On a Diet? Get active, eat better, and lose weight!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve discovered some interesting extra pounds recently. Not only am I eating more but I’m also moving less. It seems with each passing day, I’m older and rounder.
Sometimes I feel like I can’t win this battle. Then, I think about my situation and I realize that I can win this battle. I need to go on a diet.
The last time I went on a diet, I lost almost three dozen pounds. That was a long time ago. Almost thirty years ago, to be exact. I kissed carbs goodbye and the pounds went along with them.
This time I think I can have a more successful diet and my life will be easier, too. So…I’m taking this diet week-by-week. I plan to lose weight using newer, more effective, techniques. I plan to be healthier.
I hope to do some more interesting things along the way, too.
Will you join me?
I’m hoping to share effective weight-loss tips to make weight loss easier and more fun. I’m also hoping I’ll be able to keep the weight off!
For my first week on this diet, I’m thinking of ways to move more. I’m getting active for more energy.
I have a weekly zoom yoga/fitness class with Carolyn Abedor on Thursday mornings. I would prefer to have two classes each week with her but I’m working on Tuesday mornings when she offers her other class. I would love to rearrange my work schedule but, so far, have been unable to do so.
I spend a few minutes on a personal trampoline each day. Reflexologists love personal trampolines and I’m no exception.
At least twice daily, my 5-pound chihuahua walks me down the street. That will soon end when the snow comes. Taco can’t stand icy roads.
So, I’m seeking other active options.
I try to walk more at work and I like to walk more when I food shop.
A new goal is to put in about 300 extra steps every day – no matter what. I plan to add more physical activities over time until I’ve move these 300 steps to 30 minutes of daily exercise.
I’m searching for low-impact activities on exercise videos such as YouTube and Amazon. I’m planning to check out some videos at the library. I also plan to contact my area hospital to see what programs are available at its wellness center.
Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you. I wish us all success in this quest for better health and a better weight.
Meanwhile, for this week, Let’s Move!
I’m hoping you’ll share this article with your preferred social media network.
Thurman Greco
Healing Music – an important part of your toolbox – Part 5
Music is an important component of healing because everything has its very own musical component.
When we speak to one another (or to ourselves), our voices transmit a unique spiritual music. Each person’s voice is individual.
When we move, our bodies send a tempo representing our feelings at the moment.
Everything around us is musical because we are all composed of energy.
When we offer reflexology or Reiki therapy or chakra healing or any number of other healing modalities, each one has it’s own music. But, that doesn’t mean that an added layer of healing music isn’t important. The healing music you play while you heal a person contributes to that person’s wellness.
I have known healers who used only one or two musical selections for everyone. Other healers had stacks and stacks of cd’s to choose from.
I have also known client partners who preferred a specific song. One client partner wanted only a special song playing when she entered the healing room. She wanted nothing more. For her, healing began when she heard the music she chose. Her choice: “Nada Himalaya” by Deuter. New Earth Records produced this CD.
My thoughts on this: Whatever works for your client is the right choice.
The important thing is not whether I like the music or not. My preferences don’t matter. The important thing is that the person who needs and receives the healing responds positively to what she hears.
I have client partners who only want to hear chants. Others dislike the chants and don’t want to hear them. My job is to discover what music each client prefers and have it playing during each session.
If you don’t know what to offer, you can’t go wrong with some quiet Bach or Pachelbel. Music by Steven Halpern or Deuter have been staples in healing rooms for decades.
But, whatever you select, your choice is important, very important.
Not long ago, I lost a client because of the music I selected. This woman was a recent regular client – coming to my table weekly. She appeared to be happy with my services and healing modality environment.
She enjoyed a variety of music and I had enough CD’s to offer a different selection at each session. Then, one day, she walked into the healing room and immediately went on alert. She was even a little fearful. I didn’t know why.
Before the end of the session, she commented to me that I was playing her “favorite song”. The musician was not well known and only had one CD out. She revealed me that this love for the music we were listening to was a deep dark secret that she had never shared with anyone.
I had, inadvertently, invaded a private space she was not prepared to share.
Do I need to tell you what happened to this client?
Every client has a private space where no one can be invited in. One of the jobs of a healer is to find the door, make sure it’s locked, and throw away the key.
The music you share in your healing space is as intimate as the work you do.
Thanks for reading this blog article! Please share it with your preferred social media network.
Thurman Greco
Guided Meditations get you to the next level in your sessions.
I learned about guided meditations in Mary Ruth Van Landingham’s classes at Terra Christa in Vienna, Virginia. She always included a guided meditation as part of each learning experience.
When Rev. Dan Chesbro taught a class at Terra Christa, he always included a guided meditation. Looking back on his sessions, I see now they were guided meditations in and of themselves.
I bought three books at Terra Christa: “Meditations for Awakening”, “Meditations for Transformation”, and “Meditations for Healing” by Larry Moen. These books became part of every work day, whether I was teaching or healing.
The influence of these books on my career was significant.
As a matter of fact, I wore out the Awakening book and had to buy another to replace it. The other two need to be replaced now.
I’ve bought other guided meditation how-to books over the years.
Two that stand out include “Guided Imagery for Groups” by Andrew E. Schwartz and “Himalayan Salt Crystal Lamps for Healing, Harmony, and Purification” by Clemence Lefevre. I’m including them in this list because they are interesting and helpful. Each book shows how different and honest guided meditations can be.
These 2 books each have a different approach to guided meditations. Through the years, even though I wore out the Larry Moen books, it was important to me to expand my boundaries and use different information. That’s how I learned.
Somehow, my learning path included one short class about writing my own guided meditations. I took an End-of-Life Class at the New York Open Center. Henry Fersco-Weiss taught this class over a weekend. He included a short instruction about creating a guided meditation. It was all I needed.
I knew after that short segment that I could do this on my own. Even though I’ve written many guided meditations, I always return to Larry Moen’s books. Specifically, I like to select “Lagoon” on page 20 of “Meditations for Awakening.” I always go to this meditation in my Reiki 1 classes.
But, when you get into guided meditations, the choices are many.
I hope you’ll be motivated to incorporate guided meditations at every opportunity.
Thanks for reading this article.
Please refer it to your preferred social media network.
Thurman
Your Own Guided Meditation: Relax and Enjoy the Journey
A guided meditation awakens, transforms, heals. It creates a journey so you can fulfill a purpose or reach a goal or answer a question of some kind. In short, a guided meditation helps you solve a problem you may be experiencing.
Many guided meditations use quiet, calming music to support your journey. I like music which doesn’t have abrupt changes. Whatever music you use, you need something which will not interfere with your visualization.
Guided meditations work well in groups with one person reading or speaking the meditation aloud. They also work well for a person alone who reads the meditation or who is listening to it on an audio device.
The best time for a guided meditation is whenever or wherever it works best for you.
Don’t worry if you feel you have fallen asleep during your meditation. Usually, you have not.
Pauses guide and pace the journey. They can occur throughout a meditation. How many, and how long each one is depends on the meditation and the group. I like to schedule the pauses in the meditation when I design it. .
Breathing tempo is established at the beginning of each meditation. Many people do not breathe deeply enough. Although shallow breathing is common, meditations call for deeper, slower breathing. Belly breathing is part of the event. I set the breathing tempo early in the meditation.
A first step in a guided meditation is to spend a few moments encouraging your recipients to get comfortable. Try not to rush this part. Many people are not comfortable in their bodies and may not recognize when they are comfortable – not for a few moments anyway.
Then, the scene emerges. This can be in a secret room, in a meadow, on the edge of a lake, an the foot of a mountain. The scene is described. Meditation recipients are often invited to add their own details mentally as they listen to the unfolding journey.
After the introduction which sets the scene, the meditation generally involves a journey…walking down a path, riding a canoe on a lake, taking a trip on a balloon. Again, a few moments are taken to include details. Descriptive paragraphs tell the story as it unfolds. And, again, your meditation recipients are often invited to add their own details through their thoughts.
Sometimes, a guided meditation may introduce a character – an angel, a wise elder, one’s inner child. This character’s job is to listen to any questions a person may have and offer an answer or response which may be received during the meditation or at some time later in the day or even the next day.
With a guided meditation, you and your recipient’s job is to relax and enjoy the journey. You reach your destination when you receive an answer or solution.
The final step allows a recipient to slowly return to the present moment knowing that she can return to the meditation at any time. There is no rush.
Assure your recipients that they can return to this meditation whenever they desire. It is time to stretch, yawn, open eyes, and return to the present moment.
heart with wings
Thank you for reading this blog post. I hope you enjoyed it.
Please forward this article to your preferred social media network.
Thurman Greco
Exhaustion is a Spiritual Event
Exhaustion is a spiritual event. Spiritually, you are way overextended. You are on a treadmill you haven’t been able to get off of.
In today’s world, the list of causes of exhaustion is seemingly endless. For starters, a good night’s sleep is important. Give yourself permission to relax.
Regular reflexology, Reiki, and chakra healing sessions can offer you relaxation you never thought you could achieve.
Exhaustion is a sense of tiredness and energy depletion that a good night’s sleep cannot fix. If you wake up in the morning fatigued, you need to pay attention to your body, your soul, your mind, and your feelings. This feeling, exhaustion, is a spiritual event.
If it’s any consolation, I have been where you may be now. Exhaustion stopped me right in my tracks. You can get over it if you can focus on it.
The purpose of this blog post is to let you know that you can get beyond your exhaustion. You may feel that you have no energy at all. But, you do have the energy to get beyond this feeling you experience now.
CHAKRA
Exhaustion is an imbalance of all chakras
REFLEXOLOGY SYSTEMS TO WORK
Until you know the cause of your exhaustion, ask your reflexologist to work your endocrine system, immune system, nervous system, and digestive system.
ESSENTIAL OILS
frankincense, grapefruit, lavender, lemongrass, mandarin, myrrh, peppermint, rosemary, sweet orange, vetiver, ylang ylang
EXHAUSTION AND YOUR DIET
This is a good time to visit a nutritionist. But, whether you do or not, clean up your diet and focus on eating clean, fresh, vegetables and fruits. Eat the best food you can for your body.
CONSULT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Exhaustion is one of the best reasons I can think of to consult a medical professional. You need to rule out any medical issues. It is time to repair yourself and regain your health. Get to the bottom of what is causing your exhaustion.
FINALLY…
Better health is waiting for you. You just need to find it.
Thank you for reading this article. Please refer it to your preferred social media network.
Thurman Greco
Constipation, a Spiritual Problem We all Have Occasionally (At Least)
Spiritually, you are stuck in the past, refusing to give up old ideas. You hold onto safe beliefs. Learning to release the past is an important process when you combat constipation on a spiritual level. Fear of the unknown is definitely part of the mix. As you move into the future, less worry and fear help. Focus on deepening your contact with your power center. Finally, develop feelings of self-respect.
Try to connect with your power center and respect yourself more deeply.
Some people feel three bowel movements a day is normal. Others feel three movements a week is normal. Infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, abdominal discomfort are common.
A low-fiber diet and dehydration contribute to constipation. Other triggers include too much processed food, stress, not enough exercise.
Reflexology sessions comfort the digestive process. People receiving reflexology sessions regularly claim to not have problems with bowel irregularity.
This claim is especially popular with parents of young children who have problems with bowel movements. Children who receive reflexology sessions have a difficult time being constipated.
Constipation is a condition can require the attention of a medical professional. isit your physician to rule out any underlying medical conditions. This is especially true if your constipation comes on suddenly or if there’s blood in your stool.
Marge d’Urso, my reflexology teacher, taught us to expect fifty per cent of our client partners to have issues with constipation. The good news is that the condition seldom continues as regular reflexology sessions progress. This is true of both children and adults. Her teachings make regular reflexology sessions the backbone of constipation resolution.
CHAKRA
Constipation is a first and third chakra imbalance.
REFLEXOLOGY SYSTEMS TO WORK
liver, gall bladder, diaphragm, endocrine system, lower spine, ileocecal valve, sigmoid
When your reflexologist works the digestive system in a reflexology session, your intestinal tract will begin to normalize itself.
When you receive reflexology sessions regularly to deal with constipation, you will probably feel better, have more energy, look better, have a more positive outlook on life, and develop better eating habits.
A colon cleanse followed by a liver cleanse along with regularly scheduled reflexology sessions will improve things.
ESSENTIAL OILS
anise, fennel, ginger, lemon, mandarin, peppermint, rosemary, sweet orange, tarragon
EFFECTIVE HEALING FIELDS
Conventional medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Herbalism. Complimentary, Alternative, and Integrative medicine all have theories, remedies, and modalities to help with your constipation. Indeed, so many people in our country have constipation that it seems everyone suffers with it.
IMPORTANT FOODS IN YOUR DIET
brown rice, dried fruits, fresh fruits, green vegetables, leafy vegetables, oats, pine nuts, yogurt
RISK FACTORS
insufficient fluids, low fiber, high fat diet, not getting enough vitamin C, sedentary lifestyle
THINGS TO TRY
Things which may help improve overall digestive health include dry brushing after bathing, using a mini trampoline regularly to clean the lymphatic system. Prebiotics and probiotics help. Consuming more dietary fiber regularly along with sufficient fluids is essential. Finally, avoid stress whenever possible. Exercise daily. Include high-fiber foods, whole-grain breads, leafy vegetables. Regular reflexology sessions help.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
What is it about the unknown that I am afraid of? How can I trust the unknown parts of my life? What is holding me back from what I want to do?
Thank you for reading this blog post. Please refer it to your preferred social media network.
Thurman Greco
How to Use This Blog –
This blog offers you something difficult to get in today’s market: insight into your health. It’s not a substitute for an x-ray or an MRI. Nor will it take the place of a blood test prescribed by your primary healthcare provider.
I’m a reflexologist, not a doctor. The information I share and the experiences I relate are based on my research and career. It’s not intended to diagnose or treat a disease.
I do not prescribe medications or treatments of any kind.
Healthcare professionals are trained and work in several different healing systems. I feel they all work toward the same goal: developing and maintaining your good health. Healthcare professionals include Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathy, Naturopathic Doctors, Homeopaths.
The information in these blog posts will allow you to see your health care through the added dimension of a spiritual event or situation. This can enhance your physical situation.
This blog is not intended to replace your primary healthcare provider, or any healthcare provider, for that matter. Instead, this blog adds a layer of personal care to every situation in your healing life.
If you have a health question or situation offering no answer, do not be afraid to dig into the past blog posts. There are several hundred of them.
In the coming months, there will be several hundred more. My sincere hope is that you will join my future posts. If you do, thank you for joining me.
Thurman Greco
PS: Please refer this post to your favorite social media network.
Your Longevity – And a Healthy Living Attitude
The first step toward achieving your longevity goals is a healthy living attitude.
Healthy living is much easier when you feel what you’re doing is important and when you feel like you’re going to succeed when you develop your new healthy habits. Optimism is the necessary ingredient in a healthy living attitude.
Healthy living is a journey toward a goal. You can travel on the healthy living attitude express every day if you know in your heart that you’re going to be successful.
One of the hardest things to do in life is lose weight. The only thing harder is keeping it off. And, really, the most important ingredient in this whole lifestyle change is your healthy living attitude.
I know you can do it. I know you can adopt whatever habits you need to achieve your longevity goals. I know you can do it because I did it. And, the one thing that made the difference was my healthy living attitude.
I tried many times throughout the years to lose weight – to no avail. Diets were depressing. Blah. Blah. Blah.
This last try was different. Why? I experienced an attitude adjustment which worked! I’m not sure what happened. I was just ready to be free of all the extra pounds. It was just time. I was ready to let go of all the excuses that I’d been clinging to for years: my bum thyroid, my menopause, a business which sapped my strength every day and took over 80 hours a week on a slow week.
I woke up one day and realized I wanted to be free. I faced up to the fact that I was both the problem and the solution.
At that moment, my diet unfolded in front of me. And, I was off and running… away from failure, extra pounds, doubt. The healthy living attitude took control.
I began cutting out carbs and started talking to my thyroid. I also spoke to my body. I knew the extra weight surrounding my body was no longer a necessary part of my self. My new authenticity simply didn’t require so much protection.
My healthy living attitude was all I needed to protect me.
I dieted for seemingly ever. I didn’t buy a single new outfit for at least six months. And, it was all okay. Walking around in roomy clothing was fine for me. I was free! I was proud of the pounds I lost.
No one can do this for you. When you have the right attitude about your family, your work, and your health, you can do just about anything. You will see that all the parts of your life are connected and you can succeed at anything you care about doing.
When the time is right , your path will reveal itself to you. Your job will then be to show up as your authentic self and do the work. When this happens, know that your success is already making its way to you.
You will learn to access your energy system for direction, energy, motivation. You will be inspired to follow the directions. If something surfaces which doesn’t resonate with you, leave it be. Work with those things which touch your authentic self as you become comfortable with your healthy living attitude.
Through trial and error, your inner authentic self will guide you to your success. You will achieve your goals and you will learn that you are not broken. You are, instead, finding yourself.
Thank you for reading this article. Please refer it to your favorite social media network.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock, New York
Thank you for reading this article! Please refer it to your favorite social media network.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock, NY
10 Easy Wellness Tips for Your Self Care
Self care is all about realizing that we need to take care of ourselves to function optimally in our lives. For many, self care is being selfish. This is simply not so. Eating properly, resting, getting proper exercise, smelling the flowers…these things are not selfish.
Lower back pain? Try not to overdo the bed rest. One or two days seem to be the best amount of time. to be off your feet. Lower back pain is a spiritual situation. Try to get up and about asap. Self care is needed when your lower back hurts.
Are your cholesterol numbers less than ideal? Try to exercise regularly. Can you lose weight? That will help, too. Eating fish helps. And, finally, omega-3 fatty acids really help.
Get your annual flu shot. Every year, I encounter people who come down with the flu. Most of the time, these people neglected to get their shot. And, getting a flu shot does not immunize a person for life. A flu shot must be repeated annually. This can be a bore. However, I’ve gotten a flu shot annually for the last 20 years or so and, somehow, don’t seem to get the flu.
Worried about toenail fungus? Keep your feet clean and dry. Wear well fitting shoes and socks. Snug, poorly ventilated shoes and damp, sweaty socks are a breeding ground for athlete’s foot. Go barefoot if you can. If you do have toenail or foot fungus, and if it is painful, it’s time to see a dermatologist.
To keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, brush your teeth often. Brush your teeth after you eat with a soft bristled brush. Tooth brushing is essential for good self care.
Do you have hay fever? Cut back on alcoholic beverages during pollen season.
Do you chew gum? Chew sugarless gum to fight tooth decay.
Concerned about carpel tunnel syndrome? Keep your wrists straight when working with your hands. When you work on a keyboard, make sure your fingers are lower than your wrists. Carpel tunnel doesn’t always require surgery. A good body worker or physical therapist can often help you.
Buy your shoes in the afternoon when you’ve been on your feet for a few hours, and always have your feet measured. Know which foot is larger and fit your shoes to that foot. That way, you’ll have a more accurate shoe size and fit.
Pinkeye and other eye infections can be extremely infectious. Use care.
Always first on your list for self care is regular reflexology.
Thank you for reading this article.
Please refer this blog article to your preferred social media network.
Thanks again.
Thurman Greco
10 Wellness Tips for Better Health
Wellness is something we should all be interested in. We can all increase our health awareness through wellness..
Following are ten easy things you can do to promote your wellness.
Not all muffins are created equal. Read the labels so you choose a muffin which is more nutrition and less junk. Look for a muffin which has less than 500 calories and at least contains whole wheat flour in addition to eggs, butter, and other healthy ingredients.
Like baked potatoes? To get the most nutrients from your favorite food, eat the skin too. Ounce for ounce, the skin is where you’ll get more fiber, iron, potassium and B vitamins. This is wellness in action!
Eat foods rich in vitamin C every day. Besides oranges, the best sources of vitamin C are asparagus, blackberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, mustard greens, peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes. These foods help protect against cancer and other diseases.
While you’re at it, eat at least five other fruits and vegetables daily. Make sure these five servings are high in antioxidants.
If you’re concerned about urinary tract infections, drink ten ounces of cranberry juice cocktail daily. While this won’t substitute for medication, cranberry juice cocktail taken daily will help reduce infection rates over time.
Looking for low-fat cookies? Try fig bars. They’re both low in fat and high in fiber.
Like to bake cakes and brownies? You can reduce the fat in the recipe when you substitute applesauce or fruit puree for the oil, margarine, or butter in the recipe.
Low-fat milks are not created equal. If your concern is fat content, go for nonfat or 1 %.
Frozen fruits and vegetables are tasty, nutritious snacks. Frozen bananas, strawberries, strawberries are delicious!
Try a new fruit or vegetable every month. At the end of a year, you’ll know a lot more about food than you do now. And, the chances are that you’ll have new favorite foods!
Read labels on frozen breakfasts. Some are very high in fat. Others are also very high in calories. Go for the less fatty products.
So! Here you have ten suggestions with a bonus thrown in for good measure. I’ll be sending along other easy wellness tips along in coming blog posts. Hope you enjoy them all!
Thanks for reading this blog and thank you for reading this article. Please forward it to your friends. through your favorite social media network.
Thanks again!
Thurman Greco
