19 January 2010

Well, at long last all the months and months of tap-tap-tappin' on the keyboard is bringing forth fruit.  My memoirs are due to be published in April 2010, now just a few months away.  Yee Haw!
I've learned some things about the publishing world as well as about myself during this process; revelations have been surprising on both fronts! 
As for the observations I've made about myself, I'm a lot more tenacious than I ever imagined.  However along with that discovery came the realization of how much the events of my 53 years on the planet and how I chose to internalize those happenings have impacted who I was, am and who I may become tomorrow.  The writing of this book, the reliving of my childhood and beyond has also given me better tools to keep my life running on a forward moving and hopeful trajectory. The privilege and opportunity to share my story has been an eye opening experience for which I am truly grateful.

My book is being published under the Dutton/Penguin books imprint and its title (after some wrangling back and forth betwixt editor and author) will be:

"703: How I Lost Over a Quarter Ton and Gained a Life."

An article about my story will be featured in Grand Rapids Magazine in March 2010.  Look for me in other upcoming venues, in print, on radio and television.  I will update the website as dates and times become available.

I am investigating the option of including a chat feature on this site.  I think it would be a powerful format to both help support one another and to network for changes needed in a variety of areas of society and in the health care field to better serve those who so dearly wish to reconnect to a better, full and more happy life.

My hope is that the story of my re-birth can help many who have lost the belief that their lives can be anything but what they see before them now.  They only need re-discover what lies within each of us and take back what they thought was lost forever.  And I should know ...... I was where each of these people are now, not so very long ago.

With love, peace and so much hope,

Nancy




25 January 2010


How Politics and (argh!) Tennis Shoes Saved My Derriere

Those of you who inhabit warmer climates year round cannot grasp how difficult it is to get enough exercise when God chooses to land a foot of snow (repeatedly) on the roadways and sidewalks of your community for many months of the year.  His "blessing" makes it difficult to get out to walk/run and enjoy nature, while at the same time elevating your mood, spirit and giving the old musculature the attention it deserves.  Nobody feels their best when behaving like Grizzlies do in the winter months, becoming lethargic, drowsy and finally napping, just waiting for spring to melt the snow at the cave's opening....
I used to clean homes for a living, and got my exercise naturally, the best way possible to keep mind, body and spirit in optimal condition.  But many of us are not blessed to earn our living in a way that allows for such an option.  When I was given the opportunity to write my book, I had to lay down my toilet brush and rubber gloves (oh, the horror!) and take up my pen.  Unfortunately, that decision also meant that I would find myself sitting on my derriere in front of this very computer screen for as many, if not more hours every day, tap-tap-tappin' on the keys; necessarily, my movement was sorely limited. 
Springtime and summer were no challenge at all; I could still go out, take long walks when I wanted to, go camping with the grandkids or help a friend with some outdoor home improvement project as diversion from my author's work at home.  But unless I wanted to "hike" through the snow in tennis "cleats," and fasten a pillow to my backside to forestall injuries from a slip and fall accident on a patch of ice during my months of weather-related confinement, I had to divine another means of getting my heart rate and spirit up.  Just eating what keeps me healthy and happy isn't "the whole enchilada." 
You have to be active, too, whatever form that takes and dependent on your physical condition. The only people that don't need to think about the cause and effect of food and exercise as part of self-care are dead and buried..... I'd rather stay above ground for the time being.

A dear former client and I were talking on the phone one day some months ago.  I told him that I was feeling ill at ease, that it seemed I was developing a slight case of "secretary's butt" and needed to find a way to divest myself of it.... and pronto.  I was feeling under par emotionally, too.  My outlook, my confidence was slipping; I just wasn't feeling "myself."  In years gone by, this incremental excess and emotional malaise would've gone unnoticed, and if not unnoticed, at least unaddressed.  I don't feel that way anymore... I'm important and how I feel doesn't go unchecked anymore.  Everything we do is interconnected.
I don't know about you, but I deplore the "joining a gym" concept.  I don't wanna wave my arms, still replete with excess skin from my weight loss, in front of other chicks and gents as I sweat to the oldies, so to speak.  I'll keep my skin and sweatin' to myself, thank you very much.  Others may thrive in this venue, fine and dandy... not I.  We have to listen to ourselves, not to what the next guy thinks.  It ain't a one size fits all kind of thing. 
Then outta the blue, my friend says..... "Let me buy you a treadmill."  He added: "You love to watch political shows; why not marry two activities into one?"  At first I balked; I'm not in the habit of accepting this kind of charity, but the guy kept insisting, and seeing as he's not exactly in danger of being dragged off to the poor house for non-payment of bills, I gratefully accepted his generous offer.
I shopped around and found a great deal on a treadmill with a number of "bells and whistles;"  this sucker even has a port for using an i-pod. (which I don't own!)  The thing measures heart rate, miles walked, time walked, etc.... If you put wheels on it, you could probably take a road trip to Poughkeepsie; deluxe.  All I needed were the basics... but this model was on sale.  I love a bargain, my bucks errr not.
So, I now had the implement and proceeded to put it to use.  It was great; I could turn on C-Span's Washington Journal at 7 AM each morning or another show in the afternoon or evening and walk while I listened to opposing political opinions, each trying to persuade me that their argument held water, and were not just attempting to run me through their spin cycle... The time went by effortlessly at first.  I was so occupied with what these people were saying (and sometimes shouting back at them through the TV screen) that before I knew it, I'd walked a mile.... but not in my mocassins.  I was walking in my bare piggies.  A big mistake. 
There's a new school of thought that sez that bare foot walking is actually healthier for your feet than wearing tennis shoes.  I like that "school of thought," as I hate footwear of any kind.  Even as a child, I used to divest myself of my shoes when out of eyeshot of my mom.  But, until I rid myself of the callouses developed during the years of being on my feet 8 hours per day while cleaning houses, I needed to bow to the Nike God and buy some damnable tennis shoes!  The barefoot plodding was killin' my feet.  Perhaps I'll "unshoe" my secret horror and take these toesies to a pedicurist (when I get some extra moola) and then trying walking again unshod? 
Anyhoo, I found a pair of tennis shoes (decent brand) that were marked at 70% off, and despite their horrific color (turquoise, gray and white!) I purchased the ugly things, knowing that they'd never see the light of day, beyond the confines of my apartment's interior.  I hadn't put on a pair of tennies since 8th grade Phys. Ed. class..... I didn't like the looks of 'em any better this time around.  But, they just might serve a function, I thought.... and they did!  No more painful bottoms of the feet for this girl.  I can walk, and do just that, in four sessions per day; combined, the miles add up to 5 per day.  A rate that works well for me. 
So, the motto iz, folks.......
Where there's a will, there's a way.... Use your God-given creativity to find what works for you, what makes you happy.... what you can live with.... and moreso, what you can't live without.  For me, that's people, politics, movement and yes... at this point at least..... damnable and ugly tennis shoes.  If joining a gym isn't for you, find an alternative.  I found mine, at least for this time in my life... changes in my daily activities will bring with them the need to tack my lifeboat's course in a new direction. Your plan may be vastly different.  Little steps make for big changes down the road.  If you can't do a lot, do what you can; excuses are just that... excuses for not moving forward.  If you do this, you are sabotaging your future.  If you act like a victim, you'll always be a victim.  If you want change, change the things you can, however insignificant they seem right now.  Each positive act will bring results, just as surely as negative ones do.... they will change what you think, about you, your capabilities and about the world around you.  Do it for yourself, because you are valuable.  Exercise, ie: activity, is only one aspect of a human being's life.  We are a mixture of body, mind and spirit.  Neglecting any one of the "whole" causes the disconnect that leaves us faltering, unsure and feeling incomplete.  Give your love and time to someone else today in any way you can and watch the magic that's released.  You will begin to treat yourself as you treat others... Little gestures move mountains.

Believe.