Food - Doctor "Feelgood"

Yesterday and most of the week was crazy busy at work. Everyone in my immediate circle seemed to be stressed and anxious. The reason for this, CHANGE.

Normally, that's when things like chocolate, cheese, pizza or wine would beckon. Comfort. The euphoric, you are fine. Its ok. It is good. This time I stood my ground and stopped the process.

In the past, I have allowed myself to become a like a large sponge and absorb all around me which included nervous energies, anxiety, etc. This time I stepped back to observe and then asked myself, "What's going on here. Why do I have these cravings and where are these cravings coming from?" Also, I reminded myself that the stressors I was trying hard to detach myself from will too pass and just as they entered, they left.  I chose not to give them the power and to take my personal power away. The power to choose the best fuel for my body, the power to make decisions, and the power to think about the situations that arise instead of acting impulsively.

I am learning that the keeping of one's agreements, the changes my body is going through, the results, a healthy body that is strong feels much more incredible then the over indulgence and dissappointment of eating off plan would.

My lesson today is to not allow the stresses that come to me to keep me from my course.

Focus on progress not perfection

One day at a time...

Eating During the Holidays

This weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving with our family out of town so I have to admit I had to think about how I was going to handle the food issues and do some preplanning.

*Turkey. The size of the palm of my hand and deck of cards. White meat.
*No mashed potatoes. I chose to bring a sweet potato and turnip puree which my Dad, myself and my husband enjoyed. My sister's family loves their white mashed potatoes!
*Eating a regular breakfast. I knew we would be eating at 2 so that my parents wouldn't have to drive home in the dark. (2 hours drive)
*Maintaining my water drinking and opting out of sugary pop, juice and drank some green tea as my treat.
*Tossed green salad with balsamic vinegar.
*Brussel sprouts.
*Dessert was pumpkin pudding that I made as well and brough along for everyone to try. The majority of the group chose pumpkin pie with loads of whipped cream.

While eating dinner I noticed that everyone was more interested in the food then in each other so it was nice that I was able to have conversations and not worry about shovelling food into my belly. Yes I enjoyed my meal! It was great to see everyone and not have a food hangover the next day or sit that evening with my pants loosened because I have stuffed myself.

Results to date: Down 19.5 inches and down 15 pounds.

Onesmartcookie

Stumbles and Celebrations.

The other day I was in one of the offices at work and there sits the candy jar. Without thinking or bring mindful I start to reach for the jar out of habit as I am doing it, I suddenly think.. what are YOU doing? STOP! So, I stop and do not touch the candy jar.

I've been balancing off evening hunger with water or tea and its working amazing. My favorite tea is caffiene free blueberry or green tea.

On Monday night I went for my eight day weight in.. I am down: 9.5 pounds and 9.5 inches!! Holy crap!! I am amazed...

When I get doubtful I say to myself: Weightloss is easy for me. I enjoy eating healthy foods that support my well being. So, those are my positive affirmations. I say them before bed and when I am geting the cravings.

Last night was tough. I am not going to lie. We watched a movie and I was craving popcorn bigtime. Since my plan is three meals and one snack at 4 then popcorn isn't in the plan at all at this point. Will I ever eat popcorn? Yes, of course.

Of all the plans I have been on I have to say I enjoy this plan because I get to chew, eat and make meals that both of us can eat. Sure, there is some measuring but I can prep ahead and control the portion sizes!

Today's food choices are: Mushroom Omelet with fresh fruit, turkey chilli, cheese/fruit and lemon chicken.


My next weight in is tomorrow night.

I love Weights but Cardio, not so much!

Weights rock and cardio, not so much...

I love the pressure and the resistance in weights but cardio makes me feel 'uncomfortable' because of my asthma. When my heart rate increases, my breathing does as well and I don't enjoy triggering a asthma attack.

I just realized this today when I talked to one of the trainers. She watched me do my cardio and felt I wasn't huffing and puffing enough or sweating. She knew I could do the weights and have increased the pounds. So, I've increased weights and reps. but didn't move the needle when it came to cardio.

Oh, I sweat on weights so for me its finding the balance.

Every time I go to the gym I do 20-30 mins. cardio and then do the weight circuit. Then, if I have time or I plan to do so I do the abs bench. I do 50 on the abs. bench and I do it to the point I end up having a horrible muscle spasm on the muscle over my rib cage. If that makes sense...

My plan is to now start with cardio, flip to weights and then back to cardio. My new routine starts on Tuesday which is exciting for me because I have been doing everything on my own for the last ..six months. What I did on my own was work up from 10-20 pounds and am now at 30-40 pounds.

I still have an incredibly hard time on the bicep curl using their machine. Maybe I will work with dumbbells instead.

The fantastic news is that I have lost 3.5 inches off my abs. and 1 inch off my hip. Hey, that's amazing to me considering I was a couch potato for MANY years.

Get your body moving.

OSC

New Post Live

I haven't done any writing for awhile except for excerpts for the blog here. I recently did a short piece for www.formerfatguy.com and if you are interested you can read my entries here

Group Cleanse for the Month of November

I have decided to join the group cleanse for the month of November. NO, it is not eating all day for 30 days. It it a thirty day program on Isagenix. After listening to Susan Sly's call I was inspired to get focused and get back on board. I've maintained the same weight now for six weeks and I will not allow history to repeat itself by sliding into poor eating habits and gaining weight over the Christmas season! If you would like to join us or are interested, check out the Group on Facebook or contact me here.

Remember: Great health is REAL wealth!

Cleanse Day Today.

I have decided to cleanse today because I have today off. I find that when I cleanse it grounds me and I am incredibly focused that day. Water has been a concern for me so I have filled up a 2 L container and I will be conscious of drinking it. Also, I haven't been feeling great the last two weeks because of this cold/flu bug going around and I really don't want to take antibiotics if I don't have to. When I really need them they will be a defense but I believe that many doctors write a prescription when they aren't needed.

So many deadlines, hiring and I'm going into the busiest part of the year so I have to stop eating my feelings. My plan with Isagenix has been to lose weight and feel great but I am sabotaged myself by eating two meals and one shake which is actually the maintenance plan. So, I've got to get that under control.

One of my friends has been on Isagenix or a month and not lost a pound. I am trying to let her know the importance of water. She doesn't drink water but drinks coffee. Water helps your organs, your tissues, your brain and keepseverything moving in your body. It is crucial for healthy living and will also help in weight loss. Coffee basically leeches the nutrients from your body and is a diuretic. Also, she has been eating processed foods which are high in sodium and preservatives. This does not aid in weight loss.

Tip or the day: Drink your water!

Getting Unstuck

Psst..... I have to admit the reason you haven't read much new from me is because there isn't much new to tell.


I'm on a plateau. That means, my weight loss has stalled. Basically, a weight-loss plateau occurs when the energy you expend and the energy you consume from food—balances out. In a sense, your body thinks there is not enough food available for consumption—like during a famine. So, your body adapts its energy levels for survival.


Yes, its frustrating and yes, there are moments I say to myself, "Screw it, I want to eat everything in sight!" Maybe this is why my motivation to go to the gym has waned?! Hmmm....


So, case at hand. How to climb off the plateau and get higher up the mountain?

What I'm experiencing right now is that the plateau effect is killing my motivation. When you lose weight, you are inspired to continue because you are seeing results. When results aren't happening, that can be very discouraging!

A Change Is As Good As A Rest?


If you continue to do the same thing and expect to get the same results as before, you will but the body adapts to this and sometimes a simple change can jolt your system and metabolism.

One of my actions is to get back into the gym. Over the last month, I sporadically went to the gym and yesterday was definitely eye opening for me. I huffed and puffed going up the stairs, my heart rate was intense and I actually felt like I was going to throw up.

This scared me enough to tell me that I am going to get back to the gym and have decided to increase my cardio. I was taking it too easy on the cardio and realized that if I push myself I have a more intense workout. I will up my cardio and decrease some of my weight training. However, the weight training has helped me build some muscle and muscle burns more calories.

With the changes in my routine, it will bring a level of newness and I will break the monotony.

Calorie Zig Zagging, Calorie Cycling. Whatever you call it, it is basically alternating your calorie intake. Low calorie days and then a high calorie or cheat day. It tells your body, It's ok... so that it will not go into starvation mode and store the calories which will increase your fat. I understand the concept but for me little cheats are easier then a bit cheat. Big cheating can lead to falling off my plan. That is my experience anyways. Enter the take out, cheese, chips, etc.. You can see where this can lead.

Today in Canada it is Thanksgiving so my challenge is this to you: What are you grateful today for? Many times we quickly go to the place: What we don't have or what is going wrong instead of what we have and what we are doing right in our lives! So, that's why you need to sit down right now like I am and write down what you are grateful for. A time to give thanks.

Isagenix is a product that I am thankful for. It fuels my body with nutrition and some of the side effects for me have been weight loss!

Fat Pants Are Not Phat!

Every day at work, we wear black pants and over the last few days I felt enormous in them because I had to hold them together with a safety pin. Today I went out and was thrilled to find a pair of pants that fit! Yes, and.. they were a smaller size! The good thing about shopping at this time of year is that you can buy clothing for 50% off the clearance price so it they are too big in another month.. Believe me, I won't feel bad at all!

Yes, I'm smiling!

30 Day Meaurements and Weigh In.

After using the 30 day Cleansing and Fat Burning System by Isagenix, I have lost:

18 Inches!


That came from my chest, (largest change) diaphragm, waist, buttocks (second largest change), thighs, calves, knees. I actually gained one inch in each of my upper arms. Remember, I have been exercising at the gym as well since the middle of June so of course this is changing my body as well.


I have released 15 pounds of fat! ~That my friends is the most I have managed to get off since I had Gallbladder surgery 2+ years ago! I didn't need to step on the scale to have it tell me the numbers. I could tell from how my clothes were fitting and when it got time to use a safety pin to hold up pants that I wore everyday to work, I knew something was happening!
I feel great with that. It is a comfortable level for me and not too radical that its an unhealthy amount of weight to lose in 30 days. I noticed the weight came off in the first 10 days and then evened out midway through and then dropped off towards the end of the month. Now that I've been on the program for a month, I have now more knowledge about the program and how my body is working.

Portion control is a big thing for me. I will not weigh the food or count the calories but I can live with eating 1/2 cup - 1 cup of rice instead of 2 cups! Same with pasta. I also have to remember to get the greens in on a daily basis. Veggies aren't as hard for me. I can thrown them in salads, etc.. If you have been reading my blog, you will notice that I had a rough time going with parties and such. I've been figuring out how to eat healthier and make those times more manageable.
How do I feel? Health wise and Emotionally?

Joint pains have lessened. Skin is not as dry and any dry patches have cleared. Other then minor bouts of allergies from construction going on, I have not had problems breathing and have not had problems with wheezing while exercising. I have been monitoring my blood pressure and that has lowered. I sleep better and wake up rested. I am not as agitated and can handle pressures more easily. I have more of a social life and have been doing things I normally wouldn't have. I am putting myself out there more..


How did my 30 day kit last? Everything will hold out until the auto ship arrives except for the Ionix Supreme. Remember, I was doubling to 2 oz. instead of 1 oz. and gobbling too many Isadelight chocolates down. Now, I take them on cleanse day or as a treat. My current box is lasting me.

Yes, I will continue with Isagenix to reach my goal weight and I am happy with my results so far!

People are starting to ask me what I am doing to lose the weight and its really starting to show. This is only the beginning of my transformation.

Isagenix Day One.

Yesterday I picked up my 30 Day Cleanse from my cleansing coach and became an associate for Isagenix! I'm excited, anxious and scared!


Last night I didn't eat dinner, I immediately went onto my first shake. I got hungry in the evening so I baked a sweet potato and tried one of the snacks. Not a snack I'm used to! It reminded me of a scene from Logan's Run when they ate encapsulated food! Very odd. I'm used to food and lots of it!




Here are my beginning pictures, July 11, 2008. Excuse the outfit, it was my workout gear and I was on my way out to the gym...

Total Inches: 427
Pounds: 245

If I am going to get serious, these pictures will remind me where I began and where I want to go with regards to better health.

For breakfast, I had a Chocolate Shake, Accelerator and Ionix Supreme. Less then one hour I had a complete flush and it was like Draino in the bathroom. I was hungry so mid morning I had a boiled egg. Lunch was another chocolate shake and an accelerator. Around 3 I was hungry so I ate four snacks, 5 almonds and one of the Isa chocolates. Then, around 5 PM I thought that making hummous would be a good idea so I made homemade hummous and had some cucumbers. Before I knew it, I had eaten all the hummous. Well, it could have been much worse I suppose. For dinner I will have a green salad with lemon juice, small BBQ steak and brown rice with veggies. Throughout the day I drank 3 liters of water. Tonight, I will take my Isaflush before going to bed.

Pangs of hunger carries throughout the day. I thought of food often and tried to be positive. I think it was because I was at home and had more time to think about it. Tomorrow, I will make my shake and eat a sensible lunch. We are going out for dinner for a friend's birthday so it will be a one shake day and I will have no alcohol. I will have my snacks, almonds and one chocolate with me to help me along the way.

I have not told anyone other then my immediate support group I am doing this because it is too early on to be put under the microscope. I want results first..