Trying to conceive a boy?
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: June 12, 2009
It is not too often I write so openly about my kids and my family, but I feel compelled to share this today, and when you watch the video, you will understand why.
Back in 1998 my husband and I were fortunate enough to conceive a boy after trying to get pregnant for about 5 years. Unfortunately I did not carry the pregnancy to term. We went in for a check up at 23 weeks to learn that our son had died in-utero. No explanation was given. The doctors simply did not have any answers, other than that my underlying congenital heart condition may have been a factor.
We already had a daughter that was 7 but I was devastated! I wanted to try again, we had tried for so long to get pregnant. Fortunately I went on to conceive a baby girl in 1999 and she was born healthy at full term in 2000.
Eleven months later, we found out I was pregnant again, this time it was a boy. My pregnancy was plagued with complications. I was told that my maternal serum screening came back with high numbers. 1 in 12 chance that our son would have spina bifida. Then later in the pregnancy they were concerned about Dandy – Walker Syndrome. None of what they said mattered. We wanted our son and we would love him no matter what.
Late one night at about 29 weeks into the pregnancy my water broke. My husband rushed me to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto where our specialists were. I didn’t end up going into labour that night, but they kept me in the hospital for the duration. 4 weeks into my hospital stay (33 weeks into the
pregnancy) I started bleeding profusely. My placenta had abrupted. I had an Emergency C-Section.
Our son was born 7 weeks premature, weighing 4 lbs 6 oz. Thanks to God that he was okay. The only visible abnormality he had was hypospadia. Surgery just before he turned two corrected that. Today he is 7 and doing quite well.
Today a friend of mine posted this video on face-book. When I watched it I was so moved by the content, I just simply had to share it. People need to be aware of this. Maybe it will answer some questions about why it might be more difficult to conceive a healthy boy in these times.
Where are all of our boys going? Click the link below to open the video in a new window.
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The Disappearing Male. CBC Docs |
Special Thanks to Mr. John Anderson and Mr Tony Escobar for bringing this video to my attention.
John Anderson, known as the Mineral Man, is the formulator of The Isagenix® Nutritional Cleansing Program. To find out more about the benefits of Nutritional Cleansing visit www.leanandhealthy.ca
Thanks for reading.
Have an Amazing Weekend!
21 Days To a New You?
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: June 10, 2009
Do you know how long it takes to form a new habit? Or how
long it takes to break an old bad habit?
Well research has shown that it takes at least 21 days to
form new habits. So, for example, you want to start a new
exercise program, or start eating healthier, then what does
that mean? 21 days of consistent effort! 21 straight days,
no days off in between.
Does that sound difficult? Imagine taking 3 weeks of your
life to start developing the proper habits that are going to
take you down that road to overall better health, a happier
body, a happier you! Do you think that sounds tough?
If you said yes, count the number of weeks you have
spent living your life the way you have and where it has
taken you. Are you unhappy with the results? Your
answer should be a clue……
21 Days!
Now you may be saying, oh Kim, you make it sound
so easy! Well, if you are really focused and committed
to accomplishing your goal, it does become easy.
95 % Success Rate!!
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wildest dreams.
Thanks for Reading!
Have an Amazing Day!
Kim
Happy Mother’s Day!
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: May 10, 2009
I feel totally blessed today. I am sitting here in bed while my children and my dear hubby cook breakfast for me. They told me that special surprises were coming today. I always look forward to the home-made cards and gifts from my kids. The extra hugs and special kisses. It has truly become a cherished day for our family.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish all the Mother’s out there a Very Special Day as well! I hope you take the time today to celebrate your life. Even if you are not a Mother, you have one… so please make sure you tell her how very special she truly is!
Have an Amazing Day!
Emotional Eating. Is this your Diet Killer?
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: May 3, 2009
It’s late evening, all the kids are in bed sleeping, hubby is downstairs working on his projects, and here I sit, in front of my computer, with the television on… and I am bored. That’s my cue. “Let’s find a little snack”, my inner voice tells me in that soft comfortable tone…. “c’mon, you know you wanna”.
I know that I have already had a great dinner, I am not hungry, but yet why am I thinking about food? It’s an all too common occasion. I know it is my boredom that triggers it.
Another trigger is having a bad day. It happens, we all have them. Whether I feel angry or sad, that can trigger a want or need for food. Does this sound familiar to you? Does this kill your diet?
So how do I cope with these triggers? First I recognize them for what they are. Using food for comfort, or simply for something to do… that means that I am an emotional eater. If I don’t try to avoid these situations they can impair my weight management. So I have come up with a few ways to try and not eat when I am not hungry.
- I keep a picture of what I consider a woman with the kind of body I aspire to on my fridge. This helps to keep me inspired and on track.
- I never skip a meal. I always have at least 3 meals a day regardless, and sometimes I have 4 or 5 smaller meals and I make sure that I include some form of protein every time I eat.
- I hold off as long as possible. If I am bored, then I will try and go to bed early and get some extra sleep, have a nice bubble bath, or pick up a book and read.
- I replaced all of the foods that I normally binge on with healthy alternatives, like raw veggies, fruit, IsaDelights®, SlimCakes® and those little bran snack bites.
- If I absolutely have a craving.. (which really isn’t that often since I started a cleansing lifestyle), then I will indulge in one of my healthy snacks.
Emotional eating can be a vicious cycle, because if you binge, then you feel guilty and ashamed, and then what happens? You eat to comfort yourself. It happens, I know that all to well. Just remember, every day is a new day, a new beginning… and those times of emotional eating will get fewer and far between.
I hope this helps.
Have an Amazing Day!
Does Body Cleansing Assist With Weight Loss?
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: April 11, 2009
Cleansing the body at an internal level seems to be a very hot topic today, and for good reason. People want to know if those colon cleanses and liver cleanses actually assist with weight loss. There are different views on this topic, but I can only comment from personal experience.
Back when I started on my weight loss journey (a few years after my last child was born) I did all the right things. I joined a gym, and started eating a healthy diet. I paid for a few personal training sessions, and thought that I was well on my way. I did lose some weight, but could not seem to get that last 15 lbs off my body, no matter what I tried.
I resorted to fad diets, and even tried some of those diet pills. Not such a good idea – the harmful stimulants made me nauseous. I stopped taking them.
I came across a nutritional cleansing program – a complete body cleanse. Not just a colon cleanse, but a cleanse at the cellular level. Why did I choose these particular products? Well, I liked the fact that not only would this program help remove the impurities from my body, but my body was also being nourished with the finest vitamins, gentle cleansing herbs and ionic trace minerals, so I was replenishing my body at the same time.
So was this the missing link to my weight loss?
Here are my results…
14 lbs and 15 3/4″ in 30 days!
While I was going through my program, I also decided to do a weekly video clip update. I think doing this helped to keep me motivated, as well as to show that my before and after pictures are REAL and have not been “touched up”!
Here is my Video Journey:
So I guess the answer is an absolute YES! 
I did find the missing link to my weight loss. Oh and, as of the writing of this blog, it has been 8 months since I did my initial program and I have kept the weight off. I continue to cleanse on a regular basis, because to be honest with you – it makes me feel so good, why would I ever want to stop?
What Cleansing Program did I use?
I started with the Isagenix 30 day Cleansing and Fat Burning System and continue with their Total Health and Wellness Program!
To find out more about Isagenix you can visit:
Thanks for reading.
Hope you are having an Amazing Easter Weekend!
Kim
Jen’s Update – 2 Weeks into the Isa Body Challenge
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: March 16, 2009
As spring approaches I begin to think of warmer weather and lighter clothing. I have to tell you, nothing motivates me more to make sure I get my workouts in, than a quick peek in my closet. On that note, I wanted to check in with Jen today and see how she is doing with her Isagenix Cleanse.
As you know from my last post, Jen started the Isabody Challenge on March 1, 2009, so she is now two weeks into her cleanse. Following is the email Jen sent me today:
“Hi Kim,
It’s been two weeks since I signed up for the IsaBody Challenge and I just wanted to let you know it is going great! I set a goal to lose 15 pounds in my first month and I am delighted to say that I have lost a total of 10 pounds so far and I feel amazing.
One of the things I really appreciate about this program is the fact that I don’t need to think about what I am going to eat for two meals each day. The convenience of having the shakes is a true benefit and it certainly doesn’t hurt that they taste great too!
Talk soon,
Jen”
Thanks for the update Jen. We are all cheering you on!
I will be posting regular updates of Jen’s Progress. They are filed under The IsaBody Challenge Category. If you would like to follow Jen’s progress too, feel free to subscribe to this blog.
If you would like more information about the Isabody Challenge, here are some resources for you:
If you or one of your friends and family are interested in participating in the IsaBody Challenge and would like to speak to a cleanse coach, please send an email to info@leanandhealthy.ca
Detoxification: Cleansing Your Organs
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: March 6, 2009
Today I wanted to talk a little bit more about body cleansing. It has become one of my favorite topics, because honestly, it has completely changed my health.
Cleansing the inside of your body is actually not some new fad or new diet that has just sprouted up over the last few years. The internal cleansing of the body has been practised throughout history. Cultures from around the world have seen the value in cleansing the body of harmful impurities, so this is actually not something new, but it seems to be more important than ever in today’s modern world.
There are many new products on the market to help aid your cleanse. Indeed, there are many benefits to those who actually use these types of diets properly. Not only can one experience a healthier immune system that will help ward off disease better and more efficiently, but the body will be much better off for undergoing a cleanse (or detox). If you have ever wondered about some of the other benefits that you could gain by cleansing your internal body, here is some food for thought:
1: Your Colon is Cleansed
Many people focus on colon cleansing as the absolute source of a detoxification diet. However, the colon is not the only organ that should be focused on during a cleanse but it certainly will help the body in the long run. The main function of the colon is to excrete wastes from the body, but the colon is also used in water absorption. These two functions are crucial to keeping your body healthy. Undergoing a cleansing process helps the colon so that it can function properly. Let’s face it: after years of digesting fatty foods, foreign substances, along with all the toxins that we ingest and inhale from our every day environment, our colon may not be functioning well at all. A good cleansing diet should include natural fruit juices as well as trace minerals, antioxidants and alkaline ingredients like aloe vera and herbal teas.
2: Your Kidneys are Cleaner
Your kidneys are like sophisticated filters. They do a terrific job of keeping your entire body and system clean. Every day your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood and sift out about 2 quarts of waste products and excess water. They also release important hormones that your body needs. So if they do such a great job, why do we need to cleanse them? Same reason for cleansing the colon, years of toxins, impurities and foreign substances that enter our bodies, there is no way that your kidneys are able to filter out every single small harmful particle. Involving your body in a cleanse that includes the kidneys is very beneficial. Not only are the kidneys cleaner, but they will also be able to do their job more properly than before the cleansing process.
3: Your Liver is Cleansed
The liver has many functions. It produces substances that break down fats, it converts glucose (sugar) to glycogen, it produces urea (the main substance of urine), it makes certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), it also filters harmful substances from the blood (like alcohol), it stores vitamins and minerals and it maintains a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible for producing cholesterol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body. It is a vital but often neglected organ. If you talk to radiologists and gastroenterologists who are looking at people’s livers today, they will tell you that the condition called “Fatty Liver” affects more than 50% of people over the age of 50. Common causes are poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, adverse reactions to prescription drugs and toxic chemicals. Again the same reasons as above for doing a cleanse or detox.
4: A Healthy Immune System
Of course, there are plenty of other benefits that one can experience by undergoing a complete internal body cleanse, but the major benefit and goal of it all is to have a healthier immune system. Let’s face it: each winter everyone usually experiences nasty bacterial colds, the flu, coughs, sore throats, as well as a variety of other diseases that are not necessary. Even though there is no commercial way to get rid of these diseases, a detoxification is able to help and boost the immune system. When your immune system is healthy these same diseases and ailments just don’t happen!
I haven’t had a head cold in two years. Do I cleanse? You betcha!
When we consider all the benefits of a total body cleanse, there is much evidence to suggest that we all need to undergo a cleansing process ourselves. And by keeping up with our cleansing lifestyle and making sure that we eat properly we are only making a healthier system for our bodies!
If you would like more information about a complete nutritional cleanse, you can contact me via the website. Please be sure to include “More Information about Nutritional Cleansing” in your comments.
Thank you.
Jen’s 2009 IsaBody Challenge
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: March 2, 2009
I woke up early this Monday morning. It was absolutely freezing outside, and it was only the first Monday in March! Ugg, at least another month of this miserable weather. However, none of that could dampen my excitement as I thought about my friend Jen’s decision to join the Isa Body Challenge. The contest is already in full swing – started January 2nd but I am so glad Jen decided to dedicate the next 3 1/2 months to getting healthy, losing weight and getting into the best shape of her life.
So I called her and asked if it would be alright for me to blog about her progress through this challenge. I think it will motivate not only Jen, but others that can follow her progress. She said Yes! So thank you Jen for agreeing to share your progress with the rest of the world!
So here is Jen’s starting point:
Date started: March 1, 2009
Starting Weight: 185 lbs
March 1, 2009 Before
March 1, 2009 Jen Before
I will be posting updates of Jen’s progress throughout the Challenge so please make sure you stay tuned by subscribing to this feed!
Jen, You Go Girl!
If you would like more information about the Isabody Challenge, here are some resources for you:
If you or one of your friends and family are interested in participating in the IsaBody Challenge and would like to speak to a cleanse coach, please send an email to info@leanandhealthy.ca
Get Healthy, Lose Weight and Win Some Cash!
5 Exercise Tips For the Working Mom
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: February 16, 2009
While you are raising a family, sometimes the pressures of daily life seem overwhelming. You have kids to get ready for school, housework, meals, laundry, illnesses, not to mention your job if you work outside the home! “When the heck am I going to have time to workout?” That is a question I hear regularly, and I can relate to that because I am a working mother myself. Sometimes it is just impossible to stick to a regular fitness routine and the preparation of healthy meals.
That being said, I try not to let everyday stress become an excuse to not get my regular exercise in. We all have 24 hours in a day, so we need to find some time during that period for some form of exercise. Part of your daily routine includes a shower and brushing your teeth. You would not go without those, so if you make exercise part of your daily routine too, it will become a habit. A great habit! It is just not right to use lack of time as an excuse to avoid exercise. If you are afraid to get started, or just not sure how, then read on, I think this will help you.
Just remember, even 20 minutes a day is better than nothing at all. Here are five tips to help you get started.
1. Find a friend to workout with: Working out alone is not always an enjoyable experience. However, if you have a friend workout with you, chances are that you will start loving your workouts because you will also have that social interaction! Also, seeing your friend working out will motivate you to continue with your exercise program. The other benefit that comes with working out with a friend is accountability. If you know your friend is counting on you to meet her at the gym, you are less likely to use the excuse “I don’t feel like it today.”
2. Workout to Music: Take an IPOD with you whenever you hit the gym. This is a great way of kicking the boredom out of your workout routine! When I work out to music, I find it more enjoyable because I am not really concentrating on how hard I am working, but actually listening to the music. Upbeat music works great when you are doing cardio. Softer music when you are stretching or doing yoga. Most gyms today have TVs too, so if you have headphones you can plug in and watch your favorite TV show while on the treadmill!
3. Do what you love: It becomes a lot easier when you find certain exercises that you love to do. If there are exercises that you absolutely despise, do not make them part of your routine. You will get bored and quit. Instead, mix it up a bit, but make sure you are working every area of your body.
4. Start it slow: If you have never exercised in life, it is only natural that you will be afraid to hit the gym. When you first begin to exercise, you do not have to do it daily in order to lose weight. Instead, try to take it easy: start by working out only for fifteen to twenty minutes per day, for two or three days a week. As your body gets accustomed to your new workout routine, you can scale up the intensity of your workouts! Trust me, you will feel so much better when you start to incorporate fitness into your daily routine.
5. Work out at home: If a gym membership is not in your budget, that’s okay. You can purchase some really good exercise DVDs and get started at home. You can still invite friends over to work out with you for added fun and support. We offer some beginner to advanced DVD choices on our website.
For more free diet and fitness tips, please be sure to visit my website at http://www.myjourneytoweightloss.com .
Thank you for reading. Have an Amazing Day!
What to do when your cardiovascular exercise isn’t working anymore!
Posted by: kimberleyclark on: January 19, 2009
Tips to get you back on track!
We’ve been taught that performing cardiovascular exercise for 20 to 30 minutes at a target heart rate of 60 to 80 percent is the best way to lose your excess fat. Yes, it can be. But, what do you do when you have hit that weight loss plateau and your cardio workout isn’t working any more?
One of the methods I’ve used to change things up is interval training. I would have to describe Interval training as integrating higher-intensity exercise with lower intensity. This will help spark and speed up your metabolism. Intervals can be applied to any form of cardiovascular exercise. It has been a widely used technique for training athletes since the ’50s, but this concept has grown into mainstream fitness in the last 10 years.
The beauty of interval training is that you don’t have to work out for long periods. Unless you’re training for a competitive event, anything longer than 25 to 35 minutes is not required, and that includes warm up and cool down.
Here is an example of interval training using a treadmill:
Begin with a warm up of five minutes at level 3 intensity (3 mph):
A. On the sixth minute, increase to 4 mph (light jog)
B. On the seventh minute, increase to 5 mph
C. On the eighth minute, increase to level 6.5 or 7 mph
D. For the next two minutes, (minutes nine and ten) return to 3 mph
E. Repeat A-D two additional times, but increase the level of intensity one mile per hour on each phase.
F. Cool down for five minutes at 3 mph
The total workout time including warm up and cool downs is 25 minutes. A-D above represent one cycle. In this example, you perform three cycles of higher-intensity cardio. If you’re at a more advanced fitness level, then you’ll need to adjust the speeds and times accordingly to make sure the intensity is somewhat demanding at the higher levels.
Hope this helps.
Recommended Sites:
- Lean and Healthy - The Isagenix Cleanse
- Free Internet Network Marketing Training
- Free Work From Home Success Kit
- Colon Cleanse Clarify
- http://alphainventions.com
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