Once Upon a Thigh: January 2010

Table of Contents

Letter from the Editor

Happy New Year to you from Madison's Womens Clinic. Our very best thoughts go to Carol Ladle who recently retired after 9 years at Madison's Womens Clinic. Several years ago she started the Once Upon a Thigh Newsletter and it has been such a good way to let people know of nifty ideas, pick me ups, weight loss tips and encouragement that we will continue on with her tradition, but could never replace her. She has helped many patients in many ways and she will be missed. We wish her well with her new plans.

To Realize the Value
- Author Unknown

To realize the value of a sister: Ask someone who doesn't have one.

To realize the value of four years: Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year: Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a still-born.

To realize the value of one month: Ask a mother who has just given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one hour Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of one minute: Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one second: Ask a person who has survived an accident.

To realize the value of one millisecond: Ask a person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

To realize the value of a friend: Ask someone who has lost one.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

A Little Bit Can Go a Long Way

A little bit can go a long way when it comes to fitness. Exercise can boost your mood, give you energy, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent or delay arthritis and help maintain a healthy weight. If you never exercise, start by walking 500 steps a day for a week and then add another 500 steps a day each week until you are able to walk 8500 to 10,000 steps a day. Weight bearing exercises keep bones strong and delay or help prevent osteoporosis. You can buy a pedometer to see how many steps you take in a day. You'll be healthier and feel better than you do now.

Kristina's Corner

It is inspiring to know someone who has been successful with weight loss. This month I would like to introduce you to Kristina. Kristina struggled with weight loss for some time before coming to the office and being tested for Insulin Resistance. She is willing to share some of her successes with us. You can read Kristina’s Corner in this newsletter as well as future newsletters.

Hello, my name is Kristina Rowley. I am a mother of three and have battled weight ever since the birth of my first baby. Through a series of medical complications due to being pregnant, I developed chronic back pain that lasted for 4 years. Exercise was difficult, eating right was harder than ever, and emotionally I was drained. At a routine appointment I met Carol Ladle. She found out I was very close to becoming insulin resistant, and got me on the program to reverse the road that was leading me there. Over the past two years I have been on a wellness journey. The first year I spent learning how to eat better. Then after my third baby was born, I knew it was time to get serious. Over the last year I have dedicated each day to making a better life for myself and for my family. I learned that in order to be there for them I had to be there for myself. I learned to take care of them and me. I am currently 14 lbs. away from my goal weight. I did it the right way, hard work and steady progress. I love the way I feel and the stronger person I have become. Exercise is FUN, eating healthy is a JOY, and emotionally I am HAPPY. I won't lie, it is hard, but you can do it too. I look forward to spending this next year with you, writing in the IR Newsletter and answering your questions through email. My greatest desire is to help others the way Carol was able to help me. Hopefully my stories and insight I have learned along the way may help and motivate you. So what are you waiting for? The time to start again is now!

For questions on how to start over, please email me at kristinamrowley@hotmail.com. I look forward to helping you reach your goals for the New Year.

Don't forget to tell a friend about Once Upon a Thigh!