I have always touted that balance in all things is the key to a happy and healthy life. However, knowing that balance is key is only half of the equation. Acting on that knowledge is critical.
This past fall I discovered I had a health issue that scared me into action. I was overweight, not active enough, ate all the wrong foods, didn’t relax enough, worked too hard, and stressed too much. Over time these habits had begun to create a devastating disease in my body. I didn’t know what to do, and my doctor was little to no help.
Being the writer that I am I turned to Amazon. I discovered a book written by a doctor who specializes in helping his patients find good health again, and in turn, their disease progress was either stopped or reversed. I devoured that book.
That book taught me what I should be eating, how to balance proteins with healthy carbs and when I should and should not be eating. It also emphasized the importance of exercise.
I was scared enough, I dove into doing what this doctor said. My husband joined with me and together we embarked on a journey to good health. The key being balance. Like I mentioned before I like to think I have balance in my life, but that simply wasn’t true when it came to diet and exercise. I am an emotional eater.
I’ve noticed that as long as I get plenty of exercise I do pretty well, but if I slack off, I don’t feel as good. As important as exercise is, relaxation is as important. I received a fitbit for Christmas last year. It’s been fun to track my activity, but one evening after reading for about an hour my fitbit informed me that I’d taken a nap lol. Nope, I had simply been so relaxed from reading the I tricked my fitbit into thinking I was sleeping. But that taught me something–reading is relaxing and good for you! Do I hear a cheer? :)
My journey to good health is a lifelong one that I can never stop, or I risk falling back into the same old habits. Guess what else. Good habits are contagious! Between my husband my youngest son and myself we’ve lost over 120 pounds. Our son came home to visit this past summer and said he’d eat what we ate so not to worry about making him anything special. He was home less than a week and lost seven pounds. He was so inspired that when he returned to his college campus he kept eating healthy and started exercising regularly. :) Oh, and he asked to take my newest book back with him to read. He’s never read one of my books. I think reading and good health go hand in hand, so long as we have balance.
I hope I didn’t bore you with my year long journey. It really is reading related. :)
I’m giving away one audio book copy of A Love That Lasts. The winner will receive a coupon code that may only be redeemed on Audible.
To be entered please tell me the name of the last contemporary romance book you listened to. If you have never listened to an audio book, please share what contemporary romance are you currently reading.
Prizes galore in our Back-to-School Bash now on!
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and romantic suspense that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Hi Kimberly- well done and congratulations! It is hard work changing habits!
The only audio books I listen to are the kids books as we drive- not really contemporary romance there!!
Last one I read-Freedoms Kiss by Sarah Monzon. I was sick at home last Thursday and lay on the couch and slept and read her new book.
Blessings:)
I hope you’re feeling better now Wemble!
Ummm I haven’t listened to a contemporary romance. It was a historical romance. It was Heartbreak and Honor by Collette Cameron. Not a Christian book. :/ Ummm…the last contemporary I read was, ” Christmas at the Castle,” by Melissa McClone and I loved it. :)
I sounds like you are well read in multiple genres. :)
Hi Kimberly! Congrats on your new life style. Finding balance is not always easy in today’s world. I am not one to listen to audio books. Only listened to them in my literature classes. Last Contemporary Romance I read was Heart Healed by Alexa Verde. Lately I have been reading mysteries (cozy mystery by Hope Callagahan / romance mysteries by Alexa Verde – Dangerous Love boxed set). Presently reading non fiction, the biography of Albert Einstein by Walter Isaacson. Best wishes.
When my boys were little we listened to Oddesy. I can’t recall the full name but they sure enjoyed it. I imagine your grandkids might enjoy them if they are still available.
Congratulations! Healthy choices are challenging and maintaining those choices can be difficult. Glad you had the support of your family and that they saw the value of joining you in this lifestyle. Kudos to you for making the change!
Having family support has made a huge difference!
Congratulations!! Glad you had the support of your family and that they saw the value of joining you in this lifestyle. Kudos to you for making the change!
Thanks, Julianne!
Thanks for sharing your story and how you’ve succeeded. I’ve stopped exercising in the last trimester of my pregnancy and haven’t gone back yet. I feel the pain and I miss this, but can’t find the time. My mom used to say that I’ll have to find time if I get sick and it might not be the best time, so I need to choose my time well… and exercise, of course. Maybe i need to find balance again. ;)
I’ve always been on the fence about audiobooks, but I’ve been listening on and off to Becky Wade’s True to you lately. It’s a really good book, but I do eventually let my mind wander off and need to go back and listen again to what I’ve missed. I have been bugging my sister to get audible because she’s on the road so much. Me on the other hand, can’t seem to find the time to listen. (Maybe if I go back to exercising…)
My publisher is so busy the only way she can read for pleasure is by listening to a book when she is driving.
It really can be a struggle to find/make time to exercise. I started with five minutes of just moving . Then I would add a second five minute spurt of activity. I’ve been told that it accumulative and doesn’t need to be done all at once to be effective. :)
Great post, Kimberly. I’m searching for that balance. Finding is the hard part.
Yep it sure is. I hope you can find it.
I just finished “And Something Blue” by Amelia Adams. It was great fun!
Congrats on finding a plan that works for you and your family. Trim Healthy Mama is working wonders for me, but I haven’t been able to get my hubby on board :(
THM for the win for me, too!
Maybe once he sees what a difference it’s made for you, he’ll join you. :)
I really, really like listening to ALL audio books by Leah Atwood and Valerie Comer over and over again. I’m in Butterflies on Breezes, Urban Farm Fresh Romance, Book 2, again.
Yay! Thank you!
Yay! Are you a member of Audible’s romance package?
My current “listen” is Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh. It takes me a few weeks to get through an audiobook. Meanwhile I’ll have read several books on my Kindle! Just finished Marrying Chrissy by Melanie D Snitker last night.
I need to read that!
Well done and congratulations! I myself have migranes and running helps. I’ve almost become addicted to it.
I hate migraines! I get them from gluten and a few other things. It never occurred to me that running could help. How do you manage to run when you have a migraine? They usually knock me flat and make me so incredibly sick.
So glad to hear you were able to make lifestyle adjustments to improve your health! I have not listened to a contemporary romance however the last one I read was Elizabeth Maddrey’s Donuts & Daydreams.
Thanks, Ellie!
Good to know that reading is good for you – both for your mind and your body. I’ve never listened to a contemporary romance through an audio book. I usually listen to Christian Devotionals audio books. The last one I listened to was Looking for Lovely by Annie F. Downs and I loved it. The last contemporary romance I read was The Last Summer by Brandy Bruce.
I agree, Chanel! Knowing that reading is healthy in moderation makes it even more enjoyable. :)
I love reading and it does relax you.
I used to listen to books when I commuted to work,not anymore I am retired.
Hi, Linda! I hope you are enjoying retirement.
Well done. It sounds like you have really been able to make some positive changes in your life. I can’t remember the last book I listened to but I am currently reading Know You More by Jan Thompson.
Yes, Jessica, it’s been quite the journey. Happy reading!
Hello! Can I ask what health book it was? It sounds so good! I don’t know why, but I tend to listen to historical even though I enjoy both historical and contemporary books. The last contemporary book that I finished reading was Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt and I am almost done with Falling for You by Becky Wade.
Hi, Katie! I don’t often listen to books, but I too have found that I listen to historical novels. I don’t read them often though. The book I was talking about is The Blood Sugar Solution by Mark Hyman, MD.
I loved hearing your journey! I need to embark on this one myself……I developed arthritis in my knees this past year and that ground all activity to a halt for me, which then caused weight gain,,,,not much, but since I was already overweight, it sure didn’t help!
Congrats, seriously, on the lifestyle change!!
Thanks, Paula. I sorry about the arthritis! I have had arthritis since I was a teenager. In my early 20s I was in so much pain in my feet I went to the doctor and he had an x-ray taken that showed arthritis. I have it in lots of areas now and it really does make activity difficult at times.
Love this post, Kimberly! The last book I listened to was “A Christmas Surprise” by you!
Thanks, Becky! I just hired the narrator to do the last book in the series. It should available by the end of October. :)
Tried listening to one but couldn’t get through it. Just finished reading Christmas with the Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe. Such fun!
Hi, MJSH! Got to love those cowboys! :)
Kimberly! I loved reading your journey. I embarked on one last year, August 1st-and it’s been so helpful. I can tell when I’m eating poorly. :) I’d love to know the name of the book you read.
I don’t listen to audio books–I use podcast and listen to my fav pastors. But I still read a lot–I’ve been reading different genres, but I’m reading Homecoming in Christmas Falls by Ciara Knight. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Lindi! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. The name of the book is The Blood Sugar Solution by Mark Hyman, MD. I hope your journey is going well!
Congratulations on your journey! Old habits are hard to change.
I’ve never listened to a romance. Would like to, though.
I’m reading now the box set Once Upon a Laugh, on the last book already: the long game, by Laurie Tomlinson
Thanks, Laura! It’s amazing what how seeing results and feeling better help break old habits. :) Happy reading!
Hey Kimberly,
I’ve come to the conclusion that writing is bad for your health. I mean you have to sit at the computer to write. I tried fixing a shelf on my treadmill, but I can’t walk and write at the same time. In the summer I do good because I love to swim. But the winter is a challenge for me. I used to do aerobics, but my knees can’t take it anymore. I recently bought Body Groove, so I’m trying that this winter. Congrats on your healthy choices.
Hi, Shannon. Thanks! I agree, writing is bad for you body. Sitting for long periods of time in general is bad for it. I’ll look up Body Groove, I’ve never heard of it. I have a stationary bike I use for aerobic exercise. It also has a desktop in case I need to work and ride at the same time. I generally try to use that time to refresh my mind though, then get back to work after my my workout is finished,
Have never listen to the audio but I do love the paperback books . Congratulations !
Thanks, Sarah. Happy reading!
Blessings in your new healthy lifestyle! I’ve listened to 1-800-Cupid by Josie Riviera :)