Why Do You Need a Life or Wellness coach?

It has occurred to me after talking to friends, family and associates that most people do not know what a life coach does.  Hence, they are reluctant to take the step, make the commitment and spend the money.  But they are stuck in some aspect of their life- in relationships, with their health, with a life transition, or they just need someone to encourage them and get them unstuck and moving.  That is what I do as a life and wellness coach.  I work with women who are struggling and need some direction.  And I like to do it with a spiritual twist.

I have been through a lot of challenges in my life, including divorce, single parenthood, chronic illness, retirement, and spiritual searching.  I have worked in the health field all of my adult life.  I have also been trained to help women create the life that they really want.  To be stronger, healthier, more energetic, and confident.  Are you tired of being tired?  Do you want to look and feel better?  Do you want more energy to play with your kids or grand kids?   Do you want better relationships? Do you need someone to give you a little kick in the pants (gently, of course!)?  My ideal clients are out there looking for me.  And I am looking for them. Are you one of them?  I hope so!  We can work together by phone, Skype, Facetime, e:mail, or in person.  Give me a call at 850-510-0173.

5 Reasons to Not Overdo Exercise with CFS/Fibro

I have been hurting.  My back, especially.  Also joints and muscles.  Could it be that I have been overdoing my exercise?  Well, I have been swimming a lot in the past month.  On the days it was too hot or the timing wasn't right for a walk, I did dancing to The Groove on XM radio.  I haven't taken many days off to rest. Feeling poochy in the stomach, so I have that "got to burn some more calories" mentality on.   And now I am paying for it.

I have been to the chiropractor and massage therapist more than usual, because I hurt.  Costing me $$.  I need to rest and heal.  So here are my top 5 reasons not to overdo exercise with CFS/Fibro (or any other chronic health condition):

1.   Over-exercising doesn't pay.  You are only hurting yourself.

2.   Over-exercising costs time and money in various treatment visits.

3.  It sucks to hurt all the time.

4.  It decreases enjoyment of time spent with family and friends.

5.  You know better.  Listen to your body.

Water Aerobics Anyone?

For some time, I have been looking for a new type of exercise to supplement my walking and strength work.  I tried Zumba, but the side to side dance steps made my knees turn in painful ways.  A few years back I started doing yoga, which I still do occasionally.  But nothing really grabbed me.  My good friend and hair stylist suggested I try water aerobics at the local pool.  Now I do swim in my own pool in the summer, but it doesn't warm up for enough for me until late May, so I thought, "What the heck, I'll give water aerobics a try."  The pool is heated, but I wasn't sure if it would be warm enought for me.  Cold pool water just makes my joints and body ache.

Chronic Health Problem? Find your Passion!

There have been many times in the past 25 years that I have felt down and discouraged about having been diagnosed with CFS.  When my muscles and joints are aching, it is hard to ignore.  So I have learned that the quickest way to get out of the "poor me" mode is to engage in one of my passions, from the simplest (reading a good book or watching an old movie) to more active (volunteering at the local therapeutic riding stable.)  Today my husband took me kayaking for the first time.  Now admittedly, I was apprehensive about doing something so active, worrying about whether I would have the energy.  But you know, what?  I just said, "I'm going for it" and I did it.  I can say quite honestly that I did not think about the stressful week I had, or how my hands have been aching or my eyes twitching for the whole 2 1/2 hours.  I love being in nature and that can take the form of a walk, hike or just sitting next to some water.  Now tomorrow I may be sore and tired- I can feel it already - but I can say that I did it! I came home and took a nap and still feel a bit tired, but full of fresh air and sunshine.  And that's a good thing for any life challenge you may have.

I love horses - rode competitively as a girl- and working at the therapeutic stable gives me a chance to be around horses and help the special needs kids who ride there.  It gets my mind off the cares of the day and my physical condition.  Sometimes I just go outside and sit by the pool under an umbrella and read a good book.  That takes my mind right off my troubles or pain.  Same goes for spending time with my family.

Have you ever taken time to think about what your passions are?  Write them down.  What were you doing as a child when you really lost track of time and were late for dinner?  What kinds of movies or books get you excited or move you?  What would you do if money were no object and you had all the time in the world?  What makes you heart sing?  I guarantee if you take just one baby step and do something that you are passionate about, you will do your body, mind, and spirit good!  Try it!

                                          

                                           
                          me kayaking                                                               helping at horse show

Broadening My Ministry/Business

As you may know, I am a wellness coach, in addition to being a stylist.  My usual clients have been women who are facing challenging or chronic health conditions and need some help in managing and improving their overall wellness.  In recent months, I have been expanding my client base to include men and women who are experiencing difficult life circumstances, which may or may not include just physical wellness issues.

I believe I have plenty of life and professional experience to help anyone who is being drawn to a life and wellness coach who can walk with them through life's challenges. My faith enters largely into my life and I have been known to share that journey to those who are interested.  It gives me strength, purpose, and the courage to step out and do this ministry.  So, if you are in a place where you need encouragement and direction, don't hesitate to contact me.  It would be an honor work with you.

Do You Want To Get Well? Part II Hope for people with CFS, fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions

Do you believe the statement by your doctor, "You will always have this condition?"  Or can you answer these four questions:

1.  Is this statement true?

2.  Can you be absolutely certain that it is true?

3.  How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?

4.  Who would you be without that thought?

These are the questions posed in the Work of Byron Katie.  Ask yourself these questions and see if you can't turn around your thinking just a little..Who would you be without the thought, "I am sick?"

Do You Want To Get Well? Hope for those with CFS, fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions

Did you at one time have doctor or doctors tell you that your condition will be chronic and that, basically, you will never get well?  That is was happened to me back in 1984 when my internist told me he had just read about a condition called, Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Syndrome, and that is what he thought this mysterious illness was...No cure, no easy fix, just live with it.  I decided that I would find out all I could about this condition and work on making my immune system as strong as possible to keep the virus dormant.  I paced myself, took a nap everyday, ate healthy food, took supplements.  That is how I lived until about a year and a half ago.

I read a book by Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D, called "Coyote Wisdom" and it changed the way I thought about the illness.  There were multiple stories of people in the book who used what had meaning to them to get well or at least change their thinking about their condition.  I decided that I did not have to believe what the doctor(s) said and that I had to believe that I would get well.  Your belief becomes your biology.  I would change the belief that was limiting me.  I would still do all I was doing to stay healthy, but I would also go try some things I thought I couldn't do.  I would push myself a little when reluctant to push myself a little.  And it worked.  I felt stronger and healthier.  I let my body guide me, instead of blindly following what the practitioners were telling me. (see work by Byron Katie).  Granted, I still do all the things I was doing before to stay healthy, I just changed my thinking.

Walking for CFS, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease and other Chronic Conditions

When you have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or other chronic condition involving fatigue, the last thing you might want to do is go for a walk.  But for me that was the easiest way back from feeling weak and sick.  I actually started by walking up and down in front of my house, as ridiculous as that sounds, because I was afraid of going too far.  I started slow and then slowly went farther and farther by mailboxes on the street.  Walking is the easiest on your joints and it takes no extra equipment other than a good pair of athletic shoes.  With each extension of distance, I felt a little better and more encouraged about getting well. 

Is It Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Something Else?

In 1982, at the age of 30, I came down with a bad case of mononeucleosis.  It took me two months to recover and go back to work.  In 1984, I suffered what I thought was a relapse of the mono with the exact same symptoms (not so much sore throat, but nausea, weight loss and fatigue).  After going to my GP who said my mono spot test was negative and was mystified, I went to an internist who coincidentally had just read an article in the Journal of Internal Medicine about a new condition that was emerging called Chronic Epstein Barre Virus Syndrome.  He was convinced that that was what I had, but could offer nothing in the way of treatment options.  Over the years I had several flare-ups of the condition and did everything I could in terms of researching the condition and living my life carefully.  I was relieved that over time, physicians began to recognize it as an emerging problem suffered by many.  The condition was named chronic fatigue syndrome (and its sister, fibromyalgia.)

I have navigated this condition pretty successfully (with lots of bumps) and, with the assistance of some practitioners who think outside the box, have begun to look CFS differently.  Yes, I believe the condition does exist, no doubt.  But I also believe other factors may contribute to the syndrome, such as food sensitivities and bad gut organisms.  I will be sharing my journey with CFS in this blog and what has and hasn't worked for me.  As a wellness coach, my desire is to help others with discouraging chronic health conditions to think in terms of wellness instead of illness.  Changes to my website are coming!  Feel free to contact me at www.lifestylesbyjane.com for wellness coaching.