Yesterday, I started my journey to better health on my Stamina 36 inch rebounder. I actually bought the least expensive rebounder that I could find. I still think it has been a great purchase. There are better quality ones out there, but I am enjoying the fact that I didn’t spend a lot to get my bounce on!  Check it out by clicking on the picture.[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”266″ identifier=”B000JC2ZHA” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41c9TfSM1NL.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”500″]

Honestly, I had a ton of fun.  I put on my favorite leggings, cranked up Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger and got to jumping!  I decided to use light weights with my exercise to maximize the benefit.  This helped to really stimulate my lymphatic system.  After two workouts yesterday, my legs were sore!  My arms and core were sore.  Not immensely, but somewhat. During the workout, I was surprised by this because I didn’t feel like I was working out too hard at all.

 

Surprising Benefits from the Rebounding Workout:

• I slept really well at night.
• My mood improved considerably after being on the rebounder for just a few minutes.
• My concentration and focus was much better for a few hours after rebounding.
• My throat seemed to be a bit sore in the morning.  This seemed more like a cleansing reaction than the initial symptoms of a cold because after a few minutes the throat improved and that symptom is no longer there.
• I worked up a sweat really quickly.  Sweating helps to eliminate toxins.

As you can see, even though I haven’t been rebounding for a long period of time, I was able to experience some wonderful rebounder workout benefits.  There are plenty of fun workouts on youtube that you can emulate if you get bored with just bouncing.  Here is one of my favorite rebound workouts to do.  It is great for beginners and only 15 minutes.

 

My Favorite Online Rebounding Workout

For longer workouts, you may want to purchase one from Amazon.  Here are some cool rebounder workouts to check out.[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”110″ identifier=”B005IVFSXU” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/514t5Zm3BL.SL110.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″][easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B009FAXWT2″ locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/517lirL8vLL.SL160.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”107″][easyazon_image align=”none” height=”160″ identifier=”B000HWXAG2″ locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51HT5HS9Q2L.SL160.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”112″]

Get your jump on!  Better yet, commit to a daily routine of rebounding!

I am a serial dieter.  Part of the reason for this is due to the fact that I have epilepsy and alopecia universalis.  I’m always trying to up my health to optimal levels.  My theory is that once you obtain optimal health, your health problems disappear.  For the most part, that has been true for me.  I no longer deal with asthma or eczema.  My seasonal allergies, which used to trigger massive asthma attacks, are almost non-existent. I haven’t found the “magic bullet” to trigger hair regrowth after losing my hair six years ago.  That is a huge disappointment for me.  When I don’t see an improvement in my hair regrowth after a couple months, I tend to give up on whatever diet I’m doing.  I’ve done the Autoimmune Paleo diet, Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet, Blood Type Diet, Vegan, Vegetarian, Raw Vegan and now ketogenic. The only diet that was relatively ineffective for me was the raw vegan diet.  I lost too much weight on that and looked sickly. However, you learn something every time you try something.

This last week, I slid off my diet. I’m doing the ketogenic diet. One thing that I’ve discovered by doing the ketogenic diet is that fat isn’t necessarily going to make you fat. My weight on the ketogenic diet actually fluctuated based on my activity level more than anything. I also learned how to love greens and get creative with the few carbs that I was allowed on the diet.

This week, I’m working on going back on the ketogenic diet.  I’m going to start on Saturday.  The reason for this is that it is the day that I shop for food. The key to successfully staying on a diet is having a plan. What are you going to eat when you start feeling bored and want a snack? What are you going to eat for breakfast? Will you make breakfast for the week or each day? Another great tip is to stock up on your favorites that are allowed on the diet.  For me, that means bacon for breakfast and cream cheese and celery for snacks.  While I love a good pot roast for dinner meals, I did that last week and will be buying a chicken this week to use in my fabulous power pressure cooker.  [easyazon_image align=”right” height=”110″ identifier=”B00MZZXO4W” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51fvHhfgdXL.SL110.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″]

Here’s my meal plan for the week:

Monday Breakfast: Bacon, broccoli

Monday Lunch: Salad, nuts and cheese

Monday Dinner: Chicken Soup

Tuesday Breakfast: Bacon, mushrooms, broccoli, deviled eggs

Tuesday lunch: Salad with tuna, celery and cream cheese

Tuesday dinner: Chicken casserole

Wednesday Breakfast: Bacon, sauteed spinach, mushrooms and onions

Wednesday lunch: Salad, deviled eggs

Wednesday dinner: chicken casserole

Thursday breakfast: bacon and sauteed veggies

Thursday lunch: salad with salmon and nuts and cheese

Thursday dinner: steamed spinach and Tilapia

Friday breakfast: bacon and deviled eggs

Friday lunch: salad with tuna fish, celery and cream cheese

Friday dinner: chicken stir fry with broccoli, peppers, onions, mushrooms

I don’t eat dessert everyday. I have lost a lot of the sugar cravings that most people have.  Once I start eating a sweet, they come right back though. That’s why I slipped off my diet. It was so delicious and I’m not going to beat myself up over it though.  So, what do I plan on for a sweet treat?  Panna cotta!  Seriously low in carbohydrates and easy to make!

1 can coconut milk

2 tablespoons of gelatin

2 tablespoons of zero carbohydrate sweetener

Lemon juice from one lemon and the zest of one lemon

Directions: Pour coconut milk into a pan, while stirring, slowly add the two tablespoons of gelatin.  Add 2 tablespoons of sweetener (or to taste).  Add the lemon juice and zest.  Bring to a boil.  Take off the heat and pour into dessert dishes.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.  Makes 5 servings.

This satisfies my sweet tooth and cuts down on cravings!  Here are the products that I personally use to make this sweet treat[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B01I8AEUDQ” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41vZes8worL.SL160.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”107″][easyazon_image align=”left” height=”110″ identifier=”B0008D6WBA” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/418vF7AATkL.SL110-1.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″][easyazon_image align=”right” height=”160″ identifier=”B001HTJ2BQ” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51kmxzvSzL.SL160.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”105″]

Once you have your plan for your diet, it becomes easy to stick with it.  If you know that you are one of those people that is easily tempted by the bakery at the corner, make a plan to avoid that.  Avoid the kitchen.  You will eat less.  Another great tip that I have learned over the years is that positive affirmations work!  Stick inspirational posters up, write post it notes to yourself, say affirmations.  It will help you focus on eating the healthier foods that your body needs and wants.

One of my audio favorite programs for affirmations is the Think Right Now programs.  I am currently listening to their sales audio, but if you are getting back into fitness, Think Right Now has a great audio to keep you on track.  I’ve noticed that it does start to change your thoughts and that slowly changes your habits to something more positive, so if you are having a difficult time getting started or committed to your diet, this is a great help.  Commit instead to listening to it at night or for half an hour a day for at least 3 months.  You will notice a change in your behaviors.  (I have used them to get more organized and now I’m working on sales.)

 

Restore Gut Health Supplement

I have been testing out a supplement called Restore that helps to heal the gut.  I still have severe alopecia universalis, but other than that, I have great health.  My digestion is very regular and I have lots of energy.  This in part is due to the fact that a few years ago, I researched my brains out to find holistic healing methods for epilepsy. I have been following Dr. Zach Bush’s research and videos on the product and the science seems sound. [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” height=”500″ identifier=”B01DVACA1C” locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41FyXYTg3mL.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”500″]

One of the reasons that I chose to try out this product is because Dr. Bush was talking about the correlation between the gut health and the brain health.  This coincided with the research that Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride discovered as she created a diet to heal her son with autism.   As I read the book, The Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet, I was thoroughly impressed with how detailed Dr. Campbell-McBride was in detailing the causes and symptoms of “leaky gut,” and how it correlated to brain health. Her approach to healing the brain was to heal and seal the gut. Her protocol is very difficult to follow, but I did it for a good six months, which was not quite as long as the two years she recommended.  Dr. Bush’s supplement Restore focuses on replenishing the bacteria in your gut that you are missing and helping to seal up the gut lining such that no toxins can leak through the blood brain barrier.[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” height=”500″ identifier=”0954852028″ locale=”US” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51FRvv%2Bwe-L.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”352″]

I have been using the Restore product for seven weeks now.  It has not healed up my hair loss, but it is a bit too soon to see if that will happen.  I fully expect to get my hair back as my health moves into the optimal state.  I’m hopeful that this product can help me to get there. Restore is also supposed to protect against the toxin glyphosate.  Glyphosate is the ingredient in Round-up that gets sprayed on the plants before they are harvested.  While you can get higher quality food by eating organic, the glyphosate gets into the rain water and eventually on to the organic plants as well.  So, I’m grateful for a product that is countering this toxin in our bodies.

I’m not a scientist, so I can only explain my vague understanding of what is happening with the product.  It is a carbon lignite that is allowing more bacteria to attach to the lining of the gut.  This proliferates the number and variety of bacteria in your gut.  This builds up our immune system.  Ever since I attempted a long term run of the GAPS diet and increased the amount of live probiotics in my diet (I drink a kefir smoothie most mornings), I really haven’t gotten sick.  I work with kids and my coworkers fall ill, but rarely do I even get a sore throat.  I attribute my overall health to the probiotics and the Buteyko breathing exercises that I do.  I’m excited to add Restore to see if I can get even further benefit.

I will say, since taking Restore, I haven’t had any bowel movement complaints.  I don’t have to strain or rush to the bathroom.  It just comes out regularly every day after one or two meals.  I’m hoping to do another post in a few months with actual hair regrowth, so I can say that it works on curing autoimmune hair loss, but we shall see.  I’ll keep you posted!

Update:

I wrote this post after taking Restore for 1 month. I was very hopeful and optimistic that it would cure my ailments. I have been taking it for almost nine months now. I still haven’t cured my alopecia universalis. However, I have seen a major improvement with my seizure control. I was able to break through the plateau that I had of having a seizure every three months. I went six months without a seizure. This is huge. I have always had to be on the highest dose of medication and sometimes during my life on two doses of medication to prevent the seizures. I’m completely off all medication and the seizure that I had in August was very mild compared to the ones that I was having on medication.

#1 Treadmill Desk Workstation

LifeSpan Treadmill Desk

[easyazon_infoblock align=”left” identifier=”B006M2PJV0″ locale=”US” tag=”mcurle08-20″]This is the grand-daddy of treadmill desk workstations. It is the best of both worlds because not only do you have the option to work and walk at the same time, when you tire of walking after a few hours, you can sit down and work at the tandem desk. The compact treadmill measures 68.5″ x 28.5″ (L x W) with a spacious desktop area of 47″ x 32″ (W x D)

• The console readouts will include the amount of calories burned, time, step count, the distance traveled and the belt speed.
• There is speed range from half a mile to four miles per hour. The desk also includes bluetooth to support the Lifespan apps.

One of the best benefits of a Lifespan treadmill is that it uses 6 independent compression shocks in order to hold the walking deck over the frame and ensure shock absorption as your foot hits the belt. For people walking over 10,000 steps per day, a good deck suspension enables you to walk longer with less fatigue and reducing the chances of injury. An additional benefit to an isolated walking deck is a quieter walking experience.

This is a great workstation. The TR1200-DT7 Treadmill Desk is a combination of the most popular Lifespan electronic adjusting desk with the most popular Lifespan treadmill. It provides you with everything that you will need to walk and work at the same time. One touch height adjustment is perfect for multiple users and is recommended for open spaces, shared areas or conference rooms. A benefit of having one touch height adjustment for individuals is the ability to lower it to a seated position. The console provides you with all the information that you need regarding your activity level, the number of steps, walking time, calories, distance and speed that you walked.

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”104″ identifier=”B00HQW7IOQ” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/412CGFBIF8L.SL110.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″]

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”1100″ identifier=”B006M2PJV0″ locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/61U53AtUz8L.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”1100″]

 

#2 Treadmill Desk Workstation – GO PLUS Treadmill Desk Workstation

This is a very budget friendly workstation that is great for the home or office! It features a large surface area to enable you to work while you walk! [easyazon_infoblock align=”left” cart=”n” identifier=”B074V6WS5P” locale=”US” tag=”mcurle08-20″]

 

 

#3 Treadmill Desk Workstation – The Conquer Treadmill Desk

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”500″ identifier=”B01NCXMHCD” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41tHhrXe8AL.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”430″]

The Conquer Treadmill Desk Workstation has a lower price tag than the Lifespan treadmill desk line, but you will still get a lot of mileage out of it.

The Conquer Treadmill Desk features:

Features:

• Extra Large Desk Workspace Area Measures 47.5″-27.5″
• Quiet Operation!
• Variable Treadmill Speeds from 0.6-4.0 MPH
• Easy Push Button Electronic Height Adjusment for Desk
• Desk height range: 35.5″-52.5″
• Walking surface: 48″ x 16″
• [easyazon_image align=”right” height=”88″ identifier=”B01NCXMHCD” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41ML7J7YH4L.SL110-1.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″][easyazon_image align=”right” height=”78″ identifier=”B01NCXMHCD” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51o2BAFlbEiL.SL110.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″]Walk While You Work!

With an extra large desktop area, you have enough room for two monitors for people who need to use multiple monitors.  Additionally, the electronic adjustment feature will allow you to move your treadmill desk workstation to a seated desk when you tire of walking.  It’s console provides all the information that you may require to monitor your fitness levels – calories burned, walking time, distance and speed.  [easyazon_cta align=”none” identifier=”B01NCXMHCD” key=”small-light” locale=”US” tag=”mcurle08-20″]

 

 

#4 Treadmill Desk workstation – Nordic Track

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”420″ identifier=”B00V5GSD2K” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/418pzUAaGIL.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”472″]

The Nordic Track Treadmill desk is a great treadmill desk at an amazing price, but be aware of your height.  Customer reviews indicate that it is not very good for people over six feet tall.  You can remedy the height of the monitor and keyboard by using stands.  It would be wiser to get the proper height desk, although you may want a monitor stand anyway to have the monitor eye level.

This treadmill desk does have the unique feature of being able to fold up and become a regular desk.  However, you aren’t buying a treadmill desk to not use the treadmill.  It is an interesting feature though!  [easyazon_image align=”right” height=”91″ identifier=”B00V5GSD2K” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/51Y9LkEJnYL.SL110.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”110″]

The Nordic Track desk features include the following:

• Oversized desktop work surface, adjusts at a touch, desktop display and controls
• Personalize your exercise, Space Saver design, accommodates up the 350 lbs
• 3.0 chp durx commercial plus motor, 20″ x 55″ tread belt, reflex cushion deck
• Welded steel frame, 0-10 MPH speed, 0-10% incline, magnetic safety key, Lifetime frame & motor Warranty, 1-Year parts & Labor Warranty
• IFit compatible, requires iFit wireless module which is sold separately. Buy an iFit wireless module and get a One-year iFit subscription for free

 

#5 Treadmill Desk Workstation – Exerpeutic 200

[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B00761HK3Q” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41LI2BYm3dbL-1.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”368″]

This treadmill desk workstation that you can purchase through Amazon ranks #5 because it has a smaller desk size and is meant for shorter people.  If you are under 5’9″ and looking for a treadmill desk to work at, this desk height may be too tall for you.  The height from the treadmill belt to the desk is four feet and this desk is not adjustable.  Whip out your tape measure before ordering this desk because you want to make sure that your work surface is about the right height.  [easyazon_image align=”right” height=”160″ identifier=”B00761HK3Q” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41TpJeaC7hL.SL160.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”148″]

The dimensions and features of this treadmill desk workstation:

• Extra long safety handles are 18-Inch long, more than 2 X the length of other typical treadmill handles.
• Tested up to 400-Pounds of user weight, built on a heavy duty reinforced frame.
• Motorized Incline adjustment range from 0 Percent to 15 Percent.
• Desk Top size is 4-Feet (48-Inch) L x 2-Feet (24-Inch) W at the widest sections
• Please note the distance from the treadmill belt to the desk top is 4-Feet

The customer reviews for this treadmill are mixed.  Some complained about the stability of the desk because it is attached to the treadmill.

[easyazon_image align=”right” height=”107″ identifier=”B00761HK3Q” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/31W9EU4PBYL.SL160.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”160″]Pros:
Large desktop area, folds up when not in use but it’s rare I fold it up completely.
Customer service is excellent and promptly shipped repair parts
They’ve moved the cup holders closer to you; this is better than in the image where they are beyond reach.[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”281″ identifier=”B00761HK3Q” locale=”US” src=”https://getfitandhealthyathome.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/03/41zZw842B8OL.jpg” tag=”mcurle08-20″ width=”500″]