My 7 Days Sans Weight Training

I want to make this post to encourage anyone who "falls off the wagon" with regard to ANYTHING.    Whether it's not exercising, eating improperly or any other bad habit - you can break the trend, often times really easily.  Also, it's important to know the root cause or causes of why you stopped sticking to your good habits in the first place.

Seven days passed without me doing any of my exercise videos.  I still took long walks, and I still remained active with 2 kids - but my resistance training was put on hold for 7 full days.  I started to feel depressed, unhappy, I wasn't running my household the way I wanted to (cleaning etc).   I knew I needed to pick up right where I left off.  I keep a notebook with info and I went for 115 days of "staying on track" with my workouts, maybe a 1 or 2 day deviation from the official plan, but nothing close to 7 days.

I began to think of why I fell off track.  First, I thought of the recent Daylight Savings Time.  That threw me off my game so much that I moved my workouts from first thing in the morning to the kids nap time.
Then, it all started when I had to spend my nap time on the phone taking care of some important personal business.  This, in turn added stress to my life and I knew that I would spend more time on the phone in the next several days dealing with the situation.  I'm also having some work done to my house, and it has been a very slow process but is finally nearing completion.  I also realized that I have been watching A LOT more TV than I did previously.  HBO's new Sunday night programs like Game of Thrones and Treme have kept me coming back for more.  All of these things put together are a personal recipe for disaster for someone like me.  After considering all these factors I decided that I should just set an alarm for 5:30am so I can continue my morning workouts.  I LOVE having the morning workout complete and accounted for, for the duration of the day.  In order to make this happen I need to go to bed earlier so that I can be refreshed and ready to go in the a.m.

Yesterday I broke my 7 Day Spell by working out during naptime and this morning, I woke up to my 5:30am alarm.  I feel SO MUCH better already and I'm back on track.

While being on hiatus, I am proud to say that my weight did not fluctuate much at all.  I didn't eat as well as I should, but I ate pretty well.  I'm on a raw food kick again and enjoyed mostly nut mylk smoothies.   The 7 Days OFF experience is actually positive for me because I realized that my weight loss is *real* it's not a fad diet - if it were I would have packed the pounds right back on.  And also, I need the exercise to keep me happy and motivated in life.  I wish all Dr.s would really PUSH the exercise on their patients and could write scripts for a Personal Trainer.  For me, it is making all the difference in the world!

Nourished bellies and relationships

I look forward to lots of food preparation and consumption over the weekend.  With Dada to help watch the kids I get to prepare whatever I feel like sometimes & this weekend, in particular made me realize how good such simple things actually feel.  I truly enjoy the process of chopping vegetables for a soup, smelling onion caramelizing in cast iron with loads of garlic.  It's fun, it's creative and nourishing.

Grace comes in and wants to know what I'm doing - pretty soon she will be able to truly help and participate in the cooking (or uncooking) experiences herself.  Paddy crawls about the kitchen now too, he wants to know what's going on as well.    Dada loves the end product, as long as it doesn't involve a big mess to clean up.  

So the weekends are certainly a time for more thought out, time consuming food preparation and family.   Nourished bellies and relationships in our little space of love.

A Conversation With My Dentist

Me:  Have you heard of Weston A. Price?

Dentist:  No.  Who is he?

Me:  Only like the COOLEST Dentist EVER!

Dentist:  Really?

Me:  Oh yeah!  Back in the early 1900s he traveled the world studying the diets of indigenous people and determined that the Western diet was often the cause of poor dental health as well as overall physical degeneration.

Dentist:  Hmm interesting

Me:  Yes, he even published a book and conducted studies.  He also disapproved of the modern day root canals.  After reading about root canals I have decided that I would most likely opt for an extraction, and I can be vain, so that's saying a lot.

Dentist:  Really?  You would actually opt for an extraction?

Me:  Yes.  After what I have read, I am convinced that modern day root canals cause some severe issues to human health and degeneration.

Dentist:  Hmm, what is this guys name again?

Me:  Weston A. Price -   I am going to buy his book and you are welcome to borrow it if you like.  I think you'd really enjoy reading it, as he has quite a following.

Dentist:   A following?  Really?

Me:     Yes.  Believe it or not, there are many cookbooks that exist today that are very popular- based on & inspired by his research.     A dentist with a fan club, if you can believe it.  A LARGE fan club too.

Dentist:  I am definitely going to check this out. 

Me:  Cool!  Please do!  There is a BIG OPEN MARKET for holistic dentistry here. 

Dairy (and Refined Sugar) are the new Gluten

All of my friends know that I am in the process of getting back into the "best shape of my life".   Major lifestyle changes have not only become a habit, but something that I LOVE and am really looking forward to.  But if you have spoken, texted or emailed me recently you probably also know my journey is not yet over.  I have still been suffering with gastrointestinal issues,  things that I won't say because I don't want you to become ill, along with abdominal pain and bloating.  Spending excessive amounts of my time in the restroom is just not cool when I have two kids screaming for attention, crawling on the counter and knocking over glass, coloring on each other and chewing on shoes, but I digress. 

I  spoke to my Dr and we came to the conclusion that it's most likely dairy that is the culprit. Now, even though I don't drink straight cows milk at this time (raw or pasteurized) I still consume things like whey protein shakes and butter every single day.  I have been taking digestive enzymes with my meals along with Betaine HCL and this really seems to help digest proteins like I should.  So this morning, I took a very high quality digestive enzyme along with my usual whey protein shake and BAM! it hit me like a ton of bricks - ouch!    Now,  I have had my thoughts about whey not agreeing with me before, but this drink is so respected and everyone loves it, I thought that it couldn't be the shake.  But I can now say for certain that it is.  I'm sure it's fine for the rest of the population who, unlike me can tolerate dairy.  It has worked well for me with regard to weight loss, but I just can't afford to consume it any longer.

So I am really going to make efforts to treat Dairy and Refined Sugars just like I do gluten - ERADICATE them!  It seems to be the ticket to less time spent in the restroom and a happier family life.  Even though I'm not Vegan, I do believe the Vegan products will suit me better as they are (for the most part) certified organic and animal product free. 

So, the journey continues.  I'm pretty sure that I'm well on my way to getting even better and that I uncovered a major problem that was frustrating me these past few weeks.  I loved bread and dairy and sugar but it's not worth all of the pain. 

Four Simple Tips for Success

People have been asking me what I did to shed 15-20lbs in 3 months time.  The truth is, it was a culmination of many different things - an intense lifestyle change.  But here are some very critical components to a proper weight loss attempt.

1.  Get a Heart Rate Monitor-  I just LOVE working out with my HRM.  I thought the strap would bother me, but I often forget to remove it.  If you're counting calories you know exactly how much is going in - it's equally important to learn how much you're burning off.   It also lets you know which exercises really challenge you. 

2.   Discuss Weight Loss Goals with Your Dr -  We hear this all the time, but do we really do it?  Prior to giving birth to my daughter I prided myself on my ability to "never see a Dr".   If you are having problems losing weight and you are giving it your all it would be wise to discuss this with your Dr.  If your Dr brushes you off and hasn't been helpful I suggest you find a new one or try a Naturopath or Chiropractor.  

3.   Ditch the Diet Drinks and Soda - ANYTHING with artificial sweetener is not good for you.  Like smoking, it's a bad habit.  Just say NO!  I have not consumed any of these products in the past year and a half!  (probably longer)

4.  Write down your goals and tell your friends.   When I started my Body Transformation Program I announced it on Facebook.  Sure, not everyone cares or pays attention or even noticed, but some friends did and they encouraged me.    The main idea is that you announce it to everyone you know so you hold YOURSELF accountable.  If you write it down and tell others the chances of it becoming reality are much higher.  

These things were very easy for me to accomplish.  Maybe some folks would struggle with one or maybe even all of the above.  You don't have to do all of these things at one time, but it's important to be moving towards your goal.  The payoff is so very worth it.  There is no better feeling in the world!

      

The House Next Door

As I look out my window today I see a United Van Lines truck with large wooden crates. A new neighbor is moving in! Oh, how my mind wanders with eager anticipation of who they could be. Will they be friendly? Do they have children? Will I invite them over for tea on my new patio? Only time will tell. Right now I'm trying to decide what to bring when I introduce myself. Now that I'm aware of allergies I hesitate to bring baked goods, I will probably stick with a plant.

Extreme Motivation (How I got back into jeans that fit before my wedding day)

I write this post with sincere gratitude, and a zestful happiness that I have never truly experienced until recently. Not long ago, I thought I would never wear size 7 clothes again, little did I know that I would eventually change the course of my shape/attitude/well being.

To make a really long story short and sweet. I gave birth to my son in late September and lost 30lbs of baby weight pretty quickly. I gave myself time to adjust to new motherhood and decided that when he was 3 months old I would start working out again in some capacity and also get really stringent on my diet. Around this time I noticed that a friend on Facebook, Vivian had gone through a "Total Body Transformation" by drinking Shakeology (a tasty, filling meal replacement) daily, and by committing to a series of workout videos created by Chalene Johnson/Beachbody. Oh how I yearned for a similar transformation, so I started to post comments. Vivian told me that I could do this too, we emailed and spoke on the phone and she offered to be my "Coach". I was very skeptical but it did work for her, she was doing something right. I was hopeful that it would work for me too, I decided to go "all in".

I chose to work out with ChaLEAN Extreme using resistance tubing in place of dumbells for adequate resistance. The workouts were intense and it took a while before I could get through the circuits and drills without having to sit and rest for a few minutes. After 90 days I was able to get through like a pro- with great form and no breaks. That's when I decided to step it up a notch to keep the challenge there and purchase additional videos that would add to the challenge. I am hoping this keeps me losing poundage!

Another thing that I did that helped was tell my Dr about what I was doing. He suggested eating 1500 calories a day, I was pretty surprised because that's not a lot and I'm a nursing mother. But when I burn 500 calories a day, then I can eat 2000 calories and that's not hard at all. I tend to eat less when I exercise, not sure why. I think it's because I get busy and don't think about food as much. My Dr also suggested the book "The Spectrum" by Dr Dean Ornish - I took some concepts from the book and applied them and it did seem to really help me. My Dr lost about 70lbs in the past 5 years himself and had a "total transformation" so he motivated me further.

I do remember that about 40-60 days into it I felt great but didn't yet garner the results I was hoping to. I thought maybe it was my thyroid problem or just bad health, not really sure, because I was feeling better/more energetic. I think it was simply the fact that I was building muscle and needed to count calories.

So, to make it all short - The MOST important thing you need to lose weight is a CAN-DO POSITIVE Attitude. The second thing you need is support and motivation from outside. Vivian was very supportive and helpful because she had just accomplished what I really wanted to. Knowing that she did it really inspired me. I also know that for me, I could do cardio until the cows come home and not lose pounds. I needed the muscle building component that ChaLEAN Extreme provides. Because Muscle Burns Fat! I also love the taste and convenience of the Shakeology meal replacement shake in chocolate flavor. I've been drinking it every day for the past 105 days so it has to be doing some good!!!

The stats so far are that in 105 days: 16 inches lost - 15 pounds lighter - and bodyfat reduced from 28 to 15. I started at 187 and I'm currently at 168 - that's more than 15lbs but things fluctuate so I like to do a range. I truly lost somewhere between 15-20lbs so far. Only 10-15 more to lose and I'm where I really want to be.

I would love to help any of my family and friends accomplish what I have. I really don't think there is anything that feels better than losing weight the right, healthy & challenging way!

It's also important to note that the ChaLEAN Extreme program is just like having your own personal trainer, but in the comfort of your own home. There are plenty of modifications for people with problem knees or people who can't/don't want to be jumping around. I found Chalene Johnson to be very upbeat and encouraging and this somehow helped me on a psychological level and her positive influence kept me working out consistently with the videos. I never lost hope and thought of my weight loss as a "BATTLE AGAINST AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE". I decided that I was going to win the fight, and make my body strong so that I can be healthy. I do give myself credit for taking charge. It has paid off in a multitude of ways. A simple example: just the other day I went down a slide along side my daughter while wearing my son in a baby carrier - she laughed gleefully and we continued to go down the slide together probably 20 times. I realized after I went down the first time that this poor child hasn't had a very active parent - and I felt so joyful to know that I can be that "active" parent now. It truly makes such a huge difference to her, and to me as well.

Back to the Swing of Things: Diagnosis Celiac

Wow! Last time I posted here- my daughter was just 7 or 8 months old. I currently have a son the same age. Reading this blog brings back memories of that time. I don't know HOW I MANAGED through my life back then. Believe it or not, life is easier for me now with two kids. You might think I'm crazy, but it's true. When Grace was just over 1 year old I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, going gluten free has made a HUGE impact on my life. It also took a while for the Dr to get me on the proper thyroid RX. That happened when my daughter was about 9 or 10 months old. The suffering I endured was tremendous,but I am grateful that I was diagnosed rather quickly and am now living a high quality life. When my son was 3 months old I began a strength training program. I am now excited about body building!

Look for many more updates! I started several other blogs, but this one, I feel is calling me back!