Tag Archives: caregiver

Join Me in a Healthier Summer

Join me in a healthier summer

Taco Tomatoes

Chili Chicken with Hominy Hash

Join Me in a Healthy Lifestyle

Join me in a healthier summer; that means eating better and moving more. Are you ready to roll?

Let’s face it, whether you are single or have a large family, a caregiver, or have small children, it’s difficult to serve nutritious meals every day.  Often it seems easier and quicker to use fast foods or boxed mixes.

Add to that, it’s difficult to find (or make) time to exercise properly. Summer is here and my bod’s not ready, how about yours?

Finding myself unable to do some of my basic tasks has reminded me of the need to make daily changes to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few of my goals for a healthier summer. Want to join me?

#1 Plan what I will eat each day.

Plan what I will eat each day” Hmmm! I plan already, I plan to eat all that’s set before me! Well, I don’t think that’s much of a plan, do you? The truth is, without another plan, my healthy lifestyle is doomed from day one.

Sadly I admit  I have all too often relied on fast foods or boxed mixes because they are easy and at least seem to be cheaper to prepare. Click here for healthy, quick meals that are easy on the budget!

#2 Determine my triggers. 

I took time to look at my most troubling foods and determined to eliminate those as much as possible. (Goodbye salty snacks and bargain baked goods!) What are some of your triggers that could be eliminated or cut down a bit? Bread, sugars, others?

#3 Incorporate movent.

To incorporate movent is simply plan to move more., get some exercise each day. I did better this week because I planned for at least ten minutes of exercise in the early morning.  My main challenge is to make myself get up and at least stretch a bit or walk through the house every hour or so. It’s easy to spend two or three hours glued to my seat as I finish an article or work on the computer.

#4 Make it fun and enjoyable.

I enjoy walking, especially in our woods. I used to walk down the hill through the walnut grove and across our little bridge. Truthfully, today I can’t walk around the outside of our home without stopping to rest. (Sad to admit, but honest!)

What is your main challenge to a healthy lifestyle? If you need more exercise, remember to begin slow. We seem to think we need to begin with hours of exercise. A few minutes a day can and will make a world of difference, especially in how you feel–you will feel better and look better.

Here is another great link for healthy, easy meals. Enjoy and please let me hear what is working for you.

Healthy Hugs,

Have you checked out Quick Nutritious Meals for Your Family?

Maintaining Strength and Energy as We Grow Older

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It is a longer walk to our bathroom than I recall, and I know someone shortened the ceiling fan cord. The floor is a longer stretch than it used to be; my back will not let me bend that far! I attempted to  pick up a paper but could not reach it.

Can you relate? Whether you are living by yourself, caring for family, or a full-time caregiver, you know the value of keeping your muscles strong so you can remain independent as much as possible.

As we grow older, it becomes more important to take care to maintain our muscle strength. My muscles can use a lot of help but the thought of an exercise regime is out of the question.

Truthfully, I do not have time to go to a gym or watch a video for thirty minutes of uninterrupted exercise.

Besides that, I am tired. I wake up in the morning and jump right into the day’s work schedule. By nightfall, I am ready to hit the bed; exercise is the farthest thing from my mind.

Here are five easy steps that have helped me improve mobility and gain muscle strength. Please don’t dismiss them as too easy to make a change in my life; I will tell you, “you will see a change and you will feel it.”

1. Be conscious of how you handle your body at all times.

Have you formed a habit of slumping when you sit? Do you waddle from side to side when you walk, again from habit? Are you continually stepping over items that need picked up because you can’t or won’t stoop over to get them?

Take time to stop and think about your daily habits.  Stand tall when you walk, you will actually feel more rested as your posture improves. Make it a habit to bend over as much as you can to pick up items. Sit straight in a chair and breathe deeply. Even if this lasts only a few minutes, you will begin to build strength.

2. Seek better parking spaces for health’s sake.

At the local store, I want the parking place that is as close to the door as you can get. Of course, I rationalize that I need to park close to save time.  Let’s be honest, how much time does it take to walk a few extra parking spaces, or even half the parking lot? When I began this way of thinking, I could not walk the entire lot, or even half of it. I knew I could walk one or two more spaces, and that is where I began. Now I can go farther than I ever dreamed; just by adding a few steps at a time.

The truth of the matter is: that the more time “saved” by denying a little extra walk, the more time needed to rest. Just park a few spaces away at first.

4. Choose movement while you are waiting.

When you are warming something in the microwave, for instance, are you leaning against the cabinet or slipping into a nearby chair? Consider using that time for a few stretches or arm lifts. Keep weights or a couple of cans of food handy so you can grab them and do a one or two minute workout. At the very least, do a few squats and bends.

I have personally been amazed at the flexibility I have gained without adding a long exercise routine to my day.

5. Consider the mobility consequences when making a change in equipment.

Are you considering a lift chair for the one you are caring for or for yourself? They are life-savers for many people who simply cannot get up without them. However, do you really need all that help or would a simple boost be all you need?

It was only after we had difficulty fitting Mother in a lift chair that we discovered the power seat option. Instead of relying on a chair to completely move her to a standing position, we used the power seat. This gave her the boost she needed to stand safely while she still needed her strength and mobility to hold on to her chair and finish standing up to her walker. It was safe and easy to adjust to her needs, and helped her maintain muscular strength in her legs.

What small changes can you make in your life today that will affect your future health and well-being? Of these three simple steps, I challenge you to choose one, just one, and focus on that for a week. As that change becomes routine, add another. Soon you’ll be moving mountains!

Hugs,

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Family Caregivers You or Someone You Know

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Often when the word caregiver is mentioned, we think of the elderly. This is especially true when referring to family caregivers. I found the following statistics enlightening:

According to a recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Council on Aging (NCA):

• One in three adult caregivers is also raising a child under the age of 18.
• Someone caring for a parent has been doing so for an average of 20 hours a week for four years.
• One in three adult caregivers is helping their family member get dressed or go to the bathroom.
• Nearly two-thirds of adult caregivers take time off during the workday, while 17 percent take a formal leave of absence and 10 percent take early retirement.
• About 70 percent of adult caregivers get help from family members, friends, or neighbors.
• About 40 percent rely on help from paid caregivers.
• Someone caring for a spouse spends more than 30 hours a week directly caring for their loved one and is less likely to get help from relatives or friends.

Are you caring for someone in your home, or in theirs? If not, you probably know someone who is. Have you considered how you might be of help to them?

We know the most important thing we can give them is our prayers support and our unconditional love. Often a quick visit and a hug will help a weary soul make it through one more day.

I want to encourage you if you are a family caregiver; you are not alone. You are doing one of the most important jobs there is, caring for those who cannot care for themselves.
I pray you will be surrounded with friends and loved ones who care for you. Also, I hope you will take advantage of helps on my website and other caregiving websites.

If you or someone you know needs an extra lift, I recommend Psalm 23 for Caregivers as a great book to have on hand. There is nothing more refreshing than a look at God’s Word and the realization that He walks with us and loves us as no one else can.

Hugs,

Help and encouragement is also found in MY MOTHER MY CHILD in the store.