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Though we're well into the month of March, Happy Women’s History Month to all the ladies out there!  As you probably know, Women’s History Month is about celebrating women of the past and present for their courageous efforts, selfless deeds, and for being positive role-models for generations of women.  

I think now is a great time to focus on what we can do to be healthy role models for ourselves and other women, like our daughters and future daughters.  It’s also about time we give ourselves a little more credit where it’s due, and cut ourselves some slack for not being Superwoman 24/7--there’s a reason why she’s a character!

If we all were to pick one healthy thing that we’d like to make a habit each month, that adds up to 12 new healthy habits a year.  Twelve may not sound like much to you, but it could ultimately add years to your life—healthy and happy years. 

Also, if we each kept a little notebook or Word document where we wrote down one thing that we were proud of ourselves for each day, no matter how big or small, perhaps women as a whole would finally see how fabulous they truly are.  You don’t have to be a Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, or Mother Teresa to be a positive influence—if you strive to be the best version of yourself as you can be, and accept even the parts of yourself that you consider "flaws," you, too, are a hero.

So, my fab Healthkickers...

My healthy habit for this month:  Drink at least 6 cups of water a day.

Today I’m proud of myself for: Using the rainy weather to my advantage and getting a little spring cleaning done around the apartment.

What is your goal of the month?  And what are you proud of yourself for today?  (Feel free to gloat a little! )

My whole life I’ve been hearing my mother complain about her weight nearly every single day. It just bugs me so much, because no matter how much I try to encourage her, she always discourage herself. She doesn’t look bad, she’s not a sloppy dresser, or a sloppy eater. The only problem is, is that she’s over weight, and she keeps on gaining weight.

Whenever she looks at old photos of herself she starts saying “look at how small I was, now look at how fat I am.” Or when she tries on a pair of jeans she hasn’t worn in a few months and realize they no longer fit she start saying “these jeans use to be so big on me, now they’re so tight…I know I gained weight.”

Whenever she says things like that I just give her a look. She starts laughing, but I know deep down inside she doesn’t find it as amusing. I tried talking to her about it, she’ll listen, but she never does it. I mean, she buys all these weight loss machines like the step climber, or a treadmill, or a bike…But never uses them. She already tried weight loss pills, and we all know they don’t work at all. And she even insisted on getting liposuction, which in my opinion you’re putting your life in danger just by going under the knife. If a doctor recommend it, then maybe yes, but if you want to do it just to avoid losing weight just by taking time out for yourself, then that’s a total different story. More Here...

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When the legs and feet receive a reduced flow of blood than what is considered normal, it is what is known as poor peripheral circulation. Circulation issues can develop for many reason, though there are a few primary causes. The most common one is obesity, though advancing age and a sedentary lifestyle definitely add to it. Many people do not think much of them when they begin or even learn how to recognize the symptoms of poor circulation because the initial signs are so mild.

Even though the symptoms of bad circulation begin in very mild forms, they have the potential to lead to much more dangerous complications down the road if they are not treated before then. Edema is one of the first symptoms of poor circulation that you are likely to notice. Edema refers to the swelling of the lower legs that can often be accompanied by itching and aching, as well as discoloration. These cosmetic concerns, however, can further lead to much more worrying consequences. More Here...

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I was checking out one of my favorite sites today, healthygirl.org, and a new post, 31 Ways to Interrupt the Urge to Binge, immediately caught my attention.  

As a recovering binge eater, I remember (and occasionally am still faced with) those times when the urge to splurge calorie-wise feels like a pull stronger than gravity.

These five avoid-a-binge tactics work well for me.  The first three are from the Healthy Girl post, and the fifth is my own:

1. "Call a family member":  In my case, the person to call would be my Mom.  This is not only because she’s good at comforting me in my times of need, but even more so because she does not stop talking!!  Lol!  By the time I finally get off the phone the craving has usually passed.
2. "Give yourself a mani/pedi":  A manicure in particular works pretty well since it’s no easy feat to unwrap stuff and/or prepare food when your fingernails are wet.
3. "Go for a coffee or make yourself some tea":  If I can fight the urge enough to actually get myself out of my apartment and meet up with a friend for coffee, this does absolute wonders.  This is quite possibly the best thing that works for me, since I can vent about whatever tough emotions I’m dealing with, not to mention it gives me a chance to listen to my friend’s story and get out of my own head for a bit.
4. "Go for a walk and bring a camera to take pictures of random things": one of the ladies who commented on the Healthy Girl post mentioned this idea, and I completely agree.  Strolling along, allowing my mind to focus yet let go at the same time is very effective for me.
5. Exercise:  This is the hardest to actually make myself do.  When I have the urge to binge, it’s usually because I’m feeling sad and sluggish, which make me want to be sedentary; but if I can push myself enough to get-up-and-go during times like this, working out always ends up squashing the binge-cravings.

What kills the urge to binge for you?