Results (What I Learned About Scales)

Do you see this beautiful scale?  It's nice and thin (like I want to be!) and sleekly black too (oooo, sexy!).  It's also fancy-schmancy because it does more than your average scale.  It provides the following:

1. Body Weight
2. Body Mass Index
3. The percentage of your body that is water
4. The percentage of your body that is muscle
5. The percentage of your body that is bone

And it does even more, but that's the important stuff.  That's why I paid $70 for this beautiful, know-it-all scale.  (Now if only is praised me when I released some weight!)

Today I learned something important:  THIS SCALE IS A PIECE OF JUNK!!!  

When I started my eating plan 14 days ago, I weighed in and was pleased that their scale actually had me weighing in five pounds lighter than mine at home.  Ye-haw!!!  I certainly wasn't going to question a good thing, you know?

When I weighed myself on Sunday at home (my usual weigh-in day), I was so ecstatic to see that in 10 days I had lost 9 pounds.  So I was walking into the doctor's office feeling pretty fine.  I figured I would see a 10-12 pound release and maybe even 14 if I was lucky.

I stepped on the scale with pride and confidence.

And it said I lost FIVE pounds.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?  NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!!!!!!

I wanted to cry.  I wanted to (briefly) give up.  I thought I had been doing so well.  I didn't understand.  Good thing I was in the doctor's office because I was ready to go down some big-time chocolate.

Then the doctor came in and enlightened me.  Here is the breakdown:

I had a release of 5 pounds with a gain of 6 pounds of muscle, resulting in a net loss of 11 pounds (2.5% of my body fat).  Now THAT is even more exciting than losing 11 pounds straight, is it not? Yeah, baby!

I was shocked (yes, SHOCKED) at the gain of muscle because I had only been to Curves two times in the 14 days of this eating plan.  I told Doc this and he said, "But you are eating quality protein."  Well!  I knew protein was important but I had NO IDEA it could do THAT!!!!!

So the morals of this story are:

1) Your fancy scale (and mine) that does everything but sing and dance is still likely crap.

2) Protein is so much more important than I ever knew.

Til next time!

Temptation and Habit Strikes Back!

So I've just experienced my first Holiday while on this eating plan.  On July 3rd, we were part of a group of 6 families who got together to see the fireworks in Broken Arrow.  We met at 71st and Elm and walked to Fiesta Mambo.  For the first time since I started this plan, I found myself seriously considering getting what I wanted instead of what I "should."  I was seriously worried I was going to cave.

I am happy to report that while I didn't get the healthiest thing on the menu, I did stay within my plan for the most part with a taco salad.  I did not eat the shell  and had no dressing.  The only thing I probably shouldn't have had was the sour cream and the little bit of cheese they used.  So yay me!

Just after I ordered though, it occurred to me with great shock that I had eaten a few (probably 5 or less) tortilla chips with salsa!  Woa!  They were there in front of me.  It's just what you do at Mexican restaurants.  Luckily, I've never been big on the tortilla chips and salsa so I truly only had maybe five small ones.  Yet I couldn't believe that they simply slipped right passed my radar!  I never thought of it.  That was an EYE OPENER for sure.  Habit can win at any time if we aren't aware.  Now I know.

Later that evening, just before the fireworks, we walked over to Sonic for ice cream.  Before we ever went, I was debating....do I cheat or don't I?  Technically, I am allowed one cheat day a week.  Someone mentioned I should be able to have fun and a small cheat won't be a terrible thing.  So I thought, "Yeah.  Okay, I will cheat with a small sundae."  But it just didn't feel right.  So I said no.

Not only did I not eat ice cream, but I ended up walking over to Sonic with them anyway and STILL not ordering anything!!  I am so proud of myself!  :-)


I have always believed that when the time is right, things will flow in ways you hadn't expected.  And that is how I know this is the right time for the weight release.  One of my biggest issues has always been eating out. I love to eat out.  My husband does not.  So when I get the chance, I am going to enjoy it thoroughly.  And it's difficult for me to spend money on food if it's not even what I really want.  However, in the past 12 days, I have now eaten out four times--2 cookouts and 2 restaurants.  And I have done quite well with my choices AND I have enjoyed my choices.

WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I intend to keep it up!

The Bucket List in Reverse

Just before I started to "recover" from Lyme Disease, I had begun to believe that I would not lead a quality life and all my dreams were dead.

Now, I've found myself thinking about the things I will do when I am "thinner and healthier."  This is NOT a list to be completed before I die though.  This is a list TO DO while I am ALIVE, HEALTHY and VIBRANT!

• Go Zip-Lining
• Try Rock Climbing
• Go Sky-Diving
• Take Many Horseback Rides
• Learn to Dance
• Take the Test for a Motorcycle License
• Go Camping and Hiking (again)
• Travel to India
• (Maybe) Get Pregnant

How exciting this is!  I have so much to look forward to.  My life is just beginning!  The possibilities are endless.  I must remember these things when the goin' gets tough.

What about you?  What things help you through the rough spots when you are working towards a goal?

Anything else you think I should add to my list? 

Meltdown

Last night I lost it.  Completely.  For a few brief seconds (felt like MUCH longer), I was out-of-control.  The good news is that, 1) I didn't lose it with food and 2) I blew off some steam.

But why does it have to come to this?

Yes, I am under a lot of stress and have been for some time.  But who isn't?

Thank GOD for Suresh.  As I was getting ready to leave the house and go--who knows?--Suresh, stopped me. And he was smart--he said I could go wherever I wanted if I just came back in the bedroom for a minute.  Then he gently sat me down, put his arms around me.  And I cried.  Really cried.  Ugly-face, loud sobs, heaving-for-breath cried.  

I am so blessed.  In so many ways.  So why do I feel like nothing is right?  Why does the presence of my mother-in-law in our home turn me into an irrational, possessive, angry maniac?  Why can't I just pray that things get better at Suresh's work rather than worry we are doomed for him to work 17-hour days the rest of our lives?  Why did I expect to FEEL different after one week on the eating plan?  Why can't I learn patience and know that I will reach my goal of becoming a brilliantly effective life coach in perfect time?  Why do I feel so UNsupported here?  My friends and "family" in Houston are not that far away.  We all have phones, Internet.  And I've met some great people here! So many good things are happening here in Ok--why do I just want to go home (Houston)?  Where is this deep unhappiness coming from?  And does this make me unlikely to be a good coach?

I read somewhere recently that "Why" is not the question.  The question is, "What are you going to do about it?"  I guess if I knew that answer, I wouldn't be asking why! Yet the truth is, I know the answer.  At least some of it.

I am here to heal.  To grow.  To round out the edges of who I am.  To learn to use my intuition regularly rather than only when it drops a 2x4 on my head.  To blossom into the magnificent human being I am before I begin training for my dream career.  

All these things contribute to quality of life.  All these things will make me a better person, a better coach.  And my job is to accept, to surrender to now.  To enjoy the journey.

*****************************

I wonder if the last week of the eating plan helped bring everything to the surface.  You see, I never realized how much my life revolved around food.  Nor did I realize the habits I had cultivated.

When you are eating the way I am eating now, you don't have to think much about food.  You don't have to think about what to eat, where to eat.  Those coupons that come in the mail are useless.  That great Groupon deal for $30 worth of Italian (my fav!) for only $15--no need.  Suresh recently won a $25 gift card to Pizza Hut.  Oh well.  We don't need it.  

Do you see the lack of fun here?  Or is it just me?

Then there are all the things that you see and smell when you are out of the house.  I went out of the house yesterday to get that B-Complex shot (it is helping, woohoo!) and then to go to a class at my Spiritual Center.  I realized I had created the habit of 1) eating out for lunch and 2) stopping at Walgreens for a candy bar and a Coke Zero.

Now I passed a Walgreens and wanted to go inside!  It was sad that I couldn't.  It wasn't even the candy bar or the Coke Zero (though I do miss you, my friend)--it was simply the loss of a habit.  I tended to spend as much time out of the house as possible because my mother-in-law is living with us and so it gave me a reason to get lunch somewhere other than home.  So as I am driving to the doctor's, I'm scoping out where I may want to eat.  But oh, yeah.  I'm not going to eat out.  Again, not really missing the food.  Just the act of it.  Weird.

And the smells!  My mother-in-laws cooking smells delicious suddenly.  I never noticed the smells from the restaurants before either.  We are driving with the windows down, enjoying the night air--until we pass a Cheddar's and I am feeling sad that I can't go eat there.

Last night, we stopped at a friend's house after our class to pick up Mom.  Suresh is like, "Let's see what's for dinner!"  The friend is also Indian and cooks very well.  Suresh was excited.  I was sad.  I can't eat his food anymore.  We sometimes go over to his house on Fridays to have dinner and watch a movie.  I'm not sure I want to go if I can't have dinner too.  

Am I crazy?  No.  I have to find new habits.  It's time to find something more substantial than food to give me Joy.  This is going to be an interesting, enlightening and growth-filled 12 weeks!

Thanks for hanging in with this long post.  Have a beautiful, safe, grateful Fourth of July!

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!