Res-Q Consultants offer their stories on how small changes had big consequences.
My mother always used to say, “When you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, you’ll do something about it [insert difficult situation here]. You’ll change.” And she was right. All of my greatest moments of self-motivation came when I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. The day I quit smoking came from lying flat on my back with bronchitis for two weeks straight. The day I decided to join a gym and lose weight came after giving birth and dealing with postpartum depression. And yet, little changes in lifestyle (adding more fruits and veggies to the diet, walking upstairs instead of taking the elevator) still have the power to transform a life. This week, we’d like to share some stories from Res-Q consultants to show how little changes (and big ones!) changed their lives.
Kathy: Creating impact through volunteer work
“I have recently increased my volunteer time with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. When you realize the smallest effort can create a large impact you don’t mind the extra time. I think the satisfaction from helping others helps to improve my quality of life and my health. Talking with others and helping others makes my own problems small in comparison, which to me is a stressbuster and ultimately improves my health.”
Tim: How a little fiber can change a life
“I was diagnosed with IBS in 1989 when I was just 19 years old. It runs in my family and I was told to stay away from food that may make it act up like tomato sauce, fried and spicy foods. My doctor put me on a variety of prescription medications that did not work. The pain was excruciating. In addition to the medication he told me to take fiber. I started taking Metamucil but did not like all the sugar in it so I switched to Res-Q Land and Sea fiber. After some time I stopped taking the prescriptions and just took the fiber. I have taken it ever since and the IBS has never come back. I keep a bottle of Res-Q Land and Sea fiber at my home, boat and office. The product can be a tough sell because customers say it’s difficult to get down but once you do you’ll find the benefits far outweigh the alternative.”
Danielle: A quit smoking promise
“My children would ask me over and over to quit smoking. I wanted to quit for their sake, but I just couldn’t. I even used the patch and the nicotine gum, without success. No matter how cold it was outside or if it was raining, I was still on the back porch smoking. I suffered from frequent sinus infections and would get the same response from the doctor, “Quit smoking.” My response was always the same, “Okay, okay, I am going to quit.” But I just couldn’t. Finally, I had another sinus infection. It became so bad that I laid in bed with hot towels on my face in severe pain. I thought my teeth were going to fall out of my head. And still I lit a cigarette and tried to inhale. I coughed and pain swelled in my throat. What was I doing? I put the cigarette out, closed my eyes and said, “Please, if you take this pain away I will never smoke again.” I went to sleep and woke up the next day still stuffy, but not in severe pain. I never smoked another cigarette. My skin has improved and I am more active. Smoking does not control me or my activities anymore. I am free of it. It was not easy and I still have cravings, but I remind myself of the promise I once made.”
Jenn: Just fifteen minutes a day
“I recently changed my lifestyle. I find it difficult to find the time to exercise. I used to do a full workout whenever I got motivated enough to actually get to the gym. Then I would be exhausted and sore the next day. However, lately I have been going to the gym every single day for just 15 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes. I do strength training by working two or three machines every day, and different muscle groups each day. This way, I am working a different muscle each day, I’m not totally exhausted, and by the end of the week, I find that I did all of the machines and worked all of my muscle groups. This has changed my life because I am getting more physically fit, I am getting to the gym on a regular basis, I look forward to it, and I am also getting away from the stress of life—if but a little time every day.”
Tracy: Spinning away the blues
“I was never much into sports when I was a kid. In fact, working out was more punishment than pleasure. Besides, I looked fit and healthy; why bother feeling fit and healthy? But after I had my kids, I was a little depressed and even started to worry about my figure. Worse, when it came to climbing up a flight of stairs I was completely out of breath. So, little by little I added exercise to my daily routine. I walked one day, then did a workout session on TV the next. Nothing really motivated me or kept me going—until, I got into Spinning. If you’re not familiar with the term, Spinning is a vigorous cardio workout, otherwise known as indoor cycling that’s done on an exercise bike at the gym. The whole hour-long workout, in fact, is on the bike and consists of only about six moves and lots of great music. I love it so much I have been doing it for over seven years. This type of dedication to fitness came late in life for me. But it’s been worth it. Gone are the days of struggling up a flight of stairs and feeling depressed. Indoor and outdoor cycling changed my life.”
How about you? Do you have a story of transformation, big or small? Send it to us at sales@n3inc.com or simply post it as a comment on our blog!
Coming up next week: Omega-3s for teens: how prevention of heart disease starts young.
Tags: change your lifestyle, changed lifestyle, Fiber, fitness, health, helping others, life, lifestyle, muscle, pain, quit smoking, spinning, stories, Tips, volunteer
