All the media hype surrounding Hurricane Sandy has sent millions of people into a tailspin. Yesterday, I was watching some of the devastation on television and it got me thinking; why the heck am I forcing myself to watch this? I would typically shield my eyes or at least preoccupy my mind with happier thoughts. But, I watched with fear in my eyes and anguish in my heart.
I can't even imagine being in that awful situation with flooded roads, destroyed homes, and people injured or perished. It just goes to show that the forces of nature are all-encompassing and always pose threats to humanity. This is the cycle of life, unfortunately.
These recent events got me thinking about my own personal struggle when I was in my 30's, and how I rose above the fray to become a better version of myself. If there truly is a reason for everything, then even this damn hurricane and all the ones before it, had a divine purpose.
In December of 1999, I was living downtown with my father at the foot of Yonge Street, in a high-rise luxury condominium. I had a dog named P.J. back then, and if he could have talked, he'd tell you some scary stories. Namely, my six month struggle with bulimia.
I'll never forget how this damn eating disorder took hold of my brain and body. Whenever I'd see other lanky girls walking the city streets, I'd shudder with fear because even though I was visually healthy and of normal weight, I was just like them. Insecure, miserable, lacklustre.
I kept a journal during that painful period. I remember how I'd reward myself with food for a job well done at work, only to purge it all later. I forced myself to vomit every single day for months. When I try to picture myself back then, I can hardly believe that it even happened to me. I recall that I was dating a fellow at the time, who wasn't doing much for my self-esteem either.
In my journal, I'd always pose the question: Why are you letting this happen? You're stronger than this! You are a Taurus! Resilient, tough, courageous. And yet every night, after eating copious amounts of ice cream, or cereal, or chocolate I'd run to the bathroom to purge. It was a force stronger than I can describe. I looked at my face in the mirror every night, and saw a girl I didn't recognize. It was the most frightening time, and I constantly questioned myself when it would all end. I knew the answer, but for six months it continued. I didn't even tell my parents, until the tail-end of my struggle.
I won't get into more detail, but just know this: I didn't get professional help for my eating disorder, even though my parents begged me to. I vowed that I would nip it the bud myself, and sure enough, I did. How it all happened, I still don't really remember. All I knew was that as soon as all the 'toxic' variables were eliminated from my life, things naturally turned around for the better.
Since my bout with bulimia in late '99, I have never had a relapse. The only facet about FALLING down that I can recall, is that I ROSE up with all the strength I could muster, all on my own. I never begged for help, yet I suffered in silence. This will be a story that I will share with my children (G-d willing) one day. I want them to know, that it's never OK to carry anguish and that it's always OK to share pain.
Think about every person you know and love, who has struggled and suffered through life and over time, has triumphed. Pretty awesome, isn't it? Humans are so fragile, yet so strong. The moral is: We are all more capable than we make ourselves out to be.
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Stretch your way to happiness...
For me, being a part of the ever-changing fitness industry is so rewarding. Every single day at work, I'm bound to be asked questions about proper form and technique, or the best foods to eat, or the most effective exercises for weight-loss. But, the most reoccurring theme that I've been asked of late is about stretching. I have a theory about stretching the body, and maybe after reading this, you'll begin to change your mind about how it plays such an integral role in your life.
If you're a busy body like me, you don't like sitting still during peak hours. I'm an early riser and I'm at my best between 7am and 4pm. During those 9 hours, I stretch with participants during my fitness classes and/or with clients in their home. I have always stressed that even a few minutes throughout the day of gentle stretching coupled with deep breathing, is rather beneficial for the nervous system. Most of us are shallow breathers, and sometimes we only pay attention to the rise and fall of our bellies or chests when we're in a Yoga or Pilates class. But, why can't we stretch at work, or while waiting in a line, or talking on the phone, or during commercials on television?
This is what you should begin implementing, starting now: the next time you're waiting for your program to come back on, or you're waiting in a queue for a customer service representative, stand up straight. Hold your arms up, shoulder distance apart, keep your neck long and just inhale and exhale deeply for 30 seconds. Then, while still standing, do some calf raises, lifting your heels off the floor for 50 repetitions. It provides instant blood flow to your joints, and it wakes up your brain a bit. Plus, it just feels good to circulate and invigorate your nervous system.
Stretching is a vital component in your fitness profile. Heck, it's important to stretch as much as possible and the majority of us aren't doing any stretches at all. And that can lead to undue stress which accumulates in the body and mind. So, begin at the beginning. First identify where you're most tense and then find ways to bring fresh oxygen and blood into those tender areas. For me, it's my neck, shoulders, lower back and hips. When all four areas get stretched, I feel instantly uplifted and energized.
Do you like rotating your hips? What about trying supported back bends? Shoulder rolls, neck tilts, standing knee lifts? All of these are great examples of bringing fresh blood into the joints and muscles. You need to do more stretching, starting now.
If you have a few minutes to read this blog, then you certainly have a few minutes to move your body around. No excuses. When you stretch, you will invariably improve the quality of your life. You'll smile more, you'll be less agitated, you'll improve your memory, you'll sleep better at night, you'll be refreshed, you'll be inspired. You'll wonder why you didn't start this sooner and with more regularity.
Whatever your fitness level is, you can do this. The other day, I stretched at the coffee shop and people simply stared at me. But, I didn't really care--I was intentionally trying to share my energy with my audience and ultimately prove a point--that stretching is so essential and should be a part of your daily routine.
Vow to add an extra minute or two of scattered stretches to your daily life, and then make a note of how much better it feels to simply move more. This isn't some corny plea I'm trying to make; this is as real as it gets. The more you stretch, the more improved your overall composition will be. You don't need a full hour in a yoga class--you need a few minutes of YOU TIME, in your own time.
Be healthy, my readers.
If you're a busy body like me, you don't like sitting still during peak hours. I'm an early riser and I'm at my best between 7am and 4pm. During those 9 hours, I stretch with participants during my fitness classes and/or with clients in their home. I have always stressed that even a few minutes throughout the day of gentle stretching coupled with deep breathing, is rather beneficial for the nervous system. Most of us are shallow breathers, and sometimes we only pay attention to the rise and fall of our bellies or chests when we're in a Yoga or Pilates class. But, why can't we stretch at work, or while waiting in a line, or talking on the phone, or during commercials on television?
This is what you should begin implementing, starting now: the next time you're waiting for your program to come back on, or you're waiting in a queue for a customer service representative, stand up straight. Hold your arms up, shoulder distance apart, keep your neck long and just inhale and exhale deeply for 30 seconds. Then, while still standing, do some calf raises, lifting your heels off the floor for 50 repetitions. It provides instant blood flow to your joints, and it wakes up your brain a bit. Plus, it just feels good to circulate and invigorate your nervous system.
Stretching is a vital component in your fitness profile. Heck, it's important to stretch as much as possible and the majority of us aren't doing any stretches at all. And that can lead to undue stress which accumulates in the body and mind. So, begin at the beginning. First identify where you're most tense and then find ways to bring fresh oxygen and blood into those tender areas. For me, it's my neck, shoulders, lower back and hips. When all four areas get stretched, I feel instantly uplifted and energized.
Do you like rotating your hips? What about trying supported back bends? Shoulder rolls, neck tilts, standing knee lifts? All of these are great examples of bringing fresh blood into the joints and muscles. You need to do more stretching, starting now.
If you have a few minutes to read this blog, then you certainly have a few minutes to move your body around. No excuses. When you stretch, you will invariably improve the quality of your life. You'll smile more, you'll be less agitated, you'll improve your memory, you'll sleep better at night, you'll be refreshed, you'll be inspired. You'll wonder why you didn't start this sooner and with more regularity.
Whatever your fitness level is, you can do this. The other day, I stretched at the coffee shop and people simply stared at me. But, I didn't really care--I was intentionally trying to share my energy with my audience and ultimately prove a point--that stretching is so essential and should be a part of your daily routine.
Vow to add an extra minute or two of scattered stretches to your daily life, and then make a note of how much better it feels to simply move more. This isn't some corny plea I'm trying to make; this is as real as it gets. The more you stretch, the more improved your overall composition will be. You don't need a full hour in a yoga class--you need a few minutes of YOU TIME, in your own time.
Be healthy, my readers.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
What's wrong with people?
It has been a very long time since I've enjoyed watching a comedian on television. A few days ago, I caught the act of Sebastian Maniscalco and loved every minute of it. This fellow was so true-to-form on stage. He shared relevant topics of interest and added his unique flare to his performance. He was genuinely funny and real.
Which brings me to my reason for writing today; I think I'm a rather keen observer of human interaction and body language and lately, I've found myself getting agitated watching how people relate to each another in public. I always question why people do what they do and why most unassuming folks say the darnedest things...
Sebastian's comedy act is entitled, 'What's wrong with people'?, and I couldn't agree more.
For instance, I'm sure you've witnessed a family squabble or two when you've been out in public. Have you ever seen mothers talk to their kids in the most inappropriate ways possible?
The other day I overheard a young woman bawling out her two kids for being so rambunctious at the nail salon, where I was getting a pedicure. Seriously, did she really think that her two young boys would sit still and be angels while she got primped? I just found it so laughable as she pretended like no one else was around. She raised her voice a number of times and finally, she called her husband on her cell phone to come and pick up the boys. Why the hell did you bring them to your 'sanctuary' in the first place, you dumb bimbo?
Hey, I'm not a mother and perhaps I'm speaking out of line here, but why does common sense get thrown out the window when it comes to children? Why do people embarrass themselves in front of onlookers? Do they even care? Are they so dense that they can't see past their own noses? Frankly, it's really atrocious, and you can bet that when I'm a parent, none of that shit will go down.
Another quick story: I was having lunch with my husband last week and I watched as a woman behind the food counter was preparing a stir-fry for a patron. While she was stirring the mixture, the patron asked if he could have more vegetables. She didn't even hesitate when she answered 'no'. There wasn't even room for compromise--she merely shut him down. What the hell was that? This was a paying customer who simply asked for a few more carrots and celery in his stir-fry. Why is customer service lacking in almost every industry known to man? And why do people take their anger and frustrations out on innocent people in the workplace? Ludicrous!
Most of the time, it's simple decorum people lack, but logically, it doesn't make sense to be ignorant to people's feelings. I would agree that being a 'mensch' is easier said than done but one must practice what they preach. But I see it all too often--people are misinformed, misunderstood, misaligned. Mistake.
Sometimes when you can't see your own wrong-doings, it can come back to bite you in the ass over time. It's a cumulative effect, and 'the man upstairs' keeps track. You can't be an ignoramus for too long, before the truth is highlighted for you. You must make efforts to treat people kindly and bite your tongue when necessary. It's a shame that more people aren't humble, naturally kind and selfless.
Next time you're out in public and you're the 'fly on the wall', observe, listen and promise to never repeat the mistakes of others. Save yourself from potential embarrassment and leave your anger at the door.
Instead, be the type of person other people want to emulate. Because, that's gold; valuable, precious and worth saving.
Which brings me to my reason for writing today; I think I'm a rather keen observer of human interaction and body language and lately, I've found myself getting agitated watching how people relate to each another in public. I always question why people do what they do and why most unassuming folks say the darnedest things...
Sebastian's comedy act is entitled, 'What's wrong with people'?, and I couldn't agree more.
For instance, I'm sure you've witnessed a family squabble or two when you've been out in public. Have you ever seen mothers talk to their kids in the most inappropriate ways possible?
The other day I overheard a young woman bawling out her two kids for being so rambunctious at the nail salon, where I was getting a pedicure. Seriously, did she really think that her two young boys would sit still and be angels while she got primped? I just found it so laughable as she pretended like no one else was around. She raised her voice a number of times and finally, she called her husband on her cell phone to come and pick up the boys. Why the hell did you bring them to your 'sanctuary' in the first place, you dumb bimbo?
Hey, I'm not a mother and perhaps I'm speaking out of line here, but why does common sense get thrown out the window when it comes to children? Why do people embarrass themselves in front of onlookers? Do they even care? Are they so dense that they can't see past their own noses? Frankly, it's really atrocious, and you can bet that when I'm a parent, none of that shit will go down.
Another quick story: I was having lunch with my husband last week and I watched as a woman behind the food counter was preparing a stir-fry for a patron. While she was stirring the mixture, the patron asked if he could have more vegetables. She didn't even hesitate when she answered 'no'. There wasn't even room for compromise--she merely shut him down. What the hell was that? This was a paying customer who simply asked for a few more carrots and celery in his stir-fry. Why is customer service lacking in almost every industry known to man? And why do people take their anger and frustrations out on innocent people in the workplace? Ludicrous!
Most of the time, it's simple decorum people lack, but logically, it doesn't make sense to be ignorant to people's feelings. I would agree that being a 'mensch' is easier said than done but one must practice what they preach. But I see it all too often--people are misinformed, misunderstood, misaligned. Mistake.
Sometimes when you can't see your own wrong-doings, it can come back to bite you in the ass over time. It's a cumulative effect, and 'the man upstairs' keeps track. You can't be an ignoramus for too long, before the truth is highlighted for you. You must make efforts to treat people kindly and bite your tongue when necessary. It's a shame that more people aren't humble, naturally kind and selfless.
Next time you're out in public and you're the 'fly on the wall', observe, listen and promise to never repeat the mistakes of others. Save yourself from potential embarrassment and leave your anger at the door.
Instead, be the type of person other people want to emulate. Because, that's gold; valuable, precious and worth saving.
Monday 15 October 2012
Jamaica, MON--The week in review...
We were all revved up for our all-inclusive, week-long journey to Runaway Bay in Jamaica. It all began at the airport in Toronto, where we witnessed a middle-aged couple quarrelling and making a spectacle of themselves in front of the loading gate across from ours. They were quite obviously under the influence of drugs and uttering profane and inappropriate words to one another. Needless to say, they were not permitted on their flight and were escorted out of the airport by the authorities. Way to begin a vacation!
Now, on to more relevant news about our trip, which was filled with great gems that we'll remember for a lifetime. The resort we stayed at, the view from our room, the excursion we took to Bob Marley's mausoleum and stopping in Ocho Rios, were all spectacular. But, the food was atrocious in every way. I think we had one decent dinner for the entire week of our stay. I never expected the buffet selections at the resort to be of high quality, but you'd think the Jamaican people would know a thing or two about spices and flavours!
Thank goodness for our wonderful driver, Tyrone Neil, who was instrumental in showing us the local places to eat, where to buy authentic 'Blue Mountain' coffee and the premium shopping spots to buy souvenirs. It was smartest thing we did--hiring a trustworthy, former police officer to take us around the mountains, back alleys and areas of interest we might not have seen otherwise.
The best part of our week was the glorious pool at our resort. It was just massive and it was a wonderful spot to chill out, drink 'Red Stripe' beer and watch the world go by. That's where we camped out for the majority of our days. I had never seen my husband so relaxed and that made me very content.
The downsides of our trip? There were a few: The first room we stayed in was beside an area of new construction, and there was constant noise day and night. We changed rooms on the fourth day of our trip when the ceiling started to leak at 4:30am due to the air conditioning unit. Oh, joy.
On the fifth night of our holiday, we decided to venture out to a place called, 'Luminous Lagoon'. We thought it would be a fun evening excursion, but we ended up paying 50 bucks total for a 25-minute boat ride to supposedly see some tropical fish glowing in the sea after dark. We didn't see sh**.
If you're a foodie like me, you know decent food when you taste it. Our breakfasts were horrific. Tons of selection, but the buffet featured nasty looking fruit, shitty tasting breads, greasy meats, vegetables soaked in oil and bland flavored items right across the board. Lunch was our saving grace. We ate fresh salads, jerk chicken and decent snacks. Dinner? Let's just say we were nutritionally deprived all week and that was not a good thing.
Overall, we were quite impressed with the grounds, the people, the beer. For the first time in quite awhile, both my husband and I enjoyed doing nothing. We didn't overload ourselves in any way and we came home feeling rested, thankful to be home and grateful beyond measure for our creature comforts.
Jamaica is a poor country and it was so evident when our driver took us for a ride into the mountains. Most of the homes were incomplete in their construction. I was so humbled to see how the locals lived, with very little. I can only imagine how they'd fare if they lived in a wealthy and affluent country like ours...
Would I go back? No. Would I recommend the 'Gran Bahia Principe' resort to others? Yes.
Frankly, I love travelling to tropical locales but, onward and upward.
Thanks for reading. Irie, mon.
Now, on to more relevant news about our trip, which was filled with great gems that we'll remember for a lifetime. The resort we stayed at, the view from our room, the excursion we took to Bob Marley's mausoleum and stopping in Ocho Rios, were all spectacular. But, the food was atrocious in every way. I think we had one decent dinner for the entire week of our stay. I never expected the buffet selections at the resort to be of high quality, but you'd think the Jamaican people would know a thing or two about spices and flavours!
Thank goodness for our wonderful driver, Tyrone Neil, who was instrumental in showing us the local places to eat, where to buy authentic 'Blue Mountain' coffee and the premium shopping spots to buy souvenirs. It was smartest thing we did--hiring a trustworthy, former police officer to take us around the mountains, back alleys and areas of interest we might not have seen otherwise.
The best part of our week was the glorious pool at our resort. It was just massive and it was a wonderful spot to chill out, drink 'Red Stripe' beer and watch the world go by. That's where we camped out for the majority of our days. I had never seen my husband so relaxed and that made me very content.
The downsides of our trip? There were a few: The first room we stayed in was beside an area of new construction, and there was constant noise day and night. We changed rooms on the fourth day of our trip when the ceiling started to leak at 4:30am due to the air conditioning unit. Oh, joy.
On the fifth night of our holiday, we decided to venture out to a place called, 'Luminous Lagoon'. We thought it would be a fun evening excursion, but we ended up paying 50 bucks total for a 25-minute boat ride to supposedly see some tropical fish glowing in the sea after dark. We didn't see sh**.
If you're a foodie like me, you know decent food when you taste it. Our breakfasts were horrific. Tons of selection, but the buffet featured nasty looking fruit, shitty tasting breads, greasy meats, vegetables soaked in oil and bland flavored items right across the board. Lunch was our saving grace. We ate fresh salads, jerk chicken and decent snacks. Dinner? Let's just say we were nutritionally deprived all week and that was not a good thing.
Overall, we were quite impressed with the grounds, the people, the beer. For the first time in quite awhile, both my husband and I enjoyed doing nothing. We didn't overload ourselves in any way and we came home feeling rested, thankful to be home and grateful beyond measure for our creature comforts.
Jamaica is a poor country and it was so evident when our driver took us for a ride into the mountains. Most of the homes were incomplete in their construction. I was so humbled to see how the locals lived, with very little. I can only imagine how they'd fare if they lived in a wealthy and affluent country like ours...
Would I go back? No. Would I recommend the 'Gran Bahia Principe' resort to others? Yes.
Frankly, I love travelling to tropical locales but, onward and upward.
Thanks for reading. Irie, mon.
Tuesday 2 October 2012
EYE see what you mean...
I was fifteen years old when I noticed it. I was sitting in my Grade 9 class and I was struggling to make out the words on the chalk board. It really bothered me back then, that I'd have to wear glasses to see properly. That's nothing compared to what I'd later discover about my vision.
I was in my mid-20's when I was finally told by my optometrist that I had keratoconus; an eye condition that causes a gradual thinning of the corneal tissue, and that it deteriorates as one gets older. To be frank, eye glasses no longer served me well, and I had to switch to soft contact lenses. At 35, I noticed that my eyesight wasn't getting better, it was gradually getting worse. I had constant redness, itchiness, swelling and my eyes would well up with tears on a daily basis. People thought I was high all the time (which I was), or that I wasn't sleeping well (which I wasn't). Everything that I did was directly affected by my vision. I was miserable.
Finally, it was my brother, Adam, who miraculously found an eye specialist on the internet, who dealt specifically with keratoconus. Dr. Michael Baertschi, all the way from Bern, in Switzerland. This man literally saved my eyes from what would otherwise be an unfortunate tragedy. Little did I know that wearing soft contact lenses for over 15 years was actually causing more harm than good.
I travelled to Europe to meet Dr. Baertschi for the first time in 2007. I was utterly shocked to learn about my complex eye disease, which my brother and I both suffer from. I was getting an education about my condition for the first time in my life, and I sobbed when I discovered the truth about my eyes. I could have done irreparable damage, had I not met this miracle doctor sooner.
He immediately prescribed rigid contact lenses that were phenomenal to wear once I got used to them. The clarity, comfort and ease of insertion with the new lenses were the most noticeable improvements and as a result, my overall mood and self-esteem escalated. I was happier than I've ever been, once Dr. B stepped in and took control of the reigns. To me, he is a life saver, an absolute humane and selfless individual who genuinely cares for his patients. Thank G-d for him.
My point in sharing this with you, is to highlight how your vision is vital to a happy life. In the literal sense, you need your sight to get by in the world, but if G-d forbid you didn't have your sight, you'd have to use your other senses to function and adapt. And let me tell you, during my years of utterly hazy, cloudy and disrupted vision, I was forced to make use of my other senses. It took me years to develop a rhythm, but I pushed through. And I was one of the luckier ones; because had I not taken active measures to make changes in my life, I would have become blind. No word of a lie.
Your eyes are the windows to your soul. You need to take care of them. Even if you have stellar vision, you need to protect them from the elements. Shield them from direct sunlight, nourish your body with foods that contain lutein (such as tomatoes, avocados, kale, swiss chard, spinach, collard greens, parsley), to protect your eyes from the inside out. When engaging in any contact sport, wear a mask or goggles. Take it from me, the gal with the delicate peepers, you should take much better care of them than you already do.
Do you see what I mean? Just do your best and continue to take care of you. To all my loyal readers, thank you for taking the time to learn about my condition.
I was in my mid-20's when I was finally told by my optometrist that I had keratoconus; an eye condition that causes a gradual thinning of the corneal tissue, and that it deteriorates as one gets older. To be frank, eye glasses no longer served me well, and I had to switch to soft contact lenses. At 35, I noticed that my eyesight wasn't getting better, it was gradually getting worse. I had constant redness, itchiness, swelling and my eyes would well up with tears on a daily basis. People thought I was high all the time (which I was), or that I wasn't sleeping well (which I wasn't). Everything that I did was directly affected by my vision. I was miserable.
Finally, it was my brother, Adam, who miraculously found an eye specialist on the internet, who dealt specifically with keratoconus. Dr. Michael Baertschi, all the way from Bern, in Switzerland. This man literally saved my eyes from what would otherwise be an unfortunate tragedy. Little did I know that wearing soft contact lenses for over 15 years was actually causing more harm than good.
I travelled to Europe to meet Dr. Baertschi for the first time in 2007. I was utterly shocked to learn about my complex eye disease, which my brother and I both suffer from. I was getting an education about my condition for the first time in my life, and I sobbed when I discovered the truth about my eyes. I could have done irreparable damage, had I not met this miracle doctor sooner.
He immediately prescribed rigid contact lenses that were phenomenal to wear once I got used to them. The clarity, comfort and ease of insertion with the new lenses were the most noticeable improvements and as a result, my overall mood and self-esteem escalated. I was happier than I've ever been, once Dr. B stepped in and took control of the reigns. To me, he is a life saver, an absolute humane and selfless individual who genuinely cares for his patients. Thank G-d for him.
My point in sharing this with you, is to highlight how your vision is vital to a happy life. In the literal sense, you need your sight to get by in the world, but if G-d forbid you didn't have your sight, you'd have to use your other senses to function and adapt. And let me tell you, during my years of utterly hazy, cloudy and disrupted vision, I was forced to make use of my other senses. It took me years to develop a rhythm, but I pushed through. And I was one of the luckier ones; because had I not taken active measures to make changes in my life, I would have become blind. No word of a lie.
Your eyes are the windows to your soul. You need to take care of them. Even if you have stellar vision, you need to protect them from the elements. Shield them from direct sunlight, nourish your body with foods that contain lutein (such as tomatoes, avocados, kale, swiss chard, spinach, collard greens, parsley), to protect your eyes from the inside out. When engaging in any contact sport, wear a mask or goggles. Take it from me, the gal with the delicate peepers, you should take much better care of them than you already do.
Do you see what I mean? Just do your best and continue to take care of you. To all my loyal readers, thank you for taking the time to learn about my condition.
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