1-29-2011 Still in the Right Direction, Possibly Allergies?

Stats for the week and month:

Weight: 206.6 lb

Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lb

Weight Lost Since 1/1/11: 4.6 lb

% Fat: 45.5% (total loss since 1/1/11 =1%)

Hips: 45 in. (loss of 1 in.)

Waist: 42.5 in. (loss of 1.5 in.)

Chest: 44.8 in. (loss of 2.2 in.)

Thigh:  24.5 (no change)

Calf: 16 in (loss of 0.5in.)

Upper Arm: 12.5 in. (no change)

Current BMI: 32.5  (still in the early obese level.  At 190 lb, I merely become "overweight" (BMI of 29), a nice stepping stone goal - only 16.6 lb).

Total Measured (on one side) Inches Lost since 1/1/11: 5.3 inches

This week was great in terms of getting lots of exercise, drinking more water, keeping up with the Five Tibetans, meditation, and alternate nostril breathing.  I also was more diligent in planning and recording everything I ate and staying within the guidelines set out by My Food Diary.  This week was easier in this regard than last with, except for the news of another family member suddenly passing on to the greater dimensions.  While I send great love and healing to my uncle Gary and his son, Matt, I seemed to need to process it in my own way.  One of my elliptical workouts was very emotional for me, with tears, and grief escaping, not only for this family member, but also for my cousin, Jenni, my grandfather (who died in 2006), my Uncle Sam, my friend, Theresa, and whoever else popped into my head during the workout.  I also had the distinct feeling that what seems to be a lot of loss of life, lately, may just be the start, so this added the element of worry to my mind, but also the understanding that amazing energetic things are happening on the planet and through the people who inhabit the planet.  So, to balance what could be despair, I felt an odd sense of hope.  I let it all happen, and felt clear afterward.  I don't know how many of us really take the time to allow the expression of the grief, I know that my tendency is to try to sail above it, rather than dive into it.  Sailing above it does not process it out of the body.  It feels as though it was a big clearing for me, as for the rest of the day my heart felt lighter than it has in a long time (and I thought that I HAD already been feeling light.)  It was a good reminder to continue to be emotionally aware, and clear what needs to and can be cleared, to move forward in a heart-centered, emotionally clear, way. 

There are so many techniques for emotional healing, EFT is just one tool.  Acupuncture is another, Colorpuncture is another.  I have techniques that I've used successfully personally and recommend to my acupuncture patients as needed.  They are very powerful.  Some of my favorites have to do with Inner Child work.  Exercising, too, is very useful.  They are all topics and techniques fully worthy of exploration and training. 

On to results for the week and four weeks since I've been working on this plan.  4.6 lb in a month does not seem like a lot to me, for the apparent work I've been putting into it.  Granted, it IS in the right direction, albeit seemingly slow.  Alas, 4.6 lb average per month, lost consistently would mean 55.2 lb lost in a year, which would be wonderful, and seems healthy.  According to My Food Diary, a loss of 1.7 lb per week is the maximum that they consider to be healthy, so I'm within their range of healthy weight loss.   Also, I've lost inches and a fat percentage, all in the right direction.  

It does make me pause, though, and contemplate my diet.  I am still puffy and swollen, and I do not know if that is due to too much salt, or if I am having a sensitivity reaction to food items I've kept in my diet, possibly gluten.   Food allergies can be a contributor for many health issues I've had in my life, including the severe arthritis and chronic heel pain.  

Several years back I read and followed the False Fat Diet by Elson Haas.  I felt great!  Less stiff, less puffy, less everything.  The basic premise was that the foods that we are sensitive to are causing water retention and a "false fat" look.  Essentially the diet is an elimination diet, eliminating the highly suspicious culprit foods from your diet, and then after a period adding them back in one at a time and noting your body's reactions to the foods.   Dr. Haas recommends doing this elimination diet in phases.  I am tempted to go for it, and see if allergies might be contributing to my ongoing issues.  So far I've been pretty good at greatly reducing my dairy, saturated fat, and sugar intake, but perhaps there is more contributing.  I will contemplate it more, as I have time (I have a major exam for which to study this weekend), but may just jump right in.  I imagine by jumping into a more restricted eating plan, especially one that eliminates my reactive foods, and sticking to the increased exercise, I will likely see more dramatic results.

That, or I may switch to a gluten-free diet and see if that helps with the puffiness and achiness, without the extremes of the Elimination Diet.  For now, I must study.

Again, thanks for following and for your support and interest and Great Blessings to You All!

I will keep you posted on what I decide to do in terms of shifting my diet.

2011 Healthy Body and EFT: Recipe: Breakfast Burrito - Egg Beaters

2011 Healthy Body and EFT: Recipe: Breakfast Burrito - Egg Beaters: "These are yummy, nutritious and filling. Egg Beater (or egg white) Breakfast Burrito: I've copied and pasted my recipe ingredients from My ..."

Recipe: Breakfast Burrito - Egg Beaters

These are yummy, nutritious and filling.

Egg Beater (or egg white) Breakfast Burrito:

I've copied and pasted my recipe ingredients from My Food Diary where I originally entered the foods.

Instructions:
1) Chop garlic, red pepper, and zucchini.
2) Heat olive oil over medium heat in small fry pan.
3) Saute vegetables and garlic in oil until semi-soft.
4) Add whisked Egg Beaters or egg whites to pan and cook until done.
5) Warm tortilla, if desired
6) Spoon egg mixture and organic green chile sauce into tortilla
7) Wrap and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

1-22-2011 A Strange Week

First of all:

Weighed in at 207.4, so, essentially lost what I'd gained last week, and back to a total loss of 3.8 lb this year.  It's in the right direction.  However, it is likely not due to any extravagant actions I took toward this goal, except, perhaps, all of the exercise in the previous couple of weeks. 

We did start with doing 21 repetitions of the Five Tibetans early in the week, so hooray!  Plus I did manage to get on the elliptical one morning for 45 minutes.  After that, I was ill for three days, very nauseous and dizzy, achey and gross (Richard was too, he often brings home illness from the school where he teaches.)  So, I took it easy, focused on healing, and not worrying much about tracking my food, or doing yoga.  

Today I feel physically better and we are hoping to go on a walk midday today.  The weather has been a challenge, lately, especially with the severe winds and cold, cold temperatures.  *Sigh*, it's winter, and not my favorite time of year, but I will keep on persevering and getting the exercise I need to to be healthy and energetic.

It was a strange week in other ways, as well.  I have a set of cousins who live in one of the towns in Brazil that was hard hit by the mudslides and flooding last week.  Click here for more on the Brazilian devastation.  They are physically all right, and now have the items they need for further survival.  It was also the anniversary of the passing of my cousin, Jennifer Lyon, which, I can only imagine, is still very sad and painful for my aunt and uncle and many others who were close to her.  I am always struck by how she chose to live her short life. I am sure that the last few years were very uncomfortable for her, but she persevered in living it fully, pretty much to the end.  More on Jenni Lyon - Click here.  Then there was the discussion I had with a close family member regarding her contemplation on going ahead with a prophylactic double mastectomy and oophorectomy.  I feel sad that she has this decision to make or not make, and I realize that it could have easily been me making that decision.  I don't think I've fully realized the implications of not having the deleterious BRCA2 gene mutation.  That's an entirely different blog. I support her fully whichever way she decides.  There is also a lot of drama with our class in Pharmacy school, and I pretty much stick to choosing to put my energy into energizing, creative things, such as getting my work done, and quilting and taking care of myself.  More on this in my pharmacy blog:  Pharmacy School Blog - click here

I guess in light of all of this, maybe my own health goals seemed a bit less significant than other people's realities.  I don't really feel guilty for focusing on myself, I feel I can still be available for others in their times of need of love and support.  Perhaps I am grateful that my life is relatively simple at this point (if full-time Pharmacy school can count as part of a "simplified" life) and it has taken over 40 years to get here.  The stresses of single parenthood have all but vanished, as have the financial worries of home-ownership and single living in a house I couldn't afford.  I own FAR less "stuff" than I did just a couple years ago, thus I am far less burdened by "things" of the past.  In fact, I realize, that the better I take care of myself, the more I have to offer others as needed.  Now is the time to take excellent care of me, so that I can be of optimal enthusiastic service.

So, with renewed vigor and hope, I continue with the goals laid out last week: increased water, 21 Tibetans (which we seem to do only on the weekdays), keep walking and elliptical-ing, etc., and keeping better track of my food intake.  Next week is my measurement week, so I'm anticipating positive results in inches lost as well.

Blessings for another awesome and healthier week!

Thanks for reading and supporting!

1-15-2011 Update: First Week Back to School

Weekly Results:

208.4 (gain of 0.6 lb), total loss since 1-1-11:  2.8lb.

Percentage body fat: 45.5%, no change from last week, and total loss of 1%

I am not taking my body measurements for another couple of weeks, so do not have results there, yet.

I was so sure I'd lost weight this week. I've been exercising like crazy, diligently for 45 minutes at and above target heart rate consistently.  My body has felt better and better (and slimmer and slimmer) each day.    Of course 0.6 lb is not that much of a gain.  As I reflect over the week, I can see where I ran into challenges with food/eating.  I also did some great things for myself.  Here's a rundown:

1) Not having fresh food, ready for my hectic week back to school.  I was working with dregs from the week before, so had fewer healthy options available, which included high salt in some prepackaged foods.

2) We went out to eat several times this week.  It is difficult and time-consuming to "guesstimate" the portions and total calories and salt in foods.  One occasion was for my mother's birthday, so we had cake for dessert (split amongst five of us, and I was very "good" and had two bites feeling satisfied with that.)  I LOVE Indian food and tend to not monitor myself as much there.

3) I know that I am building muscle, so some of the perceived gain is surely muscle, and I have lost some fat.  

4) I have an issue with retaining water.  And I do feel puffy this morning, this could very well be related to ovulation and the amount of salt I have had.

5)  I may not be drinking enough water.  One night I awakened with a severe foot cramp in my right foot, that night was rough, overall, but even though I felt pretty crummy the next day, I did my 45 minutes (a bit more gently than usual) and continued with all of my other goals, successful.  We keep our good, filtered, "blue-jugged" water up in a cabinet where the cats can't get to it, so I have a hard time remembering to drink more and more water.

6) I was diligent with the exercise and fairly diligent with tracking my food (except for the restaurant outings).  This was a good week in terms of starting classes, getting organized and on a schedule.  If I don't exercise first thing, then I tend to not do it since it gets pushed back on the back burner.  I did really great in that regard, and was exercised, showered and ready to roll on classes and homework by 8:30 a.m., most mornings.

7) We are up to 18 repetitions of the Five Tibetans.  They sometimes seem to get easier as we go along, sometimes.  We are aiming to reach for 21 repetitions each day next week.  We've also remembered to do our alternate nostril breathing each day, and focus on a different Course in Miracles Lesson each day.

In fact, today's lesson is interesting (well, they all are).  

Lesson 66:  My happiness and my function are one, because God has given me both.  

An excerpt that bears further contemplation:  Para7: "The second premise is that God has given you your function.  We have seen that there are only two parts of your mind.  One is ruled by the ego, and is made up of illusions.  The other is the home of the Holy Spirit, where truth abides.  There are no other guides but these to choose between, and no other outcomes possible as a result of your choice but the fear that the ego always engenders, and the love that the Holy Spirit always offers to replace it."  

So, my ego can get all wrapped up in the numbers, and the slight weight gain, and no loss this week, but the Holy Spirit that dwells within continues to know my Divinity and Holiness regardless of the status of my physical body.  For my peace of mind, I continue to focus on the Joy, Love, and Enthusiasm I have for living this life the most fully possible, knowing that I am God in expression, as is everyone around me.

8) EFT:  Essentially I did none this week, feeling as though I did not have time to sit and do it, even though it takes only a few minutes.  That is thanks to Pharmacy school starting.  I did put a note on my refrigerator regarding EFT, so that is a good start.   

I set fresh intentions for this upcoming week:

1) EFT!  Especially with issues regarding school, procrastination, distraction, etc.

2) Increase our repetitions of Tibetans to 21.

3) Drink 4 more glasses of water each day than I have been.

4) Grocery shop!!  Get a good stash of the healthy foods that contribute to my success.

5) Keep up the exercise/yoga/meditation routine!  

I am hoping to find time this weekend to share a couple more recipes.  This afternoon we are going for a nice long walk (after my lineup of patients) and then having a spa afternoon with Raindrop Therapy and Aqua Chi.  I'm looking forward to it!!


Blessings to All!

1-8-2011: One Week Success

Weekly Report:

Weight: 207.8 lb

Weekly Change:  -3.4 lb

Total Change Since 1-1-2011:  -3.4 lb

Body Fat:  45.5%

Total Change:  -1%

It has been a successful week, overall.  My plan and hope is to keep this level of motivation up throughout, and to tap through, with EFT, any decline in motivation or enthusiasm.  The EFT made a difference on Tuesday when I went through my "Anti-Exercise" spell.  It was very interesting with the tapping, I was able to immediately bring myself to a place of neutral about it, and was happy about that mental and emotional status, but then a few hours later, I was feeling a surge of uplifting and joy move through me .  That was wonderful, and may not have happened if I hadn't cleared those thoughts and beliefs that were blocking the way of this surge of energy.

The last three days I have been very busy, so haven't been blogging as much, which is how it will probably be once school starts for me again next week.  I have more recipes to share, and will do so as time and energy permit between studying.  I will also use this intense PharmD program to note and clear with EFT the different strategies I've used in the past regarding stress and food.  I see this semester as a training to divert my avoidance behaviors, including randomly going into the kitchen in search of comfort food, or something else to do than study.  My intention is to be aware and cognizant enough to catch them.  I am going to write a large EFT sign on the refrigerator's white board as a signal to stop and assess why I am there.

I am also planning to integrate more relaxation into my studying.  Before, I was using relaxation as a reward for studying.  My Brain Integration Technique practitioner, Boyd, suggested that I find ways WHILE I study to remember to not become overstressed during studying.  Some things I'm going to put into action are using soothing essential oils and calming brain stimulating music while I am studying.  He suggested, too, taking the most difficult material and going to the hot springs to study it.  (This may mean we have to move there.  :-)) This way my brain associated learning the material with ease and calm.  I'm going to try it, especially seeing how coming right up is reputably the most difficult semester of pharmacy school.  This is not encouraging news since I've just had the most grueling school experience of my life, and I've been in a lot of school over the years.

Meanwhile, I plan and intend to continue to exercise and do the yoga and alternate nostril breathing for overall balance and de-stressing.  My body, mind, and soul love it when I take good care of myself, and I really look forward to wearing more and more of the clothes that have been hiding out in my closet.

My plan for today:  A wonderful walk around Evergreen, 18 repetitions of the Five Tibetans, alternate nostril breathing, track my food intake in My Food Diary, a Raindrop Technique session followed by a relaxing Aqua Chi Foot Bath.

Either later today or tomorrow I hope to return to an epigenetic concept related to body image in my family, and help clear it with EFT.  I will certainly report on that.

Happy Saturday with Great Energy!

Recipe: Stevia Chai with Almond Breeze

Stevia Chai with Almond Breeze

1 tea bag Tazo Chai Black (two bags if you like the spices really strong)
1 packet stevia (two if you like it really sweet)
3/4 cup Almond Breeze, unsweetened

Prepare chai extra strong in 3/4 cup of boiled filtered water.
Warm Almond Breeze if it is chilled
Add packet(s) of stevia to chai
Add warmed Almond Breeze to chai

Mix and Enjoy.

Serves 1