Weigh In - Week 9

Neutral.  That single word best describes my weight loss journey this week.  I did not gorge on goodies as I did in the past week, nor did I hit the streets in an effort to renew my walking regimen.  This week, I ate sensibly and took time to breathe.  I did not lose any weight, but I also didn't gain any.  I'm maintaining.

For the past few days, I've been accompanying my almost one-year old baby Charlie to a dizzying array of pre-op appointments in preparation for his craniofacial surgery tomorrow. As many of you know, Charlie is a stroke survivor and also has a bone condition called Craniosynostosis.  This is when two or more skull bones fuse prematurely in the womb essentially trapping the brain and restricting growth.  Tomorrow morning, my husband and I will take Charlie to Medical City here in Dallas for a procedure called a cranio vault.  They are going to open the fuse, dismantle the skull in sections and then put it all back together like a big jigsaw puzzle.

Since I won't be able to hold Charlie for a few days, I've been packing him around with me every place I go.  He has been either in my arms, in my lap or in my bed sleeping in my arms.  So, I guess it would be more accurate to say that I've gained 23 pounds of Charlie weight this week.  I'm nervous and a little bit terrified at the thought of handing my child over to the hands of surgeons tomorrow, but I'm confident that this will all be well in the end.  I just keep repeating - all will be well, all will be well, all will be well.

Pounds lost this week:  0

Total pounds lost: 14

Me and Charlie after an appointment with his neurosurgeon.

To learn more about Charlie click HERE.

Small Kitchen Appliances

I think I'm ready to invest in two new kitchen appliances.  To really make my semi raw food diet work better, I would love to have a good blender and a great juicer.  Any recommendations out there?  What brand works best for you?  I'll be using them every day so they have to be hefty, as well as easy to clean and operate.  Then I can start making stuff like this:

...and this:

...and this:

Girl vs. Sugar

Sugar, for me, is like a little demon - a monster lurking around every corner.  As I said in an earlier post, there is no doubt in my mind that I am completely addicted to sugar.  I've been away from my home in Dallas for a little over 10 weeks.  Over the past three days, while driving from Oregon to Texas with my husband, I ingested way too much sugar.  Now that I'm home, its time to end my binge. I began this weight loss journey while traveling and now that I'm home, I'm ready to put my nose to the grindstone. 

I came home to a clean empty fridge, which is a boon because I don't have any extra crap lying around my house to munch on.  Anything I bring in the house from here on out is my responsibility.  I went to Whole Foods last night and bought 200 dollars worth of fruits, veggies and whole grain products.  This morning, I'm back on track with an all fruit breakfast and a glass of water the size of my head.  It's good to be home.  And Sugar, if you're listening, you don't scare me.

Weigh In - Week 8

pounds lost this week:  0

pounds gained this week: 2

total pounds lost: 14

So obviously, this was a tough week because of travel and family celebrations.  But, no harm, no foul.  I'm back on track and looking forward to more weight loss this coming week.

The "I Did It" List

enjoyed time with my family

didn't beat myself up for eating food off my plan

walked 2 out of 7 days

Happily falling off the wagon.

As you know I've been traveling with my family.  I'm spending most of my time in a car or at the bountiful dining tables of friends and family.  I have definitely fallen off the wagon this week.  I've only walked ONCE and I've not been eating to my plan.  I've been filling my belly with celebratory ale and lots of wonderful cheeses, breads, creamy pasta sauces and even some Boston Cream Pie on my husband's birthday.  I have not paid one bit of attention to my diet or my exercise plan.

What does this mean?  Nothing, really.  I'm happy to be celebrating with my family and please to know that when the party is over, I can return to my sane eating plan and my invigorating walking regimen.  I'm sure I've gained weight this week.  Luckily, its just one week.  Tomorrow is a new day, and I'm still on the path regardless of this week's culinary transgresses.  Onward and upward!

Weigh In - Week 7

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 16

The "I Did It List"

power walked 4 days (12 miles)

2 yoga classes

avoided all fried foods

replaced most beverages with water

Plugging Away

Once again, I'm sorry that my posts have been so infrequent this week.  Visiting with my family has taken a front seat and my mother doesn't have Internet access at her home.  It's been difficult this week to stick to my eating plan.  I've been eating lots of raw foods and salads, but I've also been eating larger portions and miscombining meals.  The good thing is that I'm not gaining weight.  However, I'm not losing any either.  Tomorrow, I'll weigh in and assess my progress.

On the exercise front, I've done well this week.  I walked four mornings this week - 3 miles a pop.  I also attended 2 yoga classes, both of which kicked my ass.  So, I'm feeling good physically and enjoying the company of my family.  Hope you've all had a great week!

I'm at Barf Weight

Sorry for the infrequent posting.  I'm visiting my mother in a rural town in Eastern Oregon and my internet access is limited to the public library, which is only open for four hours each day.  It's been a big week, visiting with famiy and trying to maintain my eating plan and walking regimen.  I've been taking it very easy, doing what I can and forgiving the little tresspasses.

I continue to walk most mornings and even some evenings.  I take a three mile power walk along a country road that looks over beautiful hay fields and up at the Wallowa Mountain Range.  I've put my iPod away for the time being, opting instead to listen to the rushing waters of nearby Eagle Creek and the buzzing insect and bird life as I walk.  I'm still eating mostly raw, well-combined meals and I've already dropped another pounds this week!  I haven't seen this weight since I got really sick three years ago from eating some bad brie cheese.  During the course of 12 hours every last drop of liquid evacuated my body and I lost a lot of weight.  Of course, it immediately came back on the following day.  But now, I'm actually at sick barf weight without barfing!  Marvelous!

Weigh In - Week 6

Its been a big travel week for me.  My family and I left our post in Cedar City, Utah and drove 11 hours north and west to my mother's home in eastern Oregon.  We're in farm country now, situated in the high desert near the Snake River.  I managed the drive VERY well considering that it is my usual habit to snack on long car trips.  Not because I'm hungry, but because I'm bored.  We're staying with my mom and her lovely husband for the next two weeks.  Skicking to an eating plan while staying in someone else's home can be difficult sometimes, however my mom has stocked her fridge with lots of fruits and veggies knowing that I've made some big changes.  Thanks Mama for your support!  You are amazing!
I'm still walking most mornings and just returned from a 3 mile power walk on a beautiful country road.  Still on track and still dropping weight!  Yay!

Pounds lost this week:  3

Total pounds lost: 15

The "I Did It" List

power walked 5 days this week

mostly stuck to my eating plan

picked and ate fresh greens from a neighbors garden (with permission of course)

Did not eat ice cream 

(again, I'm not on an ice cream hiatus, but this was my main vice before starting this journey.)

Everything Can Change

I used to think that there were some things that would never change.  Granted, I'll always be Sarah and I'll always have a pointy nose and I'll always be tall.  But I used to think that in addition to my God given name, my mother's nose and my father's height I'd also always be on the fat side.  But that's not true.  Most things we tell ourselves have no basis in reality.  When I'm telling myself untruths about my body (or about anything, really) I ask myself these 4 simple questions:


Is it true?

Can you absolutely know that it's true?

How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?

Who would you be without the thought?


By asking these questions, I'm usually able to obliterate the negative thought and learn that in fact the opposite of my negative thought is the truth.  Where did I get this awesome set of myth-busting questions?  Byron Katie.  You can read more about her and her work HERE.

This morning, after a lovely birthday evening with my husband which included a dirty martini, a glass of white wine, Alaskan crab legs and a beautiful array of vegetables, I went for a 2-mile power walk.  At first, my legs felt like peanut butter.  Everything in my body said, "Go home. You're not cut out for this."  But slowly, slowly, my brain took over and told my body to shut up and get moving.  Soon, I was flying around the neighborhood at a clipped pace with a smile.  Everything can change.

P.S.  Today was my last walk in Cedar City, Utah.  My husband's contract with the Shakespeare Festival is over today!  Tomorrow we drive to my Mama's home in Eastern Oregon where I plan to continue on my weight loss journey and I'll be sure to keep blogging as well!

Birthday

Today is my birthday.  What's the best gift I can give myself?  A healthy body so that I'm better able to live my fullest life.  I can already tell that this year is going to be a turning point in my life.  Years from now, when I look back at my 33rd year of life, I'll say, "That was the year I finally lost the weight and ensured the vitality and vibrant health I now enjoy."  Cheers, everyone.  Lets make this the best year yet!

Weigh In - Week 5

Good morning every one!  This was a big week because I began phase 2 of my weight loss journey, which was to implement an eating plan.  So far, its going well and I'm feeling good. Cutting out refined sugar and white flour is not a simple feat and I'll be ironing out the kinks of my old habit energy as I proceed.  But the new plan is working because I lost FOUR pounds this week!

Pounds lost this week: 4

Total pounds lost:  12

...and now we will dance!

The "I Did It" List

began a new eating plan

power-walked 5 out of 7 days this week

passed the Dairy Queen every day without going in

went to a late night party and didn't eat any of the fattening catered food

drank 24 ounces of water every morning instead of coffee

NOTE:  I'm still drinking coffee.  I'm just not drinking it first thing in the morning, which was my usual habit.  I don't want a caffeinated diuretic first thing in my tummy.  I've been enjoying a coffee over ice in the late morning or afternoon instead.

Walk for Joy

After a month of walking almost every day, I'm really starting to take serious joy in this simple exercise.  Today I power walked two and a half miles with ease and felt for the first time as though this was normal.  Usually, any kind of exercise feels like something new, something I'm trying out.  But not today.  Now, its a habit - and one that I intend to nurture and maintain.  The sun was bright and hot, but the breeze was light and cool.  Perfect day for a walk.  I'm so grateful to have a body that works!

Day one of my new eating plan went very well.  I started the day with 24 ounces of water with lemon and enjoyed pears, blueberries, tangerines and apples for breakfast.  Lunch was a big green salad consisting of romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts and avocado.  Dinner was organic whole grain pasta with onions, mushrooms, celery and tomatoes lightly sauteed in olive oil.  I snacked on nuts and dried fruit in the afternoon.  All in all, it was yummy, filling and void of sugar and preservatives.  One day down and the rest of my life to go!

P.S.  Play list this morning was Prince and Michael Jackson.  Raspberry Beret and Billy Jean are the perfect pace for power-walking!  I weigh in tomorrow morning so check back to see our progress!

Phase 2 - My Eating Plan

The month of June (phase 1) was about one thing and one thing only:  Get Moving.  It was my goal to power walk for 30-45 minutes six out of every seven days.  I'm so excited to report that I was 100 percent successful in this goal.  Did I lose massive amounts of weight?  No.  That was not the goal.  The goal was to create an enduring exercise habit that I could count on as I move through this process.

July is here and its time for Phase 2: My Eating Plan.  I will be traveling for the entire month of July, so sticking with an eating plan will be important as I visit family, navigate fast food places that cater to travelers, etc.  I'm confident though about implementing a reasonable plan that will work for me.  All of the principles outlined below are based on my own tendencies and needs.  My "diet" (meaning what I'll be eating) has two parts:  What to eat AND How to eat it.  I also have a "No Thanks" list of all the foods I am removing completely from my diet. I will not be counting calories and I will eat when I'm hungry.  The idea is that by eating mostly raw, whole, unprocessed foods void of refined sugar and preservatives, I won't need to watch the calories.  Your plan, of course, would be different based on your own needs.

The Plan - What to Eat

Only fresh juices and raw fruit in the morning.  Eat as much as I like.
NOTE:  My body does not require a punch of protein in the morning to get me going.  What I need most is to be light on my feet and clear headed.  Fruit and raw, fresh juices suit me best.  (Fresh juice and water will be the only beverages I'll consume during the day.)

Lunch will entail protein, preferably plant based, and vegetables / salad.
NOTE: There are lots of way of getting protein without eating meat as I outlined in THIS previous post.  I will be making my own salad dressings from the Raw Food Detox Diet book.

Snacks can be most anything as long as it is not processed or cooked. 
NOTE:  This includes nuts, any kind of dried or fresh fruit, Lara Bar, Greek yogurt, or vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, jicama, zucchini, green beans, etc.) with almond butter, homemade guacamole or tahini to dip.

Dinner will be a sensible meal, the largest percentage of which will be vegetables / salad.
NOTE: I will eat fish, whole grain pastas, eggs, sweet potatoes, legumes, etc.  Beverages can either be water or a glass of wine.

I love sweets treats, so I will allow one properly portioned sweet treat once a week.  Knowing me, this will probably be a small bowl of real ice cream!

Food Combining - How to Eat It

Here is my short and incomplete explanation of food combining:  Certain foods, when consumed together take two or three times as long to digest as other food combinations.  I am interested in eating easily digestible foods so that I don't have, as most Americans do, a backlog of food in my tummy and intestines.  This creates all sorts of havoc for me and my eliminative channels (liver, kidney, spleen, skin, colon) slow way down causing constipation, poor metabolism and weight gain.

Basically, there are four food groups that should NOT be consumed together: starches, flesh, nuts/seed/dried fruit, and fresh fruit.  Fresh fruit should always be consumed alone, otherwise it will ferment the other food in your system causing putrefaction and other yuckiness.  Fruit takes 30 minutes to leave your system.  The other groups take about 3 hours to leave your system.  So eating the right food combinations and spacing my meals will be an important part of my plan.  It might sound complicated, at least that's what I thought at first, but now that I've been trying it out for the past few weeks, it seems much simpler.  There is great information on the web about proper food combining, but here's a quick chart for my purposes.

The "No Thanks" List: 

beef

processed meats

refined sugar

white flour

white bread

processed spreads, dressings and dips (margarine, etc)

microwave meals

most dairy

 soda

I know this looks like your usual "diet" fare, but I consider this shift a permanent one that will endure beyond my one year journey to lose 75 pounds.  (I'm cutting beef and most dairy on the basis that it makes me feel bad and phlegmatic.) The diet will change, I'm sure, as needs arise.  However, this is my starting point. I do all of the cooking in my family, so I will be able to oversee this eating plan 100 percent.  My family is committed to joining me as I "cleanse the kitchen" and serve healthy non-processed meals.  In the end, we'll all benefit!  So, what are your thoughts?  I'm new to this and as always, I appreciate your comments and feedback.