Julie Parkes's Blog

On Christmas Eve we watched the new Batman Movie. I know, not quite the Christmas memory, but the kids enjoyed it. Anyway, even though I was leaning more toward a Christmas themed movie, I got sucked in. Two things in that movie caught my attention. First... Never give up. Even though Batman was in that prison and was told there was no way he could get out, he NEVER gave up. Second .... The power of Hope. The baddy tried to use hope as a bad thing, but it turned out to be his undoing. When a person Hopes, even beyond hope, anything is possible. I am reminded of a person right in my area in Vancouver. His name is Tyler Burton. In case you haven't heard the story, He was going to College in California and in October he walked passed a guy, possibly bumped him as he walked, but the guy up and punched him so hard that Tyler fell, smacking his head on the concrete and caused severe brain damage. He was in a coma for months, had several brain surgeries and his parents were told there was no hope. He was scheduled to have his organs removed to give transplants to others. But Tyler was a fighter and his parents had hope. A month later, Tyler, whose doctors said would never walk, talk or be able to do anything is back in Vancouver talking up a storm and learning how to walk again. Hope is a powerful thing. When a person is overweight or the other O word. (You know what it is), they often have been told so many times negative things and that they will always be fat. But I want you to HAVE HOPE! Because that's not true. You CAN lose weight! You CAN be healthy! You CAN have a wonderful, happy, active life totally beyond what you ever thought it could be. So grab that hope and hold onto it with both hands. I know you can do it.

Tonight my husband came home and said it was time to put away all the Christmas decorations. I'm kind of sad about that. We always put them upon Thanksgiving then we argue when to take them down. He wants them down the day after Christmas and I always want to wit until New Year. I don't know if its the memories of the tree that drives us; all the memories in the ornaments, or if I'm just being lazy. There is so much stuff, it's going to be a lot of work to put it all away. But whatever the reason deep inside my mind, I know all these decorations need to come down eventually and we need to get back to everyday life. I need to let go of this Christmas and begin to move forward. In a way, I did start. The kids have been working hard to clean and organize their rooms and closets and for some reason I have been feeling very stressed about the clutter. It's funny, that's so unlike me. Tomorrow I plan to organize the kitchen cabinets better, go through piles of mail, magazines and paper that has been set aside in piles and get the house in order. Maybe it's the upcoming New Year that has been pushing me. I have so may plans and so much I want to do over the next few months. Things and days just keep moving forward. So much to do and not enough time or energy to complete it all. The only thing that can be done is to continue to move forward. Tomorrow is another day.

Every New Year many people make a resolution to change their lives. Most of those resolutions are health related. Such as to eat better, join a gym and exercise, or to start a new diet. They resolutions are always started with great intentions. The person making the resolution jumps in with both feet, exercising every day or not touching anything with sugar, whatever that resolution is. Unfortunately, by March most of those resolutions are already broken. Making a big change to your life is really hard. The best way to be sure to stick with your resolution is to take baby steps. One small change at a time. Maybe start taking a short walk every day. Instead of totally changing your diet, add more vegetables to each meal. Look up some new healthy recipes and try a new one each week. Instead of cutting soda out of your diet cold turkey how about cut down on the soda you are drinking and replace with water. When you join the gym, take advantage of the help there by hiring a fitness trainer. The trainer can not only help you get started and keep you motivated, but they will give you the information to do it right without getting hurt. Set yourself up for success.

So often I talk to people about personal training and I hear how expensive they think training is. When it comes down to it, training really is a bit pricey. I agree with that. But so is other things. It's funny, I can talk to someone who has no problem with a trip, or two, to Starbucks everyday or who goes out to lunch or dinner nearly everyday. I love getting a nice treat. I love getting a good coffee. I love going out to dinner with my family and having the wait staff serve me. I love getting a mani/pedi. Ok. I'll face it, I love to be pampered. I'm no different than anyone else. There is a financial cost to that just like the financial cost of personal training. In reality, that financial cost comes out about the same. But the benefit of your investment in personal training is great. By taking the time to work with a trainer, you get a workout just for you. You get someone who's entire focus is just on you. You have someone that you get together with every week who celebrates your triumph of going for a hike for the first time in years. Who loves to hear about your bike ride with the kids and who will walk or perhaps run that 5K with you. You have someone who will push you to be your best, sometimes pushing you right to the edge of what you Thought possible. This is a person who will keep you strong, who will encourage you to be healthy and will encourage you to be a part of life and not watch it go by. A person who will know if you have been working out and provide you with accountability that you wouldn't necessarily have on your own. As I see it, and I know I'm biased, having a trainer is worth the cost. Treat yourself to the indulgence that keeps on giving. Give yourself the gift of personal training.

So often I hear about what happens to a fat person. Things about joint issues. Things about diseases and other health issues. But there is something that very few people talk about. Kind of like an unspoken code. The real pain of fat. I have shared before that I have struggled with my weight. In my adult life, I have been as high as 300 pounds and as low as 190. So I know about the true pain of fat. I have walked down the street and had teen boys moo and throw water balloons at me. I have been called the typical names growing up. I was even given the nick name Jolly, because fat people are suppose to be jolly. I have been told to put down my fork, why don't you skip a meal or something equally ridiculous. I have been painfully rejected by men. I have been rejected for jobs and promotions. I was told by one potential employer that I "Didn't have the look or personality to work there." I have had an orthopedic surgeon who said "You know, your knees wouldn't bother you so much if you weren't so fat." I have even been told about my daughter being teased because of my weight. These are some of the pains endured by fat. Things that most don't mention or think about. The saying Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can never hurt me is a damn lie. The worst pain that a person can give is with words. Growing up I always wanted attention. I dreamed of being the script writer that everyone wanted to hire. The person that if I wasn't there, everything would fall apart. But as much as I wanted that I am painfully shy. I hate talking in front of groups or even talking on the phone. I have this picture in my head of the little girl hiding behind her mother. To me that is the same as being fat. I am that little girl wanting attention so bad but hiding behind this fat body. I don't know where I heard it, but I heard said that no one would do a particular thing if they didn't get something out of it. I have a very complex puzzle to my food addiction and have had an epiphany. I am fat because I want to be noticed. As much pain as my weight causes, I have to admit I do get noticed. I just don't get noticed in very good ways. I may be abused, but I'm seen. My Dad never noticed my weight loss but he's always the first to notice my weight gain. In addition, I was always told that I was never as good as my sister. I was never as smart. I was never as pretty. I was never as talented. I was just never going to amount to much. I heard these things said so often and so long I have had to struggle and fight to break through that hold those words had on me. Words are such a powerful thing. If you are struggling with your weight, you are not alone. There are many who have and are struggling. I've struggled and fought. I understand where you are and where you want to go. I not only have been there but I struggle every day to bring that little girl out from behind the skirt. I've been taking baby steps and hope to someday soon be able to look in the mirror and say, I am smart. I am beautiful. I am worthy. I am a magnificent creation. And to really believe what I am saying.

I got so use with everything that has been going on, between Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Veterans Day, Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving then all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, I completely forgot about my Birthday. My Birthday was on November 12th. Normally my birthday wouldn't really be such a big deal to me, but this year is different because this year I turned 50. To tell you the truth I'm really excited about that. I am 50 years old and I'm in the best shape of my life. I recently started a new career that I absolutely Love and I can tell you for a fact that 50 doesn't mean that everything needs to go down hill. There is so much more to do and see. I feel like my life has just begun. With all the weight I used to carry, I lost out on whole world that I watched pass me by and NOW it's not passing me by anymore. I am participating in a wonderful life with precious kids and an amazing husband. This is a life that a few years ago I couldn't even imagine. This is a life that is better than I could ever dream it could be. I'm talking about my wonderful life for a few reasons. First... I am so happy. I am bursting and want to share the joy I have found. Second... This is a life I never thought I would have. It's a life you can have. Never give up and have hope. Tis is a beautiful world with beautiful people and so much for you. If you need to lose weight. You CAN do it. If you want to get healthy and Strong. You CAN get healthy and strong. It may not always be easy. But it is very possible. So take ne step at a time. Go to it and do it!

There are so many wonderful foods for Thanksgiving. I have a great recipe that many have asked me for. It's low fat, very yummy and very simple. Orange Cranberry Relish. 12 ounces of raw Cranberries 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. 1 medium Orange (wash and peel half) 1 inch of peeled fresh ginger. 1 cup of sugar or Splenda. Cut the orange and ginger into cubes that will fit not a food processor. Put all ingredients into the food processor and pulse until its the consistency that you would like. Then refrigerate. It's best when you make it the night before and let it sit and. Cool in the refrigerator.

This week my husband was bored and staring at the boxes of Christmas stuff in the garage so he began to decorate the inside of the house for the holidays. I love Christmas and yes it's pretty, but I have a really hard time decorating for Christmas already. Growing up, we went to the relatives house, played football, had dinner, then waked around the neighborhood looking at the Christmas decorations being hung that day. It was always a traditions so decorating early just seems so un natural. I live in the Northwest so Thanksgiving is often more rainy than southern California where I grew up. With the weather, tag football and the group walk after dinner has been so hard to get anyone to share it with so I just haven't been doing it. But a few years ago I created a new tradition just for me. Near my house, every thanksgiving morning is the annual Turkey Trot. There is a 5k and a 10k race. Although I have bad knees which make running irritating I have started walking it. The 5k Turkey Trot was the first race I have ever participated in. Now it's something I do every year. Not only that, but this year I have challenged several members of Snap Fitness to join me in this years race. I don't expect to run or to even come close to the front of the pack, but I plan to be there again this year. The difference is, I will have many new friends joining me. So, what new tradition are you doing this Thanksgiving???

Today is November 2nd. There are twenty days until Thanksgiving. Success isn't something that you just arrive at, although it would be sweet if it did. Success is something that you journey toward, one step at a time. Sometimes that journey has twists and turns. Sometimes that journey gets really pretty hard. How you handle those difficulties can lead you to success. I have found that making a plan really helps in that journey. Food is a big part of Thanksgiving. Health and weight loss has a great deal to do with choice. I have a really hard time looking at those pies, breads and the rest of the goodies and not be tempted. One plan I have is to create my own menu and stick to it. I find yummy healthy recipes such as some I shared on my last blog. But what if you are going to someone else's home for that excellent meal? Here are a few strategies that I have used... 1). Ask what they are going to be serving. Planning is everything. If you know what they are going to be serving then you can plan what to do when faced with your temptation. 2). Ask if you can bring something. Maybe you can bring a healthy dessert that you can share. Or a nice big fancy side salad. 3). Spill the beans. Let them know you are trying to eat healthier or lose weight and ask them to help you by serving some steamed vegetables or something. 4). Eat before you go. My hubby is an excellent cook and sometimes when we have friends over for Thanksgiving they will wait all day to eat until they get to our house so they can gorge on the wonderful food. You don't need to do that. Have a salad before leaving your house. Have a sandwich. Have a nice healthy brunch. You can still taste and enjoy the wonderful meal... Just not so much of it. 5). As you are visiting before dinner with your family and friends have a BIG glass of water. It's healthy for you and helps fill your belly so you don't eat as much. 6). Put your fork down between bites. Really enjoy your food and enjoy the conversation.

Today is November 1st. In a few weeks we celebrate Thanksgiving, then shopping, parties, Christmas, New Years, family, dinners, treats cookies and on and on and on. Before Trick or treaters made it to the doors, Christmas decorations were already in the stores. For people who battle weight and food issues, this is the most dangerous time of year. You either give out candy or have kids bringing it home..or both. Then Thanksgiving with the big dinners, pies cakes and breads. Rushing around shopping and eating on the run as you look for that perfect gift and squeezing in the parties, pot lucks and so many other things this time of year. Do I even need to go on? When you are trying to watch what you eat and make healthy choices this time of year can be such a challenge. The best thing you can do right now is to make a plan to succeed. Make this plan fun too. Last year I discovered a cranberry orange relish that is so easy to make, very low fat and tastes so good that everyone was asking me for the recipe. It's basically a small bag of cranberries, an orange (partly peeled) an inch of peeled ginger 1/2 cup of sugar (or splenda) and a teaspoon of cinnamon in the food processor. So yummy and I loved the compliments I got. They didn't even care that it was healthy. They only cared that it tasted so good. I made a pumpkin pudding with sugar free buttlescotch or vanilla pudding, 1/2 can of pumpkin pie filling and add nonfat milk until you get the texture you want. Lower fat than pumpkin pie and I can enjoy my treat while the rest of the family enjoyed there's. in fact the kids wanted my pudding instead of pumpkin pie. How great and easy is that? For dinner, I just didn't have skin with my turkey, I had larger helping of vegetables and chose mashed garlic cauliflower instead of a roll. I have always been a mashed potato lover but the garlic cauliflower tastes just as great. What recipes can you discover or create to make part of a healthier family tradition?