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!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
155.4 Again - Must've Found The Maintenance Formula!
The way I look at this, once I do get to my target fitness level, at least I seem to have found the formula for maintaining the same weight!
Today I will get some exercise shoveling the walkways - it's been gorgeous here and should be another sunny day! I love springtime in Alaska for the longer days and the sun sparkling off of the snow - the cutest little girl told me the other day that it looks like diamonds.
Today I will get some exercise shoveling the walkways - it's been gorgeous here and should be another sunny day! I love springtime in Alaska for the longer days and the sun sparkling off of the snow - the cutest little girl told me the other day that it looks like diamonds.
Monday, March 14, 2011
154.6 and coasting..... This is why the BLOG!
So, I've been slacking - too much coffee in the morning, skipping the snacks, and not enough water. This is what happens when "life gets in the way" of trying to establish a routine. That area of weakness that creeps in and causes me to temporarily forgo my goals. Fortunately my pain threshold is getting lower, so I am less willing to put up with being disappointed in myself.
I'm starting off this week with a dose of cranberry juice (boil cranberries and drink the liquid - that's it!) to help boost the immune system and remove toxins, another good piece of information from La'Net, my healthiest friend, which she passed on from her brother.
After the plumber leaves today I've got to hit the grocery store to stock back up on fresh veges.
Someone - please send me a message or give me a call when you see me dropping out of the BLOG. It's probably a sign that I need a little boost!
To all of our health and happiness!
I'm starting off this week with a dose of cranberry juice (boil cranberries and drink the liquid - that's it!) to help boost the immune system and remove toxins, another good piece of information from La'Net, my healthiest friend, which she passed on from her brother.
After the plumber leaves today I've got to hit the grocery store to stock back up on fresh veges.
Someone - please send me a message or give me a call when you see me dropping out of the BLOG. It's probably a sign that I need a little boost!
To all of our health and happiness!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Another week - 155.2
Lots of activity this week - I lost track of the meal schedule and am amazed that I didn't gain weight. The elimination of white flour and sugar has got to be part of that - I can certainly feel a difference in my energy and my sleep by going off-schedule!
Working to have a better progress report very soon!
Working to have a better progress report very soon!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I Forgot to Mention...
At the beginning of all of this was the "snowpants incident".
I can't believe that I forgot to mention that I have been wearing those very snowpants all week on my cross-country skiing escapades! They are a little tight - but after I slept in them a few times they loosened up! (kidding)
It may seem silly, but these are the same snowpants I've had since I was 18 - and they were loose back then. Granted, I'm not trying to get back to my 18 year old body - just somewhere in the middle where I can feel confident that I am presenting myself the way I feel inside, and that my body doesn't limit me from doing things that I enjoy.
We all deserve that!
I can't believe that I forgot to mention that I have been wearing those very snowpants all week on my cross-country skiing escapades! They are a little tight - but after I slept in them a few times they loosened up! (kidding)
It may seem silly, but these are the same snowpants I've had since I was 18 - and they were loose back then. Granted, I'm not trying to get back to my 18 year old body - just somewhere in the middle where I can feel confident that I am presenting myself the way I feel inside, and that my body doesn't limit me from doing things that I enjoy.
We all deserve that!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
And the winner is......155.8 (again)
Same story, different day. Going skiing again tonight and will give the exercise a little time to kick in - the sunshine we have been having lately sure helps the outlook!
Yesterday's downfall: Oysters, scallops and white salad (parsnips, cauliflower, bleu cheese) at Kinley's.
We ate too late and then I wasn't hungry this morning. I've been off all day!
Yesterday's downfall: Oysters, scallops and white salad (parsnips, cauliflower, bleu cheese) at Kinley's.
We ate too late and then I wasn't hungry this morning. I've been off all day!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ate Breakfast Before Weigh-In
Went skiing again last night - got up early and ate breakfast before I thought about weigh-in this morning so no news to report there. The focus today is hydration - my horoscope even said to drink extra water today. Strange but I'll go with it!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
154.8 Today - X-Country Skiing - Cold But FUN!
I went cross-country skiing this morning with a friend, I am so glad we went! It was great fun once I got outside even though it is was about 10 degrees (F) and chilly in the beginning, it is refreshing to get some our in the clean, crisp air and feel the sunshine on your face in the winter!
Breakfast Today: Eggs & Venison for breakfast on the way out the door - nice protein blast but not quite according to plan!
Lunch: Soup, banana bread, coffee on the porch
Dinner: Planning for baked chicken, salad, and quinoa
YUM!
Breakfast Today: Eggs & Venison for breakfast on the way out the door - nice protein blast but not quite according to plan!
Lunch: Soup, banana bread, coffee on the porch
Dinner: Planning for baked chicken, salad, and quinoa
YUM!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Fur Rondy Today! 155.8 This Morning - Doing Something Wrong...
Successes to Date: Making breakfast a priority, eliminating milk & cheese (Healthier skin, elimination of joint pain!)
Areas to Improve: Implementing regular exercise, eating dinner earlier, getting the afternoon snack in the mix, drink more water
While I am happy with maintaining the 10 lb loss, it's time to kick this program into gear!
I have a cross-country ski date with a friend this afternoon if it warms up - and as much as I despise exercise for the sake of exercise I'm afraid it is a necessary evil if I want to maintain 130 lbs vs. 155 lbs. UGH!
Areas to Improve: Implementing regular exercise, eating dinner earlier, getting the afternoon snack in the mix, drink more water
While I am happy with maintaining the 10 lb loss, it's time to kick this program into gear!
I have a cross-country ski date with a friend this afternoon if it warms up - and as much as I despise exercise for the sake of exercise I'm afraid it is a necessary evil if I want to maintain 130 lbs vs. 155 lbs. UGH!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
154.8
Last night we had a photo shoot in the hot tub - big fun thanks to a few good sports who agreed to model! I must say putting on the swimsuit was a bit daunting, luckily they weren't looking for bikini models!
I've been back to focusing on eating foods with 1 ingredient - it seems to be working - despite my lack of following the 5 meal rule. I have an easy time incorporating the breakfast, lunch and mid-afternoon snack before dinner. The mid-morning snack often gets forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the day...
Must work on that....
I've been back to focusing on eating foods with 1 ingredient - it seems to be working - despite my lack of following the 5 meal rule. I have an easy time incorporating the breakfast, lunch and mid-afternoon snack before dinner. The mid-morning snack often gets forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the day...
Must work on that....
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
155.4 Up Bright & Early Today
This morning the full moon beaming in the window had me up at 5:00 a.m. I started the day with a glass of lemon water, then 1/2 cup of coffee about an hour later.
I can tell that although the numbers on the scale haven't moved much lately - the weight distribution on my body is different. It looks as though the water-weight is gone, and what is left is a layer of "insulation", as we affectionately call it in Alaska. :)
I've been putting the start of an exercise regimen on the back burner, and supplementing with extra chores around the house, but I can tell it is time to add more structure to the routine. I know, I know, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! I had those bicycle pants on a few days ago and ended up mopping the floors - but hey, at least the house is clean!
I can tell that although the numbers on the scale haven't moved much lately - the weight distribution on my body is different. It looks as though the water-weight is gone, and what is left is a layer of "insulation", as we affectionately call it in Alaska. :)
I've been putting the start of an exercise regimen on the back burner, and supplementing with extra chores around the house, but I can tell it is time to add more structure to the routine. I know, I know, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! I had those bicycle pants on a few days ago and ended up mopping the floors - but hey, at least the house is clean!
Monday, February 21, 2011
155-ish.... Missed the Weigh-In Today
Fighting sugar cravings all day today and got this in the Eat Clean Newsletter so thought I'd share it.
http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe.aspx?Treats
Recipes for when you are craving sugar and want a healthy alternative that is still a treat!
Not very lively lately, I know...
http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe.aspx?Treats
Recipes for when you are craving sugar and want a healthy alternative that is still a treat!
Not very lively lately, I know...
Sunday, February 20, 2011
155.2 - Stairs and More Stairs Today
Shoveled snow yesterday for exercise and climbed stairs all day today back and forth to the B&B rooms. Looking forward to the week - we have guests coming in and lots of work to do!
Scrambled eggs with cilantro and onions this morning, celery and almond butter for snack, homemade vegetable soup with mixed greens for lunch and dinner.
Focusing this week on goals and health - taxes, travel, and investments. A healthy approach to each day is definitely in order!
Scrambled eggs with cilantro and onions this morning, celery and almond butter for snack, homemade vegetable soup with mixed greens for lunch and dinner.
Focusing this week on goals and health - taxes, travel, and investments. A healthy approach to each day is definitely in order!
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