What a week it's been

Phew...... what a week it's been.  I'm kinda glad it's over.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE taking care of my Mom, but as much as I love her, changing her 3 open wounds is not my idea of fun.  Having to help her up all week, help her down to go to the bathroom, help her back up again.. Change her dressings on her 3 wounds.. take her temp, feeding her, doing her laundry, helping her take a shower, doing her shopping.  I mean phew.... not to mention keeping up with my OWN home and kids.  Driving to my moms in the morning, driving back to get the kids, driving back to my moms until my dad got home then drive back home, do homework and baths and dinner and then pass out and do it all over again.  Man I'm tired just having to write it ;)  I'm so glad I'M healthy and strong so I was able to do this for her.  My Dad is very overweight and was helping but he could barely stand up at times with his bad knees, so... this is proof that YOUR health can be the BEST gift you can give yourself AND your loved ones!!  I know I preach and preach about health and fitness but please believe me, it's not just to get on stage and look ripped and shredded and win a trophy, I'm talking about REAL health and fitness!  You know, the one you need to do exactly what I'm doing for my mom.  Can you imagine if I wasn't able to do this for her???  Who would have?  She would have been alone because I wouldn't have been able to do all that I did.  Makes you think doesn't it.

HOWEVER today we think was the turning point.  She is able to get up on her own.  We put the walker away ;)  I'm thankful for that and so is she.  We had a new nurse come in today and change her dressings, he did a great job (and he told me that I did as well) ;)   So we're hoping by Thanksgiving that she is up more and around more.  Dressed and able to do more on her own.  She is really willing to change her eating habits and exercise now so I'm super happy about that.  Even my DAD said he would walk with her once she's better.  With his impending knee surgery he needs to lose about 20-30lbs before it anyway so... this horrible situation and her almost dying brought good to our family.  Health and Fitness is NOW on their radar and of importance to them.  That's all I've ever wanted!!!

Home Sweet Home..

My Mom was released today!  Thank the Lord.  She has nothing attached to her anymore and is able to walk (with assistance a short distance).  We thought she was going to have to go home with the picc line in her, but they decided it wasn't needed, so YAY!!  Nothing to drag around or watch out for.  She will be having a nurse come 3x a week to change her surgery dressing and to take vitals.

This was as serious as it gets!  We almost lost her, according to the Dr's.  It was touch and go the first few days (but they didnt' tell us that, thank God or I woulda been a nervous wreck!).  The infection was so severe!  OMG, can you imagine if she would have never gone into get the band removed?  The abscess would have ruptured and she would have died!!  I don't even wanna think about that.

So, I picked her up today and drove her home.  Back in her own house, her own smells, her own chair, her own tv channels.....

Well, here we are....

What brought me here you ask?  Well, I'll tell you.  My Mother, Linda.  We have an amazing relationship, we always have.  She is my best friend and I can't imagine my life without her.  There isn't a day that goes by that we don't talk in some form (phone, email, in person).  My husband and I and our kids go over to their house EVERY Sunday.  I cook, the guys watch football while the kids play with Grandma.  Some say we're too close ;)  But, that's the way I like it, love it in fact!  My Grandparents are both gone so she is all I have left (well I have my Aunt but she lives in Michigan). So, that's where my story begins... I love my Mom.

With that said, I'm frustrated.  I'm frustrated that I couldn't convince her to eat healthier.  I'm frustrated that I couldn't get her to exercise (even though she has a FULL gym and a pool in her lodge at Sun City).  I'm frustrated that she has watched me be a competitive bodybuilder for the last 5 years and nothing about my nutrition or exercise has rubbed off on her.  I'm frustrated that she had to resort to a procedure that did more harm that good.  I'm frustrated that she's in the pain she's in right now and that I have to visit a hospital everyday.  I'm frustrated!  Did I say that I'm frustrated??  I did??  Well I'm gonna say it again.  I'M FRUSTRATED!

That's what lead me to start this blog.  I am a BeachBody Coach and a nutrition and exercise expert.  I have been lifting weights for more than half my life, competitive for the last 5 years.  My nutrition experience started very young with my Grandmother. I grew up in a house of cell salts and alfalfa sprouts as a 2nd grader ;)  Having my Grandma diagnose me with things and giving me homeopathic remedies (God rest her soul).  So needless to say I am passionate about eating right and exercising.  My youngest son has Emotional Regulation Issues so therefore I have adjusted his diet and supplement needs to assist his little body and brain to learn to calm down.  As you can imagine, sugar wouldn't be good for him to calm down... right? Simple answer right?  Yes, however not everyone can be 8 and listen to what their Mommy says.  Most of the overweight public are adults (yes there is childhood obesity as well which I plan on tackling as well) so they don't really "listen" to what you have to say, that is until they get really sick!  Then it's "oh help me with my diet, what do I do for exercise?"  Hmmmm maybe you shoulda listened to me all along huh?  Now, I'm not ragging on anyone for not listening, ok well maybe I am cuz my Mom is one of em....but I am saying that I am here to help.  I KNOW what I'm doing and I CAN help you feel better if you just listen to me.  Even listening a little bit will make a HUGE difference in your health.

So, this is where we're starting..... a sick Mom, in the hospital for over a week now from a lap band REMOVAL because it wasn't doing what it promised to do and ERODED in her stomach causing a SEVERE infection and a HOLE in her stomach!!  I think this blog will start backwards... from what's going on now, to how it all started..

Stay tuned!!

Hang in there anyone reading this!  Your help has arrived in the form of...... ME!!  :)