Since reading a blog post by Katherine Nilbrink, one of my favorite plant-based nutrition mentors about listening to your body instead of following the latest diet fad, I have become more aware of how certain foods make me feel. I notice how sugar laden food tastes so good in the moment, but within a few minutes of hitting my bloodstream makes me feel sick and weak. I notice how poor eating habits have caused inflammation which has wrecked havoc on my body. It has caused edema, raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels, and created joint pain that includes a frozen shoulder which makes it difficult to do simple things like brush my hair or get money out of the ATM.
Dieting has been on my mind a lot lately. But, my track record with diets are not good. In fact, it's the one thing I think I've failed at the most. There are so many good programs out there, but I usually derail the first week, sometimes the first day.
I have been a fan of Chalene Johnson since I discovered her during my Beachbody days. I love her bubbly personality and she's so fit. She is passionate about helping people live their best life. So, when I saw that she is offering an experimental program where participants create their own diet that got my attention.
The truth is I know what to do. I've studied nutrition and wellness nearly every day of my life since I was 18. I also know that when it comes to our health, we can never learn enough. I always think when I join a "diet" program that I wish they did this or that because then it would be easier to follow. So, now is my chance to put together a program that works for me. I know I could do it on my own, but the accountability and motivation is higher when you surround yourself with like-minded people. I also like being involved with BETA ground-breaking programs. There is something exciting about being the first to breath life into something that could help hundreds of people. I sure hope it's a first "diet" program I stick with. Why wouldn't it be if I am the one creating it?! I think this will be a fun experiment. I'll let you know how it goes.
The program starts May 1st, so there is still time if you want in! Sign up at dietbetatest.com.
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Thursday, March 2, 2017
LENT Addiction Test
Last night I read a post by Chef AJ that got me thinking. She said for her birthday she does not want material things, not even greeting cards. Instead all she wants is for her UWL tribe to overcome food addiction. Chef AJ works tirelessly to help food addicts get free of their self-imposed prison. One of the tools she offers is a challenge to abstain from SOS - Sugar, Oil, Salt. I have tried the challenge a few times, but barely make it through the first day before giving in. The thing is, just because I fail time and again doesn't mean I should give up. In fact, the determination to persevere becomes stronger each time.
I like that her latest challenge coincides with Lent. Lent is one of the best tests for addiction that I can think of. Can you abstain from your drug of choice for even one day? It is the tradition of Lent to fast, abstain, and pray for 40 days leading up to Easter. Easter is my favorite holiday, not only because of the religious meaning, but it feels like an awakening of nature and an opportunity to refresh my mind, body and spirit.
So, to celebrate Lent and honor Chef AJ's birthday wish, I am giving up SOS. I hope to be able to present Chef AJ the gift of at least 22 days of SOS abstinence for her birthday. I have a feeling it will be a wonderful gift for me too!
Thursday, February 23, 2017
The Fat Lady Sings
Today is my 54th birthday. It was a nice day. I went for a walk at my favorite park with my husband, granddaughter and niece, then went to my favorite restaurant (Golden Corral because they have lots of veggies). Then, my husband showed me a picture he posted on his Facebook page where he was trying to be funny by wishing me a happy 60th birthday. Upon seeing my bloated self in the picture, my mood immediately changed from enjoying the moment to disbelief. My mind flooded with thoughts... I don't even recognize myself. I look pregnant. What happened to me!
I could swear on a stack of bibles that I don't eat that much, but no one would believe me, not even me! What is going on? Why am I so swollen?! How can I get my body back?! It makes me want to cringe and cry at the same time.
What am I doing about it? Well, for one thing I cut way back on my hours at work. I went from working 40-60 hours a week to 20 hours a week. I may pay the price financially, but sitting so much is taking a big toll on my health. I believe the saying that sitting is the new smoking! I am moving more including the hour and a half hike I did that led to the picture. I just have to stay consistent with it. That has been my biggest obstacle.
The photo is definitely a wake up call. Not only the photo, but the hike itself. I was so thankful the park had benches scattered throughout the trail so I could sit and catch my breath. I made a game out of it with my five year old granddaughter where our goal was to get to the next bench!
So, here I am making myself a birthday promise to take better care of myself. I know I have to so I can be around for my family. It is time for the fat lady to sing!
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Markus Weight Loss Contest
The weight and weight loss isn't my main concern in and of itself. I've been overweight 90% of my life! It's what eating junk food does to me. It makes me so sluggish. All I want to do is sit and sleep. That's not the life I want! The weight makes it painful to walk. My mother is in a wheel chair because of what obesity has done to her body. If I don't do something to change my lifestyle now, I will soon be following the same path as my mom and her mother before her. It's time to break the cycle of obesity and get control of my life. Markus' weight loss challenge may be the spark I need to stay on track!
Here we go. Day 1. You know how much I love day ones. Here's to hoping that everyday remains as motivating as day 1!
If you are ready to take control of your health too, I invite you to join me. If you sign up, be sure to let me know and we can help support each order on this journey!
Here's a link to sign up...
Markus Weight Loss Contest
http://www.markusrothkranz.com
My Day 1 Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bfjWUsKozo
Let's do this!
Kathy G
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Book Review: SKINNY BITCH
I keep seeing and hearing about Skinny Bitch being influential in inspiring people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle. I am surprised that I haven't read the book or listened to the audio book before now. So, I went to purchase the book on Kindle and saw where I have a credit from being a monthly member of Audible and could get it for free, which made my day. I spent the next two days listening to the book while I worked.
Skinny Bitch was published in 2005. I can't help but think that I had discovered this book when it first came out or even a few years later, it may have helped save me from continuing the SAD path I was on that led to me getting abscessed diverticulitis and having 18 inches of my colon removed. That is part of why I am doing this blog. Maybe someone will see my post and read books like this one or discover resources that will save them years of illness and disease. The thought of even one person being helped is enough to keep me going.
I vaguely remember some controversy when the book first came out. I can see why. A few parts, especially at first are in your face with the author slinging profanity and calling the reader/listener names that some may find offensive. If you can get past that, you are in for an eye opening experience that will give your senses a visual walk through slaughterhouses that you won't soon forget. I guarantee that you will not look at your food the same way again after you read this book!
The authors almost lost me in the beginning when they said that a skinny bitch is healthy. I know plenty of skinny people who are not healthy. But, they later go on to say that skinny is not the same as scrawny, so it's semantics. I can deal with that.
One of the challenges of transitioning from the Standard American Diet to vegetarian to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle is what to cook! I spent most of my life making meals around meat. So, it feels a lot like learning how to cook from scratch. If it was just me, I would be happy with some fruit and steamed veggies at most meals, but I want to make meals that appeal to my family as well.
Skinny Bitch does mention a lot of "fake meat" alternatives and provides a month of menus that I plan to explore in more detail. I have transitioned away from most of the fake meats and my husband doesn't really like them, so that's not a big deal to me. However, it was a life saver when I transitioned away from eating meat. Actually, there wasn't much of a transition. It was more like a light switch. I went cold-turkey when I decided to stop eating meat.
This book is one of those books I wish I had read (or listened to) years ago. It will go on my top resources page that I recommend to anyone who is wanting to cut through the BS and get to the truth of a healthy and sustainable diet!
Kathy G
I am starting a Daily Report that I do at the end of the blog. Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see on my Vegformation wellness journey!
DAILY REPORT
Five Things I'm Grateful For
1. YOU reading my blog!
2. Skinny Bitch!
3. My best friend staying in touch for over 30 years!
4. My plant-based nutrition coach!
5. My daughter cleaning my house while I was at work!
Energy Level on a scale of 1 - 10
4 (up from 1 on January 1st!)
Meals
B - 32 oz Water with ACV (apple cider vinegar), Orange, Oatmeal with a few walnuts and raisins
L - 20 oz Water, Celery with peanut butter (with one ingredient; peanuts) - I planned to have veggie soup for lunch, but the vegetables were crunchy so I didn't eat it.
4:30 p.m. - I was starving when I got off work and stopped by Taco Bell and got a Taco Salad without meat and extra salsa. I only took a couple bites of the shell before I started thinking about what it could possibly be made of. This is the first time I have ate fast food since January 1st!
D - 20 oz Water, 4 oz Apple Juice, Veggie soup
Exercise
Parked the car on the far end of the parking lot when I went to the store.
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