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View Full Version : What the hell does it take to be healthy?


Darla Shine
05-18-2010, 10:00 PM
I eat healthy, I am thin, I exercise, and really if I am not in perfect health I don't know who the hell is. I take a multi-vitamin, C, A, B,
D3, selenium, grape seed, kefir, wheat grass juice, and flax seed oil. I eat no processed foods and my big vice is coffee and a few glasses of wine each week. I buy organic chicken, and free range eggs. Every day I eat a salad and I drink about 8 glasses of water. What else can I do? Isn't that enough? I guess not. Today I went to a nutritionist who checked my 'healthy level' and it only came in at
29%! Yes, onl 29%!

I am beyond shocked and disgusted. What the hell am I refraining from my kettle chips for? I have given up my beloved Mike's Hard Lemonade. And worst yet, I haven't had fried shrimp in years. Why am I denying myself such pleasures in life? Would I be worse off if I didn't eat healthy? Really? How low can I go? And what would it take for me to get in the 80% range of health? Or even 50%?

The test given to me was a scan through my hand. I have no idea how it works but it can detect deficiencies, allergies, and your over all health level. Can these scans really tell what is going on in our bodies? I hope not. I am going to get extensive blood tests to check what is going on with me. Who knows, maybe I would be dead if I wasn't eating as well as I am. Maybe I would be toxic. At one point after Hannah was born I was completely depleted of all nutrients. I wrote about it in my book. I couldn't lift my head off the pillow in the morning. Every time I stepped onto the floor my feet were full of pins and needles. I fell asleep while I was bathing Hannah one afternoon. And I dreamed of driving my truck into a tree.

After dozens of the top doctors diagnosing me with everything from fibromyalgia to MS, I turned to natural homeopathic remedies and nutritionists. I changed my diet, I juiced, I started taking supplements and I have felt like a million bucks for the past six years. I know I was doing something right. So maybe I was at zero. Maybe I was on the verge of cancer. Maybe I did have one of those auto immune diseases the doctors diagnosed me with. Maybe I still do. Maybe 29% is a good number for me right now. But I can do better. I will do better.

I know one thing. I feel better today than I did at 30. I am 43 and I feel more alive, healthier, sexier, and happier than I have ever felt. I feel like I am in a place of contentment that can only come to you in your forties. I think it only gets better, but only if you are committed to getting better. So the scan, who knows if it is accurate. I know from what my body is telling me that I am doing pretty good. And so now I ask you, what is your body telling you? And can you do better?

sam700
05-19-2010, 08:05 AM
In my opinion, you are the best judge of you. If you are feeling healthy that is what is important. My grandmother ate fried foods all of her life, was an alcoholic and only quit smoking when she couldn't remember where her cigarretts were due to dimensia. She lived a wonderful life traveled the world well into her 80s and died at the ripe old age of 92.

Now while I don't agree with her tactics, I do believe that if we take ourselves too seriously we will lack in other areas (such as enjoyment of life). I workout, eat somewhat healthy (I am not perfect by any means - I love food and eat whatever I want sometimes), I take vitamins, get regular check-ups at the dr. If I want a few glasses of wine a week a few times a week, I will. I won't deprive myself of something that I really want.

All these new medical tests they are coming out with to determine if you are at risk for all of these different diseases are a bunch of hooey. I don't want to live my life wondering what I am going to die from or if I'm going to die if I eat fried food once in awhile if I want it.

ruthieshome
05-19-2010, 10:50 AM
OH Darla..
don't let it get you down! It really could be you had some kind of something going on and your body is just now getting up to where it needs to be :) I have read it sometimes takes YEARS to detoxify or repair ...dont let this discourage you.

Good for you for making your health a priority instead of just giving up and deciding it doesn't matter.

You know me... I believe we are what we eat, we are what we do... I am with you on the same boat.... 41 and I have NEVER felt better in all my life! It's not easy to change but the rewards are so worth it.

I am focused on always learning always willing to do something healthier for my body, mind and soul. Living a life that is full of energy and happy instead of stress and worn out..... and it sounds like you are too! :)

What did the dr suggest for you to do about your 29%.. ?? I mean was he like "take this medicine or that" or "do this or that" to improve? (just curious)

I say go with how you feel... listen to your body.. .. if you feel this good now... if you keep improving just think what 50 will feel like!
woowhooo! :)

I know and understand the frustration and the struggle... the feeling of being deprived, of choosing not to be like everyone else, and then to feel like "where's the progress?" ... but this test is just ONE measurement. Just ONE piece of the puzzle :) Its good to know but not the defining result it sounds like...
you FEEL BETTER than you did! you have other indicators of your health... :) you are making progress! Way to go!

now.. get that walk or run in and leave the stress of your 29% on the pavement and LOVE yourself, be gracious to yourself, be PROUD and realize you have made some great changes that will last a lifetime! Not many people choose to do what you did.. take control and make changes! Its tough.

29% is just a measurement, just one chapter in the book.... It can be the beginning!, a starting point if you let it... a place you will look back and say wow! I have come so far! Good for you!.... wooowhooooo! :)

Here's a question... knowing what you know today .. how you feel, what your test result was.. etc.. would you change what you have done? would you have never started? Or has your improvements been worth it?

blessings!
r

jennypenny
05-19-2010, 06:25 PM
I want Ruthie to be my 'health mentor.'
Adopt me pretty please~:tongue_smilie:

shoppingmamma
05-20-2010, 11:20 AM
I am with Sam - go with how you feel. I don't deprive myself either. I am 5'10" and consistenly over the years have stayed in a size 8. I am now in a 12 but only due to the baby and I am working on that ;) But I want to ENJOY life! I exercise, eat salads/greens and fairly healthy day to day and take my vitamins and juice but if I want wine I have it, pasta I have it, a treat like ice cream or fried shrimp I go for it....life is too short to be constantly obsessing over what I eat or don't eat ;)