Getting Healthier in 2011 – May Health Goal Wrap-Up

My main goal for 2011 is “Getting Healthier”, as I have come to call it – or Getting Healthier in 2011.  I don’t want to be “Always Sick & Tired”.  I want to feel healthy and energized, and that’s what my site is all about doing.

Getting Healthier in 2011 Goals for May:

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1. Take a multi-vitamin once per day
2. See the dentist for a routine cleaning
3. Exercise 30 minutes/day , 3 times per week
4. Drink plenty of water – 9-8oz. glasses per day minimum
5. Prevent allergy problems by taking prescribed medications consistently
6. Get plenty of sleep
7. Take Flax Oil 1x per day minimum for enhanced mood and belly fat reduction
8. Reduce calorie intake by brewing mochas at home.

So, how’d I do?

Take Your Vitamins

I need to find a new Multi-Vitamin…one that isn’t huge and is hard to swallow. Seriously.  I have evenings where I try to swallow them and can’t. Sometimes my throat is swollen because I’m ill and other times it’s just hard to do.  I need to find another form of multi-vitamin that is easier to take consistently.  When I could swallow them, I did, but I caught a cold that gave me a sore throat – so I couldn’t take it.

Oral Hygiene

Yes! I finally saw the dentist.  I had a routine cleaning done, which was good because I hadn’t gone in about a year and a half. I didn’t have any cavities or inflammation at all.  The only issue I have is that I’m a grinder, so I now have a mouth guard to wear at night to prevent me from grinding my teeth down to my gums. I’m guessing it’s stress that causes the teeth grinding, just like when I bite my nails or pick at my finger skin around my nails when I’m nervous.

I know I used this picture last month, but seriously, he motivates me. SEXY!!

Let’s Get Physical

My exercise isn’t what I would have hoped for, and it’s truly essential for my plan of “getting healthier”.  First, at the beginning of the month, I screwed up my back, so I was laid up for several days.  I did what I could when we were at the gym, though.  I didn’t overdo it, and sometimes I only went for 20 minutes or so, but I got in the exercise that I could when I could.  I’ m now taking a muscle relaxer nightly in order to prevent waking up with back pain, and I’m going to start physical therapy on Friday.

Hydrate!

With the exception of a couple of days, I did this very well.  In addition, I had about 1-3 glasses of water per day mixed with Emergen-C which contains 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, several B Vitamins, Quercetin and electrolytes.  I think I did fairly well keeping myself hydrated.

Spring Allergies

I’ve kept my allergies under control without much trouble, though we did seem to catch a nasty head cold which I thought was allergies at first.  We are all finally improving.  But it wasn’t allergies that caused the illness, but most likely a cold virus as I know a lot of  other people who had the exact same symptoms – coughing, ear pain, etc…  I did, however, have some eye allergy issues which were particularly bothersome.  However, I used some allergy eye drops – Visine-A Eye Drops -, and those managed the symptoms and they went away after a few days.

Goodnight, Sleep Tight

I think for the most part I got enough sleep, but there were a few days that I found myself tired.  Being sick will do that to you.  I was up with the kids when they were coughing, and I was up coughing as well. But my sleep is steadily improving and I don’t feel as tired as I did before.  I’m not falling asleep as often on the couch anymore.  My energy levels are still rather low, like I’m feeling lazy a lot, but I’m not sleepy.

Omega 3 – Essential Fatty Acids

Gotta get those Omega 3′s in some form, and I’ve been taking a combination of a Flax Oil supplement at least once per day or getting a serving or two of Flax Milk which contains 1,100 mg per serving.  I’ve been adding it to my morning coffee and cereal.  It’s delicious and gets me my omega 3s.

Reduce Calories by Brewing Mochas at Home

I have been making my own mochas for the most part at home.  I’ve had a few Starbucks Frappuccinos this month, but I drank more and more of my own freshly brewed mochas.  I used lite chocolate syrup, my Godiva Vanilla coffee and Vanilla Flax Milk, and it’s nice and tasty.  I enjoy it immensely and plan to continue brewing them and consuming them.  Delicious!

May Over-All?

Considering that May was extremely busy and stressful, I think I did pretty well keeping to my goals. I also went above and beyond, taking Emergen-C for mood and allergy support, Quercetin for energy and allergies, and Chaste Tree Berry to reduce PMS symptoms.  I also removed a major contributor to my stress – an obligation that I felt I could no longer keep up.  Sometimes the best thing you can do for your mental health is to say no when someone asks you to do something.  Sometimes you have to prioritize your life and say “Something has to go”.  Plain and simple.

Check back tomorrow for my Getting Healthier in 2011 Goals for June.

Question:  What are you doing to get healthier in 2011?