Well it's almost the end of the year and the end of the blog. Since I didn't keep up with the diary or the original plan I haven't accomplished the mission to give this experiment a legitimate effort - so instead I'll write about what I have learned that has worked (or not) and maybe it will be of some benefit to someone else too.
The Basics:
Be sure to consume enough calories spread throughout the day to keep your metabolism up. I discovered that I had actually been not eating enough food and was able to keep from experiencing highs and lows throughout the day by eating 3 to 4 times a day.
For me, eliminating dairy was HUGE since at the end of 2010 I discovered that it was the root of a variety of symptoms I was having including: excessive bloating, hives on my face and arms, swollen glands in my throat, and general aches in my joints.
I found some new delicious ways to incorporate vegetables: scrambled eggs and kale for breakfast; kale leaves (vs. lettuce) makes a delicious and vitamin packed tuna salad; brussel sprouts steamed with cumin and red pepper taste great (I know!?!); broccoli greens, garlic & Braggs liquid aminos - yum!
Braggs in place of soy sauce is a healthier option and can also replace salt!
Olive oil is your friend! Use it for everything from cooking to a replacement for lotion if you want to get away from perfumed products.
Work is Still in Progress:
Drinking more water - the ultimate toxin removal system to flush waste from your body!
Not being a fan of exercise for the sake of exercise, I need to do fun things that require movement more often in order to build muscle and get in some cardio. Dancing, hiking, walking to the mailbox, and basically just doing things the hard way as often as possible work for the moment until I can get back to enjoying the gym.
Getting a good nights sleep - very important for letting the body heal itself and restore reserves for the next cycle of activity.
What about the snowpants?
The snowpants do fit - which is a good thing because we've had about 5 feet of snow in the past week! (Thankfully there are some enterprising young people off of school for the holidays to help out with the load.)
I weigh 153 today after the Christmas feast - and have stayed between 147 and 153 for most of the past few months. While it isn't my target, I'm happy with where I am at for now and will keep implementing small changes towards a healthier lifestyle.
What's Next?
I'm thinking about a new topic for 2012. I'll let you know in the next few days and try to be more consistent with the postings, I promise!
Happy Holidays Everyone! I wish you happiness and fulfillment in 2012!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Long Time No Hear! 149.8 at the Onset of Winter
I guess 14 lbs of weight loss in a year is nothing to be upset about. If I do it again by next year I'll be 30 lbs. down and probably be able to maintain that weight since it wasn't a drastic program, but more of a lifestyle change.
Items of note: I eliminated dairy from my diet entirely and most white flour products. I still eat rice but try to use brown rice where possible, sushi is my weakness! I added a glass of water first thing in the morning to my routine, and try to eat something at breakfast even if it is just a piece of fruit to keep the metabolism up. Eating too late is still sometimes an issue - but for the most part these changes have been painless and the benefits are well worth the adjustment!
It is good to be able to look back on this and realize where I was at in January - argh! I haven't tried on the snowpants yet but I'm sure they fit this year!
Items of note: I eliminated dairy from my diet entirely and most white flour products. I still eat rice but try to use brown rice where possible, sushi is my weakness! I added a glass of water first thing in the morning to my routine, and try to eat something at breakfast even if it is just a piece of fruit to keep the metabolism up. Eating too late is still sometimes an issue - but for the most part these changes have been painless and the benefits are well worth the adjustment!
It is good to be able to look back on this and realize where I was at in January - argh! I haven't tried on the snowpants yet but I'm sure they fit this year!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
156.0 - 7 Miles Today on the Bicycle - Why Don't I Love Fruit?
What is it about fruit that I have to force myself to eat it? I wake up craving something refreshing - and I love lemon water - but to eat an orange, apple or banana first thing in the morning, not happening. With the body's internal wisdom one would think that this would be a treat, and not a struggle.
I rode 7 miles on the training cycle today - up from 5 yesterday. I break a sweat at about mile 6 so will shoot for 8 miles tomorrow and work into getting my legs back. It's still pretty muddy around here so it will be a few more weeks of indoor cycling before I can pull the bicycle outside for a real ride - it's alright though, there's less traffic in the living room!
On the days that I get up and exercise first thing - the whole day just goes better - how to make that a permanent routine is where I need the help! HELP! I could get up at 5:00am if I wasn't such a night owl - but I have always liked to stay up late especially when the night sky is so gorgeous!
I rode 7 miles on the training cycle today - up from 5 yesterday. I break a sweat at about mile 6 so will shoot for 8 miles tomorrow and work into getting my legs back. It's still pretty muddy around here so it will be a few more weeks of indoor cycling before I can pull the bicycle outside for a real ride - it's alright though, there's less traffic in the living room!
On the days that I get up and exercise first thing - the whole day just goes better - how to make that a permanent routine is where I need the help! HELP! I could get up at 5:00am if I wasn't such a night owl - but I have always liked to stay up late especially when the night sky is so gorgeous!
Monday, April 25, 2011
155.2 Today - Heading to the Bicycle
Today's focus is on flexibility - after some well needed stretching I'm realizing that the range of motion we take for granted is important to keep up. I used to sit on the floor and stretch while I watched TV - time to get back into that habit! Stand tall and take full deep breaths and feel the difference in your energy level... it's the little things!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
156.0 on a Saturday Morning. Regrouping This Weekend!
In a nutshell - I haven't been eating enough snacks, and have been lax on the early dinner schedule. It is a common offense when the sun starts shining until 9:00pm. This weekend is all about regrouping and getting back on track - starting with putting the Eat Clean recipe book back on the kitchen counter in plain view. Next will be to make a copy of the grocery list to carry with me to the grocery store!
It does feel good to know that summer is around the corner - energy levels are higher and the fresh air is awesome!
It does feel good to know that summer is around the corner - energy levels are higher and the fresh air is awesome!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
156.4 - Better get cracking! The sun is shining!
I rode 10 miles on my training bicycle day before yesterday, yesterday's exercise consisted of pushing gravel off of the driveway with a push broom. Scheduled a walk down the coastal trail today to get out and get some fresh air. I have had some issues with eating breakfast first thing in the morning lately - today I had a banana, an egg and a piece of homemade wheat bread toast.
My weight has gone from 157 to 159 to 156 since the return from Ireland. I'm not entirely please with myself at this point, I'm sure it will improve this month!
My weight has gone from 157 to 159 to 156 since the return from Ireland. I'm not entirely please with myself at this point, I'm sure it will improve this month!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Ahhh Ireland! THE BUTTER EXPERIMENT!
Wanting a new perspective, and a old-world experience I ventured to Ireland to experience things new and old. With the only expectation being "the unexpected" I was open for trying new things and gaining new insight. It was wonderful! The sights were staggering in a balance of days gone by, and modern day "keeping the pace" - a lesson in contrast and balance.
As this relates to diet - I was a bit concerned about sticking to the program, considering that the two highly touted items on the Irish menu are butter and guinness. Preface this with the fact that I have gone through years of what I thought was a hormonal issue, to realize last October that once I eliminated dairy from my diet the hives and skin problems immediately healed, as such I have sworn off milk, ice cream, cheese and butter entirely! (Yes, it hurts!) On a hunch, I decided on day 2 to test the waters on my recently discovered lactose intolerance and see if I was equally affected by Irish dairy, so let's start with the best of the best - butter.
The first creamy taste of Irish butter was enough to have me looking forward this little experiment - Irish butter is better, much much better! I can only describe it as the difference between drinking a sip of fresh cream, and sip of watered down 1% milk. After my first taste, I felt a little apprehensive, waiting for the hives to appear on face and wrists - so I only had 1 piece of bread lightly spread with the oh-so-creamy and delicious Irish butter. To my surprise, no unpleasant side effects. I ventured on to slathering on the butter, then to the cheese, not just a bite, but a whole cheese tray - still no unpleasant side effects. By the 7th day or so, I finally got brave enough to have cereal with milk - I have given up milk in my coffee, cereal, resorting to cooking with powdered milk, and using rice milk as a substitute otherwise. The European equivalent to our shredded wheat, and a bowl of milk I thought for sure would bring out the hives. Nothing. AMAZING!
You can imagine that on the last morning in Ireland, a tear in my eye formed as I was spreading my last pat of creamy Irish butter on my last piece of brown Irish soda bread, I savored every bite. It leaves to question what really is the difference between the dairy products being served up on American tables, and the dairy served in other parts of the world. It's well worth looking into.
As we lifted off in Dublin, I waved a sad goodbye to Irish butter as I affectionately embraced in my mind for the keeping, the green landscape dotted with fat grass-fed Irish cows and fluffy Irish sheep! The whole experience had me back up to 157.2 when I got on the scale at home - I will be smiling the whole time as I'm jogging off those pounds! No regrets!
As this relates to diet - I was a bit concerned about sticking to the program, considering that the two highly touted items on the Irish menu are butter and guinness. Preface this with the fact that I have gone through years of what I thought was a hormonal issue, to realize last October that once I eliminated dairy from my diet the hives and skin problems immediately healed, as such I have sworn off milk, ice cream, cheese and butter entirely! (Yes, it hurts!) On a hunch, I decided on day 2 to test the waters on my recently discovered lactose intolerance and see if I was equally affected by Irish dairy, so let's start with the best of the best - butter.
The first creamy taste of Irish butter was enough to have me looking forward this little experiment - Irish butter is better, much much better! I can only describe it as the difference between drinking a sip of fresh cream, and sip of watered down 1% milk. After my first taste, I felt a little apprehensive, waiting for the hives to appear on face and wrists - so I only had 1 piece of bread lightly spread with the oh-so-creamy and delicious Irish butter. To my surprise, no unpleasant side effects. I ventured on to slathering on the butter, then to the cheese, not just a bite, but a whole cheese tray - still no unpleasant side effects. By the 7th day or so, I finally got brave enough to have cereal with milk - I have given up milk in my coffee, cereal, resorting to cooking with powdered milk, and using rice milk as a substitute otherwise. The European equivalent to our shredded wheat, and a bowl of milk I thought for sure would bring out the hives. Nothing. AMAZING!
You can imagine that on the last morning in Ireland, a tear in my eye formed as I was spreading my last pat of creamy Irish butter on my last piece of brown Irish soda bread, I savored every bite. It leaves to question what really is the difference between the dairy products being served up on American tables, and the dairy served in other parts of the world. It's well worth looking into.
As we lifted off in Dublin, I waved a sad goodbye to Irish butter as I affectionately embraced in my mind for the keeping, the green landscape dotted with fat grass-fed Irish cows and fluffy Irish sheep! The whole experience had me back up to 157.2 when I got on the scale at home - I will be smiling the whole time as I'm jogging off those pounds! No regrets!
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