OneHealthyGirl.com - Carla Golden's Get Healthier! Blog

WellnessDestinationsCentral.com LAUNCHES!

I am so excited to share with you the nation's fastest growing online directory of alternative medicine and wellness practitioners: WellnessDestinationsCentral.com!

I've been working on this project all year and I can't wait for you to see it. Keep in mind that this is a growing database and it will become more plentiful as practitioners enter their information.

So tell your favorite massage therapists, yoga instructors, chiropractors, health food stores and all your other wellness friends, colleagues and practitioners to sign up. Any practitioner can list for FREE!

To learn all about how WDC works, go here.

Start searching, sign up or just take a peek here.

Where is YOUR WellSpot?

Live Light, xo-C.

Taking My Own Advice!

Greetings Loyal Readers~

It's been a wild and crazy time for me as of late, hence the sporadic postings. Life is grand and keeps getting more grand, so no complaints! However, all this grandiosity puts a crunch on the time and some things keep getting kicked off the ol' To Do List. So I'm having to remind myself of all the helpful advice I've shared: Living Light, SPAs and LAFter! A good attitude, daily exercise and eating well is the formula for having what it takes to reach for success! Some days it's all I can do to go read my own blog for guidance!!

My businesses are booming! Massage Therapy is keeping me busy (and sane! I swear it's the calmest part of my life!). My Living Potential partnership in which we provide education and marketing of Young Living products is about to take TOP FLIGHT! And I've had a brain child recently which will soon become HiltonHeadIslandWellnessDestinations.com!

Even though, as you can see, my plate is full (and I didn't even mention my volunteer duties!) I have not lost one iota of passion for OneHealthyGirl.com. A few days may go by without a posting, but know that I am reading and scouring the web for helpful, healthy news to share with you. It is my true desire to help each and every one of you find the information you need to improve your personal health. One body at a time, we can heal the world. Learn, practice, share and repeat!

Thank you for your patience and support. Live Light, xo-C.

PS: Those of you who subscribe via email have received duplicate mystery posts lately. Apparently there is a glitch with FeedBurner and I apologize for any inconvenience!! Hopefully it will be resolved promptly.

Update on Carla

I've been plugging along on my program since October and overall I feel great. Just like with many of you, I've diverted away from my ideal habits due to changes in weather and schedule (holidays). I can clearly see where my weaknesses in willpower lie! Nonetheless, I've not been sick and I've been charging ahead at my usual woman-on-a-mission pace. I am constantly reassessing and striving for excellence!

I had my blood tested again this week and everything looks normal and healthy. The previous iron overload was obviously a mistake because I tested in the normal range this time. One big difference I noticed about this test was my level of dehydration and WBC (inflammation). Usually I schedule my blood test early in the day because one must fast from midnight the day before. But this time I scheduled my appointment in the afternoon so didn't eat all day until after my blood was drawn. I drank very little water. Boy, this was a learning experience.

What I have learned by personal experience (I already knew this theoretically) is that the body becomes dehydrated VERY quickly and the body fluids begin to concentrate and cause negative reactions...inflammation, mucous, crystals, etc. This is one way the body begins to tip to the side of stagnation and disease.

Remember to drink your water..even when you don't feel thirsty! The goal is to not feel thirst - by then you are already dehydrated.

Live Light, xo-C.

Update on Me

I started this journey just before the beginning of October so it's been about two and a half months. What have been my challenges? Exercising every day has been the biggest challenge because I often do not allow enough time. Walking in the dark is fine with me, but now that daylight savings has changed and the weather has cooled, walking after 6 pm in the dark chill has so little appeal to me. I do it sometimes, but often instead I'm getting back into yoga classes in order to be indoors. Its' not quite the cardiovascular workout as the walking however. My daughter and I haven't been biking to school as much either for the chill factor. There's a reason we live in the South - we like it hot! Nonetheless, I've been loving my MBT walking shoes. I think my solution will have to be scheduling my day with 30 minutes built in for walking in between appointments or whatever I'm doing during the day time.

Eating well has been easy. I'm such a natural born food analyst that scrutenizing food is second nature to me. Not the most socially popular habit, I must admit.

Drinking ample water hasn't been too difficult as that's really all I drink (I'm knocking your sock off with all my thrilling traits, yes?). I've felt that I've needed to increase my water intake now that we have the heaters on and I'm spending more time indoors. Stale, warm air screams for fresh, cool water. And lots of it! And nightly baths - with epsom salts and essential oils - help the whole body to hydrate and relax.

My sleep has been a little challenging. I don't know about you, but I just have the hardest time waking up when it's dark or dreary outside - it's just not natural! My sweet husband has been taking to opening the curtains for me to allow any little bit of sunshine into our room to help me wake up. And I've been so busy (like all of you) that I just don't want to stop toiling when I know it's time to go to bed so I've been hitting the pillow a bit later than I ought to. I'll work on that...happily. I LOVE to sleep.

And lastly, the easiest step of all has been to take the supplements. Kim, my healthier helper, has also expressed the same sentiment. It is so easy! And the positive reinforcement from feeling so much more stable (blood sugar, appetite, emotions) makes remembering the supplements practically a no-brainer.

I've not been back in to get a new blood sample, therefore I don't know my current stats. I will get in before the end of the year. Someone I saw two days ago that I had not seen since this summer told me that it looks as though I've lost weight - enough to see a difference. I don't own a scale (swore them off after overcoming an eating disorder in 1991) so I don't know how much weight I've lost, nor have I calculated my approximate body fat. Maybe I've lost weight, maybe I've toned up. Either way, it's nice when it's noticed though losing weight wasn't my personal mission for starting my program. Remember, Dr. Schwarzbein says you have to be healthy to lose weight, not lose weight to be healthy. I'm all about being healthy!

Nonetheless I feel pretty good. No colds, no flus, no stomach bugs....they've been rampant around here! I know my immune system is strong because of all the healthy choices I make day after day.

For everyone this is a particularly stressful time of the year - physically and emotionally - so take extra good care of yourself. Go make some wassail (mine is on the stove!) and invite the year's end to arrive as gently and slowly as a good friend's lingering embrace. To your health, xo-C.

Week Five - Program Update and Recap

I received my second round of blood work and nothing has changed. That's good! I have a strange number reporting for the level of my iron, but I truly suspect it is a test error. For a normal range of iron to be 35-155 ug/dL and for me to test 54 last month and 235 (!!!) this month without feeling DEATHLY ILL, I suspect there was a test error and I will confirm this with my next round of blood work next month. I've read up on the symptoms of iron toxicity and I have none, so I feel safe, healthy and iron normal.

Remember that nifty Body Fat Calculator? After five weeks on this program and having lost a touch of weight and fat, I've gone from an estimated 24% to 22% body fat. Not too shabby! Weight loss is not my goal, but it is a welcomed side-affect of getting even healthier. I've enjoyed the walking tremendously as 30 minutes is so darn "do-able!" I plan to start getting back into yoga to lengthen my muscels again as I feel them getting tight with this daily, dedicated walking. I've also been eyeing a pair of MBT walking shoes to maximize my walking efforts.

Now is as important as a time as ever to start concentrating on your immune system. It's this time of year that we are exposed to more sick people, we stress more over the holidays and we eat more sweets and unusual foods than normal. Wearing down the immune system with sugar, alcohol and stress helps those colds and flus to spread around more easily. Armor yourself with good health and you'll be surprise how resistant and strong your body can be! No body ever said you HAVE to get sick every winter.

For those of you just recently joining this blog, I've outlined already the five points to my Get Healthier! wellness program. On the blog site, find PROGRAM OVERVIEW and click GET HEALTHIER! WELLNESS PROGRAM OVERVIEW. Then under CATEGORIES you can read more in depth about each of the five points. Welcome, follow along and feel free to ask any questions. You can find my email under ABOUT.

Get well, stay well and be well, xo-C.

Week Three - Program Update

Alas, I am human after all!

And, boy, have I felt all my human-ness this week. I am grateful that I've had my trusty and supportive supplements and wellness plan behind me, because without my check list, I may have really lost my way. It has been a particularly stressful and busy week and I've gotten behind on my sleep and I skipped a day of exercise and I've eaten more than my fair share of birthday treats, but....hey....such is life. The lesson here is to keep on doing what is right, let go of what isn't working, keep your chin up and press on! If I were to demonstrate this wellness program without fault or detour, it wouldn't be a realistic view of how to incorporate this into everyday lifestyle.

This week I will profile the last three supplements and then present them all together in one great kit and tell you how you can get started! I know you're excited and I am excited for you!

There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream.
— Anonymous

Never lose site of your dream, xo-C.

Week Two - Program Update

Here I am at the bottom of week two and I feel fabulous! My head condition (the detoxing cold-like symptoms) has nearly disappeared and I'm feeling energetic. I've been getting my daily exercise - walking or biking - and getting enough sleep...until last night. But that happens once in a while and I'll just make up for it tonight. I've been eating real, whole food - not much else really appeals at this point - and supplementing. I can tell that I've either lost weight, toned my muscles or both because my clothes are lose. In general I feel quite healthy and feel that I worked though a detoxing episode - much like a speed bump - and now I'm free to cruise and maintain the new level of wellness. My water intake has been sufficient and I've not had any caffeine.

I have another appointment at the end of the month for another blood test to mark any internal changes.

Not long ago I heard that there is a new diet pill for dogs. I nearly fell to the floor. How sad is it that not only do we feed ourselves poorly and lack for exercise, but that we also do this to our pets? And then expect to fix it with a pill? I know there are ailments in pets that lead to excessive weight, but just like with people, so much of this can be attributed to diet and lifestyle. I am happy to say that since I've been walking regularly and taking my little dog with me, that she's lost one pound! And when you're only 15 pounds total, that's considerable. If you have a dog, consider taking your trusted buddy with you on your daily walks for the benefit of you both.

I am excited to share with you the remaining supplements that I use daily as part of my wellness regime. Also I am anxious to let you in on my Get Heathier! Challenge No. 2 coming up next week.

"A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which, he simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing and leaves others to determine whether is working or playing. To himself, he always seems to be doing both."

The Art of Work
by Michelle L. Casto

Onward and upward, xo-C.

Week One - Program Update

By the end of today I will have been on my five-point program for one week.

1. Walk 30 minutes every day (or equivalent - some days I bike my daughter to school)
2. Sleep 8 hours each night
3. Drink 10 eight ounce glasses of water each day
4. Eat whole, real foods in moderation (no caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, refined sugar, etc.)
5. Use premium supplements: Ning Xia Red, Balance Complete, Omega Blue, Longevity, True Source and Life 5

Do you want to know how I feel? Like a million bucks below my neck and like two bucks above my neck. My energy level is steady and solid. I have not been tired nor have I had peaks and valleys. But I am detoxing and that is why my head hurts and is leaking...from my nose, ears and mouth. Lovely, eh? But it's part of the process.

Do you know why people in general don't detox? Because it is not fun. It does not feel good. And it can be tiring. And it's not very pretty. BUT it is all so very worth it in the long run. If you want long-lasting, life-enhancing results from your efforts to increase your wellbeing, you have to shed the gunk. It's got to go sometime. And you're not getting any younger. (Aren't you glad I reminded you?)

Toxins are stored in fat cells and as fat cells start to shrink (a good thing!) those toxins are released and are processed through the body's system on their way out. That's the part that doesn't feel so good. Those weekly dozen doughnuts, those cheap college beers, those midnight pizzas, the ballpark deep-fried Oreos, the prescription medication, the party cigarettes, and the round of anti-depressants to survive it all COME BACK for ROUND TWO after all these years to some degree.

Therese von Holstein-Rathlou writes in Gorilla Grub and Ape Chow:
"Human fat in excess is unnatural and the lymph channels are on of the places that store it, sometimes creating little bulges that give the typical uneven look that is called "cellulite" or orange skin. These are accumulated toxins that can and must be reduced through balanced eating. It is not just a matter of esthetics as it reveals a sensitive digestion that requires more time and quality food to accomplish its task, plus the necessity to change the lifestyle in reducing stress when needed. This can take a little more time in people who have a build up over a number of years. These fats have to drain through the lymph system and pass through the liver again. Here is where a cleansing may cause a momentary reaction as the body is dealing with new and old toxins. it is worth the effort as you will be new and improved."

So my two dollar head is the new and improved version! Honestly, I know the discomfort is temporary and that my trusty body is doing exactly as it should. I'm going to come out on the other side of this with electric colors.

Don't believe the bogus information that cellulite is inherited. Your physical health - RIGHT NOW and always - is 20% genetic and 80% environmental. That means you determine the majority of your state of health. How's that for self-accountability? Stop blaming grandma for the fat thighs she bequeathed to you!

Let's turn this health bus around! The very first place to begin is to purchase one of Dr. Schwarzbein's books. I would suggest The Transition for $14.95, not only because it is the focus of my No. 1 Challenge, but because it is thorough. My second choice is The Program for $12.95. It is shorter (260 pages vs. 495) and can get you started. Either book is a bargain if you are able to use it to turn around the state of your health or learn to make smarter choices to prevent unnecessary future breakdown and disease. Arm yourself with the knowledge and understanding of how your body works. It is with you every moment of every day of your life. Shouldn't you understand it?

Take care of yourself and become a role model for your loved ones - your spouse, your best friend, your children...whomever. Your health and the health of those you love is the greatest gift you could share together.

"The only way on earth to multiply happiness is to divide it." Paul Scherer

I think my head just went down to $1.99, xo-C.