Something You Should Know

Little Background Story: During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

 Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't leave this world, they can end up in a helpless, difficult condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist said that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions, remember the signs, STR:

• S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
• T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
• R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call an emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

I have done my small part by spending a few minute to post this. I hope you will too! Remember this information and pass it along.

Merry Christmas from Our House to Yours!!!

Hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful day which has moved into a wonderful weekend! Starting Monday - I'm going to get back into working out strong. I am finally at a point where I can exert myself and not break into a wretched coughing spell!

I've been feeling awful with my clothes fitting tighter and tighter but this picture pushed me over the edge! Ugh!!! HORRIBLE!!! But it's all within my power (and only my power) to change what I'm not fond of...my weight!!!

My hubby is actually right there with me (for the most part) so this should be a little easier! I have awesome support from my co-workers too! We'll be hittin' the gym at least once a week, if not even more when we go back to work after the first of the year!!!!

First of the year is going to be extremely busy and stressful for me so it will be really important for me to stick to my workout schedule. I will need to be conscious of the fact that I will be busy and stressed so I NEED to continue to do my workouts!

Wish me luck!

Its been a mintue...or two...or three...

As you've probably guessed - I haven't been very faithful at sticking to my routine the past few weeks. I haven't done anything this past week. But I'm going to kick next week off on Saturday by going to spin class Saturday morning and then working in a little weight training afterwards.

I really need to figure out away to get myself blogging a little more regularly. Started teaching preschool Sunday school again - just one class on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. Have an interview with Family Services on the 24th for a volunteer position facilitating a group session for kids that are impacted by domestic violence. The sessions are 3 hours a week for 10 weeks - not too bad. Have also been accepted by Childs Advocates Inc to be an advocate - training is a twice a week for the month of January and February, then the committment is ~6 hrs per week. Hopefully those two positions give me enough experience that when I'm done with school I'll have an easier time finding a job in my new career.

Isaac (the 5 yr old), has been bugging me to get him a Woody doll (from the Toy Story). Today a little boy from daycare, Morgan, brought his to daycare. On the way home Isaac said to me (for the millionth time) "Mommy I want a Woody doll." I responded with, "Ok, you'll just need to tell Santa and maybe he'll bring it to you." Isaac said, "No, Morgan got his at Walmart!"

Later,

Amy

New Gadget

I just got a mini-notebook last night so i hope to be able to post here a little more often! It's really for homework purposes - I'm not bound to my desktop anymore but this little 'puter has other benefits as well!

I started Phase 2 of the South Beach diet on Sunday but I'm going back to Phase 1 on Monday! I went a little wild this week! I need to plan my transition to Phase 2 a little better next time! I don't mind being in Phase 1 although I only lost 6 pounds.

I'm fairly certain I know why I didn't lose anymore than 6 pounds my first time around - once I went back to the Do's and Don'ts list I realized I was eating a couple things that weren't exactly on the Do's list and I wasn't very good about the exercise part either! Grnated, 6 pounds is better than nothing and way better than gaining 6 pounds but I know I can do better!

Never stop trying, right?!?

Peace,

Amy

is finally home and getin' everyone ready for the week.

is a little pooped! 10 miles in for the day...oh yah, did I mention - I was the one haulin' 70 lbs of wigglin', gigglin' boys?!?

is only a half hour into the ride and already has to stop for a flat tire on the trailer!!! Grrr...the same one I just fixed!!!

is off with her peeps to ride the Monon Trail - as long as the bikes don't fall off the Explorer on the way there!

thank goodness tomorrow is Friday! Need to come up with a plan for running tonight...did I mention I hate running?!?

is thankful that its not raining (yet) and the deck is almost dry...just need a few more hours. Now off to pick up Isaac and head to the gym!

didn't a workout in but did accomplish a lot of other stuff! Think Monday's day off will focus on getting miles logged!

Weekends...Love 'Em but Hate 'Em too!

So far today I've made decent eating choices, but haven't done much as far as the physical activity piece.

The day isn't over yet so not loosing hope completely. I'll get in a run and/or a bike ride after I work out in the yard/garden. Still need to give the stinky dog her bath too.

Love the weekends because I don't have to go to work but Scott makes it ver difficult for me to stick to a routine. Would be nice if he'd communicate his goals/plan for the weekend. Grrr....

Back at it!

Well, I've had a pretty darn good week so far!!! Tracking my food intake at www.thedailyplate.com and tracking my workouts at www.dailymile.com. These are two great websites that are FREE!!! Just taking it one day at a time but so far those days have added up to a week! Just need to stick to it through the weekend!!!

Stay focused sista!!!
Peace out!
Amy

The Wagon....

Well, as you've probably guessed, I've fallen off the wagon. Not completely, I'm dragging behind it a little but at least one foot is still on it. I've been sticking to my strength training schedule but my cardio schedule is non-exsistent at this point. But tomorrow begins a new week!

I will continue with my strength training and try to add back spin class and running this week. I'm also going to get a little more serious with my diet, or at least give it a try. I've not been doing too terribly bad with my diet. I've definitely made some improvements but it could be that much better. My goal is to cook a more time that we eat out this week. We've gotten into a horrible habit of eating out the last few weeks.

Ok, wish me luck!!!!

Peace and Love,
Amy

Good Week...

I got back into my spin classes this week! Tricia and I went 3 times and we're planning on getting up tomorrow to go again. Kept up with strength training - actually increased my weights this week! Eating wasn't too terribly bad either!

Its been nice not having homework and there's one week left without homework. I need to get moving on reading the book. It's actually pretty interesting - about how females develop differently than males in the social aspect.

Off to bed so I can get up for spin!

Peace,
Amy

It's a Start

I think I can finally get back into my intensive workout routine!! After being sick for the past few weeks getting into the swing of fitness is a welcome change! Now let's just keep everyone healthy.

Even better, with Scott going back to days I'll be able to add swimming a couple of times a week into my routine. Then I can build endurance in all three sports with hopes of actually being competitive in my first triathlon next year. Woo...Hoo...