Look at you.

You made it.

You survived 2016.

Maybe by a thread, but you did it. You survived just about every form of hell this year. You survived ups and downs. You survived the rise and fall of people and nations. You survived victories and destruction. You survived death and life.

You made it.

2016 is another scar on your skin, one that you can wear with strength and courage. It hurt you, yes. But you are healing and you will become stronger. 

You made it.

You have witnessed countless events in history that will be remembered for years to come. You have seen both peace and war, hope and loss, destruction and rebuilding. Every day that passed this year was another stitch in the fabric of your past and your future.

You made it.

2017 is going to face its own challenges. You will experience pain and loss. But you will also experience incredible things and hope. You can do this. Look at how far you have come. So seize the day. Do not accept defeat. Be the change that you want to see in the world. 

Speak up, breathe deeply, run fast, leap high, use your head, help others, reach out, take care of yourself, dive in.

 Take 2017 and own it. You can do this.

You made it.

I’m proud of you.

A nurse has heart attack and describes what she felt like when having one

I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. 

 FEMALE HEART ATTACKS 

 I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is description is so incredibly visceral that I feel like I have an entire new understanding of what it feels like to be living the symptoms on the inside. Women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have… you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor the we see in movies. Here is the story of one woman’s experience with a heart attack: 

 "I had a heart attack at about 10:30 PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, ‘A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up. A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you’ve been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you’ve swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn’t have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation–the only trouble was that I hadn’t taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m. 

After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. ‘AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening – we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven’t we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I’m having a heart attack! I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn’t be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else… but, on the other hand, if I don’t, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment. 

I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics… I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn’t feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in. I unlocked the door and then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don’t remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like ‘Have you taken any medications?’) but I couldn’t make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery. 

I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents. Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand. 

1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men’s symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn’t know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they’ll feel better in the morning when they wake up… which doesn’t happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you’ve not felt before. It is better to have a ‘false alarm’ visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be! 2. Note that I said ‘Call the Paramedics.’ And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road. Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what’s happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your doctor – he doesn’t know where you live and if it’s at night you won’t reach him anyway, and if it’s daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn’t carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be notified later. 3. Don’t assume it couldn’t be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it’s unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive to tell the tale.“

Reblog, repost, Facebook, tweet, pin, email, morse code, fucking carrier pigeon this to save a life! I wish I knew who the author was. I’m definitely not the OP, actually think it might be an old chain email or even letter from back in the day. The version I saw floating around Facebook ended with “my cardiologist says mail this to 10 friends, maybe you’ll save one!” And knew this was way too interesting not to pass on.

snopes.com says this one’s true.

Save a life–Reblog.

Female heart attacks are much different, and most people don’t know it!

This is so much more helpful than the fucking lists that basically describe everything that happens during a really nasty panic attack and then tell you to go seek help as if you don’t have an anxiety disorder that does this to you on a regular basis and can afford to go to the emergency room.

Hey beautiful! I decided to make a masterpost just for you to get you feeling good! I hope you like it :) xx

LET’S GET PHYSICAL:

FULL BODY CARDIO WORKOUTS

full body cardio core 20 minute workout // most effective 20 minute cardio workout-tabata style // high intensity fat burn cardio training // full body circuit boot camp workout // zuzana Light-ZWOD #1 // fitness-How To Tror workout // POP sculpt: total body workout // sexy body exercise video // model workout episode 1 // jillian michaels 30 day shred: level 1 // walking cardio shape up // the thanksgiving BIG BURN workout // cardio groove n’ burn workout video by exercise TV // pilates-xxercicios alongamento // bootcamp aalorie burn by ExerciseTV // full body workout by eFit // cardio fat blast workout // insanity 20 minute workout-fat burner // total body workout 30 minutes // fitness-suicie sweat workout // Victoria’s secret model workout // Food baby HIIT workout (POP cardio) // Bare Fitness-Girl fight // POP pilates: New body makeover // Bikini Blaster 1 HIIT it hard // 15 minute total body boot camp // Fat blasting 10 minute workout // Pump it up

ABS/CORE:

Killer abs workout // Tabata workout abs in 4 minutes // Sunkissed ABS workout // Hardcore ab workout with blogilates //6 minutes abs of steel ab workout // Core Rhythms Full workout // 25 minutes abs and obliques workout // The Bikini abs workout // Reduce Tummy // Yummy abs workout // Lose bellyfat // Fitness-10 minute ab workout // Amazing abs workout // Best core workout ever // HIIT workout for abs and obliques // INSANE abs in 5 minutes // POP Pilates: Intense ab workout // Crazy slim abs // Stomach exercises to lose belly fat // 5 minute abs workout // Flat belly workout // Standing abs workout routine // Flat stomach exercises // Abs of envy workout // Pumped up sexy abs workout

GLUTES:

Bikini booty Thong workout // MaliBooty workout // Hot booty firm up // POP Pilates: Butt blaster // Butt and Cleavage workout // How to get a perfect butt workout tutorial // 10 minute booty shaking waist workout // Beach bum workout // Best butt workout ever // What make you bootyful butt challenge // POP Pilates: Beyonce bootylicious Bum butt Badonkadonk Bonanza // Pilates butt burner // 3 weeks to an awesome butt // Butt like a Brazilian // Quick butt workout //Butt lifting exercises // Best exercises for buttocks

LEGS:

How to get skinny looking legs // Thinner thighs and legs workout // How to slim and tone those thighs // Pumped up kicks workout // Squat challenge //Tone it up Thighs workout // Sexy legs workout // 10 minute Ballerina beauty, long legs, tight booty // Love your legs workout // Leg slimming exercises

ARMS:

FGF Ultimate Upper body workout / Awesomesauce arms // Lean, toned and strong arms workout // Best arm workout, slim arms // Upper body pulse workout // Killer sculpted arms workout // Upper back, arms and chest workout // 50 caliber arm workout // Toned triceps challenge 

YOGA:

20 minute Yoga class for complete beginners // Yoga for weight loss-morning and evening routine // Yoga for strong slim legs // 20 minute weight loss & fatburning Yoga Workout // Hatha Yoga flow 55 minute class // Yoga for bedtime /// Jennifer Aniston’s Yoga ab workout // Yoga booty goddess booty // Yoga morning routine // Hot Yoga challenge // Yoga Meltdown with Jillian Michaels // Basic Breathing-Beginner Yoga

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD (VEGAN):

BREAKFAST:

vegan waffle taco // funny face pancake // pancakes // blueberry muffins // bacon cheddar mini quiches // tofu scramble // blueberry oatmeal waffles // toast with refried beans and avocado // peanut butter granola recipe // blueberry doughnuts // 15 minute breakfast sandwich // tofu omlette // french toast // breakfast tacos // cinnamon roles // breakfast casserole // 5 simple vegan breakfast ideas // pumpkin spice pancakes

LUNCH/DINNER:

Pasta salad // classic vegan nachos // grilled vegan chicken with “honey” lime and chipotle sauce // Spicy thai coconut curry // smashed chickpea and avocado sandwich // “chicken” salad // spaghetti // “bacon” wrapped pigs in a blanket // vegan chili // chick-fil-a copycat recipe // mock tuna salad sandwich // mac and cheese // beer-basted tofurky brats // jalapeno popper cheese sandwich // sriracha veggie burger // potato knishes // vegan spaghetti-os copycat recipe // pad thai // fire-roasted corn chowder with sriracha // mexican stuffed shells // jerk spiced tofu kebobs // stuffed mushrooms // quinoa stuffed peppers // rice stuffed peppers // fried “chicken” // mozzarella sticks // potato skins // vegan reuben // matzo ball soup // sloppy joes // garlic broccoli stir-fry // crab cakes // pizza // lasagna // french onion soup // cream of tomato soup //“fish” and chips // vegan chowder // tortilla soup // pumpkin bread and tempeh stuffing // stuffed thanksgiving burger // roasted maple glazed sweet potato // broccoli in hot garlic sauce // spicy vegan buffalo wings // spicy kimchi soup // vegan macaroni // corn dogs // (VIDEO) “lobster” tail // lobster bisque // hearts of palm “crab” salad // potato salad // chipotle sweet potato skins // “beef” stew // green bean casserole //simple cup noodles copy-cat recipe // vegan pasta alfredo // black bean taco // meatless meat ball subs // “fish” and chips  // “fish” tacos // “fish” sliders with spicy mango slaw // (VIDEO) stuffed squash // “chicken” pot pie // “chicken” and dumplings // creamy mashed potatoes // green-bean casserole // sloppy joes // turn a tomato into tuna sushi // vegan Cuban sandwich

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

water weight // ditch the scales // want a thigh gap? // why posture is important // grocery list inspo (vegan) // general tips and tricks // how to stay motivated // when to rest // about sleep // interval training 101 // myths buster // about your weight // 

MENTAL HEALTH:

ANXIETY/STRESS:

soundrown // build stuff with sand // rainymood // chill out // zen garden //managing stress / social anxiety tips / PTSD forums / anti-anxiety masterpost// calming manatee // the dawn room // 100,000 stars // types of anxiety disorders / anxiety attack tips / anti-anxiety foods // using a thought diary // panic attacks & anxiety // how to help someone with ptsd // 10 tips for understanding someone with ptsd // coping with ptsd // coping with ocd // dying of embarrassment // loving someone with ocd

BIPOLAR DISORDER:

keeping your balance // 6 coping strategies // support and self-help // what does being manic feel like? // suggestions for managing and coping with mania // helping a loved one manage a manic episode  //10 ways to show love to someone with sepression // supporting someone with bipolar disorder: family and friends // loving someone who is manic depressive // 8 ways to help your loved one cope

DEPRESSION/SELF HARM/SUICIDAL THOUGHTS:

how to love yourself // alternatives to self harm // what am i feeling? // if you feel like crap // dealing with depression // let go of your past //things to do instead of cutting // the cure to sadness // things to do when you’re sad // feel good 101: depression // stop cutting, create instead // warning signs // tell tumblr a user is threatening suicide // suicide prevention // ”it gets better” video // 100 reasons to stay // video to anyone thinking about kill themselves // how to help someone who is suicidal // what to tell someone who is suicidal // if you need a hug // get stuff off your chest // words you need to hear // how to be okay with yourself  // 10 ways to cope with depression // 21 tips to keep yourself together when you’re depressed // how to fade and cover scars // what to say if someone sees your scars // for anyone who thinks they are worthless // for the kids who cry themselves to sleep // for the self harmers

EATING DISORDERS:

bloating in recovery // why you must eat // what is ED recovery? // learning to love your body // how to eat a fear food // helping someone with an eating disorder // 281 reasons to recover // different eating disorders explained // why you should try to recover // preventing relapse // recovering from bulimia //don’t put yourself down // how to boost your confidence // self love // for the girls (and boys) who are starving // self esteem journal // coping with exercise addiction // tips to stop restricting // dangers of purging // what to do when you feel fat // 30 day self esteem challenge

NEED INFORMATION?

abuse // add/adhd // addictions // anger management // anxiety //autism // bipolar disorder // body dysmporphic // disorder // bodypositivity // depression // dermatillomania // dissociation/dissociative disorder  // eating disorders // insomnia // panic disorder // ptsd/trauma // personality styles/disorders // schizophrenia  // self harm // suicide/suicide prevention // tourettes

NEED TO TALK?

my ask box // worldwide suicide hotlines // imalive (online chat) // what to do if your friend is talking about suicide // telling people how you’re feeling // how do i tell someone when i’m afraid? // how to ask for help //

HELPFUL WEBSITES:

beyond blue // facing us // help guide // helping teens //mental help // mental support community // mood-scope // mood gym // out of the fog // ocd foundation //save // something fishy // super better

MOTIVATIONAL BLOGS TO FOLLOW:

@agirlnamedally @thefitally @blondesquats @aubernutter @oatsnjen @bbbenwilliamson @bonnyrebecca @cleanbodyfreshstart @justdoitdaily-fitblr @fitandchic @f-i-t-b-l-r @workoutinpink @letsgetfit @living-fitness @fitness-is-pink @fitness-fits-me @fitness-barbie

Yeon Woo Jhi

damn~~

Dragon fruit bowls! Filled with strawberries, raspberries, pomegranates, & dragonfruit 🐉

Since my right hand is in a cast at the moment and it’s pretty hard for me to chop, cut or prepare anything without making a mess… I figured I’d post this #throwback photo I took a while ago that I’ve never posted before. I recall at the time having the same thing (dragon fruit bowls!) like 3 days in a row and decided I didn’t want to post similar photos back-to-back. ;).

This helpful guide about what 200 calories looks like reminds us just how much healthy food we’re giving up each time we have a treat.

Female lifters say they are told that the sport will make them unattractive to male suitors; marriage is still considered the most important event in a young Emirati woman’s life.

“A lot of women say, ‘Wow, look at her body,’ ” Al Haddad said. “They ask me how to get lean, and when I say I weight lift, they get scared. But it’s the 21st century now. I don’t want to get married until I make the Olympics.”

(via Amid Glares, Female Muslim Weightlifters Compete - NYTimes.com)

This is an important lesson.

I have such great abs. Too bad you can’t see them hahaha

It really sucks because women can do all the ab workouts they can and still not have visible abs because it takes a very low body fat percentage for them to ever be seen. Women need more body fat than men to be healthy and perform necessary functions and the minimum amount of body fat for women is higher than the amount needed for visible abs. Most of the pictures where women are shown with “chiseled abs” are pictures taken when they are dehydrated and haven’t eaten much before the photo shoot. It’s all very damaging so please don’t compare yourself to those “motivational” pictures ❤️

^^ Actually very important and informative

EFFING LOVE THIS. EVERYONE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THIS

Wow. Love

Makes me happier because my abs are rarely ever visible

I honestly didn’t know this

cold water vs hot water showers! 

Mother Goose themuscleproject (via themuscleproject)