In a tight sqeeze-literally!

I know it has been a VERY long time since I have posted on this Blog but with it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month I have a new motivation to get it going again.
A while ago my doctor suggested we get a baseline mammogram when I turn thirty due to the type and severity of my mother's cancer. Well, as you know, I turned the big 3-0 in August. I went in to my Doc today and when we called down to mammography they said they had an immediate opening.
I changed into the lovely gown and headed out to the waiting room. As I looked around the room of women, I couldn't help but think one of us may possibly be getting terrible news today. Cancer doesn't discriminate so whether you are young, old, white, brown, black, or even male or female, you are not exempt.
When it was my turn I headed back with the sweetest nurse and went through with a procedure that was not as bad as I had expected. Well, physically anyway. I couldn't help but think of what other women, namely my mom, felt like as they went through the same procedure. The pain of being squished into a machine pales in comparison to the emotional pain of being told you have breast cancer.
Anyway, my point in posting this is GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS!!! In most cases, they could save your life. Tell your mothers, sisters, friends, daughters, aunts etc. to do their monthly exams and get their mammograms too.

Know Your Body Challenge

For those of you with whom I shared my paranoia, I am happy to say THE LUMP IS GONE! I found a lump in my armpit a few weeks ago and immediately thought I had breast cancer. I was out of town at the time and wondered if maybe it was just some crazy zit or something. When it began to increase in size over the next few days I began to worry. Of course I couldn't get into my Doc for a week so I just kept my eye on it and secretly thought I was dying. Seriously! I am such a hypochondriac with cancer. Anywho, it has finally subsided and I think it was just a swollen axillary lymph node.
This whole experience got me thinking that I am glad I do self-exams and get regular check-ups. So many lumps and bumps and diseases etc. can be taken care of if found in time. So, if you are not doing breast and skin exams, getting regular colonoscopies, mammograms or other exams you should be getting-GET ON THE BALL! If you cannot remember the last time you went to the doctor, don't know your BMI, cholesterol or blood pressure GET THEM CHECKED! Furthermore, make sure your loved ones are getting checked too. Men are especially bad at going to the doctor. I just make Mike appointments on his days off and tell him about it a week or so in advance. Sometimes he groans about taking time out of his free day, but I would rather he miss a couple of hours of fun than a few years.

Race for the Cure

I have been really bad at keeping this blog updated. Truth be told I have discovered the world of digital scrap booking and am obsessed! Now that I think I have a hand on it I will be better at posting weekly.
With that said, I would like to invite all of you to join my Race For the Cure Team. The race is on Saturday May 9th and the team name is Busting Butts for Busts. Come join us for a great cause, some fresh air, a little exercise and a lot of FUN! I am planning a pot luck lunch at my house after the race so don't miss out! Simply click on the team name to register.

incline push ups

I have discovered a new way to do push ups that is much more comfortable on my lower back. Performing them on a slight incline redistributes your body weight and makes it easier to keep your core in a neutral position. Here is a link to a site where proper form is demonstrated. INCLINE PUSH UPS
I love push ups because they work most of my upper body muscles. They are also a good tool to measure strength. I am so happy when I can add a few to my weekly regime.

Breakfast Challenge

I am flabbergasted at the number of people who do not eat breakfast. I wake up STARVING so not eating breakfast has never crossed my mind. Why should you eat breakfast?

Top 10 reasons to eat breakfast:

1. Breakfast restores sugar levels after up to 12 hours of not eating.
2. It is extremely difficult to get all of your necessary daily nutrients without breakfast.
3. Adults who skip breakfast are less mentally and physically efficient for longer periods during the day.
4. People who eat breakfast are more successful at losing weight and sticking to a diet.
5. Athletes who skip breakfast train less effectively.
6. Eating breakfast can raise metabolism by as much as 10 percent.
7. People who eat breakfast regularly are more likely to rate their health as "excellent" or "good."
8. Missing breakfast increases your chance of heavy machinery and factory accidents.
9. Eating breakfast has been shown to increase concentration.
10. Eating a bigger meal in the morning and a smaller meal at night optimizes your daily energy levels.


Lately my favorite breakfast includes a bowl of plain oatmeal with a scoop of peanut butter, a glass of milk and an orange. Like I said, I wake up starving so this may seem like a lot for those of you who aren't used to eating in the early morning hours. What are some of your favorite breakfast foods????