New-Intro

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2003
New-Intro
7
Fri, 08-08-2003 - 3:44pm
Hi!

I'm new to this board. I'm 25, and live in ND. Just wanted to share my story. I've recently made some lifestyle changes due to some health issues. About 4 months ago, my routine pap showed severe dysplasia (step away from cervical cancer). I really hadn't been taking care of myself the past year, I went through a very bad, stressful breakup with bf of 4 years, and I was going out and partying a lot, smoking, not sleeping, and trying to work a 50 hour week. And it all caught up with me. So I underwent a LEEP procedure to take care of the dysplasia, and am healing well. It really opened my eyes, and so I quit smoking (2 mos now) and I take a multivitamin every day. I have started to try and exercise, but I really don't like gyms so I'd prefer something I can do at home. I am not overweight, just very out of shape. I work a lot of hours also, so I don't eat very healthy, lots of snacking on animal crackers, and maybe 1 decent meal a day. So any ideas on how to tone up would be great!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Fri, 08-08-2003 - 4:09pm
Hi almerz,

Wonderful to see you are going to be joining us here!

Good to hear you have made the necessary lifestyle changes to keep you on the road of being *Fit & Healthy Sometimes it takes something unexpected as you had to wake us up .. Glad you are ok, and now know what you need to do to stay that way.

Congratulations on quitting smoking two months ago .. YaY!

Many of us have done that too as well as a couple now have just begun that journey.

You are in great company here as we all understand how that goes too well

>> I have started to try and exercise, but I really don't like gyms so I'd prefer something I can do at home. I am not overweight, just very out of shape. I work a lot of hours also, so I don't eat very healthy, lots of snacking on animal crackers, and maybe 1 decent meal a day. So any ideas on how to tone up would be great!

**You will find many different kinds of exercises to be done at home.

Anywhere from treadmills, simple walking in your neighborhood to using exercise videos.

Many choices as you can see ..

You could always go to the library, check out some of interest, then buy what you like.

Also I am sure others here will have other tips, suggestions for you.

Eating healthy is important ..

It is said to eat more meals a day as opposed to three large ones ..

Snacks are good as well.

We have daily check ins for exercise, water and foods to help make ourselves accountable.

It really helps ..I might also suggest you go to our website called *Healthy Habits*

It is located on the front of this board after you open it.

It has some great ideas for healthy foods and exercising ..

You might even want to find our *Visitor Map* and plop yourslef on it with the rest of us

Hope some of this helps ..

Looking forward to seeing you here again and often :)

~Hugs~

          Click & Join the fun!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Fri, 08-08-2003 - 5:54pm
Congrats on living through your wake up call! Many would use it as an excuse to slip into a state of non-motivated depression. As far as slowly getting back into shape and toning up, start slow. Begin by walking every day, preferably in a somewhat hilly area. Also, ankle weights are a great way to burn calories, tone your legs, and prep your stomach muscles for shaping. The best part is if you wear them as much as possible, soon you won't even know you're exercising! Nike makes some really comfortable ones, too.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Fri, 08-08-2003 - 6:49pm
It sounds like you are on the way to wellness!!Good for you on the smokes..im on day 3 of My quit (again). did you use any aids to help you quit?? I think a good video /dvd of some free weight excercises would be good for you.I LOVE all the Kathy smith videos,,they are good.I go to the gym tho mainly cuz there I cant putter around. I just get the job done and go!!Good luck and visit us more!! Mel

"Mel on Wheels"    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Fri, 08-08-2003 - 7:16pm
Hi Mel,

No I quit cold turkey. The dysplasia scared me enough to make me really want to quit. Of course food helps ease the cravings, I'm really hoping I don't gain any weight over it! It's strange, food already tastes better, and I don't use half as much salt anymore. I just like feeling healthy!

:-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Fri, 08-08-2003 - 9:42pm


Hi almerz1,

So happy you're joining us on our journey!! :) I see others have given you some good suggestions. Mine would be to take baby steps and start slowly, perhaps with just a 15 minute walk with a 5 min warm up and 5 min. cool down and then slowly build up.

Also, perhaps you can try out some different videos at the library also for those cold winter days before you buy anything. Walking helps tone most of our muscles so it's definitely a good one for nice weather. :)

A very big congratulations on being 2 months smoke free! WTG!!

~Golly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Sun, 08-10-2003 - 6:59pm
Sorry I'm a little late Almerz! I was away this weekend.....

I still wanted to welcome you to the board & let you know that I too had dysplasia.

I am currently 29 & was 26ish when I found out. However, I only had moderate dysplasia & was able to get it removed with the surgury.

I agree with you. It was a huge eye opener for me too. Without treatment, dysplsia *can* become cancer and/or make it impossible to have children. My sister has severe dysplasia & has to have her cervix removed. She is only 24.

I just wanted to say hello & share that with you. It's good to know when someone else is out there to relate to something you're going through.

I hope to see you around the board often. You will definitely see me because I am an iVillage-a-holic! LOL!

Much love to you,

~dj~

dasindyson@comcast.net

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
In reply to: almerz1
Tue, 08-12-2003 - 11:15pm
Hi there - welcome - and you got another one with the abnormal pap scare -- mine must have not been as severe, I had abnormal cells and had a pulcoscopy done -- scraping of the cervix, and have been fine ever since. But that procedure HURT!!!! Glad you're ok and getting on a good path for your life.

Do you have a name you'd like us to call you? I see you didn't sign your name. You can make one up if you want, or if you like Almerz that's fine too. Just thought I would mention it.

Welcome to the board!

Yogi

 

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