Jenn

So I am writing this because one of my buddies made the cool choice to write a blog instead of eating mindlessly and I think that is just so great.  So, last night I did not chose sweets after supper, but rather I read blogs, ate some mini mandarin oranges (I guessed 6 was a serving once peeled) and watched the Oilers win, YAH.  I really, really, really wanted to eat something and was a little hungry so later in the evening, I had 2 cups of air popped popcorn.

http://www.efreshfruit.com/fruits-info/oranges2.htm  

Anyways, these mini mandarin oranges are so AMAZING and can you believe they are about an inch and a half wide.  SO CUTE!

I love all fruit nearly equally though I am not the biggest fan of most melons.  Good on occasion though.  I guess I love berries and fresh pineapple the best. 

And Saskatoon berries in a pie are just HEAVEN.  LOL… no pie right now.  I know it is not the most ideal thing to see food as a reward, but sometime before this year ends, I would like a piece of this pie.  OOH ooh, I know, the next person to tell me this year that I have lost too much weight will have to buy me a piece of Saskatoon Yum!  Ok, I may have to just treat myself!  Dieter’s Power!  Like Girl Power, but I am in just the best place in a long time with diet.  I know things will just happen when they happen.  And I am ok with slow, because my overall form will look better as I do not rush it.  Ok, I wrote about it and it is done.  The pie fantasy is out of me.  *wink* (I fully recognize that this was NO fantasy.  I do not want to temp others, so it was in my head, a talk briefly about it and BAM, done. )

What is your favorite fruit?

Jo, did you get your 2 servings of fruit in???

Yesterday I had a banana, prunes and mini mandarin oranges.  I count my tomato as a veg, but I guess it is a fruit.

Happy munching on that sweet juicy piece of fruit that’s just dying for you to savor it’s delightful nutients.  What a terrific way to give your body energy and life!

Little tiff last night with my sweetie over the fur child, so today I am really going to think only positive.  I love myself today and ALL thoughts and choices will reflect my desire to choose Happiness.  I am looking at the big picture and not the tiny unimportant things.  I know that one way I can chose to love myself is giving myself fruits and veggies.  If I am doing this then I will be less likely to eat senselessly.  So….. here goes… Breakfast, workout and studying…..

On this Rememberance Day, my prayers go out to family of military personel and soldiers serving their countries and also I remember the past soldiers who have fought for what I have in this society.  May peace come to us all someday…. 

Just a question…..  “All villages matter !!!”  - Who said this?  Barak Obama or Colin Powell?

Changing, inclusive, beaUtiful America !!!

We are a huge group with interesting ideas here at Buddyslim and though sometimes we disagree, we are truly stronger with each other by our cyber-sides.  People are hurting, so let’s understand that change is difficult for many. 

I feel hope as I turn on the TV.  I have to admit I did not feel for sure that it would happen.  After last election where I just was so confident of the pending results and only was left shocked.  Mouth on the floor….  But there is so much hope and energy in me now, it is almost overwhelming.  I CAN NOT imagine what it is like to be a part of this huge moment in history.  Yet, I do believe that others outside the US feel this way too.  Change and hope and SCREAM !  :)  When I got home it seemed right to snack on something - I was anxious.    BUT I WAS TOO EXCITED WHEN I LEARNED THE NEWS.  Food was forgotten. 

The show last night was a bit disappointing (TSO) and David was perhaps more so.  So we left early to get home before we were stuck in traffic and had to hear the results on the radio.  I quickly turned on the TV.  Katie Couric announced the winner and I felt like I was in a dream.  The only thing that is bringing me to a bit of an ugly reality is the Obama bashing and racism that has been sparked a little more.  I am hoping and praying that everyone can come together and ride this Hope all the way towards Peace. 

Peace to everyone!

So I found a fantastic new show (new to me) and I love that it is only 20 some minutes to watch one episode and yet it is nearly 20 minutes of smiling and laughing and this feels so wonderful.   Increased SEROTONIN !!!

The Big Bang Theory is so fantastic!!!  I laughed my behind off. 

It is early to talk about my experience with St. John’s Wort, but I like it.  I do not take it early in the day because I would feel tired all day.  But I take it minimally and I feel comfortable starting out small.  I sleep so well and wake up refreshed.  I am not constipated at all THANK GOODNESS.  What I have found is that I have had a decreased desire to emotionally eat or eat out of boredom.  I feel more content to just be still.  I was feeling a little OCD before, but I feel good.  It is too bad that it interferes with the birth control pill because it could potentially be helpful for people who experience mild to moderate depression.  It is so awesome to have not cried this weekend and truly, that says something.  It was a good weekend and many things have increase my serotonin.

After my fasting blood test yesterday I was so hungry and I ate and ate yesterday.  Seriously I rarely go 14 hours with out eating.  I kind of felt like I might faint, but did not.  YAH.  I am not judging what I ate or how much, but I did eat a lot and I know this because I felt FULL.  Not sure how many  calories or points and I am good with this.   So I am maintaining and my spirits are good.  Though this week I would like to see some progress (any) because I finally feel a little better.  Energy is not optimum, but still it is time.

Love the new tub and more and more baths with candles……..

Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, etc.), fish, fruits and vegetables, water, good healthy fats (salmon oil, hemp seeds, flax, nuts and seeds) vitamins, treats in moderation and light-moderate exercise (6/7 days).   David and I have decided no eating out until the end of the week.  No sugary desserts and instead we are chosing fruit.  I know this is not really a principle that Intuitive Eating believes in, but my sweetie suggested it (not me who usually says such things), so I think he has been feeling a bit like he wants to see changes for himself.  It will be good for both of us.   I also will be continuing to respect my full feeling……

Have a wonderful week Buddies!  Chamomile tea cheers.  *clink*

Thank goodness I did not set myself up for a perfect idea of what I should eat, because we know it never works out.

I would have been wise to pack a snack.  I mean I think it is always good to have snacks when you go out but I have not been doing this for months.  Hmmmm I have gained and been eating out more.  Perhaps it is time to pack the granny bag with some healthy snacks (granola bars, fruit, small container of pumpkins seeds, WHATEVER!!! Even soy nuts that I have in the cupboard would be better then nothing.)

So this was the deal today.  I had yogurt and pineapple for breakfast and then off to work.  It was rush rush and I figured this will be a short shift.  Well I met my cleint and spent double the time with her.   Grrr….  So, as we were out and about and I was helping her with her business I realized it was late and I was hungry and because I wanted to not spend any money all stupid-like, I left my money at home.  (It is crazy but with all the bad finance news I really do not want to spend ridiculously - yoga classes and eating out too!)  So I was famished!  I got home after six hours and I ate a huge amount mid afternoon.  I mean it was just more then I would normally eat at one meal.  I was not even stuffed.  Anyways, of course at supper, not hungry!  OF course.  So then after “supper”, snacks.  Anyways, what ever.  I am not at all discouraged.  I just needed to remind myself tomorrow I have to buy some kind of a cheap bag/tote so I can carry things like snacks.  That whole devouring of the kitchen, not such a good thing!   I am exaggerating…..Still I know, if I want to lose weight I need small meals/snacks more often and a little protein thrown in.

Anyways, I am in a great mood despite the stress of the day.  I am thinking crisp fresh air and hours and hours of walking helped to put me in this mood.  Yah!

I wish everyone a greak weekend.  *hugs*

FIRST: Thank you to my buddies who were there for me at various times.  You are so fantastic !!!

Second: Intuitive Eating -  This is truly the only way for me!  That without saying, I have needed to just keep in mind points because I am either not eating enough or I eat too much later in the day and that DOES NOT work….lol  As we know.  So I am trying to reject the extreme diet mentality, but I am still trying to be aware, of course.

This is no excuse, but someone in my family has a very serious health condition and I did EE (emotionally eat) this week. I was not allowed to call this person because I was not suppose to know, but things are Out now and I can communicate, thank goodness.  Things are going to be tough, but I believe things will be ok.  I have to believe!

Anyways, I knew I was doing it (EE) and I just did it.  Well I was at least with the food when I was doing it.  Half way through what ever I was eating (snacking foods or left overs, I can not actually recall as it was days ago) I do remember that I made myself slow down and that was good.  I have figured it out, if I can actually BE WITH THE FOOD in those moments, it does not seem like the old EE at all.  So this is improvement.  And then this week, I did very well, so all in all a good week with the food.

I have been honoring my hunger for the most part and this is so empowering.   When I was out with my client I had my lunch and she had hers.  I was so satisfied with my sushi I did not feel like I needed another thing.  She told me she bought me one of those cookies from Subway and I felt like I could have a taste and so I took of a piece for the taste, but that was satisfying enough.  I was full.  I respected my fullness!!  Food is not the enemy.  Not even the choice I made to eat a few plus a few more chocolates yesterday was evil or sinful.  It was what it was.  Thank goodness.  I was not good this week and I was not bad.  I just enjoyed life, moved as much as I could and feel content.  Have I lost, I do not know.  But my head is on straight and I am ready to have another great week.

This week, because I have been doing pretty well with the top 6 of the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating, this week I kind of pay a bit more attention the the last 4.  I have kept them in mind, but I do find it a little consuming, overwhelming and just unnecessary to do it all, so to speak.  I naturally did what I could and now, I can work on those things I struggled a little with and move on to being a little more attentively with the others.  All good here my buddies.

THIS WEEK I learned that I can sit on my butt and not axiously move to the kitchen because I do not like where my head is at.  It can happen.  I also learned and is not diet related, but I learned that this life is so precious and in an instant EVERYTHING can change, so it is good to make each moment count.  It is so important to make ammends and do now what you in the past put off.

10 Principles of Intuitive Eating

1.  Reject the diet mentality - pretty close though I think points are ingrained and helpful for eating enough and then not going over board. It is a tool.

2.  Honor your hunger- no starving, lol, like I have never done this anyways.  When hungry I did just eat something little to tide me over.

3.  Make peace with your food - a little EE, but I feel good with this, but will still be aware.

4.  Challenge the food police - no bad foods.  I started to see carbs as something to avoid just for awhile and then I realized this would only make me stupid, LITERALLY.  So I checked that reality and enjoyed moderately.

5.  Respect your fullness - did VERY well with this.  No discomfort this week.  Though I was pleasantly full after the mole sauce, chicken and beans at Labamba!  Wow… pumpkin seed mole sauce - YUM!

6.  Discover the satisfaction factor - a little of anything that I desired in the moment, savoring slowly, was simply the only way to live.  Pleasure and moderation.  Should have bought better quality chocolates yesterday and had a little less.  But all is good.  No regrets, but rather lessons to learn from.

7.  Honor your feelings without using food - work on to be more consistent

8.  Respect your body - continue……..

9.  Exercise - feel the difference  — keep it up!  I did a lot of walking this week and pilates.  Some pain prevented me from doing certain activities, but that is life.  I did what I could and I am happy about this.  I was not so happy in some of the moments when I felt like I could not do this or that.  But I GOT OVER IT and did not dwell for too long…hehe

10. Honor your health  - my motto that is old, but some how I always must carry it in my pocket like a pebble for those times when it does not seem to be important.

The most important thing for me to remember and this is an Intuitive Eating philosophy, “you will not get a nutrient deficiency or weight gain from one snack, one meal, or one day of eating.  It’s what you eat consistently over time that matters, progress not perfection is what counts.”

The journaling has been good. But what I am most impressed with is how my mind has calmed a little. I have been really anxious about the whole dieting mentality and hence this has lead me to open my eyes to new things (The Book, the only book, Intuitive Eating and the Joy of Silence). I am often racked with all kinds of hormones this time of the month, but this time when I wanted salt and chocolate I went with it. BUT I AM EATING WITH TRUE AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE. It is not the irresponsible eating that we call binge eating. Rather it is healthier view of food and myself where I did not judge the food or try to hide myself. Truly my emotions change like the wind, but this moment has been coming. Anything worth having comes with a preliminary hell. I will keep doing what I know is correct for my form and for my mind. That which is Beyond me is a comfort because I do not need to know the plan. I just need to do what I know is True. These are the challenges I face. I know I have to do things and change is always scary.

My goal this week is to NOT hide behind food or use food to cause me to feel like a failure. This week I feel Everything. I have learned so much about myself by being present with the Silence and the emotions of loneliness and I could not have asked for a better teacher then the stillness of the moment. Also, I need to get my own copy of Intuitive Eating so I can mark it up.

I really enjoyed watching all the Olympics this weekend. There is a quality with in each athlete that is truly magical. Just one example, but watching that woman from Romania (Constantina Tomescu-Dita) just run and run and press on and on was truly inspiring. How is it that some have that drive and others just do not? Not everyone has great roots to inspire this strength, so what is it? Where does this belief in oneself come from? How does one become a believer in oneself? Just some thoughts I am having right now……..

Ok, my stomach is telling me it is breakfast time….

Before I go, the scale says a gain, but this is so far from the truth. GEORGE! My body is so different and this is due to exercise….walking and strength training. I am so thankful for all that my body does. I will do my best to respect it so that it might continue to provide me with this much loved movement. I am sending out a big thank you to my physical body! *THANK YOU*

Have a great week everyone! I will be back next Sunday. (I have updated my profile too.)

So, how do people who do Weight Watchers handle the OOPS I WENT OVER MY POINTS THIS WEEKEND.  I have to say I like starting on a Friday, because then you can indulge, BUT THEN you must get back on track and start your week like you want to get something accomplished.   Still I did over indulge a tad.  No, no chastising!  Just good workouts that will continue through out the week.

I indulged on the dairy, fries (?wtf?) and cookies.  But then I also worked out something fabulous on Friday and Saturday and then went a bit lighter on Sunday.  So, I am human.  I never eat fries anymore . I just do not want, but I did crave and did not resist - I ENJOYED.  Could have eaten the last few slower or stopped though, that would have been lady like…LOL  Anyways, I wish you all a great week.  And I will use my 25 each day, like a lady and not a wolf.

Respecting me and the oh so smaller stomach I have.  I think I kind of know what it must feel like for those who have gastric bypass surgery and then have an ounce to much food.  Wow.  Feel the fullness and stop, OH YEH!  Thin people stop eating when full.  Good tip!  *remember THIS as one of my goals*

Hugs to you, hugs to me…….. and a better and better we will be……  Grief, must stop now. 

Woke up FAMISHED and so I listened to my body and fed it what it wanted and I assume needed.  Eggs/egg whites and whole wheat sprouted grain bread.  It is nearing the grouchy emotional time and I feel I just need to not deny myself what my body most likely needs.  NO I DO NOT NEED all the countless junk cravings, but I sure did need those eggs today.  Funny how such a healthy food could be seen as a treat this AM.  But I just have not wanted them until today.

I had such a distaste and then a full-out desire, what is up with this?  Listen, learn, experience, learn some more….. Love.  Not doing enough loving of myself today.  Need to believe in me and trust.  My mantra…. I am good enough when I am just being true to me.

Off to do yoga and study….

Wishing you all a great day. 

Yah…. a diet where I do not have to be perfect. Love it. Just eat well and I am so much more aware of what I want in me and the choices seem simpler. With all the things that are so often complicated, nice to FINALLY simplify this little aspect of life-food.

I was asked why Vegan? I am not 100%, because milk especially is in everything, even the Kashi whole grain bars I love. The book clearly changed my views of things. I simply have a body (and mind) that does not love animal protein in me. It just takes too long to digest and I do not know why. Others seem to be good with it. Just the way it is. So be it! Since I know this is not optimum for health (slow digestion), I know I need to help myself. So, these are my reasons for my new diet.

So my first week of eating mostly vegan has been great. I really enjoy eating within certain dotted boundaries. No restrictions, but rather there are just gentle guidelines that are really helpful for me. Like if I am hungry and feel lazy and do not want to add the old junk to the trunk, I just grab some fruit and/or a few nuts and then I am good for awhile. Simple! What else to say, if feels pretty normal though I learned that soy cheese is not for me. I still make David pretty normal things or my stuff with some adjustments to fit his tastes, but normal. Made this yummy “Hamburger” helper that was so darn fine and all from scratch. It is just too weird/unique to tell about. Perhaps it is a recipe that will have to go in my first cook book that I write…. hehe. David rated the meal a 9 out of 10 so this is high praise. The guy likes his meat, but is so open to my creations. So lucky for us…. Just a little add on, there was a time when I would be cutting the hard cheese, like I was for David’s meal, when I would have just chowed down on at least 2 ounces while preparing alone (with WW that is an easy 6-7 points), but I did not mind at all just seeing it for what it was, something I did not want. I am not a saint, just because I am not tempted by that dairy product, I still want other things. But thank goodness for small blessings. Makes life a little more simple and my goals more attainable. Cheese has been attached to my mouth ALL MY LIFE as I ignored the signs of sensitivity - phlegminess and bloatedness.

Weekends are always so tough as David and I do spend more time then usual together so I do eat more, but I am keeping up with my exercise so that is good. Slowly I am tightening up. I caught myself being frustrated with my progress then I really saw myself in the mirror instead of some baggy clothes and I just had to STOP. All in the right time. Of course.

I do find that my energy is best with combined foods like whole grains and legumes. I go too light at meal time and then it is just a case of a female lacking in physical and mental abilities, so it does help to experiment a little with portions. I do have to eat a little more (not too much) but a little when I do not have that old hunk of protein. Weekend was a little low on the veggies so I am wanting to get that going tomorrow.

Tried some new games this weekend which I enjoyed. Also loved LOVED that first game of tennis. I rocked. I won the first match and David won the second.  So much fun!  Sometime this week, the tie breaker match

Have a great week everyone. Just going to do a quick read of some of my most recent goals I have made for myself to make sure I am ON instead of OFF. Tea cheers!

Leisure activities ARE the best!

My blog did not post so this is the short. Sugar is my drug and I am staying completely clear of it. This substance serves no good purpose anyways other then changing my brain so that I feel more like a depressed monster instead of a well functioning person.

I am aiming for 50-30-20 (c-p-f) and really trying to eat plenty of protein rich foods - like eggs, egg whites, sardines, fish, legumes, veggies and yogurt. When I am feeling like my happy self again I will go back to a more vegetarian type diet. I still feel better with vegetarian, but I need to feel balanced again. So this is my medicine. Food in the right portions, at the right times and with the right intention. Feed the hunger!

I recommend once again - Optimum Nutrition for the Mind by Patrick Holford

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Optimal+Nutrition+for++the+mind&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

And thank you Shanna for this link…..

http://www.radiantrecovery.com/

It takes a little time to feel well again but a balanced diet seems ideal for me. For those who seem to constantly struggle ( I mean I know how to feel good, this is not my normal state) I highly recommend seeing a doctor or nutritionist who will test you for imbalances - chemical/nutrient excess and deficiencies. The thing is doctors often do not know and things go unrecognized and so much is unknown. Check on the book online. It is a shame for us to suffer unnecessarily. I am working to get myself back to the old me. Exercise, proper nutrition, the vitamins that are right for me, good sleep and ideal ways to deal with stress. NO SUGAR. Appetite is not completely back, but exercise will help because I know not eating properly will surely cause me to gain! Experience.

Early this AM a walk helped to clear my head a bit. Hope you are doing well. *hug*