My core, My cure.

You may be wondering why I have taken a sudden interest in food (I mean real food, not imitation-food). Well, for a few months I have not felt great. I have felt yucky on the inside. I have even experienced some occasional pain in my hip. I have never really had pain before -- at least not something that keeps bothering me. I have not felt good and I don't like it.

The thing is, I have not been devoting the time and energy that my body needs to be healthy and for me to be fully happy.

I have been neglecting me . . . and it does not feel pleasant!

I take a lot of effort. I take a lot of time.

Darn it.

Unfortunately for me, I cannot ignore myself and remain the same or even "maintain". I have to always have me on my mind, or else I will turn into a lot more of me. It really kind of stinks. Sometimes (a lot of times) I wish I did not have to think about me so much. I wish I could just go about my life perfectly healthy without any effort on my part -- but that is impossible.

I have to think of me. I will always have to think of me.

Nuts.

Along with some hip-pain, I have also felt really bloated. (I know, too much info!) But really, I have felt yucky -- to the core.

Ugh.

And that is just the problem . . . I have been neglecting

my core.

After doing a little research on my hip pain, I discovered that you can often alleviate a number of physical issues if you have a strong core. For example, my hip is working over-time and compensating for bad posture, extra pressure, etc. because of my weakened mid-section. People often have back pain because of a lack of ab/core strength.

If you think about it -- it is your center.

Where everything important for your health happens.

It deserves a little attention. At least I know mine does!

There is something to that yoga "finding your center" thing.

Both physically, and spiritually.

Plumbing

My core has also been clogged. The food going in has not been the right kind of food, and so my body is not responding well to it. It just holds on to it, clings to it, rather than letting it go . . . like it should.

What goes in . . . should go out. Smoothly, naturally, regularly.

So, now, I am working on my center. All of my recipes for the week have been high-fiber recipes. And my current focus physically has been on strengthening my gut. I run, but then I do a lot of crunches, lunges, etc. to help my fluff turn into buff. ;-) (Or at least a little less fluff!)

There was a time when I would let people punch me in the gut, and I would not flinch. (Tae-Kwon-Do days) but now, I think I would barf, or die. So I know the difference between walking around feeling good, and walking around feeling BLAH.

Good is better than blah. A lot better.

I have to think of me. I have to work hard. When I do, I am happy.

I need a "firm foundation" again.

Wish me luck in uncovering it. :-)