Let's watch this together

Hey! I’ve just signed up to watch a free documentary series called iThrive! Rising from the Depths of Diabetes and Obesity, which starts Tuesday, November 14th.

It’s about the diabetes and obesity epidemic.

I think this series could be the answer to some of the health conditions we all suffer from. I’d love it if you registered and watched this documentary series with me. Here’s the link to register for free:

https://go.ithriveseries.com/watch

Diet Beta Test

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.

Time for Change

Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change. ~ Tony Robbins

I'm finally becoming aware of how even the smallest indulgence of sugar, oil or salt is affecting my health. The high numbers from a recent health screening coupled with how I have been feeling anytime I eat sugar or junk food has made me more mindful of what I am consuming and how it makes me feel immediately afterwards. I have always loved food. It has provided me a comfort that I have felt no other way, but the price I have paid for eating whatever I want is way too high.

Years ago I resigned myself to sitting on the sidelines of life. I told myself that I'm a loner anyway, but I know that's a lie. I would rather participate. I would rather be in a swimsuit than sweats and a sweater to hide the fat on my arms and legs. I would rather walk in the big stores and go to a dozen yard sales in a row than sit in the car and "read" because my feet and knees hurt too much to walk very far. I would rather visit with my family than "take a nap" because I'm too exhausted to get out of bed. I would rather be a shining example of radiant health to my family and community than stay home in shame because I can't conquer food addiction and the evidence shows all over my swollen body.

The words of Tony Robbins are ringing in my ears lately.  "Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change". The pain of morbid obesity with chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, and diabetes is more than I can handle. I am ready to do what it takes.

I know I have been at the "I'm ready" crossroad a million times. I come to this place usually every January 1st when I make a resolution to "lose weight", but it's about so much more than that now. It's about quality of life. My body sometimes feels like I'm in my 80's instead of 50's. I know people in their 70's and 80's that get around better than I do. Ernestine Shepherd is a shining example. I'm not ready to be old before my time. There is so much life I want to live before it's time to check out. A few family members and friends have died recently of addiction and disease. It is a real wake up call.

One of my favorite internet marketing gurus, Ramit Sethi said something the other day that has stuck with me. He was referring to my procrastination of picking a path to make money online which is something I've always wanted to do so I can trade a sedentary job for an active life. He said, "Isn't it time?"

Yes, it's time!

Find Your Soul Mate to Lose Weight

I listened to the Chalene Johnson podcast where she talked about Oprah Winfrey purchasing Weight Watchers for 30 million dollars and doubling her money the next day. Wow! That just shows how desperate we all are for a diet that provides the magic answer to our weight loss woes. 

Chalene had some great advice about "diets" that made a lot of sense to me which is basically to find one that you can do for life! She also simplified how to find an exercise program that you will stick to. 

She called it "soul mate" exercise which is exercise that you love to do. She said to find your "soul mate" close your eyes and think about the exercises you enjoyed doing as a child, in your teens, in your early 20's and so on... When I did this exercise SWIMMING came up in every age category! I do love to swim. 

The water has always been a place where I feel light and free, but I don't swim as much as I like because I am not comfortable being in a swimsuit or shorts in public. My legs look like they are in the later stages of lipedema, swollen and lumpy. I am very self-conscious for anyone including my family to see it. 

Sometimes, I say what the heck and jump in the pool anyway, but it makes me feel very uncomfortable when I see people staring at my legs. I just want my body back! 

I know wishing won't make it happen, so I just have to get over my insecurities and dive in to become one with my soul mate!

 

Kathy G

Listen to Chalene's podcast and learn more about soul mate diet and exercise!

http://www.chalenejohnson.com/podcasts/oprahs-weight-watchers-what-it-takes-to-lose-weight-for-good/

 

Markus Weight Loss Contest

I just saw where Markus Rothkranz is starting a weight loss contest. I am joining it for a few reasons. One is I have gotten way off track with my vegformation transformation. Markus often says that just because you are vegetarian or vegan doesn't mean you are healthy. I am living proof of that statement because I have been vegetarian for four years, but I still weigh over 300 pounds! The last time I got on the scales about a month ago I weighed 307. 

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 

Do You Ever Wonder How You Never Knew

Soak Your Nuts by Karyn Calabrese

I love it when I discover plant based experts. What amazes me is how they were never on my radar before given how much I study this field. I spend at least an hour a day, sometimes much longer listening to plant-based podcasts, watching videos, reading books, etc. I would say I'm definitely passionate about it. My biggest regret is that I didn't pay attention to the vegetarian world when I was younger. I do believe it's never too late to turn your life around with plant based food and a positive attitude. 

Today I discovered Karyn Calabrese as I was checking out an Autumn Calabrese video! I am constantly amazed at how young people look who adopt a plant based lifestyle long term. It's like it reverses aging! Karyn is 65 and looks half that age. She's big into detox which is not something I have yet mastered. I think the longest I have lasted doing a detox was three days and I felt like I was dying. I'm a big baby when it comes to feeling sick. I know it passes, but I think I have so much toxicity built up in my fat cells from a half century of eating junk food that I have to release it slowly or be medically supervised. I would love to go to True North and do a water fast. Someday, when I can afford it. In the meantime, I will keep fueling my body with fruits and veggies and learning from people who have been there, done that. I'm so grateful for people like Karyn who consistently walk their talk and share their gifts. 

Kathy G

facebook.com/vegformation

Go Hard or Something Is Better Than Nothing

Selfie of my daughter and me at the Y yesterday

My daughter (Terra) and I have two different approaches to working out. She, being a former personal trainer, has been on me for years to train harder. She even suggested that I get one of those gadgets that monitors your heart rate and do heart rate training. Her philosophy to working out is go hard or stay home. No pain, no gain! It drives her crazy when she sees me reading a book while I'm on the treadmill. She has often asked me if I'm not going to give it all I got why bother? She pushes herself hard in the gym. She has only gotten off track when she has kids. She has three children and had to work hard to take off the weight and get back in shape after having each one. Her youngest is two and now she back to hitting the gym hard again. She works out 2-3 hours a day! She has lost 80-100 lbs three times, so her go hard approach definitely work for her. 

I believe when it comes to exercise something is better than nothing. I would rather do 20 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical (my favorite) while reading a book than do nothing at all. I would rather go for a swim or walk than jog or run and you will never see me doing triathlons or crossfit! It is good to work up a sweat, but I don't want to injure myself and get out of commission for weeks at a time which is what I often see with people who have the go hard philosophy. My objective is to avoid pain, not create it! 

Terra gave a great example of her go hard vs just showing up philosophy. She said she often does a boxing class with a friend and they chat most of the time while they workout. Her friend couldn't make it to class the other day, so she took her 15 year old daughter to spar with at the gym. She said they worked out so hard she could barely breathe and she even got a blood blister and broke two nails! I told her that was probably due to her daughter having a perfect opportunity to take out her frustration for every no she has given her. What teen wouldn't like the opportunity to take out their frustrations on their parents in a safe and fun way! Terra said she is sore everywhere and feels like she got in a really good workout that was worth her investment of time and money. 

If I did a workout like that I wouldn't be able to move the next day. Several years ago. I made the mistake of letting Terra be my personal trainer. She had me doing so many squats and lunges, I could barely sit on the toilet for a week! 

I think in the end it all boils down to what works for you. Could I stand to step up my workout some? Probably so. The new WIFI enabled cardio equipment at the gym makes it easier because now I can listen to my favorite podcasts while I workout. Hey, it's progress! 

Kathy G

www.time2getfit.com

Have You Been to the Gym Lately?

Our local Y got new Technogym equipment a few days ago and it is a game changer! Most of the cardio equipment has WiFi enabled computer screens. I could spend the whole day on the elliptical listening to podcasts. You can also watch YouTube videos or TV, read, listen to music, plug in your own phone...all while doing a programmed routine or your own thing and getting stats about your workout.

I have been working out the past two days and when the equipment timer goes off at 30 minutes, I don't want to stop! That's a first. Usually, I'm looking at the clock every few minutes to see how much time I have left. I LOVE to learn and if I can get a workout in at the same time, that's a perfect combination. I already want to get up earlier so I can get more time in at the gym. That's progress!

If you haven't been to the gym lately, it's definitely worth going in and seeing how technology is changing the wellness world for the better!

Kathy G
facebook.com/vegformation

The Best Weight Loss Secret Ever!

By watching Chef AJ's video Ultimate Weight Loss Secret #1, I feel like I just got the key to the weight loss door that I've been banging on and trying to open for years! Although I have heard "eat whole foods" it really didn't soak in about the smoothies until I saw the visual where she dumps all the food from the blender in a bowl. I have had the hardest time dropping weight since I became vegetarian three years ago. I foolishly believed it would melt off the moment I stopped eating meat and deep fried foods. I thought the smoothie was the way to go because it filled me up like a meal would and still kept the fiber in. Now I understand for optimal weight loss, I need to chew my whole fruits and veggies. Makes perfect sense now that she explained it to me. I'm so glad she is making these videos They are a invaluable for someone like me who wants to transition from a junk food vegetarian to whole food plant based so I can once and for all get to my ideal weight (which means losing at least 165 lbs), have abundant energy, and be free from food addiction. 

Thanks Chef AJ! 

http://youtu.be/W9Hh6wooFm4

Common Denominators

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." ~ Michael Pollen

Raw or cooked? Juice or the whole food? What about oil?

Since becoming vegetarian three years ago, I have studied and followed a lot of plant-based doctors and vegans. Some say you should cook your food and some say you should eat it raw, some say olive oil and coconut oil is good for you, others say no way, some say juicing is the way to go, others say eat the fruit whole... the list of contradictions goes on and on.

Rather than focus on the confusion, I focus on the commonalities. What do they all agree on? Drink lots of water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens and exercise.

Currently, I am following FullyRawKristina as she does her 21 Day FullyRaw Challenge where she is challenging her followers to eat one fully raw meal a day. That's an easy challenge for me since I usually drink a green smoothie for breakfast or have fresh fruit.

This morning, I'm eating oranges for breakfast. I love the smell when I first peel them. It puts a fresh citrus scent in the air around me which gives me a little boost of energy. It's almost like when you first walk outside on a bright spring day and the feel the warmth of the sun kiss your skin. Yeah baby! That's the life force I'm talking about.

I am also working with Katherine Nilbrink, a plant based nutritionist and holistic health coach, who was my instructor when I took the plant based nutrition certification course at eCornell University a couple years ago. We made a connection and stayed in touch after the course. Katherine has been a big supporter of my plant-based journey and is helping coach me through my transition from a junk food vegetarian to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.

Katherine supports eating a variety of cooked and raw plant-based foods. Kristina recommends fully raw. Instead of getting bogged down with the differences, I look for what they both say. The common denominators. Katherine recommends eating three meals a day to give your digestive system a chance to do it's job. I notice that when Kristina is doing her "what I eat" videos, she also shows three meals. They both say to drink lemon water first thing in the morning and to exercise. They both also recommend creating a vision board. 

So, that's how I follow two different plant-based lifestyles without getting confused. Nothing is set in stone, we all just have to find the common denominators that works for us!

Kathy
www.facebook.com/vegformation