Rocking a Busy Schedule

Ever get the urge to scream "Stop the world! I want to get off!" or "Jane! Get me off this crazy thing!"  That has been my week.  I've had something to do every night, from taking my daughter to get her hair cut to meeting my financial planner to going to the dentist to a planning meeting with my WineShop At Home associate.  This weekend is continuing with the tradition apparently.  So, staying plan has been quite the challenge and I am thankful for protein bars - portable, filling and perfect for those times when my shake alarm goes off while I'm in the car driving from point A to point B.

Wednesday was the Wellness Club Meeting and every time I go, I am so glad I went.  It's something I look forward to every week.  Not only to get measured and weighed, but because there is always a nugget or two of new, great information to learn about health and wellness.  Linda Compton and Dennis Dennehy talked about why diets fail and reminded us that we're not on a diet, we're changing our lifestyle.

So, my measurements are as follows:

Weight: 162.4 lbs (-1.1) - Started at 170 lbs (-7.6 total)
Neck: 14 in (+.5) - Started at 13.5 in (+.5 total)
Bust: 42.5 in. (+.5) - Started at 42 in. (+.5 total)
Waist: 35.5 in. (no change) - Started at 36 in (-.5 total)
Hips: 42.25 in. (-.25) - Started at 43.5 in. (-1.25 total)
Thighs: 19 in. (-1) - Started at 20.75 in. (-1.75 total)

My neck, waist and arms were about the same or a little more.  I know I've lost in my bust because I've had to change to a smaller bra.  Must be the shirts I'm wearing that increased this measurement.  It's clear to me that my weight was mostly gained in my lower half because that's where I'm seeing the most change.  I'm convinced I need a chiro adjustment to get my neck screwed back on straight.  That should also help with my allergy flair up.

This week, I was challenged to walk more (add exercise) and create a healthy pizza.  I also challenge myself to get back on plan with regular healthy dinners which requires a grocery shopping trip. I'll fit that in somewhere along with doing laundry.  Where there's a will, there's a way.

Where's the Rest of Me?

While today is indeed Wednesday, it is Bunco Wednesday.  Therefore, I will not be attending my Wellness Club meeting for the first time since I began this journey.  So, I took it upon myself to do my own measurements because waiting was not an option for me.  My body has definitely changed this week.  The question is, how much?

Per my morning measurements, it looks like I have lost a little in the bust, waist and hips.  The true test was to try on pants that haven't been able to slide past my butt in many moons.  The slacks I've been wearing are a size 12.  This week, my size 8 slacks came out of the closet and guess who wore them to work?  Me!! That right there is the true test!

In other news, the discovery of bell peppers and hummus was made.  This is my new favorite snack.  Bell peppers are also amazing when simply sauteed with mushrooms and onions as a lovely side to a grilled and seasoned chicken breast.  Have I mentioned I'm all about things being simple?  I'm the mayor of Simpleton!

I don't own a scale, so the weight will be measured at the meeting next week.  Another thing that happened this week is I added coffee back into my diet.  Before you freak out, I only have 1 cup of coffee a day. Check out this video to find out 5 things you didn't know about coffee.

I hope to see some of you for Bunco tonight at The Girl Cave!  I'll bring the bell peppers and hummus!

You're Pulling My Leg

No, I'm totally being serious!  I've lost 6.5 pounds in three weeks!  My neck and bust have seen absolutely no change, but I've lost inches in my arms, waist, hips and thighs.  This week has been challenging because my body was preparing for my "monthly gift" and it showed at measuring time.  I felt bloated.  I only saw changes in my thighs (1 inch), arms (.5 inch) and managed to lose 1.5 lbs. even as I was retaining water.

Yesterday (8/5), I actually had to leave work early because I had a bad headache, fatigue and cramps.  I went home and slept for three hours.  Driving to and from work, I nearly fell asleep!  Today, I made it to work but I still had a headache.  Advil was having little effect, so I broke down and had a cup of coffee.  Wouldn't you know it, the caffeine fixed me right up!  I'm hoping I'll be able to make it through the rest of the week without coffee, but it was a nice treat!

Also, I added grains into my diet and I think they might be increasing my inflammation.  I'm going back to chicken and sautéed veggies this week to see if it makes a difference.  Also, exercise will find it's way into my daily schedule.  Ab crunches, sit ups and leg lifts.  I think I'm ready!  Eventually, a resistance band and exercise ball will be added.

Next Wednesday, I will miss my first Wellness Club meeting ever.  Hey, it's Bunco night!  However, when Wednesday rolls around again, my results will be that much better!

A New Journey

Some of you know about the journey that I've decided to embark on regarding my health.  The problem I set out to solve was my energy level and my growing waste line.  I felt that they were connected and the cause was a poor diet.  Over the years, I have moved away from frequent trips to fast food restaurants, drinking soda and indulging in candy bars.  I thought that was enough for me to be healthy.

 

I was wrong.

 

Even though my medical stats looked good, I still felt tired all the time and I also noticed a decrease in motivation and creativity.  It had been on my mind and I was seeking an answer to my dilemma.  Then I saw a friend that I hadn't seen in a few weeks - and she was much thinner than the last time we were together.  I had to find out what she did.

 

CJ was a self-proclaimed lazy person.  She also admits to being stubborn and doesn't like to be told what to do.  CJ isn't a big fan of "diets" and didn't like the idea of exercise.  So, how did she look so incredible in such a short amount of time?  I had to find out.

 

She was happy to tell me about her recent lifestyle changes... and I just about fell over when I discovered the truth.  CJ had gone back to the basics - just that simple.  With the help and guidance of a Wellness Group, she re-learned how to feed her body properly.  We all know about protein, carbohydrates and fats.  We just don't put it into practice.  Instead of starving yourself, how about eating every 3 hours? 

 

Yes.  Every.  Three.  Hours.

 

I eat more often and the fat is melting off of me.  The key is giving your body the nutrition it needs so it burns fat instead of storing it.  For better results, I decided to eliminate sodium, sugar, bread and caffeine all together and engage in a week-long cleanse.  The first week, I lost .25" off my bust, .5" off my waist and .75" off my hips.  Five pounds were gone.  I'm currently on the second week and my jeans are back to fitting comfortably.  The bloating is gone and my energy has risen and stabilized.

 

My motivation and clear thinking has returned and I'm getting so much more done.  They say this is an 8 week program, but I believe this is a lifetime commitment to feeling good.  Just understand that life happens and there are days when you will go off plan.  Don't feel bad about it or beat yourself up - just get back on the plan for your next meal three hours later.  I will have my "off plan" days and I'm okay with that.  It won't happen all the time because I feel much better when I'm "on plan".

 

 

Giving Birth To Epiphany

Okay, kids.  It's time to get serious.  When was the last time you made a big change in your life?  What did it take to cause the realization that the change needed to be made?  It occurs to most people around January 1st of each year that it would be a good time to reflect on the past and make plans for the future.  Well, I'm hear to tell you that epiphanies don't just come once a year - especially in a scheduled fashion.  "Ooh, it's Tuesday! Time for a realization!"

An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, "manifestation, striking appearance") is the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something.

Sometimes your thoughts are all jumbled together in your head and they are making you feel unhappy and somewhat depressed.  How do you get that tangled mess straightened out in order to make sense of it?  How do you get to the point where you truly comprehend what is bothering you?

My realizations are like birthing a child sometimes.  I find myself in the midst of Lamaze breathing (also can be confused with hyperventilating) and then TAH DAH - I'm looking at a beautiful baby epiphany with a shocked look on my face.

So, here's the process for giving birth to an epiphany:


Step 1, if things are bothering you - meaning, if you're losing sleep or feeling depressed - write it down.
Step 2, read what you wrote.
Step 3, say "d'oh!"
Step 4, get a glass of wine.  Okay, that may be MY step 4, but you can use it in your epiphany process too.

So, what do you do with these realizations that make you go, "d'oh!"?  If you're like me, you start writing lists. 

Step 5, start making your action list.

Here's an example of a list generated from an epiphany (if you're in your 20's):

1. Stop sleeping with Steve.
2. Only do drugs at work.
3. Get a tan before summer.

I wonder what HER epiphany was.  My recent list was more evolved for my age bracket. (Shut up.)

So, go out there and start birthing! Yes, you men out there also!  Get to the root of your issues and make an action plan to improve your existence here on Earth.  Life is too short to be sad.

11 Warning Signs of Depression 

It's Hard To Be Good

As adults, we are consistently making resolutions to lose weight. Being overweight is obviously something we are conscious about. Most of us are hoping to do something about our personal weight issues. In the back of our minds, we know that we're not eating proper foods or exercising enough.

I drive down the street and there are many temptations along the route, no matter which direction I go. Donut shops, bakeries, Starbucks and those ever-convenient fast food restaurants are constantly in my peripheral view. How about dinner? Don't feel like cooking? Hey, let's just order pizza on our iPhone and it will be delivered to our door! Pizza has veggies, meat, bread and dairy - that covers most of the food groups, right?

My colleague, Dr. Nona Djavid, is a chiropractor who realizes that weight issues compound structural problems. She has adopted a tried and true weight loss program (she and her family have successfully participated in this program) in her practice for clients who are interested in losing weight in a healthy way. It's called Ideal Protein and it's a clean program, which means all the food in the program is good for you. Dr. Djavid has workshops often to explain the program and even has samples of the food for you to try. If you are in Orange County, CA and would like to attend a workshop, call 949-387-1333 to find out when the next workshop is.

Let's think for a minute how our (Domino's, McDonalds, Starbucks) decisions are affecting our children. What are they learning from our eating habits? Do you have a child that is addicted to sugar? Dr. Stefanie Bennett may have a solution. She has a treatment that helps kids kick the sugar habit. For more information call Dr. Bennett at 714-963-2137 for a consultation.

An article on the Georgia Childhood Obesity Campaign recently caught my eye. People are saying that this campaign is doing more damage than good by humiliating overweight kids. The campaign includes kids talking about how they are being bullied because of their weight. The commercials also bring awareness to WHY they are overweight. "Big bones didn't make me this way. Big meals did."

I'd like to get your opinion on what you think about Georgia's campaign to bring awareness to the problem of childhood obesity. Please share your comments below. I look forward to reading them!

Journey vs. Destination

At 43, I am wondering why I am still searching. For what, you ask? For my passion. For my purpose. Then I came across a writer that has a completely different outlook on the second half of her life.

At 32, Debra Eve became an archaeologist. At 42, a martial arts instructor. At 46, she married the love of her life! Now she writes about fellow late bloomers while plotting her next grand adventure. She claims to be a "later bloomer", finding her passion outside of the socially accepted timeline. I, too, am a late bloomer. I say that because I don't believe I've actually bloomed yet and... it's getting kinda late.

Debra isn't looking to find herself. She's looking to find what makes her happy at that moment. It's not a destination Debra is working toward, it's the journey. I appreciate that she focuses on making the journey as fulfilling as possible and not worrying about what it might look like.

Have you ever heard the saying "follow your bliss"? Perhaps I shall use that as my mantra this year and hope for that "aha" moment. Care to join me?