RELAXATION MEDITATION



Study the photo, read the prose and visualize!

Photo by Cheryl Lamotte



When I stand beside the ocean and the waves come crashing in;

the brilliant blue expanse of sky stretched out to meet the sea,

I feel the pull upon my soul and long to join the dance;

To know the timelessness and joy, that sets my spirit free.

Wet grey sand with diamond crystals washed with white capped rolling waves;

Sound of freedom, scent of memories, thoughts of what could be.

I close my eyes and feel it as it imprints on my soul.

The strength of water, wind and time becomes the strength in me.

WOULD YOU LIKE BOTOX WITH THAT?

Marion Pellicano Ambrose


What topic is of concern to almost every 40 something woman? Aging!  Who hasn’t started checking the mirror for the rogue wrinkle or patted the chin to try and regain that tight, firm jawline?  It seems at 40 we all start to have some troublesome symptoms:

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/roseanne-rosanadana-on-smoking/2402/

Looking young has become not only an obsession but a multi-million dollar business! Women (and men) are going to plastic surgeons, GP’s, Dentists, and even Optometrists who advertise Botox injections or laser treatments.Next thing you know we'll be able to get it at Starbuck's! And it’s not only the 40 and over set. Young teens are begging for Botox or plastic surgery! I recently read that on the child beauty queen circuit moms may actually inject their little models with Botox, Restylane, or Juvederm to give them a little edge in competition. dawn's take on this was, Botox for kids, what's next? 

Of course, society says we women must be thin, have huge boobs, silken hair and soft, supple skin. (Men, while under less pressure, worry about hair loss, belly fat, and male enhancement.)

Unfortunately, most of us over 40’s are not the “Cougars” Jillian talks about in "A Walk on the Cougar Side”

We are working mothers with stress and years of wear on our face and bodies. We don’t have the money for nips and tucks, injections or lasers. Our waistlines start spreading, fat does not burn off as easily, we’re more prone to cellulite, we get tired easily, our skin begins to sag and we begin to look older than our age. This is because most of us don/t change our eating habits or lifestyle as we age. It’s necessary to try to speed up our metabolism as we approach 40.

After 40, we are more prone to weight gain since we lose muscle mass, and we also lose bone density which can ultimately lead to osteoporosis. Since our metabolism slows down, there is more fat storage and the average and we gain 1 lb per year in our weight.  Sounds pretty hopeless, but there is good news. Physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, improves sleep and reduces stress. It steps up our metabolism and keeps us looking and feeling young. Even walking can make a difference, but strength training can be an important part of the exercise routine. It can help burn up to twice as many calories and body fat and adds muscle mass. It increases flexibility, balance, strength and endurance.

Building strong muscles at this age is most essential, and that is why including strength training in your exercise routine is very important. People who have added strength training to their exercise programs after the age of 30 burn twice as many calories and body fat than people who haven’t. Strength training helps to add muscle mass, increase cardiovascular endurance and firm sagging. This form of training includes physical activity to build strength, balance, flexibility and endurance.

I’ve watched Barbara change her life, her vitality and her appearance and have been inspired by her. She fought the aging process and is beating it back each day. Because of her, I’ve started drastically restricting bad carbs, adding lots of veggies and trying to be as active as my disease allows. I’ve lost 12 pounds so far. Not much compared to Barb’s 90 plus, but I’m on my way! I already have more energy and am sleeping less. I hope that soon my clothes will start to show a difference. I especially hope that in the not too distant future, my husband will look at me and see something of the girl he married 22 years ago, and without the benefit of Botox!