the night before, which typically means I’m thinking about a lot of things, so I guess I was thinking about the race too much! (nerves??).
The race was held at Lake Lanier Islands, and we swam 1/3 mile to start it off. An 18 mile bike came next, and I was pretty happy with my bike, considering it typically is my worst event! It was rolling hills and I started counting the miles left when I saw mile 3 (“Only 15 to go!”), which is probably not a good thing to do. Fortunately, we ended with a 3 mile run and that is where I made up some ground, passed a few people in my age group, and ended up finishing 34th overall. It’s amazing at how fast some of these women are, especially on the bike. So, I was happy with my placing considering I haven’t raced in two years, and considering I have only been biking for 3 months.
I do have another triathlon in July (in Chattanooga) and a third one in August (see Office News & Events above for info on it). How about you? Are you working hard for something? Getting in shape, staying in shape, participating in any events? Tennis, golf, swimming? I encourage you to find something you like to do and stick with it, make it a habit, something that motivates you to stay in shape and keeps you happy!
I’m going to end with a story that someone sent me recently, titled “Garbage Truck.”
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean,he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't."
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Make it a great day! We hope to see you soon.
The race was held at Lake Lanier Islands, and we swam 1/3 mile to start it off. An 18 mile bike came next, and I was pretty happy with my bike, considering it typically is my worst event! It was rolling hills and I started counting the miles left when I saw mile 3 (“Only 15 to go!”), which is probably not a good thing to do. Fortunately, we ended with a 3 mile run and that is where I made up some ground, passed a few people in my age group, and ended up finishing 34th overall. It’s amazing at how fast some of these women are, especially on the bike. So, I was happy with my placing considering I haven’t raced in two years, and considering I have only been biking for 3 months.
I do have another triathlon in July (in Chattanooga) and a third one in August (see Office News & Events above for info on it). How about you? Are you working hard for something? Getting in shape, staying in shape, participating in any events? Tennis, golf, swimming? I encourage you to find something you like to do and stick with it, make it a habit, something that motivates you to stay in shape and keeps you happy!
I’m going to end with a story that someone sent me recently, titled “Garbage Truck.”
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean,he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so..... "Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't."
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Make it a great day! We hope to see you soon.
June 2008 "Personal Section"
A slip on the snowy sidewalk, in winter, is a small thing. It happens to millions.
A fall from a ladder, in the summer, is a small thing. That also happens to millions.
That slip or fall produces a subuxation.
The subluxation is a small thing.The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve.
That pressure is a small thing.The pressure cuts off the flow of mental impulses. That decreased flowing is a small thing.That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain. That is a big thing to that man.Multiply that sick man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city.Multiply that man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a State.Multiply that man by one hundred thirty million, and you forecast and can prophesy the physical and mental status of a nation.
- BJ Palmer
The above is a quote from BJ Palmer, the developer of Chiropractic (his father DD gave the first adjustment in 1895). It’s a great quote, as it really talks about how those small little falls that we all go through as we’re growing up, can lead to big problems down the road. That is why I love adjusting children, because I truly know how much it can help them now, and more importantly, in the future.
In May, I attended a 4-day Pediatric Extravaganza seminar in Philadelphia, which focused on all aspects of children’s health, from chiropractic, pregnancy, vaccination, positive thought, homeopathy, illnesses, and other topics. It was great to see some friends and learn some new things, and to see my mom. She flew down from New Hampshire and we got to hang out together. We went to the Liberty Bell, and other historical areas of the city. My sister also flew in for 2 days, so it was nice to all be together on Mother’s Day. Thanks for making the trip mom!
I wish everyone safe travels this summer, drink lots of water in this summer heat, and most of all, have fun (OK, get adjusted too!). Have a great start to your summer, and remember that regular adjustments keep your spine in line! I hope to see you soon! Dr. Pam
A fall from a ladder, in the summer, is a small thing. That also happens to millions.
That slip or fall produces a subuxation.
The subluxation is a small thing.The subluxation produces pressure on a nerve.
That pressure is a small thing.The pressure cuts off the flow of mental impulses. That decreased flowing is a small thing.That decreased flowing produces a dis-eased body and brain. That is a big thing to that man.Multiply that sick man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city.Multiply that man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a State.Multiply that man by one hundred thirty million, and you forecast and can prophesy the physical and mental status of a nation.
- BJ Palmer
The above is a quote from BJ Palmer, the developer of Chiropractic (his father DD gave the first adjustment in 1895). It’s a great quote, as it really talks about how those small little falls that we all go through as we’re growing up, can lead to big problems down the road. That is why I love adjusting children, because I truly know how much it can help them now, and more importantly, in the future.
In May, I attended a 4-day Pediatric Extravaganza seminar in Philadelphia, which focused on all aspects of children’s health, from chiropractic, pregnancy, vaccination, positive thought, homeopathy, illnesses, and other topics. It was great to see some friends and learn some new things, and to see my mom. She flew down from New Hampshire and we got to hang out together. We went to the Liberty Bell, and other historical areas of the city. My sister also flew in for 2 days, so it was nice to all be together on Mother’s Day. Thanks for making the trip mom!
I wish everyone safe travels this summer, drink lots of water in this summer heat, and most of all, have fun (OK, get adjusted too!). Have a great start to your summer, and remember that regular adjustments keep your spine in line! I hope to see you soon! Dr. Pam
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