Jenn

I think I am easing up on the food combining thing. I NEED protein and carbs sometimes especially when I am really active and working out. I simply can not go on natural sugars alone or plain protein. I NEED ENERGY! Though I think it did wonders for my digestive system, it is not a long term solution I mean if I was sitting down doing basically nothing, I could function with isolated carbs, fats and proteins. But it is simply not realistic for me. Enough. So I asked Dr. Marc for some advice and I greatly appreciated it. I am really going to work at this diet plan which is basically like Marge’s. It is a smart diet that I believe is just good eating. Yah… no more cravings.

Rheumatoid arthritis friendly diet: Omega 3s (I take 3-6-9), fruits and veggies, legumes, no white anything or anything processed, easy on the complex carbs with the high calorie content, avoid dairy and meats, except fish, no dairy …… yikes, he had me up until NO DAIRY. But I actually know that he is right. Thank you Dr. Marc.

Back to the forum for me….. thank you Lori for the challenge. Let’s get ripped!!!

Did not weigh in and I did use the mirror to assess….. oh yeh it is going to be a great month!  Get ripped 3 times per week and various activities in between.  Spring …..summer….. shorts and maybe a new swimsuit, assuming I want one to stay on me… I need a new one.   Here I go ! ! !

Have a great week everyone!  *hugs*

This is the question.

Well David is not one to beg, lol, but he did suggest that I not weigh in. In fact he said I should stand naked infront of the mirror and let that image be the factor that tells me that I am doing well. I know that with this diet I have not lost anything and this was not my goal. My goal was to feel better. Find some health. I am sure not losing has more to do with the fact that I did not exercise enough this month. A combination of busyness and laziness for sure. So, he rarely suggests anything weight loss/diet related (he knows…hehe) but I agree with him. At some point in the coming month I will get on that scale because I think it is a good time. It will tell me whatever. But I feel good and I do not want to let a number dictate my mood. It will not tell me a thing. Sure I feel like a cop out, or maybe a little in denial, but it is not for me at this time.

So, how do I know I have gained a little? Well, I like how I look, but where my skin was really, really lose, well it is only a little lose. So I know I have not lost, this is for sure. The old skin needs to take it’s time, just like me. I need to be patient and enjoy the journey. CERTAINLY, I am kicking my behind into action. More workouts!!! Consistency. Persistence. Dedication to my heart, muscles, cleansing, improved mood…. Cheers to our improved health! Every day we make choices for ourselves and though some are not for our diets, we do make them. And I think that we are coming to a better and better place as we just make more and more healthy choices. What are you doing for you that is making you feel amazing about yourself? Keep it up. Thank you for being my inspiration. Have a great week *hugs*

Tea cheers to you all……

(by the way, did I tell you that I am not drinking or eating caffeine??? I was studying yesterday and I wanted a tea so bad to stay awake. I took a 45 minute nap and awoke to finish my section. NO TEA. I will finish this detox with food combining as the path because I want some darn green tea. I miss it more then anything and it is not even about being addicted to the caffeine. Just had a feeling like I wanted. Also, I am journaling/counting points just to make sure I get proper food and calories. Have not been eating enough some days. Too much other days…. ahhh the story of our lives. Anyways… something to share )

I am now a firm believer that people do not always know what they are saying or how it will affect others. I did not always know this. I only thought that they were this or that, or that I was being too this or… that. Well there comes a time when you have to let it all go…. I found this image when I needed and I thought I would post it.

I have not been exercising nearly enough. So that most important thing for weight loss, movement has been missing and I think it will affect this month’s weigh in. Oh well, Life! But I have also been learning that exercise is great for the elimination of waste and toxins in the body and this keeps the body better able to heal itself. The lymphatic system loves it when we exercise because it can do it’s job that much more efficiently - ELIMINATION! - Especially using those big thigh muscles of mine helps to detox. Cool. I need to get rid of it all today. The garbage, the toxins, the frustration, the negativity in my head and the belief that I am not good enough. So I am keeping calm & carrying on…. ‘nough said!

Had a great workout this AM which involved some great cardio and some pilates. Well it is about time I get back to some activity. Very good for dealing with stress too.

Enjoyed some good walking, conversation and games with my friend yesterday. I was conservative with my spending, thank you know who. Just purchased some beads to make a refreshing new necklace and bracelet for the spring.

I have started to take some enzymes to help with some digestive problems and my health issues have improved. By watching what I eat I actually have identified the culprits that really are hindering my health right now. Wheat/gluten, yeast, simple white foods and sugar are the things that are irritating my digestive system. My doctor said that I have arthritis and though she did not say what kind and I am guessing because she hardly asked me any questions, I think that it is rheumatoid arthritis. As I study it seems clear and I believe the main issue I have is abnormal bowel permeability or a “leaky” gut which was causing a variety of issues including allergy like symptoms and the one thing that lead me to the doctor in the first place, sore joints. Well I am thrilled to say that with some digestive enzymes, I am feeling much better. Now I am also keeping my meals simple, protein portions small, chewing well and this is all helping too. I hope to see a doctor this spring who knows about such things, but at least I am feeling better now. Funny how things just work out sometimes. I would not have returned to my studies had it not been for my elderly client who went into a nursing home. It makes me sad that she had to leave her home, but this is how the life works, hey? We all get old. I am hoping that with age, decreased health does not have to come so quickly. ANYWAYS…. living in the moment. Sometimes I forget to value it.

I do not mean to sound negative. I really am in great spirits. In fact I am loving the positivity in the air! LOVE IT! Have a great week and I just needed to get this out there.

Life is good. I am back at Day one again (Food combining), but I find it funnier, not disappointing. I am human and food is a bit of an addiction or go-to at times. But I am not going to worry about it. Just make the next meal healthier. I am really feeling so good eating simple meals, with usually my complex carbs early, a bit after my fruit. Eating plenty of veggies (many steamed) and enjoying the lighter. Getting the protein and good fat in too. I sure do feel it when I eat something that is not on my plan (cookies and ice cream, for instance) because it makes me feel like crap! So, listen, feel and learn. Sooner then later I suspect it will just plain not be worth it!

I really am aiming to make it to day 7 so I can move onto the next phase. But seriously, someday I will get there. Today I enjoy a day with a friend who is coming to visit. I must confess yesterday I only thought about how another friend was moving away. Ahhh well, we do have emails and such, but still I will miss him. Today, I enjoy some good old fashion time with another friend who is visiting…. shopping.

Have a great weekend Everyone! *hugs*

Please read if you have read my blogs lately. Thank you.

Well, after only about 3 days with this diet I was feel so amazing and I kind of knew I would, but this diet which is so clean and for me NO EGGS and NO DAIRY and nothing processed just for, well it really should be 4-6 weeks, is so strict. I wished for good health ( no more joint pain, urinary problems, rash on my hand, fogginess), got it briefly, but what I realized early into the “going off plan because it is Easter time so it is ok” is that IT IS NOT OK TO CHEAT ON MYSELF. This is a detox and after a nibble of this and some of that, little of that which were not on plan, I felt some of the symptoms that were worse then before. So, I guess I have some food sensitivities. Any one, two or three of the sugar, flour and chocolate could have been the culprits…. plus there was some not so good food combining. Anyways, I realize that I have to be focussed and dedicated to my health just for the next month or so. After my discomfort yesterday, the diet does not seem so bad at all. I know what to do and I am going to do it. I was completely free of pain, but the the feed back (discomfort) my body gave me was much more informational. I have some things that I want to do and that is, I want to rid my body of these toxins and consequently these sensitivities. It is written in many places that these sensitivities will go away after a good cleaning so that one will likely be able to re-introduce them back sslloowwllyy…. So, I feel good. I feel empowered, I feel like I am on my road to health.

With how I am starting to see food, less about pleasure and more about healing and energy (more often, because I still have some tendencies towards food in emotional times), I think I could actually live very healthily and happily without dairy Well….. maybe a once a month treat of dark chocolate. That is just a secret date I feel I could not give up…hehe

I do not recommend this diet to anyone, unless you have health problems and see a person who is a specialist in such diets. In fact, if I could I would see the Naturopathic Doctor in West Vancouver, right now, but I will follow it and really work to get a good amount of calories in. Guidance I think is crucial. I will check out what is here in Saskatoon. I am going to try contacting him, though it does say that he only corresponds over the internet with clients that he has seen already. That is responsible and ethical. I guess the important thing is that I do not feel starved, which I do not. But then I have not been working out as hard lately either, so this helps. Anyways, I am off to work out a little and get my energy flowing.

So, now I am wishing for world peace and peace with in myself too ……… What, what would you wish for? *smiles*

Have a Happy Weekend everyone! *hugs*

P.S.: I am so close to being at peace with myself. Yesterday I nearly only freaked out once with someone, then I realized, all is well. Her words are not about me. Some people really do feel the need to fill in the quiet air with words. I realized that this person is struggling and SHE who hates self help books, David’s mom, actually wanted A New Earth after we talked (she about her personal stuff and neither of us agreeing with her ego, just listening), so we got it for her for an Easter present. She wanted to buy me an Eater Lily and I could not refuse. I was admiring them in the grocery store and at Walmart they were a quarter of the price. So cool of her. We could have left the little chocolate Easter eggs wrapped in tin foil in the store, but no. It was my fault as I said even though the chocolate is not even that great, they still remind me of the happy days of my childhood - eating lots of chocolate *rolls eyes* Anyways, I am done now. Diet starts up Monday officially, but I am having Eggs Benny that she is making tomorrow. I think she is like so many moms in that she loves through cooking. And since David and I were so excited about the breakfast and she was even more so to make it, I will let that be my one meal before Monday that is not on my plan. If I eat well in all other ways, it will all be good.

The food combining things is really helping to improve my digestion and give me energy. Now, I am currently reading Eating Alive by Jonn Masten, ND (comical, satirical and yet serious look at digestion) as a required text and learning some shocking things. I am keeping my mind open, but I must admit I did throw the book down yesterday and snack. So silly. But some of the news is shocking to me. I felt like giving up. Sure, yeh on eating *rolls eyes*…lol But I figure there is not one solution, but I do have to listen to my body and what I have been doing (what “they” say is healthy to do) is not working! I ACTUALLY learned something new yesterday. Too much fiber can be not so good! What? Personally I need to have a little water with my meals, it just helps, but certainly the old mentality of trying to make myself “regular” with water is so the wrong way to go about things. But, I think some is necessary. But, fiber? I am planning to steam more of the tough veggies and I think I will try sprouting my grains….see if this works too. Grief! Sprout seeds, ok (gave up on this a long time ago *sigh*), but grains too……. well it is about time I started something different. New can be fun……

I find I am almost always with an empty stomach, but I rarely feel hungry. Or, with all the energy I just feel Good. REALLY CHEWING takes a lot of time. Small meals take a good length of time to eat. Simple meals. Though that is the plan, I did make Sheppard’s Pie (Shannon’s recipe) last night, which was a hit I think. Company has come for the weekend, David’s Mom, and so already I have gone away from my plan a bit. But, I am going to do as well as I can and not worry about the “diet”. Enjoyment, relaxation and having some of the things I love, seems like a good plan. Apparently his mom is making Eggs Benedict for Easter breakfast…. OK THE BEST NEWS OF ALL, as many will recall, I felt bad about eating when we went to see her at Christmas due to somethings she said, but this time I feel relaxed. I am just doing what is good for me. I do believe A New Earth could be marketed as an ‘Anti-Anxiety: Read & Implement’ kind of thing. Anyways, my goal: to do well in each moment, think about the principles and have a good weekend. No worries about not following it super well. Still, making better choices is progress compared to poor thoughtless choices.

So how am I eating? Well not with a super amount of thought. I do alternate carbohydrate and protein meals and have my fruit if I have any, early in the day. I am making sure I take my vitamins and drink room temperature water (cold water stops the stomach from producing digestive juices? - so the book says!). I have heard that cold is bad before, but for some reason I always thought it was good for the metabolism. Well I will take a normal metabolism and good digestion ANY DAY.

I learned a friend is coming next weekend and I am so excited !!! Truly, truly, truly I can not wait!

I really look forward to meeting Jo and making an appointment to see the author of this book. Well they do reside in the same province ………It is going to be a terrific summer. David wants to visit his sister so, it seems that British Columbia is the place where it’s all happening….hehe.

Well all are sleeping, including a noisy cat who woke me up, ever so early…. so I think I am will head out for a walk.

So Happy Easter, have a great weekend everyone.

Cheers to you!

A specific one anyways….

It is true, I have never followed a diet before. I adhere to portions and have recorded, but have never restricted foods (not for long anyways), but for a little while I will be using food combining rules for good digestion. At present I am losing or maintaining, I have no idea really, but this is not about weight loss. It is about helping myself and being excited about the possibilities of being free from health ISSUES. I feel so alive!

I will follow the diet for a good 2 (maybe 4) weeks because I need to address some joint soreness which I believe is related to some food sensitivities. Buy doing this I will also improve my digestion too, lol I HOPE! The idea is that some foods take longer to digest and that combining them with certain other foods creates issues with the digestive system. The goal is to digest the foods quickly so that my system is not plagued with fermentation (NOTE: some do not seem to struggle with this.) I do not want to be all control freak-like, but it is needed, because I want my health to be better. And ya know, I feel good. All I want is to be free of pain and issues * ‘nough said*…on that one. The most important thing that I will do is to not have fruit or juices with meat. I am trying to not have certain other foods that I usually have because I want to give my system a bit of a break. I am also trying to chew my food more. Little less water with meals then I use to too. I am recording with WW points simply to make sure I am eating enough calories. I do not believe I will be able to give up yogurt and dark chocolate for long, but I want to see some improvement so I will try. You can bet your sweet behind that I will be looking forward to that yummy chocolate, soon. Hehe….. My hope is to have a cleaned up system that is not sensitive to those things that I want, enjoy and some things that are actually quite nutritious.

It is true that some do not struggle with health or digestive issues and some actually need to combine starches and proteins to slow down their digestion…damn those thin people who have high metabolisms….hehe JUST KIDDING. Hey we all have to deal and I feel good. Except for my little episode yesterday, food is not an obsession, it is my energy. I am curious to see how my energy will be during this. I am a firm believer in sustained energy for weight loss, yet, my system needs a cleaning. Grief. Well….. just go with it and I am an experiment in progress… Shocking !!! hehe

Have a good one!

7. Honor Your Feelings Without Using Food….. Of the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating.

Well there is no chastising here! I just had a day with my family (Mom and stepfather) and it was fine. Did some shopping for my Mom and played Settlers while she had to watch some Curling, played bowling on the Wii….hehe We went out for dinner and I felt rushed to eat, not sure why. So I ate too much and did not chew as much as I have been trying to do.

So, I ate a bit much today too and did not adhere to some food combining principles (since I am trying to deal with some digestive issues and sensitives) and I have really been feeling better in the days prior too, but no biggie. I am still in a good place. I respected myself by stopping the binge before it really escalated. Felt quite full (and still do really) but I worked out a little and did some personal care stuff. I really do feel so much better, because I am remembering that the only thing that matters is this moment and what I do with it. So, I guess I needed to be real here and share because this is the first time in what seems like a long time that I have felt like I was in that dark room. And I am real. I am not perfect. Nor do I want to be. But one thing is for sure, my body is telling me that next time I should plan a nice meal instead of consuming the repetitive foods. Guilt? No way! I have no time for that!

Good thing was that I went out for an early walk and also did some cardio…..

What made me depressed? Really??? Could it have been the hours and hours of TLC’c What Not To Wear? Perhaps…lol

Have a great moment… and week everyone.

I love this and had to share !!!

Check out the 10 Principles.

http://www.intuitiveeating.com/

I came across a young lady who had Intuitive Eating as one of her diets and thought, what is this about?  Very cool.

I have seen a huge weight lifted from my shoulders with regards to how I should be or how I have to be now and in the future. I am literally thinking about the Now. As I am more present I can even care more about what I am doing at that moment. Like Oscar was just looking at me and even though I thought I needed to do something, I took a break and gave him some love. He was being so good and I just wanted to be present for him. Together we both had a good puring session…hehe Plus he was not MEOWING like a nut this AM wanting me to feed him when I knew he had food. It is just what he does. But we did our workout and then came downstairs for breakfast. He just thought I should be up at 6 AM…. Well anyways, since he was just wanting some good loving and attention, I figured, OK, let’s be in this moment. Twas great!

I am drinking less water. I have been studying and I am shocked to learn that too much water and not chewing enough can cause a variety of problems with the digestive system. Well I will not say that this is the answer, but given the fact that I try many things, why not try some new things that the experts say will help digestion. Takes a little planning to not grab the water and the food and pound it down before heading out to this or that, but I do believe my body might thank me. Tis the least I could do, it does after all allow me to experience this life, learn new things and grow….go places.

I finished an exam and am moving on with the next section of my module. Sweet. But I am going to review each of the body systems because I find studying the whole body to be a little challenging to the point of not absorbing everything…hehe So, one system at a time….not bad at all and so interesting. I feel like a geek but my studies are enjoyable.

My last client says she is needing my presence for longer then March. Well we shall see. I do not think that it is good that she is needing me. In fact I think she is just use to it. The fact is, she is doing very well. I understand her anxiousness because I have felt it too, but we ALL just need to breathe sometimes. Stop. No thinking. Just admire anything for what it is and breath. Clearly this is from A New Earth, but it is so true. We all feel overwhelmed sometimes, but the situation requires a moment of Relaxation. So simple. It is not a pill. It is not a therapy session. It is just a moment or two (or more) of being present and alive, at peace and still from thought or movement. This may be the #2 way to give our body energy. Number one of course being food. Off on this tangent, I think she will be okay. I can not imagine what it would be like to be so fearful of life and every new circumstance, and yet….. sometimes I do feel like this. Never use to. Time to start Being and not worrying about a destination. Ahhh we are all so similar…. just degrees of difference, but mostly the same.

Love ya buddies. I have been away a bit lately, but I needed to complete a few things. SO happy to read the blogs and see what is new today. Take care and have a super weekend. *hugs*

Tea cheers to you !

OH YEH….. weight loss. Just feeding my hunger with some pretty good food (a lot of vegetarian) and trying to get my exercises in. I like my look. I look just as I should, but more important then this, my head seems to be on these shoulders, just right. Sweetness!