The Highly Sensitive Person

Bad days

It’s horrible, I wish I could rip it from my body – depression.

I thought I was on the right track, eventually getting the right combination of drugs, having the Think Fit Think Healthy attitude.  But it does not prepare you for the memories and experiences that have lead me to where I am now.

I have recently finished a book called The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Survive and Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N Aron. 

I have read so many self help books and had dcided, no more enough was enough.  But this book just grabbed me and spoke to me.  Finally someone who understood – I really was not alone.

"An extraordinary way with lettuce"

I enjoy eating raw vegetables and salads made with spinach and rocket - leaves that have a real taste and kick about them.  Lettuce has never been a favourite of mine - childhood memories of a dull salad of limp lettuce and squishy tomatoes.  Then I saw a Nigel Slater simple supper combining lettuce with fresh spring vegetables - it's gorgeous, fresh, amazing.  Lettuce will never be the same.

Ingredients

1 large slice of butter

1 bunch spring onions, cut into 2.5cm/1in lengths

1 handful broad beans, out of their pods

3 heads Baby Gem lettuce, trimmed and cut in half

vegetable stock, enough to nearly cover the lettuce

1-2 handfuls fresh peas, out of their pods

a few fresh mint sprigs, leaves only

Preparation method

Heat the butter in a large shallow pan until the butter is foaming, then add the spring onions and cook for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the broad beans in a pan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until they are tender enough to slip the skins off, if you so wish.

Place the halved Baby Gem lettuces cut-side down on top of the spring onions and add the vegetable stock to the lettuce, enough to nearly cover. Scatter over the drained broad beans (I prefer mine skinned - they are just a little brighter and softer that way but skin on is fine also). Add the peas, season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper and simmer for a few minutes.

Finish with some mint leaves and serve once the vegetables are tender. This dish is lovely on its own but it is equally delicious paired with some old-fashioned English ham.

I had mine with a roasted chicken which I had flavoured with rosemary and thyme.

Recipe found at - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/anextraordinarywaywi_92374

To be ungraceful!

I've been doing the same stretching exercises each day for years and recently they have been making no difference at all.  My once flat belly has expanded and so have my upper arms.

Feeling frustration I read that changing the type of exercise and working other muscles may help to get some of the lost tone back.

As a small girl I used to go to ballet classes - but was not at all graceful and had two left feet.  In my search for more interesting exercises I have re found ballet - and in the comfort of my own home I can be as ungraceful as I want.  The exercises are fab - I can really feel the lower/inner muscles (not sure of the technical term) working.  It's only been a week so hopefully I'll see a difference soon!!

The following link is quite a good source of information http://74e1dvlborhv2xe8bip576r5-y.hop.clickbank.net/ and there are loads of videos on You Tube try - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n9k2j8gTMc.

I've always loved watching ballet - the grace and the power the dancers have is amazing!

Learn to Run

About three months ago I decided to start a Learn to Run course to increase my fitness levels which had taken a nose dive.  The aim of the course is to be able to run two miles in 10 weeks.  Each week we ran a little bit further from 60 seconds to two minutes onto four minutes etc.  Until we finally, on the 10th week, ran two miles.

It's been tough but I've carried on running.  The group now incorporate hills into the run.  Gosh - what a difference between running and walking up a hill!! 

I'm a slow runner but am determined to keep at it improving internal fitness.  As for losing weight (which was another reason for starting to run) that hasn't happened yet.

Keep on running!

Plaster castes, crabs & dumbbells

At the age of 15 I slipped a disc in my lower back by attempting the "crab" move (bending over backwards towards the floor - just a few weeks before vital exams.  It was so painful - I could hardly move.  From x-rays taken I was also diagnosed with Scoliosis (Curvature of the Spine).

So I could take my exams I was put in a plaster caste from neck down to waist - so uncomfortable, hot and sweaty.  As part of my recovery I was strapped to a traction table before being stretched.  An odd sensation I recall being therapeutic.  Physio exercises followed which became and still are part of my daily routine.  Stretching core muscles especially those in the stomach area.

I became obsessed with daily sit-ups and stretching but due to a recent illness stretching took a back seat.  Now I'm on the road to recovery I'm back stretching  but the effects aren't showing - no longer the flat stomach or toned arms!

Getting very despondent I decided to buy myself some dumbbells having read that resistance exercises can help - "Resistance Training’ is another name for exercising your muscles using an opposing force i.e. dumb bells or resistance bands".

When the delivery man arrived with my dumbbell package he manly gave me the box the weight of which made my knees wobble.  He departed with a smirk and "you'll have fun with these".

Opening the package two sunshine yellow 4kg dumbbells greeted me.  One in each hand felt heavy but manageable.  So over the past ten days I've included the wights in my daily stretching routine.  I'm hoping to see some good results.  Try http://www.dumbbell-exercises.com/exercises/triceps/index.html for really helpful exercises.

Sunshine yellow dumbbells from http://www.littlewoods.com/body-sculpture-vinyl-dumbells-2-x-2kg/914056325.prd?cmtag=o&_requestid=315883&browseToken=/q/dumbells/s/bestsellers,0.

Think Fit Think Healthy

I'm no fitness guru nor do I fill my body with nothing but nutritional food (the odd chip and chocolate bar passes my lips).  But I do try to live by a balanced diet and lifestyle.

There have been times in the past when I have abused my body by starving it.  Then there was the joy of gorging myself with chocolate followed by guilt.  So I made myself sick or ate 20-30 laxatives at a time to rid myself of the sin.

At the same time I punished my body with excessive exercise.  At school I was always the last to be picked for team sports so finding a gym and aerobic exercise classes boosted my confidence no end.  I pushed myself so the exercise hurt my body - the feeling thrilled and elated me.



So years on I feel there needs to be a balance - a little bit of what you fancy so long as it's not too much.  And exercise needs to be part of your life in a healthy and structured way.

If your are in doubt about your diet or the level of exercise you should consult a medical professional.

Think Fit! Think Healthy!