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I’m not sure about you, but I get recharged in Nature.  And boy oh boy last week I got recharged on a GRAND scale.  I mean I just keep getting better and better.

How Do You Recharge?

I spent a week in Yosemite hiking with one of my daughters and my husband.   This trip has been on my bucket list for a long time, but at the beginning of the year I put it on my dream board and made it happen.

You might find it curious that I would choose to go there.  Me, someone who had a heart attack only 9 months ago.  But I grew up in Northern Wisconsin.

Many people think the whole state is overrun with cows.  It’s not.

Where I grew up is mostly woods and lakes. Being connected with nature is just a way of life when you live “Up North”.

I’ve been living in the Chicago area for about half of my life now.  But at least once per year, I need to reconnect with nature – preferably in the woods.

As the saying goes, you can take the girl out of the woods, but not the woods out of the girl.  I LOVE the smell of pine trees in the air.   Forest bathing.  It takes me home…

Now knowing a little of my background maybe it isn’t surprising I had to see the great redwood forests.  Along with Half Dome and El Capitan – the famous peaks in Yosemite!

Bragging… I Keep Getting Better And Better

But this post isn’t just a travel log.  I want to brag— as a heart attack survivor.  You see Yosemite is at elevation.  It’s the start of the Rockies.  The valley floor is at 4,000 ft.  The ridge line surrounding the valley where we hiked was over 7,000 ft.

And oxygen levels are thin.  You need to catch your breath.  (The elevation where I live is only 673 ft.  I googled it).

And you know what?

I totally kicked butt!  I just keep getting better and better.  Everyday we were out hiking and walked anywhere from 15,000 – 28,000 steps with at least 2 hours of moderate to intense activity (as measured by my FitBit).  My daughter, a former college athlete, said I was able to keep up better than some friends she went hiking with!  Gold star for mom!!!

This physical endurance is the validation I wanted for myself.  I really KNOW my heart is in better shape than it was before my heart attack.  I am strong.

How’d I Do It?

I made a permanent lifestyle changes.

To start with, I’ve continued with my cardiac rehab program.  Exercising three days a week but making the workouts harder.

And I take super high quality supplements to give my body the micronutrients it needs – fish oil, CoQ10, resveratrol, vitamins, minerals – the best there is.  My husband and daughters take them as well.

I also make sure I get the right macronutrients – the protein, the fiber, high quality fat and complex carbohydrates.  When you are pushing your body or are in need of healing, providing it with the best nutritional support goes a long way.

And I meditate – I take time to turn inward and while turning the outside world off.

You Can Benefit As Well

If you’d like to do a reset on your health, starting with a 5 day cleanse, I’m can walk with you along the way.

I partner with USANA, a company that offers a five day RESET, that includes the supplements and meal replacements to reset your health and move you towards a better lifestyle.

Here are just a few of the benefits of RESET:

• Balanced blood sugar
• Decreased cravings
• More energy
• Better digestion
• Better elimination
• Flatter tummy
• More restful sleep
• Cellular support from the vitamins and probiotics