Cravings

***This was to be posted last night, June 29th, but Blogger seemed to be experiencing technical difficulties.***

When I started this eating plan (one week down-- YAY!), I was sure my cravings would be out-of-control for things like chocolate, pizza, french fries, ice cream and brownies.

Interestingly enough, this is not the case.  Yesterday, I would have done anything for a Coke Zero--and this is the worst thing I've wanted.  For my one "real" meal yesterday, I decided to be a renegade and use 2 whole wheat sandwich thins to make a turkey sandwich.  You see, I am supposed to be limiting my grains to next to nothing.  Well, this is the only grain I've had all week.  I still felt a bit guilty though.

This afternoon, I soooooo wanted a bowl of Quaker's Oatmeal Squares cereal!  I couldn't believe how much I wanted it!  Just a simple bowl of cereal that is decently healthy compared to all the other stuff out there.  And to make matters worse, I have a box of this cereal in the house!  But I stayed strong.

Regarding strength though, we often do not realize if something is helping us until its not there any longer.  I have been on a B Complex Vitamin supplement for some time and recently decided I had no evidence of it really working or not.  So when I ran out, I did not order more.  That was two weeks ago.  This first week of my eating plan has found me exhausted, with no strength.  In fact, I am writing this blog late Wednesday night because I was in bed until 7pm.  I haven't been to Curves once this week.  I just sleep.  Or lay there.

Not fun!  Then a friend of mine mentioned that perhaps I need a B Complex supplement.  Ding! Ding! Ding!  How could I have forgotten I wasn't taking mine anymore?!  Geesh!  Did I just needlessly lose an entire week of my life?

I ordered the B Complex supplement this evening and tomorrow I go to the doctor for a shot of B-12. I am knowing this will make all the difference and I will have my life back.  :-)

The Next Step / A New Life

Life can be so BUSY!

I had wanted to get back to the blog sooner than this, but it is what it is.

Thursday, I took the next step in my healing and began the first chapter in my New Life!

I am now participating in a physician-monitored eating plan.  For the next 12 weeks, I will be eating the following:

• A low-glycemic protein shake or bar for breakfast
• A healthy snack
• A low-glycemic protein shake or bar for lunch
• A healthy snack
• A well-balanced, healthy dinner
• A healthy snack

I am cutting out sugars, high-glycemic carbs, all grains (for now) and following a modified Mediterranean diet. The good news is that my doctor says that those who have followed the plan at least 75% have done very well! I asked if I could have a cheat day and he said it was up to me, but "only one a week and don't go crazy."  Woohoo!  

Interestingly enough, this started Thursday (not a Monday and not the beginning of the month) and so far I am doing well.  However, I am starting to get worried because I think the worst part of it is just about to begin.

These last four days went better than I thought.  I was a little hungry just before it was time to eat so that worked out.  I went to two cookouts and was a "good girl."  

Then came today.  I woke up annoyed at my protein shake.  I was later annoyed at my snack of strawberries and almonds.  I don't want to eat all the veggies I have to eat for dinner.  I have only drunk about 1/4 of the water I should drink each day.  While searching for something on the web, I came across a survey, "What goes best with chili?"  I saw the first two choices and had to close the browser because I WANTED CHILI, DAMMIT!  :)

So. We shall see how it goes....  :-)

The First Half of 2011

I arrived in Broken Arrow, Ok the night of a record-breaking blizzard.  It was cold.  It was wet.  I missed Houston and the beautiful people I consider my family already.

And I was determined to make the best of this new experience.

Two weeks after arriving, we finally received all our stuff from the movers and it was "safe" to drive almost anywhere.  So I joined a Book Club.  Now I am part of a circle of wonderful women who light up my life with their individual personalities, love, understanding and just plain FUN-NESS!

I thought it was time to start trying to get my muscles back into condition and so I tried two gyms.  I tried Water Aerobics and loved it.  Then I was in pain and emotionally miserable for four days.  Okay--not ready for that yet.  I tried a Zumba class.  I didn't make it 5 minutes before I thought I wouldn't be able to continue to stand!  I was mortified as I slinked out of that class, wanting desperately to explain that it wasn't just that I was FAT, I had been sick.

Then one of the ladies from the Book Club mentioned that she had been ill for about a year and a half and  Curves had really helped her.  I checked it out.  Now I go to Curves three times a week.  It was quite difficult at first.  After about two months, I can see that I am getting stronger.  It feels soooo good!  In another week, I think I will start the CurveSmart program, which will work to push me harder in my workouts.

In Broken Arrow, I also found an awesome doctor.  He is caring, listens, understanding and open to "complimentary" methods of health.  At The Wright Health and Wellness Center, I was diagnosed to be slightly hypothyroid.  Dr. Wright graciously allowed me to try a supplement for two months.  After the blood tests showed it was not working, I was put on Armour (the natural thyroid replacement).  Additionally, I was put on a natural supplement to help stabilize my adrenals.

What an amazing difference!  And I have only been on the Armour for about 5 weeks, the adrenal stabilizer for about 2 weeks.  Before Armour, I couldn't get my buttocks out of bed before 10am and sometimes not until noon no matter how hard I tried.  Now, I usually wake up before my alarm at 7am! I find I am sleeping better too.

My Book Club/Curves friend also took me to see an Iridologist.  Phyllis at Rock Creek Herb Company was absolutely amazing.  She simply nailed it.  And she mentioned I should start taking Life's Fortune Multi-Vitamin and Minerals because my adrenals need some assistance.  I noticed more energy the first day I took this vitamin.  I ran out of them and did not immediate buy more and I sure noticed a difference!  I won't be with these vitamins now.

And now it is time for the next phase of my journey, physically.  Tomorrow, Thursday, June 23, 2011, I begin a physician assisted (My favorite doc, Dr. Wright) diet plan.

Follow along as I work this plan, as well as focus on my spiritual health and share tips, tricks and information.

Til next time, live great!

How Quickly Time Flies!

Oh my!

I cannot believe it was a year ago yesterday that I created this blog!  You could say my determination didn't last very long since I never found myself on a second post.  Yet, I know this is not the case.  In this last year, much as happened that has brought me to where I am today.

And today, I am ready to share my journey with the world!  :-)

In July 2010, I had the life-changing experience of working with a Naturopath.  The information I learned about foods and natural supplements informs my decisions and my health to this day.  Additionally, I came to realize I had an unnatural relationship to food, and was perhaps addicted to sugar.  That was a long and scary battle for me.  While I don't seem to be under the same sugar spell I was, I would not in any way say I have totally dealt with this issue completely yet.

In October 2010 I started what is known as an "Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)," run by the Baylor School of Medicine.  This was to help me deal with the emotional fallout of dealing with a chronic illness that had, in my opinion, ruined my life.  This program helped me to find the courage to push myself a little at a time to see just how far I could go before relapsing into a worse condition.

Between the IOP program and a course called "Heartfelt Living" at my spiritual center, Creative Life, I came to understand just how much my own fears and thoughts of inadequacy were affecting my health.  I was floored and also excited because I had some control over my thoughts, so they all say.  ;-)

Also in October, my husband accepted a position as Quality Manger in Broken Arrow, Ok.  The idea of moving was NOT something either of us looked forward to.  At the same time, it appeared to be for the best in many ways.  He moved to Ok while I stayed back to finish IOP, Heartfelt Living and to prepare for the move.  This was the first time in about two and a half years that I did not have my husband to help me with daily tasks such as food preparation, caring for the cats, taking out the garbage.  Could I do it?

I could and I did!

How exciting that I was seeing progress!  For the firs time since I had become ill with Lyme Disease, including four months being nearly bed-bound, I was finally doing the following ON MY OWN again:

• Driving
• Taking out the garbage
• Grocery shopping
• Caring for the cats
• Preparing Food (though I did have some assistance with this thanks to a loving friend!)

How exciting!  I actually began to believe that I may not be doomed to having no quality of life.  Perhaps, just maybe...my life wasn't over.  For the first time since I had become ill, I had HOPE.