Hanging in there

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Posted by hanlie | Posted in My Long Walk to Health | Posted on 30-06-2009

image004I’m taking a bit of strain at the moment.

It’s as if I’ve lost my groove. I haven’t been as consistent in eating healthy the last few days and I’ve missed a few workouts. I feel totally blah! Nothing is giving me pleasure right now (certainly not the supposed “treats” I’ve been having. Why do we call things that harm us treats anyway?).

There are deeper issues at play here and I am working through them… I will definitely write about this in the days to come.

In the mean time I’m just hanging on for dear life and trying to remember that I already have the answers. It’s just a question of assembling the pieces of the puzzle.

If you happen to come across my groove, please wrestle it to the ground and send it back to me. Express delivery will be appreciated!

Quick Monday Check In

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Posted by hanlie | Posted in My Long Walk to Health | Posted on 29-06-2009

Yay! I had a loss this week – 1.8 pounds. Finally!

Although I’ve been feeling and looking great, it’s still gratifying to see the scale moving again

I had to buy a new leotard today, since my old one was falling apart from chlorine. It was also getting a bit baggy. So, instead of another 3XL I got a 2XL! Woohoo!

uc_anim05Watch this space! This body is under construction…

How to make the perfect green smoothie

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Posted by hanlie | Posted in Health and Fertility | Posted on 27-06-2009

As you know, I have a green smoothie (about 3 pints) for breakfast every day. It truly sets the tone for my day!

Here’s a video telling you just about everything you need to know about green smoothies, including how to make them.

Here are also some testimonials from people who have had great health improvements after introducing green smoothies.

So, now you know how to get your green on!

If I had a white glove…

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Posted by hanlie | Posted in By The Way... | Posted on 26-06-2009

…I’d wear it to today in memory of one of the most iconic figures of our time.

Yes, we’ve often mocked Michael Jackson. He was a bizarre man. The charges of sexual molestation ruined his reputation, and even though he was acquitted, we will never really know, and of course we can never condone that kind of thing.

There will always be more questions than answers about him, but this I know for sure: he was a genius and a star.

When I think about Michael Jackson, it is with great sadness. Not because of his death, but because I think he was a sad, lonely, unhappy and misunderstood person who had never had a normal life. I once watched an interview with him and I felt intense pity for the man.

Last night (past midnight for me) as the news was unfolding, I said on twitter that when we talk about negative self-image and a lack of self-acceptance, Michael Jackson is a case in point. He was teased as a child about his big flat nose, so when he had the money he changed it. And when that didn’t make him feel any better about himself, he kept trying to change more things about himself, until he became a caricature, an object of scorn and the butt of jokes.

In my journey, I have often thought that my negative behaviors and self-sabotage were attempts at self-mutilation, stemming from severe loathing and rejection of myself.* So I kind of “got” Michael Jackson. He did not accept himself.

This is a great video of my favorite Michael Jackson song. I love the ending! It seems so fitting today…

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson. I know the angels will look after you…

* This is why I’m doing so much better now – I’ve learned to love, accept and forgive myself. Now I can lovingly take care of myself.

A little bit of this & a little bit of that

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Posted by hanlie | Posted in By The Way... | Posted on 25-06-2009

I was out and about all day, so I didn’t have a chance to write a proper blog post. But I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve bookmarked recently.

I’ve been following Lynn from The Hungry Little Caterpillar‘s journey for 18 months. She’s come a long way. This week she wrote one of the best weight loss posts I’ve ever read! Why is it good? Because she rips you right out of your comfort zone and confronts you with the truth about weight loss – it’s hard and excuses won’t cut it!

Before I got interested in nutrition and wellness, I thought that diabetes was something that you “just have to live with” and ultimately one of its many complications will kill you. I’ve learned so much since then. Now there’s a new movie about reversing diabetes in just 30 days with diet. Read the excellent review by Evita at Evolving Wellness (a site you should definitely subscribe to) and watch the trailer of Simply Raw. I would love to see the entire movie!

Have you heard about Operation Beautiful yet? I love the idea! It takes so little to make a difference in someone’s day…

This is a fabulous competition! You can win cookies with good karma or a trip for two to South Africa, where you could also visit me! That last bit is not part of the official itinerary, but I hope that if you win this, you’ll let me know so that we can meet up, provided of course you choose to come to Cape Town. Who wouldn’t? It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world, in one of the most beautiful areas!

You still have time to enter John is Fit’s competition to win $250 in cold hard cash.

Mooncup Advert smallThis one is for my South African readers. You can win a Mooncup by leaving a comment here (post of 22 June) and following the instructions. I have been using a similar cup for years and love it! Honestly, I can’t imagine ever going back to tampons. A cup is healthier, cheaper and environmentally friendly.