Jennifer

So I have been working on feeding the hunger in the last few days.  But I can be Ms Snacker for no reason other then fear, boredom, sadness, loneliness and I know I am no different then any other emotional eater.  Grrr….I am going to start to stop thinking of myself as that EEer.  I mean I do not really think about food so much, like I use to, but it’s still my go to after weeks and weeks of success.  Well it has been weeks and weeks of just eating, enjoying, some EE and just living.  Not dealing well with stress.  So I am officially no longer an Emotional Eater.  *smiles* 

So I am in pursuit to improve my physical view of the lower half of my body.  So NO MORE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS.  I have to see myself like a goddess or really just quit this all.  So I am chosing to program my thinking and why not start this with being fun and giving myself a nickname…. Limber Limbs, Lightening Legs, Beautiful Legs, Hawt Legs.   Hehe… it’s fun to have a nickname.  :P    Yeh I figured out the poll thing.  LOL 

I want to become what I think….a more positive me!  A successful me!  Thanks to a friend who reminded me that thinking positive brings positive results.

Lately my inner dominatrix got the better of me and I was enticed back into the world of WW.  But I do not even care.  I am not perfecct!   I am not counting points like I use to.  You know, every single point.  Well this time I am rhinkinf about giving Core a real go which means whole foods (in my opinion) for the most part and only counting the non-Core foods which means I have 35 for 7 days.  Also, no measuring and eating until only until satisfied.  I could start today, because yesterday 3 wonderful tasting peanut cookies (one in the form of the dough) were enjoyed 100%.  That would be 12 points down right there.  Yikes!  Sure there were some consequences, and maybe some day I might really get that legumes are not so damn good for me, but I just felt like I wanted so bad.  So I did not deny.  I am not even going to do what I use to do which would be to say NO MORE, cause I know, I WILL WANT, WANT, WANT.  Just going about my day thinking about the joys in my life and having fun.  Getting my stuff done so I can get onto a better stage of life, but still enjoying these moments.

I am not sure what is better…. Start counting my extra points (foods that do not fall into the category of whole foods) on the weekend, this way I have to be good over the week because I am out of points….OR save them starting Monday and then have the weekend to enjoy.   Well I think an experiement is in order.  I will start today, knowing that we are going to the theater and we are having treats.  And then I will feel out the week and see if I am deprived.  I hypothesize (lol) that starting on a Monday and saving up I will feel less like depriving.  If I have the points to freely chose what I can do with them, knowing that we usually like our treats on the weekend (even white rice sushi and sourdough bread are treats as they are NOT Core) then I will be more into eating mostly Core/whole during the week.  But there is nothing as awful on my brain as spending the whole wod having fun, only to have nothing left and then I seem to want more and more and more.

So why the big deal?  Why even do Weight Watchers?  Well I just enjoy my food, but the weight does not want to budge.  There are certain foods that I struggle with when I do not pay attention.  So, I will eat well with the whole (watching the whole grains portions, but still eating them, no recording) but watch the simple sugars and simple startches and will record them.  No meetings.  No journalling.  Just recording the numerical value of non-Core foods.  No depriving… and remembering that non-Core foods are not as nutritious but they ARE not bad.  They simply are foods that contain less vitamins, less minerals, less fiber and I need to monitor my intake.  Maybe I want to be controlled just a little, BUT NOT TOO MUCH.  Life is no fun with out balance.

A special note on healthy fat though… I am not recording healthy fats and the extra oil as Core.  I am simply going with what my intuition tells me is good.  With my ear eczema and sometimes dry skin, I need to just eat as my body tells me to when it comes to the healthy fats especially. 

Yah, off to enjoy my berry almond milk smoothie, pilates work out,  a 3-D movie and a charity steak dinner.

 So Ms Jenny McCarthy has inspired me to rethink more commitments for my 30 days.  Well it was not JUST her. See, my consumption of chocolate in the last week has been at an all time high.  I know the weight of the dark Hershey chocolate chip bag and in secret I ate one and bought another because I felt so naughty.  When you put your plastics in the recycling bag, they are NOT easily forgotten, like in the past when I just put them into the garbage.  This new lifestyle of recycling is good in many ways - no lying or “forgetting” allowed.  Like buying another bag of chips would actually last, NO of course not.  Plus we indulged in more chocolate last night.  My god!   So, after reading Jenny’s blog (see Oprah.com)  about how she is challenging herself with no eating after 7PM and no sugar for JUST 30 days, I too am making some neccessary changes.

I am eating before 7PM.  Last night stretched to 7:30 and the night before was 8:00ish.  So no more of this.  Still it was my meals, no snacking after, but still.  8:00 is too late for me.  I have been successful for 5 official nights now.  *Pats self on back*  (Will feed true hunger with reasonable food as to not stress myself.  Just NO MINDLESS eating.)

I am eating sugar/sweetener-free.  YIKES, hey?  This is the biggest thing for me.  This and chocolate have become a little addiction lately.  I say one tablespoon of my Mom’s strawberry jam but no it is double and a little more.  This will mean virtually nothing processed and that is just fine with me. Not eating at night has been a breeze, I am going to feel this missing in my life for awhile but I know I will be better for it.

I am also eating a chemical/additive-free diet.  I am not going to preach about this badness.  I know it is crap and this is for me.  When I grabbed an antihistamine the other night because I was so uncomfortable, that was shocking.  But you can be damn sure I will be not eating the crap that made me feel so awful in the first place, well for 30 days for sure!

Seriously if my Mother bitches about her seasonal allergies again I may snap on her ass too (see I kind of snapped on MY ass/self..lol).  She smokes and then proceeds to blame everything outside of her own actions.  *shakes head*  WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES???  What ever, me thinking about the past chocolate and sugar binges is not productive.  Some professionals think it may not even be helpful to figure out why we eat/behave as we do.  The most productive thing might be to actually retrain ourselves with new behaviors.  No more over thinking things.  It is unproductive in a world and big brain that may be beyond understanding.  Much less stressful to just chose to make new choices and do so in a supporting environment.  So this is what the 30 day challenge is about….retraining.

What I have learned in my studies….. It is natural to have cravings if one is not getting the proper balance of nutrients.  Like if one eats a higher protein diet (and I have been doing this to deal with some hypothyroid-like symptoms and things are improving and the weight is coming off little by little) one will need NEED more water and will desire more sugar (carbs).   (Also people will NEED more calcium.  This is why those with a low fat vegetarian diet do not require as much calcium as those who eat high fat dairy, meat and sugar diet.) And because the body really wants it instantly, it will often want the simple sugar and not necessarily the bread or the pasta.  Hmmm…. I think I experienced this.  Only I am not a child and with this challenge, I have to be aware and eat the little more healthy carbohydrates in balance.  Because seriously sugars are prime feedings for disease/cancer.  God and I know this too.  Well, cheers to changes.  There is no stress because it is 30 days, but I would like to develop healthier choices.  That is the goal-Life long health and weight loss.

The thing that is keeping my moods (well some moodiness with the sugar! duh!) in check and helping to create my past shapely legs, OF COURSE the exercise!  Not eating at night is helpful because I am sleeping better too and there is less slow moving food in my gutt.   All good things.  Especially the Hard Body Yoga.  I think my legs MUST be looking FINE.  David has said he would like to try!  I told him when he does it to take it easy the first time.  I am so excited to have an exercise partner, maybe, hopefully…..hehe.

So I am losing weight slowly.  But the scale is nearly dead and my computer is DEAD.  I posted that it was slowly taking a downward turn (shutting off when ever it wanted) well, it is DEAD.  So, it will be awhile before I have a new one.  I am using my sweetie’s and truly it feels like a beast compared to my laptop…lol  Anyways I am thankful for the use.  But I will be on the computer less for awhile.

If I should faulter a little with my 3 personal challenges I WILL let ya know.  Here I am, honest with me (YAH!) and I will also be honest with you.  Buddyslim is a part of my life.  I just have to use it affectively.  ;)  I will be posting a new picture at the beginning of summer along with my ticker.  The old ticker has been out of commision but it WILL be back then.  When my metabolism slowed, so did my spirit.   But I am happy to say, both are soaring.  Well it just seems good to see some slight visual changes.  I will take this ride on the turtle ANY DAY !

Did a little reading thanks to a buddy who shared some info. on carbohydrate intolerance from a book called the Woman’s Perfect Diet.  I am very thankful to Ann Marie, my fellow Intuitive Eater. *wink*   I needed to read the chapter she sent, because as much as I feel I “know” what my body needs, I have not been getting the fact that I eat too many carbs and good fats and not enough protein.  Plus the month has been tough - eating foods for the food sensitivity test and when you have to eat food/not so much choice, NOT FUN.  Yuck.  I feel for kids!  Then there was V-day and my B-day so I have been all over the place.   Anyways, finding that right balance is tricky sometimes, but I am up for it and a new approach.   I want to see what happens with less complex carbohydrates and a little less good fat.  I did not do the test to actually see, I just thought, how do I feel when I eat a high protein breakfast (hours after) and then how do I feel with a high carb breakfast?  I never use to be like this, actually feel more energized with more protein and less carbs.  I felt good and lost with high carb (about 60ish %) but no more.  So I actually do have more energy with higher protein and still lots for veggies and a decent amount of fruits.  I do not know, about 1400-1600 or a little more cals I would guess.  Just thinking a little less carbs and going with the actual hunger.  I have not been hungry so much, but I am hoping my metabolism will bless with me it’s presence.

I am maintaining like a champ *rolls eyes a little* but I can not get upset.  I will not.  Just realise what is and make changes.  It is all just so tiring and I can not go there.  So if anyone knows of a site where you log your food and get the macro nutrient (fat, protein, carb) percentatage that is not here can you relay the address?  Thanks.  If I do not find a good site, that is cool.  It is a certainty that I will become bored with it.  In fact I am giving myself a couple days of recording to get a feel for eyeballing about 40% carbs.  The trick for me is to be getting enough fiber….gawd I need fiber!!!   When did I become old?  Because seriously, my metabolism really has changed.  I just refuse to exercise like a nut because that kind of activity is not something I can maintain and it is too hard on my body.  So, me, trying to find some good balance and my ideal-for-me body.  Ahhh I would be so pleased with 160ish and 29/37 measurements.  But like the big guy says in the second or third Austin Powers, I just want to be “toyght”  LOL.  All good with me.  

 YAH, so glad Slumdog Millionaire kicked butt at the Oscars!  So postive and uplifting.  Yah for Kate!…Winslet.

http://www.chep.org/gfb/index.html

The Good Food box was such a surprise!!!  And it was all organic as I ordered.  I do believe I would have spent more at the store for the same amount.  I buy all of this from the grocery story (except I have not had squash FOR SO LONG), but not all is organic.  So this is so neat!  Better then Christmas!  ;) 

They said during the winter season not all can be collected locally, of course.  I am just so pleased.

-baby spinach leaves

-romaine lettuce heart

-alfalfa sprouts

-squash (YUM… so excited)

-bag of carrots

-many potatoes (When it is the end of the week and we are thinking about going to the grocery store for ‘wants’, I am going to create a comfort meal with a few of these potatoes…. so many potatoes.  Glad they last a long time.  Recipe ideas are welcome…. Tx)

-garlic

-bag of dried green peas

-bag of whole wheat flour  (pancakes as a treat?  not sure what I will make)

-celery

-many apples

-bananas

-kiwi(s?)- Usually our kiwi are from NewZealand, but this AM I read these are from the USA.  Well thank you to the US for my kiwi. 

Well worth the 30.00 and I will be placing another order in the coming weeks.  They say they vary the produce so it should be a nice surprise each time.   

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Oh, and I am taking a cue from Jane I am doing a light cleanse today.  Though I will be having a little salmon for supper.  But all fruits, mostly veggies and some walnuts (I do not have almonds).   It works out well because I have this new produce plus some older produce too.  I have studied about various cleanses and short and light cleanses are best for most people.  

The reason we detox or cleanse is to rid our body of various chemicals and organism (which are in too high numbers like bad bacteria and yeast. PEOPLE WHO CRAVE SUGARY THINGS often will have excess yeast) and doing so too quickly will cause these organisms to be destroyed and it is thought that the chemicals they then release from their dead cells is actually quite unhealthy.  Hence the ill feeling many people have when doing intense or extreme detoxes.  The body does not actually “get rid” of the bacteria so effectively as I understand it (constipation and when there is an excess), though some are clearly excreted.  They must die.  So the key is to not feed them the sugar they want and poop regularly.  We need some broken down sugars to live, but NOT the excessive amounts we so often have.  Oh yeh, I know this… *sigh*   A gradual end to these “critters” lol is best, so says many experts.  They don’t say critters though, they use words like pathogens and microbes….hehe.  Thank you Jane for inspiring me to write this.  I read about this, dysbiosis, in what seems like every new section.  A healthy digestive system is ESSENTIAL to good health.  But regular gentle cleansing helps all body systems to do their best and that means a better quality of life.

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Speaking of doing my best….. update on accepting that I will be a success…..

I am most pleased that this week I have steadily and dramaticly seen a change in my mental game with food.  I am so at ease.  AS SOON as I say I can have it all, peace.  When I say no to anything I want I want.  So just no rules is really affective for me.  And then also enjoying the small portions has been an absolute success.

But most of all, I have been so into my studies and good at saying no to certain domestic things that bug me usually if left (like not unloading the dishwasher or doing only 1 load of laundry instead of 3).  Basically I am pacing myself and putting my goals at the top of my list.

I have been more relaxed and way more at peace.  Just telling myself that I will do something has worked.  Plus, the activity is there and it is here to stay!  Love it.  Though I still do have to be aware of it so it does not slip from my day.  Love the list of activity so that I am doing at least 6 days a week.

After the cleanse last night I did have a bit more food as it was needed after some additional activity.  Listening to what my body tells me, NOT the voice in my head which can be so negative.  Voice: “that is too fattening” or “you know you will never be a success”.  All good.  But then I think balance has been achieved.  I got so much studying in this week.   More success to come.

So everything has been great, but by far the greatest success has been the peace and happiness that resides in me and around me.  I placed some old and new pics up too on my home page for motivation.  I love that strong picture.  Makes me smile. 

Most days I am feeling well.  I still feel ill if I eat certain foods, but all will be figured out soon with the help of science.  If I were to drop all the suspects, what I can eat would be cut by a quarter.   (corn, soy, dairy-I LOVE DAIRY, peanut butter, tomatoes, wheat, broccoli - I LOVE STEAMED BROCCOLI, all chemical preservatives)  I think I have a bit of an imbalance/dysbiosis, because my moods are all over the place… blah

Well just thought I would update.

Have a good one!

If you do not have a problem with constipation, then great.  But anyone who has a problem knows how uncomfortable it is and dealing is ESSENTIAL - both for your sanity/comfort and for your health.  I write this here because it has come to my attention that a number of people are having issues.  I have to work very hard to be regular and happy too.  I also think that Dr. Oz who has been on Oprah is awesome.  Though I have not read his book(s) he was brilliant when doing the poop talks on her show and so I can only assume the books are fantastic!

The purpose here is to help people who are stuck.   Happiness is the goal.  Somethings might be worth a try and then some will say, life is not worth living without that X-food or beverage or whatever.  We must enjoy and find the balance for our unique selves.   Usually the smallest changes can help.  Also, I come from a natural means of healing though in my life I am very much a middle ground thinker.  I am not of the allopathic vs. homeopathic camp.  There are good things to be taken from both schools.  I clearly think we are the sailors of our ships and our health though. 

What I know causes constipation for me and others things that can cause constipation:

-heavy meals - slows digestion

-lack of exercise

-inability to digest bread and dairy and prolonged consumption can even make it worse - good to have a varied diet. Plain active bacteria yogurt is better then milk.  I kid you not and I am getting use to it, but instead of milks, more and more I am adding yogurt and a little water or some kind of milk to my cereals.  I add different things to make it taste good like raisins, cut prunes, seeds, nuts, pineapple, ground flax or hemp seed, etc.).  I am even starting to prefer it and the results, though I had to convince myself it was good for me at first.  Actually I believe early on there was no milk of any kind in the house, so I tried it.  It grew on me….  :) 

-early intake of cow’s milk  (I share with you now, I have been constipated for the majority of my life and this is one of the reasons I chose to study Natural Nutrition.  Also intersting, babies who are breast fed ted to have less digestive issues.) 

-Early inappropriate foods and continued abuse of our guts creates a system that may not be able to function well.  Luckily our bodies are pretty forgiving.  A book I recommend to anyone who has digestive issues is Eating Alive by Dr. Matsen.  It is written in a fun way, but the information is serious and helpful.   MORE IMPORTANT THEN FOOD COMBINING IS CHEWING WELL! 

-chocolate, especially when combined with nuts - my weakness…. *sigh*

-constinuous meals and snacks that do not adhere to the principles of food combining - especially large amounts of meat that because all meats have a significant amount of protein and most have a moderate-high fat content, it really slows digestion and when mixed with carbs slows it down even further and may create fermentation in some individuals.  (yeast problems?   Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition….)

-a lot of fluids with meats (diluting hydrochloric acid -HCl) or not enough fluids with high fiber foods.  HCl in our stomach decreases with age.

 -impropper digeston beginning with not enough chewing - food should be a paste BEFORE swallowing, mixing as much saliva as possible. (25-50 times, may seem tedious, but it is your health!) This begins carbohydrate-sugar digestion and this is very important in not welcoming fermentation.

-high fat diet - fats slow down digestion more then carbs (fast) or protein (about 4-6 hours to digest)

-tea and coffee as they act as diuretcs (Though caffeine can also stimulate some people’s digestion. ??? - Still it is more diuretic I think.) 

-many medications (Tylenol, some heart and depression medications, … so many)

 -calcium without magnesium, and iron supplements

-aluminum (yikes - get that out of the diet or certainly reduce! Aluminum foil that comes into contact with food, pots/pans, antipersperants/deodorants,baking powders, bleached flour, processed cheese, antacids, breathing in dust when sanding from aluminum oxide sandpaper, beverages from aluminum cans)

-starchy fruit like bananas and some sources say cherries (though some say the opposite for both).  We are unique. 

-avoid tea with meal or high protein meals. The tea acids can toughen the protein and slow digestion  (I do like my tea….)

-avoid intense exercise, sleeping, bathing or walking around a lot after eat a meal. Right. *rolls eyes* Anyways, these all interfer with the bodies ability to digest propperly because blood is moved away from the middle of the body. Still I think if one is chewing well and not mixing huge amounts of fluid, one should be able to LIVE after eating….lol

-stopping smoking as nicotine can have a laxative effect.

-VARIOUS health problems

 -prolonged sress

-change in hormones

-pregnancy

-traveling

WHAT HELPS….The goal is to speed up digestion. Not decrease the ability of the body to absorb, but to allow the body to DO IT’S JOB! -digest, absorb and elliminate!

 -small meals are better

-limit sweets

-regular and small amounts of water over the course of the day. The standard 6-8 glasses is usually a good start. But water is individual and based on activity, climate, temperature, body weight etc. What is right for one, may not be right for another.

 -not mixing continual high carb and big protein meals or at least keeping the portions smaller. -limit breads if you think you might have problem digesting. NOT forever, but just for a month or so. Add back slowly. I find open faced sandwiches to be easily digested.  Though for awhile I am avoiding wheat.-limit cow’s milk/dairy except low fat quality yogurt (avoid thickeners) - get the real stuff. Ingredients should include milk and bacteria. NOTHING else. Fat free yogurts usually have thickeners. The last thing one needs is cornstarch and caragenum gum plugging you up  - yuck!

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.”

We want weight loss. The body wants glucose from carbohydrates, but if we primarily eat protein and fat (less then 130 grams of carbohydrates) the body will resort to making its own glucose by the process gluconeogenesis. This I read creates toxins with in the body and can lead to a variety of issues and so began my search. WHAT TOXINS? I found some interesting tidbits and thought I would share. Found a lot, but thought this was accurate (from the little that I have learned) and also had some other interesting information.

http://plaza.ufl.edu/coyoteco/biochemistry.pdf

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/myths.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluconeogenesis —-ooooh! Science. lol

I am not at all miffed that I lost what I wrote 5 minutes ago. Nope, this is a new moment and I am living it. Besides is less of my humor, less words and more to the point. Ha! I think a little less fluff is in order today.

I became side tracked yesterday when I wanted to escape some fluff as I perceived it (current studies) and wanted more science. And so it began.

Which of the following best explained Jennifer’s escapism from her current studies yesterday?

a) education

b) procrastination

c) both a & b

d) c, but mostly a

- I believe d) is the correct answer.

I just can not escape myself!
Thunder storms and rain today. I love it!

Lately I have been just eating whatever. *sigh*  But I have been portion aware.

Weight loss is desired! Portions and exercise. Will I have a loss this week? Time will tell.

Have a great day Everyone!

I have made some very poor choices and I just can not take it anymore. I felt so aweful. Yesterday I learned that JUNK= anxiety, bloatedness, general crumbiness and then after this crappy day I felt like I could not get to sleep. SO what is today like? Well I already know that a nap is scheduled for me when ever I need, because I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THIS SPIRAL INTO AN ILLNESS. I let stress get to me and this is such a poor excuse, but I did. I guess I have never felt like I hated junk foods (brownies, dairy, bread….. that was about it, but just YUCK. Not agreeing with me, SO I NEED TO LISTEN TO THE FEEDBACK!), but I dislike them in me. So what is it going to take for me to not turn to this crap? Do I need to become diseased? I really hope not. My plan which is what I am working on for a lifestyle is starting today. It is not tough for me only because I have eaten like this for a long time, but the key is to maintain it. I need to get cleansed. I researched the many recipes out there and to be honest they may not be for me. I have low blood pressure as it is and I do not need to be falling down with a lack of calories and ancient remedies that say they revive a toxic liver. I just am going to eat well and exercise. Not so hard. For my stress, I am getting back to reading my book, A New Earth. I was dealing so well with all of life’s stresses and then I put it down while I worked on other priorities. Well that was just poor for my self growth. I am opening my mind again to a deeper existence. One where perhaps I will think, breathe and let it all go instead of ingesting sugars and fats, only to feel ill in the end.

No more floundering….. Time for a life long plan that will work for me, I know, because I when I have done it, I have felt the best I have ever felt! But, I am SERIOUSLY starting to realize that the treats do not even feel so nice inside. There is not even the same pleasure in the moment. Just overly sugary waste!

The plan is to be on plan for 6 out of 7 days. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it! On my “off” day, I am not truly off, but I can have a meal, plus a small treat (IF SO DESIRED). But if I chose to eat out, the food I pick will still not be the problem foods for awhile. There is a lovely East Indian restaurant where I can have some nice vegetarian, dairy and bread free foods that are to die for. Other options exist. Love Mexican! Not every meal can be “off” plan on this day or I will seriously feel crappy. But, it will be there if I want. For 6 days I feed myself well. Heal. Become energized and feel like my body is alive, instead of feeling irritated.

I am thinking RAW and will lightly steam the tough vegetables for good digestion.

WHOLE FOODS. Are brown rice cakes whole? I think not, but then there is some common sense allotted here.

Decent food combining most of the time. No meat with complex carbs. Good solid vegetarian food combining for energy and protein. Fruits alone and not within 4 hours or so after protein. Pineapple and papaya are the exceptions if so desired.

Chew food well, 20-50 times depending of course on the food.

NO SUGAR, FLOUR, BREAD WHEAT PRODUCTS, CAFFEINE OF ANY KIND for a good damn long time.

NO DAIRY, except yogurt.

8-12 servings of fruits and veggies per day.

A little good healthy fat, my omegas

30-50 grams of fiber per day. Not actually going to keep track long term, but for a few days just to get a feel for what is good. I know I need a lot. (Beans, lentils, chickpeas, fruit, vegetables, psyllium, grains…) I had no flatulence when I was eating well. It only came back when I started to eat junk. Even eating all the legumes, NOTHING. Cool! One of my faves is beans in tomato sauce and it does have added sugar, that is one of the worst. Nasty! T.M.I….lol But like you weren’t thinking it!

Continue to drink my water and herbal teas between meals as to not dilute my stomach juices when I eat. Sips of course are fine, but no diluting.

Vitamins.

Appreciate and give thanks for all that I have.

Back to a happy me….. I really did need to feel rotten to get back to a more relaxed and healthier way of living. Eating well is not a strain! I do not want dead and deadening food in me. I do not want toxins floundering in my blood doing damage and this is what sugary junk foods and chemicals do….. they overwhelm our organs like our Liver and then all systems do not do as well as they could otherwise. For instance, our metabolism can slow down when our Liver becomes sluggish. I want a healthy metabolism. I want a healthy me. I deserve to be healthy, despite what my screwed up ego of a mind tells me sometimes.

Wow…. RELIEF. I do not feel sad or frustrated. I just needed to feel and know where I want to be. My body yelled and I will respect this.

Next section in my course…. Optimal Nutrition for the Mind. Looks great and I am excited to start it. I love it when statements are backed up with really good studies and I feel really confident with the contents…. from just doing a quick overview of it.

Bowling yesterday was GREAT. I mean I was awful! Plum awful. I have not bowled since I was 10 years old, but it was good. So much fun. But I noticed with all the sugar I had before we went out (EE for completely stupid reasons), I really felt anxious. Still good times and I can not wait to go again. I swear I used different muscles then when I play the Wii and it really was, well a good workout. The shoes fit nice too. Almost wanted to take them home…lol

Have a great weekend everyone. Hope it is sunny where you are. Looks amazing here so I am going to make myself a fresh juice, start a crockpot of slow simmering vegetable soup/broth and enjoy the day…. outside, with a book, tidying a little. Might go play mini golf. David seems to think that I would get a rush out of doing some target practice. Good lord, either he knows me too well or I do not know me at all. We will see what adventures we can find. I am opting for mini golf, but I am into stepping outside my box these days, like a younger me would have done …… I may give almost anything a whirl! *smiles* Have a great one!

I am a label reader when I purchase food and I attribute this to my improved health. There are of course other things that have helped me lose weight, but certainly label reading has brought me into The Know. But it was a buddy, Tatiana, this week who reminded me that we can always improve a little more. See I was buying the fat free unsweetened yogurt thinking that was good. But I was all confident and not reading the labels with that one product. Tatiana reminded me that cornstarch is one of those things that is a waste of money and I do not want it in MY yogurt. I have purchased the good on occasion, but have so often purchased the ones with cornstarch (filler…. NO NUTRITION !!!) The ones with just milk and bacterial cultures (all of them listed out) are the best. Very good. I now have in my refrigerator one that is 1% and one that is 3%. The fat will not kill me! Plus I am getting better nutrition for my money.

I often put back items that have sugar unnecessarily added to the ingredients (for instance in pasta/tomato sauce or soups…. though I love pea soup and do get Campbells Pea soup. NO MSG. AND I love it! Still a little added sugar and some naturally occurring sugar in the peas). If one loves something, sure, a treat. But sugars, fats and preservatives are listed, BUT WE MUST READ and make the informed decision.

I LOVE my complex carbohydrates!!! And fruit (simple sugar, but GOOD), but this junk listed below is not good eating. I just learned yesterday that the fructose in fruit is actually one of those sugars that is good for stabilizing blood sugars and make great snacks. Plus the Glycemic index of fructose is surprisingly low!!! The below list of sugars is not what I want to purchase, but fruit is good eating.  I am just trying to eat it by itself and savor is greatness.

So, this blog is just a little reminder to myself that I still have to pay attention. Sure I buy mostly whole foods, but I think this has made me a little slack with the label reading. Chin up, eyes open and healthy shopping….. ahh it is a jungle out there, but I do not have to rush and fill myself up with trash either. Nope, nope, nope……

What did I use to say, this BODY IS A TEMPLE AND NOT A TRASH CAN! Truly, truly, truly my buddies, what goes in REALLY REALLY does affect our health so much more then we really realize. Just because the effects may not be seen so quickly, does not mean that we are not being affected. Feed yourselves well. I work on this all the time. I am not always so wise with my choices and I pay! This month I am really working on making the best choices each meal. Whole. My goal is to develop new behaviors so that I do not even want the junk. Will this happen? I think so.

I am no longer as worried and crazed about how our society is really not going to be so healthy in the years to come when the toxins REALLY start to overwhelm our systems. Mostly I am aware that I will only be able to do so much and the rest is up to every individual. (it is the studying…lol Tis the reason I share….I care. ) Do my best and live a life that is filled with as much happiness a possible. But I would not be me or I would not be true to myself if I did not share that I think Whole is what we should purchase and the crap is only going to make us sick. I ate out this weekend and made a few errors. Yuck! Payed the price because I felt sick for a good hour after and had no energy. I did not fuel my body properly. I knew better, yet why? I was a slave to my taste buds and in the end it was not worth it.

SUGAR…. no matter the name……

• Corn sweetener
• Corn syrup, or corn syrup solids
• Dehydrated Cane Juice
• Dextrin
• Dextrose
• Fructose
• Fruit juice concentrate
• Glucose
• High-fructose corn syrup
• Honey
• Invert sugar
• Lactose
• Maltodextrin
• Malt syrup
• Maltose
• Maple syrup
• Molasses
• Raw sugar
• Rice Syrup
• Saccharose
• Sorghum or sorghum syrup
• Sucrose
• Syrup
• Treacle
• Turbinado Sugar
• Xylose

http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Diabetes/diabetes_type_II_diabetes.htmhttp://www.heractivelife.com/women/comment/nutrition-label-detective-part-one-the-words-that-are-harming-your-diet/

http://www.heractivelife.com/women/comment/nutrition-label-detective-part-one-the-words-that-are-harming-your-diet/

http://www.heractivelife.com/women/comment/nutrition-label-detective-part-two-but-what-does-that-mean/

http://www.glycemicindex.ca/glycemicindexfoods.pdf

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*