Celebrate The Victories

Celebrate every victory!

Celebrate each pound and every inch!

Celebrate in advance!

Celebrate everybody's victories!

Celebrate the days you stay focused!

Celebrate Mondays!

Celebrate good choices!

Celebrate new adventures!

Find joy in the journey and share the joys! 

"The more you celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate!" 

"Throw some confetti in the air every day!" 

If Celebrate good times, c'mon  is not running thru your head all day, I haven't done my job here! 

Less Is More

We are scaling back.  Recuperating from the summer dubbed Leaving It All On The Farm, Grandpa and I still shake our heads and wonder how we made it all work out. Nostalgic feelings aside, it felt good to sort, sell, give, and turn the key on 3 acres of "stuff!"

Our 2018 "word" is SIMPLIFY. 

As most of you, who read here know, our eating habits are extremely simplistic. Besides my two protein shakes a day, we are a huge fan of Blue Apron's three organic meals for two, delivered to our door with everything included except olive oil and salt and pepper. Our pantry is lean and clean and since coming to Florida this season ... we've dropped stuff at Goodwill more times than we've shopped at Aldi.

We've discovered the joy of 'less is more' in our snowbird adventure. Besides curbing our potluck plates, we've tamed our budget, our political discussions, our schedule, and our leisure time. 

Let these three words take center stage today. Apply "Less Is More" to every area of your life.

Hint: Try turning all your hangers backwards in your closet. When you wear something, turn the hanger around correctly. After a month or so, get rid of anything still hanging on a backwards hanger. 

Hint: Start in one room, heck even in one corner or one dresser...think.... "Put it away ~ Give it away ~ Throw it away". (If you're going to eventually sell it... "put it away" means placing it in a storage container or box... mark it with a date and contents... and then plan your garage sale, or eBay schedule.

Hint: Instead of keeping every drawing her child makes in school, my daughter takes a photo of it and tosses it in the recycle bin. Grandpa had over 25 "Table Tennis" trophies we did the exact same with!

Go thru it all. 

• Pantry
• Tchotchkes
• Memorabilia
• Photos
• Books and Magazines
• Housewares
• Knickknacks and doodads
• Whatnot's
• Facebook friends and Instagram follows
• Junk food
• Mail and medicines

 It's easier to think straight when the clutter is gone. 

Less IS more.

Speak The Truth

Let's be honest! 

What's your thorn in the flesh? Where is your achilles heel? What's your biggest downfall? Are you plateaued?

Mine is drinking water.* I know it. I admit it. I'm not proud of it. I try really hard. I fail. I try hard again.

I've got to be honest with myself. This morning, I read this article about getting stuck on a plateau, and here it is in a nutshell... but read it and honestly figure out where you are lacking. Speak truth to yourself.

1. Drinking enough water?

2. Going to the bathroom regularly?

3. Eating too many calories?

4. Eating enough calories?

5. Making smart food choices?

6. Sleep deprived or stressed out?

7. Cleansing/fasting?

8. Eating processed food?

9. Eating enough protein?

10. Exercising?

11. Following your plan?

Today I will tell myself the truth, and I'm going to literally measure and count out my (half my body weight in ounces) water intake. I can do this today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. 

I will tell myself no more lies.

Honestly!!!!

Read the article here ... it's based on replacing two meals a day with protein shakes and intermittent fasting ... but it applies to any and all paths to weight loss and eating healthy.

*http://www.isagenixhealth.net/cant-make-the-scale-budge-11-questions-to-ask-yourself/

Continue To Learn

Continue To Learn 

• Learn to say "No, thank-you"
• Learn as much as you can about nutrition
• Learn to ask for help
• Learn to lean into your passions
• Learn to live simply
• Learn how to set boundaries
• Learn a new game, then play it
• Learn to sit quietly and think 
• Learn to memorize scripture
• Learn to be on time 
• Learn how and when to walk away
• Learn a new hobby, craft, or skill
• Learn your lessons

I could elaborate and give you my ideas and suggestions, and I will do that on Feb 8. (It takes 21 days to form a new habit?) I am going to fill in the above blanks and would love to check in on you and hear what you've learned. For now, take one or all of these and determine to change up your routine and branch out to some new beginnings. 

Did you know January 17 is called "Ditch Your Resolutions Day. 

Don't do it.

Grandma Does Nashville

Hello Grandmas (and friends) Happy New Year!

I have 3 questions for you.

1.  What are your health goals for 2018?

2. When do you want to start?

3. Do you want to go on a road trip to Nashville?

If your answers are; "lose weight," "right now," and “heck yes"… I’d love to help you.

Jump on the “Getting Healthy” bandwagon with me. We will go on this journey together… Grandmas (and friends) getting healthy! You owe yourself this!

Read more about the Isagenix way and let’s get started together. Here…is the best value pack  https://juleewilke.isagenix.com/en-us/products/pak/weight-loss-value-pak

(This plan and the months following amounts to about $20 per day the first month and falls to about $10 per day the following months, AND your grocery bills drop dramatically AND there is a 30 day money back guarantee on all packs) 

Call, email, or text me your answers to the above 3 questions and any questions you may have.

The first five* grandmas (or friends) to join me on this journey (sign up with the value pack and stick with it for 6 months are invited to join me on a road trip to Nashville (Isagenix Celebration) on Aug 5-7, 2018. (Preferred Customers & Associates who purchase the value pack by January 28)

*I have five open seats in my van and I’m leaving from Michigan and paying for the gas & food-aka- Isa Shakes for the trip.  The event cost is $199 until Jan 31 (This event may sell out so time's a wastin') and there is a $75 off event ticket in your value pack. The six of us (girls) will  split the cost of 2 hotel rooms!!! If you can talk Grandpa into joining  you (with qualifying orders) I'll split your hotel cost with you.

ROAD TRIP “Grandma Does Nashville” more info coming soon. You do not need to become an associate to join us ... this event will be health oriented, motivational, and inspirational. Plus who doesn't love a road trip with girlfriends and a couple days in Music City USA!

When To Jump

I'll tell you when ...

RIGHT NOW!

No more ~ 

• I'll start tomorrow
• When I get my next paycheck
• I'll start when they start
• When I feel better
• Monday

We are in double digits in January, folks.  

There is no more time to waste.

Today's the day.

Clear your schedule. Throw out the junk food. Peel some veggies. Order the shakes. 

It's time to jump. Right now.

Go for a walk to clear your head... Everything you read here at Grandmas Getting Healthy is to help you get healthy ... mind, body, and soul.  But we can only preach/teach here. You'll have to do the hard work. Decide to jump in today. No turning back. Do this for yourself and no one else or everybody else you care about.

Still not convinced? Read this gal's story and then jump.

It's time.

A Fresh Start

In my younger days, one of my favorite things was opening a brand new box of crayons. I still enjoy lots of color. I decorate with color. I instagram with color. I shop for colorful clothes and stock photos. I can't bring myself to accept an all-white-light Christmas tree. As an adult, I do believe that a box of crayons is my metaphor for a new beginning.

We're about to get our clean slate!

New Year's Day! 

Let's use these last 3 days of 2017 to ready ourselves for a new beginning. You know what they say? Preparation. Preparation. Preparation.  Well they don't really say that ... they say, Location. Location. Location. I'm changing it. Doesn't matter if you are facing snow or sun. What matters is, "Are you ready for your fresh start?"

• Your goals won't set themselves. 
• Your grocery list won't write itself. (Although there IS an app for that)
• Your health won't get better on it's own.
• Your dinner won't fix itself.
• Your walk won't go without you.
• Your recipes won't change without a plan.
• Your 'before' picture won't become your 'after' pic without hard work and preparation.

Open your new box of crayons, smell the smells, feel the feels, and make your masterpiece.

Happy New You!

Life's A Dance

First off ... listen to this old-fashioned Christmas song (https://youtu.be/izW2QB1k2LU) while reading here.  My niece sent me this and said, "I thought you'd really like this song!"  Are you kidding me? I started listening and immediately time travelled to a small diner with a black and white checkered dance floor... I was jitterbugging with a soldier (it wasn't Grandpa, because 1. He didn't serve and 2. He doesn't like to dance.)

This post is about finishing strong. I still have a desire to learn to jitterbug ... and may just put that on my bucket list. No regrets.  

We're winding down the year. We've landed in sunny Florida and my 'to do' list consists of reading, writing, scrapbooking, walking, swimming, and getting healthier.  I think there's some wiggle room for ballroom dance lessons.

This week (between Christmas and New Year's) I will:

• Set my course
• Schedule my days
• Plan and prepare
• Follow my heart
• Celebrate the victories
• Speak the truth
• Continue to learn
• Live with intention 
• Dance with abandon

You guessed it!  All "Three Little Words" coming your way in the new year.  

This is not a throw-away week. Get going, get moving, get planning, learn to jitterbug.

Life's a dance.

Ready Or Not

One of my mantra's is "The day will come and the day will come to an end."  When I used to photograph weddings, I'd meet with the bride and groom beforehand and literally beg them to embrace the day.  There is only so much planning and preparing one can do for a wedding.  Then comes my mantra ~ The day will come and the day will come to an end."

Grandpa and I have finished up family Christmas and he is getting a root canal, as I type. I'll head to my yearly mammogram and meet with my surgeon tomorrow morning. Thursday afternoon we'll get the car checked and some new shocks.  Friday am is my 4 year oncology appointment. We'll be in Florida by Christmas eve eve. 

Christmas Day will come and Christmas Day will come to an end. (I post more about this on my personal blog).

Then, in exactly a week from Christmas, the new year will roll in. January 1, 2018 will come and January 1 will meld into January 2, etc. etc.

The countdown is on. Whether you're ready or not, the wedding day will come, the new year will come, spring will come... so one may as well seize today. 

I'm hoping to have tons more time on my hands here shortly so we'll pick up Grandmas Getting Healthy Instagram feed = "Thirty Days Of Three Little Words." 

Instead of waiting until Jan 1, join me and let's start getting healthy today. 

Ready or not.

Get On Board

Are you on board the "Getting Healthy' train? Losing weight should not be our only goal!  You want the A train. I call it the IsAgenix route. It's a great train, you oughta get on it. 

Watch this short video about nutritious meal replacements and intermittent fasting and cleansing.

Then email, call, or text for more info. What a great gift to give yourself. Check out the "Products" page above or go to www.juleewilke.isagenix.com ($back guarantee on 30-day packages)

Join A Tribe

Subscribe on the sidebar  to receive a giant dose of motivation on December 25.  I'm so excited I might not even wait until Christmas to give this gift    -------------------------->   ------------------------->   ------------------------>

We were created for community.

No man is an island.

We rise by lifting others.

No one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.

As you all have probably gathered (from almost a year now of 'Three Little Words' blogposts here at Grandmas Getting Healthy) I am an advocate of many different styles and attitudes for losing weight and getting healthy. I told my 60-40 weight loss story here and still believe strongly in the Weight Watchers Program. 

The reason I believe WW works is because of the group meetings.  I used to see people come and weigh in and leave, without staying for the community. I would see this week after week and then I wouldn't see them anymore.  I can actually recall faces and names of members who stayed for the meetings and reached their goals.

We all need to belong.  I'm inviting you to join our fb group "Let's Get Healthy" as a virtual online community where we can lift each other up, cheerlead, motivate and be motivated along the getting healthy journey. 

I'm also posting 30 days of "Three Little Words" on Instagram.  Give or take a few there are about 30 days to this holiday season.  I do believe, you can actually lose weight by repeating and instituting just 'three little words' ... try it for 30 days. 

Surround yourself with people who push you to be your best self. 

Join a tribe. Join any tribe. Join our tribe. 

This Is Me

What can 30 days do for you?

Give or take a few, there are about 30 days to this holiday season, and I'm fixin' to binge!

To binge or not to binge:

I'm gonna binge on Instagram and lay low on fb. Follow along as I post 30 days of Three Little Words ... My Instagram feed ... Grandmas Getting Healthy.

I'm gonna binge on the grandchildren not the gifts.

I'm gonna binge on fellowship not food.

I'm gonna binge on sincere scenarios not small talk.

I'm gonna binge on downsizing not decorations.

I'm gonna binge on seizing the days not stuffing in sweets.

I'm gonna binge on the family not the frig.

I'm gonna binge on being nice not netflix.

I'm gonna binge on togetherness not talking too much.

I'm gonna binge on sticking to the plan not stalking the wine cellar.

I'm gonna binge on the positive not the negative.

So yeah, 30 days of getting healthier and getting through the holidays. 

I can do this. 

This is me.

What about you?

Rest And Relaxation

Rest is a key ingredient to getting healthy. 

Friday evening we connected with some friends from college along the beautiful shores of Siesta Key on the Gulf of Mexico.

We caught up, watched the sunset, attended a short drum corp presentation, and then sat down to a delicious Hungarian dinner of Chicken Paprikash with Spaetzle. We learned of our old friends' life happenings and heard new stories from their friends who joined us (and graciously prepared the dinner).

We were honored to be included at their condo, the pristine beach, the Veteren's Day ceremony, and a most significant space in time, for such a time as this.

I mention this to urge you to get some R & R. Take a moment to live in the moment. You don't have to be alongside the ocean, but you do have to be intentional and persistent.  Inhale the good life and exhale the regrets.

Age humbles us, no? It did me Friday night. I came away refreshed. I came away with a renewed motivation to schedule more of these kind of days/evenings.  I came away stuffed with spaetzle and community.  I came away with new friends and their inspirational stories I will not soon forget.

I came away filled to overflowing.

I came away rested.

"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and humble hearts."                                                 Acts 2:46 The New Testament

Wake Up Call

Do you remember your mom coming into your room during your teen-age years and hearing, "It's time to wake up?"

Maybe you're now in the season of life, where you are entering the room and giving the wake up call. 

Remember when the hotel clerk would ask, as you were checking in, "Do you need a wake-up call?"

Maybe you've experienced a life-altering wake up call. Mine was breast cancer. In 2013 cancer marched into my room and shouted, "It's time to wake up." Did you know cancer loves fat cells! It's the truth.

On a beautiful Tuesday morning in September, 9/11 woke us all up, "It's time to seize the day!"

Are you still waiting for your wake-up call?  Don't.

Wake yourself up from dreamworld or la la land.

Wake up.

Come out of your reverie of the good old days and open your eyes today.

Right now. 

Make a decision to not sleep thru the rest of your life. Do what is yours to do for such a time as this. 

You might need to lose 5lbs and you may need to lose 50, but you will do neither if you're sleeping. 

It is a decision and it's yours to make.

Hello, from the front desk, this is your wake up call.

Out To Eat?

8 ways to help you pontificate about portions and rethink your restaurant rituals.  Before I get into it let's talk about some phrases that typically describe our foodie fascination...  can you tell I like alliteration?

First off, let's don't confuse eating out with dining out. There's a big difference. Think about it.

And secondly  -  What's the first thing you think of when someone says "Wanna grab something to eat?" If the word arches or whopper come to mind it's time to make reservations at Dining Room U. 

1. Break The Chains

Step away from fast food chains.  My only exception is Chick Fil A's market salad or soup not in a bread bowl at Panera..

2. Location Location Location

Exit ramps are dangerous. Try an app that finds restaurants near you.  It might mean getting off of the beaten expressway, but therein lies the adventure.

3. ½ and ½

Order your meal and ask for ½ now and ½ of it in the carry-out box. Might cost you a couple bucks to split it, but you'll thank yourself later.

4. Splitsville

Share a meal.  Applebee’s 2 for $22 is a smart (littler portions) choice.

5. Nothing Is Free

Not even Red Robin’s bottomless fries. Better to hit up Olive Garden and the free salad refills

6. Stay home

At the least, cut back to once a week … if not twice a month.

7. Love The One You're With

Stop and smell the coffee/wine/aromas and enjoy the company you keep. Once again fast food is a culprit here - no one ever lingers at Chipolte, let alone Wendy's. Order a glass of wine and take some time to live, laugh, love. In France, it’s impolite to motion for  the waiter.

8. Spend More Eat Less

It’s a given… the more expensive the restaurant the smaller the servings.

Next time you head out, measure your motivation and make your dining out a meaningful occasion not a more-the-merrier ordeal. 

Check, please ... 

Not Right Now

I LOVE Christmas anything. I love the music, the magic, the miniature villages, the meaning, and the miracle of Christmas. When the clock strikes midnight on Halloween, I'm ready to tune Pandora and my playlist to Christmas. But some in my life are not as enthusiastic so I try to restrain myself. I literally have to say to myself, as I head to the attic to pull down the boxes... 

Not right now. It's a mind game with me. Can I wait until Thanksgiving? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. 

Getting healthy (especially as we age) IS a total mind game.  Get your head in the  game. A Dave Ramsey money course mantra is: "Tell your money where to go"

We must tell ourselves how to respond to food.  Talk to yourself.

Set some boundaries for yourself.  Listen to your body and when you mindlessly head to frig... stop yourself and ask, "Am I hungry?"

Not right now.

Last night, at halloween with the grandkids, I was the designated candy-passer-outter.  Every single time the cutie pie ghosts and super heros walked away with their loot, I told myself,

Not right now. 

I met up with some friends for coffee a couple different times this week. Of course, the barista asked, "Would you like bread, cookie, muffin, or pumpkin spice anything with that?" 

Not right now.

When the waitress comes around and asks, "Would you like to see a dessert menu...?"

Not right now.

When traveling, and your partner in crime wants to stop for snacks...

Not right now. 

While you're making and baking and feel like starting a bit early on happy hour...

Not right now.

After Thanksgiving dinner and the pie comes out... 

Not right now.

Replace the negative thoughts with positive ones. Find yourself some accountability. There's a ton of groups but we'd love you to join us at "Let's Get Healthy" 

Right now ... (see what I did there?)

30 days has November, April, June yadda, yadda!!  It's November 1. Go for it.  Set your mind to push back on a couple things this month. Carbs, wine, anything pumpkin spicy, and desserts!! .  It's just one short month. 

You can do this. One day at a time. If you feel discouraged ... talk to yourself. Don't wallow in past failures. 

Not right now.

Feel like giving up?

Not right now.

Pay The Price

These three little words can be summed up in just one word:  Consequences! 

I wanted to title this post "Cut Your Bill" ~ Fantastic Four Grocery Shortcuts to Eating Healthy.  This title woulda played much better on Pinterest and Instagram. But then I thought about my audience repeating the "Three Little Words" all day and I think "Pay The Price" or Consequences speak to what we're doing here at Grandmas Getting Healthy.

I'm going to give you my Fantastic Four Favorite money and time saver tips, some negative and positive bullet points, and then my personal experience with the Fantastic Four Favorites.

1. Shop at Aldi

2. Cut out processed meat. Watch the documentary "Fork Over Knife"

3. Start a healthy meal replacement program. You know the drill here. Call me.

4. Think about a food delivery service. 

These four money and time savers WILL change your life. 

No more: 

• meal planning
• wasting food
• "what's for dinner" questions
•  skipping breakfast and/or lunch
•  binge shopping when you're hungry
•  meal planning, shopping, and decisions
• traffic 

More:

• time for yourself and your loved ones
• mental clarity
• vitamins and minerals
• energy
• weight loss
• balanced meals
• dinner at your fingertips
• scaled down pantry

These 4 time and money savers are extremely personal... and I still can't get Grandpa to eat an off brand of Raisin Bran... but I'm working on it.  

1. Shop at Aldi. Seriously ... I can have a cart full of groceries and check out for $60. plus you get your quarter back when you return the cart.  Now don't get me wrong... I love an afternoon spent at Whole Foods or Trader Joes, but I can't get outta either one without a $100. receipt.

2. Cut out processed meat.  Once again, this is my personal experience, but since watching the above mentioned documentary (i'm squeamish and I made it thru) I have scaled way back on meat.  What I still do buy is grass fed beef, cage free chicken and eggs, and I haven't found a way to have happy hour without my Havarti. I haven't missed meat and I most definitely don't miss my cankles! Is meat making us sick?

3. Start a healthy meal replacement program.  Like I've said before, I'm not going go scientific on this blog. BUT ... I'm positive we can't get the vitamins and minerals we need for healthy aging from the food we eat. In 1955 we could eat ONE orange for our daily dose of "C".  Today we need to eat NINE oranges to get our quota. Read "Why Diets are Failing Us" by Dr. Dennis Harper and Peter Greenlaw.  Start a nutritional meal replacement program not a diet.

4. Think about a meal delivery service. I've tried "Blue Apron",  "Home Fresh", "Sun Basket" and loved them all. 3 meals per week for 2 people is about $60, and I turn my 3 meals into 4 or 5 meals with the left overs. Everything comes in one box, packed in recyclable containers and can be kept on your doorstep all day. There are step by step instructions and in 20-30 minutes from emptying the box ... dinner is served.

This is our total grocery bill including all the above mentioned and Grandpa's Post Raisin Bran and his lunches (he's not sold on shakes ... yet)

$60 x 4 weeks = $240 (6-10 meals per week)

$3. x 14 shakes x 4 weeks = $168

$100 per month in miscellaneous Grandpa groceries

Grandma & Grandpa monthly Grocery budget $500.

Every credit card swipe represents 'time' you spent to earn that money.

Pay the price.

Every morsel of food you eat is deposited somewhere in your body.

Pay the price.

No More Excuses

Next Wednesday, November 1 (Global Cleanse Day) I will turn 62 years old, and I can give you and myself a plethora of excuses.

I'll start on my birthday

I'll start when we get settled

I'll start on Monday

I'll start after the holidays

I'll start when my SS check gets here

I'll start tomorrow

I'll start when I run out of excuses

But what if I had no more excuses? 

What if I started today?

What if I started on a plain old Wednesday in October

What if I started right now?

What if I clicked off of here right now and started taking the first step (or continued walking) on my health journey?

What if I had no more excuses?

It Is Time

Time.

Think about it.  Time is really all we own. It is ours to do with what we want. We can't control it, but we can spend it however we choose.  Time is a personal thing ... no one gets that 25th hour in their day. How will you spend your time today?  This morning?  This afternoon?  This evening?  

Let these three little words soak in ... IT IS TIME ...

Mind

• It is time we stop letting the past control our lives
• It is time we cultivate new patterns of thinking
• It is time we change our mindset
• It is time we gain positive ground with our health decisions
• It is time to let go
• It is time ___________________________

Body

• It is time we start taking care of our one body
• It is time to cut back on sugar, coffee, wine, soda, carbs, second helpings, fast food 
• It is time to hit the exercise road
• It is time we breathe deeper
• It is time we rest
• It is time____________________________

Soul

• It is time we feed our soul the good stuff
• It is time we set some boundaries
• It is time we get ourselves into community
• It is time to strengthen our belief
• It is time we take the high road
• It is time _____________________________

Fill in the blanks.

Who Are You?

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space ...

I can't even begin to wrap my head around the events that have rocked our world in the last couple of months. One disaster coming upon the heels of another!  Natural or man made, it makes your head spin and can wreck havoc on your mind, body and soul. 

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite authors is;

I'm vowing to turn a corner here and change. I have always considered myself a "glass is half full" kinda gal. But am I?

Can I go a whole day and only speak positive words? Can I go an hour?

Who are you?

• Positive or negative?
• Giver or taker?
• Doer or procrastinator?
• Uplifter or whiner?
• Walker or talker?
• Commender or blamer?
• Complimenter or critical?
• Optimistic or pessimistic?

Take an evaluation with me today ... head to your "rooftop" place for a bit of soul searching ...  decide to change your attitude. Doing so can and will renew our minds, bodies, and souls.

It will change our lives.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 The New Testament