Woo Hoo… -2.5 lbs
I need to learn to take better photos. I’m just excited to lose 2.5 lbs. This week had its ups and downs with 2 HUGE eating event, date night and a birthday party last night. Still cant believe I lost weight though. It just goes on to prove that before Weight Watchers, my eating habit was so uncontrollable that tracking food intake made a weight loss difference. Just happy with a 2.6 loss.
There is a lot of of fat loss plan whether online or offline. Even if you limit your search to the world wide web only, you still are going to find an avalanche of diet plan. What makes harder is finding a diet tips that would be ideal for your health, help you Lose Fat and not harm your body in any way. Trust me, finding the best fat loss method is like finding a pearl from the bottom of the ocean. But regardless of which weight loss method you chose, you will still have to follow the basics of weight lossing, otherwise you will never be able to lose fat. In this article, I will tell you about several basics of effective fat loss.
1. Metabolism is the key fat loss determinant: Always keep in mind that your body’s metabolic process is what going to determine how much pounds you will be able to lose at a given point of time. If your metabolic process is high, you can lose a lot of weight even while at rest; on the other hand, if your metabolic process is slow, then you should look for ways to faster it. One way of speeding up your metabolism is by using fat loss pills and supplements.
2. Regular trainings are a must: Regardless of how strictly you follow your diet, if you lie idle all day sitting on your couch and watching your favorite TV show, how can you expect to shed those obstinate fat? You should workout frequently and never skip even a single workout session! If you are afraid of high intensity trainings such as cardio and resistance training, you can start with lighter aerobics. Aerobics will help you burn as much fat as cardio. If you cannot do exercises at all, regular walking alone will help you burn fat.
3. Don’t lose it too fast: I know that you are in a hurry to lose pounds and fit yourself into one of your old jeans or bikinis, but you should never attempt to lose weight too fast. Ideally you should lose no more than 1 or 2 pounds per week. If you lose more than that then it can affect your health negatively. If you think you are losing weight too fast, you should immediately see a doctor.
4. Eat low fat foods only: I know that every weight loss expert has advised you the same thing, but allow me to reiterate that you should take only those foods that have a low calorie content. Eating fatty and junk foods will make your situation worse!
5. Do harder for hereditary obesity: Some people become overweight because of hereditary issues. If your parents were overweight then it is no wonder that you won’t be any different. Also, people who suffer from hereditary obesity need to Work harder than others in order to lose fat. This doesn’t mean that you cannot loose fat at all; but you shouldn’t expect yourself to become ultra slim like others.
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Sorry it’s been a while since my last post. Who would have thought starting a new practice would be time consuming?! I’m back (for now) and have several great topics I want to share with you. On the topic of weightloss, I’ll be addressing leptin today. In the past few years, it’s received a lot of attention in regards to weightloss (or lack thereof). Hopefully, I can clear up any confusion you may have about it. I look forward to any comments or questions you may have afterwards.
Leptin is a hormone that is produced by your fat cells (among other cells). It’s a hormone we are just starting to really understand, however, we do realize it plays a large part in the establishment of a person’s set point weight. Unsure of all that is in play to trigger fat cells to produce it, we do know that it signals to your brain that you are satisfied and to stop eating. This signal takes a few minutes (up to 20 minutes by some estimations) to occur after ingesting food. That’s why it’s so important, especially in today’s rush-rush society, that you slow down and take your time eating. This is the first thing I tell patients whose problem is overeating. Give your body time to tell itself it’s full. Another problem that can exist for those who are overweight or obese is that their fat cells are producing leptin, but their brain’s are not getting the signal. The current thought on this is that the signal to your brain from your fat cells has been too strong for too long, so your brain becomes desensitized to the signal. It’s like type 2 diabetes (insulin-resistance). Blood sugar goes up and triggers the pancrease to produce insulin. Insulin transports sugar to the cells. Insulin attaches to receptors on cells and this allows the sugar to go into the cell for energy. If insulin levels stay too high for too long (blood sugar too high for too long), the receptors on the cells become desensitized to the insulin and won’t let it attach (thus not allowing the sugar to get into the cell). In this analogy, insulin is leptin. It’s being produced at too high a level for too long, your brain becomes less sensitive to the signal, resulting in less signal to tell you to stop eating. This explains why you can gain weight and still have the ability to overeat. Your body is unable to establish its set point due to the leptin insensitivity. So…what are you to do? Unfortunately, that’s not so clear at this point. There have been some studies strongly correlating eating fish/fish oil with lower leptin levels. I think it’s a great approach because fish oil is great for so many other problems like: inflammation, arthritis, chronic inflammatory disease, diabetes, etc. These are often associated with increase body fat and obesity. Also, the use of this “good” fat often displaces calories usually reserved for foods high in sugar and saturated fat. So, regardless if it helps lower leptin, it will get you closer to your overall goal of becoming healthy. Also, I’d suggest trying curcumin. It’s the active ingredient in curry and used by many naturopathic doctors to treat inflammation (especially arthritis and tendonitis) and for liver support. In looking at some literature suggesting the potential causes of the overproduction of leptin by fat cells, it seems curcumin could address one of these potential causes (blocking/regulating the production of NF Kappa B). Like fish oil, even if this doesn’t work specifically for lowering leptin levels, it can be very beneficial otherwise. As with either of these (fish oil and curcumin), be sure to consult your naturopathic doctor before starting a regimen. There are some contraindications for each that should be addressed as well as appropriate dosing strategies. In addition, several books about leptin have come out in recent years. Educate yourself about it more. One of the more popular books is “The Leptin Diet” by Byron J. Richards.
This is definitely a complicated aspect of weightloss, one that we’re just beginning to understand. I’m sure this will not be the only time I address it. Stay tuned for more updates.
REMEMBER…it’s YOUR health. No one can be held responsible for it but YOU. Educate yourself.
Until next time…
Dr. May
“I can do it myself.” We often laugh at 3 year olds who make this claim because we, as adults, know that they absolutely can NOT do it themselves. Yet so often, when it comes to weight loss and fitness, we claim the same thing. We simply do not want to be accountable to others. Usually for one of two reasons.
1) Fear of failing – We worry that if we make ourselves accountable to others and we don’t manage to meet our deadline or goal, then we will look like a failure. Here’s a headline for you: You’re not perfect. You are going to fail. You’re going to miss the mark and, guess what? That’s okay! We all do it and the world continues to turn. People don’t hate you for not being perfect, they hate you when you refuse to admit that you’re NOT and pretend that you are.
2) Fear of responsibility – We worry that making ourselves accountable means we really have to make a genuine attempt. It’s so much easier to procrastinate and blame something (or someone) else for our problem. When we make ourselves accountable, we must accept that we are in control and must take responsibility for our actions (or lack of) and the consequences that arise because of them.
The fact is that none of us makes it in life alone. We can’t do things ourselves and there is always someone who helps, whether we acknowledge the fact or not. The people who succeed are the ones who accept that they need help, ask for it and use it to its full potential.
I’m writing to you midst sin.
I thought I could go without a big old breakdown, but apparently no. I fell into a burrito and it pains me to write this, as much as my stomach hurts, more maybe. I’m going to do damage control tomorrow. Eggs for breakfast, seeing my mother for a pep talk. Walking outside in the free air. Not ripping myself into a thousand shreds because I wasn’t strong enough.
What precipitated this bullshit? This stupidity and hunger and ultimate betrayal of my plans, of even last night’s entry? Nothing really. I waited two hours after work, caked on another layer of makeup until I thought I was went to a party. I got a drink. I talked to the person who invited me whom I secretly adore, maybe, several times, talked to a few other people. Got my awkward picture taken awkwardly with said adored person. Since there were no chairs, a blaring piano with kids screaming along with the piano player, I stood there. Stood there with my coat in my hand and my drink in the other in my pretty little outfit, feeling entirely surreal and ridiculous. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been in a room where I didn’t know more than a handful of people and that fact bothered me. Four years now, in my very social, very peppy job, I’m used to this situation. I pretty well zoned into the nothingness. I didn’t know what to do. Who to talk to. There was no place to sit down.
At some point, the restauranteur came over and checked on me, pressed against the glass window staring apparently like some kind of party zombie. He thought he was funny, asked me why I was shy, if I was happy with my drink and took my coat. With my keys and ID in the pocket with this insouciant, red-eyed, puffy and long face. I knew it looked like a security blanket, but maybe in part, that’s what it was. Person who invited me, seated with a bunch of ladies I’d like to deride but what is the point? Taking his picture with his arm around someone, drinking wine, leaning in. I felt like someone smacked me in the face with reality. That I don’t know how to do this or be here. It felt so loud and tight in there, staring at everyone’s backs as they stood around me talking to other people and I was so stupid to think this would in any way be some kind of positive stroke to my ego.
Eventually, I paid my tab for the drink, pretty much stole my coat out of the unguarded coat check, figured I was good to drive on half a vodka and cranberry, and fled. I didn’t say goodbye to anyone. Why would I? I couldn’t and can’t even imagine being missed.
So I told myself that I was going to eat some carbs anyway, I had planned on an appetizer as a treat for this social activity, in this lovely, lovely restaurant so getting a carb-loaded dinner would be okay. A treat for an invisible girl. Chipotle. I didn’t need the rice. Or the beans. I could just get the bowl. But by the time I was up at the counter, I’d let myself know in some unspoken manner, that the shitty feelings of always being that girl in the corner that didn’t matter to anyone had to be dealt with fast. That it was nuclear meltdown time if someone didn’t get that rod squared away and fast. So I ordered the dead baby, silver pill, bag of frozen kitten burrito and hied away, back to this bed and this miserable little existence and I ate it like I was bandaging some internal hemorrhage with every bite. And the stupidity of which I addressed this behavior some entry a few weeks ago, it was all present in me. I care, but I couldn’t/wouldn’t/didn’t stop it.
Now, the justification so fucking omnipresent it was sticking its little flechette into my forehead has mysteriously vanished.
I am dreading Mr. Scale tomorrow. I’m dreading my deranged emotional response will turned two or three pounds overnight. I’m dreading that I’ll flail for a while with this as an excuse.
I have to get my head on straight. I really like him, but I am so flummoxed by the fact that he could like me back (I am so scared to let change happen in this aspect of my life) that I act ridiculous and when he leaves to talk to someone else, I feel like the door is getting slammed in my face. That I’m not a girl to sit down and talk with. None of this needs to be the way it is. I just feel really weepy. I don’t know if this helped to talk about. I really don’t. I kind of feel like the ugliest girl on the internet.
Tomorrow, not perfection, but better. Water. Walking. Pep-talk. Clean-up. Wash your face. Sit on your hands. You wigged out. It’s okay. It’s okay.
So it’s been a month that I’ve been trying to lose weight and well I lost 3 pounds this month. Sounds like nothing I know. I’ve been so stressed and upset with myself. ”Why can’t I just keep this weight off and do what I did 10 years ago?” So this next month, even though is full with chocolate and candy ( because of Valentines) I’m going to try harder. I sometimes day-dream of wearing that dress I have in my closet I can’t fit into. I dream of how good I would feel in that dress. But that is 67 pounds away!!! Seems like an eternity! I wish I had the money to go to the gym or go on a diet program. The fact is that I don’t. I know God provides. As long as my daughter is ok and the mortgage is getting paid, the rest is stuff I don’t need. I can do this. I can lose this weight. I wish I felt that way everyday. My poor husband has to see me cry and complain. I just don’t feel right. I don’t feel good in my skin. So what am I going to do about it? I have to try harder. I have to understand that I have a daughter that is going to look up to me. That it’s going to take hard work and dedication. That it’s ok to have a Big Mac or chocolate once in a while. So the month of February is going to be a better month. I’m hoping for at least a 8 pound weight loss.
Tip of the Week: Try not to eat too late. I know that when I first lost my weight, I didn’t eat after 6pm. It was hard at first but then it got easier and it was just something that came naturally to me. If I was out I would order a tea or coffee. That saved me so much money as well. I’m not saying that 6pm is the best time. Looking now and seeing that I’m married and have a kid, 6pm doesn’t work. So I’m aiming for 7pm. It works. The hard part is just starting.
Dieting and the loss of weight with a personal trainer might be right for you for a great many reasons. The number of people that are concerned with dieting and losing weight is perchance at record highs today. Nearly all people think that dieting and the loss of weight is the only answer if they think they are fat. A personal trainer will aid you to grasp why dieting and the loss of weight is not one size fits all and to generate the proper diet for you.
Dieting and weight loss is painful at first to nearly all people. Undeniably people are paying billions of dollars in the diet market these days; even with that dieting and the loss of weight is fairly easy, not complex. It is said that dieting and the loss of weight are based on some truly common sense fundamentals, however it is not an easy journey to success. Dieting and weight loss is more often than not easier when you have someone like a personal trainer to encourage you through the process.
Consider this, one of the most essential components in dieting and the loss of weight is positive reinforcement which a personal trainer will provide. Usually, dieting and the loss of weight seem like such a tedious task to attempt. Dieting and losing weight is not as arduous as most diet programs make it out to be.
Whereas dieting and losing weight is essential to having a healthier day-to-day life; bear in mind that dieting and losing weight interminably may have health risks also. For this reason, a preferable system to dieting and the loss of weight is to get the idea you will make some mistakes and that your personal trainer will get you back on track.
Thanks for reading Dieting and Weight Loss With a Personal Trainer – Part 1 of 2. Please read Part 2 of 2 next.
Physical Therapy
The 7 Day Back Pain Cure
ever feel like you are suffocating? suffocating when you are surrounded by nothing but your own thoughts and pure air??
i’m finding myself completely overwhelmed by problems and 90% of them are not even my own problems. my friends have been a non-stop rollercoaster for the past year and a half, but moreso just the past few months. i think it has to also do w/the medication issues…but still! everyone is breaking up or broke or having family issues or trying to kill themselves…
this doesnt even allow me to think about and deal w/my own problems appropriately because i get so wrapped up in their issues. i lay awake at night thinking about them…or i stay up late thinking of them and by the time i hit my pillow i realize i havent dealt w/my own shit! so there is another hour or 2 WIDE AWAKE! this is why i only have a few friends. i cant handle more friends due to this.
i realize i’m sounding very selfish…however, i need to let it be known, that i’m helping my friends, on every level…until i cant help any longer. today another friend busted some news that her stepdad had taken her into the woods for a daddy daughter annual day out and told her he fantasized about her and wanted to have sex w/her right out there! it made my heart sink, watching her cry for a man she called dad for over 20 years…it was today when i decided that i will not let any of my other friends, including her, go through the type of thing she has and be so sad! those helpless feelings are unacceptable to me and the pain she felt was radiating through her. since she has tried to overdose on pills, alcohol and weed…no success. she has 3 kids, a bad marriage and has stepped out on her vows since, as well…i just wanted to hug her and never let her go, AND I AM NOT A HUGGER.
idk, what i think right now. i have issues of my own, work, cat tumors, money, weight, etc…but how can i deal with any of it when this type of shit keeps coming up??? i cant. so ive been eating, like i’m trying to gain weight!
sorry this is a depressing note. generally, i try to keep these upbeat and funny, but today i am just sad. sad, plain and true. i just want to cry. i’ll be fine. i just want to cry today.
Quinoa is so AWESOME!! I didn’t know how easy it is to make, delicious, and so nutritious…. especially for me being a pescetarian. It was classified by the National Academy of Sciences as one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom. Not many plants contain all 8 of the essential amino acids that flesh protein has. Also, it has a low glycemic index & is a gluten-free whole grain. I now have something to substitute high glycemic rice with & can make it for my friends with wheat allergies. The hubby really enjoyed this meal…. not leaving much leftovers for the next day’s lunches. Enjoy! PS…. I found the recipe very dry so I added another 18 ounces of veggie broth half way through so the grains wouldn’t stick to the pot.
Potato, Leek, and Quinoa Soup
6¼ hours | 15 min prep
a great slow cooker soup
SERVES 8
Ingredients
Directions
Acai is a super fruit from the Amazon Rainforest where it has been consumed as a food and juice for many years. Acai is the only super berry on the market that has everything that you need, naturally from only the berry itself. It packs B, C, and E vitamins, Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Fiber, Proteins, omegas, and essential fatty acids to help you fight cholesterol problems and more.
Acai’s Anti-Oxidant factors play a large role in maintenance of cardiovascular system, which is important for better blood circulation.
Antocianine, one of the main substances in the acai berry, is high in antioxidants like Vitamins C and E and helps the body fight of free radicals in the environment. Harmful substances in the air like smog, cigarette smoke, and even the damaging effects of the sun can be significantly reduced by taking acai.
While there are a number of other fruits that fight off antioxidants, none of them come close to the acai. Acai berries are up to six times more potent than noni or mangosteen, so a daily intake of acai could protect you from contracting colds or the flu, as well as give your skin a healthy glow.
Acai has a significant amount of calcium, which can help prevent osteoporosis, especially in women. Calcium helps to strengthen the bones and prevent fractures, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist, and in addition with the right diet filled with other calcium-rich foods and Vitamin D, osteoporosis can also be effectively treated.
In addition to osteoporosis prevention, women with extreme menstrual pain can also benefit from acai . Calcium-rich foods tend to coat the lining of the stomach and uterus, and reduce the pain that comes from cramps and bloating.
Acai berries can help to lower cholesterol levels due to their high fiber content. The high fiber in content can also help to prevent colon cancer, since the fiber in the acai berry helps to move substances through the digestive track and arteries. The berries contain Omega-3 fatty acids as well, another substance that lowers cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids can also improve the health of your skin because it improves circulation and increase the level of protein in the body.
A recent report using a standardized oxygen radical absorbance capacity or ORAC analysis on a freeze-dried Acai powder found that this powder showed a high antioxidant effect against peroxyl radical (1027 micromol TE/g). This is approximately 10% more than lowbush, blueberry, or cranberry on a dry weight basis. The ORAC value for this freeze-dried powder was significantly higher than when other methods of drying the fruit were tested.
Acai was recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey daytime television show as being the top super food for age-defying beauty.
for more infomation on Acai Supplements, please visit www.AmericanNutrition.com
I’m going to die, probably “before my time,” leaving my wife a young widow.
This is the revelation I had recently. I am, you see, morbidly obese. At 377 pounds, I am a prime candidate for a heart attack or other life-threatening medical event if I do not substantially improve my physical condition. So I joined a gym.
Friday night, 22 January, 2010, I weighed myself and proceeded to the gym my wife and I had chosen. I had a light cardio workout and scheduled an appointment for an orientation session on Sunday. I kept that appointment and had a productive workout. Fifteen minutes on the bike, followed by a session with a trainer focusing on my arms. He gave me three bicep exercises and three tricep exercises. Then another fifteen minutes of cardio, this on the treadmill.
I go back Tuesday morning to learn some exercises focused on my legs and then we’ll schedule a session to learn exercises for my torso. This pattern was suggested by the trainer, to avoid following my arm workout with a chest workout, since the arm work inevitably works the shoulders and chest a bit.
So… the vital statistics. Married, mid forties, six foot-three and three hundred seventy-seven pounds (BMI = 47.1) at the start of this program. Let’s see where this goes.
Anyone who spends an extended period of time with me knows that I enjoy laughing at ridiculous diet and workout shenanigans, especially in the form of bad infomercials. In tribute to my obsession, I have decided to compile a few of the best/worst here. My top four:
1.
The Shake Weight commercial. There is a women’s version too, but I find this one funnier for what are probably obvious reasons.
2.
The Neckline Slimmer: for those of us with unbearably fat necks who have no qualms about miming blowjobs to slim ‘em up.
3.
The Tracy Anderson workout, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow: because no woman should ever lift more than 3 pounds or her arms will get big. Also, once you hit 35 you must either starve yourself or work out with a personal trainer six days a week. Otherwise you’re gross, I guess.
4.
I don’t have a video for this one, but the Master Cleanse stands out to me as a particularly unreasonable diet that otherwise intelligent people seem set on converting me to. I had a teacher in middle school that went on this diet for the recommended 40 days, and by the end of it hunger had transformed him from a slightly uptight man to something like a rabid wolverine. For those who aren’t in the know, the premise this diet is pretty much to starve yourself for as long as possible, ingesting only an absolutely delicious combination of water, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Drink up, ladies! After all, you’re just cleansing your system of all that totally yucky food.
On a more serious note, I think that part of why I fixate on these diets and workouts in particular is because they are so obviously ridiculous that it’s easy to distance myself from them, to dismiss them. Laughing at these is no challenge; facing up to the very real pressure to fit the near-impossible beauty standard is. I feel validated when I can step back and laugh at the few commercial efforts that by virtue of their ridiculousness will never, ever succeed in making me doubt or devalue my own body among the many that can and will.
How do you stay positive and affirm your own body?
Not only that, but i’m writing from beautiful Franconia, NH, where I am staying with my family at their vacation house. My grandparents had the house built 30 years ago in Mittersill, a village that is meant to mimic EXACTLY its Swiss counterpart. Back in the day, glamorous movie stars and the wealthy would come to stay, hobnob and ski. It’s pretty amazing. All of the houses are Swiss chalets. Here’s where I am writing from right now:
And when I turned around after taking this picture, here’s what I saw:
But let’s shelve that for a bit.
First of all, allow me apologize for the ridiculously long hiatus since I last actually posted a blog entry. It’s been a really busy couple of weeks, but I promise I have a good excuse and very exciting news. After a year and a half illness that left doctors stumped and me completely disillusioned…just as I started to lose hope, I FINALLY got a diagnosis. I know that I have briefly alluded to this in the past, but now that I know what exactly it is (and I have confirmation that I am anything but crazy) I can share more.
So, what exactly has been going on? When I stand for long periods of time, switch positions suddenly (sitting or kneeling to standing), or exert myself I have to be really careful because my body often does not respond appropriately- often times I will start to black out or else my heart will pound so quickly that it feels like a single continuous beat, rather than individual beats. What this has meant is that not only do I have to be cautious when doing simple things, but the worst part is that I have experienced serious exercise intolerance for a while now, and had to give up running as I faint if I run for more than four minutes or so (on a good day). It has been very difficult for me, as a former runner and athlete (dancing, figure skating, track and field, cross country, skiing, softball, volleyball and crew in college, and running) for most of my 25 years, to deal with what has felt like a rebellion or failure of my body. I have always pushed my body to its limits- whether it was running suicides in volleyball until I nearly threw up, or ice skating with a hurt back or rowing with a shoulder with tendonitis. What my mind has commanded, my body has done. Sometimes I feel like I am trapped in a body that has turned on me.
Another disturbing symptom? My fight or flight reaction is on a hair trigger. It can be triggered by ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING and what that translates to is the panicky feeling your body initiates when you are frightened, but without the mental fear. It’s an extremely disconcerting thing. It means that when I am stressed or emotional, my body gives me away because I start to breathe very quickly and my heart pounds and there are even times when I start to tremble.
So…what the heck is it, you ask? After 9 doctors, 7 of which told me I was crazy and just having anxiety attacks (when the only anxiety I felt was related to the fact that no one would believe me and no one could help me!) I FINALLY saw the right doctor- a specialist that I got in to see after 6 months and he figured out that I have what is called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS for short- appropriate for a food blogger, yes?). Basically my autonomic nervous system does not regulate my body properly- my blood pressure drops inappropriately and often, my heart will speed up to try to compensate for it. What’s so difficult is that some days I am completely fine (although vigorous physical activity will almost ALWAYS bring some symptoms- especially running. I absolutely cannot run). The specialist is amazing. It turns out that POTS is very difficult to diagnose and many doctors know very little about it. When I first saw him, I told him flat out that I was afraid he’d think I was crazy, too. He was my last hope. You know what he said? “I promise you’re not crazy. Almost every patient I have has a story almost identical to yours. When doctors don’t know what is afflicting the patient, rather than admit that they don’t know what’s wrong, a lot of time they’ll dismiss it as a mental issue to avoid having to admit their own failure. You’re in the right place- it just took you a while to get here.” And there you have it.
The one thing I want people to take away from all of this? YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE. Just ask Chanelle (who is amazing, btw. Read her blog if you haven’t already!). It is YOU that lives in and with your own body. YOU who knows it best. I saw some of the most well- respected doctors in the country- my aunt is a doctor and got me the cream of the crop- and even they didn’t know. Do not give up. Educate yourself. Keep meticulous records of your symptoms. Do whatever it takes. Keep your hope alive.
When I first got sick I started to do research- TONS of research, and POTS was one of the first things that I thought it could be. I mentioned it to the very first doctor I saw. She immediately and adamantly dismissed the idea and proceeded to put me on very serious medication that made me so sick I ended up in the hospital. I’m sure she thought that I was telling her how to do her job when I suggested that I seemed to have an alarming number of the symptoms. But as it turns out- I was right. Always trust your instincts (I’m afraid I’ll have to ignore the instinct to smack her upside the head- although I may write her a letter).
I cannot tell you how liberating and wonderful it has been to finally get some sort of validation and of course, to know what exactly is happening in my body. Not only that, but I have a treatment plan that will be adjusted as we go along and the specialist is very respectful of my wish to avoid medication. While I was waiting for the appointment with him, I was put on powerful steroids that caused weight gain to try to stabilize my symptoms- it worked, but at a cost. For the past couple of weeks I have been working on a plan to get my health back, return to my healthy lifestyle and started exercising again so that I can return to my happy weight. It will take a really long time to get back to where I was- it’ll take patience and diligence. But I WILL get back there. I WILL run again. I WILL regain some semblance of control over my body.
I’ll go into more detail as I post throughout the week, but some of the major decisions I have made as of late that I’d like to share:
I am so confident that this will all help me very much in my struggle with body image, as well. Lately, I have felt as though my life is coming together in a way that it hasn’t in a very long time- I have found new understanding of the breakup of my relationship that has led to some measure of peace, I have stood up for myself in a very difficult situation involving the death of my father and distribution of his estate, and I have begun to find my voice. With each difficult hurdle I jump, I get a little more dtermined. A little stronger. A little more unapologetically me. I’ve always pretty much known who I am, but now it feels like i’m finally figuring out what I want and that it’s ok to go for it. And THAT is an amazing feeling.
Today has been a busy day. I was skiing these:
Ok, wait. I lied. Not THESE exact mountains. Cannon Mountain, to be exact. The one that this photo was taken from. But I imagine if I took a photo from the peaks in this picture it’d look pretty similar- you know, aside from the chairlifts and tiny ant people. It’s WONDERFUL to ski again. Today went really well- the conditions were AMAZING, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and I only had to stop and rest for a short while when I started to feel a little bit lightheaded. That, for me, is a HUGE victory. I had some great eats for lunch:
Whole wheat wrap with hummus, muenster cheese and veggies from a stew made by Colorhungry mama
Veggies that got a nice bath in some hummus before I practically inhaled them- actually, I'd already scarfed down a good number of them- hence the lone carrot.
Pretzel flats (gotta love Trader Joe's!) also getting the hummus treatment...
Somehow, the half an apple, handful of nuts and dried fruit and 2 oatmeal butterscotch cookies somehow escaped into my mouth (or failed to escape from my mouth, rather)and didn’t get photos. It all had great staying power and I was full until dinner!
Dinner was simple and delicious. We had swordfish, tuna, sweet potatoes, spinach and mushrooms in a little red wine, salad…and blueberry cobbler for dessert! Again, the cobbler somehow escaped a picture! But here’s my plate- and please pardon the flash. Apparently, Swiss chalets have crappy lighting.
And after dinner, the kids informed us that it was family game night and we could choose between Clue and Whosit? Never heard of Whosit? Well, remember how I said that my grandparents built this house about 30 years ago. Actually, it was more like 40 and Whosit? is a game from the 70’s, a relic, if you will, of the last generation to use this place. So, other than the fact that the characters look like the Village people, how can you tell this game is circa 1970ish? First of all, the game is easy. You pick a card with your character on it and then people take turns picking cards that ask you yes or no questions about your character. The game is five and up. Here are some sample questions:
*Do you smoke?
*Are you white?
*Are you black?
*Are you ORIENTAL?
Oy. I really hope no one is offended by that. I voted for Clue. It was excruciating. I’m exhausted. Tomorrow’s another day of skiing and I can’t wait! Today I took it easy- mostly just blue trails (intermediate-ish). Tomorrow I tackle black diamonds. :)
Good night!
Do you need help squeezing a healthy breakfast into your mornings? I know some people jump out of bed racing to make a big breakfast like I do but we know that breakfast is important with regards to losing weight, maintaining a healthy diet and to keep brain function going all day!
Here’s a few tips from EverydayHealth.com:
I swore that this day was going to be a struggle when this morning was positively miserable with the damn cat destroying a vase of flowers in the bathroom. The day was gray. The car still shakes.
But I managed 40 minutes of exercise. A bath. I cleaned up the flowers. I am in a cleaning kind of mode that I hope will last onto tomorrow when I’ll actually have time to do it. Didn’t eat that much for dinner, but I’m thinking since tomorrow is the planned deviation for my birthday meal, I’ll have a good breakfast and enjoy the one hour of food at the restaurant of my choice.
I think I want to document how I got myself back on the bandwagon today after two days of being out in left field. Way, way, out in left field and daydreaming about parties and drinking merlot and hands on thighs and other terrible, no-good things along with eating good tasting things without any real sense of control.
Today should have been fantastically bad. I was unplanned beyond my general plan of DO BETTER TODAY. I was tired from yesterday, my house is a mess, there’s all this stressy bullshit that I refused to call bullshit and instead was my pretty pretty shield from thinking about eating properly or basically not falling into my old habits. When my co-worker wanted to go McDonalds, and not going with her would be a sort of affront to the weird relationship we have that, I found myself talking to myself and thinking about how tomorrow was where I was drawing the line so I could pretty much fuck up between here and there and fix it at that line in the sand tomorrow.
I had the devil on my shoulder all purring evocatively, making me think of how easy and good and delicious and flavorful and JUST RIGHT THERE a hamburger is and the angel must have been out back, having a smoke.
But…somehow, I managed to order and eat a salad. Most of a salad. I really wasn’t as hungry, as absolutely ravenous as I thought once I’d actually eaten some food. I know I can have food and that I need food for the diet to work. I just…didn’t need all of it. And that made me feel less wicked and wild and out of control.
Then, I got home and I worked my arse off with my exercise. I pushed myself and sweated and all that jazz. I feel it in my legs, sitting here and typing this.
Tomorrow’s my birthday, see, and while so many things have and haven’t changed from last year…it’s another birthday alone, don’t think I’m not keenly aware of that fact, I’m not going to let it mess me up. Among my not so great habits is a desire to lose weight at the first of the year. An attempt. My birthday. The unfairness of dieting that I can’t have my cake. That I can’t be a special fucking flower on my special fucking day and eat what I want and to quote the little drugged-dentist kid on youtube, IS THIS GOING TO BE FOREVER?! And, I find a way to justify myself having cake and whatever surrounding carbs I can eat. And then the house of cards falls under the weight of my guilt and a year passes and we wash, rinse, repeat.
This year is different, because I’m changing. I’m not dependent (wholly) on food to modulate my feelings. This isn’t an all or nothing proposition where if I choose to eat high-carb, high-fat foods on an occasion with purpose and intent and LIMITS and follow those limits, I can still consider myself on a diet without sobbing into my pillow and earning myself a burrito for my failure and yet another birthday alone and feeling retarded.
This year, I am on a journey. I’m learning about what I want and need and what’s worth it to me. This year, I actually have something to celebrate.
This page is to help enable each of you to reach your full potential utilizing the combined knowledge of the leaders on the Chris Kinney team. Each of us has a health and wellness objective as well as financial goals that we want to reach using the fantastic products Freelife has to offer coupled with what we believe to be the best income opportunity.
My goal is to help each of you achieve your vision, whatever that is… my hope is that you use the resources posted on this blog to help simplify your journey and hopefully with some elbow grease and support you will achieve whatever you have in your mind to conceive.
Welcome, please comment on the material and make sure that each of your team members throughout your organization no matter where they live get this link, also click on the big ORANGE RSS link on the bottom right portion of the page to receive updates automatically.
Every Monday night we have a team call at 9pm Eastern / 6pm Pacific, take the time to prioritize your schedule to make this important weekly call.
More to come….
Chris Kinney
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by Christian Goodman
There are a lot of articles written about weight loss and numerous weight loss programs around, but only a few of those address the fact that our children are also overweight.
This is very sad considering that the number of obese children and teenagers has tripled in the last twenty years and those numbers are increasing.
From 4% in 1974, the percentage of overweight children from 6-11 years has risen to 17.5% in 2004. The same is true for teenagers. Overweight teens aging from 12 to 19 have increased from 6% in 1974 to 17% in 2004.
Today, 32% of children are overweight. 16% are obese. And 11% are considered extremely obese.
Children are under even more peer pressure about their weight than most adults can imagine. Adolescent girls, as young as 13 years old, are begging for, and some are actually having, gastric surgeries to reduce their weight quickly. Some see bulimia or anorexia as their only solution.
The biggest threat with childhood and teenage obesity is these children are much more likely to become obese adults. The difference is they’re being affected at a much younger age with the same health issues that plague obese adults.
It has been foreseen that the children of this generation will be the first in history to have a shorter life span than their parents.
It is futile to talk about the reasons why we’ve let our children get fat. We all know the reasons, and we should take responsibility for it as adults, not the children.
We continuously feed them junk food instead of healthy, nutritious meals. Instead of oatmeal for breakfast, we feed them sugar induced cereal.
They eat too many overly processed, nutritionally lacking, calorie-laden snacks instead of fruits and vegetables. There are also too many fast food, too much and too often.
To add to that, we’ve stopped encouraging our children to go outdoors and be active. It’s too easy to let them spend one mind-numbing hour after another in front of a TV screen or a computer monitor.
They’re growing up so sedentary that even playing outside seems like work. What have we done to our children?
If you have a child suffering from obesity, it is time to be accountable for it and step up to the plate. The effect is only on their physical body, but on their emotional state as well.
Children shouldn’t have to suffer with issues like depression and a lack of self-esteem. They shouldn’t have to endure the daily teasing and rude comments from thoughtless classmates that chip away at their self-image.
It is not fair to let your children’s body struggle with the added demands of carrying around excess weight when they are just starting to develop. I am asking all parents and grandparents who have overweight children to do something about it.
Involve your child in physical activities. Make sure that they eat healthier meals and snacks. And use my Weight Loss Breeze Program to reduce your child’s weight to a normal, healthy level. My program is a natural, reasonable approach to weight loss. But most importantly, it works.
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Christian Goodman is a well known natural health researcher and the creator of the natural health Blog. His most recent work is the Weight Loss Breeze, which is one of the best weight loss exercise program . It has helped thousands reduce weight naturally.
Yes, the quest to quit drinking still is a goal. Having recently spent time in Mexico, I took advantage of enjoying a free flow of Tequila. For the most part though, being with my wife, I abstained a lot until Christmas Eve and then I let loose. After all, my wife gave me permission to drink. It was as good of an excuse as any.
I’ve been back to the states now for a week and activities which I had expected to be engaged in have been delayed. Doesn’t really matter though. The tradition is a week of binging upon returning from Mexico to get adjusted to solo living. I’ve been doing this for more than 15 years now. As I rode the cab to the Mexico City airport last week, I calculated that I must have made this trip at least 100 times in the past 15-16 years. Imagine the ritual and the amount of drinking I must have been doing.
Sixteen years ago, when I started going to Mexico again regularly, I believe that I went at least once a month. If I had been engaging in this tradition back then, I guess it didn’t leave me too much time to be sober.
I have finished the gifts from Mexican friends (of course bottles of fine Tequila) and even had a bottle of vodka to boot. But I have again reached that point in drinking where you can drink and drink and nothing happens. I suppose that is some kind of danger signal. More importantly, I can’t imagine how my liver must look and all my innards. I once met a woman who worked at a clinic for liver transplants. She told me how aweful it is to be in that condition, waiting for a liver transplant. And it’s so hard to get a new one. I guess though I don’t think about these things when I go through my robotics and pour myself a large glass of liquid poison.
So again, I find myself all drunked out and ready to move on to 2010 and achieve my goals. Of course, as every year goes, there is the weight to take off and of course with chronic drinking, the weight loss goal gets larger. I’m at 25 kilos now and this is certainly quite possible. It’s a mere 1 pound a week. I’ve got to imbibe at least a pound’s worth of calories each week just through drinking, not to mention how alcohol shuts down your body’s ability to burn fat and for me, it dramatically increases my appetite.
While I have things to do tomorrow, my mind is steadfast in the desire to return to the gym. It’s been awhile but one of my New Year’s resolutions is not just to go to the gym on a regular basis, but to make the gym my hobby. When I was in Erie PA, I went to the gym religiously and dropped a lot of fat quickly. I was looking good in just three months time. Why can’t I, instead of drinking and being idle, watching stupid tv, head on off to the gym when I’m bored and do some weights, ride the bike, enjoy the sauna and steam.
I’ve forgotten how good a hard workout feels. It is truly addicting once you get the endorphins cooking. You can’t wait for the next workout. It’s better than a drug and the results are great. All it takes is a few trips and the beginning of a new habit. Can I do it this time? I bet I can. WIth your help. Send me your support.
So yesterday, I went on a bender. Of Mexican food. Authentic Mexican food. Homemade authentic Mexican food.
I’m talking carnitas (pork-fried pork), enchiladas, grilled jalapenos, guacamole, chips, chile verde, beans, and sopapillas for dessert.
I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in food.
Then I remembered that today is my weigh-in and blog day, and I wasn’t excited. No doubt I’ve still got last night’s lard in there, gumming up the works and weighing me down. Literally.
Still, I weighed myself and the result was 154.6 — down 0.6 pounds.
That’s not great, considering how hard I worked last week. I’m hoping some of the weight is lingering from my gluttonous spree last night and will wear off in a day or two. If not, I learned my lesson, I suppose. (Though not really. Because if I had the chance to eat what I ate yesterday again…I totally would. You only live once.)
How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?
AAhhhhh it always feel so good to get things done — ya know the things you actually put on your “to do list” whether its written down or just put up in your brain ~~ when it gets done I feel so accomplished 
What did I do you ask?? hmmmm I did this site LOL I know you think thats little but trust me I procrastinated alot on this. I’m flipping over here from Blogspot and had to set this all up — it just aint easy for the computer illiterate !! Soooo now its done I’m glad. Now we can move foward with this transformation..
Sooo this site is all about my transformation. I had not worked out steady for the whole year of 09 and now for the year of 2010 I will show you how YOU can transform your body from plain and boring ( the kind of body your just not happy with) to a sexy tight muscle screamin hot body !! I mean if ya like that kinda thing.. But hey if ya like being over weight with your ass draggin on the back of your legs or your “tummy” sittin on your lap when your sittin in your fav comfy chair then this site may NOT be for you !! BUT if ya wanna learn how to eat, how to workout, when to workout, what supplements to take all while dealing with your husband, kids, pets, jobs ect ect ect … then you may just wanna hang out
On that note you can read some past blogs on www.pattiafter40.blogspot.com but for now it ALL starts here !! Soooo keep up with me people !!!
…maybe you should try getting a new mirror!
I have purposefully refrained from describing my physical appearance in this blog. But I think it’s fair to say that my body has changed dramatically over the last three years.
Just to put it in perspective, I’ve gone from a size 12 to a size 6 on most days (and a size four on others).
But when I look at myself in the mirrors at home, I tend to see the same old me – that is, the size 12 me.
I think this has something to do with how our memory and brain work; we have an idea of what we think we look like and that gets transposed over reality. Maybe that’s why most people hate the way they look in pictures. Not because they look bad, but because the image doesn’t match their expectations.
My theory on this is that when you look at yourself in the same mirror, in the same lighting, at the same angle, you don’t really look. And when that happens, your mind fills in the details. Depending on where you are in terms of past weight versus present weight, that may or may not be a good thing.
Notably, on the rare occasions that I do notice substantial shifts in my appearance, it’s usually not at home. It’s also not in the floor to ceiling mirrors that I routinely change in front of at the gym.
Instead, I tend to notice differences in my appearance in other people’s bathrooms or, like this morning, in hotels.
I remember the first time this happened like it was yesterday. Not because I looked all that different, but because the experience itself was just so shocking.
I was in a strange house – at a party. I had gone into the bathroom and after I finished using the toilet, I stood up and caught a glimpse of someone in the mirror.
My first thought was, literally: oh my God, I didn’t close the door!
But I had closed the door. I was seeing myself – perhaps for the first time in a long time. I just wasn’t recognizing myself, because the face in the mirror didn’t match the face in my mind’s eye (or even the image of me that is reflected everyday in the bathroom mirror at home).
This morning, I had a similar experience.
The bathroom in the hotel where I am staying has three mirrors over the sink, all off set from one another – making a shallow half hexagon. There was something about the three way interaction of the mirrors that caught my eye as I peeled off my sweaty workout clothes.
What caught my eye was that I looked thin!
I mean, even with my belly pooch (which has gotten substantially smaller, btw), I looked pretty damn good.
There was something about the side angles that really showed that all of my post holiday efforts had apparently paid off. I was thrilled. Flabbergasted, but thrilled nonetheless.
But wait! It got even better.
As I leaned in to turn on the shower, ruminating on how thin I looked, I caught another glimpse of myself – this time a full-length image from the back that was being reflected from the aforementioned mirrors. (Note: I hadn’t even noticed the full length mirror on the bathroom door, which was – at that very moment – capturing my backside in full “glorious” detail. In fact, it was so surprising, it took me a few minutes just to figure out how that particular view was even possible).
I stood there, literally transfixed at the sight of my back, the turn of my waist, my hips, my thighs, etc.
And do you know what? I have a very nice ass.
And do you know what else? I had never seen it before.
Nor had I seen the fact that I have a waist.
Nor had I realized that the back of my thighs are actually quite shapely.
Moreover, I had never fully appreciated how it all fit together. I mean, how could I? I’d never seen it.
Because prior to that moment, when I looked at the mirror at home, I only looked at my face and (when the occasion forced itself) my belly.
And on the rare occasion that I did look at my thighs, I only looked down at them – usually while I was sitting (which only highlights their bigness).
It really was amazing.
Not to overstate the momentousness of the occasion, prior to that moment I had absolutely no idea what I looked like.
And these aren’t the only two times this has happened.
In fact, whenever I see myself unexpectedly in a strange mirror, I have this reaction.
A little less than two months ago, for instance, I actually tried to go around a woman who was walking directly towards me. (Luckily I recognized that she was wearing my scarf before my face actually hit the glass!)
Though I am no psychologist, I really believe that when we knowingly look in the mirror (especially a mirror that we routinely use), we have such a strong expectation of what we’re going to see that we actually see it. But when we see ourselves out of context or unexpectedly (or even from just a different angle), we actually get a glimpse of the way we really are.
So, if you’ve been working out or you’ve changed your diet but you think you’re not seeing any changes, you may not be.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that changes aren’t being made.
Try looking at yourself in a different mirror, in a different room – or even in a different house. Or, if you’re more of a homebody, but you don’t think you’ll be able to trick yourself in your own home, have a friend or partner rearrange the mirrors in your house while you’re at work. Or, if that’s not an option either, try just looking at your body in different ways, from different directions, in different lighting.
I think you’ll be surprised. Hopefully it will be a pleasant one.
Today, I am introducing another new occasional series to my blog. This one is uniquely personal – my ongoing battle with my weight. You can get the basics from the ‘Occasional Series’ page on the Thought Bubble – my current weight, my target weight, and how much I need to lose are all there.
To give you some quick background on this issue, we need to go back to my childhood. I was a skinny little thing when I was young. In fact, until I hit puberty I was rake-thin – if not underweight, then certainly very healthy. Unfortunately, once I was about 10 or 11 years old, things started to change. Not only did I start to put on weight, where before I never had any trouble keeping it off, I also stopped growing up. I had been the tallest person in my class. Then I stopped growing, and everyone else carried on!
Ever since then, I have been short and dumpy. My weight gradually increased during my teens – not at all helped by bullying, low self-esteem and a myriad of other factors that I won’t bore you with here and now. I lost some weight in my early twenties…and then I got pregnant. Various complications with Chipmunk’s birth and for a long time afterwards meant that the baby weight didn’t shift…and I kept getting bigger.
Last year, I went to the gym. And then I stopped. This year, I am back at the gym and determined that no matter what, I will not be packing it in this time! I have also ditched most (if not quite all!) of the junk food that I so love, and which is such a big part of my problem. This time, I am determined to succeed. I am tired of being unfit and unhealthy. I am tired of not fitting into clothes I like! I am tired of being tired.
So, in short, this series is where I will share my progress (or lack thereof!) with you, my friends. Inspired by @Bevsyarncrazy, I have decided to share my achievements visually with you, using a weight-loss ticker from TickerFactory.com. When I get to the other end of the ticker, I’ve made it!
I hope to pick up and share many tips along the way – everything from healthy eating to new and ingenious exercise crazes! I look forward with a mixture of excitement and trepidation to making this journey, but I know that whatever happens, I am not alone.
Losing weight is a multipronged condition with outward concerns beleaguering a person’s health and aesthetics. You can also think about it in terms of finances and with lifestyle implications if left unbridled. More so, whether you are a man or woman, it will impinge on your quality of life one way or another.
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Most people cringe when they hear the words stubborn belly fat. Not only do we cringe but we lean forward in anticipation of gaining some new insight about this toxic substance around the mid-section that can be so hard to get rid of.
What causes belly fat? Stress. Overeating. Fattening foods. Lack of exercise. Sluggish liver or thyroid.
As people age, they tend to gain weight around the mid-section as a result of a hormonal imbalance. Belly fat, particulary stubborn belly fat is becoming more and more of a huge issue for young people and older persons alike. Many take steps to improve their diets and spend hours in the gym doing cardio and situps to get rid of belly fat. Unfortunately, their hard work has been unsuccessful at getting rid of this toxic substance.
Why?
Stubborn belly fat is a result of a hormonal imbalance and the foods we eat that are laden with chemicals. Eating foods with fattening chemicals is another reason why our children today are affected with belly fat issues. This toxic substance that is stored as belly fat is dangerous because it causes tumors in our bodies.
The solution is to improve your nutrition, exercise, eliminate chemicals and take herbs to breakdown the fat tissue. Amazon Herb Co. has a natural herbal solution called Metabazon that supports healthy liver and pancrease function. Metabazon also balances your metabolism.
So, what’s going to be easier for you? Decrease chemicals in your food and take herbs to improve your quality of life? Or sit back and get frustrated as your belly get larger?
To Your Health,
~Melissa
www.simplyamazingherbs.com
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In an allegedly good way… HP was working on stretching my hammies and working on building up the strength of my inner things… But bottom line? MY ASS HURTS! Everything she had me do involved it being clenched, and an hour of of clenching means MY ASS HURTS. 
And I get to do it all again tomorrow morning. (I’m doing make up Pilates for sleeping right though my session last week)
I meant to weigh-in this morning, but honest to god forgot. I got completely out of the habit in December… Perhaps tomorrow I’ll remember.
Didn’t find any jobs to apply for today, and I can’t spend all my time sitting on the couch not doing anything until I have a job again, so I need to figure out how to spend my time once my contract is over.
Perhaps it’s time to get my ass back into the pool and swim. I’ll bet the pool won’t be busy during the day… And since I’m paying for a damn gym membership that I don’t ever use… Hopefully swimming will not make my knee hurt like the damn stationary bike & elliptical make it hurt.
And perhaps I’ll bang out some more items on my 101 in 1001 list – like unpacking the rest of the damn boxes, and getting the decluttering done.. and knitting, and do some painting and drawing… too early to garden – God I hope I’m not still unemployed when it IS time to garden….
I’ve decided in the job hunt to REALLY focus on a job doing what I want to do – and what I think I want to do is Project Management. System Administration will be my backup – I’ll still look for jobs as an SA, but I’m only going to apply for ones that really sound interesting, not just for any SA job I’m qualified for. I’m hopeful that the law of averages will be on my side, and if I apply for enough PM jobs, ONE of them will work out for me.
Trying to stay positive here…
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/01/taylor-lebaron/
“Videogame Strategy Inspires Teen’s Diet”
Yay for him! I still really like WiiFit but he’s right…that really can’t be a real exercise/diet plan for anyone. I say good for him!
well… i’m off to fort myers! well, technically, i still have to work for 13 more minutes, but you know what i mean!
it’s crazy that i’m getting down there again so soon. i was just down there like 3 weeks ago! hey, i’m not complaining… it’s just unusual. especially considering i haven’t seen my fm bff’s since like july or august. anywho, we’ve got a packed weekend full of lots o fun! wedding, graduation, shopping, eating, talking, laughing, crying, being inappropriate, chick flicks, decorating. oh, and eating! HA.
i haven’t even gone through all my pics from christmas or my trip down to fm before christmas, but here are a couple sneak peeks! i love my ladies!!
buc and i drinking our fav! pep mint shake from chickie!
and shirley, mella and moi!
PS- feel free to pray for me, if you think of it! i think i’m getting a personal trainer… eeeeeek. ? 
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Last Saturday I successfully ran the 2010 Disney half marathon in 2:44:50. That morning we got up at 3am and made it to the busses at 3:30 to head to the starting line. A friend of mine from Kansas City called… he was just getting in from a late night out. I guess it was about 1:30 in the morning there, and while he was winding down we were gearing up. It’s definitely a strange feeling being up that early what it’s a time I more often see because I’m still up. So they herd us down to our corrals (fyi, the reason they call them corrals is because you really are being herded.. it’s probably the worst part about running a huge road race,) where we stood for over an hour FREEZING. I signed up for the Disney because I thought that Florida in January would be the best running weather, but boy was I wrong. As we stood there it began to sleet on our heads. So it was definitely in the 20’s and now freezing rain. Finally at about 5am they started letting the wheelchairs go.. then the first heat, second heat, then ours, shooting off fireworks for each. Remember folks.. the sun still hasn’t risen! When they let us go it was one of the happiest moments in my life. After a few minutes I could even feel my feet again which was comforting to know they were still there. My friend Courtney and I jogged a couple of miles together and we decided to stop for a bit of water. I’d say we walked about a tenth of a mile and picked it back up again. I paid little attention to the mile markers because I was having so much fun chatting with her, seeing the sights of the parks and the dedicated supporters on the sidelines. We ran through part of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and even right through Cinderella’s castle, which aside from getting to start, was the highlight. We would stop to walk at the drinking stations, and only walk about 3 to 5 minutes each time, probably once every mile and a half. Courtney and I crossed the finish line together with a time of 2:44:50. At no point did I ever feel tired.. maybe delirious towards mile 10, but I felt good. We paced ourselves quite well by keeping track with my watch.
To prepare for running 13.1 miles I did a lot of running on a treadmill. I chose to run indoors because I don’t live in the greatest area to do much long distance running safely. And not to mention the fact that I’m far more entertained by Snooki and The Situation from MTV’s the Jersey Shore than I am by other runners and oncoming traffic! I started in early October with Mon, Tues I doing my regular CATZ workout, Wednesday running about 3 miles and going to yoga for a good stretch, then Thurs CATZ, Sat morning CATZ, then Saturday afternoons a long run. That was a typical week for me, give or take the order of days. Basically I kept lifting every bit as much as I was before, because I love lifting. I would lift every day of my life if that meant I never had to do cardio. So that tells you I’m definitely not a runner! So The first “long run” I did was on a Saturday, I did 6 miles. If you have ever run a road race you know there’s going to be a water station approximately every mile to mile and a half, so I would run a mile, then if I felt like continuing I’d continue on to mile two, then walk a tenth of a mile. I would allow myself to stop at the top of any mile I felt necessary. The next Saturday I did seven miles. I essentially increased my distance by a mile every weekend. There were exceptions though. Some weekends I wasn’t in town.. some weekends I had too much going on, but I knew this ahead of time, which is why I began training in October. And I only ran between 5.0 and 5.5 mph for the most part. And rarely increased the incline because I knew, being in Florida, there wouldn’t be any hills.
Here’s my basic training schedule, excluding all of the mid-week short runs:
Sat, Oct. 10 – run 6 miles
Sat, Oct. 17 – run 7 miles
Sat, Oct. 24 – run 7 miles
Sat, Oct. 31 – run 8 miles
Sat, Nov. 7 – OFF
Sat, Nov. 14 – run 8 miles
Sat, Nov. 21 – OFF
Sat, Nov. 28 – run 9 miles
Sat, Dec 5 – OFF
Sat, Dec 10 – run 9 miles
Sat, Dec 19 – OFF
Sat, Dec 26 – run 10 miles
Sat, Jan 2 – run 10 miles
So as you can see I didn’t run every single weekend, but I did start my training several months in advance. If you check out running websites such as Jeff Galloway’s, http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html you can learn about what the professional’s suggest. I followed his loosely, but I do other work outs aside from strictly running. Another website I would recommend checking out, especially if you run outdoors is www.mapmyrun.com. You can log all your runs, and find out about others’ that people nearby you have logged, and trails as well. You could join a running club in your neighborhood, and sign up for other road races to use to challenge yourself to go further.
One thing that I think was super important was making sure I stretched A LOT. I have really tight hamstrings and hip flexors as it is, so I would make sure to get a good stretch in after all of my runs, and sometimes get up early in the morning just to stretch out. I do lots of yoga a couple times a week which helps too. And make sure to eat before and after! I found that having a small snack about an hour before my run was the best way to go about it. There were definitely a couple times where I was quite aware that I had eaten too much before hopping on that treadmill! That’s not something you want to happen before a road race. And I’m a huge proponent of Redbull. I never got on the treadmill before having one! Ever. I mean, if you can run with wings why wouldn’t you?? And eat after! A time or two I didn’t eat after and tried to go out with my friends and ended up having to leave early. Sometimes running that far made me feel yucky and I wouldn’t want to eat, but it’s totally necessary. More than likely though you will just crave insane amounts of carbs when you start running a lot so try to get those through fruits and vegetables.
So that’s how I trained and accomplished 13.1 miles. And I bet very few people out there can say they ran the Disney Half Marathon in the snow!!
Kyra Williams
The Get In Shape Girl
Wow!! That is all I have to say sometimes. The journey of life, let alone weight loss and maintenance, can be an eventful one for sure. So I have not been to WW for two months now. Basically, since my situation has been going on I have felt soooo bad about going to my WW meeting for some reason. Just didn’t want to face my leader or my fellow souls on the journey. But……..I finally did. I went to my damn WW meeting despite my feelings, hurt, weight gain, fear, etc. That is what I have to do right. I discovered tonight that a journey, which could be more important than the result, take much persistence. I will talk more about that in a sec.
So I went to my WW meeting even though I had fear but I was warmly welcomed by all. My wonderful leader hugged me happily, talked with me and comforted me greatly regarding what I am going through. I talked with people. Shared my journey again from 12 minutes of exercise three times a week to becoming an ultra-marathoner. I admit that the praise and love and kindness felt soooooooooooooooooo good. It was so nice to be with like minded people who feel the way I do on so many different levels. Although they don’t know my deep inside stuff, I knew that they had theirs inside themselves, and that was quite possible the reason they and I were there. To be with others who love and hate food. With others who want something better out of life, something more enjoyable. I was a wonderfully refreshing time for me and that alone will keep me going back. I had forgotten how good those people were over my two months leave of absence. So what was the result of my two month journey of depression, binge eating, emotional eating, and crying. HAHAHAHA Despite loads of pepperoni, donuts, candy, and other junk; I only gained about .5 lbs. The great thing is that I am still lifetime member there at WW. I am still within my range. WOW! Never would have guessed that that would happen. I was relieved be there again.
Now to the lesson learned. I can get real down on myself, life, work, and everything really. AND I MEAN REALLY DOWN. But, I never gave up. If I binged on AM/PM hamburgers and candy at night, well gosh dang it I tried like a son-of-a-gun to do good the next morning. Then at lunch. Then at break time. Etc. Etc Etc. Even though I was soooo freaking tired emotionally I still kept at my running. I still kept at my goals. I never let them out of my sight even for a day. I say day because I let them out of my sight for many moments. HAHAHA But not all day. I still got out of bed and went to work to be a productive human being. I still took out the garbage, talked with my mom and sisters, I have been talking more with others being more social, and never gave up. Even when I was hating my body and feeling like crap, I kept telling myself it is not over. It is not even a big deal. It is just part of all of this journey that I am on in life. Just part of it. I didn’t have to feel guilt about it, or worthless, I just needed to remember that it was all just part of life. Life happens you know. You can’t control it all. So to my word of the night: PERSISTENCE. That is right. Just persisting the best I could at the things that I CAN do. I could do perfect. I was to damn tired and hurt and feeling low. But kept at the things that I could do for that time in my life. I didn’t just give up because I couldn’t be perfect at WW or whatever. So my lesson is that even though life happens, we mess up, things go wrong, and it all seems impossible to get back on track; just keep doing what I CAN do.
Weight: 214 lbs.
4:56 a.m. Once again I am up in the early hours because I couldn’t breathe due to nasal congestion. I go downstairs to make some tea and find out my dad is as sick as I am with the same crap.
5:32 a.m. After my tea I decide to shower and steam. I get a good chuck of snot out and go back to bed.
10:02 a.m. I finally got some decent sleep.
Breakfast: Toast, coffee and some nasal congestion medication.
11:56 a.m. Since I haven’t been out of the house I decided to go to WalMart and get some more medicine, ginger ale and various items I needed. It was great to get out and get some fresh air. However, this one errand really winded me.
12:45 p.m. I stopped by to check on my grandma and she seemed well. After out visit I went straight home to rest.
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwich and some ginger ale.
2:20 p.m. I have been making calls and looking for more teaching work. I also rescheduled my dentist appointment.
Dinner: One homemade taco and some water
Water: Four cups
7:45 p.m. After dinner and a nice shower I watched a George Carlin comedy. He is so smart and funny. It is sad he is now gone.
Days without soda: 0 – I count ginger ale as soda
Days without candy: 3
Days without energy drinks: 1
In today’s world, food and toxins are more important than ever. The nutritional value of our food has been compromised by factors that range from corporate agribusiness, over-farming, and depleting the nutrient levels of the soil to food companies putting highly processed, high-glycemic-load foods on the market.
The poor nutritional value of our food is further complicated by the extraordinary amounts of toxic chemicals that have entered our food supply and our bodies.
Since the 1800s, more than 80,000 new, largely untested chemicals have been introduced into the environment. Today many are used as pesticides to “protect” our food supply.
Our exposure to poisonous substances doesn’t end there.
Toxins are everywhere – from household cleaning products to plastics in our kitchenware, our water bottles, and even our tap water and air supply.
We are marinating in a sea of toxins, and a large body of growing evidence shows that these toxins are, in part, responsible for the epidemic of disease we see in the 21st century – not to mention our inability to lose weight.
The average American consumes literally pounds of hormones, antibiotics, food chemicals, additives, artificial sweeteners, and MSG each year.
Why should we worry about toxins?
The residue of toxic chemicals is stored in the bodily tissues of every single person and animal on the planet. Many of these chemicals are stored in fat tissue, making animal products concentrated sources.
One hundred percent of beef is contaminated with DDT, as is 93 percent of processed cheese, hot dogs, bologna, turkey, and ice cream, because the soil still contains residue of the pesticide long ago banned.
We are all stewing in this toxic soup, and there is little doubt that it is playing a major role in the current obesity epidemic.
Toxins May Be Disrupting Your Weight
and Turning Off Your Metabolic Engine
A toxin can be defined, in the broadest sense, as anything that doesn’t agree with us. They come from two places: the environment (external toxins) and our own gut (internal toxins).
We generally cope well with these toxins, except when our liver or kidneys fail. However, in the last 100 years we have been burdened with an unprecedented number of toxins, and the total load of all toxins – pesticides, industrial chemicals, mercury, and more – has exceeded our bodies’ ability to get rid of them, leading to illness.
All these toxins affect our ability to lose weight because we store most of the toxins in our body (in our fat).
When you burn off the fat, the toxins come out, and IF they aren’t processed properly, they can cause additional problems.
In addition, our total toxic load can frustrate attempts at weight loss by impairing two key metabolic organs – the liver and the thyroid – and by damaging our energy-burning factories – the mitochondria.
Scared now?
I’m not giving you this information to frighten you but rather to make you aware of what is going on inside you and around you so that you can see how important it is to minimize your exposure to toxins and maximize your excretion of them.
People with a higher BMI (body mass index) store more toxins because they generally have more fat. Those toxins interfere with many aspects of metabolism, including reducing thyroid hormone levels and increasing excretion of thyroid hormones by the liver.
Ever Wonder Why You Are Always Hungry?
Besides directly lowering thyroid hormone levels, breaking down your mitochondria, disturbing your metabolic rate, and inhibiting fat burning, toxins can damage the mechanisms by which hormonal signals control your appetite and eating behavior.
Leptin is the hormone that tells your brain you are full. Toxins (heavy metals such as mercury and chemicals) block these signals. Over time, your brain becomes resistant to the effects of leptin, making you hungry all the time. So exposure to toxins can increase your appetite.
All this is proof that toxins have a serious effect on whether or not you gain weight and your ability to lose it.
However, there is good news. For anyone overweight or concerned about toxins, I strongly recommend going through a sdetoxification program.
I truly believe that environmental toxins cause unnecessary weight gain, and learning how to eliminate those toxins in a healthy way is very important.
That is why, I recommend doing a gentle detox every 3 to 4 months. I am offering a real food cleanse in which you will eat real, seasonal every couple of hours.
Most people begin to experience all or some of the following after only one week:
http://thehealthylifestyleconsultant.com/10DayRealFoodCleanse.aspx
Here is a testimonial from a client who completed the cleanse:
I lost about 6 pounds during the cleanse, but the weight loss wasn’t my real goal, especially because I don’t plan to eat that way forever. My real goal was to clean out my system and to give it a rest. I was more energetic, I think my memory was a little bit better, and my mood improved. I was experiencing the same amount of stress and pressure from work as before I started the cleanse, but mentally, I think I responded differently. I didn’t feel so weighted down and oppressed by it all. Dare I say that the stress and pressure didn’t get me down.
I also found that I didn’t have the same craving for chocolate and salty foods that normally come with my PMS.
And I just loved, loved, loved the delicious, ginormous salads that I prepared for myself each evening. I tried a couple of new veggies that I would’ve never thought to add to a salad before.
Thanks, in excellent health!
Sharon
For more information or to join the 10 Real Food Winter Cleanse, simply use this link:
http://thehealthylifestyleconsultant.com/10DayRealFoodCleanse.aspx
It’s not a long commitment. Within 5 to 7 days, you’ll see your body transform.
However, if you stay with the program for 10 days, you’ll get a deeper experience of the rejuvenation that detoxification can bring.
Wendy Schnitzer
Fit Food Coach
P.S. Did you know that one disease that even conventional doctors now know is irrefutably linked to toxic chemicals is Parkinson’s disease?
One of the things that I always let get in my weight (pun intended) is my work. Particularly the traveling that I do for work. The first trip of the year I do pretty well. Maybe I don’t actually eat healthy while I’m traveling, but I usually bounce back to my routine when I get home. The second trip of the year and it takes me a few days of being home before I bounce back. At some point, I don’t bounce back. I come home and I continue to eat out every meal until I’ve gained back 5 lbs, then 10 lbs and pretty soon it’s all back, and I’m miserable.
That first day back from a trip I tell myself that I haven’t had time to go shopping. One more take out meal can’t do any more damage than all the ones I ate on travel can it? Then it becomes two meals and pretty soon it’s a week later and I still haven’t seen the inside of a grocery store nor eaten any food that grew on an actual plant.
So the hurdle is here today. I flew out this morning for my first week of many away from home. I’m sure some of you were wondering why I started a ‘diet’ last week by changing my water intake only. It is the small changes that I need to stick. The small changes that I can take with me on a business trip or vacation and feel good about accomplishing. Not the major changes I try to make and take a ‘vacation’ from when I’m away from home.
So this week I’m resolving to stick to drinking my 80 oz. of water every day, blogging, meditating and finally, I’m not going to eat out every meal of the day. I may also throw in a workout or two while I’m here. I brought all my clothing and both the office and the hotel have gyms. I had a good start today. After landing, I picked up my car and swung by a grocery store on my way into the office. I picked up enough lean cuisine dinners for a couple of days, apples, string cheese and some granola bars for snacks. I also took advantage of my hotels program of letting you order room service for check-in 24 hours before your arrival. I had a simple turkey sandwich and a fruit basket delivered to my room right after I checked in. Knowing there would be food on my arrival made it so much easier for me not to swing by the local McDonald’s on my way to the hotel.
If I’m going to change my life, I HAVE to change the way I deal with my life when I travel. I can’t use it as an excuse any more for my life being in disarray. I just have to plan my life around it better.
So here’s the thought for today from Marvin J. Ashton ~ True happiness is not made in getting something. True happiness is becoming something. This can be done by being committed to lofty goals. We cannot become something without committment.
You’ve known her! Susan Braumberger-Arruda! 5 time National Fitness/Figure Champion, WBFF PRO, FAME PRO and Official Advanced Genetics Elite Athlete and partner of Marco Girgenti…yes, that’s no other than. Let’s give her the chance to be on the cover of Status Fitness Magazine by casting a vote. Just follow this link and create an account for free to be able to vote. http://www.statusfitnessmagazine.com/susan-braumberger-arruda
This has been a pretty interesting first week. On Wednesday I went to see a Solution/EBT (Emotional Brain Training) coach who is going to help me through this process. When I presented my plan to her, she told me flat out ‘ Where are your limits? You won’t loose weight doing this. You really need a more specific plan of action with some limits built in.” She also told me that it is not unusual to train and do a marathon (particularly if you’re doing most of it walking) and not loose any weight unless you also limit your food. Apparently it’s because your appetite increases so dramatically with all of the mileage. I can attest to that. Crap! This is not what I wanted to hear.
She recommended the Mayo Clinic Diet. I bought the book and am going to commit to it for at least two weeks. I’ll post more about that plan later.
Sure enough, even though I did pretty well on most of my goals, I didn’t loose a single pound (or even half a pound this week). But I do feel good about making a plan and sticking to it. I also feel good about revising it since it’s not helping me meet my goals.
So here are the details of week one …
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you’re not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you’re the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or acheive this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no’s become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly. AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.” ~ Unknown, Nike Ad
Saturday, January 9
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Fitness:
5 mile run from the Ferry Building to North Beach to Fisherman’s Wharf back to the Ferry Building down to the Bay Bridge and back to the Ferry Building.
My average pacing was as follows:
Warm up/ Cool down splits – 17:45
Walking splits – 16:20
Running splits – 14:17
Average pace was 16:42 (my goal was 16:45)
Friday, January 8
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Fitness:
20 minutes elliptical
30 minutes weight circuit
Thursday, January 7
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Fitness:
RW treadmill: 45 min 2/2 Avg pace 17:07 Calories 274.5
30 crunches on stability ball
Wednesday, January 6
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Dessert
Fitness:
Rest day
Tuesday, January 5
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Dessert
Fitness:
15 minutes elliptical
30 minutes weight circuits
Monday, January 4
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Fitness:
RW treadmill: 43 min 3/1 Avg pace 17:11 Calories 254.4
Sunday, January 3
Daily Habits:
Food Log:
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack
Dinner
Dessert
Fitness:
Today is a much needed REST DAY after my 9 mile run yesterday.
Did not stretch today like I had planned. Kind of forgot about it.
