Getting Healthy and Fit Takes Work!

I know that my personal health isn't something I usually post about on my blog, but I was prompted to create this post after reading this discussion page on TwitterMoms.com.

TwitterMoms.com along with UbiSoft Entertainment are giving away a copy of the Your Shape (for Wii™ or PC). For more info on this new game visit http://www.yourshapegame.com

Getting healthy and fit is something I've been working on for a few years now. But I feel that today I am more proactive in this respect than ever. Getting healthy and fit is now a way of life for me as I have struggled with an ongoing battle with Graves disease, an autoimmune disease in which my body attacks my thyroid gland. My thyroid reacts by overproducing hormones that elevate my heart rate and affect my moods, nervous system, weight loss, and overall well being. I'm finally on the right track after having been off and on meds for the past 4 years. Today, I'm med and virtually symptom free and I attribute most of that to the lifestyle changes I have made as a goal to be healthy.

Here are my top 5 New Year's resolutions for getting healthy and fit in 2010:

1) Exercise - I recently joined the YMCA to get back into shape. With Graves disease I stayed away from cardio workouts because my heart rate was already so elevated. And the lack of energy and joint pain considerably weakened my muscles over the years. I'm currently hitting the gym about 3 days a week to gradually build up my stamina and strength again.

2) Eating healthier - I don't do fad diets. I think they're just unhealthy. And with the thyroid issues, my weight had fluxuated drastically over the years. So trying to remain at a constant has been challenging. I don't cut out carbs or count calories too closely, but what I do is eat the foods that I love in moderation along with a healthy mix of fruits, veggies, and proteins.

3) Reduce stress - Stress is the main culprit in my autoimmune disorder. I'm trying to reduce stress and control the way it affects me. If that means simply saying no when I feel overwhelmed, taking a walk with my boxer, or taking a time out for myself by simply escaping to read a book then that's what I do. If I'm not taken care of then how will I take care of my family?

4) Yoga - Another stress reducer is the practice of yoga. I have practiced it sporadically over the years, particularly in times of stress and have always found that it relaxes, calms, and strengthens me. My goal is to become a regular practitioner of yoga and to find balance in my mind, body, and spirit.

5) Improve my posture - I also plan to start taking Pilates. Since I started exercising at the gym, I have noticed that I have poor posture. And if I do not sit or stand correctly my newly worked muscles hurt. I believe that working out on the selectorized equipment at the gym is correcting my posture. I started researching this and found that one of the best means for correcting poor posture is Pilates because it helps to realign and strenghten your core which pulls everything up. Having gone so long without exercising, my core had become weakened and as a result couldn't hold up my body properly, causing me to slump. I read that poor posture can also contribute to a host of medical issues including back and neck strain, leg problems, and difficulty breathing.

Of course, this is only the beginning of my long journey to good health and fitness, but everyone has got to start somewhere. I can feel it working already. I'm more energized, more relaxed, and I sit up properly at my desk now instead of slouching.

I feel that these resolutions are right on target with what my body is telling me I need. And I found out the hard way that if your body is telling you something, you better listen. Change is coming and I'm making it happen. I have a feeling that 2010 is my year.