​https://catieharris.com/podcast/energy-practitioner/

This week we continue and we discuss the KNEES!
Again..Disclaimer:  This series and videos are for educational purposes only, not intended to replace any medical advice or treatment.

Knees represent pride and ego.......yep, they do!

Maybe you are having an inflexible issue that your pride is preventing you to resolve. Knees can be inflexible, or mean surrender also.  For a little more information on this body part, check out this short video to gain a little clarity!

Messages are in the body, trying to tell us something!!  Are you listening?

This week let's talk about shoulders.  What do shoulders represent?

They represent carrying, carrying life experiences, or carrying yourself!

So could you ask yourself if you have had a chronic (lasting longer than 6 weeks) issue, pain, or problem that you may possibly be carrying something that does not serve you?

Is there a particular life experience that is weighing you down?
Is there a particular burden you are carrying?
Are you trusting life will carry you, or are you trying to carry yourself?

For more in depth information, lasting 5 minutes, check out the video below !

See if you could learn something from this message your body is trying to teach you, reveal it, and then heal it!

DISCLAIMER:  The information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace any current medical advice or treatment.

Did you know that we have messages in our body that we can actually act upon and actually learn something?

You already know if you are thirsty, your body is telling you it's dehydrated...drink more water!

You already know if your stomach growls, your body may need something to eat!

You already know if you yawn and your eyelids get heavy, your body wants rest!

You get the idea!!

So why couldn't pain in your body be trying to tell you something,  and get your attention? We
are meant to move with ease, be joyful, be free, and Happy!  If you aren't, then why?  What are the dis-eases in your body trying to tell you? Are you willing to try and discover why?

I feel led to start this new vlog series. In this series I will give you an idea of what parts of the body mean, or what they represent metaphorically speaking. This information can help you get on a path of discovery of the root cause. AND  I give you direction on how to begin to resolve it!! 

Interested??

First video is about your BACK, what it represents, and how to discover the issue, and begin to resolve it!  Check it out!!

Yes!!  I am a LOSER...of weight, and you CAN too!!  I usually do not speak negative words about myself , but in this case it is definitely okay! I have lost 10 pounds, 1 1/2 inches around my waist, and 2 inches in my hips. What started out as a hormone reset diet turned into an emotional reset diet!  Your mind and emotions can run your life putting you in a stress mode, in which your body responds as "danger" and reacts appropriately but putting you in fight or flight mode.  Overtime...that just doesn't work!! You gain weight around the middle as protection, and therefore get that lovely apple shape.. Check out the video!

Well, this is the third blog and it follows up with the other two...quite nicely!!  All I can say is WOW, this has been a ride, but a rather wonderful one.

To think that this all started with a weight loss struggle and has now propelled me into finding strength I didn't know I had!!  So grateful!!

Figuring out that resistance to weight loss became a journey realizing that I had unresolved emotions, that then led me to co-working on my adrenals!  The emotions and adrenals are so interconnected, and I KNEW that.....but guess I needed to experience this....Again!

You see, a few years back in the heart of my nursing career, I started  having aches and pains, plus some other little ailments.  These issues all continued, but hey, I am a nurse....I just took my meds that helped with pain (later got epidural injections) and popped some antacids for my stomach and it's all good ...right!?!??

Even back then I was medicating my "emotions", but at that time it was really stressed out and burned out and I used REAL medications vs food and caffeine in my latest venture.  All this regime did for me is put me on a path of self destruction and eventually a diagnosis of fibromyalgia....BOO!!   So what did my professional peers prescribe for me.....more meds.  I really didn't get much relief, in fact, at times I felt worse!! I eventually didn't even trust myself to care for patients....when I fell over on the floor taking a blood pressure...uh...that's not Good!!

I took a leave of absence to try to find some relief.  Out of desperation, I sought out alternative, holistic, and complementary medicine. I was so sick!  I found an alternative practitioner that said I was really sick ( I KNOW!!) your adrenals are exhausted! Your adrenals are responsible for so many bodily functions, hormones, blood pressure, endocrine system....and more. When your adrenals are in a continuous state of flight vs fight....eventually they get tired and really don't want to work for you!! He tested my blood, urine, and saliva, the results were awful!  But the main issue was I was toxic of heavy metals, mostly from the dye used to diagnose my back issues and getting injections.  Think about that, putting something in your body that makes it "glow" in an xray machine...YIKES!!  I listened to his plan...he chelated me with intravenous solution that pulls metals from tissue, he did homeopathy, energy work, helped me with nutrition. It's basically a holistic treatment, he worked with my structure with chelation, my energy fields were blocked with a crap ton of negative emotions and traumas, my nutrition was mostly processed dead food, and I did NO self care. Well guess what....some of that "stuff" started working. I was beginning to feel better and certainly sparked my interest to learn more, FOR SURE!!  I began learning more about these alternative ways and continue to use the techniques and tips on myself.  After about 3 months of this journey, I was back on track!!  I tell you this because this nightmare of a STRUGGLE led me to a finding and renewing my STRENGTH.  I now knew that this way of working with health issues leads you into a healing process, not just a disease management.... I want ailments GONE...not managed!!

Here we are several years later, trying to lose weight , and it's not happening.  I finally realized with some self reflection that I was "medicating" again from the recent transitions in my life that I clearly was not dealing with well. Overdosing on caffeine and sugar to numb the stress of sadness, loss, and grief, putting my adrenals on high alert fight or flight, and throwing my whole self into a whirlwind.  The results, weight around the middle giving me a "lovely" apple shape, out of whack hormones, afternoon dragging, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, and just feeling like crap!

After doing my hormone reset diet, actually WHILE I was doing this diet, so many things came to light. Of course, the medicating the emotions, that I need work on my adrenals, that I STILL fall into a comparison trap, that I need a regular exercise routine, that I need a regular eating routine, that if I fail to plan...then plan to fail, that I still find excuses, that I need to work daily on a mindset, and that I am human.......and that I am certainly not alone in this struggle!

Realization and confession of these are what make you stronger!  I DID complete the 21 day diet plan and my results of the weight loss may not have been like the others in that time frame, but it's been a couple of weeks later and I am still losing weight and inches!  I am GAINING so much more. Eating better is now a joy and a new lifestyle!  My husband is on board too! My energy is awesome and natural. I enjoy working out! I sleep so soundly that I wake up before the alarm...every day!! I am finding an inner chef...lol! I no longer have that stronghold of caffeine and sugar. My clothes look and fit better. I feel FREE!

But I would say the most powerful thing that has happened, is the feedback. That has made me shift how I do business, and that it isn't a business , it's an assignment now!!  My assignment, my service, my passion is now geared up and fired up to teach you how having health and healing can really happen. Also to use myself and my own trials to show YOU that you have your own strength in whatever current struggle you may be experiencing. So stay strong , your strength is right around the corner!!

Well the results are in!  If you do not know what I am talking about, please read my first blog in this series. 

I knew my hormones were a mess and interestingly enough I was given divine direction to a book that I have had for a very long time.  It is a book written by Dr Sara Gottfried called the Hormone Reset Diet. She takes 7 different crucial hormones and has you eliminate a food item or group related to each hormone for 3 days. In other words, you eliminate a food group every 3 days for 21 days to cover all 7 hormone resets.  I had some resistance in wanting to tackle this task...but where there is resistance......it's a sign.  So I knew I had to do this.

I actually had to study this book for a couple of days.  Trying to figure out how much food I would need, of what type, and oh....how am I going to prepare this!?!?  I had to dig deep to find an inner chef because I really do not enjoy cooking.  I also told my husband that I wanted to do this BUT  I needed his support.  I would still make his pbj sandwiches for his packed lunch, but supper time I needed him to eat like me.  He was on board....I knew he would be!!

So it began. I purchased my huge amount of vegetables and clean proteins, came home and started processing all these vegetables.......they were flying everywhere!! Eating one pound of vegetables per day, seriously did not think I could do that!! But actually was easier than you think.  First reset was eliminating red meat to reset estrogen. That elimination was not difficult at all, we had fish or chicken and I made vegetable soup. My husband was sort of starting to like this!!  So during this first reset she recommends you start weaning off caffeine, which I was beginning to do because day 10....no caffeine....I was scared.  Finished these first 3 days and at the beginning of each reset it is recommended you weigh yourself. She also recommends different types of exercise based on your particular reset you are in. You gather all your "numbers" prior to starting, of course.  So reluctantly I jumped on the scale....WHAT!?!?!  Down 3 pounds in 3 days....I will TAKE that!!! I could not believe that at all!!  Now I am really getting into this....bring it on!!

Next reset was for insulin, so guess what you have to eliminate there.....SUGAR!  It was a struggle I was doing fine, plus she allows 85% Cacao for a sweet tooth, only if you don't get carried away with it.  I admit, it was nasty tasting first bite, but after several days on this reset diet my taste buds were changing. By day 9 or so, that cacao was rather tasty...and satisfying. So then about day 5 something happened.  I hit a wall.  I felt like crap.  I don't know what's going on.  I was so discouraged.  I cried, ugly cry, was sad, got angry, cried more, laid around, sloth, and then it dawned on me.  This process was somewhat a shock to my system.  Weaning off caffeine, eliminating sugar....my "drugs" are getting out of my system. I wasn't numbing my emotional pain anymore with these substances so I had to FEEl It. I am eating regularly, good food and consistently.  It was like a bandaid was ripped off and I felt that pain, but now the healing can begin.

But wait!! Now we have another factor.  When we purchased this house, we knew it would need some work and had a contractor give us an estimate for all these projects.  We accepted it, and he said it would be late spring or so before they could start. Well guess what, they came early!  Day 7 of my reset they showed up and started tearing everything up! I would have 1 to 6 men in, on, or around my house working starting at 7:30 am to about 4pm every day.  Although I was excited and all, it really shook up my routine. Dirt, sawdust, noise, and smells going on everyday....I allowed it to steal my drive.  I allowed it to put a kink in my exercise routine. I allowed it to get the best of me!! I was so mad at myself.  I had a weak mindset.  I beat myself up!  Then my loving divine intervention occurred.  My life verse came to...Romans 12:2  Do not be conformed of this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Because here it is....I am 51 years YOUNG!!  I am no longer going to listen to the lies in my head.  I am no longer going to believe those things of the past.  I am no longer going to listen to the what if's, not good enoughs, or any other comparisons. You know the ones:
Do you think you should be working while raising young children?
Do you think you can really afford that?
Do you think you should be eating that?
Are you qualified enough to do that?
Oh wow, look at her, she's so thin and shapely. Wish I looked like that.
Oh wow, she got a promotion with more money, I would have liked that raise.
Oh geez, how does she work, have a clean house, and cook with all those kids??
How does she work out so much?
You get the idea, there are many more.

I got entangled in that with this reset.  All these stories and testimonials of the ladies who did the diet and lost 14 pounds, 4 inches, or they lost 21 pounds and 9 inches etc, etc.  I wasn't as successful. I had my moments....but then I decided, I am drawing the line!!  I am renewing my MIND!!  I will focus on what I DID Accomplish.
I did Lose 9 pounds!
I did lose 2 1/2 inches from my hips.
I did discipline myself to complete the 21 days.
I do sleep so much better.
I am proud of myself and my inner chef came out!
The stronghold of caffeine and sugar is GONE!! Praise the LORD!!
I am naturally energized!
My husband came totally on board with this and no more pbj sandwiches....salads now!!
My husband lost 10 pounds......stinker....men always lose easier!
We have taken on a much better lifestyle of eating habits and really loving it!
I am a Masterpiece, no matter what!!  And you are too!! Other people or situations do not define who we are. Our occupations do not define who we are either.  We are made perfect and we all have a gift to serve others!!  We are as individual as a fingerprint....stop comparing!! It steals your joy immediately!!

We will have ups and downs, but keep your focus on the right things and continue to push forward and you will have success. Own it, admit it, because it all boils down to YOU! I plan on continuing this lifestyle and see what happens with my weight. I am really excited about the future.  The renovations are almost complete and my house is becoming a home.  I still have moments of sadness leaving our old house, or that my son is in another state, or my parents are in assisted living....but I just might cry a bit, let it out, and I get my joy back again, without coffee or dessert!

I also used some energy techniques and essential oils along this journey and will be sharing in a facebook "live" very soon....oh and with before and after pictures too!! So stay tuned to my page and make sure you "like" it so you find out more!!  Hartman Holistic Health

As a Holistic Health Nurse, I teach you all aspects about the whole self of health and wellness. These aspects include your structure, nutrition, emotions, and electrical aspects and how they all are interconnected.  Interestingly enough, I needed to be the student. Funny how life occurs, when you need to learn something....you get the lesson!!

I gained weight over the winter months, like many people do.  Then when January comes around get on the fresh start wagon and begin exercising, watching your food intake, and lose it...right?!?!

I started on a regular exercise program, watched my intake of calories, or so I thought, and no real progress was being made.  I continued working out. Maybe I need to change the TYPE of exercise I am doing. So I added weights and more reps.  No, that didn't do anything but make me really, really sore.  I will try HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) no, that wasn't doing much either.

I was discouraged, and here it is March and I haven't even lost weight, and actually may have put on a couple more pounds due to the stress!!

You see, I teach a holistic approach to health, but with an emphasis on emotions and how they wreak havoc on your body and your bodily systems if not properly processed.  Now, interestingly enough..... that was happening to me! 

We have events occur in life that sometimes aren't pleasant, or they are times of transition.  Going through these events we learn to feel it, experience the emotion, and move on (at least that is how we are supposed to...HA).  Within 16 months my son graduated college and moved to another state, my daughter graduated highschool and started college, I moved my parents into an assisted living facility, I had a gallbladder attack, I sold my house and moved, and my son got married.  All of these events are really very typical for many, and certainly not any majorly catastrophic events for sure!  And they all went off without any major glitches! Grateful for that!!

Even though I felt like I  had joy and peace, I  realized I had an underlying sadness and maybe even a sense of loss.  How did I know?? Seemed like we were going through a lot of coffee and I also "needed" some kind of sweet in the afternoon, and the cravings were strong!! So, I sat down and got very still and asked "what is going on with me?" Well, it finally came to me that I used caffeine and sugar as my abused "substance" of choice.  Trying to lift the sadness with stimulants, and fill the emptiness with sweetness of some sugar.  All that did over the winter months was throw off my adrenals, thyroid, and all my important hormones to make it almost impossible for weight-loss. I was really sporting the " Apple " shape.....

One learned lesson is realizing I had these unresolved emotions.  You all very well know, that in any 12 step or any recovery program is CONFESSION.  Lots of healing can occur just confessing that there is a problem.

Another lesson is getting present or mindful of what I was DOING in the sense of "comforting" my emotions by the increase in caffeine and sugar consumption. It was a sense of numbing my emotions and I was numb to see it. We get so "routine" in our lives, we actually don't know what we are doing....a kind of auto-pilot in some ways.

Also, anytime there is RESISTANCE in your life, it's time to check it out and start asking yourself some questions.  I was resistant to losing weight.
Why? Because my adrenals, thyroid, and matrix of hormones are out of whack!
Why? Because I consume way too much caffeine and sugar.
Why? Because I am trying to comfort and feed my unresolved emotions and make myself "feel" better.
You get the idea.

Resistance can show up in anything!! In your health, life, and business. So if you can Confess there's a problem, be present or mindful of that resistance in your life, ask some questions, you will get some good answers and be on the way to a healing and self growth path.  Hey, we ALL have emotions, it's a choice on investigating and discovering them and how we can get better.  You really CAN do this!! Your overall is worth it and YOU are too!!

I am on a new healing and weight loss journey. Already started seeing and feeling some success!! Stay tuned and go "like" my Facebook business page Hartman Holistic Health