No colon and rollin' but having trouble with blockages!

Well living with no colon hasn't been easy for me.  At first, it was ok and great.. no problems then the end of April, four months after my colon was removed, I had a very painful blockage that sent me to the Pahrump NV Emergency Room.  I had a friend take me, Melinda.  I had to drive to her house, her teenager was using her car, and she took me to the ER.... I was in PAIN the whole time.  My stomach felt all in knots and in pain.  I was having a small bowel blockage!  Argh!  I was nauseous and after being admitted, I threw up in a bag they gave me and wow I felt so much better!  But they wouldn't let me go home.  I had a Priesthood blessing by Brother Witten and Aimie's Dad.  That was so nice.  Melinda and Kelly arranged it.  Kelly was out of town taking a trailer up to Oregon when this all happened!   I stayed over night and they let me go home next day after they saw everything was ok.  My CT scan only showed inflammation of the small intestines, probably where the blockage was.  I threw up before the scan.  

Since end of April, I went on to have 5 more blockage episodes.  I went back to eating normal foods and wow did it kick me in the intestines!  I went to the Medford hospital when I was visiting Kevin, missed Aleah's  birthday party, but I did celebrate with her family the night before her party. When I'm in the hospital, the way they clear blockages is by putting an NG tube down my nose into my stomach to suck out fluids, that takes the pressure off and the blockage can pass.  If I throw up enough at home, it seems to clear.  I had two blockages at home that I was able to take care of myself by inducing vomiting and it cleared ok.  I was then hospitalized in the Reedsport hospital 2x in 10 days!  The CT scans there showed a herniated small intestine pushing up into my stoma area, causing blockages.  :(  Second time I went in at 10:30pm, the ER doc said I needed surgery, but when he called the surgeon on call, Dr. Lawson, the surgeon, said "Oh just put an NG tube down her throat and she'll be ok in the morning"  I was so mad!   I had my scans and xrays taken in Reedsport within 10 days of each other sent them over to my surgeon inn Las Vegas for her opinion on what to do to NOT have this keep happening.   She called me and said I needed to have surgery to have this fixed.  She said she could NOT do the reversal until I have it fixed and I'm healed up from all of this.  Well, Dr. Shank in Reedsport said he'd do it, but went on vacation for three weeks.  I was willing to fly to Vegas and have Dr. Wishev do it for me!  Then I went to sacrament meeting her in Reedsport and who was visiting?  Our stake president, who is a wonderful surgeon!  Kelly talked to him after the meeting and Dr. Tersigni told me to call his office Monday and schedule a pre-op appointment!  YEA!  So I've been in to see him.  I had my scans and xrays sent to his office and he knew right away I needed surgery.  It was not elective and needed fixed.  I was so glad to hear this... I've been eating soft foods and liquids for three weeks.  I have my surgery this Thursday, July 19th.  I'm glad this is getting fixed.  I'm so mad at the Reedsport surgeons and how they handled my care.  They didn't care.  All for the better because I have total confidence in Dr. Tersigni.      

 So I've been having Herbalife shakes, McDonald's shakes, V8 juice, juices, and soft pasta is ok and small amounts of bread.  I also figured out that cookies and candy don't block me, they are fine so that's hard.... cuz I just want to eat cookies all day!  Lol!
I went to my son's house in Roseburg and spent the night with him, his wife and four kids... we went to Cooper Creek Reservoir and had a nice Summer evening.  They brought a canoe and Brad and I took a turn canoeing a bit.  I enjoyed watching all the kids and Brad and Rashelle play in the water.  :)

Then the next day, Rashelle, me and the kids ran some errands and I left to go to Phoenix to visit Kevin and his family.  I brought V8, fruit snacks Herbalife shake mix and brownie bites with me.  :)  I enjoyed hanging out with Kaylynn and the kids.. they love to show me their room and their latest things they are doing.  :)  Kevin has access to these jet skis from work so he wanted to so a test run and invited me to come along!  He and the Young Men are all going to Lake Shasta for a week next week and the leaders are bringing boats and jet skis and canoes.  So.... I drove a jet ski on Emmigrant Lake!  It was sooooo fun!  I was a bit scared cuz there were a lot of waves and wakes to maneuver around.. but I had so much fun.  When I got tired, I got into another guy's boat while Kevin tried out his fast newer jet ski.  Then we went back to the dock to load up.  Well, today, two days later, I'm pretty sore!  I'm not in any kind of shape to do physical activities!  Lol.  But I'm happy I went with him.. fully clothed and all.  We wore life jackets, of course.  This photo is after they were loaded and we were heading out.

So life without a colon has been hard, but it will get better.  I'll have to heal up again.. but my wound will be in the same place, I'm glad for that.  When I left, Kelly said, "Don't go to the hospital!"  :)  And I didn't!
So next entry will be about my surgery to get all fixed up.  My weight is good and I'm feeling good, just kinda weak from having soft foods only.  I haven't had meat in weeks.  I think that is what blocks me bad.  Mashed potatoes or french fries, I can handle.. yea! 

Why it's not just about being 'fat'

National Institutes of Health has this to say about the matter:  

What Are the Health Risks of Overweight and Obesity?

"Being overweight or obese isn't a cosmetic problem. These conditions greatly raise your risk for other health problems.

Overweight and Obesity-Related Health Problems in Adults

Coronary Heart Disease

As your body mass index rises, so does your risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
Plaque can narrow or block the coronary arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart muscle. This can cause angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) or a heart attack. (Angina is chest pain or discomfort.)
Obesity also can lead to heart failure. This is a serious condition in which your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways.
Your chances of having high blood pressure are greater if you're overweight or obese.

Stroke

Being overweight or obese can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture, causing a blood clot to form.
If the clot is close to your brain, it can block the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain and cause a stroke. The risk of having a stroke rises as BMI increases.

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which the body's blood glucose, or blood sugar, level is too high. Normally, the body breaks down food into glucose and then carries it to cells throughout the body. The cells use a hormone called insulin to turn the glucose into energy.
In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells don't use insulin properly. At first, the body reacts by making more insulin. Over time, however, the body can't make enough insulin to control its blood sugar level.
Diabetes is a leading cause of early death, CHD, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. Most people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight.

Abnormal Blood Fats

If you're overweight or obese, you're at increased risk of having abnormal levels of blood fats. These include high levels of triglycerides and LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Abnormal levels of these blood fats are a risk factor for CHD. For more information about triglycerides and LDL and HDL cholesterol, go to the Health Topics High Blood Cholesterolarticle.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk for heart disease and other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.
You can develop any one of these risk factors by itself, but they tend to occur together. A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made if you have at least three of the following risk factors:

• A large waistline. This is called abdominal obesity or "having an apple shape." Having extra fat in the waist area is a greater risk factor for CHD than having extra fat in other parts of the body, such as on the hips.
• A higher than normal triglyceride level (or you're on medicine to treat high triglycerides).
• A lower than normal HDL cholesterol level (or you're on medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol).
• Higher than normal blood pressure (or you're on medicine to treat high blood pressure).
• Higher than normal fasting blood sugar (or you're on medicine to treat diabetes).

Cancer

Being overweight or obese raises your risk for colon, breast, endometrial, and gallbladder cancers.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common joint problem of the knees, hips, and lower back. The condition occurs if the tissue that protects the joints wears away. Extra weight can put more pressure and wear on joints, causing pain.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.
A person who has sleep apnea may have more fat stored around the neck. This can narrow the airway, making it hard to breathe.

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is a breathing disorder that affects some obese people. In OHS, poor breathing results in too much carbon dioxide (hypoventilation) and too little oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia).
OHS can lead to serious health problems and may even cause death.

Reproductive Problems

Obesity can cause menstrual issues and infertility in women.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hard pieces of stone-like material that form in the gallbladder. They're mostly made of cholesterol. Gallstones can cause stomach or back pain.
People who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of having gallstones. Also, being overweight may result in an enlarged gallbladder that doesn't work well.

Overweight and Obesity-Related Health Problems in Children and Teens

Overweight and obesity also increase the health risks for children and teens. Type 2 diabetes once was rare in American children, but an increasing number of children are developing the disease.
Also, overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese as adults, with the same disease risks."

It is my passion to help people get healthier and be able to battle obesity for a healthier life!  I use a proven program that has given many, many clients results for 35 years.  If you are concerned about your weight, your health and want to increase your odds at living a long, happy life, please contact me.  You can find my information.  Do get in touch and I'll get you started on your healthy results.  The affects of being overweight are sad and alarming and can be prevented by learning the steps to take to get the unhealthy weight off.  You are not alone.  I am a wellness coach and will work with you as long as you are willing to put forth the work for yourself.  It will be work, but it will be worth it!

Women, you are all Beautiful!

Believe it and you will be even more beautiful.  What is the definition of beauty?  You get to choose, you choose what is beautiful to you.  Be your own kind of beautiful and own it, live it, breathe it!  If you are dissatisfied, change something.  Smile more!  Be happy inside and out and show that beauty with your radiant smile and attitude of kindness towards everyone.  

I found some cousins, family members who I've lost touch with for over 30 years, found them on facebook.  It makes me happy!  They are beautiful, beautiful women.  I hope we can get together, stay in touch and that in some small way I can build them up and we can encourage and love each other as family and friends.  I have a huge family.  My mother has 7 siblings and my dad has 7 as well and my parents are 78 years old.  All of my aunts and uncles have large families so I have a lot of cousins and I'm even getting to find first cousins once removed, my cousin's children.  Social media is great for reconnecting and feeling like a family get together, like when we were kids.  

Every woman has something wonderful to offer others.  Give to those who love and appreciate you and give to those who need a lift.  Give a smile, a friendly hello or a helping hand.  

Believe that you are beautiful and you will be able to do amazing things.  Beautiful means so many different things, not just surface beauty on the outside.  The most wonderful women are those who love and serve and help others as part of their very being.  They uplift and share, communicate and teach, build others and don't put themselves first.  Me time is great, but as we give and build others, we have so much more beautiful substance to share.

Be Better

What is life were 'easy'?  Do you wish things could be 'easier' for you?  Do you feel like life is 'easier' for everyone around you?  Why does it sometimes seem like others have it easier than I do?  Do they really have it easier?  Probably not.  Everyone has their own set of problems and challenges in life.  It is a journey and a process for us to experience.  When I feel like others have it better or easier than I do, I take a look around me, pause and feel gratitude for what I do have in my life.  If I want things to be easier or better for me, it is up to me to change my attitude, my outlook, my work ethic, my patience, my persistence, my passion, my focus,.  Things can be easier as I get better and better with my focus and time management.  Is it hard to do?  Sure it can be hard.  But I can decide to make a change and make it.  I shouldn't wait for a crisis or a need to be better.  I decide to be better for me and for my family and friends.  You can choose to be better at something.  Look for ways you can improve your life, your family, your surroundings and your focus.  Seek after things that uplift and bring you joy.  Delete or get rid of things that drag you down or that don't add beauty and good to your life.  You have the power if you have the courage to let go of the past and make the changes needed for yourself for today and for your future.  It really doesn't matter what happened yesterday, last week, last month or last year.  You have the power to change and be better for today, for tomorrow and for your future.  "Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better"  -Jim Rohn

I like this thought.  It speaks to me!

I love to Zumba!

I love, love, love to do and teach Zumba!!  Yes!  I got myself certified last June and I've been holding classes with my friends and it's just a blast!  The certification class was held last June right here in Las Vegas and it was grueling and so much fun!  I had my Herbalife products with me for nutrition, energy and endurance and I felt great!  Zumba is my favorite way to work out and release the tension and built up energy of my day.  I have had compliments on my style and energy during the classes I teach.  My church group of women is amazing and we really have a lot of fun.  I sweat more than I ever have with any other kind of workout and I KNOW that's the fat burning zone!  Do Zumba, stay in that zone longer!  Burn the fat and calories.  We have to sweep the floor after class because of all the calories and fat lost during class!  Lol.  I'm over 50 and I feel fantastic.  No excuses, join a class, go for a walk/run, swim, play outside with your kids, ride a bike, go to Zumba!  Find out what you LOVE to do, then do it!  I lead classes in Las Vegas, NV in Winter and Reedsport, OR during the Summer months.  If you want in, I'm here to help you!  How much fun is Zumba?  It's better than therapy, yet you get all the benefits of feeling GREAT when you are done!   Your family will thank you for going! 

 

Getting FIT workout classes

Ok, it''s been a while.  This is what I've been up  to this year... so far.  Body Pump class is awesome!  I've been enjoying the class and seeing my body improve, get stronger and leaner.. it's really fun.  I ALWAYS have an Herbalife 24 Rebuild Strength after my weight workouts and it really makes a difference.  I can see definition and tone and I'm actually adding muscle mass to this over fifty year old bod of mine.  So grateful to be able to be active!  80% nutrition, 20% working out and 100% mindset is my philosophy.   My husband Kelly has become a Certified Personal Trainer.  He helps me with my fitness plans.  I have a plan for how many calories I need to eat, how many gr of fat to stay under per day and how many gr of protein and carbs I need.  It's such an incredible journey as I see myself improve in strength, stamina and fitness: EVEN AT MY AGE! 

 Here I am enjoying my Herbalife 24 Rebuild Strength shake after a workout.  Love, LOVE the taste, like a chocolate malt and sooooo great for me.  Love seeing the results.  Muscles get torn down during a workout and feeding them the protein afterwards helps in the rebuild process for growth, tone and strength!

 I started enjoying Kettle Bell classes as well.  Here's my Vegas buddies, Herbalife Coaches, who are all on that same healthy path as I am.. we want to improve ourselves and coach others to do the same.  Yep, we had a 300+ Kettle Bell swing day here.  We survived and I am surprised at what I CAN do with the help of my husband, friends, inspiring leaders.  In this photo are Me (in pink) Scott, Paula and Amy in Las Vegas.

Crafting what I love to do

 

So these are a few things I've enjoyed doing over the years... first is a cross stitch.  I think it took me a year to do it.  I started it before I had my twins and continued to work on it when they were sleeping or playing.  This was back in 1987.  Seems so long ago, but I can remember it so well.  Long days, short nights, lots of work and lots to do all day and night.  I was so tired, but my work was so important.  I crafted because I enjoyed seeing something finished.  When you are raising kids, you work long hours and really don't 'see' the results of your work right away.  BUT, I have seen the fruits of my labors and am so blessed to have 5 great adult children. 

 

 This is an 8x10 picture of water color and fabric glued onto the picture.  I traced the photo, and water colored it in with acrylic paints and a wet brush, wet water color paper.  I used wax paper to trace where I wanted the fabric to go, then ironed on the wax paper to fabric, cut it out and it fit perfectly in place.   This was meant to go to either my mother or my mother in law, but it never got mailed.  So now I have it in my hallway in my home.  I like the phrase.  "A Mother.... warms you with her presence, Trusts you with her secrets and Remembers you in her prayers"  Don't know where the phrase came from. 

 This Santa was one of the first projects I did at a tole painting class with a group of women in Lakeview, Oregon.  We had finished a Jack O Lantern project and Christmas was upon us!  My teacher's husband did the scroll saw work, cut it out.  My teacher and friend taught me how to bring this cut out piece of wood to life!  I learned a lot from her and have since done several decorative painting projects.  I'll be posting more of them. 

I went around my home and snapped photos of all the things I have in it that I've made.  I have a lot of things I've made and painted, updated.  It's much fun and I didn't realize how many pieces of my own work I have!  Stay tuned for More! 

Lose Weight a Yummy Way!

Favorite shake - one of them anyway!  

www.goherbalife.com/alaina to get yours!  Healthy, low calorie meal replacement and fills you up, so satisfying!  Get started on getting healthier and feeling  the difference!  

Take care of your Body, Need Energy?

 

 

Just a little highlight for this morning..  We all need to take care of our bodies!  Think about what you put in your body.... if you are drinking any of these kinds of drinks, re-think your drink!  Too much sugar and ingredients that aren't good fuel for your body!     Why drink your calories?  Why deteriorate your bones?   Why have a sugar high, just to come down and crash? 

 

Herbalife's LiftOff is a natural energy drink!  My husband starts every day with a LiftOff first thing in the morning.  Wakes him up, gets him going!  I drink it in the later part of the day when I start to drag!  Get's me back on track and going again! 

LiftOff is convenient, easy to use and tastes great!  Energy like crazy, without the 'crash' of those other energy drinks you find in every convenience store.  Herbalife's LiftOff is available only through your Herbalife Independent Distributor so contact me for yours!  Give you mental clarity and focus, vitamins and natural, healthy energy!  Less expensive than most other name brand energy drinks, and you get so much more for your $$!  Dissolve the tablet in water and BAM!  You have energy on the go, anywhere, anytime! 

Order yours at www.goherbalife.com/alaina today.  I can share with you all of the amazing Herbalife products.. 

Our Herbalife Results!

 

Herbalife delivers results! 

This is Kelly, my husband, his before and after photos.  Incredible huh!  Before Herabalife, he had little energy to do anything.  Went to work, got through the day, came home and napped, ate dinner and went to bed.  He tried to do things and did keep busy, but had so little energy to really feel good.  Clothes sizes were getting bigger and bigger.  Had to take a suit in to get it taken OUT, not the best feeling.  Couldn't exercise because he was so tired all the time.  Had sleep apnea and slept with a CPAP machine at night.  Not comfortable.  After finding Herbalife he finally found a way to lose fat, keep muscle mass, have more energy and keep the weight off.  The nutrition Herbalife offers has helped him to have more energy, sleep better (symptoms of apnea are gone), he is exercising now and has run in two 5K runs in 2013.  I am so proud of him and what he is accomplishing for his health and prolonging his life with me and his family.  He is a father of 5 and grandpa of 6 and one on the way.  He rides a bike, walks, jogs and is so much more active!  It is like having my young husband back again.  He is in his mid 50's and he's just getting better and better all the time. 

 

Below is my Herbalife journey.  Before Herbalife I was just putting on the pounds gradually over the years.  I have always liked to do active things, but I found myself not doing anything physically active, and when I did I was so sore and tired the next day, could hardly function.  I was tired, didn't fit into my clothes and felt self conscience about the size I was becoming.  I'd put on an outfit only to take it off and put on something bigger looking.  I went to work everyday where I had to look professional, but tight fitting clothes didn't look professional.  I did NOT want to purchase a size bigger!  I was squeezing myself into a size 14.  Felt yucky.  My Dr. told me to lose weight, but didn't tell me how.  My blood pressure was rising and he told me I was borderline diabetic.  I was getting unhealthier and unhealthier with every passing year.  I wasn't getting any younger!  I found Herbalife by entering a weight loss challenge and tried to lose weight on my own program of salad, brownies and diet coke.  My Herbalife coach challenged me to try Herbalife shakes for two weeks.  If I didn't like the results, she'd pay for my canister.  Best thing she could've ever said to me!  I tried it and LOVED the results I had.  I signed up for my own membership right there after the two weeks.  I knew I wanted these products forever on my own time.  I loved to be able to order whenever I wanted to and get whatever I wanted to order delivered to my door.  I was in control now!  I went on to lose 32 pounds and over 30" of body fat.  My blood panel is fantastic and when I had my bloodwork done and my Dr. and nurse saw the comparison, they were shocked.  Nurse was like "How did you bring your cholesterol down like that?"  I just said "Herbalife Nutrition!"  Dr. told me my blood pressure was the blood pressure of a teenager!  Does that feel fantastic?!  Yes!! 

“An extensive questionnaire generated responses from more than 200 U.S. Herbalife Independent Distributors about their weight-loss programs and results. They reported weight loss ranging from 4 pounds to 167 pounds and a reduced body mass index (BMI) of 1.5 points to 24.1 points, suggesting that consumption of Herbalife® products is associated with weight loss and improvement in BMI in those ranges.”

I recommend Herabalife nutrition to my family and friends and anyone who wants to jump on and take advantage of my free personal wellness coaching with their plan.  I have many tools and ideas that I share with my clients.  YOU can do whatever you put your mind to with the proper tools!  I knew I wanted to lose weight, but didn't have the proper tools, until I started my Herbalife plan.  To this day I enjoy the nutrition and the energy and the supplements that keep my body healthy and happy.   I love helping other people and I can help YOU if you are ready to start.  It is up to YOU though, YOU have to do the work, listen to my coaching and follow your dreams and your goals. YOU CAN do this and I am here to help anyone who will make the commitment and get started on your Herbalife Nutrition journey!   

My Herbalife website    Set up your profile information, set up a user name and password and I'll add you to my contacts and get you started. 

Brand New Blog, Brand New Focus!

Hello and welcome!

This is my first post on my live, love, Herbalife blog!  I will help you get to know me and what my journey is as I post almost daily.  Please follow me and I am always willing to share what I know and teach you how to reach your goals weather they be personal health results or business goals in Herbalife.  I have been on the Herbalife Products for 3 years now and absolutely love them and use a whole lot of product every day!  It is my way of life and living.  I have lost 32 pounds and over 30" and am keeping it off!  I was a size 14 (shoulda been in a size 16 but was NOT going there) to a size 4/6.  Before Herbalife I was tired, overweight, blood pressure was rising, Dr. told me to lose weight, had a borderline diabetic blood panel.  After finding Herbalife at a Weight Loss Challenge, I was hooked after the first two week 'trial' period!  That's ALL it took, two weeks!  I knew I wanted these products forever!  So, I signed up with my sponsor and haven't looked back.  I purchase my products directly from my personal site and it has allowed me to learn how to be a distributor and help others with their journey to health and wellness.  My Dr. now tells me my blood pressure is that of a teen-ager, my blood panel is fine, weight under control, cholesterol down, triglycerides down and all's looking good for this 51 year old Mom of 5 and Grandma of 6, one on the way!  Of course, as an Herbalife Wellness Coach, I do not claim that you can treat, prevent, cure or diagnose diseases with the products, but when you give your body GREAT nutrition daily and consistently, your body KNOWS what to do with it and amazing things CAN happen!  I have heard MANY health results stories and they are just that, amazing and personal to each person involved.  Individual results will vary.  I will touch on stories now and then on this blog and let you know that amazing things that COULD happen to YOU if you need to find a healthy nutrition plan!  All you have to do is go to my site, www.goherbalife.com/alaina, make a user name and password, I'll accept you and then you'll have access to browse, read, learn all about the products you are interested in.  You are welcome to call me for help in getting on a plan for you.  I will be your coach and your help through all of your journey!  That's the beauty of purchasing Herbalife products from a distributor who cares about your path. 
I'm excited to post and let you get to know me and what I do daily to truly be Herbalized!  It is a way of life and I invite you to take a look.
That's it for the first blog post. 
AND, please join my FREE program on www.ichange.com/coach/alainamun   This site will allow you to food journal daily, input exercise, sleep, water, and you can track your calories, protein, carbs, water and fiber.  It's fantastic and it's FREE!  Just make a profile, join my program, and you're in! 
Again, welcome and please refer a friend to this blog.  Follow and comment too! 
Hope you have a fantastic day! 
Alaina Muntifering
541-404-4032
Have You Had Your Shake Today?