Watching My Health

Lately I have been doing a lot of research on vitamins and minerals and how they can affect your health. For instance, did you know that not all vitamins and minerals are real? Many of the cheap ones that we buy to save money, actually contain chemicals and other additives that are not good for our bodies.

So, since I have started the research, my eyes have been open to a whole new world. I've been doing better and watching what I've been eating and I've been exercising more with walking and yoga.

One of the problems that I found out I had later in life is a heart murmur. While it can be common it a lot of people it does cause concern for me since I've been having a lot of chest pain lately and heart disease runs in my family. So, when I do anything beyond normal walking, I am extremely out of breath. Even 5 minutes of yoga will leave me gasping for air.

Sometimes when I can hear and feel my heart rate shoot up, I'm able to count how fast my heart is beating. Other times I can't even tell, even when I check for a pulse on my neck or wrist. It's just very faint and not really there.

One of the products I just discovered is what's known as a pulse oximeter. This little gadget can tell you how fast your pulse is beating per a minute. Neat idea and great for anyone wanting to keep an eye on their heart rate before and after working out!

The only downfall I saw was the price. I don't know too many people who would be willing to spend nearly $200 for one of those little gadgets! They do have one for less than $50 which is better as far as price range, but if you're on a budget like me, you'll probably be thinking twice on purchasing one! Still, it's a cool idea, especially if you're able to afford one.

The Disadvantage of Being Self-Employed

Unfortunately one of the disadvantages of being self-employed I have discovered, is that you're on your own when it comes to health and life insurance benefits. So lately I've been doing a lot of research on both.

The main reason is because I am still not able to get on my husband's insurance at this time. It seems that every time he calls, we're given a later month/date on when we can enroll me on his insurance. And without it, I am unable to be seen by a doctor unless I have big bucks.

So I've finally became fed up and I've been looking into things like term life insurance quotes and health quotes on my own. It's not easy and I've found than many insurance companies are very expensive! So until I can decide what is what and where I am going from here, I've changed my eating habits for the better and I'm still doing yoga!

Strengthening My Back and Taking Out the Garbage

This past week I started doing yoga for my back and I feel great! I've only done the workout a few times too! How insane is that? I can imagine what my entire body will feel like if I start doing yoga for more than just my back. Wow. I started the exercise routine, simply because I needed to do something about the pain I've been having there.

A few years ago I was working as a CNA and because I was told to do an entire floor by myself, I ended up lifting a person that was more weight than I could manage and it did something to my back.

I have not been to a doctor about it because I cannot afford insurance and the time has elapsed for my husband to put me on his at work. So I've been dealing with the pain. There are times when it's very hard though. I can be doing something as simple as changing the trash bag in the trash can and it will put my back in severe pain.

So, this past week I was in pain again. Instead of baring through it, I went online and looked up exercise for strengthening my back. Of course yoga wasn't the only exercise there was for it, but since it's the only one that does not require tons of expensive workout equipment, I decided to give it a try. And like I said, Wow. It's been great! So I will continue to strengthen that area and hopefully it will improve.

I am also considered eating a little better. Lately, I've been eating tons of junk food. I can definitely tell a difference at how my body has been reacting just from the breakouts on my face and the sluggishness in my body! I've had very little energy and it's wearing me down inside and out. So I think it's time to take out the garbage and get my body back into a healthier shape.

What do you think? Any suggestions, ideas that work for you?

Working Out is Absolutely Worth It!

If you're familiar with my blog, then you probably already know how much I am for exercising and eating right, verses taking diet pills. Unfortunately now that the winter season is vastly approaching, many of us will probably exercise less do to the cold winter months outdoors.

You don't always have to exercise outdoors, however. Working out indoors can be just as effective and fun. I found that out just a few days ago when I got off of my butt and started strengthening my back using some yoga techniques. It was awesome and afterward I felt great!

Getting in shape doesn't always have to mean heading to the gym either. While I wouldn't mind going to a gym, I really can't afford the monthly fees at the moment, and having people follow me all over the building who ask if they can help you every five minutes is just not my idea of fun.

So for now I'm going to be working out indoors. Okay, so if you're anything like me the same old exercise can get really boring. Well, XFLOWSION is making workouts a little less boring with a variety of martial arts, power yoga and dance techniques. How insane is that?

I checked out their website and I love their DVDs. The idea of dancing, doing yoga and martial arts all in one workout sounds like so much fun and not so boring as most common workout videos. I'll probably end up ordering the DVDs unless my visitors decide to order by going through the SUPPORT MY SPONSOR link below. Then I have a chance at getting the DVDs for free, which I would love!

Either way, I'll share with you how things are going. They're about $20 per a DVD which is reasonable enough. Plus they were in my shape magazine not too long ago. I love Shape Magazine.

The cool thing is that they do have a 30-day money back guarantee a great thing if you decide you don't like their exercise routine. I wouldn't use the money back for the purpose of not losing any weight in 30 days, however. Losing weight takes time and it isn't always the workout video that is the problem.

Like take me for instance. There are days when I don't feel like working out or eating right. Then there are days when I know if I don't eat better or I don't workout even just a little bit, my body is going to let me know! But, even working out just a little is absolutely worth it!